Thanks, Lucy and the rest of
the fabulous Reds, for having me here today.
So when is a debut author not a
debut author? How about when she has a couple of pen names, and the first book
in each series releases in the same year? Maybe that makes me a double-debut.
Or maybe it just makes me a little crazy. Crazy. Yeah, let’s go with that one,
LOL!
My first book, written as
Susannah Hardy, released in January. Feta
Attraction is the first book of the Greek to Me Mysteries, published by
Berkley Prime Crime. Book 2, Olive and
Let Die, released November 3.
Meanwhile, the first book in my
new Tangled Web series, Yarned and
Dangerous, releases November 24 from Kensington. New publisher equals new
pen name, hence the middle-aged miracle birth of Sadie Hartwell.
And this is no secret: my real
name is Jane.
What this all means is that,
aside from going from unpublished in 2014, to having three novels out in 2015
(which, not gonna lie, is a pretty awesome feeling), I’ve had to get very organized.
It’s not easy to keep all those projects straight, not to mention the web
presence and social media for two different names. And don’t get me started on
the general confusion of going to conferences and sporting multiple names on my
badges! Further complicating matters is the fact that I am also a freelance editor
so not only my own stories, but other people’s as well, are running through my
head all the time. And I keep the financial books for my husband’s business.
I will say that spreadsheets
are my new best friend. As long as I keep them and my calendar up to date I
know where—and whom—I’m supposed to be on any given day. And an old-fashioned,
hand-written to-do list helps for other life tasks. Crossing off something as
simple as “thaw chicken for tomorrow’s dinner” is terribly satisfying.
How do you all keep your
personal and professional lives organized? I have a copy of your choice of Yarned and Dangerous or Olive and Let Die for a randomly chosen
commenter. Ends at midnight on November 14. US and Canadian addresses only please.
*****
Yarned and Dangerous: Josie Blair left Dorset Falls twelve years ago in
hopes of making it big in New York City. But her great-uncle was injured in a
car accident, and newly unemployed Josie is the only person available to take
care of him. Uncle Eb’s wife didn’t survive the crash, so Josie is also tasked
with selling the contents of her Aunt Cora’s yarn shop. But the needling ladies
of the Charity Knitters Association pose a far bigger challenge than a shop
full of scattered skeins. And when one of
the town’s most persnickety knitters turns up dead in a pile of cashmere yarn,
Josie realizes there’s something truly twisted lurking beneath the town’s
decaying façade…
Links:
Website: www.sadiehartwell.com
Facebook: https://goo.gl/vcfpRb
Twitter: @sadiehartwell
Olive and Let Die: Between
her soon-to-be ex-husband Spiro coming out of the closet and her budding
romance with Captain Jack Conway, Georgie’s life is beginning to feel like a
soap opera. And that’s before a surprise visit from her estranged mother
Shirley, better known as soap star Melanie Ashley. But the dramatic family
reunion takes a chilling turn when another long-lost relative turns up dead.
Georgie begins to wonder if the dead-broke diva is capable of murder.
She’d better find out before someone adds a new twist to the family plot.
Links:
Feta Attraction: goo.gl/M7DutM
Website: www.susannahhardy.com
Facebook: goo.gl/cZKbC6
Twitter: @susannahhardy1
Bio: Susannah Hardy/Sadie Hartwell grew up near the Canadian border in
northern New York State, where it’s cold, dark, and snowy almost half the
year—a perfect environment for nurturing a simultaneous love of
mystery fiction, cooking, and needlework. She attended St. Lawrence University,
graduating with a degree in history, and has worked as a waitress, handbag
designer/manufacturer, office person, and copy editor before turning to writing
full time. Now she gets to play with recipes and yarn and make up stories
whenever she wants, and wishes everyone had a job as much fun as hers.
Three books in one year . . . congratulations, and wow!
ReplyDeleteOrganization is not one of my strong points. Usually I remember to write the important stuff on the whiteboard or on my calendar, but it's not a perfect system. I am in total awe of organized people . . . .
Wow, what an accomplishment. If I didn't have my calendar here on the computer I would be lost. I do have sticky notes around too!
ReplyDeleteI use my computer calendar too, which syncs to Iphone. and lots of scrawled lists. But still, 3 books in a year? boggles my mind. Good luck on this new series Sadie/Sarah/Jane!
ReplyDeleteYou are one busy lady! I long gave up trying to be organized!!! Congratulations on all you have accomplished!
ReplyDeleteWOW ... you're busy!! I did a Read & Review on "Yarned and Dangerous" ... absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteI use a printed calendar and alarms on my phone to keep me organized and on schedule.
peggyhyndman(at)att(dot)net
We use one of those magnetic boards on the refrigerator to help us keep track of appointments and other things we need to be aware of. Looking forward to reading Yarned and Dangerous. Happy Friday the 13th dbahn@iw.net
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteJane/Susannah/Sadie amazes me with all she does.
I find organization a moving target. Lists help me the most. A strict schedule frustrates me because I have to "put out fires" when they crop up.
I keep my calendars low-tech because certain formats help me more, but do note the plural "calendars." One's a pocket calendar for my bag for appointments made while I'm out. Those, I transfer to a desk calendar that shows a week a page.
The third calendar, a trick I learned in Weight Watchers for working around holiday meals, is a printed out plain single page for each month that gives me an overview of the month. Sometimes, I print out several months and staple them together. On the margins, I write goals for the month. I like seeing the lines through accomplishments, but sometimes I need to white-out the task to add another one.
I'm often torn between spending time setting up a calendar list and just diving in, but I suspect time making a list is time well invested.
Calendars and spreadsheets, just as you do. It's the only way to fly. And the calendar is a very low tech At-A-Glance small enough to lug everywhere. Congratulations on a stellar year. The books sound great.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sadie/Susannah,
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting year this is for you! More books for me to read!!
If I didn't have my Outlook calendar, I'd be frozen in time. EVERYTHING goes on it, whether work-related or not. At home there are notes all over the place. I guess I'm just visually oriented. Sometimes a friend at work will tell me "don't forget to do whatever" and I respond that I already have it in writing because being told not to forget something probably won't help. I want it in writing; therefore, the numerous notes popping up throughout the day. At home my notes to myself are often color-coded. My grocery list is in a notebook that I refer to throughout the week, and review. This all works for me, although some people laugh at my insistence on having everything in writing.
LOL: "And this is no secret: my real name is Jane." Sounds like a great opening line to a hardboiled mystery novel! When of course we're walking on the cozy side here. Welcome to Jungle Red! The books sound like great fun... and congratulations on your un-debut!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sadie/Susannah! Three books in one year? Seriously? I bow down to your talent, organisational skills, and work ethic! (Also, I grew up in Buffalo, also on the NYS/Canada border -- know exactly what you're talking about re: weather!)
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling, Jane/Sadie/Susannah - as you are aware! Lists save my ass every time. And my guest-blog spreadsheet. I'm delighted for all your debuts and successes.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you were both of those authors. What an exciting year for you! I am a calendar gal, with colored pens for different reasons and family members! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I don't know how you multi-name authors keep it all straight! Just writing the stories seems like more than enough to deal with.
ReplyDeleteTo keep organized, I keep lists. Separate ones for the house, my businesses and what I need my employees to do this week. The list is sort of divided by days, but I keep it fluid. That way, too, I don't have to micromanage my employees.
ReplyDeleteThis may be squeaky new news, but both Susannah/Jane/Sadie and Hank have been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards. Other quite familiar names are on this list, too. If your name is too but I missed it, my apologies in advance:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/86292/2015-rt-reviewers-choice-award-nominees-mysterysuspensethriller-and-romantic-suspense
I often say that if it doesn't exist on the calendar on my phone, it doesn't exist. There have been a couple times I've booked myself in multiple places because I didn't put the first commitment on my calendar.
ReplyDeleteWe live by the lists on our whiteboard in the dining room. Wouldn't be able to get the kids to do anything without that.
Now if only lists and calendars could explain why my house seems to eat headphones...
I have lists of every thing I am going to do ...shopping...baking...books. Trouble is finding them when I need them. LOL
ReplyDeleteRetirement is a wonderful thing. I use a wall calendar to jot appointments(maybe 2 or 3 in a year) when I need to turn in or pickup library books and vacation times for family members who I share a home with. Other than that, I mostly putter around doing house chores with lots of reading time.
ReplyDeleteI think I need Susannah to come to my house and organize me. In fact, I'm sure of it.
ReplyDeletecongrats! When I used to work as a CPA I had to keep lists. I had monthly due date lists for everything. I even "trained" my coworkers and boss to give me a list of what needed doing and priortize it. Now I live in chaos, but it's of my own making. I will make grocery lists. I do write down book titles and authors I want to check into. I have a notebook where I list who I send Xmas cards to, what I bought for whom for birthdays and Xmas, and who is responsible for what at Thanksgiving. Each year. Or else, chaos!
ReplyDeleteOh, no no no…HOW do you do this?? I consider myself a pretty good juggler,but this is making my brain fry. You are my hero! And congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI have three calendars. One a little book. One pages printed from Outlook. ANd my phone. I don't trust any of them, and I am constantly syncing them.
And I have a spiral notebook where I just write a constantly evolving list. Sometimes that works.
Yeah, I agree, Julia. Jane, do you you make house calls? Maybe in your spare time?
My lists are never ending and always on sheets of lined paper. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you do it. I truly don't. Of course, I find the idea of writing one novel a year daunting. My hat is off to you.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the novels. I try to write things down to keep things straight. Bills are written in a small calendar and logged in my Money software on my computer. Most especially a list and chart is done when starting a knitting project.
ReplyDeleteb5sycop@nefcom.net
Congrats on your publishing success! I know one of your books, Olive and Let Die, is wonderful. I'm getting ready to start Feta Attraction. If I was accomplished at calendars and lists, I would have read Feta Attraction first, but I'm not so organized. Maybe one of these days...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all of your publications. They all sound like so much fun. Adding them to my ever growing TO READ list. And as for keeping things organized...wow! I get stressed when I have more than one thing to do each day, and check my calendar religiously because I am pretty sure I have the wrong date and time for whatever it is I have to do. (I blame all this on my toddler, but I was the same way before she came along.)
ReplyDeleteWow way to go on having 3 books out there.
ReplyDeleteNot real organized except when I am dealing with books I have 3 ring binders to keep track of books I have and ones I want to read. Then I have list in my library account to keep track of what I am reading next.
Wow way to go on having 3 books out there.
ReplyDeleteNot real organized except when I am dealing with books I have 3 ring binders to keep track of books I have and ones I want to read. Then I have list in my library account to keep track of what I am reading next.
I've found several items to help keep me organized. As a beginning teacher my lesson plan book was my life's connection, but when technology entered the picture, I had my laptop calendar alerting me to every meeting, project due date, vacation day! and personal responsibility. I used folders, datebooks, and bulletin boards to be known as a very organized teacher. As a retiree, living in a perpetual Saturday, I still use my iPad, but a hard copy calendar makes it easier to see upcoming events, bills due, Dr. appointments, med schedule...everything. I am still an organized person. I have both books on my "must read" list...another way I stay organized.
ReplyDeleteI am fairly organized. My problem is procrastination. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHmm, for some reason I don't see a way to reply to everyone individually. But here goes!
ReplyDeleteThree books in one year . . . congratulations, and wow!
ReplyDeleteOrganization is not one of my strong points. Usually I remember to write the important stuff on the whiteboard or on my calendar, but it's not a perfect system. I am in total awe of organized people . .
______
Joan, I'll let you in on a little secret. I'm usually NOT all that organized. But I'm working on getting better, and this exercise this year has forced me to adopt some techniques :) I'm in awe of organized people too!
Wow, what an accomplishment. If I didn't have my calendar here on the computer I would be lost. I do have sticky notes around too!
ReplyDelete______
Gram, I'm a sticky note junkie. Periodically I collect them all up and rewrite anything I haven't done yet on a To-Do list.
I use my computer calendar too, which syncs to Iphone. and lots of scrawled lists. But still, 3 books in a year? boggles my mind. Good luck on this new series Sadie/Sarah/Jane!
ReplyDelete________
Lucy/Roberta, you know a thing or two about having more than one pen name, I'd say! Of course the three I wrote this year are not the three that released this year. But starting next year I hope to be on a two-book-a-year schedule :)
You are one busy lady! I long gave up trying to be organized!!! Congratulations on all you have accomplished!
ReplyDelete_____________________
Thanks, Jody! At least you get the critical stuff done, right? That's all that matters.
WOW ... you're busy!! I did a Read & Review on "Yarned and Dangerous" ... absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteI use a printed calendar and alarms on my phone to keep me organized and on schedule.
____________
I loved your review, Peggy! Thanks!
We use one of those magnetic boards on the refrigerator to help us keep track of appointments and other things we need to be aware of. Looking forward to reading Yarned and Dangerous. Happy Friday the 13th
ReplyDelete_______________
Thanks, Dianne! Let me know what you think of Y&D. Those magnetic boards are super handy.
Jane/Susannah/Sadie amazes me with all she does.
ReplyDeleteI find organization a moving target. Lists help me the most. A strict schedule frustrates me because I have to "put out fires" when they crop up.
____
Thanks, my dear friend Rhonda! I also keep a paper calendar. The act of writing stuff down rather than inputting into a phone helps imprint the task on my brain.
Calendars and spreadsheets, just as you do. It's the only way to fly. And the calendar is a very low tech At-A-Glance small enough to lug everywhere. Congratulations on a stellar year. The books sound great.
ReplyDelete________
Thanks, Kait! You and I are spreadsheet sisters!
LOL: "And this is no secret: my real name is Jane." Sounds like a great opening line to a hardboiled mystery novel! When of course we're walking on the cozy side here. Welcome to Jungle Red! The books sound like great fun... and congratulations on your un-debut!
ReplyDelete_______________
Hallie, take that line and do with it what you will! Or maybe Hank wants it, since her heroine is named Jane :) And thanks!
Welcome Sadie/Susannah! Three books in one year? Seriously? I bow down to your talent, organisational skills, and work ethic! (Also, I grew up in Buffalo, also on the NYS/Canada border -- know exactly what you're talking about re: weather!)
ReplyDelete_______________
Susan, I had a long-distance sort-of boyfriend from Buffalo! My sister lives on the tip of Lake Ontario, so at the other end of Lake Effect Alley. I grew up farther north where the snowfall is generally less. But still COLD! Thanks for the nice words, and for having me here today.
I know the feeling, Jane/Sadie/Susannah - as you are aware! Lists save my ass every time. And my guest-blog spreadsheet. I'm delighted for all your debuts and successes.
ReplyDelete_______________
Edith, you and Sheila Connolly are my Getting-It-Done Inspirations!
I didn't realize you were both of those authors. What an exciting year for you! I am a calendar gal, with colored pens for different reasons and family members! Thanks!
ReplyDelete_________________
Color coding! Excellent idea, holdenj!
I don't know how you multi-name authors keep it all straight! Just writing the stories seems like more than enough to deal with
ReplyDelete_________________
Libby, ya do whatcha gotta do. And I'm doing what I love! Thanks for dropping by.
To keep organized, I keep lists. Separate ones for the house, my businesses and what I need my employees to do this week. The list is sort of divided by days, but I keep it fluid. That way, too, I don't have to micromanage my employees.
ReplyDelete___________
Margo, I love your name! In fact, there is a character in Yarned and Dangerous with that name. Businesses and employees? You know what you're doing, I'd say.
What an exciting year this is for you! More books for me to read!! If I didn't have my Outlook calendar, I'd be frozen in time. EVERYTHING goes on it, whether work-related or not. At home there are notes all over the place. I guess I'm just visually oriented. Sometimes a friend at work will tell me "don't forget to do whatever" and I respond that I already have it in writing because being told not to forget something probably won't help. I want it in writing; therefore, the numerous notes popping up throughout the day. At home my notes to myself are often color-coded. My grocery list is in a notebook that I refer to throughout the week, and review. This all works for me, although some people laugh at my insistence on having everything in writing.
ReplyDelete___________
Deb, I have to put everything in writing too. And I hope you get to read one, two, or three of my 2015 books! Thanks for stopping by.
This may be squeaky new news, but both Susannah/Jane/Sadie and Hank have been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards. Other quite familiar names are on this list, too. If your name is too but I missed it, my apologies in advance:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/86292/2015-rt-reviewers-choice-award-nominees-mysterysuspensethriller-and-romantic-suspense
____________________________
I know! You cannot believe how excited I am, and how honored to be in such great company!
I often say that if it doesn't exist on the calendar on my phone, it doesn't exist. There have been a couple times I've booked myself in multiple places because I didn't put the first commitment on my calendar. We live by the lists on our whiteboard in the dining room. Wouldn't be able to get the kids to do anything without that.Now if only lists and calendars could explain why my house seems to eat headphones...
ReplyDelete_______________________
Mary, my house eats socks!
I have lists of every thing I am going to do ...shopping...baking...books. Trouble is finding them when I need them. LOL!
ReplyDelete____________________
Jane! That's your real name, right? LOL! And yes, I too have multiple lists at any one time. Like the sticky notes, I have to gather them together occasionally and ... make a new list!
Retirement is a wonderful thing. I use a wall calendar to jot appointments(maybe 2 or 3 in a year) when I need to turn in or pickup library books and vacation times for family members who I share a home with. Other than that, I mostly putter around doing house chores with lots of reading time.
ReplyDelete________________________
Doward, you also give awesome book reviews! Thanks so much.
I think I need Susannah to come to my house and organize me. In fact, I'm sure of it.
ReplyDelete______________________
Julia, If you live in Florida, Hawaii, or Southern California, I'm your girl!
Oh, no no no…HOW do you do this?? I consider myself a pretty good juggler,but this is making my brain fry. You are my hero! And congratulations!I have three calendars. One a little book. One pages printed from Outlook. ANd my phone. I don't trust any of them, and I am constantly syncing them. And I have a spiral notebook where I just write a constantly evolving list. Sometimes that works.Yeah, I agree, Julia. Jane, do you you make house calls? Maybe in your spare time?
ReplyDelete______________________
Hank, I'm not even in the same universe with you, trust me! And congratulations on your nomination for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award! I'm just glad I'm in a different category from you! Good luck!
My lists are never ending and always on sheets of lined paper.
ReplyDelete__________________
traveler, I agree with you on the lined paper. I'm a big fan of old-fashioned steno pads for list making. Now there are even sticky notes that come lined!
I don't know how you do it. I truly don't. Of course, I find the idea of writing one novel a year daunting. My hat is off to you.
ReplyDelete_____________________
Mark, are you all recovered from your whirlwind trip to Crime Bake? You were the life of the party!
congrats! When I used to work as a CPA I had to keep lists. I had monthly due date lists for everything. I even "trained" my coworkers and boss to give me a list of what needed doing and priortize it. Now I live in chaos, but it's of my own making. I will make grocery lists. I do write down book titles and authors I want to check into. I have a notebook where I list who I send Xmas cards to, what I bought for whom for birthdays and Xmas, and who is responsible for what at Thanksgiving. Each year. Or else, chaos!
ReplyDelete________________________________
Pat, that doesn't sound like any kind of chaos I know. That sounds pretty organized!
Congrats on the novels. I try to write things down to keep things straight. Bills are written in a small calendar and logged in my Money software on my computer. Most especially a list and chart is done when starting a knitting project.
ReplyDelete________________
Patty! Knitting? Did you say knitting? Come post pictures of your knitting projects over at my Yarned and Dangerous Gang Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/172502263092743/
Everyone is welcome to talk crafts and books, so invite your friends!
Congrats on your publishing success! I know one of your books, Olive and Let Die, is wonderful. I'm getting ready to start Feta Attraction. If I was accomplished at calendars and lists, I would have read Feta Attraction first, but I'm not so organized. Maybe one of these days...
ReplyDelete________________
Thanks so much, Celia!
Congratulations on all of your publications. They all sound like so much fun. Adding them to my ever growing TO READ list. And as for keeping things organized...wow! I get stressed when I have more than one thing to do each day, and check my calendar religiously because I am pretty sure I have the wrong date and time for whatever it is I have to do. (I blame all this on my toddler, but I was the same way before she came along.)
ReplyDelete___________________________
Celia, if you have a toddler, you are forgiven anything you've forgotten! Enjoy her to the max and just do the most critical stuff. My son is a senior in high school and I am getting all misty wondering where the last 17.5 years have gone.
Oops, it's Nina who has the toddler Nina, the above comment is directed to you.
ReplyDeleteWow way to go on having 3 books out there.
ReplyDeleteNot real organized except when I am dealing with books I have 3 ring binders to keep track of books I have and ones I want to read. Then I have list in my library account to keep track of what I am reading next.
_____________________
Julie, I LOVE 3 ring binders. I keep notes about my plots and characters for each series in a separate notebook, plus I have them for all sorts of other things. I just got a new one from Staples yesterday, complete with those cute dividers!
I've found several items to help keep me organized. As a beginning teacher my lesson plan book was my life's connection, but when technology entered the picture, I had my laptop calendar alerting me to every meeting, project due date, vacation day! and personal responsibility. I used folders, datebooks, and bulletin boards to be known as a very organized teacher. As a retiree, living in a perpetual Saturday, I still use my iPad, but a hard copy calendar makes it easier to see upcoming events, bills due, Dr. appointments, med schedule...everything. I am still an organized person. I have both books on my "must read" list...another way I stay organized.
ReplyDelete__________________
Kathleen, I love the term Perpetual Saturday! And thanks--I hope you like my books!
I am fairly organized. My problem is procrastination. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDelete______________________________
Elaine, confession time: I also have a procrastination problem at times. But I find that keeping a list actually helps me with that. Because sometimes procrastination is just about not knowing what to do next. Good luck!
Congrats on keeping everything straight. Pen and Paper still help me stay organized. I procrastinate too. I always seem to leave things until the last minute.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all of your debuts! I love starting out a new series & I love needlework. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDelete