I’ve been re-reading Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe novels in a probably vain attempt to capture the mood and inspiration to write my own crime fiction, and when I compare Chandler’s prose to 21st-century mystery, thriller and crime fiction, it seems that Chandler’s challenge was less than today’s writers’—or at least, very different. The Big Sleep […]
For Valentine’s Day this year, BestSelling Reads is giving away 9 romance novels — for FREE. That’s right: you can download a file with 9 great romances. All you have to do is subscribe to their email newsletter. And you can unsubscribe again at any time. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, or to give to your Valentine. Here’s […]
This week, guest blogger marketing marvel Jens-Petter Berget, owner of the SlyMarketing blog and company, reveals some of the best, most practical advice on how to market your books I’ve ever read. (This post originally appeared on the old Scott’s Written Words blog.) I say that I was a failed writer because I could not finish what I […]
I have updated Dark Clouds, Part 1: The Mandrake Ruse, complete with a new cover. I’m excited about it. I have to thank Quebec graphic designer Daniel Dufour for invaluable advice on typography and colours. The original cover wasn’t bad. I took the photograph in Venice, and while it’s a good image of dark clouds, when […]
It’s launch day for the latest flight of Lei Crime Kindle World stories and novellas—including one from me. What’s coming This launch includes eight brand new stories and novellas in the universe created by Toby Neal, all about police detective and sometime Lei Texeira, and her lovers, partners, family, enemies and friends. Christmas Makes it […]
I did it! I wrote a 10,000-word mystery story for the Lei Crime Kindle World in four days at the beginning of December. Since then, I’ve re-written it, shaved it down by 1,000 words, gotten it reviewed, changed it again, got it edited and got a fantastic cover image by the matchless David C. Cassidy. […]
In my continuing quest to define the essence of writing style, I have asked a good author-friend, Gary Henry, for his thoughts. Gary’s novels American Goddesses and Rogue Goddesses cross a number of genres. They features superheroines and spies, a little sex, a hefty dash of romance and lots of action. Combining these genres takes — well, a lot […]