Joanna Campbell Slan

Thanks for visiting the official website for New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author and Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, Joanna Campbell Slan.

Kiki Lowenstein

The Art of the Cliffhanger and a Contest!

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Okay, I know some of you don't like cliffhangers, but just so you know, I intend to keep writing books that sort of flow into each other. Someone once told me that the first sentence sells the current book but the last sentence sells the next one. I know that I simulaneously love and hate how my favorite television programs end with question mark. But even as I might curse the writers, I find myself eagerly tuning in each week for more.So what … [Read more...] about The Art of the Cliffhanger and a Contest!

Kiki Goes "Irish"– and You Get a Lucky Break!

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Kiki has gone "Irish" for today! In honor of St. Patty's Day, she has arranged a special deal with The Stamp Maven for any of Joanna's readers who want to get a head start on crafting supplies for Easter and beyond. Any leprechaun who places a $50 order with Anne before midnight Friday, March 19 will receive free shipping on that order. That's a savings of 10%!Check out Anne's blog for TONS OF TIPS, specials, and classes on scrapbooking and … [Read more...] about Kiki Goes "Irish"– and You Get a Lucky Break!

Contest on Spotted Canary

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It's up! You'll want to learn all about the new Spotted Canary Contest. You could win naming rights for a character in Book #3 of the Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery Series. Go to...http://tinyurl.com/lyru9nAnd while you're there, check out what a super site this is for crafters. You'll find everything you need to put FUN back into your hobby world. Here's the site: http://www.spottedcanary.com … [Read more...] about Contest on Spotted Canary

To Plot or Not to Plot

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I'm 10,000+ words into Book #4 of the Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-n-Craft series. Now's the time to stop and plot.Groan.I've already written a synopsis, I know who died, how my victim died, and what's up. But in order to do my best work, this is the point where I drag out trusty pencil and paper and start making charts. Yep. Good old fashioned charts.I'll chart out what's happening in Kiki's life, in Sheila's life, in Mert's life, in Dodie's life, in … [Read more...] about To Plot or Not to Plot

Desire Paths–Why Authors Must Create Them to Sell Books

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Ever notice those footpaths between bushes, those stomped down walkways that go from a parking lot to the sidewalk, the ones clearly NOT planned by the landscaper where folks have made their own trail to get from Point A to Point B?Those are called Desire Paths. That's a term architects use to desire "non-authorized" walkways. Ones that occur spontaneously rather than through top-down planning.You and I must establish Desire Paths to our books if … [Read more...] about Desire Paths–Why Authors Must Create Them to Sell Books