A vintage black typewriter with visible keys, a right-side carriage lever, and loaded paper showing typed text on a white background.

Author

Featured Books

How do I tell my stories?

I think before I write. I never begin to write until I know what I want to write.

Also, I love my characters, so I’m always glad to spend time with them.

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Mastering Plot Twists is a master class in crafting plots that twist and turn.

—Hallie Ephron, NY Times bestselling author

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Cleland reveals the secret to writing page-turners that sell. A must-have for every writer's bookshelf!

—Paula Munier, author of Plot Perfect

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Antique Blues is as fascinating as its predecessors with plenty of details that capture the excitement of the hunt.

—Library Journal (starred review)

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Cleland has created an appealing character in Josie, who has grown and prospered in a most satisfying way… engaging and ingenious.

—Publishers Weekly

Overview

Jane K. Cleland’s books on the craft of writing, Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot and Mastering Plot Twists [Writer’s Digest Books, now Penguin Putnam Random House] both won the Agatha Award. Her newest book on the craft of writing, Beat the Bots: An Author’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI [Regalo Press], will be published in June 2025. Jane has also written fourteen novels in the multiple award-winning Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series [St. Martin’s Minotaur, with short fiction published byAlfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.] The series has just been optioned for film and TV.

Jane is a member of the full time faculty at Lehman College, part of the City University of New York. She is also a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest Magazine, the chair of the Black Orchid Novella Award, presented by the Wolfe Pack in partnership with Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and the Vice President of Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter.

Jane is a frequent in-person and online presenter at writing conferences, association meetings, private clubs, and MFA Residencies.

She keynotes and lectures on topics related to “Finding Stolen Art” and “Writing about Your Life.” She also offers small-group Mystery Mastermind virtual workshops as well as monthly webinars on the craft of writing and free weekly YouTube Shorties—one- to three-minutes answers to FAQ.

Non-Fiction

Cover of the book 'Beat the Bots' by Jane K. Cleland. A humanoid figure is depicted breaking through a wall. The title text in bold red, gold, and white reads: 'Beat the Bots.' The subtitle below states: 'A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI.' At the top of the cover, there's a quote from Louise Penny. The background color is pale yellow.'
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Brilliant! I was blown away! Every writer needs this incredibly valuable, and timely, resource.

–Louise Penny, New York Times #1 Bestselling Author

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This book is terrific! A writing guide tailored to our times, Jane Cleland’s Beat the Bots is packed with smart, insightful, utterly practical storytelling advice paired with an entrée to a supportive community of like-minded writers.

–Hallie Ephron, New York Times Bestselling Author

Fiction

Cover for Jane Austen's Lost Letters by Jane K Cleland featuring an illustration of an ornate writing desk with old papers, a feather quill pen, and a ink well lit by candles
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Beautifully crafted, thoroughly enjoyable.

—Margaret Maron, multiple award-winning author

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Agatha Christie would be very proud.

—South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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An exceptional story teller.

—Reviewing the Evidence

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