Panels, Blog Tours, and Building Momentum: The Next Chapter of Abbey Rhodes Mysteries

The past few months have been an incredible ride as The Least of These—the second book in my Abbey Rhodes mystery series—launched and began to find its way into readers’ hands. One of the most exciting things to watch has been the ripple effect: sales of Watergrave (book one) are climbing again as new readers jump into the series. That tells me one thing—momentum is building.

And momentum is exactly what every author works toward.

First Panels at Killer Nashville

This weekend, I’ll be stepping onto a new stage: author panels at the Killer Nashville conference. I’ve attended before as a learner, but this year I get to sit at the table with other writers and share what I’ve discovered along the way.

Here are the three topics I’ve been invited to discuss:

• Creating Series Characters: How to craft a protagonist who can carry multiple books without losing freshness.

• Red Herrings: How many twists are too many in a good mystery?

• Story Arcs: The art of weaving a character’s journey across an entire series.

It’s a bit surreal to be listed alongside established authors, but my focus is simple—share what I’ve learned, stay authentic, and remember that readers connect best through stories.

Blog Tour Success

Alongside live events, my blog tour has been running full steam—and the feedback has been humbling. Reviewers are using words like riveting, compelling, and driving. What I appreciate most is that they’re not just summarizing my books—they’re diving deep into the characters and themes. That tells me Abbey Rhodes is resonating with readers exactly as I hoped she would.

Upcoming Events

The calendar is filling up fast, and I couldn’t be more excited:

• Rarity Bay Women’s Club (post-Labor Day): Speaking to 300+ members, with the event opened to the entire subdivision.

• PumpkinFest in Franklin, TN: A huge community festival where Landmark Booksellers invited me back to sign books.

• Shepherd’s Pie Podcast: An upcoming appearance on a Christian podcast to reach new audiences.

My goal is to have at least one major event every month—something to keep the books moving, conversations flowing, and readers engaged—while leaving enough time to keep writing.

Writing and Beyond

Book three revisions are officially done, and I’m already 5,000+ words into book four. Every time I sit down to write, I’m reminded why I love this work. It doesn’t feel like a job—it feels like purpose.

And I’m not stopping there. Down the road, I’ve got plans for a new middle-grade series called The Tracy Twins Mysteries. That project will have to wait, but it’s always in the back of my mind.

Why Persistence Pays

One lesson I’ve learned again and again: there’s no such thing as overnight success. I started publishing back in 1996. Nearly three decades later, the pieces are finally coming together—because I didn’t give up.

If you’re chasing a dream, whether it’s writing or something else, remember this: it’s about consistency, persistence, and believing in yourself enough to put your work out into the world.

An Invitation

I love engaging with readers, whether it’s at a conference, a women’s club, or a local book club. If you’d like me to visit your group—no matter what state you’re in—reach out. I’d love to join the conversation, answer your questions, and hear your thoughts on Abbey Rhodes.

You can connect with me anytime at mitchellskarnesauthor.com.

The journey continues—and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.

— Mitchell S. Karnes