As a debut author—in this pen name, at least—I’ve been thinking lately about how hard it is for a new book like Summer at Mustang Ridge to stand out from the crowd. And it occurred to me that finding something wonderful to read is a whole lot like online dating these days, with lots of… Read More
I’ve decided there are two types of people in this world: those who enjoy watching favorite shows or movies, or reading beloved books, over and over . . . and those who don’t. From the title of this post you’ve probably already guessed I’ve always been one of the later. Oh, don’t get me wrong…. Read More
Greetings, Fellow Readers; Yep, I’m a reader, too, and I’d like to address that today. Some people forget that authors are usually still fellow readers. Sometimes people think that, magically/instantaneously, an author suddenly stops reading books the moment they set pen to page, or fingers to keyboard—and for me, definitely the latter, you really, really… Read More
My debut novel, The Temporary Wife, is really a dream come true for me. I’ve been writing for twelve years and have had so many “almost sold” close calls it was getting to be a cruel tease. But it finally happened and when it did, boy, was that a roller coaster. I’m not going to… Read More
Intriguing title, yes? That’s not to say I am two-faced, as in being hypocritical or deceitful, but rather that I present two faces to the world. Creatively speaking. There’s the Beth Ciotta who write the Cupcake Lovers series—small town contemporary romance. And the Beth Ciotta who writes the Glorious Victorious Darcys series—steampunk paranormal romance. I… Read More
I’m in no rush to write this blog: it’s just 10:30 the night before it’s due. And here I’ve already begun to think about my topic for discussion. Am I good or what? As sad as it is to admit, I am actually far better at taking care of business in a timely manner today… Read More
Thanks to Writerspace for inviting me to blog! It’s delightful to be here… and I’ll be talking about my multiples in writing. This is a busy year for me. Of course, all years turn out busy for me. That’s partly because I write for a couple of publishers, and, yes, in different genres. And lots… Read More
This year I will debut 2 new series (Gluten For Punishment, a Baker’s Treat Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, May 7; All Fudged UP, a Candy Coated Mystery under the pen name Nancy Coco, Kensington Mystery, Nov. 5) with series #3 to debut in 2014 (Her Hand In Murder, a Perfect Proposal Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime… Read More
I know the killer when I plan a new Dead-End Job mystery. Always. But in BOARD STIFF, my latest Dead-End Job mystery, I had to solve a mystery I’d started some time ago and didn’t know how to finish. Helen Hawthorne and her new husband, Phil, have opened their own private eye agency, Coronado Investigations…. Read More
Do you ever see a pair of people with their heads together and wonder exactly what they’re up to? Overhear a snippet of conversation and think… “That’s weird. I wonder what that was about…” I’m not sure when this happened, but somewhere in the span of time since I began writing murder mysteries, I’ve begun… Read More
by Dawn Altieri Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? To lose weight, to eat better, to stop smoking, to generally be a better person? To spend less time falling down internet rabbit holes and actually get some writing done? Okay, maybe that last one is just mine. And if you do make them, how long… Read More
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