Last night's talk by Andy McAleer, author of MYSTERY WRITING IN A NUTSHELL and three mystery novels, was excellent. We had a nice turnout; thanks! Andy is a lawyer, works for the Department of Corrections, teaches mystery writing at BC in the evenings, and edits a literary magazine called CRIMESTALKERS CASEBOOK (see crimestalkers.com). In that semi-annual publication, he includes only short short stories (200 to 1200 words) and each issue ideally has a piece by a recognized mystery writer. He also has a book coming out this fall, 101 HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL NOVELISTS with a forward by Bill Pronzini. He left copies of the magazine for us.
He also donated a copy of UNIT PRIDE, a novel by his late father John McAleer and Billy Dickson; the pair met when Billy was incarcerated and wrote to John. It's a novel of the Korean War and was blurbed by Lt. General James M. Gavin, who served as Ambassador to France and then chairman of Arthur D. Little, Inc. (during my tenure; we used to exchange pleasantries in the halls.)
I am challenging Write Stuffers to write a short short story, 200-1200 words; make it a mystery and we can hone them and perhaps submit them to Andy for CRIMESTALKERS CASEBOOK. Let's say a September 30 deadline.
Mark your calendars, too, for two upcoming programs.
On Monday July 28, at 7 pm, attorney Dan Polvere will talk about Sherlock Holmes and the Speckled Band of Boston (that's not a title...). Should be interesting--let's quiz him on what makes Holmes so memorable and so lasting a character (it's over 100 years now...)
Then on Wednesday July 30, PLEASE PLEASE come hear JoAnne Deitch speak on "Publishing Your Book." She is an editor and former publisher with a lot of experience and will cover self-publication, the editing process, and if there's time, we may be able to present a short piece (say an opening sentence) for critique. (The opening sentence from your short short story, right?)
Have a good summer, keep cool (the AC has been repaired in the Tarbell Room) and keep writing. Jeanne
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1 comment:
Great write up Jeanne.
Some more thoughts...
Andrew described his magazine, Austin Layman's Crimestalker Casebook,as a PAYING market for new authors and opportunity to add the type of credential agents and publishers look for.
So... what does a 1000 word story read like.
How much character development versus plot is 'just right'?
What about pace, suspense, dialogue and a satisfying dénouement?
How is such a wondrous thing possible?
One way to find out is to read the stories in Crimestalker Casebook.
Andrew kindly left two copies with Jeanne, which I immediately 'borrowed'. Although there is no due date or official borrowing record (wicked grin), I read one last night and will return both to Jeanne by end of play (or work) on Friday. The stories are rather good.
So thanks to Lincoln Library staff, Friends and Jeanne for inviting Andrew and to Andrew for taking time from his many interest to share such fascinating stories (ask me about Unit Pride sometime).
You can catch up with Andrew, subscribe to his magazine of just plain nose around or should that be cozy around his website at www.crimestalkers.com.
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