I enjoyed this Q & A with Marshal Zeringue and Campaign for the American Reader.
September 10, 2024
"People do send me photos of snakes, and I love it." Don't miss my fun conversation with Daniel Ford for Writer's Bone (celebrating their 10-year anniversary woot woot!).
August 12, 2024
I loved chatting with Ray Bassett and Chelsea Risley about poetry, mysteries, and Shakespeare on WUTC's Scenic Roots.
August 9, 2024
This review of Hollow Bones in Mystery and Suspense by Lou Jacobs made me swoon.
August 8, 2024
It was fun to chat about rural mysteries, share the joys (and frustrations) of modern publishing, and make up a DARK little story inspired by Neil Gaiman on Carter Wilson's Making it Up podcast.
August 8, 2024
Classic literature, tales of woe, and (of course) snakes...what a delight to chat with Jessikah Chautin for Turn the Page, the Syosset Library's wonderful podcast.
August 6, 2024
I'll take any excuse to talk about George Polti's unusual thirty-six dramatic situations, but this reading list was particularly fun to assemble. "8 Classic Retellings for Crime Fiction Fans" in CrimeReads.
August 5, 2024
August 5, 2024
Thank you to What Is That Book About for spotlighting Hollow Bones!
August 4, 2024
I was so excited to see this wonderful Hollow Bones review in my hometown paper, the Knoxville News Sentinel! Thank you Chapter 16 and Bradley Sides.
August 2, 2024
Thank you to Marilyn Brooks of Marilyn's Mystery Reads for this lovely review of Hollow Bones!
Thank you to Chatter on Books for having me on the program to talk about snakes, irrational fears, and writerly research!
July 31, 2024
I'm bowled over by this thoughtful review of Hollow Bones by Bradley Sides in Chapter 16!
July 8, 2024
What fun to put together a list of my favorite retellings for Shepherd!
July 3, 2024
Thank you to Emily Melton and Booklist for this early review of Hollow Bones!
June 27, 2024
I'm grateful to Mary Sophie Filicetti and Still: The Journal for this thoughtful, thought-provoking review of Hollow Bones.
May 30, 2014
I enjoyed reviewing Henry Wise's debut Holy City for Chapter 16.
April 30, 2024
March 25, 2024
October 15, 2023
Thank you to the editors of The Dodge for publishing these new animal poems!
September 18, 2023
Major Jackson is one of my favorite poets, so it was a nerve-wracking honor to review his Razzle Dazzle: New and Selected Poems 2002–2020 for Chapter 16. You can read the review HERE.
June 29, 2023
It was a treat to review Lindsay Lynch's debut novel Do Tell for Chapter 16.
April 20, 2023: The Enduring Appeal of Country Music's Murder Ballads
March 7, 2023: The Survivor's Song
February 21, 2023: Mississippi Review
I'm honored to have a poem in the latest issue of Mississippi Review alongside so many luminous writers!
February 17, 2023: Let This Homeplace Speak
It was a privilege to write for Chapter 16 again and consider Richard Tillinghast's Blue If One I Could Tell You (White Pine Press). You can read the review HERE.
October 16, 2022: Beloit Poetry Journal
Over the moon to have a new poem in the latest issue of the elegant Beloit Poetry Journal!
June 21, 2022: Fighting for Your Path
Thank you to Mystery Tribune for publishing my conversation with Alex Segura about his killer new novel Secret Identity.
Thank you to The Marginalia Review of Books for publishing my essay about snake mythology and pregnancy.
April 8, 2021: In Good Taste: Marilyn Stasio on a Lifetime of Book Reviews
It was an honor to interview legendary reviewer Marilyn Stasio for CrimeReads.
It was a delight to be on the wonderful podcast Chatter on Books again talking travel books, Dolly Parton, and pandemic habits.
Not sure whether you'd like Snake? You can now read an excerpt over at The Arts Desk!
I am consistently impressed by the Writer's Bone book coverage, and it's lovely to see Snake included HERE.
If you missed the virtual launch of Snake (complete with a live reptile presentation!), you can watch the recording HERE and order a copy of the book from your favorite independent bookstore.
September 20, 2020: The Page 99 Test
September 15, 2020: Religion, Art, and Brittany Spears
September 14, 2020: Episode 88
Small town adventures, bad bowling scores, poems, & danger noodles. Thank you to The Downtown Writers Jam for having me on the show! You can listen to the recording HERE.
September 1, 2020: Fascinated, Not Afraid
I'm bowled by this thoughtful review of Snake in Chapter 16. Thank you, Bradley Sides!
What a delight to talk about ghost stories, shirt phobias, and the Eel-Pig of Herrington Lake with Tara Laskowski.
How lovely to see my forthcoming essay collection Snake mentioned by Margaret Renkl in The New York Times!
May 7, 2020: The Self Without Boundary
It was a privilege to review Mark Doty's latest essay collection for Chapter 16.
It was a treat to review Grady Hendrix's new novel The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires for Chapter 16.
March 25, 2020: The Myth of the Perfect Writing Location
For Women Writers, Women's Books I wrote about making the most of the space you have.
February 27, 2020: The Faking of the President
I am delighted to have a story in the forthcoming anthology The Faking of the President. Here's a fun little teaser in which contributors talk about the presidents they decided to skewer.
February 18, 2020: To Celebrate Being Alive
February 16, 2020: Necessary Protection
I had such a good time guest-hosting PubTalk Live and interviewing my friend Alex Segura! You can watch the full show HERE.
I'm thrilled about my new video series with Mystery Tribune. I'll be sharing book recommendations and writing prompts inspired by those works. Click HERE to watch the first episode.
"With combined characteristics of classic Fitzgerald and everyone’s favorite sleuth, Nancy Drew..." Thank you to Lindsey Cute and The Pulse for promoting my reading at Star Line Books!
December 20, 2019: Ten Literary Gift Ideas
Writer's Bone names Famous in Cedarville as one of the best books of 2019!
It's incredible to see Famous in Cedarville as a CrimeReads Notable Selection for their Best Crime Novels of 2019! Especially since I love so many of the books included.
December 12, 2019: Fighting Prose
Thank you to Colleen Young for letting me answer questions for her Fighting Prose Interview series.
December 11, 2019: Shotgun Honey
It's an honor to see Famous in Cedarville on this Shotgun Honey list.
December 9, 2019: LitReactor Staff Picks
Gobsmacked to see Famous in Cedarville on this LitReactor list with writers I admire.
November 17, 2019: The New York Times!
Legendary reviewer Marilyn Stasio calls Famous in Cedarville "a clever little whodunnit" in The New York Times Book Review! It feels like a dream!
November 10, 2019: Mystery Tribune Endorsement
Mystery Tribune calls Famous in Cedarville one of the best crime, mystery, thriller books of November!
November 8, 2019: Thanks, Alex!
Alex Segura recommends some of his favorite women crime writers over at Mystery Tribune as part of Gabino Iglesias's "Brass Ovaries" series.
November 6, 2019: How to Stay Motivated and Finish Your Novel
I put together a 40-minute class for Skillshare! If you're struggling to finish your novel, I hope this will help.
October 31, 2019: The Big Thrill
Thank you to The Big Thrill (of the International Thriller Writers Organization) for letting me talk about researching Los Angeles, creating artifacts, and holding on to a little pettiness!
October 29, 2019: The Perks of Living in a Haunted House
I wrote about growing up in a haunted house for CrimeReads! Happy Halloween, y'all.
October 26, 2019: My Book, The Movie
Over on My Book, The Movie I got to create a dream cast for Famous in Cedarville. David Tennant's not too busy these days, right?
October 25, 2019: Writer's Bone
I spoke with Daniel Ford about small towns, Old Hollywood, and recent books I've loved over on the wonderful Writer's Bone podcast.
October 24, 2019: Chapter 16
"Readers fascinated by the allure of Hollywood’s Golden Era, or just by the promise of a juicy good mystery, can’t go wrong with this one." I am grateful to Chapter 16 and G. Robert Frazier for this wonderful review!
October 24, 2019: Criminal Element
Thank you to Scott Adlerberg and Criminal Element for this beautifully written review of Famous in Cedarville!
October 22, 2019: Bright Lights, Dark Shadows: Glamorous Women in Crime Fiction
CrimeReads let me write about some of my favorite glamorous mysteries, including Megan Abbott's Die a Little and Amina Akhtar's #FashionVictim. Find the full list HERE.
October 22, 2019: The Irresponsible Reader
Thank you to The Irresponsible Reader for this thoughtful and thought-provoking review of Famous in Cedarville! On pub day, no less.
October 22, 2019: The Study
I spoke with The Study about my favorite Old Hollywood films, small presses, poetry, mysteries, and ice cream. Don't forget to subscribe while you're there.
October 21, 2019: Books of the Week
Famous in Cedarville is a Publishers Weekly Book of the Week! Yippee!
October 19, 2019: Nashville Lifestyles
Famous in Cedarville in the 20th Anniversary issue of Nashville Lifestyles magazine!
October 18, 2019: Books of the Week
Famous in Cedarville is a Publisher's Weekly book of the week! Yippee!
October 16, 2019: 23 Books That Should Be on Your Radar
Delighted to see Famous in Cedarville in such stellar company over at Writer's Bone!
October 7, 2019: The Bastard Title
October 5, 2019: Who Do You Belong To: Bright Lights, Small Towns
Thank you to Mystery Tribune for letting me write about some influences on Famous in Cedarville. My rural hometown, Katharine Hepburn movies, and the year of an unexpected video rental store.
So happy to see Famous in Cedarville on this Book Riot list of "50 Must-Read Crime Novels for Fall and Winter 2019" alongside books by so many writers I admire.
September 27, 2019: The Blue Kingfisher in Paperback
The Blue Kingfisher is now available in paperback wherever books are sold! Thank you so much for reading.
September 19, 2019: Most Anticipated Crime Novels
Famous in Cedarville is one the Most Anticipated Crime Books according to CrimeReads! Alongside books by Steph Cha, Kate Racculia, John Grisham, Con Lehane, Val McDermid, and pressmates John Vercher & Patricia Smith. Also, a new craft book by Walter Mosley? Yes, please.
September 5, 2019: 8 Autumn Novels to Watch For
I'm delighted to see Famous in Cedarville on this list from the Washington Independent Review of Books alongside titles by Shawn Reilly Simmons, Marietta Miles, Tara Laskowski, Ellen Butler, Cheryl Head, and Brianna Labuskes. Thank you, E.A. Aymar!
August 12, 2019: The Darkness of Paradise
It was a privilege to interview my friend Alex Segura about the explosive ending to his Pete Fernandez series, Miami Midnight, for LitReactor.
August 8, 2019: Publishers Weekly Starred Review!
Holy ducks on cheese crackers! Famous in Cedarville received a starred review in Publishers Weekly, which called it an "outstanding tale of murder, obsession, and revenge."
June 21, 2019: Publishers Weekly Fall Book Preview
Famous in Cedarville is one of Publishers Weekly's "Can't Miss" fall mysteries & thrillers!
June 10, 2019: The Nervous Breakdown
Bowled over by this microreview of All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned in The Nervous Breakdown.
June 5, 2019: The Advocates
I was delighted to write about Dana Chamblee Carpenter for The Advocates, a new series in The Big Thrill celebrating people in the crime writing community who go that extra mile to help others. You can read my little contribution HERE.
April 3, 2019: Cover reveal for Famous in Cedarville!
My new novel Famous in Cedarville (Polis Books) has a cover! And I'm obsesssssed with it. Thank you to BOLO Books for sharing the cover along with the first chapter. For fans of diabolical mysteries wrapped in Hollywood tinsel.
March 15, 2019: Beyond the Elegant Veneer: Talking with Greer Macallister
Greer Macallister on what can be learned from faking madness, how appearances can be deceiving, and why she likes to “write intelligent women into extraordinary circumstances.” I loved our conversation for The Rumpus.
March 14, 2019: "The Unknown City" in Tupelo Quarterly
I'm honored that my elegy for Lucie Brock-Broido found a home at Tupelo Quarterly.
March 14, 2019: When the Mask Comes Off: An Interview with Steph Post
I loved interviewing Steph Post for the The Los Angeles Review of Books. You can read the full conversation HERE.
March 12, 2019: On Lyndsay Faye's The Paragon Hotel
It was a treat to chat with Dave Pezza about Lyndsay Faye's The Paragon Hotel for the Novel Class podcast. Listen to the full conversation HERE.
March 6, 2019: An Anthony Awards Ballot
Over on Book Riot, Matt Coleman shares his Anthony Awards ballot, and I'm over the moon that he included The Blue Kingfisher. There are so many writer I admire on this list, it's bananas.
February 28, 2019: Forms of Short Fiction
I was delighted to chat with Alex Segura, Nik Korpon, and Beau Johnson about short fiction for the The Big Thrill. Read the full conversation HERE.
January 29, 2019: Interview with The Kenyon Review
I loved talking to Caroline Hagood about poetry, crime fiction, and muppet sweaters over at The Kenyon Review.
January 7, 2019: Poems in Crazyhorse
Pleased as punch to have two new poems in the latest (gorgeous) issue of Crazyhorse!
December 21, 2018: Order Out of Chaos
"So much of crime is about power, and therefore, in my mind, mysteries are inherently political."
Thank you to Daniela Petrova and the Los Angeles Review of Books for interviewing me about The Blue Kingfisher. You can read the entire interview HERE.
December 16, 2018: 50 Best Books of 2018
I am delighted to see The Blue Kingfisher in such distinguished company over at Writer's Bone.
November 2, 2018: Booklist
Thank you to Booklist and Christine Tran for this review of The Blue Kingfisher.
October 30, 2018: Book Riot
Delighted by this nice shout-out in Book Riot. Thank you, Matt Coleman!
October 26, 2018: Writer's Bone Podcast
Writer's Bone is a wonderful podcast, and I always enjoy talking to Daniel Ford. This time we chatted about snark, sharks, and big questions. Listen to the entire episode here.
October 24, 2018: Chapter 16
Thank you to Tina Chambers and Chapter 16 for this lovely review of The Blue Kingfisher.
October 23, 2018: Unexpected Investigators
"At a conference a few years back, a panelist said with a straight face that he didn’t find female detective characters to be believable. Women, he asserted, just want to be grandmothers." I had fun recommending nine investigators who defy expectations in this piece for CrimeReads.
October 17, 2018: The Seattle Review of Books
Wow! I'm grateful for this wonderful review of The Blue Kingfisher from Daneet Steffens.
October 8, 2018: Birds and Snakes and Bugs, Oh My!
Steph Post asked me some wonderful questions for LitReactor. Read the entire interview HERE.
October 1, 2018: Bayou Stories in Kenyon Review
What an honor! I'm overwhelmed by this beautiful review of All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned by Deborah Hauser.
September 20, 2018: The Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2018
I love CrimeReads, and I'm so happy to see The Blue Kingfisher on this list.
September 7, 2018: What to Read When You Want to Disappear
The Rumpus let me recommend ten books for their delightful What to Read When series. You can see my recommendations HERE.
August 22, 2018: Publishers Weekly
Thrilled by this Publishers Weekly review of The Blue Kingfisher!
June 13, 2018: Stories, Not Politics
How did we arrive here, at a society increasingly hostile to human rights, reason, and science? It was a privilege to review Bill Ivey's important new book for Chapter 16.
May 7, 2018: The Poet and the Poem
If not for the recording, I might believe that I dreamed this up. I was interviewed by Grace Cavalieri at The Library of Congress about my poetry collection, All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned. What an incredible honor.
April 5, 2018: Three Poems in The Rumpus
I've been writing ecopoems for the past year, and these are the first ones to be published. I'm so grateful that they found a home at The Rumpus.
March 28, 2018: The Transformative Power of Crime Scene Dioramas
I wrote about Frances Glessner Lee's nutshells, poetry, and restraint for CrimeReads.
March 17, 2018: Bayou Stories Reviewed in Fork & Page
"Erica Wright’s highly imaginative poems are obsessed with the ways the body denies itself, the ways it disintegrates into non-being, and yet remains often in dismembered pieces like dolls with “heads forever piked,” reminding us of the ways death cannot be hidden, ignored, tucked away neatly in those Midwestern attic boxes."
This insightful, beautifully written review made my week (month? year?).
February 21, 2018: Cover Reveal
The Blue Kingfisher, forthcoming from Polis Books this fall, has a cover!
September 19, 2017: Superstition, Quirks of Survival, and Jessica Jones
I loved chatting with Michelle Rosquillo for storySouth.
September 7, 2017: Cats and Raptures
The Poetry Society of America asked me to write about a poem in my new collection. Learn more than you ever wanted to know about "Lola and the Apocalypse" HERE.
August 23, 2017: Bayou Stories Reviewed in Chapter 16
"Much of Wright’s work in All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned underscores our need to keep reaching out—either toward one another or toward the timeless, ineffable mysteries of life. In this sense, Wright’s is a hopeful vision."
I'm grateful to anyone who reads my poems, and Emily Choate's review for Chapter 16 is so beautiful and sharp that I'm overwhelmed.
July 10, 2017: Podcast!
Daniel Ford asked me such thoughtful questions for this Writer's Bone podcast.
July 8, 2017: Shattered Lives
A distraught father tries to catch a killer who attacked his daughter in David Bell’s latest thriller. I reviewed Bring Her Home for Chapter 16.
April 29, 2017: The High Stakes of Poetry and Crime Fiction
The wonderful Melissa Ginsburg (go read her novel Sunset City!) and I chatted with MysteryPeople's Molly Odintz about the links between poetry and noir. Read the piece HERE.
April 25, 2017: Dark Corners of Our Everyday Lives
Alex Segura's wonderful new novel, Dangerous Ends, is a high stakes murder mystery and an exploration of Miami-Cuban politics. I enjoyed chatting with Alex for the Los Angeles Review of Books about his grandfather's experiences in the Batista government, the slipperiness of memory, and fan expectations. Read the interview HERE.
March 28, 2017: All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned COVER!
March 23, 2017: A Zoologist Turned Crime Poet
Steph Post asked me some great questions for her blog, letting me praise rats and share the best advice I've ever received from students. Read the interview HERE.
January 1, 2017: Most Anticipated Books of 2017
Memorious is one my very favorite literary journals, so it means a lot to see my new poetry collection (All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned, Black Lawrence Press) on this Most Anticipated Books list from Rebecca Morgan Frank. 
December 21, 2016: Rosemary & Reading Glasses
The Granite Moth is included on this lovely Best of 2016 list!
December 20, 2016: The Granite Moth in Paperback!
Today The Granite Moth launches in paperback. Thank you for a year of support, everyone. ♥
December 2, 2016: Pushcart Nomination
Oh my! Storm Cellar nominated my poem "American New Year" for a Pushcart Prize. I'm so honored.
December 1, 2016: The 10 Best New Books to Read This December
I am a fan of the Chicago Review of Books, so what a lovely surprise to see The Granite Moth on this list!
November 3, 2016: When Ann Patchett Is Emperor
I interviewed the writer on America’s fear culture, bookstores as community builders, and why writers should care about their character more than their characters for Guernica.
October 26, 2016: Ravening on Ahead
I was happy to review Noah Warren's debut poetry collection, Destroyer in the Glass, for Chapter 16.
September 6, 2016: 9 Mysteries by Female Authors You May Not Have Read Yet
Blushingly happy to be included alongside Sara Gran, Lori Radar-Day, and other writers I admire. Read the full BookBub list HERE.
September 1, 2016: Irresponsible Reader
"Not since Stephen J. Cannell’s Wiseguy, have I seen something deal so effectively with the emotional toll of a double life—" I'm so pleased by this review of The Granite Moth on Irresponsible Reader.
August 30, 2016: Rosemary & Reading Glasses
"Are you looking for the right book during the transition from summer into fall? Look no further: with its page-turning plot and crisp autumn setting, Erica Wright’s The Granite Moth is the book for you." I love Rosemary & Reading Glasses, so obviously I'm over the moon that my novel is recommended.
August 26, 2016: Silver Falchion Award Finalist
I was delighted to learn that The Granite Moth was nominated for a Silver Falchion Award at Killer Nashville! Congratulations to winner Kay Kendall for her book Rainy Day Women.
August 25, 2015: Falling from Great Heights
I adored Melissa Ginsburg's debut crime novel Sunset City, and I was happy to review it for Chapter 16. Read my (enthusiastic) thoughts HERE.
August 22, 2016: East Side Storytellin' 89
I had a stellar time reading at the 89th(!) East Side Storytellin' event, hosted by Chuck Beard. You can listen to the podcast and hear Luke Amelang play his original tunes HERE.
August 17,2016: Rattlesnakes, Twitter, and You: An Amateur's Guide to Social Media
As someone who was intimidated by Twitter, it was fun to jot down my advice for writers who are hesitant to use different platforms. You can read the full article at the OneRoom blog HERE.
July 22, 2016: Sublimated Rebellions
It was a pleasure to correspond with André Naffis-Sahely about his translations of Abdellatif Laâbi, the risks of political poetry, and his childhood in Abu Dhabi. You can read the interview in Guernica Magazine HERE.
July 9, 2016: Stories, Not Textbooks
In his new poetry collection, Social History, Bobby C. Rogers celebrates the spirit that makes small towns in America so unique. You can read my review for Chapter 16 HERE.
June 24, 2016: Alligators and Poems
Have I mentioned how happy I am to be working with the lovely folks at Black Lawrence Press again? You can read the first poem of my new collection at the end of this Q & A.
June 16, 2016: Dear Poetry Editor
The world doesn't seem so pretty this week, but otherwise I stand by my answers. I'm grateful to Ruben Quesada for including me in this great series for Queen's Mob Teahouse. There's little I'd rather do than geek out over poetry.
June 12, 2016: Satiric noir dressed in comedic drag
Book bloggers are the best, and I was happy to find Ann Ronald's thoughtful review of The Granite Moth on Bookin' with Sunny.
May 31, 2016: All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned
I feel unbelievably lucky—and not a little emotional—that my second poetry collection, All the Bayou Stories End with Drowned, will be published by Black Lawrence Press in 2017!
May 4, 2016: Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
My first published short story is in the June issue of AHMM! Alongside luminaries Sarah Weinman, Michael Bracken, Martin Limón, Janice Law, and Brendan DuBois.
March 18, 2016: Need Out of Reach
In her latest poetry collection, Galaxie Wagon, Darnell Arnoult addresses aging with candid humor and moving insight. You can read my review for Chapter 16 HERE.
March 17, 2016: An Interview with The Native Society
Dealing with rejections, loving Parnassus Books, and hoping for sunscreen pills! It was a pleasure to chat with The Native Society. You can read the interview HERE.
January 28, 2016: "The 30 Best Books You Missed in 2015"
The Granite Moth is in some lovely company over at The Advocate. I'm grateful to see my name on any list with Nickole Brown (one of my favorite poets), plus Introducing Sunfish & Starfish: Tropical Drag Queen Detectives by Wallace Godfrey sounds fantastic. Read the full list HERE.
December 13, 2015: The Granite Moth in USA Today
USA Today calls The Granite Moth "brisk, dark, slinky," and I plan to live up here in the clouds! Let me know if you want to visit. I'll put the dog on for you. Read the full review by Charles Finch HERE.
December 8, 2015: If My Book
Writing something for Monkeybicycle's If My Book series was a lot of fun. Any time I can talk about champagne and corpse flowers, I'm a happy camper.
December 6, 2015: The Granite Moth is #1!
...on the Parnassus Books bestseller list. Whoohoo!
November 16, 2015: The Granite Moth is out!
November 10, 2015: Karen Linton's Artist Interviews
Filmmaker Karen Linton included me in her delightful portrait series.
November 3, 2015: Writer's Bone Podcast
I chat with Daniel Ford about being kind to other writers, living off of $1 pizza, and writing Kathleen Stone.
November 2, 2015: Talkin' Tullahoma
My first talk show appearance! Big thanks to TUBLight TUBe for having me on their fun program.
November 2, 2015: New City, New Reading List
Shelf Pleasure published my love letter to writers in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee.
November 1, 2015: Interview in The Big Thrill
Jaden Terrell interviewed me for the International Thriller Writers' magazine, letting me yap about the Village Halloween Parade, my terrible singing voice, and Richard Hugo/trout. Read the whole exchange HERE.
October 29, 2015: Girl Sleuths: Defying Expectations Since 1930 (At Least)
Biographile let me write about one of my favorite topics: women in mystery. From Nancy Drew to Veronica Mars, there's just something about a plucky young heroine that I can't resist. Read more HERE.
October 27, 2015: 5 Books That Should be on Your Radar
I'm delighted The Granite Moth appears on this list from Writer's Bone alongside books by Jane Smiley, James Tate Hill, Elmore Leonard, and Kevin Keating.
October 6, 2015: Storms Will Come
In his latest novel, Greg Iles delves into the countless unsolved murders of African Americans in the decades preceding the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Read my review for Chapter 16 HERE.
October 2, 2015: Recommended by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution
One of my favorite newspapers has recommended The Granite Moth alongside new titles by Heather Young and Karin Slaughter! I'm pretty sure I'll never get tired of being referred to as "a Nashville-based author."
September 24, 2015: Hot Chicken, Sara Gran, and Hidden Talents (Zero)
What a treat to chat with Alex Segura for his wonderful TinyLetter. You can read the interview HERE and subscribe HERE.
September 3, 2015: Kirkus Weighs In
A Kirkus review is enough to send the faint of heart (me) into hiding, but thankfully they like The Granite Moth! "More concentrated than Kathleen’s debut, Wright’s second entry begins to develop a detective who can shine through all those costume changes." Full review HERE.
August 26, 2015: Not a Partridge, or a Ruby
In her debut poetry collection, Caroline Randall Williams considers the identity of Shakespeare’s Dark Lady. Read my review at Chapter 16.
July 2, 2015: Where to Hide the Body: Starting a Mystery
I'm excited to teach a mystery writing course through OneRoom. This online class includes weekly live seminars (but sweatpants are still welcome). Click HERE for more information and to register. Starts in August!
June 11, 2015: The Granite Moth Cover
The Granite Moth (coming in November) has a cover! And it's gorgeous thanks to designer Charles Brock.
May 15, 2015: Paperback Release of The Red Chameleon
My debut crime novel, The Red Chameleon, is now CHEAP. Err, I mean, available in paperback. Thanks for reading!
May 3, 2015: T-Shirt Mantras & Good Will
I talked to Andilit about scarlet fever, writing practices, and (yes) t-shirt mottos. You can read the interview HERE.
April 29, 2015: 5 Books That Should Be On Your Radar
The Red Chameleon is in some stellar company over at Writer's Bone. If you haven't checked out this website, it's a treasure trove for readers and scribblers alike.
April 21, 2015: Master of Disguise
Writer's Bone is a terrific website, and I was delighted to answer a few questions about fainting goats, Sherlock, and soap opera villains.
April 9, 2015: A Sense of the Possible
"Poetry’s engine is empathy: the ability to feel what others feel, in permeability rather than judgment." Jane Hirshfield was kind enough to answer a few of my questions for Chapter 16.
March 25, 2015: Paperback Writer
Paperback copies of The Red Chameleon are now available for pre-order! Thanks, as always, for reading. I'm a lucky duck (lizard?): Indiebound, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Parnassus Books, Union Ave Books, The Mysterious Bookshop.
March 24, 2015: Hive
In her debut poetry collection, Christina Stoddard grapples with the vulnerability of children in a violent world. Read my review at Chapter 16.
March 20, 2015: Many Small Fires
Charlotte Pence’s debut poetry collection examines the parallels between ecology and mental illness. Read my review at Chapter 16.
March 15-April 1, 2015: Goodreads Giveaway
Prefer hardcover but not the price? Win one of five signed copies of The Red Chameleon. Enter here.
March 10, 2015: The Poem as Pursuit
Poet Gregory Pardlo let me interview him about his wonderful new book, Digest, as well as over sharing, confronting misogyny, and being nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
January 26, 2015: Do Not Rise
In her new collection, Do Not Rise, Nashville poet Beth Bachmann writes about war and its aftermath with unflinching insight. Here's my review of this wonderful book.
January 8, 2015: New Year, New Genre
"Around ten years ago, a friend suggested that I submit to a flash fiction anthology looking for writers. I’m embarrassed to admit my reaction now, but I laughed." In my guest blog for ITW, you can read my advice on genre hopping.
January 5, 2015: The Granite Moth
I'm not superstitious, but signing the contract to publish my second crime novel, The Granite Moth, is a pretty stellar way to begin 2015. I'm feeling super lucky to work with the talented folks at Pegasus Books again!
December 8, 2014: Poems of the American South
"From race to rattlesnakes, each poem reveals complicated truths about this region of the United States." I was delighted to review Poems of the American South, edited by David Biespiel. You can read the entire review over at Chapter 16.
December 6, 2014: Black Heart Magazine
"The Red Chameleon is the first of a fun new series. The writing is sharp and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny, and Kathleen (et al.) is a highly likable protagonist."
This review in Black Heart Magazine is a lovely surprise.
October 10, 2014: The City and the Writer
Nathalie Handal runs one of my favorite interview series, The City and the Writer, for Words without Borders. What an honor to be included! Although Atlanta was only my home for two years, I am glad that I had the opportunity to gush about the Big Peach before moseying along. Here is the full interview.
September 8, 2014: Verse Daily
Woot! Verse Daily has shared my poem "Spontaneous Human Combustion," which originally appeared in one of my favorite journals, Gulf Coast. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that I'm not testing fate by saying that I don't believe in SHC. That's not how I want to go.
July 21, 2014: North Avenue Lounge
On Monday, host extraordinaire Charlie Bennett welcomed me to his radio show North Avenue Lounge, which airs Mondays at noon on WREK. We talked about poetry, mysteries, unicorns, farms, and arcade games during a terrifically fun hour. You can listen to the archived recording HERE.
July 15, 2014: Who Has the Right to Write About War?
I've been pondering this question a lot lately, after interviewing Shelly Taylor about her wonderful collection Lions, Remonstrance (Coconut Books, 2014). These poems deal with the challenges faced by the loved ones of those who serve and have served:
Aye, there they are, the shells of men unburied,
dead men & horses. She never meant her children
be nursed by fruit trees, the very carcass of.
There is no upshot to war, the sun is a porch-lamp.
While Taylor was reluctant to write about her own story, I'm glad she did. We corresponded via email about taking ownership, living with a veteran, and wishing to “Eternal Sunshine ourselves.” You can read the entire interview HERE.
July 9, 2014: Poetry Society of America
One of my favorite organizations, the Poetry Society of America, gamely let me give away all of Guernica Magazine's secrets, including why we hate robots and love magic. I also share Fiction Editor Meakin Armstrong's advice: "From our point of view, it's marketable if you're unpublished. We can then claim you later." You can read the entire interview HERE.
July 7, 2014: Heroic Journeys and Adult Literacy
"Get kids energized from an early age that reading will be the most important skill they have because to read is the same verb as to think; you can’t do one without the other."
When I sent bestselling thriller writer David Baldacci questions for Chapter 16, I was expecting terse answers. After all, he must be a busy man. Instead, I was impressed by his generous responses and passion for literacy. He’ll be discussing his new YA book this Thursday, July 10th, at the Nashville Public Library. You can read the entire Q & A HERE.
July 2, 2014: New Review in Chapter 16
"This first outing in crime proves that she is also one of the rare mystery writers who can infuse the genre with both smart humor and artistic prose—all without sacrificing plot. The Red Chameleon is the kind of well-crafted and expertly conceived title that might make thriller fans wish more poets would venture into mystery writing."
Liz Garrigan wrote such a thoughtful review of The Red Chameleon for Chapter 16. This organization supports "education in the humanities to Tennesseans" and, in my (okay a little biased) opinion, is a model for regional publications. Here is a link to the review, but take a peek at some of the other recent pieces, including a tribute to Tennessee native and new poet laureate Charles Wright (no relation) by Maria Browning.
July 1, 2014: Facial Blindness & Ordinary Villians
Diane Slocum asked me some great questions for Authorlink, letting me talk about my love of ordinary villains, the ones who are frightening because they seem a little bit like us. Plus, who isn't fascinated by facial blindness? Thanks for reading! Here's the interview.
June 29, 2014: The New York Times
Basically, my book The Red Chameleon being reviewed in The New York Times is the wildest thing yet to happen to me. Rookie mistakes notwithstanding, I'll take any praise from the venerable Marilyn Stasio: "there’s still something very appealing about Kathleen Stone, a quick-change artist who can slip into the persona of Katie, Kat, Kitty, Kathy, Kate, Katya — or her personal favorite, 15-year-old Keith — at the drop of a hat or, more likely, the switch of a wig." You can read the entire review HERE.
June 21, 2014: Shelf Pleasure
Thank you to Shelf Pleasure (the website with the cutest logo in town) for asking me some questions about The Red Chameleon! I get to blame Truman Capote for my crime obsession, thank the Guernica staff for being awesome, and recommend the new Veronica Mars. You can read the entire interview HERE. Thanks, as always, for your interest!
June 16, 2014: Thrillers, Sonnets, & Dionne from Clueless
Author Exposure asked me a few questions about The Red Chameleon for their helpful website. In addition to talking about poetry and thrillers, I enjoyed reminiscing about my first Atlanta memory: cruising along I-75 on my way to see the Indigo Girls with my brother. You can read the entire interview HERE.
June 16, 2014: Oprah Recommended
I'm over the moon that The Red Chameleon is included in O Magazine's roundup of best summer books! (I'd also really like that adorable sun hat.)
June 10, 2014: Spinning Jenny
When I first started submitting poems, I sent to Spinning Jenny because I admired the journal so much. Fast-foward a few (okay, many) years, and I have two poems in the latest issue. The design is spectacular. Trust me when I say that you want to hold this friend in your hands. Plus poems by Natalie Eilbert, Ben Gantcher, W. M. Lobko, and Ryan Murphy among others. If you buy a copy at the practically free price of $10, you can read my poems "Migration of a Minor God" and "Zoology 101."
June 1, 2014: Wigs, Psychics, & Violence
Karen Harper asked me some terrific questions for the International Thriller Writers Organization. What a treat! You can read the full interview HERE.
May 17, 2014: Kirkus
"[a] fast-paced and quirky debut." Thank you, Kirkus! You can read the entire review HERE.
April 11, 2014: Alex Lemon: A Ferocious Kind of Music
"The only way to attend to the fractured world (or the fractured world I live in) is to write a ferocious kind of music, to sing that volatility." Alex Lemon graciously answers a few of my question over at Guernica.
April 7, 2014: A Shared World
"Your poems may be in the past. Your faults are always in the future."
It was a delight to correspond with Eavan Boland, a poet I admire immensely, for Chapter 16. You can read the Q & A HERE.
April 3, 2014: A Poetry Playlist
When Nick Ripatrazone asked me to contribute a song to this list for The Millions, I knew there could only be Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain," which I listened to in a kind of fever while I wrote my long poem "Greece Is This Run-Down." Check out the choices from the other nine poets, including Mary Biddinger, Rebecca Gayle Howell, and Adrian Matejka.
March 30, 2014: Publisher's Weekly
If you heard a loud, inexplicable whooshing sound of relief recently, it wasn't your neighborhood ghost, but me reacting to this first review of The Red Chameleon. In Publisher's Weekly no less!
"At the start of this riveting crime novel from poet Wright (Instructions for Killing the Jackal), PI Kat Stone, a former NYPD undercover detective, discovers the dead body of Stephen Kramer, the unfaithful husband she’s been tailing, in the men’s room of an Upper East Side bar..." Keep reading here.
March 4, 2014: Kingsnakes and Beauty Queens
I'm over the moon that my essay on the 2013 Rattlesnake and Wildlife Festival found a home at Chapter 16, part of Humanities Tennessee. Who's up for this weekend's 2014 version?
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"In Richard Avedon’s photograph of Boyd Fortin, the thirteen-year-old holds up a rattlesnake’s partially disemboweled carcass, the creature’s organs spread like a clothesline across a once-white apron. Avedon photographed Fortin in Sweetwater, Texas, at the annual rattlesnake roundup, an event that celebrated its fifty-fifth year last March. At these roundups, wranglers capture thousands of rattlers and bring them to an arena where they are brandished, mutilated, milked, sold, slaughtered, and skinned. Shortly after I moved to Atlanta in 2012, someone informed me that Georgia still hosts a yearly roundup, too. 'They even crown a beauty-pageant queen,' I was told. 'She kills the first snake.'" Keep reading here.
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