Book description
Mystery novels are published in a number of subgenres to satisfy the
tastes of every reader. Not only do we have the traditional mystery-also
known as the cozy-there are historicals, suspense and thriller novels,
crime, police procedurals, private eyes and senior sleuths (also known
as “geezer lit”). Then there are medical thrillers, romantic suspense as
well as science fiction mysteries and the niche novels that cover
endless subjects. The mystery writers interviewed here have written
articles about various aspects of publishing, including writing
techniques, marketing, promotional advice and their opinions on the
current state of the publishing industry. Carolyn Hart, bestselling
author of the Henrie O and Death on Demand series, talks about her new
protagonist, Bailey Ruth Raeburn, who returns to earth as a ghost to
anonymously solve mysteries. Jeffrey Deaver's varied careers prepared
him to write insightful as well as thrilling novels, John Gilstrap
explains why some bestselling novelists hold down fulltime jobs, and
Rick Mofina provides sixteen great tips for writing thriller novels. A
number of Canadian and UK authors share their publishing views as well
as comparing books from their own countries with those of the U. S.
suspense novelist Paul Johnston writes from his native Scotland as well
as his home in Greece while Tim Hallinan divides his time between
Thailand, Cambodia, and southern California, writing much of his work in
Bangkok cafés. Gillian Phillip writes YA mystery novels from Barbados
and her native Scottish highlands, and international airline pilot Mark
W. Danielson composes his suspense novels during layovers in various
parts of the world, while S. J. Bolton thrills us with snakes and other
creepy creatures in and from the British Isles. English native Carola
Dunn writes historical mysteries about her countrymen as does Rhys
Bowen, who writes about historical English royals. Other historical
novelists include Larry Karp, who provides us with the history of
Ragtime music and the people who made the genre popular during its
heyday and Beverle Graves Myers delves into operatic mysteries set in
18th century Venice. The work of several writing teams inhabits this
book, including Eric Mayer and Mary Reed, who pen historical mysteries.
Mark and Charlotte Phillips write suspense novels, and Morgan St. James
and her sister Phyllice Bradner collaborate on humorous mysteries. Jeff
Cohen, Tim Maleeny, and Carl Brookins also add humor to their mysterious
plots, so prepare to laugh when you open their books. There are police
procedurals, medical thrillers and romantic suspense novelists
represented here as well as niche mysteries designed for readers who
love dogs, scrapbooking, zoos, the Arizona desert, space shuttles,
weight-loss clinics, actors, designer gift baskets and other specialty
subjects. Nonfiction books about the mystery genre round out this
eclectic collection with Edgar winner E. J. Warner, Agatha winner Chris
Roerden, Lee Lofland, Jeffrey Marks, and small press publishers Vivian
Zabel and Tony Burton. The advice offered here is invaluable to
fledgling writers, so pull up a comfortable chair and begin the
mysterious tour of nearly every subgenre. Jean Henry Mead is a
mystery/suspense and western historical novelist. She's also an
award-winning photojournalist. One of her fortes is interviewing
writers, actors, politicians, artists and ordinary people who have
accomplished extraordinary things. She began her writing career as a
California news reporter/editor/photographer, first in Central
California and later in San Diego. Mead transferred to Casper, Wyoming,
to serve as a staff writer for the statewide newspaper. While there she
served as editor of In Wyoming Magazine and two small presses. She also
freelanced for other publications, both domestic and abroad, among them
the Denver Post's Empire Magazine. Her first book was published in 1982.
