I avoid MySpace and FaceBook because I try to keep the scammers at bay.I just finished TEASER, a new novel about child porn on the Net. The author has been a journalist for 20 years, and TEASER rings true--scary stuff. Having taught high school English for several years back in the Dark Ages, I remember how teens were always searching for acceptance (still are)--sometimes in all the wrong places. Kids are still too trusting, and parents nowdays are frazzled with worry about keeping their homes and jobs.

Regarding MySpace and FaceBook, they were originally started for children and students. I don't think either are an appropriate venue for adult males. The television programme To Catch a Predator uses them to troll for sexual deviants.

Janet Hutchings of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is very open to British mysteries and crime stories. We love 'em.

Hi Darren! How are things?

Hola Daniel -- just coming on to say hello and hope all is going well with you and Tutrle Island. Seems Islands are all the rage right now, what with Dennis Lehane's new title. Am thinking of doing an Island titlle myself and why not? I have the perfect one in mind.
Any rate, jus dropped by to say howdy do.

Rob

Thanks.
And you do have that "Usual Suspect" look about you.
Kidding.

Ciao Darren--have fun editing your new novel. It's the phase of the writing process I enjoy the most. Alas I am still bogged down filling a blank monitor screen. May your editing be inspired. Ciao camilla

Hi Darren
I keep seeing your face everywhere, so you must be a good "friend." I agree, CrimeSpace is much more useful than other networking sites.

Hi Darren-about not finding anyone on CrimeSpace when you log in. I get bogged down with trying to finish my novel, cook,shop for food, do the laundry, answer e-mails etc etc. Who's got the time to chat? I wish I did. Be and write well, Ciao Camilla

Don't be lonely. I'm here. (when I'm not on Facebook that is!)

Hey Darren,
Thanks for the invitation. Yes, I love it here as well. If only I had more time to hang out....

Sorry, meant to add someting and managed to duplicate my last message. I've been toying with the idea of an old maxim in crime for an anthology title that is:
Crime Makes You Stupid = ie a mix of humor and "horrid" crime or at least stupidity and crime. This is a belief and an argument among crime fighters -- what came first the crime or the stupidity? Like the chicken and egg theory. If someone could sell this idea to a publisher, and if someone wished to do the labor of reviewing all the stories and editing same...well it represents a lot of ifs, ands, ors and buts.
I thought I might propose it to Bleak House editors I run into at Love is Murder in February, see if they bite. they recently did These Guns for Hire, a hitman anthology edited by my pal J.A. Konrath.

rob

To compete in today's tough market, an anthology, I feel, must touch a nerve across the board of readers. The theme must be both specific and broad-based at once. I would love to see an anthology that resonated on that score with any and all who share the human race--the human condition, of course as it relates to crime fiction. What's that old saw we always hear? Crime -- everyone is capable of murder under the right conditions? Maybe an anthology of people who've been backed into a corner and there really is only one way out -- murder. Murder Will Out. Problem is getting the message over with a publisher willing to take a chance on an anthology.
Rob

Hi Charlotte,
Sounds like fun. Well they do say there are two things you can't escape, death and taxes. I guesss given the choice I would always rather confront tax!

Darren,
Thanks for adding me as a crimespace friend. Sorry to be so late returning your correspondence. I've been out of town, then really busy at work. It's tax season, and since I do taxes and accounting for a living, things are picking up.From now until May, I hardly havetime to do anything except taxes. (I really hate this time of year)

Hey Darren -- me I just get all excited when someone challenges me with a few sentences of an anthology set up -- as in J.A. Konrath's asking me to do a hit man story for his Bleak House anthology -- just a few challenging words and I am off to try my hand at it. I recently submitted a short story for the contest Daniel Hatadi set up here on Crimespace in which some mention of Australia must come into play. The trick is to come up with an interesting theme. Should you be looking for stories for an anthology, give me thought.

Rob

Hola Darren -- thanks for adding me on as a x-rated crimespree friend here. I havee to learn how to reciprocate. Just figuring out how everything works here and being an old guy, well hard to learn new tricks, but will keep at it. I did put up a blog at my space here on three steps to crafting great short stories and how the same considerations or elements must be in mind in the crafting of the novel. If anyone here is interested in doing shorts or have found their shorts "hanging out on the line" instead of selling -- you might care to see these hard won insights.
Again thanks for connecting with me --
Rob Walker
www.robertWWalkerbooks.com

Hi Darren
thank you for contacting me. We share a love of similar writers. Like you I am relatively new to crime writing, as I mostly write for younger audiences. Nor am I too brilliant at managing this technology. Let's all stay in contact

Hi Darren - sorry, man, should have left my address ... dbrodb(at)gmail.com ... and if you have a publicity pic you prefer to use, just attach it and we're in business ... cheers,
Dec