Celebrate! Spring is springing today.

 cj Sez: Today, March 20, 2022, at 11:33 CST, the vernal equinox marks the start of spring in the northern hemisphere. 

  Now for a little scientific info … During the equinox, the sun passes directly above the equator and brings about twelve hours of daylight and twelve hours of night (i.e. “equinox”). 

  In the northern hemisphere, the March equinox comes with warmer weather and budding flowers. In the southern hemisphere, it brings the beginning of fall. 

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Aspiring crime and mystery writers take note: Writers’ organizations are wonderful sources for learning the craft of writing, publishing, and networking. I’m a member of Mobile Writers Guild, Alabama Writers’ Forum, Alabama Writers’ Cooperative, as well as the international organization Sisters in Crime and their online group, Guppies. 

  In addition to a couple of creative writing courses in a college setting, each of those organizations has been important to achieving my goal to become a published author. When I have a question, someone has the answer I need.

  All of the organizations are comprised of published and non-published writers, hailing from a variety of professions and bringing with them a wealth of expertise.

“Sisters in Crime is an absolute necessity for anyone stepping into the crime writing world, and a continuing joy as our careers unfold.” - Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author, five-time Agatha winner, and Sisters in Crime past president.

  Some members are judges, doctors, private investigators, law enforcement officers, and there’s even a government agent or two. The feedback from these people is informative, super supportive, and on the money. 

  I’ll mention the world-wide group Guppies, specifically, because they have a large list of specialized subgroups (for agent searches, querying, critiquing, manuscript swaps, et al.), and, like Sisters-in-Crime, they also offer a variety of on-line skill-building classes.

  If you haven’t joined a writers’ organization, you should think about doing that.

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Etcetera.

Here’s a two-fer: Support a good cause and get treated to some wonderful and touching short stories. Harbor Humane Society's THE BIG FANG anthology is tentatively scheduled for release in April. This anthology has short stories from 22 different authors—stories full of mystery, murder, love, humor and more; and always involve an animal of some shape or form.

  My latest cozy mystery, "Firebug," is included in the charity anthology, and the short story features a Beagle-Golden Retriever-mix puppy named Harley.

  THE BIG FANG will be available for purchase on Amazon and in person at the shelter and our Harbor Humane Resale Store with all proceeds returning to Harbor Humane to support their animal rescue work.

Watch for it

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  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

P.S.  The Haunted Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed books or any book of your choice on-line from a favorite, indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here:

https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us

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So, tell me...what do you think of my newsletter masthead?

cj Sez: Writers’ organizations are great for learning the craft and for networking. Today I was a guest at a meeting of the Gulf Coast Chapter of Romance Writers of America, and I learned a lot. They meet in Mobile, AL, and their virtual guest (from Kalamazoo, MI, via a live online conference) was Hillary Rettig, author of THE 7 SECRETS OF THE PROLIFIC. It was fascinating to me how she hit a lot of my personality quirks that need to be amended.

The Gulf Coast chapter of RWA might be my next membership. Currently, I’m a member of Mobile Writers Guild, Alabama Writers’ Forum, Alabama Writers’ Conclave, Sisters in Crime, and their online group Guppies, and the online Mystery Thriller Week event. Each of these organizations is important to my growth as an author.

Since all but two of my memberships are Alabama specific, I’ll recommend Sisters in Crime and their online group Guppies. The feedback from these international writers is informative, super supportive, and on the money. Not only do Guppies have a large list of specialized groups (for agent searches, querying, critiquing of specific genres, manuscript swaps, et al.), they also offer a variety of on-line skill-building classes. Recent Guppy classes include: “Writing is Revision” with award winning author Linda Rodriguez; “The Historical Novel” with NYT, USA Today and PW best-selling author Rhys Bowen; and “Writing Mysteries: Short, Single Novel or Series” with Laurie Scheer, former VP of programming for WE: Women’s Entertainment.

If you haven’t joined a writers’ organization, you should think about doing that.

Looking for a publisher for your romance story? Digital-first publisher Crimson Romance is open for submissions. The following is excerpted from their website:

Our digital-first romance line is open to submissions in five popular subgenres: romantic suspense, contemporary, paranormal, historical, and spicy romance. While your work can include other genre elements, Crimson Romance stories must focus first and foremost on a hero and heroine’s emotional journey together towards love and have a happily-ever-after or at least happy-for-now ending. 

We’re looking for previously unpublished full-length novels (between 50,000 – 90,000 words) and novellas (between 30,000 – 50,000 words). All authors—agented or unagented, beginner or veteran writers—are welcome to submit any works that have not been previously published in whole or in part in any media, including self-publishing (Kindle, CreateSpace, etc.)

Find out more at http://www.crimsonromance.com/submissions

Speaking of Crimson Romance, Choosing Carter is part of

their 8-book bundle called “More than Friends.” Available for a limited time. Here’s a review:

These stories must have been very enjoyable to write because they were really great to read. The characters were really good and every one of these stories should be followed with a sequel.

https://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Friends-Contemporary-Romances-ebook/

Deadly Star is part of Crimson Romance’s new 10-book bundle called “California Kisses.”  No reviews yet but here’s the

publisher’s blurb:

We’ve packed this bundle full of mountains, beaches, Hollywood glamour, sunshine, and wine, delivering romance the way only California can. Join these ten couples as they explore love in the state known for its golden dreams.

https://www.amazon.com/California-Kisses-Golden-State-Romances-ebook/

Then, of course, there’s my short story “Bad Day at Round Rock” in the newly launched The Posse anthology of 8 Western short stories from publisher Intellect Publishing, LLC.

Here’s a 5-star review: The Posse has a little bit for everyone who loves the Old West. If you're like me, and a romance reader, you will thoroughly enjoy Lyn Horner and cj Peterson's romantic tales of the Old West. Excellent stories, woven in with period details. If you're a lover of Old West "grit" the other stories will grab hold of you and not let you go!

https://www.amazon.com/Posse-Historical-Western-Romances-ebook/

All of these Ebooks are currently on sale at Amazon for 99 cents. Think about it…Here’s an opportunity to get 18 romance novels plus 8 Western stories for less than $3.00 (plus tax, of course).

Okay, my job here is done. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

PS:  I published my first quarterly newsletter yesterday (note the header picture above) and, BSP, am pretty happy with the results. Of course, there will be future tweaking of the exact format, including the masthead which has already happened, but all in all it turned into a newsy issue. Drop me a note if you want a sample copy, or if you want to sign up.

cjpetterson@gmail.com

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