July 2009 Blog Posts (185)

Kindle 2 Price Plunge Signals E-Book Reader Market Competition

http://www.pcworld.com/article/168098/kindle_2_price_plunge_signals_ebook_reader_market_competition.html

From the article:

"The bigger question remains, Is there a market here worth expanding? A dedicated e-book reader may enjoy a niche audience, but the question remains whether a separate device for reading digital books… Continue

Added by John Dishon on July 10, 2009 at 8:04am — 6 Comments

The Short Story: Part II

Yesterday I wrote about what writing short stories does for a writer's style. Today I'll focus on what it does for her career.

The word is EXPOSURE. I've written short stories in a dozen different places, and each one brings my name before readers. Readers can't decide they like your work until they hear of you. Hardly anyone goes into a bookstore and says, "I think I'll look for a book by someone I've never heard of."

So I put a short story on my website. I submitted some… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 10, 2009 at 7:30am — 1 Comment

The Agent Hunt Goes On

I restarted my agent hunt after a bout of what was possibly swine flu, and started sending out query letters to potentially interested agents.

I got 1 rejection so far, and like past rejections was sent in about the time it took for the assistant to hit the "reply" button, so it was pretty obvious that the materials they asked for probably weren't even read, so I now I know where not to try again.

Anyway, the hunt goes on.

Added by D.R. MacMaster on July 10, 2009 at 4:39am — 6 Comments

Tim Myers as Chris Cavender first in a new series A Slice of Murder

A Slice of Murder ($22 Kensington) is the first in a new series from author Tim Myers as Chris Cavender, aka Elizabeth Bright of the Card-Making Mysteries and Melissa Glazer of the Clay and Crime mysteries. If you haven’t discovered these then you are in for a treat!

Not too much happens in the sleepy little town of Timber Ridge, North Carolina - which is fine with pizza-purveyor extraordinaire Eleanor Swift. The spunky owner of A Slice of Delight is trying to mend her broken heart… Continue

Added by The Poisoned Pen Bookstore on July 10, 2009 at 4:06am — 1 Comment

Review: Crime fiction's first PI Pig

The Third Pig Detective Agency by Bob Burke

published by The Friday Project isbn 1906321752

Seeing his brothers' houses blown down by the Big Bad Wolf ("I'll huff and I'll puff...") taught Harry Pigg to build his own house out of bricks, thus avoiding the grisly fate of the first and second pigs. The nursery rhyme carries a lesson for all little… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on July 10, 2009 at 1:43am — No Comments

The Short Story

First, I finally remembered to look at my interview, posted Tuesday, and it isn't too bad. Thanks to Sandra at Novel Journey (http://www.noveljourney.blogspot.com) for her attention.

Today and tomorrow I'd like to look at the short story as a device for novleists. Today I'll focus on what it does for the writer; tomorrow on what it can do for her career.

Short stories are of necessity short. That means that every word has to serve a purpose: no clever asides, no… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 9, 2009 at 10:37pm — 1 Comment

Chuck Norris VS Mr. T

Has anyone else read this book by Ian Spector? I admit I'm juvenille to begin with, just ask my wife and kids. I bought this slim tome in the San Antonio airport bookstore. I was laughing so hard on the flight I had people wondering what the dude in the last seat was up to. Here's a few observations from the book:

"Chuck Norris will eat your soul for a Klondike bar."

"Mr. T sleeps with a pillow under his gun."

"After hearing that Jesus had fed multitudes with… Continue

Added by Dennis Webster on July 9, 2009 at 8:11pm — No Comments

Authors: How Dare You?

I started RHETT BUTLER'S PEOPLE this morning, and it brought to mind a comment made by a reviewer of my book. She said she was at first appalled that someone had the nerve to put Macbeth into a novel. I think "chutzpah" was the word she used. She decided that I'd done all right with him, thank goodness.

The author's audacity thing interests me. Yes, it takes some nerve to say you'll become the storyteller for Rhett Butler or Jane Austen or Cleopatra. But it's a story, people. It's… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 9, 2009 at 1:28am — 3 Comments

Another Great Review for Russian Roulette

I have a nice new review on my site written by Fred Apelquist.

Among other things, Fred writes one of my favorite blogs called YETMO (for You’re Entitled To My Opinion) where he comments on our times, social issues and political matters with a keen and objective eye. I was flattered that he took time out to read and comment on my latest novel, Russian Roulette.

Read Fred's… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on July 8, 2009 at 11:45pm — No Comments

Great new International Crime Fiction blog

My good pal Christopher G. Moore -- who shares with me a birthday today -- came up with a great idea for a new blog on international crime fiction. Chris, who writes a gritty, stylishly literate series of crime novels set in Bangkok, wanted to set up a blog where several authors of international crime would come together to write about their work and share ideas. The result is online as of today: International Crime Authors Reality Check.… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on July 8, 2009 at 10:08pm — No Comments

A Long Line of Zen Men

Cameron Hughes interviewed me for the Rap Sheet last March in Kona, Hawaii. I was attending the Left Coast Crime Conference. Film maker Tito Haggardt produced and edited the video.

“In his novels, Moore writes about Bangkok as if it were one of the most famous cities of noir fiction. The nightlife there comes off as mysterious, dangerous, and exciting and the people in power are cast as no… Continue

Added by ChristopherGMoore on July 8, 2009 at 4:00pm — No Comments

Elements of Noir Seminar

I'll be teaching a seminar on Hard-Boiled and Noir Mystery Fiction in a couple weeks at Bistro on the Lake.

Here are the Details:

Are you interested in the dark side?

Explore the elements of hard-boiled and noir fiction and discuss the differences and similarities of these mystery sub-genres. Perfect for both new and seasoned writers, as well as readers of mystery fiction and fans of film noir.

When: Thursday July 23, 2009; 1:00pm to… Continue

Added by John Weagly on July 8, 2009 at 9:17am — No Comments

Amazon takes one more step toward in-book advertisements for the Kindle

http://features.csmonitor.com/innovation/2009/07/06/amazon-takes-one-more-step-toward-in-book-advertisements-for-the-kindle/

Added by John Dishon on July 8, 2009 at 1:47am — 14 Comments

Henry David Thoreau: Smart Guy

Yeah, he was weird, too. Kind of a mooch, kind of odd, kind of fanatic. But as I mature, I keep remembering ideas from Henry that remind me to slow down, to breathe, to observe. Remember the big walking eyeball?

There are things that are simply not worth the time and energy it takes to do them. Those things should be dumped before they mess up your head. "Simplify, simplify, simplify," Henry says, so I toss in the garbage that $20 gift certificate that I can't figure out how to… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on July 7, 2009 at 11:01pm — 1 Comment

Me and My Blogging Buddies

I was featured along with my fellow Acme Authors bloggers on the “Emma Lai Writes” blog. She invited each of us to post a bio and tell her what makes us feel sexy. This solicited some amusing answers.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on July 7, 2009 at 10:46pm — No Comments

Review: New Liss mystery for lovers of Dumas and Perez Reverte

The Devil’s Company

By David Liss

Published: July 7, 2009 Random House isbn: 1400064198

Fans of swashbuckling classics by Alexandre Dumas and more recently Spaniard Arturo Perez-Reverte will love David Liss’s new novel The Devil’s Company. But they’ll also get something those authors don’t provide: a gritty… Continue

Added by Matt Rees on July 7, 2009 at 7:25pm — No Comments

Russian Roulette gets another great Review

Russian Roulette just received the highest honors in a review on “You Gotta Read Reviews!” Check it out!

Added by Austin S. Camacho on July 7, 2009 at 11:10am — No Comments

One of our authors was kind to send this to me...

Author Dolores-Gordon Smith talks about her new book, As If By Magic; the third Jack Haldean mystery

As If By Magic; the third Jack Haldean mystery by Dolores Gordon Smith

“Where do you get your ideas from?” is a question that’s often asked at book festivals and – be warned! – infuriates some writers. I don’t know why; I think it’s a perfectly reasonable thing to ask.

I know exactly where the ideas for As If By Magic came from. Every Christmas the… Continue

Added by The Poisoned Pen Bookstore on July 7, 2009 at 7:15am — No Comments

NEW INTERVIEW AT THINGS I'D RATHER BE DOING

John Kenyon interviews me for a record-setting third time at his excellent Things I'd Rather Be Doing site... We talk about interviewing, blending/balancing fiction and nonfiction and some up-coming projects.

Added by Craig McDonald on July 7, 2009 at 5:19am — No Comments

Royally Flushed with Excitement

Celebrate with me: my third Royal spyness mystery, featuring Lady Georgiana, 34th in line to the throne but penniless, will be in stores tomrorow, July 7th. I'm setting out on a crazy tour schedule. Please check my website, www.rhysbowen.com and click on Rhys on the Road. I love seeing friendly faces when I'm on the road!

Added by Rhys Bowen on July 7, 2009 at 2:22am — 2 Comments