Out in WriteField

Quote of the Week

2009-07-28T00:30:00.000-04:00

"Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living."

--- Anais Nin

Another (e-book) Party Heard From

2009-07-23T12:24:00.005-04:00

In the midst of all this e-book hoopla that has been appearing in articles, web sites and blogs, Barnes and Noble, world's largest bookstore chain, announced that they would be opening a "mega e-book store" on their site, bn.com.

According to the NYT article: "In an announcement on Monday, Barnes & Noble said that it would offer more than 700,000 books that could be read on a wide range of devices, including Apple's iPhone, the BlackBerry and various laptop or desktop computers. When Barnes & Noble acquired Fictionwise in March, that online retailer had about 60,000 books in its catalog."

Me personally, I'll always have this thing for paper books. Call me a sentimentalist. And I think the other reason that e-readers are not a bigger percentage of book sales is the cost. Most readers are still around $300 and above, as opposed to mass-market paperbacks which are generally all $7.99. Still a little high for a mass market book, but still readily affordable to many more people.

Now, I realize, I'm far from the first person to mention e-books, and I certainly won't be the last. But I'm curious to know, what do you all think of the whole e-book thing in general? Is it the true future of publishing? Will it make the printed book a thing of the past? How will this affect authors and the publishing industry as a whole?

Anyone who comments on this within the next week or so, will be entered in a drawing for two $25 gift cards. One for Barnes and Noble and one Visa for just about anything you'd like.

Quote of the Week

2009-07-21T09:22:00.001-04:00

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk come out of my nose."

--- Woody Allen

Frank McCourt Passes Away

2009-07-20T09:16:00.004-04:00

Frank McCourt, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela's Ashes, as well as New York City school teracher of almost thirty years, passed away yesterday from cancer at the age of 78.

McCourt had been treated for melanoma but then became seriously ill with meningitis. He died at a hospice in New York City, according to his brother Malachy.

McCourt considered himself to be a late bloomer in the publishing world. Angela's Ashes was published in 1996 when McCourt was 66.

That's the Way It is

2009-07-18T10:40:00.005-04:00

Walter Cronkite, the voice of broadcast journalism for more than a generation, --- who covered such news stories as the Kennedy assassination, Vietnam, the moon landing and Watergate --- died yesterday at his home in New York. He was 92.

Walter Cronkite tells the story of his "That's the way it is" sign-off line.

Announcing the Death of JFK

Forever Young

2009-07-12T10:53:00.012-04:00

Have you ever noticed that, generally speaking, superheroes and villains in comic books never seem to really age? Sure they may look different from when they were firs created, but over all, they always seem to be in the same age bracket. Take Superman for example:

Early 1930's

Today

Notice the huge difference in the way The Man of Steel is drawn, but they look to be around the same age.

But what if as the comics continued, superheroes and villains aged? Italian cartoonist Donald Soffritti shows us what the results could be.

The Reason We Have Laptops

2009-07-08T02:00:00.001-04:00

Go into any Starbuck's and something you're likely to see are people with their laptops, busily typing away. Whether they're writer's, students or business people, all of them are tapping at those keys. Which begs the question: "What if the laptop never came to be?" The fun people at Improv Everywhere attempt to answer that for us.

And for more fun, be sure to check out the "Missions" section of their website. Some of my other favorite "missions" include Best Buy, Surprise Wedding Reception, Frozen Grand Central and Food Court Musical.

Quote of the Week

2009-07-07T02:00:00.005-04:00

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

--- Voltaire

Happy Birthday Franz

2009-07-03T09:08:00.005-04:00

It was this day that writer Franz Kafka was born in 1883. Franz Kafka is the writer of such works as The Metamorphosis and The Trial.

And now as a special treat, here's a special look at Franz Kafka: The Rock Opera.

Quote of the Week

2009-06-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

"The worst enemy to creativity is self doubt."

--- Sylvia Plath

Quote of the Week

2009-05-19T01:00:00.000-04:00

"Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without."

--- Confucius

Quote of the Week

2009-05-12T09:30:00.003-04:00

"Write your first draft with your heart. Re-write with your head."

--- From the movie Finding Forrester

Kindle Goes "Big Time"

2009-05-08T09:06:00.008-04:00

Think of it as the large print edition for the Kindle.

This past Wednesday at Pace University, Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos introduced the new Kindle DX (that's deluxe). Designed primarily for reading book pages, this latest version of the Kindle has a screen that's two and a half times larger than the regular Kindle. Bezos stated also gave limited information about deals with partnerships whose goal it is to put Kindles into the hands of more university students and newspaper readers.

Of course, this new Kindle comes with a new hefty price tag: $489.

According to an article in the New York Times, six colleges and universities -- Pace, Arizona State, Case Western Reserve, Princeton, Reed College and the University of Virginia -- would begin testing the "large print" Kindle with students later this year.

In another agreement, three major newspapers -- The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Washington Post -- offered the KDX at a reduced price in exchange for long-term subscriptions, but only in areas where the print editions were not available.

I can understand the goal of wanting to save the environment as well as being a convenience so that we don't have to carry around numerous tomes with us everywhere we go, but I believe that Amazon, as well as other companies who are pushing a "paperless society" with their e-readers are overlooking a very : There are MANY people who can't pay the large price. In a society that has sky high rates on essentials (such as health care and education), a high homeless population, and people who have to live check by check, these pricey e-readers are not accessible to the masses, unlike a newspaper or paperback book.

You've all heard my opinions on this before, so, what do you think about this whole Amazon/e-reader thing?

Anyone who leaves a comment will get the chance at a gift card from Barnes and Noble. I'll announce the winner within the next few days (or posts) from now.

(Sorry, I'm one of the masses who can't afford the Kindle DX to offer as a prize)

Apologies in advance if i don't answer right away. I'll be on the road for most of the day.

Quote of the Week

2009-05-05T01:00:00.003-04:00

"The walls of books around him, dense with the past, formed a kind of insulation against the present world and its disasters."

--- Ross MacDonald

And the Edgar goes to:

2009-05-01T00:14:00.001-04:00

Here are the winners for this year's Edgar Awards:

Best Novel

Missing by Karin Alvtegen (Felony & Mayhem Press)
Blue Heaven by C.J. Box (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
Sins of the Assassin by Robert Ferrigno (Simon & Schuster - Scribner)
The Price of Blood by Declan Hughes (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
The Night Following by Morag Joss (Random House – Delacorte Press)
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz (Simon & Schuster)

Best First Novel By an American Author

The Kind One by Tom Epperson (Five Star, div of Cengage)
Sweetsmoke by David Fuller (Hyperion)
The Foreigner by Francie Lin (Picador)
Calumet City by Charlie Newton (Simon & Schuster - Touchstone)
A Cure for Night by Justin Peacock (Random House - Doubleday)

Best Paperback Original

The Prince of Bagram by Alex Carr (Random House Trade)
Money Shot by Christa Faust (Hard Case Crime)
Enemy Combatant by Ed Gaffney (Random House - Dell)
China Lake by Meg Gardiner (New American Library – Obsidian Mysteries)
The Cold Spot by Tom Piccirilli (Random House - Bantam)

Best Critical/Biographical

African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey (McFarland & Company)
Hard-Boiled Sentimentality: The Secret History of American Crime Stories by Leonard Cassuto (Columbia University Press)
Scene of the Crime: The Importance of Place in Crime and Mystery Fiction by David Geherin (McFarland & Company)
The Rise of True Crime by Jean Murley (Greenwood Publishing – Praeger)
Edgar Allan Poe: An Illustrated Companion to His Tell-Tale Stories by Dr. Harry Lee Poe (Sterling Publishing – Metro Books)

Best Fact Crime

For The Thrill of It: Leopold, Loeb and the Murder that Shocked Chicago by Simon Baatz (HarperCollins)
American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century by Howard Blum (Crown Publishers)
Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba and Then Lost It To The Revolution by T.J. English (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Hans van Meegeren by Jonathan Lopez (Harcourt)
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale (Walker & Company)

Best Short Story

"A Sleep Not Unlike Death" - Hardcore Hardboiled by Sean Chercover (Kensington Publishing)
"Skin and Bones" – Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine by David Edgerley Gates (Dell Magazines)
"Scratch a Woman" - Hardly Knew Her by Laura Lippman (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
"La Vie en Rose" - Paris Noir by Dominique Mainard (Akashic Books
"Skinhead Central" - The Blue Religion by T. Jefferson Parker (Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown and Company)

Best Young Adult

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd (Random House Children’s Books – David Fickling Books)
The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo (Harry N. Abrams Books – Amulet Books)
Paper Towns by John Green (Penguin Young Readers Group – Dutton Children’s Books)
Getting the Girl by Susan Juby (HarperCollins Children’s Books - HarperTeen)
Torn to Pieces by Margo McDonnell (Random House Children’s Books – Delacorte Books for Young Readers)

Best Juvenile

The Postcard by Tony Abbott (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Enigma: A Magical Mystery by Graeme Base (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff (Random House Children’s Books – Wendy Lamb Books)
The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow by Riford McKenzie (Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books)
Cemetary Street by Brenda Seabrooke (Holiday House)

Best Play

The Ballad of Emmett Till by Ifa Bayeza (Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the story by Robert Lewis Stevenson (Arizona Theatre Company)
Cell by Judy Klass (International Mystery Writers’ Festival)

Best Television Episode Teleplay

“Streetwise” – Law & Order: SVU, Teleplay by Paul Grellong (Wolf Films/NBC Universal)
“Prayer of the Bone” – Wire in the Blood, Teleplay by Patrick Harbinson (BBC America)
“Signature” – Law & Order: SVU, Teleplay by Judith McCreary (Wolf Films/NBC Universal)
“You May Now Kill the Bride” – CSI: Miami, Teleplay by Barry O’Brien (CBS)
“Burn Card” – Law & Order, Teleplay by David Wilcox (Wolf Films/NBC Universal)

Best Motion Picture Screenplay

The Bank Job, Screenplay by Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais (Lionsgate)
Burn After Reading, Screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen (Focus Features)
In Bruges, Screenplay by Martin McDonagh (Focus Features)
Tell No One, Screenplay by Guillaume Canet and Philippe Lefebvre, based on the book by Harlan Coben (Music Box Films)
Transsiberian, Screenplay by Brad Anderson & Will Conroy (First Look International)

Robert L. Fish Memorial Award

"Buckner's Error" - Queens Noir by Joseph Guglielmelli (Akashic Books)

Mary Higgins Clark Award

Sacrifice by S.J. Bolton (St. Martin's Minotaur)
The Killer’s Wife by Bill Floyd (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer (Random House - Doubleday)
A Song for You by Betsy Thornton (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
The Fault Tree by Louise Ure (St. Martin’s Minotaur)

Grand Master

James Lee Burke
Sue Grafton

Raven Awards

Edgar Allan Poe Society, Baltimore, Maryland
Poe House, Baltimore, Maryland

Congratulations to all the winners as well as nominees.

Quote of the Week

2009-04-28T01:30:00.001-04:00

“Life is a moderately good play with a badly written third act.”

--- Truman Capote

Quote of the Week

2009-04-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."

--- Erma Bombeck

Mankell's Wallander is coming to PBS

2009-04-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Kurt Wallander, the detective created by Swedish writer Henning Mankell, is coming to PBS in a series, simply titled "Wallander". The first episode is set to air on May 10th as part of PBS's Masterpiece Mystery. Slated to play Wallander is Kenneth Branagh.

Banned Book Week Founder dies

2009-04-16T10:04:00.002-04:00

Judith Krug, the librarian who was responsible for founding Banned Book Week, died this past Saturday in Evanston, IL. at the age of 69.

Throughout the years, Krug has been a proponent of First Amendment rights for The American Library Association. She even fought to have books that she herself found offensive to be stocked on library shelves, such as The Blue Book from the ultraconservative John Birch Society.

In a 1972 interview with the New York Times, Krug said that "My personal proclivities have nothing to do with how I react as a librarian. Library service in this country should be based on the concept of intellectual freedom, of providing all pertinent information so a reader can make decisions for himself."

Quote of the Week

2009-04-14T09:29:00.001-04:00

"I always read the last page of a book first so that of I die before I finish I'll know how it turned out."

--- Nora Ephron

Quote of the Week

2009-04-07T00:00:00.002-04:00

"God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny."

--- Garrison Keillor

"Omit Needless Words"

2009-04-06T09:22:00.005-04:00

When Cornell English Professor William Strunk, Jr. self published a small guide for his English classes, he probably never imagined that E.B. White, one of his former students, would help make the little book one of the foremost authorities on writing. Yet, 50 years later, Strunk and White's Elements of Style has sold well over 10 million copies and is on almost every bookshelf or desk of anyone who has ever written an article, essay, academic paper and/or book.

And according to one article, this valuable little gem would have been lost if someone hadn't broken into the library at Cornell University, stolen one of the two original copies of Strunks original book and sent it to White (who had lost his own copy long ago).

I know my well used copy of Elements of Style still holds its prominent place among my reference books.

Quote of the Week

2009-03-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

"It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it."

--- Eleanor Roosevelt

Location, Location, Location

2009-03-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

To promote his upcoming book Afraid, which hits shelves tomorrow, author Joe Konrath (aka JA Konrath and Jack Kilborn), has been guesting on various blogs talking about such things as landing an agent, self promotion, blogging and other random things. Today he stops by to discuss setting and its role in a story. So please join me in welcoming Joe Konrath to Out in WriteField. And make sure you check out Joe's entertaining and very informative blog A Newbie's Guide to Publishing.

----

My name is Joe Konrath. I write a thriller series set in Chicago under the name JA Konrath, and I recently wrote two horror novels under the name Jack Kilborn.

The first is called Afraid, and is being released on March 31. It is set in a small, Wisconsin town. The second is called Trapped, and it is set on a tiny island in Lake Huron.

So lets talk about setting.

My series character, a Homicide cop named Jack Daniels, works out of Chicago. You may have heard it said (possibly by me) that when choosing the setting for your novel, the setting should be integral to the plot. If you're writing a book set in Chicago that could easily be set in Sheboygan, you aren't paying enough attention to your location.

I chose Chicago for Jack Daniels for several reasons, including:

Chicago has the second largest police force in the country, and it's still very much an old boys network, sexist and chauvinistic. Since Jack is a woman, this setting speaks to her character. She has to be tougher, smarter, and more determined than the cops she works with.

Chicago has one of the highest murder rates in the country, making it perfect for a busy Homicide cop.

Chicago is a city made up of diverse, distinct neighborhoods, which means I never have to travel far for a change of scenery.

Setting is also a place to make your story come alive in the readers mind. Reading is a mental trip to a new place. This is your chance, as a writer, to take readers to a world you've created. If it's based in the real world, make sure you get your facts straight. Research shouldn't take the place of writing, but it is certainly required if you want to paint an accurate picture in your reader's mind.

Though I chose Chicago--a place that really exists--the personality I give the setting comes from me. Many writers use Chicago as a back drop for their stories. But my Chicago isn't Libby Fischer Hellman's Chicago, or Marcus Sakey's Chicago, or Robert W. Walker's Chicago.

The feeling, or tone, you bring to your setting should enhance your story. Chicago can be scary, desperate, fun, exciting, sexy, moody, romantic, or deadly, depending on your personal voice.

In Afraid, the Wisconsin town of Safe Haven, population 904, is a small, easy-going community where everyone knows each other. Normally, an idyllic place to live. It's so small and quiet it doesn't even need a full time sheriff.

Then something horrifying comes to town and begins to wipe out the population. Everything that made Safe Haven a perfect place to live now makes it a perfect target.

The hometown feel it normally has quickly turns threatening, and the local hubs of the community, like the diner and the Junior High School, are perverted into places of our darkest fears.

In Trapped, I take a normally pleasurable event--camping in the woods--and turn it into the ultimate nightmare. What should be a night of campfire songs and roasting marshmallows becomes a fight for survival.

Weather plays a part in setting. The temperature and humidity can effect the mood of both the character and the reader. It also effects a character's actions. I've set books during all four seasons, in varying weather extremes, to enhance the story.

If done properly, your setting is almost like an extra character in your story, providing additional conflict and incentive for your protagonist. The things that exist within the setting become obstacles to overcome.

Have you picked the right setting for your story? Here's a quick checklist:

* Why is this setting the only setting that works for your story? You should have several reasons why it is interesting, unique, and essential.

* What research is needed to make this setting come alive for the reader? Do you have to visit it? Live there? Or is the Internet enough?

* What mood and tone do you want your setting to express? The background enhances the foreground.

* What conflicts does your setting add to the story? Physical and environmental, emotional and psychological?

* What's the weather like? Why are you choosing to make the weather that way?

As I'm found of saying, I'm a storyteller. I'm not a characterteller, or a settingteller.

But even with the greatest plot in the world, if you have lame characters and an unmemorable setting, you're going to lose readers.

Choose your setting wisely, and be able to justify why you've chosen it.

Of course, if you really want to learn about setting, you should learn by example. As Salvador Dali said, "Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing." So go buy all of my books and study how I use setting. They're conveniently available in print, as ebook downloads, and on audio.

See you on the road...

---
There you have it. Setting and story, going hand in hand. Thanks to Joe Konrath (and/or Jack Kilborn) for stopping in and offering his valuable insight. And don't forget to pick up your copy of Afraid tomorrow.

Cheeta Tells All

2009-03-25T06:00:00.002-04:00

Apparently, Lassie can do more than just let people know that little Timmy is stuck in a well. She also reviews a book or two every so often. Her latest is a review of Cheeta the Chimp's tell-all book Me Cheeta: My Life in Hollywood. One has to wonder what Cheeta has to reveal about Tarzan, Jane, Boy and the rest of the odd jungle characters.

Quote of the Week

2009-03-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

"Humor is just another defense against the universe."

--- Mel Brooks

Don't Misunderestimate Me

2009-03-19T17:05:00.005-04:00

We knew that this moment was coming. It was only a matter of time. Former president George W. Bush is working on a book. However, it won't be a traditional memoir, but rather a telling of twelve difficult decisions (both political and personal) that he had to make in his life. The book, tentatively titled Decision Points, is scheduled to be published in 2010 by Crown Publishing.

Well, at least this can be said: Should the book sell well, the people at Crown will have no problem in having money to help put food on their families.

Quote of the Week

2009-03-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

"If no one ever took risks, Michaelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor."

--- Neil Simon

Quote of the Week

2009-03-10T16:01:00.001-04:00

"Imagination... its limits are only those of the mind itself."

--- Rod Serling

Goodbye, Barbara Parker

2009-03-08T10:36:00.005-04:00

Barbara Parker, NYT best selling author of numerous thrillers, died Saturday at the age of 62.

Mitch Kaplan, owner of Books & Books in Coral Gables, FL, called Parker a "a unifying figure to the writing community."

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to help writers. Donations can be sent to the Author Sponsorship Fund, Mystery Writers of America, 1140 Broadway, New York, NY 10001.

Quote of the Week

2009-03-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."

--- Edgar Allan Poe

Buried Treasure

2009-02-28T08:53:00.005-05:00

Sorry for the absence last week folks. Things were a little crazy but have finally calmed down. Right. Let's get to this!

Books will often offer hidden treasures in their stories. But sometimes, you can find something more. Specifically, have you ever bought a used book and found someone else's shopping list tucked away between page 98 and 99? When I looked through one of my old books, I found the bookmark from the store where I bought it (the store had closed down years ago). Sometimes, my mom would use heavy books to press dried flowers. Musician Dan Zanes once used a book to store a prized possession given him by his mother — a rare photograph of J. D. Salinger, taken by Mrs. Zanes’s mentor, the German photographer Lotte Jacobi. Henry Alford wrote in The New York Times Book Review that one time even bacon was found within a book's pages. Though, I have to question that one.

So, how about any of you out there? Have you ever found some interesting item in a book? Any of you used a book to stash a little something?

Quote of the Week

2009-02-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery."

--- Jane Austen

Breakin' the Law, Breakin' the Law

2009-02-13T06:00:00.003-05:00

One of the new experimental features (a text to voice feature that reads in a computer-generated voice) of the new Kindle 2 from Amazon has the Author's Guild in an uproar. (See additional article here)

Paul Aiken, executive director of the Authors Guild, said of the feature: "They don't have the right to read a book out loud....That's an audio right, which is derivative under copyright law."

Quote of the Week

2009-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence."

--- Alice Walker

Can't We All Just Get Along?

2009-02-09T06:00:00.003-05:00

Apparently, Stephen King had a few choice words regarding Twilight Saga author, Stephanie Meyer.

Of course, literary feuds are nothing new.

LITERARY FIGHT NIGHT

GERTRUDE STEIN v. ERNEST "PAPA" HEMINGWAY

This was a case of a mentor/student relationship gone bad. Stein originally had nothing but great things to say about Hemingway, that is until he became a bigger literary star. Stein then wrote a scathing review about one of Hemingway's book. Papa responded by talking about Stein's sex life with Alice B. Toklas in his memoir, A Moveable Feast.

GORE VIDAL v. NORMAN MAILER

The on-going feud between these two egotistical novelists came to a head at a dinner party in New York when Mailer challenged Vidal to a fight and threw a drink in his face. Apparently, the two also came to blows (including slapping and headbutts) backstage of The Dick Cavett Show, before going on the air and engaging in what was called a memorable war of words.

MAIN EVENT
TOM WOLFE v. NORMAN MAILER, JOHN IRVING AND JOHN UPDIKE

When Wolfe's novel A Man in Full was published in 1998, the three "literary giants" all agreed that the book was horrible. Wolfe fired back at the trio in a Canadian TV show by calling them The Three Stooges and said that they were jealous of him. "It must gall them a bit that everyone, including them, is talking about me."

There you have it just three of the famous literary feuds. To read more, check out Anthony Arthur's book Literary Feuds: A Century of Celebrated Quarrels from Mark Twain to Tom Wolfe. And for the record, notice there weren't too many (if any at all) feuds among the crime writing community. :-]

Quote of the Week

2009-02-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

--- Helen Keller

In Library News

2009-02-01T12:35:00.006-05:00

Local Libraries Seeing More Use

With the poor state of the economy, people are spending less money on books and heading off for their local library. In an article in The Cape Cod Times, contributing writer Laurie Higgins said:

"Public libraries are no longer just quiet places where people go to check out books or study. In the past 10 years, librarians have worked hard to respond to patrons' needs, and today many libraries are vibrant community centers offering information, education, modern technology and entertainment."

It's a great thing that libraries offer these services for their communities. Unfortunately, some could face the possibility closing due to state budget cuts. Let's just hope that this doesn't happen and that these library can continue to provide a haven for the many avid readers out there who are trimming their book buying budget in these tough economic times.

Fairstein's Latest Book Involves NYC Public Library

Speaking of Libraries, Linda Fairstein's latest book Lethal Legacy will bring readers into a fascinating world: The New York Public Library's rare books and maps archives. Lethal Legacy is the eleventh book in a series featuring Manhattan sex-crimes prosecutor Alexandra Cooper.

Author Linda Fairstein touring the NYC Public Library

The Passing of Another Great

2009-01-27T14:45:00.003-05:00

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winning author John Updike died today at the age of 76. According to Alfred A. Knopf Inc., Updike's publisher, Mr. Updike, who was a long time residence of Beverly Farms, died at an area hospice of lung cancer.

This is yet another loss to the literary world, coming so close to the death of Donald Westlake.

Quote of the Week

2009-01-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Writing is a form of prayer."

--- Franz Kafka

Ba-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-d to the Bone

2009-01-25T12:09:00.003-05:00

It's stuff like this that really makes you wonder.

A Victory for the Little Guy

2009-01-20T13:46:00.005-05:00

In today's book selling industry, it's not often you see a story like this. Score one for the indies!!

Quote of the Week

2009-01-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

--- Robert Frost

Quoth the Raven: "Happy Birthday!"

2009-01-19T06:00:00.006-05:00

It has been 200 years since the birth of Edgar Allan Poe and in honor of that, there are two new books (books make great gifts by they way) out now.

The first is On a Raven's Wing, an anthology released by The Mystery Writers of America. It features new tales in honor Mr. Poe and his work. Contributors include Stuart M. Kaminsky (who also edited), Mary Higgins Clark, Thomas H. Cook, Don Winslow, John Lutz and the late Edward D. Hoch.

The other book (also from Mystery Writers of America) is a new collection of some of Poe's work titled In the Shadow of the Master. The stories are followed by essays by some of today's top writers such as Stephen King, Jeffrey Deaver, Lisa Scottoline, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly and Tess Gerritsen.

Also, in an earlier post I detailed some of the events hat would be going on in Baltimore as part of a year-long celebration of Poe called Nevermore 2009.

James Earl Jones reciting "The Raven"

Vincent Price performing "Tell-tale Heart" (Part 1)

Oh Lord Won't You Buy Her a Mecedes Benz?

2009-01-19T06:00:00.002-05:00

It was on this day in 1943 that singer Janis Joplin was born.

"On stage I make love to twenty five thousand people; and then I go home alone. "

Janis performing Piece of My Heart

2009 Edgars Nominees

2009-01-16T17:29:00.006-05:00

Today the Mystery Writers of America announced the nominees for the 2009 Edgar Awards.

Best Novel

Missing by Karin Alvtegen (Felony & Mayhem Press)
Blue Heaven by C.J. Box (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
Sins of the Assassin by Robert Ferrigno (Simon & Schuster - Scribner)
The Price of Blood by Declan Hughes (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
The Night Following by Morag Joss (Random House – Delacorte Press)
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz (Simon & Schuster)

Best First Novel By an American Author

The Kind One by Tom Epperson (Five Star, div of Cengage)
Sweetsmoke by David Fuller (Hyperion)
The Foreigner by Francie Lin (Picador)
Calumet City by Charlie Newton (Simon & Schuster - Touchstone)
A Cure for Night by Justin Peacock (Random House - Doubleday)

Best Paperback Original

The Prince of Bagram by Alex Carr (Random House Trade)
Money Shot by Christa Faust (Hard Case Crime)
Enemy Combatant by Ed Gaffney (Random House - Dell)
China Lake by Meg Gardiner (New American Library – Obsidian Mysteries)
The Cold Spot by Tom Piccirilli (Random House - Bantam)

Best Critical/Biographical

African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey (McFarland & Company)
Hard-Boiled Sentimentality: The Secret History of American Crime Stories by Leonard Cassuto (Columbia University Press)
Scene of the Crime: The Importance of Place in Crime and Mystery Fiction by David Geherin (McFarland & Company)
The Rise of True Crime by Jean Murley (Greenwood Publishing – Praeger)
Edgar Allan Poe: An Illustrated Companion to His Tell-Tale Stories by Dr. Harry Lee Poe (Sterling Publishing – Metro Books)

Best Fact Crime

For The Thrill of It: Leopold, Loeb and the Murder that Shocked Chicago by Simon Baatz (HarperCollins)
American Lightning: Terror, Mystery, the Birth of Hollywood, and the Crime of the Century by Howard Blum (Crown Publishers)
Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba and Then Lost It To The Revolution by T.J. English (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Hans van Meegeren by Jonathan Lopez (Harcourt)
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale (Walker & Company)

Best Short Story

"A Sleep Not Unlike Death" - Hardcore Hardboiled by Sean Chercover (Kensington Publishing)
"Skin and Bones" – Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine by David Edgerley Gates (Dell Magazines)
"Scratch a Woman" - Hardly Knew Her by Laura Lippman (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
"La Vie en Rose" - Paris Noir by Dominique Mainard (Akashic Books
"Skinhead Central" - The Blue Religion by T. Jefferson Parker (Hachette Book Group – Little, Brown and Company)

Best Young Adult

Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd (Random House Children’s Books – David Fickling Books)
The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo (Harry N. Abrams Books – Amulet Books)
Paper Towns by John Green (Penguin Young Readers Group – Dutton Children’s Books)
Getting the Girl by Susan Juby (HarperCollins Children’s Books - HarperTeen)
Torn to Pieces by Margo McDonnell (Random House Children’s Books – Delacorte Books for Young Readers)

Best Juvenile

The Postcard by Tony Abbott (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Enigma: A Magical Mystery by Graeme Base (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff (Random House Children’s Books – Wendy Lamb Books)
The Witches of Dredmoore Hollow by Riford McKenzie (Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books)
Cemetary Street by Brenda Seabrooke (Holiday House)

Best Play

The Ballad of Emmett Till by Ifa Bayeza (Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, based on the story by Robert Lewis Stevenson (Arizona Theatre Company)
Cell by Judy Klass (International Mystery Writers’ Festival)

Best Television Episode Teleplay

“Streetwise” – Law & Order: SVU, Teleplay by Paul Grellong (Wolf Films/NBC Universal)
“Prayer of the Bone” – Wire in the Blood, Teleplay by Patrick Harbinson (BBC America)
“Signature” – Law & Order: SVU, Teleplay by Judith McCreary (Wolf Films/NBC Universal)
“You May Now Kill the Bride” – CSI: Miami, Teleplay by Barry O’Brien (CBS)
“Burn Card” – Law & Order, Teleplay by David Wilcox (Wolf Films/NBC Universal)

Best Motion Picture Screenplay

The Bank Job, Screenplay by Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais (Lionsgate)
Burn After Reading, Screenplay by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen (Focus Features)
In Bruges, Screenplay by Martin McDonagh (Focus Features)
Tell No One, Screenplay by Guillaume Canet and Philippe Lefebvre, based on the book by Harlan Coben (Music Box Films)
Transsiberian, Screenplay by Brad Anderson & Will Conroy (First Look International)

Robert L. Fish Memorial Award

"Buckner's Error" - Queens Noir by Joseph Guglielmelli (Akashic Books)

Mary Higgins Clark Award

Sacrifice by S.J. Bolton (St. Martin's Minotaur)
The Killer’s Wife by Bill Floyd (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer (Random House - Doubleday)
A Song for You by Betsy Thornton (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
The Fault Tree by Louise Ure (St. Martin’s Minotaur)

Grand Master

James Lee Burke
Sue Grafton

Raven Awards

Edgar Allan Poe Society, Baltimore, Maryland
Poe House, Baltimore, Maryland

Congratulations to all who were nominated.

Quote of the Week

2009-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

"Life is about learning; when you stop learning, you die."

--- Tom Clancy

Goodbye, Donald Westlake

2009-01-01T18:29:00.011-05:00

Donald Westlake, author of the Dortmunder series, numerous crime novels and short stories as well as the Parker series under the name Richard Stark, has died at the age of 75. He was on his way to a New Year's Eve party, when he collapsed of an apparent heart attack.

I first discovered Mr. Westlake when I read Money For Nothing in 2003. I was really impressed with this book and immediately went back to read his others. Two favorites include The Hook and The Ax. I even found out that A Slight Case of Murder, one of my favorite movies, was based on a story by Westlake.

Needless to say, I, along with the rest of the crime fiction community (readers and writers alike) will be feeling the loss of this prolific writer. You can see the numerous tributes here.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Westlake. You will be greatly missed.

Quote of the Week

2008-12-16T16:37:00.001-05:00

"You see, we are here, as far as I can tell, to help each other; our brothers, our sisters, our friends, our enemies. That is to help each other and not hurt each other."

--- Stevie Ray Vaughan

That Perfect Gift

2008-12-14T10:48:00.004-05:00

Are you a last minute Christmas shopper? Me too. So, if you're wondering what to get for someone, allow me to make the same suggestion other writers have been making: Books. New or used, they make great gifts, especially if you can get them signed or find a rare book. So, here are a few of my suggestions (some are newer books, some not so much, but I think they're all great):

Anything of William Shakespeare's

The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
The Price by Alexandra Sokoloff
When the Elephants Dance by Tess Uriza Holthe
Killer Instinct by Joseph Finder
Beloved by Toni Morrison
My Name is Will by Jess Winfield
Nox Dormienda by Kelli Stanley
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Once Were Cops by Ken Bruen
Boneyard by Michelle Gagnon
Just After Sunset by Stephen King
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
The Complete Collected Poems of Mya Angelou
The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Okay, hopefully that list will give you a few ideas. And remember (even if I did link to Amazon for the book descriptions) please be sure to support your local independent bookseller.

Quote of the Week

2008-12-11T15:55:00.001-05:00

"You can only be young once. But you can always be immature."

--- Dave Barry

Story Not Included

2008-12-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

Before I get to this, I just need to do bit of housekeeping. I just remembered that I never picked a winner for the chap book for Nox Dormienda, that I was giving away to a commenter from my post Hodie Ego sum Centum (Today I am 100). So, without further ado, the winner of the chap book is Stephen D. Rogers. Congratulations Stephen. Could you please e-mail me at rj@rjmangahas.com with your snail mail so I can get your prize off to you? Now, that that's taken care of, on with the post.
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There are certainly a lot of changes going on in the publishing industry, not just with the reorganizing, but also with the technology involved. Today there are e-readers, such as the Kindle from Amazon and print on demand services where anybody with a credit card can pay some money and call themselves published. But there is another thing that has changed in the publishing industy and that's HOW people write. In olden times, it was carvings on a cave wall. In Shakespeare's day it was a feather quill and parchement. Later, pencils and pens, then typewriters and finally word processors. But that too has evolved.

There are now a variety of programs used to assist in writing: From Final Draft for screenplays and stage plays to New Novelist for, well, novels. Many of these programs have features such as automatic formating, character databases, virtual index cards complete with corkboard and push pins and outline modes. Yes, sir. These are loaded with all sorts of neat things. Plus according to the ads, they will help the user write the next big blockbuster or Great American Novel. But you know what? Despite all the bells and whistles these programs have, there's one thing that none of them can do: and that's write the actual story. Listen, it doesn't matter how fancy these wriitng programs are. The story has to come from you. As I said, long before all this fancy technology, books and screenplays were being written. People just used real index cards and corkboards.

As for myself, I do a majority of my writing on a laptop. But when it comes to certain scenes and editing (on hard copy mind you) I rely on the Faber Castell 9000 3B Drawing pencil.

So, how about you all? What do you prefer to write with? Whether you're a writer or not, I'm interested to know.

Quote of the Week

2008-12-02T19:32:00.002-05:00

"The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power."

--- Toni Morrison

Things Like This Should NEVER Happen

2008-11-29T08:12:00.003-05:00

Black Friday. That yearly day after Thanksgiving that many retail employees don't look forward to. Throngs of people lining lining up (okay, mobbing up is more appropriate waiting for a store's door to open. Believe me, people are absolutely ridiculous on this day, some of them lining up HOURS before the store opens. I've worked retail and I've seen the madness. And every year you hear about injuries to employees and shoppers caused by the stampedes of people. But this situation is truly unacceptable:

"A Wal-Mart worker died early Friday after an "out-of-control" mob of frenzied
shoppers smashed through the Long Island store's front doors and trampled him,
police said." (Read full article)

And the worst part of this situation was that other workers were also trampled while attempting to help the fallen worker and shoppers actually got mad when the store closed for a few hours because of the death. It's absolutely inhuman and at the same time very sad that people felt mad and inconvenienced at a store closing making them have to wait to get their holiday deals. Thanks to some of them, a family will be grieving the loss of a loved one because these shoppers just had to save a few dollars or get that hot new gift item.

And you know what? I bet after these people read all the articles about 34-year-old Jdimytai Damour (the unfortunate Wal-Mart worker), they'll either say they weren't involved or won't give it a second thought.

So as we all go about our holiday shopping and go to gather with our loved ones, we should keep in our thoughts Jdimytai Damour as well as his family and friends who have suffered a terrible and such unnecessary loss.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T11:31:00.002-05:00

Quote of the Week

2008-11-25T15:22:00.002-05:00

"At least half the mystery novels published violate the law that the solution, once revealed, must seem to be inevitable."

--- Raymond Chandler

Sign of the Times?

2008-11-25T06:00:00.005-05:00

Much like other businesses during these tough economic times, the publishing industry is also suffering. But has it truly reached the point that major NY publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt actually told their editors to "temporarily" stop acquiring manuscripts? (Additional NYT article here)

Hodie EGO sum Centum (Today I am 100)

2008-11-16T06:00:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I'm not 100, but this IS the 100th post here at Out in Writefield. (trumpets sound) And to kick things off, I'd like to announce the winner of Ken Bruen's latest book, Once Were Cops, that I offered to one lucky commenter on my post Cracking the Block. And the winner is....(opens envelope). Jake Nantz. Congratulations, Jake. Could you please e-mail me at rj@rjmangahas.com with your snail mail so I can get your book off to you? And by the way folks, check out Jake's blog, The Pen-Ferno. Cool name, huh?

So let's move this party. You're probably wondering, "What's with the Latin in the post title?" Well, it goes along with my guest here today at Out in WriteField: Kelli Stanley. She is the author of Nox Dormienda, a historical mystery set in Rome but with a noir feel. So please join me in welcoming Kelli Stanley to Out in WriteField.

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RJ: NOX DORMIENDA. Can you give us the pitch?

KS: Well, first let me thank you, RJ, for the invite! It’s great to be here to help celebrate your 100^th.

As for NOX … it’s a mystery-thriller and the first Roman Noir. A combination of ancient historical setting (first century Roman Britain) and the style of hardboiled fiction made famous by Hammett, Chandler, Woolrich and Cain. Arcturus—the governor’s doctor—has only one week to figure out who murdered a Syrian spy—and why … or civil war will erupt between the Roman Empire, and the small, wet province known as Britannia.

And of course there’s a woman involved. Isn’t there always? ;)

RJ: I've read that you're both a Classicist and a huge fan of noir. What made you decide to combine the two?

KS: An epiphany while attending Eddie Muller’s Noir City film festival in San Francisco. I’ve been a noir fan all my life. I wanted a lens for the book, something people could look through and say, “OK, I get it, Roman culture wasn’t all marble and togas, and it really does have relevance to the here and now.” For me, noir is that lens … it gives me a chance to prove that history can be just as tough, just as visceral, as a contemporary novel.

RJ: NOX DORMIENDA has been described by you and others such as author James Rollins, The Library Journal and Becky Lejeune, of Bookbitch.com, as "Roman Noir." What exactly is Roman Noir?

KS: Well, Roman Noir is a pun on “roman noir”, the French literary term for a detective novel. I thought it would be a good way to distinguish NOX from other historical mysteries on the market, and let people know that it’s something completely new. I’m very proud of the fact that the city and county of San Francisco—my homebase—awarded me a Certificate of Honor for my creation of a new subgenre.

Thanks to Jim Rollins, Becky Lejeune, and other reviewers, I’ve been able to get the word out about Roman Noir. Thanks to the support of readers, I have a good chance at expanding the series to the second, third and fourth novels. We’re trying to move to a larger publisher, so we’ll see.

RJ: I understand that you're also working on another series set in San Francisco in 1940.

KS: I just finished it, actually. Right before Bouchercon (a large annual mystery convention). Not Roman, but definitely noir … and a much darker version than Roman.

RJ: Any possibility for a little insight into the series?
KS: Without giving too much away, the protagonist is a female PI, who gets involved in a case dealing with racial tensions between the Chinese-American and Japanese-American communities in the wake of Nanking. Sweeping book, very dark and very big.

RJ: Just for fun, what are some of your favorite noir films and books?

KS: My favorite noir films include Nightmare Alley, Gilda, Out of the Past, Double Indemnity and Touch of Evil … and of course the minute I say that, I think of Night and the City, In a Lonely Place, Sudden Fear, Woman on the Run, Thieves’ Highway … it’s virtually impossible to rank them!

As for books, I consider Chandler a noir writer. He’s my favorite author. I also hold Hammett, Woolrich, Elizabeth Sanxay-Holding, Patricia Highsmith, Dorothy B. Hughes, David Goodis in high esteem. James Cain. Jim Thompson was brilliant, hard as hell to read sometimes because he was so damn disturbing. I like a combination of aesthetic lyricism with a brutal subject.

RJ: Who were some of the biggest influences on you as a writer?

KS: All of the above, plus Hemingway, Steinbeck, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, the Brontes, Poe and a whole lot of other people. Lots of poetry. Shakespeare. Virgil, Catullus, Euripides in terms of classical literature.

RJ: You say that you're also a comic book buff. Name some of your favorites.

KS: I used to own a comic book store with my family, and have collected since I was a kid. Batman and Detective are my two main titles … I have every issue of Detective from about 1959 to 1989. Batman is, for me, the ultimate noir super-hero. I’ve always been a DC fan (and am one of those unfortunate souls who can name all the members of the Legion of Super-Pets).

My collection has ground to a halt since publication, but I collect Silver and Golden Age DC, Fawcett and Quality. I’ve always loved Plastic Man (Jack Cole), Will Eisner’s The Spirit (what a wonderful man Eisner was!) … and I’m partial to a few other heroes in the DC pantheon, including Green Arrow, Dr. Fate and the Specter. I adore Catwoman. I was never much of a Wonder Woman fan, though as an academic I published an article on how she reflects American cultural trends toward women.

RJ: Did any of them influence your writing as well?

KS: Great question! I’m sure comic books have influenced me … they’re like reading storyboards, and before I turned to novels, I wrote screenplays … gave it up because unless you’re in LA and are willing to knock on doors it’s too frustrating a business. Batman certainly influenced me … made me understand (and from a young age) the pain of loss and the anger at not being able to prevent it. And the desire for revenge … psychologically he’s a very complex figure.

RJ: What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?

KS: Movies—I’m looking forward to Quantum of Solace. Usually I’m catching up on something from 1948 on DVD. J I love visiting historic places, watching ships come in under the Golden Gate Bridge, walking in parks, playing with the dog. I also like vintage radio shows—some great writing on shows like Suspense … full entertainment in a half hour. But the thing about being a writer is that you never *not write.* Even when you’re doing other things, you’re still writing in your head. Deep down, I never stop.

RJ: So, what's next for Arcturus and company?

KS: The sequel is called MALEDICTUS (Cursed). Set a few months after NOX, in the town of Aquae Sulis (modern day Bath). It deals with the health spa/snake oil atmosphere of the town, and the murder of a curse-writer … someone whose curses seemed to come true. I’m hoping to see the series picked up by a larger publisher.

RJ: Thanks so much for taking the time to chat today.

KS: My pleasure, RJ, thanks for asking me!! And here’s to the 200^th post!

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There you have it fols, your intro to Roman Noir and a great writer. So be sure to get your copy of Nox Dormienda. And in honor of Kelli Stanley stopping by, you can check out the first three chapters of Nox Dormienda in the chap book that I'll be giving away to a randomly selected commenter.

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Kelli Stanley likes fog, which is a good thing because she lives in San Francisco. In addition to writing Roman noir, she holds a Master’s Degree in Classics. As a scholar, she writes and lectures internationally on a variety of subjects from Sallust to Superman, and her published work can be found in academic books and journals.

Her favorite film is Casablanca—she always gets choked up over the “Marseillaise” scenes.

She is currently working on her third Arcturus novel, and is researching a second series set in San Francisco in 1939.

Quoth the Raven "Nevermore....2009"

2008-11-09T14:03:00.004-05:00

In celebration of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday next year, the City of Baltimore (where Poe is buried), will hold a yearlong celebration known as Nevermore 2009. Some of the activities include:

* An Edgar Allan Poe tribute by noted actor John Astin (a Baltimore Resident) of “The Addams Family” fame. Mr. Astin will present a spellbinding hour of Poe’s most beloved works interspersed with comments and observations on Poe’s life.

* CASK OF AMONTILLADO WINE TASTING AMONG THE BONES
Sample the wines mentioned in Poe's stories while enjoying the ambience of the Westminster catacombs. Witness Montressor luring Fortunado to a gruesome death in a theatrical
performance of The Cask of Amontillado. Enjoy characters from Poe's stories as they mingle among the living.

* CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AT THE POE MONUMENT
Beginning at midnight, join hundreds of people as a vigil is held at Poe's grave. Throughout the vigil, celebrities and members of the public will get a chance to read excerpts from Poe's works or just read their own tribute to Poe at his gravesite.

* POE'S FUNERAL SERVICE
A horse-drawn funeral hearse will bring Poe's body from his home on Amity Street to the Westminster Hall for burial services. A drum and fife corps will lead the procession. The funeral service will include musical selections performed by a pianist, soloist, violinist and a choir. Guest speakers will include five people who knew Poe, "legacies" such as "Alfred Hitchcock," "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," "Charles Baudelaire" and "H. G. Wells" will present eulogies. Invited representatives from the literary, stage and movie industries will present their own eulogies for Poe. Tributes from ambassadors from many countries will also be read.

* THE TELL TALE HEART COURT CASE
Did you ever wonder what happened to the narrator in The Tell Tale Heart? Did he stand trial? Was he found guilty or innocent by reason of insanity? Witness the chilling confession of the accused as he relates why and how he murdered an old man. A retired or sitting judge, a prosecutor, a defense attorney and the arresting police officer will conduct the case. The audience will be the jury.

For a complete schedule of the events and other info, be sure check out the official site for Nevermore 2009.
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Just a reminder: Next post I will be announcing the winner of the drawing for Ken Bruen's latest book Once Were Cops.

Michael Crichton passes away

2008-11-06T15:42:00.005-05:00

The literary world has suffered yet another loss this week when best-selling author Michael Crichton died this past Tuesday (Nov. 4) after a bout with cancer. He was 66.

Quote of the Week

2008-11-04T15:36:00.001-05:00

"A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen."

--- Sir Winston Churchill

Cracking the Block

2008-11-01T09:14:00.007-04:00

I'm sure this has happened to you. You're breezing along through your current WIP and all is right with your writing world. Then it happens. Your fingers hover over your keyboard and won't go back down. You've been blocked. You rack your brain, but the words just won't come fast enough (or even at all). Now what? Fortunately, today, we have award winning-author Ken Bruen to offer some advice as to what he does:

......................Blocked?
There's an old joke about if you are blocked, picture your bank manager and the words will flow. Then there is Chandler's advice, bring a man through the window with a gun
I'm a little more radical when I'm blocked
I kill someone
Usually a loved character, the impact of that will really get you moving
Or if not that, something to shock the hell out of yer own self, and if it shocks you, it will definitely shock the reader
take a real reckless chance, come out of left field, do something you never dreamed you'd do and watch the block dissipate

There you have it folks. Kill someone {on paper of course ;)} or shock your reader. So how about you all? What do you do to get past your block?

Everyone who comments in the next few days or so will be entered in a drawing to receive a copy of Ken Bruen's latest book Once Were Cops.

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Ken Bruen was a finalist for the Edgar, Barry, and Macavity Awards, and the Private Eye Writers of America presented him with the Shamus Award for the Best Novel of 2003 for The Guards, the book that introduced Jack Taylor. He lives in Galway, Ireland.

He is also a former regular at the grog Murderati. If you've never read his posts, you can do so here. They are well worth the read.

Quote of the Week

2008-10-28T14:30:00.002-04:00

"May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house."

--- George Carlin

Farewell to a Mainstay

2008-10-27T11:35:00.004-04:00

This past Sunday, the mystery world lost one of it's true greats when Tony Hillerman died at the age of 83 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Edgar at Bouchercon

2008-10-22T15:30:00.003-04:00

This year's Bouchercon World Mystery Convention was held in Baltimore, which is where Edgar Allan Poe is buried. So rather than post the standard pics of B'Con (panels, etc.), I thought I'd let Edgar share some pictures from his personal album from the trip to Charm City. He asked that I do the captions. Also, you can read my Bouchercon wrap up here.

At South Station in Boston

On the train to Baltimore

In his room at The Radisson Lord Baltimore (across the
street from the Sheraton where Bouchercon was held)

Getting started at the bar

By the bag given to attendees this year's Bouchercon

With Jon Jordan of Crimespree Magazine

Edgar and me with authors (l to r) Jason Pinter, Kelli Stanley,
Bill Cameron and Brett Battles

A Panel about drinking and alcohol in crime fiction
(l to r) Edgar and me, Ali Karim, Michelle Gagnon, Ken Bruen,
Jason Starr, Elizabeth Zelvin and Con Lehane

With publisher Karen Syed of Echelon Press

Edgar and me outside the Poe Room at the Sheraton

Outside the Radisson

Relaxing in the lobby at The Sheraton

Decisions...Decisions

With Poe experts (l to r) Edward Pettit, Shelly Costa,
Louis Bayard and Daniel Stashower

Enjoying some drinks at Lee Child's "Reacher Creature" party

Poe's Grave

Original Burial Site

Quote of the Week

2008-10-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

"An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry."

--- T.S. Eliot

Bouchercon: A look back

2008-10-14T09:40:00.017-04:00

I arrived home yesterday from my very first Bouchercon. My head is still doing a bit of spinning. It was a rather large conference of about 1400 people. I could go on about the panels, of which there were quite some good ones, including one on Edgar Allan Poe (this year's con was held in Baltimore), and one on TV and it's place in the crime fiction world. Instead, much like author Louise Ure did today over at Murderati, I would like to talk about the moments that meant more to me (as an unpublished writer among some of the published). Let me just say that, I really felt so welcome among the crowds of readers and writers. Many have told me that there is such a sense of family among the crime writing community. That is certainly true.

Here are just some of the things that made my first Bouchercon such a wonderful experience.

* Meeting Ken Bruen on Wednesday night as I showed up for registration. I also got to meet his lovely fiancee Lisa. You could really see the spark in Ken's eyes when he was with her. And if you haven't read any of Ken Bruen's books yet, you're REALLY missing out on superb writing.

* Getting to hang out with Kelli Stanley. Kelli is the author of the book Nox Dormienda a brilliantly written crime novel written in what she calls "roman noir." It's basically done in the hard boiled noir style but just happens to be set around the time of Rome's conquest of Britain. Better than that though, she is probably one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet.

* Being invited to the Murderati get-together at the bar on Saturday and meeting the authors of the blog as well as two of the other regulars Will Bereswill and B.G. Ritts. I felt very welcomed among this group. Sadly, there were members who were not there: J.T. Ellison, Toni McGee Causey, Allison Brennan and Tess Gerritsen.

* Having a couple of drinks with J.A. Konrath. He may be loud and obnoxious (hey, he's told me this himself), but he is very generous with advice. Just check out his blog and you'll see.

* Going along with editors Gary Phillips and Chris Chambers as well as some of the authors of The Darker Mask anthology (a great book from what I've heard) to their signing at Red Emma's coffee shop and bookstore.

* Chatting with author Zoe Sharp and getting some good advice about some of my writing techniques (thanks so much Zoe). I also had the pleasure of getting to know her husband Andy. I even got to have dinner with them along with other U.K. writers Stuart MacBride, Sophie Hannah and Meg Chittenden.

* Meeting Karen Syed, president and publisher of Echelon Press.

* Discussing things supernatural with Alexandra Sokoloff, whose book The Price is a great read. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Alex in person, you can feel a certain energy when you talk with her.

* Being mentioned in some other Bouchercon blog posts. It's truly an honor to named in some of the blogs that I read and comment on on a regular basis.

* Once again seeing writer and fellow TV nut Lee Lofland. For those of you who don't know, Lee is a great source of information on all things law enforcement. His book Police Procedure and Investigation should be a standard in every crime writer's reference library.

* Though not part of the actual conference, I got to see Edgar Allan Poe's grave. There was however a great panel about Poe as part of B'Con.

These are only some of the things that will really make me remember this Bouchercon. I also got to meet a whole host of other writers including Jason Pinter, Eric Stone, Bill Cameron. Marcus Sakey, Michelle Gagnon, Jason Starr, Christa Faust and Troy Cook as well as agent Janet Reid.

If I have not mentioned someone that I've met (and I know I'm missing plenty) please forgive me. Just know that I enjoyed meeting you.

And finally, there are two sets of very special thanks that need to go out. The first is to Ruth and Jon Jordan and Judy Bobalik for organizing this wonderful event.

The second goes out to the staff of The Sheraton that hosted Bouchercon. Despite your troubles with Labor dispute, you all provided such wonderful and friendly service and for that you deserve much thanks. Know that your efforts were appreciated

Well kids, that's it. I had a great time and I'm looking forward to next year's Bouchercon in Indianapolis.

Quote of the Week

2008-10-07T20:42:00.001-04:00

"If you're playing a poker game and you look around the table and and can't tell who the sucker is, it's you."

--- Paul Newman

Quote of the Week

2008-09-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

"Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning."

--- Maya Angelou

RIP Paul Newman

2008-09-27T17:10:00.008-04:00

Hollywood legend Paul Newman, the cool "anti-hero" in such films as Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, The Sting, and The Color of Money, died this past Friday of cancer at his Westport Connecticut home. He was 83 years old. A lot of the younger generations may know Mr. Newman as the guy whose face is on Salad dressing and pasta sauces, but he also owned a racing team and was a great philanthropist. But perhaps what made Paul Newman a rarity by today's Hollywood standards was that he was married to actress Joanne Woodward for over fifty years. Considering some celebrity couples are already thinking about divorce before the ink on their marriage license is even dry, that is something to take pride in.

R.I.P. Mr. Newman, you will be missed.

How could ANYONE who has seen Butch Cassidy forget this scene?

Paul Newman in The Color of Money

Quote of the Week

2008-09-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

"You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants."

--- Stephen King

Are You Experienced?

2008-09-18T16:44:00.004-04:00

It was 38 years ago today that rock legend and pioneer Jimi Hendrix died in London. The true circumstances of his death have never been fully explained.

Quote of the Week

2008-09-16T09:38:00.002-04:00

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."

--- Agatha Christie

Farewell Rebus

2008-09-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

In a New York Times article, Ian Rankin's latest John Rebus novel Exit Music is referred to as a milestone. And it's with a very simple reason: this latest Rebus novel marks the end of the series according to Rankin. Although, (not having read the book myself) who knows? After all, unless Rebus dies in this book, there's always a possibility of return. And even "death" didn't stop Sherlock Holmes from returning.

Quote of the Week

2008-09-09T08:10:00.001-04:00

"What I do is based on powers we all have inside us; the ability to endure; the ability to love, to carry on, to make the best of what we have - and you don't have to be a ‘Superman' to do it."

--- Christopher Reeve

I am Superman

2008-09-09T08:00:00.003-04:00

Who would have ever imagined that when two teenagers named Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created a character by the name of Superman, seventy years ago, that he would become such a part of our cultural landscape? Superman is perhaps the most recognizable character not just in the United States but around the world as well.

This is evident by the number of shows, films, radio and television serials, comics, books and daily strips all based around The Man of Steel. Not to mention all the different kinds of merchandising, from clothing, jewelry and other apparel to backpacks, coffee mugs, toys, video games and even mouse pads. Apparently, he's even a close friend of Jerry Seinfeld.

Superman has been portrayed on TV by such actors as George Reeves in the 1950's Adventures of Superman to Dean Cain in Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Of course when most of people think of Superman on the big screen, they probably think about Christopher Reeve from the Superman Movies.

But I believe that it is Clark Kent, Superman's alter-ego, that many can identify with. Clark is your everyman. The regular guy who has the heart of a hero. Which brings me to the purpose of this post.

When author Brad Meltzer(who penned several Justice League of America graphic novels), whose latest work The Book of Lies, visited Ohio doing research, he saw something that was considered a shame. The birthplace of Superman, not the Planet Krypton, but the house in which Jerry Siegel had lived, had fallen into disrepair.

It is truly sad when any home falls into disrepair, but especially if it's the home of someone who gave the world such an enduring character. This is where we all can try and bring out the hero in us. When several Cleveland residents and comic book creators learned about the condition of the house, they founded the Siegel and Shuster Society, whose aim is to save the Supeman House. So what do you say? Are you ready to rip open that shirt, reveal that 'S' and become a hero?

As an interesting note, Meltzer's The Book of Lies also touches on the 1932 murder of Jerry Siegel's father, Mitchell. Interestingly enough, in all the interviews that Jerry Siegel has given, is none of them does he mention that his father was killed in an armed robbery.

"But think about it," Meltzer says, in a USA TODAY on-line article. "Your father dies in a robbery, and you invent a bulletproof man who becomes the world's greatest hero. I'm sorry, but there's a story there."

Quote of the Week

2008-09-02T10:19:00.000-04:00

Some editors are failed writers, but so are most writers."

--- T.S. Eliot

The Sky is Crying

2008-08-27T15:09:00.010-04:00

Eighteen years ago today, blues guitarist great Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter accident while on tour with Eric Clapton.

Quote of the Week

2008-08-26T08:10:00.002-04:00

"I'm not even supposed to be here today."

--- Dante Hicks in the movie Clerks.

Employee of the Month Award

2008-08-26T08:00:00.002-04:00

I'm sure we've all encountered them when shopping before. The employee who acts as if you're wasting their time. The snooty individual who takes one look at you and assumes you can't afford that necklace. The clerk who won't be happy until you open a store charge. And one of my personal favorites, the one who just has to finish that last paragraph. But I have to tell you folks, compared to this guy, everyone else, no matter how rude or unhelpful you think they are, is a perfect model of customer service excellence.

Quote of the Week

2008-08-19T11:42:00.002-04:00

"If you can't change your fate, change your attitude."

--- Amy Tan

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen....

2008-08-13T08:35:00.001-04:00

It was on this day in 1899 that Master of Suspense, and director of such films as Strangers on a Train, Psycho, and Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock was born.

Quote of the Week

2008-08-12T09:40:00.001-04:00

"So you think that money is the root of all evil. Have you ever asked what is the root of all money?"

--- Ayn Rand

Perhaps one of the best (and biggest) Book on All Things Publishing

2008-08-12T09:30:00.004-04:00

With all the books on writing and publishing, how do you decide which one to pick? There so many factors to consider here: Cost, Who Wrote it, What aspects are covered. Well, to help you navigate though it, let me throw in this suggestion. J.A. Konrath, author of the Jack Daniel's Mystery Series, has recently released Newbie's Guide to Publishing. It may be the name of his blog, but now it's in book form. Covering everything from writing, to querying, to self-promotion (I can't think of another author who does so much in the way of self promotion), it's your one-stop shopping guide to questions you may have about publishing. And the best part? This book is ABSOLUTELY, 100% FREE. Just hop on over to J.A.'s website and download it for free.

Inked

2008-08-10T11:06:00.003-04:00

I love books just as much as the next person. My shelves are starting to bow under the weight of the many tomes I've collected over the years. However, I don't think I'm quite as dedicated as some of these people. Talk about wearing your emotions on your sleeve.

Quote of the Week

2008-08-05T09:57:00.001-04:00

"Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die tomorrow."

--- James Dean

Odds and Ends

2008-08-02T22:31:00.014-04:00

Stark's Parker gets 'drawn' out

Richard Stark's (aka Donald Westlake), character Parker is set to be adapted into comic form. Darwyn Cook told fans at this year's Comic-Con that he will be adapting Stark's first four novels (The Hunter (aka Point Blank), The Man with the Getaway Face, The Outfit, and The Mourner) into graphic novels, the first of which is scheduled to be released late in 2009.

Potter's Fairytales
J.K. Rowling announced this past Thursday that she will publish a book of wizarding fairytales. Rowling originally produced only seven copies of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." Each were bound in Moroccan leather and decorated with silver moonstones. Six were given to people involved with the Potter books while the seventh copy was bought at auction for roughly $4 million.

Saved By the Bell
Joining the ranks of celebrity tell-all books is Dustin "Screech" Diamond. You have to read this one for yourselves, 'cause I really have nothing to say, except yikes.

Quote of the Week

2008-07-29T10:30:00.001-04:00

"Someone once told me that every minute a murder occurs, so I don't want to waste your time, I know you want to go back to work."

--- Alfred Hitchcock

Pinter hits "The Mark"

2008-07-25T16:05:00.004-04:00

If you have yet to read Jason Pinter's The Mark, the novel that introduces the world to young reporter Henry Parker, you can read it for free, for 11 more days. How you ask? Quite simple. You can go to either Jason Pinter's Website or blog. Trust me, you won't be sorry you did. I personally am anxiously awaiting the release of The Stolen, the third in the Henry Parker series.

Quote of the Week

2008-07-22T10:11:00.001-04:00

"Always be yourself... unless you suck."

--- Joss Whedon

Quote of the Week

2008-07-15T10:18:00.002-04:00

"All great achievements require time."

--- Maya Angelou

In Disrepair. . .Nevermore

2008-07-13T11:19:00.006-04:00

The small cottage in New York where Edgar Allen Poe spent his later years has been closed to the public for renovations. The work is scheduled to begin next spring and should be finished by spring 2010. The estimated cost for these renovations is around $250,000.

Mr. Poe, meet your contractor.

Lennon's Lyrics Auctioned

2008-07-12T07:00:00.002-04:00

The hand written lyrics for John Lennon's song "Give Peace a Chance" were auctioned off at Christie's for the tidy sum of $833,654.

Quote of the Week

2008-07-08T10:19:00.005-04:00

"I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image. "

--- Stephen Hawking

Odds and Ends

2008-07-03T10:35:00.009-04:00

Born on this day:
Writer Franz Kafka (1883)
Playwright Tom Stoppard (1937)

Literary Hot Spots
So where are some of the most literary friendly cities? Writer's Digest recently compiled this list of "Literary Hotspots:"

If you have any hot spots that you'd like to add, please feel free.

Quote of the Week

2008-07-01T10:12:00.001-04:00

"Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the actions stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living."

--- Anais Nin

Are you a writer?

2008-06-29T09:15:00.005-04:00

Much like Jeff Foxworthy came up with ways to tell if you're a redneck (ie. you do your Christmas shopping at a truck stop), Adair Lara, who founded an on-line writing community called Matchwriters.com, compiled a book with signs to tell if you're a writer. It's titled, funny enough, You Know You're a Writer When...
So what are some of the signs?

You know you're a writer when...

You drink coffee black because Balzac did
You accidentally sign a check with your pen name
The cafe won't lend you pens anymore
Not writing makes you depressed
You keep a notebook under your pillow

Any of this sound familiar?

Quote of the Week

2008-06-24T09:30:00.001-04:00

"I do not like to get the news, because there has never been an era when so many things were going so right for so many of the wrong persons."

--- Ogden Nash

RIP George, you ##$%^&!!@

2008-06-23T09:30:00.014-04:00

George Carlin, the first host of Saturday Night Live and the man who brought us "The Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" died yesterday in Santa Monica, CA of heart failure. He was 71.

I personally loved his social commentary, just because it was so true. One of my absolute favorite bits that Carlin did was the "airline announcements" and the "safety lecture" on the plane. (oops, sorry George, I meant in the plane). However, I believe his best bit is when he's talking about "Stuff."

I did have the opportunity to see him live a couple of times. All I can say is that it was a great show.

Odds and Ends

2008-06-22T10:12:00.003-04:00

That's Connery. Sean Connery
The man who is best known for his role as James Bond will be unveiling his memoir Being a Scot on August 25 at a book festival in Edinburgh.

Two more for Lehane
After the success of the film versions of two of Dennis Lehane's books, Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone, two more books are primed to be translated into film. Up next is The Given Day, a novel set during the 1919 Boston Police riots. Universal and director Sam Raimi (both of Spider-man fame) are set to work together on the film version of the book. Also, production on Shutter Island is just about complete. The movie reunites Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, who last worked together on The Departed.