WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A PHILOSOPHY DEGREE? ASK BEN.

In a few months a new batch of college grads join the job search, and a new batch of news articles with job hunting advice hits the newsstands. Lists are hot, including lists of which college degrees are

hot...and which are not. In the latter category, time and again, a degree in Philosophy gets low marks (this is ironic, as we're still recovering from the greed driven housing crisis and TRILLION dollar banking scandals of 2008). Even politicians have chimed in with the advice that we need "less philosophers."

Oh really? Philosophy and the study of great ethical questions, so the advice goes, is a dead end, job-wise. But is that true? And should it be? What can you do with a Philosophy degree, anyway (other than seize the moral high ground)?

Well, you could write a novel. Not a surprise. But maybe you decide a career as a novelist isn't for you, a lover of books.

You could...start a publishing house. Hire a young editor who also loves books and has a keen eye for story. You could publish some good books, and some great books. Go to the annual MWA awards dinner with, not one, but three of your authors, because they've been nominated for the Edgar Award that year. Earn the respect and admiration of publishers, readers and writers. Then you could sell your publishing business. Then you could start another one, and publish more great books with more great stories. Yeah, you could do all that...with a philosophy degree.

And someone did.

 

That someone was Benjamin LeRoy, founder and current publisher of Tyrus Books, and the founder of Bleak House Books. In 2007, I first discovered Ben while looking at small independent publishers to whom I might peddle my un-agented manuscript. He was doing these podcasts, discussing the publishing world, interviewing writers and readers, and having some entertaining discussions. To my knowledge, no other small publisher was doing this, and it was pretty exciting. I learned a lot about submitting my work from those podcasts. And when I started reading some of his books I was very impressed.

I wasn't the only one. At the 2008 Edgar Awards, Bleak House Books had three authors up for nominations; one each in the category of Best Novel (Reed Coleman’s Soul Patch), Best First Novel (Craig McDonald’s Head Games), and Best Short Story (Stuart Kaminsky in Chicago Blues). For a small publisher, I doubt if this had ever been done before, or since.

If you like great stories and are looking for something new to read, check out the selection from this eclectic publishing house. He has an incredibly deep bullpen of talented writers. You'll find something here you like, whether you're a fan of cozies, noir, or just want something different. Some of my favorites are Victoria Houston, Michael Lister and Mary Logue. If you're undecided, pick up Between The Dark and the Daylight. This excellent collection has some of the biggest names in crime fiction.

Ben Leroy isn't resting on his accomplishments. He's started a charity to make the world a better place called Be Local Everywhere. Check out the video below to hear Ben talk about this project.

So, what are your plans for the rest of your life? 

P.S. By the way, it's 'fewer philosophers' not 'less', Mr. Rubio.

Double Exposure Is A Non Stop Roller Coaster

Michael Lister has produced an incredible tale of suspense and fear with his award winning novel Double Exposure. First published by Tyrus Books, there is a new edition out with an introduction by Michael Connelly.

Remington is deep in the Florida woods, hunting for a trophy. But he doesn't carry a gun. It's a camera. He wants a spectacular photo. A bear, or maybe even the elusive eastern cougar. Something that will prove to his mom and wife that he was destined to be a photographer. And while checking his camera trap left in a tree stand the night before, he indeed finds something amazing captured on the memory card. But it's not a bear, or a bobcat, or even a panther. It's a murder.

Be careful what you wish for.

As the impact of what he's viewing sinks in, Remington realizes he must get back to his ATV and civilization. But he's not alone anymore. Movement triggers the camera, still attached to the tree, and in the growing twilight the strobe flash erupts.

"Did you just take a picture of me?", a voice asks from the woods. With those words begins a frantic night of chase and terror. As the bullets fly above his head, Remington flees deeper into the woods, the murderer's smooth southern voice still echoing in his ear: "This is the end of the line, partner".

Other men join the chase, friends of the killer, who we learn is named Gauge. As his life and the relationship with his mom, his recently deceased dad and his failing marriage literally flash before his eyes, Remington must struggle to escape as the hunters circle around him. With no stars to guide him, encroaching fog and plummeting temperature, he realizes it's going to be a long night.

Using his radio, Gauge begins to talk to Remington, urging him to surrender, almost apologizing for what he has to do. After all, I'm just trying to survive...like you, he tells Remington. Under different circumstances, the two men could have been friends, sitting in a corner diner having breakfast before a hunt. Despite his better judgement, Remington begins to respond to Gauge's friendly banter.

- They're taking bets on you now. You want in?
- What odds can I get?
- Not bad actually. Started at twenty to one, but now they're down to twelve to one.
- Yeah, I'll take some of that. Put me in for a hundred.
- You got it.

The dialogue between the men, hunter and prey, throws the reader off guard and adds to the tension. We like Remington. We're rooting for him. But at some point we find ourselves liking Gauge as well. We don't want to. But we do, in some twisted, creepy way. After all, he's a likeable guy...for a killer.

This story follows a similar plot line as The Most Dangerous Game, the much anthologized story by Richard Connell, but is far better. Probably the finest example of Man Vs. Man I have read in years.

You should read it.

Alone. At Night.

But keep your cell phone handy...in case you need to call a friend. Or 911.

Mystery Weekend Roundup for July 26, 2013

Upcoming Writer's Conferences

Gulf Coast Writer's Conference is Saturday, September 21st, and this year, it's FREE. You heard right. This year the conference is being offered at no cost. Guests include award winning authors Lynne Barrett and Michael Lister, as well as Benjamin LeRoy, publisher of Tyrus Books. Some programs, such as a manuscript critique and the Speaker Luncheon, will have a small fee. Check the Gulf Coast Conference website for details.

Bouchercon 2013 begins September 19th in Albany, New York. One of the biggest mystery conferences attracts legions of fans and writers. Big names appearing this year include best selling authors Tess Gerritsen, Sue Grafton and Anne Perry. The Anthony Award winners will be announced that weekend. Here are the nominees.

Bouchercon is named in honor of Anthony Boucher, (real name William Anthony Parker White), a mystery writer and book reviewer for the NY Times and San Francisco Chronicle. He helped found the Mystery Writers of America, which awards the most prestigious mystery award in the genre, the Edgar Award. MWA also presents the Raven Award, which is given to individuals who support the mystery genre. Anthony Boucher won one of the first Ravens in 1946 for Outstanding Mystery Criticism for his reviews in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Weekend Flash Fiction Writing Contest

Janet Reid, literary agent and query shark, is holding a flash fiction contest over at her blog this weekend. Contest begins Saturday morning 9 AM EST and lasts for 24 hours. Winner gets a copy of Long Gone by Alafair Burke. Nice!

Sharpen your pencils, but be sure to read the rules, or risk becoming shark bait!  

47 Rejections And Then...Paydirt!

If you've gotten a rejection letter for your manuscript this week, it proves two things...1)You're sending out queries and 2) You haven't given up. Both of these facts are good.

So don't get discouraged. If you need a little inspiration, check out this article on Irish novelist Donal Ryan's journey to publication. His debut novel,The Spinning Heart, was rejected almost 50 times before he was published, and now his work is a finalist for the Man Booker Prize!

According to the LA Times article, his story is set in a rural village in southwestern Ireland, and is told from the point of view of 21 different people who struggle with the Great Recession.


How NOT To Promote Your Book

Finally, a little humor for every author who's published a book and then wondered, "How Do I Promote This Thing? Watch this guy in this video by Dennis Cass. Then DON'T do this! But DO laugh. I did.

 

 



CONTEST RESULTS AND THE ANSWER TO THE MYSTERY QUESTION

We have a winner...two, in fact, to my trivia question about the philosophy major who went on to great things producing great books. But first the winners.

Tricia Schutz and Jo Dunsmoor are our winners. Congratulations! We had a lot of entries. Thanks to everyone who participated.

And the correct answer was Benjamin LeRoy, founder and current publisher of Tyrus Books, and the founder of Bleak House Books. In 2007, I first discovered Ben while looking at small independent publishers to whom I might peddle my un-agented manuscript. He was doing these podcasts, discussing the publishing world, interviewing writers and readers, and having some entertaining discussions. To my knowledge, no other small publisher was doing this, and it was pretty exciting. I learned a lot about submitting my work from those podcasts. And when I started reading some of his books I was very impressed.

I wasn't the only one. At the 2008 Edgar Awards, Bleak House Books had three authors up for nominations;  one each in the category of Best Novel (Reed Coleman’s Soul Patch), Best First Novel (Craig McDonald’s Head Games), and Best Short Story (Stuart Kaminsky in Chicago Blues). For a small publisher, I doubt if this had ever been done before, or since.

If you're an aspiring writer and want some good advice, Ben blogs over at Hey, There's a Dead Guy in the Living Room, with some other great bloggers.

If you like great stories and are looking for something new to read, check out the selection from this eclectic publishing house. He has an incredibly deep bullpen of talented writers. You'll find something here you like, whether you're a fan of cozies, noir, or just want something different. Some of my favorites are Victoria Houston, Michael Lister and Mary Logue. If you're undecided, pick up Between The Dark and the Daylight. This excellent collection has some of the biggest names in crime fiction.

You'll thank me. With cookies. Yeah, cookies would be nice.

Take a Leap off Maiden Rock (But Don't Forget Your Parachute)

I went to Chicago recently for a writer's conference and took a book with me to read on the plane...Maiden Rock by Mary Logue. At first glance, it seemed like the perfect choice. I expected a warm and fuzzy cozy mystery, nothing too demanding, but good enough to keep me from being bored. Even the author's book flap picture was reassuring. She looks like your best friend's mom, ready to offer up a plate of cookies and a glass of cold milk. The perfect cozy, right?

Wrong. This book had me gasping for breath a third of the way into it. I wanted to rush to the end, but at the same time I was worried sick about the fate of one of the characters, so much so that I wanted to scream at her, lest she make a wrong move.

This book scared the hell out of me. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Was it the demented serial killer? The graphic gore and violence?

Nope. The horror of this book rests in the author's ability to take ordinary people, people like you and me, place them in mortal danger, and make us care what happens to them. She does it beautifully. And because we as readers know more than any one individual, we see danger coming long before the characters do. Therein lies the terror.

Maiden Rock is a traditional mystery featuring Claire Watkins, a deputy sheriff in a small midwestern town who investigates the apparent suicide of a teenage girl. But the death may not be a simple case of suicide. The supposedly safe, quiet town where Claire lives is being ravaged by a drug that is striking the community's youth like a plague. The author slowly unravels the town's secrets and we are forced to watch helplessly as first children, and then their parents, are destroyed by meth addiction and its consequences. Her descriptions of the drug's physical and emotional effects on individuals adds considerable realism to the story. Yet her sympathy for the characters (even the flawed ones) makes the tale haunting. It stays with you long after you've read the final page.

Buy this book and read it. Then let your kids read it. I promise, you won't regret it.