Tag Archives: advice for writers

The Three C’S to Publication ~ M.H. Callway

Posted on January 21, 2014 by mesdamesofmayhem

What happens after you are shortlisted – or even win – the Debut Dagger or the Unhanged Arthur? Will you finally get published? The answer, based on my personal experience and that of my friends, is definitely YES. That said, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, Arthur Ellis, Awards/Achievements, Canadian Crime writers, crime, Debut Dagger, fiction, getting published, M.H. Callway, mesdames of mayhem, tips for authors | 3 Comments

Writing Historical Fiction: Part II – by Sylvia M. Warsh

Posted on December 17, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

How can we understand the world today unless we explore the past? I write historical fiction to try to understand why things happened. Lucky for me, I love doing research, though it’s a lot like eating potato chips. Once you … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, authors, Canadian authors, cozies, crime, crime writers, historical crime, historical fiction, mesdames of mayhem, mystery, suspense, Sylvia Maultash Warsh, thrillers, tips for authors | Leave a comment

Sex in Fiction ~ Caro Soles, December 3, 2013

Posted on December 3, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

There is a word in the English language that is capable of turning perfectly articulate people into stammering, red-faced teenaged versions of their adult selves. I found this out early when I began teaching the Writing a Novel course I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, anthology, authors, award winning writers, Canadian authors, Canadian Crime writers, Caro Soles, crime fiction, crime stories, crime writers, e-books, e-publishing, fiction, independent publishing, mesdames of mayhem, murder, mystery, sex, sex scenes, suspense, teaching writing, Tips for Writers, Writing, writing class | 2 Comments

BOOKS AND THE ART OF THEFT ~ Melodie Campbell, Nov. 19

Posted on November 19, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

Puzzled by the title? It’s simple. In high school, I had to read Lord of the Flies, The Chrysalids, On the Beach, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and a whack of Shakespeare. Yuck. Way to kill the love of reading. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adventure, advice for writers, award winning writers, books, crime, e-books, funny, humor, inspiration, Melodie Campbell, mesdames of mayhem, reading, Tips for Writers, Writing | 1 Comment

From the Desk of the Editor: When You Can’t Afford an Editor ~ Cheryl Freedman, Nov.8/13

Posted on November 8, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

Hiring an editor can be very expensive , especially if you hire the editor too early in the writing process, i.e., when your manuscript is in very rough first draft form. I’m talking here about such basic writing mistakes as … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, authors, award winning writers, books, Canadian authors, Canadian Crime writers, Cheryl Freedman, copy edit, cozies, crime, crime fiction, crime stories, crime writers, e-books, e-publishing, edit, hiring an editor, independent publishing, mesdames of mayhem, murder, mystery, professional editors, professional writers, proof read, publishing, suspense, thrillers, Tips for Writers, Writing courses | Leave a comment

Party-Hearty (Cyber-Style) ~ Joan O’Callaghan, September 24, 2013

Posted on September 24, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

With more books being published electronically, a host of new words has entered our everyday vocabulary, and with them, some interesting challenges! How does an author generate buzz about a newly published e-book and gain sales, aside from notifying all … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, anthology, authors, award winning writers, book launches, book promotion, books, Canadian authors, Canadian Crime writers, creating buzz, creative writing, crime, crime fiction, crime stories, crime writers, cyber book launches, cyber-parties, e-book launches, e-book promotion, e-books, e-publishing, fiction, independent publishing, Joan O'Callaghan, Kindle, mesdames of mayhem, mystery, publishing, selling books, suspense, thriller, Tips for Writers, Writing | Leave a comment

Bad Girl’s Tricks for Writing with Kids ~ Melodie Campbell, September 20

Posted on September 20, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

IN THE WRITING TRENCHES: Rules for Moms Okay, these are not the definitive rules for Writer-Moms. I would never claim to be an expert. But I did raise two kids while writing stand-up on the side and penning a syndicated … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, authors, award winning writers, books, Canadian authors, Canadian Crime writers, comedy, creative writing, crime, crime fiction, crime writers, e-books, e-publishing, fiction, funny, humor, Melodie Campbell, mesdames of mayhem, mystery, publishing, suspense, The Goddaughter's Revenue, thriller, Tips for Writers, Writing | Leave a comment

Secrets of a Successful Book Tour ~ Barbara Fradkin, September 14

Posted on September 14, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

Last August my friend Vicki Delany and I decided to do a book tour in Northern Canada. She had three books in her comic Klondike Gold Rush series set in Dawson City, Yukon, and my upcoming Inspector Green novel, THE … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, authors, award winning writers, Barbara Fradkin, book tours, books, Canadian authors, Canadian Crime writers, crime fiction, crime writers, e-books, Inspector Michael Green, mesdames of mayhem, promoting your book, publishing, surviving book tours, suspense, The gobe And Mail reviews, The National Post Reviews, The Ottawa Citizen Reviews, the Whisper of Legends, thriller, Tips for Writers, Vicki Delany, Writing | 2 Comments

The Future of Publishing, Part II: Anthologies ~ Donna Carrick

Posted on September 10, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

Advice for writers: Why participate in an anthology? I love novels. There. I said it. I love writing novels, and I love reading them. For me, there is no delight quite as satisfying as immersing myself fully in the brilliant … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged advice for writers, Aesop's Fables, Anthologies, authors, award winning writers, books, Canadian authors, Canadian Crime writers, creative writing, crime, crime fiction, crime stories, crime writers, Donna Carrick, e-books, e-publishing, fiction, independent publishing, Kindle, M.H. Callway, mesdames of mayhem, mystery, O Henry, publishing, short stories, suspense, Thirteen, thrillers, Tips for Writers, Writing | 1 Comment

Suddenly Sexy—the Novella Today ~ Rosemary Aubert

Posted on August 27, 2013 by mesdamesofmayhem

What do Animal Farm, The Old Man and the Sea, A Christmas Carol, The Little Prince, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and The Great Gatsby have in common? All of these famous books are novellas. But despite their success, the fact is … Continue reading →