July 2011 Blog Posts (120)

To My Law Enforcement Brothers and Sisters: An Apology for Mallory Battle

I'm a former deputy sheriff, and being in law enforcement is kind of like being in a fraternity or sorority. (I think. I wasn't ever in one, but I know there's hazing and painful initiation in both.) Even when you've moved on to other things, every law enforcement officer (LEO) is still your brother or your sister. Even after four years out of uniform, I still have to fight the urge to back up LEOs on traffic…

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Added by Sullivan Lee on July 19, 2011 at 7:15am — 1 Comment

Erle Stanley Gardner's Birthday

July 17 was Erle Stanley Gardner's birthday (1889). He studied law on his own and passed the bar at age 21. Working as a lawyer wasn't enough to keep him busy so he began writing detective fiction for pulp magazines. In 1933 he published The Case of the Velvet Claws, his first Perry Mason novel, and went on to write 80 more -- writing 4,000 words a day, even while practicing as a lawyer --…

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Added by Love Is Murder Conference on July 19, 2011 at 3:04am — No Comments

Libby Fischer Hellmann Crime Writing Workshop Sept-Oct 2011

Want to learn the craft of writing crime fiction this fall?

Want to polish your manuscript?

Want to spend the day with a pro?

Sign up for:

"Anatomy of a Crime Novel: The Craft of Crime Fiction"

Conducted by Libby Fischer Hellmann…

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Added by Love Is Murder Conference on July 19, 2011 at 3:00am — No Comments

What Was I Thinking?

Some time ago, my editor at LL asked when I might be finished with the second book of the Dead Detective series. After a pseudo-scientifi process, I told her June. Wrong. Here's why. First, I am an incurable optimist. I tell myself that I will write for four hours/day, five days/week. That never happens, of course. Life intervenes. Second, creativity does not like being forced. Even if I could sit before my computer for four hours a day, five days a week, much of that time would be spent… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 19, 2011 at 1:01am — No Comments

Creating enduring characters is the answer to a continuing literary career

Robert McCrum's excellent article in the Guardian at the weekend rang home with…

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Added by Pauline Rowson on July 18, 2011 at 6:59pm — No Comments

Guilty Conscience interview

I am indebted to Luca Veste for taking the time to interview me over at his blog, Guilty Conscience. Thank you., Luca!

Added by Julie Morrigan on July 18, 2011 at 6:45am — No Comments

Absolute Zero Cool

My friendship with Declan Burke predates this blog. I met him via an interview after I had reviewed his novelThe Big O, the appeal of which has not diminished with the passage of three years. He is a splendid person, a good friend and confederate, and has bucked me up more times than I care to remember as having needed to be bucked up.

His new book, Absolute Zero Cool, was officially released on July 7, though the big party will…

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Added by Dana King on July 18, 2011 at 2:45am — No Comments

Mystery author interview/review/giveaway & tribute to Lillian Jackson Braun

New issue of Kings River Life Magazine is up today and we have an interview with mystery author Beth Anderson, a review of her latest book and a chance to win a copy of the book http://kingsriverlife.com/07/16/interview-beth-anderson/

We also have an article about Lillian Jackson Braun and her Cat Who books… Continue

Added by Lorie Ham on July 17, 2011 at 9:42am — No Comments

Putting humor in a blog, and writing about what makes a good police-procedural.

Writing a blog and putting a little humor in it (or attempting to). At the same time discussing what ingredients you need to make a standard police-procedural really work. An experiment on my part in my blog today. Go take a look and tell me what you think. Find it here:

http://noirtaketurner-frank.blogspot.com/

Added by B.R.Stateham on July 16, 2011 at 5:51am — 2 Comments

Writers Tricks of the Trade - Promotional Materials

http://exm.nr/writersadvice-LA

This is one of the things that I always emphasize. Your materials represent you and your book.

MORGAN ST. JAMES

www.morganstjames-author.com

Writers Tricks of the Trade - LA

Added by Morgan St. James on July 16, 2011 at 5:49am — No Comments

VINTAGE CONNOR in the California Press

Cool article running in the San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times and The Montclarion

http://www.contracostatimes.com/montclarion/ci_18477316

Added by Robert Baty on July 16, 2011 at 4:16am — No Comments

Review - Villain, Shuichi Yoshida

Book Title:   VILLAIN

Author:   Shuichi Yoshida

Publisher:   Harvill Secker

Copyright:   2010

ISBN:   978-1-846-55238-0

Book Synopsis:

It's January 6, 2002. The body of Yoshino, a female insurance saleswoman, is found at Mitsue Pass, an eery inland spot in the southernmost region of Japan, rumoured to be home to ghosts. A young construction worker, Yuichi, is soon arrested by the Nagasaki police on suspicion of strangling the victim.

Book Review:… Continue

Added by Karen from AustCrime on July 15, 2011 at 10:34pm — 1 Comment

Around the Globe with MARGOT JUSTES

Up early on this Friday morning, knew the day would be another hot one, so I dash to my transporter to meet this week's author Margot Justes. Where? Well, I'll let her tell you as an introduction/answer to my first question.

1. Who is Margot Justes and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I’m an author, and while researching my next novel, I found myself in the middle of the Sahara desert surrounded by nomads who cannot speak English. You came to… Continue

Added by Stephen Brayton on July 15, 2011 at 7:48pm — No Comments

BRIGHTWING is Now Available

I'm thrilled to announce that BRIGHTWING, my first self-published book – and my first novel for adults – has hit the virtual shelves! Right now it is available on Amazon and…

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Added by Sullivan Lee on July 15, 2011 at 6:07am — No Comments

My first novel

My first novel went on sale through Amazon on the 29th June 2011. It is a crime thriller set in a fictional British city, the description for which can be found below...

The Ellroy Deflection

Detective Bates is undercover, tasked with infiltrating a criminal syndicate with a view to reaching the infamously anonymous mastermind that heads it. Knowledge of his assignment is limited to his Chief Inspector and another Detective, Palahniuk,…

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Added by Kevin Thomas on July 14, 2011 at 9:12am — No Comments

My Pick of 13 Interesting Facts about Serial Killers

Through my research and academic studies, I have found many interesting aspects about serial killers that may or may not be generally known. I’ve incorporated a few aspects about serial killers from my list below to help keep my crime fiction heroine…

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Added by Jennifer Chase on July 14, 2011 at 8:35am — No Comments

A Night Out with the Homies on Hollywood Boulevard

Two authors and a teddy bear go for a night out in South Florida, encountering beat poets, bubble tea, belly dancers and kava - along with a few margaritas along the way!

Check out the blog post at:

http://mitziszereto.com/blog/a-night-out-with-the-homies-on-hollywood-boulevard/

Added by Mitzi Szereto on July 14, 2011 at 2:42am — No Comments

Meet me Saturday in VA

My next book signing is Saturday at the Borders Express in Fair Oaks Mall. This store, in an upscale mall, has been very good to me in the past, and I expect it to be again. Stop by and see what I mean between noon and 4pm. You can map to the mall at 11713 Lee Jackson Hwy, Fairfax VA.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on July 13, 2011 at 9:25pm — No Comments

If you have a Kindle . . .

Here is the first novel. Introductory price 2.99. Straight historical set in twelfth century Japan on the cusp of the Heike wars.

(My cover)

Added by I. J. Parker on July 13, 2011 at 4:58am — No Comments

Our July-August blog tour for "How to Write a Dick: A Guide to Writing Fictional Sleuths from a Couple of Real-Life Sleuths"

Nonfiction book "How to Write a Dick: A Guide to Writing Fictional Sleuths from a Couple of Real-Life Sleuths" by Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman

Available on Kindle and Nook

We're visiting various mystery writers' and crime professionals' blogs throughout July and August, posting new articles about investigations at each blog stop (with the occasional interview). Besides reading about private investigations and meeting up with mystery writers/readers, you might…

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Added by Writing PIs on July 13, 2011 at 4:43am — No Comments