August 2008 Blog Posts (153)

Latest Customer Review - A Study in Red

This is the latest review by a customer to appear on the Amazon.co.uk site. I'm absolutely delighted to have picked up yet another great review and I'm just so pleased that people are continuing to enjoy the book. To visit the site please see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Study-Red-Secret-Journal-Ripper/dp/1554045274/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1202482660&sr=1-1

A Study in Red: The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper, 25 Aug 2008

By Sue Lamb

A Study in… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on August 27, 2008 at 4:47am — No Comments

It's Raining Agents (or at least deals with agents)

All of you published writers know the drill--agonize over that book manuscript, revise, revise, revise, send it out to agents, rejection, rejection, rejection.

Well, over the past few weeks, I've heard good news from two friends who have been sending out their work--crimepacer Stephen Blackmore and Darryl James, the latter an active member of the Sisters in Crime Los Angeles chapter. You can read more about Stephen's deal on his blog,…

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Added by Naomi Hirahara on August 27, 2008 at 4:00am — No Comments

CYBER SLEUTH REVEALS FACTS KEPT SECRET BY FBI

Jules Hammer is the world's #1 cyber sleuth. History will be made this Saturday 2PM Pacific time when Ms Hammer gives us an incredible true crime exclusive!

" I am willing to share with your listeners some never-released

facts and allegations about Joseph Duncan... which I was "nicely asked by the FBI" to please keep [secret] over the past three years."

LISTEN LIVE THIS SATURDAY 2pm… Continue

Added by Burl Barer on August 27, 2008 at 12:43am — No Comments

Confessions of a true-crime TV junkie

I admit it: I’m addicted to true-crime TV shows. My TiVo never misses an episode of America’s Most Wanted. I get a rush whenever host John Walsh announces the capture of another dirt bag. More

Added by Kathryn Lilley on August 26, 2008 at 11:30pm — No Comments

A Character's Motivation Is Not "Because I Said So"

It's my book, and the people in it have to do as I say, right? Well, not necessarily. Sometimes they simply refuse to act the way you want them to. And of course, it's your own fault.

You create characters, but every one of them is a conglomerate of "real people" traits. Therefore, they take on a sort of reality and have to act within the personality that you ascribed to them. They have to have pre-existing reasons to act the way they do, and as the author, you have to provide the… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on August 26, 2008 at 11:18pm — No Comments

Demand ME!

I want to point out the latest addition to my web site. It's the Eventful box just under the navigation buttons. This is an opportunity to "Demand" me in your area - and you can ONLY demand me in the town your computer is in. Trust me, if I get 10 requests in any given city I'm lining up a signing there. I'm already making plans to sign at the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in San Diego. Just need a couple more demands...

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 26, 2008 at 9:23pm — No Comments

Slow days full of self indulgence and motorcyle shopping

I am ashamed of myself for being so lazy the last few weeks. I've got one book on the 'please read me' circuit and a short story that's been about three days from completion for a month now. I don't even have a good excuse. My back is better than it's been in years since I got some treatment.

I think the lay off I was forced to take when I was hurt has involuntarily extended itself. Or I've just been lazy.

I do have someone looking at my book. A full manuscript was… Continue

Added by Tom Cooke on August 26, 2008 at 2:53pm — 1 Comment

St Martin's blog

Black Ship will be out next week. I'm blogging this week on the St Martin's Press blog, www.momentsincrime.com. Do drop in to say hi!
Carola

Added by Carola Dunn on August 26, 2008 at 10:01am — No Comments

New River Writing Retreat, Oct. 24-26

I'm hosting a writing retreat and cerebral spa in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains just before the Halloween season. Talk novel writing and the craft as well as business, eat good food, and get in the sauna. $295 for three days includes food, lodging, workshop and critique. www.hauntedcomputer.com/writingretreat.htm

Added by Scott Nicholson on August 26, 2008 at 2:13am — No Comments

Some early Small Crimes

While Small Crimes is scheduled for an October 1st release, copies are now in stock and available for purchase at both amazon.com and bn.com.

A few reasons why you might want to consider getting an early copy of Small Crimes (other than it's… Continue

Added by Dave Zeltserman on August 26, 2008 at 1:08am — No Comments

After the Ball is Over...

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is over, at least for me. It goes on for several more weekends, but I've done my stint, and it was fun. It's my second foray into the past in 2008, and here's what I've learned so far.

Don't go expecting to sell dozens of books. People are in costume and they have no pockets. They have credit cards and very little cash. They don't want to haul a book around the grounds. And they're having too good a time to think about how much they'll want to read… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on August 25, 2008 at 10:57pm — No Comments

Author Update and the Spunky Blogger!

It was old home weekend for me. It started with a book signing at the Borders Express in Springfield Mall. That was even more fun than usual because of the second author signing - Lisa Hampton-Qualls, who wrote a very positive book entitled "G*STYLE - Developing a Passion for God’s Fashion." Lisa proved to be as positive and inspiring as her book.

Then I moved to the Borders Express in Dulles Town Center. This was a very successful event and I began to see the tide of tastes turning,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 25, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

HOODTOWN Blowout!

No, that’s not a finishing move or an extra twenty dollars from your masked masseuse, it’s a luchalicious garage sale over at HOODTOWN publisher From Parts Unknown. If you don’t own my novel HOODTOWN by now, you no longer have an excuse. And while you’re there, pick up Rafe Navarro’s LUCHA NOIR (featuring rough HOODTOWN art and never before seen sketches) or opt for the “one of everything” option and get your Holiday-Of-Choice shopping taken care… Continue

Added by Christa Faust on August 25, 2008 at 4:00pm — No Comments

T&T BACKSTORY #2: SURREALIST ART AND MURDER

The Hector Lassiter series is all about secret history — a blending of fact and fiction that aims to get at something like the hidden truth.

Toros & Torsos (aka, Hector Lassiter #2), spins on the premise that surrealist art and theory may have informed or inspired several bloody, unsolved crimes of the 20th Century — most notably the murder of Elizabeth Short, the so-called “Black Dahlia” as she was dubbed by panting L.A. journalists circa January 1947.

The… Continue

Added by Craig McDonald on August 25, 2008 at 10:49am — No Comments

BURIED LOOT... IT'S STILL A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD

Remember the Stanley Kramer classic: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World with Spencer Tracy and all those crazy motorist chasing the Smiler's money buried under the "Big W?" Well, it's still a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World... I came across a recent article by the Associated Press that read: Buried Loot, A Mystery for Authorities. The article centered around a suspect, Franz Felhaber, who strolled into the Treasury Department with $5.2 million stuffed into a briefcase -- technically… Continue

Added by Michael P. Naughton on August 25, 2008 at 6:43am — No Comments

Tim Maleeny visits the Kill Zone

The extremely talented and charming thriller writer Tim Maleeny is guest blogging today at the Kill Zone. Visit the blog to discover what villainy lurks beneath his cheerful demeanor...and remember, leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a $50 gas card (winner announced on… Continue

Added by Kathryn Lilley on August 25, 2008 at 12:11am — No Comments

Playing Catch Up

It's been a long while since I blogged here. So it's time to catch up a bit.

My latest Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery is now available from http://www.mundaniapress.com as an e-book and trade paperback. This is the back cover blurb:

Tempe Crabtree is the resident deputy of Bear Creek, a small mountain community in the southern Sierra. Her continuing interest in the spiritual side of her heritage often causes unrest in her marriage to her minister husband.

Kindred… Continue

Added by Marilyn Meredith on August 24, 2008 at 4:49am — No Comments

Chris Grabenstein at The Poisoned Pen

Improvisational comedy. Ad writer. Successful author of mysteries and young adult ghost stories. Chris Grabenstein is the creative artist who combines all of these skills. Thursday night, he spoke at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale.

It felt as if it was a gathering of friends. Chris' appearance was so casual that Lorri Amsden, the moderator for the evening, actually joined the group after Chris had already started a conversation.… Continue

Added by Lesa Holstine on August 24, 2008 at 12:04am — No Comments

Book Signing This Weekend

I already told you that today I'll sign books at the Borders Express in Springfield Mall in Springfield, VA from 11 am to 4 pm.

Tomorrow I'll visit the Borders Express in Dulles Town Center Mall. Kelley and Leigh have become great friends and it will be a joy to return to their space from noon to 4 pm. Their store is at 21100 Dulles Town Circle, Dulles VA. One way or another, you should stop at a mall and say hi this weekend.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on August 23, 2008 at 11:15pm — No Comments

Cute little guy

I couldn't wait to post the picture of this fabulous little panda dog! Panda bears are my favorite animal in the world and this little pet would be just like owning one. Isn't he cute? He looks so soft. It's amazing how much he looks just like a panda bear.
Humm...I wonder if he has mixed parents...

Added by Tory Richards on August 23, 2008 at 12:40pm — No Comments