Computer on death watch

If you wonder why it's been so long between updates, our regular computer has become practically unusable. We pulled the old computer out of the closet -- not only is it much slower, but it's on dial-up. (It takes HOURS to do simple tasks online, even checking email.)

We've been to the Apple store a couple of times, and are zeroing in on a choice for our next computer. God willing, we'll be rejoining the Twenty-First Century soon.

Win a MONK galley!

TV writer/producer and novelist Lee Goldberg is giving away two signed galleys of his upcoming Monk tie-in original novel, Mr. Monk Goes to Germany. Check out the details at his blog, A Writer's Life.

Buy Monk books and DVDs at the StudioWell store

Related links:
Q&A: LEE GOLDBERG (Monk, Diagnosis Murder)
MONK hits 100
Official MONK on DVD
MONK back for season seven in July
Mystery TV Themes: MONK

Progress report ...

Okay, I just finished my rough draft of my first cozy mystery for Heartsong Presents Mysteries. It's just over 62,000 words (the assignment is 62,000-63,000 words, because they have such a specific trade size for these books). I've actually been editing as I go, otherwise the manuscript would have been much bigger.

So I made a printout, burned a copy on CD, and put it all in a box. In two or three weeks, I can come back with fresh eyes and start finessing it -- trimming some parts, expanding others, making sure all the moving parts work correctly. After that draft, I'll start sharing it with my early readers, who will poke holes in it, helping me see any structural or continuity problems. (You'd be surprised the things an author can miss because he or she is too close to the work.)

Then another revision or two (or five) and off to my editor.

During this whole process, by the way, I'll be working on other things: outlining books #2 and #3 for this particular series; working on a pitch for another series entirely; and writing some short mysteries. I also plan to have the rough draft of #2 written by the time I get #1 back for revisions. (I've got to have all three done by February, so it's important to pace myself.)

Here's a tip: Your editorial deadline is NOT when you need to have your first draft finished. You have to build in time for two, three, four revisions before you send it to your editor.

So that's my plan.

BILLY GRAHAM and the BIONIC WOMAN

So, they're shooting a movie about the early life and ministry of Billy Graham here in the Nashville area -- and his mother is apparently being played by Lindsay Wagner, TV's original Bionic Woman!

Amazon Boycott

The Authors Guild is calling on a boycott of Amazon today. As explained by the folks at Marcher Lord Press:

On May 1, please consider not purchasing from Amazon. Here's why.

Amazon is trying to put a squeeze on competitors in the print-on-demand (POD) industry. They're saying any POD book not published through their POD company (BookSurge) cannot be sold on Amazon. I'm planning to use one of their main competitors, LightningSource, to print Marcher Lord Press books--and I need them to be sold through Amazon--so this directly affects me. And you.

Here's an article about the United States Authors' Guild and others calling for this one-day boycott. If you were thinking of purchasing something from Amazon on the 1st, please consider holding off until the 2nd. Thank you! Let's help send the message that they can't step on the little guy.

We have a winner!

The winner of the April drawing at our WELL READ NEWSLETTER is Inessa from Denver, Colorado. Inessa wins a four-pack of Nero Wolfe mysteries (congratulations, Inessa!).

Our drawings in MAY:

May 5: At ShoutLife.com/ChrisWell, you could win a pair of brand-new cozy mystery titles from my publisher, Heartsong Presents: Mysteries ...
* Death on a Deadline, by Christine Lynxwiler, Jan Reynolds, and Sandy Gaskin
* Everybody Loved Roger Harden, by Cecil Murphey
Watch for our blog entry there Monday, Apr 28.

May 23: Over at our WELL READ NEWSLETTER, you have another chance to win a pair of books from Heartsong Presents: Mysteries ...
* Murder in the Milk Case: A Trish Cunningham Mystery, by Candice Miller Speare
* In The Dead of Winter: An Ivy Towers Mystery, by Nancy Mehl
Sign up for our free WELL READ NEWSLETTER by May 19 and watch for your chance to enter.

Two drawings every month!

Mystery TV Themes: Agatha Christie's Great Detectives

Agatha Christie's Great Detectives Poirot and Marple
(Agatha Christie no Meitantei Poirot To Marple)
Set in 1930s London, and starring Agatha Christie's two most famous sleuths, this 2004 Japanese animation series was based on Christie's original novels and stories. Detective Hercule Poirot and his trusted assistant Arthur Hastings, and Miss Jane Marple investigate several complicated cases. The great detectives are joined in their adventures by newly developed characters Mabel West (Marple's inquisitive sixteen-year-old great-niece), and Oliver, a curious ... duck. (Well, it is a cartoon.) Despite these additions, it is said that the series was relatively faithful to the source material.

Agatha Christie no Meitantei Poirot To Marple links:
Official site
MICO Program Finder
Wikipedia

Buy Agatha Christie books at the StudioWell store

OPENING CREDITS


More themes:
ALIAS
THE AVENGERS (w/ THE NEW AVENGERS)
BARNEY MILLER
BATMAN 1966 (w/ THE ODD COUPLE)
BONES
S.W.A.T.
THE SAINT
SIMON & SIMON
STARSKY & HUTCH
T.J. HOOKER

Win a 4-pack of Nero Wolfe!

Later today we hold our drawing for a four-pack of Nero Wolfe mysteries. Sign up FREE at my newsletter WELL READ. (We plan to hold a new prize drawing every month.)

OUR NEXT SHOUTLIFE DRAWING is May 5, when somebody wins a pair of nifty new cozy mystery titles from the brand-new imprint Heartsong Presents: Mysteries. (Click here to see how to get FOUR FREE BOOKS from HMP.)

Busy, busy writing

I've been absent from blogging the past several days. Part of it is the job-seeking, sure -- but I'm also busy working on my new cozy mystery for Heartsong Presents: Mysteries. (I have three books due by February, so I don't have any time to waste.) My daily progress is greatly helped by my nifty new Neo word processor, which has turned out even better than I hoped -- it's lightweight, sturdy, a convenient size, includes word count and spell check, and reportedly runs for 700 hours on three AA batteries. I love it.

We're famous!

My new publisher, Heartsong Presents: Mysteries, has a new ShoutLife profile. Speaking of HPM, sign up today and get four books free with your first shipment.

Meanwhile, CJ Darlington asks my advice for aspiring novelists. It's part 39 in a series which has already featured many successful authors, agents, editors, and publishing execs, including the likes of Allen Arnold, Alton Gansky, Brandt Dodson, Terri Blackstock, Matt Bronleewe, Sharon Hinck, Colleen Coble, Dave Long, Ted Dekker, Chip Macgregor, and more.

MONK therapist Stanley Kamel found dead

Actor Stanley Kamel, who played Dr. Charles Kroger on USA's hit series Monk, was found dead of a heart attack in his Hollywood Hills home Tuesday. He was 65. Kamel's numerous TV appearances over the years include West Wing, Six Feet Under, Melrose Place, The Golden Girls, Days of Our Lives, Murder One, and Beverly Hills, 90210.

From the "garbage strike" episode:


Meanwhile, Monk's NBC debut this past Sunday did not find many viewers -- in fact, all five TV networks found Sunday night's viewership its lowest since Christmas Eve 2006.

Tix on sale for International Mystery Festival

Tickets are now on sale for the 2008 International Mystery Writers' Festival. This year's lineup includes the U.S. premiere of Agatha Christie's lost play, Chimneys, and the world premiere of Edgar-winning Stuart Kaminsky's new Sherlock Holmes' play, The Final Toast. Also staged at the festival will be the finalists in the "Discovering New Mysteries" competition, plus "Wide-Screen Audio Live" performances (performed onstage like an old-time radio show) of plays by Ray Bradbury, Rupert Holmes, Lee Goldberg, and Robert S. Levinson, among others. Mary Higgins Clark will be honored as "First Lady of Mystery 2008."

The festival is June 12-22 in Owensboro, Kentucky. Full list of events at the official site.

CCM magazine -- what went wrong?

With the final issue of CCM magazine now hitting the stands (just three months short of what would have been our 30th anniversary), I thought it would be useful to outline some of the factors that led to the magazine's end. Check out my ShoutLife blog to join the conversation.
ShoutLife.com/ChrisWell

Two ways to win!

In April, we launch two different monthly prize drawings:

TODAY (April 7)
We give away a three-pack of my thrillers:
FORGIVING SOLOMON LONG
DELIVER US FROM EVELYN
TRIBULATION HOUSE

How to enter: Go to my ShoutLife profile and post a comment on the blog entry "Win a set of my books!"
Deadline: 10 AM Central today

APRIL 21
We give away a four-pack of Nero Wolfe mysteries:
BLACK ORCHIDS
HOMICIDE TRINITY
THREE WITNESSES
TROUBLE IN TRIPLICATE

How to enter: Sign up for my free newsletter, "Well Read."
Deadline: April 21

Sigmund Brouwer's "Broken Angel"

Sigmund Brouwer has a new thriller coming in May, Broken Angel (WaterBrook Press). His wife, artist and songwriter Cindy Morgan, previews the novel on her website. Click on over for all sorts of info, and to enter for your chance to win an advance copy.

About the book: In the rough, shadowy hills of Appalachia, a nation carved from the United States following years of government infighting, Caitlyn and her companions are the prey in a terrifying hunt. They must outwit the relentless bounty hunters, skirt an oppressive, ever-watchful society, and find passage over the walls of Appalachia to reveal the dark secrets behind Caitlyn’s existence–and understand her father’s betrayal ... More info at WaterBrook Press.