The truth, the entire truth…I am a New York Times Book Review junkie. I pay for delivery of the Times so I can get the Review on Saturday. The other sections often remain untouched, recycled eventually at the end of the week. The point of being a subscriber is simple: to read the fiction reviews, and of particular note are the debut authors. First novel writers who somehow rose to the top of the new fiction pile to be given a nod in the New York Times.
My big question is how? How does one unknown author with the good fortune of being published get into the Book Review? Being an author with a newly released novel of fiction, my curiosity is heightened. I think it has to do with the publisher, one of the big five. No. In this week’s Review there were three debut novelists and their publishers are all obscure. What is the formula? I don’t know who to ask, there is no call in number, no Help line indicated.
Considering all this, there are days that I feel like I live in Whoville, that place where the inhabitants fit on the head of a pin and go about life unseen, unnoticed and unheard by all the bigger folk. Having written a book and achieved mainstream published status has not given me bus fare out of Whoville.
Book store managers and librarians for the most part are kind, but they need to be convinced about my book. Some are warm and supportive and others avert their eyes when they speak to me, acting hurried and late for some previous appointment just remembered. Frequent return trips to skulk the new fiction aisle often turns up nothing and requires another request to the higher powers.
Along with this let me throw in the daily internet marketing, the emails and the requests to Amazon reviewers and other such cyber spaced acquaintances. This still leaves me pondering the how of getting to the almighty New York Times. In Whoville it is difficult to be heard through the din of A-list authors of churned out thrillers and romance.
Perhaps if I blog about a Whoville Review someone might notice. Some random editor navigating Blogger might stumble upon my Whoville Blog and find it delicious, really dig it and gather all of his or her friends into one Space…put them face-to-face and then they would all say: This is a review blog from WHO?
Blog what you think, hear, and feel.
Linda Merlino, author
http://www.lindamerlino.com
http://www.kunait.com/linda-merlino
Go to amazon.com to order: Belly of the Whale
Sunday, May 04, 2008
How I Spent My Weekend
This weekend, I did something I'd never done before. I attended a romance writer's conference. The Vancouver chapter of the RWA put on an event at a gorgeous hotel overlooking the Fraser River in New Westminster, not far from where I live.
Now, I've been to my share of mystery conferences. After all, it's what I write, but a colleague invited me (she's working on a romance) to this one, and since a local law enforcement officer would be giving a workshop, not to mention the talented Lisa Jackson and Vancouver's own Michael Slade, the opportunity sounded too good to miss.
The conference, in fact, was terrific. Speakers were entertaining, funny, informative, the attendees incredibly friendly, and the food terrific. This was the shorest conference I've ever been to--just Friday evening and Saturday until five--so I was surprised to receive a large complimentary bag containing books and other goodies. Breakfast, lunch, and a cookie break were part of the deal too.
I made copious notes, exchanged business cards with some terrific people, got an idea for a new series (I couldn't stop writing notes for a half hour), and learned about a fantastic website for crime writers. Mostly, I discovered that romance writing has evolved into an incredibly diverse genre since I last picked up a romance paperback. I guess I've spent too much time reading only mysteries because I had no idea there was such a thing as erotic suspense. Yahoo! I also learned more about urban fantasy, paranormal romantic suspense, historical suspense, and on and on.
So, I've started a brand new TBR pile, and if anyone out there can recommend some great reads, let me know and onto the pile it'll go.
Debra Purdy Kong
FATAL ENCRYPTION available at amazon.com
For excerpts, visit me at www.debrapurdykong.com
Now, I've been to my share of mystery conferences. After all, it's what I write, but a colleague invited me (she's working on a romance) to this one, and since a local law enforcement officer would be giving a workshop, not to mention the talented Lisa Jackson and Vancouver's own Michael Slade, the opportunity sounded too good to miss.
The conference, in fact, was terrific. Speakers were entertaining, funny, informative, the attendees incredibly friendly, and the food terrific. This was the shorest conference I've ever been to--just Friday evening and Saturday until five--so I was surprised to receive a large complimentary bag containing books and other goodies. Breakfast, lunch, and a cookie break were part of the deal too.
I made copious notes, exchanged business cards with some terrific people, got an idea for a new series (I couldn't stop writing notes for a half hour), and learned about a fantastic website for crime writers. Mostly, I discovered that romance writing has evolved into an incredibly diverse genre since I last picked up a romance paperback. I guess I've spent too much time reading only mysteries because I had no idea there was such a thing as erotic suspense. Yahoo! I also learned more about urban fantasy, paranormal romantic suspense, historical suspense, and on and on.
So, I've started a brand new TBR pile, and if anyone out there can recommend some great reads, let me know and onto the pile it'll go.
Debra Purdy Kong
FATAL ENCRYPTION available at amazon.com
For excerpts, visit me at www.debrapurdykong.com
The Page 69 Test
The author of the Gutenberg Galaxy, Marshall McLuhan, once very famously made this recommendation: Turn to page 69 of any book and read it. If you like that page, buy the book. It works
I recently applied that test to JANEOLOGY.
Visit the Page 69 Test to read that page and see what I discovered about the book as a whole. I found this experiment surprisingly wonderful.
http://page69test.blogspot.com/2008/05/janeology.html
I recently applied that test to JANEOLOGY.
Visit the Page 69 Test to read that page and see what I discovered about the book as a whole. I found this experiment surprisingly wonderful.
http://page69test.blogspot.com/2008/05/janeology.html
Saturday, May 03, 2008
The shocking truth finally revealed! Or… My ‘Tell-All’ interview with ‘Celebrity Interviewer‘ C.K. Tardif
Here's a bit of a recent interview that I did with Author and Journalist Cheryl Tardif. It was lots of fun and it reminded me of some funny stories that lead to my current series and ... Well read on and you'll see what I mean.
What do you get when you mix rock 'n roll, hippie motorcycle riders and dead bodies?
A MyNews exclusive interview with Ric Wasley, author of Shadow of Innocence
Cheryl Kaye Tardif 24/4/2008 8:01:50 PM(IST)
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Ric Wasley, the author of the exciting and suspenseful Shadow of Innocence, book two in the McCarthy Mystery Series. Ric talks about how the "psychedlic 60''''s" influenced his work. ~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Photo: Ric Wasley -- writer, musician, reformed biker, downhill and x-country skiier, ex-waterskiier, home brewer (and cosumer of)and working hard to bring his golf score under 90
Cheryl Kaye Tardif: What inspired you to write Shadow of Innocence?
Ric Wasley: Shadow was actually the second book in the McCarthy Mystery Series and the idea for the story had been in my head since the first book. In fact, I blocked out all five mysteries before I started to write the series. The inspiration for Shadow and the series grew out of my first abortive attempt to write about all the excitement, energy and music of the ‘psychedelic 60’s’.
I thought that I’d hit upon the perfect way to tell that story. By recounting it through the eyes of someone who had firsthand experience. Someone who played folk music with Bob Dylan and Joan Baez and Rock & Roll as the opening band for the Kingsman. Someone whose photo appeared on the front page of the Village Voice at a Love-in at Washington Park. They snapped the photo as he danced with a swirling paisley clad pixie with long blond hair that swirled around her like ribbons on a maypole. A young man who roamed the country on a motorcycle with his guitar and a sleeping bag.
Sounds like a pretty good idea for a book, right? I thought so. And so did my first agent until he read it through a couple of times.
“I’ve got one question for you,” he growled at me late one night. “Is this all about you?”
“‘Tis,” I admitted.
“And are you famous?” he snarled.
“Not yet.”
“Then,” he told me with some unfathomable degree of satisfaction, “nobody gives a crap about your life.”
My ego gave off little squishing sounds as I picked the pieces up off the floor. As I was being admonished not to let the door hit me on the way out, he called after me, “Too bad you’re not – lots of good stuff about the 60’s in this.” He shook my ‘unfamous’ manuscript like a handful of pennies in some beggars tin cup.
But was I confounded by such rejection. Did I use that setback as a catalyst for success? Did I go home that very night and pour all of the frustrations into creating a brand new series that would make fictional use of all of my great 60’s experiences? Did I turn out a set of novels that raced up the NYT bestseller list? And is Hollywood now hammering at my door with offers to turn the ‘McCarthy Family Mystery” series into an HBO special?
Well, in a word – no.
I actually went home and drank and muttered about perfidious agents (which I recommend by the way – drinking and muttering – very therapeutic). But after that ran its course I did decide to use all of those first-hand experiences to create a new mystery series that would make use of all that. Thus my protagonist, Michael Prescott McCarthy – Mick, a motorcycle riding, ex-Harvard undergrad, ex-Vietnam Vet, musician, lover of free-spirited young ladies and part time detective – was born.
***************
Read the rest of the interview at:
http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=3991
**************
CKT: What is your website URL? And please list any blogs you have too.
RW:
http://www.mccarthyfamilymysteries.com
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ric_Wasley
http://www.myspace.com/ricwasley
http://www.kunati.com/ric-wasleys-blog-author-shadow/rss.xml
http://writetype.blogspot.com/2008/04/britght-lights-and.html
You can buy Shadow of Innocence at any bookstore or online retailer, including Amazon.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif is TV, film and book critic, freelance journalist, plus the bestselling author of The River, “a cross between Michael Crichton''s Timeline and Dan Brown's Angels & Demons
What do you get when you mix rock 'n roll, hippie motorcycle riders and dead bodies?
A MyNews exclusive interview with Ric Wasley, author of Shadow of Innocence
Cheryl Kaye Tardif 24/4/2008 8:01:50 PM(IST)
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Ric Wasley, the author of the exciting and suspenseful Shadow of Innocence, book two in the McCarthy Mystery Series. Ric talks about how the "psychedlic 60''''s" influenced his work. ~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Photo: Ric Wasley -- writer, musician, reformed biker, downhill and x-country skiier, ex-waterskiier, home brewer (and cosumer of)and working hard to bring his golf score under 90
Cheryl Kaye Tardif: What inspired you to write Shadow of Innocence?
Ric Wasley: Shadow was actually the second book in the McCarthy Mystery Series and the idea for the story had been in my head since the first book. In fact, I blocked out all five mysteries before I started to write the series. The inspiration for Shadow and the series grew out of my first abortive attempt to write about all the excitement, energy and music of the ‘psychedelic 60’s’.
I thought that I’d hit upon the perfect way to tell that story. By recounting it through the eyes of someone who had firsthand experience. Someone who played folk music with Bob Dylan and Joan Baez and Rock & Roll as the opening band for the Kingsman. Someone whose photo appeared on the front page of the Village Voice at a Love-in at Washington Park. They snapped the photo as he danced with a swirling paisley clad pixie with long blond hair that swirled around her like ribbons on a maypole. A young man who roamed the country on a motorcycle with his guitar and a sleeping bag.
Sounds like a pretty good idea for a book, right? I thought so. And so did my first agent until he read it through a couple of times.
“I’ve got one question for you,” he growled at me late one night. “Is this all about you?”
“‘Tis,” I admitted.
“And are you famous?” he snarled.
“Not yet.”
“Then,” he told me with some unfathomable degree of satisfaction, “nobody gives a crap about your life.”
My ego gave off little squishing sounds as I picked the pieces up off the floor. As I was being admonished not to let the door hit me on the way out, he called after me, “Too bad you’re not – lots of good stuff about the 60’s in this.” He shook my ‘unfamous’ manuscript like a handful of pennies in some beggars tin cup.
But was I confounded by such rejection. Did I use that setback as a catalyst for success? Did I go home that very night and pour all of the frustrations into creating a brand new series that would make fictional use of all of my great 60’s experiences? Did I turn out a set of novels that raced up the NYT bestseller list? And is Hollywood now hammering at my door with offers to turn the ‘McCarthy Family Mystery” series into an HBO special?
Well, in a word – no.
I actually went home and drank and muttered about perfidious agents (which I recommend by the way – drinking and muttering – very therapeutic). But after that ran its course I did decide to use all of those first-hand experiences to create a new mystery series that would make use of all that. Thus my protagonist, Michael Prescott McCarthy – Mick, a motorcycle riding, ex-Harvard undergrad, ex-Vietnam Vet, musician, lover of free-spirited young ladies and part time detective – was born.
***************
Read the rest of the interview at:
http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=3991
**************
CKT: What is your website URL? And please list any blogs you have too.
RW:
http://www.mccarthyfamilymysteries.com
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ric_Wasley
http://www.myspace.com/ricwasley
http://www.kunati.com/ric-wasleys-blog-author-shadow/rss.xml
http://writetype.blogspot.com/2008/04/britght-lights-and.html
You can buy Shadow of Innocence at any bookstore or online retailer, including Amazon.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif is TV, film and book critic, freelance journalist, plus the bestselling author of The River, “a cross between Michael Crichton''s Timeline and Dan Brown's Angels & Demons
Friday, May 02, 2008
Body of Quebec woman found in freezer - On Ice?
Globe and Mail covered a story today just seemed weird and a bit ironic to me. The body of a 73-year-old woman in La Prairie, Quebec, was found in a freezer today.
My first reaction was horror; my next reaction was disbelief. This led to a barrage of questions that raced through my mind, ones I'm sure authorities are also asking. Who would do such a thing? Was she alive when she was stuffed into the freezer? Was she already dead? Did she die of natural causes? Was she murdered?
The woman's son, 50-year-old Daniel Martin, was arrested and "charged with improper disposal of a body", states Globe and Mail reporter Sarah Hoida.
The irony of this story is that it immediately reminded me of Red Evans' novel On Ice. It was published by Kunati Books, the same company that published my novel Whale Song. Sadly, Red Evans passed away January 13, 2008.
Here's a synopsis of On Ice. You may see why this news story reminded me of this book.
A twelve-year-old boy from West Virginia, a banjo player and a flatulent dog set out for Louisiana in a 1959 Studebaker pickup truck. In a kiddy pool full of ice, is the corpse of Tyrane Percival. Their mission is to bury Tyrane where he is meant to be, next to his long-lost love, Leona. Young Eldridge and his new pal Felton soon learn that transporting a body that distance is more difficult than they had anticipated as they are pursued by a motorcycle gang and well-meaning bumbling police in this heart-warming and funny road
adventure.
My first reaction was horror; my next reaction was disbelief. This led to a barrage of questions that raced through my mind, ones I'm sure authorities are also asking. Who would do such a thing? Was she alive when she was stuffed into the freezer? Was she already dead? Did she die of natural causes? Was she murdered?
The woman's son, 50-year-old Daniel Martin, was arrested and "charged with improper disposal of a body", states Globe and Mail reporter Sarah Hoida.
The irony of this story is that it immediately reminded me of Red Evans' novel On Ice. It was published by Kunati Books, the same company that published my novel Whale Song. Sadly, Red Evans passed away January 13, 2008.
Here's a synopsis of On Ice. You may see why this news story reminded me of this book.
A twelve-year-old boy from West Virginia, a banjo player and a flatulent dog set out for Louisiana in a 1959 Studebaker pickup truck. In a kiddy pool full of ice, is the corpse of Tyrane Percival. Their mission is to bury Tyrane where he is meant to be, next to his long-lost love, Leona. Young Eldridge and his new pal Felton soon learn that transporting a body that distance is more difficult than they had anticipated as they are pursued by a motorcycle gang and well-meaning bumbling police in this heart-warming and funny roadadventure.
“Evans’ humor is broad but infectious ... Evans uses offbeat humor to both entertain and move his readers.” —Booklist
Red saw humor and life in everything. His joyous spirit is immortalized in his wonderful novel On Ice. Red Evans had a varied career in the print, radio and television media, and traveled extensively throughout the world to research his writing projects. He lived in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
"Truth is stranger than fiction."
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author
Thursday, May 01, 2008
A Salute to ALL Fallen War Heroes
When I was a child, I knew a lot about military life; I was a military 'brat', born and raised. My father served in the Canadian Armed Forces, as had his father before him. I grew up surrounded by army green or camouflage uniforms and the smart looking dress uniform I saw on special occasions. My father retired years ago after a long stint and trips to faraway places. My husband and his father also served their country. They are heroes.
My brother Derek is the next generation of military men in our family. He, too, is a hero. I find it very hard to think of what he does, what he could be doing, where he could end up going. It's harder because he's the only brother I have left, since our younger brother Jason was murdered in 2006. I don't think I've ever told Derek how proud I am of him, for representing our family, his family and our country. I am very proud, Derek.
T
oday Derek sent me a link to a news story in Britain, where fallen heroes are not given the respect they so deserve. While the article made my heart ache for the fallen soldiers in that country, I also felt pride for my country--Canada. I've been 'away' from military life now for about 18 years, but I always think of the men and women overseas who are fighting for freedom--maybe not Canada's freedom, but they're helping those who are too weak to fight for themselves.
oday Derek sent me a link to a news story in Britain, where fallen heroes are not given the respect they so deserve. While the article made my heart ache for the fallen soldiers in that country, I also felt pride for my country--Canada. I've been 'away' from military life now for about 18 years, but I always think of the men and women overseas who are fighting for freedom--maybe not Canada's freedom, but they're helping those who are too weak to fight for themselves.I salute and honor all fallen heroes in all countries, particularly Canada, Britain and the US. I think it is tragic and criminal that war heroes are not welcomed with ceremony and honor in Britain. But we can honor them now. I invite you to take a few minutes right now and read the article posted today in This is London and honor ALL fallen heroes.
The article begins with:
"They serve the same Queen, fight the same foe and lay down their lives with equal valour and sacrifice. But when the fallen heroes of Canada and Britain come home, the welcome is very different."
There is no place to comment directly at this link, so I welcome your comments here after you read the article.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
former military 'brat' and former military wife
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