Friday, July 07, 2006

The Birth of a Blog

So here’s a hell of a thing.

Imagine you’re just getting started as a professional novelist, with your debut six months away. People seem excited about the book, and there’s been a little bit of attention paid, but seriously—you’re just getting started. Barely a blip on the crime fiction radar.

And then imagine you’re invited to join a group blog featuring some of the most admired authors in the genre.

We’re talking winners of the most prestigious honors: Diamond and Silver Daggers, Anthony’s, Agatha’s, Reader’s Choice Awards. Writers whose books the Chicago Tribune has named among the best of the year. New York Times bestselling authors.

And they’ve not only invited you to join, but you get to write the first entry.

If you’re gulping, you know how I feel.

My name is Marcus Sakey, and it is my privilege to introduce The Outfit:

  • Sean Chercover, author of BIG CITY, BAD BLOOD (January 2007)
  • Barbara D’Amato, author of DEATH OF A THOUSAND CUTS
  • Michael Allen Dymmoch, author of WHITE TIGER
  • Kevin Guilfoile, author of CAST OF SHADOWS
  • Libby Fischer Hellman, author of A SHOT TO DIE FOR
  • Sara Paretsky, author of FIRE SALE
  • Marcus Sakey, author of THE BLADE ITSELF (January 2007)

What you’ll find here is a little different. We’re not here to share publishing tips or debate industry news. We’re not going to delve into marketing or the ins and outs of author appearances. Other people are doing those things, and doing them well. So instead, we’re going to focus on what we love most.

Telling stories.

Stories about crime and justice and revenge. About the highs and lows of writing for a living. About Chicago, glorious and soiled city of bright marquees and dark divisions.

True stories and imaginary ones.

Barb D’Amato kicks it off this Wednesday. It’s going to be a fun ride, and we hope you’ll join us for it.

After all, what’s a story without an audience?

36 comments:

JT Ellison said...

Hey Marcus et. al,
Welcome to the blogosphere. I look forward to watching the Outfit grow and flourish!

Bill Cameron said...

Congratulations, Marcus! I'm looking forward to the fun!

Linda L. Richards said...

Great start, you guys. And welcome to the blogosphere!

For one reason and another -- several of them, actually -- I think this is one of the most anticipated crime fiction blogs to launch in a while. Maybe ever. You guys have done a great job with suspense. (Not so surprising, all things considered.)

I'm looking forward to making it a regular stop.

Jon The Crime Spree Guy said...

Great line up!

This is going to be one of my must visit sites every day.

Jason Pettus said...

Could you please post the address of your RSS feed? Thanks; I'm looking forward to being a regular reader.

Anonymous said...

Marcus, you did great. I can understand that you might be nervous, but the rest of the authors wouldn't have invited you to join them if they didn't think you were worthy! So have fun with the blog -- and best of luck with your debut novel!

Libby Hellmann said...

Hi... I understand some of you are having a problem leaving comments... something to do with the visual verification code. We're working on the problem. Stay tuned!

Anonymous said...

Really excited to read you guys!

Marcus Sakey said...

Hey all,

Thanks so much! We're really excited ourselves.

I think I've fixed the comment posting glitch, but if anyone still has trouble after reloading the page, please let me know (msakey@rcn.com).

Jason, the RSS site feed is: http://theoutfitcollective.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Thanks for pointing out that we didn't mention it--we'll add a link to the right side.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Looks great!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new blog. Can't wait to see what develops. And Libby and Marcus, it was great meeting you at ThrillerFest. I'm still so behind at getting all the pictures online, but the one of Marcus and GG is up. Still need to post the one of Lubby at the shooting range.

Anonymous said...

Just what I'm looking for. Wishing you all the luck in the world.

Joan Noble

Libby Hellmann said...

Thanks, everyone, for such a warm welcome. I hope we can live up to your expectations... Btw, we're still working on ironing out a few glitches. Or maybe they're just my glitches. Hmmm.

Msmstry said...

How nice to find so many Chicago writers in one cyberspace! I'll look forward to staying posted about your work.

Anonymous said...

Well, dearly beloved authors - I am happy you have gathered here for us to read and talk to! Looking forward to it - welcome!

Swedish writer

Unknown said...

Like Jon said, this is probably going to become one of my must-visits every day. Damn you. Damn you all!

(And thanks for the link!)

Allison Brennan said...

Hi Marcus et al, welcome to the blogosphere . . . wait, I just plagarized JT and didn't even know it until I glanced to the left. :) Looks like a great line-up of authors (waving to Sara Paretsky, I'm a huge fan :)

I look forward to stopping by!

Anonymous said...

sup cuz,

lookin forward to reading your stuff! and I hope yer plannin on comin to NYC for a book launch, we'll tear it up!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on The Outfit. I checked it out as soon as I heard about it. It sounds wonderful and I will be returning to see what some of my favorite authors have to say.

Anonymous said...

Well, crap! JT already said Welcome to the blogsphere, so I'll just have to second (third? fourth?) the sentiment.

Looking forward to reading more from all of you.

Anonymous said...

What a steller cast! I'll be a regular reader!

anne frasier said...

how exciting!
i'm pulling up a chair --

Sandra Ruttan said...

Marcus, I hope there will be a future post comparing you to Hoff to prove or disprove once and for all that you're actually his clone.

Jeff said...

I'll definitely be stopping by.

Patry Francis said...

Fabulous idea!

Jonathan E. Quist said...

Quoth Libby:
Btw, we're still working on ironing out a few glitches. Or maybe they're just my glitches. Hmmm.

Libby, just remember the old saying:
If glitches were corpses
bloggers would write.


Or something like that.

Not that I'd ever accuse you of being glitchy or anything...

Mystery Dawg said...

Nice, now I have to get up even earlier to read this too? Ah, sleep is over rated.

Bottle Rocket Fire Alarm said...

Oh, fantastic! Bookmarked.

Anonymous said...

Good to meet with you at Thrillerfest, and the killeryear crew.

This looks a very interesting blog

I'll be reading -

Ali
www.shotsmag.co.uk

Anonymous said...

Welcome! You're in for a wild ride...

Alexandra Sokoloff said...

Oh great - another addictive time suck. ;)

I love the theme of this blog, you guys. I have relatives around Chicago and have always been fascinated by the town. Looking forward to the straight dope.

Alex

Anonymous said...

A blog I can follow from the beginning. I feel so 'in'. Looking forward to it!
-fellow Chicago writer

Cornelia Read said...

YAY MARCUS!!!

And ditto what Aldo said....

Marcus Sakey said...

Thanks, guys! Can't believe how much support we've gotten already. Clearly, a lot of people are owed drinks at Bouchercon.

Stay tuned, and let us know what you do and don't like--we're still fine-tuning The Outfit.

Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Just keep going. This is very nice.

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