Since February I have been querying my young adult murder mystery manuscript called The Final Chapter. It's set in a fictional small-town near Philly and takes place primarily at an indie bookstore during Halloween. The main character, Emmie, and her friends team up to solve who killed a bookstore patron, Bette. Emmie was the last … Continue reading Taking a Step Back
Tag: Reading
Venturing into New Territory
The first book I ever wrote was an adult rom-com but after trying to query it, I ultimately decided to shelf the manuscript. I wasn't getting any bites what-so-ever and the more I was learning about querying and publishing, the more I realized this book did not follow the rules, for example, my main character … Continue reading Venturing into New Territory
Shifting Priorities
I've been asked a lot how I do it all. Write my books, market them, have a day job, and be a mom/wife. Simply put, I have to have priorities and a schedule. And there has to be some kind of give or take. I had been trying to do it all when I first … Continue reading Shifting Priorities
Writing in Different Genres
I've been a guest on various podcasts and have been getting asked the same question a lot: You write in a lot of different genres. How did that happen and how does it work? It's a great question and might reflect my reading tastes. I read all kinds of books, therefore it makes me interested … Continue reading Writing in Different Genres
Reflections on 2024
This year has gone by like a blink of an eye, but I have to say, despite having a lukewarm second book launch, my writer mental health was much better this year than 2023. In 2023, my debut book, Does Love Always Win?, released and for some reason I decided to set up my own … Continue reading Reflections on 2024
One-Year Book Birthday
It's now been over a year since my young adult sapphic romance Does Love Always Win? has been out in the world and what a journey its been. Just like querying my book, publication has been a roller coaster of emotions, but overall, it's been a really fun and rewarding experience. One of my favorite … Continue reading One-Year Book Birthday
Having Fun Again
It's been so long since I've had fun writing. Things have been hectic in my life with publishing one book, editing a second book, and trying to balance that with a full-time job and my family, that it was hard to find the time to write, and when I did, nothing was sticking. I couldn't … Continue reading Having Fun Again
Welcoming a New Year
Last year I decided not to have any resolutions because I knew 2023 was going to be more exhausting and difficult than I ever had experienced because my first child was born on December 23, 2022. I didn't want to set myself up for failure having no idea what to expect. And I wasn't wrong. … Continue reading Welcoming a New Year
Book Picks: My Favorite Summer Reads of 2020
Recently on social media one of my friends asked what people are doing when they are overcome by pandemic stress. My response: I read. That's always been my MO when life becomes too much. Honestly, I read all the time because it's my favorite hobby and the reason I became a writer. I've been an … Continue reading Book Picks: My Favorite Summer Reads of 2020
Diane Billas 