Author Archives: Sandra Neily

About Sandra Neily

Sandy’s novel “Deadly Trespass” received a Mystery Writers of America award, was named a national finalist in the Women’s Fiction Writers Association “Rising Star” contest, a finalist in the Mslexia international novel competition, a runner- up in Maine’s Joy of the Pen competition, and recently, an international SPR fiction finalist. Sandy lives in the woods of Maine and says she’d rather be “fly fishing cold streams, skiing remote trails, paddling near loons, or just generally out there—unless I’m sharing vanishing worlds with my readers. "

Rejection. Rejections. And Blizzard Therapy

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Sandra Neily

I want to talk about rejections. On Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter and these public places, we don’t usually hear about gut-wrenching stuff. These sites are perhaps how we market ourselves to the world. How we manage the front window … Continue reading →

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Fiction Does Truth … Better

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Sandra Neily

“Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” Ralph Waldo Emerson “There is no doubt fiction makes a better job of the truth.” Doris Lessing “Fiction is the lie that tells the truth.” (From the article, “Truth in Fiction: 3 Lessons from … Continue reading →

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The Dogs of War. Are Family.

Posted on March 24, 2022 by Sandra Neily

  THE DOGS OF WAR …are family. This post is really a photo essay with links you can use to support animal rescue operations and refugee pet owners.            Sandra Neily here: Every time, I see … Continue reading →

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A Different Light

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Sandra Neily

  Sandra Neily here. This has been a very strange weather-winter. If I’d known it was going to offer up only a few special days when skiing or snowshoeing would work, I would have sought out each special day more … Continue reading →

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Brain Fog Is Most Likely A Real Thing

Posted on January 24, 2022 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here: I can’t believe I left my novel’s plot map in the Maine Medical Center. But there it is. Or was. I have a distinct memory of sticking my notes and plot map into my bag. I knew … Continue reading →

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The Best Gift, Revisited … and Humans Together

Posted on December 26, 2021 by Sandra Neily

Sandy Neily here.  It’s December 26th and I am thinking of what might feel joyously human (now that we are headed into some Covid hibernation again) and also a Christmas family moment to revisit, written as an assignment to “go … Continue reading →

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You Can’t Always Get What You Want, But …”

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here: If I had to pick a time to avoid open heart surgery like the plague (oops; useless expression these days), I would avoid it now when Maine Medical Center is packed with more Covid patients than any … Continue reading →

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Cowboys Are My Weakness & Other Recommendations

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Sandra Neily

  Sandra Neily here: What if nature-based fiction or passages work better to bring us close to the richness and power of the physical world than any science course we might take? What if they deliver more magic, more empathy, … Continue reading →

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Suspense. Ice Tea. Duck Babies. Swimming Bears.

Posted on August 23, 2021 by Sandra Neily

Sandra Neily here: This past week, we took our small trailer even further north of Moosehead Lake to camp up on the Penobscot Corridor. This corridor is part of Maine’s amazing suite of public lands, many with well-cared-for remote campgrounds. … Continue reading →

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Win A Book Wednesday July 28th

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Sandra Neily

It’s another Win a Book Wednesday (July 28) here at Maine Crime Writers. Sandra Neily here:   First I need to announce Grace as the winner of my first novel, Deadly Trespass. Apologies to all jumped in promptly, hoping to win. … Continue reading →

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