The Scribblings of Sarah E. Glenn: December 2024

Tuesday, December 03, 2024

Interview with Cheryl Hollon - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

Who is Cheryl Hollon?

Cheryl Hollon writes full-time after leaving an engineering career designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, and India. She combines a love of writing with a passion for oil painting and creating glass art in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

Cheryl is a Past President of the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime, a member of Florida Mystery Writers of America, a member of International Thriller Writers, and co-chair of SleuthFest 2024. She regularly attends SleuthFest in Florida, Malice Domestic in DC, and ThrillerFest in NYC. You will also find her at Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon, wherever they are being held.

The Giveaway:

In eastern Kentucky, Miranda Trent runs a unique tour company called Paint & Shine, but sometimes the peaceful mountains play host to murder.

To celebrate, I’m giving away my latest paperback, "Death a Sketch," a Paint and Shine Mystery.

For a chance to win (US Addresses only) sign up for my newsletter at my website during this promotion. www.cherylhollon.com

I'll select a winner on December 13th and email you to ask for your postal address. Have a wonderful holiday season!

The Interview:

What genre do you write and what drew you to that genre? I write in the Cozy Mystery genre because I wanted both my mother and granddaughter to be able to enjoy my books.

Do you aspire to write in another genre? If so, which ones? I’m polishing a new manuscript in the Historical Mystery genre based on my early engineering career.

What time of the day do you write and where is your favorite place to write? I am an early morning writer and am usually at my laptop by 7:30 in the morning. I have a small desk in our second bedroom with a view.

How many books have you written? I have nine books that have been traditionally published and two more that are out on submission.

What comes first—story or character? For me, the protagonist always comes first, and then I put her in difficult situations.

What famous author do you wish would be your mentor? Louise Penny has had an exciting career and seems such a gentle caring person.

What are your favorite holiday foods? Roast Turkey, Dressing, Buttery Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce (freshly made not from the can) and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream

Lightning Round - Just for fun:

Tea or Coffee: Coffee

Morning person or Night owl: Morning lark with occasional insomnia.

Beach or Mountains: Mountains

City or Country: I love both since I am from Eastern Kentucky but love my apartment in downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida

Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla!

Cake or Pie: Pecan Pie

Last Book Read: The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

Cheryl Hollon's Books:

Webb's Glass Shop mysteries - 6 books

Paint and Shine mysteries - 3 books

Social Media:

Website * BookBub * Facebook * X/Twitter * Instagram * Bluesky

Monday, December 02, 2024

Paradise is Deadly - 12 Days of Sisters in Crime Christmas

Paradise is Deadly: Gripping Tales from Florida’s Gulf Coast

Nineteen gripping tales from Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime, Inc. From hosting hurricane parties to dodging frozen iguanas falling out of palm trees, Florida is weirdly wonderful. These nineteen twisty tales cast a wide net from cozy mysteries to thrillers, from historical fiction to paranormal sleuths.

“The stories range from creepy to terrifying to old-school whodunit to just plain fun. Their plots revolve around archaeological digs, murder for hire, and the accurate pricing of second-hand designer purses. All use the details that make this state stand out from the other forty-nine: the weather, alligators, Florida Man, and, of course, a skunk ape.” From the Introduction by Lisa Black, New York Times Best-selling author.

Authors: Tracy Ann, Mary Ball, Anne Carter, Wendy Dingwall, Mary Dutta, Harold Emanuel, Sarah Glenn, Tanya Goodwin, Margo Hammond, Cynthia Harrison, Jenna Kernan, Cindy Martin, Gwen Mayo, Teresa Michael, Monica Faeth Myers, Stephanie Palmarosa, Jenny Ramaley, Martha Reed, B. W. W. Roark, and Barbara Ryan

Editors: Wendy Dingwall, Martha Reed, Barbara Ryan.

Judges: Colette Bancroft, Lisa Black, Alan Orloff, and Susan Thibadeau.

Introduction by: New York Times Best-Selling Author, Lisa Black

The anthology is on sale on Amazon for Cyber Monday: https://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Deadly-Gripping-Tales-Floridas/dp/1949281248

How did you select the stories?

In early 2022, our Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime chapter formed a 6-person Anthology Committee. We developed a blind submission process so that only the Chairperson/Project Manager knew who wrote which piece. We put out a call for submissions and waited to see what we received. As the stories came in, the Project Manager read the story, assigned a submission ID number, and then distributed it to a reviewer who verified the submission met the published story guidelines. Then the story was passed on to a judge to read and score. When the judges finished their review, we ranked the stories and made our selections. The anthology was published in July 2023 by Mystery and Horror, LLC.

What were the guidelines?

Basic guidelines such as submissions must be in a Microsoft Word .docx format, maximum word count of 5,000 words, standard formatting of 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, etc. Additionally, the author had to be a member in good standing with the National Sisters in Crime and be a member of a Florida SinC chapter.

Reminder for new writers—it is important that you carefully read and adhere to whatever guidelines the organizers define. It could mean immediate rejection if you don’t. We allowed one return by the Project Manager to fix any issues with the manuscript, but the return policy is different for each organization.

Should emerging writers submit to anthologies?

Yes, definitely. Submitting your short fiction to anthologies and online journals is a great way to get that first publication credit. There are several first-time published authors in this anthology.

Will Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime do another anthology?

I hope so. That will be up to the incoming 2025 Board of Directors. Curating and publishing an anthology is at least a year-long commitment for the committee and the chapter.

Who was on this anthology committee:

Teresa Michael was the Chairperson/Project Manager.

Committee members were Wendy Dingwall, Harold Emanuel, Sarah Glenn, Gwen Mayo, Martha Reed, and Barbara Ryan.

Tell me about Sisters in Crime and the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.

Sisters in Crime was established in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition, and professional development of women crime writers. Sisters in Crime sets standards for itself, its members, and the crime writing community. Through advocacy, programming, and leadership, SinC empowers and supports all crime writers regardless of genre or place on their career trajectory. (Mission and Vision).

Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime is one of over 60 local chapters worldwide. We offer monthly chapter meetings with educational offerings and events throughout the year. For membership information, go to the FLGC SinC website.

Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime Social Media

Website: Sisters in Crime – Florida Gulf Coast Chapter (flgcsinc.com)

Facebook Page: Facebook

Florida Gulf Coast SinC Meet Up Page: https://www.meetup.com/Florida-Gulf-Coast-Chapter-of-Sisters-in-Crime

National Sisters in Crime Website: https://www.Sistersincrime.org

Sunday, December 01, 2024

Interview with Teresa Michael - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

Who is Teresa Michael?

Teresa Michael, an award-winning author for her Mariposa Café Mystery Series, with Murder in Mariposa Beach earning the Firebird Book Award. A lover of reading, writing, and travel, Teresa has explored 49 states and managed the US Archery Team in two Olympic Games. She's a past president of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime and a member of Mystery Writers of America. Teresa lives in Sarasota, FL, with her husband. Murder with a Terrace View – A Harrington House Mystery, the first book in her new series, was recently released. Someday, she’ll visit that 50^th state. Connect with her on Facebook at TeresaMichael- Author or visit her website at https://teresamichaelwrites.pubsitepro.com.

What's her newest book?

MURDER WITH A TERRACE VIEW

In Murder with a Terrace View, Molly Harrington's peaceful life running a B&B is shattered when a local author is found dead. As she delves into the mystery, she uncovers a web of secrets tied to her family's past. With a spectral ally and a budding romance with the detective, Molly navigates a world of intrigue and danger. This gripping tale blends mystery, romance, and the paranormal, promising a cozy whodunit that keeps you guessing till the end.

· Amazon Amazon.com : Murder with a Terrace View

· Barnes and Noble - Murder with a Terrace View: A Harrington House Mystery by Teresa Michael, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

I heard there was going to be a giveaway.

-- You're right!

Free book: Mistletoe and Missing Persons is free on Amazon Kindle on December 1^st & 2^nd

Free Short Stories: Sign up for my newsletter and get the first two short stories in the Mariposa Café and Bakery Origin Stories collection. Sign up here. Contact Us - Teresa Michael.

And now ... the interview!

1. What genre do you write in, and what drew you to that genre? Do you aspire to write in another genre? If so, which one(s)?

I write in the mystery genre because I like to read mysteries, suspense, and thrillers. My favorite TV shows and movies are nearly always mysteries or suspense with some romance thrown in. I love the puzzle, figuring out who did it and why. I want to try writing a thriller, maybe a heart-throbbing romance, or maybe combine the two.

2. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

My current release, Murder with a Terrace View, is the first book in the Harrington House Mysteries. I’ve written four books in the Mariposa Café Mystery series. I have a small volume of short stories that are a prequel to that series. These stories were originally my senior thesis, which required me to write three interconnected short stories. During the pandemic, I pulled them out, updated them, and published them as the Mariposa Café and Bakery Origin Stories. They are great giveaways at events. In addition, I wrote a novelette titled Indian Rock, set in Eastern Kentucky, where I spent summers with my grandmother and aunt. I also have a story in the anthology, Paradise is Deadly – Gripping Tales from Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It's hard to choose a favorite book because each one has a special significance in its own way. For example, Murder in Mariposa Beach is special because it was the first novel-length book I wrote and published. Indian Rock is special because it is the one most closely based on truth—except for the dead body. I did not find a dead body when I was 12 years old.

3. What's your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or do you let your story unfold and the characters present themselves (Pantser)?

I’m sort of a hybrid. I’ve tried outlining, but it doesn’t really work for me. I’m a pantser in that I let the characters take me where they want to go, but I go into the project after thinking about the characters and the situation, researching, and writing down scene notes. In writing mysteries, I need to keep track of timelines, clues, red herrings, and where I’ve left those little breadcrumbs that lead up to the resolution. I can’t keep them all in my head. There’s too much rattling around up there already. In 2020, I wrote a blog post about plotters and pantsers. You can read it here: Are you a plotter, pantser, or something else - Teresa Michael

4. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

Invisibility. I could be the proverbial fly on the wall if I were invisible. I get some of the best ideas and one-liners from overheard conversations. Can you imagine what you could learn if you were invisible? Think about it.

5. Since it’s the holidays, what’s your favorite holiday food?

The holidays are all about food! For Thanksgiving, it’s the turkey. We’ve gone to my son’s house the last few years, where he and his brother-in-law have a turkey cook-off. One turkey is traditionally roasted in the oven, and the second is cooked another way, for example, on the grill. Then we have a taste test!

Our most recent tradition for Christmas has been my husband’s prime rib and Yorkshire pudding.

6. Tell us about your current work in progress.

I am working on book 2 in the Harrington House Mystery series. I am about three-quarters of the way through and coming down to the big reveal. In this one, Molly and her friend, Rick Owens, the death investigator, find a dead wedding planner while at a country club event. The working title is Murder in the Rose Garden, but I’m not sure if that will remain the title. I’m taking title ideas if you have one. If I choose your idea, you’ll get a prize.

Lightning Round – Just for fun

1. Holiday pies --- apple or pumpkin: Pumpkin

2. Morning person or night owl: Night Owl

3. Beach or Mountains: Beach but I like the mountains too

4. City or Country: Suburbs – close to the city but not too far out

5. Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream: Vanilla with chocolate syrup

6. Favorite Movie: Casablanca

7. Last book Read: The Waiting by Michael Connelly

8. Print, audio, or ebook: All three – I usually have 1 of each going all the time

Other Books by Teresa Michael

The Mariposa Café Mystery Series

· Murder in Mariposa Beach https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mariposa-Beach-Cafe-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07KPKYVTG