Goodreads Giveaway Coming Soon!

Hop over to Goodreads on the 22nd to win a paperback of FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE. It will end on the 31st and I'll mail out 20 copies to lucky winners!

In the meantime, you can put the book on your to-read list here and you'll be sure and get the notification.

What is WFH?

 It’s Work for Hire, but what does that mean? And what does it have to do with the fact that I took a pen name just for this purpose?

Yes, it's work, but not manual toil!

When BookEnds Literary Agency signed me on with agent Kim Lionetti, I was writing as Kaye George. Since BookEnds handled a lot of cozies and that’s what I wanted to write, and since I had never written one, Kim had to make sure I could write them. Some people do call my other series cozies, but they are actually traditional mysteries (except the Neanderthal series—that’s sort of traditional, but also historical—prehistorical).

What’s the difference? A traditional mystery contains a murder and can be set anywhere with any kind of sleuth. It can dwell on the gory details and show an autopsy. It can contain seedy characters, some of them with foul mouths and bad habits. A cozy, in contrast, is lighter and gentler. No gory details, no explicit sex, no cursing (or if there is any, it’s minimal), no harm ever done to children or animals. Especially animals. In fact, many cozies feature cats, dogs, and other pets. There may be some romantic interest, even some romantic tension, but the real stuff is behind closed doors, as we say. Many cozies have come to be based around a hobby or a career like baking, catering, sewing, libraries—respectable things like that.

Now, what about this WFH? Jessica Faust at BookEnds explained it better than I ever could, so I’ll put that link here.

http://bookendsliterary.com/index.php/2016/04/07/what-happens-when-the-publisher-owns-a-concept/

A quick summary of that, in case you don’t want to click over, is that the publisher came up with the concept and maybe some of the characters. They may have decided who will get killed or who the killer will be, or that may be left to the hired author. Sometimes auditions are taken, that is, submissions are turned in to them from agencies which have had a writer take on the task and do a proposal. (A proposal is usually a fleshed out synopsis of the plot, based on the original germ of the idea, plus the first three chapters.) When an author is chosen by the publisher, a contract is signed. This contract makes it clear that the publisher owns all the copyrights to this series. They own the concept, the characters, and even the author name (hence my other pen name of Janet Cantrell).

Why, you may ask, would a writer want to do this? There are a few good reasons. Cozies are extremely popular among mystery readers, so they sell well. (And the agencies and publishers know what their readers want.) My first two both achieved national best-seller status, I’m pleased to say. Also, if the publisher came up with the concept and accepted the proposal, that series will definitely get published. Thirdly, it’s a good way to get a foot in the door with that publisher and maybe later get a series with your own name.

One little hitch in my case. Due to multiple mergers and acquisitions, the publisher is looking at the bottom line and deciding to throw in with mostly huge megasellers, discontinuing many of their popular cozies. A lot of cozy writers can take their series to other publishers, and many are doing that, but I can’t, because I don’t own any of this one. Bad timing on my part. The market at this publisher fell apart right as I established my toehold.

The Fat Cat series may be continued, but only if sales of the third book, FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE, which came out this month, are spectacular. I’m hoping, of course, but I’m also thinking of what else I can do, and I’m writing a proposal for my agent to send to other publishing houses. Wish me luck on both these fronts!

It’s a strange business! I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

http://janetcantrell.com/

Giveaway last week, and this week…

I was so gratified at the signups for my giveaway last week. I think all the books have been mailed out, and as of today, all the correct books mailed out.

I’m also so happy to see reviews popping up! If you’re a reader of my blog, which means you’re a cozy mystery fan and probably follow other writers, you know how important reviews are to us. They help casual passersby decide whether or not to take a chance on our books.

This third novel in the Fat Cat series is my make-or-break novel. If it doesn’t do well, the series won’t continue. I would LOVE to continue writing this series, so would LOVE it if anyone who likes the books would post reviews. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, your own Facebook page—wherever they pop up, they help.

PS. There's an interview and a giveaway going on until the 25th at Linda Thorne's blog.

Okay, enough begging. Now back to reading more cozies!

RELEASE TIME X-POSTED

I haven't done much of this, but it's crazy time, so I'm repeating my Kaye George blog here, since it applies to both of us. (Both of me?) You'll see why below. Here's what posted yesterday in Travels with Kaye. If you've read that already, you can skip this and save yourself some time!

(But I will add that FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE is on preorder for a reduced price right now! On Amazon as well as the places in the link at the bottom.)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/042526744X/)

Here goes:

OK, it’s time to admit it. I am crazy busy right now and I’ve been neglecting my blog. (But the word search was fun and I might do that again.) I’m promoting two new releases, one next week, another the week after. I might as well do it here, too.

 I have several guest blogs coming up. I hope these are ways to get people looking at me and my work.

I’ll be at the Henery Press blog April 1st, no joke!

https://www.clubhenhouse.com/blog/

For the week of the 4th, I’ll be hosting the facebook group, Nose for Trouble, as Janet Cantrell.

On the 7th, I’ll be at Kevin’s Corner. I WILL talk about my double releases there.

http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/

From the 11th through the 25th, there will be a giveaway at Linda Thorne’s blog.

http://www.lindathorne.com/blog/

Elaine Douts interviewed me for a Writers Who Kill post for the 27th.

http://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/

In addition, Berkley Prime Crime has set up reviews from 76 people, plus an interview at Fresh Fiction and some blogs at other places.

http://freshfiction.com/pages.php?id=blog

I’m doing a signing at Books-A-Million in Knoxville for FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE on April 24th, 2-4.

Also, watch for a Goodreads giveaway beginning the 5th. I’m giving away EINE KLEINE MURDER to promote the second in that series, REQUIEM IN RED.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4037415.Kaye_George

So, here are the new books. FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE on April 5th and REQUIEM IN RED on the 12th. HOWEVER, both are available for preorder if you need them right away.

Here are preorder places for Fat Cat:

http://www.bookfinder4u.com/IsbnSearch.aspx?isbn=9780425267448&mode=direct

Here are preorder places for RIR: http://www.bookfinder4u.com/IsbnSearch.aspx?isbn=1941295436&mode=direct

    

       

Have a great April!

Something different

I've seen others doing these lately, so I'm trying one. A word search! To whet your appetite for FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE. I'd love to know how you like it.

Meet Eddie Heath

I'd like to introduce you to a character who will appear in the next Fat Cat book, FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE, coming April 5th. I wonder what you'll think of him! Click the link below for a bit from Eddie.

http://www.killercharacters.com/2016/03/cant-wait-for-reunion.html

An excerpt for you today!

I thought I'd treat you with the opening of FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE, which will be out soon. (Available for pre-order now, though.)

“That’s a lot of mail,” Anna Larson said. She was taking a short
afternoon break, sitting on the squeaky stool at the work island in
the kitchen of Bar None, the dessert bar shop co-owned by her and
Charity Oliver, who was called Chase by almost everyone.

“Look!” Chase waved an envelope at Anna, her eyes bright and her
cheeks red, partly from coming inside, out of the early December cold,
but partly because of excitement.

“If you held it still I could see it.”

Chase smiled at her business partner and surrogate grandmother. “I’ll
do better than that. I’ll open it for you.”

“You know that’s a federal offense,” Julie Larson said.

“Julie.” Anna put on her stern grandparent face, which looked
incongruous with her soft gray hair and her periwinkle eyes, much more
used to smiling. “You don’t always have to be a lawyer.”

FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE--new cover!

The third Fat Cat book is available for pre-order now! I don't have the links on my webpage yet, but will soon. Meanwhile, here's the cover and the online sales pitch.

Quincy the butterscotch tabby has a talent for sniffing out sweets—and uncovering crimes—in this Fat Cat mystery from the national bestselling author of Fat Cat Spreads Out.

When former classmate Rich “Dickie” Byrd throws a high school reunion to gather support for his mayoral campaign, it drums up some not so sweet memories for dessert shop proprietor Chase Oliver and her friend Julie Larson. Julie would rather not reconnect with Ron North, the creepy kid who had a crush on her back in the day. His social graces haven’t exactly improved with age, but is he creepy enough to kill?

The next day, Chase is in the park testing a new cat harness for Quincy—who quickly proves he cannot be leashed. But when his escape leads Chase to Ron’s body, the police wonder who else got away. Now, with Julie suspected, Chase must prove her innocence before the real killer plans another fatal reunion.

The Waiting Game

I wonder if everyone realizes how much time writers spend waiting. Right now I’m waiting to get the edits for FAT CAT TAKES THE CAKE.  I turned in my manuscript a few weeks ago. We usually don’t know when the edits will come to us, but it’s always a rush to get them back.

No, it’s not that bad. There IS enough time, and I know the editors have a lot on their desks, or desktops, or laptops. There is also the matter of Berkley Prime Crime merging with NAL. My editor is still there, but I have no idea what kind of chaos is happening there right now. Time will tell what happens there.

Here’s one version, rather gloomy.

http://www.mhpbooks.com/the-vanishing-mass-market-penguin-merges-two-mass-market-publishing-houses-merge-to-create-new-mass-market-publishing-house/

The Publishers Weekly report doesn’t sound good for mass market paperback.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/67234-penguin-merges-berkley-nal.html

However, I know that the BPC (or whatever it will be called) cozy books are big sellers.

One more view: http://lunch.publishersmarketplace.com/2015/06/people-nal-is-merged-into-realigned-berkley-publishing-group/

But, back to the waiting thing. What am I doing in the meantime? I’ve sketched out some ideas for books 4-6, in case I get contracted to write more Fat Cat books. I also have some other cozy ideas up my sleeve—OK in my computer. I’m also working on my Kaye George projects: proofing audio files for BROKE, read by Veronica Newton (all 3 Duckworthy mysteries will have audio versions after we publish this; writing the first draft of the second People of the Wind tale entitled DEATH ON THE TREK; and—again—waiting for the galley proofs (the very last stage) and the cover for REQUIEM IN RED, the second Cressa Carraway Musical Mystery.

OK, so I’m not really sitting around waiting, there are lots of things in my pipelines. So, instead of waiting, what I’m really trying to say is that there are gaps in projects, but there’s no wasted time!