This year I'm serving as president of Sisters in Crime international, a wonderful organization founded by Sara Paretsky to support women mystery writers. So check it out if you write in that genre.

Other advice: hone your craft first and foremost. The business is so competitive that you shoot yourself in the foot if you're not sending out polished work. Hire an editor, join a writing group, make your book the best it can be before trying to sell it.

What type of book promotion seems to work the best for you?

The biggest arrow in my quiver would have to be my website. I've had a lot of fun designing the site and adding material over the last few years. (My first book, Six Strokes Under, was published in 2002.) Besides information about my books and me, I've included articles and links about writing and getting published and many links on psychology and advice. I also have a virtual press kit with downloadable author photos, book covers, and press releases, and I post sample chapters and reviews. I participate in a number of mystery-related listserv groups that I use to spread the word when I have a new book out. I search out as many potential review sites as possible and offer them a copy of each book. And I've started the requisite blog.

What is your favorite book of all time? Why?

Probably Gone With The Wind, which is funny because I read very little historical fiction these days. But I loved the long treacherous story, the angst of the characters, the spunky heroine dressed in curtains. I would take it to school with me and hide it in my textbook. I'd love to have readers feel that way about my books — transported to another world that they are loathe to leave.

Do you have another novel on the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects?

I have just finished and mailed off the third book in the Rebecca Butterman advice column series. The working title is Line In The Sand, though I have a feeling that will change. Rebecca's good friend, a social worker who does sand tray therapy, is found beaten and left for dead. She searches for clues in the sand trays to track a would-be killer. The book should be out next September.