Sunday, February 3: The A.D.D. Detective
BSP
by Leigh Lundin
New writers worry about becoming published. Seasoned writers fret about staying published. Among other concerns, I’m given to understand, promotion is up to the writer. Experienced writers use an acronym, BSP, meaning blatant self-promotion.
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| Rob’s Story Makes the Cover! | |
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| 8 Across art by Grant Newton | |
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For the past few days, Rob, James, and I have bombarded, bored, boasted, er, charmed our readers by mentioning once or twice (or many times) that the three of us have been honored with stories in April’s Alfred Hitchcock. Old hands James and Rob have been already been through this (plus gotten their own covers!), but it’s a new experience for me. I may be engaging in BSP, but I’m also sharing my good news with people like me and people I like.
8 Across
Simply being published is exciting, but Linda Landrigan, editor-in-chief of AHMM, charmed me to pieces by not only arranging Grant Newton‘s artwork for my story, 8 Across, but she also excerpted 8 Across for TheMysteryPlace.com web site. How cool is that?
I can’t be the only writer who’s looked forward to the day his story’s good enough for art treatment. Once AHMM accepted the story, I’d naturally entertained the possibility of art work:
- Will the editor commission art for my story?
- If she does, which scene will Linda and Art Director Victoria Green select?
- Without the Leyendecker brothers, what famous artist will they choose?
- Will the artist model the main character on Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Gregory Peck, or (modest blush) me?
When I first saw Grant Newton’s graphic (click to expand), I scratched my head for a moment… until the symbolism dawned on me. My Aunt Rae was a professor of art and art history at FIT, so liking surreal and symbolic art may have been in my genes. Linda, Victoria, this is, well, ultra-cool!
Using ‘cool’ twice in one article is twice more than it should be used, but there’s one more point. Editors have no shortage of intestinal fortitude, but in my estimation, it took guts to publish a story surrounding a hot politically sensitive topic.
And therein, I stumbled upon a lesson, more by accident than intent. Although the story incorporates hot-button issues, I tried to sidestep polemics (not counting my gentile opinions vis-à-vis car dealers). I simply wanted the reader to enjoy.
Thanks, by the way, go to JLW for getting Texas details right.
- AHMM Introduction
- 8 Across first chapters (Leigh Lundin)
- Cold Reason first chapters (James Lincoln Warren)
In the News
To claim this topical article published yesterday is apropos is a stretch, but it is about an immigrant (Pakistani), in NYC (where AHMM is), and it mentions a Mexican, sort of. The author has a knack for getting arrested, once thanks to a suspended license in Florida, which might remind you of an earlier article. Oh, just read it. It’s a little scary, a little sad, poignant, and very funny.
Leigh, I loved the BSP of the last few days! It had a feel of community, like we were all at our favorite hangout swapping congratulations. Just great!
I read your story yesterday and ejoyed it, especially the big standoff scene. Your hero is a good talker. When I got to the end of the story I was irritated that you hadn’t explained the title. Then – duh – I got it. Very clever.
Thanks Jeff and Rob! I’m gratified you liked it.
JLW and I exchanged manuscripts before they were published, so I had the advantage of another set of eyes. Thanks to James and the Texas Rangers, I was able to get the aircraft right. I had a headache with CBP, ICE, Homeland Security and the myriad of related departments changing names and structure every time I thought I had the names locked down.
Leigh,
Congrats to you and Rob and James. Over at Women of Mystery, we are spreading the news of your fame and glory.
Terrie
Thanks, Terrie!
“Terriefic” article!
Congratulations on the sweet hat trick!
Dear Leigh:
Just finished reading “8 Across” in AHMM. Loved it! I caught the “Hoch-esque” clue which helped Jose identify the, uh, eight travelers. (You’ll read no spoilers here!) The setting came off as very true-to-life and the friendship between Jose and Miller gave this crime story a warm feel indeed. I loved the double meaning in the title, and I DO hope that Jose and Miller have more cases! I’ll be an avid reader!
Yours,
Jeff
Unable to secure a copy of AHMM, I’m beginning to feel as if the party is proceeding without me. The shops where I’ve made enquiry view me as some kind of deviant character, after all it’s the beginning of February and I’m asking for an April issue. I did find a current issue of Ellery Queen.….current being this month. I’m off to uncover the mystery of the missing magazine, and then I’ll have my very own ‘hat trick’ celebration. Hmmm….the big decision will be which one to read first?
My congratulations to James, Rob and Leigh!!!
Hi Leigh found you on google. Congrats on your story in the Hitchcock Magazine. I remember you submitting stories so many years ago in Brockton. I’m Looking forward to picking up the magazine in April. Much contuined sucess!
In early March, I finally received a copy of the much anticipated April 2008 issue of AHMM. I’ve read the stories written by the Criminal Briefers and thoroughly enjoyed each one. Bearing in mind a personal bias, I must confess that Leigh’s was by far my favourite. Keep the stories coming…