May 2008 Blog Posts (159)

Get 'er Done

I know, I hate that phrase, too. Should be "Overdone."

Still, for writers, it's apt. The problem for 99% of those who want to write a book is getting it done. The first few chapters sail along, and then you hit a snag. That snag, just like the one in your nylons, can be the ruination of the whole.

Most who know about writing agree that the solution is to keep writing. Yes, time away can help, and I've mentioned here before that a walk or a drive is my way of unknotting… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on May 15, 2008 at 11:09pm — No Comments

Another Great Mystery Novel

When people hear that my mystery novels are set in Washington DC they often ask if they are steeped in political intrigue. I usually try to stay away from the politics but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy books that use the federal side of the DC setting. One recent fun example is Julie Hyzy's debut novel, "State of the Onion."

As you might guess by the title, this fun story involves both the… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on May 15, 2008 at 10:34pm — No Comments

'A Study in Red' at great prices!

A CK2S Kwips & Kritiques Recommended Read

Nominated for The Authors Lounge Cover Art Design Awards for May 2008, where voting is still open at http://www.talauthors.com/TAL/RomanceandMoreAwards.htm

A Study in Red - The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper' is currently being offered at discounted prices on both sides of the Atlantic.

Buyers in the USA can currently pick up the book for $15.29, a… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on May 15, 2008 at 6:05pm — No Comments

My latest short story "Mattie in the Middle"

My historical mystery short story "Mattie in the Middle" is now available in the anthology Medium of Murder by Red Coyote Press.

The story's set in West Virginia during Prohibition. To save her wild kid sister from hanging for a mobster's murder, Mattie must turn to an annoying small-town newspaper man.

I started out with a completely different idea, but Mattie and her… Continue

Added by Gigi Vernon on May 15, 2008 at 2:00pm — No Comments

The man, the mystery, the magazine!

Jon Jordan: Crimespree Magazine

KLS: Tell us a little bit about you:

JJ: I'm from Milwaukee Wisconsin, born and raised. My Dad was a machinist working in the family business, and I also still work some hours doing the same at Jordan Machinery. I love to cook, I do go outside, but much prefer to be inside.

I also much…

Continue

Added by Echelon Press on May 15, 2008 at 10:38am — No Comments

And we said, "Let's publish an anthology!"

What better way “to promote the professional advancement of women who write mysteries,” Chesapeake Chapter thought, than to put together a short story anthology. Three anthologies and more than a few headaches later, we sometimes find ourselves wondering, was it worth it? Then someone invariably points to our six Agatha nominations (and two wins), two Anthony nods (and one win), previously unpublished contributors being considered for representation by agents, and at least two with publishing… Continue

Added by Sisters In Crime on May 15, 2008 at 1:00am — No Comments

Latest Customer Review - A Study in Red

Here's the latest review to appear on the Amazon.com (US) site. I particularly appreciate this lady's words as she appears to be something of a Ripper student who normally doesn't read fictional works on the subject. I read her other reviews of a number of ripper books and four stars appears to be her top rating for any of them

Regards to all

Brian

Worth it...., May 14, 2008

By Deborah K. Dobbins "Saucy" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on May 14, 2008 at 10:45pm — No Comments

Defense Attorney Jessa Lutz On The Graveyard Shift

Please take a moment to stop by The Graveyard Shift and visit with defense attorney Jessa Lutz. Jessa will be on hand throughout the day to answer your questions.

Today's topic: They're Not All Monsters

The Graveyard Shift
http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/

Added by Lee Lofland on May 14, 2008 at 10:38pm — No Comments

Missing the Connection

If you read this blog regularly, you've probably figured out by now that I'm having Internet connection problems lately. No one seems to know if it's trees, weather, or outside interference, but our computers have become confused and inoperative most of the time.

So what do computer junkies do when they have no Net? Growl about it, mostly. I'm writing this using an ancient dial-up connection that I kept just for such emergencies, but even it doesn't always come when… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on May 14, 2008 at 10:35pm — No Comments

Citizens' Police Academy: Bomb Squad

(Cross Posted to Working Stiffs)

Citizens’ Police Academy this week was a real hands-on experience. Maybe a little TOO hands on. But I’ll get back to that in a minute.

The topic was “Recognizing the Explosive Threat” and our instructors were Detectives Andre Henderson and Sheldon Williams of the Bomb Squad. Class began with a Power Point presentation and lecture.

The… Continue

Added by Annette Dashofy on May 14, 2008 at 10:17pm — No Comments

Another Great Web Site for Mystery Writers

If you've ever needed a good mystery, but didn't know where to turn, here's a suggestion. At Mystery Lovers Corner you will find many of the hottest new bestsellers as well as the obscure hidden treasures. New authors and books are added daily, and they maintain a list of upcoming books for you to be waiting for.

Authors can set up their own web page on Mystery Lovers Corner and for a small fee they offer lots… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on May 14, 2008 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Crime Always Pays

This week on Crime Always Pays: Adrian McKinty on Chester Himes; Alan Glynn Q&A’d; Zane Radcliffe’s LONDON IRISH; Peter Clenott’s HUNTING THE KING; Princess Lilyput gets her own blog; ANTON goes to Cannes; Horace McCoy’s KISS TOMORROW GOODBYE; John Burnside’s GLISTER reviewed; the jury remains out for Bernard MacLaverty’s CAL; Poolbeg join the crime fiction revolution; and – oh yes – the usual Monday Review flummery!

Added by Declan Burke on May 14, 2008 at 9:17pm — No Comments

Day Job Woes

I am in the unenviable position of looking for another day job, having been down-sized from the secretarial job I had for the last seven years. Oh yes. A middle aged woman looking for work during a recession. I've started with a temp agency and maybe this is better with my soon-to-be wacky schedule. I've only been working part time anyway, otherwise there's no time to write. As long as the work comes in--even with a pay cut--I suppose we'll get along.

But on the plus side, I hope… Continue

Added by Jeri Westerson on May 14, 2008 at 5:31pm — No Comments

You can STILL enjoy my last 2 events

Last night’s interview on blog talk radio show “Today’s Author” was a blast! You can still listen to the show today!

Last weekend I had my first chance to sign at Borders in Bowie, MD. As with most Borders stores the folks were very warm and welcoming. And one thing I can always count on at Borders is a fine cup of coffee! The signing must have been a success, because before I left we booked a… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on May 13, 2008 at 10:56pm — No Comments

A Study in Red - Top 20 Best Seller!

'A Study in Red' has this morning reached the heady heights of #16 in the Amazon.co.uk Jack the Ripper books bestselling listings, it's highest position yet. Yesterday it was at #41, so some serious sales have taken place in the last 24 hours to cause such a meteoric rise up the chart. I never thought my book would ever appear in a Best Seller list of any sort, so I'm more than thrilled with it's performance.

I'm delighted and amazed at such a sudden surge in interest in the… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on May 13, 2008 at 8:54pm — 1 Comment

Happy anniversary, Kate!

Today, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kate's Mystery Books. Owned and operated by Kate Mattes, one of the first directors of Sisters in Crime and the recent winner of a Raven from the… Continue

Added by Clea Simon on May 13, 2008 at 3:28pm — No Comments

Behind the Black Mask

Tomorrow I’ll be “revealed” (!) by Shannon Clute and Rich Edwards over at Behind the Black Mask. Actually, I’m just recording the podcast tomorrow and don’t know exactly when I’ll be publicly “revealed.” I’ll let you all know as soon as it’s up.

Added by Christa Faust on May 13, 2008 at 1:27pm — No Comments

Would you rather write or rob banks?

This is a story I've told many times before about a mystery writer I knew in his mature years. His name was Al Nussbaum and when he was young he was a bank robber who made the Top 10 on the FBI's Most Wanted list.

When he was hiding out, Al decided the best way to do it was pretend to be a writer because that way he had an excuse for seldom leaving his rented room. He bought a sports coat with elbow patches and a pipe because he thought that made him look like a writer. He also bought a… Continue

Added by Dick Stodghill on May 13, 2008 at 6:51am — 2 Comments

A Glowing Endorsement for A Study in Red

The following message has appeared on the forums at Casebook.com, one of the world's leading sites dealing with research and information on the Jack the Ripper crimes of 1888. The writer of the message is the subscriptions manager of The Whitechapel Scociety 1888, another prestigious organisation which holds regular meetings in London for the purpose of studying the Ripper crimes and Victorian London's history in general. What a wonderful review!

Hi Brian

I too have… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on May 13, 2008 at 4:42am — No Comments

Steve Mosby Interview

Suspect: Steve Mosby Known Aliases: The Notorious B.O.M. (Boring Old Me)

Occupation: Author

Last known location: Somewhere in Leeds (that's in the U.K. for you non-Brits)

Listen in as Steve talks about his take on serial killers in The 50/50 Killer, the influence of… Continue

Added by Angie on May 13, 2008 at 1:00am — No Comments