Kate Robards's Blog, page 3
May 2, 2023
From chaos to clarity: The power of outlining
As I revise the first draft of my new manuscript, I can’t help but reflect on my writing process. One aspect that’s essential for me is outlining.

Outlining can take many forms, from a detailed chapter-by-chapter breakdown to a simple list of key plot points. Regardless of the level of detail, an outline provides a roadmap for your story.
I firmly believe that outlining is an indispensable tool for any fiction writer.
But outlining isn't just about organization. It can also help you identify weak...
April 11, 2023
What I'm reading: April 2023
These are the top five books I'm looking forward to reading most this spring.

Is there anything better than enjoying a new book outdoors as the weather starts to warm up? Here are the top five books I'm looking forward to reading most this spring.
The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-DaleI’m about halfway through this novel by the author of The Ballerinas. An atmospheric story with detailed characters that come to life, The Ingenue is a suspenseful tale about family, talent, ambition, and secrets.
The...March 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews: “A welcome debut"
The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard received a Kirkus Star, "one of the most coveted designations in the book industry."

“A welcome debut that’s both a fleet thriller and a pathology of sisterhood at its most harrowing.� —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
I’m overjoyed to share a new of The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard from Kirkus Reviews!
is a literary magazine that publishes book reviews, articles, and interviews. Kirkus has a reputation for being...
March 5, 2023
Book review: Mothered
Zoje Stage’s psychological thriller Mothered follows a mother and daughter’s complicated relationship and descent into madness during an isolating pandemic.

Mothered explores the troubled relationship between a mother and daughter after they move in together at the height of a pandemic. Grace, a hairdresser, is forced to invite her estranged mother, Jackie, into her home when job insecurity and health problems affect them.
In an author’s note, Zoje Stage shares that she didn’t intend for the ...
January 26, 2023
Barnes & Noble Pre-Order Sale

Use code PREORDER25 at checkout. The sale is valid for physical books, e-books, and audiobooks at Barnes & Noble.
You can pre-order The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard before it's released on June 20, 2023.
Check out the .
BARNES & NOBLE PRe-ORDER SALE

Use code PREORDER25 at checkout. The sale is valid for physical books, e-books, and audiobooks at Barnes & Noble.
You can pre-order The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard before it's released on June 20, 2023.
Check out the .
January 19, 2023
Book review: Daphne
Daphne by Josh Malerman sets a new bar for horror novels in the masterful way it blends a terrifying serial killer plot with the revelations of a coming-of-age story.

When I found out Josh Malerman, the bestselling author of Bird Box, released a new horror novel, it rocketed to the top of my to-read list.
Fiercely scary, Daphne left me both breathlessly tense and reflective.
Daphne tells the story of a long-dead serial killer who’s come back to the town’s collective consciousness to stalk thos...
November 2, 2022
Cover Reveal!
I’m incredibly excited to share the cover of my new novel, published by Crooked Lane Books, which will be available June 20, 2023.
Wow! The cover of my debut thriller, The Three Deaths of Willa Stannard, is ready! I'm so excited to share it today.
Read it early on NetGalley:
September 13, 2022
Book review: Groupies
An authentic coming-of-age story, Groupies by Sarah Priscus is vibrant and enthralling. It is one of the best books I've read in 2022.

When I spotted the eye-catching cover of Groupies on the shelf at the library last week, I knew I had to read it. While my favorite genre tends to be mystery/thrillers, I found Groupies, a contemporary historical fiction novel, to be one of the best books I've read all year.
Full of grit and glitz, Groupies evokes the rock-and-roll seventies while telling a sto...
August 2, 2022
Book review: The House Across the Lake
Riley Sager's books are a must-read for me each summer. Here, I review his latest thriller, The House Across the Lake.

A few years ago, I discovered the books of Riley Sager and I can't get enough! I eagerly await his new releases each summer. I've been very excited to dive into his newest book because isolated lakeside thrillers are my very favorite.
Suspenseful, inherently creepy setting, and full of didn't-see-it-coming twists.
The House Across the Lake follows a widowed former starlet who ...