and it is.

You would think that someone who really desires to make her living writing about murders would realize that, wouldn't you? But no. It takes a slap in the face to realize it.

I found out this week that author Susan Smily has an extremely aggressive breast cancer. I met Susan and her writing partner, Honora, at Mayhem and hit it off with both ladies. This is one of those things

that reminds me not to take any day for granted.

Keep Susan and Honora in your…

posted by Leann Sweeney

Disclaimer: Serious and sefl-absorbed post by someone who prefers to remain essentially neither non-serious nor self-absorbed.

I recently had one of my books, A Wedding to Die For, discussed on a cozy list for two …

That's the name of the New Book piece that was just published in the current issue of Mystery Scene Magazine. That's issue # 100, rather momentous, a nice bit of luck. The article refers to how animals are being used more and more in mystery stories these days. Not only does this reflect a greater senstivity toward animals by society at large, but a larger understanding of their importance not only to the planet but to the way they enrich our lives. This love of animals is why Marilyn Victor…

Another week, another interview.

This week, it's Jay MacLarty in the hotseat.

Read what he's got to say here.

I recently finished an ARC of THE CONCRETE MAZE, by author Steven Torres. This book marks his first effort at book-length noir/hardboiled fiction (he's written a series of police procedurals set in Puerto Rico that I need to check out). Anyway, it's a doozy. Fans of the genre will find all the classic elements at play here - urban setting, drugs, prostitution and plenty of desperation and impending doom. What's different is the strong sense of familial loyalty and…

posted by Jeanne Munn Bracken

I'm nobody's idea of a tech weenie. Oh, sure, if it's on the internet, I can probably find it faster than the average bear, but when it comes to making computers do what they're supposed to do, I'm sunk. Deep.

At my library job, I'm often asked to help patrons with their computer problems--usually printing or e-mail. I can figure out most…

posted by Doranna Durgin

Okay. I'm gonna get political. And I'm gonna get opinionated. I hope you're ready!

There's an orchestrated series of aggressive spay/neuter laws sweeping the country--or trying to. And they suck. They should be fought, tooth and claw and yes, fiercely worded blogs.

I said this to an agility friend at practice the other day and startled her deeply. I don't blame her for being surprised--of anyone in this world, I am vocal in…

There are lots of ways for readers to find a new writer they want to try, but perhaps the easiest is to look them up in the Yellow Pages. Specifically, I recommend the Author Yellow Pages web site. AuthorYellowPages.com is a searchable directory of author websites. After years of hearing from readers who wanted easy access to authors and their websites, The Book Report Network created this website where authors list their official and publisher websites, as well as fan and…