Libby Fischer Hellmann's Blog, page 35

Writing Lite Tip #27: Decide whether you really need an agent

Some authors swear by their agent. Other authors think they get in the way.

But, just like authors, agents are adapting to the new world of publishing too. Before you dismiss them, think of what an agent MIGHT be able to do for you.

You could be surprised.

The post Writing Lite Tip #27: Decide whether you really need an agent appeared first on .

Writing Lite Tip 26: Learn how to write a dynamite query letter

Query letters are not your resume. They are a one page letter that tells an agent or publisher what your book is about and why it matters.

Query letters, as my friend Marcus Sakey says, should seduce the reader. Make them WANT and NEED to ask for the entire manuscript.

Everything else is irrelevant. Mostly.

The post Writing Lite Tip 26: Learn how to write a dynamite query letter appeared first on .

Special Kobo Sale

Just wanted to let you know that Kobo is having a 30% off sale today through Monday July 28, in the US and Canada,  and two of my crime books are included. (Don’t worry: UK sale will be next week!) My two books are:

“Hellmann crafts a tragically beautiful story around a message that is both subtle and vibrant. The author does an amazing job of delivering her point but never by sacrificing the quality of her storytelling. Instead, the message drives the psychological and emotional conflict painting a bleak and heart-wrenching tale that will stick with the reader long after they finish the book.” Crimespree Magazine

“The Iranian revolution provides the backdrop for this meticulously researched, fast-paced stand-alone… A significant departure from the author’s Chicago-based Ellie Foreman and Georgia Davis mystery series, this political thriller will please established fans and newcomers alike.” Publishers Weekly

and

“I don’t usually like short stories, but these are terrific! I roared through them. Hellmann had a good mix of Chicago historicals and contemporaries.My highest recommendation here.” Molly Weston, Meritorious Reviews

“When Hellmann explores the less sunlit areas of Chicago, her canvas becomes not only more universal but has greater depth and emotional value. Aspiring short-story writers would do well to pay attention.” Naomi Johnson, The Drowning Machine

 

All you need to do is go to the Kobo sale page and use the CODE: TGIFSAVE30.

Enjoy!

 

The post Special Kobo Sale appeared first on .

Writing Lite Tip 25: Look at your writing as a business

This is probably the most valuable tip I can think of. It IS a business, whether you want to be traditionally published or you self-publish.

Learn the business. Read the daily emails from Digital Book World, PW, and The Passive Voice to start.

Then expand your horizons. Learn how this business works—or doesn’t work—in today’s world. You’ll be glad you did.

The post Writing Lite Tip 25: Look at your writing as a business appeared first on .

Orphan Black: Best. Binge-watchable Series. Ever.

I lost another weekend… this time to an incredible binge-watchable series called Orphan Black. Many of you already know it, but I tend to be late to the party. Thankfully, though, I made it. If you haven’t yet seen it, you really NEED to.

Why? Because the story, the filmmaking, and most of all, the acting are superb. Possibly better than Madmen and Homeland, my other binge-watchable addictions.

Orphan Black is part corporate conspiracy, part sci-fi, part romance, and all-around suspense thriller. Its premise centers on a youngish female grifter, Sarah Manning, who assumes the identity of a look-alike cop who has committed suicide. It turns out Sarah has bumped into a scientific experiment with clones, of which she is one of nine—and possibly more. Actress Tatiana Maslany plays all the clones, and that’s where the magic begins.

Maslany is terrific. Not only does she imbue each character with their own personality, but her accents, physicial mannerisms, and facial expressions are unique to each character. She does this with such ease and professionalism that I never once got the feeling she was “impersonating” a character. Each of the women are nuanced individuals. Whether she’s scientist Cosima, soccer mom Alison, or crazy Helena, Maslany invests herself totally in each role. I had no trouble knowing and believing in the credibility of each character. That’s how good she is.

And when they’re talking to each other in the same scene—well, that’s when the technical wizardry of the film-makers comes in. Never once did I see a clumsy double pasted into a scene. The superimpositions were done seamlessly which shows (at least to me) a mastery of form and craft. And, btw, the opening titles are visually magnificent.

The story is quite dark, and often violent, but just when you think you might need a break, comic relief appears, usually through Sarah’s foster brother, Felix, who is superbly played by Canadian Jordan Gavaris (In fact, most of the actors are Canadian)… and Alison, the perfect soccer mom, who has a hilariously noirish edge.

BBC America produces the series, which is shot in Canada, and Season 1 is free on Amazon, if you’re in Prime. Season 2 is only $12.99. For season 3, you’ll have to wait until next spring.

Now for the most important question. Who is your favorite?

There’s Sarah, of course, always dark and brooding; Cosima, the brainy scientist with dreadlocks and a perpetual smiles; Helena, childlike but mentally deranged and dangerous; Alison, the suburban soccer Mom; Rachel, the Machiavellian corporate executive; even a cross-gender clone, Tony.

I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours…

The post Orphan Black: Best. Binge-watchable Series. Ever. appeared first on .

Central Europe in Bits and Pieces: Berlin

Before I went to Berlin several people, including my brother, told me how much I was going to love the city. And I admit that Berlin is big, bustling, easy to get around, and everyone there speaks English. But Berlin isn’t Germany the way New York isn’t America and London isn’t Britain.  I didn’t see the Bavarian touches of Freising or the stateliness of Vienna. I saw a huge metropolis instead. Which wasn’t all bad. It was just that I wasn’t expecting it.

 

 

 

 

The closest we got to the “Germany” of my fantasies was a restaurant around the corner from our hotel (the one with the bear in front—the hotel, not the restaurant) that served real sausage, sauerkraut and potatoes. It was one of the best meals I ate in Europe.

 

 

 

Except for the Tiergarten, Berlin’s Central Park, which you KNOW is going to end up in one of my books… Of course we had lunch in the outdoor cafe:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In fact, most of the sites I wanted to see I first learned about either in crime novels  or history books. The remains of the Berlin Wall, including Checkpoint Charlie, which called back memories of Le Carre and other cold war spy novelists:

 

 

 

 

 

Friedrichstrasse which seems to be in every novel I’ve read about the Thirties, the War and Nazis:

 

 

 

The Reichstag, which gave me chills:

 

 

 

And the Brandenburg gate, now the symbol of the wall coming down …

 

 

 

The site of Hitler’s bunker, which appropriately, is now a parking lot

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Adlon Hotel, where one of my favorite fictional PIs, Bernie Gunther, works

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went to a spectacular show, reminiscent of Cirque de Soleil (I wasn’t supposed to take photos, but I couldn’t resist)

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Berlin Tower, where, 25 years later, you can still see the difference between East and West Berlin…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that A Bitter Veil, my best-selling historical thriller about love and chaos during the Iranian Revolution, has just been translated into German. The story has a curious German connection,  so if you’re a German reader, I hope you’ll take a look at Bitterer Schleier . It’s on Amazon.de and Amazon.com (and all the other Amazon sites too), and it’s in both paperback and ebook.

 

 

Next time is Budapest, which was the first city we visited, but I’ve saved it for last. I guess I still need to figure out whether I liked it.

The post Central Europe in Bits and Pieces: Berlin appeared first on .

Writing Lite Tip 24: Figure out why good people do bad things

Never forget that a villain is a hero in his own eyes. He believes he is totally justified in what he’s doing.

As the author, you need to find that justification. The dysfunctional childhood is an overworked trope, but I’m sure you can come up with a LOT more reasons why good people do bad things. Revenge. Greed. Jealousy. Those are the big ones. But there are probably others as well.

The post Writing Lite Tip 24: Figure out why good people do bad things appeared first on .

Digital Book Day Is Coming!

CJ Lyons has created a wonderful gift for all ebook readers, and you should know about it. It’s called Digital Book Day, and it will be TOMORROW: Monday, July 14th. On that day, you’ll be able to get a boatload of ebooks — absolutely free!

 

I’m making TOXICITY (the 3rd Georgia Davis book) free, but there are literally hundreds of other authors involved.

 

 

 

 

To find out more about it, just click on the link above or the url in the graphic below, and get ready for some GREAT READING AHEAD!

 

The post Digital Book Day Is Coming! appeared first on .

Writing Lite Tip 23: Watch lots of movies. Really.

Before I was a writer, I studied to be a film-maker. Watching tons of movies gave me a sense of pacing. It showed me when to cut in and out of a scene. And how long it should be, I recommend movies highly. Cut class. Ditch work. Go to the movies.

The post Writing Lite Tip 23: Watch lots of movies. Really. appeared first on .

Digital Book Day Is Coming!

CJ Lyons has created a wonderful gift to ebook readers, and you should know about it. It’s called Digital Book Day, and it will be this coming Monday, July 14th. On that day, you’ll be able to get a boatload of ebooks — absolutely free!

 

I’m making TOXICITY (the 3rd Georgia Davis book) free, but there are literally hundreds of other authors involved.

 

 

To find out more about it, just click on the link above or the url in the graphic below, and get ready for some GREAT READING AHEAD!

The post Digital Book Day Is Coming! appeared first on .