July 2009 Blog Posts (179)

SUBMISSION GUIDELINE SUCCESS

Do your homework to cut down on rejections on your part. You should have gone through Writer's Market 2009, Jeff Herman's guide to book publishers, editors and agents, Preditors & Editors, Agent Query. Very important, always match the correct genre. It would would be a hugh mistake to send a romance to an agent/pubshier that only handles mysteries, but you won't believe how often this happens. Now the fun part let's all play are favorite childhood game, Simon Says, remember if you don't do… Continue

Added by Miranda Phillips Walker on July 13, 2009 at 6:00am — 1 Comment

New look website goes live!

My new look website is now live! Check it out at www.stevenhague.com. My designer, Christine, has been working her socks off and I think she’s done a fantastic job. On the new site you’ll find tons of information about the second novel in the Zac Hunter series, Blood Law (cool title or what!), including a synopsis, introductions to all the major players, the prologue, a hard-hitting excerpt, musical references – basically all you’ll need to whet your appetite ahead of the book’s official… Continue

Added by Steven Hague on July 13, 2009 at 4:36am — No Comments

Another Great Review for The Trojan Project

Another Great Review for The Trojan Project. This one is from Donald Drake, author of The Coming of The One

This story kept me on the edge of my chair from page one.

Masterfully written, Eileen Thornton has captured the essence of events that are plausible and have a very real possibility of coming about in our world today.

This a very thrilling story that draws the reader in and holds them captive until the very climax of the book.

I have not read much of the… Continue

Added by Eileen Thornton on July 13, 2009 at 2:35am — No Comments

Harry Potter; A whole new journey begins

Ok - we can probably all agree that the Harry Potter franchise has put magic back on the map both in cinemas and book stores. The new film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is set to make the franchise 'adult'. Make sure you check out my post for more information - whether you are a Potter fan or not - I am sure that you will enjoy the next film and of cousre the book!…

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Added by Flic Manning on July 13, 2009 at 12:30am — No Comments

ROGUE MALES: SUBJECT #10, RANDY WAYNE WHITE

(Author’s note: Rogue Males: Conversations & Confrontations About the Writing Life, is a collection of author interviews. It includes Elmore Leonard, Lee Child, Pete Dexter, James Ellroy, Daniel Woodrell, Craig Holden and James Crumley. Rogue Males also features an account of a trip to the desert to interview crime fiction greats Ken Bruen and James Sallis about the… Continue

Added by Craig McDonald on July 12, 2009 at 11:31pm — No Comments

Meet Me Today at the Writers Center

Today I’ll join other contributors to “New Lines from the Old Line State, an Anthology of Maryland Writers” at the Writers Center. The Writer's Center is a non-profit community of writers supporting each other in the creation and marketing of literary texts. The Center… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on July 12, 2009 at 11:25pm — No Comments

Wow! A Great Start for 'Legacy of The Ripper'

My latest release, 'Legacy of the Ripper' only appeared live on the Amazon.co.uk site yesterday and today it reached the heady sales ranking of 18,335. I'm more then delighted with that especially as the book has already made a great start in the USA too. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful response to the launch of the book.

The Amazon links are as follows:

USA:… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on July 12, 2009 at 8:50pm — No Comments

Ingenious book readings: Just don't mention books!

In his terrific book "On Writing" Stephen King notes that he once asked Amy Tan what she's NEVER asked about at public readings. "They never ask about the writing," Tan tells him. Which spurs King to write a book about exactly that.

Now controversial UK… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on July 12, 2009 at 7:13pm — No Comments

Washington Report: Omar Yussef novels 'rich in intellectual complexity'

The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs has a forthcoming review praising my series of Palestinian crime novels "rich not only in character but in intellectual complexity." I blush to report that WRMEA Managing editor Janet McMahon and Don Neff, a famed predecessor of mine as Jerusalem bureau chief for Time Magazine, say I'm "a wonderfully subtle writer with a deep understanding of Palestinians and their culture." Well, actually I haven't blushed since I… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on July 12, 2009 at 7:01pm — No Comments

CSI: Las Vegas - Malice Station Needs Help

I caught CSI in syndication, having originally missed it in prime time. I'm absolutely hooked on it. A Helgenberger fan since China Beach and a Petersen fan since Manhunter, the show is a breath of fresh air in its intelligent, quirky characters that defy stereotype. Jorja Fox and Robert David Hall have also become faves. Melinda Clarke is interesting as Lady Heather (a writers' play on trendy names? The Heather-ization/Jason-ification Effect?). Grissom witticisms are to die for - I especially… Continue

Added by A F Waddell on July 12, 2009 at 1:52pm — No Comments

Gold Digger strikes real gold!

Strike it rich with Vicki Delany's delightful historical mystery GOLD DIGGER. Read the review at Midnight Blood Reviews.

Added by Linda Suzane on July 12, 2009 at 11:22am — No Comments

Building an Audience

Thanks to the tireless efforts of my designer, Byron McConnell, and all those who have seen the cover and commented on it, the NP cover is now complete. I opted to go for the techy, iconic look instead of cheapening the story with a blood splatter or other typical genre icons, like guns and knives. My hope is to lure folks who love computers and technology into the Mystery genre with a high-tech story about that features a programmer sleuth.

It is a gamble that could pay off… Continue

Added by Johnny Batch on July 12, 2009 at 10:19am — 2 Comments

International Noir: Contrast to hardboiled environs gives Omar edge

The blog International Noir Fiction describes my series of Omar Yussef Mysteries as creating a "comedie humaine" for the Palestinians. It's a great review of the third of my novels THE SAMARITAN'S SECRET by a reviewer… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on July 11, 2009 at 5:07pm — No Comments

Marketing Your Novel with Success!

Alrighty then, your book has been published--Great! Now the hard work really starts, you need to know it's up to you to promote it. I know some of you are working with a large publishing house and think your covered. Well take off your rose colored glasses. Yes, the big houses will do some promo work, but it's not like it use to be, with budget and staff cuts all around, you can't sit back and hope magic happens. If you don't know this, take note, publishers and agents you will deal with from… Continue

Added by Miranda Phillips Walker on July 11, 2009 at 1:16pm — 2 Comments

Meet Me in MD Tomorrow

It’s a Maryland weekend for me. Saturday night I’ll be in Greenbelt, MD for a book signing at Books-A-Million. I’ll catch the late crowd, from 4 pm to 8 pm. Come visit me at 6118 Greenbelt Rd.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on July 10, 2009 at 10:19pm — No Comments

Hemingway revealed as failed KGB spy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jul/09/hemingway-failed-kgb-spy

From the article:

"Its section on the author's secret life as a "dilettante spy" draws on his KGB file in saying he was recruited in 1941 before making a trip to China, given the cover name "Argo", and "repeatedly expressed his desire and willingness to help us" when he met Soviet agents in Havana… Continue

Added by John Dishon on July 10, 2009 at 4:38pm — 2 Comments

Kindle 2 Price Plunge Signals E-Book Reader Market Competition

http://www.pcworld.com/article/168098/kindle_2_price_plunge_signals_ebook_reader_market_competition.html

From the article:

"The bigger question remains, Is there a market here worth expanding? A dedicated e-book reader may enjoy a niche audience, but the question remains whether a separate device for reading digital books… Continue

Added by John Dishon on July 10, 2009 at 8:04am — 6 Comments

The Short Story: Part II

Yesterday I wrote about what writing short stories does for a writer's style. Today I'll focus on what it does for her career.

The word is EXPOSURE. I've written short stories in a dozen different places, and each one brings my name before readers. Readers can't decide they like your work until they hear of you. Hardly anyone goes into a bookstore and says, "I think I'll look for a book by someone I've never heard of."

So I put a short story on my website. I submitted some… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 10, 2009 at 7:30am — 1 Comment

The Agent Hunt Goes On

I restarted my agent hunt after a bout of what was possibly swine flu, and started sending out query letters to potentially interested agents.

I got 1 rejection so far, and like past rejections was sent in about the time it took for the assistant to hit the "reply" button, so it was pretty obvious that the materials they asked for probably weren't even read, so I now I know where not to try again.

Anyway, the hunt goes on.

Added by D.R. MacMaster on July 10, 2009 at 4:39am — 6 Comments

Tim Myers as Chris Cavender first in a new series A Slice of Murder

A Slice of Murder ($22 Kensington) is the first in a new series from author Tim Myers as Chris Cavender, aka Elizabeth Bright of the Card-Making Mysteries and Melissa Glazer of the Clay and Crime mysteries. If you haven’t discovered these then you are in for a treat!

Not too much happens in the sleepy little town of Timber Ridge, North Carolina - which is fine with pizza-purveyor extraordinaire Eleanor Swift. The spunky owner of A Slice of Delight is trying to mend her broken heart… Continue

Added by The Poisoned Pen Bookstore on July 10, 2009 at 4:06am — 1 Comment