L.J. Singleton's Blog, page 3
April 2, 2012
Sharing about Left Coast Crime Conference
Left Coast Crime, a mystery conference for fans and writes, was held in Sacramento this year.
Even though it's close to my home, conferencing is best when you stay at the hotel, too, so I shared a room with my mom, who knows the mystery genre better than I do. I read so many YA, I've been neglecting my mystery reading. So this was a good chance to discover new mystery authors and some old favorites, too.
The first talk was on Thursday. Carol Price went through police citizen academy and has been handcuffs, kidnapped, shot at with paint pellets for researching her mysteries.
Another workshop had a panel with: Lee Goldberg, Rebecca Cantrell, DP Lyle, Gary Phillips and moderator Kirk Russell. They were amusing talking about writing characters who do a twist on normal, like Monk that Goldberg writes.. Ebooks came up and Goldberg had a good ebook promotion giving away a book, increasing his sales, but admits that has slowed now.
Then a reception for the over 600 attendees. The reception was nice and we were up front in line, so got a bite of cheese, fruit and bite-size dessert. Sat with a nice woman, Mary Putnam and her husband David. He's the writer and has been working for 20 years on mystery novels while also being a police officer, doing undercover and writing while on stake-outs. Cool. He was interested when he heard what I wrote because he had started a YA and wanted to know more about my YA experiences.
Later read a J.A. Jance mystery before falling asleep.
FRIDAY
9AM panel about locations*. First speaker Michael Siveling: Sterling Inheritance, St. Martin. He based it on Sacramento but made up a name since he had a horrible thing happened in a theater.* Norma Lehr - told of going to a resort whereher book is set and put toothpaste over something that looked like a camera in the wall. She has tunnels in story based on tunnels performers used to avoid crowds; creepy, dark. She was given a tour.* Susan C. Shea - based on a real museum in SF. Includes fundraiser plot.* Maggie Sefton - quilting & knitting series; Berkley. 2 chapters read. politic books, too.
Then Mom went to an entertaining talk abut Men of Mystery with nearly 20 men authors; she went for Lee Goldberg who is always funny. I wanted to hear about mystery publishing so went to agent and editor talk. Not much different than children publishing, with agents wooing editors. One former editor was an editor-4-hire now. Nothing really new except agents are now submitting to epublishers, and one admitting they're even making money there.
Eager for 1:30 talk with Twist Phelan moderating, speakers Rhys Bowen, Jan Burke (love her!), James Rollin, and Jacqueline Winspear. They were entertaining and interesting. Told of research mishaps like Jan driving around a police station and getting asked to come inside and having to explain herself. Or Rhys acting out a scene by wrestling an imagined weapon on the floor with her husband. They got on the topic of how in historicals some of the words really used aren't believable (like Far out, smog and Rocket ship in 1900) but the words were real then. And how Jac had a reader argue that smog was a word from 1950's but actually around 1900 combining smoke and fog in England.
Next talks was one of the strangest thanks to Parnell Hall giving his panelists assignments and opening by going on about how he didn't want to be a moderator and tried to refuse and no one would step up, so he gave out assignments, starting with having the panel introduce each other, making up crazy stories like Donna Andrews being raised by prairie dogs and wanting to burrow. Donna made doggie hand gestures and went on to say she didn't have any of her assignments for this talk because her luggage was going around in circles, turned away from the hotel after being lost at airport. She joked about killing a baggage handler in next book. The insanity increased from there, each panelist having to write something out of their genre, and Donna making something up that was weird and funny, ending with the death of baggage handler. Lots of laughter and we learned absolutely nothing--except these authors write funny books.
March 31, 2012 SATURDAY Left Coast CrimeUp early so could get into the breakfast room. Nice fruit, scone & juice. Sat at a table with Twist Phelan, Teresa Burrell, David and his wife. Twist told a fascinating story of how she was given Match membership and accepted a challenge to date 100 guys in 3 months, and she did it,
I went to the green room until only one other person from my panel there so we went to the room where others were. This was a Magical Mystery Tour with moderator Kris Neri, speakers me, Juliet Blackwell (Hailey Lind) and Margaret Lucke. I spoke of how important it was to get kids reading and got to talk a bit about my books. Went fast. Then down for signing in the bookroom.
Next went to the lawyers in mysteries with Jonnie Jacobs, Teresa Burrell, Susan Goldstein, Twist Phelan and Shelden Siegel. Didn't stay long though because wanted to stop at Hospitality Room (lots of chocolate, etc. there) and then not long after went to the green room for my Start'Em Young workshop with Marilyn Beebe moderating, speakers me, Bonnie Hill, Sophie Littlefield, me and Penny Warner. This went quickly with fast answers and lots of interest from the audience. Marilyn asked me about childhood influences and gave me the chance to tell my story of writing a fan letter at age 14 to Margaret Sutton, which seemed to touch the audience. Later I had people come up to me to say how much they liked the talk. I gave away 3 books at the end, wanting to spread my books out and lighten my suitcase. When I went down to sign, I did at least one more book. Felt good about the talk and comments from people.
1:30 went to an ACTION workshop with Robin Burcell and other "dramatic" writers who acted out scenes while one of them read a scene that seemed to wild to be real but I was told later all the scenes were from real books.
Banquet at night. Good food and a fun table of mostly Sacramento area writers. Awards were announced with Harley Kozsak as MC .
Sunday, April Fools Day -- 2 workshops then we go home. The last workshop was hilarious, called LIAR'S, where the panel is asked a question and the audience has to guess it they were lying (creating fiction) or telling the truth. A great ending to a wonderful conference. Next year it's in Colorado.
Even though it's close to my home, conferencing is best when you stay at the hotel, too, so I shared a room with my mom, who knows the mystery genre better than I do. I read so many YA, I've been neglecting my mystery reading. So this was a good chance to discover new mystery authors and some old favorites, too.
The first talk was on Thursday. Carol Price went through police citizen academy and has been handcuffs, kidnapped, shot at with paint pellets for researching her mysteries.
Another workshop had a panel with: Lee Goldberg, Rebecca Cantrell, DP Lyle, Gary Phillips and moderator Kirk Russell. They were amusing talking about writing characters who do a twist on normal, like Monk that Goldberg writes.. Ebooks came up and Goldberg had a good ebook promotion giving away a book, increasing his sales, but admits that has slowed now.
Then a reception for the over 600 attendees. The reception was nice and we were up front in line, so got a bite of cheese, fruit and bite-size dessert. Sat with a nice woman, Mary Putnam and her husband David. He's the writer and has been working for 20 years on mystery novels while also being a police officer, doing undercover and writing while on stake-outs. Cool. He was interested when he heard what I wrote because he had started a YA and wanted to know more about my YA experiences.
Later read a J.A. Jance mystery before falling asleep.
FRIDAY
9AM panel about locations*. First speaker Michael Siveling: Sterling Inheritance, St. Martin. He based it on Sacramento but made up a name since he had a horrible thing happened in a theater.* Norma Lehr - told of going to a resort whereher book is set and put toothpaste over something that looked like a camera in the wall. She has tunnels in story based on tunnels performers used to avoid crowds; creepy, dark. She was given a tour.* Susan C. Shea - based on a real museum in SF. Includes fundraiser plot.* Maggie Sefton - quilting & knitting series; Berkley. 2 chapters read. politic books, too.
Then Mom went to an entertaining talk abut Men of Mystery with nearly 20 men authors; she went for Lee Goldberg who is always funny. I wanted to hear about mystery publishing so went to agent and editor talk. Not much different than children publishing, with agents wooing editors. One former editor was an editor-4-hire now. Nothing really new except agents are now submitting to epublishers, and one admitting they're even making money there.
Eager for 1:30 talk with Twist Phelan moderating, speakers Rhys Bowen, Jan Burke (love her!), James Rollin, and Jacqueline Winspear. They were entertaining and interesting. Told of research mishaps like Jan driving around a police station and getting asked to come inside and having to explain herself. Or Rhys acting out a scene by wrestling an imagined weapon on the floor with her husband. They got on the topic of how in historicals some of the words really used aren't believable (like Far out, smog and Rocket ship in 1900) but the words were real then. And how Jac had a reader argue that smog was a word from 1950's but actually around 1900 combining smoke and fog in England.
Next talks was one of the strangest thanks to Parnell Hall giving his panelists assignments and opening by going on about how he didn't want to be a moderator and tried to refuse and no one would step up, so he gave out assignments, starting with having the panel introduce each other, making up crazy stories like Donna Andrews being raised by prairie dogs and wanting to burrow. Donna made doggie hand gestures and went on to say she didn't have any of her assignments for this talk because her luggage was going around in circles, turned away from the hotel after being lost at airport. She joked about killing a baggage handler in next book. The insanity increased from there, each panelist having to write something out of their genre, and Donna making something up that was weird and funny, ending with the death of baggage handler. Lots of laughter and we learned absolutely nothing--except these authors write funny books.
March 31, 2012 SATURDAY Left Coast CrimeUp early so could get into the breakfast room. Nice fruit, scone & juice. Sat at a table with Twist Phelan, Teresa Burrell, David and his wife. Twist told a fascinating story of how she was given Match membership and accepted a challenge to date 100 guys in 3 months, and she did it,
I went to the green room until only one other person from my panel there so we went to the room where others were. This was a Magical Mystery Tour with moderator Kris Neri, speakers me, Juliet Blackwell (Hailey Lind) and Margaret Lucke. I spoke of how important it was to get kids reading and got to talk a bit about my books. Went fast. Then down for signing in the bookroom.
Next went to the lawyers in mysteries with Jonnie Jacobs, Teresa Burrell, Susan Goldstein, Twist Phelan and Shelden Siegel. Didn't stay long though because wanted to stop at Hospitality Room (lots of chocolate, etc. there) and then not long after went to the green room for my Start'Em Young workshop with Marilyn Beebe moderating, speakers me, Bonnie Hill, Sophie Littlefield, me and Penny Warner. This went quickly with fast answers and lots of interest from the audience. Marilyn asked me about childhood influences and gave me the chance to tell my story of writing a fan letter at age 14 to Margaret Sutton, which seemed to touch the audience. Later I had people come up to me to say how much they liked the talk. I gave away 3 books at the end, wanting to spread my books out and lighten my suitcase. When I went down to sign, I did at least one more book. Felt good about the talk and comments from people.
1:30 went to an ACTION workshop with Robin Burcell and other "dramatic" writers who acted out scenes while one of them read a scene that seemed to wild to be real but I was told later all the scenes were from real books.
Banquet at night. Good food and a fun table of mostly Sacramento area writers. Awards were announced with Harley Kozsak as MC .
Sunday, April Fools Day -- 2 workshops then we go home. The last workshop was hilarious, called LIAR'S, where the panel is asked a question and the audience has to guess it they were lying (creating fiction) or telling the truth. A great ending to a wonderful conference. Next year it's in Colorado.
March 22, 2012
From 4 books to a spin-off...
When I finished writing the 4th THE SEER, SWORD PLAY, I was told there wouldn't be a 5th.
I got this call on my cell while taking a walk by a lake, and I still remember
having walked a mile and being out of breath but feeling really good. Then
my phone rang and my hopes soared to the sky. I was sure it was going to
be a call asking me to write the 5th THE SEER. But no...it was a "sorry, no."
And it was strange how my body raced with an exercise high so the disappointment
didn't hit me until I got home. Then I think I cried.
But months later my editor changed his mind (maybe had something to do
with THE SEER being honored by YALSA as a Quick Pick selection) or that
sales were just going well. I was so thrilled to write what I thought would be
the final THE SEER book, and I put romance, spying, horses, camping,
astral travel, murder and a long lost sister in the story so I could give readers
an exciting conclusion.
THE SEER #5, FATAL CHARM, came out in 2007.
The series really was over now, and I had to keep telling fans when they
asked for a 6th book, that it just wasn't going to happen. There was one day
when I had several emails asking for another book and I just screamed at my
computer because I hate disappointing kids.
I kept busy and happy writing the DEAD GIRL trilogy. Read the first chapter
on my website.
But I missed Sabine from THE SEER and still received emails asking for a 6th THE SEER.
Then a miracle happened. A new editor at Flux asked me to write a 6th THE SEER
plus a spin-off novel starring THORN. I was sooo happy! And since this really would
be the end of THE SEER series, I put in all kinds of excitement and romance. I based
MAGICIAN'S MUSE on the memory of visiting a master magician and learning about
apprenticeships and the secrecy of the mostly male magician world. I put in some
feminism themes and created the ghost of woman magician who literally died on stage.
There's also a storyline with Dominic that completes the short story at the end
of DON'T DIE DRAGONFLY (large-sized newest edition only has short story).
To read first chapters of all 3 of my series check out the FREE short story:
DARK LIFER'S REVENGE.
Thanks to all of my SEER fans. You're the reason there's a 6th book and now a spin-off with Thorn that could be the beginning of a new series..
The spinoff to THE SEER, BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY, has been published. You can see all my books on my website www.LindaJoySingleton.com.
March 12, 2012
BURIED in mystery
When THE SEER series ended I missed writing about Sabine, Thorn, Penny-Love and the other characters. So I was thrilled to write a spin-off with Goth Girl Thorn, who has a minister for a mother and an independent, thrill-seeking spirit. I wanted to create the perfect guy for her and had fun coming up with the Grin Reaper, a vigilante who targets mean kids at school in a fight for justice.
BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY is now out from Flux. What do you think of the cover? It's really different than any of my other books. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Buried-Goth-Girl-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/0738719587/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331586674&sr=1-8
BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY is now out from Flux. What do you think of the cover? It's really different than any of my other books. Check it out here: http://www.amazon.com/Buried-Goth-Girl-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/0738719587/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331586674&sr=1-8
March 3, 2012
Waking up at SCBWI writing conference retreat....
Hi
I'm waking up for my 2nd day at Asilomar, a conference facility by the ocean near Monterey, and I'm looking forward to my second day of SCBWI conferencing.
There are editors, agents and lots of wonderful writers here. It's so enjoyable to have "book talk" for an entire weekend; sharing woes and triumphs with people I usually see only once a year as well as new friends I hope to make. While posting to blogs like this is fun, too, I always hold back on specific editor/agent dealings for professional reaasons. So getting together with other writers is the best time to vent, boast and congratulate.
It was great to congratule Cyn on her upcoming book, and see Betsy's new book, and admire Sue's great DRESS picture book and many others. I carpooled to Asilomar (over 200 miles one direction) with writer-friends Linda Whalen (we are becoming The Linda's) and Lori Mortenson, who has an amazing pictue book coming out this year with Harper called Cindy Moo. And I got to show off my own new book, BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY, which is now out from Flux.
Well my makeup in on and my hair curled, so all I have to do is get dressed then meet everyone for breakfast at 7:30. Asilomar has new owners and is completely different. The ocean, though, always in the background remains the same.
I'm waking up for my 2nd day at Asilomar, a conference facility by the ocean near Monterey, and I'm looking forward to my second day of SCBWI conferencing.
There are editors, agents and lots of wonderful writers here. It's so enjoyable to have "book talk" for an entire weekend; sharing woes and triumphs with people I usually see only once a year as well as new friends I hope to make. While posting to blogs like this is fun, too, I always hold back on specific editor/agent dealings for professional reaasons. So getting together with other writers is the best time to vent, boast and congratulate.
It was great to congratule Cyn on her upcoming book, and see Betsy's new book, and admire Sue's great DRESS picture book and many others. I carpooled to Asilomar (over 200 miles one direction) with writer-friends Linda Whalen (we are becoming The Linda's) and Lori Mortenson, who has an amazing pictue book coming out this year with Harper called Cindy Moo. And I got to show off my own new book, BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY, which is now out from Flux.
Well my makeup in on and my hair curled, so all I have to do is get dressed then meet everyone for breakfast at 7:30. Asilomar has new owners and is completely different. The ocean, though, always in the background remains the same.
February 25, 2012
BURIED-A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY Facts
Buried facts:
1. BURIED sold to Flux with the title The Finder, which the publisher didn't feel was strong enough. Ironically a tv series recently came out with that title. I pushed to add the "mystery" title so it's clear this is more Nancy Drew than Twilight.
2. Thorn was based on a kohl-eyed teen in my ballet class.
3. The dedication page thanks a few special librarians who have supported SEER and DEAD GIRL series. Thanks for the YALSA honors.
4. BURIED moves Thorn from Californian to Nevada.
5. Sabine and Manny firm THE SEER offer advice to help solve the mystery.
1. BURIED sold to Flux with the title The Finder, which the publisher didn't feel was strong enough. Ironically a tv series recently came out with that title. I pushed to add the "mystery" title so it's clear this is more Nancy Drew than Twilight.
2. Thorn was based on a kohl-eyed teen in my ballet class.
3. The dedication page thanks a few special librarians who have supported SEER and DEAD GIRL series. Thanks for the YALSA honors.
4. BURIED moves Thorn from Californian to Nevada.
5. Sabine and Manny firm THE SEER offer advice to help solve the mystery.
BURIED
I received my author copies of BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY.
It's been 3 years since I was contracted for this book
and I'm really glad it'll be officially out soon.
If you want to read the first chapter, it's included
in a free short story. DARK LIFER'S REVENGE,
on Kindle and Nook.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Lifers-Revenge-Short-ebook/dp/B006J9DENQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330042132&sr=1-1
It's been 3 years since I was contracted for this book
and I'm really glad it'll be officially out soon.
If you want to read the first chapter, it's included
in a free short story. DARK LIFER'S REVENGE,
on Kindle and Nook.
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Lifers-Revenge-Short-ebook/dp/B006J9DENQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330042132&sr=1-1
February 13, 2012
Writerly Stuff
SCBWI writer friends are so great to hang out with. During lunch last week we talked about submitting, rejections, agents and we made plans to attend a book event. It's so good to talk with other writers who understand the crazy mix of solitary days, challenges of family life vs. writing schedules, the sting of rejection and the hope of The Call.
I'm writing a new book and challenging myself to make a first draft in 2 months. A few days where family came first but I'm close to my goal schedule.
A fan on Facebook today posted that she wanted to live in my THE SEER series.
Best. Comment. Ever.
I'm writing a new book and challenging myself to make a first draft in 2 months. A few days where family came first but I'm close to my goal schedule.
A fan on Facebook today posted that she wanted to live in my THE SEER series.
Best. Comment. Ever.
February 1, 2012
A SNEAK PEEK: SPIRITED
Last year I was invited to contribute a short story with a paranormal them to an anthology from Leap Books titled SPIRITED. I was super excited, especially when I found out that some fantastic authors would be joining me.
Since my THE SEER has some amazing fans, I wanted to give them a new story with favorite characters Sabine and Dominic. So I wrote PHANTOM OF THE PROM; a ghost, prom, romance.
SPIRITED is out now online and in March a paperback comes out, too.
This book is split up in three different genres of stories: PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. My story is in the PRESENT category. I thought it would be fun to share the titles and authors for each story:
SPIRITED paranormal Anthology, edited by Kat O'Shea
THE PAST
1. Strangeways vs. the Wraith by Judith Graves
2. The Senet Box by Jill Williamson
3. Stained by Mark Finnemore
4. Thread of the Past by Dawn Dalton
PRESENT
5. The Cold One by Candace Havens
6. Death becomes Her by Kitty Keswick
7. Oast House by Carmen Tudor
8. The New Girl by Maria V. Synder
9. Aftermath by Halli Dee Liburn
10.Phantom of the Prom by Linda Joy Singleton
FUTURE
11. Night Queen by John W. Otte
12. To Hell and Back by Shannon Delany
13. The Story of Late by Heather Kenealy
Hope you check out our stories!
Since my THE SEER has some amazing fans, I wanted to give them a new story with favorite characters Sabine and Dominic. So I wrote PHANTOM OF THE PROM; a ghost, prom, romance.
SPIRITED is out now online and in March a paperback comes out, too.
This book is split up in three different genres of stories: PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE. My story is in the PRESENT category. I thought it would be fun to share the titles and authors for each story:
SPIRITED paranormal Anthology, edited by Kat O'Shea
THE PAST
1. Strangeways vs. the Wraith by Judith Graves
2. The Senet Box by Jill Williamson
3. Stained by Mark Finnemore
4. Thread of the Past by Dawn Dalton
PRESENT
5. The Cold One by Candace Havens
6. Death becomes Her by Kitty Keswick
7. Oast House by Carmen Tudor
8. The New Girl by Maria V. Synder
9. Aftermath by Halli Dee Liburn
10.Phantom of the Prom by Linda Joy Singleton
FUTURE
11. Night Queen by John W. Otte
12. To Hell and Back by Shannon Delany
13. The Story of Late by Heather Kenealy
Hope you check out our stories!
January 16, 2012
December 30, 2011
The Mystery of the Gift that Never Existed
Backstory: About 10 years ago I was inspired by my childhood memories of a visit to Peterson's Rock Garden in Bend Oregon, loving the glittering rock art, and started writing a book that would go through many title changes to become MY CASTLE ROCKS. For research, I visited the real rock garden and fell in love with the tiny bridges, buildings and glittery world in quartz, obsidian and other dazzling rocks. I especially loved the pink quartz.
Lately ROCKS has been on my mind because I spent the last 2 months revising the manuscript I started so long ago. I had to put it aside while I wrote THE SEER, DEAD GIRL and upcoming BURIED. I had some helpful comments from a few editors who saw the original version and I finally had time to make these rewrites. When I sent it to my agent Weds, she wrote back that she fell in love with it and "it was amazing."
So I was thinking of this book and rock art and this morning I woke up early with a startling memory. Hadn't my husband given me a pink quartz chunk for a gift? I could see it in my mind but couldn't remember every having it in this house. We moved here in 2005 and other things had been lost in the move--had this been lost? Put away in a box? I couldn't remember...
So I looked in closets and shelves. Nothing. So I looked in the past, by pulling out my journals and skipping to holidays where I would have received a gift. Nothing. So I called my husband, and he reminded me that he and my daughter HAD taken a trip to Oregon and searched for a pink quartz for me but ultimately didn't buy one. Still, he'd told me about this so vividly that I could see the rock in my mind. It's the trick memory can play, altering facts so that unreality seems real.
Mystery solved...but I have a feeling I may get that pink quartz someday (g).
PS -- My husband and I have an agreement that when ROCKS sells, he'll build me a wishing well out of real rocks from our property, like the rock art my story is based on.
Lately ROCKS has been on my mind because I spent the last 2 months revising the manuscript I started so long ago. I had to put it aside while I wrote THE SEER, DEAD GIRL and upcoming BURIED. I had some helpful comments from a few editors who saw the original version and I finally had time to make these rewrites. When I sent it to my agent Weds, she wrote back that she fell in love with it and "it was amazing."
So I was thinking of this book and rock art and this morning I woke up early with a startling memory. Hadn't my husband given me a pink quartz chunk for a gift? I could see it in my mind but couldn't remember every having it in this house. We moved here in 2005 and other things had been lost in the move--had this been lost? Put away in a box? I couldn't remember...
So I looked in closets and shelves. Nothing. So I looked in the past, by pulling out my journals and skipping to holidays where I would have received a gift. Nothing. So I called my husband, and he reminded me that he and my daughter HAD taken a trip to Oregon and searched for a pink quartz for me but ultimately didn't buy one. Still, he'd told me about this so vividly that I could see the rock in my mind. It's the trick memory can play, altering facts so that unreality seems real.
Mystery solved...but I have a feeling I may get that pink quartz someday (g).
PS -- My husband and I have an agreement that when ROCKS sells, he'll build me a wishing well out of real rocks from our property, like the rock art my story is based on.
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