When Peg Herring is asked what kind of books she likes to read, she
answers, “Good ones.” That is what she aims for when writing, as well:
good mysteries with interesting characters and well-constructed plots. Her
latest novel, SHAKESPEARE’S BLOOD, is a mystery/suspense novel that
concerns a chase across Britain to find buried treasure and the truth
about—well, Shakespeare’s blood.
When not reading or writing, Peg directs several choirs, travels both in
and outside the U.S., and gardens, mostly for the benefit of local deer,
rabbits, and elk. ***

SYNOPSIS
Vacationing in Britain, Mercedes Maxwell discovers a corpse in an old
castle. When her traveling companion is murdered soon afterward, Mercedes
is shocked but also distressed, since the police seem to suspect her.
The discovery of an old book connects the two crimes, and Mercedes soon
spins into a world of terror. A killer chases her across the countryside,
leaving corpses posed as Shakespearean characters in his wake.
Unsure who can be trusted, Mercedes' only option is following the old
book’s clues. What emerges from them is a thrilling story of ancient
spies, the location of a huge cache of Spanish gold, and, most amazing of
all, secrets of England's greatest playwright: the truth of SHAKESPEARE'S
BLOOD. ***


"Being Wrong Is Your Right"
I
sat nervously across from an editor at a conference a few years back as she
blasted me for just about everything I’d ever done. I had ruined my career, she
said, by signing with a small press. She could/would have done much more for
me. I was also wrong to have chosen to write about the Tudors. “They’ve been
done,” she said brusquely. She went on to give her view of where publishing was
going: writers needed to find a brand and stick to it. E-publishing was a flash
in the pan. Traditional publishing was the only place to be safe and
financially successful. I left feeling deflated and wrong, wrong, wrong. I
loved my Tudor mystery. Even so, I could not see myself “branding” solely with
historicals. And I had a feeling that e-publishing was going to be big.
Well.
I don’t know if that editor still has a job, but even she would have to admit
that she was wrong (I doubt she would, judging from that awful ten minutes I
spent with her). My Tudor novel, HER HIGHNESS’ FIRST MURDER, did very well,
thank you, and the second in the series, POISON, YOUR GRACE, will be available
in November (Five Star).
By
fortuitous chance, I came to a point where I thought consciously about what I
want from my writing. I strongly believe that a writer should not just throw
her work “out there”. I want proper editing and the knowledge that someone
other than my sister likes my work. I want a “real” publisher. But agents and
big publishing houses seem to want more of what sold last year, and I don’t fit
their mold. I like to think it’s because I write mysteries that are a little
bit intelligent, where the protagonists have concerns other than whether their
shoes match their outfits.
Whatever
the reason, I went the “wrong” route. I signed with several small houses instead
of one big one, which gives me choices about what I write. In the last year, I
published a stand-alone (GO HOME AND DIE) with one house and began a paranormal
series (THE DEAD DETECTIVE AGENCY) with another. I also released a
mystery/suspense e-book called SHAKESPEARE’S BLOOD in June. That’s a lot of
balls to keep in the air, but it’s never boring, and I love the variety.
I
write because I love to write, and I can’t imagine myself chained to one
series, one character, even one sub-genre, by a publisher who wants to manage
my career to pieces. I think a writer can decide to be wrong according to
publishing “wisdom” if she asks herself what she wants from writing. If it’s to
make lots of money, then maybe a publisher’s pigeonholes are the way to go. But
let’s be honest: most of us will never get rich. If you want to follow your
heart and writes the stories you’re passionate about, I say “Go for it!” Find a
publisher who likes what you write. You might be wrong, but look at the editor
who gave me all that bad advice. Publishers can be wrong, too.