An Interview with Mysti Berry on LDDV, Volume II

June 5, 2020June 5, 2020 / Sarah M. Chen / Leave a comment

With everything going on in our country and local communities – and around the world really – I’ve been hesitant to add to the noise unless it’s to boost those voices who need boosting.

But Mysti Berry is publishing an anthology of short stories next month – July 4, actually – that I’m hopeful will make a difference in the upcoming election as well as ensuring our right to vote. It’s called Low Down Dirty Vote, Volume II and it’s about voter suppression. It includes one of my stories “Unit 805” and I’m honored to be a part of it. All proceeds will go to the Southern Poverty Law Center. You can pre-order the book here: Low Down Dirty Vote, Volume II

I interviewed her about the anthology and how it came to be. It’s up today at The Thrill Begins.

I also want to add that this will be my last Thrill Begins post. Ed Aymar, our tireless editor, is leaving his post so all of us have decided to leave along with him. I’m sad but so grateful I got a chance to be a part of The Thrill Begins and Murderer’s Row. Hopefully we will all work together on a different project or blog so stay tuned!

Three Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Wrote a Book

March 12, 2020March 28, 2020 / Sarah M. Chen / Leave a comment

Today my post is up over at The Thrill Begins as part of our Spring series: Three Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Wrote a Book. Mine is less practical advice and more about your mindset when writing.

I know there’s a lot of craziness and panic going on around all of us right now with COVID-19. It’s a very scary time and we all are unsure what’s going to happen next.

I’ve canceled Left Coast Crime which I was greatly looking forward to. It’s so unfortunate that many writers had to do the same. I know it takes a lot of work to put on a conference. Many book / literary festivals and conferences are canceling as well.

Meanwhile, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy and watch the news 24/7. But it’s important to remember to check out now and then. Turn off the TV and don’t look at social media. Regroup, refresh, and revive.

Which is how I came up with my column today over at The Thrill Begins.

Three Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Wrote a Book: Writer Intentions

The Thrill Begins “Promoting Your Book” series with Liz Donatelli

October 17, 2019 / Sarah M. Chen / Leave a comment

Today my interview with Liz Donatelli, the events coordinator for Creating Conversations, is up on The Thrill Begins. It’s part of our “Promoting Your Book” series in which each week we discuss different ways to promote your book. Liz has some great advice for authors, including get to know your local booksellers! Shop at your local store! As a former bookseller for Creating Conversations, I can’t reiterate this enough.

Check it out here:

The Thrill Begins Interview with Dea Poirier

June 5, 2019 / Sarah M. Chen / Leave a comment

I’m a little late posting about this but I interviewed debut thriller author, Dea Poirier, about her new book, Next Girl To Die. Normally I don’t read serial killer thrillers but this was a good one. Lots of hot and heavy romance too! To learn more about Dea and her book, go to The Thrill Begins.

The Advocates: Maddie Margarita

March 7, 2019 / Sarah M. Chen / Leave a comment

Today’s my first post as an official member of Murderers’ Row over at The Thrill Begins. And I can’t think of a better way to kick it off than paying tribute to someone who has done so much for the crime fiction community. The Advocates series is a wonderful feature where each of us write about someone who has supported or championed writers whether it’s bookstore owners, bloggers, or organizations.

For my piece, I chose Maddie Margarita, the hard-working host and producer of Lit Up! OC. Find out why: The Advocates: Maddie Margarita

Pay It Forward

June 28, 2018 / Sarah M. Chen / 2 Comments

The Thrill Begins has a series called “Pay It Forward” in which each contributor recognizes an author or a book that inspired them. It could be someone living or dead, a short story writer or a novelist, an author friend or a literary idol from your childhood. I think it’s a wonderful series and look forward to each week’s spotlight.

So imagine my surprise when I wake up to find out that today, it’s ME! E.A. Aymar, the managing editor of The Thrill Begins and also my co-editor for The Night of the Flood, wrote a lovely, eloquent piece about me and I’m floored. He’s a sneaky little bastard. 🙂 Thank you, Ed.

He even managed to find my short story “The Donut Dealer” on Medium.

NOVELLA TALK AT THE THRILL BEGINS

October 4, 2016October 4, 2016 / Sarah M. Chen / 4 Comments

Today I’m up at The Thrill Begins with the amazingly talented writers Rob Hart and E.A. Aymar as we discuss the popularity of the novella. Is it just a passing trend or is it here to stay?