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Mary Lee Ashford

@maryleeashford

Author | Reader | Podcaster | Learner |Coffee-enabled writer of #cozymysteries & unsuccessful manager of feline co-worker.

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12.11.2024
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Latest posts by Mary Lee Ashford @maryleeashford

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Helping Incarcerated Writers Find Their Voices at Parchman Prison Since my first visit to Parchman to teach writing and literature in 2019, I have come to see prison writing as a unique body of literature that offers a commentary on the conditions that exist broa…

The president of the Authors Guild on teaching writing in prisons:

15.01.2026 22:30 πŸ‘ 15 πŸ” 7 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Difficulty of Writing Difficult Scenes Nine tips from professional editors and bestselling writers to tackle scenes with sensitive material.

Nine tips from professional editors and bestselling writers on tackling scenes with sensitive material

21.01.2026 17:30 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 5 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Books 1&2 The Wishville Mystery Series. Cozy fantasy mystery. Oliver Heber Books #booksky #cozymystery #cozyfantasymystery #newrelease #bookrecommendation

25.11.2025 16:48 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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*** Meet the 2025 -2026 SinC Board ***
Board Immediate Past President: Tracee de Hahn

What was Tracee's response when asked what has SinC meant to her? A tremendous community both personally and professionally.

Read more about Tracee: www.sistersincrime.o...

20.11.2025 19:50 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Use Your Books to Generate Ideas for Social Media, Blogs, and Events β€” Heather Weidner Use your books to help you generate ideas for social media and blog posts and events. Do some brainstorming. Make a list of 10 or 15 words that relate to topics and subthemes in your stories. Think a...

Today I'm blogging about ways to use your books to generate ideas for your blog posts and newsletters. www.heatherweidner.com/blog/2025/11...

21.11.2025 11:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Murder They Write FB group tonight!
6PM EST, 5PM CST, 3PM PST

14.10.2025 21:03 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.

Leonardo Da Vinci
Italian Artist
#quote #inspiration #motivation #success #booksky #writer

13.09.2025 13:08 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Red background showing the tops of books with a round photo of author Jessica Ellicott, wearing a red jacket and black cap in the bottom right corner. White text from top to bottom reads: The Sisters in Crime Writers' Podcast
Jessica Ellicott
https://www.sistersincrime.org/podcast

Red background showing the tops of books with a round photo of author Jessica Ellicott, wearing a red jacket and black cap in the bottom right corner. White text from top to bottom reads: The Sisters in Crime Writers' Podcast Jessica Ellicott https://www.sistersincrime.org/podcast

Sisters in Crime talks with Agatha-award nominee Jessica Estevo. As Jessica Ellicott, she indulges her passion for historical fiction with the Beryl and Edwina Mysteries and the WPC Billie harness Mysteries. Log in to listen!
#SinC #writingcommunity #podcast

21.08.2025 02:17 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Photo from Fox Lake District Library showing staff members with some mysteries by Sisters in Crime authors Sara Paretsky, Tracy Clark, Lori Rader Day, and Susan Van Kirk.

Photo from Fox Lake District Library showing staff members with some mysteries by Sisters in Crime authors Sara Paretsky, Tracy Clark, Lori Rader Day, and Susan Van Kirk.

Congrats to Fox Lake Dist. Library in Fox Lake, IL - the #SinC We Love Libraries Winner for August! The Library was founded in 1939 with a donation from the Fox Lake Women’s Club of 1,200 books. The award will help buy new supplies for their storytime programs!

#booksky #writingcommunity

28.08.2025 19:58 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
a paper stripe background with three cartoon people sitting on a pile of books, reading books, and sitting under a cartoon tree with colorful books for leaves. The text at the top reads: September is National Literacy Month 
sistersincrime.org

a paper stripe background with three cartoon people sitting on a pile of books, reading books, and sitting under a cartoon tree with colorful books for leaves. The text at the top reads: September is National Literacy Month sistersincrime.org

September is National Literacy Month! Celebrate with a good book today!
#SinC #writingcommunity #booksky

06.09.2025 00:38 πŸ‘ 19 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The Sisters in Crime Writers Podcast 
Featuring Matty Dalyrmple (pictured) 
Http://www.sistersincrime.org/podcast

The Sisters in Crime Writers Podcast Featuring Matty Dalyrmple (pictured) Http://www.sistersincrime.org/podcast

This week’s podcast guest is @mattydalrymple.bsky.social , author of the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels & the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, as well as a podcaster, writer, & speaker on writing craft and the publishing voyage.

Listen where you get your podcasts or at sisterincrime.org/podcast

09.09.2025 12:30 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Red background with white and yellow text reads: SinC Webinar Grand Openings: The All Important First Page
Saturday, September 13
2pm EDT/ 1 pm CDT/Noon MDT/11am PDT/7pm BST
Free for members, $15 for non-members
Not a member? Our $60 membership gives you access to this and all webinars PLUS our full Webinar Library!
www.sistersincrime.org/webinars
Photo of the author, Karen Odden, is in the top left corner.

Red background with white and yellow text reads: SinC Webinar Grand Openings: The All Important First Page Saturday, September 13 2pm EDT/ 1 pm CDT/Noon MDT/11am PDT/7pm BST Free for members, $15 for non-members Not a member? Our $60 membership gives you access to this and all webinars PLUS our full Webinar Library! www.sistersincrime.org/webinars Photo of the author, Karen Odden, is in the top left corner.

This Saturday! Join us Sept 13 for Grand Openings: The All-Important First Page with Karen Odden. She'll be discussing the importance of a compelling first page.

Free for members, $15 for non-members. Register at: www.sistersincrime.org/events/regis...

#SinC #writingcommunity #booksky

11.09.2025 23:53 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Celebrating the November Marathon Finish Line!

(photo of FINISH line)

Saturday, December 7 Noon ET/ 11am CT/10am MT/ gam PT

Sisters in Crime

Celebrating the November Marathon Finish Line! (photo of FINISH line) Saturday, December 7 Noon ET/ 11am CT/10am MT/ gam PT Sisters in Crime

On Saturday, December 7, join SinC Write-In hosts as we celebrate the finish line & discuss what we learned. Then, join Zoom rooms where you can meet the people who saw in the chat all month! Come and help us celebrate and cheer what's ahead!

Learn more and register: www.sistersincrime.o...

20.11.2024 22:22 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Open now for submissions! Don't have to be a SINCNE member to submit, just need to be available to read in Plymouth, MA on Oct 12!

Submissions open now until Sept 10! Up to 500 words featuring chocolate!

Send to sincneflashfictioncontest(at)gmail(dot)com
#Chocolate #flashfiction #newengland

03.08.2025 23:26 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 4 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Night of the Living Bread By Mary Lee Ashford: Review/Giveaway/Interview by Tracy CondieNight of the Living Bread, book four of the Sugar and Spice Mystery series, is a culinary cozy crafted to feed your desire for armchair sleuthing and provide great recipes. While Sugar ...

Review and giveaway of "Night of the Living Bread" by Mary Lee Ashford along with an interesting interview with Mary kingsriverlife.com/06/28/night-... #cozymystery #book #food #writing #mystery @maryleeashford.bsky.social πŸ’™πŸ“š

30.06.2025 15:27 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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This year's LAA for the @necrimebakecon.bsky.social is the awesome Barbara Ross! She was one of the first people I met when I started this journey (along with the @wickedauthors.bsky.social)! Make sure to sign up NOW www.crimebake.org to honor her and our GOH @loriraderday.bsky.social #writing

24.06.2025 20:04 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Are you looking for some #cozymystery #beachreads this summer! Check out the boxed set of The Cupcake Catering Mysteries - 3 full-length cozy mysteries set in Newport Beach, CA! Each book also includes #recipes. Available on Amazon and #kindleunlimited : www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4PRGB42

26.06.2025 16:59 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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#giveaway & #review A chance to win an arc copy of THERE'LL BE SHELL TO PAY by Molly MacRae! Plus check out the recipe for Fig, Ginger, Cardamom Truffles! See my review, the recipe, and enter the contest by 6/29/2025. cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/fig-ginger-c...

24.06.2025 13:07 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Join Blackbird Writers, Sharon Lynn, and me for a downright fun interview that teases out the most extraordinary details about Mrs. Oliver's Twist and its author!

12.06.2025 16:51 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Available now at your favorite digital store! Moonlight & Misadventure: 20 Stories of Mystery & Suspense by Judy Penz Sheluk

Celebrating the release of a great new short story anthology, Moonlight & Misadventures edited by Judy Penz Sheluk. books2read.com/SSA-Moonlight

18.06.2025 16:07 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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A giveaway and review of NIGHT OF THE LIVING BREAD by @maryleeashford.bsky.social! Plus see the recipe for Blonde Brownies. Contest ends 6/22/2025.
cinnamonsugarandalittlebitofmurder.com/blonde-brown...

17.06.2025 13:20 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Let today be the day you finish that book you said you’d come back to later.

30.05.2025 11:09 πŸ‘ 330 πŸ” 33 πŸ’¬ 11 πŸ“Œ 31
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It’s Saturday! Be good to yourself… #Saturday #WeekendVibes

31.05.2025 23:14 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Virtual Book Tour, Recipe, & Giveaway: Night of the Living Bread (Sugar & Spice Mysteries, #4) by Mary Lee Ashford Night of the Living Bread (Sugar & Spice Mysteries) by Mary Lee Ashford About Night of the Living Bread Night of the Living Bread (Sugar & Spice Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Settin…

May 31, 2025 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – RECIPE POST
Virtual Book Tour, Recipe, & Giveaway: Night of the Living Bread (Sugar & Spice Mysteries, #4) by Mary Lee Ashford

karensiddall.wordpress.com/2025/05/31/v...

31.05.2025 15:27 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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With one friend accused of murder and another corpse turning up, the cookbook’s not the only thing half-baked. Can Sugar and Dixie sift through the secrets before they become the next victims?

Night of the Living Bread by Mary Lee Ashford: https://www.rfr.bz/b4b5641

27.05.2025 07:21 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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NIGHT OF THE LIVING BREAD by Mary Lee Ashford ~ Character Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway

Read Your Writes Book Reviews ~ Wednesday, May 28, 2025
NIGHT OF THE LIVING BREAD by Mary Lee Ashford ~ Character Interview, Excerpt & Giveaway

readyourwrites.blogspot.com/2025/05/nigh...

28.05.2025 21:43 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Game of Scones (Sugar & Spice Mysteries Book 1) Amazon.com: Game of Scones (Sugar & Spice Mysteries Book 1) eBook : Ashford, Mary Lee: Tienda Kindle

FREE BOOK - Game of Scones (Sugar & Spice Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Mary Lee Ashford

β€œWhen you add to the likeable characters a fine small town setting, an interesting cozy mystery plot, and loads of yummy food, you have a recipe for success!”— RoloPoloBookBlog

amzn.to/4jmNTZH
#AD

29.05.2025 17:09 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Night of the Living Bread by Mary Lee Ashford About Night of the Living Bread Night of the Living …

Night of the Living Bread by Mary Lee Ashford jodyjoy.com/night-of-the...

29.05.2025 04:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Night of the Living Bread by Mary Lee Ashford About Night of the Living Bread Night of the Living …

Night of the Living Bread by Mary Lee Ashford jodyjoy.com/night-of-the...

29.05.2025 04:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Some fun interview questions as Sugar Calloway is interviewed at Read Your Writes Book Reviews!

28.05.2025 20:04 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0