Archive of the Mystery Writers of America, Inc. message folder
Subject: Mystery Writers of America Msgs.
Author: Archived by RAINDEAD
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Date: 10/7/1996
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Archive of the Mystery Writers of America, Inc. message folder from April 16, 1996 through September 18, 1996.
Enjoy!
Subj: Malice
Date: 96-04-16 14:55:35 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
This from Mary at Mysteries From the Yard:
If you are planning to attend Malice Domestic next weekend (Apr. 26-28) do
drop by the hospitality suite of Mysteries From The Yard Online. Mary
Frost-Pierson will be set up in suite 526/527 all weekend and will happily
take as many 10 minute online interviews as everyone's busy Malice schedule
will permit! Demonstrations of the new area will be designed to show off the
promotional opportunities within MFTY Online to writers and publicists. So
drop by for a drink and a chat! If you would like to schedule a particular
time for an online interview before next weekend, write MsTeries@aol.com or
call 513-767-2111 and leave a message.
Thanks - Mary Frost-Pierson
Subj: Jean Taylor Does the Northwest
Date: 96-04-18 22:36:41 edt
From: JTaylorRED
Posted on: America Online
Ok, this one I'm gonna get right (forgot to include the book title in SinC
BSP--groan).
I'm on tour with my second mystery, The Last of Her Lies (Seal Press, 1996,
$10.95 trade paper), leaving my beloved SF for the wet and frozen north.
Come say hello, I'm afraid my publisher hasn't done much. . .
Portland:
Thurs. 4/25 @ 7:00 PM: In Other Words, 3734 S.E. Hawthorne
Fri. 4/26 @ 7:30 PM: Powell's, 1005 W. Burnside
Seattle:
Sun., 4/28 @ 7:00: Red & Black Books, 432 - 15th Ave East
Mon. 4/29 @ 5:00: Elliott Bay Books, First & Main
And in the Bay Area, I will be all over the place with MWA during the
fabulous Mystery Week festivities laboriously constructed by the great Janet
Dawson...
Subj: Different writing forums
Date: 96-04-19 10:34:51 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
While the AOL writing board was down I did some surfing with the writing
forums on other services. For those interested, I posted my comments in the
Multicultural Writer's Group folder.
- Dale
Subj: Re:Different writing forums
Date: 96-04-21 12:14:35 edt
From: Ardwin
Posted on: America Online
I thought these WC boards were fixed but I just visited a half-dozen and
found that "Find New" still doesn't work. Had to sift through by date. Does
anyone know when "Find New" will be working reliably so we don't have to
cycle through postings we already read?
Ardwin, still perplexed
Subj: Re:Find
Date: 96-04-21 16:48:44 edt
From: ANDIDVM
Posted on: America Online
Haven't tried them all but 'Find Since', then give # of days seems to work
pretty well. Haven't tried 'Find New' at all, but this might be an
alternative.
Subj: 1996 Edgar Winners
Date: 96-04-26 10:42:59 edt
From: Kate 234
Posted on: America Online
Hi everyone! Here are the 1996 Edgar winners which were announced Thursday
April 25 in New York City at the Edgars Banquet. For more information,
contact: Priscilla Ridgway, Mystery Writers of America, 17 E. 47th St., New
York, NY 10017, (212) 888-8171.
THE 1996 EDGAR ALLAN POE AWARDS
Best Novel: Come to Grief by Dick Francis (Putnam)
Best First Novel by an American Author: Penance by David Housewright (Foul
Play/Countryman Press)
Best Original Paperback: Tarnished Blue by William Heffernan (Onyx)
Best Fact Crime: Circumstantial Evidence by Pete Earley (Bantam)
Best Critical Biographical: Savage Art: A Biography of Jim Thompson by Robert
Polito (Knopf)
Best Short Story: "The Judge's Boy" by Jean B. Cooper (EQMM, Aug.)
Best Young Adult: Prophecy Rock by Rob MacGregor (Simon & Schuster)
Best Juvenile: Looking for Jamie Bridger by Nancy Springer (Dial)
Best Episode in a Television Series: "Torah! Torah! Torah!" teleplay by
Theresa Rebeck (NYPD Blue/Steven Bochco Productions/ABC-TV)
Best Television Feature or Miniseries: Citizen X written by Chris Jerolmo
(HBO)
Best Motion Picture: The Usual Suspects screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie
(Gramercy Pictures, PolyGram Bad Hat Harry, Blue Parrot)
Grand Master: Dick Francis
Ellery Queen Award: Jacques Barzun
Robert L. Fish Memorial Award: "The Word for Breaking August Sky" by James
Sarafin (AHMM, July)
Raven: The Library of America for their publication of the collected writings
of Raymond Chandler
Subj: Re:1996 Edgar Winners
Date: 96-04-26 14:50:37 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
Thanks for posting the winners' list, Kate.
Phyllis
Subj: Re:1996 Edgar Winners
Date: 96-04-26 17:54:32 edt
From: KAHarmeyer
Posted on: America Online
I was sorry to see that neither my neighbor, Harlan Coben (nominated for best
paperback original) or my teacher, Kathleen Dougherty (nominated for best
short story) were winners.
Oh, well. I guess it's up to me! <g>
Congrats to all the winnners!
Keith Harmeyer
Subj: Re:Expertise
Date: 96-04-26 21:16:23 edt
From: Reclues
Posted on: America Online
I'm working on a mystery about a person who works for a large government
agency. Can I name the agency in my book, or do I have to make up a fake name
for it? I understand that if you write about, say, a Chicago Police officer,
there's no way you can disguise the agency the officer works for. Or if you
write about a public school teacher, you can legitimately identify the person
as such, and the issue of liability is only a concern if you name or identify
actual people in your text. Does this work the same way for other government
agencies? Let's say I want my character to be a nurse at Cook County
Hospital. Can I name the hospital itself as long as I don't defame it
intentionally? Or if I want my character to be a caseworker in the Department
of Public Aid-- there's only one such-- how can I write about this setting
without setting myself up for a nasty lawsuit? I don't intend to write about
real people, but I would like to be able to identify the agency by its
correct name-- seing as how it's the only agency with that role in the state.
Also, how does a disclaimer work when you're basing your writing on fragments
of real experience? I want to say something like: "This is a work of fiction,
based on a combination of actual and imaginary experiences. The author had no
intention of depicting actual persons." I'd appreciate help from folks who
understand this stuff. Thanks!
Subj: Re:Expertise
Date: 96-04-29 15:38:32 edt
From: FGSnyder
Posted on: America Online
You can't libel a government agency. Where it gets sticky is if the agency
is small enough that somebody might think you were writing about a real
person. Ordinarily, a disclaimer such as "Although the [Insert Name of
Agency Here] is a real agency, all of the persons and events in this story
are fictitious and no resemblance, etc." is enough. But try to do some
research to make sure that you haven't inadvertantly drawn a picture of
someone who actually does work there.
Hope this helps.
-- Frank
Subj: responding to KLouise
Date: 96-04-30 12:55:42 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
Yes, by all means add me to whatever MWA list. I've been trying to put your
screen name with a face from that meeting without much luck. Thanks for the
welcome aboard!
DianneDay
Subj: greetings
Date: 96-04-30 12:59:31 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
I've just come on-line and am learning my way around, but have been an MWA
member and writing mysteries and suspense for some time. My current
published series is the Fremont Jones Mysteries. Will be glad to dialogue
on-screen, and am grateful for the opportunity to share with other mystery
writers whatever comes up!
DianneDay
Subj: Re:greetings
Date: 96-04-30 21:04:13 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
Dianne - welcome! Lots of baby writers hang out in 'writing your first
mystery'. We need lots of help!
Kathy
Subj: Howdy
Date: 96-05-01 02:45:16 edt
From: ESFowler
Posted on: America Online
Hi Dianne--I've heard lots of good things about your first book. (And I'll
even read it someday, I promise. My to be read pile is only about hundred
books currently). Welcome.
Earlene Fowler
Subj: Re:responding to KLouise
Date: 96-05-01 12:41:40 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Dianne --
Susan Holtzer introduced us. It was before things "officially" began, when
we were milling around with drinks. A very brief meeting, but long enough
for you to give me your card!
Karen
Subj: Author signings
Date: 96-05-02 12:56:33 edt
From: ESFowler
Posted on: America Online
I've posted my May signing schedule on the author appearances board. Drop by
and say "howdy" if you have a chance. If nothing else I can point you toward
the bathrooms (I always find out where they are since that is the question
I'm asked most frequently...)
Earlene Fowler
Subj: HI
Date: 96-05-06 12:54:37 edt
From: LindaBell1
Posted on: America Online
Just wanted to drop in and say HI! I'm a member of the Florida chapter.
Linda
Subj: Re:HI
Date: 96-05-06 14:50:31 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Hi Linda! Glad to have you aboard.
Karen
Subj: Re:HI
Date: 96-05-06 16:15:26 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
Hi Linda,
Welcome!
Phyllis
Subj: RAVEN FEATHERS MAY '96
Date: 96-05-06 23:02:20 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
Call for signing info, pub dates, column suggestions...Next issue of Raven
Feathers coming soon. Please don't keep the good news to yourselves~!!~
Phyllis
Subj: Re:HI
Date: 96-05-07 06:30:39 edt
From: RCHERIN
Posted on: America Online
Linda, it's about time you said hello. Glad to see you. Another event in
Cedar Key soon?
Robert
Subj: Raven
Date: 96-05-07 07:27:15 edt
From: CapeCodCat
Posted on: America Online
I used to get the mystery online newsletter/notice, but haven't gotten in a
while. Hmmm??
Subj: Re:Raven
Date: 96-05-07 09:30:49 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
I'll check my mailing list. what was old name again...something wire?
Phyllis
Subj: Re:Raven
Date: 96-05-07 09:31:47 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
Adjustment made! : )
Subj: Re:Raven
Date: 96-05-07 13:49:47 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
I haven't received a notice lately, either.
Subj: Re:Raven
Date: 96-05-09 11:57:47 edt
From: MWANorCal
Posted on: America Online
The schedule for MWA/NorCal Mystery Week is now on-line, on our webpage.
Point your browser at
http://user.aol.com/mwanorcal/week.htm
Festivities begin Wednesday, May 8, and continue through Monday, May 20. If
you're in the area, drop in to one of these events -- we'd love to see you
there.
Subj: MWA May chat
Date: 96-05-12 19:39:08 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
MWA monthly online chat is Tuesday, May 14, 9 pm ET, in the Writers
Conference Room. Our guest this month is Barbara Shapiro.
Barbara Shapiro is a New England writer who sets her novels in the Boston
area. Her first novel, Shattered Echoes, is a psychological thriller set in
the Boston's Back Bay. The Boston Globe said that “Shattered Echoes
repeatedly touches a raw spot that can be soothed only by turning each page
until it’s over”. Her second, Blameless, is set in the Fenway area of
Boston. Mostly Murder proclaimed the climax of Blameless to be “explosive”
and the reviewer noted that, “In twenty years of reviewing mysteries, I’ve
never come across a more effective yet logically inevitable ending”. Her
newest, See No Evil will be released in May. Her books have been translated
into German, Greek and Japanese, and film rights have been optioned.
A sociologist, Barbara has taught at Tufts University and is the author of
the non-fiction book, The Big Squeeze: Balancing the Needs of Aging Parents,
Dependent Children and You. She currently teaches creative writing at the
Cambridge Center for Adult Education and is the co-founder of “Novel
Enterprises”, a firm for which she produces and teaches one- and two-day
seminars and workshops on novel writing. A member of the board of directors
of the New England Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and president of
the New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime, Barbara lives outside of Boston
with her husband and two young children. She is at work on her fourth novel.
Here's the jacket copy for See No Evil (Avon Books, 5.99):
"Lauren Freeman in researching her own death...
Recently separated with a young child to raise, Lauren Freeman is more
determined than ever to complete her doctoral thesis. But the pursuit of
knowledge is leading her into dangerous, hidden places--toward a secret
closely guarded for over three hundred years.
NOw the past is reaching out for Lauren with lethal
tendrils--threatening her family, her friends, her future...her life. For
there are those who gather in moonlight for strange, unholy purposes--those
who believe Lauren Freeman has lived before...and now must dies again."
We will use protocol for the meeting.
When you have a question or comment, please type ?
or ! and you'll be called on in turn by the moderator.
When you're done asking or commenting type GA (go
ahead). After the response, if you have no further
comments to make or questions to ask, indicate your
thanks and type END. This will signal the moderator to
call on the next ? or !in line. Be concise and we'll
be able to make the most of our time.
Please refrain from IM-ing the guest so she can
concentrate on the interview. Thanks.
See you then!
Karen
Subj: AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-15 15:55:32 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
I've just sold my third
story -- "Stop Thief!" -- to Alfred Hitchcock. (The first was over 30 years
ago; the second appeared in last June's issue.) Needless to say, I'm quite
happy about this. Still working on more short stories as well as finishing
my novel (sort of a thriller cum mystery), and am in the initial stages of
plotting a Long Island PI series.
--Dan
Subj: Re:AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-15 16:18:18 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Dan--
Many congratulations on your sale. Way to go.
Sherry (Lewis)
Subj: Re:AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-15 18:44:16 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
Congratulations, Dan!
AHMM is where I got started, too--and sold my series after my third story
was published there. Good luck!
~~Bill
Subj: Re:AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-16 09:39:21 edt
From: JeHager
Posted on: America Online
Congratulations, Dan. I think short stories can be harder to write than
novels.
Jean
Subj: Re:AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-16 10:26:28 edt
From: FGSnyder
Posted on: America Online
Congratulations! AHMM is known for their excellent taste, you know . . . .
-- Frank
Subj: Re:AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-16 12:52:34 edt
From: ESFowler
Posted on: America Online
Congrats, Dan. I KNOW short stories are harder to writer (I never have been
able to write a mystery short story).
Earlene
Subj: Re:AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-16 15:49:39 edt
From: Bolitar
Posted on: America Online
All right, Dan!!! You da man, babe. You da man!
Best,
Harlan
PS Dan, why was the post listing RAINDEAD insteady of you as the sender?
Subj:
Re: AHMM -- Thanks to all!
Date: 96-05-16 17:45:50 edt
From: EQ451
Posted on: America Online
Sherry, Bill, Jean, Frank, Earlene, and Harlan:
Many thanks for the kind words about my AHMM sale. The
encouragement means even more coming from fellow writers.
Harlan -- Phyllis posted a copy of my message to her, which
is why her name appeared as the sender. Sorry DEAL BREAKER
didn't get an Edgar, but, hey, you got a chance to dress up
and go dining and dancing, right? <g>. Besides, from the
reviews I've read about DROPSHOT this one has a good chance
of making it next year.
Bill -- Sorry you too missed snagging an Edgar. "A Plain
and Honest Death" was a great story. Haven't yet read your
novels (the stack on the night table is starting to totter),
but that gives me something to look forward to.
Frank -- "Carnival Ride" was a real zinger. Kept me reading
and interested right to the end. Allow me to add my
congrats to the others who've already posted here.
Jean and Earlene -- Short stories aren't harder to write
than novels, just shorter. With all the successful books
the two of you have published so far, short stories might be
a welcome change of pace. I'm being selfish, of course,
since the more good writers like you two start turning out
mystery short stories, the more receptive readers will
become and the more editors will want short stories from the
rest of us writers . . .
Sherry -- If, in my ignorance, I've omitted any your work,
my apologies. Can I add you to my tottering pile?
And now, all warm and happy and pumped up, I'm off to write
more "deathless prose" (still trying to get my wife to think
of my work in those terms, but for some reason I can't fool
her <g>).
Best wishes to all -- Dan
Subj: Re: AHMM -- Thanks to all!
Date: 96-05-16 18:08:40 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Why, Dan, I'd love to have you add me to your teetering TBR pile(s). I have
two books in my series out at the moment, "No Place For Secrets" and "No
Place Like Home" both featuring a 72-year old, very stubborn but loveable man
named Fred Vickery. "No Place For Death" will be on the shelves in about a
month (it's actually a July release) and "No Place For Tears" is scheduled
for January of '97.
re: short stories v. novels, I've gotta cast my vote with Earlene and the
rest who say they're harder. I've tried short stories, (been rejected by
AHMM, btw, so I really, truly applaud your success). Novels I can do. So
far. I hold my breath with each one until my editor says she likes it.
Sherry
Subj: Tottering Pile Gets Higher!
Date: 96-05-16 20:38:45 edt
From: EQ451
Posted on: America Online
Sherry --
Thanks for the quick response and for the info on your
books. I'll add them one at a time to my TBR stack. My
apologies again for not being aware of them.
Best wishes -- Dan
Subj: Re:Tottering Pile Gets Highe
Date: 96-05-17 00:20:33 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Dan,
I'm honored that you'll add my books to your stack, and please don't
apologize. I may not have burst out of the starting gate (does anyone
really?), but that's OK. I want to spend the entire rest of my life writing,
so I'm content to build a nice, steady readership. This is how it happens
for everyone. One book at a time.
Best, Sherry
Subj: Phyllis/Dan combo
Date: 96-05-17 03:05:26 edt
From: ESFowler
Posted on: America Online
I'm so glad you asked that, Harlan. I thought I was going nuts (and that's
not a long trip these days) but was too embarrassed to ask fearing I'd
somehow only thought RAINDEAD was Phyllis or that Phyllis all along has been
Dan or Dan and Phyllis are married or...well, just glad you asked.
Earlene (who is often not sure of who she is these days...)
Subj: AHMM Sale
Date: 96-05-17 10:16:10 edt
From: LTBerenson
Posted on: America Online
Dan,
I'm arriving late at this party (so what else is new?) but many
congratualtions on your sale! Like Earlene, I think short stories are harder
than anything.
Laurie Berenspm
Subj: Me again
Date: 96-05-17 10:18:23 edt
From: LTBerenson
Posted on: America Online
The only person who has to go back and correct the spelling of her own name.
That's Laurie Berenson (I think)
Subj: ClueFest Author Update
Date: 96-05-17 17:38:05 edt
From: BookTree
Posted on: America Online
Here is an update of the authors scheduled to appear:
CLUEFEST '96 GUEST OF HONORS
Carolyn G. Hart, Fiction Guest Of Honor
Robert Crais, Fiction GOH
Jay W.K. Setliff, (Editor/Publisher of Mostly Murder) Non-Fiction GOH
Marlys Millhiser, Toastmistress
Terry Klebba, Fan GOH
Mystery Authors In Attendance:
Steve Brewer
Jan Burke
Lillian Stewart Carl (Sat only)
Meg Chittenden (Sun Only)
Joyce Christmas
M.E. Cooper (Mary Ellen)
Camilla Crespi
Bill Crider
Deborah Crombie
Sandy Dengler
D.J. Donaldson
Carole Nelson Douglas
Janet Evanovich
Jean Hager
Jonathan Harrington
Charlaine Harris
Tammi Hoag
Teri Holbrook
Christine T. Jorgensen
Leslie O'Kane
James W. O'Keefe
Denise Osborne
Walter Satterthwait
Trish Macdonald Skillman
Aimee Thurlo (Sat only)
David Thurlo (Sat only)
Other Panelists & Writers in Attendance
Scott A. Cupp
Geraldine Galentree
Barry Gardner
Marv Lachman
June Moffatt
Len Moffatt
Don Sandstrom
Linda Toole
Ann Williams
As you can see we have a wide assortment of authors attending. If you would
like to join us this summer (July 12, 13, 14), please email me for more
information. There's always room for more authors!
Terry Phillips
BookTree
Subj: AHMM Potpourri
Date: 96-05-17 20:25:51 edt
From: EQ451
Posted on: America Online
Laurie -- thanks for the kind words, and I knew it was you
even though you spelled your name wrong <g>.
Sherry -- picked up a copy of NO PLACE LIKE HOME today, and
it's gone right to the top of the tottering pile. Looking
forward to reading it.
Earlene -- Yes, Phyllis and Dan are solidly married -- to
their respective spouses. Sorry about the confusion.
Best wishes -- Dan
Subj: Re:AHMM Potpourri
Date: 96-05-18 01:34:43 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Dan,
I'm honored.
Sherry
Subj: MWA May chat log
Date: 96-05-19 16:52:32 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
The log of the May MWA chat, with guest Barbara Shapiro, is now available for
downloading in the Chat Log Library.
Karen
Subj: HWA
Date: 96-05-23 08:04:09 edt
From: AHDN64
Posted on: America Online
Anyone going to HWA meeting in NY June 7 and 8?
My daughter and I will be there. Harlan Ellison will be speaking and be the
toastmaster for the Stoker Awards Banquet.
Mitzi
Subj: Wondering
Date: 96-05-23 12:53:30 edt
From: Ardwin
Posted on: America Online
I am sitting at my computer, munching on Oreo's and catching up a a few days
away from the Writer's Club boards. I couldn't help but be struck, as I went
from the SinC board to the MWA board, by the noticable difference in the
frequency of postings. Why's dat? Anyone got any ideas?
Ferd
Subj: Way To Go, Sherry!
Date: 96-05-23 16:21:31 edt
From: EQ451
Posted on: America Online
As I mentioned to Sherry Lewis, I had picked up her new
book, NO PLACE LIKE HOME and had placed it atop my tottering
TBR stack. I've just finished reading this Colorado Cozy
(my designation, Sherry <g>), and I'd like to recommend this
one to my fellow mystery writers. It reads smoothly, with a
nice build-up of suspense, a strong sense of place and time,
and -- very important IMO -- the characters and their
relationships to one another come through with a clarity
that avoids the kind of cluttered confusion you sometimes
find in more fast-paced "action" novels. It was something
of a relaxing change of pace for me to read a good mystery
that has no profanity ("good billy hell" is the worst
expletive), no gory violence, and no graphically explicit
sex, kinky or otherwise. It was downright refreshing!
Best wishes -- Dan
Subj: Re:Way To Go, Sherry!
Date: 96-05-23 19:19:31 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Dan,
Thank you! I'm so pleased that you liked Fred and cronies, and that you
enjoyed reading "No Place Like Home". And to recommend it to other
writers----I'm . . . speechless, and that's no easy task, let me assure you.
<G>
---Sherry (ducking her head and indulging in a modest blush)
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-23 20:07:16 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
No, but I'm relatively new here, and I've been wondering the same thing.
dianne
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 09:10:31 edt
From: JeHager
Posted on: America Online
Ferd, 'cause Sisters in Crime are a mouthy bunch, maybe?
Jean
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 09:54:38 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
>> 'cause Sisters in Crime are a mouthy bunch, maybe?<<
Belonging to both MWA and SinC, I'd have to say Sisters in Crime is more fun.
Less costly, too.
- Dale
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 10:30:21 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Wait a minute. I'm fun. Aren't I?
I belong to both MWA and SinC (also American Crime Writers League), and I
strive to be fun no matter how stodgy the other members are.
Shirley
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 11:27:43 edt
From: LTBerenson
Posted on: America Online
Yes, Shirley, you're fun.
Me too. I just tend to spend more time on the SinC board. (There's more talk
about chocolate over there.)
Laurie
Subj: A Plug from Lary
Date: 96-05-24 12:00:44 edt
From: EQ451
Posted on: America Online
In Issue #52 (March/April) of Mystery Scene Magazine, Lary
Crews not only gives a fine write-up of our own Phyllis
(RAINDEAD), but also provides a complete listing of the
scheduled guest writers for the monthly MWA online chats.
Just thought I'd pass this one on for those who haven't yet
seen Lary's column. Nice going, Lary. Every plug helps. <g>
Best wishes -- Dan
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 12:30:25 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
Another dual member of MWA and SinC here. I kind of think of SinC as a
sandbox to play in and the serious adults hang out in here.
I am willing to drag my sand pail all over the folders.
Gimme a topic.....right now I know of a toad line in 'medical', foot fetishes
and Disneyland in 'writing your first', we have been serious and talking
about writing influences in SinC but that won't last long.
Kathy
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 14:22:24 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Dual membership here, too. Like Kathy, I'm willing to play anywhere <g>.
Sherry
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 18:51:24 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
There's the added perk that my MWA local's membership is included in the $
paid out to the National. That's two newsletters in the mailbox. I love
newsletters!
Phyllis
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-24 19:17:07 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Phyllis--
I'm with you. I love getting newsletters.
Sherry
Subj: Re:MWA membership
Date: 96-05-25 15:33:21 edt
From: Beckett119
Posted on: America Online
Is the membership limited to published authors? Beckett
Subj: Re:MWA
membership
Date: 96-05-25 17:00:56 edt
From: MsMcL
Posted on: America Online
Beckett - No. I am not published, but I am an affiliate member of MWA. They
will ask you to show that you are seriously trying to become published,
though, which means they may want to see some of your rejection letters.
Hey, they're good for something! Kate
Subj: Re:MWA membership
Date: 96-05-26 11:11:04 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Hi Beckett,
Prepublished authors can join MWA, but there's a limit on the number in each
region, based on the membership size for published authors. Write MWA and ask
them for information.
- Dale
Subj: Re:Prepublished authors
Date: 96-05-26 14:04:53 edt
From: Beckett119
Posted on: America Online
Dale,
Thanks for that term, "prepublished". It's great.
Subj: Re:Prepublished
authors
Date: 96-05-27 11:33:15 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Hi Beckett,
>>Thanks for that term, "prepublished". It's great.<<
I got the term from Sisters in Crime, and started using it because I think it
describes most of the writer's I've met there better than unpublished. MWA is
very good on the business and professional aspects of mysteries, but (at
least the local L.A. Chapter) SinC is outstanding in the training and support
it gives, especially to prepublished authors. If you an afford to, it's good
to belong to both.
- Dale
Subj: Re:MWA membership
Date: 96-05-28 06:46:35 edt
From: CapeCodCat
Posted on: America Online
I photocopied about 50 rejections. And offered to 5th class send all my
books and stories in a box! They sent a note back......laughing. Yup!
Guess your serious
Subj: Re:A Plug from Lary, plus BSP
Date: 96-05-28 11:32:20 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
<<In Issue #52 (March/April) of Mystery Scene Magazine, Lary Crews not only
gives a fine write-up of our own Phyllis (RAINDEAD), but also provides a
complete listing of the scheduled guest writers for the monthly MWA online
chats. Just thought I'd pass this one on for those who haven't yet seen
Lary's column. Nice going, Lary. Every plug helps. <g>
Best wishes -- Dan>>
Ok, Ok, I can feel my arm being twisted - I just have to mention that my
first book Gray Matter got a plug in Lary's column, too. Isn't he a sweetie?
In the same issue of Mystery Scene, I have an article about getting published
for the first time. It seems especially appropriate to me that it's my first
article ever (besides local circulation stuff) and it's about my first book.
Shirley
Subj: Re:A Plug from Harriet
Date: 96-05-28 14:10:41 edt
From: HKlaus6073
Posted on: America Online
Shirley-just got your galley 2days ago-picked up book-and next thing I knew-
it was the end. It was SO good that I didn't even know time was passing!
Harriet
Subj: Re:A Plug from Lary, plus
BS
Date: 96-05-28 15:16:39 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
Shirley,
I wish I could get the same kind of mail you received in October of '95. I
read your article in Mystery Scene and I'm delighted for you. Will you come
be a guest in the Monday Mystery Forum soon? I'll e mail with more info.
Phyllis
Subj: Re:A Plug from Harriet
Date: 96-05-29 10:06:42 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Harriet,
I'm floating on air from your compliment.
Shirley
Subj: Re:A Plug from Harriet
Date: 96-05-29 10:09:18 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
And when my feet finally touched ground again, I printed out your post so I
could stare at it when the going gets tough (and the tough head for the
chocolate).
Shirley
Subj: Re:A Plug from Harriet
Date: 96-05-29 13:34:25 edt
From: HKlaus6073
Posted on: America Online
All I did was tell yhe truth-you have agreat career ahead of you
Harriet
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-30 12:54:53 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
I'm a member of both. I've heard before about SinC being more fun and more
accessible. Since I don't live close enough to attend regular meetings of
either organization, I can't offer up an opinion on that aspect of things.
But surely it doesn't have to extend to us online dual-members, does it? Do
we have to be stodgy over on this board and whoop it up in the SinC one?
More to the point, can't we have chocolate over here too?
Sure we can.
Karen
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-30 16:00:28 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
I'm up for chocolate.
I find it hard to be stodgy no matter where I am. (Excuse me while I blow
rasperries on my 5 yr old's tummy... There. That's out of the way for a
while.)
Anybody heard any good jokes lately? If they pertain to writing, so much the
better. It will look like I'm doing some work here.
Shirley
Subj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-30 21:16:16 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
No jokes for posting that don't involve much censoring ---- how about some
funny quotes?
"In six pages I can't even say hello." Jame Michener
"There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, nobody knows what
they are." W. Somerset Maugham
"Why don't you write books that people can read." Nora Joyce to her husband,
James.
and my all time favorite--
"If once a man indulges himself in murder, very soon he comes to think little
of robbing; and from robbing he next comes to drinking and Sabbath-breaking,
and from that to incivility and procastination." Thomas De Quincey
Subj:
Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-30 22:48:29 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
Has anyone had experience with copy edit changes *after* the galley stage?
I'm just wondering if that's done.
Thanks!
Subj: galley changes
Date: 96-05-31 02:26:34 edt
From: ESFowler
Posted on: America Online
Yes, you can change things after the galley stage but the publisher doesn't
encourage it. Usually if it's only a word or two they don't hassle you. If
it's whole paragraphs I've heard that the author has to pay for the changes.
I personally have changed words at that stage, as well as punctuation. But
big changes are costly and won't endear you to your editor because in all
fairness to them, you should have done all your changing when it was still in
manuscript stage.
Earlene FowlerSubj: Re:galley changes
Date: 96-05-31 02:27:52 edt
From: ESFowler
Posted on: America Online
One thought to clarify--I've never heard of a copy editor doing changes then.
They are mostly freelance so I don't think they even see the galleys. So any
changes would be yours or your editors.
EarleneSubj: Re:Wondering
Date: 96-05-31 10:11:29 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Great quotes. I especially like the James Joyce one and the one about going
from murder all the way down the drain to procrastination. Printed them out
for future yucks.
Shirley
Subj: Re:galley changes
Date: 96-05-31 18:03:31 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
Hi, Earlene,
Thanks for the response. I was wondering more about changes made on the
editorial side of things than about changes on the authorial side, but I
think you answered that in your second note.
Thanks!
Keith
Subj: Where Is Everybody?
Date: 96-05-31 21:52:47 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
Whew! I thought you'd all packed up and moved away while I wasn't looking.
Had to come into the boards the long way, my favorite places connection gave
me 0 topics and 0 messages.
I have nothing to say except that.
=-Sherry
Subj: Re:Where Is Everybody?
Date: 96-05-31 23:53:19 edt
From: MaraWayne
Posted on: America Online
Sherry,
That's funny because people on the science fiction boards were wondering
where everyone was. That's because last weekend was so quiet.
Gail (Hayden)
Subj: Rice U Conf (multiple post)
Date: 96-06-05 00:12:02 edt
From: MKC TX
Posted on: America Online
(I'm posting this elsewhere, too. I hope that's okay.)
I'm heading off to the Rice conference. Will any of you be there? Other than
our own KTrocheck, do any of you have any advice on whose workshops to
take/avoid? (You can email me if you'd rather not post your comments)
Speakers include (short list) Rita Mae Brown, Janis Arnold, Gail Donahue
Storey, Heather Sellers, Anita Richmond Bunkley, Carlos Nicolas Flores,
Janice Hewitt, Steven Saylor, Austin Bay, Dean James, Doug Swanson, Lynda
Robinson, Lauri Lynn Drummond.
(Actually, I'd prefer an email - I may not get back here before I leave)
Subj:
MWA June chat
Date: 96-06-09 22:13:37 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
MWA's June chat
Join us Tuesday, June 11, at 9 pm ET in the Writers Conference Room. Our
guest this month will be Bob Berger.
Bob Berger is the author of The Risk of Murder and The Risk of Heaven, the
first and second in the Dr. Risk Mystery series. He got into the whole
risk business a few years ago by writing Beating Murphy's Law, a
non-fiction book on the science of risk. He writes a column for NetGuide
Magazine, plays the piano at fancy hotels like The Plaza, and takes both
grave and trivial risks in New York City with his wife and five month old
son.
I asked Bob if there were anything in particular he'd like to offer up as a
subject for discussion, and this was his suggestion:
Is child molesting, the subject of The Risk of Heaven, suitable
for the mystery genre?
As usual, we'll use protocol.
When you have a question or comment, please type ?
or ! and you'll be called on in turn by the moderator.
When you're done asking or commenting type GA (go
ahead). After the response, if you have no further
comments to make or questions to ask, indicate your
thanks and type END. This will signal the moderator to
call on the next ? or ! in line. Be concise and we'll
be able to make the most of our time.
Please refrain from IM-ing the guest so he can
concentrate on the interview. Thanks.
See you then!
Karen
Subj: Writing the Series
Date: 96-06-10 03:24:34 edt
From: LeeGoldbrg
Posted on: America Online
The Mystery Writers of America, SoCal chapter, is hosting a day-long seminar
Saturday, June 22 entitled "Writing the Series: Books and TV" Join leading
authors and writer/producers as they discuss the challenges and pitfalls of
writing, creating and sustaining the mystery series in books and television.
Panelists include...
Michael Connelly, Earlene Fowler, Wendy Hornsby, Abigail Padgett, Robert
Ward.
Paul Bishop, Gar Anthony Haywood, Roger Simon, Gayle Lynds and Michael
Collins
and
Writer/producers Howard Gordon (X Files) Dean Hargrove (Columbo), Lee
Goldberg (Diagnosis Murder), Jacqueline Zambrano (Under Suspicion), Morgan
Gendel (X Files) and Carleton Eastlake (Equalizer).
For more information, contact me at LeeGoldbrg@aol.com
Subj: Dumb Question
Date: 96-06-12 01:26:45 edt
From: Burnthis1
Posted on: America Online
I joined Sisters in Crime at the suggestion of my former editor and attended
one of their wonderful conferences, but I don't know anything about MWA.
What are the benefits of joining? I'll be published as of this October under
the "thriller" genre (although the book sure looks like a mystery to me. You
know, dead bodies, some cops, a bunch of suspects. But, then, what do
writers know about marketing?) I'd appreciate any info about MWA.
Thanks!
Subj: Re:MWA June chat
Date: 96-06-12 01:35:31 edt
From: Burnthis1
Posted on: America Online
I just missed the chat, learning about it at 1:30. Ah well. Since my first
novel centers around the topic of child molestation, I'd be thrilled if
anyone wanted to either post or e-mail me about the topic whether it is a
suitable subject for a mystery. My publisher and I both hope the answer is
yes.
Subj: Re:Dumb Question
Date: 96-06-12 09:14:30 edt
From: JeHager
Posted on: America Online
Burnthis, congrats on your upcoming publication date! For info on MWA you
can write MWA headquarters, 17 E. 47th St., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Annual dues are $65.
Jean Hager
Subj: Re:Dumb Question
Date: 96-06-12 09:24:14 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
-
MWA,Inc.
Dues are $65.00 per year
Mystery Writers of American will accept not yet published mystery writers for
membership. Write for conditions.
This organization has offered mentoring on a first come basis for not yet
published members. A valuable resource for information. Great newsletter,
ten times a year.
Mystery Writers of America, Inc.
Priscilla Ridgway, Exec. Director
17 East 47th Street, 6th floor
New York, New York 10017
212 888-8171
Phyllis
Subj: Re:Dumb Question
Date: 96-06-12 12:56:19 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
Burn, it's not a dumb question. To a certain extent, what you will get out
of MWA, whether you are published or not yet published (no longer a problem
for you--congrats!) depends on where you live and if you will be able to
attend meetings of your local or regional chapter. We mystery writers are
wonderfully supportive of one another, no matter which one--or all--of many
available organizations one joins. But do check out your local scene, as
well as write to MWA headquarters at the address Jean already gave you.
Dianne, who used to be local in the Southeast but now is local in Norcal.
Check out our MWA Norcal webpage: http://user.aol.com/mwanorcal/
Subj: Organizing Your Work
Date: 96-06-20 12:12:35 edt
From: ETogneri
Posted on: America Online
If anyone lives in the New Jersey area, I will be speaking at the Garden
State Horror Writers meeting on Saturday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at the
Manalapan Library on Symmes Drive, off Route 9. The topic will be "Organizing
You Work". Using my background of 17 years of computer systems design and 4
years of writing, I will concentrate on the data needs of writers. My speech
will focus on how to store and use information to make writing easier.
I’ve posted messages a few times, but mostly lurk. I’m in the midst of
writing my second mystery while my agent tries to sell the first. There’s
been some interest, but no one has been willing to buy my paranormal story
yet. It sure is challenging to stay motivated writing the second in series
when the first hasn’t sold!
If anyone is able to attend the meeting, please introduce yourself to me. I
really enjoyed meeting all the other AOLers at Sleuthfest.
Elaine Togneri
Subj: Re:Organizing Your Work
Date: 96-06-20 23:01:02 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
Good luck, Elaine! I won't be there (as I live in Ohio), but it sounds
like a great premise for a talk. Knock em, er, dead...
~~Bill Pomidor
Subj: CONGRATS TO ANTHONY NOMINEES
Date: 96-06-21 12:24:13 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
The Anthony nominees (Bouchercon attendees' "Readers' Choice" awards) were
announced today. I saw them on DorothyL and, although I don't remember
everyone's names, there were a couple of people who were VERY familiar. Not
surprisingly, Harlan's DEAL BREAKER was nominated for Best PB Original, and
Martha Lawrence was nominated for MURDER IN SCORPIO. Teri Holbrook's A FAR
AND DEADLY CRY was also nominated in PBO, as was BAD MEDICINE, by Eileen
Dreyer (an SinC member, though she's not on AOL).
Congratulations to all the nominees!!!
~~Bill Pomidor
Subj: Re: MWA/NorCal web site
Date: 96-06-21 23:03:15 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
I don't think anyone's posted this yet, so I'd like to announce that the
NorCal chapter of MWA now has its own web site up and running. It's at
http://user.aol.com/mwanorcal/
Besides local chapter news and information, it's got a page of links to
Resources for Mystery Writers, a downloadable list of mystery bookstores, and
other goodies. Come on by and check us out.
Subj: Re:Congrats
Date: 96-06-24 15:50:51 edt
From: FGSnyder
Posted on: America Online
Add my congratulations to Harlan and all the nominees. Great job!
-- Frank
Subj: Re:Congrats
Date: 96-06-24 21:28:03 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
And mine! Congratulations to all.
--Sherry
Subj: details
Date: 96-06-24 22:27:58 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
Details of the St. Martin's Press contest in 'writing your first mystery.
Kathy
Subj: New weekly chat in MFTY
Date: 96-06-25 22:25:08 edt
From: JTaylorRED
Posted on: America Online
I've found an innovative way to avoid writing my third book. I'm going to be
the resident author for a weekly chat in Mysteries from the Yard, AOL's
online mystery bookstore site, every Monday evening at Midnight EST. Left
Coasters and East Coast night owls, your time has come! The topic is Women
of Mystery, a topic I hope will be broad enough to accommodate everyone from
cozy lovers to Sparkle Hayter aficianados to all those hard to categorize
books coming out these days. Male readers are welcome.
Authors who would like to be the guest at a "Meet YOUR NAME HERE"-type
evening should contact me (JTaylorRED). Otherwise, please stop by (Keyword
MFTY) and share what you're reading or writing.
Jean Taylor
Subj: Re:New weekly chat in MFTY
Date: 96-06-25 23:44:24 edt
From: JKenn10050
Posted on: America Online
Hey - I found an innovative way not to write my first book!!! My first few
thousand words, and chapters disappeared totally after I saved everything,
and exited WordPerfect. Got that Windows 95 Message - "you have performed an
illegal function". I don't feel very well.
Subj: Re:New weekly chat in MFTY
Date: 96-06-26 01:10:46 edt
From: Burnthis1
Posted on: America Online
JKenn, my condolences. That's everyone's nightmare -- and also the reason
I'm still on 3.1. Good luck
.Subj: Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 07:16:55 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
You have my sympathies too, Kenn. Perhaps it's still in there SOMEWHERE? Do
you know anyone who might help find out and locate and retrieve it?
If no one who knows Windows '95 hangs around at your house, try the keyword
Windows 95 and see if you can find help on one of the Windows 95 message
boards or from a Windows techie.
Good Luck.
Phyllis
Subj: Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 12:36:34 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
JKenn: I know this is like closing the barn door after the horse is gone, but
if you back up (i.e. copy to a floppy disk) before leaving your program, that
would help. But on second thought, I'm not sure you can do that without
going to the Explorer in Windows 95. I hired a free-lance computer nerd to
help me because these inexplicable things with Windows 95 bothered me a lot,
and it was obvious that the computer nerds on the 800 number had no idea what
it's like to earn one's living on a computer, when content--as in writing--is
the product, not one's supposed knowledge of the hardware. I ended up, with
the free-lancer's help, deleting from the hard drive everything I don't use
that pulls power--mainly the kids games and other kids' programs since I no
longer have kids at home. It helped, a lot. When I went from aol 2.5 to 3.0
recently, I began to have the same problems again until I went in and
completely removed 2.5--just trashing the icon off the desk top hadn't done
it. On the SinC board recently there was a discussion about zip drives, but
the zip drive isn't going to solve the problem you mention because you'd
still be exiting your program to back up to the zip; so again I recommend
always backing up to a floppy disk--why do we still call them that when they
aren't floppy anymore?--because at least that way you only lose one day's
work.
Dianne Day
Subj: Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 14:03:29 edt
From: LiseMac
Posted on: America Online
Is it possible you turned off your computer without exiting win95? I did this
once (I had actually been trying to shut down the computer from WordPerfect
6.0 for Dos without returning to windows which is a total no-no). Anyway, if
that's what you did you will have to reinstall windows but your data should
still be there somewhere. When you reinstall windows it just covers over the
appropriate files (ask me, I've reinstalled it about 3 or 4 times). So once
it's running again you can try to find your files. Good luck!
Lise McClendon
Subj: Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 18:56:35 edt
From: JKenn10050
Posted on: America Online
I did call Windows 95 in a flap, and they suggested I call WordPerfect, THEN
they would help me get rid of that error message doohickey. I e-mailed Corel
and they 3-mailed me 3 pages of backup retrieval. Since it is too
complicated for my poor little mystical mind, I hope my computer fixer-upper
can figure it out!! Thanks for your condolences. I needed them!!!
Subj:
Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 18:59:20 edt
From: JKenn10050
Posted on: America Online
Dianna - I was on my way out to dos to backup on disk, when I got that ruddy
message. I have to learn to backup to disk within the ruddy program somehow.
Maybe my computer fixer upper can show me how - although I did ask him that
once. He's the one who showed me how to back up using dos. Thanks for your
suggestions and concern. I appreciate it .
Subj: Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 19:53:29 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
JKenn--
I keep a disk poking halfway out of my little "B" drive all the time I'm
working. Just as often as I don't want to recreate what I've done (about
every page---I'm such a lazy thang) I save to my hard drive (Alt F10 in WP5.1
or ctrl S in WP6.1---but beyond there, I'm lost). Then, every so often, I
pop the disk in and copy the file to the floppy by listing files through the
file manager and copying. Takes only a few seconds, and I rarely lose more
than a page or two. Backing up's another thing I do regularly, with
grandfathered backups, etc. but this is in addition as I work, just in case.
Ya know?
all right--- who said I was compulsive?
~~Sherry
Subj: Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 22:51:17 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
Dear JKenn, you're probably going to get sick of everybody offering you
solutions, but anyway: It's really very easy to backup in Windows 95 using
the Explorer and the right mouse button. I don't have WordPerfect, I have
Works for Windows (which I hate but the new computer came with it), but I
assume it should work the same way. It's a heckuva lot easier than when we
had File Manager. Good luck. I hope your computer guy knows Windows
95!
Subj: Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-26 23:22:52 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
This, too -- keep a floppy disk in your drive, and before you pull out of
your program, do a
Save As... to the floppy drive, then another Save As... back to your hard
drive.
And another -- if you have decent laser-print hard copy, if EVERYTHING else
fails you can always just have it scanned in. (Yes, scanners these days do a
fine job if the hard copy is clean.)
But sorry, I still don't understand why anyone is using Win95.
Subj:
Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-27 00:31:56 edt
From: JKenn10050
Posted on: America Online
SLBwrites - Hi!!I was only shown how to back up through finding the file in
dos, and copying to a or b. That's what I was on my way to do, when the
light on the path dimmed, and I lost my way.!!
Thanks for your description of what you do. What great people you all are!!
Thanks, so much.
Subj: Galley Anxiety
Date: 96-06-27 02:16:22 edt
From: Burnthis1
Posted on: America Online
Just got a copy of the galleys for my book and my publisher is sending them
out for blurbs. (We can discuss the morality of the cover blurb at another
time. I'm new to this and it sounded like a swell idea to me.) Plus I'm
afraid this version is going out for reviews. Anyway, the cover art looked
terrible, some things I'd put in as a lark thinking I'd have a chance to make
changes after copyediting are still in there and the description of my book
on the back gives away too much and lists the wrong person as a suspect. I
didn't expect this version to go out as "the book" so I'm now having a minor
nervous breakdown and am anxiously awaiting blurbs like this--"Makes a nice
coaster for your coffee mug -- and you can put it down." Anyone have any
comforting galley stories to share or feigned reassurances like nobody really
reads galleys anyway, they just consult their psychics to see if they should
say something nice? Help, I'm rambling and incoherent and I can't stop.
Shari
Subj: Re:Galley Anxiety
Date: 96-06-27 11:18:22 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
Shari, talk to your agent without delay about your concerns. Really.
Subj:
Re:Galley Anxiety
Date: 96-06-27 13:04:27 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
Hi, All! Believe it or not, my enter key doesn't work in AOL today, so
you'll have to bear with me--there'll be no paragraph breaks. Anyway, as far
as galleys go, I have little experience since my publisher never sends
galleys out (I'm in PBO, so maybe that's why). Even the review copies never
get sent out until about a month after publication, which may be part of the
reason I'm rarely reviewed! But you can make certain small changes in the
galley proofs and they will go into the book (that may not help with
reviewers who've already received the galleys--if they're glaring faults--but
at least it helps with the final product). As far as the cover, my
understanding is that the galleys are being sent out in the hopes of
garnering cover blurbs, so they should certainly be able to change the copy
on the back cover as well. They did that with mine AFTER the cover was done,
when I got my nomination.~~Bill
Subj: Re:Win 95, backup problems
Date: 96-06-27 13:06:52 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
I had a few early snags with Win 95, but now I enjoy the program
tremendously. There's a lot of stuff in there (like object-orientedness,
dragging and dropping from one program into another) that you don't
appreciate until you've worked with it a while. On the other hand, if you're
using a Dos-based program (did someone say they were using WP for DOS?),
there's not much point in using Windows 95--except for the fact that it's
less prone to crashing DOS-based programs. As far as backing up, I never use
the file manager or the Explorer for that--it's far too cumbersome and wastes
space. I mainly write in Word for Windows, and I've written a neat little
macro that I've turned into a click button. When I click on it, it saves the
file on the hard drive, saves it again (under the same name) onto the floppy,
then saves it onto the hard drive again. Why do I do it that way? Two
reasons--one is because if you just save onto the floppy (or the hard drive,
then the floppy), you end up running the file from the floppy after that
(which can be VERY slow) until you back up to the hard drive again. The
other reason is rather obscure and has to do with disk space. Each time you
save a file under the same name, it gets longer because the changes are
generally added on rather than overwritten. So if you've deleted a huge
block of text and put a new chapter in, the deleted block might just be
marked out, but the space is unavailable until you save the file under a new
name (that's a type of compression, but different from hard drive
compression). Saving the file to A, then back to C, serves the function of
compressing the file (by the way, merely copying to A from the file manager
won't do this)....<para>....Finally, I STRONGLY recommend using the auto
backup function in whatever word processor you use (virtually all of them
have it now). My word processor backs up the file every four minutes, in the
background, while I'm working, without me even being aware of it. I also
have an EZ drive (like a ZIP drive) AND an APC power back-up unit which
blocks surges and keeps the computer running for an hour even if there's a
power failure. Am I paranoid? Yes. But I haven't lost anything major
yet--knock on wood! Anyway, good luck with the galleys and the file
back-upping!....~~Bill
Subj: Re:Galley Anxiety
Date: 96-06-27 13:16:40 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Shari-
I know exactly how you feel. I thought the copy-edited ms for my book was in
great shape. Then I saw the galleys that were produced from it. The copy
editor had made a mistake with the proofreader's marks. He used two
underlines to indicate capitalization instead of three. So things that were
supposed to be capitalized came out in small caps (a couple of point sizes
smaller than the regular caps), which stand out on the page and look awful.
Making the situation worse was the fact that my main character goes by
initials PJ, which came out in small caps on nearly every page. In addition
there was jumbled text introduced, sentence fragments repeated, etc. I
phoned the proof editor as soon as I saw the galleys, and she said she would
correct the PJ initials right away, and to mark all the other changes. I
did, and sent back almost the entire manuscript because there were
corrections on nearly every page. At this point in production, there should
have been only a handful of pages returned for correction. (The editor told
me each page costs about $6 to correct at this point.)
When I got the bound galleys, I was mortified to see that only the PJ had
been corrected; everything else was the same, plus some pages were actually
bound out of order. There was a disclaimer on the front which said
"Uncorrected Proof" - no kidding! There hadn't been time to make all the
changes in the galleys before binding them into advance reading copies, but
the changes did get into the final book. (So I've been told. I won't see
one for a couple of weeks.) I was so embarrassed to hand out the advance
reading copies in that condition, but hand them out I did - hundreds of them,
at the ABA show in Chicago. I have already gotten feedback from people
saying they really enjoyed the book, so I guess they can read around the
errors and understand that things like that can happen. But I still shudder
to think that my slaved-over work is being presented to reviewers and book
store owners looking like that.
Talk to your editor & agent. Let them know your concerns. But you probably
won't get anything but a shoulder to cry on, and assurance that the final
version will be better.
Shirley
Subj: Re:Galley Anxiety
Date: 96-06-27 14:28:34 edt
From: LiseMac
Posted on: America Online
I do think reviewers understand about that "Uncorrected Galley" business... I
think everybody has it on theirs, unless, like apparently Shari who had cover
art on her galley-- is that right? Sometimes they do send out specially
bound, with art, galleys. For Painted Truth, the galleys came back to me and
everywhere there was supposed to be an end quotation mark, ", there was some
sort of word processing flub, and they came out 3@% or some such. And, of
course, that's the way they came out in the galleys for reviewers too. Ah,
well. I thought all was corrected but then the final book came out and there
were several large gaps, three or four lines in the middle of a paragraph, at
different places in the text. These showed up nowhere, no-how, in galleys. Go
figure. I used to hear about authors who, if they found uncorrected errors in
the final manuscript, had some clause in their contract where they got 50
cents, or whatever, per error. Anybody do that any more??
Good luck with your galleys, Shari. Keep after them and it'll all get cleared
up, here's hoping.
Lise
Subj: Re:Win'95 Dilemma
Date: 96-06-27 14:59:34 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
JKenn--
Ah, well, I tried. Surely there must be some way to retrieve the file --
maybe through Norton Utilities. .....
...gotta run, I'll chat more later
Sherry Lewis
Subj: Re:Win 95, backup problems
Date: 96-06-27 15:06:19 edt
From: Carito
Posted on: America Online
After three days of reading these messages, I went and kissed my Macintosh on
its little head. In eight years of heavy documentation writing, marketing
writing and now mystery writing, it's never lost a thing. I have no idea
what goes on inside it and I very much want to keep it that way. It's a tool
that I use like a pen, for gosh sake, not a hobby.
Subj: Re:Galley Anxiety
Date: 96-06-27 15:18:54 edt
From: Burnthis1
Posted on: America Online
Everyone, thanks for the feedback. Shirley, nice to know reviewers can see
beyond the mess! I'm glad they take "uncorrected" seriously. Maybe
there's still hope. Dianne, talked to my agent . She was upset but wasn't
sure what we could do to pull the blurb copies out of circulation, they've
already been printed and I think it's too late to stop them. But, we're
keeping our eyes on it for the final version!
Subj: Re:Win 95, backup
problems
Date: 96-06-28 00:17:52 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
Hi, Carito,
Yes, it's amazing what IBM users have to go through to accomplish the
simplest things. I do graphic design, multimedia authoring, digital audio,
and music sequencing on my Macintosh. It's simply a superior platform that
works right.
...Unless, of course, you just *like* messing around inside the case and
getting confused by drivers... :)
Keith
Subj: Re:Win 95, backup problems
Date: 96-06-28 00:18:47 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
Um... I'm not trying to start a flame war, by the way. Just happy I don't
have an IBM.
Keith
Subj: Re:Win 95, backup problems
Date: 96-06-28 00:32:58 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
Well, count me in as another person who will tuck her MAC into bed tonight
with extra kisses and hugs.
Kathy xoxoxoxoxoxo
Subj: Re:Win 95, backup problems
Date: 96-06-28 01:21:35 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
>>Yes, it's amazing what IBM users have to go through to accomplish the
simplest things. I do graphic design, multimedia authoring, digital audio,
and music sequencing on my Macintosh. It's simply a superior platform that
works right.<<
>>Um... I'm not trying to start a flame war, by the way. Just happy I don't
have an IBM.<<
Oh, really?.... Okay, I won't go there, except to say that I've been doing
the same things on a PC for more than five years, and I'm just happy that
when I want to upgrade I don't have to remortgage my house. :-)
Subj:
Re:Win 95, backup problems
Date: 96-06-28 02:34:06 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
As I said, I'm not trying to start a flame war, so I won't go around on this
one.
Keith
Subj: Mac vs IBM, put up yer dukes
Date: 96-06-28 16:00:36 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
Okay, okay, let's just say that PC people generally like theirs and Mac
people are rabid about theirs (do you all NAME your computers, by the way?).
My wife and I have tried both and were impressed at the lack of intuitiveness
behind Mac's latest (System 7) interface. We had to learn how to do
everything all over again, and simple things (like auto backup) weren't there
(or else we couldn't find them).
I think we tend to prefer the machine we started out in; it's as simple as
that. So let's all just stay friends, okay?
~~Bill
BTW, Kathy, I'm e-mailing you directly; you've become my friend for life (for
reasons you probably know), and I wouldn't insult your Mac for the
world!
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-28 18:52:54 edt
From: Carito
Posted on: America Online
Okay, since I kinda started this, let me say I'm all for live and let live.
In fact, I have a mixed marriage. I've had a Mac since there were Macs and my
husband's a PC man. The problem is--how to raise the children?
The children, of course, use both with equal ease, (and go back and forth
from Word to WordPerfect without even noticing), just the way any of us can
drive a rental car or use the neighbor's phone, and I'm sure that's what it
will be like with these smart little terminals or whatever they become in
the future
.Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-28 19:36:27 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
So, um, how's the weather out there? How 'bout them Jazz?
~Sherry, who only refers to her computer by name (and I ain't tellin' which I
got) on bad days.
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-28 21:02:06 edt
From: JKenn10050
Posted on: America Online
I'll bite. Mines a Packard Bell PC -- and Windows 95 plus a lot of other
programs I'll never use were already preloaded. The OTHER PC I have is a PC
IBMClone built for me four years ago. has Windows 3.0 and while she (her name
is Victoria Regina) has crashed 4 times and lost everything, I lost words
only once, when I forgot to save. Those 4 crashes weren't anything I did,
funnily enough - two were due to a technician I don't have anymore, one was
the mother board taking a dump, and the 4th was the wiring in my power bar
had been reversed during the manufacture!! - and it gave out during a storm.
My very favorite PC was my first in l986 An IBM personal computer with 20
mg. hard disk. Her name was Isabelle, and she never let me down.
Subj:
Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-29 00:25:25 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
Haven't named my MAC but he (it's a he, I don't know why) has his own teddy
bear (Editor Bear - wearing a cardigan, glasses and frowns at me a lot).
Kathy
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-29 00:51:01 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
>>...the computer we started out with...<<
Hell, I started out on an Apple ][+ -- and you can always tell the folks who
did, because that's they way it HAS to be typed. And back then, square
brackets were part of an extended character set that had to be accessed
through an arcane set of keystrokes -- it was how you knew the really "in"
people.
I managed to figure out one word processor program well enough to type basic
text, and watched with amazement as my son, then barely a teenager, swooped
back and forth between word processors without even noticing. I'm definitely
one of those people whose kids taught them everything they know about
computers. (And I'd still never survive if he weren't on the other end of a
phone line.)
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-29 16:01:37 edt
From: Ardwin
Posted on: America Online
We writers fall in love with our implements. Although I write on a PC I
still get a charge picking up a real writing implement, a fountain pen, and
writing something long hand. There's something about the way the width of
the line varies and the ink flows onto the paper. Then, after a few days,
and ink-stained fingers, I go back to the mass-produced ball pens that do the
job so much more efficiently but with no romance or history. (I still
remember when my job in third grade was filling the ink wells in the desks
every morning)
I did just buy a laptop that has Windows 95 loaded on it and I'm hopping back
and forth between it and my desktop that has Windows 3.1. I'm too old. I
still like Windows 3.1 with it's Program Manager and File Manager better.
Ferd
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-29 21:12:16 edt
From: Fontella
Posted on: America Online
My dukes are firmly planted on my MAC keyboard. Use PowerBook for most
writing for its intimacy.
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-06-29 23:01:03 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
I've used both PC & Mac for years, including various word processors on both
machines. Since I've been in the computer field for 25 yrs, you'd think I'd
be pretty flexible. But I can admit it here: I just love my Mac. That
little rainbow apple logo is so cute, I don't know how anyone can resist it.
I've got a Centris 650, a considerable step up from the old SE I used for
years. I still have that SE (which is named Neptune and has the nameplate to
prove it), but I did manage to part with its Apple predecessors. I
practically have to be chained down to use the PC for anything. Mostly, my
son plays games & educational software on it. In our family, it's very
telling that the PC is the machine with the joystick. Sometimes I use it to
print out greeting cards because I have a color inkjet printer on that
system, but a b&w laser printer on the Centris. I also use it in my
consulting business when I connect to mainframes. But that doesn't mean I
have to like it. I do think we develop a strong fondness for whatever we
used first. The main problem I have now is that when I visit a software
store, the Mac selection is non-existent or pathetic. I've been in several
stores which eliminated their Mac software altogether to make space for the
proliferation of inexpensive PC CD's. Money talks, and PCs have the market
share to shout big time. Mail order is the way to go for software selection.
I've also noticed that PC owners (especially those whose only exposure to
computers has been through micros) automatically assume that everyone else
uses a PC too. Why is that? I don't assume everybody else has a Mac.
I say use what you feel comfortable with, and live and let live.
Shirley
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-07-01 20:43:57 edt
From: WillMize
Posted on: America Online
<opening up ANOTHER can of worms>
Heck, I'm one of the last people on the planet who still use WORDSTAR <ver
7.0 for DOS> and ADORE it. I have WORD and WP and all that, but I always go
back to WS.
<cue nostalgic music>
- Bill in St Petersburg, FL
Subj: Re:Mac vs IBM, put up yer du
Date: 96-07-02 18:18:06 edt
From: Carito
Posted on: America Online
Yes, Bill. I worked for a company that made templates for all the
word-processing packages and you are the last one.Subj: Long Live WordStar!
Date: 96-07-02 20:50:26 edt
From: EQ451
Posted on: America Online
Sorry, Bill, you're not quite the last. I've been using
WordStar since 1985, starting with version 3.3 on my old
Kaypro II (CP/M), and am now using v. 5.5 (DOS) on an IBM
PS/1. Have written many words and made a good amount of
money with WordStar, and will load it again into any
computer I buy in the future.
Best wishes -- Dan
Subj: Re:Long Live WordStar!
Date: 96-07-02 21:10:41 edt
From: WillMize
Posted on: America Online
Thanks Dan -
I stand corrected. When the New World Order (tm) comes, we'll ensure
that the word processor of mandatory choice is Wordstar. Then you and I can
get the respect, honor and money that we deserve teaching others how to use
WordStar :>
- Bill, who has NOT made a lot of money using Wordstar YET. But has written
muy words.
Subj: Membership query
Date: 96-07-04 08:19:14 edt
From: J0EJ0HNS0N
Posted on: America Online
Is there a "must be published" stipulation to MWA membership?
Subj: Re:Membership query
Date: 96-07-04 09:51:18 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
>>>Is there a "must be published" stipulation to MWA membership?<<<
MWA allows prepublished writers, but there is a limit by chapter on the
number of Associates. You have to show you are actively seeking publication
through submission of rejection letters (finally, a use for them!), etc.
Contact MWA HQ for details.
- Dale
Subj: MWA July chat
Date: 96-07-06 17:52:06 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
MWA's July chat will be this Tuesday, July 9, at 9 pm ET, in the Writers'
Conference room. This month our guest speaker is Rich Barre. Here's his
bio:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Barre is the author of two thriller/mystery novels to date: The
Innocents, published in 1995, which has been nominated for both Shamus and
Anthony awards in the category of Best First, and Bearing Secrets, which he
is currently touring. Both feature Wil Hardesty-Vietnam survivor, lifelong
surfer, Southern California PI-a man still mourning the loss of his young
son.
Rich was born in Los Angeles and raised in California. Prior to taking the
leap and quitting his day job to write full time, he was copywriter and
creative director for fifteen years at his own advertising agency. Also a
travel writer and editor, he lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Susan. He
is currently at work on his third Hardesty novel, The Ghosts of Morning .
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can read more about Rich's book The Innocents in the 1995 edition of
Mystery Writer's Sourcebook. In Section VI (Editors at Work) Michael Seidman
talks about his decision to acquire Rich's first novel.
We'll use protocol, as usual, for this meeting.
When you have a question or comment, please type ?
or ! and you'll be called on in turn by the moderator.
When you're done asking or commenting type GA (go
ahead). After the response, if you have no further
comments to make or questions to ask, indicate your
thanks and type END. This will signal the moderator to
call on the next ? or !in line. Be concise and we'll
be able to make the most of our time.
Please refrain from IM-ing the guest so he can
concentrate on the interview. Thanks.
See you Tuesday!
Karen
Subj: Re:Long Live WordStar!
Date: 96-07-08 21:22:39 edt
From: FUBOP
Posted on: America Online
I dont use Wordstar anymore, but still find it difficult to perform a task
with a mouse when I can use keyboard commands. The first always makes the
deepest impression.....in all things.
DTM
Subj: Sherlock & Nero
Date: 96-07-13 11:07:35 edt
From: ScotMcBaen
Posted on: America Online
What other series are written first person from the viewpoint of the second
banana? If not series, standalones? I can see why Conan Doyle and Stout
did, or at least, why I would've, given the genius of the title characters.
Any contemporaries using this device? Probably somebody obvious that I'm
overlooking. Thanks for helping.
smb
Subj: Furutani Web Site
Date: 96-07-14 11:19:23 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
I’d like to invite fellow SINC members to visit my Web site. It not only
discusses my upcoming mystery, Death in Little Tokyo, featuring Asian
American Ken Tanaka, it also has articles which may be of special interest to
other writers. The site is:
members.aol.com/dfurutani
At this site is an article on how I put together this Web site, using space
provided as part of my American On Line (AOL) subscription and free software
from Microsoft which allows MS Word to edit and format Web pages. There’s
even a link to allow you to obtain the free Microsoft Software for yourself,
if you’re interested in creating your own Web site.
The site also includes a copy of the Reader’s Group Guide to Death in Little
Tokyo. This guide suggests discussion questions about the book, plus other
useful information about Asian Americans. It’s modeled on the guides author
Jean Hager developed, and may be something you’ll want to do for your own
books.
The site has the usual author’s photo, biographical information, discussions
of why I’m writing this series, and quotes about the book from both the
mystery community and (an unusual touch) prominent members of the Asian
American community.
Thanks!
Dale Furutani Flanagan
(Author of Death in Little Tokyo by Dale Furutani)
Subj: Looking for an author
Date: 96-07-14 19:46:37 edt
From: RIGHT4FUN
Posted on: America Online
I am looking for the name of an author and a series of books they've written.
All I know is that the main characters name is "Rachel" and I think the
authors name is Daly or something like that. Can anyone help me.
Thanks
Subj: Rich Barre, MWA's July guest
Date: 96-07-16 16:12:16 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Download the file for the July MWA chat and hear Rich Barre talking about his
book The Innocents, nominated for both an Anthony and a Shamus, and his
newest book Bearing Secrets.
Check it out!
Karen
Subj: Writers Who Love Libraries
Date: 96-07-22 23:02:26 edt
From: Wirono
Posted on: America Online
Can anyone tell me how to contact a group called Writers Who Love Libraries
(WWLL)? Our local library, which is staffed by volunteers and exists solely
on donations and fund-raising efforts, is losing its facility to a
multi-screen movie theater? We must vacate the premises by Sept. 1, 1996, and
are frantically seeking help!
Subj: Re:Writers Who Love Librarie
Date: 96-07-23 07:49:37 edt
From: AHDN64
Posted on: America Online
I don't know about the organization, but I do know that I am apalled by what
you wrote. How can a community allow this to happen. Is the building
historic (get it on the historic registery)? Contact authors. Get a big name
interested in the project. E-mail some of the authors who are on-line (e-mail
instead of posting on the board). Get some publicity going. Is there a local
paper that can help? A school (s)? How about a story about the history of
the library and prominent people in the community who started going there as
a child?
Is there a large company in the area who can back you? There's always civil
disobedience (peaceful). Sit (live) in the library as protest. (Boy, have you
got me stirred up!)
Are they making provisions for another library?
Where are you and how can I help?
Mitzi
Subj: Re:Writers Who Love Librarie
Date: 96-07-23 14:00:27 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
I second Mitzi. Please tell us where you are. I may know people who will
help if it's geographically possible.
Dianne
Subj: Quick Before It's Deleted
Date: 96-07-24 23:59:08 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
I thought those of us committed to freedom of expression should all be aware
of this, from the SF Chronicle:
America Online, the largest commercial forum in cyberspace, has
forbidden people who use its sports discussion groups to post their messages
in any language other than English.
AOL has been erasing messages posted in Spanish and Portuguese since
last week because its discussion group monitors don't understand them,
infuriating a group of subscribers, led by Bay Area soccer fans, who want to
talk about their favorite Olympic sport in whatever language they choose...
The on-line service posted this explanation: "While it's wonderful to
see so many folks who are multilingual, unfortunately there is no way we can
verify whether every language one might choose to use in a post meets the AOL
terms of service (for politeness). Posts not made in English will be deleted
without notice."
I expect this posting to be deleted as soon as our Censor reads it, of
course. Ain't it a treat to know that we're all members of an Amurricuns-only
online service? (If you care to, you can make your feelings known at KEYWORD:
TOS, the only place I know of to actually communicate with the Powers That
Be.)
Subj: Re:Writers Who Love Libraries
Date: 96-07-25 00:47:11 edt
From: JSW52534
Posted on: America Online
Form a "friends" group. Contact local politicans. Interest the local
newspapers and provide feature articles on the current facility. Contact the
developer and pressure him to assist in finding a new location. Sometimes
the local planning board can put stipulations on the approval for occupancy
that would cause the developer to provide alternate facilities for the public
good. Try working with the system first then go to the protest mode. Good
luck!
Subj: Re:Quick Before It's Deleted
Date: 96-07-28 16:00:57 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
At the risk of incurring the wrath of every writer who exists:
One of the features about AOL that's nice is their terms of service; the fact
that if someone turns up in a chat room who is being inappropriate, you have
someplace to go, you can call someone to take care of the problem and return
to your business. When you receive an obscene email (I don't know about you,
but it's definitely happened to me) you have an option -- there's something
you can DO about it.
The only solution I can think of, in order for AOL to keep their current
policy and allow people to post in different languages, is to either only
hire multilingual people (making the jobs available to fewer people) or some
tedious business of carefully noting where each posting in a different
language is located, communicating it to a multilingual person, who will then
check it out. Time consuming and probably not the best use of their time.
OR, they could consider having a board in each language available, and have
it vetted by someone who knows the language. That seems the only workable
approach to allow them to keep their policy and allow for a multilingual
usage.
Now that I've alienated everyone in this community --
Is anyone still speaking to me?
Karen
Subj: Re:Quick Before It's Deleted
Date: 96-07-28 16:23:41 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
Guten tag Karen!
;))))) Kathy
Subj: Re:Quick Before It's Deleted
Date: 96-07-28 21:31:24 edt
From: SLBWrites
Posted on: America Online
What? We're not going to speak to you because you have an opinion? It's not
as if the rest of us don't :-))))))
Sherry
Subj: Writers Who Love Libraries
Date: 96-07-28 22:12:31 edt
From: Wirono
Posted on: America Online
Thanks for the response! If you think you're stirred up, imagine how we feel!
We've had excellent coverage in the local newspapers and several politicians
seem to be trying. Our local fire department has even offered to donate land
for a permanent facility. However, we are a very young library (established
May 1993) and located in a newly developed unincorporated area of the county.
Seems we were just getting on our feet good when this hit. I work in the
tecnical services department of another library and ran across a brief
reference to the WWLL group in a book I was cataloging about a year ago. It
is a non-profit group whose members include Mary Higgins Clark and a number
of other "greats". Unfortunately, I can't for the life of me remember which
book it was! :(
We are the East Lake Community Library, located in Pinellas County, Florida
(on the west coast -- St. Petersburg/Tampa area). Mailing address: P. O. Box
4894, Palm Harbor FL 34685. My e-mail address is Wirono@GTE.Net
We will be eternally grateful for help of any kind from anyone!! P.S.
Because we do not receive any government funding, we are registered as a
non-profit. Any donations are tax-exempt.
Subj: Re:Quick Before It's Deleted
Date: 96-07-28 23:11:09 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Karen,
Wakarimaska? Hai, wakarimasu.
- Dale
P.S. Do I understand? Yes, I understand (translation in case AOL doesn't have
Japanese speakers online yet).
P.P.S. And of course we'll talk to you, but it will be in the same
smart-mouth manner as always<G>.
P.P.P.S. I once got a death threat via AOL (in english). There's a journalist
named Dale Flanagan, so I was never able to figure out if it was directed at
me or him.
Dale _FURUTANI_ Flanagan
Subj: Re:Quick Before It's Deleted
Date: 96-07-29 12:08:53 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
Karen:
I agree that keeping things civilized here (not to mention safe) is
worthwhile. And I also got an obscene e-mail once -- a really gamy gif file.
The thing is, when I got it, I reported it to the TOS people. I didn't need
AOL reading every piece of my mail to "protect" me in advance. (They don't
read e-mail, of course.)
The same thing holds true for the boards -- why not simply wait until someone
reports a problem? (Yes, I've done that too -- you should see some of the
slime that oozed onto the 49ers board before they started enforcing some
rules.) In other words, why not approach it with a "no harm, no foul"
attitude?
I also have to say that I'm very pleased with AOL's response to this -- they
backed off quickly, admitted they were wrong, and moved on.
Subj: Last weeks
of MFTY
Date: 96-07-29 16:13:56 edt
From: JTaylorRED
Posted on: America Online
Mysteries from the Yard is being shut down for lack of business by AOL at the
end of August (sigh, growl, sob). I've only been hosting a chat on it for a
month, but I feel a strong sense of loss at a venue for chats, interviews,
and of course buying books you can't get other places.
If you want to send a note of support to its owner, Mary Frost-Pierson (MS
TERIES), I'm sure she'd appreciate it. I'm afraid it's too late to send a
protest to AOL, though it might be a rewarding exercise in venting.
And if you want to drop by the Women of Mystery Chat on any Monday Midnight
edt (9:00 San Francisco time) before the end of August, we'd love to see you!
(Keyword MFTY, then go to Searching for Clues, and Go to Chat)
Jean Taylor
Subj: Fan letter to Holtzer
Date: 96-07-29 16:20:18 edt
From: JTaylorRED
Posted on: America Online
Besides her fiesty upholding of free speech on AOL, Susan also gets my big
thanks for organizing the MWA table at the Books by the Bay independent
booksellers' event in San Francisco last week. I had a great time and even
sold a few books!
I was lucky in that my shift at book signing preceded the live, gawdawfully
dreadful performance of saccharine songs by the seller of kids books, which
the gallant Susan and husband must have endured all day. . . .
Subj: Re:Fan
letter to Holtzer
Date: 96-07-29 22:58:46 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
Thanks, Jean. I'm personally partial to things you don't have to plan for --
in this case, because there just wasn't time. What's great is that we got
eight authors together for this in less than 48 hours -- AND impressed the
hell out of the booksellers by doing it. Good karma all the way around. I had
a fine time, and wouldn't have had a complaint in the world if the
temperature had been about 15 degrees cooler. :-)
Subj: Re:Quick Before
It's Deleted
Date: 96-07-30 14:10:38 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Susan,
Good ideas. I agree with you, basically. It's just that I could see the
problems AOL was facing in trying to maintain their standards, and I think
sometimes in the interest of free speech (which I fully support) people are
awfully quick to interpret things as anti free speech when they may be driven
by other forces. I do not believe in censorship, but I do believe in ratings
(I know, I know, they're imperfect: but as a parent I support them in
principle), and I think people confuse the two.
Dale and Kathy -- Merci beaucoups. A bientot. :) And Dale, feel free to
smartmouth me all you like.
Karen
Subj: Bookshops
Date: 96-08-01 17:45:28 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
I'm making an expensive mailing to bookshops in conjunction with the launch
of my book "Death in Little Tokyo" (well, it's expensive for me. It's
probably what Patsy Cornwell spends on donuts for her bodygaurds...) and I
would appreciate it if anyone could email me the addresses of good mystery
bookshops. I'm especially interested in shops on the west coast, NYC and
Hawaii, but my main criteria is an independent mystery bookshop that will
look at a new writer's work and recommend it to customers whose taste matches
the writer's book.
Thanks for your help,
Dale Furutani Flanagan
Subj: Re:Bookshops
Date: 96-08-01 17:58:01 edt
From: Holtzer
Posted on: America Online
Dale:
There's a list of mystery bookstores on our website (MWA/NorCal), in a
comma-delimited, zipcode-ordered .zip file ready to download and dump into a
mailmerge. The URL is:
http://user.aol.com/mwanorcal/
Go to the "Resources for Mystery Writers" page and you'll see it there. (Let
us know what sort of responses you get!)
Subj: Re:Bookshops
Date: 96-08-02 14:00:41 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Thanks for the information on the MWA northern cal website. It sounds great.
I've gotten good response to my request for email bookshop recommendaitons.
I'll know in a week of two if the bookshops respond (there's a return
postcard if they're interested in signings, etc.).
- Dale
Subj: Re:Bookshops
Date: 96-08-03 14:17:27 edt
From: PVJasper
Posted on: America Online
Dale,
Murder By The Book in Houston, Texas
email me if you need more info
Subj: Re:Bookshops
Date: 96-08-03 19:56:53 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Dear PV,
Thanks for the recommendation. I'll track down the address!
- Dale
Subj: College Scholarships...
Date: 96-08-04 12:24:10 edt
From: DElngtnPI
Posted on: America Online
Is there any type of college scholarship for young mystery writers through
the Mystery Writers of America or any other group? I am in my second year of
school and desperatly searching for ways to pay for my last two.
BryonS
ubj: Re:College Scholarships...
Date: 96-08-05 14:16:51 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
Bryon,
Contact the MWA Executive Director, Priscilla Ridgway at 212-888-8171. Good
Luck in your search!
Phyllis
Subj: MWA August chat
Date: 96-08-11 15:41:17 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
MWA's monthly chat will be Tuesday, August 13, at 9 pm ET in the Writers
Conference Room. Our guest speaker is Jean Hager.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jean Hager is the author of more than 50 novels in several genres. For the
last several years, she has written mysteries in three different
series--Mitch Bushyhead Cherokee mysteries, Molly Bearpaw Cherokee mysteries,
and Iris House Bed and Breakfast mysteries. Her most recent releases are The
Fire Carrier, a Mitch Bushyhead mystery, published by Mysterious Press/Warner
Books in hard cover, and Death on the Drunkard's Path published by Avon Books
in paperback.
Jean has been a two-time Agatha mystery award nominee (a national award) and
a five-time winner of the Oklahoma Tepee Award (for best book of fiction).
She has been named Oklahoma Writer of the Year by the University of Oklahoma
and inducted into the Oklahoma Professional Writers Hall of Fame. She is a
frequent speaker at writers conferences and occasionally teaches mystery
writing workshops.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The meeting will be conducted under protocol, as usual. This month RAINDEAD
will be the moderator.
When you have a question or comment, please type ?
or ! and you'll be called on in turn by the moderator.
When you're done asking or commenting type GA (go
ahead). After the response, if you have no further
comments to make or questions to ask, indicate your
thanks and type END. This will signal the moderator to
call on the next ? or !in line. Be concise and we'll
be able to make the most of our time.
Please refrain from IM-ing the guest so he can
concentrate on the interview. Thanks.
See you Tuesday!
Karen
Subj: Plot: Four Arcs?
Date: 96-08-11 15:56:52 edt
From: WillMize
Posted on: America Online
Greets -
In this month's Raven Feathers, it was mentioned that at the Book Passage
conference, Carolyn Wheat gave a lecture entitled "Building A Plot",
discussing four arcs of plot and how they are used in mystery writing.
Could anyone enlighten me as to what these four arcs are with specifics to
the mystery? I've read a great many books on writing and am unfamiliar with
this method. Any book conver it in greater detail?
thank you kindly,
- Bill, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Subj: Jack Bickham
Date: 96-08-12 15:28:28 edt
From: WillMize
Posted on: America Online
With regards to the prior post and Jack Bickham, all I can say is that I'm
jealous! I keep his "Writing Novels That Sell" next to my desk and pick it
up at least once a week for guidance and inspiration. It's incredibly nuts
and bolts and direct to the point (like Stein's "On Writing" to a degree) and
I highly recommend it. Wish I could be there :>
- Bill, who's still in St. Petersburg.
PS: His series of articles (6 in all) on writing the short story in WD was
quite excellent also.
Subj: Re:send us your promo!
Date: 96-08-12 16:30:14 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
I've been known to slobber and sniff at any promotion opportunity, so my
bookmarks for GRAY MATTER are on the way. Though I must admit, the book
lacks romance, unless you count that quick little fantasy scene...
Shirley
Subj: Re:Plot: Four Arcs?
Date: 96-08-13 15:29:09 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Bill --
Golly, you mean someone actually READ my article about Book Passage?
I'm honored.
I will attempt to put together a short paragraph or two describing Carolyn's
Arcs (boy, does that one raise possibilities and/or eyebrows) and post them
here. Keep yer eyes tuned.
Karen
Subj: Four Arcs
Date: 96-08-13 16:09:32 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
From my notes on the four arcs according to Carolyn:
For the sake of example, let's assume the book is 20 chapters. Carolyn
suggests that the first seven chapters, approximately, would represent Arc 1.
In a mystery, these chapters would end either with the body or, if the body
was earlier in the book, with the amateur taking on the case. For a
suspense, she suggests this is used to show the way things are now and to
introduce the problem, and would end with a reversal, a threat of some sort.
Arcs 2 and 3 comprise something along the order of the next ten chapters,
during which time the mystery sleuth would be trying to discover what
happened, would meet with at least one reversal in thinking, Arc 3 ends with
a "challenge to the reader" -- not necessarily literally, but with some
information that leads into Arc 4, the final 3 chapters, in which the mystery
is solved. In suspense, Carolyn suggests that Arcs 2 and 3 represent a
pendulum of emotion, as things compound and get worse, with the protag
hitting bottom around the end of Arc 2 and beginning to climb out in Arc 3.
(This is what I have in my notes, and while it seems a little confusing, I
think Carolyn is saying not that the SOLUTION to the problem is reached
during the 3rd Arc but rather that the protag is more assertively trying to
deal with it.) Arc 4 is when the protag overcomes something, whatever the
problem was.
By coincidence I read "The Screenwriter's Workbook" by Syd Field at the same
time I attended this workshop, and I found that he uses a similar prototype:
he divides Act 2 of a 3-act play into two parts, with the midpoint halfway
through it, thus ending up with four arcs. Act 1, "The Setup", with the 1st
plot point at the end, would correspond to Carolyn's first arc; Act 2,
"Confrontation", with it's two sections ending in the 2nd plot point, would
be Arcs 2 and 3, and Act 4, "Resolution", is her 4th Arc.
I hope I've presented her material accurately; apologies to her if I've
goofed anywhere. It was a good lecture and I enjoyed it.
-Karen
Subj: Re:Four Arcs
Date: 96-08-13 18:26:55 edt
From: WillMize
Posted on: America Online
Karen -
I thank you kindly for the explanation of the arcs - a book that I would
recommend to others who, like myself are looking for a skeleton to hang some
clothes (and a murder) on would be Christopher Vogler's "The Writers Journey:
Mythic Structure For Storytellers and Screenwriters" Based on Joseph
Campbell's "The Heros Journey" Vogler uses movies such as Indiana Jones, Star
Wars, The Wizard of Oz, Beverly Hills Cop and others to explain each of the
12 steps in the Heros Journey.
If anyone is interested in a brief synopsis of the steps, here we go!
1) Heroes are introduced in the ORDINARY WORLD, where
2) they recieve the CALL TO ADVENTURE.
3) They are RELUCTANT at first or REFUSE THE CALL but
4) They are encouraged by a MENTOR to
5) CROSS THE FIRST THRESHOLD and enter the special world where
6) they encounter TESTS, ALLIES and ENEMIES
7) They APPROACH THE INMOST CAVE, crossing a second threshold
8) where they take the SUPREME ORDEAL,
9) take posession of their REWARD and
10) are pursued on THE ROAD BACK to the Ordinary World.
11) They cross the third threshold, experience a RESURRECTION
and are transformed by the experience.
12) They RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR, a boon or treasure to benefit the
Ordinary World.
This is a very very rudimentary explaination of the journey. Each of the
above 12 is explained in detail in the book along with tons of examples of
each. The book also covers about 10-15 different archetypes of people that
can be used for characters. Highly recommended. A bit pricy at $22.95
though.
Yer welcome !
- Bill Mize
Subj: Re: 4 arcs
Date: 96-08-14 10:35:57 edt
From: Figcar
Posted on: America Online
May I suggest that we reconsider these "formulas" and read the works of
writers who actually write stories for a living, instead of self-proclaimed
gurus who write how to books for a living. Conversations with Henry Miller
and Jorge Borges and Ingmar Bergman and Jean Luc Godard and Federico Fellini
and Jack Kerouac and dozens of others, (plus some Fritz Perls for a good
understand of the functions of ego,) would be a little more in order this
late in the century. Unless of course, you want your book for feel and read
like everyone elses.
Subj: Re:four arcs?
Date: 96-08-14 12:53:30 edt
From: WillMize
Posted on: America Online
Figcar wrote:
>May I suggest that we reconsider these "formulas" and read the works of
writers who actually >write stories for a living, instead of self-proclaimed
gurus who write how to books for a living. >Conversations with Henry Miller
and Jorge Borges and Ingmar Bergman and Jean Luc Godard >and Federico Fellini
and Jack Kerouac and dozens of others, (plus some Fritz Perls for a good
>understand of the functions of ego,) would be a little more in order this
late in the century. >Unless of course, you want your book for feel and read
like everyone elses.
Interesting point and it brings up a debate that will last until time
immemorial: Art vs Commerce and is there any ground inbetween?
I, personally, want to be published. Publishers want to make money. I want
to be paid some of that money. Publishers are looking for certain things in
the books that they publish with regards to formula, genre, etc. There are
established rules and norms. If you step outside these, you may lessen your
chances at being published. Being a professional writer (one who gets paid
to write) means that you will walk this tightrope every day. You want to
express yourself freely, they want and demand certain things from you. It's
a compromise.
Taking the high and literary road may personally fullfill your soul, but you
may not be able to take it to the bank. Reading those folks you mentioned,
the filmmakers and the writers, may enrich your understanding of the human
condition and thereby improve your writing, your empathy, but when push comes
to shove, you're gonna have to pay rent.
I saw enough snobbishness and eliteism during my 4 years in the writing
program at San Francisco State to last a lifetime. I accuse you of neither,
but who would you rather be, John Grisham or an unpublished writer? There is
no right or correct answer to this question. Each person is on their own
path and each path is correct and true, so forgive those of us who look for
formulas or how-to-write books to enable us to continue on OUR path.
Lecture mode off,
- Bill in St. Petersburg.
Subj: Re:four arcs?
Date: 96-08-14 21:53:33 edt
From: ANDIDVM
Posted on: America Online
Wow. Interesting. When I started writing, with no formal training, I read a
few books, all titled some variation on 'How to Write A Mystery', joined a
writers' group, and away I went! Don't know that I got much from the books,
but I've been conscious from the beginning of a certain rhythm to good
stories, a wave effect, if you will, and after writing an intense scene if I
need a breather I'm pretty sure the reader does too. So my protagonist stops
for dinner or takes a shower. Then maybe a talky scene, then we need some
action again.
A few years ago I attended a well-known seminar called STORY STRUCTURE, by
Robert McKee, which many of you receive twice-annual invitations for. I took
home very little that was 'new', but found an awareness of what I'd been
diong instinctively. I'm now able to step back and 'see' what I'm doing.
Bottom line, to get and keep my attention, a story needs pace, rhythm,
danger, and mental stimulation. Tension is a combination of pace and danger.
Having read a lot of books in my life, and not willing to devote my life to
studying other peoples' work, I want to enjoy the story rather than working
to understand what the writer was trying to accomplish. I've seen several
versions of the 'four arcs' theory, and they all have merit. The real trick
is to write a book that fits the pattern without 'appearing' formuleic.
That's where plot twists come in. Give the reader something s/he doesn't see
coming!
Nothing new here I guess. The only rule is, there are no rules!
Yes, I'm published. Or will be in October. RIDING FOR A FALL, Fawcett.
First in a series.
Lillian M. Robert
Subj: Re:four arcs?
Date: 96-08-14 22:41:39 edt
From: JKenn10050
Posted on: America Online
Well said Lillian!!
Subj: Re:four arcs?
Date: 96-08-15 08:53:47 edt
From: JeHager
Posted on: America Online
Lillian, you're so right. I still read how-too books, mostly to get ideas
for the workshops I teach on occasion. But what I've discovered in them is
that they are basically setting forth what I did instinctively did before I
read such books. I think you absorb the rhythm of a good story from a
lifetime of reading stories. You may not be able to articulate it, but
you've got it in your bones. However, in defense of Carolyn Wheat (who
writes great mysteries, BTW) she is a writing teacher and loves teaching.
I'm sure she's good at it, too.
Jean
Subj: email/web guide for writers
Date: 96-08-15 20:59:19 edt
From: MrWriteVA
Posted on: America Online
Subj: email/web guide for writers
Date: 96-08-15 20:48:50 edt
From: MrWriteVA
I'm finishing up the last section of my "No Nonsense E-mail & Website Guide
for Writers." Contained are hours of searching on several of the search
engines across the internet, scouring directories/reference guides, etc.,
etc., to compile one of the most complete guides to the internet specifically
for writers! Need an email address for the editor of the LA Times, NY Times?
Got it--along with hundreds of other daily newspapers across the nation and
around the world. Not to mention, e-mail, websites, addresses, phone numbers,
contacts of book publishers, magazine editors, resources, and writers.
Here's where you come in....need to finish up the Writers E-mail section.
Want a free listing?
E-mail me for a form. Publish date is Oct. 31, 1996, so hurry.
Anthony Carr
New Earth Communications
PO Box 629
Herndon VA 20171
Subj: Re:Four Arcs
Date: 96-08-15 21:07:11 edt
From: FGSnyder
Posted on: America Online
Writing fiction isn't like painting. It's like architecture. You've got to
know where the support beams go or the whole thing will fall in on you. For
some it's instictive. For others, like me, it's good to study a little
Engineering 101 before we start. I also note that anyone who thinks Bergman
didn't study the nuts and bolts of the craft first is mistaken.
BTW, Kerouac is a life style, not a writer.
-- Frank
Subj: Re:Four Arcs
Date: 96-08-16 01:59:03 edt
From: ANDIDVM
Posted on: America Online
I did not mean to slight Carolyn Wheat in any way! I admire people who can
articulate theories. I always am left thinking "well, yeah. Yes. Wow!"
It's only later that I realize it's the same theory, different approach.
I've gleaned a lot of enthusiasm, as well as knowledge of publishing which I
appreciate more than I could have known, from the various writers'
conferences I've attended. I encourage all beginning writers to go to as
many as you can!
LillianSubj: Re:Four Arcs
Date: 96-08-16 14:16:25 edt
From: LinoScott
Posted on: America Online
I've taken a half-dozen or more of Carolyn Wheat's workshops, each running
for six sessions. She's terrific; there's always something new. And she's
FUN! She also writes excellent books, with a wonderful dark humor in the
voice.
Frank, love that analogy of Architecture...or was it engineering? Or both?
Anyway, I agree completely.
Caroline
Subj: Re:Four Arcs
Date: 96-08-16 19:42:18 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Wow, this one really started up the ol' conversation, didn't it?
Frank, I love the "Kerouac is a life style" comment.
Yes, Carolyn's workshops are good, and FUN. I've been to two and always come
away with something I can use, or at the very least a raised awareness of
something I already knew on some level.
Karen
Subj: Re:Four Arcs
Date: 96-08-19 15:35:36 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
If you all are interested in archetypes and myth structures (which you seem
to be, judging from this discussion), I'd like to recommend "Myth, Dreams,
and Mystery" by Mercea Eliade. It's only tangentially related to mystery
writing, but the tangent is fascinating.
Keith
Subj: New Web page of interest
Date: 96-08-20 11:16:11 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
You might want to check out a new monthly newsletter called The Independent
Reader at
http://www.independentreader.com. The first issue (August) is up now.
Thirteen well-known independent bookstores from around the country present
their five book recommendations every month. Links are included to the
bookstores' home pages where available. One of the stores is Partners &
Crime, which lists 5 mystery recommendations. Back issues of the newsletter
will be online for a year.
Worth taking a look at.
Shirley
Subj: GHOST STORIES!
Date: 96-08-21 16:58:40 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
Please forgive a few cross-postings -- I'm not sure where best to put this:
The Cosmic Debris (the music & spoken word group I perform with) invites
mystery authors to tell Hallowe'en ghost stories with us!
We play weekly at a little bookstore and coffee/pastry place called The Book
Grinders in Van Nuys, across from L.A. Valley College, and they've agreed to
let us overrun the place, either on Sunday, October 27 during late
afternoon/evening, or on Hallowe'en night itself, Thursday, October 31. I
have not yet settled on a date because I don't yet know which will be best
for the storytellers. Although I like the idea of late-night scary stories
on Hallowe'en itself, a Sunday early evening might make more sense for those
of us who have to get up early on weekdays.
Any interested L.A. authors -- or those who might be visiting -- please let
me know. I think this sounds like a HELL OF A TIME, CACKLE, CACKLE,
CACKLE...
MUUHAHAHAHAHAHA,
Keith
http://www.hooked.net/mammoth/showcontrol
http://www.cosmic-debris.com
Subj: Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-25 16:50:23 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
I wanted to share my good news with the online community, and to reinforce
the credo that perseverance pays off.
After several months and 75 queries, I have acquired an agent. She will be
marketing my suspense novel this fall while I write the next one (already
begun). I am satisfied both with her credentials and her level of enthusiasm
for my work. So keep your fingers crossed for me, everyone!
In addition I just heard Friday that Red Herring Mystery Magazine has
accepted one of my stories.
Am I feeling good? Nah, not a bit.
Thanks for all your support, everyone.
-Karen
Subj: Congratulations
Date: 96-08-25 17:48:05 edt
From: MsSleuth
Posted on: America Online
Hi Karen,
What wonderful news. Just I needed to hear. Congratulations!
Denise
Subj: Re:Congratulations
Date: 96-08-25 18:05:16 edt
From: RCHERIN
Posted on: America Online
well done
Subj: Re:Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-25 18:19:35 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Well, Karen!
Great news, and after you're rich and famous you'll have a fantastic story of
perseverence to tell at writer's conferences!
Congratulations!
- Dale
Subj: Re:Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-25 18:55:59 edt
From: FGSnyder
Posted on: America Online
Great job, Karen! Congratulations!
-- Frank
Subj: Re:Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-25 20:32:21 edt
From: Kthirty
Posted on: America Online
Congrats!
"What an author like to write most is his signature on the back of a check."
-- Brendan Francis
Kathy
Subj: Re:Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-25 20:43:55 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
Congratulations, Kiddo! Well done!
Phyllis
Subj: Re:Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-25 21:38:33 edt
From: MsMcL
Posted on: America Online
Congratulations, Karen! Thanks for sharing.
Kate
Subj: Re: Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-26 01:04:31 edt
From: Carito
Posted on: America Online
Congrats from me too! Enjoy!
Barb
Subj: Re: Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-26 02:14:53 edt
From: ESFowler
Posted on: America Online
Yeehaw!
Earlene
Subj: Re:Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-26 04:23:03 edt
From: Note On
Posted on: America Online
Congratulations, Karen! :)
Keith
Subj: Re: Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-26 11:53:08 edt
From: SuprNanny
Posted on: America Online
Congratulations!!
-julie-
Subj: Karen's Good News
Date: 96-08-26 13:54:43 edt
From: DianneDay
Posted on: America Online
I didn't log on yesterday and so just saw your good news today. I'm thrilled
for you, Karen! Wish you all the luck in the world.
Dianne
Subj: Karen's Thanks
Date: 96-08-26 17:05:16 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
To Denise, Robert, Dale, Frank, Kathy, Phyllis, Kate, Barb, Earlene, Keith,
Julie, and Dianne --
THANKS!!!!!
(and if I forgot anyone, thanks to you too! :)
Karen
Subj: Launch Party
Date: 96-08-28 18:01:05 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
MWA members living in the Los Angeles area are cordially invited to the
launch party for my first mystery, "Death in Little Tokyo," to be held on
Saturday, October 5, 1996, from 7 to 9 PM.
The launch party is a fund-raiser for the Japanese American National Museum,
which is in the heart of the Little Tokyo district of L.A. The Museum is
dedicated to the preservation and communication of the Japanese American
experience, and it’s housed in a former Buddhist temple which is on the
national list of historic places.
For a $30 donation to the Museum, you will receive a signed copy of "Death in
Little Tokyo," and you and a guest can tour the Museum after-hours without
paying the normal $8 admission fee. All proceeds will go to the Museum.
Naturally, there will also be wine and sodas, mouth-watering desserts, and
live Asian music. We think the proverbial "a good time will be had by all" is
a certainty!
This is the first time the Museum has done this for a book, and if you have
any friends who might be interested in this event, please feel free to pass
the word on to them, too.
For full details, please email me at Dfurutani@AOL.com. Include your mailing
address and I’ll send you complete details, including a map with parking
instructions.
Dale
P.S. Please excuse me if you’ve read this in another folder. I want to make
sure everyone I normally tease has a chance to show up at the party!
Subj: Launch Party - added info
Date: 96-08-29 12:13:45 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
I got a phone call this morning from someone who reads this board, and it
makes me think that some additional explanation about my Launch Party is in
order.
First, I posted the invitation to the MWA, SinC and First Mystery folders,
the three folders I frequent most. For some reason, only the MWA invitation
made it to the board. It was *not* my intent to limit the invitation to MWA
members only. I’m an enthusiastic member of *both* MWA and SinC, and it
frankly hurts me that someone could think I feel members of one group are
somehow "better" than the other.
Second, although I am signing the copies of "Death in Little Tokyo," the
Japanese American National Museum (JANM), a non-profit organization, is
providing the books as a premium for your donation. As stated, *all* proceeds
go to the Museum.
Third, I will repost the invitation to the SinC and First Mystery folder, in
the hopes that they will appear this time.
Finally, my wife and I are charter members of JANM, and we wanted my Launch
Party to do more than the standard wine-and-canepes literary ego boost. JANM
was a tremendous resource when I was researching the historical aspects of my
book, and, after reading the manuscript, they’ve gone out of their way to
help me promote the book. As most of you know, I wanted this book to work as
a mystery, but also as an authentic window into the Asian American
experience. If the single posting of the invitation to the MWA folder upset
anyone, I’m very sorry, but please understand that this was totally
unintentional.
- Dale
Subj: Re:Launch Party
Date: 96-08-29 15:52:09 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Gee whiz Dale --
Your launch party sounds like so much fun this is the first (and probably
only) time I've ever wished I lived in LA!
Karen
Subj: Re:Launch Party
Date: 96-08-30 08:25:35 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
Dale--
First of all, I saw a notice of the launch party on both the MWA and SinC
boards, so I don't understand why anyone would accuse you of favoratism.
Secondly, the launch party sounds like a fabulous idea. Wish I could be
there, but it's about 2,000 miles away. Best of luck to you--you deserve it!
~~Bill Pomidor
Subj: Re:Launch Party
Date: 96-08-30 10:45:01 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Dale,
We all know you're sweet and considerate. How could anyone accuse you of
playing favorites? Let's get whoever phoned you & use 'em as a dartboard.
Wish I could come to your party. It's a very original and worthwhile idea.
Good luck with it. I hope you get a huge turnout!
Shirley, who isn't always sweet & considerate
Subj: Re:Launch Party
Date: 96-08-30 13:55:44 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Shirley,
Thanks for the kind words, but you must not know me if you think I'm _always_
sweet on considerate!!!
>> Let's get whoever phoned you & use 'em as a dartboard<<
We settled our differences over the phone, and once my upset was over I can
undertand why some writers might be sensitive because of MWA's membership
requirements that sometimes makes it difficult for people prepublished and
starting up to join.
Best,
Dale
Subj: Re:Launch Party
Date: 96-08-30 13:57:20 edt
From: DFlanagan
Posted on: America Online
Hi Bill,
I _thought_ I posted it to three boards, but when I checked after the phone
call it was only on MWA. Mmmm... the germ of a new mystery<G>?
Best,
Dale
Subj: Oh, no!!!
Date: 96-08-30 16:06:37 edt
From: CERYS4
Posted on: America Online
It looks as if we may be moving to Pittsburgh, PA, can anyone tell me if
there is a Pittsburgh chapter, and where do they do their meetings? how
active? Any information appreciated.
Jean
Subj: Re:Oh, no!!!
Date: 96-08-30 19:28:11 edt
From: Bolitar
Posted on: America Online
Jean,
I'm sure there is an area chapter. I recommend strongly that you contact
Mary Alice or Richard at the Mystery Loves bookshop in Oakmont, PA (right
outside of Pittsburg). Great people and a great store. Lots of events,
meetings, teas, etc.
Best,
Harlan Coben
Subj: Re:Launch Party
Date: 96-08-31 08:42:37 edt
From: JeHager
Posted on: America Online
Dale, wish I could come to your party. Hope it's a blast!
Jean
Subj: MWA September chat
Date: 96-09-08 18:47:39 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Join us Tuesday Sept. 10, at 9 pm ET in the Writers Conference Room. Our
guest this month is Bill Pomidor.
Bill Pomidor, M.D., earned his medical degree from the Northeastern Ohio
Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM) and completed part of a family
medicine residency before deciding to trade in his black bag for a computer
keyboard. He has worked as a medical researcher and medical editor, and is a
member of the faculty at NEOUCOM.
His medical mystery series, which began with MURDER BY PRESCRIPTION
(Penguin/Signet) last fall, focuses on a husband/wife pair of physicians from
Cleveland, Ohio. The characters of Plato and Cal Marley are loosely based on
Bill and his wife, Alice, who is also a physician. In MURDER BY
PRESCRIPTION, coroner Cal Marley and her family doctor husband Plato—two
young doctors in love and in debt—turn a geriatrics conference into an
all-expenses-paid second honeymoon. But when other doctors at the spooky
gothic lodge start dying mysteriously, Cal and Plato risk their careers and
their lives to diagnose an epidemic of foul play. In THE ANATOMY OF MURDER,
second in the series, Plato and Cal agree to tutor a quartet of failing
medical students in their most difficult subject. But Plato is shocked to
find that the teaching cadaver was one of his favorite patients. Even more
startling is Cal’s discovery that Marylin Abel—a talented drug researcher and
victim of MS—didn’t die of natural causes after all. Further dissection of
the case reveals a killer’s twisted mind and a sinister plan to transform the
Marleys into the lab’s newest pair of cadavers. SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET,
which focuses on forensic anthropology and a Cleveland serial killer who
baffled Elliot Ness in the 1930's, will be released in February '97.
Pomidor’s short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s and Ellery
Queen’s Mystery Magazines, and he has been nominated for both the Edgar Award
and the Shamus Award. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America and
Sisters in Crime. He lives in northeastern Ohio with his wife and three
children.
We'll be using protocol as usual.
When you have a question or comment, please type ?
or ! and you'll be called on in turn by the moderator.
When you're done asking or commenting type GA (go
ahead). After the response, if you have no further
comments to make or questions to ask, indicate your
thanks and type END. This will signal the moderator to
call on the next ? or !in line. Be concise and we'll
be able to make the most of our time.
Please refrain from IM-ing the guest so he can
concentrate on the interview. Thanks.
See you Tuesday,
Karen
Subj: News
Date: 96-09-08 18:51:33 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
From Karen (KLouise):
It's been a little over a year since the inception of the monthly MWA online
chats and our newsletter Raven Feathers. Both have been, I believe,
excellent additions to AOL's Writers Club.
I feel that it will soon be time for my tenure as moderator/organizer of the
chats to come to an end. It's been a unique experience and plenty of fun,
but I'm ready to hand over the reins to someone else and take a back seat.
I plan to continue through March of 1997, since I've lined up guests through
that month.
Therefore, I'm putting out a call. If any MWA members out there would like
to do a stint as moderator, send me an e-mail. If you think you MIGHT be
interested but want to know more details first, e-mail me.
Karen L. Cooper
Subj: Meet the new editor of RF
Date: 96-09-10 08:30:38 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
A Note from Phyllis (RAINDEAD)
WELCOME SHIRLEY!
Raven Feathers will have a new editor, beginning with the October issue.
I've had great fun these past fourteen months and now it's time to pass the
mailing list to other hands. Shirley Kennett, (SAKWriter) has agreed to take
over as editor. Most of you already know her, but Shirley has provided a bio
that puts it all together.
<< Author Shirley Kennett, a resident of Coralville, Iowa, has a new reason
to frequent book stores these days. Her novel, Gray Matter, has begun
popping up in New Fiction and Mystery sections in bookstores around the
country. The book, Kennett's first, introduces a series of thrillers
featuring a
female computer expert, Dr. Penelope Jennifer Gray (known as PJ). She is
hired by the St. Louis Police
Department to establish a pilot program which simulates crimes in virtual
reality. PJ assembles a team which includes computer-phobic Detective Leo
Schultz, who solves crimes the old-fashioned way, but with a twist. Their
first case involves a serial killer with an unusual appetite.
The second book in the series, Fire Cracker, is due out in hardback a year
later, the same time that the first book will be released in paperback.
Kennett says it is about a twisted man nicknamed Cracker who breaks into
hospital computer systems and orders inappropriate, and deadly, treatments
for patients. His scheme for revenge spirals out of his control, leaving PJ
and Schultz to discover and try to thwart the deadly plan he has set in
motion.
The books reflect Kennett's own lengthy experience with computers. All of
the technology described in the books, while it may seem amazing, can
actually be implemented now. Crime scene analysis using virtual reality is
beginning to take hold around the country, although it is still very much in
its infancy. In the years to come, it will be an established investigative
tool, just like the technique of psychological profiling which was developed
during the 70's and 80's by the FBI, but took years to reach acceptance.
"Characters PJ Gray and Detective Schultz are pioneers in fiction," Kennett
says, "but soon they will have plenty of real-life counterparts."
At the American Booksellers' Association trade show in Chicago in June 1996,
Kennett signed hundreds of advance copies of her book, which were eagerly
sought by attendees. Gray Matter, which is the lead title in Kensington's
fall catalog, will be carried by the Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild,
and the Mystery Guild. Author Shirley Kennett will attend the World Mystery
Convention (Bouchercon 27) in St. Paul, Minnesota this October, where she
will participate in writing seminars, a reading, signings, and a panel
discussion on police procedural novels. Bookstore signings are being
scheduled.
With Publishers Weekly lauding Gray Matter as "solid entertainment", it
looks as though Kennett's writing career is off to a solid start.>>
Subj: Re:Meet the new editor of RF
Date: 96-09-10 10:56:15 edt
From: WriteBeth
Posted on: America Online
And may I add that I just finished reading GRAY MATTER, and a great read it
was! Kudos, Shirley. I'm looking forward to the next one.
BethSubj: Re:Meet the new editor of RF
Date: 96-09-10 11:47:16 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Beth,
Thanks for the feedback on Gray Matter. Just yesterday, I was able to write
THE END on the manuscript for book #2, Fire Cracker. Now it's back to page 1
to catch all those embarrassing phrases and inconsistencies!
Shirley
Subj: Crack the Whip
Date: 96-09-10 11:59:24 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Everybody:
Now that I'm the new editor of Raven Feathers, the sense of power is
threatening to overwhelm me. So is the prospect of putting together my first
issue! Contributions are welcome, and you don't even have to get out your
wallet. Take a moment to share your publishing news or frustrations, jokes,
schedules, techniques that worked for you, reference books you've worn to a
frazzle, jokes, bad poetry, good web sites, promotion ideas. . . Did I say
jokes? Send 'em in. You can consider the whip cracked.
I'm not sure I can actually fill Phyllis's shoes (nor am I sure I would want
to), but with your help, I'm willing to take a shot at it.
BANG!!!
Couldn't resist.
Shirley
Subj: Re:Meet the new editor of RF
Date: 96-09-10 13:20:20 edt
From: ANDIDVM
Posted on: America Online
Welcome, Shirley!
Let's hear it for THE END'! (Not of Shirley's book, you want that to go on
and on... or everyone but Shirley does <G>)
Lillian, whose end is not even in sight...
Subj: Re:Crack the Whip
Date: 96-09-10 14:53:12 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
I neglected to say send 'em in *by e-mail*. But you clever folks already
knew that, didn't you?
Shirley
Subj: Join The Party
Date: 96-09-10 15:25:25 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
Congrat's, Shirley, on both THE END (always satisfying) of FIRE CRACKER
and assuming editorship of RF. I'm sure you'll do a great job.
Just wanted to let anyone know who's interested (wouldn't a copy editor
have fun with THAT phrase!) that I'm going to be doing the on-line chat
tonight. It'll be informative, illuminating, and entertaining, as long as we
have some informative, illuminating, and entertaining people in the chat
room. I'm just going to sit back and sip Macallan's and watch the action.
Actually, with my MD background, I'd better have my Washington Manual and
a copy of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, and maybe my forensic
pathology text close at hand. I'll be answering questions like "How long
does it take a person to die if they've been stabbed with a fondue fork?" and
"Could you kill someone by sticking those defibrillator paddles on their ears
and pushing the button?"
Hmm... I may have something there. Gotta run--I feel a scene coming on!
~~Bill Pomidor (MD)
Subj: Re:Join The Party
Date: 96-09-10 15:26:54 edt
From: B Pomidor
Posted on: America Online
Oops! Duh, thought I was posting to the SinC board. I know the notice
has already been posted on this board, so the previous post was unnecessary.
I'll copy it over there.
~~Bil
l
Subj: Re:Meet the new editor of RF
Date: 96-09-10 17:03:44 edt
From: WriteBeth
Posted on: America Online
Shirley,
Just finished that phase myself last month and I can say with certainty, I
HATE that part of the process. By that point, I'm usually ready to put the
thing aside and start on something new and fresh.
Don't know if you saw my note (can't remember now which folder it was in)
saying we would be only a few days apart doing signings at Booked For Murder
in Madison, WI. Any chance you'll be hanging around there beyond the date of
your signing?
Beth
Subj: Re:Meet the new editor of RF
Date: 96-09-10 17:48:29 edt
From: HKlaus6073
Posted on: America Online
Shirley-When you finish the corrections,send me the ms for a cover quote.
That way I don't have to wait for the galley:)
Harriet
Subj: Re:Meet the new editor of RF
Date: 96-09-10 20:56:50 edt
From: SAKwriter
Posted on: America Online
Beth,
I did see your note about the signing at Booked for Murder. I'll only be
staying one night, sad to say.
Shirley
Subj: Re:Crack the Whip
Date: 96-09-11 07:45:49 edt
From: RAINDEAD
Posted on: America Online
<<'m not sure I can actually fill Phyllis's shoes (nor am I sure I would want
to), but with your help, I'm willing to take a shot at it. >>
Hey! I was a '7M' once.......then I had two kids.
Phyllis
Subj: Re:Crack the Whip
Date: 96-09-11 09:50:45 edt
From: LTBerenson
Posted on: America Online
Shirley,
Congratulations on finishing #2, and taking charge of RF.
Phyllis,
Kudos and many thanks for a job very well done!
Laurie
Subj: Re:Crack the Whip
Date: 96-09-11 16:19:57 edt
From: FGSnyder
Posted on: America Online
Phyllis -- Echo the kudos and the thanks. And Shirley, thanks for taking
this over. I look forward to it every month!
-- Frank
Subj: Re:Crack the Whip
Date: 96-09-12 16:13:04 edt
From: KLouise
Posted on: America Online
Just to add my two cents --
Welcome Shirley. Glad to have you taking over the reins - don't worry about
filling Phyllis' Size used-to-be-sevens. Just do it yooooouuuurrr way.....
A nudge here folks -- who's gonna take over my job after March? Anyone?
Anyone?
Karen
Subj: Books for sale
Date: 96-09-15 17:49:26 edt
From: LaryCrews
Posted on: America Online
I am giving up my career as a mystery novelist and have hundreds of great
condition slightly used books on writing I am willing to sell by mail.
Email LaryCrews if you are interested.
Lary
Subj: What the....?
Date: 96-09-16 18:56:28 edt
From: WillMize
Posted on: America Online
On a very dark day in September, Lary Crews wrote:
<<<<I am giving up my career as a mystery novelist and have hundreds of great
condition slightly used books on writing I am willing to sell by mail.>>>>
Aieee! What the ...? <sound of Bill's jaw hitting the floor>
Sadly yours,
- Bill, in St Petersburg
Subj: Re:What the....?
Date: 96-09-17 10:37:49 edt
From: LiseMac
Posted on: America Online
Yeah, Lary, it saddens us all. Please give details...
Lise
Subj: Re:Books for sale
Date: 96-09-17 21:51:51 edt
From: Valmalmont
Posted on: America Online
I went on line trying to find "Ask LaryCrews" and instead find this mssg
> I am giving up my career as a mystery novelist and have hundreds of great
condition slightly >used books on writing I am willing to sell by mail.
>Email LaryCrews if you are interested.
What's going on? Lary????
Valerie Malmont
Subj: SMFS
Date: 96-09-18 22:20:59 edt
From: MaraWayne
Posted on: America Online
http://members.aol.com/Mystfield/SMFS/newsletter/v01n01/all_text.html
The above is the address of newsletter of the Short Mystery Fiction
Society--many of the members of which belong to MWA--in fact, most.
Gail
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