February 2009 Blog Posts (186)

Is It Wednesday Already?

Yesterday was Epcot. We're not frequent visitors, but every few years we go because we enjoy the different nations' cultural displays. And what a great place to people-watch! The question is, therefore, what can a writer learn from observing at a place where thousands of people are gathered together? My answers for this particular instance tomorrow.

Added by Peg Herring on February 18, 2009 at 8:32pm — No Comments

Mysterious Reviews: The Samaritan's Secret "one of the best mysteries of the year"

The Mystery Books News blog has an advance notice of a great review of THE SAMARITAN'S SECRET, the third of my Palestinian crime novels, today. It'll be published in Mysterious Reviews and includes this:
"The intricate plot, memorable characters, expressive narrative, and relentless pacing will no doubt cause The Samaritan's Secret to be remembered as one of the best mysteries of the year."
Read a preview of the full review here.

Added by Matt Rees on February 18, 2009 at 8:02pm — No Comments

Small Crimes in South Africa

This weekend Small Crimes received its second review from a South African newspaper--the first one was a good review from The Citizen. This one was from the Weekender section of Business Day, and what made this very cool--other than being reviewed in another country and continent--was that Small Crimes was reviewed with two Richard Stark books. Anyway, here's Business Day's review for Small Crimes:

Noir fiction from the villains' perspective

William… Continue

Added by Dave Zeltserman on February 18, 2009 at 7:46am — No Comments

Mentors

Used to be, in the publishing industry, writers could find mentors. Older writers who'd been there, done that. Editors who took writers under their wing and nurtured their careers. Friends who served as early readers and kind critics. Are there such people anymore?

Now, editors are green kids out of college who couldn't edit their way out of a grocery bag with a typo, writers don't know where their next contract is coming from, and friends don't have time.

Anyone who has… Continue

Added by Michael W. Sherer on February 18, 2009 at 3:30am — 1 Comment

Win an ARC of TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET

For quite some time now, I’ve been running a contest for subscribers to my email newsletter. Each time another 100 subscribers sign up, I draw a random number from all of the subscribers and award a prize of two books. These are the best contest odds you're going to find anywhere!

In the past, one of those prize books has been an autographed copy of A Real Basket Case and the other has been a book by another mystery author of my choice. For my next draw of a winner, I will replace… Continue

Added by Beth Groundwater on February 18, 2009 at 3:03am — No Comments

The most unlikely detective in modern whodunnits

There's a review of The Samaritan's Secret, the third of my Palestinian crime novels, in The Sowetan, South Africa, today by Nthabisang Moreosele. I'm rather delighted with it, as it sums up the ways in which I've tried to create a different kind of detective in my books.

"Omar Yussef is the most unlikely detective in modern whodunnits," the review states. "He does not study fingerprints, collect physical evidence or check alibis...He believes that one must intervene in… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on February 18, 2009 at 1:02am — No Comments

In your opinion . . .

In your opinion, list the authors who have lifted the genre called mystery/detective up into the rarified air called 'Art.'

Most of us, I think, would put Raymond Chandler up there. But who else? And why? And while you're at it, explain why Chandler is so deified and somone like Ed McBain isn't.

Added by B.R.Stateham on February 18, 2009 at 12:53am — 20 Comments

Weekend Update

It was a fun and full weekend between Valentine's Day celebrations and my daughter flying in from Hawaii for a few days. In between all that I held two book signings in Alexandria, VA. Waldenbooks in Landmark Mall has always been a good host. Like Sunday's store, the Books-A-Million on N. Kings Hwy., it's a small store where I always get lively conversation with the managers. Both stores always give me a relaxing time.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on February 17, 2009 at 11:11pm — No Comments

Tuesday's Query

Still on the road, so the question is, why aren't all gas pumps and credit card readers set up the same way. How hard could it be to standardize so the newcomers to your business don't have to puzzle it out? Okay, that's two questions, but still.

Added by Peg Herring on February 17, 2009 at 9:35pm — 1 Comment

I'm on Angel Radio today 12.30pm to 1pm

Angel Radio is a thriving radio station with a growing audience worldwide. It is also unique in that it accentuates the positive aspects of being an older person, provides a radio station for older people to run themselves, and specialises in records made before1960. There is no other radio station in Europe which provides this all encompassing service for older people. And I know it has listeners in the USA too.

Join me on Angel Radio on 17 February talking about my marine… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on February 17, 2009 at 9:28pm — No Comments

Monday & New Kind of Question

Okay, I'm traveling, so the question of the day is, WHY do so many people talk, text, and make calls while driving when we KNOW how dangerous it is? Okay, maybe you do it when you're on the open road and relaxed, but we've been cut off by so many people in the middle of a city who are dialing, driving, and changing lanes at will. If I ruled the world...

Added by Peg Herring on February 17, 2009 at 11:34am — 4 Comments

Writer's conferences can be murder

The second book in my Fatal Writers' Conference series is out, this one set at a Florida resort (link here for information http://tinyurl.com/aenm9m). I modeled the setting after a conference I attended a few years ago, and threw in some of the publishing people I met there (as well as at othe conferences).

In the course of this series I've been able to 'kill off' several best-selling authors, a publisher, a publisher's assitant and (in the… Continue

Added by J L Wilson on February 17, 2009 at 1:48am — No Comments

Happy President's Day

I'm old enough to remember recognizing Both Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays being holidays. They were merged into President's Day, which has been expanded to recognie all presidents. I sometimes wonder if the two men originally hailed would be offended. Are their static monuments enough?

But then I consider that maybe those monuments aren't needed. Louis Kossuth said, "Let him who looks for a monument to Washington look around the United States. Your freedom, your independence,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on February 17, 2009 at 1:45am — No Comments

Hey all you writers out there...have you heard of HarperCollins' Boing Boing?

HarperCollins has opened a slushpile at Boing Boing (read story here)

Getting your book to a Harper Collins editor is nigh on impossible even with an agent...So in an attempt to uncover writing talents and editorial/critical talent HC has set up a site that gives unpublished authors a place to share their work and allows readers to promote their favorite writers, perhaps all the way to a book… Continue

Added by The Poisoned Pen Bookstore on February 17, 2009 at 1:30am — 1 Comment

Best of British Crime Fiction

I'm delighted to learn that my marine mystery crime novel featuring the flawed and rugged Inspector Horton, The Suffocating Sea, has been selected as one of ten Best of British Crime Fiction titles by The Book Depository. It's alongside the UK giants of crime fiction: Reginald Hill, Peter… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on February 16, 2009 at 10:55pm — 2 Comments

Weekly Blog - Monday 16th February

After a one-week break from blogging duties to concentrate on birthday celebrations, I’m back with a vengeance with a bumper issue!

First up, another great review for Justice For All, this time from the highly influential CrimeSquad website. I’m really excited about this one, as CrimeSquad are major players in shaping on-line opinion with regards to crime fiction. Their site receives a huge number of hits per month, and visits continue to grow at an exponential rate. The review… Continue

Added by Steven Hague on February 16, 2009 at 7:30pm — No Comments

Simple question; who was tougher?

Okay, boys and girls. Here's a simple question: Who was tougher back in the old days , Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe?

Who's the toughest P.I. in today's genre? And would you include Mike Hammer to be in today's choices?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Added by B.R.Stateham on February 16, 2009 at 12:00pm — 7 Comments

Twenty Random Things ABout Me, by Sam Spade

(Cross posted at One Bite at a Time)

1. After drinking with the Fat Man, I now sometimes say, "When."

2. I don't miss Archer. He used to eat lunch at a cheap Mexican joint and fart all afternoon.

3. I don't have to try to look tough. I always wear shoes two sizes too small. My feet are killing me.

4. My draft board classified me 4-F when they caught me coming out of Mitchell… Continue

Added by Dana King on February 16, 2009 at 11:51am — 1 Comment