Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America
by Sue Grafton (Editor), Jan Burke (Editor), Barry Zeman (Editor)
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Weaves advice and experience from today's top mystery authors (Michael Connelly, Ann Rule, Lawrence Block, Tess Gerritson, and more) into a comprehensive mystery writing "how-to" guide.Tags
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Back in October, I read and reviewed [b:Writing the Mystery: Second Edition|5789931|Writing the Mystery Second Edition|G. Miki Hayden|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267838003s/5789931.jpg|5961883]. It was not all it advertised itself to be. In contrast, Writing Mysteries is everything it claims to be (a handbook) and more, including everything that the previous book touted. I think one reason this volume is so much more successful is that it is written by a collection of successful, published mystery writers. They bring a variety of viewpoints and tips such that the total exceeds the sum of the parts. Each essay also stands on its own, available as a reference on a particular topic. Any author, beginning or experienced, writing a show more mystery or other genre, can find help or encouragement in this book. show less
Great overall guide from the masters of mystery circa 1992. Some contributors have passed since this was released. Still a fantastic reference. Inspiring and insightful.
Articles by mystery writers for mystery writers.
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38 works; 1 member
Author Information
Sue Grafton was born in Louisville, Kentucky on April 24, 1940. She received a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Louisville in 1961. Her first novel Keziah Dane was published in 1967. Her second novel, The Lolly-Madonna War, was published in 1969 and she adapted it into a screenplay. After that movie was released in show more 1973, she worked intermittently writing for television. A series she created, Nurse, ran for two seasons on CBS in the early 1980s. Her writing career took off when A Is for Alibi was published in 1982 and received the Mysterious Stranger Award. This was the beginning of the Kinsey Millhone Mystery series. B Is for Burglar won the Shamus and Anthony Awards and C Is for Corpse won the Anthony Award. She also received the Cartier Diamond Dagger, the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Bouchercon, and the Ross Macdonald Literary Award. She died from cancer on December 28, 2017 at the age of 77. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Jan Burke, an award-winning mystery writer, holds the distinction of being the first woman novelist to win the Ellery Queen Mystery Readers' Award. She was also awarded an Edgar for her Novel, Bones. Her popular mystery series features the newspaper writer Irene Kelly, who lives and works in Southern California. Burke was born in Texas. With her show more family she moved to Southern California when she was a young girl. She attended California State University, Long Beach, earning a degree in history. After graduating, she worked for several years as a manager of a manufacturing plant. Her first novel, Goodnight Irene, was written during those years. Goodnight Irene was well received and the Irene Kelly series has grown in popularity with each subsequent novel. Other notable works from the series are Dear Irene and Hocus. Her works include Bloodlines, Kidnapped, The Messenger, and Disturbance. (Bowker Author Biography) Jan Burke has won the Edgar Award, the Macavity Award & the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Readers Award. She lives in Southern California. (Publisher Provided) show less
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Awards and Honors
Awards
Common Knowledge
- Canonical LCC
- PN3377.5.D4 W66 2001
Classifications
- DDC/MDS
- 808.3872 — Literature & rhetoric Literature, rhetoric & criticism Composition Rhetoric of fiction Genre writing Mysteries, horror, westerns, science fiction and fantasy Writing mysteries
- LCC
- PN3377.5 .D4 .W66 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Prose. Prose fiction Technique. Authorship
- BISAC
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- Reviews
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- (3.58)
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- English
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- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 3
