Welcome to Tucson Sisters in Crime!

August 2026 Meeting

The Six Hats of a Writer or The Evolution of a Book
Matt Cost will discuss the process of writing a book with an emphasis on his latest release, Everything vs. Max Creed, Book Two in the Modern-Day Chronicles of Max Creed. Books begin with ideas, but where does that inspiration come from? Cost will discuss how to recognize these nuggets when they whiz past. Research follows this discovery of a potential treasure trove, but how does that happen? The most fun is boots on the ground, but there is always just putting the nose to the grindstone as well. The process of writing is an individual task, different for everyone, but Cost will share his practice, and perhaps you can glean pieces to make your own. The book is complete, but only half the work is done. Editing, marketing, and promoting all still need to be done to complete the evolution of a book. How many edits are too many? How much marketing do you need to do? What does promotion look like?

Author Bio:

Over the years, Cost has owned a video store, a mystery bookstore, and a gym. He has also taught history and coached just about every sport imaginable.

During those years, since age eight, his true passion has been writing. I Am Cuba: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution was his first traditionally published novel.

Cost has now written three historical fiction standalones, six books in the Mainely Mystery series, starting with Mainely Power, six books in the Clay Wolfe Trap series, starting with Wolfe Trap, and two books in the Brooklyn 8 Ballo series, starting with Velma Gone Awry. EveryThing vs Max Creed is book two in the Max Creed Chronicles.  In November of 2026, he will debut a new series with 1955.