Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · 8d

Woot! HAVOC, Eva "Lightning Dance" Duran Book 2, is a New Mexico Book Awards Finalist in the Best Crime Fiction AND Best Multicultural categories. And hey, you win too because the HAVOC eBook is 1/2 off thru 10/31 at www.amazon.com/Havoc-Lightn...

1

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · 8d

Great photo! Thanks for sharing. Had a blast on the panel with these 3 beyond talented authors.

2

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · 24d

SO excited for this new release from master wordsmith, fellow Native author Nick Medina. THE WHISTLER drops today! Cannot freakin wait to devour this read from @berkleypub.bsky.social.
Order from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore tinyurl.com/mr49mkks

#thriller #suspense #folklore #native #horror

The Whistler by Nick Medina | The Poisoned Pen

tinyurl.com

1

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · 27d

Hey you crime fiction writers! Saturday 9/19 @desertsleuths.bsky.social WriteNow! conference I’ll be moderating "Doing Justice to Characters Unlike Yourself" with the brilliant @alexsegura.bsky.social, @dmrowell.bsky.social Rowell & @robyngigl.bsky.social.
desertsleuths.com/writenow-202...

6 9

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Sep 10

Looking forward to this!

2

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Sep 1

Wowza! 2 years ago today REDEMPTION entered the world. Massive thanks to you fine readers who gave Eva and her crew the opportunity to entertain and thrill you. I appreciate the 9,000+ reviews and hope you know how much reviews help authors
#thriller #books #reviews #pueblo #thomas&mercer #newmexico

3

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Aug 30

Flashback to Bouchercon NOLA 2016--CAUSING CHAOS was my 2nd Anthony Award Nomination for Best Audiobook. Louise Penny won the prize, but I came away with amazing memories. Excited for B'con 2025!

#thriller #conference #writerscommunity #neworleans #books #bouchercon25

2

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Aug 27

Heading to Bouchercon NOLA next week! Here's where I'll be.

#thriller #writerscommunity #conference #readersofinstagram #appearances #writersofinstagram #neworleans #bouchercon2025 #nola

1 1

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Aug 20

Tonight! I'll be doing a presentation on my fave tips to create killer villains for the @desertsleuths.bsky.social chapter. Here's the link to register for the free Zoom presentation: desertsleuths.com/chapter-meet...

#thriller #villains #writerscommunity #zoom #freeworkshop #writing

3

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Aug 20

Happy book birthday for CLOSE CALL by @elisehartkipness.bsky.social! Game, Set, Match! for this thriller spotlighting women’s professional tennis. Had a blast with Elise and Isabella Maldonado at the @poisonedpen.bsky.social
#thriller #amazonpublishing #wta #tennis #usopen

1

Reposted by Deborah J Ledford

SinC Desert Sleuths @desertsleuths.bsky.social · Aug 19

More amazing guests for the 2025 WriteNOW! Conference. Authors Deborah J Ledford, Robyn Gigl, D.M. Rowell, & Alex Segura discuss "Doing Justice to Characters Unlike Yourself". #AmWriting #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #ThrillerWriters #WritingCommunity #DSWN25

WriteNOW! Conference
September 19-20, 2025
$25 for Desert Sleuths members, $35 for everyone else- for a full day of virtual events

One of Saturday's panels features Deborah J Ledford, Robyn Gigl, D.M. Rowell, and Alex Segura on Doing Justice to Characters Unlike Yourself

Additional a la carte pitching, craft, and editing opportunitie are also available
Register at https://DesertSleuths.com

1 3 4

Reposted by Deborah J Ledford

SinC Desert Sleuths @desertsleuths.bsky.social · Aug 2

One of the BEST writers conferences around* is back, baby!

Registration is now open for the Desert Sleuths 2025 WriteNOW! Conference. desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025/

*What can we say, we're proud of our small but MIGHTY conference. We hope you join us!

Desert Sleuths WriteNOW! Conference
September 19-20, 2025

Craft*Publish*Market

Featured Guests: Terri Bischoff, Allison Brennan, Rhys Bowen, Christina Estes, Robyn Gigl, Jay Hartman, Ginger Hutchinson, Wendy H. Jones, Deborah J Ledford, Edith Maxwell, Catriona McPherson, Karen Odden, Anne Rainbow, Melissa Rechter, Raquel V. Reyes, D.M. Rowell, Alex Segura, and Lois Winston

Friday: Agent pitch sessions ($35), an editor's assessment of your first 3 chapters ($60), and a writing craft workshop ($35)

Saturday: One fee for a full day of panels, a workshop, and presentations; $25 Desert Sleuth members; $35 all others

For registration and conference details:
http://desertsleuths.com/writenow-2025/

1 3 7

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Aug 14

Another fun graphic for Bouchercon NOLA "Free Books" event in support of Jefferson Parish Public Library. 1 kid's book is your ticket to readings and books signed by these outstanding authors

#bouchercon2025 #booksbooksbooks #freebooks #library #nola #thriller #writersofinstagram

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Aug 12

Hey! Did you know REDEMPTION and HAVOC thrillers are also available in Large Print, along with the Trade Paperback, E-book & Audiobook versions? Well now you do! And you can order them wherever you buy your books.
#newmexico #pueblo #taos #thriller #hardcover

2 2

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Aug 7

Hey! If you're going to Bouchercon NOLA put the Free Books event on your calendar. Bring a kids book and you'll get free books autographed by the authors in the pic. I'll be reading a bit of "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich

#freebooks #library #writerscommunity #mystery #thriller #cosplayer

2 3

Reposted by Deborah J Ledford

SinC Desert Sleuths @desertsleuths.bsky.social · Jul 24

On Wed, Aug 20, award-winning author, Deborah J Ledford will discuss creating the best baddies in literature & will offer tips to crafting memorable characters. All are welcome! Register at DesertSleuths.com
#AmWriting #MysteryWriters #CrimeWriters #thrillerwriters
@djledford.bsky.social

“Creating Killer Characters: Villains Readers Love to Hate” with Deborah J Ledford
Wed, Aug 20, 6p-7:30p AZ Time
Register at DesertSleuths.com

Award-winning author and former Desert Sleuths President, Deborah J Ledford discusses her favorite subject: The craft of creating a compelling antagonist. Ledford will offer tips to help you create memorable characters and what to focus on in order to make your character pop off the page.

DEBORAH J LEDFORD is the award-winning author of the Eva “Lightning Dance” Duran suspense thriller series, including Redemption and Havoc. Also a screenwriter, she is president of the media company IOF Productions Ltd and producer of Causing Chaos and Crescendo, both Anthony Award Nominees for Best Audiobook.

You can find Ledford’s podcast interviews of other authors on Soundcloud and YouTube.

A member of SinC, MWA, Authors Guild, and ITW, Ledford is a past-president of the SinC Desert Sleuths Chapter. DeborahJLedford.com

1 3

Reposted by Deborah J Ledford

Crime Writers of Color @crimewoc.bsky.social · Jun 23

Congrats to CWoC cofounder Kellye Garrett (@kellyekell.bsky.social ) on winning the ITW Award for Best Standalone Novel for MISSING WHITE WOMAN

Alex Segura @alexsegura.bsky.social · Jun 22

HUGE congrats to bestie @kellyekell.bsky.social on her BEST STANDALONE NOVEL win at the ITW Thriller Awards at #thrillerfest!! So well deserved. Hugs and high fives to all the winners and nominees, including Ivy Pochoda for best short story and more! mailchi.mp/thrillerwrit... @crimewoc.bsky.social

2025 ITW Thriller Award Winners!

mailchi.mp

1 4 23

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Jun 13

Figured it was time to sparkle up my website! Here’s the new banner pic.
deborahjledford.com

#websitedesign #banner #thriller #books#audiobook #ebook
#newmexico #northcarolina #bipoc

1

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Jun 11

The ITW ThrillerFest #conference is coming up fast! Excited for this panel discussing my favorite writing topic--Antagonists! Friday 6.20 3:00pm.

#thriller #books #writersonwriting #learnfrommasters

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Jun 2

Woot! Book 1 REDEMPTION is a June #kindle Monthly Deal. And no, you don't need an actual Kindle reader-download the electronic version to any device you wish. Be the storm along with Eva "Lightning Dance" Duran
amzn.to/3WF21UB

#Taos #newmexico #thriller #deals #readingtime

1

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Apr 28

Outstanding bestselling thriller master of words Robert Bailey will be at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore. And I have the honor of being the "special guest host" - Wed 5/30 7:00pm (AZ time) Or watch on YouTube. THE BOOMERANG is riveting!
calendar.time.ly/9plshfqx/eve...
#BooksWorthReading

LIVE EVENT: Robert Bailey with Deb Ledford

Robert Bailey discusses The Boomerang click here to order! Special guest host: Deborah J Ledford Robert Bailey. The Boomerang (Thomas &

calendar.time.ly

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Apr 25

Next up is the AZ Author Book Festival to support #autismawarenessmonth. I'll sign my books and there will be LOTS to do for the family #Storytime #FoodTrucks #LiveMusic #Raffles
Sunday, April 27th, 10:00am-3:00pm
30 N 56th St, Phx, AZ 85034
Admission: FREE!
#arizona #localauthor #fundraiser #books

1 1

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Apr 23

Happy 4th Birthday to Roo AKA "The Dragon" My #AustralianShepherd / #Husky sidekick in crime as I tap out the words.

#ausky #birthdayboy #drago #stunning #besties #writersassistant #villainintraining #smarterthathispawrents #toosmartforhisowngood

2

Reposted by Deborah J Ledford

SinC Desert Sleuths @desertsleuths.bsky.social · Apr 19

... C.C. Harrison, Katherine Atwell Herbert, @djledford.bsky.social, @kathymcintosh.bsky.social, Susan Cummins Miller, Margaret C. Morse, Claire A Murray, @karenodden.bsky.social, @rkolson.bsky.social, Karen Reeder, Betty Webb, C.B. Wilson

Full schedule: www.anthology.org/index.php/an...

AWC Panel Schedule

Founded in 1994, Anthology is an Arizona based literary non profit promoting poetry, prose and art.

www.anthology.org

1 2

Deborah J Ledford @djledford.bsky.social · Apr 17

Yes! ThrillerFest is one of my favorite conferences and talking about villains ranks way up there too. Stoked to be appearing on stage with @yasminangoe.bsky.social @pauldoiron.bsky.social @ronaldmalfi.bsky.social
@stephnelsonauthor.bsky.social

#perfectfit #conference #thriller #books #appearance

1 4