Mary wanted a bus story (for some reason, Glasgow's buses are a magnet for the weird and wonderful and I have had more than my fair share of bizarre experiences on them), so here's one of my favourites. All true, and I was almost sober at the time.

Glasgow buses…

I'm happy to report I wrote over 1,000 words this morning and submitted a short story. Exactly what I want to do every day. Well, not always submit a short story, but do some other writerly chore. I also waded through probably more than 200 posts that were duplicates on my Yahoo groups. That was fun. NOT

I'm not positive I have everything here on CrimeSpace figured out--especially even finding my own page. LOL And how to tell someone I got their note--when I click on the link in an…

I thought this was good.

;

The stereotypical "shushing," staid, prim and proper librarian is a portrait from the past. Many librarians are into murder, mayhem and other dastardly deeds. Sisters in Crime helps feed this addiction to things felonious, criminal and psychotic through the pages of the many crime novels and non-fiction books written by its members.



It was wonderful to discover that Sisters in Crime was open, not only to writers of my favorite genre, but welcoming to fans…

Matt Beynon Rees, The Collaborator of Bethlehem

I just started it late last night, and then quickly fell asleep on top of it, so no opinons yet.

I did, however, just add some fabulous new toys to my office, including Spider Spud. The newest potato head joins Darth Tater, Spud Trooper, and R-2 Potatoo. I also just got two new sets of Galactic Heroes, which I am thrilled by.

This morning's counselling session felt very thoughtful. Or rather I was doing a lot of thinking about how things had been in the past, and how they are now. Kunu seemed keen to get me onto the subject of religion and church, which I suppose had to happen sometime or other. I hadn't been sure how I'd feel about that but, in the event, it was okay. We talked about how and why I'd originally become a Christian, how it had been then and how it was now. Short answer: very bloody different. But…

I was surfing the web, one link carrying me off to another, randomly reading when I came across the "How To Write A Synopsis" plight. Yes, you read that right. "Plight."

I can assure, I spent two or more, cups of morning coffee on getting wrapped up in that subject, jumping from one article to another.

And then, I discovered something. It hit me, actually the caffine probably kicked in and turned on the old brain, some articles are conflicting. Yes, we have the majority…

When I came up with that subject, I thought it would be easy. Now I fear I have to actually pick one. But I can't so I will pick two.

I'd say my favorite would be James Lee Burke. When I read my first Burke book, I was blown away. The man is a genius with words. He is one of very few authors that writes in first person who I enjoy, I don't think most authors get the full point of first person...it's about being in one person's head! Burke is a master, I can't think of any…

Today, over on www.good-girls-kill.com, I'm posting about Baltimore. Already the discussion has started, with thoughts on the challenges a writer faces when writing "his/her" city. Join in here, or pop over there. I'd love to hear what you think.

Denise Mina is a doll. She’s one damn fine writer too. Glasgow - her town - has a growing heroin problem, and a rapidly rising murder rate. She told me and a…

Galaxy British Book Awards - The results

Galaxy's TV campaign kicks off - see ad.

THE BOOK TRADE is to see the first ever national, multi-channel, generic TV campaign for books as a result of Galaxy's headline sponsorship of the British Book Awards and its aim of extending its relationship with books and reading. The television campaign launched on Sunday, 18 March, with over 60 slots booked on peak time…