Friday, November 07, 2008

YARMPHF: Murder and Mayhem in Ghostwriting (and Muskego)

Ladies and gentlemen, we have another great guest blogger for you today. Alison Janssen is not only one of the premiere editors out there today, she's also one of the coolest people you'll ever meet. So, without further ado, allow me to present, my FF, One-L Alison:


Hi!

I commandeered Marcus's post. Marcus is incapacitated at the moment, me having drunk him under (several) tables.

Ok. So, that's a lie. He's right here next to me, and challenging that assumption. Point is, I'm in control of the keyboard and he's busy smoking a cigarillo (aka tiny cigar), so we'll go with my perspective of events.

Anyway:

We're about to attend Murder in Muskego, one of the fastest-growing, most-awesomest conferences in the Midwest. Tomorrow legions of folk will descend upon the Muskego Public Library (and the Mobile station across the way) for several hours' worth of wisdom from varied and experienced crime writers. But more than that, as with most conferences, this is a chance to celebrate the community of mystery writers and readers, and that's what we're here, right now, at the Jordans' palatial estates, doing.

I don't know if you ever stop to think about how amazing the mystery community is. No, seriously. In all earnestness. This isn't one of those "OMG, I'm so drunk and I loooooooove you!" statements.

This community supports its authors. This community's authors care about its readers. There are not a lot of areas of industry in which there's such a connection between producer and consumer. I mean, really. You can bid, at an auction, for your name (or the name of your loved ones) to appear IN a book that you will later purchase and read.

Talk about meta.

In any case, we're really excited about tomorrow. You should really make it out, if you're in the vicinity.

And if you're not, that's cool, we still love you. But we'd ask you to think about this. I mean, really, think about it. You are a part of something, by being part of the mystery community. You have ownership of the genre you read. On some level, you get to tell the stories that most move you.

So, tell us. What do you want to see? Where do you want this community to go? And ... how will you help it get there?

(p.s. We had ought to talk about how these conferences seem to go better with beer ... Jon and Ruth have provided a bathtub ... yes, a BATHTUB ... full of different beers. So, bonus question: What's YOUR favorite social lubricant? I vote Ale Asylum's Ambergeddon, but that may just be because I'm halfway though a bottle and it's right here in front of me right now ... )

11 comments:

Dana King said...

I attended my first Bouchercon last month and concur with everything Allison says here. People went out of their way to be nice, and to introduce me to others so I wouldn't feel apart from anything that went on. They were also friendly when approached, as was Allison when I accosted her on the walkway between hotels on Sunday morning.

Bass Ale, definitely.

Jake Nantz said...

Before I ever started writing in this genre I figured no "real" writer would ever talk to me. I now correspond with several mystery and thriller writers even outside of their blogs and mine. And I am ALWAYS astounded at just how cool people in this community can be.

Not only is it not cutthroat, but people are genuinely excited for you to get published, even if there's the slightest chance it could affect them. Because we're all book lovers, and everyone that gets published is another good book out there. I just love this community!

Oh, and I have to go with one of: Rolling Rock, Smythwicks, or Moosehead. But that's just me.

ruth the crimespree gal said...

Alison & Marcus,

Thank You and Alison may I start calling you Dudley (here I am to save the day).... I am Robin and You are Batman,
plenty of leftover beer but I have to say , probably Mickey's...

Anonymous said...

What jnantz said (although I'm not yet published). This genre inspires camaraderie and respect the way no other does. I've met some wonderful people and gotten lots of encouragement and feedback.
I'm not a beer person though...does this make a difference? :o)

Wilfred Bereswill said...

Ah, beer. My sweet odyssey and dismal abyss. I was unable to visit you all up in Muskego because of beer. Or lack thereof. Working for A-B, with the looming Inbev takeover leaves me with an uncertain income and feeding my family take precedence over conferences.

On the other hand Michelob Celebrate, Shock Top and Jack’s Pumpkin Spice are three seasonals worth checking out. And for casual drinking, the new Budweiser American Ale (future oxymoron?) is pretty damn good.

Dana King said...

Jake,
I'll hoist a beer with anyone who names Rolling Rock in such a poll.

Jake Nantz said...

Mr. King,
My friend, a local radio DJ, and I would be glad to raise a glass...er, green "33" bottle...with you at any time. Ya just gotta get down hyeere to North Carolina first! If not, perhaps I'll be able to make Bouchercon next year, and we can do it then!

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