Denise Weeks, mystery author, wins Dark Oak contest!

NEWS FLASH!

NOW it can be told!

No, not that prolific writer Shalanna Collins is the alter ego of author Denise Weeks. You already know that, if you have reached this blog. I'm like Nora Roberts with her alter ego J. D. Robb for mysteries. I have other news. NICE WORK, the first novel in my Jacquidon and Chantal Carroll mystery series, has won the Dark Oak Tree mystery contest and will be published by Oak Tree Press!!

This morning I got my contract by e-mail and an agreement to sign. I've signed, and the process to publish the book is in motion. It could be a Christmas release, but we're still in the preliminary stages of planning. As you probably know, traditional publishing (which this is) moves somewhat more slowly than the small YA/fantasy press I have worked with for my books (written as Shalanna Collins) DULCINEA, CAMILLE'S TRAVELS, and APRIL, MAYBE JUNE. (Oh, and of course LITTLE RITUALS, by Denise Weeks.) But perhaps this one will surprise us and not take as long. Stay tuned.

This series is the "Snoop Sisters" humorous and non-gory/not-so-dark line. It doesn't have the angst of the MARFA LIGHTS/Ariadne French series. What it does have, I hope, is a take on cozy/traditional mystery style that will appeal to fans of the Anne George "Southern Sisters" mysteries (much missed) and witty romps like the old Helen Hayes/Ruth Gordon "Snoop Sisters" television program.

One can dream. And sometimes one's dream can come true!

The Book's Own Blog:

http://jackiesjotting.blogspot.com/

Oak Tree Press Home

http://www.oaktreebooks.com/

(They haven't announced the contest win yet, but I am told I can post about it now myself)