One of the challenges of hosting Mystery Matters has been to read, read, read. I committed to myself, the station, and the people I interview that I would read at least three books by each author I interview. In some cases I've already read a lot more than that, but many of the people I've invited to be on Mystery Matters are known to me only by reputation or by personal recommendation.
Such was the case with Libby Fischer Hellmann. I found her in the "Books in Print" listing on the Sisters in Crime website http://www.sistersincrime.org/. Then I checked with my friendly Gwinnett County librarian, who waxed enthusiastic. Finally I browsed at one of my favorite book stores, The Book Nook in East Ellijay, GA.
I ask each author I interview to send me a copy of the book they want to discuss (usually it's their latest one), but I figure it's up to me to get the rest. I'm the kind who will take money out of my monthly food budget to buy a good book.
I write cozy mysteries - but I'm beginning to see how compelling a heartfelt thriller can be. Libby's characters - Ellie Foreman and private investigator Georgia Davis - mirror enough of me to pull me into the story. Have I ever shot at anyone? No. Have I ever wanted to? Well . . .
Libby's forthright discussion of her fears around her daughter's teenage years touched a deep chord within me, and I was so caught up in our discussion (including the one off-mike during the breaks) that I completely missed a cue. I need to go to the archive and listen to the show to be sure I didn't say anything embarrassing! It's live radio for sure.
Showing posts with label Sisters in Crime. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sisters in Crime. Show all posts
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Patricia Sprinkle - February 20, 2009
Finally! I'm caught up with my blog entries. From now on I'll post once a week to give you a bit of behind-the-scenes info about each of my shows on Mystery Matters. I hope you'll go to my host web page frequently to listen to the archived shows www.tinyurl.com/a2f3s6
Two days before the show was due to broadcast live, Patricia Sprinkle called me and tested my new-found determination not to worry about things that hadn't even happened yet (see my blog entry about Julia Spencer-Fleming's February 6th show). Patti said that she needed to leave early on Friday morning to attend a 100th birthday party for a relative who lived in another state.
Thank goodness for Atlanta rush-hour traffic - I never thought I'd make such a statement! Patti and her family decided that leaving after the rush hour would make more sense than leaving at 8 a.m. So, as soon as Ruben gave us the all-clear at the end of the show on Friday, Patti said a quick goodbye and headed out with her family.
Patti's a former national president of Sisters in Crime. That wonderful organization is open to anyone who's interested in mysteries - readers, librarians, writers, bookstore owners. Its purpose is to level the playing field so that women, who write more than 50% of published mysteries, can begin to get a proportionate number of reviews.
I'll be back next week with another post. Thanks for reading!
Two days before the show was due to broadcast live, Patricia Sprinkle called me and tested my new-found determination not to worry about things that hadn't even happened yet (see my blog entry about Julia Spencer-Fleming's February 6th show). Patti said that she needed to leave early on Friday morning to attend a 100th birthday party for a relative who lived in another state.
Thank goodness for Atlanta rush-hour traffic - I never thought I'd make such a statement! Patti and her family decided that leaving after the rush hour would make more sense than leaving at 8 a.m. So, as soon as Ruben gave us the all-clear at the end of the show on Friday, Patti said a quick goodbye and headed out with her family.
Patti's a former national president of Sisters in Crime. That wonderful organization is open to anyone who's interested in mysteries - readers, librarians, writers, bookstore owners. Its purpose is to level the playing field so that women, who write more than 50% of published mysteries, can begin to get a proportionate number of reviews.
I'll be back next week with another post. Thanks for reading!
Jackie Lee Miles - Jan. 23, 2009
Although our conversation ranged over many topics during the one-hour interview, I've recevied the most comments about Cold Rock River, Jackie's novel that weaves together threads of domestic abuse, child abuse, an injured VietNam vet, and the way in which the hundred-year-old diary of a slave woman whose children were sold away from her. helps a young woman heal and take charge of her own life.
Last year at the Decatur Book Festival, Jackie and I ended up on the same stage, reading from our books. I was particularly impressed at the way she had the beginnings of all her books memorized and could flow seamlessly from one reading to the next. This is a skill I need to work on.
Several weeks before the show I asked Jackie why she hadn't joined Sisters in Crime, and she said, "But I don't write mysteries." Well, they may not technically be called mysteries, but her Roseflower Creek and Cold Rock River are chock full of mystery in the very best sense.
Last year at the Decatur Book Festival, Jackie and I ended up on the same stage, reading from our books. I was particularly impressed at the way she had the beginnings of all her books memorized and could flow seamlessly from one reading to the next. This is a skill I need to work on.
Several weeks before the show I asked Jackie why she hadn't joined Sisters in Crime, and she said, "But I don't write mysteries." Well, they may not technically be called mysteries, but her Roseflower Creek and Cold Rock River are chock full of mystery in the very best sense.
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