Next week at Maine Crime Writers there will be posts by Lea Wait (Monday), Barb Ross (Tuesday), Kaitlyn Dunnett/Kathy Lynn Emerson (Wednesday), Maureen Milliken (Thursday), and Vaughn Hardacker (Friday).

In the news department, here’s what’s happening with some of us who blog regularly at Maine Crime Writers:

Maureen Milliken is excited to announce that the audio version of her novel Cold Hard News, the debut in the Bernie O’Dea mystery series, is now available on Audible, iTunes and Amazon. She got the boost to pursue audio from Dale Phillips, who’s posted about it on Maine Crime Writers.

Checked out Audible.com and look what I saw! Cold Hard News leading the new releases.

Maureen is also scheduled to appear as part of a panel with the Sisters in Crime NE Speakers bureau at the Sandwich Public Library, “It’s a Mystery to Me,” in Sandwich, Mass., Saturday, Feb. 6. She’ll be joined by fellow Maine Crime Writer Kate Flora and Arlene Kay, as well as moderator Leslie Wheeler. It’s sponsored by Titcomb’s Bookshop. Details were also firmed up last week for two upcoming events: The SINCNE speakers bureau is planning an event for Thursday, April 14, at Maureen’s childhood library, Lithgow Public Library, in Augusta. Stay tuned for details. And finally, April being the coolest month, Maureen will appear on a panel of debut writers at Maine Crime Wave, along with fellow Maine Crime Writer Brenda Buchanan, and Dick Cass and Brendan Reilly, moderated by Kate Flora. That’s April 9 — save the date!

Working on a short story? Don’t miss the submissions deadlines for Level Best Books and the Al Blanchard Award: http://levelbestbooks.com/submissions

Haven’t read Beat, Slay, Love? Love free stuff? Well, it is now available as an audio book, and one of this week’s lucky commenters will win a free download. All we ask is that, if you like it, you consider leaving a positive review.

An invitation to readers of this blog: Do you have news relating to Maine, Crime, or Writing? We’d love to hear from you. Just comment below to share.

And a reminder: If your library, school, or organization is looking for a speaker, we are often available to talk about the writing process, research, where we get our ideas, and other mysteries of the business. Contact Kate Flora: mailto: kateflora@gmail.com