One area of expertise that I didn’t realize I needed to bone up on as a writer was the mail system. I already had an appreciation for the United States Postal Service. As a kid, it was exciting to watch the red flag (we had a classic mailbox) go up and down as mail was delivered and received. I loved finding deliveries in the box of postcards, letters—really anything that people sent us. As an author, I dived into the topic of mailings when I needed to send out my novels. Books are often … [Read more...]
Patience
August 13, 2021 Leave a Comment
I'm on the Chicks on a Case blog talking about patience. That's the writer's life in a nutshell! https://chicksonthecase.com/2021/08/13/the-patient-writer/ … [Read more...]
On Author Blurbs
January 11, 2021 Leave a Comment
Ever wonder about those quotes by authors you find on books? Having been asked to write some recently, I blogged about my thoughts on Writers Who Kill. See the post here: https://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2021/01/thoughts-on-blurbing-by-jennifer-j-chow.html … [Read more...]
MurderCon
August 17, 2020 2 Comments
"Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes." --fortune cookie saying MurderCon is an annual training event put on by the Writers’ Police Academy, and 2020 marks the 12th anniversary of the conference. Workshops taught by experts, combined with hands-on learning, are the draw of this special event for writers. I’ve heard about this conference for years, but because of the expenses involved (travel + lodging + fee), I had constantly put off attending it. Due to the pandemic, … [Read more...]
Revisions Cave
July 8, 2019 4 Comments
"Efficiency is doing better what is already being done." Yes, folks, the revisions cave is real! I've been in deep edits for my upcoming mystery novel the past couple of weeks because I received an editorial letter. In the author-editor-agent panel I attended at the California Crime Writers Conference, Leslie Karst mentioned that she's received an editor letter of eight to ten pages. Thankfully, my own spanned only two pages (single-spaced, though). Her advice was to make sure … [Read more...]
California Crime Writers Conference 2019
June 10, 2019 2 Comments
I had such a great time at this biennial crime writers' conference! I'm still recovering from the immense load of information given to me, as well as from connecting my introvert self with multiple authors and editors. Here are a few of the observations that stuck out to me from the event: Use funny to deal with serious topics (like murder); and if you have something too mean for your main character to say, offload it to a sidekick. ;) It's common for agents to *not* meet their clients … [Read more...]
Wedding Woes is out in the Wild!
March 25, 2019 2 Comments
Hello, Winston Wong readers! You're in luck because his latest detective adventure is out. This time Winston is prepping for his wedding day--only to be snared in a murder case. Will he find the killer in time to fix everyone's happily ever after? Find Wedding Woes on Amazon and other retailers. P.S. If you purchase now, the e-book version is having a special 99 cents sale for a limited time! … [Read more...]
Vroman’s Walk of Fame
November 12, 2018 6 Comments
"Your loyalties are clear when it comes to friends." I was very excited to witness Naomi Hirahara getting inducted into Vroman’s Walk of Fame this weekend. The Author Walk of Fame started in 2014 to honor authors with a special connection to the bookstore and the community. Other writers who’ve been honored include Luis Rodriguez, Michael Connelly, and Lisa See. Hirahara immortalized her handprints and signature in concrete in front of Vroman’s, the iconic Pasadena bookstore. (She credits … [Read more...]
Book Deal Announcements
October 4, 2018 2 Comments
Hi All, This book deal is getting real! Here are a few snippets from bonafide publishing news outlets. A snippet from Publishers Marketplace, hailed as "publishing's essential daily read": There's also mention of me in the Sisters in Crime October newsletter! Hurrah! Now I better get to work! Send well wishes my way :) … [Read more...]
Robot Revenge Release
October 2, 2018 2 Comments
Hi Folks, Just letting you know that ROBOT REVENGE is officially out! Hurrah! Winston Wong is back on the case, but this time he's taking a close look at his local neighborhood. Paperback Kindle Other e-book retailers So happy book birthday to me! In the mood for any of the following cakes? Straw-buried cake I-scream cake Death by chocolate … [Read more...]
