an on-line journal devoted to crime (fiction)...:
Arthur Ellis Awards
April 30, 2008
Vancouver Public LIbrary
May 05, 2008
This is my first reporting “job” for Crime Scenes, and, frankly, I had no idea what I was doing. I arrived with a digital voice recorder, a camera, but no pen and note pad because I left them at home.
Some reporter.
The first thing I learn was that the library assistant who was helping with the set-up, told writer and last year's winner for best first novel, Phyllis Smallman, “If you need to contact security, you push this button”, pointing ominously at a red button on the wall. Is if a crime occurs? So much for writers getting together to have a dignified evening of literary discussion. Libraries can be dangerous places but usually for the best reasons.
I guess crime in Vancouver has become much worse since I last lived here
ten years ago.
At any rate, the event was a success with one local writer Sharon Rowse getting nominated for Best First Novel for The Silk Train Murders, an historical mystery located during the Gold Rush in Vancouver, circa 1899. I am looking forward to reading this novel very much. For the record, here is a list of the nominees from the Crime Writers of Canada website.
I did ask a question about the difficulties of being a Canadian (crime) writer in a country where the support of our cultural products is sometimes less than adaquate. A trip to you local bookstore (or library) will confirm this when you look at the percentage of Canadian crime novels compared to those of the United States, England, and, more recently, Europe. The fact is Canadian novels are underrepresented, compared to other countries, particularly to the cultural monster to the south of us. And now that I am reading Canadian crime, I can say Canadian writers are writing stories of equal quality and interest to those of the rest of the world. So go support a local novelist.
My question was, incidentially, never answered. If anyone reading this web site wants to take this up and discuss it with me, please email and I will devote an issue to following up this topic.
Of greater interest was the drink I had after the ceremonies at the most expensive bar in the world. Or maybe this is just what bars charge in Vancouver. Too bad there was no crime button to push in that establishment! At any rate, I was seated at the table in the company of Stanley Evans, James Hawkins, and, later, by Sharon Rowse. The conversation was fascinating and, not that any deep sercrets were revealed, I am not going to write about what was said as I figure that once the booze came out, what I call reporting stopped.
Like I said, some reporter.
The Silk Train Murders
The man had to be used to unpredictable guests. Not only was the Beaver Tavern the dreariest, most down-at-heels bar he’d seen since he left the Yukon, it was by far the most run-down he’d found on the bleak streets lining the Vancouver docks. Noisy, dim, and crowded, it was an establishment that fit his current mood perfectly, not to mention his pocketbook.
One thing I did learn was really fascinating. I may not have all my facts straight, but, essentially, American publishers receive something like four million unsolicited manuscripts a year. These arrive in the mail and sit in a pile in the publisher's office where perhaps, if someone has the time, a few pages will be read. Usually the first few. As I mentioned in my first book review, I will go into a book store and read various openers and pick the most promising one. This is partly how I discover new writers. Frequently, I get home and a few hours later, I am deeply disappointed as the rest of the book doesn't match up to the opening and I realize, again, I have wasted good money on another crappy novel. I never finish these things and they go back into the system, courtesy of the local used book store, where I get a small credit.
So what happens is these unpublished writers work long hours coming up with the best opening they can. If the story gets read, it is on the strength on these first few pages, which can be quite remarkable; the rest of the book can be another story, as I discovered in my 3 novel flirtation with Micheal Robotham, the master of the great opening and the crappy rest-of-the-novel!
Live and learn, I suppose.
You can read my review of A Deadly Little List, a book a liked a lot. I will be following that up with Stanley Evans' Seaweed on the Street. After that, Ritual by Mo Hayder.
other cool crime stuff:
archives:
other reviews :
I will be posting links as I find them. If you have a particular crime/mystery site you like, please email me and I will list and link the best ones!
Upcoming Reviews
I am in the process of reading Stan Evans' Seaweed on the Street and Mo Hayder's Ritual.
My most recent review is A Deadly Little List:
