Eye Opening - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T08:40:20Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:128368?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI subscribe to the definition…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-08:537324:Comment:1290882008-03-08T19:19:23.815ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
I subscribe to the definitions given above (by Dean and Al). This over-the-top business has mass appeal, but is so far from believable that I neither read nor write such scenarios. Our problem is, as always, how far we want to bend to please the more dubious tastes of society and make the big bucks.
I subscribe to the definitions given above (by Dean and Al). This over-the-top business has mass appeal, but is so far from believable that I neither read nor write such scenarios. Our problem is, as always, how far we want to bend to please the more dubious tastes of society and make the big bucks. Al, your definition is genuin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-08:537324:Comment:1290842008-03-08T19:07:30.315ZDave Zeltsermanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DaveZeltserman
Al, your definition is genuinely correct, but doesn't quite fit the big blockbuster thriller deals. In these the actions, consequences, characters tend to be way over the top--a Jack Baur-type racing against the clock to stop a deadly terrorist act, a biological agent or virus is about to be unwittingly unleashed onto the free world, powerful people are being held hostage for nefarious reasons, serial killers who make Hannibal Lector look like a choir boy, etc.. Right now I'm reading one of…
Al, your definition is genuinely correct, but doesn't quite fit the big blockbuster thriller deals. In these the actions, consequences, characters tend to be way over the top--a Jack Baur-type racing against the clock to stop a deadly terrorist act, a biological agent or virus is about to be unwittingly unleashed onto the free world, powerful people are being held hostage for nefarious reasons, serial killers who make Hannibal Lector look like a choir boy, etc.. Right now I'm reading one of these--"When She Was Bad" by Jonathan Nasaw (very good, btw. excellent writing), and what you've got is a rift on Natural Born Killers, except Mickey and Mallory are replaced by two deeply disturbed multiple personality patients (whose bad personalities are very bad). These are characters who would never appear in a book labeled as mystery--nor would the acts that they commit ever show up in a mystery.<br />
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Taking these big commercial thrillers out of the picture, in a lot of cases the line's blurred between what's a mystery and what's a thriller. In the past these books would've simply been called crime novels, but for marketing sake they're more likely now to be labeled thrillers. Are Crais's Elvis Cole novels mysteries or thrillers? I would say they're more mysteries, but they're marketed more as thrillers (or mystery thrillers). Just one of many examples of this blurring. A rough-and-ready distinction…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-08:537324:Comment:1290792008-03-08T18:32:09.875ZAllan Guthriehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/sunshine65
A rough-and-ready distinction I use is this: mystery=crime detection, thriller=crime prevention. In the former, a crime has been committed and we're following the investigation to find out who's responsible. In the latter, a crime may have been committed already, but generally we're expecting more to follow (often escalating), and we're not so much interested in who's responsible (we may already know) as we are in stopping them.<br />
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I suspect the terms are used inconsistently on Publishers…
A rough-and-ready distinction I use is this: mystery=crime detection, thriller=crime prevention. In the former, a crime has been committed and we're following the investigation to find out who's responsible. In the latter, a crime may have been committed already, but generally we're expecting more to follow (often escalating), and we're not so much interested in who's responsible (we may already know) as we are in stopping them.<br />
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I suspect the terms are used inconsistently on Publishers Marketplace, since agents and editors tend to have their own definitions. I'm taking a really fun cours…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-08:537324:Comment:1290742008-03-08T17:11:53.674ZWilliam Dylan Powellhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/WilliamDylanPowell
I'm taking a really fun course at Rice University from Dean James, who's written a dozen or so mysteries, and his take on the difference between a thriller and another type of mystery was that in a thriller the "What's going to happen next?" aspect overpowers the "What happened?" aspect of the book. At least that's what I remember him saying. I'd had wine.
I'm taking a really fun course at Rice University from Dean James, who's written a dozen or so mysteries, and his take on the difference between a thriller and another type of mystery was that in a thriller the "What's going to happen next?" aspect overpowers the "What happened?" aspect of the book. At least that's what I remember him saying. I'd had wine. Jacqueline Winspear is, for m…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-07:537324:Comment:1288112008-03-07T14:51:28.545ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Jacqueline Winspear is, for me, solidly in the cozy category. I'm afraid I don't write a bit like her.
Jacqueline Winspear is, for me, solidly in the cozy category. I'm afraid I don't write a bit like her. The 'thriller' label is a sli…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-07:537324:Comment:1287662008-03-07T03:15:48.237ZAngiehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/slackerwriter
The 'thriller' label is a slippery one. I suspect that it currently has more to do with marketing than a clear distinction between crime fiction (or mystery) and thrillers. I'd be really interested to see how editors/agents/publishers define a thriller. Truthfully, I've seen a number of books being touted as thrillers that I wouldn't necessarily attach that label to . What that actually means in terms of book deals...I have no idea. Still, something to bear in mind.
The 'thriller' label is a slippery one. I suspect that it currently has more to do with marketing than a clear distinction between crime fiction (or mystery) and thrillers. I'd be really interested to see how editors/agents/publishers define a thriller. Truthfully, I've seen a number of books being touted as thrillers that I wouldn't necessarily attach that label to . What that actually means in terms of book deals...I have no idea. Still, something to bear in mind. well, PM simply publishes wha…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-06:537324:Comment:1286682008-03-06T15:10:01.993ZDave Zeltsermanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DaveZeltserman
well, PM simply publishes whatever announcements agents send in. Some agents don't send in the $1000 or less deals, some do, but almost every agent is going to send in the more standard deals. But IJ--you're right--the point about thrillers receiving the noteworthy advances (while for the most part mysteries aren't) is exactly the point I was trying to make.
well, PM simply publishes whatever announcements agents send in. Some agents don't send in the $1000 or less deals, some do, but almost every agent is going to send in the more standard deals. But IJ--you're right--the point about thrillers receiving the noteworthy advances (while for the most part mysteries aren't) is exactly the point I was trying to make. My guess is that the Publishe…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-06:537324:Comment:1286662008-03-06T14:55:38.440ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
My guess is that the Publishers Marketplace announcements focus on where the biggest money is. That doesn't mean there are more thriller than mystery contracts, just that thrillers get more noteworthy advances. I think that's what Dave is pointing out.
My guess is that the Publishers Marketplace announcements focus on where the biggest money is. That doesn't mean there are more thriller than mystery contracts, just that thrillers get more noteworthy advances. I think that's what Dave is pointing out. Trust that Zeltserman to stir…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-06:537324:Comment:1286282008-03-06T04:08:07.878ZSimon Woodhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/simonsubs
Trust that Zeltserman to stir up a storm... :-)
Trust that Zeltserman to stir up a storm... :-) Not all deals are reported on…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-06:537324:Comment:1286172008-03-06T02:15:07.746ZNaomi Hiraharahttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/gasagasagirl
Not all deals are reported on Publishers Marketplace (sometimes it's used more to generate film interest, foreign rights sales, etc.), so I believe that Jeri's correct in that there are more traditional mysteries are being published than thrillers. Certain thrillers may, however, be capturing bigger deals, as you pointed out in your original post, Dave. In a year or two, the trend will change again, I'm sure. And in terms of literary historic mysteries, Jacqueline Winspear seems to be doing…
Not all deals are reported on Publishers Marketplace (sometimes it's used more to generate film interest, foreign rights sales, etc.), so I believe that Jeri's correct in that there are more traditional mysteries are being published than thrillers. Certain thrillers may, however, be capturing bigger deals, as you pointed out in your original post, Dave. In a year or two, the trend will change again, I'm sure. And in terms of literary historic mysteries, Jacqueline Winspear seems to be doing quite well! So just write what you love, because there are always exceptions to the "rule."