Links in the Chain

While awaiting comments on the latest draft of Two Graves, I've been reading lots both on the computer screen and on the pulpy remains of dead trees.  Here are some of the highlights.

Starting today, the New York Times has shrunk.  Following in the regrettable footsteps of the Wall Street Journal, the Times no longer needs to be held open with arms extended.  Instead, it is now best read with elbows almost touching.  Might as well read it online.  No ink smudges on the fingertips that way either.  Anyway, on Saturday top-notch reporter Gary Rivlin wrote on how tough life can be here in Silicon Valley.  (Opening:  "Nick Halsey knows it can sound strange to an outsider: How is it possible for someone in Silicon Valley to have $10 million in the bank and still not feel rich?")  Cry for us, would you?  (Will have to sell a lot of books to get to $10M, won't I?)  And on Sunday, friend Steven Torres, whose new novel The Concrete Maze is just out, wrote a subtle, heartfelt reminiscence on growing up with the exterminator.  (No, not ex-terminator.  That's our governor.  This is about Steve's dad.)

Tess Gerritsen's blog pointed me over to Marcus Sakey's piece on how to get published.  A must-read for aspiring authors.  It's a good crib sheet too for published authors who are asked the questions Marcus answers all the time.

Next best thing to being at England's premier mystery conference is reading what David Thomas (or is it Tom Cain) had to say about it.  Sure would like to get there some time.  (Thanks, Sarah, for pointing this one out.)

Back to paying bills, reading more, and twiddling my thumbs till the comments on draft five show up in my email box.

Comments

[Sue Ann Jaffarian]

"Twiddling thumbs?" she asks in total surprise and dismay. "Twiddling thumbs?"

How about working on the next Silicon Valley mystery while you wait? Couldn't hurt.

[patti abbott]

I'm waiting for my daughter's comments on draft one of my first attempt at a novel. I know how you feel.

[Keith Raffel]

Sue Ann, Not only twiddling. Going to do last year's taxes this week, I hope.

Good luck, Patti. I'll bet it's great. Your daughter must have got her talent from someone.