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www.bksp.org Backspace News - April
Guest Speaker - April Jenny Bent, a literary agent with Trident Media Group, will conduct a question and answer session at the Backspace discussion forums April 21 & 22. Jenny represents a number of bestselling authors in the areas of fiction and nonfiction. Her New York Times bestselling projects include The Sweet Potato Queens Field Guide to Men by Jill Conner Browne, Nesting: It's a Chick Thing by Ame Beanland and Emily Miles Terry, The Red Hat Society by Sue Ellen Cooper, The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands, Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro and A Treasury of Great American Scandals by Washington Post reporter Michael Farquhar.
Jenny has a BA/MA with first class honors from Cambridge University in the UK; she grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She represents adult and young adult fiction, nonfiction humor and women's lifestyle. The Trident Media Group represents such bestselling authors as Janet Evanovich, T. Jefferson Parker, Elizabeth George, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Marilynne Robinson (last year's Pulitzer prize winner for Gilead), Russell Banks, and Michael Ondaatje. 2008 Backspace Writers Conference & MWA Backspace is pleased to announce that Mystery Writers of America is offering their members who would like to attend the Backspace conference a $50 discount off the registration fee. MWA members should register according to the instructions on the conference website at the full price, and then contact Margery Flax at:
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for reimbursement. The 2008 Backspace Writers Conference will be held August 7 & 8 at the Radisson Martinique (32nd and Broadway) in New York City. Cost for the conference is $355 for Backspace members, $395 for non-members, and includes the Thursday evening cocktail reception and awards presentation. Attendance is limited to 200. Check the conference website frequently for updates. New Content on the Backspace Homepages The Backspace homepages are currently featuring an excerpt from David Morrell’s updated and newly re-released: THE SUCCESSFUL NOVELIST: A LIFETIME OF LESSONS ABOUT WRITING & PUBLISHING. David’s insights are wonderfully helpful. Be sure to check it out! Backspace Member of the Year - Time to Vote! The following nominees have been selected for our 2008 Backspace Member of the Year award to be presented at the 2008 conference in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the discussion forums. Mark Bastable Jon Clinch Kay Hooper Jackie Kessler Jeff Kleinman Marlys Pearson Backspace members may send their vote to Keith Cronin at
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. Voting will remain open until June 1. Battles & Browne "First 100" Writing Workshop Whether you're writing an article, short story, or novel, your opening 100 words are crucial. During the months of March and April, internationally published Backspace members Brett Battles and Robert Gregory Browne are offering to take a look at yours. Members are invited to post their opening 100 words in the "Battles and Browne Writing Workshop" section at the Backspace forums to find out what works, what doesn't, and what they can do about it. Each 100-word sample should be posted as a new thread under the "First 100" subforum, with the title of the work and its general category ("non-fiction article," "literary fiction, short story," "thriller, novel"). Due to their own writing schedules, Brett and Rob won’t be looking in every day, but will log in and comment as frequently as they are able. This workshop has been very popular – during the month of March, Brett and Rob offered comments on nearly 60 samples! Bella Stander, Publicity Consultant - An Ongoing Q&A Publicity expert Bella Stander will visit the Backspace discussion forums on the 15th of every month as part of our ongoing guest speaker program to answer members' questions. Bella is a writer and consultant to the Virginia Festival of the Book. Formerly the book editor for Albemarle magazine and a long-time contributing editor at Publishers Weekly, she has also reviewed books for Entertainment Weekly, People, The Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle and other publications. She is a member of the Authors Guild, National Book Critics Circle, National Press Club and PubWest. See her writing website, BellaStander.com, and blog, Reading Under the Covers. Members’ New Releases Members who maintain a Backspace Bookshelf can add the following new releases this month to their collection:  Jack Getze - BIG MONEY (Hilliard & Harris, March 1, 2008)
THREE WOMEN WANT HIM DEAD... Left in charge of a one-office Jersey Shore investment firm, suspended stockbroker Austin Carr becomes the prize in a war between two crime crews and a powerful state investigator. Trying to stay alive with mobsters, beautiful cops, and a hit-man he calls the creeper chasing him, Carr stumbles into the secret lives of three desperate women. One becomes a victim, one a murderer. And Carr is her next victim... -I stuff the DVD under my laptop and work hard to put on my three-o'clock-in-the-morning, full-boat Carr grin. Not exactly a simple trick. And definitely not sincere. I mean, how am I supposed to be calm and forthright when this DVD suggests last night's love interest-the lady headed this way-could be a killer. Clever of me to wake her up. I gasp when I see her. Oh, my. And oops. Oh, my because she's wearing nothing but white athletic socks. Oops because she's using both hands and all ten red-nailed fingers to grasp a pump action, single barrel shotgun. "You found the DVD, didn't you?" Ms. Shotgun says. "DVD?" If it wasn't for rhyming consonants, I'd be pretty much speechless. My gaze is tightly focused on her bare breasts and that shotgun in the same close-up. Visually and emotionally, it's a lot to absorb. "Jack Getze started his career as a newspaper reporter. As a result, BIG NUMBERS is lean and mean, with not a word wasted...A truly fun, genuinely funny read...Keep writing Mr. Getze, and for goodness sake bring back Austin Carr." --Lisa Guidarini, Member National Book Critics Circle, for Bluestalking Reader  Jane K. Cleland – DEADLY APPRAISAL (paperback, April 2008)
Josie Prescott, founder of her own New Hampshire-based business, Prescott’s: Antiques and Auctions, is hosting a charity gala. Midway through the elegant event, the charity’s executive director keels over dead—poisoned. The police don’t know if, perhaps, the poison was intended for Josie. In Deadly Appraisal, all is not what it seems—people are adept at creating the image they want you to perceive, and perception is shown to be all. Using her knowledge of antiques, Josie peels away the layers of deception and solves the crime. "Deadly Appraisal is a murder mystery that will have you guessing who the killer is until the end. The author has a gift for her genre and is to be applauded. Her characters are well defined and believable. This is a series that everyone will enjoy and is great entertainment." -- Quality Book Reviews  Heather Brewer - NINTH GRADE SLAYS (Penguin Group, April 2008)
High school totally bites when you're half human, half vampire. Freshman year sucks for Vlad Tod. Bullies still harass him. The photographer from the school newspaper is tailing him. And failing his studies could be deadly. A trip to Siberia gives "study abroad" a whole new meaning as Vlad connects with other vampires and advances his mind-control abilities, but will he return home with the skills to recognize a vampire slayer when he sees one? In this thrilling sequel to Eighth Grade Bites, Vlad must confront the secrets of the past and battle forces that once again threaten his life. Find out why author D.J. MacHale calls The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod "Gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding." "NINTH GRADE SLAYS is creepy, thrilling and hilarious! Heather Brewer is the natural successor to Joss Whedon!" ~ Jonathan Maberry, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of DEAD MAN'S SONG and BAD MOON RISING "Heather Brewer raises the stakes and nails down a mind-blowing page-turner that will stand your hair on end, and leave you thirsty for more..." ~ Adele Griffin, author of VAMPIRE ISLAND  Jeff Huber - BATHTUB ADMIRALS (Kunati, April 2008)
Buddies Jack Hogan and Buzz Rucci join the U.S. Navy to defend their country, but find themselves serving in a time of "play war." Bathtub admirals and sandbox generals conduct wars that resemble professional wrestling matches. The adventures of Jack and Buzz follow America’s rise to global dominance as its military burns off excess testosterone, justifies its bloated budget and prepares for the ultimate challenge: The War on Evil! "Retired navy commander Huber’s debut novel is a profane and hilarious parody of the post–Cold War navy . . . Huber is funniest when satirizing the bureaucratic infighting and petty rules ingrained in naval culture, but he also scores direct hits on feminism, politicians and the military’s policy toward homosexuals." —Publishers Weekly
"This is a witty, wacky, wildly outrageous novel that skewers just about anything you'd care to name, from military budgets to political machinations to America's success as the self-appointed guardian of the world. It is a remarkably accomplished book, striking just the right balance between ridicule and insight." —Booklist  Terri Molina - HER WILL, HIS WAY (Cobblestone Press, April)
Antonio Hernandez has loved Anita for as long as he can remember, but the only attention she'd give him was in willful response to a dare. Now that she's returned to the valley to run her late grandfather's flower shop, Antonio sees it as his chance to win her heart.
But, what Anita doesn't know is that Antonio has made a 'deal with the devil' and he used the shop to lure her into more than just his bed.  Minnette Meador - THE CENTURION & THE CELT (Resplendence, April 2008)
Marius has been stationed on 60 AD Britannia for sixteen years. Once a celebrated hero and a famous Praetorian Guard, he still clings to the old traditions as a fair but tough leader to his men, despite the shame that drove him from Rome. Delia is sister to an uncaring Corieltauvi tribal king. Powerless, she watches as hundreds of Bretons succumb to their suicidal pride and throw themselves against the unstoppable Roman machine. The last thing Delia expects is to find her body craving the touch of her enemy. The sudden intensity of their desire will change the history of a nation. Separated by fate, they are thrown into the clash between 80,000 angry Bretons and a clever Roman general with only 10,000 soldiers. Marius and Delia find themselves on opposing sides, in love, and unable to stop the future. The revolution that sparked their desire...could now destroy them both.  Michelle Rowan - LADY AND THE VAMP (Forever, April, 2008)
Former vampire hunter Michael Quinn is living a nightmare: he's been turned into a vampire. His only hope is the "Eye"--a long-lost artifact that, once every millennium, will grant one wish to its possessor. Fortunately for Quinn, he has a map detailing the path to the "Eye." All he needs to do is find it, then he can wish himself back into humanity.
Janie Parker has made a lot of many mistakes in her life, not the least of which was getting tricked into working for a demon. Not only is the pay awful, but she has to successfully complete all her unsavory assignments or risk a torturous death. Her latest mission is to track a vampire who apparently knows where some stupid treasure is. No problem. Until she sees who the vampire is -- Michael Quinn, a man she's had a crush on since she was twelve years old. Too bad she'll have to kill him to get to the "Eye."
But Quinn and Janie are kindred spirits, and soon they're falling in love even though they're after what the other person is desperate for: the "Eye".
 Patrice Wilton - DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSIE (Wild Rose Press, March 21, 2008)
Susie takes her Top Shelf margaritas on the rocks, no salt, and spends Friday nights at the Candy Bar, the hottest spot in South Beach. She wears a perfect size 2, and blows her money on Jimmy Choo shoes. One night at the Candy Bar during a tropical storm, she feels something as light as a champagne fizz brush over her. She has been touched by magic and is able to see the world differently. Literally. Her grey world is suddenly filled with bright, vibrant color. She is about to begin an adventure of a lifetime, a six week sojourn in Florence to study painting. Members’ News News in this section is a compilation of members news posted at the Backspace discussion forums. If you have news you’d like to share, send your announcement to
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Book/Film Deals: Sue Thurman recently sold her first book in the planned Safari Series, MAYBE WE ARE FLAMINGOS. The series is inspired by Sue’s days of doing programs at the local zoo. Film rights to Patricia Wood’s LOTTERY were optioned by Sarah Michelle Gellar. Emily Winslow's THE WHOLE WORLD, told from multiple points of view that begins with an American student who moved to Cambridge to escape her past, but when her boyfriend disappears in a replay of the tragedy she's been trying to forget, she sets a series of crimes in motion, sold to Kate Miciak at Bantam Dell, in a good deal, in a pre-empt, in a two-book deal, for publication in summer 2009, by Cameron McClure at Donald Maass Literary Agency. Emilie's Voice and Liszt's Kiss author Susanne Dunlap's THE MUSICIAN'S DAUGHTER, a murder mystery involving the daughter of one of the violinists in Haydn's orchestra for Prince Esterhazy, in Vienna of 1779, sold to Melanie Cecka at Bloomsbury Children's, for publication in 2009, by Adam Chromy at Artists and Artisans. Agent Signings Christa Allan signed with Rachelle Gardner of WordServe Literary in February, and Jennifer Russell signed with Lorin Rees at the Helen Rees Agency. Awards/Nominations/Honors Lisa McMann’s young adult debut WAKE recently hit number 9 on The New York Time’s Children's Chapter Bestseller list! Jenny Gardiner's SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER debuted at #32 on the Barnes & Noble mass market/romance bestsellers list, and has gone into a second printing. Elizabeth Graham’s PLAYING WITH THE MOON was a Borders' (UK) online book club choice for March. Patricia Wood’s debut novel LOTTERY has been long-listed for the Orange Prize. Pam Jenoff’s second novel THE DIPLOMAT’S WIFE recently received a starred Publishers Weekly review. Christiana Miller’s SOMEBODY TELL AUNT TILLIE SHE'S DEAD won the WriteSafe.Com Present-A-Thon competition for the last quarter of 2007. Heather Brewer’s EIGHTH GRADE BITES was mentioned in a New York Observer article on vampire fiction. The paperback of EIGHTH GRADE BITES sold out of more than half of its initial print run in the first week. Director John Carney recently discussed the film version of Tish Cohen’s TOWN HOUSE in an article in USA Today, among other things, saying how he's going to make it "un-Hollywood." Sara Hantz’s debut young adult THE SECOND VIRGINITY OF SUZY GREEN has made the New York Public Library 2008 list 'Books for the Teen Age.' Amy MacKinnon’s literary fiction debut TETHERED: A NOVEL has been chosen by her publisher, Shaye Areheart/Random House, as its lead title for fall. Karen Dionne’s debut thriller FREEZING POINT (Berkley, October 2008, mass market paperback) has been selected as one of three lead titles by her publisher for the month it releases. Two of Keri Clark’s short stories have been nominated for a 2008 Derringer Award (Best Short Story, 0–1,000 words) by The Short Mystery Fiction Society. Reviews Elizabeth Letts’s children’s picture book THE BUTTER MAN has gotten highly favorable notices in The Bulletin of the Council for Children's Literature, The Tri-City Voice, and Bookloons reviews. Elizabeth is donating a portion of the proceeds from the book to a non-profit foundation that benefits rural farmers and school children in Morocco. Interviews Kim Stagliano, managing Editor of www.ageofautism.com and mother of three girls with autism was interviewed along with her family recently on Good Morning America. The two segments are: Tax Relief for the Disabled and Autism Tax Breaks. Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award John Ring’s WRECKING CIVILIZATION BEFORE LUNCH made the top 10 in the Amazon Novel Breakthrough contest. The final winner receives a publishing contract with Penguin. Short Stories/Poetry/Anthologies Nancy O. Greene has a new poem published in the March/April issue of All Things Girl, an online journal created "by Women for Women." Patricia Hunt’s short story "Waiting By the Willow" will appear in the next print issue of 34th Parallel (issue 3). Articles/Columns/Essays Amy Nathan has an opinion piece, "In this family, recipes come from the heart," in The Chicago Tribune. Sue Thurman’s Book Connection interview featuring her two interviews with Allison Dubois and Debe Branning in the book, Inside Scoop, is now online. Backspace: The Writer’s Place: www.bksp.org
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