Christine Finlayson's Blog
September 20, 2014
Lessons Learned at the Police Academy
The Writers' Police Academy, that is...
Wondering if women might make better cops than men, and why so many officer-involved shootings end up with dead suspects? I wondered, too--before attending the Writers' Police Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina this September.
This week's blog post shares what I learned in three different workshops: Shoot/Don't Shoot Meggitt Firearms Training, Building Search, and Underwater Evidence Recovery. You might be surprised by what we--250 mystery/crime writers--discovered.
To read the post, please visit:
(link removed)
Wondering if women might make better cops than men, and why so many officer-involved shootings end up with dead suspects? I wondered, too--before attending the Writers' Police Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina this September.
This week's blog post shares what I learned in three different workshops: Shoot/Don't Shoot Meggitt Firearms Training, Building Search, and Underwater Evidence Recovery. You might be surprised by what we--250 mystery/crime writers--discovered.
To read the post, please visit:
(link removed)
September 8, 2014
Handcuffed, but smarter
What I learned at the Writers' Police Academy:
I just returned from 5 days in Greensboro, North Carolina, where the Writers' Police Academy helped authors and writers of all stripes--mystery, thriller, suspense, romance--add authenticity to their books. I'm working on a blog post about the whole experience but in the meantime, you can browse the photos on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineFin... and get a glimpse into what the academy was like.
There was a significant liability waiver to sign -- with good reason. We experienced explosions, bodies, guns, a car accident (re-enactment), building searches, underwater evidence recovery, and much more. And yes, I really did get handcuffed. Good thing the instructor had a key handy...
I just returned from 5 days in Greensboro, North Carolina, where the Writers' Police Academy helped authors and writers of all stripes--mystery, thriller, suspense, romance--add authenticity to their books. I'm working on a blog post about the whole experience but in the meantime, you can browse the photos on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineFin... and get a glimpse into what the academy was like.
There was a significant liability waiver to sign -- with good reason. We experienced explosions, bodies, guns, a car accident (re-enactment), building searches, underwater evidence recovery, and much more. And yes, I really did get handcuffed. Good thing the instructor had a key handy...
May 20, 2014
Hey, I got tagged!
Two weeks ago, I got "tagged" by Bill Cameron, a Pacific Northwest mystery author who writes about the gritty side of Oregon. As part of an author blog-hop, Bill asked me to answer four questions about my writing and then tag two new authors to participate.
Mission accomplished!
To learn more about my upcoming books, writing process, and how my mysteries are different than others in the genre, please see the blog post, Christine's Thoughts on Writing at: http://christinefinlayson.com/blog/20...
The post also provides links to the two authors I tagged: D.J. Adamson and Melissa Eskue Ousley.
Mission accomplished!
To learn more about my upcoming books, writing process, and how my mysteries are different than others in the genre, please see the blog post, Christine's Thoughts on Writing at: http://christinefinlayson.com/blog/20...
The post also provides links to the two authors I tagged: D.J. Adamson and Melissa Eskue Ousley.
March 24, 2014
Left Coast Crime
Tell someone you're going to Left Coast Crime and you just may get a concerned look, immediately followed by the question: "What, exactly, is . . . Left Coast Crime?"
Now that I've attended my first LCC (in Monterey, California last week), I can answer. It's a fun, intense four-day conference for mystery readers, writers, and authors, from the just-published to the downright famous. I was starstruck sharing an elevator with Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini, meeting Sue Grafton, and seeing Louise Penny amble into the room while I was listening to a panel.
Although the conference is billed as "left coast" (Western U.S.), the participating readers and authors come from all over the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Scotland, and several other countries. I met quite a few people from Ontario, who were escaping another winter blizzard to bask in the Monterey sunshine. (Here's a shout-out to you traveling Canadians!)
Especially fun was the chance to meet my fellow "Sisters in Crime" (and brothers in crime). I arrived with two friends, and came home with twenty.
A blog post including photos from Calamari Crime will be up on my website soon. In the meantime, mark March 12-15th on your calendars for the 2015 conference: Crimelandia -- Left Coast Crime in Portland, Oregon. You won't want to miss it!
Christine Finlayson
Now that I've attended my first LCC (in Monterey, California last week), I can answer. It's a fun, intense four-day conference for mystery readers, writers, and authors, from the just-published to the downright famous. I was starstruck sharing an elevator with Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini, meeting Sue Grafton, and seeing Louise Penny amble into the room while I was listening to a panel.
Although the conference is billed as "left coast" (Western U.S.), the participating readers and authors come from all over the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Scotland, and several other countries. I met quite a few people from Ontario, who were escaping another winter blizzard to bask in the Monterey sunshine. (Here's a shout-out to you traveling Canadians!)
Especially fun was the chance to meet my fellow "Sisters in Crime" (and brothers in crime). I arrived with two friends, and came home with twenty.
A blog post including photos from Calamari Crime will be up on my website soon. In the meantime, mark March 12-15th on your calendars for the 2015 conference: Crimelandia -- Left Coast Crime in Portland, Oregon. You won't want to miss it!
Christine Finlayson
January 9, 2014
Keeping Busy in the New Year
At some point in December, Goodreads sent me an email to inform me I'd read 12 books last year. Only 12? That couldn't be right!
It wasn't. I think it was more like 12 books a month. (On top of reading my own book, Tip of a Bone, a bazillion times while editing.) Post-publication, I barely had time to read, much less record books--or write blog posts.
So here's the latest news for fans of Tip of a Bone:
I'll be attending Left Coast Crime in Monterey this year. If you're going, come say hi!
I have a brand-new author page. You can see it at: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineFin...
And ... if you'd like to watch a slideshow of the Oregon coast, including several scenes from Tip of a Bone, head over to my Winding Water Mysteries blog (aka All Things Wild or Weirdly Northwest). You'll find the slideshow at http://windingwatermysteries.com/?pag....
Enjoy!
It wasn't. I think it was more like 12 books a month. (On top of reading my own book, Tip of a Bone, a bazillion times while editing.) Post-publication, I barely had time to read, much less record books--or write blog posts.
So here's the latest news for fans of Tip of a Bone:
I'll be attending Left Coast Crime in Monterey this year. If you're going, come say hi!
I have a brand-new author page. You can see it at: https://www.facebook.com/ChristineFin...
And ... if you'd like to watch a slideshow of the Oregon coast, including several scenes from Tip of a Bone, head over to my Winding Water Mysteries blog (aka All Things Wild or Weirdly Northwest). You'll find the slideshow at http://windingwatermysteries.com/?pag....
Enjoy!
October 25, 2013
We have a winner!
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered the giveaway for a signed copy of Tip of a Bone -- more than 1,200 people in all! (Yep, I was up until midnight checking . . . ) Goodreads selected the winning entry this morning and the mystery novel will go to a reader in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Congratulations, Sandrine!
If you'd like to learn more about Tip of a Bone and its Oregon coast setting, you can find book info and photos at my website: www.christinefinlayson.com.
Thank you all for entering the giveaway. I hope you'll enjoy reading Tip of a Bone (currently available outside the U.S. as an e-book and sometimes as a paperback, especially in GB, CA, and AU). If you do enjoy your read, please consider writing a review.
I appreciate your support of a new author.
Best wishes,
Christine
If you'd like to learn more about Tip of a Bone and its Oregon coast setting, you can find book info and photos at my website: www.christinefinlayson.com.
Thank you all for entering the giveaway. I hope you'll enjoy reading Tip of a Bone (currently available outside the U.S. as an e-book and sometimes as a paperback, especially in GB, CA, and AU). If you do enjoy your read, please consider writing a review.
I appreciate your support of a new author.
Best wishes,
Christine
September 27, 2013
Books with "Bones" in the Title
Is it me, or is "bone" the hot new word for titles in mystery fiction?! (I didn't know this when I named my book Tip of a Bone and, yes, there really are bones in the story).
Today's blog post at Davy Crockett's Almanack of Mystery, Adventure and The Wild West offers readers a comprehensive list of mysteries with "bone" or "bones" in the title -- more than 40 books in all.
Here's the address: http://davycrockettsalmanack.blogspot...
Want to suggest more book titles for the list? Just leave a comment at the blog.
Today's blog post at Davy Crockett's Almanack of Mystery, Adventure and The Wild West offers readers a comprehensive list of mysteries with "bone" or "bones" in the title -- more than 40 books in all.
Here's the address: http://davycrockettsalmanack.blogspot...
Want to suggest more book titles for the list? Just leave a comment at the blog.
September 23, 2013
It's Tip of a Bone Week!
Greetings! This week, you may want to saddle up your steed and gallop over to Davy Crockett’s Almanack of Mystery, Adventure and the Wild West.(http://www.davycrockettsalmanack.blog...)
September 23-26, 2013 has officially been proclaimed Tip of a Bone Week at the Almanack!
Evan Lewis, the blog’s multi-talented host*, will include his review of my mystery; reveal his Dream Team Cast of vintage movie stars playing the various characters (imagine Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall); show a photo essay with scenes from Newport, Oregon; and describe the story behind Tip of a Bone.
What are you waiting for? Head on over!
*Evan Lewis is the author of the Skyler Hobbs mystery stories, teller of Tall Tales from the Davy Crockett era, and the 2011 winner of the Mystery Writers of America’s Robert L. Fish Award for best short story by a new writer.
Tip of a Bone
September 23-26, 2013 has officially been proclaimed Tip of a Bone Week at the Almanack!
Evan Lewis, the blog’s multi-talented host*, will include his review of my mystery; reveal his Dream Team Cast of vintage movie stars playing the various characters (imagine Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall); show a photo essay with scenes from Newport, Oregon; and describe the story behind Tip of a Bone.
What are you waiting for? Head on over!
*Evan Lewis is the author of the Skyler Hobbs mystery stories, teller of Tall Tales from the Davy Crockett era, and the 2011 winner of the Mystery Writers of America’s Robert L. Fish Award for best short story by a new writer.
Tip of a Bone
September 16, 2013
New ebook price: $4.99
Good news for readers! My publisher, Adventure Publications, has agreed to lower the ebook price for Tip of a Bone to $4.99. This offer may change in the future, so if you've been on the fence about reading this Pacific Northwest mystery, check out Tip of a Bone at http://www.ebooks.com.
Thanks for your support of a new author!
Christine Finlayson
August 30, 2013
Congrats to the Giveaway Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of the first-ever Tip of a Bone giveaway! As a debut author, it was exciting to see so many contest entries (670 in all). Goodreads has chosen the ten winners, and my publisher will be mailing copies of the book next Tuesday.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who added Tip of a Bone to your reading list. The mystery will officially be released on September 3rd, although it's already available at a few bookstores and online. If you enjoy this Pacific Northwest tale, I hope you'll consider writing a review.
Happy reading!
Christine Finlayson
Tip of a Bone
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who added Tip of a Bone to your reading list. The mystery will officially be released on September 3rd, although it's already available at a few bookstores and online. If you enjoy this Pacific Northwest tale, I hope you'll consider writing a review.
Happy reading!
Christine Finlayson
Tip of a Bone
