Love In A “Politically Unstable Climate”

This is a revision of a blog I initially wrote 5 years ago, but it might have been written 5 days ago. Scary. Happy Valentine’s Day. Few of us live in total isolation. Most of us love somebody, whether it’s a mother, father, children, relatives, even a pet. And when you write female characters as … Read more

I Never Thought I’d Say This, But… (part 1)

We need to get rid of social media. It was a good idea but it’s ruining our brains, our behavior, and our society. This…from an addict who’s online ALL day. I didn’t always feel this way. In the beginning social media had so much promise: an instant way to communicate fluidly and fast with the … Read more

Library Journal Interview & HIGH CRIMES

Hi, everyone. In addition to that lovely review from Library Journal over the weekend, I also did an interview with them that I’m just seeing now. Thought you might like to see an excerpt — with a link to the full article. Crime Fiction Master Libby Fischer Hellmann gives readers an insider’s view of American … Read more

BookLife Talks with Libby Fischer Hellmann

High Crimes by Libby Fischer Hellmann

Hi, all. I thought you might be interested in an interview I did with BookLife last week (October 19) about HIGH CRIMES. A lengthy excerpt was published in the 10/22/18 edition of Publishers Weekly as well. Hellmann’s Chicago PI Georgia Davis returns to solve a politically motivated Facebook murder mystery. What’s different about High Crimes … Read more

Illinois Governor’s Race: The Money

Yo, Illinois voters. Want to know how much is being spent on the Illinois Governor’s race? Thought so. Here is a chart, which will automatically update, developed by Pro-Publica. (Many thanks, guys!). Use it to help sharpen your views as to who can lead our state out of budget problems, systemic corruption, languishing schools, and … Read more

GAME ON 2018: Voter Suppression, Part 2

Of all the dissolute goings-on this country faces, voting suppression strikes at the heart of our democracy, and to me is the most frightening. Simply put, we are at a tipping point. Unless we make major changes in the way we vote and how those votes are tabulated, we’re going to sleepwalk into a dystopian … Read more

Blueprint for Fixing our World – #3, Part 1: Trump and Voting Suppression

The term voter suppression describes the efforts, both legal and illegal, to stop eligible people from casting their vote. It is not new: voting suppression in the US stretches back to 1838’s Gallatin County Election Day Battle. Today, however, it’s become increasingly heinous and dangerous. In fact, Democratic Senator Chris Coons recently said in Time … Read more

Blueprint for Fixing Our World #2: 6 Steps To Help Defeat Trump’s Autocracy and the Subversion of Democracy

­ Everything that Donald Trump has done or said since becoming President has been laced with the threads of authoritarianism. Trump and his Cabinet of billionaires yearn to rule with absolute power, obedience, and unfettered greed. And they have wasted no time trying to achieve those goals. What’s emerged over the past six months is … Read more