My writing career started in the most unlikely place—a town of 200 people in the mountains of North Carolina. Although it was years ago, I recall that day with the fiercest clarity. I'd found the Campbell Folk School, an amazing center for art, craft, and music (and featured in my novels as The Hickson School of American Studies). The director eventually asked if I’d like to learn public relations. To be honest, I should have answered, “What’s that?” Instead, I said, “Sure,” and took to it like ink to newsprint. I haven’t stopped writing since.
These days, I spend my time writing my Appalachian Mountain Mysteries series. I started them as a way to share amazing stories from my back-to-the-land experience in the N.C. mountains. I made mistakes by the wheelbarrow load, but I wouldn’t take anything for those years. My Appalachian Mountain Mysteries pay homage to the people of Appalachia who taught me so much.
To read excerpts from each of these books, head over to my Mystery Novels Page.
I've always loved a good mystery, especially in the British style where the dastardly deed is done "off stage." I don't enjoy mounting body bags and over-the-top violence, and you won't find them in my mysteries. Check out my style in the free prequel to the series: Waiting for You.
Before my novel-writing days, I crafted 1,200 articles for arts and culture magazines such as Southern Living, Country Living, AmericanStyle, Southwest Art, Yoga Journal, American Cinematographer, Chile Pepper, and Restaurants USA. Newspaper articles about art, food, and business ran in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Charlotte Observer, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, washingtonpost.com, among others.
I've also written 15 nonfiction books, including several on the art and craft of writing. Check them out here (and scroll down).
For the past 10 years, I've also had the privilege to guide people through their own book-writing process—both fiction and nonfiction. Together we turn their dreams into reality. Let me know if you long to write, too. I'd love to help make that happen.
"Lynda is an award-winning author in her own right, and through countless email communications
and numerous manuscript exchanges, she helped me find 'my voice' and expertly guided me from
novice to award-winning novelist." ~ Larry Gildersleeve, award-winning author of Blue by You
Feel free to contact me for details about my developmental and copy editing. I also offer a free 30-minute telephone consultation for writers who are serious about their craft. Let me know if you'd like to talk.
And something very exciting: I’ve teamed up with three other authors (Duane Lindsay, Peter Bartram, and Emma Jameson) who all write the kind of books I know you like to read to publish SPELLBOUND MYSTERY MAGAZINE, a free monthly flipbook magazine filled with exciting features. That means 12 times a year you will receive:
- In-depth spotlight on one of our authors
- Insider chat about what we’re writing
- Book recommendations of books by authors we love
- News about promos and sales
And that’s just for starters. Our aim is to make it easier for you to find the good books that keep you spellbound. Please subscribe below to see for yourself!
I love hearing from my readers. I hope you'll let me know your thoughts and questions. I'll get back to you ASAP.
All the best,
Lynda
