New Book!

This is to announce a new book scheduled for January of 2010. DEAD ON ARRIVAL is the first of a new cozy series with southern characters and every law enforcement group in grabbing distance investigating. On top of being widowed at twenty-four, all the cosmetic ads say your skin starts drying out at twenty-five. Too financially challenged to waste time on self pity, Maggie Murphy finds a part-time job which turns into full time when she finds the body of the man she was hired to replace out behind the office dumpster. Not only is her husband's ghost trying to tell her his death was dead wrong, there is an instant and mutual attraction between Maggie and the handsome policeman who is investigating the body she found. With links and clues being pursued by or maybe in spite of: friends; a former slave who claims to be over a hundred years old; a co-worker named Fatima, AKA Queen Esther Johnson; and Maggie's Aunt Myrtle keeping an eye on Maggie's social life, it's a merry southern romp with the Memphis police; the FBI; and the rest of them trying to find out who all done what?
Happy reading!
Break's over,
Jackie

THE DEVIL'S EARLY!

The Devil's early! THE DEVIL IN MARYVALE, that is. In a previous blog I announced that Zumaya Publications has given me a contract for this entire Maryvale series and the first one would be out in 2010, date TBA. It's coming out in 2009 instead, it's in the works now. I'm thrilled about this. Right now they have the first two (THE DEVIL IN MARYVALE and THE NELSON SCANDAL); the third one, RECIPE FOR TROUBLE (now available in HC from Five Star); and the newest one which takes place after the storms in New Orleans - MARDI GRAS MURDER. With the first one coming out this year and a new one each year I'm in the comfortable position of not being pushed for the next one. Looks like that may really be a blessing since (though I didn't plan it that way - you know how characters just take a book and run with it LOL), I've introduced a new gifted character in each one so far. I'm simply letting them live and let live with the rest of the population and enjoying their antics (I'm a firm believer in the author having a good time too.) Anyway, the first one introduces a psychic who works at the library; the second introduces a medium who holds a seance; the third one has a 'healer,' and MARDI GRAS MURDER introduces a witch. She's not one of those old crone, cauldron stirring ones with a wart on her nose (I wouldn't do that to you, dear reader). She's a young and beautiful and full of good times witch. The only bad thing about the whole novel is the heartbreaking damage and hurts in that wonderful swampy old full of romantic memories place and surrounding areas. It broke my heart to see the police cars lined up bumper to bumper on Canal Street, everything from NOPD and National Guard, FBI and what have you. But the beat goes on and I did get the rest of my research done. I guess I'll just have to think up some more adventures for my gifted ones. There aren't that many more to choose from since I don't like werewolves and vampires leave me cold (no pun intended LOL). Suggestions welcome.
Break's over!

Cyber WHOOPEE!
I already knew cyber space was the greatest place to explore in my lifetime; I already knew there were whole populations of people out there to talk to and enjoy; I already knew my limitations (being about an eyelash above computer illiterate); I already knew in some of the places I've lucked up on that 'help' is really NO help. But I'm overwhelmed by the help other writers and cyber space friends have given me in a recent problem I had. Thank you - all of you :-)
I had problems with the URL of my blog and I'm pleased to report the problem is now solved. The problem was when you clicked on it in my sig. (which I thought would make it easier for you to visit) it took you to an old May, 2005 entry! Now you can click on it and go to the latest one. Of course you can read all the ones before that if you want to (I should get so lucky - and popular?). And please when you visit, leave a comment on my guest book - I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks again to all of you.
Break's over!
Jackie

Blog Block?

Hi, is anyone there - I mean "here?" My blog URL is on my sig so people can just click and come to visit. The catch is, it takes them to an old blog from May, 2005! What the problem is I have no idea and "Help" is NO HELP at all. I stumbled into a group of fellow sufferers and signed up to join them hoping someone could help me but can't find the dratted thing again and don't have much hope anyway. Why don't people who do lists for writers or blogs have any place that can fix problems like this? I'm still working on this but getting discouraged. If there is anyone who has got to where he/she can read this, and knows how to fix it - please, please, let me hear from you.???
Break's over!
Jackie

Writing A Book is the Fun, Easy Part:

Just got word a couple of days ago the first of my Maryvale series books (The Devil in Maryvale) has been moved up in the publishing schedule from 2010 to this year - 2009! That's the good news. The first three of my Maryvale series are reprints so, the Bad News is: when I got notice of the move-up, I also got three pages of instructions and wanted information for the ancillary material from log line (10 words at most) and all the thumbnails and synopsis lengths in between plus all the other pre-publishing material from cover to cover. Guess what I've been doing for the last two days? Yep, pushed everthing else aside and started on it. All the requirements from guidelines on differ from one publisher to another. It's not just the genre, it's all the ancillary info and requirements from acknowledgements and blurbs to a prologue if you have one. The bad news is when we (their really excellent executive editor and I) get through with all this and the book is ready to go to the printer, we will probably have to start on the next one since it will be out in (early I hope) 2010. The good thing is after the first rush is over, I can have plenty of time to write since they are going to publish a new Maryvale mystery each year nd they have three in hand plus another I had just finished.
If anyone is having trouble or has comments about 'what comes after the contract is signed' I'd love to hear your (horror or happy) tales about our common struggles. In the meantime, I've e-mailed my material and am typing with my fingers crossed hoping the editor is just crazy about it (and doesn't ask for more or complicated changes - heaven forbid!)
Break's over!
Jackie

Hollywood calls!

Here's the thrill of 2008 I promised you. A Hollywood studio got in touch with one of my publishers about one of my books they published and asked me to contact them. I did. (big thrill - everyone tells me not to get my hopes up - naturally - I did LOL) Anyway. They wanted to ask about 'possibly working up a pitch for a TV series using my book and characters.' Sounded good to me, they even bought their own book :-) so I was hoping I'd get an option. Heard from them once, they were still reading my book. Also heard from a lot of fellow writers about what to do, what not to do, what to expect, and most interesting, about the experiences they had had. It all got to one only positive thing. It ain't over till it's done and the check's in the bank. This one doesn't have a happy ending like my books. They liked my novel but did not offer an option. My editor laughed and said, "welcome to hollywood, Jackie." She thinks I shot myself in the foot having my characters get married. "Look what they're doing to Ghost Whisperer" she said. Well, that's life. Anyway, if any of you get a 'nibble' about 'a possible pitch for a TV series,' DON'T let your characters get married. LOL.
BTY, the book the studio liked was ONCE BURNED and it's available on Amazon, my web page and can be ordered from bookstores etc.... (and all the libraries around here have my books too so anyone who is curious can check it out.)
I'm finishing up a novel and proofing, proofing, proofing - more on what's happening and being scheduled next time.
Break's over!
Jackie

2009 Networking!?

Even on days when I'm drowning in spam and 'forward this' e-mail it's great people entertainment. People watching in the summertime, surfing the NET, and just exploring cyberspace in general are fascinating things for me. Of course, being a writer, it's 'meeting' fellow readers and writers that is my very most favorite thing. Of course, there's not always enough time to wade through the stuff that is obviously a Sell it TO YOU Land ploy - I delete those. Even some of the interesting ones offering another place to list my books get deleted, and a $ sign on the note beside my keyboard means - THIS COSTS MONEY. So that gets the proverbial gate too. But the ones who ask quesions or need information or maybe just sympathy for getting their novel turned down, I'm here for them. (Having been through that myself.)

I haven't had time to decide on my New Year's resolutions yet, but there are so many places where there's room for improvement, I don't see it being a problem at all. First on the list of course is keeping in touch with all the readers and writers I've met by e-mail, blogs, and other electronic goodies.

One resolution that's going to be near the top is to update my blog more often. So whether you want to know about it or not, there's going to be frequent episodes of the Adventures of Jackie Griffey. I'll start with my Big Thrill followed by my Big Disappointment when a Hollywood Studio contacted my publisher about one of my novels. In the meantime, if you have anything you want to share, need sympathy, or just want to share a laugh, let me know. If there are any writers reading this as you ponder your next step, I've made so many mistakes I'm probably a good person to ask if you feel you might be on the verge of one. On the other hand, if you haven't made any mistakes, you're probably not working hard enough LOL!

Break's over!
Jackie

And also, please, if you visit and have time, your comments are always welcome too. Please neaeh mr