July 2008 Blog Posts (167)

Read This or Else! (R)

My writing career has changed how I judge a book. One reader of my blog commented that we must keep reading, both to learn and to refuel. I certainly agree. Reading is key to writing. Extending that thought, both reading and writing are key to thinking, and we as a nation lose ground with each non-reader who graduates high school. By non-readers I don't mean people who can't read; I mean people who consistenly choose to do something else.

It's hard for teachers today to decide what… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 15, 2008 at 10:17pm — 2 Comments

A Free Book with a Caveat

With gasoline prices skyrocketing, it only makes sense: Send the book on tour; leave the author at home.

If you'd like to receive a FREE* advance reader copy of FREEZING POINT, the hot new eco-thriller coming October 2 from Berkley, send your address to Jodi.Rosoff (at)… Continue

Added by Karen Dionne on July 15, 2008 at 9:00pm — No Comments

This week's lineup of guest bloggers on MURDER BY 4 includes: http://www.murderby4.blogspot.com 7/14/08 - Jim Musgrove, author of The President's Parasite and Other Stories. SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT MUSG…

This week's lineup of guest bloggers on MURDER BY 4 includes: http://www.murderby4.blogspot.com

7/14/08 - Jim Musgrove, author of The President's Parasite and Other Stories.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT MUSGROVE’S BOOK TOUR ~ Give away Details

Each person who posts a comment on any or all of the blog tour spots will be entered in a random drawing for a copy of Jim Musgrave's book. In addition – the blog owner that… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on July 15, 2008 at 2:54am — No Comments

Read 'The Significance of Cherries' (Murder mystery) FOR FREE

One of my longer, previously unpublished short stories 'The Significance of Cherries' has just been published in the summer issue of The Loch Raven Review. It will eventually appear in a print anthology by the Review but for now the story is available to read FREE online at http://www.lochravenreview.net/2008Summer/porter.html

Check out the rest of the journal while you're there. It's a great… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on July 15, 2008 at 1:03am — No Comments

Where Do You Go To Think? (R)

I have two places conducive to thinking, and they are as different as can be. First, I think in the car, preferably on a long trip and preferably alone. The automatic process of driving seems to calm my conscious mind and let the deeper thoughts arrange themselves into viable plots and possible characters. I particularly like the drive across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, which is both beautiful and remote, allowing lots of time to work out plot knots. I carry a small recorder and talk to myself,… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 14, 2008 at 10:41pm — 3 Comments

The Most Riveting Movie Moment Ever

I heard someone speak of this as the scene in The Great Dictator where Chaplin as Hitler makes sport with the globe of the world. And I’m sure you have an opinion, which I’m anxious to hear about. Mind you, I’m not looking for movie quotes like “Make my day” or “We’re in for a bumpy night.” What I’m after are those moments of cinematic action that seem to symbolize and say so much more than the constituent elements of the scene.

So what’s my candidate for the most riveting… Continue

Added by Paul McGoran on July 14, 2008 at 10:14am — No Comments

Weekly Blog - Monday 14th July

I spent most of last week working on the third novel in the Zac Hunter series, provisionally entitled ‘The Beholder.’ On Monday, the planets moved into alignment and the writing came easy, and by the end of the day I’d added almost 2,000 words to the novel. Sadly, this was not how the rest of the week panned out. Trying to be creative on Tuesday through Friday was like wading through thick mud. When this sort of thing happens (and believe me it does, usually for no apparent reason) all you can… Continue

Added by Steven Hague on July 14, 2008 at 8:00am — No Comments

Weekly Blog - Monday 7th July

Last week was an exciting one, as it heralded my first photo shoot for a national magazine as part of the pre-launch publicity for the release of my debut novel ‘Justice For All.’ The magazine in question was Arena, and the photos and forthcoming interview will form part of a feature they’re running on young thriller writers. Six writers were covered in total, and I’ve been told that each of us will get a full page to ourselves in the magazine, so that’s pretty cool! The feature will be… Continue

Added by Steven Hague on July 14, 2008 at 5:43am — No Comments

Handgun Accuracy

Soon after the Supreme Court struck down the handgun ban in the home legislation in Washington D.C., Georgia passed a law allowing Georgians with handgun permits to carry concealed weapons on public transportation, in restaurants that serve alcohol, and in state parks. Gun owners must undergo a criminal background check. However, if a firearm is purchased in a "private sale," then no background check is conducted. According to the ATF, these private sales are a major source of firearms to those… Continue

Added by Christopher Valen on July 14, 2008 at 5:29am — No Comments

Crime Writer's Dagger Awards

Well the Crime Writers' Association Awards evening is now over (10 July 2008) and the winner of the Duncan Lawrie Dagger is Frances Fyfield. Well done to Frances. Well done also to Craig Russell who won the Dagger in the Library Award, which, now the hush-hush secrecy is all over and done with, I can reveal that I was nominated for it. OK, so I didn't make the shortlist but I was delighted and excited to get to the long list having not been around in crime… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 14, 2008 at 12:54am — No Comments

Jane's Guest of Honor Interview: Cool Questions

Listen to the Blogcast

Jane's Guest of Honor Interview: Cool Questions

As the guest of honor at this year's Deadly Ink Mystery Conference, I was interviewed by author Cheryl Solimini.Here are Cheryl's way cool questions and my answers.

1. What…

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Added by Jane Cleland on July 14, 2008 at 12:30am — No Comments

Check It Out Redux

Sorry folks, this is the official cover of Issue #4 of AAM.

Of course this cover tells an entirely different story and while I'm partial to the other version, this one adds so much more.

Added by Cormac Brown on July 13, 2008 at 2:00pm — No Comments

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Added by Eric Stone on July 13, 2008 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

A Cafe in Paris by Margot Justes

It is summer, and many tourists will flock to Paris. There are no bad times in which to visit this magnificent city, but summer seems to be the season of choice.

To avoid the tourist crush, I prefer anytime but summer; to be able to capture and breathe the sensations of this captivating city in relative peace.

The cafes are a lifestyle, slow, easy…relaxing; the continuous rush of the life glides by, while you sit in a café and enjoy that marvelous cup.

Visit the… Continue

Added by Margot Justes on July 13, 2008 at 1:29am — No Comments

BLOOD ALONE Reviews

Early reviews are in for BLOOD ALONE, the third in the Billy Boyle mystery series. See what Kirkus and PW have had to say, along with a great blurb from Joe Finder:

Another bracing cocktail of period action with a whodunit chaser from the increasingly authoritative Benn.

—Kirkus Reviews

Characterization and atmosphere carry Benn's third WWII mystery, a convincing blend of fact and fiction...a fine job of depicting a dusty, poverty-stricken Sicily, where warm loyalty… Continue

Added by James R. Benn on July 13, 2008 at 12:27am — No Comments

"height of his/her powers"

I've come to realize that whenever a book jacket describes the author as "being at the height of his (or her) storytelling powers" it's the publisher's way of saying: "This book sucks but this writer wrote a lot of good novels in the past so we had to buck up a huge advance, and now that the author is resting on their laurels we're praying this book at least breaks even." Oh, and another piece of jacket copy to keep an eye for is when they say the writer is "at the top of their game." Beware… Continue

Added by Johnny Ostentatious on July 12, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Check It Out

A first for all members of Crimespace, here is the upcoming cover of Astonishing Adventures Magazine #4 before it is published!

Added by Cormac Brown on July 12, 2008 at 2:40pm — 6 Comments

It's Heeeeere!

I finally got my author copies, and I must admit the book looks good--if I do say so myself. But I walked into my local Barnes and Noble and was disappointed not to find it. So I'm calling on you folks. Do me a favor and let me know if you spot it.

By the way, we got our first review from… Continue

Added by Dee Savoy on July 12, 2008 at 4:46am — 1 Comment

"Poker Face"

Powder Burn Flash has just posted my latest story, "Poker Face." It's a short story on what happens when it turns out the cat isn't away. Please pop on over and take a gander.

Added by Cormac Brown on July 12, 2008 at 1:31am — No Comments

Calling UK Crime Writers

There's some really good stuff here on crimespace and some lively debates and interesting articles. If and when I have more time I'll join in - promise. I'm curious to know if any UK crime writers are on crimespace. If so give me a shout. I belong to the Crime Writers' Association of Great Britain, if there are also any other members of this organisation out there say 'hello'. I'll also post something on my wall.

Added by Pauline Rowson on July 12, 2008 at 1:18am — 3 Comments