Tag Archives: Left Coast Crime

Daisy Update — Fingers Crossed

Posted on by

Hello my reading friend,

Here are a few updates regarding Daisy books, and my work as an author:

Yipee!

Five Star Publishing on FacebookAt last, I have sent off Sliced Vegetarian to the publisher.  Now all I have to do is wait for several weeks to see if this second Daisy Arthur Mystery meets Five Star’s needs for publishable work.  I don’t understand much about the review process, but I do know that if the senior editor likes this book, she will make a pitch to someone else in acquisitions and then the book “goes to the top.”  At any stage the work can be sent back with “rejection” on it, but only after it’s made the complete rounds favorably will I see an email that might start with the words, “I am pleased to contact you with an offer for publication . . .” Please keep your fingers crossed for Sliced Veggie.

NEW ROLE WITH MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA

Mystery Writers of America logoI’m also excited to let you know that I was recently elected to “Membership Chair” for the Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers of America association.  This terrific organization is part of Mystery Writers of America, which has been in existence for more than 66 years.  You do not have to be a published mystery writer to join, but just someone interested in the crime, mystery and detection aspects of our fiction life.  Each month I go to the Denver Press Club and meet others interested in mystery and crime, and we listen to speakers on all sorts of interesting topics. If you’d like to become a member of either RMMWA or MWA, please let me know and I’ll send you information.

WRITING CONTESTS

Part of building an “author platform” is getting your name out there in the publishing world. To do this, you need to attend conferences, join organizations, and enter contests.  With that in mind, a few weeks ago I submitted Faith on the Rocks for consideration in the Colorado Book Awards, sponsored by ColoradoHumanities.org.  I’m also thinking about nominating Faith for Left Coast Crime’s Lefty award, which recognizes humorous mystery novels. While I will hope, hope, hope, I’m not truly expecting to win anything. It’s great to be in the game though.  Have you suggestions for contests I might enter?

CHARGING INTO THE NEXT DAISY

Okay, so I’m not even to outline mode yet, but wanted to let you know I’ve thought of a next topic for Daisy to play with.  On January first of this year, Colorado officially authorized people to posses small amounts of marijuana for recreational use. In my local paper, I see a debate over whether or not to allow a pot shop to open in our fair city. This is also a cash-based business, as the FDIC is involved with all banks, and marijuana is not legal on a national basis.  There is just too much good stuff here (and motivation to kill) for a mystery writer to leave the topic alone.

BUT I’M INTERESTED IN YOUR OPINION

Would you like me to open a new category and occasionally post my research about marijuana? Do you think Daisy may have an interesting time in a story called Pot Shots?  Please let me know, as I’d like to get started as soon as possible on the next Daisy Arthur Mystery.

For now, I’m off and running, before the whole day goes up in smoke!

Have a great week.

Left Coast Crime is Killer Experience

Posted on by

I’ve never been to a Left Coast Crime convention before, but I hope to attend more often in the future.  Readers, writers, editors, and mystery lovers of all kinds come together once a year in a spirit of fun and learning to explore the intricacies of mystery writing.  I had a great time meeting famous authors and librarians, lawyers and aspiring novelists.  Here are some of the highlights:

COLORADO SPRINGS

Colorado Springs from Cheyenne Mountain Resort

Colorado Springs from Cheyenne Mountain Resort

The venue for this year’s event was the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.  Tucked into the Rocky Mountains, this resort had all the amenities one could hope for in a convention of this kind — lots of room, free parking, huge bar area with two pool tables, and a swimming pool that looked great.  I saw people swimming the first couple of days there, but with Saturday’s blizzard, that activity seemed to fall away as a big attraction.  Still, the warmth inside was enough to make up for any snow worries, and everyone seemed to have a great time in this super mountain resort.

SPECIAL WORKSHOP ON CHARACTER WRITING

David Corbett's Writing Workshop

David Corbett’s Writing Workshop

David Corbett, author of Done for a Dime (a New York Times Notable Book) and Blood of Paradise (nominated for an Edgar award among others), gave a workshop on the Art of Character (another title of his).  For three hours he entertained, taught and played with the audience of 50, helping all of us to grow our characters with more depth and emotion.

“Emotional story is your authority–trust it,” said David.  He then gave us five ways to find that emotional story:

  1. What is your character’s greatest fear?
  2. What is your character’s greatest moment of shame?
  3. Where is the “I love you” moment?
  4. What makes your character say “you can’t make me do that?”
  5. What is your character’s moment of incredible fear?

Along with this presentation that was full of great quotes, instruction, and inspirational moments, we were each given a copy of David’s book, The Art of Character to take with us.  I can hardly wait to dig into that one.

PANELS, PANELS, PANELS!

Editors Panel Discussion at Left Coast Crime

Editors Panel Discussion at Left Coast Crime

Oh my goodness!  Have I mentioned the panel discussions?  There was everything from where the publishing business is headed to secrets of living with a writer.  I particularly liked Ask the Editors, with Deni Dietz moderating a panel of editors who talk about receiving manuscripts and what they look for.  The other panelists included Terry Bischoff of Midnight Ink, Diane O’Connell and Jodie Renner.

EDGAR AND FRIENDS

Edgar and Friends Catherine Dilts and Patricia Coleman

Edgar and Friends Catherine Dilts and Patricia Coleman

I could go on forever about the people I met or became better acquainted with during the convention.  Wonderful experiences all around.  I had particular fun with Catherine Dilts, whose novel, Stone Cold Dead, will come out in December.  Cathy brought a trophy from the Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers of America group–a bobble head of Edgar Allan Poe, our organization’s mascot.  We played “where at Left Coast Crime is Edgar?” and enjoyed setting our hero in all sorts of interesting scenes.

READERS

I can’t say enough about the experience of meeting with people who don’t aspire to write, but love the written word.  They make me feel like there is hope for civilization yet.  There is no one I admire more than a person who reads, and reads widely.  At the conference I met three sisters who are also lawyers.  They spent a good deal of time with me talking about the special needs communities they help and the volunteer work they do.  And to top it off these sisters said there were six sisters all together, all of whom are lawyers!  Wow.

I also met a librarian who did me the honor of accepting a copy of my ARC (advanced reader copy of a novel), and seemed excited for the opportunity.  Talk about your ego-boost!  I hope she likes it, and I can go to her library to chat about writing mysteries.

There is so much more I’d like to tell you about; the seeing my bio in print, the evening at the bar, the thrill of being on a panel, and on and on.  Please know that if you have a chance to go to Left Coast Crime next year in Monterey, California, it’s well worth the trip.