April 2008 Blog Posts (187)

Evocativity

I think I made up that word, but if Shakespeare can do it, so can I. The idea is that a writer sets out to evoke a mood or a time, and the success she has is what raises an ordinary story to an experience for the reader.

I mentioned a while back that Margaret Atwood is a master at it. I'm also lucky enough right now to be involved in two other books that are great "evokers." It's great fun, because in the morning at breakfast I'm in Atwood's post-WWI miasma; while my husband watches… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on April 10, 2008 at 10:39pm — No Comments

Promotional Opportunities for Authors: Looking for Guest Bloggers

I also have a promotional opportunity for authors...and it doesn't cost a dime. I run Book Marketing Buzz and while I'm working on tours, I am letting guest bloggers have a field day. If you would like to tell the world how you are promoting your book, visit www.bookmarketingbuzz.wordpress.com to find out the details.

I also have another blog where I have authors tell me… Continue

Added by Dorothy Thompson on April 10, 2008 at 2:03pm — No Comments

Crimespace win

I was delighted to hear from Daniel Hatadi that I'd won the Crimespace short story contest. With so many great crime writers on the site, I never believed I'd stand a chance, so I'm very glad I had a go, regardless. I did have an advantage with the Aussie connection, I must admit.

Well, now I've chosen my Crimespace t-shirt and I'm dithering about what books I'll buy with my Amazon voucher - so much to choose from, so many books I want to read. A very nice problem to… Continue

Added by Jackie Tritt on April 10, 2008 at 12:45pm — No Comments

Excuses Don't Work for Mom of Florida Beating Suspect

This week, I've been trying to ignore one item in the news: the story of the Florida teenager who was beaten by a group of girls, reportedly so they could put a video of the action on YouTube.

Then I saw the video on the Chicago Tribune's website (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/orl-beating0908apr09,0,7846159.story).

Pretty awful.

What struck me, though, is a quote from the mother of one of the girls. She told the Today Show's Matt Lauer that the… Continue

Added by Doug M. Cummings on April 10, 2008 at 12:30pm — 2 Comments

I’m a Laureate Author

On April 18th, I’m being made an author laureate of San Francisco Public Library along with some of SF's other crime writers including Cornelia Read, Eddie Muller and David Corbett to name just a few.

I’m not sure what this award means, but I’m hoping I’m getting free parking within city limits for life. :-)

Added by Simon Wood on April 10, 2008 at 9:51am — No Comments

A Promotional Opportunity For Authors

We're still ironing out the kinks with At Central Booking, but it's almost ready to roll. By the time of the new Spinetingler Issue mid-May, ACB should be polished up and shining.

Already, we have fun features Craig McDonald's Lie Detector for HEAD GAMES is a lot of fun, and you can find out how Allan Guthrie's HARD MAN protagonist, Pearce would spend his final hours on… Continue

Added by Sandra Ruttan on April 10, 2008 at 5:22am — No Comments

Hot Topics Light My Fire

Curt Purcell offers up A Positive Account of Genre Fiction, which is presently generating some thoughtful comments. It's one of the most in-depth articles I've seen on the genre vs literature debate, and to be honest, I'm still processing it. For us in mystery, it's one of those topics that can get old fast, because we've been around the… Continue

Added by Sandra Ruttan on April 10, 2008 at 2:06am — No Comments

March Mystery Bookspot update

Reviews

Small Favor by Jim Butcher

The Resurrectionist by Jack O'Connell

Mad Dogs by Brian Hodge

Sweet Silver Blues by Glenn Cook

Mad House by Rob Thurman…

Continue

Added by BrianLindenmuth on April 10, 2008 at 12:18am — No Comments

Find New Writers on This Blog

I often like to point you to cool web sites, great books, or places where you can learn about worthy additions to your library. Today I want to share the blog of author CJ Barrimond. She calls it "Better Said Now Than Never Said At All." Her thought-provoking book by the same name is an accumulation of her perceptions and feelings on a dozen different important subjects. She maintains a blog on Amazon.com and her most recent entry… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 9, 2008 at 11:49pm — No Comments

If you're going to Malice Domestic--have we got a meeting for you!

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The board is excited to offer a new event at Malice this year. Please join us on Friday afternoon, April 25, in the Fairfax Room on the 2nd Floor of the convention hotel, from 1:00-3:00 for our Flash Training Session and chapter meeting.

Here's the schedule:

1:00-1:15 Creating a Must-Read Chapter Newsletter: Roberta Isleib (NE Chapter), Jane Cleland (NY Chapter)

1:15-1:30 Spicing Things Up with Special Projects: Ruth McCarty (NE… Continue

Added by Sisters In Crime on April 9, 2008 at 11:25pm — No Comments

Citizens' Police Academy Driving Quiz

Are you a good driver? Do you know the rules of the road? Then come over to Working Stiffs where today I report on week #7 of my Citizens' Police Academy experience and offer a quiz on driving laws we should all know.

Added by Annette Dashofy on April 9, 2008 at 10:37pm — No Comments

What's in a Name?

I chose my first protagonist's name because when I imagined her she looked like a student I'd once had. Other characters' names must come from the air, because I couldn't tell you why I chose them. Sometimes when I'm done there are two that are too much alike, like Leo and Lee, so I go back and change one of them. I've mentioned before here that a character's name can turn a reader off. I've had people tell me a story bothered them because they didn't like or couldn't pronounce a character's… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on April 9, 2008 at 10:31pm — No Comments

NoirCon Confidential: Day 2, part 2

I’ve put up a few NoirCon photos, but those who were in attendance during the now legendary “champagne toast” are probably wondering why certain key photos are missing from this set. I’ll get to that…

Now, where was I?

OK, we finally get Lou’s car back to him and help him lug some stuff over to the restaurant where the auction will be held. Bookstore Greg already got all my extra money and I… Continue

Added by Christa Faust on April 9, 2008 at 12:00pm — 1 Comment

NoirCon Confidential: Day 2, part 1

Started the day with coffee at a wonderfully grungy little South Street joint called The Bean Cafe. It ain’t Starbucks, and that’s a good thing. I spent a very entertaining half hour people watching from my perch under this astounding serial killer painting of Hall and Oates.

This was actually for sale. I wonder how much the artist was asking…

From there it was off to the Noir Ladies Auxiliary panel. Now that’s not entirely… Continue

Added by Christa Faust on April 9, 2008 at 4:26am — No Comments

Literary Agent Janet Reid Goes Undercover On The Graveyard Shift

Today, The Graveyard Shift is pleased to present guest blogger, Janet Reid, a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management in New York. Since Janet's specialty is crime fiction, she decided to go undercover to write today's blog. You don't want to miss this one.

Janet will also be available to answer your questions!

The Graveyard Shift, a guide to all things cops and robbers
- a blog for writers
http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/

Added by Lee Lofland on April 8, 2008 at 10:58pm — No Comments

Musical philosophy

Did I mention last time that I've been taking philosophy lessons from popular music? As it turns out I have a lot in common with Meatloaf. As he mentions in one of his tunes, I like my music like I like my life - everything louder than everything else. And a wasted youth IS better than a wise and productive old age.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 8, 2008 at 10:55pm — No Comments

Writing the Sequel

If you're lucky enough to have a book published, two questions arise: will you write a sequel and if so, how should you go about it?

The first question is fairly easy to answer. Most of us know that publishers like series, and if you have a decent idea, you probably should start on the sequel the day after you sign that contract, even if you have a hangover from the celebration.

But how do you segue from the original story, which publishers usually want to be able to stand… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on April 8, 2008 at 10:47pm — No Comments

New short stories

Hello to all my fans, and friends. I have two very different stories available today. The first one, GOD GIVEN GOODBYE is an inspirational piece and you can find it at Long Story Short (http://www.longstoryshort.us)-- and the other one (a mystery entitled THE MASK written under my pen name Kaycee Conners) at Mouthfull of Bullets (http://www.mouthfullofbullets.com) -- I would love for you to go and read (the LSS one is online and free - the MFOB one is in print and a subscription is minimal and… Continue

Added by Kim Smith on April 8, 2008 at 11:42am — No Comments

Neuilly Plaisance

I am one of the organizers of the "Black Weekend" of Neuilly-Plaisance, near Paris.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/delphinecingal/sets/72157604431905821/

This year, Anne Perry and Fidelis Morgan were with us.

The Lionceau Prize was given to Jacques Asklund and the Black Lion Prize to Tran-Nhut.

Added by Delphine Cingal on April 8, 2008 at 8:28am — 1 Comment

NoirCon Confidential: Day 1

Where to begin…?

I guess I’ll start by saying that this was probably the best convention I’ve ever attended. The smaller size made it much more intimate and I really enjoyed what I call the “gay bar” factor. By that I mean you know going in that everyone in the room is into the same thing. You don’t get that awkward “what do you write” moment where you find out the person you’ve been chatting with for ten minutes only likes cat cozies where no one swears.

I arrived at 7am… Continue

Added by Christa Faust on April 8, 2008 at 5:00am — 1 Comment