An Update on my Amateur Sleuth Mystery Novel | GRWM Writing Chat, Ep 001

by Amelia Hay | A Writer Writes, Behind the Scenes, Writing

Hello, Writers and Book Lovers!

Welcome to the first episode of a Get Ready With Me Writing Chat edition. In this super chatty video, I share an update on where I’m at with my amateur sleuth mystery novel Missing, and my other writing projects. I decided to add this as a regular once a month series on my channel after a few changes I made to The Authorpreneur Podcast.

But, more on that later.

I actually enjoyed filming this style of video because it was a break from the vlog and structured writing tip episodes.

In this Get Ready With Me writing chat edition, I discuss:

A new flavour of loose leaf tea from Tea2
Starting two different thriller series at once
Working with an editor for my amateur sleuth mystery novel, Missing
I’ve created a protagonist that I don’t like
Why I chose a different protagonist for my archaeological thriller series
My new archaeological thriller series
Plans to resolve a potential plot problem
Writing within strict parameters
And, I reveal the working title of the first book in my archaeological thriller series

Please let me know if you would like me to create a list of the make-up products I used in this video, in the comments section below.

Thanks for watching

Amelia xx

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Amelia Hay

I’m Amelia. I write Mystery Novels under the pen name A. D. Hay. And, I’m the author of Missing, the Lawn, and the Candidate. On this blog, I help new writers to finish their first draft, prepare their manuscripts for professional editing, and when they get stuck in the first draft phase or are confused about the revision process. Right now, I’m editing and preparing my soon to be published mystery novels, Duplicity, 24 Hours, and Immunity for publication.

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Hello!

I’m Amelia. I’m the author of Missing the first book in the James Lalonde Mystery Series, the host of The Authorpreneur Podcast™️ and the The Book Nerd Podcast. I help aspiring authors just like you to write and market their books so that they can, create their dream business, build their author platform, and be creatively independent. Right now, I’m editing book two in the James Lalonde Mystery series.

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My Books

A van Gogh is Missing and A Body is on the Lawn

When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.

But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.

Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?

Read it, Today!

A Murdered Judge. A Dark Secret Silenced.

Rookie reporter James Lalonde is bored. And, he isn’t a journalist. He’s an all-round dogs-body, to editor-in-chief, Rhys Kelly. But, his luck has finally changed. After eavesdropping in on the morning editorial meeting, James learns he has his first-ever story. There’s one catch. If the story gets too complicated, it will be taken away from him and given to another journalist with more experience. Sure it’s a boring interview with the soon to be sworn-in magistrate, Albert Harrington, but it finally gets him out of his six-month slump as an editorial research assistant.

The following day, James turns up to his interview with Albert to discover a trail of blood smeared through Albert’s house, an empty safe, the murder weapon on the floor, but no body. Detective Anwar Khan turns up to the crime scene, puts two and two together, and believes James murdered the controversial magistrate. Can James clear his name and write his first-ever story before his editor takes it away from him?

$2.99

Get It Now!

What I’m Writing Now!

98%

Revised Draft

83,827 of 85,000 Words

Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series, for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have this eBook published on all major ebook retailers by the end of September 2022. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

Publishing Updates

First Draft

0 of 60,000 Words

I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook on all major ebook retailers by the end of mid 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.

100%

Revised Draft

112,960 of 99,000 Words

Book Four the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in early 2023. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.