I could spend an entire blog extolling the virtues and talents of Karen Dionne! As the founder of Backspace–The Writers Place, she’s been a motivating, powerful influence on hundreds if not thousands of new and emerging writers. And as a member of International Thriller Writers, she was one of the guiding minds behind the Debut …Read More

Versus Anthology is the first Octoberguest! winner! (Entry drawn just today from our family’s big blue iced tea pitcher.) He’ll receive an advance reader’s copy of one of Mario Acevedo‘s books, as well as a Devil Duck. Congratulations, Versus! All of Mario’s commenters will also be entered to win the $100 Godiva and Harry and …Read More

I’ve owed thriller novelist Gerry Doyle a guest spot for a long time. His debut book, From the Depths, came out early last November–just a month after my own debut. Debut writers always go to the head of the line at the Handbasket. Newbies need all the exposure and support they can get! Gerry’s an …Read More

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about my publishing life is meeting new people at signings and conferences. When I met Jennifer Talty at my very first Thrillerfest in 2007, I knew I couldn’t resist getting to know her. Her enthusiasm was absolutely contagious! This coming May, her first romantic suspense novel, Rekindled, will …Read More

I met the delightfully vibrant Michelle this past summer when she was teaching the poetry section at the Tinker Mountain Writer’s Workshop. Her work is raw, honest and provocative and it was a privilege to hear her reading it (poetry is best enjoyed live, don’t you think? maybe with cocktails afterwards?). She’s also at work …Read More

Scary. Wild. Funny. Definitely over-the-top in the best way! That’s the only way to describe Mario Acevedo’s work. Mario writes the Felix Gomez vampire-detective series for Eos HarperCollins: The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, X-Rated Blood Suckers, and his latest novel The Undead Kama Sutra. I knew he’d be perfect to get us ready for the …Read More

Allison Brennan inspires me! After working in public policy for many years, she decided that she wanted to have a job that would allow her to spend more time with her kids. So she turned to what she loved–books! She blew onto the romantic suspense scene in 2006 with a trilogy, and followed it up …Read More

Octoberguest! is here! Over the next four weeks or so, I’ll be introducing you to thriller, suspense, horror, lit, and mystery writers, poets, uber-bloggers, and reviewers. Also one very dead, brilliant pirate. You’ll meet someone new here every weekday and a few Saturdays as well. A few have spankin’ new books, some are old friends. …Read More

When I first saw these in my garden this morning, I thought they were upside-down carrots. But I hadn’t planted any carrots and they were in the dirt close to dying stalks of some cilantro and dill. Five hours later, they’re dried out, almost as though they were never there. Weird.

Things I’ll be doing in October: Polishing up the details for Octoberguest!, celebrating Bengal’s ninth birthday, more reading for the novel, waiting for trade reviews of Calling Mr. Lonely Hearts, planning my Halloween costume, and, oh yeah, dieting. I won’t lie. I have a BMI of 23.1, which is in the high-normal range. I’ve kind …Read More