Hi Tony, Thanks for connecting here. Congrats on all your successes :)) I'm sure you've left a comment on my website some time. Is that right?

Many thanks, Elizabeth. I'll investiage. I have my first book going the rounds and receiving some encouraging comments, plus being short-listed for the NSW Genre Fiction Award. But we have only six agents in Oz and most of them don't want to take on new writers - too much work and risk. The second book featuirng the same main character is at 80,000 words and coming to its climax - so I need help in getting them to market. I'll try your recommended spots. Thanks a lot. Cheers, Tony

Tony, it's taken me a long time to get this far, and I've had the generous guidance of many, many mystery writers. All of them say a literary agent who charges you any fee whatsoever (except a commission on an advance or royalties when they've gotten you a contract and the publisher has paid the money) is not a legitimate professional. Some good places to start are WritersMarket.com (which does charge an annual fee of $30 for the service but for that you get hundreds or even thousands of listings that are updated constantly and filled with important information about each agency) or AgentQuery.com. Liz

Thanks for the add, Tony B...love your home town! Missing those strolls down St Kilda swiggin' a Crownie! Gotta get me back to the sunshine...
Best ya
Tony B (II)

What a contrast - you a tad nippy and in snow, me coping with six days of 35C plus weather and bracing for 42C on Monday. Not good writing vweather as it turns the brain to mush. Longing for the cool change, Chhers, Tony

Hi Tony,

Down under right now would be delighful, here it is snowing and a tad nippy. If you have the time, just sit down and start writing, the characters will come back to you.

The best part of this internet process is you meet people from all over the world.

All the best,
Margot
www.mjustes.com

Success! Of a sort. Have just been told my first book (a cdrime novel) has made it on to the shortlist of 16 for the New South Wales Genre Fiction Award - out of 242 entries. I am now frantically going through the entire manuscript, which has to be with the judges by September 30. The winner is guaranteed publication but all 16 on the shortlist are promised consideration for publication. Wow! Must get the next book finished.

Tony, thank you for your post. What you say is true. I just learned that. So thrilled for you about your being shortlisted! that is some achievement! the only thing shortlisted about me is my size! i'll keep slogging away, grateful for coming onto this site and grateful for advice from friends like you!xxx

The Malthouse is an excellent venue for a lot of reasons - the size / seating arrangements of the theatres - the slightly secluded location and a bunch of other things - Fed Square doesn't have the same ambience and you're right - the layout of their spaces means you can't see a damn thing most of the time. I'm not sure how it's going to go - we have come to love the Festival Club over the last couple of years. Sure the queues are a bit of a pain at the Malthouse - but staggering start and finish times of the panels has made a huge difference with that. Don't know - we'll go of course - but I envisage a bit of whinging :)

The writers' festival has come and gone and only now have I got around to adding to my earlier comments on the comings and goings. Perhapos I am still numbed by the waste of time and money suffered as the result of enrolling in a so-called masterclass by a leading (or at least prolific) UK writer of crime fiction. Such a mind-numbing day that mostly consisted of an ego-driven recounting of the author's publishing history rather than the hands-on working day most of the 16 participants expected. To add insult to injury, it was such a beautfully crisp and sunny day outside.

Hello Tony,

Greetings from Connemara! Thanks for the news from Melbourne. Yes, it's an imossible world - the world of publishing - I recommend Joe Konrath's blog, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing' (http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/) for an excellent insight into the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the 'what to do' and 'what not to do'. And - if you go to MySpace, you can read about my own long journey ...( www.myspace.com/patmullan)

Slan, Pat.

A worthwhile session last night at the festival. Two hours of The Art of Editing in which we heard from fiction, non-fiction and general editors on their craft and experiences, with many useful hints and much advice along the way. It was one of those sessions which looked at the topic from both sides - from those doing the editing and those being edited. Next session for me will be tomorrow night's fun time when the annual Ned Kelly Awards for crime writing will be presented.

A worthwhile session last night at the festival. Two hours of The Art of Editing in which we heard from fiction, non-fiction and general editors on their craft and experiences, with many useful hints and much advice along the way. It was one of those sessions which looked at the topic from both sides - from those doing the editing and those being edited. Next session for me will be tomorrow night's fun time when the annual Ned Kelly Awards for crime writing will be presented.

No problem on the posts. It happens to me occasionally. I think it's the hazard of dial-up. I've been resisting the switch to broadband servers but just may have to. Not enough time to sit and wait for connections. :o)

I think there's a lot of common ground - except for Leigh Redhead, after ploughing through her latest effort. So over the top and cardboard cut-out characters. Methinks she's run her race and could well be there more because she's the story rather than what she writes.

LOL - you'll get the hang of "filtering" the stuff that interests you pretty quickly. Yell if you get stuck though and somebody will always step up to explain.

Incidentally - glad to see another Peter Temple, Shane Maloney Henning Mankel etc etc fan - sounds like we could have very similar reading interests.

Hey, I can't keep up. Stumbled on Crimespace only yesterday (via a link from Leigh Redhead's website) and now there are all these contacts. It seems to be a most useful and supportive site for all who are trying to write but if I spend too much time being seduced by all it offers, when will I ever finish my book(s)?

Hi Tony - nice to see another local although I'm a bit further out of Melbourne than you. Welcome to Crimespace - hope you enjoy it.