I really enjoyed the first novel Debra Goldstein's new cozy series, "One Taste Too Many." Today's blog is inspirational and informative. Deb, who has been nominated for an Anthony and an Agatha Award, had not one but TWO publishers fold on her. News like this has broken strong writers, but not Debra. She's kept on and now she has a new series. Enjoy her story -- and her novel. -- Elaine Viets
By Debra H. Goldstein for the Femmes Fatales.
Whether one writes a novel, short story, or poem, the process is the same. It requires coming up with an idea, putting it on paper or the computer, rewriting, tossing darling words, and revising until the piece is almost satisfactory. “Writing” is often described as solitary, but in the five years since I walked away from my day job to follow my passion, I’ve discovered that isn’t true. Readers and writers in the mystery community inspire and help each other.
At my second Malice Domestic conference, I found myself alone in an elevator with Carolyn Hart. I’m a pretty confident person, but as the elevator went up, I stumbled over my words telling “Ms. Hart” how much I enjoyed her books. During the conference, where she was honored with the Amelia Award, I heard how her writing career wasn’t meteoric. Her first few books either were not published or failed to sell well, but she kept writing. When she became an overnight success, it had been a long night. What impressed me most, wasn’t her success, but when she took a moment during the Amelia Award interview to give a shout-out to a then new writer, Terry Shames. It takes a big person to share one’s limelight with others, and Carolyn was the only one to do so.
When my first book, Maze in Blue, a mystery set on the University of Michigan’s campus in the 1970’s, was orphaned weeks after winning a 2012 IPPY Award and with book talks and signings scheduled for at least six months out, I panicked. I looked for advice from agents, editors, and other writers. To this day, I cherish the responses I received from Carolyn Haines and Donna Andrews. Both offered a line of sympathy, a personal story of a book or series that didn’t do well, and words of advice to “write something new” which between the lines was a message to begin the process anew.
Not only did I follow their advice, but I attended conferences, took classes and read books on writing. I networked and with help and guidance from many writers, editors and the SinC Guppies, I wrote short stories, blogs, and another book. You can imagine my excitement when Five Star offered me a contract for Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery and the depths of my despair when the company decided to stop publishing mysteries shortly after mine appeared.
I knew what I needed to do, but it didn’t stop me from whining as I saw other people obtaining agents and being published. Fellow authors offered support, opened doors, shared technical skills, and provided more than one proverbial kick in the pants. Without the warmth, caring, and encouragement of the mystery community, I might have allowed myself to wallow in grief or perhaps quit. Instead, I wrote.
My name may have been the byline on my first Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine submission, “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place,” but it was the community who made it an Agatha and Anthony finalist. Without the support of writers and readers, I wouldn’t have found an agent, felt it was okay to write a culinary mystery incorporating my dislike of the kitchen, nor would I be experiencing the joy I am getting from the launch of One Taste Too Many, the first of Kensington’s new Sarah Blair cozy mystery series.
In One Taste Too Many, Sarah, who married at eighteen and was divorced by twenty-eight, thought starting over would be messy. But things fall apart completely when her ex drops dead, seemingly poisoned by her twin sister’s award-winning rhubarb crisp. With RahRah, her Siamese cat, wanted by the woman who broke up her marriage and her twin wanted by the police for murder, Sarah needs to figure out the right recipe to crack the case before time runs out. Unfortunately, for a gal whose idea of good china is floral paper plates, catching the real killer and living to tell about it could mean facing a fate worse than death—being in the kitchen.
Luckily, Sarah discovers a community of family and friends, plus her beloved RahRah, to help her find her way. I may never get beyond the bottom rungs of being a writer, but one thing I’ve learned is that we make each other winners. Whether by paying it forward through teaching, critiquing, networking, encouraging, or giving a shout-out in a blog or on a panel, the generosity of the mystery community makes writing anything but a solitary process. Has anyone helped you?
Judge Debra H. Goldstein is the author of One Taste Too Many, the first of Kensington’s new Sarah Blair cozy mystery series. She also wrote Should Have Played Poker and 2012 IPPY Award winning Maze in Blue. Her short stories, including Anthony and Agatha nominated “The Night They Burned Ms. Dixie’s Place,” have appeared in numerous periodicals and anthologies including Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and Mystery Weekly. Debra is president of Sisters in Crime’s Guppy Chapter, serves on SinC’s national board, and is president of the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. Find out more about Debra at www.DebraHGoldstein.com
One Taste Too Many Buylinks:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Many-Sarah-Blair-Mystery/dp/1496719476
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/one-taste-too-many-debra-h-goldstein/1128297322?ean=9781496719478#/
Debra, you are spot-on! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
My Hannah Ives mystery series was orphaned twice, until she found a new home at Severn House. Keep writing ... is key. I love the idea of a reluctant chef!
Posted by: Marcia Talley | January 10, 2019 at 06:05 AM
The book has some hilarious recipes from the 1950s, Marcia,including Jell-O in a can.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | January 10, 2019 at 06:24 AM
Thank you for having me today. Marcia,you are an inspiration! Thank you for the encouragement and setting the example.
Posted by: Debra H. Goldstein | January 10, 2019 at 07:59 AM
That is true about much of life. We need others to help and encourage us even if we have to do the heavy lifting ourselves.
Posted by: Mark | January 10, 2019 at 08:32 AM
Agree, Mark. The mystery community is wonderful about encouraging.
Posted by: Debra H. Goldstein | January 10, 2019 at 11:22 AM
You've had quite the publishing journey, Debra, but through it, you've showed us an example of carrying on when others might have given up in despair. Wishing you continuing success in your writing career.
Posted by: Grace Topping | January 10, 2019 at 04:31 PM
I am seeing the encouragement I know from the first commenters. Debra, you deserve congrats on your persistence and these friends are all in your corner!
Posted by: Beth Schmelzer | January 10, 2019 at 04:59 PM
Congratulations, Debra, on much deserved success. And, thanks, Elaine, for hosting.
Posted by: Paula Gail Benson | January 11, 2019 at 05:00 AM
Paula,
Thank you for stopping by and for the congrats. Also appreciative to Elaine for hosting me.
Posted by: Debra H. Goldstein | January 11, 2019 at 11:09 AM
Debra, I have read and enjoyed your books, and I didn’t know why there were no others in the series. I’m so sorry that happened to you but I’m glad you haven’t given up. You can count on me as a fan!
Posted by: Deb Romano | January 12, 2019 at 08:32 AM
Deb,
Thank you for your kind words. They are the kind I dreamed about when I continued writing.
Posted by: Debra H. Goldstein | January 12, 2019 at 04:12 PM