Wickeds, remember our theme "out with the old"? Let's talk about world building. We've all written several series. When you're creating your new world, what's out to make it new?

This month the theme is "out with the old". What do your characters do to spice things up? When they need a fresh start? How do they usher in the new?

The theme for this month is a good one for January--Out with the Old. Implied is "in with the new". Wickeds, the question for this week is what new are you hoping for in your writing life in 2022? Edith/Maddie: I'm hoping to finish crafting my new historical project and land a publishing contract for it. Also hoping for a Country Store Mysteries series contract renewal, and for two or more short story acceptances.

Happy New Year from all the Wickeds! We wish you a fabulous year with lots of great books to read and time to read them! Below is a recipe for a classic daiquiri and a mocktail daiquiri! To make a mocktail substitute two ounces of sparkling lime-flavored water for the rum. It's refreshing! Readers: What is going to be your first read of the New Year?

Edith/Maddie here, with my last post. Yes, it's time for me to say good-bye here. I've made the hard decision to shed my Wicked Authors cloak. I'll still be scribbling away, and you can always find me over at my Maddie Day/Edith Maxwell Facebook page and on my web site. I'm also continuing on the Mystery Lovers Kitchen blog. …

Writing might be a solitary pursuit, but no one has to do it alone. In this special video chat, I had a blast catching up with my friend and fellow mystery author Daryl Wood Gerber to talk about one of the most important (and sometimes overlooked) parts of the writing journey: community. Daryl and I dove into the ways being part of a supportive group—whether it’s a critique group, an online network, or an organization like…

Edith here, writing from north of Boston where spring bulbs are bursting out and birds are busy building nests. Spring is also a great to welcome back Leslie Karst, whom I was delighted to spend time with at Left Coast Crime in Denver a couple of weeks ago. She has a fun bit in her new Waters of Destruction that she took from real life!

Edith writing from north of Boston, as always, and today wearing my Maddie Day hat . I'm delighted to wish my thirteenth Country Store Mystery a Happy Book Birthday! I truly never thought ten years ago that the series would run this long. I'm so happy a ton of fans got hooked on Robbie Jordan, her renovated country store and restaurant, and the sleepy but somehow murderous hamlet of South Lick, Indiana.

Jessica: In Maine, where the snow has melted, but the winds are still wintery! Edith and I had the chance to chat all things historical recently. One of the things we discussed was the ways culture and history merge and diverge between Old England and New England. It was great fun to consider the past and present through that particular lens, especially as it applies to villages.

Edith/Maddie here, writing during a flight delay from Denver after the Left Coast Crime convention. Jessie, aka Jessica Ellicott, and I had some delightful conversations about our historical mysteries recently. We thought we'd share three of them, one at a time, with you now at the end of Women's History Month. Researching historical mysteries is the topic of this first chat: how do we research the past?

Hey everyone, it's Julie Hennrikus and I am here on the Wicked Authors to share some pretty exciting news. I am part of a short story anthology. These are words that don't come out of my mouth quickly or easily because short stories are not my forte. But I was asked by Josh Pachter to be part of a really exciting new anthology.

Edith/Maddie writing from a blustery north of Boston. Yes, March is still coming in like a lion. Three of the Wicked Authors are traveling to Denver, Colorado this week for the Left Coast Crime fan convention. Liz/Cate, Julie, and I are looking forward to schmoozing with fans, hanging out with fellow authors whom we usually see only online, visiting with each other, and casting our eyes on some real western mountains.

Edith/Maddie here, with a thrilling announcement. No, I didn't (yet) hit the New York Times bestseller list. But I do have "While the Iron is Hot," a short crime story, in the latest issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, one of the two premier mystery magazines! I have loved the phrase Carpe Diem for many years. According to Wikipedia, "

How much fun is it to visit a character after a series has ended? Lots! We're delighted to welcome Sherry Harris back to tell us about her new short story! And P.S. how fabulous is the cover of that magazine? Missing Sarah Winston – A Short Story is Born I’m so delighted to be back visiting the Wickeds to talk about my short story “Light My Fire.” …

Jennifer J. Chow is a friend of the Wicked Authors, and I'm delighted to help her celebrate her newest novel, Star-Crossed Egg Tarts. Chinese Tea Ceremony By Jennifer J. Chow When I got married, one of the things we wanted to incorporate into our special day was a tea ceremony. This was a chance for us to express our respect to our elders by serving them tea.

Jessica: Just back from a trip out of town and glad to be home with my dog, Sam! Today is the final installment of my conversation with Julia on the subject of goals. We had enormous fun spending time together and hope that you enjoy listening to the chat too! YouTube Podcast Readers, we discussed what we hope to accomplish when we write each of our novels. What is it that you love to experience when you read a book?

Liz again, with more on goals! This time I'm getting Carolyn's take on how she sets them and achieves them - and she's got such a great approach. Check out our conversation: Have we inspired anyone to take another pass at their goals and work some celebration in? Let us know in the comments!

Hey there! Liz here, weighing in on the topic of goals - which I have a love/hate relationship with. I mean, I love setting goals and achieving them. I also know myself, and I can totally drive myself nuts in so many ways when it comes to goals - from setting to achieving them. So this year, I'm trying to do something different with goals - which I'm talking about in the video below. Readers, are you setting goals? How are you approaching them this year?

Jessica: Grateful that the daytime temperatures have risen into at least the low double-digits! Today's post is the continuation of my chat with Julia on the topic of goals. Whenever we get together we tend to lose track of time and our conversation ended up going on long enough to span three podcast episodes. I hope that you will enjoy this second installment!

Jessica: On the coast of Maine, grateful for central heating! Recently, I had the good fortune to enjoy a chat with my friend and colleague, Julia Spencer-Fleming. In part 1 of our conversation, we talked about goals, if we like them, and how we apply them to our novels. I hope you will have as much fun watching or listening…

Julie Hennrikus talks about setting audacious goals, and making them happen.

Liz/Cate here! I have our friend and fellow author Carolyn Wilkins here today and we're doing a look back on her first experiences with the Wicked Authors, with Barb and Sherry, and what this community has meant to her. Watch the video on YouTube or check out the transcript below! Liz Mugavero (00:00.984)Hey Carolyn, thanks for joining us here at the Wickeds.

Edith here, writing from the deep freeze north of Boston. Most authors maintain a list of fan emails and send out an occasional newsletter. We include news of events, book releases (our own and those of friends), thoughts about writing, a few personal tidbits, and sometimes special content only for our subscribers - a short story, the opening to a new book, a special giveaway.

What are the Wicked Author goals for 2025?

Happy New Year from the Wickeds