Diana Mathur, Author

From Charlotte's Web to 1984, authors gathered to read from banned books and sing Woody Guthrie tunes

Here's a glimpse of the mountain retreat where I write—and an excerpt from a novel that began up there.

A sold-out book launch introduced me to two imaginative writers. Justin Feinstein's debut Your Behavior Will Be Monitored and Christopher Farnsworth novels.

Every writer needs a beta reader—someone brave enough to tackle a manuscript before it's ready for the world. My latest novel was fortunate to land in the hands of Barbara Peterson, an educator, mystery lover, and trusted reader whose feedback I treasure. Also, she's my sister, which means she can't easily escape future drafts.

The haunting wartime art of Kārlis Smīltens—created after his experiences on the Eastern Front—became the spark for my WWII Latvia historical mystery, Parade of the Dead.

Any novelist writing about a foreign culture is wise to have a manuscript reviewed by a cultural sensitivity reader. My upcoming historical mystery is set in 1941 Riga during some of the Holocaust’s most horrific atrocities. I’m fortunate to have regular feedback from Jewish writers in my critique group. But I needed a Latvian’s opinions. So I asked Lisa Edmondson to serve as a cultural sensitivity reader for my manuscript. She caught major misunderstanding as well as nuance,

A packed Midcult reading at The Earl in Koreatown brought together authors of sharp contemporary fiction, jazz drifting through the walls, golden hour and pizza in a courtyard, and a standout reading from Steve Erickson that left the audience laughing, squirming, and inspired.

Diana Mathur shares winning tips for a writer's critique group after 14 years experience.

5-star book review for And introducing Dexter Gaines, a novel of old Hollywood.

printed this excerpt from Article 58. Thank you, Bonnie Morgan & Suzanne Guldimann https://topanganewtimes.com/2021/01/15/a-latvian-tale...

Thank you! Paldies! To the American Latvian Association Cultural Foundation for supporting The Linden Tree & the Legionnaire series.

Trends in historical fiction: dual time lines, first person pov, and the present tense. WWII is the new Tudor novel. YES.

The voracious, prolific, knowledgable, opinionated and sassy Erin Davies inspired us on so many levels. For those who missed her at the...