Libby Fischer Hellmann

writes the Ellie Foreman mysteries, the Georgia Davis thrillers, and several stand-alone thrillers. Her Ellie books are a cross between “Desperate Housewives” and “24”, but the Georgia Davis PI thrillers are more hard-boiled. Her stand-alones include a “trilogy” of thrillers set during the revolutions of Iran, Cuba, and the turbulent late Sixties in Chicago.

Thoughts on the JFK Assassination– Was Cuba Involved?

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I offer some thoughts about the assassination and whether Fidel Castro was involved. The answer is a resounding “No.” In fact, did you know he testified to the Warren Commission? William Colelman, who was on the commission, flew down to Cuba and they talked on a yacht off Havana Bay. Anyway, that and much more … Read more

Binge Watch Your Way Through The Holidays

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“The holidays are coming.” If that thought fills you with dread, don’t despair. I have a solution: BingeWatch through them! Many of you already know the term, but for those who don’t, it’s the newest way to watch shows on Netflix, Amazon, OnDemand, or even DVDs—all at once or over a couple of days. Thus, … Read more

Easy Innocence — Countdown Deal

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Just to let you know that EASY INNOCENCE, the first Georgia Davis PI thriller, is part of Amazon’s new Countdown Deal. The ebook is just $.99 today and tomorrow, then $1.99 Wednesday and Thursday, and $2.99 Friday and Saturday. If you haven’t read it, I hope you’ll take a look here.

A Narrator’s-Eye View of Audiobooks

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Audiobooks are quickly changing the way we “read.” Yes, I’m a book addict, but there’s just not enough time in the day for me to escape with a great story. So I make time. When I’m in the car, walking the dog, or cleaning the house, I now listen to audiobooks. In fact, audio is … Read more

SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE — Favor needed

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I have a favor to ask everyone… at least those of you who’ve listened to the audio of SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE and rated/ reviewed it on Audible. I’ve had to set up a new page for the audio (the rights reverted to me– which is good). However, the ratings and reviews could not … Read more

The Writer and Sensory Detail: How much, how often?

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  “Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader – not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.” E. L. Doctorow I love that definition. Sensory detail succeeds when a writer uses the senses of touch, taste, sight, smell and sound to create a visceral, emotional reaction … Read more

News And Views

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Just a few snippets of news from my corner of the universe… An interview with me in The Examiner by Terry Ambrose is here, but here’s the first graf: Libby Hellmann (www.libbyHellmann.com) writes what she calls “compulsively readable thrillers.” In this interview, the thriller author talked about where the idea for her latest book came from and … Read more

Using CASTS to Write and Edit a Chapter

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Hi, all. I’m guest-posting today on Writer Unboxed, and I’m talking about CASTS, a writing and editing method developed by author extraordinaire Nancy Pickard. I can’t say enough good things about CASTS and Nancy, so I hope you’ll take a look. It’s completely changed how I write a chapter. For the better, I hope. You … Read more

NEW RULE: No More Binge Publishing!

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BooksYou know how Bill Maher has his New Rule shtick? Well, I’m taking a page from his playbook. Many of you aren’t going to like this, but I think it has to be said: STOP publishing all these ebooks. I don’t want to sound negative, but it’s getting nuts out there. Ever since the self-publishing floodgates opened, “the more the merrier” has been the rule of thumb for indie authors. If you’re not making the sales you want, just write a new book and publish it. Add to your series. Start a new one. That’s the way to boost sales. I know people who are publishing five or six books a year! Which is why I call it Binge Publishing. (Btw, I’m talking about new books here, not backlist novels. Will deal with them later.)

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