Author, Compulsively Readable Thrillers
Libby Fischer Hellmann 
Plotting is a challenge, but it’s the most enjoyable part of the process for me. I love figuring out motivations, what happened to a character that made him/her the way they are, and what conflicts or obstacles I can present that will reveal who they really are and move the plot forward. Hypotheticals help in … Read more
Exciting News: Win a $100 or $50 Book Gift Card! The Killer Femmes Rafflecopter Contest is on! From today through July 25, you can win a $100 or $50 e-Book Gift Card to the bookseller of your choice! And Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hi, all. My upcoming crime thriller, Nobody’s Child, will be released September 2nd, and I’m offering free ARCs (for just a few weeks) in exchange for an honest review by August 15. After writing 3 stand-alones, I’ve returned to the Georgia Davis PI series. Nobody’s Child is a very dark story, probably the darkest I’ve ever … Read more
Not much more needs to be said. Read as much as you can, both in and out of your genre. You will absorb good writing techniques and learn to recognize those that aren’t. PS Sorry the last couple of tips were out of order. Oh well.
The Killer Femmes “bundle” (also available on Nook, Kobo, and iBooks) is special because I’m sharing space with some of my favorite authors in the crime fiction community. They are all terrific writers, and I gobble up their books as soon as they come out. But I realize you might not know them… so today I’m … Read more
Just wanted you to know I’m giving away some print ARCs of Nobody’s Child, my 11th novel and the 4th Georgia Davis PI novel. If you’re a Goodreads person, maybe you’d like to sign up. Btw, more news coming in a few days. Goodreads Book Giveaway Nobody’s Child by Libby Fischer Hellmann Giveaway ends … Read more
Of the 4 cities we visited last month, Prague is definitely the most vibrant, western, and energetic… in fact, there is almost a frenetic energy to the city. I’m told the city has changed dramatically since its days under the Soviet umbrella, and when you pass the luxury designer stores that have sprung up (I … Read more
One of the best writing tips ever comes from the late Elmore Leonard, who said: “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.” In other words, those long, boring descriptions of setting, mood, internal thinking, etc. Here’s the bottom line: If you’re bored reading them, the chances are good your reader will be … Read more
If you’re a traditionally published author, a self-published author, a hybrid author, an aspiring author, a publisher, or anything else connected to the business, this blogpost by Hugh Howey is a must-read. Particularly if you’ve jumped aboard the “Bash Amazon” wagon without really understanding what’s at stake or what the issues are (You know who … Read more
A couple of months ago mystery author Sujata Massey approached me about doing a “Bundle.” For the uninitiated, a Bundle is a collection of novels by several authors, usually sold at a discount. I didn’t say no (story of my life, but that’s another story), and the result is Killer Femmes. The reason I accepted is that the … Read more