Maria Murad

Welcome, all! I've not been as active on this Blog, but it's because I've been so busy writing. Book #3 in my Suzy series is a quarter done, but a ways to go before I can publish it. If you've read any of my previous books, you'll find this one a little different – Suzy's an NYPD rookie cop now, with all that entails. But she's still the irrepressible Suzy, into scrapes and situations. Tentative title is Suzy, the Gritty Guardian. That could change – especially if anyone would like to send me a different suggestion.

I have also submitted several pieces I've reworked –notably Prima Ballerina, which is a short e-book and paperback available on Amazon.com I've had another piece made available on Biblioboard/ Indie Minnesota. I've put the URL below. I think you may have to have a library card to access The Anniversary. Both of these efforts are completely different from the Suzy series. A writer needs more than one instrument to play on!

http://library.biblioboard.com/content/c33c27b9-17b1-4d56-be1a-4dd42db54263

I did some consulting the past few months. As you can see from the Services page, I offer writing and editing help, for a reasonable price. I have also started reviewing some poetry chapbooks. I do love poetry, although I don't write it. I love the spareness and the specificity needed to transmit a message. It's good practice for any writer.

Another book, which I wrote in collaboration with Jan McCarthy, is Leading Ladies: How to Manage Like a Star. I did the writing, she contributed a good deal of the content. This was initially published by Outskirts, but we've added some up-to-date information to the original text. It got good reviews when it was published, but a new cover and refreshing the text makes it almost new again.

I've uploaded a favorite photo of myself. It was taken after my hair grew back following chemotherapy in 2016. It came in curly, something I'd always longed for. My brother got my dad's beautiful, curly hair and he looked wonderful when it turned gray. Unfortunately, as you can see from other pics of me, the curls didn't last. Anyone else like me? Pining for what we didn't get?

I'd like to blow my own horn now. Last spring, I entered Suzy the Super Sleuth in the Writer's Digest self-published books. Just recently, I received a document with their reviews of the book. I didn't win any prizes, but I am delighted with the critique:

Several reviewers found the book "exemplary" in organization, plot and pacing. They also liked the cover (although I missed an opportunity to describe the book more on the back cover). They also liked the voice and writing style.

---30th Annual Self-Published Book Awards

It gives me motivation and inspiration for the next Suzy book, currently in draft. Suzy is available on Amazon.com

In both e-book and paperback.