Giveaway Ends 8/24

My Writing Journey
by Stacy Wilder

My first major in college was Journalism. I switched to business and embarked on a career in accounting and human resources, leaving writing behind. As I approached age forty, I reached an emotional crisis. The left side of my brain had worked overtime and my right brain was screaming to be heard. I started journaling, writing poetry, and writing children’s stories inspired by our first Labrador retriever, Bear. Some of my poetry and children’s stories can be found on my website www.storystacy.com. Charleston Conundrum was inspired by a trip to Charleston, SC, one of my favorite places in the world.

The Cenacle Retreat Center in Houston, TX was pivotal to my writing journey. With the help of Spiritual Directors and programs offered through the Center, such as Artist’s Way, I slowly grew in my confidence to write. Connecting with other creative spirits also made a huge difference. The author community has been super supportive.

I picked up the manuscript for Charleston Conundrum and set it down multiple times before finally getting serious. As I approached a big birthday, I set a few goals for myself. Join a writing group, take some online courses, and enter a contest. I entered two contests. The feedback from both encouraged me to move forward and helped me to identify the genre for Charleston Conundrum. After losing the second contest by 1.5 points, I turned down a hybrid publishing contract and decided to self-publish under the imprint Wild Hawk Press. The journey has been amazing, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world

My advice for other authors is don’t give up. The author’s journey is one of passion, not profit. At least that’s been my experience. The competition is stiff, but seeing your book featured in a library or connecting with a reader who enjoyed your story is a joyful experience.

About The Book

Charleston Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery

A Cozy Mystery With a Twist…

Liz Adams never imagined when she moved to Charleston with her truth sniffing Labrador retriever, Duke, that she would use her skills as a private investigator to avoid winding up on Death Row.

Liz’s life is upended when her best friend, Peg, is murdered and she becomes a suspect.Liz’s gun was the murder weapon. Tensions flare between Liz and the cops as she rises to the top of their suspect list.

At the request of Peg’s father, Liz agrees to take on the investigation. Riding a roller coaster of emotions, Liz uncovers many secrets Peg kept from her despite their being best friends. The suspects include a cast of characters: the ex-husband, the boyfriend, a coworker, several neighbors, and family members.

Charleston Conundrum takes the reader from Charleston, South Carolina, to Paris and back in the emotional unraveling of Peg’s life and death to a killer ending.

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Google – Blue Willow Bookshop – Murder by the Book ‘

About the Author

Stacy writes mysteries, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Her debut novel, Charleston Conundrum, is the first in the Conundrum mystery series.

Stacy’s mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. She donates a portion of the proceeds from the sales of her books to causes that support wildlife conservation, and the homeless, both people and pets. A portion of the proceeds from Charleston Conundrum is donated to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

As well as writing, Stacy is passionate about her faith, family, Labradors, the causes that she supports, the beach, art, and reading books.

She and her husband live in Houston, Texas with a totally spoiled Labrador retriever, Eve.

Author Links