Molto bene!

I’m feeling awfully cosmopolitan today. The Italian translation of Curse of the Kissing Cousins is up on the web site for Delos Books’s Odissea line, which has given me my first peek at the cover.

I really like this. It’s a very different look and feel from the Berkley Prime Crime edition, and the Five Star version, and I consider myself sublimely lucky to have received three good covers for one book.

When Wolfsbane and Mistletoe came out recently in German, I blogged about the intricacies of translating, and it’s no less fascinating to me in Italian. Take the title, Cugini Maledetti, which I’m told means “cursed cousins” or perhaps “killing cousins.” The phrase “kissing cousins” is American idiom, maybe even English, but definitely not Italian. How the rest of the story will translate is a mystery to me, and I look forward to holding a copy in my hot little hand.

In the meantime, I will admire the cover and also a video that Delos Books put onto Youtube. Again, I can’t understand what they’re saying, but it’s great fun to hear “Toni Kelner” and “Tilda Harper” spoken in the midst of all the Italian. My bit is about a minute and a quarter into the video, by the way. But if you continue to watch afterward, you’ll hear editor Luigi Pachí talking about other releases, including my BFF Charlaine Harris’s latest Italian release. (They even show a picture of Charlaine.)

I don’t know why they used old soap opera footage for the backup, but since the show in the book is fictional, they couldn’t very well use Kissing Cousins footage. I’m not sure, but I think this footage is of Mary Beth Evans in Days of Our Lives.

Cugini Maledetti is my translated novel, so this is a momentous event for me. It’s also the best excuse to visit an Italian restaurant that I’ve ever had.

Ciáo!

Cooking Up Mysteries at Crime Bake

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the eighth edition of the New England Crime Bake. (In fact, it was my eighth visit–I haven’t missed one yet!) Crime Bake is aimed at mystery writers–both aspiring and previously published–but it’s great for any mystery fan. A hotel filled with writers and readers of mysteries–what’s not to like?

This year’s Guest of Honor was Sue Grafton, and she was a darned good one, whether talking about her path to becoming the bestselling author she is today (along with other bestselling authors Joseph Finder, Lisa Gardner, and Michael Palmer), or warning about mistakes not to make in your writing.

My own panel was “P is for Persistence,” in which moderator Kate Flora, Ruth McCarty, Dave Zeltserman, Dana Cameron, and I talked about strategies for keeping ourselves going despite rejections, dropped series, and bad reviews.

Ruth considers rejections “returns,” to take the sting out of them, and just keeps sending out her stories to new markets. Dave and Dana both talked about what they’ve learned from rejections, and Kate and I both told about trying new things from both of us editing anthologies to Kate’s forays true crime. I also made three observations about rejections:

1. Rejections are bad.
2. I don’t like rejections.
3. Ruth calls rejections returns; I call them motive for murder.

There were plenty of other panels to learn from over the course of the weekend, but I admit what I like best is socializing and gossiping and talking shop with agents, editors, and other writers. This meant spending a lot of time at the bar, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make. I also critiqued two aspiring authors (and wouldn’t be at all surprised to see both of them published over the  next few years), and chatted with a great group of people at the breakfast table I hosted. I only wish I could remember everybody’s names!

A high point of the weekend was the always entertaining banquet. This year’s entertainment was a murder mystery set at the Poe School of Mysterious Arts, where students learn how to write mysteries. Each table was given an author as a patron, and my table was designated the House on the Hillerman — in 3D. Our students were MWA’s ever-efficient Margery Flax, author Jedediah Berry, author Paul Tremblay, author Maggie Barbieri, bookseller Peg Patten, knitter/writer Eileen Foster Keck, author Rachel Beyer Brady, author/husband Stephen P. Kelner, and myself. It was a rocking group, and I admit that we didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to the actual mystery, despite the acting abilities shown by Ben LeRoy, Joseph Finder, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and others. Instead we concentrated on composing a house song, which we then performed. The lyrics were written mostly by Steve and myself:

“We Want Bloodshed”

Sung to the tune of “We are the Champions”
We’ve laid false clues, time after time
We’ve done no sentence, but committed a crime.
Trace evidence–we’ve left some clues
We’ve had blood splashed in our face, but we’ve come through.

We did a murder, my friends.
And we’ll keep on killing, ’til the end.
We want some bloodshed
We want some bloodshed
No time for mercy ’cause we want to murder…
Tonight!

See what you missed if you didn’t come to Crime Bake? But don’t despair. You’ll have another chance November 12 though 14, 2010, when the Guest of Honor will be the effervescent Charlaine Harris. Mark your calendar now–this year’s Crime Bake was sold out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen again. It’s that good a conference.

It Really Is an Honor To be Nominated

When I left for Bouchercon, I was a Macavity short story nominee for “Keeping Watch Over His Flock,” (published in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe, edited by Charlaine Harris and myself) and an Anthony short story nominee for “Skull and Cross-Examinations” (published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine). When I flew home, it was without either award.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. Of course I am. But after each award ceremony I smiled and applauded. That’s part of award etiquette. I hugged the winners, too, because they’re both really nice and good writers to boot. And when people offered their condolences, I smiled and said, “It’s an honor just to be nominated.”

You know what? It’s absolutely true. It is an honor to be nominated. Just look at the people I was up against. For the Macavity, it was:

• Sean Chercover for ”A Sleep Not Unlike Death” (published in Hardcore Hardboiled)
• Laura Lippman for “Scratch a Woman” (published in Hardly Knew Her)
• Tom Piccirilli for “Between the Dark and the Daylight” (published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
• Dana Cameron for “The Night Things Changed” (published in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe). She won, by the way.

For the Anthony, it was:

• Dana Cameron for “The Night Things Changed” (published in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe).
• Sean Chercover for ”A Sleep Not Unlike Death” (published in Hardcore Hardboiled). He won this one.
• Jane Cleland for “Killing Time” (published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine)
• Laura Lippman for “Scratch a Woman” (published in Hardly Knew Her)
• Kristine Kathryn Rusch for “The Secret Lives of Cats” (published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

I am honestly proud to have been in the same categories as these writers. I am delighted that people nominated me, and voted for me. Even though I didn’t win and didn’t have the opportunity to say so in public, I am grateful to the editors who published those stories (Charlaine Harris, Ginjer Buchanan, and Janet Hutchings); my agent Joan Brandt; my readers Charlaine Harris and Dana Cameron; and most of all my husband Steve, my first reader.

I offer my heartiest congratulations to Dana for winning the Macavity and to Sean for winning the Anthony, and I commend the other nominees.

I really am deeply and sincerely honored.

Everybody’s a Fan at Bouchercon

In 1985, a supergroup of musicians called USA for Africa got together to record the song “We Are the World,” which was sold to raise humanitarian aid for Africa.  And by supergroup, I mean people like Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Kim Carnes, Cyndi Lauper, and Bruce Springsteen.

That’s what Bouchercon is like for mystery writers.

This year’s Bouchercon was held in Indianapolis this past weekend. The hotel was a great choice, the outside venues fun and easy to get to, and the area was saturated with good restaurants. The panels were great fun, and how can you argue with honorees like Michael Connelly, S.J. Rozan, Wendelin Van Draanen, Al Hubin, and Kathryn Kennison? The convention committee did a terrific job.

Of course, the way I approach Bouchercon is not the same as that of the average fan. I spoke on a panel, went for drinks with an editor, went to my publisher’s cocktail party, ate lunch with two other editors, signed books, attended award ceremonies for the Macavity and the Anthony, recorded a podcast, met with a book packager, and discussed a forthcoming anthology. The other writers were just colleagues, so of course I didn’t take any particular notice of them.

And if you believe that, I’ve got some swampland in Florida up on eBay…

My gosh, do you know was there?  If the honorees weren’t impressive enough, there was C.J. Box, JoAnna Carl, Carolyn Hart, Lee Child, Charlaine Harris, Harlan Coben, Max Allan Collins, Heather Graham, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Loren Estleman, Dana Cameron, Peter Lovesey, Mary Saums… And that’s just a start. Do you seriously think I could wander through a hotel filled with talented writers like that without wanting to pinch myself? I was in heaven.

The fact is, I was a mystery fan long before I was a mystery writer. And one of the best parts about being a pro is the endless opportunities it provides for being a fan, for meeting these people at conventions and cocktail parties and panels. So you can bet that I brought home a load of autographed books, just like any other fan.

Come to think of it, I understand the musicians of USA for Africa signed autographs for one another, too…

Faire to Middling Historical

This weekend, my family and I–and my daughter’s friend Amanda–spent the day at King Richard’s Faire, a long established renaissance faire in nearby Carver, MA. It was a gorgeous New England fall day, and we saw amazing sights, including:

King Richard Himself, With Members of His Court

Jousting

Pirate Percussionists

The Tortuga Twins Storytelling Troupe (with an audience volunteer)

The Renaissance Vampire Musical “Bite Me”

You may be picking up on the fact that King Richard’s Faire is not strictly historically accurate. I understand that this is true of many renfaires. I like Neil Gaiman’s description from the comic book Sandman. Hob, an actual survivor of the renaissance, visits a modern faire and says, “It’s just someone’s idea of the English middle ages crossed with bloody Disneyland.”

I can’t argue with that. It’s not history. But we weren’t there for history–we were there for fun, and we had plenty of that. Besides, I suspect some history snuck in when I’m not looking anyway. I did get to see a knight actually walking and riding in armor, heard the sound of swords hitting, realized the amount of space it takes for a woman in that kind of gown, maybe learned a little bit of authentic vocabulary mixed in with the Monty Python accents. I didn’t mind a little bonus of learning as long as it was entertaining.

There’s a lesson there for writers of fiction. No, I’m not suggesting that we fill our work with historical inaccuracies, or even modern inaccuracies. Nor should we throw in vampires and pirates just because they’re popular–though I admit to doing stories with both. My point is that if you entertain the reader, you can sneak in a lot of facts without anybody minding. There’s a fair amount of TV trivia tucked into my own Curse of the Kissing Cousins, though it’s by no means a history of television. Okay, it’s not a grand epiphany, but didn’t I already tell you that I don’t go to renfaires to learn anything?

So to King Richard’s Faire, I offer a resounding Huzzah!

Death of a Cover

Or rather, the revision of a cover. Though we thought we were decided on the previously posted cover for the upcoming anthology Death’s Excellent Vacation, edited by Charlaine Harris and myself, upon further reflection we weren’t. After discussion, we realized the previous cover–though perfectly charming–was a bit subtle with the paranormal aspect and might discourage male book buyers. So the cat lady–or perhaps wolf lady, because she’s been called both–will be staying home, and the Grim Reaper will be going on vacation in her place.

It’s still the same stellar lineup of authors, and that’s the best part!

What a Vacation Should Look Like

Just got a picture of the cover for Death’s Excellent Vacation today, which is coming out in August of 2010. Charlaine and I had a great time with this, and we’re constantly amazed by the creativity of our contributors.

Speaking of 2010 releases, the trade paperback of Wolfsbane and Mistletoe is scheduled of November of 2010, just in time to fill any stockings that might need a helping paw.

Laura Fleming Rides Again!

The books in my Laura Fleming series have been out of print for some time now, which is not a happy thing for an author. But she’s coming back, in a big way. Well, in large print anyway. On October 16, 2009, Kennebec Large Print will be releasing a large print edition of Mad as the Dickens. I loved the cover Kensington originally did for this book, but I love this new one, too.

Mad as the Dickens is my Christmas in Byerly book. With Christmas approaching, Laura planned to curl up in her Boston apartment with her English professor husband, Richard, to await the birth of their first child. But when her cousin Vasti asks Richard to direct A Christmas Carol, Laura heads back home for some unpleasant surprises. First, running a play turns mild-mannered Richard into a backstage tyrant. Next, Seth Murdstone, the play’s Scrooge, is a washout as an actor. Worst of all–grimmer than the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come–Seth is brutally murdered.

Library Journal said, “Lots of small-town bickering, family gossip, and not a few private agendas make for an entertaining Southern mystery, the seventh in the series. For all collections.”

Seeing a book come back into print is a great Christmas present for any author, even if it’s only October.

Death’s Excellent Vacation

As summer draws to a close, it seems only appropriate to share a few details about the August 2010 release of Death’s Excellent Vacation, the latest anthology edited by Charlaine Harris and myself. This time, we asked our cadre of contributors to play travel agent for supernatural denizens and send them on fictional vacations.

I don’t have the cover yet–given Ace’s track record, it’s going to be awesome–but I do have the list of contributors.

• Charlaine Harris
• Toni L.P. Kelner
• Jeff Abbott
• L.A. Banks
• Jeaniene Frost
• Christoper Golden
• Chris Grabenstein
• Katie MacAlister
• A. Lee Martinez
• Sharan Newman
• Lilith Saintcrow
• Sarah Smith
• Daniel Stashower

I may be biased, but I think they came up with some terrific stories. So as you pack away the sandals and bathing suits, you’ve got something to look forward to.

Ahoy! Pirates sighted on the horizon!

Avast me hearties! There be a new pirate mystery on the horizon!

Or, in less piratical terms, my story “The Pirate’s Debt” appears in the August issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, which I just received today. To add to the pleasure, my name is on the cover!

“The Pirate’s Debt” is the sequel to my Anthony-nominated story “Skull and Cross-Examinations,” which is currently posted on the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine site.

Any new publication is cause for celebration and to hoist a tankard of rum! Of course, to Blood-eye Val, any excuse is good enough!