Birthday presents...

Hi folks,

It's my birthday today and the first thing I'm going to do tomorrow is remove my birthday from FB, LinkedIn and other social sites... Well, not really, but man are my fingers sore from typing thank you's to all the happy birthday wishes that poured in. Seriously, I appreciate each and every one, but next year, I think I'll just announce it myself on FB and then check in every so often to thank a bunch of people at a time. You folks who've had your b-day pop up on social media know whereof I speak...

And, so... in a twist on birthday presents, I'd like to give you guys one. Here are two sites I love that I want to introduce you to. The first is The Hosemaster of Wine which I think I've talked about before. My buddy, Tom Rough, introduced me to this guy a long time ago and I love his column--I think you will, too. I'm guiding you to a good beginning column if you haven't read him yet. Be forewarned--there's some X-rated language there... check out

http://hosemasterofwine.blogspot.com/2014/12/lo-hai-qu-on-wine-magazines.html

The second one is one I was just introduced to by my writer friend, Sally Davis. It's the blog of THE HULK, (no not the more famous one), a film critic. As Sally said, don't look at this as just film criticism--there's so much good stuff in his blog about how story works. She's exactly right. Substitute the word "novel" for film and he's talking directly to us writers. It's at

http://badassdigest.com/2011/11/03/film-crit-hulk-smash-never-hate-a-movie/

So... Happy Birthday! Hope you enjoy these two small gifts!

And, if you feel obligated to return the favor, you might glom onto a copy of my latest novel, THE GENUINE, IMITATION, PLASTIC KIDNAPPING. Now THAT would really make my day! It's available both in paperback and as an ebook.

See ya on the flip-flop...

Blue skies,
Les

SORRY FOR BEING A BAD DATE LATELY...

Hi folks,

Sorry I haven’t been a good date lately! Meant to show up but life has interfered. Had a bit of a bout with health (fine, now!) and then I’ve been really busy working on a new website with Liam Sweeny and Indy Gregg and… it’s up! Please check it out at www.lesedgerton.net. We have a lot left to do, but the skeleton is in place. Would love to know what you think.

 Busy writing... looks like I'm daydreaming but we writers know different...

Am reading several books right now—Worm by one of my favorite writers, Neil Smith, Confessions of a Hit Man by another favorite writer, Richard Godwin, and a bunch of others. Was introduced to the work of William Kent Krueger by my writing colleague Mary Edelson and am going through all of his books—amazing writer! Hope to find time to write reviews of all of these folks in the next few weeks.

I’ve begun a new novel, as yet untitled, along the lines of The Rapist, where a guy goes into heaven and reports the “real deal”… which is a bit unlike the image provided by the Bible and other commentators… Writing a couple of others as I switch back and forth between files…

Working with my class and some truly amazing writers, a few who’ve finished their novels and are on to the next stage—going through the things we all need to do to get our books on store bookshelves.

Looks like I’m going to Bouchercon in North Carolina this year. My buddy, Jack Getze has just contacted me, begging, pleading, asking me to be his roommate again (he just never learns…), and I’m looking forward to it. A lot!

And, there’s the possibility that I’ll be presenting at some writers’ events in Texas plus a booksigning, and my REALLY BIG NEWS is that I get to be the keynote speaker at the Oklahoma Writer’s Federation Inc. annual event on May 1 and 2, and it’s one of the classiest events in the country. My writing colleague, Dawn Allen, graciously invited me and I couldn’t accept fast enough. Hope to see some of you folks there. Check it out at http://www.owfi.org/ The theme this year is Writing Zone: Craft from the Ground Up, and they have an amazing lineup of speakers/presenters. If you’re in town, please show up!

A couple of weeks after I return from Oklahoma, I'll be on my way south again, to be part of the faculty for the annual Writer's Retreat Workshop (WRW) in San Antonio from May 1-21. Check it out here http://www.writersretreatworkshop.com/

Some shots of a WRW when it was held in Kentucky. This is an experience you'll never forget!

That’s about it. My apologies for being absent so long and I hope that doesn’t happen again.

Blue skies,

Les

VERMONT COLLEGE

Hi folks,

We don't have a football team or even a rugby team... but my alma mater, Vermont College, where I obtained my MFA in Writing, has lots of other things to be proud of. For instance, a VCFA faculty member or alumnus/a has been a finalist or winner of the National Book Award 16 out of the past 19 years.

That's pretty good, eh? I'm proud...

Blue skies,
Les

COL'S CRIMINAL LIBRARY: LOGGING THE LIBRARY - PART THIRTEEN

Hi folks,

A bit of a shout-out for my very first novel, THE DEATH OF TARPONS. Made my wife happy--this is Mary's favorite of what I've written.



COL'S CRIMINAL LIBRARY: LOGGING THE LIBRARY - PART THIRTEEN: Another week, another tub, another 50 books which I'll want to read one of these years!  Tub 13 5 authors I've not yet ...

THE BITCH is a candidate...

Hi folks,

If you have a chance, you might slip over to the House of Crime and Mystery blogspot where they're having their annual voting for best crime and mystery novels of the past year. THE BITCH is a candidate in the Indie category. I'd appreciate your vote!

Go to:
 

http://houseofcrimeandmystery.blogspot.ca/2014/12/vote-for-your-favourite-crime-books-of_28.html

 

and the rules, etc., will be there on how to cast your ballot. Really easy.

Thank you in advance!

Blue skies,
Les 

Vote Chicago style... early and often...