Mystery Melange

The latest edition of Mystery Scene magazine features a profile of investigative journalist /author Hank
Philippi Ryan talking about where she gets her ideas; Hollywood screenwriter Attica Locke discusses how her family history is reflected in her writing; John Connolly offers an insightful look at what he
considers to be Ross Macdonald's crowning achievement, The Chill; Martin Edwards considers the stellar career of Robert Barnard; Larry Block bares all in "Now We Call It Mid-Century Erotica"; and Kevin Burton Smith offers "Mystery Fiction Action Figures We'd Like to See."  Plus, G.M. Malliet discusses James Thurber in a special online essay feature.

The latest crime poem is up over at the 5-2, an offering titled "Kilmahog" by Nigel Bird. Gerald So, editor over at the 5-2, also has an open call for holiday-themed crime poems set around Christmas or New Year's. Send 'em along by November 30th.

There is still time to buy tickets to the QuébeCrime Writers Festival coming up Thursday, October 25 to Saturday, October 27. Among the authors scheduled to attend are Linwood Barclay, Mark Billingham, Giles Blunt, Chelsea Cain, John Connolly, Chris F. Holm, Owen Laukkanen, Laura Lippman, Archer Mayor, and Michael Robotham.

Missed Bouchercon? Criminal Element has a few "mugshots" and "overheard" tidbits.

The University of South Alabama Baldwin County will offer "What about Murder? The Great Mystery Writers from the 'Golden Age' of Crime Fiction to the Present Day," a non-credit course this fall Tuesdays from Nov. 1-15 at the Fairhope campus. The course will focus on the life and major writings of six mystery and crime writers, including G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ellery Queen, P.D. James, Colin Dexter and Stieg Larsson. 

There's still time to register for MWA (Mystery Writers of America) University to be held October 27th in Charlotte. One of the instructors will be Nancy Pickard, and the core curriculum will include topics like "Dramatic Structure and Plot" and "Character."

Every week seems to launch a new trend or approach to digital publishing, with many of these companies hoping to shake up the world of publishing. StoryBundle is a pay-what-you-want indie book publishing site founded by former Gizmodo and Lifehacker editor Jason Chen that
releases bundles of theme-curated eBooks. Its latest bundle is a group of thriller and crime novels.

Meanwhile, Harper Collins' new imprint, Bourbon Street Books, yesterday launched its line of trade paperbacks with the reissue of four Lord Peter Wimsey novels by Dorothy L. Sayers. The four titles, Strong Poison, Have His Carcase, Gaudy Night, and Busman's Honeymoon incorporate new designs and an introduction by contemporary bestselling mystery author, Elizabeth George.