Next week at Maine Crime Writers we’ll be featuring posts from Vicki Doudera (Monday), Lea Wait (Tuesday and Wednesday) Barb Ross (Thursday), and John Clark (Friday).

In the news department, here’s what’s happening with some of us who blog regularly at Maine Crime Writers. You’ve already heard this week from Gerry, who is settling into the cold and dark of winter with thoughts of cold, dark deeds. And yesterday, Kaitlyn/Kathy updated us on her new spin-off from the Lady Appleton series. So to catch you up on how we’re spending these icy days, here’s some news from other MCW writers.

Lea Wait: We’re all very busy! In December I sent a middle grade (that’s ages 7-14 or so) mystery to my agent, and an historical set in 1777 to an editor who’d requested it. I’ve just done final proofing of UNCERTAIN GLORY, a middle grade historical set in 1861 that will be published April 4, and SHADOWS ON A MAINE CHRISTMAS, the seventh in my Shadows series, that will be published September 4. (Four looks like my lucky number for 2014! Which, of course, ends with a 4.) Right now I’m updating my website to reflect the April book, and writing TIME’S TANGLED THREADS, the first in a new mystery series set in Haven Harbor, Maine. I haven’t got a publication date for that one, but it will probably be late in 2014. And, in my spare time, I’m making soup.

Kate Flora: December was a month of working on other people’s manuscripts. Now I’m back to my own. I have a suspense novel called Detention that I’ve now rewritten six times. It still wasn’t getting a favorable response from editors, so I broke down and hired a really good development editor to read through it and help me figure out what’s wrong. The edited version arrived yesterday in a huge, heavy box, with many pages of suggestions. Now I face the task of reading through all the comments and seeing how to go about revamping my central character to make her more appealing to readers. After that, it’s on to some original fiction, finally finishing the next Thea Kozak mystery, Death Warmed Over, and I want to write a story to submit for next year’s Level Best crime stories collection.

Susan Vaughan: Drifting snow and frigid temps are keeping me at home, but I’m getting a lot of writing done. Current project is “On Deadly Ground,” the first book in a new romantic suspense series tied together by Devlin Security Force, a company that protects and recovers art and artifacts. In “On Deadly Ground,” an insecure museum director, desperate to save her brother from a kidnapper, must work with a cynical ex-Delta Force guide she doesn’t trust to deliver a precious Mayan artifact, while eluding international black-marketeers and racing an earthquake. Complicated? Oh yes.

John Clark: Here’s the tentative opening paragraph and working title for the juvenile mystery I’m planning on writing in 2014. The main character, Harlan Ingersol Parker or HIP as his friends call him, is 13 and lives in Sennebec, Maine (which I’ve moved to Franklin County)

Shear Pin Summer

Most people spot the map first, but it’s what’s in the little jar on my dresser that really gets their attention. The map, the biggest one Mr. Richards at Dick’s Discount Emporium could find, cost me almost a weeks worth of blueberry money last summer. It was worth it, though. I get these things banging around in my head, that are stronger than thoughts and if I don’t do something with them, I get sorta crazy. That’s how my toes ended up in the formaldehyde filled jar on my dresser.

And from our newest contributor, Al Lamanda: Well, let’s see here. Right now I am working on shoveling out my driveway and…oh, you mean books. The 3rd John Bekker mystery comes out this year so I’ve already written the 4th and am halfway through the 5th. After the 5th is done I plan on writing a true crime/noir novel set in 1947 New York City. Winter in Maine is a great time to write, but then I find that every season in Maine is a great time to write.

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: kateflora@gmail.com