April 29, 2023

One day (actually, three). All fifty US states. Hundreds of independent bookstores!

This weekend, head to your favorite U.S. indie bookstores for the 10th Anniversary of the National Independent Bookstore Day on April 29, sponsored by the American Booksellers Association.

But wait! Some cities will also hold three-day Bookstore Crawls from April 29 – May 1. Research your local cultural events for details. Go HERE to check events and learn how to win prizes based on the number of stores you visit during the crawl.

I plan to visit Verbatim Books, among others, in my San Diego neighborhood of North Park.  It is a much-loved, vibrant community business. Thanks, Verbatim, for carrying my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries books, which helps support me as a local children’s author!

 

April 26, 2023

Today, I registered to attend and sit on an author panel at Bouchercon 2023 San Diego from August 30 – September 3, being held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel at the Marina.

If you’re a mystery or crime fiction fan like me, you may have been to a Bouchercon. It’s the only conference in the world where writers and readers can connect!

I’m excited that it’s in my hometown this year, but also because I will get to meet many of my Blackbird Writers here for the first time. Look for our group’s half-page ad in the Bouchercon conference booklet.

You are invited to join me. I’d love to meet you, too. To register for the conference, please click HERE.

I hope to see you in August! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 25, 2023

I’m so excited to announce that my first draft of Jacaranda Street: Gravestone Image, Book 5 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, went to the editor today.

YAY!

Here’s the book’s blurb:

Lenore Valentine Kirby’s cryptic gravestone in a derelict cemetery beckons across centuries.

The four Botanic Hill Detectives—Lanny, Lexi, Moki, and Rani—stumble onto a mystery revealed by the deceased woman’s descendant, Mr. Nigel Kirby. Can the teens decipher Miss Lenore’s gravestone image and messages? Their unusual case, incorporating the life and works of Gothic horror writer Edgar Allan Poe, takes the four out to Ravenswood, the Kirby family’s Victorian home. But one solution leads to more puzzles! Will the detectives successfully decode all the special instructions to restore Mr. Poe’s reputation, damaged by a real-life enemy, and reveal to the world a priceless treasure? Come lend the squad a hand!

Watch for Book 5 to launch this fall before Halloween. Mwahh-ha-ha!

 

 

 

 

March 3, 2023

What fun I had bright and early this Friday morning! I was honored to join Mrs. Stacy Alfano, Mrs.Beky, and their two classrooms of fifty-two fifth graders for a virtual author visit in Macungie, PA.

Mrs. Alfano had read aloud my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries, Book 2, Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse, to her students at Shoemaker Elementary School after they voted for that title.

The students prepared some insightful questions for me. Of course, I also had to share about my synesthesia and what each of their names made me taste or smell. That’s my superpower!

Thanks, Mrs. Alfano, Mrs. Beky, and your marvelous students. Kids always motivate me to keep writing for them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2023

So pleased to announce that Verbatim Books, San Diego, California’s largest indie book store, in my North Park neighborhood, is now carrying all four of my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries!

If you live in the area, please stop in and shop indie at 3793 30th Street, 92104. Phone 619-501-7466.

My books are in two sections of the store:  Local Authors (back of the store), and Middle Grade–New Arrivals (for kids in the front of the store).

Thank you so much, Verbatim Books! You can check out the website for this incredible store HERE.

January 3, 2023

I’m honored to be the Featured Author in the Blackbird Writers’ January 2023 newsletter!

I think you’ll enjoy the DISCUSSION and PHOTOS. 

And if you scroll to the end of the newsletter, you’ll find my special Giveaway Bonus–a character interview featuring the comedic-foodie member of the Botanic Hill detectives, Moki Kalani.

Thank you, Tracey Phillips, founder of the Blackbird Writers mystery and mayhem authors’ group! I’ve been a proud member since 2020.

 

 

December 16-18, 2022

You are invited to a HUGE, three-day Holiday Takeover Event on Facebook by sixty mystery authors, including me! Thank you to Heather Doyle Harrisson for hosting.

We will each have a thirty-minute slot. It begins on Friday, December 16, at 2 pm PT and ends on Sunday, December 18, at 5:30 pm PT.

I will takeover on Saturday, December 17, from 11:30 am to noon, Pacific Standard Time. 

 

This is a great opportunity to meet many mystery authors, get some holiday book shopping ideas, and purchase links.

The takeover will occur on Facebook’s Cozy Mystery Party group site. Click HERE to request to join. Then tune in, beginning on Friday, December 16, at 2 pm PT. There will be lots of giveaways and chances for viewers to comment.

Please see the ad for the schedule. All times listed on the graphic are in Eastern Standard Time.

Hope to see you there (especially during my takeover on Saturday)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 10, 2022

It’s holiday shopping time! And kids need good books to read.

How about giving them the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries for gifts?

My four sleuths are polite, respectful, role-model characters who will show children how to solve mysteries and life’s problems efficiently while being cool.

Books 1 and  2 are available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

Books 3 and 4 are available in paperback and eBook.

To read each book’s description and shop your favorite bookstore–traditional or indie–please visit my website at  https://sherrilljoseph.com/books. Happy Holidays and happy reading!

 

 

 

 

November 19, 2022

Great news, indie booklovers!

As promised, the paperback version of Saffron Street: Island Danger is now available by order from any indie bookstore.

To locate and order from your favorite indie bookstore, please visit indiebound.org or bookshop.org.

Just in time for the holidays. Support your local indie bookstores! Thank you so much.

 

 

November 1, 2022

I thoroughly enjoyed my one-hour Author Takeover on Facebook’s Cozy Mystery Party today! Thank you host Heather Doyle Harrisson for inviting me.

I shared lots of info via my ten posts and graphics about my writing, books, characters, series, and synesthesia. I held 4 GIVEAWAYS with books, swag, and gift cards. To enter for a chance to win, guests merely had to post answers and comments to my easy questions, e.g., What is your favorite movie? What is ancient Egypt’s allure for you?

If you like cozy mysteries, please visit and consider joining the site at https://facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryparty.

Then mark your calendars! I will be part of a HUGE group of cozy mystery authors, joining forces for a three-day author takeover on the same site. My thirty-minute slot is on Saturday, December 17, from 11:30 to noon, Pacific time. I hope you can join us!

 

 

 

October 28, 2022

Hello, friends, family, and newsletter subscribers: Please help me spread the word about a fun event! And YOU are invited!

I hope you will join in the excitement when I hold my one-hour Author Takeover on FB’s Cozy Mystery Party, a site with 3,300 followers.

When? This TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, at 4:00 PM Pacific.

I will be sharing lots of info about my writing, books, characters, series, and synesthesia. Plus, I will have 4 GIVEAWAYS with books, swag, and gift cards. Guests will have a chance to post answers and comments for chances to win.

Please join now at https://facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryparty prior to the event and indicate “GOING” on my event. Then, come to the Home Page at the beginning of the program on November 1.

I’m excited about this. Hope to see you there to help me celebrate the recent release of Book 4, Saffron Street: Island Danger, in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series! Until then . . . Happy Halloween!

October 22, 2022

My interview for “Dust Jackets: Conversations with Authors” has posted in video and podcast! Choose your link below for viewing and/or listening.

Thank you, author Maggie Lynch, who founded “Dust Jackets” and conducted the interview. I had so much fun answering Maggie’s spot-on questions for thirty-six minutes for the postings.

If you would like to view my permanent page on the Dust Jackets’ website, please click HERE.
Two video distribution sites for viewing my interview include YouTube and Vimeo.
To listen to my interview episode, please click on your choice of podcast distribution sites

Spotify

Apple: NOTE: For those with Apple mobile devices (phones, iPads, laptops, etc. they can also access the Apple Podcast from these APPS: Overcast, Castro, Castbox, Podfriend, and GoodPods.

I hope you will take a few minutes and tune in to my interview. Thanks! Comments/Questions?

 

October 19, 2022

Today, I had the pleasure of doing a School Author Visit to Ms. Kristina Sipe’s fifth-grade class at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in San Diego, CA.

Last June, Ms. Sipe assigned my book, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, to her incoming class for summer reading. When the students returned to school in August, she used some of the activities from my Nutmeg Street TEACHER’S GUIDE to discuss the book with them. Thank you, Ms. Sipe!

During this in-person visit, I enjoyed answering some well-crafted questions from the students, asking them some questions, and giving away some book swag. What a wonderful group of kids! These visits energize and inspire my writing and me.

I look forward to returning to the school next fall.

And teachers out there: I do FREE virtual and in-person visits. Click HERE for more information. I love meeting my student readers!

October 11, 2022

Today, my sweet next-door neighbors Jennifer and Emile held a small Book Launch Party for me to celebrate the recent release of Saffron Street: Island Danger!

They cleverly decorated their patio with flowers, bookmark garlands, and candles, prepared a delicious light supper of three different salads, a fruit-and-cheese platter, crackers and hummus, mini muffins, and yummy desserts, and even made treat bags for my six guests–Barb, Mary, Bob, Daniel, Genevra, and Rick–and me to take home! Included were a homemade bookmark from Jennifer and a silkscreened cookie she ordered with an image of the book’s cover. Amazing!

I sold and signed all three books I took along and passed out Saffron Street bookmarks and stickers to everyone. What an enjoyable, intimate gathering of very special friends we had as we lauded the launch!

Thank you, Jennifer and Emile, for the party and all my friends and neighbors who attended. Your presence and taking time out of your busy evening to spend it with me meant so much!

October 5, 2022

What an honor to be this week’s featured author, interviewed today for Stephanie Caruso’s “The Cozy 52: Author Q and A with Sherrill Joseph,” as part of her blog site, Book Frolic! She spotlights “cozy mysteries,” which is one of the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries’ subgenre.

Stephanie asked me some great questions and some fun, “fast-fives.” We discussed why I write mysteries for Middle-Grade kids, how many years worth of family photos I have, and who my favorite authors are, among other topics.

If you’d like to read my responses and see some photos I submitted, please click HERE. Thank you, Stephanie, and everyone for your support! It was fun.

 

October 4, 2022

I’m so happy to report that today on Amazon, my Saffron Street: Island Danger eBook (Kindle) version is the “No. 1 New Release” in the category of “Children’s Explore United States Books.” Whoohoo!

The eBook is also in Amazon’s “Top 100 Bestsellers” list today in three categories: #38 in “Children’s Water Sports,” #78 in “Children’s Asia and Asia America Stories,” and #93 in “Children’s Explore United States Books. Woot!

 

October 1, 2022

Big Announcement: Saffron Street: Island Danger, Book 4 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, has officially launched as of today!

This is the work of my heart–trying to get important historical and cultural information into kids’ hands and lives via fun adventures as our four sleuth heroes solve a challenging mystery set on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu.

You may purchase my paperback and/or eBook HERE on Amazon; or, the eBook HERE from other fine retailers, including Barnes & Noble.

The link to purchase the paperback from indie/your local bookstores and Barnes & Noble will be available in mid-October.

Please watch this space for that link.

I am grateful for your support!

September 19, 2022

Watch my Events page, or click HERE to check for the imminent, early arrival of Book 4, Saffron Street: Island Danger.

Saffron Street was scheduled to release on October 11, but it’s ready to launch early ANY DAY now!

In the meantime, kids, this is a great time to catch up on my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series and get ready for Halloween at the same time with these two spooky editions:

Book 2–Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse, available for purchase HERE.

In Book 2, the detectives explore a huge, spooky mansion and the cemetery next door in search of a long-lost gigantic emerald hidden somewhere on the estate seventy years ago. But they have competition!

Book 3–Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, available for purchase HERE.

In Book 3, the detectives head to a horse ranch to try to make sense of a terrifying masked man dressed all in black on horseback, a snake-infested ghost town, and a vanished gold mine. What do these three have in common?

Thanks so much for your support.

Adults, if you purchase one or more of my books, please CONTACT me with your name, mailing address, and which of my books you purchased to receive a free signed bookplate, bookmark, and sticker to match!

And kids, happy reading as you watch for Book 4. Please have a fun, safe “spooktacular” Halloween! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 16, 2022

As you may know, I’m a member of Blackbird Writers, a group of mystery, thriller, suspense, and/or crime writers. Our goal is “to bring mystery and mayhem to the world!”

Most of the Blackbirds live in the Midwest or East; only a few of us are out West but none are usually near me. As a result, I’ve never met a member of the flock in person.

Until today!

This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting my fellow bird Sharon Lynn (pink shirt), who was in town with her husband, Dave, and dog, Kip, from Arizona. They have a boat, Sea Lion, moored at the Kona Kai Resort and Marina here in San Diego, so we arranged a meet up.

After a tasty breakfast of toasted coconut pancakes at one of the resort’s restaurants and the typical talk you’d expect when two writers get together, Sharon graciously took me on a tour of her boat and a stroll to see some nearby yachts.

Thanks, Sharon, for such a fun time!

And I hope to meet many other Blackbird Writers next August when Bouchercon 2023, a World Mystery Convention for Writers and Readers (!), comes to San Diego. Click the link if you’d like to attend!

September 11, 2022

It’s finally here! The Cover Reveal for Saffron Street: Island Danger!

Travel to Hawai’i with our four fearless detectives on one of their most intriguing cases to date, a mystery wrapped around the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Japanese internment camps. But watch out! Danger lurks–even in paradise!

Please click HERE or copy and paste   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62066348-saffron-street   to mark Saffron Street: Island Danger as “Want to Read.” Thanks!

Coming in paperback and eBook on October 11, 2022. For mystery lovers, ages 9 and up.

Watch this space!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 31, 2022

Today, my Book 4 beta-reader reviewers, fact checkers, and praise-quote writers are submitting their work to me! I’m excited to see what they wrote.

It also means we’re getting closer to the release of Saffron Street: Island Danger in October.

But first, the Cover Reveal! It will happen on September 11, 2022. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2022

I had the honor of being interviewed this morning by Maggie Lynch, author and podcaster from “Dust Jackets: Conversations with Authors.”

Maggie focuses her interviews on celebrating authors as career writers so the listener might love the authors’ approaches and try one or more of their books.

She asked me many questions, including how I came to be a children’s author, my writing process, about synesthesia, the origin of my characters and book titles, and much more.

You can hear my responses when the podcast releases in mid-October–just in time for the launch of Saffron Street: Island Danger. Please watch this space for the actual date.

The podcast will air over many platforms: Vimeo, YouTube Video, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn and Alexa, IHeartRadio, Spotify, and Pandora. Thanks again, Maggie. It was delightful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 8, 2022

My wonderful, thoughtful neighbors Jennifer and Emile just returned from a bicycling tour through Belgium and the Netherlands. In addition to riding bicycles, they curate a Little Free Library in front of their house.

Jennifer and Emile took one of my signed, personalized paperback copies of Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets with them and photographed it throughout their trip.

At the end of the tour, they left it in one of the Little Free Libraries that they had preselected in Belgium. I hope a child has discovered Book 1 and is getting hours of reading fun from it already.

My little book is so well traveled now! Thank you, Jennifer and Emile. And someday, I will take another copy to a faraway destination myself–Egypt would be perfect!

 

August 3, 2022

I was delighted but not surprised today to discover that my sweet fellow Blackbird Writer, Galit Gottlieb, posted an article on Medium.com about my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries middle-grade series. It is entitled “Sherrill Joseph’s Middle-Grade Mysteries.”

Love it! Thank you, Galit. Blackbird Writers are so supportive. And yes, Galit, if you had been my student, I would have made you feel like a million bucks.

Click HERE to read her touching article, or you can paste the link into your browser: https://medium.com/write-and-review/sherrill-josephs-middle-grade-mysteries-eaa85a44ceb.

Medium.com is “an open online publishing platform where one million readers find dynamic thinking, and where expert and undiscovered voices can share their writing on any topic.” It is owned by Wikipedia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 23, 2022

My Book 3, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, is appearing today at a book festival via a group co-op catalog with forty-three other children’s books. My book is in the rack photo, third row up from the bottom and to the right (dark cover)!

Our group is sponsored by Story Monsters, Ink, which will showcase our books at the seventh annual Payson Book Festival, held in Payson, Arizona.

Visitors can view the catalog along with copies of our books, then volunteer to write reviews. Can’t say it enough: Reviews are gifts to readers and writers alike.

Click HERE to view the catalog. Walnut Street is on page 4.

Thank you, organizers and participants. Fingers crossed for some reviews! (Update on July 27th: Two people offered to review my book. Fingers remain crossed!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 12, 2022

Hey, Bargain-Hunting Summer Readers!

Want to read my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, Books 1, 2, and/or 3 FOR FREE???

I’ve put all three books up in Group Giveaways at prolificworks.com!

Click HERE to claim for free Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets and/or Walnut Street: Phantom Rider from July 15 – August 5, 2022, in the Group Giveaway “Pack Your Bags.”

Click HERE to claim for free Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse and/or Walnut Street: Phantom Rider from July 12 – August 2, 2022, in the Group Giveaway “Conspiracies and Criminals.”

Click HERE to claim for free Walnut Street: Phantom Rider and/or Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse from July 15 – August 15, 2022, in the Group Giveaway “Mystery Giveaway.”

Happy reading! And I hope you’ll consider leaving a review for my books on Amazon and GoodReads. They are a gift to readers and writers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 6, 2022

I am so pleased to announce that my Book 1, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, has been awarded a Five-Star review from Readers’ Favorite Book Awards!

You can read the review by teen reviewer Kristen Van Kempen by clicking HERE. Or you can read it below:

Reviewed By Kristen Van Kampen (Teen Reviewer) for Readers’ Favorite

Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets by Sherrill Joseph is a suspenseful mystery novel following the four main characters, Lexi, Lanny, Moki, and Rani, as they try to find a stolen Egyptian urn and prove that their family friend Dr. Thornsley was not the thief. However, they soon discover that the case is far more than just a theft as a masked man has been creeping around the Thornsley home and damaging the Egyptian pond in the backyard. Things escalate even further when the four friends are themselves attacked, almost being run over by a car. Will Lexi, Lanny, Moki, and Rani manage to solve the case before anything else happens?

With an intriguing mystery and interesting characters, Nutmeg Street by Sherrill Joseph is an entertaining read. I appreciated that the mystery is introduced in the very first chapter because it drew me into the story right away, and the chase scene at the end of that chapter made me want to keep reading. The book is highly descriptive, which helps paint a picture of the action, while the map at the beginning helps the reader follow the characters’ travels around their neighborhood and to visualize the setting better. I learned a lot about ancient Egypt, snakes, and even a few Hawaiian words by reading this book. I liked the fact that the characters all had distinct personalities, interests, fears, and habits, which helped to make them feel more real. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it.

I hope you enjoyed her review as much as I did. You can choose your favorite book store and purchase your own copy of Nutmeg Street by clicking HERE. Or go to https://sherrilljoseph.com/books

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 24, 2022

My Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, Book 3, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, is the second of sixteen books featured in the June 24th issue of Publishers’ Weekly’s Book Life magazine!

Click HERE to see it in the magazine’s “Indie Spotlight: Mystery, Thriller, and True Crime” segment under “Children’s and YA Mystery,” the first category listed.

You may purchase your own copy of Walnut Street from any bookstore by clicking HERE to investigate your choices. Please consider supporting your local indie book store.

All three of my books would make fabulous summer reads for kids ages 9-12 and the adults who love them. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 13, 2022

Are you a Hitchcock fan? Today, it was my turn to post a blog for my group Blackbird Writers.

The topic I chose to research and present was about two plot devices that most crime, thriller, mystery, suspense, and whodunit authors, screenwriters, and directors depend on to grab and hold their readers’ and moviegoers’ attention, namely, Red Herrings and MacGuffins.

Sir Alfred Hitchcock was the master of suspense and also the master of the MacGuffin.

Never heard of one of both of these deliciously deceptive devices? Click HERE to read my blog! I hope you enjoy it.

 

 

 

May 25, 2022

My neighbor Jennifer and I took my Book 3, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, on an urban “walking tour” today. We paused to photograph the book and enjoy the sites, extending the walk to three hours.

Our goals? To complete San Diego’s Seven Bridges Hike while photographing my book along the way. The 5.5-mile hike spans some of the city’s finest canyons, parks, museums, and small shops, including my beloved Balboa Park and its surrounding, charming neighborhoods.

The seven bridges we crossed were the Park Boulevard Rose Garden Bridge, Balboa Park’s Cabrillo Bridge, the First Avenue Bridge, the Quince Street Bridge (which inspired the Quince Street Footbridge in my series), the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, the Vermont Street Bridge, and the Georgia Street Bridge. We completed the roundtrip hike all on foot.

Not only did we reach our goals, but the added benefit was that I racked up 17,000 steps, finishing the day with over 22,000 steps, an all-time record for me!

If you would like more information on the hike, please click HERE. I hope you enjoy the photos, all taken by Jennifer. Thanks, Jennifer!

 

 

 

May 22, 2022

Updates on Saffron Street: Island Danger, Book 4 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series:

  1. I have finished my Round 1 revisions for Saffron Street. Yay! Its manuscript went back to the editor today for Round 2 edits, then its “final” revisions.
  2. The cover art has been ordered! Work on the cover will take part of the summer. I will do a Cover Reveal in September, one month before publication. 

We are now two more step closer to its publication in October 2022.

Stay tuned for more updates!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 20. 2022

I received word today that Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, Book 3 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, won the Firebird Award in the category of Juvenile Fiction for the First Quarter of 2022!

Please click HERE to see my name and book listed. Once on the page, please scroll down to “Juvenile Fiction.”

And for a fun promo ad that Speak Up Talk Radio did for my award, please click HERE.  🙂

Thank you, Pat Rullo, at Speak Up Talk Radio for organizing this annual event, which benefits women and children in homeless shelters. Congratulations to all the winners!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 14, 2022

The first draft of Saffron Street: Island Danger, Book 4 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, went to the editor today. Hurray!

That’s one step closer to its publication in October 2022. After it’s gone through two edits and two revisions, the cover art will be done.

Stay tuned for updates!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 11, 2022

Today, my author interview was featured on AllAuthor.com, a site where readers and writers can connect.

Please click HERE to read the interview. I had a lot of fun doing it.

Thanks, Mady Joshi at AllAuthor.com for the opportunity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 27, 2022 

I am so thrilled to announce that, today, I finished the first draft of the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries, Book 4, Saffron Street: Island Danger! It’s set on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu.

Book 4 goes to the editor on April 14, so I will have some time to make it my best effort.

I miss my dog Jimmy Lambchop who was my writing cheerleader from the bed behind my writer’s desk. But little buddy, I must still feel your presence and encouragement.

Thanks so much, precious boy! I couldn’t have done it without you.

 

February 11, 2022

Lucky me! ELA teacher Mrs. Alfano accepted my request to return for more fun in a second virtual school author visit today! I had the pleasure of spending nearly an hour with her fifty-two wonderful fifth graders again at Shoemaker Elementary School in Macungie, PA. She team teaches with Mrs. Beky. My first visit was on January 27, 2022.

This time, I surveyed the students to see who liked which detective. Then, the students asked the detectives questions. I pretended to be the detectives and answered accordingly.

I thoroughly enjoyed doing two read-alouds, one from Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse, and the other from Walnut Street: Phantom Rider. That was like “old times” before I retired from teaching!

We rounded out my visit with more questions from the students.

Following my first visit, the students and teachers sent me an adorable “WORD WARRIOR” cuff bracelet, which I showed them. I also shared a necklace my daughter gave me in February 2020 when my very first book, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, launched. It is a mini version of the book on a chain!

Thank you so much, Mrs. Alfano, Mrs. Beky, and all your delightful students. You made my day!

 

 

 

February 8, 2022

Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, Book 3 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, is one of many books featured in “The 56th Annual Local Author Showcase” at the San Diego Central Library!

Quoting from the website, <mysdpl.org/localauthor> “The Local Author Program highlights the intellectual and creative

accomplishments of writers in the San Diego region and is presented for reading interest as well as the opportunity to highlight the diverse and abundant talent we have locally. A centerpiece of the Local Author Program is the Local Author Showcase. The Showcase includes books and eBooks written by adults, teens and children. In its 56th year, the aim of the Showcase is to bring exposure to local talent and nurture the pursuit of the writing arts in San Diego. . . . A call for submissions goes out in September inviting San Diego County authors who published books in the current year to register for the program and submit their book. The annual deadline for submitting books is typically in late November. . . . Qualified books are displayed in the Dickinson Popular Library at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common. The Showcase runs throughout the entire month of February.”

The books will be on display through February in special display cases for public viewing. Afterwards, the books will be available for check out.

Please peruse the list of all event entries, in alphabetical order by authors’ last names, HERE.

February 3, 2022

In my neighborhood of North Park in San Diego, California, a fun community park opened on January 16, 2022, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. A decade in the making, it was created from a little-utilized commercial parking lot behind the Observatory Theatre at the corner of North Park Way and 29th Street. You can check it out HERE. 

Named the North Park Mini Park, it is a mostly concrete plaza where families and friends can gather. Benches, tables and chairs, drinking fountains, a performance stage, kids’ play equipment, and a few educational displays are provided. It will also host live music events, outdoor movie nights, and the weekly Farmers’ Market. 

To support the North Park Business Association, residents were invited to purchase personalized pavers that have been set in a concrete section near the main entrance. In addition to two I purchased (one to honor my family’s presence in the neighborhood since 1945; and, one to honor my dog Jimmy Lambchop), I also bought one as a North Park children’s mystery author. It is in the upper area of the paver display.

If you’re ever in the area, I hope you’ll stop and check it out.

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2022

I am so honored to have been chosen for author Valerie Biel’s February 2022 Author Series spotlight, “Wisdom from the Publishing World.” 

Valerie asked me first to share what advice I would give my pre-published self. The second question was what I wish I’d known before publishing.

If you like, you can check out the article HERE. 

 

January 27, 2022

What an honor and a privilege it was for me today to have a virtual school author visit! 

Fifty-two smart fifth graders and their two teachers Mrs. Alfano and Mrs. Beky from Shoemaker Elementary School in Macungie, Pennsylvania, wanted to meet me after they read my Book 1, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, as a class.

I spent almost an hour with the group. They heard the story of my reading and writing journey from childhood to becoming a teacher, then a writer. They wanted to know what it was like to be a writer, if I do research for my books, how much revising I have to do, and all about synesthesia!

Thank you, Mrs. Alfano, Mrs. Beky, and all your cool students for a very fun and personally motivating morning. Teachers–bless you! Kids–they are why I write!

 

 

 

 

January 22, 2022

Something new has been added to all the pages of my website: a voice-activation button (See the black circle at the left, top of each entry). I thank a reader who contacted me with the suggestion.

Clicking on the black circle will allow you to hear my blogs, events, and all content! To stop, click it again, and the voice will pause. 

I hope this will helps students and adults with visual impairments as well as anyone who would rather listen to than read the contents.

Please try it out, and let me know what you think HERE. Thank you!

 

 

 

January 10, 2022

As of today, I am excited to announce that I have added another job description to my list. I am now officially an independent publisher!

I have created Quince Street Press, named after the Botanic Hill street where my twin detectives live. 

Quince Street Press will exist to publish my books only. You can check it out HERE.

I thank the hybrid publishers and staff at Acorn Publishing, LLC, for the incredible education I received from them in publishing my series’ first three books.

Starting with Book 4, Saffron Street: Island Danger, you will see a new imprint on the spine and on the title page–a quince fruit above a rectangle!

 

 

December 13, 2021

I’m pleased and honored to announce that my Book 3, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, has won the Middle-Grade Book of the Year from The Golden Boar Book Awards!

You can see the notification HERE. Once on the page, scroll down until you come to “Middle Grade Book of the Year.”

Thank you, selection committee! And congratulations to all the 2021 winners in the other categories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 11, 2021

Along with three other authors, I have been given a wonderful opportunity to present at the San Diego SCBWI’s December chapter meeting today,  December 11th.

The topic? What we authors have learned from publishing our books.

We’ve taken different paths: some of us are traditionally published while others took the hybrid or independent publishing routes.

I know I have much to share about my journey with hybrid publishing and how it’s offered me a priceless education in the industry.

I’m also looking forward to hearing what the others have learned from their paths.

It promises to be an illuminating afternoon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2, 2021

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I need you to do just that.

If you liked the cover of my book, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider (The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries Book 3), please vote for it for the December Cover of the Month Contest on AllAuthor.com!

I’m getting closer to clinching the “Cover of the Month” contest on AllAuthor! I’ll need as much support from you guys as I can get.

Please take a short moment to vote for my book cover HERE. Thanks!

Updated December 22: Thanks to all who voted my book up. It made it into the third round, but not the fourth. Can’t win ’em all!

 

 

 

 

 

November 23, 2021

Come see how six Blackbird authors–including me–cook up some fun in this exciting Facebook event, “Cooking up Mystery,” at 3 pm PT on Tuesday, November 23.

To join in, click HERE; then, click GOING.

Hope to see you at facebook.com/bbirdwriters for this mouthwatering event just in time for Thanksgiving!

If you were unable to attend, you can still watch our fun chat on YouTube HERE.

 

 

November 22, 2021 

Hop on over to Twitter on Monday evening, November 22, at 6 pm PT.

Children’s historical fiction author Janet Macreery and I will be co-hosting the evening’s #MGBookChat. We will post eight questions (see left) for authors, teachers, librarians, and families about writing and reading historical fiction in the middle grades (grades 3-6).

Please join in and post your responses.

We’ll make history!

November 17, 2021 

So happy to announce that my Book 2, Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse, won as a finalist for Children’s Fiction in the 2021 American Book Fest’s Best Book Awards! 

You can check it out HERE.

Thank you, American Book Fest! And congratulations to all the winners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 10, 2021  

What a wonderful surprise to hear from three people who provided Praise For quotes for Walnut Street‘s back cover! Those are the quotes prospective buyers read when deciding if they want to purchase a book.

Teacher Barb Huston and her two students Brian and Makenzie popped in from Michigan via Twitter to share the photo taken at their school when Barb presented my signed, personalized book copies to the two kids yesterday. They are pointing at their quotes.

Thank YOU, Mrs. Huston, Makenzie, and Brian, for taking your time to be advance readers and quote writers. That is a necessary service for readers and authors.

 

 

 

 

 

November 9, 2021  

Dear Readers of all Ages,

Great news. Today is the OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DAY for Walnut Street: Phantom Rider!

I have a Book Release Blitz happening on social media, organized by Shannon O. at R&R Book Tours. That means there are a number of bloggers who will post information about the book. Please watch for it, especially on Twitter.

My three books are now available–just in time for the holidays for that special child aged 9-12 in your life!

Click HERE to purchase on Amazon. Click HERE to purchase from Barnes & Noble. Click HERE to purchase from Bookshop.org for indie book stores and to benefit book charities. Click HERE to purchase from other fine retailers.

 

In addition, I have a BOOK RELEASE ZOOM PARTY happening today at 1 pm PT. No need to register. Just click HERE for the Zoom link to join in.

 

Thank you for all your support.

 

 

 

November 7, 2021  

YOU are invited to my Book Launch party for Walnut Street: Phantom Rider on Zoom!

When and Where:  Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 1 pm PST.

You must register HERE to get the Zoom link sent the day before the event.

Please come join in the fun! Chat, ask questions, make comments. Hope to see you Tuesday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 26, 2021

      SURPRISE, READERS!

You, my loyal newsletter subscribers, are among the very first to know:

      Walnut Street: Phantom Rider has released early! Here are some treats–not tricks–from me to you for Halloween. Mwah, ha, ha! 

A phantom on horseback, a gold mine, wildlife, camping, and a ghost town. What’s not to like?!

You can purchase the paperback or eBook from Amazon HERE.

The eBook is also available at other fine retailers HERE.

More retailers, including indie bookstores, will be added in the next few weeks.

 

October 19, 2021

Please join my fellow Blackbird Writers and me for a special live chat on Facebook today, October 19, at 5 pm PT. The program is entitled, “Rewriting History.”

We Birds–Anne Louise Bannon, Valerie Biel, Kim Taylor Blakemore (guest Bird), Tim Chapman, and I–will be discussing writing mysteries by way of historical fiction!

Sound intriguing? It does to me. I’m looking forward to answering questions posed by moderator and Blackbird Writers group founder Tracey S. Phillips.

Please join us using this link:    https://www.facebook.com/bbirdwriters

See you there!

For those getting this message after October 19, you can now watch the fun interview on YouTube by clicking HERE.

 

October 15, 2021

Please tune in this morning, October 15, on YouTube at 6 am PT for CHATTING WITH AUTHORS. (Not an early riser? That’s okay. You can watch it later!)

This thirty-minute program will feature Janet Lynn and William Zeilinger chatting with me about writing mysteries for middle-grade children and inspiring a love of reading in them.

To view it on October 15 or later, please go to: https://youtu.be/YKESguWA2ps

I hope you’ll enjoy the program!

 

October 10, 2021  

My interview by fellow Blackbird Writer and group founder Tracey S, Phillips went live today. We had a lot of fun making it! Thank you, Tracey, for interviewing me. You ask such wonderfully probing questions.

Tracey and I mainly discuss my third Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries book, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider, which releases soon; and, Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy US marshal west of the Mississippi. He is the model for my fictional character Papa Mayfield. Legend has it that Papa’s long-lost gold mine is still somewhere on the Mayfield family’s horse ranch in the mountains east of Las Palmitas. The detectives are invited to the ranch for a week to solve a mystery that could be related to Papa’s mine.

You will also hear about the importance of writing about nonwhite historical figures who made a positive impact. Additionally, we discuss why I sometimes choose to put my detectives into dangerous situations and, relatedly, some of my goals, or messages, as a kids’ author.

You can listen to this enlightening interview on YouTube by clicking HERE. I hope you enjoy it!

 

 

 

October 6, 2021   

I’m so honored and happy to announce that today, my cozy MG mystery, Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse, took home the 2021 Gold Award in Pre-Teen Fiction–Mystery from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards!
 
Both my books 1 and 2 have now won this gold award! Thank you, Moonbeam! Congratulations to ALL the winners.
 
Check it out in Category 13 by clicking on this link: https://moonbeamawards.com/98/2021-winners-temp-5k

October 1, 2021

Check out some of the adorable, handmade thank-you cards from Ms. Kristina Sipe’s fab fifth graders at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School!

I had the pleasure or doing an in-person Author Visit to this San Diego (grades TK-8) school on September 15. (You can see the  photos from the event for that date, below.) The students had read my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets book as part of their summer reading. After beginning the new school year, they studied the book with their teacher. Then, they wanted to meet the author of The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries!

 

The students’ messages were well written and beautifully illustrated with a popular topic being synesthesia, a mental ability I share with my detective character Rani Kumar. We taste food or other things when we hear names! In fact, each student and their teacher used the food item I tasted when I heard their names as the cover art for their individual cards. Adorbs!

 

Other topics they shared were which detective was their favorite or what part of the story they liked the best. Some said they are now inspired to become authors themselves. Hurray!

Thank you, Students and Ms. Sipe! I write to touch kids’ hearts and minds. Apparently, I succeeded. This was so heartwarming and affirming for me; I write on!

 

September 15, 2021

Today, I had the honor and privilege of attending my first in-person school Author Visit!

I was invited by Ms. Kristina Sipe to come meet her twenty-two fifth graders at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in San Diego. She had assigned my Book 1, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, to her incoming fifth graders for their summer reading.

What a Red-Letter Day for me! To meet such bright, polite fans of my detectives was a dream come true. The kids asked many great questions, e.g., “Where did you get the names for your detectives?” “What’s it like to be a writer?” “Why did you choose to write for kids instead of for adults?”

I had previously arranged with Ms. Sipe to sign each of their book copies, so they took their bagged book along with some matching book swag back to their classroom as a souvenir of our day together.

Thank you again, Ms. Sipe and Super Students, for a truly memorable day!

Are there any other teachers out there who want me to come visit? Check HERE for more information.

Photos courtesy of Kristina Sipe.

 

 

September 9, 2021

The big day has arrived! I present to you the Cover Reveal for The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series Book 3, Walnut Street: Phantom Rider.

I think the cover designer did a great job making the Phantom look scary. What do you think?

And click HERE if you’d like to see what a Cover Reveal promo blog looks like, courtesy of Misty’s Book Space. Thanks, Misty, and Shannon at R&R Book Tours, who coordinates my reveals, book blitzes, and book tours.

The next big date will be November 9, 2021, exactly two months from today, when Walnut Street is published! Stay tuned . . .

 

 

 

September 1, 2021

How fun to be fellow Blackbird Writer Anne Louise Bannon’s guest blogger!

The topic was my choice, so I selected one of my favorite things–STAIRCASES. I shared a story to explain my fascination since childhood.

If you’d like to read “The Allure of Staircases,” please click HERE.

Keep climbing!

 

August 27, 2021

Don’t forget! The Cover Reveal for Book 3 Walnut Street: Phantom Rider is set for September 9, 2021.

That’s just days away!

Come back HERE on September 9, or go to my social media pages to see the big Reveal. Then, please let me know what you think HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2021

Today, I learned that Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, my debut book in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, is the winner in the 2021 American Fiction Awards category of Pre-Teen Fiction. Thank you, AFA!

Click HERE to go to the winners’ list. Scroll down to “Pre-Teen” Fiction to see my book. Yay!

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 17, 2021

Check out this fabulous five-star review of Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse from Anne-Marie Reynolds of Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews. Here is an excerpt:

“Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse by Sherrill Joseph is a spooky story packed with tension and scary characters along the way – ghosts, vampires, and an old witch. It’s a page-turner with so much going on that you won’t want to put it down, and it contains everything you need for an incredible mystery

that sends plenty of shivers down the spine. The descriptive writing makes you a part of the story and the detective squad, and you will find yourself joining the hunt for the emerald. The characters are well developed and likable, even the baddies, and, although I hadn’t read the first book in the series, there was plenty of detail in this one to enjoy it as a standalone. . . .”

Click HERE to read the review in its entirety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 15, 2021

Today, I attended my first book signing in a bookstore! Thank you, Acorn Publishing, for arranging this event at Barnes & Noble in San Diego. I joined nine other Acorn authors, many of whom I hadn’t previously met. Thank you, Barb Rasmussen, my former teaching partner and forever friend, for your presence and assistance.

Each of us authors got to speak for a few minutes about our books and writing paths. We drew a good crowd. I was blessed to have family, friends, and neighbors in the audience.

B & N purchased six of each of our books for us to sell. I was pleased to sell all six copies of Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse. What fun to meet the customers, sign and personalize my books, and give away book swag.

I’m definitely looking forward to doing this again in the near future!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 2, 2021 

Hope to see you at this Acorn Publishing-sponsored author book signing event at the Mira Mesa Market Center Barnes & Noble in San Diego, CA.

10775 Westview Pkwy. San Diego 92126

Sunday, August 15, 2021, from 2 – 4:30 PM

Celebrating Acorn’s milestone of publishing its one hundredth book.

Bring the kids. I’ll happily personalize and sign my books you purchase in store. I’ll even throw in some book swag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 1, 2021

Looking for some fun, new recipes? Look no farther than this page!

Download your FREE copy of The Middle Grade Cookbook Recipes Inspired by Middle Grade Books HERE.

I am pleased to announce that one of the Botanic Hill Detectives, Moki Kalani, has a favorite recipes included! Hint: Check the Dessert section.

Thank you, Julie, Girl on the Move blogger from @GotmTeaches, for compiling this fun book. Julie’s mission is to share ideas with educators about incorporating middle grade books across content areas.

It was pleasure to contribute, Julie!

For more information, see Julie and the cookbook on Twitter at @GotmTeaches and #middlegradecookbook

 

 

 

July 26, 2021  

AN INVITATION!

 

Please join other authors and me for a book signing event, sponsored by Acorn Publishing!

When: Sunday, August 15, 2021, from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

Where: San Diego Barnes & Noble, Mira Mesa, 10775 Westview Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92126

We will be speaking briefly about our books, reading an excerpt, and, of course, signing books you purchase in the store.

Bring the kids! I hope to see you there.

 

 

 

July 17, 2021

What a wonderful time I had at the first North Park Book Fair, named after the neighborhood where I live in San Diego, California. The event was sponsored by Verbatim Books and North Park Main Street. Thank you!

My friend Barb Rasmussen and I arrived at 8 a.m. for booth setup. (You know you’ve got a great friend when she’s willing to get up early on a Saturday morning and help!) The event spanned two city blocks as other local authors, friends of the library, craft and food vendors, and musicians arrived to prepare their spaces for the 10 a.m. start.

The place was packed as people were eager to get out and shop once again. I met some sweet kids and their families who perused or purchased my books–and purchased they did. I sold twenty-eight books in two hours. Note to self: bring more books next year! Signing and personalizing my books for the kids and giving away book swag were so special.

Thanks to all the friends, neighbors, and relatives who came by to say hello and support me.

Fingers crossed that this is an annual event.

 

 

July 6, 2021

Today, I received word that my Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse has won awards from two more companies for a total of seven awards to date!

It is the 2021 San Diego Book Awards Finalist in Children’s Fiction.

It is also the 2021 Purple Dragonfly Awards Winner with Honorable Mention in two categories: Charity–Making a Difference, and in Mystery.

Thank you to these two organizations for the honors. I am so proud of my books.

 

July 1, 2021

Attention, all Readers!

Please mark your calendars and join me in San Diego, California, for the first North Park Book Fair on Saturday, July 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s being sponsored by Verbatim Books and North Park Main Street and is FREE to the public.

I will be in a booth somewhere near 30th Street and North Park Way, selling my books Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secret, and Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse for $12.00, including tax, signing, personalizing, a cute bag, and book swag. Please come find me! I’d love to see you.

I will happily sign and personalize my books for you if purchased from me during the event.  And I will be giving away some book swag.

Many other local authors will be there, too, along with food, live music, craft vendors, poetry reading, and lots of fun for all ages. Hope to see you there!

 

 

June 25, 2021

Congratulations to my fabulous narrator Tom Jordan. He made the Finalist list for Young Adult narration with my book Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets at the 2021 Independent Audiobook Awards ceremony, which was held this evening! Well deserved.

Tom says that he is going to enter again next year with my Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse to be selected as the Winner! Given that he did so many different accents, he should be the easy choice.

Thanks and good luck, Tom!

 

June 18, 2021

Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets has captured another honor! This time, it made Finalist for Best New Fiction.

You can see it listed HERE. Once you’re on the page, please scroll down to “Best New Fiction.” Entries are listed alphabetically by title and have equal status.

Thanks so much, International Book Awards.

 

June 3, 2021

I am so pleased to announce that my Book 1, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, took home Gold from the Independent Book Publishers Awards (“IPPY”) for Best First Book, Juvenile/Young Adult. That makes eight awards now for my debut novel. Whoohoo!

You can check it out by clicking HERE and scrolling to # 83b.

June 1, 2021

My interview with Mom’s Choice Book Awards went public today. I had a lot of fun doing it and wanted to share it with you!

You can read it here: https://www.momschoiceawards.com/blog/interview-moms-choice-award-winner-sherrill-joseph/ or HERE.

 

May 18, 2021

Please join my fellow Blackbird Writers and me today for a fun interview about writing for a young audience.

When: Tuesday, May 18, at 5 pm PT on Facebook Live. Hosted by Tracey S. Phillips, author, and founder of Blackbird Writers.

Click HERE for more information and to RSVP “Going” so you get a link the day of the event.

The audience gets to provide the questions if desired.

Please spread the word, and I hope to see you there!

And if you’re getting this message after the fact, you can watch it by clicking on the link below, or merely click HERE.

https://www.facebook.com/635512987088272/videos/311257103737121

You can also watch it on YouTube by clicking HERE.

 

May 11, 2021

Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets was honored today with its sixth award!

This time, my first book has won a Kops-Fetherling International Book Award, specifically, the Phoenix Award: Best New Voice: Fiction Middle Grade (ages 8-12).

Thanks, Kops-Fetherling. Keep flying high, Botanic Hill Detectives!

May 10, 2021Author Interviews

Story Quest Academy, an organization that creates virtual book clubs for homeschooled kids, honored me today with an interview and a chance to enter one of my books to be read by the club kids.

This is “Mystery May” to introduce mystery authors and their books to tweens and teens.

I have entered Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets for book club consideration. Fingers crossed!

To read my fun interview, please click HERE. Thanks, Readers and Story Quest Academy.

April 2, 2021

Yay! I just received word that Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse has won three awards from Story Monsters Approved Book Awards!  Drum roll, please . . .

Third Place in MG (ages 8-12) Fiction,

First Place in Tween Novels (ages 10-14) Fiction, and

First Place in the category of Making a Difference.

You can check these out for yourself by clicking HERE.  Once on the page, please just scroll down to each listed category to see the book’s announcement.

Thank you so much, Story Monsters Approved! This is quite an honor.

April 1, 2021

Publishers Weekly has listed a review for my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets. So nice to see it since this is an important publishing trade journal.

You can find it HERE.

Highlights:  “Perfect for younger mystery-loving readers looking for an intelligent blend of adventure and danger.”  And . . .

“With its inherent exuberance and sense of innocence, plus its diverse cast, this tale will appeal to readers looking for an old-fashioned middle grade mystery with modern sensibilities.”

March 22, 2021

Click on the image or link below to catch a YouTube interview of me by author and Blackbird Writers founder Tracey S. Phillips.

The fun interview occurred on March 5 but released today.

I hope you enjoy it!

 

March 17, 2021

I am so proud of my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets audiobook narrator Tom Jordan. He made the Independent Audiobook Awards finalist list today! It is well deserved. Tom did an outstanding job.

I have included his Facebook announcement.

The winner from this list will be announced at a virtual ceremony on June 25. Stay tuned!

If you’d like to enjoy listening to Tom’s superb narration of my Nutmeg Street now, please click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 12, 2021

Again, I am honored. Today, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets became a Finalist in the 2020 Wishing Shelf Book Awards! The Winners of the Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be announced on April 1. Fingers crossed.

Thank you, The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, an award organization in the U.K.

February 3, 2021

I am so honored to announce that today, my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries, Book 2, Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse,

has joined my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets in winning a GOLD AWARD from the prestigious Mom’s Choice Book Awards! The category is Juvenile Fiction–General, Level 2 (ages 9-12).

“We are happy to award deserving books like Eucalyptus Street,” said Dawn Matheson, CEO, Mom’s Choice Awards. “Our panel of judges really felt this book merited a place on our list of the best in family-friendly products that parents and educators can feel confident in using.”

Thank you, Dawn Matheson, and everyone at Mom’s Choice Book Awards!

Click HERE if you’d like to check it out!

January 13, 2021

Today, I returned to Donna B. McNicol’s Cozy Capers blog as her “Featured Author”! Thank you, Donna.

Here is the link for those wishing to read my answers to her interesting questions about my writing habits, desk, characters, and literary influences.:  https://cozycapers.com/?p=1642

You can still leave a comment if you wish!

 

January 10, 2021

Thank you, Donna B. McNicol, for featuring my book Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets on your Cozy Capers blog “Book Feature” platform today!

Here is the link, up indefinitely, for those wishing to view the event:  https://cozycapers.com/sherrill-joseph-nutmeg-street

It’s not too late to leave a comment. I will reply if I see yours.

Thanks, Donna, and Readers.

 

 

December 9 and 23

Patricia Law, host of “Women’s Radio Hour” on San Diego’s KNSJ Social Justice radio 89.1 FM, Wednesdays at 5 p.m. PST, invited me to be her guest for the program.

Ms. Law asked me some great questions about the origins of my writing career, characters, and plots. She liked that my detectives work to bring criminals to justice and that two of them are girls.

The interview was broadcast on December 9 and replayed on the 23rd. Here is the link for those wishing to hear it:   ZOOM0009.MP3

Thank you, Patricia Law, for this fun opportunity!

December 6, 2020

Today, I had the privilege of being the author guest on Diane Rondeau Bator’s blog program, “Escape with a Writer Sunday.”

Diane is a cozy mystery author herself; she asked me some spot-on questions. Thanks, Diane!

To read the transcript of the program, please copy and paste this link into your browser: http://dbator.blogspot.com/2020/12/sherrill-joseph-tells-us-about-    botanic.html

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

December 1, 2020

My debut novel Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets is apparently doing very well in the awards department!

Today, it garnered two more, both from Royal Dragonfly Book Awards: Second Place (tie) in Historical Fiction; and, Second Place in Mystery.

Thanks, Royal Dragonfly Book Awards from Story Monsters. Whoohoo!

 

 

November 20, 2020

I am so honored and pleased to announce that today, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets received the 2020 Best Book Award in Children’s Fiction from American Book Fest! Thank you so much, ABF.

That makes three awards to date for my debut novel. I couldn’t be prouder of it! Thank you all for your continued support of my writing and books.

November 18, 2020

It’s time to start your holiday shopping. Know any kids aged 9-12 who could use some great spooky mystery books to read? I have two suggestions.

You can purchase Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3ad9T6T; and, Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3d0iyLv.

Both books are also available by request via online or call-in order at traditional bookstores, including Barnes & Noble at http://barnesandnoble.com/s/sherrill+joseph, and at indie bookstores. Consider helping out your local indie bookshop this year.

Much appreciated!

October 20, 2020

Happy Book Birthday, Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse. Yay!

You can purchase your copy here.

October 15, 2020

Once again, I am thrilled and blown away to announce that my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets has today won another GOLD AWARD! This time, I am being honored by Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

Click here to see the announcement! Once on the page, please scroll to #13: Pre-Teen Fiction–Mystery.

Moonbeam is a very prestigious award organization that honors works and authors of “exemplary children’s literature.” To be in that league is both humbling and affirming since for my writing and me, it’s all about kids.

Thank you, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards for this incredible honor.

October 11, 2020

Please join LeAnna Shields from Facebook’s The Cozy Sleuth and me for a Zoom Author Chat about Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020. 2 pm PT; 3pm MT; 4pm CT; 5 pm ET.

Join the Zoom Meeting:  https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76309187194?pwd=SjRHSWNlc3JIQWticjdlQTdubjQ4QT09

Meeting ID: 763 0918 7194 Passcode: dL94aA

Hope to see you there!

October 7, 2020

Please join Kim Heniadis and me for a Virtual Book Launch Party for Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse.

When and Where: Tuesday, October 20, 2020, on Facebook!

5 p.m. Pacific; 6 p.m. Mountain; 7 p.m. Central; and 8 p.m. Eastern

Please log in and reply “Going” at    https://www.facebook.com/events/1366616243533683

Hope you can join us!

October 5, 2020

I’m so thrilled and honored to announce that my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets has just won the prestigious Gold Award from Mom’s Choice Awards! Thank you so much, Mom’s Choice Awards! I’ve arrived.

 

 

 

September 24, 2020

Let’s getting ready for October 20 when Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse finally releases!

Look for it on Amazon initially. It will be available in paperback and eBook there first.

By the end of November, both versions will also be available by order from Barnes & Noble, IndieBound.org, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Tolino, Google Books, and other fine book retailers.

Just remember, please: By late November, you can ask any bookstore to order my books! Don’t forget to frequent your local indie bookstore.

September 11, 2020

Today, Kriti Khare, via her “Armed with a Book” blog site, interviewed me about Synesthesia, a rare mental ability I possess. She also created my profile graphic as a “Reader, Writer, and Maker.”

Kriti’s day job is in science, so she was very interested when she found out that I have lexical-gustatory Synesthesia (as does my detective character Rani Kumar).

Here is the link if you’d like to read the interview, learn about Synesthesia, and/or check out the graphic:   https://www.armedwithabook.com/sherrill-joseph-on-synesthesia/

August 1, 2020

Hello, Readers,

Two Important Announcements:

First: My FREE downloadable Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets Book Study Guide went live today!

Educators, Librarians, and Families, I hope you’ll check it out and use it. Download the Book Study Guide here for free or visit my website at https://sherrilljoseph.com and click on the “Resources” tab.

From my background as a literacy teacher, I included reading pedagogy in the first half. The Book Study Guide itself comprises the second half.

I designed the Guide to be used primarily by anyone conducting book clubs with Nutmeg Street, either in person or virtually, and with any number of kids, aged 9-12, plus at least one adult. But the Guide can also be used for any work of fiction by easily adapting my example questions and activities.

I hope you will all find the Guide helpful, especially in these uncertain times. Please let me know what you think of it! Your comments will help me make it better.

Second: I am now booking Virtual School and Home Author Visits with Educators, Librarians, and Families. For information or to sign up, click on School Visits or visit my website and click on the “School Visits” tab.

I look forward to doing some visits in person one of these days when it is safe!

 

July 9, 2020

Hi, Readers,

Today, I went live on Facebook for my Cover Reveal of Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse, Book 2 in my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series.

A good time was had by all when about thirty family and friends joined me online. They asked questions, and I discussed the book and cover, the origins of my characters and setting, and read excerpts.

Here is the video link. Enjoy!

Book 2 Cover Reveal

Posted by Sherrill Joseph on Thursday, 9 July 2020

June 5, 2020

Today, I had the pleasure of virtually joining by invitation Mrs. Barb Huston, a third-grade teacher in Michigan, and four of her poised, polite students for the final session of their online Book Club.

They had read my book, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, and wanted to discuss it with me. How cool is that?!

What a pleasure and an honor to talk with Mrs. Huston, Gabby, Kendra, Lily, and Madi, who asked some great questions, like what inspires me to write, and where I get ideas for my stories.

I hope more teachers will invite me to join them virtually. Of course, I look forward to in-person classroom visits, too, one of these days!

 

 

 

May 17, 2020

Today, I put a huge sign in my home’s front window. See photo. My goal? To give away my signed and personalized book Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets for FREE to neighborhood kids, aged 9-12. I’m also throwing in a matching bookmark.

Schools are closed, and here comes summer. Whatever it takes to keep the kids reading.

I hope many take advantage of this opportunity!

 

 

April 30, 2020

Today by invitation, I virtually dropped in on Shoemaker Elementary School teacher Mrs. Stacy Alfano and a few of her 5th grade students during their daily Google Meet session from Macungie, Pennsylvania. I’m the one in the red top in the bottom row, second from the left. Also attending were the school principal Mrs. Jackie Vogel, and Mrs. Alfano’s instructional aide Mrs. LyneDee DiPietro. They are the three adults right of center.

A special shout-out to Varun, my “biggest fan,” in the lower right corner of the photo. He is currently one of my child beta readers for Book 2 and will contribute a Praise For quote for the book’s back cover. Thank you so much, Varun!

What an extra-special opportunity this was for me, given that schools and bookstores are closed for in-person events!

It was great fun talking to them about my writing process for crafting Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets. They also wanted to know a little bit about me. And the hot topic seemed to be SYNESTHESIA, the rare mental ability I share with my character Rani Kumar.

Getting my book into kids’ hands and hearts is why I write. Seeing this in action was priceless.

Thank you, Mrs. Alfano, students, and staff members for this wonderful experience! I hope to meet you in person one of these days when traveling and gathering are safe again.

 

 

April 24, 2020

Today, I gave away twenty-four paperback copies of Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets on my Twitter raffle!

Four teachers won a set of six books each to use on Virtual Book Clubs during the COVID stay-at-home mandate.

Schools are closed, and here comes summer. Anything to keep the kids reading.

 

 

March 24, 2020

Today, I had the honor of being the featured author on Adam Ross’s virtual web conference from Colorado via Zoom. Adam has a bookstore and during this time when the world is closed, he wanted to give some of us authors a chance to share our books since we can’t currently appear at events. Thanks, Adam!

Two of my little fifth-grade friends from Pennsylvania, Liam and Varun, joined in as did my cousin Harry from San Diego.

The guests asked me very good questions about how I got started writing, how I came up with my characters’ names for Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, and what synesthesia is all about! (My character Rani Kumar and I have this mental ability.)

It was a fun forty minutes chatting with the three guys, and I’ve already been invited to come back. Hope to see you there next time.The more, the merrier!

 

March 9, 2020

Great news, Readers! As of today, I’m a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon! Whoohoo!!!

Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets climbed to #1 in two categories of Children’s fiction: Historical Action and Adventure, and Mystery and Detective Adventures.

Thanks for all your support.

February 15, 2020

My Book Launch Party was held on Saturday, February 15. What a great time I had! I think all 100 guests did, too. I felt like Queen for a Day, signing books for friends, neighbors, and relatives lined up out the door, and giving out book swag bags to each guest. It was one of the best days of my life!

A friend played guitar for the entire two hours. Avian’s House Caterers provided a tasty spread. Other friends, and my daughter (who flew in from Virginia), helped with set up and clean up, welcoming, greeting guests table-to-table, and prize giveaways.

In addition to my daughter and her in-laws from Pennsylvania, special guests included one of my former students, who inspired me to create my detectives; and, my second grade teacher, who has been my muse since I was eight years old.

There was a table with fun activities for kids. Also a get-to-know-the-characters area with relevant info and objects. Guest tables had Egyptian-themed centerpieces.

Everyone received a “book quiz” to take for fun–or not–which was used as their ticket for the giveaway featuring ten $25 gift cards to various stores.

I thank the Mission Valley Public Library and branch manager Karen Reilly for use of the venue.

Thanks, Acorn Publishing for giving me the opportunity to publish my book, or there would have been no book launch party!

Don’t have your paperback or eBook copy of Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets yet? Head to my Amazon purchase page at https://amzn.to/3ad9T6T.

I hope you enjoy(ed) my book. Thanks so much.

February 1, 2020

My book Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets is published!

Please order your copy in paperback or eBook today on Amazon TODAY.

I couldn’t be happier! Thanks for all your support, dear Readers! Sending hugs.

 

January 31, 2020

First, WELCOME to all new and returning subscribers to my monthly newsletter, “Get a Clue.” Thanks for being here.

Fantastic news, everyone! Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets finally launches TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 1. Whoohoo!!!

It’s been six long years since I wrote the first draft of Book 1 in my Botanic Hills Detectives Mysteries series, so I couldn’t be happier that this big day has finally arrived. It’s a dream come true!

 

So now, here are some tips for ordering your copy and helping me spread the word if you would be so kind:

 

  • Please ORDER A COPY OF MY BOOK

 

  • Please HELP ME SPREAD THE WORD
    • Soon after reading my book, add your honest review and/or star rating to my GoodReads page (for paperback or eBook).
    • Add your honest review and/or star rating to my Amazon page at Amazon Paperback or Amazon eBook
    • Share the release of my book, its buy links, a photo of my book, and your reviews on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, your own website/blog, and at your book club.
    • Encourage your friends to go to my GoodReads page, follow me, and click on Want to Read under the book’s cover picture. Please do that yourself!
    • Encourage your friends to go to my Amazon purchase page, paperback or eBook, and follow me. Please do that yourself!
    • Re-post and retweet my content whenever you see it on social media.
    • Tell friends, relatives, neighbors, kids ages 9-12, teachers of grades 3-6, PTA/PTO/PTG presidents or members, school and public librarians, bookstore owners, museums, and lovers of ancient Egypt about my book. Refer them to my website at Sherrill Joseph’s Website.
    • Tell them in person, by phone, text, email, snail mail, or on your social media platforms.
    • Share my website  www.sherrilljoseph.com with interested parties. Contacts to my three social media platforms can be found there.
    • Encourage interested parties, especially parents of kids ages 9-12, to sign up for my monthly newsletter at Newsletter Sign-up
    • Ask me for my business card to distribute.
    • Request to have your favorite library carry my book.
    • Give my books as gifts to kids ages 9-12 and to those who love and/or teach them.
    • Tell me if you know of a deserving child or teacher who could use a free copy of my book.
    • As often as possible, come to my book signings and bring some friends and kids.
    • When you finish reading my book, pass it on to a child, teacher, parent, or grandparent.
    • Add your used copy to one of your neighborhood’s “Little Free Library” boxes.
    • You can probably think of other great ways to help me out. Anything you can do will be greatly appreciated.

 

  • Some IMPORTANT POINTS about book purchasing
    • If possible, please purchase my book on Amazon on February 1. If I get enough purchases there in a single day, I could hit a best-seller category.
    • If you don’t want to use the buy links I provided, merely type my name or book title into the Amazon browser, hit enter, and it will take you to my book purchase page.
    • My paperback will be available online at Barnes & Noble by late February.
    • My paperback will be available in any bookstore where I do a book signing. Please watch my newsletter for book-signing announcements.
    • A hardcover edition will likely be available in a few months.
    • An audiobook edition will be available on Audible in April.
    • If you have accepted an invitation to my Book Launch Party and want me to sign your copy of my book, please bring your purchased copy to the event. I am not allowed to sell books at the venue.

 

  • Some IMPORTANT POINTS about book reviews
    • Please review my book on Amazon as soon as possible after Launch Day at Amazon Paperback or Amazon eBook depending on the version you bought.
    • The more reviews I get, the higher my ranking on Amazon, and Amazon might help promote my book for free.
    • To get to the Amazon review button, scroll to the bottom of my Amazon purchase page. Look to the left edge. Click on the “Write a Review” button.
    • Your honest review can be merely a star rating, few sentences or multiple paragraphs, or both a star rating and words. Whatever works for you.
    • Please avoid mentioning that you know me (if you do!). Amazon tends to reject “friend” reviews.
    • Amazon prefers reviews from “Verified Purchasers.” If you purchased the book on Amazon, or you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, your review stands a better chance of getting posted.
    • There is sometimes a delay in the review posting since Amazon vets the reviews first.
    • To do a review on GoodReads, go to my GoodReads Page. Click on the “Want to Read” button under the book cover picture. When you finish reading the book, click on that same box and click “Read” (meaning that you’ve finished reading). It will take you to a review page.
    • The same review can usually be posted to both Amazon and GoodReads. (Just cut and paste!). If one gets rejected (Amazon owns GoodReads), try tweaking it a bit and re-post. 

 

  • Last but not least, A GIVEAWAY!
    • For my readers living inside the United States and its territories, here’s your chance to win a free, signed paperback copy of Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets AND your choice of one of the Egyptian statues–the standing goddess Bastet, or the reclining god Anubis--pictured at the top of the page! These are not toys.They are very attractive in person and would make a nice tabletop or shelf decoration.
    • For my readers living outside the United States, here’s your chance to win a free eBook copy of Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets!
    • How do you enter the contest? Contact me through my website’s Contact Form. Include your first and last name, email address, and whether you live inside or outside the U.S.
    • Entry deadline is February 22, 2020.
    • Two winners (one U.S. and one international) will be announced in the February 29th newsletter. Prizes will be mailed the first week of March.

 

  • And following in the REST of my NEWSLETTER . . .
    • The News section includes my January blogs from my website. They feature Chapters 1 and 2 in their entirety as a preview as well as an article about why I created “super sleuths.”
    • Once again, Moki, one of the Botanic Hill detectives, offers his Munchy of the Month, this time a Valentine’s Day recipe.
    • Starting this month, my Book Review section becomes a Kids’ Reading Corner where I will spotlight a special book and author for kids ages 9-12. Please help support these authors by buying their books.
    • And some of you returning subscribers will notice that the Mystery of the Month is now at the end of the newsletter. I have to keep things mysterious!

 

  • THANK YOU SO MUCH, LOYAL READERS. And get a clue. Read every day! I hope you enjoy Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Sherrill

December 16, 2019

Where is Sherrill in December?

With friend and neighbor Robin “R.D.” Kardon, author of Flygirl for her presentation, “Women at Work in Aviation,” at the San Diego Aerospace Museum, Gillespie Field Annex. Brava, Robin! And the donuts were great, too!

 

 

 

 

November 15, 2019

Where is Sherrill in November?

Reserving the Mission Valley Public Library Community Room, the venue for my Book Launch Party, happening in late winter.

Soon, it will time to PAR-TAY!

 

 

 

October 31, 2019

Where was Sherrill in October?

Surprise! In my living room, standing in front of my beloved book collection (including Nancy Drew, lower right!). But more important . . .

For you, MY LOYAL NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS, one day early, I’m holding a poster of MY COVER for Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets. The rest of the world has to wait until tomorrow to see it. What do you think of it? Please let me know.

I’m so excited about this! Thanks for your ongoing support! Much love, Sherrill

Photo by Kimme Klosterman. Thank you, Kimme.

 

 

September 19, 2019

Where was Sherrill in September?

Chained to my writing desk at home! I was watching and taking notes on an Authors Guild webinar in which I participated, entitled “Attract More Readers and Sell More Books: How to Promote Your Own Book (Without Feeling Sleazy).” I took away a few good ideas, so it was time well-spent.

Other writing events kept me at my desk: reviewing the last corrections made to my formatted manuscript, finalizing the cover spread (front, spine, and back) for my book, and buying some swag for my upcoming Launch Party (tentatively set for February 15, 2020, 2-4 p.m.–Save the date!) and book signings.

Like swag? So far, I’ve purchased stickers and postcards, but I’m also looking into pencils, bookmarks, and ???  Come to my Launch Party for some swag and a chance to enter a contest to win one of three prizes!

 

 

August 2019

Where could you have found Sherrill in August? At the San Diego Festival of Books? Or in Virginia? You probably think the book festival, right? Wrong! I went to Alexandria, Virginia, to celebrate my granddaughter’s birthday! I love books and would have enjoyed supporting Acorn’s authors at the book event, but I love my granddaughter more. Maybe I can make the book festival next year–if it isn’t the same weekend as that very special birthday party for a very special girl!

 

 

July 1, 2019

Sherrill (white jacket) is at the San Diego Yacht Club having lunch with a very special person in her life, Connie Colonelli deWerd, or “Miss Colonelli” as the author will always think of her. She was my second grade teacher, and we will celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of our friendship in 2021.There is a literary connection here: Connie is one of the persons to whom I’m dedicating my first book, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets! You will want to learn more about “Miss Colonelli” because she is such a fascinating person and was a phenomenal teacher. You can do so by reading the dedication page of the book when it releases on February 1, 2020. Thank you, Connie. You are still just as beautiful in every way as you were in 1961.

 

June 15, 2019

Sherrill (jean jacket) at R.D. Kardon’s book signing, Barnes and Noble, Grossmont Center, La Mesa, California.

 

 

June 1, 2019

Sherrill (flowered top) is at the San Diego Public Library, Downtown branch, with friend and author Robin Kardon (far left), and author and Acorn publisher Holly Kammier (far right). We listened to a book talk by Marni Freedman, author of Permission to Roar. I learned some great strategies for finding my voice. After her presentation, Marni received an award from the library for being a top local author. Congratulations, Marni!

 

March 30, 2019

Sherrill (blondie on the left) with neighbor Ria Carey (right) at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego. Snagged the autograph of my friend, the author of Flygirl, R.D. Kardon (center).