Stacey’s Newsletter
Don’t you love it when someone “gets” your work?
It’s feels like the best gift ever.
Well Read Magazine’s Review of the Old City Mysteries
This month, Well Read Magazine features a review of my Old City Mysteryseries written by author Claire Matturro. When I read the article, I was so excited that I wanted to revisit all the books—again! (And believe me, I’ve read them more times than I can count.)
Claire’s review is incredibly flattering, and I am beyond grateful for the time and energy she dedicated to reading and writing about the series. But more than that, I am thrilled that she truly understood what I set out to create. She captures the essence of the characters, the atmosphere of the books, and the delicate balance between “chilling and charming” that I was worked so hard to achieve.
And if that isn’t amazing enough, Claire encourages readers to enjoy all three books together for “maximum reading pleasure.” I couldn’t agree more! . . . .
Modern-Day Pirates Can Be Found Anywhere
Even in my latest book.
New Release: There Will Be Pirates
I’m thrilled to announce that my newest novel, There Will Be Pirates, will be released on April 30th! This third installment in the Old City Mystery series has been brewing in my mind for years—inspired in part by a bit of family folklore, but mostly by the idea of pirates.
If you’ve ever visited St. Augustine, Florida, you know the pirate presence is impossible to ignore. The town boasts a pirate museum, a replica pirate ship, and a several pirate krewes who frequent local establishments, blending history with entertainment. You can tour the historic district with a pirate guide, share a drink with a fully costumed buccaneer, or even stock up on your own pirate wardrobe from local shops. Pirates give St. Augustine a distinct character, providing visitors with plenty of photo-worthy moments.
But beyond the museums and replica ships, what truly intrigues me is the modern-day pirate—not the swashbuckling legends who plundered treasure centuries ago, but the opportunists of today. In the broadest sense, a pirate is anyone who takes advantage of others for personal gain, regardless of the consequences . . . .
A Little Bit of Encouragement
It really does go a long way.
Exciting News—Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist!
I am thrilled to announce that my book, A Place for Good and Evil, has been shortlisted for the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in the Mystery category!
I was enjoying a weekend getaway with my husband when the email from Forward Reviews popped into my inbox—and to say I was surprised by the news would be a huge understatement. Being shortlisted is an incredible honor, especially knowing the caliber of books submitted in the mystery category. It feels especially meaningful as A Place for Good and Evil was my debut adult mystery novel, the first in the Old City Mysteries series. Switching from YA novels to adult mysteries was an exciting creative leap, and I’ve loved every second of crafting these stories. Hopefully, readers feel that joy reflected in the pages.
But for me, this recognition was also the perfect boost of encouragement at exactly the right moment . . .
Better Late Than Never
That’s probably true for most things.
The Little-Known Groundhog Day Cactus.
Apparently, there are three types of holiday cacti: the Thanksgiving Cactus (which blooms October to November), the Christmas Cactus (which blooms November to January), and the Easter Cactus (which blooms “around” Easter). Surprisingly, despite their names, holiday cacti aren’t true cacti. They are epiphytic succulents that grow in moist, shaded environments, not deserts. A classic case of mislabeling. Words matter, after all.
I have had a Christmas Cactus growing in a pot on my breezeway for several years now. It began as a cutting from one of my mother-in-law’s plants and has grown into a large, healthy specimen. It is watered and occasionally fertilized, but mostly it’s left to its own devises and continues to thrive. Weirdly, however, it always blooms on Groundhog Day and reaches its most vibrant peak around Valentine’s Day.
As far as I know, there is no official classification for the Groundhog Day Cactus (or Valentine’s Cactus, for that matter). Thus, I assume that my holiday cactus is simply a late bloomer. My plant seems content enough to do its own thing on its own time. Am I disappointed it doesn’t bloom in time for the Christmas holiday? No, of course not. I’m just happy it blooms at all. Better late than never . . . .
Why Does the TBR Stack Never Shrink?
Tallying the Books I Read in 2024
I didn’t reach my goal, but I am hardly disappointed.
Most (if not all) writers will tell you that you need to read in order to write—or, more specifically, to write well. The general advice is to read deeply within whatever genre(s) you write but also to read widely across multiple genres. That’s excellent advice, to be sure.
However, such advice doesn’t come with extra hours in the day to help facilitate all of that reading. I don’t know about you, but my “To Be Read” stack of books is not so much a stack as a bookcase. A very large bookcase. Possibly several bookcases. And for all of my good intentions to read, read, read, I can’t seem to shorten that TBR stack (or clear those bookcases) . . . .
WRITERS & THEIR GOALS
It’s a love-hate relationship, isn’t it?
The Fatigue is Real
I have to admit that I hate setting goals. To me, they are a necessary evil that propel me forward (or sometimes drag me kicking and screaming) and enable me get s#*t done. Upfront, let me say I’m no expert on goals—setting them, sticking to them, achieving them—and I have no magic formulas. There are plenty of experts out there who can help you find a system that works for you so that you, too, can get s#*t done.
For me, I found that having a simple journal that covers a four-month period helps me tremendously. I set out goals for this period (no more than three) and then track my progress through the weeks. Each day, I schedule my time, list my targets (small, daily goals), and record my wins (however small). And I do all of this by hand . . . .
To be (on a podcast) or not to be . . .
That is the question facing a lot of authors these days.
Bouchercon 2024
This year, Bouchercon 2024 was held in Nashville, TN. For those who have never been, Bouchercon (more formally known as the Anthony Boucher Memorial World Mystery Convention) is an annual event for fans and creators of mystery and crime fiction. Each year, the event attracts over 1,500 readers, writers, agents, editors, publishers, and booksellers, who gather together to connect as a community and celebrate the genre.
I had the honor of participating in a panel discussion, intriguingly titled: Only Murders in the Building. The conversation focused on the benefits and downsides for authors of (1) making guest appearances on podcasts, and (2) hosting their own podcast . . . .
A Fresh Start
New Series, New Genre, and a New Newsletter
New Series
I had this idea for a story . . .
Like most authors, my new book began years ago with a vague idea for a story. This particular tale would be set in St. Augustine, Florida, not far from where I live. It would feature two protagonists—a woman on the cusp of middle age and a teenage boy. As the story unfolds, we’ll find both of them at a low point, having lost everything. However, by helping each other, they’ll gradually reclaim their happiness.
While this premise was intriguing, I wanted to inject more excitement and danger into the narrative. Consequently, the woman became a reluctant, novice private investigator, and the teenage boy developed the ability to communicate with the dead. As you might imagine, such an uncanny gift can be a curse in a town as old (and reputedly haunted) as St. Augustine . . . .