Category: Publishing

Taking a breather at 4 am...

05/02/2014

Well the last ten days have been fun, fun, fun, and crazy, and I don't know what else. Hence, the reason I am writing a post at four in the morning. (This effect could also be called: "Why Susie should not drink a medium latte at 9 PM").

A week ago, I had the fun of seeing my second novel, From the Charred Remains, out in the world. (From that day 'til now, I also had a class full of essays to grade, several big reports to write for work, a full-day faculty retreat to run, classes to teach, and a plenary on critical thinking to facilitate for 150 law professors, so to say my week was a bit nuts is a mild understatement.)

(*But work is work, and writing is writing, and ne'er the twain shall meet!)

In between, I frantically got one post out for Criminal Element, where I discuss "Crime-Solvers: Forensics of the Past." And, well, I am trying to finish book 3--The Masque of a Murderer--**which I promise, my dear editor Kelley, is nearly done. ***Gritting my teeth while smiling is about where I'm at these days.

But a quick recap of the last ten days in photos:

In a few hours, I will be taking the train down to Bethesda, for the Malice Domestic Conference. It's always so much fun to connect with other mystery lovers. I have a panel on Sunday, May 4, 2014 11:45-12:35, called "One Is Not Amused by Murder: Historical English Mysteries." I'm delighted to be on this panel with fellow historical mystery authors: Kate Parker, Sam Thomas, and Christine Trent. The moderator will be Donna Andrews.

And on Thursday, May 8 at 7 pm, I'll do a talk at ArrivaDolce, the coffee shop where I do a lot of my writing. Someone will win this coffee and book themed basket!

Hope to see you there!

*Disclaimer to work colleagues who might read my blog.
**Disclaimer to my editor and agent, who might read my blog.
***Disclaimer to my dentist, who might read my blog. Okay, now I'm getting the 4 a.m. loopies.

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Fun with puzzles! Why FROM THE CHARRED REMAINS was so fun for me to write!

04/21/2014

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Anyone who knows me, knows I really love doing puzzles. Even when I was a kid, I was always doing puzzles--from word searches to crossword puzzles to substitution ciphers (probably because I felt like I was really decoding mysteries).

But when I was in graduate school, I first encountered the fun of acrostics. In the high Middle Ages, scholars like Alcuin of York (Charlemagne's tutor) used to write short poems that contained clever messages--sometimes hidden--when read a certain way. In their simplest form, the first letter of each line would be carefully selected so that, when read down, the reader could discern a message. However, they could be more complex as well, which always fascinated me.

I just knew that I had to work acrostics and other puzzles into my story, when I came across this acrostic published just after the Great Fire of London in 1666:

London's Fatal Fal, an acrostic.

            Lo! Now confused Heaps only stand

            On what did bear the Glory of the Land.

            No stately places, no Edefices,

            Do now appear: No, here’s now none of these,

            Oh Cruel Fates! Can ye be so unkind?

            Not to leave, scarce a Mansion behind…

Working out my own acrostic--and actually several hidden anagrams within the acrostic (shhh!!!)--was probably the most challenging and fun part of writing From the Charred Remains. But puzzles abound throughout the entire novel. There is even a secret hidden on the cover of the book, which you will understand after you read it!

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The introduction of chocolate into England in the mid-17th Century...

04/07/2014

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Anon. 1660 Wing / 1961:07

As I'm finishing up my third historical mystery--The Masque of a Murderer--I found that I still had a few more things to research.

In particular, what would commoners living in 17th-century London have known of chocolate, and how might they have experienced it for the first time?

References to "chocolate" in England can first be found in the 1640s. Of course, "chocolate" as a substance had been around for several thousand years as Smithonian.com explains, originating in Mesoamerica. However, it did not find its way to Europe until the early seventeenth century, as one of the strange products imported from the New World. The word "chocolate" comes from the Aztec word "xocoatl," (or is it the Nahuatl word chocolatl?) referring to a bitter drink derived from cacao beans, with medical and health properties (for more about the etymology of the word, check out Oxford Dictionaries blog for ten facts concerning the word Chocolate... ).

By the 1650s, several discourses on the "physicks" and health properties of chocolate were in circulation in London. In 1640, "A Curious Treatise of the nature and quality of Chocolate" by Antonio Colmenero, a Spanish"Doctor in Physicke and Chirurgery, was translated into English. More significantly, Henry Stubb published the far more substantial treatise on "The Indian Nectar" in 1662.

We know too, from a collection of 1667 statutes from King Charles II that there were restrictions on who could sell chocolate: "And be it further Enacted by Authority aforesaid, That from and after the said first day of September, no person or persons shall be permitted to sell or retail any Coffée, Chocolate, Sherbet or Tea, without License first obtained and had by Order of the General Sessions of the Peace in the several and respective Counties,etc etc."

This makes me reasonably certain that chocolate would have been sold at coffee houses, for those would have been the establishments likely to acquire such a license. It is unlikely that chocolate would have been sold at taverns or alehouses, at least in early Restoration England, due to the great dispute between those who sold wine and beer, and those who sold coffee.

Chocolate might have been procured for medicinal purposes as well, although it is unclear to me--at least at this preliminary stage--whether it would have been actively prescribed by a physician. However, if the "Virtues" are to be believed (of course, that's if they are to believed), chocolate cures infertility, "ill complexion," digestive illnesses, consumption and "coughs to the lungs," "sweetens the breath," "cleaneth the teeth," "provoketh urine" and "cureth the stone." Apparently, this miracle drug also cures "the running of the reins," (the last a euphemistic biblical reference to venereal disease). Who knew?

I have to surmise a bit here, on how popular chocolate truly was in Restoration London. But I think it's reasonable to assume, especially once sugar became a more common household good, that it would have been become popular fairly quickly. (Although it's also likely that it remained in the realm of the elite and wealthy, for quite some time.) But what do you think?

England and Wales. A collection of the statutes made in the reigns of King Charles the I. and King Charles the II. with the abridgment of such as stand repealed or expired. Continued after the method of Mr. Pulton. With notes of references, one to the other, as they now stand altered, enlarged or explained. To which also are added, the titles of all the statutes and private acts of Parliament passed by their said Majesties, untill this present year, MDCLXVII. With a table directing to the principal matters of the said statutes. By Tho: Manby of Lincolns-Inn, Esq. 1667 Wing (CD-ROM, 1996) / E898
Wing / 2532:08

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Hey...my book is out in paperback!

03/25/2014

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Life has been crazy, crazy, CRAZY busy...I've barely had any time to post. Work is, well, busy, on top of that I just finished up teaching two classes and now I'm prepping for the next quarter, and I'm still working away on Book 3--The Masque of a Murderer--due to my editor very soon.

All the while I'm trying to gear up for the launch of Book 2--From the Charred Remains--which will be released on April 22. Yikes and a half!

But it's fun to take time out to celebrate the different writing milestones. Today my first novel, A Murder at Rosamund's Gate, came out in paperback. I even signed a few copies, just for fun!

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Gearing up for book two: Some differences in launching the second novel

02/09/2014

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It's 72 days 'til the launch of my second novel, From the Charred Remains, and I couldn't be more excited.

Yet the process the second time around, while similar, feels a bit different. I know many authors compare launching a book to having a child, and I think the metaphor is apt. (Indeed, there was a wonderful blog, Book Pregnant, devoted to this concept, so I won't dwell on it here).

I have a better idea about what is ahead of me, and yet I don't know with certainty what to expect. I know that some of the people who read my blog are first time authors or aspiring writers, so I thought I'd just share some of my observations.

Some differences I've already noted:

There is less fanfare with book two. Last year, my debut novel, A Murder at Rosamund's Gate, was a realization of a dream ten years in the making. So, personally I celebrated it more with friends and family. And as an unknown author, my publisher and I had to work really hard to publicize it. We'll still work hard with From the Charred Remains, but perhaps at a slightly less break-neck pace. I'll still make sure I crack open a bottle of wine of course, since my motto is always to celebrate early and often.

The magic bubble around me has disappeared into the ether. I wrote my first novel in the happy--even if confusing--haze of being an unpublished, unknown writer. (Well, I had written academic stuff of course, but I don't think I had too many cross-over readers!) I finished the final edits of From the Charred Remains from a place of awareness. Awareness that not everyone had loved my first book. Awareness that sometimes reviewers are not always kind. Awareness of mistakes--the mortifying kind that kept me awake at night. The bubble that had once protected me from criticism is no longer there. Yet, at the same time I was able to take some of that reader feedback while I wrote the next two books in the series in a way I couldn't do with my first book.
Not knowing what to expect is a virtue. In the past year, I've been invited (or brazenly invited myself) to speak about my book in a wide variety of settings. Sometimes I've spoken to audiences that numbered in the hundreds, while other times I could count the participants on one hand. I've been to signings where the audience came to see me specifically, and I've also been to many more where I'm the sad sap sitting next to the more famous author with a line out the door. I was at a book club where mine was the first book they had ever discussed, so we spent most of the night talking about children, and another where mine was the group's 140th book, and they asked very tough questions indeed. (I left wishing I had studied my book before I came!) What I've found, however, is that the best thing to do is go in to every signing and event with a positive attitude and a sense of humor. Not knowing what to expect makes it a lot more fun!

Of course, there are many similarities as well. Mostly in the form of anxious questions that I try not to dwell on too much:

What will people think of my book?
What kinds of mistakes did I make?
Will I forget what I'm supposed to be talking about? (Last year, I had a lot of dreams that I would start talking about something work-related, instead of book-related, during my book talks).
Will I forget what happened in From the Charred Remains? (I'll have just turned in book 3 to my editor, so I'm sure I'll be all confused. My psychologist husband calls my memory problem "proactive interference.")
And of course, how will I sign my book? (This is actually a fun one to think about. Unlike last year, I won't figure it out when I'm staring in fear at the first book in front of me.)

But the biggest and most important thing that I'm still very conscious....This thrill won't last forever, so I'm going to enjoy it while I can!

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Guest Post in Writer's Digest: Balancing authenticity and accuracy while writing historical fiction

09/08/2013

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My post in WD appeared Sept 6, 2013

A few years ago, when I was first trying to figure out how to get my debut novel A Murder at Rosamund's Gate published, I came across Writer's Digest.

Full of advice for the fledgling writer and published author alike, Writer's Digest gave me some great insights into what I needed to do to polish my manuscript and write a compelling cover letter. (I mean, tell me it's not important to know "How to see your work through an agent or publisher's eyes?" or, "Knowing when to stop: Expectations for a satisfying ending.")

So I really appreciated the opportunity to write a guest post, "How to write historical fiction: 7 tips on accuracy and authenticity" for Writer's Digest. In this post, I talk about the tensions I've experienced as a historian-turned-novelist, while writing historical fiction. I also try to offer a few strategies that have worked for me in reconciling these tensions. Check it out!

And while you're there, try out the daily writing prompt! Although I have to giggle, because today the prompt is: "You are a local news reporter for a failing network. Your boss tells you to ramp up the news by getting “creative” and constructing your own stories. What’s the first fake news story you create and broadcast on air?"

Fake News! Totally fun! Accuracy Shmackeracy! If you do take up the challenge, will you post it here too? I'd love to see it!

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Tis not my fault if you don't like my book....A 17th century disclaimer....

06/27/2013

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Folly in Print, (London, 1667) Wing / 436:03

I had to laugh when I came across this tract by John Raymond, 17th century author of Folly in Print, or A Book of Rymes (1667).

Right away, on the first page, he lets the readers know it really isn't his fault if you don't like his book:

"Whoever buyes this Book will say,
There's so much Money thrown away:
The Author thinks you are to blame,
To buy a Book without a Name;
And to say truth, it is so bad,
A worse is no where to be had."

Next, Raymond then explains to his readers that if they believe what the bookseller says (or sings, as was often the case), it's their own fault if they find they don't like the book after all.

"... in Books, where for money or exchange, we take our choice, and in our own Election please our selves;
Men's judgments, as their appetites are very different, the Market's free to buy or cheapen: who buyes upon the sellers word, may be deceived,
who chooseth ill deceives himself."

Can you imagine if authors could still add this type of caveat emptor today? Madness!

But I'm sure there are many authors today--especially those stung by hurtful reviews--who might wish they could say something like this to their readers:

I doe not promise for my Book nor say 'tis good, but here's variety and each man (of his own pallat) is the certain judge:
it may please some, to them 'tis good,
by whom dislik'd, to them as bad.

You might like my book, you might not. To each her own!

But what do you think? Have you ever felt deceived about a book?

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The first female sleuth in England...?

04/11/2013

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Date: 1688 Reel position: Wing / 853:61

Fans of Sherlock Holmes may be intrigued to know that the first known female sleuth in England was Anne Kidderminster (nee Holmes), a seventeenth-century widow who tracked down and brought her husband’s murderer to justice thirteen years after the crime.

To find out more, check out my guest blog over on Criminal Element, found under the excerpt of A Murder at Rosamund's Gate.

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A great big thank you to everyone who is reviewing my book...

02/08/2013

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As I move along the path from "writer" to "author," I've become aware of something that's simultaneously wonderful and daunting:

PEOPLE ARE READING MY BOOK.

Of course, for the last sixteenth months or so people have been reading A Murder at Rosamund's Gate (due out April 23, 2013). My alpha reader. My beta readers. My agent. My editor, multiple times (thank you Kelley!). Copy editors. Proofreaders. Marketing people. Publicists. But now...

Readers. Reviewers. People who've won advance copies in giveaways. People I don't know, and may never know. Many seem to have enjoyed my book, although a few--well--haven't. In my day job, I spend a lot of time helping faculty find something constructive even in the most negative student comments. And I think I can learn from my readers too.

But because I can't--and probably shouldn't--address reviewers directly, I'd just like to take a moment to say thanks. Thanks to everyone who spent the time reading my book, and for writing a review. Even if my book wasn't for you, I appreciate you spending the time thinking about my book.

And if my book was for you...well, the next Lucy Campion mystery will be out next year!

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A hundred days and counting!!!

01/13/2013

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Just a hundred days left until A Murder at Rosamund's Gate is released on April 23, 2013!!!

Now, I know you might well be thinking: "Um, didn't your book come out, like, a year ago? You've been talking about it for ages."

Nope. The book has just been gestating, percolating, spinning, whirling, stirring for the last eighteen months. What can I say? Publishing is a mysterious business.

A hundred days! A hundred days!

Historically, the Hundred Day mark has been a crucial signifier:

The Hundred Days: The time between Napoleon's exile on Elba to the restoration of King Louis XVIII.
The First Hundred Days of the FDR's New Deal (ever after the marker for all presidents in their first 100 days in office)
The Hundred Days Offensive: The final period of the First World War.
The Hundred Days Reform: A failed political, educational and cultural reform movement in 19th century China.

Okay, so the last 100 days before my book gets published is not quite so significant in comparison. And I'm pretty sure that the journey won't be a "do or die" march towards triumph or defeat a la Napoleon or FDR.

But given that I've been waiting my whole life for this moment... JUST A HUNDRED DAYS TO GO is an awfully exciting concept!!!

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<< Previous

Taking a breather at 4 am...

Fun with puzzles! Why FROM THE CHARRED REMAINS was so fun for me to write!

The introduction of chocolate into England in the mid-17th Century...

Hey...my book is out in paperback!

Gearing up for book two: Some differences in launching the second novel

Guest Post in Writer's Digest: Balancing authenticity and accuracy while writing historical fiction

Tis not my fault if you don't like my book....A 17th century disclaimer....

The first female sleuth in England...?

A great big thank you to everyone who is reviewing my book...

A hundred days and counting!!!

Susanna Calkins

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