Book Covers And Other News

Occasionally I make the mistake of complimenting authors on the covers of their books.  I mean no harm.  It’s usually done with a feeling of kindly envy.  I love looking at book covers.  However the author usually had nothing to do with the cover.  He or she wrote the book, so the compliment is somewhat misplaced and could be seen as a slight to authors who see their own work judged by work they had nothing to do with.

Unfortunately in terms of time, the mind’s eye can take in cover art at a thousand to one ratio over its wordy content. And sadly the two (cover art and story) are not necessarily related – though they should be. In my next life, should I have the choice, I’ll be a visual artist. Meanwhile, I’ll try to hold my tongue unless I’ve read the book or I’m talking to the artist.

I like the idea that the book cover reflects the content of the book in mood and subject, but that is not the designer’s only concern. The designer, employed by the publisher, must also look to sales. What, in the sea of images will get potential readers’ attention and what will hook them into buying?

This is a challenge.  If you think about the tables and shelves in the bookstores and all the competing art and type and color, what stands out? They are all screaming, “look at me, look at me!” You pick one, and look closer.  Still interesting?  Can the cover art get you to the inside cover (flap) copy?  Beyond the cover design is the interior design. Does it invite you to read a couple of sentences? Does it make for a comfortable read? Typeface and leading (spacing) are important. Some readers and writers are unaware of all of this.  But a book is an object of art — in its totality, which is why many of us consider books more than just a good read, but also sacred keepsakes. 

As much as we like to deny it, a book is also a product. As a commercial enterprise, the design of a book has requirements similar to other products – a box of detergent, the label on a wine bottle (the bottle itself), or as Warhol knew, a can of soup. For best selling authors, their names are brands. Stephen King is Wheaties. And because of that, the cover design is secondary to the author’s name, which is likely to be the dominant graphic component.

Of the 18 books of mine that have been published, I have my favorite covers, as well as my favorite books. They are not necessarily the same.  One of my favorite covers appeared on an Italian translation. A couple of times I was allowed to pick the cover art.

But I’ve pushed my own books enough lately.  I’d like to show some of the many book covers that have made me kindly envious. A sampling of those covers are scattered about in this post.

For more, the blog “Rap Sheet” annually highlights the best in mystery covers in an on-line competition. I look forward to their 2015 posts. Also, Rap Sheet founder and editor J. Kingston Pierce hosts a separateblog featuring many older pulp covers as well – a comprehensive graphic history definitely worth checking out

Other News:

Severn House will release Killing Frost in trade paperback November 1. I hope bookstores will take notice.  Audible Books has just released Death in Pacific Heights on Audio. And finally, The Blue Dragon novella is now available as an E-book for 4.99. Not about me:  Two great mystery conferences happen this fall.  I’ve attended both in the past and highly recommend them.

Magna cum Murder XXI

October 30-November 1, 2015

The Columbia Club - Indianapolis, Indiana

This is a wonderful, intimate gathering of writers and readers.  Attendees are able to interact with authors, publishers and agents in this low-key, high-quality event.  Among the talented mystery writers in attendance are this year’s special guests, William Kent Krueger and Simon Brett.

Bouchercon 2015 – The World Mystery Convention

October 8-11, 2015

Raleigh, North Carolina

This is big – the biggest crime fiction convention of the year.  Thousands show up for hundreds of events and panel discussions in a spirit of celebration. Many of the most popular crime writers as well as the most exciting emerging talents are on hand.

Observations— Keeping Up With the Business of Writing Crime Fiction

I’m  blessed and cursed.  I’ll save the “cursed” part for some other time.  Meanwhile, here’s the blessing: I am, for the most part able to devote as much time as I want on my books and this blog.  When I say “on books,” I don’t mean just writing and editing.  I have to keep up with the business of books. Most writers have their own routines to accomplish this.

I read a few pertinent magazines: Mystery Scene (a particularly good, broad view of what’s going on in the genre, The Strand, Crimespree, and George Easter’s Deadly Pleasures, the best and most comprehensive source for crime fiction reviews.  When I can, I attend Mystery Writer’s Of America’s annual conference, Bouchercon, held in various cities and Magna Cum Murder, held annually in Indianapolis. Both are highly recommended.

The daily routine is done completely on online. *8:30 a.m. Coffee, e-mail, a Facebook quick check.  Next, J. Kingston Pierce’s rap sheet. I don’t know what I’d do without it. Whatever is happening in the word of crime fiction is usually posted here first. Next Stop: Bill Crider’s Popular Culture — information and lots of humor from the highly respected, and popular crime fiction author. Next is Ed Gorman‘s blog. Among those engaged in crime fiction, I consider Gorman an Elder, not because of age­— we are roughly the same vintage — but because of his mammoth, and continuing contribution to the genre. He has first-hand knowledge of crime fiction’s history.  He has a level of experience in the trenches few (certainly not me) can match. His blog is part of my on-going adult education. Next stop:  Mysterious Matters.  We don’t know the identity of the blogger except that he or she is an acquisitions editor or publisher who gives us insight into the machinations of those who might or might not publish our books. I also regularly check in with Kevin Burton Smith’s essential The Thrilling Detective.  And I rarely miss Tipping My Fedora for its more than worthwhile erudite commentary. Finally, though he does not post often enough for me, I look to get the booksellers’ point of view from seller, conference organizer and publisher Jim Huang.

Thank you, all.

News — Mystery Fans Should Plan A Trip To Indianapolis This Fall

Columbia Club, Indianapolis

It might seem a bit hypocritical for me to recommend an event that I’m not planning to attend.  As an expatriate Indianapolitan, believe me, I would if I could.  I’ve been in a nostalgic mood lately and I’m also thinking about another book in my Indianapolis-based Shanahan series. Checking out the city’s continued metamorphosis would be helpful to the work.   But there are other reasons to go to Indianapolis.  This October the city hosts a gem of a mystery conference.

For mystery writers and readers, Magna Cum Murder is a beautiful thing.  This is not to take away from other crime fiction conventions.  For example, there is no mystery fan gathering grander than the Mystery Writers of America’s (MWA) annual Bouchercon, which I also highly recommend. But this is something different. Unlike the wonderfully raucous throngs of mystery fans at a convention hotel, Magna is designed to be a more relaxed, more intimate event.

Whether you are an established author, want to be one, or merely have a passion for the genre, you’ll not only have a chance to participate in great panel discussions, but also talk face-to-face with best-selling, award-winning authors who’ve written some of your favorite books.  Among those who have already signed up:

Ryan

Hank Phillippi Ryan — A Hoosier by birth and currently a Bostonian, Ryan is stealing the spotlight these days.  Her latest book, The Other Woman has been nominated for “best novel” by just about any group giving out awards, including the MWA, the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) and Mystery Readers International.

Terence Faherty — Faherty was born in New Jersey, but calls himself a “naturalized” Hoosier. An Edgar nominee and winner of two Shamus awards and a Macavity, he is the author of two highly regarded mystery series and several prize-winning short stories.  Eastward of Eden, a new book in the Owen Keane series, has a September release date.

Faherty

William Kent Krueger — No stranger to the best seller lists, Minnesotan Krueger won back-to-back Anthony Awards for Blood Hollow and Mercy Falls. The 13th in his Cork O’Connor mystery series, Tamarack County, will be released in August.  His latest, the standalone novel, Ordinary Grace is on the shelves now.

Jeremiah Healy  — Premier private eye writer Healy is the author of two mystery series, both set in Boston.  He has the distinction of not only winning PWA’s Shamus Award for best P.I. Novel, but also having been nominated for the honor an unprecedented 15 times.  Many of these classics were recently reissued.

Healy

Parnell Hall — Bon Vivant and entertainer as well as popular and prolific mystery writer, Hall is a welcomed regular at Magna Cum Murder. The New Yorker is the author of the Puzzle Lady series — if you like crosswords, Hall is a double threat — and the highly-praised Stanley Hastings mysteries. Arsenic and Old Puzzles and Stakeout, the most recent books from each series, were released earlier this year.

John Gilstrap  — The best selling author’s first book, Nathan’s Run, was optioned by Hollywood as has a second book.  For those interested in books and movies, Gilstrap is a screenwriter as well. Meanwhile the books keep coming.  High Treason will be available next month.

Krueger

Steve Hamilton — Hamilton writes the Alex McKnight series set in Michigan. His A Cold Day in Paradise picked up both an Edgar and Shamus for Best First Novel.  His novel, The Lock Artist, was also awarded the Edgar and the Barry, this time for Best Novel in 2010.  He lives in Upstate New York. His latest, Let It Burn, has just been released.

For many years, Magna Cum Murder was successfully held in Muncie, Indiana at the historic Hotel Roberts.  Unfortunately, the lovely old hotel is now history.  The good news is this year’s conference is being held at a protected national historic landmark — the Columbia Club in Indianapolis.  The Club is located in the very center of the city’s revitalized downtown.  Conference attendees will be only a few blocks from hotels, galleries, shopping, restaurants and nightclubs. 

Magna Cum Murder XIX

October 25-27,2013

The Columbia Club

121 Monument Circle

Indianapolis

Observations — In Indy, Not Naptown.

An Italian Poster for "Winning"

Yesterday, the world focused on the city of Indianapolis for the second time this year.  The Superbowl was played there a few months ago.  And on Sunday, there was the running of the Indianapolis 500, the “granddaddy” of auto racing, as it was once called.  It is also called the “Greatest Spectacle of Racing,” drawing as many as 400,000 spectators, roughly 10 times that of the Superbowl.

It is a big event, an international event.  Racing enthusiast Paul Newman once made a movie about the race, called Winning.  And the race itself attracts not only international racing champions but also celebrities from around the world.  When I lived in the “Circle City,” I attended with my father, who considered it a challenge to sneak into the track on race day. An otherwise law-abiding and honorable man he did so in his early days when he was impoverished.  Despite the fact that he could afford it later and against increasing odds of getting caught through better security, my father refused to give up the tradition.  We would sneak in and make our way to the infield where amidst the circus-like environment (this area inside the track was also called “the snake pit) we weren’t likely to be tracked down.

In honor of the celebration of this Midwestern City, I’d like to call your attention to my hometown.  Long ago Booth Tarkington wrote his famous book, The Magnificent Ambersons (later a movie), which focused on the wealthy class that lived in an area known as Woodruff Place. That area of the city, though no longer the home of the city’s current upper crust, still exists — wide streets with center strips of grass and sculptured fountains. The homes, many of them subdivided for inexpensive apartments years ago suggest an earlier grandeur. And, in fact, many are being restored.  Kurt Vonnegut grew up in Indianapolis.  His family ran a chain of hardware stores.  Wes Montgomery, considered one of the greatest jazz guitarists that ever lived, anchored Indiana Avenue, the city’s premiere black neighborhood. Some disreputable business folks tore down chunk of this historic district. However, there are bits and pieces left near downtown, including the Madame Walker Theater.  Born in 1867, Madam C. J. Walker was one of the country’s first successful black businesswomen.  She started a cosmetics company in Indianapolis and went on to develop a line of popular beauty products. She later became a philanthropist, using her wealth to advance the NAACP and the YMCA.

Comedian David Letterman as well as actors James Dean and Clifton Webb were also born in what used to be the nation’s largest inland city as was John Dillinger and Dan Quayle.

The First of the Samson Novels

Because this is a crime fiction blog, it’s important we mention a few mystery writers who continue to use Indianapolis as a setting.  The first is Michael Z. Lewin.  Lewin may have invented the regional private eye series with his creation of Indianapolis-based Albert Samson in 1971.  The fictional Samson lived in Fountain Square, another fascinating city neighborhood.  Until that time, private eyes only walked the streets of metropolises like New York, L.A. and San Francisco. The most recent to use of Indianapolis as a backdrop is screenwriter David Levien, who has had a couple of best sellers with his character Frank Behr.  As for me, why have a blog if I can’t engage in a bit of self-promotion.  The 10 novels I’ve written about a P.I. named “Deets” Shanahan take place in Indianapolis. And I’ve just finished a novella with Shanahan at the fore. (More on that later.)

I was back in Indianapolis from time to time — when I can.  I was fortunate enough to get back for the 15^th Annual Magna Cum Murder Conference, sponsored by Ball State University in nearby Muncie. (S.J. Rozan is the guest of honor this coming October). It is a wonderful and intimate conference. And in 2009, I was a panelist at Bouchercon, the Mystery Writers of America’s major mystery conference (3,000 or so writers and fans), held that year in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Public Library, Central Branch

What I discovered when I went back was a city that has continued to take its once neglected downtown very seriously.  Instead of a parade of chain restaurants, which used to be the situation, there were a number of fine new eateries, new hotels and all sorts of interesting nightlife.  The Massachusetts Avenue area continues to add a distinctive and exciting flavor to the city once called “Naptown.” The city also hosts a fine zoo, an increasingly bustling and beautiful area area along the canal, museums, and, my all-time favorite — the Indianapolis Public Library.  The central branch was my resource, inspiration and hideaway during my young adult years. Their recent expansion shows how modern and traditional could blend in a splendid way.

Thanks for reading my less than poetic ode.  It just seemed appropriate to honor my hometown on its grandest day of the year and where my first published book took place. By the way, it used to be considered rude to call Indianapolis, “Indy.”  I think those days have passed. It’s a tribute to its reemergence as a destination.  However, of my current town, San Francisco, it’s still not all right to call it “Frisco.”