Day: September 26, 2012

Sneak Peek: Crimes of Design

Today we have a sneak peek of Author Peter Green’s new mystery novel, Crimes of Design.

Crimes of DesignWhen architect Patrick MacKenna discovers the dead body of his staunchest advocate on the site of his controversial new town project, within hours he’s a murder suspect. As attacks against the infrastructure increase, he wonders who, in his nether world of conniving colleagues, land speculators, newsmongers, venal politicians, bored bureaucrats and greedy contractors, is attacking his city, and why?

Aided by Meg Stewart, the developer’s project manager, who must overcome her own troubled past to help Patrick and win his heart, MacKenna reluctantly accepts the aid of Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Reiner and tough, sexy FBI Agent Bobbi Romano to scour St. Louis’s underbelly and chase through Mexico and the Mississippi valley to run down the plotters. But Patrick must still confront a ruthless killer to save his city, his family, his career and his very life.

Crimes of Design is available from Amazon.com, Amazon UK, and Barnes & Noble.

Here is an excerpt from Crimes of Design… Continue reading “Sneak Peek: Crimes of Design”

Advice to a First-time Indie Author

Carrot Top Plastic Surgery
How tight does it need to be?

Last week I received an email – a cry for help – from a new Indie Author. He had a number of questions about how he should proceed with his manuscript. I told him he came to the right place – because, as you know – I’ve been doing this for a REALLY long time. Here are his questions, and my responses.

The only person other than me who’s read my very first book is my Mommy. I’m a little uncertain of my skills – should I get someone outside of my family to reassure me that the book is good BEFORE I publish it? Continue reading “Advice to a First-time Indie Author”

Flash Fiction Challenge Voting

Are you ready to choose this week’s winner in the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge? You can check out this week’s entries here. The entrants did a great job with the writing prompt and the merciless constraints of the exercise.  Vote for your fave and then use those share buttons at the bottom of the post to spread the word that the vote is on.

Cast your vote for the entrant with the best flash fiction story this week:

  • Dick C Waters (50%, 23 Votes)
  • S P Mount (20%, 9 Votes)
  • Brian Beam (11%, 5 Votes)
  • Jacqueline Hopkins (7%, 3 Votes)
  • Carol E Wyer (4%, 2 Votes)
  • A. L. Kaplan (4%, 2 Votes)
  • Michael Boggia (2%, 1 Votes)
  • Rosemary Nickerson (2%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 46

Loading ... Loading ...

What Makes a Good YA Novel?

Melissa Pearl with Students at St. Kents
Melissa Pearl with Students at St. Kents

In no way would I consider myself an expert on writing. However, I have been studying and practicing the craft for well over a decade and my fifth book is about to be released in November, so I do feel slightly entitled to share the knowledge I have gleaned so far.

I was asked to write this post on what makes a good young adult novel. I have come up with a few suggestions of what I think are some of the necessary elements needed in a book written specifically for this audience.

First, and foremost, like with any good novel, you need a well-constructed story filled with diverse characters the reader can relate to.

Once you have this foundation, you may then need to think about what makes a story more YA than other books. Continue reading “What Makes a Good YA Novel?”