Alan Orloff's Blog, page 29

Cricket is Coming

Please be sure to visit tomorrow to learn guest blogger Cricket McRae's tips for increasing pace. She's a fellow Midnight Ink author, and her new book, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLEU, was just released.

If you want to rev up your manuscript, you'll want to check out these tips!

MWA U

Mystery Writers of America is launching their MWA University, a day-long symposium on writing mysteries. The pilot program will be held in the Mid-Atlantic Region, at The Writer's Center in Bethesda, MD, on August 14. Registration begins at 8:15. Sessions begin at 9:00 and end at 5:00.

In MWA's own words:

MWA University is an entire day of top-notch classes, taught by top-notch mystery writers. Novice or pro, you will benefit from hearing the experts discuss their strategies for all facets ...

I'm Covered

In case you didn't see this post yesterday on InkSpot, here it is on my very own personal blog.

Sometimes when I'm giving a book talk, I'll ask the audience what drives them to purchase a book. Is it the title? The cover copy? The reviews? The terrific things they've heard about the witty and charming author standing before them? (Hmm, I don't get very many positive responses to that one.)

Usually, I'll get a variety of answers—after all, different people are moved by different things—but f...

Writing to the Market

It's my pleasure to welcome Elizabeth Spann Craig to the blog today. Her new book, DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS was released July 6, and it looks positively yummy. Her blog, Mystery Writing Is Murder, was named one of Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers, and she's a Twitter goddess. Plus, she's one of the nicest people around.

 

I have very little interest in transportation except as a means to an end.

But when my now-thirteen-year-old son was two, he was obsessed with trains...

Chip Off the Old Block

DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD has been fortunate to garner some nice reviews so far (thanks, reviewers), but my favorite review came from my 12-year-old son:

"No offense, Dad, but that book is way too good to be written by you."

Thanks, son!

*****

Be sure to visit the blog on Wednesday for wonderful guest blogger Elizabeth Spann Craig/Riley Adams, author of the just-released Delicious and Suspicious. Yummy!

Who's With Me?

A few mid-year (writing/reading) resolutions:

I resolve to read more. In my favorite genres, in other genres, and I'll even try to plow through a few "classics."

I resolve to be more efficient when it comes to social media (read: less goofing around on FB!).

I resolve to finish up those projects that need finishing. (And to find that thing that needs finding!)

I resolve to stay involved in MWA and ITW.

I resolve to clean up my office (okay, this one's a "maybe").

How about you? Got any...

Simply Thrilling

I attended my first Thrillerfest convention this past week and thought I'd wandered into a three-day cocktail reception. I'm sure I spent more time standing around in small groups talking to other writers and readers with drinks in their hands than I did going to panel discussions.

Of course, that's exactly why I went to Thrillerfest—to connect with other writers and readers!

What a kick it was to meet some of the authors I've been reading for twenty years or more. R.L. Stine. Ridley...

Seen in the City

Back in my corporate life, I traveled to NYC on business every so often, but I've probably only been there three times in the last ten years (and two of those times were in the past two months).

Some things never change. New York is a wacky place.

Here are a few observations from my trip:

I overheard two twenty-something guys talking on the street. First guy: "I slept in a bed last night."
Second guy: <shrug>
First guy: "I slept in somebody's bed."
I saw a guy...

Where I'm At

Hop on the Bus, Gus

I leave tomorrow for Thrillerfest.

It's my last big promotional event for the summer, and I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of cyberpals in the flesh, as well as making a lot of new friends. I'll socialize at the cocktail parties (and in the bar), I'll learn stuff attending panels, and I'll plug my book at the Debut Authors Breakfast on Saturday morning (if you're going to Thrillerfest, please stop by and say hi!).

When I went to New York in May for BookExpo America, I drove and stayed w...