Monday, October 29, 2012

Magna Cum Murder Touches Many Topics


Mary Monica Ferris & Albert Bell
The Magna Cum Murder Conference in Muncie, Indiana was a great opportunity for authors and readers to mix as a number of mystery writers talked about topics including the competing roles of imagination and research in historical crime fiction, writing the cozy mystery in an age of 'noir and gore,' and alcohol as a poison.

It would take a notebook to give even a quick summary, so I'll pass on a few of the ideas that grabbed me.  Paraphrasing of course.

If you want to describe a place through the eyes of a character, it matters how familiar your character is with the setting. Unfamiliar eyes will see it very differently than a native.  (Terry Faherty)

What's the antitode for most alcohol poisoning?  Vodka.  (Luci Zahray)

A mystery is a hunt, a thriller is a roller coaster ride.  (John Billheimer)

Our brains are wired for stories. From the time people were writing on cave walls, we've been using stories to remember and pass along ideas.  (Michael Dymmoch)

Authors were a diverse group.  The photo shows Mary Monica Ferris about to sign one of her crewel mysteries.  Next to her is Albert Bell, who writes a series set in ancient Rome, which features Pliny the Younger.  S.J. Rozan was the guest of honor. Among her many books is one in which the books feature alternating points of view (Lydia Chin and Bill Smith).  It was interesting to hear her talk about what each character brings to the work.

One piece of memorable advice came from paranormal investigators Shelly and Andy Gage.  As part of their very professional overview of hunting in haunted places, they suggested that if you want to determine if a ghost is actually a hallucination, the first place to investigate is the medicine cabinet.
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Sunday, October 14, 2012

Jolie Gentil in Large Print

I have put the Jolie Gentil cozy mystery series into large print paperbacks.  My mom lost most of her  vision in her early 50s, so I have been slowly working on this.  The prices are only one dollar more than the paperbacks, and I wish they could be the same.  There are so many more pages the sellers literally cannot permit me to sell them for less. Large print editions are only available via Amazon and Create Space -- if I opt for additional sales channels the price goes up a lot.  The two covers displayed are by Patty G. Henderson. Enjoy!

Large Print Editions

Appraisal for Murder
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1475278578/

Rekindling Motives
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1475297483

When the Carny Comes to Town
https://www.amazon.com/dp/147939856X

Any Port in a Storm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/147934253X

Trouble on the Doorstep
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1484866266

Behind the Walls
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1500255149

Vague Images
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1507586221

Ground to a Halt 
 https://www.amazon.com/dp/150586805X

Holidays in Ocean Alley
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986338095

The Unexpected Resolution
(coming soon in large print)

A page on my web site also has information on all large print books and another on the audio books and the wonderful narrators who read them.
                                                                              *     *     *     *     *     *
 Check out Elaine's web page or sign up for her newsletter