Art Taylor's Blog, page 37

Inner Loop Radio: Musical Musings

Thanks to Rachel Coonce and Abi Newhouse at the Inner Loop Radio for inviting me to talk about writing routines, writing prompts, and ways to navigate writing and the writing life during the pandemic.

My contribution to the show aired this past Friday (November 6), and I’m catching up now on posting about it.

In the segment, I talk about listening to music not just as a way to shut out the rest of the world while you write but also as a potential prompt for your writing—and I read briefly from my new story “All Tomorrow’s Parties” in Chesapeake Crimes: Invitation to Murder, a story which was written in response to the Velvet Underground song of the same name.

Tune in here!

The First Two Pages: Rattlesnake Rodeo by Nick Kolakowski

In April 2015, B.K. Stevens debuted the blog series “The First Two Pages,” hosting craft essays by short story writers and novelists analyzing the openings of their own work. The series continued until just after her death in August 2017, and the full archive of those essays can be found at Bonnie’s website. In November 2017, the blog series relocated to my website, and the archive of this second stage of the series can be found here.

The First Two Pages blog series has several informal missions, including spotlighting craft lessons about how to open stories and novels and also spotlighting the authors themselves, who are usually looking for ways to market their latest stories or novels—never an essay task. With the latter goal in mind, I generally try to give precedence to writers who haven’t appeared as part of the series before—an opportunity to spotlight as many writers as possible and usually with as broad a range as possible too, both veteran writers and new writers in the mix. Featuring new essays by the same authors with each new book would limit the chance to celebrate other writers, other voices, other perspectives. But there are exceptions to that rule, and one of those exceptions is named Nick Kolakowski.

This is Nick’s third appearance at the First Two Pages since I’ve been curating the series, and I’m glad to have him back each time because I always learn something from his essays. Nick’s not afraid to test out new approaches, scrap what doesn’t work, start over if necessary, go against conventional wisdom, try and try again—and his reflections on both process and final product are always thoughtful and insightful.

Today Nick talks about his latest book, Rattlesnake Rodeo, released just last week by Down and Out Books; the new novel is a sequel to Boise Longpig Hunting Club. In his past appearances at The First Two Pages, Nick has also talked about his novel Maxine Unleashes Doomsday and his story “A Nice Pair of Guns,” originally published in ThugLit. You can find out more about Nick and his work at his website here.

Please use the arrows and controls at the bottom of the embedded PDF to navigate through the essay. You can also download the essay to read off-line.

Kolakowski-Rattlesnake-Rodeov2

Sisters in Crime Author Extravaganza • Saturday, November 7

The Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime is hosting its annual Mystery Author Extravaganzas online this year—with the first one on Saturday, November 7, at 1 p.m. EST.

Fifteen chapter authors will be sharing their 2020 publications and other news. Featured authors include William Ade, Britt Alan, E.A. Aymar (E.A. Barres), Emmie Caldwell (Mary Ellen Hughes), Karen Cantwell, Ginny Fite, Barry Fulton, Debra H. Goldstein, Sherry Harris, Sasscer Hill, Tara Laskowski, Paula Mays, Alan Orloff, C.A. Rowland, and Art Taylor—and hey, that’s me! . 

Here’s the Zoom Meeting Link—and the event is open to the public!

Mystery Loves Company of Oxford, Maryland, has set up a Book Shop Page page from which you can easily order most of the authors’ books—though The Boy Detective needs to ordered by contacting the store directly. A document showcasing the covers of the speakers’ 2020 publications will be posted on our chapter website about a week before the extravaganza. You’ll be able to find the document here.

And if you miss the live meeting, the event will be recorded!

And mark your calendar for the second extravaganza Saturday, November 21, with more chapter authors.

The First Two Pages: “No Postman, No Doorbell” by Dixon Hill

In April 2015, B.K. Stevens debuted the blog series “The First Two Pages,” hosting craft essays by short story writers and novelists analyzing the openings of their own work. The series continued until just after her death in August 2017, and the full archive of those essays can be found at Bonnie’s website. In November 2017, the blog series relocated to my website, and the archive of this second stage of the series can be found here.

Over the few weeks, the First Two Pages has hosted contributors to this year’s Bouchercon anthology, California Schemin’, which I was fortunate to edit and which is available now from Wildside Press. Jennifer Berg kicked things off with her essay on “Schemes in the Dark.” R.J. Koreto reflected on “The Hollywood Gangster.” And Chris Dreith wrote about “Old Soles.” Now this week, I’m pleased to welcome Dixon Hill whose story “No Postman, No Doorbell” tips its hat at James M. Cain from the start, even as it makes its own mark on the California landscape.

Or wait… was that the Texas landscape?

To understand that question, you’ll need to read the essay below, a fascinating look not only at the creative process but also at influences and inspirations, at the necessity of research, and at the power of perseverance, sometimes against all odds.

It’s a testament to Dixon Hill’s skill as a writer that his essay is nearly as entertaining—and nearly as full of plot twists!—as the story itself.

Do check out “No Postman, No Doorbell” in California Schemin’. The anthology also features stories by the conference’s 2020 Guests of Honor: Cara Black, Anthony Horowitz, Catriona McPherson, Walter Mosley, Anne Perry, and Scott Turow. And thirteen more tales round out the collection, by Jennifer Berg, David Boop, Chris Dreith, Dixon Hill, Kim Keeline, R.J. Koreto, Joyce Kreig, Ellen Clair Lamb, Eileen Rendahl, Christopher Ryan, Linda Townsdin, Gabriel Valjan, and Carrie Voorhis.

Please use the arrows and controls at the bottom of the embedded PDF to navigate through the essay. You can also download the essay to read off-line.

Hill-First-Two-Pages

Short Story in Mason Street

Thanks to Mason Street, the literary magazine of the Newark Public Library, for reprinting my story “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” in their new fall issue.

And I’m in great company! The cover story is an essay by David Baldacchi on his “Library Memories” (including shout-outs to Encyclopedia Brown and the Three Investigators), and the issue also includes Martin Edwards on his favorite Hercule Poirot mysteries.

Plenty more beyond those essays to enjoy as well.

The First Two Pages: “Old Soles” by Chris Dreith

In April 2015, B.K. Stevens debuted the blog series “The First Two Pages,” hosting craft essays by short story writers and novelists analyzing the openings of their own work. The series continued until just after her death in August 2017, and the full archive of those essays can be found at Bonnie’s website. In November 2017, the blog series relocated to my website, and the archive of this second stage of the series can be found here.

Despite not being able to get together with everyone in person, this year’s Bouchercon struck me as a great success! I loved the opening ceremonies, especially that opening to the opening ceremonies with a bookstore visit morphing into a visit with Holmes and Watson. The panels I sat in on were terrifically entertaining—fun both to hear from the authors on the panel and to connect with everyone in the chats too. And the Anthony Awards presentation was smoothly run. Kudos to everyone behind the scenes who helped bring all this together!

Chris Dreith, as it turned out, was one of those people, and she helped to celebrate Anthony Boucher and his work in an onscreen segment as part of the closing ceremonies.

But I didn’t know about Chris and her work with the conference when I first selected her story “Old Soles” for this year’s Bouchercon anthology, California Schemin’. In fact, because the stories were all submitted without names on them, I didn’t know who had written “Old Soles” at all until Chris’s name was revealed at the end of the process—my first introduction to her and her work.

As it turns out, this is Chris’s first published story, which gives me a special thrill as editor of the anthology—nothing better than helping an author get her first story published and helping to introduce her to the world. And what a story! While I loved all the stories I selected for the anthology—of course!—”Old Soles” may well be the most fun of them all. The characters here are a joy to spend time with, the plots twists are particularly delightful, and the storytelling is crisp and comical.

And the good news, as her bio on the essay below promises: This isn’t the last we’ll be hearing of these characters.

California Schemin’, available now from Wildside Press, features stories by the conference’s 2020 Guests of Honor: Cara Black, Anthony Horowitz, Catriona McPherson, Walter Mosley, Anne Perry, and Scott Turow. Chris’s story is one of thirteen others selected in a multi-tier judging process from more than 150 blind submissions. The other contributors are: Jennifer Berg, David Boop, Dixon Hill, Kim Keeline, R.J. Koreto, Joyce Kreig, Ellen Clair Lamb, Eileen Rendahl, Christopher Ryan, Linda Townsdin, Gabriel Valjan, and Carrie Voorhis. And two of those contributors have already submitted First Two Pages essays as well: Jennifer Berg on her story “Schemes in the Dark” and R.J. Koreto on “The Hollywood Gangster.”

Hope you’ll enjoy the essay below, check out the previous two essays, and then track down the anthology itself too!

Please use the arrows and controls at the bottom of the embedded PDF to navigate through the essay. You can also download the essay to read off-line.

Dreith-Old-Soles

Macavity Wins—Plural!

Such a thrill to start off this year’s Bouchercon with news that my story “Better Days” has won the Macavity Award for Best Short Story—and that my wife, Tara Laskowski, won the Macavity for Best First Novel too for her book One Night Gone. Thrills for the whole household!

Thanks so much to Janet Rudolph, Mystery Readers Journal, and Mystery Readers International for all their support and enthusiasm for our work.

The awards were announced as part of Bouchercon’s opening ceremonies, and the official announcement from Mystery Fanfare is here as well. The full list of winners follows:

Best Mystery Novel  

The Chain by Adrian McKinty (Mulholland)

Best First Mystery

One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski (Graydon House)

Best Mystery Short Story 

“Better Days,” by Art Taylor (EQMM, May/June 2019)

Best Mystery Nonfiction/Critical

Hitchcock and the Censors by John Billheimer (University Press of Kentucky)

Sue Feder Memorial Award for Best Historical Mystery

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott (Vintage) 

The First Two Pages: “The Hollywood Gangster” by R.J. Koreto

In April 2015, B.K. Stevens debuted the blog series “The First Two Pages,” hosting craft essays by short story writers and novelists analyzing the openings of their own work. The series continued until just after her death in August 2017, and the full archive of those essays can be found at Bonnie’s website. In November 2017, the blog series relocated to my website, and the archive of this second stage of the series can be found here.

It’s Bouchercon week! Originally scheduled for Sacramento, this year’s conference now takes place online Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17. I’d originally had visions of celebrating this year’s Bouchercon anthology, California Schemin’, in person with all of the contributors—and still wish we’d be gathering together in just a few days! But as a second-best to being there, I’m glad to celebrate these writers in other ways—including as part of a series here at the First Two Pages.

California Schemin’, available now from Wildside Press, features stories by the conferences’s 2020 Guests of Honor: Cara Black, Anthony Horowitz, Catriona McPherson, Walter Mosley, Anne Perry, and Scott Turow. Additionally, thirteen other tales were selected in a multi-tier judging process from more than 150 blind submissions—with the final baker’s boasting a fine group of authors: Jennifer Berg, David Boop, Chris Dreith, Dixon Hill, Kim Keeline, R.J. Koreto, Joyce Kreig, Ellen Clair Lamb, Eileen Rendahl, Christopher Ryan, Linda Townsdin, Gabriel Valjan, and Carrie Voorhis.

Last week’s First Two Pages featured Jennifer Berg on her story “Schemes in the Dark,” and this week, R.J. Koreto talks about his story “The Hollywood Gangster.”

Richard’s fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, and he’s also the author of the Lady Frances Ffolkes and Alice Roosevelt historical mysteries. You can find more about him and his work at his website here.

In the meantime, his story “The Hollywood Gangster” is a real winner, with a great narrator and point of view, as you’ll learn in the essay below.

Happy reading—and hope to see you online in just a few days!

Please use the arrows and controls at the bottom of the embedded PDF to navigate through the essay. You can also download the essay to read off-line.

Koreto-Hollywood

Bouchercon Week!

In any normal year, I might already be packing for a California getaway and feeling the excitement build for everything that Bouchercon has to offer, including seeing so many friends from all around the world.

I’m not packing, of course, but still excited for this week’s Virtual Bouchercon 2020 and pleased to have several roles in the coming conference—and looking forward to seeing many of those friends too, even if virtually!

I’ll be participating in the panel “Fiction vs. Fact: Do You Make the Whole Thing Up?” on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. PDT/4:30 p.m. EDT, along with Avanti Centrae, John Galligan, Greg Levin, Haris Orkin. Our moderator is Gabriel Valjan, and he’s already sent out some great questions—do tune in!

Two of my stories are up for awards at Bouchercon. “Better Days” from Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and “Hard Return” from the anthology Crime Travel are both in contention for the Anthony Award for Best Short Story, and “Better Days” is also a finalist for the Macavity Award in the same category. My wife Tara Laskowski’s novel One Night Gone is up for these same awards too—though in the best first novel categories, of course!

It looks like the Macavity Awards will be presented via a pre-recorded video available once the conference starts—can’t wait!—and the Anthony Awards will be presented live at the end of the conference on Saturday at 5 p.m. PDT/8 p.m. EDT.

Connected to the conference, the Bouchercon anthology I spent much of the summer editing is now heading out into the world. California Schemin’ features a great line-up of writers, including conference guests of honor Cara Black, Anthony Horowitz, Catriona McPherson, Walter Mosley, Anne Perry, and Scott Turow, as well as Jennifer Berg, David Boop, Chris Dreith, Dixon Hill, Kim Keeline, R.J. Koreto, Joyce Krieg, Ellen Clair Lamb, Eileen Rendahl, Christopher Ryan, Linda Townsdin, Gabriel Valjan, and Carrie Voorhis. You can pick up this anthology in e-book, paperback, or hardcover here.

I’ll be featuring several contributors to the anthology at The First Two Pages this month, beginning with Jennifer Berg writing about her story “Schemes in the Dark”—her first-ever-published short story! And Jungle Red Writers featured several contributors this week talking about how California influenced their particular stories.

Look forward to seeing everyone later this week!

California Schemin’ at Jungle Red Writers

Thanks to Hank Phillippi Ryan at Jungle Red Writers for hosting four contributors to California Schemin‘ this week on the question of how the state inspired or influenced their stories for the anthology.

Participants include Joyce Krieg, Ellen Clair Lamb, Christopher Ryan, and Gabriel Valjan—each with their own specific connections to and focus on California, and together giving a glimpse at the range of stories in the collection.

California Schemin’ is now available here through Wildside Press in three different editions: ebook, paperback, and hardcover.