Sunday, September 18, 2016

Writing a Holiday Themed Mystery



There are pros and cons to writing a holiday themed mystery. As a reader, I enjoy reading seasonal novels in the season in which they take place. Who doesn’t love a good Halloween mystery in October or a Christmas mystery in December? And, as a writer, I believe the potential for sales is greater if a holiday book is released at the appropriate time of year. Or, just before Christmas, which is the best time to sell books. However, it doesn’t always work out that way.

A couple of weeks ago, I sent my fifth Malone mystery, Marnie Malone, to my publisher for his consideration. The book takes place before and on Valentine’s Day (my favorite holiday) and, if my publisher accepts my book, he has promised to do everything he can to see that it’s released before the holiday. But, I’m not his only author and I know that may or may not be a possibility.

This is not the first time I’ve found myself in this situation. My first Malone mystery, Mixed Messages, which takes place at Halloween, was published in April. Not exactly good timing but that’s just the way it happened. The sequel, Unfinished Business, is a Christmas mystery and, although the book was scheduled to come out in early 2013, my publisher worked very hard to see that it was released in November.

The timing for the next two books was much better. Desperate Deeds takes place around Easter and it was published in April and Mistaken Identity, a Fourth of July mystery, came out in June. But, here we go again with the fifth book. Due to delays in my writing schedule, which I talked about in a post a couple of weeks ago, there are no guarantees that Marnie Malone will be available before February 14th. But I’ve crossed my fingers that it will.

As a reader and/or writer, what are your thoughts on the subject? 

14 comments:

  1. I've never considered your books as 'holiday books,' though the connection is obvious. I just read them as good stories well told.

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    1. Thank you, John! I appreciate that. I hope other readers feel the same way. :)

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    2. If the story is good, I never care if it's the holiday time or not. If readers are buying books for gifts, then I think it matters except even then, readers may buy when the holiday rolls around again. The books I get for my grandkids normally were published a few years earlier.

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    3. That's good to know, Linda. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. I feel the same as John, I read your stories because I enjoy them. The holidays just make them special.

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    1. Thank you, Evelyn! I guess I'm worrying about the timing for no good reason. :)

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  3. I feel the same way as your other commenters. If I enjoy a book, it doesn't matter when it comes out in relation to the holiday. However, I can't wait for this one. I'm ready for another Malone book.

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    1. That seems to be the common consensus, Marja. Thanks for commenting.

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  4. Pat: Whatever the season, that's a great cover and I know it'll be another great Malone Mystery.
    Although I only have 3 mysteries in my Granite Cove series, the middle one, A Deadly Christmas Carol, has never done as well as the others—except at Christmastime. On the other hand, your readers will seek it out whether it comes out in December or August, so release your expectations.

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    1. Sharon,
      You're absolutely right about releasing expectations. Life (and writing) is much easier when we remember to let go. Thanks for the reminder! :)

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  5. I don't have holiday seasons in my novels but I often write short stories that fit holidays when there's a call. Halloween seems to be the favorite with publishers. But that's because speculative fiction is such a draw.

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    1. Jacquie,
      When I wrote "Mixed Messages," which takes place at Halloween, I had no idea that all five Malone mysteries would end up taking place around/on a holiday. But, I have to admit it's been a lot of fun writing them that way.

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  6. I have a little bit of a different take on this. When it comes to Christmas stories, I only read them at during the holiday season. But that doesn't mean I won't buy the book in April or September. I'll just wait to read it. It's funny- I don't feel the same way about the other holidays. I'll read a Valentine's Day story anytime...same with Easter, Thanksgiving, July 4th, etc. I have this mental block when it comes to Christmas. If I were to write a book focused on Christmas, I would probably wait to have it published right before December. But for any other holiday, I would look to submit it anytime. Hope that makes some sense.

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