Mark Stevens's Posts - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T16:33:54ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/60987675?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://crimespace.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=cracker1954&xn_auth=noPlanning Another Trip, Writing A Sequeltag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-02-10:537324:BlogPost:1233622008-02-10T23:59:05.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
I swear on a stack of Edgar Award Winners that I never thought I would be writing a sequel to Antler Dust. <br></br>
<br></br>
But I have two problems.<br></br>
<br></br>
The first problem is that I have a good idea for what's next for the<br />
main character, Allison Coil. I always thought that some series books<br />
put the main character through too much. Detective main characters?<br />
Sure, they can be subjected to a series of crimes and murders and<br />
mayhem. But non-detective main characters? Probably not. Nevada…
I swear on a stack of Edgar Award Winners that I never thought I would be writing a sequel to Antler Dust. <br/>
<br/>
But I have two problems.<br/>
<br/>
The first problem is that I have a good idea for what's next for the<br />
main character, Allison Coil. I always thought that some series books<br />
put the main character through too much. Detective main characters?<br />
Sure, they can be subjected to a series of crimes and murders and<br />
mayhem. But non-detective main characters? Probably not. Nevada Barr<br />
does it so well, with the series of parks where Anna Pigeon works but<br />
still we know there will be a dead body turning up sooner or later.<br />
Lots of fun? Yes. Plausibility factor? Low. Aren't we mystery readers<br />
just a gullible lot? We don't care, just give us a good yarn! <br/>
<br/>
The second problem is that the reviews have been fantastic and many of<br />
them have included references to something like, "surely not the last<br />
we have heard from Allison Coil."<br/>
<br/>
Okay, I really have three problems. The third is that I am planning<br />
another trip this summer to the Flat Tops Wilderness, where Antler Dust<br />
takes place. And I'm planning it with the same female hunting<br />
guide who inspired the book in the first place. <br/>
<br/>
In fact, just this past week The Vail Daily wrote a terrific review of<br />
Antler Dust and wrapped around it an interview with the same, real-life<br />
Renee Rumrill--one of the most talented and outdoorsy women anybody<br />
will ever get a chance to meet. <br/>
<br/>
Here's the link to that story: http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20080206/AE/136828576<br/>
<br/>
<br/>Antler Dust - Top 10tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-01-12:537324:BlogPost:1142172008-01-12T19:25:27.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
OK, it's not the New York Times Notable Books list but it was<br />
incredible to see Antler Dust on a best-of-2007 list, this one from Pop<br />
Syndicate:<br></br>
<br></br>
<br />
<br />
<div><span class="400000620-10012008"><a><font face="Arial" size="2">http://www.popsyndicate.com/site/story/best_of_2007_books/</font></a></span></div>
<br />
<div><p><span class="400000620-10012008"><b>Best of 2007 - Angela Wilson</b></span></p>
<p><span class="400000620-10012008"><b>10.</b> The Adventures of Guy, Written by a Guy (probably)…</span></p>
</div>
OK, it's not the New York Times Notable Books list but it was<br />
incredible to see Antler Dust on a best-of-2007 list, this one from Pop<br />
Syndicate:<br/>
<br/>
<br />
<br />
<div><span class="400000620-10012008"><a><font face="Arial" size="2">http://www.popsyndicate.com/site/story/best_of_2007_books/</font></a></span></div>
<br />
<div><p><span class="400000620-10012008"><b>Best of 2007 - Angela Wilson</b></span></p>
<p><span class="400000620-10012008"><b>10.</b> The Adventures of Guy, Written by a Guy (probably) Norm Cowie <br/><b>9.</b> Antler Dust by Mark Stevens <br/><b>8.</b> Wicked Dead 2: Torn
Stefan Petrucha & Thomas Pendleton <br/><b>7.</b> Dry Ice, Stephen White
<br/><b>6.</b> Open Me, Sunshine O’Donnell <br/><b>5.</b> Innocent as Sin,
Elizabeth Lowell <br/><b>4.</b> Blood Poison by D.H. Dublin <br/><b>3.</b> The
Skull, A Remy and Roadkill Mystery, S.D. Tooley <br/><b>2.</b> Hide, Lisa Gardner
<br/><b>1.</b> Teen Inc. Stefan Petrucha</span></p>
<p/></div>
<br/>Connected Again - Found Hertag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-12-22:537324:BlogPost:1067632007-12-22T15:01:15.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
We are back in touch. The female hunting guide who inspired<br />
Antler Dust years ago still guides in The Flat Tops Wilderness Area on<br />
the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. A woman I met during a<br />
book signing in Glenwood Springs told me how to find her. She had moved<br />
a few towns over but was listed in the phone book. I suppose if I had<br />
hired a detective -- anybody know a good one? -- I could have found her<br />
years ago. But I liked the way this worked out. Anyway, we chatted on<br />
the phone a few…
We are back in touch. The female hunting guide who inspired<br />
Antler Dust years ago still guides in The Flat Tops Wilderness Area on<br />
the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. A woman I met during a<br />
book signing in Glenwood Springs told me how to find her. She had moved<br />
a few towns over but was listed in the phone book. I suppose if I had<br />
hired a detective -- anybody know a good one? -- I could have found her<br />
years ago. But I liked the way this worked out. Anyway, we chatted on<br />
the phone a few times and then met in Gypsum for coffee a couple weeks<br />
ago. I was in between book store signings in Dillon and Grand<br />
Junction. She's still in love with The Flat Tops -- but she's<br />
fairly busy these days as an emergency veterinarian. When we met years<br />
ago, she was in vet school, in between trips to the Flat Tops, so this<br />
makes sense. We have plans to go to back up next summer and this time<br />
the whole family might go, too. She's reading Antler Dust and I<br />
can't wait to hear her thoughts when she's done. It feels really good<br />
to close the loop with her after all these years. What a blast. <br/>On Her Trailtag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-11-04:537324:BlogPost:894542007-11-04T14:18:43.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Antler Dust</span> is<br />
based on a woman I met many years ago while my wife and I were on a<br />
day-long horseback ride. <br></br>
<br></br>
We were staying at this guest ranch for a week<br />
and this guide was simply A-plus. She was knowledgeable, fun,<br />
articulate, patient, and seemed to enjoy the outdoors in a way that was<br />
simply off the charts. Nothing was routine, every vista was to be<br />
savored. She also took us…</span>
<span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Antler Dust</span> is<br />
based on a woman I met many years ago while my wife and I were on a<br />
day-long horseback ride. <br/>
<br/>
We were staying at this guest ranch for a week<br />
and this guide was simply A-plus. She was knowledgeable, fun,<br />
articulate, patient, and seemed to enjoy the outdoors in a way that was<br />
simply off the charts. Nothing was routine, every vista was to be<br />
savored. She also took us into some pretty amazing caves. She was one<br />
of the most knowledgeable outdoorsy people I've ever been around, thus<br />
the inspiration for the book. <br/>
<br/>
In the years in took me to write <i>Antler Dust</i> the guide named Renee transformed into Allison Coil in my head--and on paper. <br/>
<br/>
This weekend I was in Glenwood Springs signing<br />
books and I met a woman who is an outfitter. Not only did she know<br />
Renee -- at one time she employed her. Amazing. I've run into a few<br />
other people who know "of" Renee and knew her but this is the first<br />
person who knows what she's doing today and where she's living.<br/>
<br/>
Why? I just<br />
want to say "thanks" to Renee after all these years -- and after all<br />
the activity around the book. Of course, I hope she reads the book too.<br />
<br/>
<br/>
The main character of <span style="font-style: italic;">Antler Dust</span> is<br />
based on the idea of Renee but of course all the character quirks and<br />
traits have nothing to do her with her (as far as I know). Nonetheless,<br />
it kind of gave me a little thrill today to know I might be "this<br />
close" to tracking her down.<br/>
<br/>
I'd love to hear other stories, if they exist, about regular people who<br />
become the inspiration for a book--and if those real-life people every<br />
read what was written. <br/>
</span>Book Review Web Sitestag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-10:537324:BlogPost:800612007-10-10T01:29:16.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
Another great review of Antler Dust was posted today on www.frontstreetreviews.com. One wonderful sentence went like this:<br></br>
<br></br>
"Antler Dust is a first-rate thriller. Though you know from the early<br />
pages 'whodunit' the excitement is in the chase, which doesn't let up<br />
until the very end."<br></br>
<br></br>
And near the end, another nice one:<br></br>
<br></br>
"Tight, straightforward writing and a never-let-up pace make Antler Dust<br />
a superb debut novel for Stevens."<br></br>
<br></br>
Hey, I love it. I'm lucky…
Another great review of Antler Dust was posted today on www.frontstreetreviews.com. One wonderful sentence went like this:<br/>
<br/>
"Antler Dust is a first-rate thriller. Though you know from the early<br />
pages 'whodunit' the excitement is in the chase, which doesn't let up<br />
until the very end."<br/>
<br/>
And near the end, another nice one:<br/>
<br/>
"Tight, straightforward writing and a never-let-up pace make Antler Dust<br />
a superb debut novel for Stevens."<br/>
<br/>
Hey, I love it. I'm lucky to have had some reviews in big city newspapers too. <br/>
<br/>
Just wondering:<br/>
<br/>
How much do people rely on these book review web sites like<br/>
<br/>
popsyndicate<br/>
<br/>
frontstreetreviews<br/>
<br/>
curledup<br/>
<br/>
bookpleasures<br/>
<br/>
??<br/>
<br/>
there are many more, too.<br/>
<br/>
which sites are the most "critical" -- in other words, most likely to<br />
include some thoughtful analysis and the occasional bad review?<br/>
<br/>
which sites are the best / most credible?<br/>
<br/>
Any experiences out there to share? <br/>Connie Willis & Metag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-10-04:537324:BlogPost:782382007-10-04T03:00:00.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
I went to a book presentation last weekend by Connie Willis. Who?<br />
Mystery writers and crime writers may not know her. I didn't know<br />
her until the owners of the Denver Book Mall -- Nina and Ron Else --<br />
told me I had to be there. I know a good recommendation when I<br />
hear one. Nina and Ron know their stuff. Anything about books,<br />
they know it. Connie Willis is a science fiction writer. And romance<br />
(gasp) writer and "anything" writer. She stood there pleasantly and<br />
chatted for 45 minutes or so,…
I went to a book presentation last weekend by Connie Willis. Who?<br />
Mystery writers and crime writers may not know her. I didn't know<br />
her until the owners of the Denver Book Mall -- Nina and Ron Else --<br />
told me I had to be there. I know a good recommendation when I<br />
hear one. Nina and Ron know their stuff. Anything about books,<br />
they know it. Connie Willis is a science fiction writer. And romance<br />
(gasp) writer and "anything" writer. She stood there pleasantly and<br />
chatted for 45 minutes or so, straight off the cuff about whatever came<br />
to her mind. The presentation was seamless, funny, engaging, wry,<br />
biting, self-effacing and terribly engaging. The level of pretense was<br />
zero. Or less. It was impossible not to like her -- particularly<br />
because she was so interested in so many things. She seems to approach<br />
the world with a great deal of zeal and zest and I was extremely<br />
impressed. She's prolific (just check out her stuff on line) and yet<br />
seems not to live in a hole whatsoever; she is completely plugged in<br />
and out and about, based on all her stories. I walked away carrying a<br />
$40 hardback that compiles tons of her novellas and short stories, "The<br />
Winds of Marble Arch." A doorstop for sure -- and a beautifully<br />
done book. On Amazon, I spotted "The Doomsday Book" by Connie Willis,<br />
published (I think) in 1993. Number of reviews? Something like 233.<br />
Rating? Five stars. My point? Sometimes it's fun to step outside the<br />
world of<br />
straight-up mystery and crime. And when a bookstore owner gives you a<br />
tip, make sure you're paying attention. <br/>Info Dumptag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-09-27:537324:BlogPost:762672007-09-27T00:53:53.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
<font size="3">Last weekend I was at a Borders in Aurora, Colorado<br />
signing books. One of my 14 sales was to a terrfiic, upbeat male reader<br />
named Eli. He was a friendly customer -- completely open to the idea of<br />
Antler Dust. Two days later, he sent me this e-mail message:<br></br>
<br></br>
"I'm a few chapters in and so far love it. The prose is fresh and the<br />
story moves along well; your style is great. There were a few parts<br />
that seemed a bit too heavy on description but that's probably more a<br />
personal…</font>
<font size="3">Last weekend I was at a Borders in Aurora, Colorado<br />
signing books. One of my 14 sales was to a terrfiic, upbeat male reader<br />
named Eli. He was a friendly customer -- completely open to the idea of<br />
Antler Dust. Two days later, he sent me this e-mail message:<br/>
<br/>
"I'm a few chapters in and so far love it. The prose is fresh and the<br />
story moves along well; your style is great. There were a few parts<br />
that seemed a bit too heavy on description but that's probably more a<br />
personal taste issue for me. You even managed to keep the info dumps<br />
interesting :) You've got a fun and quirky style that reminds me of<br />
Bill Fitzhugh or maybe a more serious Tim Dorsey."<br/>
<br/>
Hey, I'll take e-mails like that anytime. What I loved most was<br />
that phrase "info dumps." I'm pretty sure Eli meant the<br />
back-story stuff that every crime writer needs to at some point reveal<br />
to...build character. I'd love to know the opinion of other<br />
writers on the info dump. <br/>
<br/>
Do you carefully manage how you "do" the info dump? Do you parse it out<br />
in bits and pieces? Any terrific techniques for this? Any writers who<br />
you think do it extremely well?</font> <br/>Bob Dylan & Metag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-09-04:537324:BlogPost:692262007-09-04T01:13:33.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
Just got back from Telluride. And have I got a tip.<br />
Look for festivals to sell books. Look for people milling around. Look<br />
for a nearby bookstore to sponsor your sales. I stood outside Between<br />
The Covers in Telluride on Saturday selling copies of "Antler<br />
Dust." Okay, I sold 26 copies in just a little over two hours.<br />
They were flying. But people were in the mood to buy, devour, explore.<br />
I believe festivals must make people well, carefree. They certainly<br />
seemed open to the idea of buying…
Just got back from Telluride. And have I got a tip.<br />
Look for festivals to sell books. Look for people milling around. Look<br />
for a nearby bookstore to sponsor your sales. I stood outside Between<br />
The Covers in Telluride on Saturday selling copies of "Antler<br />
Dust." Okay, I sold 26 copies in just a little over two hours.<br />
They were flying. But people were in the mood to buy, devour, explore.<br />
I believe festivals must make people well, carefree. They certainly<br />
seemed open to the idea of buying something they knew little<br />
about. Okay, so where does Bob Dylan come in? Here's the<br />
setting when I arrived: Sean Penn was speaking on a panel in this tiny<br />
(little, think minuscule) park a half-block away from Between The<br />
Covers, this incredible bookstore and coffee shop. And I was<br />
thinking about how to get a copy of "Antler Dust" to him. Didn't<br />
happen. But then I arrive at the store and one of the staffers and I<br />
load a table out to the sidewalk. This is a small table.<br />
Think "tiny." Think "can't put much promotional material on this size<br />
table." She says, when we're done, that my "other" table might be<br />
free in a minute but right now Bob Dylan is using it. My heart is<br />
suddenly being chewed on my back molars. Wait a minute, I don't<br />
have any back molars! I saunter into the back coffee shop, ever so<br />
non-chalant. Way cool. Yep, the guy at the table is Bob Dylan. Of<br />
course, I'm ready for it to be Bob Dylan. The movie about him is called<br />
"I'm Not There," directed by Todd Haynes, and it's premiering at the<br />
film festival, right? Isn't it? Well, it sure looks like him. I go<br />
about my business and set up out on the sidewalk. And...a few<br />
minutes later out walks Bob Dylan. Only...he's got a limp. And, well,<br />
is it him? I don't know, I just don't know. About an hour later, Jon<br />
Krakauer is mingling in a small cluster of fans near the front of the<br />
store. And, yes, it's definitely Jon Krakauer and I casually<br />
introduce myself and mention a mutual friend. He could not have<br />
been more supportive & Kind. Who else did I meet? Longtime<br />
jazz critic Gary Giddins (Village Voice) and People Magazine<br />
correspondent Vickie Bane and many other wonderful people. Final<br />
thought: stop at the festivals. Lots of fun. <br/>Marketing Questiontag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-08-07:537324:BlogPost:609532007-08-07T03:16:41.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
OK, gang, here's a question. I am really looking for tips and<br />
advice on this one. I have done about 20 bookstore drop-in<br />
signings. For the majority of these, I have sent ahead of time a<br />
packet with large (11 x 17) posters and a bundle of flyers. In my mind,<br />
the flyers would have been by the register and anyone who bought a<br />
thriller or mystery would have had a flyer stuffed in their bag.<br />
Uh....don't think it happened. Once in awhile I've seen the posters on<br />
the door and windows, but I've also…
OK, gang, here's a question. I am really looking for tips and<br />
advice on this one. I have done about 20 bookstore drop-in<br />
signings. For the majority of these, I have sent ahead of time a<br />
packet with large (11 x 17) posters and a bundle of flyers. In my mind,<br />
the flyers would have been by the register and anyone who bought a<br />
thriller or mystery would have had a flyer stuffed in their bag.<br />
Uh....don't think it happened. Once in awhile I've seen the posters on<br />
the door and windows, but I've also arrived to find ZERO evidence of<br />
any in-store promotion activity. Also, I've loaded up event<br />
calendars on all the local newspaper web site calendars, I've<br />
submitted news releases to every community newspaper and on-line site<br />
weeks ahead of time. I would say 1 or 2 total people have told me<br />
that they spotted my promo materials and arrived at the "event" as a<br />
result. I've even purchased display ads in newspapers.<br />
(Ouch! Won't do that again!) <br/>
<br/>
Nonetheless, I've had terrific drop-in events. I've been invited<br />
back to the last 3 bookstores and 4 out of the last 5. Most of the<br />
"work" and "sales" have come with bookstore customers who just happen<br />
to be there THAT DAY. <br/>
<br/>
Enough set-up, here's the question: is the advance poster & flyer action worth it? <br/>Another Five-Star Review Out of Nowheretag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-26:537324:BlogPost:578492007-07-26T11:50:13.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
I am beginning to realize that your book has a life of its own.<br />
You never know where it will wind up or who will be reading it -- or<br />
exactly what prompted them to read it. I had never heard of<br />
armchairinterviews.com but of course, now I love the site. This review<br />
was posted on Amazon this week (below). In a word, thanks!<br></br>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img border="0" height="12" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V47081849_.gif" width="64"></img></span> <b>What a WOW of a first novel!</b>, July 24, 2007
…</div>
I am beginning to realize that your book has a life of its own.<br />
You never know where it will wind up or who will be reading it -- or<br />
exactly what prompted them to read it. I had never heard of<br />
armchairinterviews.com but of course, now I love the site. This review<br />
was posted on Amazon this week (below). In a word, thanks!<br/>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V47081849_.gif" border="0" height="12" width="64"/></span>
<b>What a WOW of a first novel!</b>, July 24, 2007<br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><table border="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody><tr><td valign="top">By</td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A21NVBFIEQWDSG/ref=cm_cr_auth/104-9036393-9945507"><span style="font-weight: bold;">armchairinterviews.com</span></a> (Minnesota) - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A21NVBFIEQWDSG/ref=cm_cr_auth/104-9036393-9945507?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview">See all my reviews</a><br/> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_rn_bdg_help/104-9036393-9945507?ie=UTF8&nodeId=14279681&pop-up=1#TR" target="AmazonHelp"><img src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reputation/c7y_badge_tr_4._V47082281_.gif" alt="(TOP 100 REVIEWER)" align="middle" border="0" height="15" width="94"/></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<br />
The best writing is writing which is invisible to the reader. It lets<br />
you sink right into the story and become part of the action. That's the<br />
way first-time author Mark Stevens has written this novel, Antler Dust.<br />
There is nothing to clog our thoughts or make us second-guess what the<br />
author means. We can just plunge into the story and read it through to<br />
the end.<br />
<br/>
<br />
<br/>
Antler Dust takes place in the Colorado Rockies during elk-hunting<br />
season. Plenty of action is going on already, when an animal rights<br />
group shows up to protest the hunt. But out there in the drifting snow<br />
and cold, two people will die-one of them an animal rights protestor<br />
who dresses up like a deer and goes up the mountain hoping to make an<br />
example of himself. His hope is realized.<br />
<br/>
<br />
<br/>
Meanwhile, another hunting guide simply disappears. The readers<br />
will see what happens to him right away, but that doesn't detract from<br />
the story, since there is more going on here than hunting and killing.<br />
Lead character Allison Coil hears a shot that is muffled by the snow<br />
and distance, and later sees the snow-dashed shape of a figure lugging<br />
something downhill. When she starts to investigate what she has seen,<br />
it leads her to rival outfitter George Grumley, who "always gets his<br />
elk"--using technology which is forbidden on the hunt. From there,<br />
Allison unwinds a crooked trail which will lead her to suspect everyone<br />
she trusts and holds dear.<br />
<br/>
<br />
<br/>
This very readable and enjoyable novel is a fine first effort by a<br />
new author. Mark Stevens lives in Colorado and worked as a newspaper<br />
reporter and television producer before he began his current career in<br />
school public relations.<br />
<br/>
<br />
<br/>
Armchair Interviews says: Excellent first novel. Hope many more books are in his (and our future).<br />
<br/>Harry Potter & The Busy Hollows of Salestag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-22:537324:BlogPost:568002007-07-22T23:35:45.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
Some<br />
people said it would be a mistake to schedule a book signing on<br />
Saturday, July 21 in the wake of an aircraft carrier known as "Harry<br />
Potter." I was in<br />
Macdonald Book Shop in Estes Park, Colorado. This bookstore is<br />
79-years-old. It's tidy, cozy and very well kept. The books<br />
shine.<br />
Just walking in makes you want to read. The staff could not have been<br />
more friendly. Conservatively, I would say 50 percent of the customers<br />
asked if there were any copies left of the final Harry Potter book.…
Some<br />
people said it would be a mistake to schedule a book signing on<br />
Saturday, July 21 in the wake of an aircraft carrier known as "Harry<br />
Potter." I was in<br />
Macdonald Book Shop in Estes Park, Colorado. This bookstore is<br />
79-years-old. It's tidy, cozy and very well kept. The books<br />
shine.<br />
Just walking in makes you want to read. The staff could not have been<br />
more friendly. Conservatively, I would say 50 percent of the customers<br />
asked if there were any copies left of the final Harry Potter book. No,<br />
there weren't any left but you could sign up and maybe get one next<br />
Thursday, when the next UPS shipment would arrive. Anyway, the store<br />
had seven copies of "Antler Dust" for me to try and sell. By days' end,<br />
I had sold 20 -- retrieving back-up copies out of my trunk. I think<br />
part of it was the upbeat atmosphere that Harry Potter creates. Adults<br />
recall the pleasure that's possible between the pages of a good book.<br />
It was a great day to be standing in a book store, meeting people and<br />
talking about writing. Hate to be so cheery and upbeat but just a<br />
positive thought after a good day of sales. Today, at a Borders in<br />
Boulder, not quite so upbeat...just six copies sold. But it was<br />
hot and overall traffic, to say the least, was slow. Bring on the big<br />
sellers, I say, and let me catch a few drops in the sales' wake. <br/>Series-ous Issuetag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-15:537324:BlogPost:551052007-07-15T13:37:11.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
I just finished reading a best-seller that has received terrific<br />
reviews all over the place, "Stalin's Ghost" by Martin Cruz Smith. The<br />
writing is dry, taut and the plot is fairly compelling. I didn't<br />
absolutely love it but I must say there are some passages of dialogue<br />
that are achingly good, especially between Renko and his girlfriend. I<br />
haven't read every Renko book but one of my big problems was not being<br />
able to "catch up" with Renko's world. Smith, I would suggest, does<br />
little to bring…
I just finished reading a best-seller that has received terrific<br />
reviews all over the place, "Stalin's Ghost" by Martin Cruz Smith. The<br />
writing is dry, taut and the plot is fairly compelling. I didn't<br />
absolutely love it but I must say there are some passages of dialogue<br />
that are achingly good, especially between Renko and his girlfriend. I<br />
haven't read every Renko book but one of my big problems was not being<br />
able to "catch up" with Renko's world. Smith, I would suggest, does<br />
little to bring the reader along. I would feel for any reader if this<br />
is their first Renko read. Just wondering about how much back story<br />
should be sprinkled into series books. With Lee Child and Reacher, it<br />
doesn't much matter -- each plot and situation is separate once you<br />
figure out the Reacher approach, the Reacher world, the Reacher myth.<br />
With Nevada Barr, I think she does a wonderful job of referencing other<br />
facts about her life without flashing a big marquee sign saying:<br />
"Caution, Back Story Ahead." I love a good thriller but when somebody<br />
suggests a new author to mine, should I have to start at book<br />
one? Or not? <br/>Bad Wordstag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-11:537324:BlogPost:543412007-07-11T00:25:49.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
On Sunday last week I sold 20 books during two hours at a Barnes<br />
& Noble. Well, actually, I sold 17 and the store had me sign<br />
the remaining 3. One of the 17 buyers e-mailed me yesterday,<br />
wanting to return the book because of all the f*cks and sh&ts and<br />
even the "Good Christs." Of course, she repeated all those words<br />
in her e-mail several times. She wanted my home address so she could<br />
ship it back. Of course, I thought, a murder mystery set amid<br />
hunters and animal rights protestors --…
On Sunday last week I sold 20 books during two hours at a Barnes<br />
& Noble. Well, actually, I sold 17 and the store had me sign<br />
the remaining 3. One of the 17 buyers e-mailed me yesterday,<br />
wanting to return the book because of all the f*cks and sh&ts and<br />
even the "Good Christs." Of course, she repeated all those words<br />
in her e-mail several times. She wanted my home address so she could<br />
ship it back. Of course, I thought, a murder mystery set amid<br />
hunters and animal rights protestors -- did she think the language<br />
would be, say, Nancy Drew-ish? Oh well. Any advice out<br />
there? It wasn't as if she couldn't have flipped through a few pages<br />
before buying the book. <br/>Awesome Reviewtag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-07-02:537324:BlogPost:519512007-07-02T15:22:46.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
Wow. Yesterday while I was on a hike in the mountains, the<br />
following review was posted on the Amazon page for "Antler Dust."<br />
<br></br>
<br></br>
Here it is:<br></br>
<br></br>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img border="0" height="12" src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V47081849_.gif" width="64"></img></span> <b>Economy of language</b>, July 1, 2007</div>
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Wow. Yesterday while I was on a hike in the mountains, the<br />
following review was posted on the Amazon page for "Antler Dust."<br />
<br/>
<br/>
Here it is:<br/>
<br/>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em;"><span style="margin-left: -5px;"><img src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/common/customer-reviews/stars-5-0._V47081849_.gif" border="0" height="12" width="64"/></span> <b>Economy of language</b>, July 1, 2007</div>
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<tbody><tr><td valign="top">By</td>
<td><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A16LG1MLBY5VZX/ref=cm_cr_auth/104-9036393-9945507"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eric Hubler</span></a> (Denver) - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A16LG1MLBY5VZX/ref=cm_cr_auth/104-9036393-9945507?ie=UTF8&sort%5Fby=MostRecentReview">See all my reviews</a><br/> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=cm_rn_bdg_help/104-9036393-9945507?ie=UTF8&nodeId=14279681&pop-up=1#RN" target="AmazonHelp"><img src="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/reputation/c7y_badge_rn_1._V47060296_.gif" alt="(REAL NAME)" align="middle" border="0" height="15" width="70"/></a>
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<br />
Remember when you discovered Hemingway? That's how I feel about this<br />
book. How does he pack so much humor, so many characters, so much sense<br />
of place into so few words? The result is that this is a quick read,<br />
but a very substantial one. It takes place not far from where I live<br />
but introduced me to a society of which I was only dimly aware. (A<br />
friend's brother actually works as a hunting guide... I must get his<br />
review.) Venality, good intentions and incompetence come together in<br />
explosive ways in Antler Dust.<br/>
<br/>
Again, wow.<br/>
<br/>
What counts more -- a review like this or one in a newspaper<br />
somewhere? I was blown away. Full disclosure: I know the<br />
writer. But we are not close friends. He could have easily<br />
read the book and never posted a word and I wouldn't have known the<br />
difference. Anyway, Antler Dust is still carrying a five-star<br />
rating on Amazon with 21 reviews total as of today. <br/>John Dunning - Funniest Dark Scene Evertag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-30:537324:BlogPost:516122007-06-30T18:59:23.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
I'm listening to John Dunning's "The Bookwoman's Last Fling" on CD.<br />
Amazing narrator, great story...and main character, Cliff Janeway.<br />
There's a scene in this book that I would like to nominate as one of<br />
the darkest and funniest and most real scenes I've ever "read."<br />
It's the scene when Cliff is stuffed in a car trunk. I know,<br />
somewhat routine idea but the execution here is over the top, the way<br />
he wakes up and starts to try to put the pieces together of where he is<br />
and what's going on. Up…
I'm listening to John Dunning's "The Bookwoman's Last Fling" on CD.<br />
Amazing narrator, great story...and main character, Cliff Janeway.<br />
There's a scene in this book that I would like to nominate as one of<br />
the darkest and funniest and most real scenes I've ever "read."<br />
It's the scene when Cliff is stuffed in a car trunk. I know,<br />
somewhat routine idea but the execution here is over the top, the way<br />
he wakes up and starts to try to put the pieces together of where he is<br />
and what's going on. Up until this point in the book, there hasn't been<br />
a lot of action but the writing and the setting are so good you just<br />
don't care. The intrigue builds and then this scene, wham. If<br />
books would win awards based on scenes alone, this one should be right<br />
up there. One of the keys is just how effortlessly he lets the scene<br />
unfold. Piece of work. <br/>Darkness - Patricia Highsmithtag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-06-30:537324:BlogPost:515802007-06-30T14:01:34.000ZMark Stevenshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/cracker1954
I'm in the middle of a wonderful biography of Patricia Highsmith,<br />
"Beautiful Shadow" by Andrew Wilson. I have always liked the darkness<br />
in Highsmith's writings. My favorite titles are "The Story Teller,"<br />
"This Sweet Sickness," the Ripley books, and "Strangers on a<br />
Train." There are many more interesting novels in her collection,<br />
too. What really strikes me about her writing is how much of it is<br />
based on a very dark interior life. Anybody who reads it will be<br />
rewarded with a glimpse into a…
I'm in the middle of a wonderful biography of Patricia Highsmith,<br />
"Beautiful Shadow" by Andrew Wilson. I have always liked the darkness<br />
in Highsmith's writings. My favorite titles are "The Story Teller,"<br />
"This Sweet Sickness," the Ripley books, and "Strangers on a<br />
Train." There are many more interesting novels in her collection,<br />
too. What really strikes me about her writing is how much of it is<br />
based on a very dark interior life. Anybody who reads it will be<br />
rewarded with a glimpse into a writer's inner soul, where plots are<br />
based on pure attitude (and sometimes anger or even hatred) from her<br />
real self. She didn't hide her feelings, she let them show. Great book.<br />
Highly recommended to writers of all genres. <br/>