Edgar Award Nominations!
I’m over the moon! My novel UNDER MY SKIN and short story THE SLEEP TIGHT MOTEL have both been nominated for Edgar Awards — along with the stellar work of some of my favorite authors, including Val McDermid, Alison Gaylin, Lori Rader Day and more. Big congrats to all the nominees! The Edgar Award, named…
Read MoreNew Year’s Resolutions for Writers
I’m not a fan of “New Year’s Resolutions.” There’s almost a kind of implied mockery in the phrase, like – oh, sure, try to make some changes and see what happens. Meanwhile, every day is actually the start of a new year. So, if habits are holding you back, and there are things you wish…
Read MoreLast Minute Gift Ideas for Writers
If you ask an aspiring writer what she wants for Christmas, she’ll probably tell you “more time to write!” And that is, of course, every aspiring writer’s biggest challenge. This holiday season, here a few ideas to offer that and more to the special writer in your life. Pen and Paper The Moleskine notebook and…
Read MoreBig Book Giveaway on December 15th!
How would you like to win a massive tower of books from some of the biggest, most acclaimed authors in the world, including Stephen King, Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, Mary Higgins Clark, Alafair Burke, Sara Blaedel, Kate White, Mary Kubica, Gregg Hurwitz, Sarah Weinman, Carol Goodman, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Ace Atkins, Jo Nesbo, C.J. Tudor,…
Read MoreA BIG Giveaway for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America!
Last year, I organized a fundraiser for hurricane relief and thanks to my generous author and reader pals, it was a BIG success. With our combined effort, we raised around $3,000 and one lucky reader won a huge stack of books! With the holidays approaching and the spirit of giving in the air, I wanted…
Read More2019 Spotlight Guest at Thrillerfest!
I am honored and excited to be invited to Thrillerfest XIV as 2019 Spotlight Guest by International Thriller Writers! It is a favorite conference of mine, from a favorite organization. And the 2019 blockbuster lineup includes John Sandford, Harlan Coben, Margaret Marbury (Harlequin), James Rollins – not to mention all of the stellar authors and…
Read MoreThe Sleep Tight Motel
Just a few more days until the release of UNDER MY SKIN! Is the suspense killing you? Need something to hold you over until then? THE SLEEP TIGHT MOTEL is available today! This is my original new short story in the Dark Corners collection, which features haunting stories from Joyce Carol Oates, Jennifer McMahon, and…
Read MoreBouchercon – It’s No Mystery
It’s no mystery why crime fiction writers gather each year for Bouchercon! Colette Bancroft, book editor of the Tampa Bay Times just wrote this terrific article on the 2018 Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, a 100% volunteer run conference held in a different city each year. This year it was held right here in St. Petersburg,…
Read MoreAce Atkins and Lisa Unger, in Conversation
With a name like Ace, is there any chance you’re NOT going to be famous? A college football star, Pulitzer-Prize nominated journalist, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of twenty-three novels including THE SINNERS, which just released. Ace Atkins is as down-to-earth, funny, and smart as he is talented. I caught up with him…
Read MoreA Book and Its Cover
We all know that we’re not meant to “judge a book by its cover.” But we often do. We’re judgement machines, aren’t we? Encounter a person, a place, or pick up a book and we’re immediately forming opinions. In the book publishing world—back in the olden days—the common wisdom is that we have seven seconds…
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