September 25, 2024

Remember our friend Oliver J. of San Diego, California? He’s back, having read another one of the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries. Yay, Oliver!

Exactly six months ago, on March 25, Oliver shared about reading my Book 1, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, for his third-grade cereal box book report. Thanks again, Oliver!

This time, now fourth-grader Oliver has read Book 2, Eucalyptus Street: Green Curse, to earn his “Scout Life Say Yes to Reading Badge.” Congratulations, and thank you for choosing another one of my books for your projects. Looking good!

Here is what Oliver said about the book: “I like how the kid detectives use teamwork to solve the mystery, and I also liked learning about emeralds and other gems in the back of the book!” Thanks for reminding readers always to check out a book’s back matter.

Keep reading, Oliver. Reading makes you smarter! And please keep those reading progress reports coming in.

KIDS, if you would like me to feature you in this newsletter as I did for Oliver, please send a photo of yourself holding my book and a quote about something you liked about the book. Email the items to me at kidsauthor@sherrilljoseph.com. Thank you!

(Photo Credit: Oliver’s mom)

September 24, 2024

Just in time for Halloween or Spooky Fall!

Upas Street: Shocking Specter, Book 6 in The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, RELEASED TODAY in paperback and Ebook–one week early!

Thank you to all who made this book possible, including my editor, cover designers, formatter, praise-quoters, and reader-reviewers. It takes a talented team to build a book! I had so much fun spinning a mystery around one of my favorite Universal Pictures classic 1931 horror movies, Frankenstein.

Here is the official, shortened BOOK BLURB:

Do you dare enter Dr. Frankenstein’s la-BOR-uh-tree? 

Teen sleuths track the glowing Shocking Specter in the countryside where Universal Pictures filmed1931’s Frankenstein. Is it the spirit of Scotty Roberts, an electrocuted movie stagehand? Nearly 100 years later, the specter is back!

Dear Readers, you can purchase Upas Street online from any bookstore on Earth via my website’s BOOKS page. Or copy and paste this secure link into your browser: <https://sherrilljoseph.com/books>. Scroll to the bottom of that page for links to all your favorite bookstores.

You can read CHAPTER ONE by clicking HERE. You will be taken to my secure website for reading. Or copy and paste this secure link into your browser: <https://sherrilljoseph.com/6-upas-street-chapter-one>

It isn’t too soon to start holiday shopping for your adorable Middle Grader! Don’t you think that all six books would make a great gift? If you purchase the entire set, please email me your photo of the six books together to kidsauthor@sherrilljoseph.com, and I will send you FREE matching bookmarks and stickers, one set per book!

I hope you enjoy our savvy detectives’ sixth case! Please tell your friends, teachers, and librarians. Watch for Book 7 next Fall.

Thank you! Happy reading! Happy Spooky Fall! Happy Halloween!

My October Events

• October 4 to 6–PoeFest International, Baltimore. I will be in Maryland for the Edgar Allan Poe Saturday “Visiter” Awards ceremony, selling Jacaranda Street: Gravestone Image near the Poe House, attending the Black Cat Ball, and other spooky activities.
• October 10–Author Sharon Lynn’s interview of me for Blackbird Writers will be posted. My feature will pop up at the top on these links that day: SUBSTACK, YOUTUBE, and the BLACKBIRD WRITERS’ WEBSITE.
• October 11–I will be featured on Author Valerie Biel’s blog, “Strange but True: Tales from Authors” series; the segment is “Reading, Writing, and Roaming with Sherrill Joseph.” See the link in my Events section that day.
• October 15 to 29–My two-week online book tour for Upas Street will be underway, hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. The book will be splashed across social media.
• October 16, 5 to 6 pm, Pacific–Please join my Author Takeover with giveaways on Facebook’s Cozy Mystery Party site. JOIN ahead of time to access. Or go to <https://www.facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryparty> to join.
• October 26, 10 am, Pacific–I will sell my books at the indie bookstore Verbatim Books’ “North Party Book Fair,” an outdoor event at 30th and North Park Way in San Diego, CA. Please come say hi. Buy books. Get Halloween candy!
• October 26 & 27–I will have two books in the Blackbird Writers Halloween Book Giveaway in the Cozy Mystery Basket–Jacaranda Street: Gravestone Image, and Upas Street: Shocking Specter. Be sure to also check out the Flash Sale featuring books by my amazing Flock. Go to https://blackbirdwriters that weekend for the sale and basket giveaways.

(Ads by Sherrill Joseph)

August 31, 2024

Drum roll, please! . . . As promised:

Announcing the COVER REVEAL for Upas Street: Shocking Specter, Book 6 in The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series!

I am so pleased that Dane, Alisha, and the team at Ebook Launch created this beautiful cover just as I envisioned it for my latest book.

Get ready for Book 6 to launch on October 1, 2024.

Here is its BOOK BLURB:

Do you dare enter Dr. Frankenstein’s la-BOR-uh-tree? 

A fearless quartet of teen sleuths, the Botanic Hill detectives, travel to Llanfair, a fictitious Welsh village in present-day California, to solve the mystery of the Shocking Specter. The green-glowing apparition reportedly roams the countryside, setting fire to buildings and meadows during the new moon. The occurrences began shortly after a motion picture stagehand Scotty Roberts’s accidental death by electrocution in this case inspired by the filming of Universal Pictures’ 1931 classic horror movie Frankenstein. Supernatural? Coincidence? Or is criminal activity at work? And why, nearly a century later, has the Shocking Specter returned? Readers will enjoy learning about real-life horror film star Boris Karloff, Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, other key players in the movie’s production, and some early Hollywood cinematic history. Our fabulous four might need to kick some monsters to the curb to solve this challenging mystery!

But why wait for launch day? Read CHAPTER ONE now by please clicking HERE. You will be taken to my secure website for reading! (Or go to <https://sherrilljoseph.com/6-upas-street-chapter-one>.)

And please watch for the book to be published SOON! Thank you.

August 7, 2024

I am thrilled to announce that my Book 5, Jacaranda Street: Gravestone Image, has made the final cut for the 2024 Edgar Allan Poe “Saturday Visiter” Awards (SVA) in the “Original Works” category!

Thank you to the judges and Poe Baltimore for this honor. Congratulations and best wishes to all the nominees.

My daughter and I are happy to be attending the ceremonies in Maryland.

If you will be there, too, I would love to meet you! The Poe House street festival is free to the public. I will be in the Vendors’ area by Poe House.

Poe Baltimore has announced:

   And The Nominees Are…

Judges for the 2024 Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards have completed the first and second rounds of deliberations and the final slate of nominees in two categories are announced today. Judges determine the winners in a third and final round, culminating in an awards ceremony during the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards in Baltimore, MD, October 4 – 6, 2024. The events are hosted by Poe Baltimore/ The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum.

The committee received “dozens of entries from extraordinary creators around the world,” celebrating the works and legacy of Edgar Allan Poe. More details about these works and the creators will be revealed as the date for the awards approaches. Congratulations to all the nominees!

“Adaptations of E.A. Poe’s Life or Works” Category

• POE: Ghastly Vignettes, by Robert Jiménez
• Mr. Poe, Memory and Nightmares, by Neil H. Warren
• Nevermore, by Clover High School Indoor Drumline
• Edgar Allan Poe’s 12 Days of Christmas, by Holly Michele
• The Souls Close to Edgar Allan Poe: GRAVES OF HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FOES, by Sharon Pajka
• Somniat in Morte (Dreams in Death), by Wayne O’Broin
• Edgar in the Red Room, by Matt Chiorini and Greg Giovanini
• Love Sick, by J. Sibley Law

“Original Works Inspired by E.A. Poe’s Life and Writing” Category

• Night Walkers, by A.A. Rubin
• Dying Wish, by Steve D. Boilard
• The Dark Side of Benjamin Grime, by Peter James Billing
• The Nameless and the Faceless of the Civil War Gettysburg, Manassas & More, by Lisa G. Samia
• The Maddening, by Paul Thaler
• What Happened Was Impossible, by E.F. Schraeder
• The Raving: A Visit from Old Nick, by Richard Collins Davis
• Jacaranda Street: Gravestone Image (Book 5 in The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series), by Sherrill Joseph

Official Winners for the Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards will be revealed, and prize medals presented, at The Black Cat Ball & Poe House 75th Anniversary Diamond Gala, the Official Party of the International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards, October 5, 2024.

“The Saturday ‘Visiter’ Awards are an honor presented by Poe Baltimore, recognizing Edgar Allan Poe’s continuing legacy in the arts and literature around the world. The prizes honor media, art, performance and writing that adapts or is inspired by Poe’s life and works. Eligible works are not restricted by medium or genre. The awards are named for the Baltimore publication, The Saturday Visiter, that awarded young Poe a prize for writing which launched the famed writer’s career.” (Text by Poe Baltimore)

My Itinerary: My daughter and I are excited to attend the International Poe Festival and Awards Ceremony and other weekend events to include:

• VIP Reception & Movie Night (The Masque of the Red Death starring Vincent Price) at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (Friday, October 4, 6 PM); special guest is the actor’s daughter Victoria Price
• I will be selling and showcasing Jacaranda Street at a Vendor Table at the Poe House street festival for attendees (Saturday, October 5, beginning at 9 AM). If you’re attending the festival, please find my table and me and introduce yourself!
• Diamond Gala Reception and Vincent Price-themed wine Dinner with some of the actor’s favorite recipes; special guest Victoria Price (Saturday, October 5, 6 PM)
• Awards Ceremony and Dance Party at The Black Cat Ball, where the final SVA winners will be revealed (Saturday, October 5, 8 PM)
• Cognac Toast to Edgar Allan Poe
• Visit to Private Viewing & Reception including the “Poe Death Exhibit” at Carroll Mansion
• Poe House and Museum Tour (Sunday, October 6, 11 AM)
• Poe Burial Grounds and Exhibit Hall (Sunday, October 6, 1 PM)

I’m getting my Gothic ensembles ready. Can’t wait. This is so exciting. I hope to meet you there!

(Images Credit: Poe Baltimore)

July 16, 2024

Thought you’d like an update:

Today, I emailed the revised and formatted PDF for The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries Book 6, Upas Street: Shocking Specter, to my Praise-Quote Providers and Reader-Reviewers! This is an exciting and necessary milestone for delivering an attractive, high-quality book into the hands and hearts of my readers this fall.

As I previously mentioned, I never tire of getting back the formatted Word Doc and PDF copies. Seeing my creation for the first time as readers will is always a thrill. The book is due for release on October 1. I hope you are looking forward to reading it soon–if you dare enter Dr. Frankenstein’s la-BOR-uh-tree!

A reminder and an invitation: 

I have contracted with Silver Dagger Book Tours for October 15-29. This is a virtual event where bloggers spread the word about Upas Street: Shocking Specter to their readers during those two weeks.

Owner, Maia Gomez, asked me to invite others, so if you have a FaceBook page, are a blogger, or a Bookstagrammer, and would like to participate in the tour, here is the SIGN-UP LINK. Participants get to read my Book 6 for free. And I am holding a Giveaway during the Tour for a free, signed and personalized paperback copy of the book and a matching bookmark. (USA only)

I hope you’ll join the fun while helping the other Tour participants and me spread the word about the newest edition to the series! Thanks in advance.

And Finally . . . Drum Roll:  Book 6’s Cover Reveal will happen in the August 31 newsletter and in the Events section of my website! Check it out next month.

(Image Credit: Frankenstein image from commons.wikimedia.org; public domain)

July 1, 2024

I love hearing from my readers, especially the kids.

So, imagine my delight when today, the Mom of “J” from Wisconsin sent me his photo holding my book, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets!

This happy ten-year-old boy, who will be a fifth grader in the fall, is reading the entire Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series this summer. Bravo, “J”!

Here is what he said about Book 1: “A gripping mystery that will absorb you in the first chapter.”

Thanks so much, “J,” and your parents for buying the books for you. Summer reading is so important, and I’m glad you’ve chosen my series as part of your reading. Please watch your postal mail for some matching book swag and signed bookplates for all five books.

So, other readers, if you’d like to order my books from your favorite bookstore for your special summer readers, please click HERE, or paste my website’s book page into your browser: https://sherrilljoseph.com/books.

And kids, if you’d like to be featured like “J,” please email me your first name, state of residence, age/grade, a quote about the book, and a photo of you holding my book that you read. Email everything to me at kidsauthor@gmail.com.

Thank you and happy reading!

(Photo by “J’s” mom)

June 10, 2024

Exciting news!

Today, the Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries Book 6, Upas Street: Shocking Specter, went to the formatter!

I never tire of getting back the formatted Word Doc and PDF copies, which will happen soon. Seeing my creation for the first time as readers will is always a thrill. The book is due for release on October 1. I hope you are looking forward to reading it finally, come this fall–if you dare enter Dr. Frankenstein’s la-BOR-uh-tree!

In addition, I have contracted with Silver Dagger Book Tours for October 15-29. This is a virtual event where bloggers spread the word about Upas Street: Shocking Specter to their readers for those two weeks.

Owner, Maia Gomez, asked me to invite others, so if you have a FaceBook page, are a blogger, or a Bookstagrammer, and would like to participate in the tour, here is the SIGN-UP LINK. Participants get to read my Book 6 for free. And I am holding a Giveaway during the Tour for a free, signed and personalized paperback copy of the book and a matching bookmark.

I hope you’ll join the fun while helping the other Tour participants and me spread the word about the newest edition to the series! Thanks in advance.

(Photo and Image Credits: Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, and Castle images from commons.wikimedia.org and are public domain; lightning photo from Melody on unsplash.com)

May 7, 2024

What a delightful afternoon today spent with fourteen fourth graders at St. Katharine Drexel Academy in San Diego, CA!

Thank you, students and teacher Mrs. Kim Kramer, for inviting me for an author visit following your reading my Book 1, Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, together.

I talked about how I became a writer, what did and continues to inspire me, and my process to produce a book a year. I also conducted a “pop quiz” on the book with the students demonstrating how well they comprehended the story.

Once again, kids amaze me, this time with their continuing “thick” questions about the characters, plot, and my writing process. And as usual, today there were lots of questions about my “superpower,” lexical-gustatory synesthesia!

At the end of my visit, they presented me with the gift of a travel cup with the school’s logo!

The world is in good hands with these students. Thanks again, all of you, for inviting me.

April 16, 2024

I was blessed with another school author visit, this time in person at Holmes Elementary School in San Diego, CA.

You may remember Oliver J. from last month’s Events. He read my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets and did his cereal box book report on it.

I had so much fun meeting him, his second- and third-grade classmates, their teacher, Ms. Pope, and seeing their cereal box book reports up close!

The students were so bright and did their part to complete a “create a detective” activity I led. I couldn’t stump them with my riddles, and they asked advanced questions.

I received lovely thank-you letters from the students! They displayed many language arts skills, and the kids’ gratitude was heartwarming. There are certainly current and future authors in this class!

What a successful, fun hour! Thanks, Oliver’s mom for facilitating this visit, Ms. Pope for inviting me, Oliver for reading my book and choosing to use it for your book report, and all your classmates. Keep reading, everyone!

(Photos by Ms. Pope and the Author)

April 9, 2024

I was thrilled today to return to the fifth-grade classroom of one of my biggest teacher fans, Ms. Alfano from Shoemaker Elementary School in Macungie, PA. This was my fourth virtual school author visit in three years to her room!

What a smart group of students. They had read my Jacaranda Street: Gravestone Image, and had lots of excellent questions for me. We also talked about my character Rani Kumar’s and my mental superpower, lexical-gustatory synesthesia. I had sent their teacher a list of what their names made Rani and me taste or smell.

You might remember the girl standing at the screen, asking me a question. It’s Elise from a previous Event post where she was holding one of my books.

I received some lovely gifts from the teacher and students: a beautiful author nameplate, a sweet note, and an adorable Get a Clue bag. So thoughtful!

Thank you to Ms. Alfano, her teaching partner Ms. Beky, and all their amazing students! I had a wonderful time. I think all of them did, too.

(Photos by Ms. Beky and the Author)

March 26, 2024

Good news! I have the honor of doing an Author Takeover on Facebook’s “Cozy Mystery Party” site on Tuesday, March 26.

Please tune in at 5 p.m., PT, for this fun, fast-paced question-and-answer format event! I will be talking about my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries, Books 1-5, and introducing Book 6, which releases this fall.

To participate, you must first request to join HERE. It’s easy, and you’ll enjoy this friendly group of cozy mystery writers and readers!

Thanks, Heather Doyle Harrisson, site admin, for the invitation and the graphic.

I hope you see all of you there!

March 25, 2024

A round of applause for “Oliver J.,” third grader at Holmes Elementary School in San Diego, California!

Oliver’s mother informed me that Oliver not only read my Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets, but used it to inspire his cereal-box book report!

Awesome, Oliver! And I look forward to meeting you and your classmates at your school during my author visit on April 16.

Thanks so much, Oliver and his mom, and keep on reading!

(Photo by Oliver’s Mom)

March 3 through 9, 2024

Ebook readers, here comes Smashwords.com’s  “Read an Ebook Week Sale,” from March 3 through 9.

All five of my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries ebooks will be on sale for 75% off for that week!

You can purchase my Books 1, 2, and 3 for only $1.00 each; Book 4 for only $1.25; and, Book 5 for only $1.50 by clicking HERE starting March 3. Look for the Sale. Then, click on “Children’s Books” under the “Fiction” category. My books will be in the 75% off section.

Here’s your chance to get caught up with the detectives before Book 6 launches this coming fall. Thank you!

(Graphic Credit: smashwords.com)

February 7 and 9, 2024

Thank you, Ms. Mary Kaplan, Ms. Hannah Wang, and your third graders at Oak View Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland; and, Ms. Becky Swanson, Ms. Buka Akiti, and your fifth graders at Prospect School in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, for inviting me into your media centers to read to the students for World Read Aloud Day (WRAD)!

I enjoyed meeting the students, reading aloud from my Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series, and answering the kids’ questions.

I hope to see you again next year for WRAD. And you other educators and students, too!

(Graphics Credits:  Books Ad by Sherrill Joseph. WRAD Ad by litworld.org)

January 26, 2024