FALL WRITING FUN
An update from my writing corner
Hard to believe autumn has arrived, although judging by the fact our pool’s still open (until temperatures plummet this weekend), it doesn’t feel like it.
Quite a lot has gone on in my corner of the writing world so here’s a short update with some of my news. Thanks again for subscribing to my Hannah Mary McKinnon (thrillers) / Holly Cassidy (romantic-comedies) newsletter combo. I’m delighted to be in touch!
Hannah Mary / Holly x
ROM-COM: THE CHRISTMAS WAGER IS OUT NOW!
Such a delight to see my first holiday romantic-comedy THE CHRISTMAS WAGER (writing as Holly Cassidy) out in the world. It might feel a bit odd to read this enemies-to-lovers holiday romance in October but think how busy you’ll be in December… You may as well get a head start, lol.
You can find out more about how city-girl Bella and small-town boy Jesse face off at the Maple Falls Holiday Games (an annual tradition of eccentric feats of strength and skills) HERE.
Five fun facts about THE CHRISTMAS WAGER that you won’t find in the book:
Bella’s fear of singing in public closely mirrors mine (I sound AWFUL!).
I once played a version of the Human Singing Christmas Tree game that’s in the book at an office holiday party, with hilarious results.
Maple Falls was inspired by multiple towns I’ve lived close to or visited in Switzerland.
I love including at least one British character (e.g. Tim from Tipsy’s) in my novels whenever I can because of my English background.
My original name for Maple Falls was Mittensville (my agent said, “Uh…no”).
NEXT THRILLER: WE HAVE A TITLE! AND A DESCRIPTION! AND A PUB DATE!
I’m ridiculously excited for my next thriller, which is called (drum roll please)…
ONLY ONE SURVIVES
Publishes July 16, 2024, and while there’s no cover yet, we have a description:
Becoming the star is easier when the rest of your band is dead…
All drummer Vienna Taylor ever wanted was to make music. If that came with fame, she’d take it—as long as her best friend, guitarist Madison Pierce, was sharing the spotlight and singing lead. And with their new all-female pop rock band gaining traction, soon everyone would hear their songs…
Except, on the way to an event, the Bittersweet’s van careens off an icy mountain road during a blizzard—leaving one member dead and another severely injured.
In order to survive the frigid night, the rest must take shelter in a nearby abandoned cabin. But Vienna’s dreams devolve into a terrifying nightmare as, one by one, her fellow band members meet a gruesome end…and Madison simply vanishes in the night.
Has Vienna’s closest friend finally decided to take center stage on her own terms?
She doesn’t want to believe it.
But guilty people run.
It was a total blast writing this book from drummer Vienna’s point of view! The story features news articles, blog posts, radio interview transcripts, and social media comments, most of which I’d never attempted before. Oh, and of course a massive twist or two I hope readers won’t see coming.
I knew next to nothing about the music industry, can’t sing or read music, and the last time I’d played an instrument was the recorder in elementary school (I was rubbish). That changed when I researched drummers, which was both fascinating and inspiring. I’m now the proud owner of a set of electronic drums (yup - I can do the drum roll) and a Drumeo membership. Yes, I’m rubbish at this, too, but hoping to improve and it’s so. much. fun. Who said you can’t teach on old dog new tricks? Woof.
Inside scoop: We have some brilliant “bonus material” planned for ONLY ONE SURVIVES, watch this space and pre-order the novel here.
WHAT AM I WORKING ON?
Two things!
My 2024 Holly Cassidy holiday romantic-comedy which is tentatively called THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN: When all Callie wants for Christmas is hibernation, and she insists she can’t go home for the holidays because her ex-boyfriend will be next door with his new partner, Callie’s sister intervenes with a homemade “give’n’get” Advent Calendar, sending Callie on a journey of self-discovery and providing her with an unexpected shot at love. I used to make “give’n’get” calendars for our three sons and used that tradition as inspiration for this feel-good novel. Cover and release date coming soon!
A Hannah Mary McKinnon thriller but it’s at its most embryonic stage, so I can’t say much more than writing rom-coms seems to be making my thrillers darker. Who saw that coming? (Not me!)
BOOKS I’M DEVOURING AND WHY YOU SHOULD, TOO
HIDE by Tracy Clark
A twisty thriller by the brilliant and talented Tracy Clark, featuring hard-boiled Chicago detective Harriet Foster, who’s on the hunt for a serial killer with a deadly affinity for redheads. Gimme!
“[Det. Harriet] Foster’s dogged approach to catching killers will resonate with Michael Connelly fans. May the wait for the second Harriet Foster police procedural be brief.” —Publishers Weekly
SONG OF THE SPARROW by Tara MacLean
I don’t read many memoirs and this book is a reminder of why I should. Powerful, moving, harrowing, and so much more, this is a story I’ll remember for a long time. Tara is both an extraordinary musician and a talented writer. Pick this one up now.
“Tara MacLean’s Song of the Sparrow is an honest insight into her life and how her creative process has allowed her to not only survive, but soar!” — Bryan Adams
JUST ANOTHER MISSING PERSON by Gillian McAllister
Gillian McAllister is a genius. I absolutely loved Wrong Place Wrong Time, and Just Another Missing Person had me hooked from the opening lines. It’s so intricate and so damn clever. Fun fact: the audio version is read in part by Joanne Froggatt (who plays Anna Bates in Downton Abbey).
“Gillian McAllister knocks it out of the park yet again with this exquisitely plotted, seamlessly constructed police drama filled with clever twist after clever twist, gasp out loud reveals and beautifully realised characters. Just tremendous.” — Lisa Jewell
WRITING THE ROMANTIC COMEDY by Billy Mernit
I read the 20th edition (better late than never) and loved this book. It’s hilarious and informative, and although its tagline is “The Art of Crafting Funny Love Stories for the Screen,” it helped me with my Holly Cassidy rom-coms so many ways! I even found it helpful for plotting some of the elements of my thrillers.
“Writing the Romantic Comedy is so much fun to read it could pop a champagne cork.” — Alexa Junge, writer/producer of Friends
EVENTS
I’m planning quite a few events for THE CHRISTMAS WAGER in the lead up to the holidays. Find out where (and when) I’ll be here. More events will be added over the coming weeks. Hope to see you there!
DISCOVER NEW BOOKS IN A UNIQUE WAY
First Chapter Fun is the place where my partner in fictional crime, the amazing Hank Phillippi Ryan and I read the first chapter of a different book every Tuesday at 12.30pm ET on Facebook (request to join) and Instagram. We have book giveaways almost every week and the featured authors interact with viewers in the comments during the shows. Have you tuned in yet?
That’s all for now time. Thanks for reading!
Hannah Mary McKinnon / Holly Cassidy xo
Hi, Hannah Mary and Holly. Thanks, as ever, for your insights and supportive style. Since I'm trying to write a university student sleuth, her townie policeman bodyguard, and the professors they need to interrogate, I can identify with having to learn about drummers! Thanks for the book recommendations, as well -- after the heavy lifting I've been doing (going into a third week on one book) in reading, I will need big changes after this, and I think I've found some here! Best, Margaret