It's a Crime has a fun competition to find the worst first line. Come on, guys. Surely between us all we can dredge up some truly crap writing ...
Then go over to the distinctly non-crap John Baker blog and check out this Bush joke ...
For a change of pace, I was wondering what people thought about this post on Susan Hill's blog. I'm obviously one of her 'whingers and moaners' but don't want to say more for fear of being further dismissed ...
Petrona has given us a sample of a day in the life of Maxine that I can really relate to. Except I never found time to so much as glance at the Super Sudoku this weekend. We so need a summer break to get over the build up to ... the summer break ...
Thanks to Roger for this link to the catalogues of all UK libraries. It not only tells you what books are stocked but also how many are out on loan etc. I foresee many more hours of displacement activity just at the point my time is shrinking to infinitesimal proportions. Yeah. Thanks, Rog ...
Sharon and Bill are both grappling with how to deal with the pain of rejection.
Last but not least, I've just found The Outfit - a Chicago-based collective of crime writers with some famous names. Sara Paretsky anyone? Thanks to Sarah Weinman for this link.
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Oops, sorry about that Debi. But then again, I've wasted so much time on it myself, I don't see why I shouldn't drag others down with me. It's a bit like doing drugs, isn't it (I imagine!)? You want to take others with you.
I had a look at Susan Hill's blog, and well, yes, she's got a point, I suppose, but then again, she is Susan Hill. I think the only way I would get one of my books into a supermarket (or WH Smith for that matter) is if I took it in there myself. Hmmm. That gives me an idea...
I find it very hard to read Susan Hill's blog. But perhaps the undertone of smugness is only in my imagination ...
Drugs, Sir? Goodness gracious, I wouldn't know ... except to say they're more to do with your own personal trip and you don't give a toss whether others want to join you or not. Not that I know this from my own experience though ... oh no, no, no ...
Thanks, Lee. That helps more than you might know. Maybe when you're at the top, the rest of humanity is so far beneath you that you lose sight of what it must be like down there ...
Actually, I need to say thanks to Debi for her interesting links. As a result, I've noted Roger and his new book and have it in the "to buy" list in my head, as it looks pretty damn good. Also, with a focus on Macmillan New Writing through Roger's book/blog and the links here, I've also discovered Pundy's excellently interesting blog.
So, thanks Debi. (She with more illuminations than Blackpool...)
PS Given the slow uptake for the competition, I'm thinking of getting it going by adding some of my own attempts.
I got one email from someone who said "It's too rude to post at work because of one word in it. Can I give it to you at Harrogate so you can post it for me?"
Thanks for the link, Debi. I'm deadly serious about the book prize, but then, crime fiction related anything is a seriously deadly business.
I'm not an expert in these matters, but didn't Susan Hill set up her publishing company for new authors, with consideration of the fact that they have a hard time in finding a publisher?
Where recently published authors who hope to make "indie" status and those who are "mid-list" hope to gain recognition, surely anything matters?
It's a hard life, no doubt. But published authors and those coming up with newby titles, need to make the most of existing marketing outlets, as soon a possible.
Marketing is key when you have a well prepared MS to flog!
And all the best to all...
Hi Debi,
Just dropping in to say hello (via Maxine). Been reading through a few of your posts and see we have many of the same er..concerns. Very interesting and entertaining. Adding you to my bloglines.
Shall be in touch again. Must...get...back...to...work.
I didn't know that about Susan Hill and if so apologise if I have maligned her in any way.
I just felt that the points she made in her post were only true for the top authors. The rest of us struggle to get our books onto shelves anywhere with Waterstones doing all their buying centrally and based on POS data for previous books and the resources required to reach the indies bookshops being limited.
You're right that we have to explore other media given Roger's point that taking his own book into Smith's or supermarkets is the only way they're likely to cross the threshold.
Welcome, Clare. You've been hovering on the periphery of my vision for some time via Maxine and Cfr so thanks for taking the initiative. Consider yourself well and truly linked!
Debi,
I checked earlier and Susan Hill's publishing company was established for non-fiction books. She then extended to fiction through the introduction of a competition, which takes place annually. Sorry if I misled in any way, but I still think I read that those were her reasons for extending into fiction with Long Barn Books.
Best,
crimefic
Anyone who mourns the loss of Athena is on another planet to me but alas the demise of the tacky high street print shop is greatly exaggerated. They appear to be everwhere... Thankfully there are also those weird spaces called galleries where you can also investigate art...Yes I look forward to the day when there is only one Orwellian style organisation which sells books and you have your forehead stamped with a micro chip on the way out of their premises. Hey ho..
Incisive as ever, IM, and delivered with all the grace of a Zizou headbutt!
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