Blog
Pet noir?
Just heard that my short story, "Dumb Beasts," has been accepted for Deadfall: Crime Stories by New England Authors, to be published in November by Level Best Books, a multiple-award-winning small publisher up here in New England. I'm tremendously excited for multiple...
How not to write
Now, there are clearly Kathryn Harrison fans out there, but I'm not one of them. I just found While They Slept, her take on the Gilley family tragedy to be narcissistic and unnecessary.
Writers on writing
Maybe it's because I'm teaching writing again, but I love this interview between Ann Patchett and Elizabeth McCracken. And, yes, I stole it - as all good ideas are stolen - in this case from good buddy and excellent novelist Caroline Leavitt (at right).
All About Agatha
Did you know Agatha Christie only received 25 pounds for her first mystery, The Mysterious Affair at Styles? And that wasn't even an advance. She only got that because someone agreed to serialize it, and that was her take.I've been asked to write the introductions to...
Book promotion 101
Please don't suggest Oprah. Not that I'm not grateful, but...
Thank you, Oline!
"These are darn good mysteries." – says Oline Cogdill, mystery columnist for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Make my day, why don't you, Oline!
Remembering to forget…
It's not like I don't have enough on my plate. I've got the revisions of "Probable Claws" to finish up (luckily, my editor is on vacation, which gives me some breathing room). And I've got my summer writing class to teach. But my agent is sending out my non-Theda...
Wear your pet!
No, not "where your pet?" I mean, why not wear your pet as the wonderful ornament to your life that he or she is?My friend Laurie has long pursued a variety of interesting crafts and arts, developing a real flair for folk art that looks (and feels) good. And now that...
Separated at birth?
Watching game 5 of the NBA playoffs last night, it occurred to me that LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant (far left) looks a little like a meerkat (right). Something about the eyes. Which makes me like Bryant more. Not a good thing for a New Englander, so, please, don't tell...
Then again…
Tim Russert has died. He wasn't always perfect - who is? - but he was the kind of journalist we need more of. So sad. May he rest in peace.