Karen J. Laubenstein

, Female

Anchorage

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:: Anchorage, Alaska
About Me:: I'm a writer. Project Archaeology INTRIGUE OF THE PAST juvenile detectives series--fictionalized nonfiction! Princeton Review/Random House ARCHAEOLOGY SMART JUNIOR (1997), Alaska Digital Wildlife Photography Handbook, and more. Former Washington (DC) correspondent for several newspapers. Published 13 books to date, including ghostwriting. Writer for former U.S. President in early 1990s and Senator Ted Kennedy 1987-1990. Co-coordinated Peace Corps 25th anniversary celebration, and worked with Very Special Arts Internl. WIP - The MOOSE MURDERS--first in the Alaska ungulate series. My writing sometimes scares me! Produced the 2007 Bouchercon world mystery convention publications and ads. Day job--Alaska state writer-editor for a federal agency. Grew up in Maine. Lived in MA, NY, D.C., VA, MD, CO, UT, and have lived in Alaska since 1994. 3 degrees and former Peace Corps (Benin W. Africa). Avid photographer and mom. Current President of Alaska Sisters in Crime. Deaf until June 2007 and now am a bionic woman (bionic ears!). Now, please tell me about YOU!
I Am A:: Writer, Editor
Website:: http://alaskaauthor.blogspot.com/
Books And Authors I Like:: Read almost a book nightly, but LOVE my eBOOK!!! (It lights up Alaska's BIG DARK). Stephen King was my creative writing teacher at the Univ. of Maine in the early 1980's - and I worked with his mother-in-law Sarah Jane Spruce, but have not read all his stuff (yet). Am now a huge fan of authors who attended Bouchercon 2007 and Left Coast Crime 2001-Anchorage-having them come to your hometown does something to your preferences.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:: Because I was deaf for more than 30 years and just got bionic ears (bilateral), I like movies I didn't before (great music/soundtracks!) and don't like some I did before I could hear them. Will stop there.

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments

carole gill

Thank you. I'll try finding out how to go about it. through stuff here.

Aug 14, 2007
Daniel Hatadi

Hey there Karen, just wanted to thank you for all the fine links you contributed to the resources page. I'll confess to not including all of them, but most are now up for all to see.

Cheers,
Daniel

Aug 15, 2007
Daniel Hatadi

I'm sure the page will get bigger as time goes on. Maybe even too big. I might need to get a tree surgeon in.

A bionic ear? That's amazing! You have A LOT of music to catch up on. You might need a plastic car, though...

Aug 15, 2007
Harry Shannon

Howdy back, Karen

Aug 16, 2007
Lee Lofland

We're just outside of Boston. We also have a place near the New Hampshire border. Now, that is close to Maine.

Aug 16, 2007
Karen from AustCrime

Karen - congratulations on all the work for Bouchercon - there's certainly a buzz of excitement around about it!

Aug 16, 2007
Karen from AustCrime

I try really really hard not to work out timezones - it makes my tiny brain hurt. But it's Thursday at nearly 2.00pm here and I just saw your comment posted - so it's yesterday where you are and tomorrow where I am, or today where I am and it's still yesterday where you are........ or something

Aug 16, 2007
Karen from AustCrime

Dymocks are both - they have a lot of standard stores spread around the place and you can buy from them online at http://www.dymocks.com.au/ as well.

I've used their online service a few times and they are pretty good.

Aug 16, 2007
Karen from AustCrime

AAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH [VBEG]

Aug 16, 2007
Karen from AustCrime

Coming towards the end of winter now - it's been another desperately dry time - we're in a long term drought here. "Calendar" Spring here starts on 1st September, with Summer starting the 1st December - although the seasons vary a bit. Melbourne is down the bottom of the continent - over the water from Tasmania so we're in the lower / colder part of the country.

Aug 16, 2007
Donna Moore

Hi Karen - oh-0h - are you saying I talk too much?! Looking forward to seeing you in Alaska.

Aug 16, 2007
Declan Burke

Jeez - three fans in America now? I think five counts as critical mass ... You have a fascinating story there, by which I mean your life story - getting to hear after 40 years of deafness? That must be so incredible. Also, I love your sense of priorities ... "Avid photographer and mom." Well, I guess the kids can get themselves breakfast, but those images aren't going to shoot themselves ... Good to talk to you, and I hope you enjoy Bouchercon, I'd love to be getting over for it. Alaska is a place that has always loomed large in my imagination ... blame Jack London, of course. Cheers, Dec

Aug 16, 2007
Lee Lofland

No, not this year. I decided to skip since I've just done way too many conferences this year. In fact, I still have four to go.

Aug 16, 2007
Cyndi Martin

Thanks for adding me! I think I'm in love with Sheriff Jamie!

Aug 17, 2007
Lee Lofland

Alaska sounds wonderful. I'm sure I'll regret not making it to B'con, but all the others I've spoken for this year were nice, too.

Aug 17, 2007
Gemma Halliday

Don’t let word get out but… yes!!!
Whenever I go to a writing conference, the first thing people do after I introduce myself is check out my shoes. Oh, the pressure! Of course, it’s a great excuse to buy new shoes, too. I’m campaigning with my accountant to write them off as a business expense. ;)

~Gemma

Aug 18, 2007
Sandra Ruttan

Hi Karen. I love Alaska! Wish I was going to B'con, but unfortunately, my schedule has gone mad and I had to cancel. :( I'll be hearing about all the fun you're having without me...

Aug 18, 2007
carole gill

oh that doggie, Jose! does he bark in spanish? those photos are fabulous, Alaska? wow. I've been to a number of places that I considered beautiful--but that more than holds its own. majestic. maybe someday--we'll go--my husband and I. meanwhile i can dream

Aug 18, 2007
Alafair Burke

I'm glad you kidding about my triggering some long lost desire to go to law school. That's the kind of desire that should stay lost! I just can't make the flight out to Alaska around my fall class schedule, so I'm sorry I'll miss all the fun.

Aug 18, 2007
carole gill

just got so mixed up. posted you a long reply and gremlins took it away so here goes again. thanks for all you said. as for Josie--! i read her name as Jose. isn't that sad?! does she work with deaf people? thanks for what you said about the forums--i find them so interesting. i enjoy asking questtions. sometimes it's to find out opinions for my writing--and sometimes it's just to "get everybody going!" my Grandad was like that, he'd get everyone excited, hot under the color about politics, wink at me and laugh and go grind his coffee (hiding in the kitchen and listening to the arguments)! all the best. and thanks again for what you said!
ps we used to fish. a lot when I was a child. what kind of fish was that? i jsut saw in your photos?

Aug 19, 2007
carole gill

so true. the gremlins are taking over our lives here. everytime on one computer i go onto crimespace, there is a pop up thingy that ask yes or no soemthing about scripts! what ever that means. and on the laptop i can't open my hotmail to read the crimespace thing because thirty frames open up one after the others. AHHHHHHHHHHHH. IT'S DRIVING ME NUTS. we're working on it though!

Aug 19, 2007
Sandra Ruttan

Hi Karen,

I used to do programming for an organization, so am familiar with the ups and downs of cancellations! There are a lot of things wreaking havoc on Ken's schedule these days, unfortunately for him. I wonder how writers often plan so far in advance. Then again, I see many go through cancelling events...

The UK is wonderful. I've always enjoyed my trips there, fully. You'll love it. Very different from Alaska, which has it's own special charms. I was hoping to go see the chocolate waterfall again, but that will have to wait for another time.

Aug 19, 2007
Jackie Tritt

Well, Karen, I think I'll pass winter in Alaska, though your photos look gorgeous.

I love the sound of your books, especially the juvenile detective series. I write crime and I write for children's magazines, usually science articles, so I had thought of juvenile detection myself, but haven't done anything about it yet.

And as for being taught by Stephen King and writing for a president and Ted Kennedy, you've had some marvellous experiences by the sound of things.

By the way, you're the first person I've come across who actually reads ebooks. I'm impressed.

Jackie

Aug 19, 2007
Rabbi Jacobs

Karen, This is great, I just joined CrimeSpace, and you're the fourth kind person to welcome me. Thank you.

I guess you get a lot of comments about living in Alaska. Well, all I can say is you're one of the LUCKY ones.

I grew up in Vermont (New England, above Mass.) and we had real winters. I owned two ski-doos and we used to camp out in the winter.

High mountain cold air is so rich, you can eat it.

Congrats on Jamie's blue belt. I did a Korean martial art for thirteen years. (Show Jamie my karate video clips on: www.rabbijacobs.com). Keep him doing that, the discipline will stand him stead in other areas of life. Best. Rabbi Jacobs

Aug 20, 2007
Anne Frasier

hi karen!
i might be interested in the Oregon place you were talking about on the main page. i'd hoped to stay close to my current location for now, but i do love Oregon...

you can contact me at
anne.frasier@gmail.com

or through crimespace

thanks!

Aug 20, 2007
carole gill

Wow, sounds like fun! Six puppies. I put photos up on my page--you;ll see them. we're both in the kitchen, or nearby--glued. keeping an eye on Papa, because Mama lets him have alook, but not too close! during the births--I banished him to the caravan! but then I took him for a long walk while hubby baby sat and mama sat. Indy's been very good really, considering it's Indy!

Aug 26, 2007
Lawrence Light

Hi Karen-- Thanks for your note. Meredith and I are looking forward to meeting you in Alaska! Larry

Aug 28, 2007
Louisa Christy

Karen, you are the most awesome person I have ever met. You were all over at B'con taking pictures, meeting everyone, and the shining face we have all come to know and love will be with us forever. Your wonderful work on this convention made it the best ever and everyone should know that beautiful program was the work of your creative mind. You are the muse and the example we should all follow. Thanks for all you hard work.

Oct 1, 2007
Morgan OReilly

Hi Karen! Loved meeting you at B'con.

Oct 4, 2007
Morgan OReilly

I'd love to poke my nose in, but if that is the 17th of Oct, I already have a meeting that night. But I'll keep November open! Would love to sit through a meeting and possibly join. We'll have to see.

Life is pure madness at the moment as I try to catch up on edits. The October release date is just too close for comfort and I have to make sure everything is in order, including my debut novella! Oct 26 is the day when Morgan O'Reilly takes the e-waves by storm with a hot little story! Keep the ice water or a snowbank handy!

Oct 4, 2007
Peg Brantley

Karen, what a full and wonderful life you have. The puppy pics are terrific, and oh . . . that scenery. Gorgeous. Some of my favorite sounds (you'll love 'em too) geese honking and the sound of their wings, laughter of people l love, the doorbell when friends are coming over.

I hope to get to know you.

Peg.

Oct 9, 2007
Simon Wood

Thanks for being such a great host to a few hundred people. :-0

Oct 12, 2007
Peg Brantley

What a crazy-wild life you lead! I was born in Canon City, have lived in Salida and Limon, Colorado Springs, Lakewood, Denver and I've settled near Cherry Creek Reservoir, southeast of Denver. Love taking walks down there. Of course, right now the big news is we're experiencing a glorious fall with flashes of purple (the Rockies are in the playoffs). Sounds like your chugging ahead full-speed with your book. Kudos!

Oct 12, 2007
Clea Simon

Hi Karen,
Sorry I didn't make it up to Bouchercon this year! Do you ever get down to New England? I'm a city girl at heart, as is my series heroine Theda Krakow, but I do enjoy reading about different lives. - Clea

Oct 13, 2007
Clea Simon

Oh - just read your comment! So you do know my stomping grounds! I'm betting Alaska was quite a change -- my husband is a BU grad. I look forward to reading your books; I love that you have such a varied background and areas of expertise. And kitties! Of course I love the kitties. Give them pets for me. - Clea

Oct 13, 2007
John Morgan Wilson

Hi, Karen. Nice to meet you. As a committed technophobe, I'm still figuring outhow all this works, but I'm sure we'll do more communicating in the future. Thanks for saying hello.

Oct 15, 2007
Clea Simon

Adorable kittens, both human and feline! Thanks for posting, Karen. - Clea

Oct 16, 2007
Janet McClellan

Karen,
Hi and thank you for the invitation. I have only recently moved to Alaska... living in Fairbanks and working at UAF. Glad to know I am not alone up here. Love the area, love Alaska... should have been here sooner....:)

Oct 16, 2007
John Morgan Wilson

Karen...I hope Bouchercon was lively and fun. I spent several weeks in Alaska many years back, kayaking among the islands in Prince William Sound and backpacking in the Denali (Mt. McKinley) country while keeping an eye out for grizzlies. Although I imagine the late night Bouchercon bar was considerably more challenging. Nice to chat with you!

Oct 17, 2007
Lawrence Light

Karen-- Thanks for your note. Meredith and I agree that meeting you was one of the great things about Bouchercon Alaska. And you are a terrific photographer, too! Let's keep in touch. And give your cute son our love. Larry

Oct 22, 2007
Morgan OReilly

Thanks for sending the dates, Karen. I'll do my best to be there!

Oct 24, 2007
Lyn LeJeune

karen Greetings: Just to let you know that my New Orleans noir mystery, The
Beatitudes, has received 5 starred reviews! I am donating all royalties to the New Orleans Public Library Foundation to help rebuild the public libraries. I have posted Chapter I on my blog www.beatitudesinneworleans.blogspot.com. Please read and if you like it, help rebuild a library for NOLA. Thank you Lyn LeJeune....next year Bouchercon for me at last.

Oct 24, 2007
Karen J. Laubenstein

Oct 26, 2007
Morgan OReilly

Karen, I will do my best to be at the Nov meeting. Since I'm not sure what is happening from one day to the next, and that is two days before my publishers release day, I may get caught up in editing. But I'll try.

As for booksignings, the very nature of e-books doesn't produce a book to sign. I will, however, have my bookmarks made up by then and those will be signed. If I make it to the meeting I'll bring bunches.

As for being brave enough to read it... well... with the book on your computer it can easily be hidden away if you're interrupted! LOL. I know it isn't great literature, but there is room for mind candy too. It is certainly a playful little book *wink* but not for everyone.

Thanks for keeping in touch with me! I want to meet up with the AKSINC again soon. You all are too much fun!

Oct 27, 2007
Simon Wood

Hello,

So much has happened since I got back from Alaska, I don't know if I'm on foot or horseback. Paying the Piper isn't going to ebook, yet. There will be some more short stories going online soon in the mean time. I'm still in deadline hell and I won't be clear of it until the new year. That's when I'll be able to plan what's going to happen next and where. :-)

Oct 30, 2007
Hailey Lind

Thank you for your comments, Karen! I, too, am sorry we didn't get a chance to talk in Anchorage...I loved my visit to Alaska, though, so maybe I'll come again! Thanks for linking to my blog site -- my photos don't do justice to the harsh beauty of Hooper Bay, but I tried to give a feel for the place, anyway. Thanks again for being my first connection on Crimespace! This is a new experience for me...I have to figure out how to get friends!

Oct 30, 2007
Ken Isaacson

Thanks for finding the interview on Poe's Deadly Daughters! It was fun to do, and Sandra asked some really tough questions--even I learned something about myself in the process!

B-Con 2007 was a blast...next up is LCC in Denver.

Where in MA did you live? I went to school there, and we have family still on the north shore....

Dec 16, 2007
Lawrence Light

Hey Karen! How are things up north? Meredith and I were just talking about what fun we had with you at Bouchercon. Will you be at the next one?

Mar 9, 2008
L.J. Sellers

Hello Sister in Crime
You've had an impressive career. Writing for young people is challenging. I recently worked on a reading program for early grades, and it was the hardest job I've ever had.

Mar 24, 2008
Jean Henry Mead

I enjoyed visiting your beautiful state some years ago and would love to see more of it. I'm also in the process of writing my first children's mystery after ten adult books.

Jun 5, 2008