April 2008 Blog Posts (187)

Live radio talk shows

I am scheduled for a live phone interview on April 17th. Can anyone share tips on how to be memorable?

Added by Susan Whitfield on April 4, 2008 at 7:31am — No Comments

Interviewed for Investigation Discovery Channel's New Crime Series, WICKED ATTRACTION

Hello, friends:

Coming off a recent interview on the Biography Channel's CRIME STORIES, I

have now been interviewed for the Investigation Discovery channel new series

about couples who partner in crime, titled, WICKED ATTRACTION.

I talk about killer couple, Gerald and Charlene Gallego, the basis for my

bestselling true crime book, THE SEX SLAVE MURDERS; as well as other serial killers and what motivates them to… Continue

Added by R. Barri Flowers on April 4, 2008 at 4:41am — No Comments

Using the emotions to put it all in perspective

It's one thing to write about terrible events in some fictional character's lives. It's another thing to live through an event like that in your own.

Let me explain.

Tuesday, April 1, started off like any other day. Here in the Beautiful Black Hills, we'd had some snow (not unusual for late March, early April) and the roads were a little slick. Since it was April Fool's Day, I started it off by telling the kid she didn't have school. Got her hopes up, just to say "April… Continue

Added by Nichole R. Bennett on April 4, 2008 at 3:24am — No Comments

Specific Praise

I was stopped last night as I left choir practice by a woman who was jogging by. She wanted to tell me she'd read my book and liked it. That's very nice.

I live in a small town, and everyone knows I've written a book. Many ask about it, many say they read it and liked it. The reason this experience was different is because the woman took a minute to say exactly what she liked. That does two things: it lets me know she isn't just being polite, and it gives me specific information… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on April 3, 2008 at 10:16pm — No Comments

Firearms 101 for Writers

As Area 3 Rep for Pennwriters, part of my duties is putting on workshops on occasion. So this Sunday I am co-hosting (along with the Area 1--Erie--Rep) a Firearms 101 for Writers Workshop at the McDonald Sportsmen's Club. My husband and two of his cronies...errr...BUDDIES...are doing the presentations on weapons and firearms from the prehistoric all the way to modern police and military. It should be a lot of fun.

Added by Annette Dashofy on April 3, 2008 at 10:02pm — 2 Comments

My Continuing Quest To Conquer The World

April is turning out to be quite a month.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, my only real goal as a playwright is to have plays produced in each of the 50 states. This month, I can check Alabama off of the list. A 10-minute play called “Red Jello Jigglers” is going to be done at the Panoply Arts Festival in Huntsville. I co-wrote this play with Tina Jens. It’s about Jello.

Speaking of plays, my 10-minute play “Orville and Wilbur Discuss Women’s Liberation” is being produced… Continue

Added by John Weagly on April 3, 2008 at 11:37am — No Comments

ladies and gentlemen, Mr. E has been taken ill. Tonight, the roll of book will be played by ...

I had no posts or blogs and being a verbal person, I felt that I ought to. Unfortunately, my writerly voice is that of a snide adolescent. You know that guy who sat at the back of the class and made comments under his breath? Him.

I remember that guy very well. I was the geek at the front of the class who drooled on the teacher's shoes in rapt wonder and answered all of the questions. He slung his comments at the back of my head for four years. Now I have his voice embedded in…

Continue

Added by Ann on April 3, 2008 at 4:30am — No Comments

NoirCon

I’m off to Philly on a redeye tomorrow night, headed for NoirCon. I have to say, I’m seriously sick of travel, but this looks to be a good time.

In other Noir news, Noir City at the Egyptian kicks off this weekend too. How’s that for bad timing? I’m particularly pissed about missing Wicked Woman and The Story of Molly X. I’m gonna try to hit as many of… Continue

Added by Christa Faust on April 3, 2008 at 3:16am — 2 Comments

Citizens' Police Academy

I've been attending the Pittsburgh Citizens' Police Academy for the last six weeks. Today and every Wednesday, I am posting about the experience over on Working Stiffs. Come on over and comment or ask a question.

Added by Annette Dashofy on April 3, 2008 at 12:48am — No Comments

Gregg Olsen's progressive interview

When I heard through the grapevine that Gregg Olsen wanted to do a "progressive" interview I had an adverse reaction. I mean come on, who really likes progressives right? I mean they always come along and want to try new things, like there's something wrong with what's always worked, right.

But fine, whatever. I'm hip. I'm down with the 411. I can be progressive too.

But seriously. Gregg's new novel, A Cold Dark Place, is out today and like Johnny Appleseed spreading… Continue

Added by BrianLindenmuth on April 3, 2008 at 12:30am — 1 Comment

Loving a nice review

I always like to share good reviews. This week I'd like to introduce you to Teresa Gilbert.

Teresa, or Tere' to her friends, met me at a book signing in the Borders in Frederick, Maryland. When she picked up a copy of Collateral Damage I asked her, as I often do, if she would send me an e-mail to let me know what she thought of it after she read it.

Well she did write, to tell me she found my book addicting. It's always flattering when a reader says they had a hard time… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on April 2, 2008 at 11:27pm — 2 Comments

Doubting Yourself

Do you ever have this experience? You're driving in your car, walking, doing something outside your workspace, and you start thinking about your WIP. "There isn't enough indication of character," your brain says. "You have to go back and add more about motiviation." It's so obvious at that moment. Yup, that's exactly what the project lacks.

Then you get back to the computer and start reading, and you find that your brain was wrong. There's plenty of motivation, and aside from a word… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on April 2, 2008 at 10:59pm — No Comments

Death and the City

First Night and the City's star Richard Widmark, now the director! Jules Dassin (Brute Force, Thieves' Highway, Rififi) has died in Greece at 96.

Added by Christa Faust on April 2, 2008 at 4:49pm — No Comments

Love Is Murder 2008 Photos are Up

A little late, but I've uploaded some of my photos from Love is Murder 2008.
Hope you enjoy them.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com

Added by Morgan Mandel on April 2, 2008 at 1:39pm — 1 Comment

Crystal balls or no balls at all…The future of publishing.

The London Book Fair is one of the most highly anticipated events in the calendar year for publishers, authors and anyone connected with language and the ability to write captivating prose. As the event draws near the industry faces many new challenges, one thing that can be certain is that the Internet and digital technology is going to claim a bigger share of our thoughts and occupation. Sales of cut-price fiction in supermarkets, Amazon’s dominance of the book selling world on the net,… Continue

Added by Darren Laws on April 2, 2008 at 8:41am — No Comments

Your Invitation to Participate in the Ethnic Presidency Blog Blitz

I'm coordinating a "blog blitz" April 6-11, to promote The Ethnic Presidency: How Race Decides the Race to the White House. We've all seen the news reports about how race and gender are playing a big part in the presidential primaries and elections this year. The Ethnic Presidency helps us to understand the many ways that race plays a part in political elections and it has played a part for decades. This book will help you learn more about this… Continue

Added by Nikki Leigh on April 2, 2008 at 6:32am — No Comments

Night Has Fallen

Actor Richard Widmark died last Monday. He played Harry Fabian in one of my favorite films, "Night and the City."

Director Jules Dassin died this Monday. He directed "Night and the City."

So I thought I’d post a little something about "Night and the City."

This movie was a sort of Holy Grail for me, a film noir about professional wrestling. When I really started getting into film noir (back in 1998) it was the one important noir I could never manage to see. It… Continue

Added by John Weagly on April 2, 2008 at 4:13am — No Comments

Winning

I got word this morning that a short story I wrote for the March/April issue of CRIME AND SUSPENSE ezine(http://www.crimeandsuspense.com) was chosen by readers as excellent. So imagine a nosy reporter sticking a microphone in my face and asking, "How does it feel, Ms. Herring, to be chosen for this award?" They always ask dumb questions like that.

Of course it feels great. Somebody, and I don't really care who, likes my work. A lot of Somebodies liked it enough to read to the end,… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on April 1, 2008 at 10:59pm — No Comments

The accurate Raymond Chandler Quote that I fudged before

"It was a cool day and very clear. You could see a long way--but not as far as Velma had gone"---Farewell, My Lovely (Chapter 41)

Thanks to http://home.comcast.net/~mossrobert/html/chandlerisms/chandlerisms.htm for helping me get the details right.

What a great close to the novel!

Added by James K. Bashkin on April 1, 2008 at 10:47pm — No Comments

Time ... ZIP -- I missed it

Hard to believe almost a month has passed since I blogged here. I blog in a bunch of other places on a regular weekly basis, but I haven't been back here for a while.

Let's see ... Work in progress ... coming along. I'm starting my 3rd month on it, which is about my limit for a book. I need to wrap it up in a couple of weeks. 6 chapters to go, 2 weeks to do it. Should be doable.

Home construction: remodeling. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I may have an… Continue

Added by J L Wilson on April 1, 2008 at 10:46pm — No Comments