Mayhem in the Midlands and more….

I mentioned conventions on an earlier post and, (beforehand) talked about one of the Nehrings’ favorites, Mayhem in the Midlands, held last weekend.

Smaller attendance than usual, which seems to be happening at writers’ conventions and conferences all over the map these days.  Economy?  The availability of Internet promotion and communication?  Who knows.   One additional thing that killed our area’s Hardboiled Heroes and Cozy Cats, the annual Mystery Writers of America–Southwest Chapter June conference was the Swine Flu scare.  The Ft. Worth schools closed for a time while we were promoting the event.  In any case, there weren’t enough registered to cover the bills, and deadlines were looming for airline reservations, motel cancellations, et al.  So, sadly, we threw in the towel.

Fortunately that didn’t happen with MAYHEM.  Beautifully organized, well-promoted, many loyal yearly attendees…and, gloriously, it went on.

You know what I remember and value most, though?  Panels were great, but no.  Book sales good, but not that either.  Special mystery banquet, Sisters in Crime buffet?  Sorry, didn’t sign up for those.  (As I recall the banquet was at least $45.00 per, so for John and Radine not going was a significant saving.

None of the above.   In this case, it was meeting author and fan friends I only see once a year.  The Internet has created a new type of friendship…I have very good friends now that I’ve never met face-to-face.  But Mayhem is the best of both types of friendship.  We spend quality time with people we usually only enjoy chatting with on listservs or in individual e-mail.  Mayhem, somehow, makes all this uniquely special, partly because it isn’t so huge you can’t find your friends, and also because it’s held in the middle of the Omaha River Market district where any number of simply fabulous eat places tempt you to journey along the brick sidewalks with friends and enjoy a meal in a new place.  Hap and Marilyn Meredith (from California) and John and I went out Saturday night to enjoy a place that makes root and alcoholic beer on the site.  The huge tanks are right there.  Hap had told us about “Upstream” and the root beer like grandma used to make, and by golly we all lifted mugs to toast him over that suggestion.   Food fabulous.  Can you believe I had pot roast?  Marilyn had soft shell crab, which sounds a lot more exotic than pot roast…but then I have never been accused of being exotic.

Another thing. I made my annual visit to The Lotus…a terrific “alternative  lifestyle” shop in the River Market area.  I now have six hats I’ve purchased there over the years at Mayhem.  (In case you didn’t know, I’m called “The Hat Lady” at many conferences and conventions.  My own individuality statement.)  These hats are crocheted from hemp, a fibre not legal in the United States, even though it isn’t the same as THAT hemp.

We had fun, and gained happy memories.  I can see so many faces as I think of MAYHEM IN THE MIDLANDS and I treasure them all.

And you, dear reader,   Radine

Interested in the writing profession?

Then here’s a new book for you…a unique book for sure, because not only is it created by writers for writers, it’s a GREEN book, something unique in today’s publishing world of books printed (often with huge overruns) on chopped trees using inks with toxic ingredients.

A WRITER’S JOURNEY JOURNAL is printed on Mohawk paper made from post-consumer recycled fiber that is chlorine-free.  (Few harmful pulp mill by-products are produced.) The mill’s electricity comes from wind-powered turbines.  The cover is also created on recycled fibre.

The book was printed by Sunrise Printing of Calhoun, Georgia.  Cindy Tucker and her staff there are committed to doing all they can to minimize the impact of their business upon the earth. They offer Earth-friendly low-VOC inks (low in volatile organic compounds) on Mohawk paper.

The book’s publisher, Wolfmont Press (same publisher that creates the Toys for Tots fund-raising short story anthology each fall) presents this book to those who still love the feel and readability of a physical book.

http://www.mohawkpaper.com

http://www.sunriseprintingcalhoun.com

NOW TO THE BOOK ITSELF!  Successful authors were invited to submit essays for A WRITER’S JOURNEY JOURNAL and given these guidelines: “Write about inspiration, information, humor…whatever helped you find your way as a writer and can help others.

And they did!  Thirteen authors (a lucky number) were selected.  Their essays (each a WOW) are included, along with lined blank pages where the book’s owner can insert his or her own ideas, writing snippits, and comments.  Each page is topped with a piquant quote from a well-recognized author, past or present. One of my favorites, and one I have used several times in talks and classes, is from Tom Stoppard:  “Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.”

Isn’t that great?

And all for only $9.95.

Wolfmont Press is at 238 Park Drive NE, Ranger, GA 30734, or info@wolfmont.com

Enjoy!   Radine

I can’t help crowing…will you crow with me?

No matter how they are achieved–and I know there has been a bunch of discussion here about that–being nominated or winning awards for writing is a wonderful affirmation of skill and talent in the profession. Awards are sure encouragement for nominees and recipients, and I am always joyous for the winners, whether I have ever heard of them or not. (The fact I may not know their names means nothing. This is a HUGE profession.) And just think, with the possible exception of highest-ups in corner offices at the Conglomerate Biggies (probably people who oversee much more than publishing) we work with folks like us who are interested in READING and in good writing to supply readers. That is one more great thing about our profession.

Well, this leads up to the fact I have an award to announce. Each May a large umbrella writers’ organization called OWFI (with many affiliate chapters in several states) holds a very large conference in the Oklahoma City area. Two days of three-track events, talks, banquets (2) and workshops. Luncheons to honor authors and allow them to spend friendly time with a large selection of agents and editors–who also meet one-on-one with writers and present panels and talks. There are quite a few presenters in the mystery/suspense field, though the event covers all types of writing. Tess Gerritsen and Jordan Dane were two speakers this year. I have connected with one editor and one agent at past OWFI conferences.

OWFI (Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc.) draws attendees from all over the south, mid-states, and southwest, with most coming from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Kansas. The OWFI directors now find it difficult to locate a venue large enough to hold the event.

OWFI has contests with cash awards, certificates, trophies. I am told there are between one and two thousand entries overall each year. And, WOW, oh WOW, this year my upcoming (6th) novel in the mystery category, working title A JOURNEY TO DIE FOR, earned first place. Though my work has been nominated for a number of awards and earned others in the past, today, this week, this month, the OWFI first is my affirmation, my wonderful feeling that I can write to please readers. Thank you for smiling with me,

Radine, a member of OWFI affiliate, Arkansas Ridge Writers.

Why do we blog, tweet, etc.?

If you are blogging, tweeting, meeting Facebook friends, etc. what are these forms of communication replacing in your life? Anything ?  In a finite day, where do they fit in?   I really do want to know about this.

After admitting I can’t manage any of these or similar connections easily because of our antique phone lines and access only to dial-up and I can’t hook up with some of them at all, I want to know how people feel about communicating in this manner.  How much am I missing?  (Truly…and you don’t have to sign your names. Make a nom up if need be.)

I am assuming readers stopping by here are mature, therefore many aren’t used to having ear pieces for hearing (I don’t mean deaf aids) and don’t have thumbs flying to text instead of speak.

I have books and other writing to promote or I probably wouldn’t care all that much whether you or I are Facebook Friends or display our wildly absorbing book trailers across computer screens.  However!!!  From what I read on lists for writers that I participate in, these communication methods are major ways to promote one’s work today. Probably so, but technology is rushing in so rapidly that I think all of us are still assessing the benefits of one activity when the next comes along and folks rush to adopt it instead. (I hope INSTEAD, in most cases, or the participant in one-too-many is likely to blow apart with all the activity.)

On my favorite lists I often read questions from an author like this:  “How many book sales have resulted from your…(fill in the blank), blog, tweets, book trailer, and so on ?”  No one seems to have a quantitative answer.

Perhaps more important, how do YOU balance the value of quiet contemplation against all this rushing to type into the next technology?   Is it worth it?  Is there too much chatter?

Are these answerable questions?

Let me know,  Radine

Let’s go to a convention….

There’s more fun to reading for fun than just the reading part.  (Did a professional writer really create that sentence?)

Book discussion groups, book reviewing, writers’ clubs, conventions….

Conventions.  I know they happen in most genres, as well as for poets, and for literary writers covering all areas of life.  There is at least one convention in New York specifically for women writers (and probably some for men).

I write in the mystery genre and there are dozens of fan/author conventions available to us around the United States each year. A few are huge, drawing thousands of people and offering a bewildering array of author panels, talks, and other writing-related events  for attendees to enjoy over several days. (Bouchercon, Malice Domestic.)  Most are smaller, expecting attendance ranging from a hundred or so to, maybe, five hundred. These are scattered all over the USA and most of the guests will be from a nearby area of the country.

Example?  Mayhem in the Midlands, held in Omaha, Nebraska each May.  Ever been to Omaha?  If not, you have a treat in store. It’s one of the most delightful cities my husband and I have ever visited.  The convention itself is held in an Embassy Suites hotel located in the heart of the city’s restored historic district. Brick streets lead tourists into fascinating shops with merchandise you aren’t likely to see anywhere else. (Much of it hand-fashioned in Nebraska.) My favorite is a shop carrying hand-made hats. There is a huge selection of restaurants for the hungry, and lots of entertainment otherwise. While at the convention, all of this is within easy walking distance. No struggle for parking.

A short ride will take you to a world-famous art museum, a superior zoo, and other attractions to fit individual interests.

Mayhem in the Midlands opens with a cocktail party and complimentary buffet on Thursday evening, May 21.  Make new friends and meet old ones.  There’s plenty of time to sit and chat, usually about the favorite topic– mystery writing.

The convention itself begins Friday morning with panels covering several topics. At 9:00 I’m moderating a panel titled “Not just a royalty check: What you need to know about being published.”  I’m also taking part as a panelist in “What difference does age make? Senior v. younger sleuths,” (Friday at 1:30), and “Causes and Casualties: Issue-driven fiction” at 10:00 on Saturday.

My husband John (who, thus far, has published only non-fiction) is also a panelist on “Marriage is a mystery: Meet the spouses” at 9:00 Saturday.

There are numerous special events as well, including a mystery dinner on Saturday night (actors chosen from conference attendees) and a fabulous Sisters in Crime breakfast buffet (included in registration) on Sunday, featuring Dana Stabenow and Jan Burke, both top-selling mystery authors.

What’s not to like?  Read the list of authors and all about the convention itself at http://www.omahapubliclibrary.org/mayhem

See you there?           Radine

Welcome back, Dan Krotz, from Books at Sow’s Ear

“The Ubiquitous Pig” is Dan Krotz’s witty and sometimes outrageous newsletter from “The bookstore at  Sow’s Ear. ” Anyone who helps wife Susan name an antiques shop “Sow’s Ear” has to be a wit, and then he compounds the wit (and some degree of nerve)  by adding “And Books.”  So, here’s  news from a very literary Dan Krotz at The Sow’s Ear.   ENJOY!

The Uses of Poetry

By Dan Krotz

When I was 19 years old I went to England. I arrived at Heathrow with $11 American in my pocket and great expectations. Obviously, I needed to find a girlfriend with money. As a recent graduate of the Richard M. Nixon School of Charm I was confident of abilities to do so, yet sadly, both amatory and monetary ambitions went unrealized. Imagine that.

I solved my insolvency in a time honored fashion; I became a beggar. I found a shady spot at Piccadilly Circus and propped a small sign against my upturned hat that said ‘American Poems upon Request.’

“…ere, ow ‘bout that Indian Gitchie Gume? By that whanker, Longfellow?” Ah yes, the whanker Longfellow.

‘By the Shores of Gitchee Gumee

By the Big Sea Shining Waters

Stood the Wigwam of Nokomis

Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis…’

“I like that Benet guy, I do. Whatcha’ got?”

Jesse James was a two-gun man,

(Roll on Missouri!)

Strong-arm Chief of an outlaw clan.

(Roll on Missouri!)

By dinner time I’d made 4 Pounds 10 Shillings and was well on my way to the price of a room. I’d probably still be buskering for pence had not a large hearted girl in a small Mary Quant mini taken pity on me and given me a job playing the tambourine in her jug band. As I recall, it was Frost’s ‘Two Tramps in Mud Time’ that won her heart. PS, I had no idea how to play the tambourine (and still don’t).

Fifty years later I continue to find poetry useful. One of the poems I read often is David Zimmerman’s ‘Nautilus:’

A strong man comes to love

Towards the end of time

And brings with him the power of his age,

Each tender feeling amplified

Through all the chambers of the years,

The ardor of an ancient, well-worn heart.

The usefulness of this poem is that it reminds me that the old person my wife is married to—yes, the one with hair spouting out of unfortunate and misaligned locations—can still remember what it felt like to be 19 years old, and in England.

I also like Ann Carter’s ‘Since I Swore off Romance,’ for obvious reasons:

Since I swore off romance, the full moon’s rise

Is tonight’s big event, a celestial floor show

Where a Mae West moon shoulders out in

Barely decent orange, and then lets those clothes

Drop for the snow-white skin she’s in.

I’ve gotten Ann’s poem a bit wrong (your handwriting is illegible, darlin’), but the idea of Mae West as Moon is absolutely hot and bothered, stunning and right, and I can hardly wait for this October’s late night burlesque.

Every time I check into a hotel, I think of Auden’s very funny book, Academic Graffiti:

John Milton

Never checked into a Hilton

Hotel

Which was just as well.

About the only thing poetry isn’t useful for is selling. I’ve got yards of the stuff lying around and I’m confident that it will be lying around years from now, a bit like the Unknown Soldier—much honored but, well, unknown. I don’t care. It makes me happy. 

____________________________________

Book Night: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

4:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Grandview Hotel

April 16th, 2009

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

Moderated by Eddie Keever and John Turner

6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Sow’s Ear

April 23rd, 2009

http://www.eurekaspringsantiques.com

JOIN A GROUP!

Around fourteen years ago, not long after my first book (DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow) was published, I was hired by the Chamber of Commerce in Gravette, Arkansas, (pop: 1800) to teach a writing class. They were beginning a community school for adults, and I was to be part of that. When the class was completed, my little group of about ten students didn’t want to quit meeting. I suggested we form a writers’ club.

We all lived in the Spavinaw Creek area, so the group acquired the grand name,  “Spavinaw Authors Guild.”  (At that time none of us had heard of THE Authors Guild.) We began meeting one evening a month in the Gravette Public Library.

Over the years membership changed.  Folks moved away or lost interest.  Others came in.  Today, the Spavinaw Authors Guild has eight active members, and a few more inactive who come when they can.  Our meeting format consists of work-in-progress read-alouds while members follow the text on print copies of the manuscript provided by the author.  All jot down notes while the author is reading aloud, then the problems/strengths are discussed by all the group. We now meet at the library every other week from six to eight in the evening.  Our time is always full. We do not chat about families, politics, or anything but WRITING.  Occasionally a member shares information about new publishing opportunities, conferences to attend, and so on.

One of our currently inactive members just had his first book, which was vetted through our group over ten years ago, published.  Yes, submission persistance pays!  We had a big party/book signing for him in the library last Thursday.  (He is still one of us though he had to stop attending when he took a job teaching evening classes .)  Others have been published in magazines or newspapers.  All currently active members are working on novels, though, thus far, only two of us have published books.  (I’m working on my seventh book,  the sixth mystery novel in my “To Die For” series.)

This group has been wonderful for me and, indeed, one of my novels is dedicated to them.  BOY can they find problems I missed, and it’s so much more than “take out or add a comma.”  They make plot suggestions, tell me when a scene or idea doesn’t work, offer ideas for word or dialogue changes.   The day after our meetings, I line up their print copies of my chapter-in-work they critiqued across my desk and go to work on changes.  Do I make every suggested change?  Of course not.  But all of us are so much in tune now that we can critique each other without hurtful comments or any changes to a writer’s unique voice.

Spavinaw Authors Guild is a wonder and a marvel.  Groups like this are jewels without price for any writer.  Look for such a group if you aren’t in one.  If none are in place, form one.

Other helpful groups may be found on line.  As a mystery writer, I am an active member (submitting posts) to:

DorothyL@listserv.kent.edu  (Named for Dorothy L. Sayers, premier British mystery author)

MurderMustAdvertise@yahoogroups.com

SeniorSleuthsForum@yahoogroups.com

mwasw@yahoogroups.com (Mystery Writers of America, Southwest Chapter)

SistersinCrime@yahoogroups.com

Now, go and join something!              Radine

http://www.RadinesbBooks.com

Plain ol’ Radine

No fancy pictures or other entertainment here. Two reasons: We are still on the most primitive dial-up Internet access out here in the boonies, (no other options…believe me, we’ve investigated) and the whole system clogs up over fancies. The other reason? I use some things about the Internet comfortably, but others bewilder me. Even were I able to post pictures (or receive them easily) it would take me some time to puzzle out how to do it.  Frankly…I’d rather be writing.   But here are a couple of fancier locations for you to enjoy.   I did.  When you see them you’ll understand why.

http://research-writing-techniques.suite101.com/article.cfm/writers_rituals_radine_trees_nehring

AND. http://mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com

It was great fun to respond to these interview questions as you might imagine.  The second site has interviews with a lot of very interesting authors, doesn’t it?

Someone asked me recently what my most successful promotional tools and events have been.   That’s an easy question to answer (and I have done it here before in various ways) but here goes with a bit more:

Promotional tool?   Friendship.  With everyone.  Over the years I have been fortunate to enjoy friendship with media people, bookstore owners and managers, and especially other writers.  But the “everyone” part takes in readers as well.  Being sincerely nice to our fellow humans as well as being eager to help them when we can, is absolutely beyond price when comes to enjoying life and–I have discovered–to book selling.

One example?  When any newspaper feature writer has a column I enjoy, I always write and thank the person, telling a bit about why I enjoyed that particular feature or column.  Authors like me can live on a happy high for days after one nice comment about our work.  Journalists are no different.

I’ll talk about successful events next time.

Radine

Writers looking for a publisher must, first of all, THINK!

Way back in history when–after quite a few years of writing for newspapers and magazines–I came up with an idea for a non-fiction book, being published (or not) was comparatively simple.  You wrote the best book you could, probably finding advice and help from other writers, writing classes, writers’ magazines and “how-to” books, plus–sometimes–free-lance editors along the way.  Then you looked at a current copy of WRITER’S MARKET or another similar list of opportunities,  located agents and/or publishers (most often in New York) who presented work similar to yours,  and began submitting.  (Often getting rejections, submitting again, and submitting… until….)

Wow, has the publishing world changed.  New York biggies are now conglomerates, with home offices in Germany, France, and elsewhere, as well as in the United States.  These biggies manufacture and sell books, yes, but also offer  a whole department store full of entertainment and other services and “things.”  Except in small pockets within the overall firm, bottom line, not a love for books, rules corporate policy.  “BUY ONLY BESTSELLERS” is one long-time biggie rule I have heard quoted and, whenever I hear it, I always think  “Huh?”   In any case, we also hear that the chance of having one’s first book accepted by any of these biggies has decreased exponentially, and authors who have been with NY publishers a long time are being dropped.

But, if nature loves a vacuum, so does the publishing industry, and each year there are more small presses eager to answer the prayers of thousands of busy writers similarly eager to see their work in print (or, increasingly, on line).

So, what’s a writer to do?

Pay attention. Investigate. Ask others. Most of all, THINK.

What, as an author, do you really want?  What will satisfy you, make you happy?  (Be realistic.)  What do you want to publish? A  family history for grandchildren? A how-to book you’ll sell when you give workshops and business advice to groups in your profession?  A novel that will make you rich, and earn you adoring fans around the world?

Whoa! How did that last sneak in?  Replace it with: How about a work of fiction with your name on it as author that you’re going to do your darndest to promote in your own area, as well as (perhaps with the help of your publisher) distant places.

To help you as you think about options, you need to understand the following terms: Agents, E-publishing, small presses. mid-sized presses. P.O.D., subsidy publishers, self-publishing, distribution, promotion.  Know and understand the significance and place of each of these in the publishing business before you leap into the submission process.

As an author, you are running a small business. Don’t go into business with your eyes shut.  There’s lots of help out there, beginning with the before-mentioned magazines and books full of advice for writers.  Join a writers’ group, attend conventions and conferences in your genre, continue THINKING, processing options.  Published authors consider understanding the publishing pond (or, maybe, roiling ocean) important enough that they frequently speak on the topic at meetings and conventions. (Example: At a four part pre-conference workshop at “Hardboiled Heroes and Cozy Cats,” a conference sponsored by Mystery Writers of America, SW Chapter, June 19-20 in Dallas, TX. this year, there will be a workshop on “Everything you wanted to know about publishing but were afraid to ask.” Speakers are L. C. Hayden and Radine Trees Nehring.  http://www.mwasw.org)

What motivates us is a creative urge, a love of words, and ideas that won’t stay hidden.

What allows us to share all that is publishing.  Sure, earning publication can be time-consuming, heart-wrenching, even boring, as each of us pours over options, thinks through pluses and minuses, or waits for replies from agents or publishers.  Is it worth it?  Only you can decide.  So THINK!

Questions for writers

1. Did you have a make-believe friend when you were a child?   I sure did.  I gave her the improbable name of “Mary-Lan-Too-Sue” and don’t anyone dare ask me where that came from, because if I knew when I was four, I sure don’t know these many decades later.  I do wonder, however,  if inventing my playmate was any hint that, someday, I might invent characters in a book and enjoy spending time with them even more than I enjoyed Mary whatsis.  What do you think?

2. Did you do well on spelling tests?  Enjoy learning definitions of new words, the more complex the better?   I did. I still remember rolling new words around in my head and, eventually, across my tongue.  I think writers enjoy the power of words.  Do you agree?

3. Do you enjoy being alone, or would you prefer being in the center of a party?  If anyone asked me (for forty years or more) I would have said I was shy, though once I began appearing and speaking in public comfortably as an author, I wasn’t so sure.  Then someone explained “introvert” to me.  Hooray, I know what I am.  (See the Atlantic Monthly:  http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/print/200202/rauch   This is an article by Jonathan Rauch titled “Caring for Your Introvert.” )  Me! Me! Me!   How about you?

4. Do you enjoy moving forward with your writing in a work in progress?  How about editing that work?  I love doing both and, given a choice, would rather write or edit than almost anything else.  Do you understand? Are you with me here?

Y’know, because I AM a writer, because I AM an introvert, I rarely have a chance to discuss these, to me, deep questions with fellow writers.  So, how about a discussion here?   Do you at least understand how I explain myself?

Sincerely yours, Radine