I'm officially announcing Ginger Gold's new look!
May 4, 2017 I published the first Ginger Gold Mystery book. I had no idea at the time, that I'd still be writing this series nine years later, and that the series would end up with 32 books (by the time it's said and done) several short stories and 2 spin off series! What a journey it has been.
It all started in January of that year, when I went on a three week Mexican vacation/ working trip with my husband and daughter. Norm and I were on a quest to discover if we wanted to venture into snowbirding~ a term used by travelers escaping cold Canada winters to warm tropical destinations. (The answer for the curious is yes. Yes we did and still do).
Each morning, I'd sit by the little pool at our air bnb and write. I'd already spent a lot of time prior to this trip researching the 1920s era and formulating my protagonist in my mind. I admit it was a little hard to concentrate, but I got my words in each day, then enjoyed the rest of the time with my family.
I had no way of knowing before then that writing cozy historical mysteries was my calling. I'd dabbled in every other genre starting with YA, then middle grade, then jumping to dystopian and science fiction, and then another u-turn with sweet romances. All that writing, in the end, helped me to develop my skills for this moment in time in 2017. I've always been a reader of mysteries~it was my go to shelf whenever I visited the library~but I was too intimidated to actually write it. Mysteries are the only genre where you have to outwit your reader. In fact, it's a type of literary puzzle.
But what I'd learned writing all those other genres, is that every genre is a mystery at its core. You turn the pages because you want to know what happens next. There are built in knowledge gaps and you keep reading because you must find out what you're missing. :)
It turned out that timing was everything. Just as I felt ready as a writer to move into the mystery genre, the cozy subgenre was having a moment. Historical cozy mystery was still a little bit in the wings, and when I first published Ginger Gold, there wasn't very many other books in that genre on offer. Only a couple of trad authors and a couple of indies. It was the perfect time to jump in.
It's been such a great experience, growing with Ginger and her world through the decade of the twenties. And many of you reading this post have been with me the whole way, and I just want to say THANK YOU!
To mark these milestones, I decided to give the series covers a rebrand, and I have to say, Jordan (my designer and son) did a stellar job. I'm really happy to eventually move away from this series with these bright, on point to the era covers.
But don't worry, if you've been collecting the series in paperback, the old covers will still be available for you to purchase on my website.
The 1920s series isn't finished yet. Murder at Stonehaven Hall #29, just released, and #30 and #31, Murder at Lake Como and Murder on Black Tuesday are available for preorder now.
The final book, Murder at Christmastide is coming in December, however, I'm planning a special kickstarter event leading up to the release (and a way for you to get it earlier). More info on that is first coming via my newsletter so be sure to check your inbox on Thursdays.
2 comments
I’m so sad the series is coming to an end, I absolutely love Ginger, this is my favorite cozy mystery series. I will just have to re-read them I guess!
I can’t believe the Ginger Gold series is coming to an end. I have been with Ginger from the first book, spin-offs and short stories – and even the Ginger Gold Journals. I will definitely miss Ginger!