CRIME ON MY MIND

THE WEEK THAT WAS

Just back from Left Coast Crime in Monterey, CA. It's a mid-sized conference, getting bigger every year it seems, with about 800 participants this time. So, not as big as Bouchercon.

I remember my first mystery conference, Malice Domestic in Bethesda sometime in the late 1980's (I think). It was on the small size, which helps when it's your first time. I and my Ladies' Killing Circle pals were bright eyed and eager to learn. Of course, we were also looking forward to discovering the charms and bargains of Washington, DC, just as short subway ride away. However, back to the conference. We appeared armed with notebooks and pens. We sat in on as many panels as we could manage, sometimes having to split the hour between two competing topics. Did I mention we were there to learn?

The by-product was meeting so many new people who were readers like us and sharing favourite reads. The bonus was meeting our favourite authors. I considered myself lucky at being trapped in a hotel elevator for 20 minutes with one of my heroes, Nancy Pickard. Not only did she share her agent's name and contact info, she also distracted me from the view from the glass elevator. Did I mention I become decidedly uneasy with heights?

We were also there when the now famous Sisters In Crime was in it's early stages, and even took on the role of starting a Canadian chapter. You cannot imagine the high we felt from this weekend. We all came back eager to write. Now, after many years of writing and attending mystery conferences, we're there as published authors.

The high is still the same. Meeting readers who are fans is exhilarating. Meeting authors who are favourites is equally so. Now it's a mixture of networking and attending panels. Of course, we're also participants on the panels, another experience all together.

I'm more convinced with each conference that there's bang for your buck in attending. Next on my agenda is Malice Domestic, of course, May 2-4 in Bethesda, MD. And that's followed by Bloody Words, another favourite, in Toronto, June 6-8.

What's been your best conference experience?

(I know it's difficult at times to post comments on this blogsite -- I haven't been able to figure out how to solve it. You can post your comments on my Facebook page, also. Linda Sundman Wiken.)

CRIME ON MY MIND

Better late than never....


Oh, boy...Easter came and went and I got lost in the muddle. That's why there wasn't a new post last Friday. So, better late than never....

Congratulations to those short listed for the Bony Blithe Award for best "light" mystery. As you may, or may not know, the Bony Blithe was launched last year at the Bloody Words conference in Toronto. Mega cudos to the BW gang for coming up with this great award. It's been thought for many years that mysteries that tread on the light side often get short shrift at the Arther Ellis Awards. Very seldom to they walk away with the Best Novel or even Best First Novel prize.

So, it seems absolutely right that Bloody Words would come up with such a delighful award, giving recognition to perhaps a sub-genre of the mystery business. As they say, these are mysteries that make us smile.

Since there will not be a Bloody Words conference this year (but I hope you've already registered for 2014 in Toronto!), there will be a special Bony Blithe Gala held instead. It's planned for Wed., May 29th, 6-8 p.m. at the first ever, Gun Club & Quilting Bee Gala Award Reception to be held at The National Club, 303 Bay St. in Toronto.

Mega Congratulations to all the nominees. They are:

* THREADED FOR TROUBLE by Janet Bolin (Berkley)
* FOOD FOR THE GODS by Karen Dudley (Ravenstone)
* A SMALL HILL TO DIE ON by Elizabeth J. Duncan (Minotaur Books)
* A PRIVATE MAN by Chris Liang (Seraphim)
* BLOOD BATH AND BEYOND by Michelle Rowen (Obsidian)
* THE MASTERSINGER FROM MINSK by Morley Torgov (Dundurn)

Hope to see you at the Gala! Come out and enjoy the lighter side of crime.

MAYHEM ON MONDAYS

So, what now?



I'm all pumped up after the Bloody Words weekend in Toronto. It was such a high, schmoozing with old friends, making new ones, getting some great ideas at the panels and basically enjoying the enthusiasm that readers generate. I can't stress enough the importance of these conferences for writers and readers alike. Thanks to the entire Bloody Gang for once again doing such an outstanding job!

But, here I am, at my computer, ready to write with nothing on the go. No looming or even distant deadlines. How can this be and what am I to do?

My 3-book contract with Berkley has been fulfilled, except for the editing stages. Book 2, Read & Buried, has a copyediting stage to go through before its Dec. 3 release date. Book 3, with a working title of A Deadly Plot, went into my editor last Wed. Whether the contract will be extended depends now on how sales of A Killer Read are going and that won't be determined until this fall. Ouch. Talk about being on tenterhooks.

However, being all pumped up as I am, I've decided it's best to start on book 4, just in case. If it's not bought, then it was still a useful writing exercise. I think, after listening the the novella panel, it would also be fun to try my hand at writing a Rapid Reads, also not a guarantee sale, but a challenge to keep my writing fresh by trying a different length and style. There's also that first novel I've been meaning to rewrite...being such a sage at this point ~. And, it's always good to have a short story in the hopper, just in case an opportunity to submit arises.

Hmmm...seems I do have things to do after all.

That's, of course, in conjunction with spring (soon to be summer) cleaning, landscaping challenges, and an awful lot of correspondence to catch up on.

What's your next project? Or are you near finishing something at the moment? I wish you lots of energy and enthusiasm. I've got it at the moment so better get to it!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

CRIME ON MY MIND

A Criminally Good Weekend

This is it! Bloody Words 2012 is happening right now in Toronto! And why aren't you here? Okay...I know there are some very good reasons for not attending...family, other commitments, money. But it's too bad because this is THE CRIME SCENE this weekend.

Last night, Crime Writers of Canada had a chance to applaud the best in our business and hand out the Arthur Ellis Awards. It was a truly awesome evening and shows just how terrific a writing scene is happening from sea to sea to sea.

Now, it's a weekend for lots of schmoozing in the halls, in the bars and over food; for lots of loose talk in the panels; for agent appointments, signings and stocking up on favourite and new authors in the Dealers' Room. There's the Bony Pete award for best short story and this year, a first, the Bony Blithe for best light mystery. Well done, Bloody Words!

A tremendous amount of thanks has to go to the Bloody Gang that organizes this event year after year after year. It's no wonder that next year's format will be shorter but just as sweet. Stay tuned for more on that. But it takes a lot of long range planning and person hours to make this conference such a big success every year. Caro Soles, the criminal mind that got it all rolling and continues to be part of the Gang, had the right idea twelve years ago. Create it and they will come, she said. And crime writers and readers have been doing so for all this time.

I salute you Caro, Cheryl Freedman and all the Bloody Gang! And a tip of the hat to all crime writers across the country, to our faithful publishers, sales reps and booksellers, and especially to all your readers who make it all happen by demanding to read home grown books. And even those set far away.

Let's all celebrate this weekend!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

Annual meetings are a good thing.

I came to this conclusion after attending the weekend annual meeting of the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild (no, not that kind of hooking) in North Bay. Many months before I’d signed up, sent my money and committed to making a piece that reflected the theme of the meeting “All Abuzz About Bugs.”

But towards the end of last week when it was time to organize the dogs and myself I wondered if I should stay home, forget about the money and not go.

I didn’t make that decision because organizers know a thing or two about human nature. I’d spent months designing and making the rug, I’d signed up for classes to learn new skills and I knew the merchants would be there with fabric and wool and all sorts of other enticing items. I couldn’t walk away from my commitments.

In addition, I’m sure my dogs were looking forward to a weekend at Happy Tails Camp. So I went.

By Sunday afternoon when it was time to go home I felt rejuvenated, inspired by the wonderful work I’d seen and ready to start new projects. My wallet was lighter as I hadn’t been able to resist the siren call of woolen fabric in glorious shades, of a new frame which promised to allow me to work faster, of a new hook made of exotic wood. I’d met people, shared stories and planned to attend an October retreat.

The meeting had achieved its purpose.

So too with Bloody Words, the annual get together of Canada’s mystery writers. We may grumble and think we won’t go but we’ve made commitments to help or be on a panel or critique. Missing the event is not an option.
When the weekend ends we’ll be pleased we’ve connected to old friends, met new ones, bought too many books and generally had a good time.

Creative people, whether they choose textiles or paint or words usually work alone. Not only do they spend hours by themselves they, or should I say we, sometimes lose our perspective. We begin to doubt the validity of what we’re doing. We question spending our time locked away with our computers, paints or fabric.

The Annual meeting validates our reason for being who we are and it shouldn’t be missed.

A member of the Ladies Killing Circle, Joan Boswell co-edited four of their short story anthologies: Fit to Die, Bone Dance, Boomers Go Bad and Going Out With a Bang. Her three mysteries, Cut Off His Tale, Cut to the Quick and, Cut and Run were published in 2005, 2007 and 2007. The latest in the series, Cut to the Bone, will be published by Dundurn in November. In 2000 she won the $10,000 Toronto Star’s short story contest. Joan lives in Toronto with three flat-coated retrievers.

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

May is madness...

In her blog on Wicked Wednesday, Linda commented on the crazy life of a writer. I had to smile, because it all sounded so familiar. I too have a looming book deadline, May 31, for my latest Inspector Green novel. I am down to the wire on final rewites before sending it off into the publisher’s hands. I too had to interrupt that process to deal with the proofs of another book and to answer the long, convoluted marketing questionnaire sent by the Inspector Green publisher. And with a publisher’s party, a Scene of the Crime board meeting and the Bloody Words Mystery Conference all coming up within the week, I have two trips to Toronto, a panel to prepare for, a manuscript to critique and numerous wardrobe choices to make. Yikes. For a writer who spends most of her days in T-shirts and jeans, finding two clean banquet outfits that fit is enough to boggle the mind!

Meanwhile, in between the rewriting, blogging, Facebooking, emailing and what-not, there are the demands of daily life. An elderly mother who requires a lot more emotional and physical support than she used to, grown children who thankfully still turn to me for advice and support. A house in dire need of a spring cleaning, a yard being overtaken by weeds, a cottage in the midst of do-it-myself renos, and dogs that insist on walks and games of fetch every time I stand up. Not to mention a six-year old computer that requires much prayer and cajoling as it wheezes its way towards its grave.

Oh yes, I’m also supposed to be hosting fifteen people for dinner on Saturday night. Or maybe not. I hope I know that before I head off to Toronto this morning, as I will have to find time to shop.

Sometimes I meet people from my previous (very busy) professional life, who ask me how I like retirement. They remark, with a wistful tone, that it must be wonderful not to have to rush out in the morning, fight the traffic, juggle appointments, deal with pressures, conflicts and deadlines, and all that stuff I left behind. I reply that yes, I love easing into my day by lingering over coffee in my pyjamas, and my blood pressure thanks me for not climbing onto the Queensway every morning. And it’s true that a writer’s pressures are mostly self-imposed. But life has a way of tangling you up in it, and once you embark on a path, it quickly gets cluttered up with expectations. I’m not complaining. It’s a wonderful life, but I do find myself muttering, just like the old days, ‘Once I get through the next two weeks, it will get easier’. It may, but if the past is any predictor of the future, not likely.

Besides, if it did, I would probably get bored and go looking for trouble.




Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how we turn bad. In addition to her darkly haunting short stories in the Ladies Killing Circle anthologies, she writes the gritty, Ottawa-based Inspector Green novels which havewon back to back Arthur Ellis Awards for Best Novel from Crime Writers of Canada. The eighth in the series, Beautiful Lie the Dead, explores love in all its complications. And, her Rapid Read from Orca, The Fall Guy, was launched last May.

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

Off again!

Okay…I must confess…another blogoliday starts today. Look on the bright side – this leaves you more time for your writing!

I may surprise you with a blog thrown in here or there…as time and inspiration dictates. But for now, I’m sticking with family (on the west coast) and working to that June 1st deadline (in between family events).

Remember Bloody Words is coming – hope to see you there!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

CRIME ON MY MIND

There are mystery conferences in the air!

Just back from Malice Domestic in Bethesda, MD. It’s been about ten years since I last attended and while it’s changed in many ways – programming being the most obvious – it’s still the same for what counts. It’s a terrific way to network with other authors, mostly those writing lighter mysteries or cosies, and of course, a great place to meet readers!

The enthusiasm is at a very high level throughout, which explains why I’m dragging around since coming back. It’s a challenge to maintain that ‘conference high’ and keep going at full throttle for the entire weekend. But Malice Domestic is a well-oiled machine. It should be. The folks running it have been in training with previous conference committees, or may even be those doers and shakers, and that’s been going on since the late 1980’s.

We then, on our road trip of four Canadian authors, made our way to Oakmont, PA for the Festival of Mystery. About 50 invited authors got to schmooze at a tea at the library and meet those who love recommending books to readers. After that, we all trucked on over to a huge church hall. I’d been told there’d be a line-up stretching around the block of eager readers. And there it was. In the 27C weather. These keen fans paid to get in and buy books and have them signed by the authors who were all seated at signing tables.

What a thrill it was. And eager they were. This is organized every year by Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont and booksellers everywhere should be in awe.

So, that was our ten-hour-plus road trip. At the end of this month, we’re all heading to Toronto for the Arthur Ellis Awards Banquet on May 31st followed by Bloody Words, our own, Canadian mystery conference.

If you’re a mystery author and haven’t yet attended, I’m wondering why not? And if you’re a mystery reader and planning on attending, you’re in for a treat. Check out the website at www.bloodywords.com if you dare!

Hope to see you there!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

Canada Writes Crime… Oh yeah!

The month of May began with a bang, or possibly a gunshot. It is National Crime Writing Month, and the CBC has teamed up with Crime Writers of Canada to celebrate the flourishing but under-appreciated Canadian crime scene. Check out Louise Penny’s opening blog to get a flavour of what’s to come.

http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/2012/05/louise-penny-master-class-my-top-20-canadian-crime-writers.html

Louise sets the scene with a quick who’s who of Canadian crime writers, both old and new. As an aside, I am amazed and honoured that she placed me on the list with “some of the world’s best crime writers… Giles Blunt, Maureen Jennings, Barbara Fradkin, Peter Robinson, William Deverell…” Right back at you, Louise.

Keep a bookmark in the CBC.ca site for the month, as there is much more to come. Short stories by some of Canada’s finest writers, writing challenges, daily writing tips by established authors, and Louise’s master class in writing. Canadian authors find it hard to compete for shelf space and ad space with the more familiar names from the US and the UK, whose publishers have bigger budgets and a longer reach. The front tables at Chapters and the book racks of drugstores, Costco and Walmart have nary a Canadian book among them. So it’s particularly thrilling that CBC and the National Post are shining a crucial spotlight on us in this month leading up to our national annual Arthur Ellis Awards for best crime writing, and our annual national mystery conference Bloody Words.

The CBC site is packed with information for readers and writers alike. Over the month, readers will meet favourites such as Gail Bowen and Mary Jane Maffini and will also discover the many new talents on offer. Crime fiction is a wonderfully diverse genre with books for every taste and mood. Whether you’re in the mood to be entertained, terrified, thrilled or moved to tears, there is a book for you. Among those new talents, of course, is the Mystery Maven herself, writing as Erika Chase and transporting us to the genteel and deceptively dangerous mansions of Alabama.

While you’re at it, why not check out www.crimewriterscanada.com and sign up for the quarterly e-newsletter Cool Canadian Crime, which contains listings and brief descriptions of new releases for that quarter. It’s a great way to keep abreast of the crimes we are plotting.


Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how we turn bad. In addition to her darkly haunting short stories in the Ladies Killing Circle anthologies, she writes the gritty, Ottawa-based Inspector Green novels which havewon back to back Arthur Ellis Awards for Best Novel from Crime Writers of Canada. The eighth in the series, Beautiful Lie the Dead, explores love in all its complications. And, her new Rapid Read from Orca, The Fall Guy, was launched last May.

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

Heading out...

Two things struck me late last night. I hadn't yet finished packing for Malice Domestic. And secondly, when I tried to post and schedule a new blog, I found that the 'Blogger' format and system had changed! When did that happen? Sometime since Monday morning, apparently. That was the last time I was physically accessing the blog settings. Why do they do that?! Especially when I don't have time to do a self-teaching session! So, I can eventually get into this space and write a blog but can I schedule a blog to be posted tomorrow, Friday or Monday? No! So, my apologies. While I'm away at Malice, the repeating blog will be by Joan Boswell, which I'm posting right before hitting the road in the morning. But it's a good blog and re-reading it may trigger some writing ideas. So that's a good thing. Nor can I get this Blogger to insert paragraphs! What's up????? But back to my rant, especially since in the cold light of day, nothing has changed. This hasn't morphed back into the easy Blogger I grew into liking. Nor has my suitcase been miraculously filled and better still, proven able to be closed. I draw two conclusions from this -- I truly am a luddite when it comes to all things electronic (like that DVD player still in its box 5 months later) and now, Blogger. Also, that I spend too much time fussing over what clothing to take to the conference. Of course, there are a variety of functions to attend over the weekend...and, a gal's got to have her shoes! But that's not the real focus of this conference. We all know that! Malice Domestic, which takes place in Bethesda, MD from April 27-29th is the ultimate 'cosy' conference in the U.S. It's been running for decades -- in fact, it was the first mystery conference I ever attended back in 1989, its very first year. I haven't been there for ten years so I'm really looking forward to seeing old and new faces, and enjoying the changes in format. And there have been many, starting with the New Author's Breakfast this Saturday (7 a.m.!!) at which we'll each have a short 2-min. interview and then spend the rest of the time munching along with our tablemates, a mixture of readers and writers. That's what Malice is all about. It's a terrific chance to meet the readers -- and boy, do they attend! -- and to get to know new colleagues, and meet with old friends. As part of the Killer Characters blogspot, we have a crossword puzzle planned with the prize, a year's supply of our books -- one a month from each of us to the lucky winner! That will be fun! And, then there are the panels. Mine is the Southern mysteries panel at 9:30 a.m. on Sat. and I'm on with some of my favourite authors. Then there's the Agatha Awards banquet that evening with two Canadians up for prizes -- Louise Penny for Best Novel, and Janet Bolin for Best First Novel. Fingers crossed! The day after the conference, we'll be in Oakmont, PA for the Festival of Mystery. That's in it's 17th year and attracts between 300 & 400 readers to a spot where the 50+ authors are in signing mode. Once again, the newbies will have short interviews and then it's a reader-writer fest! Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to all this and a chance to spend the weekend as Erika Chase! It will also be much fun getting there as we're driving the ten-hour route. That's R.J. Harlick, Vicki Delany, Janet Bolin and Erika. Can you imagine the laughter! So, back to packing mode. And maybe I shouldn't worry about unpacking when we get home. After all, it's just a month until Canada's amazingly great mystery conference Bloody Words in Toronto. Being a mystery author is a really hard job!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase A Killer Read Berkley Prime Crime, now available Read & Buried, coming Nov., 2012

MAYHEM ON MONDAYS

Picking up the pace

I have come to realize that no matter how long I keep writing there’s always something new to learn about technique and the art and construction of compelling fiction. And that’s not to mention how much I have managed to forget and need to be reminded of. So on a panel at the very excellent Bloody Words conference in beautiful Victoria, BC, three excellent crime writers gave me and the rest of the audience plenty to think about. Although I was moderating, their comments were so worthwhile that I wanted to take notes. So if I ever find out who stole my pen, they are toast!

The authors (in alphabetical order) are the very funny and stylish Anthony Bidulka, creator of the acclaimed Russell Quant series, Donald Hauka (who writes the engaging Mr. Jinnah mysteries and has a killer wit) and the very entertaining Phyllis Smallman (creator of the excellent Sherri Travis books). They generously shared tips on how they balance humour and tension in the crafting of their books.

I’ll pass on a few of their tips to you, paraphrasing as I go (remember that missing pen!)

Sherri Travis is a funny, wise-cracking bartender whose life is never lacking in heart-stopping drama. When asked how she makes sure that the humour doesn’t overcome the serious plot elements, Phyllis said that she restricts where Sherri can be funny and smart-mouthy to The Sunset, the bar where she (Sherri, not Phyllis) works and kibitzes with her customers. That way the jokes and humour never need slow down an action scene. Something to remember for me, as I once had a growling stomach give away the protagonist’s location to the villain. Back to square one,

Don Hauka who has exquisite comic instincts, said that timing is the trick. You have to make sure that the joke or witticism doesn’t deflate the scene. I’d like to know how to do this better, but I am beginning to think you have to be born with that talent. Mr. Jinnah is hilarious and always optimistic and opportunistic. Some combo. His voice can’t be ‘turned off’. So during an autopsy of a young man (which was dramatic and sad), Mr. Jinnah does manage to keep his cool, but loses his lunch. My favourite line was the point where he asked himself ‘when was he going to remember to take a tranquillizer before these things’.

Tony Bidulka reminded us that we should manage the grief. Our characters are always losing someone - people die in mysteries after all. But a character who is not grieving over the loss of someone close will seen cold and wooden, hardly the kind of person you could root for. On the other hand, if the protagonist is sunk into grief through most of a book, that will really drag down the story. When Anthony had a serious character die, he did it between books. Good thinking.

Three panelists. Three sets of tips. There was much much more but you will remember the sad case of the pilfered pen. So if you want to see how they really pull it together, read their books and watch the pros (and the prose) at work. And make sure you’re at the next Bloody Words conference where the panels and panelist really deliver the goods.


Mary Jane Maffini rides herd on three (soon to be three and a half) mystery series and a couple of dozen short stories. Her thirteenth mystery novel, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Murder, which hit the bookshelves this spring, is brimming with names, no two the same.

TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

There once was a conference...

You'll probably be hearing and reading about this on many blogs, websites, facebook pages, twitter accounts, etc. over the next few days. But let me get my dibs in here, too. Bloody Words was bloody good!

As I slowly wend my way home, I'm enjoying my version of conference afterglow and offer my reasons for authors to give serious thought to attending Bloody Words 2012 in Toronto...or/and other mystery conferences throughout the year.

There's no better way to network! What a great time re-connecting with author friends and making new ones. Schmoozing is such a part of this community, especially since it's such a supportive community, and unless you're able to traverse the country on a whim, or a signing tour, you're not going to get to meet up with such a great gang.

And the readers! Wow! So much fun to talk to people who love to read mysteries!

I have been known to skip panels in favour of sightseeing -- the odd time. But I'm so glad I didn't this conference. There was a lot of intelligent talking going on and I found myself remembering writing tips I'd long ago forgotten or learning new ways to approach stumbling blocks. The questions from the audience were insightful and I came away feeling refreshed, renewed and energized. Thanks for that!

The conference was well organized and ran very smoothly, so hearty congratulations to all those involved in putting it together. Lou Allin and Kay Stewart, as co-chair, led an efficient team. The hospitality was amazing. And they even got the weather to co-operate! Who could ask for more.

Congratulations, also to the team from Crime Writers of Canada who organized the Arthur Ellis Awards Banquet on the night prior to the conference. And, congrats to all the winners, as well as those short-listed. We have a lot to be proud of in our crime writing community.

And then there's Victoria...but you've probably heard enough about this beautiful city from me already. I just hope the Bloody Victoria Gang will do it all again...and soon.

So, back to Ottawa...back to work. I'm so happy to be a part of this all!


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

MAYHEM ON MONDAY

Ten reasons to attend a wonderful conference

I am just back from beautiful Victoria, British Columbia where I had the pleasure of attending Bloody Words XI, a terrific conference. On the return trip I was musing about how valuable conferences are to writers and readers and how many good reasons there are to attend.

First of all, it’s a chance to reconnect with old friends and to enjoy the shrieks of recognition in the foyer. Shriek and be shrieked at is the norm. And that’s before you’re even registered.

Plus for every old friend there’s a new one to be met in a panel, on an elevator or in the bar. Next time, these brand spanking new buddies will join the growing posse of old friends.

Speaking of bars, where else would you be comfortable in the wee small hours? This turns out to be entertaining and safe, despite the fact that your barmates are used to killing people in so many innovative and undetectable ways.

Of course, the panels are populated by authors, dispensing opinions, advice and witticisms. Just when you think you’ve heard every piece of writing advice, an author on a panel will offer a bit that will change the way you’re viewing your work in progress. Thank you, colleagues. Keep that coming.

While happily watching panels, any mystery writer worth her salt, will naturally come up with a plethora of excellent new ideas for killing people. What’s not to love?

In between panels, murderous insights, clustering with friends and endless meals, there’s the chance to mouse about the dealers’ room and see books by the authors who are present. Each conference showcases the authors from that part of the country (or the world!) Among the books I’ve taken home are A Hummingbird Dance by Calgary author Garry Ryan (NeWest) and Seaweed in the Soup, the fifth book by B.C.’s Stanley Evans published by (Touchwood). I am very much looking forward to these good catches among others to be mentioned in future posts.

Then there are the readers. And aren’t readers the reason we write in the first place? In addition to old friends, I was so happy to meet some people I’d only encountered online. What a treat to put faces to names and to talk about what they read and why. I also was lucky enough to meet new readers and felt very grateful to have that chance. If you want to learn something new, talk to a reader.

One of the conference highlights for me was the awarding of the coveted Bony Pete award for short stories. This year’s winners were: Jayne Barnard, Gloria Ferris and Melodie Campbell. These are all very talented and committed writers and we know we will continue on to create terrific works of crime fiction.

This all adds up to a joyous celebration of the genre and its contributors. We are reminded at a mystery conference that mystery and crime fiction matters, not only as entertainment but as a reflection of our culture, our stories and our desire to have justice done.

Lastly, never overlook the creative value of a tax deduction.

As I look over this partial list of the benefits of such a terrific conference, I must offer many thanks to the organizers of Bloody Words XI: co-chairs Lou Allin and Kay Stewart and their inspired and hardworking committee. When I look over the list of benefits I received, I am so grateful. Bravo!

Bloody Words XII will be back in Toronto. I’m signing up today.


Mary Jane Maffini rides herd on three (soon to be three and a half) mystery series and a couple of dozen short stories. Her thirteenth mystery novel, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Murder, which hit the bookshelves this spring, is brimming with names, no two the same.

LADIES' KILLING THURSDAYS

Hearing voices

In the last two MMC blogs by Linda Wiken and Mary Jane Maffini, there has been a lot of talk about the different voices of Canada. We have a vast and varied land, both ethnically and geographically, and each one of us writes with a voice that reflects our time and place, as well as our personality. It makes Canadian crime fiction hard to pigeonhole but great fun to explore. Do I want to travel to Newfoundland with Tom Curran next, or the Prairies with Gail Bowen, or the Yukon with Vicki Delany? We have excellent writers for every taste and mood.

Do they have a commonality, however? It’s one of the questions we will be addressing during my panel at Bloody Words this Saturday, entitled “Putting Canada on the World Stage”. I suspect the first question moderator Lou Allin will pose is “Do we deserve to be there?” A resounding yes, of course, but naturally she will want us to prove it.

A second question will likely be “Is there anything uniquely Canadian about our books?” Besides the usual jokes about our characters and stories being nicer, and maybe more polite that their British, European or American counterparts, I think there is a “feel” to Canadian books which is probably just as difficult to define as voice, but just as recognizable when you read it. It’s more than our mixed up spelling, which is sometimes British and sometimes American but we are never quite sure which is which. Is it ‘ess’ or ‘zed’ in advertise? Is it traveled or travelled? Note that my US version of MS Word underlines that word, after vainly trying to auto-correct it twice.

It’s more than our Canadian idioms, which are once again sometimes British and sometimes American. We drive trucks, not lorries, but we sit on our bums, not our butts. We may or may not call our mothers ‘Mum’. I do. And we have some words that are neither British nor American, but reflect our unique history, like the chesterfield and the two-four of beer. Beer being integral to Canadian identity! Besides the obvious regional differences in both pronunciation and idiom, there is a ‘Canada Speak’ as described in the Dictionary of Canadianisms: How to Speak Canadian, eh? , published in 2009 by Geordie Telfer. Our uniqueness goes well beyond ‘eh’.

The “Canadian feel” is more than the homegrown references to historical events, such as the FLQ crisis in Giles Blunt’s A Delicate Storm, or places and issues, like Inuit art fraud in RJ Harlick’s Arctic Blue Death. It’s more than the differences in police and legal procedure, hilariously depicted in William Deverell’s Arthur Beauchamp novels, and in the customs and laws surrounding crimes. Canadian writers are much less likely to use a gun to kill their victims, and also less likely to have their hero solve the crime using a gun. Even when that hero is a police officer with a legal right to carry a gun. Guns don’t seem nearly as central to Canadian crime fiction as they are south of the border.

Maybe the “Canadian feel” is the combination of all these things. Language, idiom, issues, context, and values which taken together reflect the place and the people we are writing about. So that when a foreigner picks up a Canadian book, he or she can feel immersed in the experience of Canada – subtly and gently different - much as we feel immersed in Britain when we read PD James and in Sweden with Henning Mankell. When a Canadian picks up a Canadian book, they feel at home.


Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how we turn bad. In addition to her darkly haunting short stories in the Ladies Killing Circle anthologies, she writes the gritty, Ottawa-based Inspector Green novels which have
won back to back Arthur Ellis Awards for Best Novel from Crime Writers of Canada. The eighth in the series, Beautiful Lie the Dead, explores love in all its complications. And, her new Rapid Read from Orca, The Fall Guy, was launched in May.

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

Writer on hold!

My dirty little secret is out! When I'm travelling, I'm finding it very difficult to write. Honestly, I don't know how you gals do it, especially those with deadlines looming. Those dasterdly things that wait for no one. I'm finding it difficult enough writing the blogs but there's that word again, deadlines.

There's too much to see, too many people to talk to and laugh with, too few hours to fit it all in.

Perhaps it's all a state of mind so when Bloody Words rolls around this weekend, the writing mentality will appear right along with it. Being in the right atmosphere must surely help! Maybe if my roomie buckles down and spends some quality writing time, that will also be all it takes to get my mind back down in Ashton Corners, Alabama.

But of course, that's not her responsibility. It's mine and that tricky concept of self-discipline needs to come into play. Maybe later today.

So, another blog done. Sorry if it's not overly informative. My brain is on vacation, don't y'all know! What's your trick for keeping up the work ethic when on the go?


Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming in April 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

TUESDAY BRINGS TROUBLE

Beautiful B.C.

Indulge me, please. I was born and raised in B.C. and although I've said I'd never move back, a part of me felt a longing as the plane descended into Vancouver airport. The ocean, the mountains -- these account for the pull to return to the place I said I wouldn't move back to. And, although I've never lived on Vancouver Island, if I chose to, Victoria would be the city. It's similar to Ottawa, so no big adjustment there. Victoria must have been what they had in mind when the slogan, Beautiful B.C. was coined.

However, beside all that natural beauty, what also tugs are the people. I'm spending the week before Bloody Words visiting with family and old friends. So wonderful to be able to do, as my visits out here are infrequent.

The people of Victoria are friendly, too. Always quick with a smile or to say 'hi' on my early morning walks. Talkative but not pushy merchants. Helpful wherever I go.

And then, there are the B.C. mystery writers. A great group of voices, continuing with Mary Jane's theme from yesterday. The Bloody Words co-chairs, Lou Allin and Kay Stewart, have been visible on bookshelves for several years.

William Deverell -- well, what can I say about him. I'm one of his biggest fans and always enjoy seeing him. He's Local Guest of Honour at this year's conference. Michael Slade's name has long been prominent on crime lists and he's the Guest of Honour. Denise Dietz, is MC and if her books are any indicator, we'll be laughing a lot.

Other B.C. mystery authors include Deryn Collier, Debra Purdy Kong, Roy Innes, Don Hauka, Linda Richards and Phyllis Smallman. (My apologies if I've left anyone out! It's been a busy weekend.) That says a lot for the West Coast voice! And, let's not forget Vicki Delany who sets one of her series in B.C.

The entire country is rich with mysterious voices! There'll be a very vocal representation here in Victoria for Bloody Words 2011. Hope to see you, too!



Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime

WICKED WEDNESDAYS

Conference fever!

Have you booked your registration for Bloody Words 2012 yet?

If not, just a couple of weeks left to do it. So you'd better get cracking. Because you'll need a hotel and air travel, too. Of course, you knew that. I'm really aware how quickly this conference time is approaching because I'm trying to sort out the rest of my stay in Beautiful B.C.

I have relatives and friends to visit both before and after the conference. Some will involve B&B stays, others there's the whole transportation thing to sort out. Of course, I'd like to get the best rates possible. But have you tried checking out all the listings? It's a dedicated morning's work. Oh, for the services of a personal assistant!

I've compared the web travel sites (Expedia, ITravel, Travelocity, etc.) and their prices appear the same as those I've found on my own. I guess my real problem is just deciding what part of town to plunk myself in.

The conference bit will be a snap. I'm on two panels and neither require preparation, just hopefully a brain in full operating mode on the Friday evening and first thing Sat. morning. That's the challenge.

I've downloaded the tentative programme schedule from the BW website
http://bloodywords2011.com and made my selections of what to attend. It's always a challenge when two panels that equally pique my interest are booked in the same time slot. I could always go the rude route -- sit near a door & divide my time between both.

Along with the panels, other programming involves interviews with the Guest of Honours, two special workshops on Sunday morning, a mass autograph session, a special entertainment feature with two 1940's radio plays on Friday night, followed by a walk through the haunted streets of Victoria. Chillingly fun! And of course, the banquet on Saturday night.

It's a good thing I have an agent and don't have to try to slot in an agent appointment. Ditto the Manuscript evaluation. Both are excellent opportunities offered at Bloody Words and I know they book up fast.

So much to do at a conference, so little time...especially when there's all that schmoozing -- a must, considering all the conference friends you see only once a year. And what a great opportunity to make new friends.

If you have time in your busy schedule, be sure to do some of your own sightseeing in Victoria -- it's a fabulously beautiful city. And, we're all thinking positive about the weather...aren't we!

Only 3 more weeks until Bloody Words! Once I nail down this final B&B for my extended stay, I'm all set. Hope you are, too!

Will we meet in Victoria?


Linda Wiken
writing as Erika Chase
A Killer Read, coming April, 2012 from Berkley Prime Crime