Blog Archives

Writing books for children

1/9/2023

To be precise, picture books of about 700 words maximum, for young children. I took a course in this the other day from Lucky Platt, online. Learned a lot. Probably mostly learned that children's books are a lot harder to write than they look! Also, that I'm probably more a Young Adult writer than a Picture Book writer. ;-)

Invitation to a Killer - ships in one month

1/6/2023

This delivery date snuck up on me, as I was busy writing and editing other things. But INVITATION TO A KILLER ships February 7 and is available for preorder now, wherever you buy books.

This day of Epiphany is the first day I've had to just breathe, but yesterday I started making notes for a screenplay. NOT a mystery, for a change. Just a story in the headlines that really grabbed me. Fingers crossed I'll find time to finish it.

Epiphany tomorrow

1/5/2023

In our household, all the decorations come down after Epiphany. This guy stands guard throughout the year. I just like the way he looks in the room, so, why not?

Max Tudor #8 Update

1/4/2023

Today I'm sending the initial draft of THE WASHING AWAY OF WRONGS, the eighth Max Tudor, to my editor at Hachette/Little, Brown. I can't wait to show you the cover! Should be any week now; I haven't seen any mockups yet. The actual book goes on sale September 28 this year but is available for preorder now. September 2023! That's how far in advance these things start, behind the curtain.

New Year Resolutions

1/2/2023

Mine never really change. Learn more, go outside the comfort zone of learning and exploring when you can. I've signed up for a course in #writing children's #books. Will I ever use this knowledge? Always, yes, somewhere down the road.

January Jumpstart for your Children's Picture Book with Lucky Platt

Also resolved to always try to remember to "Be where your feet are." Excellent advice, when you think about it. Appreciate where you are and what you've got, is how I read this.

Promophobia

1/1/2023

Now available! Sisters in Crime anthology chock full of advice for new (and old) authors with books to promote. I have an article in here about asking other authors for endorsements. (My hero and champion for this is Peter Lovesey.)

Learn more at these links:

FULL LINKS:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR8K6Q92
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6445250417
Barnes/Noble:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promophobia-diane-vallere/1142892238?ean=2940186728979
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/promophobia-taking-the-mystery-out-of-promoting-crime-fiction

SHORT LINKS:
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3hXN2VH
APPLE: https://apple.co/3WTuVPl
B&N: https://bit.ly/3Gs4dYG
KOBO: https://bit.ly/3IdzHmE

Forward>>