Traci Hall and I have been friends for over seventeen years. We met when we were both unpublished and attending a critique group. Before our co-writing experience, we used to cry over rejections and howl at the moon, but still no contract came our way. Years came and went as our disappointment grew. Fast forward to 2021, and we now have over 90 published books between us! Traci has written in many genres, while I have written romances.
Now, the two of us have entered another playing field. We have been co-writing a Cozy Mystery series for Kensington, using the author name of Traci Wilton. Many of you probably wonder how two people, living 4 hours apart, could possibly write a book together. Let alone an ongoing series. For us, it came easy.
Traci has edited my books for years—she’s awesome at it! And we write in similar styles. It was a natural fit—the only problem being that neither of us had ever written a mystery. When our agent, Evan Marshall, asked us if we’d like to try co-writing a book similar to The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. He had an editor friend from Kensington looking for that type of material. Well, we couldn’t say yes fast enough.
Co-Writing Is Fun
We worked from a 25-page outline. One of use would write a chapter, the other would write the next. We would lightly edit as we progressed. After round one, we’d reverse the order and go at it again for round two. Round three was cleaning up the manuscript and making sure it was error free. Next, we’d send the book to a few trusted reader friends and a proof-read editor who’d look for errors, overused words, plot holes, or other problems. We’d consider their comments and make some corrections before sending the book off to our Kensington editor.
Occasionally, Traci and I disagree on something. With mutual respect, we put our egos aside, discuss the issue, and make a decision based on what is best for the book. We have now written six stories in The Salem B&B cozy mystery series and have remained great friends throughout this experience. I always say, co-writing is half the work and twice the fun!
Our Co-Writing Pot of Gold
Our books have hit the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List numerous times, and only four stories have been released so far. Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress, our latest book, was released March 30th and debuted at #22. Mrs. Morris and the Vampire is due to be published on August 24th and is available for pre-order.
Traci and I have started a new mystery series as well! A Riley Harper Murder Mystery series. The first book of the series is Death in Sandpiper Bay. The book will release at the end of January 2022 and will be available everywhere.
Check out our books and become a cozy mystery fan! The books are a wonderful escape from the daily grind. And each book hosts a list of possible suspects who could have committed the crime. Solving the case is 100% of the fun!
Join the Authors' Billboard Newsletter mailing list and get a newsletter filled with new releases and books on sale every Friday.
Start out your subscription with a free book!
Patrice Wilton knew from the age of twelve that she wanted to write books that would take the reader to faraway places. She was born in Vancouver, Canada, and had a great need to see the world that she had read about.
Patrice became a flight attendant for seventeen years and traveled the world. At the age of forty she sat down to write her first book—in longhand! Her interests include tennis, golf, and writing stories for women of all ages.
She is a mother of two, has four lovely grand-daughters, and a wonderful man at her side. They live in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he teaches her golf, and she teaches him patience.
Her best selling books are the CANDY BAR series, SERENDIPITY FALLS series, and most recently PARADISE COVE and A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION series. She is a New York Times best selling author.
I love writing with you too!!
Traci
You two are amazing!
Such a great story!!!
And oddly enough, “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” was one of my favorite old movies, so recently I downloaded the book, and it was really good.
I’m excited to hear that you based a series off a similar concept! Adding to my watchlist right now!
I LOVED reading about you two – Excellent! xoxo