Chris Holm's Blog, page 28
September 14, 2013
Bouchercon 2013 Schedule
With Bouchercon fast approaching, I thought I'd make it easy on any stalker-types making the trek to Albany by letting you know where you can find me. The way I see it, it saves you a whole lot of aimless lurking. Besides, I wound up on some kickass panels (mad props to Jon Jordan and Judy Bobalik for putting them together), so I say let's fill some seats. Hope to see y'all there! (Remember, stalkers: pie good, weapons bad.)
First up, my panels:
Stop In NevadaIf the IRS asks, it's research: places we've visited, people we've met, and boneheaded things we've tried all in the name of a storyFriday, 9/20 Room 33:10-4:05 PM
Jen Forbus (Moderator)Lou BerneyAlafair BurkeDana CameronSean ChercoverChris F. Holm
***
Careless TalkWhat you say can be used against you: interacting with fans on social media and otherwiseSaturday, 9/21Room 23:10-4:05 PM
Chris F. Holm (Moderator)Marcia ClarkJoseph FinderLee GoldbergMatt HiltonLisa Lutz
Next up, the lovely wife's panels (because anyone who's been to one of these things knows we're, like, dangerously codependent, so I'll likely be in the front row, possibly with pom poms.*)
TemptationHow much romance is too much?Thursday, 9/19Room 42:40-3:35 PM
Katrina Niidas Holm (Moderator)Laura CurtisLinda HallMelinda LeeMonette MichaelsDeborah Reardon
***
Don't Ask Me WhyMy characters have a life of their ownSunday, 9/22Room 19:00-9:55 AM
Katrina Niidas Holm (Moderator)Jessie ChandlerJane ClelandSheila ConnollyStephanie Jaye EvansJulia Spencer-Fleming
*Pom poms depend upon Chris' level of intoxication.
First up, my panels:
Stop In NevadaIf the IRS asks, it's research: places we've visited, people we've met, and boneheaded things we've tried all in the name of a storyFriday, 9/20 Room 33:10-4:05 PM
Jen Forbus (Moderator)Lou BerneyAlafair BurkeDana CameronSean ChercoverChris F. Holm
***
Careless TalkWhat you say can be used against you: interacting with fans on social media and otherwiseSaturday, 9/21Room 23:10-4:05 PM
Chris F. Holm (Moderator)Marcia ClarkJoseph FinderLee GoldbergMatt HiltonLisa Lutz
Next up, the lovely wife's panels (because anyone who's been to one of these things knows we're, like, dangerously codependent, so I'll likely be in the front row, possibly with pom poms.*)
TemptationHow much romance is too much?Thursday, 9/19Room 42:40-3:35 PM
Katrina Niidas Holm (Moderator)Laura CurtisLinda HallMelinda LeeMonette MichaelsDeborah Reardon
***
Don't Ask Me WhyMy characters have a life of their ownSunday, 9/22Room 19:00-9:55 AM
Katrina Niidas Holm (Moderator)Jessie ChandlerJane ClelandSheila ConnollyStephanie Jaye EvansJulia Spencer-Fleming
*Pom poms depend upon Chris' level of intoxication.
September 12, 2013
Chinwagging With The Fox
A while back, Gef Fox and I sat down for a virtual chat about all things Collector-y. That interview is now live for your reading pleasure. Thanks for letting me crash on your blog-couch, Gef!
September 10, 2013
An Unsquare Rave
I confess, I've been a little internet averse of late while I prep for my upcoming moderator-gig at Bouchercon next week (more on my schedule later.) So this review for THE BIG REAP at Unsquare Dance darn near snuck by me, which would have been a shame. Stephen, a champion of my books from the outset, declares THE BIG REAP "...the creepiest, pulse-poundingest installment of The Collector series yet." That, Stephen, is music to my ears...
September 3, 2013
The Library Police
A couple weeks back, at Killer Nashville, I had the pleasure of sitting down with The Library Police to record a podcast. (Old people: that's like a radio play without the radio. Or the play. On second thought, you know what? Bad analogy.) Said podcast is now live, and in addition to yours truly, features the likes of Clay Snellgrove and Logan Masterson. My segment's up third, about 24 minutes in, but the whole thing's worth a listen. Except maybe that weirdo up third, about 24 minutes in.
August 29, 2013
Out of Order
Today at Book Chick City, Collector-series newbie Jane takes a look at THE BIG REAP. Was she lost? Confused? Betrayed? Bewildered? Click here to find out!
August 26, 2013
Post-Con Catchup
This past weekend at Killer Nashville was a whirlwind tour of food, fun, and friends both old and new, with a little book-work thrown in for good measure. I managed to cram in three panels, a podcast, and more writer-nerd hallway conversations than you could shake a red pen at.
And as an added bonus, THE WRONG GOODBYE was a finalist for Killer Nashville's Silver Falchion Award, alongside works by such talented authors as Hilary Davidson, Molly McCrae, and Sara Henry! In the end, Sara took home the prize, but we'll try not to hold that against her.
As I make my way, dazed and confused, back to the real world, I've got a couple links to catch up on from the Land of Me. First up is Gef Fox's review of THE BIG REAP. Here's a taste:
"If you have been keeping up with this series thus far, this third installment will not disappoint... heartfelt drama amid the horror and hullabaloo make THE BIG REAP a big standout in the class of 2013. Don't be surprised if it winds up on my favorites of the year in a few months time."
And Brandon Sears has posted reviews of both my short collections, 8 POUNDS and DEAD LETTERS, at Shelf Inflicted. See what he thought about 'em here.
And as an added bonus, THE WRONG GOODBYE was a finalist for Killer Nashville's Silver Falchion Award, alongside works by such talented authors as Hilary Davidson, Molly McCrae, and Sara Henry! In the end, Sara took home the prize, but we'll try not to hold that against her.
As I make my way, dazed and confused, back to the real world, I've got a couple links to catch up on from the Land of Me. First up is Gef Fox's review of THE BIG REAP. Here's a taste:
"If you have been keeping up with this series thus far, this third installment will not disappoint... heartfelt drama amid the horror and hullabaloo make THE BIG REAP a big standout in the class of 2013. Don't be surprised if it winds up on my favorites of the year in a few months time."
And Brandon Sears has posted reviews of both my short collections, 8 POUNDS and DEAD LETTERS, at Shelf Inflicted. See what he thought about 'em here.
August 22, 2013
Qwillery Interview
Today, I have the great pleasure of returning to The Qwillery for a chat with Sally Janin. You can read it here. Thanks for having me by, Sally!
August 21, 2013
Killer Nashville
Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25, anybody who feels like stalking me and maybe hanging out a bit will find me at Killer Nashville. If you see me there, feel free to say hey whenever, and be sure to swing by my panels, too! The details of each are below. Bear in mind, times are subject to change slightly, so be sure to check the official schedule when you arrive.
My first panel is 10AM Friday, and centers on writing short fiction. Attendees will get loads of practical advice from the likes of Phil Bowie, Suzanne Berube Rorhus, Kaye George, Robert Mangeot, and myself. Between us, we've been published darn near everyplace that accepts short fiction, so we must be doing something right.
My second panel at 3PM Friday is focused on bringing settings to life. In addition to me, it features Philip Cioffari, Debra Gaskill, Sara J. Henry, and Molly MacRae. Our settings are as far flung as the Bronx and the Blue Ridge mountains, so I think it'll be a lively discussion.
And my third (!) panel, which is scheduled for 8:30AM Sunday, is on cross-genre fiction. I'll be joined by Karen McCullough, Kourtney Heintz, and Alex Hughes. It'll be fun to geek out with folks who, like me, play in more than one sandbox. So if boundry-smashing is your cuppa, drag your butt outta bed, mainline some espresso, and be there.
Oh, and while you're at it, be sure to seek out Hilary Davidson's panel Friday at 1PM about writing on the dark side, and Linda Rodriguez's panel on fiction from the fringes, Sunday at 11:20AM. They're both terrific writers, and the discussions are bound to be fantastic.
My first panel is 10AM Friday, and centers on writing short fiction. Attendees will get loads of practical advice from the likes of Phil Bowie, Suzanne Berube Rorhus, Kaye George, Robert Mangeot, and myself. Between us, we've been published darn near everyplace that accepts short fiction, so we must be doing something right.
My second panel at 3PM Friday is focused on bringing settings to life. In addition to me, it features Philip Cioffari, Debra Gaskill, Sara J. Henry, and Molly MacRae. Our settings are as far flung as the Bronx and the Blue Ridge mountains, so I think it'll be a lively discussion.
And my third (!) panel, which is scheduled for 8:30AM Sunday, is on cross-genre fiction. I'll be joined by Karen McCullough, Kourtney Heintz, and Alex Hughes. It'll be fun to geek out with folks who, like me, play in more than one sandbox. So if boundry-smashing is your cuppa, drag your butt outta bed, mainline some espresso, and be there.
Oh, and while you're at it, be sure to seek out Hilary Davidson's panel Friday at 1PM about writing on the dark side, and Linda Rodriguez's panel on fiction from the fringes, Sunday at 11:20AM. They're both terrific writers, and the discussions are bound to be fantastic.
August 20, 2013
Three Thumbs Up!
Today, at Snobbery, Amy Durant looks at all three books in the Collector series, and gives them an unqualified rave! Thanks, Amy!
The Functional Nerds, Part Deux
Recently, I sat down with The Functional Nerds to tape two podcasts (Editor's note: podcasts are not, in fact, "taped"; Chris is simply an old man with a limited understanding of modern technology). The first of them, on horror movies, went up last week. The second (and no doubt more contentious) one, on art versus commerce, is up today. On it, John Anealio and I gnash teeth and rend fabric over balancing artistic fulfillment against careerism, and the dangers of creeping jealousy to creative endeavors, while Patrick Hester rolls his eyes and calls us babies. (Editor's note: Chris is exaggerating for dramatic effect. A little. In truth it was a great, and frank, conversation, so you should go listen to it and stuff.)
