Bouchercon and Fayetteville, NC

Hi folks,

Just got back from an appearance at the public library in Fayetteville, NC and had a truly magical weekend! Robin Deffendall was my gracious and wonderful hostess and I met so many truly nice people—writers and readers—while there. I’d go back in a heartbeat! Found out they have the best barbecue, hands-down, in the universe. Weather was a bit hinky, but…

When I got ready to come home, I found out they’d overbooked my flight and the ticket guy said I was so nice about it he was going to issue me a check for my inconvenience. I was bowled over when I saw the amount--$1300! I told the guy if he’d just bought me a cup of coffee I’d be fine… You can bet I’m going to fly American Airlines every chance I get!

Resting up now and getting ready for Bouchercon 2014 in Long Beach, California. For those who are going to be there, I thought I’d post my appearances. When I’m not at those events, you can probably for sure find me in the bar at the host hotel… Bring bail money…

On Thursday, Nov. 13, I kick off my appearances by doing a signing of my books at the Down&Out Books booth from 12:00 to 12:30. Be there or be square! And, remember… Christmas is just around the corner so I’d stock up and get at least 10 copies of each book—they make great stocking stuffers for presents—especially The Rapist and The Bitch for Granny and Aunt Edna… Later that day, I get to participate in a reading with a bunch of other noir/crime writers at Eric Beetner’s Noir at the Bar event at Regency C from 5:30 – 6:30. Gonna be dark up in there!

Friday’s a full day! First, I get to read some of my stuff at Dana King’s flash fiction event, called “Author Focus” in Harbor A from 9:00-9:20 am. Got a wicked story to read here…

I go from there over to Regency C where I’ll be participating in a panel titled “The Crime Novel as Social Novel, with Hilary Davidson, Joe Clifford, moi, Sara J. Henry, Bill Loehfelm, and Tim O’Mara. These are high cotton folks! That’s from 11:30 to 12:30 am and then I run over to Regency EF to do a signing from 12:30-1 pm.

For a handy print-out form, here’s my schedule:

Thursday, Nov. 13

12:00 – 12:30 Book signing at the Down&Out Books booth.

5:30 – 6:30 Noir@Bar reading at Regency C – author readings with Eric Beetner

Friday, Nov. 14

9:00 – 9:20 Author Focus Breakfast@Noir at Harbor A with Dana King and others—reading our flash fiction.

11:30 – 12:30 The Crime Novel as Social Novel panel in Regency C with Hilary Davidson, Joe Clifford, Les Edgerton (thas’ me…), Sara J. Henry, Bill Loehfelm and Tim O’Mara.

12:30-1 pm – Book signing in Regency EF

And, I get to room with one of my best buds, writer Jack Getze--I'm bringing the Jack and he's bringing... Jack...

Hope I see lots of you folks there!

Blue skies,

Les

FAYETTEVILLE, NC PUBLIC LIBRARY... AND HALLOWEEN

Hi folks,

Well, in a few hours, I'm going to climb onto a plane and wing my way east to Fayetteville, NC. I'm really excited about this. I've been invited to speak at the Cumberland Public Library and they've promised me the best barbecue in the country! I'll also get to see a couple of my students and colleagues from my online novel-writing class--Mary Edelson and Jeff Meyer--can't wait!

And, almost as good, I get to skip Halloween. Just not my favorite holiday... But, I have prepared treats for the neighborhood kiddies. This year I've opted for triple shots of expresso and a brand-new puppy to give to each of the tykes. I will miss my favorite trick-or-treaters--these guys...

(Can't wait to see what the PC contingent has to say about this...)

See ya in the funny papers!

Blue skies,
Les

I'M APPEARING AT THE FAYETTEVILLE, NC PUBLIC LIBRARY

Hi folks,

Next month, I get to go to North Carolina and eat some of the best barbecue in the world! Also, I get to appear at the Fayetteville, NC public library on November 1-2 and talk about writing. Here's the article that appeared in the Fayetteville newspaper about the event.

At Your Library: Aspiring authors, don't miss writers workshop

iStock

At Your Library: Aspiring authors, don't miss writers workshop

Posted: Saturday, October 11, 2014 12:00 am

 

Writers' Workshop @ Your Library 2014 returns to Headquarters Library on Nov. 1-2 with two days of learning and networking for aspiring authors.
Building on the resounding success of last year, the second annual conference boasts a faculty of 10 authors, who will present a variety of topics of interest to emerging and established authors.

The workshop is still free, but this year participants can either purchase boxed lunches, bring their own lunches or walk to any of the area eateries.

This year's featured speaker, Les Edgerton, is the author of two noted writing books, "Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing," and "Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One & Never Lets Them Go." He has written 18 books, including the recently released crime novel "The Genuine, Imitation, Plastic Kidnapping."

Edgerton will speak once during the concurrent sessions Saturday and in a marathon 5 1/2 hour talk Sunday, when he will show - and deconstruct - the 1991 Oscar-winning screenplay about two average women whose simple weekend getaway goes horrible awry. The presentation, "A Fiction Writer's Workshop @ the Bijou," the subject of his next craft book, will show how an author can use action and screenwriting techniques to build character, theme and plot.

The workshop will also include these presenters:

Suzanne Adair (Michael Stoddard American Revolution Thriller series) will talk about plotting your work using Joseph Campbell's model of the Hero's Journey.

Annette Dunlap ("The Gambler's Daughter: A Personal and Social History'' and "Frank: The Story of Frances Folsom Cleveland, America's Youngest First Lady'') reprises her popular talk from last year's conference on writing nonfiction. If you missed it last year, you'll have plenty of opportunity this time. She's doing it twice this year.

Craig Faris ("The Spectrum Conspiracy") discusses "The Subtle Art of Suspense."

Marni Graff (the Nora Tierney mystery series) explains "The Challenges of Setting Your Novel in Another Country."

Clay and Susan Griffith (the Vampire Earth series), noted for their steampunk vampire novels and work in graphic novels, talk about character and action.

Chris Roerden ("Don't Sabotage Your Submission'') shares her editorial experience with "Showing and Telling." Later she teams with Susan Sloate ("Stealing Fire" and "Forward to Camelot: 50th Anniversary Edition") for an examination of the editorial process from the point of view of an editor versus an author.

Susan Sloate again shares her marketing secrets for creating an Amazon best-seller and adds a new presentation on how to use screenwriting techniques in fiction.

Sam Wazan ("Trapped in Four Square Miles"), who impressed us all at Book'em NC, discusses memoir and using it to find your voice.

Registration is required by calling 483-7727, ext. 1339. For more information and a tentative schedule, visit cumberland.lib.nc.libguides.com/WritersWorkshop2014.

This project is funded by the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library and the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County, which is supported in part by contributions from businesses and individuals, and through grants from the city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources.

Robin Deffendall is an information services librarian.


I'm really excited about this. Not only will I be able to escape Ft. Wayne's early winter for a few days, I'll get to hang with a bunch of writers and readers. I'm especially excited because two of the writers who take my online novel-writing class are going to attend. Can't wait to see Jeff Myer who lives in Fayetteville and Mary Edelson, who lives in Virginia.

I'll have to keep my excitement level toned down a bit over today's victory by my Irish over the Tarheels... Naw... I'll have to crow just a little...

Blue skies,
Les