Author: Keenan Powell

Keenan Powell is the Agatha, Lefty, and Silver Falchion nominated author of the Maeve Malloy Mystery series. While still in high school, she was one of the illustrators of the original Dungeons and Dragons. Art seemed an impractical pursuit – not an heiress, wouldn’t marry well, hated teaching – so she went to law school instead. An Air Force brat, she was ready for a new place to go upon graduation so the day after commencement, she moved to Alaska where she continues to practice law. Her career has spanned the gamut from criminal defense, family law, dog law, personal injury, workers compensation, and appeals. In addition to writing the Maeve Malloy series, she has published a number of short stories including The Banshee of Adams, Massachusetts which short-listed for the Al Blanchard award. When not writing or practicing law, Keenan can be found oil painting, studying the Irish language, or hanging out with her friends at mystery conventions.

Self-publishing: 5 Steps to Select Categories & Keywords, Guest Post by Judy Penz Sheluk

December 2, 2023 Keenan Powell Marketing, Promotion, Self-publishing

So, what exactly are categories and keywords, who assigns them, how are they selected, and why are they important? I’m glad you asked.

Casting The Sorrowful Girl

November 6, 2023 Keenan Powell Creating Characters, Historical Mysteries

When I’m working on a book, I tape photographs of actors who I picture for my characters on a school-sized poster board and prop it up in my writing area. I do that to help with my description of the character’s appearance. Also, by studying how they act…

After the Idea

October 27, 2023 Keenan Powell #inspiration, Inspiration, Tips and Tricks, Writers habits, Writers inspirations

If you’ve read Alan Orloff, you’ll know that he has a unique, and sometimes, quirky approach to storytelling. I wanted to know, so I asked: Alan, where do you get your ideas?

This is what he said:

Naming Characters

October 6, 2023 Keenan Powell Creating Characters

Recently while working on a first draft, I realized that I had named several characters “TK” (To Come) which was getting confusing. So, when I ran into the fabulous Sybil Johnson, the author of Brush Up for Murder at Bouchercon, I asked her to guest write a blog post on the topic. And here is what she said: