I’m
delighted to introduce guest blogger, Luke Murphy, international
bestselling author of Dead Man’s Hand
(Imajin Books, 2012). Luke played six years of professional hockey before
retiring in 2006. His sports column, “Overtime” (Pontiac Equity), was nominated
for the 2007 Best Sports Page in Quebec, and won the award in 2009. He has also
worked as a radio journalist (CHIPFM 101.7). He lives in Shawville, QC with his
wife, three daughters and pug. He is a teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Education (Magna Cum Laude)!
Today, Luke’s
blog is Professional Hockey Player to
Published Novelist. Enjoy!
From a
family of avid readers, even as a child, I always had a passion for books.
Whether it was reading novels on road trips or writing assignments in school,
literature was always part of my life.
In the
winter of 2000, after sustaining a season ending eye injury while playing
professional hockey in Oklahoma City, I found myself with a lot of time on my
hands, and a new hobby emerged.
I didn’t
write with the intention of being published. I wrote for the love of writing,
as a hobby. I continued to hobby write through the years, honing my craft,
making time between work and family obligations.
Then I made
a decision to take my interest one step further. I’ve never been one to take
things lightly or jump in half way. I took a full year off from writing to
study the craft.
I constantly
read, from novels in my favorite genres to books written by experts in the
writing field. My first two purchases were “Stein on Writing”, a book written
by successful editor Sol Stein, and “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” by Renni
Browne and Dave King.
I read
through these novels and highlighted important answers to my questions. My
major breakthrough from Stein’s book was to “Show don’t Tell”. I had to trust
my readers. I even wrote that phrase on a sticky note and put it on my computer
monitor.
The
Self-Editing book helped me learn how to cut the FAT off my manuscript,
eliminating unnecessary details, making it more lean and crisp, with a better
flow. I learned to cut repetition and remain consistent throughout the novel.
I
continually researched the internet, reading up on the industry and process
“What is selling?” and “Who is buying?” were my two major questions.
I attended
the “Bloody Words” writing conference in Ottawa, Canada, rubbing elbows with
other writers, editors, agents and publishers. I made friends (published and
unpublished authors), bombarding them with questions, learning what it took to
become successful.
Feeling that
I was finally prepared, in the winter of 2007, with an idea in mind and an
outline on paper, I started to write DEAD MAN`S HAND. It took me two years
(working around full time jobs) to complete the first draft of my novel.
The first
person to read my completed manuscript was my former high school English
teacher. With her experience and wisdom, she gave me some very helpful advice.
I then hired McCarthy Creative Services to help edit DEAD MAN’S HAND, to make
it the best possible novel.
I joined a
critique group, teaming up with published authors Nadine Doolittle and Kathy
Leveille, and exchanging manuscripts and information. Working with an editor
and other authors was very rewarding and not only made my novel better, but
made me a better writer.
When I was
ready, I researched agents who fit my criteria (successful, worked with my
genres, etc.) and sent out query letters. After six months of rejections, I
pulled my manuscript back and worked on it again. Then in my next round of
proposals, I was offered representation by the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency.
After months of editing with
Jennifer, and more rejections from publishers, my dream was finally realized in
April, 2012, when I signed a publishing contract with Imajin Books.
Note that Luke’s Book, Dead Man’s Hand will be free
from Feb. 13 – 17th!
Review Blurbs for Dead Man’s Hand
"You may want to give it the whole night, just to see how it turns
out."
—William Martin, New York Times
bestselling author of Back Bay and
The Lincoln Letter
"Dead
Man's Hand is a pleasure,
a debut novel that doesn't read like one,
but still
presents original characters and a fresh new voice."
—Thomas Perry, New York Times bestselling author of Poison Flower
"Part police procedural, part crime fiction, Dead Man's Hand is a fast, gritty
ride."
—Anne Frasier, USA
Today bestselling author of Hush
Review Blurbs for Kiss & Tell
“Luke Murphy scores big with this deep psychological
thriller. Just when you think you've got things pegged, Murphy serves up
another twist. Fast paced and fun, you won't want to put this book down.” —Tim Green, New York Times bestselling author
of Unstoppable
“An intricately detailed and clever mystery featuring a
tough minded but vulnerable protagonist with more than a few demons of her own.
The twists and turns kept me guessing to the very end.”
—Christy Reece, New York Times bestselling author of Nothing To Lose
“Luke Murphy’s novel, Kiss & Tell, has lots of twists
and turns, and police procedures where the good guy, in this case, Charlene
Taylor, is not always good. The characters come to life with suspense, drama,
explosive action, and an ending you never see coming.”
—John Foxjohn, USA
Today Best-selling author of Killer Nurse
I’m delighted to announce that I’ve just
signed a contract with Imajin Books to publish my second Evan Dunstan novella,
A TOXIC CRAFT, later this year. It’s a pleasure to be working with such a
terrific, marketing-savvy publisher again.
Review Blurbs for Dead Man’s Hand
When Kalin Thompson is promoted
to Director of Security at Stone Mountain Resort, she soon becomes entangled in the high-profile murder investigation of an up-and-coming Olympic-caliber skier. There are more
suspects with motives than there are gates on the super-G course, and danger
mounts with every turn.
