A MERRY LITTLE MURDER PLOT: Releasing this week!

 

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JENN McKINLAY: There it is! My fifteenth Library Lover's Mystery. It is absolutely wild to me that it's been fourteen years since the release of the first book in the series BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING. I was thinking about it the other day and I was trying to determine if I have changed as a writer during the thirteen years between these releases. 

My first thought was YES! I have changed but not in ways I would have expected. The first library mystery was my eighth published book. I'd written three romcoms for Harlequin, two writer for higher mysteries about decoupage, and two cupcake bakery mysteries. I had barely cut my teeth in the publishing world and, honestly, had no idea what I was doing. I like to think I know what I'm doing now but note the use of "think I know" just to be clear that I'm not completely certain...yet.

In the beginning, I said yes to everything. Every interview, every book tour, every signing opportunity, every request to speak, every guest blog post--I did them all. In retrospect, if I knew then what I know now, I would have been more respectful of my own time and turned down most of these "opportunities". Because the truth is, the writing is the most important part of the job and I let it fall behind promotion way too often at the start of my career. I don't do that anymore and even wrote "Say No!!!" in huge purple letters on my whiteboard to remind myself.

One change that didn't manifest like I thought it would is that the writing is just as hard now as it was then! Shocking, I know! You'd think word smithing would get easier but no! Frankly, I wonder if it's because I've murdered so many fictional people (forty-eight mysteries) that I've worked out all of my issues and now I'm dismissed from therapy, as it were. 

Lastly, the change in myself that I appreciate the most is a newfound calm. In the beginning, I remember always feeling frantic. I feared at any moment my publisher would dump me and I'd have to start all over again. In fact, I'm positive that's why I had five mystery series going at once, why I pivoted to romcoms, and why I took on another writer for hire project when I already had three series going. It was a decade of mayhem, I tell ya! I have slowly pulled away from that constant state of anxiety--after sixty books you just need to chill out-- and am living more in the present and embracing new writing challenges like my first fantasy WITCHES OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN slated to release in October of 2025. I have become very protective of my Zen so if ever you see me disappear from the socials for a day or two or more, that's why.

Tell us, Reds, how have you changed during your writing journey? And, Readers, when you've been with an author for along time to see their personal growth reflected in their work?

About A MERRY LITTLE MURDER PLOT:

‘Tis the season in Briar Creek, and this year festivities become fatalities in the newest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Fatal First Edition.

During the most wonderful time of the year, famous author Helen Monroe arrives in Briar Creek to be the writer in residence, but her “bah humbug” attitude excludes her from the many holiday celebrations the town residents enjoy. To try to spread some Christmas cheer, library director Lindsey Norris invites the new writer in town to join her crafternoon club. Helen politely refuses and when an altercation happens between Helen and another patron, Lindsey begins to suspect the author has been keeping to herself for a reason.

Another newcomer, Jackie Lewis, reveals she’s visiting Briar Creek to be near Helen because she believes they are destined to meet. Having dealt with a stalker in the past, Lindsey feels compelled to tell Helen about Jackie, as she suspects that Helen is unaware her “number one” fan is in town.

When Jackie’s body is later discovered in the town park beneath the holiday-light display with a copy of Helen’s latest manuscript in her hand, the reclusive novelist becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her self-proclaimed mega-fan. Helen’s frosty demeanor melts when Lindsey offers her help, and now the librarian and her crafternoon pals must prove the author innocent before “The End” becomes Helen’s final sentence.