Ekta R. Garg's Blog

Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope the week is going well for you. Yesterday in my #bookreviewpreview, I shared what I #amreading for this week’s review: The Killer Question by Janice Hallett. I just posted my review for you! Check out opening, and then click on it to read the whole thing now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

A man intent on sharing the story of his aunt and uncle’s mysterious disappearance reaches out to Netflix to gauge their interest for a possible documentary. As he shares important documents with the Netflix rep about the case, it becomes clear that the key to the couple’s vanishing might very well be in the least likely of places: a trivia game. Author Janice Hallett uses the epistolary form to great effect in the wildly clever novel The Killer Question.

Have a great week, readers!

E.R.G.

Good evening, Write Edge readers! We’re right at the end of September, but around my writing studio the busy season of book selling — and possibly book writing! — is ramping up to go full speed ahead. For those of you who enjoy podcasts about writing, you can join me LIVE on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m., U.S. Central time, as I chat with Miss Liz about all things writing (and maybe a few non-writing things. :D) Click on the image below for more details:

Now for your Monday writing motivation! I have two links to share today. The first is from Writer Beware and goes into a new scam that’s making the rounds and targeting indie and inexperienced writers. Victoria Strauss is a fearless, dogged champion for writers and offers details. Check out the article here.

For those of you who are working on new projects and wondering what on earth anyone means when they talk about voice in writing, the ever-dependable Jane Friedman has an article on that very subject. Of all the writing principles and fundamentals, voice is one of the more opaque ones to master or even understand. Find the article on Jane’s website here.

As for the rest of the week, tomorrow on Instagram I’ll share what I #amreading in my latest #bookreviewpreview. Be sure to go to the app to find out what book I’m talking about on Wednesday on The Write Edge Bookshelf! And I’ll continue posting on Instagram throughout the week about other fun things coming up. Find and follow me with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or go to my Facebook author page.

Have a fantastic week, readers!

E.R.G.

Hello, Write Edge readers! It’s so great to be back. For this week’s Monday Motivation, I want to invite all of you to a book club meeting this week where we talk about my newest release, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories. My publisher, Atmosphere Press, is hosting, and I’ll be in conversation with my editor, the fabulous Asata Radcliffe. She’s overseen all three of my books, and I’m so excited to talk to her and with everyone who attends about my writing process, how much wrangling she’s had to do of my characters and plots, and much more. Below are the details, and you can click on the picture to get the Zoom link:

My invitation to you is your Monday Motivation, because book writing is hard work but if you stick with it you absolutely can see your dreams come true. I dreamed of being a published way back when I was 14. It took nearly 30 years for it to happen, but it finally did. Please consider joining us to find out how you can do it too!

Tomorrow I’ll share on Instagram in my #bookreviewpreview what I #amreading for this week’s review. Then you can come back to The Write Edge Bookshelf on Wednesday to get the full scoop on the latest book to cross my desk. Or Kindle, as it were.

Then it’s back to Instagram at the end of the week for more writing and non-writing shenanigans. I get up to all sorts of stuff during the week, and it’s always fun to share some of those things with you. Be sure to follow me on the app with my handle, @EktaRGarg, or check out my Facebook author page for the latest.

Have a great week, readers!

E.R.G.

Hello, Write Edge readers! I hope the week has been going well. I’m in the thick of promotions for The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories, and recently I got to have a virtual chat with Linda Hobden who runs the Boots, Shoes & Fashion blog. She had some really cool questions for me that helped me delve more into the process of writing the book. Check out the full interview by clicking here now!

Also, coming up are two opportunities to hear me talk about the book LIVE! The first is in the inaugural book club being held by my publisher, Atmosphere Press! I’ll be talking to the amazing Asata Radcliffe who has been my editor on all three of my books so far. Details coming soon for this fantastic conversation!

Next, on September 30 I’ll be talking to Elizabeth Gagnon, aka Miss Liz, on her podcast about the book! You can tune in anywhere you listen to podcasts, but here’s the link to her site for more info.

Reviews are slowly but surely coming from various places, and when I have some to share I’ll be back to do so. In the meantime, why don’t you order your own copy of my newest book yourself? If you get it from my author website, not only will I autograph it for you but also you’ll get a personalized thank you and bonus bookmark from me. Find the book now on my website here!

Have a great weekend, readers!

E.R.G.

Good evening, Write Edge readers! Yesterday on Instagram I shared in my #bookreviewpreview what I was reading, and now I’ve posted my latest review for you. This week I took a look at the speculative fiction book American Werewolves by Emily Jane. Here’s the opening to my review:

A young woman looking for revenge runs into a man with a dark secret: he’s a werewolf. Although terrified at first, the woman realizes he may be the key to getting justice for the countless who have died horrible, mysterious deaths—or suffered worse. Author Emily Jane is back with a novel that sparkles with her trademark wit, astute observations, and her stellar writing of children characters in American Werewolves.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great night, readers!

E.R.G.

Hello, Write Edge readers! We’re halfway through the month. Where did it go? I feel like it was August just last week!

As the weather ping pongs and tries to figure out when it wants to settle into fall, I’m trying to figure out what to write for my next book. In my latest release, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories, I put a call to action at the end of the book. If you’ve read it, enjoyed it, and want more stories like what I share in this small but mighty collection, let me know. That could help me decide what to write next!

In the meantime, for those of you with finished manuscripts and looking to next steps in your publishing journey, I have a great resource for you. If you’re thinking of going the traditional publishing route and are starting your journey toward finding an agent, here’s a look at some successful query letters that got offers of representation. A query letter has a very specific purpose and format. It’s the first formal look that members of the publishing industry will get at your work. Give yourself the best chance you can by making your query the best!

Tomorrow in my #bookreviewpreview on Instagram, I’ll share what I #amreading for this week’s review. Find that on the app with my handle, @EktaRGarg, and check out some other fun posts while you’re there, then come back on Wednesday to The Write Edge Bookshelf for the full review.

Speaking of Instagram, I’ll be back on the app throughout the week with other fun “bits and bobs” as the Brits say. Just little moments from my writing/non-writing routines. Keep up with me there, and have a great rest of the week, readers!

E.R.G.

Good evening, Write Edge readers! My apologies for being so quiet. We had family visiting from out of town, and between spending time with them, helping my second child with college apps (!), and working on promotions for The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories, my days were spread a little thin. All three of those activities were absolutely delightful, but they did leave me a little short on time. I’m back now, though, and ready to move into September with all of you!

Today I’m sharing a new story review of The Ex-Wives Club by Australian thriller writer Sally Hepworth. Here’s the opening to my post.

A famous restaurant owner and known serial cheater is found murdered in his own place of business, placing his exes under suspicion. The police must work against the long list of suspects if they want to find out who committed the crime, except there are too many alibis and not enough holes in them to pin anything on anyone. Author Sally Hepworth brings her sharp domestic thriller instincts to Amazon’s Alibis series in the witty short story whodunnit The Ex-Wives Club.

https://thewriteedgebookshelf.wordpress.comRead the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a great night, readers!

E.R.G.

Good evening, Write Edge readers! Yesterday in my #bookreviewpreview, I shared that this week I was #reading the women’s fiction novel Joy Moody is Out of Time by Australian author Kerryn Mayne. Below is the opening to my review on this second book from the author:

A woman hides a terrible secret in order to protect the twins she’s raised. When she dies unexpectedly, the twins must piece together the truth by sifting through the lies their mother told them and figure out what’s fact and what’s fiction—literally. Author Kerryn Mayne is back with likeable characters in a heartfelt drama that doesn’t quite hit the mark with its plot in Joy Moody is Out of Time.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Have a good night, readers!

E.R.G.

Hello, Write Edge readers! I got so caught up in things yesterday that I forgot to post my book review! [Cue head-slapping emoji here. :D] This week I read general fiction novel Loved One by Aisha Muharrar. Below is the opening to my post on it.

A woman learns of the sudden death of her former boyfriend, a rising music star, and is tasked with retrieving his possessions from people who knew him. When she runs into his last girlfriend, the woman goes head to head with the girlfriend who is just as strong-willed as she is…and has just as much at stake when it comes to the man they both knew. Television writer Aisha Muharrar debuts with a novel that takes a thoughtful look at first love but also goes astray from its main point in her brand new book, Loved One.

Read the whole review now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

I’ve also posted the first two installments of this quarter’s Thursday R.E.A.D.s for you. During August, I’ll be taking a deeper dive into The Mysteries by Bill Watterson and John Kascht. Some people loved this little graphic novel; others were deeply disappointed by it. If you want to know how I felt and my thoughts on the book as a Reviewer and Editor, check out these first two installments now on The Write Edge Bookshelf!

Lastly, it’s Pub Week for my latest book, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories, and the fun stuff keeps rolling along. My publisher, Atmosphere Press, is launching a brand new book club. Guess what book they’re starting with? You guessed it! And the best part is that anyone can join the book club conversation! Here’s the official announcement. Be on the lookout for more details to come!

That’s all for my Thursday. Have a great night, readers!

E.R.G.

Hello, Write Edge readers! I’m so excited — tomorrow is pub day for The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories! Initial reviews have been so warm and encouraging, and I’m thrilled that it’s getting so much love. Check out the reviews now, and order your own autographed copy directly from me on my author website!

We do have a full week ahead on The Write Edge. First up: today’s #mondaymotivation. I’ve been following the Writers in the Storm writing blog for many years now, and today there’s a post there that truly speaks to me since I’m looking for my latest writing project (I know it’s around here somewhere…) This one is about different ways to plot your novel. Check it out now on Writers in the Storm.

Tomorrow, as I said, is pub day for my newest book baby. I’m going to go around to some special places within my own community to celebrate the book. Find me on Instagram throughout the day with my handle, @EktaRGarg, to see how I introduce The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories to the world! Then come back to Instagram at the end of the day to find out what I #amreading in this week’s #bookreviewpreview (I’m an indie author, but I was a reader long before I got published!)

On Wednesday I’ll post that review for you; then, this Thursday, I’ll post the first two installments of this quarter’s Thursday R.E.A.D.s. I’m examining The Mysteries by Bill Watterson this month. See what I thought of it as a Reviewer and an Editor.

Finally, on Friday, it’s back to Instagram for more shenanigans and another trip down memory lane to Italy and more lovely memories from our vacation at the start of the summer (can summer really be over??).

Have a great day, readers!

E.R.G.