larger view

table of contents
read an excerpt
book details
author appearances
buy the book

2009 Benjamin Franklin Award Winner

Florida Writers Association's Royal Palm Literary Award

Insider Information from a career Manuscript Editor

"Chock full of practical advice for the novice writer. Even seasoned writers could use a copy as a refresher course."
—Charlaine Harris, New York Times best-selling author of 29 books in multiple genres; Sookie Stackhouse series is HBO hit True Blood

"Best book of its kind by far. Required for my college level students. Recommended for all aspiring writers."
—Reed Farrel Coleman, two-time Edgar nominee; Shamus, Barry, and Anthony winner

"Without qualification, I recommend this book to fiction writers, be they literary, mainstream, or genre writers."
—John Thornburg, Professor English/Creative Writing, San Jacinto College, Pasadena, Texas

"A savvy writer's guide to creating a manuscript that will SELL!"
—Carolyn Hart, two-time winner of Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards

"A must for anyone who seeks to become a published author."
—Midwest Book Review

"This is an undisputed winner. If you're after a book that will help you whip your writing into shape, you couldn't do much better than this. This book, in my opinion, is one that you must buy if you're at all serious about seeing yourself in print. Highly recommended."
—Concept Sci-Fi, a UK ezine (named DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUBMISSION its book of the month)

... As I read each chapter, I discovered new reasons why agents reject my manuscript after a partial read. With the exception of the chapter on Prologues and the one on shifting point of view, there wasn't a mistake that I hadn't made. The good news, of course, is that all of these mistakes can be corrected, and thanks to Chris Roerden, now I know how to do it.
    Whether you have written a mystery, a romance, some other genre, or a literary novel, Chris Roerden's book can help you improve a lackluster manuscript into something that will catch the eye of agents and editors.
—Sam Falco, Florida Writer's Association, reviewing DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY and DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUBMISSION

for DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY:

"Many experienced writers may also find the tips helpful and inspiring if they have hit a roadblock in their current work. I went back and rewrote an entire first page after reading it."
—P.J. PARRISH/Kelly, NYTimes Best-Selling author of 7 thrillers
read entire review

"Immensely insightful.... Highly recommended."
—Midwest Book Review, Reviewer's Choice read entire review #1

"Invaluable to fiction writers of all genres. An enthusiastically recommended, energetic, easy-to-follow guide."
—Midwest Book Review, Reviewer's Choice read entire review #2

"Offers a wealth of good advice, supported by excellent examples."
—Mystery Scene

"Roerden has a clear and thoughtful style . . . Don't Murder Your Mystery is smarter, more comprehensive, more effectively targeted, and more accessible than most books on writing . . . a thoughtful tune-up for writers at all levels."
—ForeWord Magazine Spotlight review, KATE FLORA (former national president, Sisters in Crime) author of 10 books read entire review

"Based on her 40 years' experience as an award-winning author, manuscript editor and teacher, Chris shares the secrets of how to get past the manuscript screeners. . . . they apply to all genres of fiction."
—Mensa Bulletin

"Emphatic thumbs up."
—My Shelf

"Even after writing 9 novels, I keep this book by my computer with my thesaurus and dictionary as an indispensable tool. I can truthfully say I've learned more from it than any of the numerous other instructional manuals I've read."
—SCOTT NICHOLSON, Absolute Write read entire review

"Every thoughtful writer will find at least a half-dozen tips that will directly apply to his or her own work. I certainly did!"
—MARGARET MARON, award-winning author of the Judge Deborah Knott series (2005 President of Mystery Writers of America)

"On the level of the William Noble writer's guides. I wish this excellent manual was available when I began my career!"
—CHARLES TODD, NYTimes Book Review Notable Books of the Year author, the Inspector Ian Rutledge mystery series

"Noteworthy small press book. . . Get a copy."
—Southern Review of Books read entire review

"I couldn't put it down. Another benchmark. She shows us how to avoid all the mistakes writers make that drive readers nuts. I find myself quoting from it when I teach workshops."
—LONNIE CRUSE, author of 4 mystery novels

"It's one of the best books of its type on the market. Of all my books on wrirting, it's the one I would not part with."
—PHIL HARDWICK, author of 10 mystery novels

"Don't let the title fool you. This book is not just for mystery writers. ALL fiction writers can benefit. 5 stars!"
—FUTURES Magazine, Catherine Chant

"The required reading will be Don't Murder Your Mystery by Chris Roerden."
—VICKI LANE, author of 4 mystery novels and instructor, UNCA Great Smokies Writing Program course description

"One of the more fascinating guests at this year's Cape Fear Crime Festival was an editor, Chris Roerden, who's worked in . . . publishing for more than 40 years. In case you missed her workshop . . . you can get her coaching through her book."
—BEN STEELMAN, Wilmington Star-News

"Lots of good information, even for experienced writers, presented with wit."
—CYNTHIA RIGGS, author of 7 mysteries

"I urge you to think of Don't Murder Your Mystery as a short (and well-written and often funny) lesson in 'author appreciation.' We take art appreciation without any thought to becoming an artist. Even tone deaf students take music appreciation."
—Diana Vickery, Cozy Library

About the Author:
An accomplished editor, writer, and teacher, Chris Roerden shares knowledge gleaned from more than 40 years in niche publishing—a career that began upon graduation from New York City's H. S. of Music & Art at age 16. It took publication of a first book for Chris to act on the urge to go to college, which produced a BA in English summa cum laude, an MA, and an invitation to stay on at the University of Maine to teach writing.
    Eventually returning to publishing, in 1983 Chris left a busy managing editor's position to become a busy independent book editor, taking time out to teach communication skills in South Korea one summer, serve as president of a regional trade association of 250 commercial publishers and university presses, teach classes in publishing at night at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and serve six years on the southeast regional board of Mystery Writers of America, receiving its Magnolia Award for service to the organization.
    Her clients have been published by St. Martin's, Berkley Prime Crime, Midnight Ink, Rodale, Walker, and Viking, and have won more than 21 awards, including an Agatha for Best First Mystery and two Benjamin Franklins.
    Chris is also a member of Sisters in Crime and Mensa, and a proud parent and grandparent—with one son, three grandsons, and a daughter-in-law (also an editor) in Boston, and a son and two granddogs in Los Angeles.
    Now settled in Greensboro, NC, Chris enjoys seeing pansies bloom in February and hasn't put on snow boots since the 20th century.

Author's website: www.writersinfo.info

Author Appearances:

2011

Thu.-Sat., Mar 24-26, Oak Ridge, TN: TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN WRITERS 23rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Begins with Thu. night reception. Chris is the Editing Workshop Leader, with a 75-minute interactive workshop Fri. and a different 75-minute workshop for the Sat. afternoon plenary session. Also benefit from one of Chris's one-on-one critiques of your manuscript by registering early. http://www.tmwi.org Doubletree Hotel, 215 S. Illinois Ave., 865-481-2468.

2010

Sat. Oct. 16, NORFOLK, VA: 1:00-4:00 pm, FREE workshop for all writers, Norfolk Public Library, 235 E. Plume St., 757-664-7323. http://snurl.com/oct16norfolklibrary

Sat. Sep 25, CALGARY, CANADA: ALBERTA ROMANCE WRITERS, all-day workshop: Want to get published? Wonder why one MS is accepted and another rejected? "Learn What Editors Want!" Get honest answers to all your questions plus insider advice you didn't know you needed. A full day devoted to helping you get published! Register early. Writers come from all over Canada for these very special all-day events. http://albertaromancewriters.com

Sat. Sept 18, SEATTLE, WA: 1-4 pm free workshop for writers at Bellevue Public Library, 1111 20th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA, 425-450-1765, cosponsored by the King County Library System and Sisters in Crime of Puget Sound. http://kcls.org/bellevue

Sat. Aug 28, NEW YORK CITY: Private appearance

Sun. Aug 8, ASHEVILLE, NC: 5:00-6:30 pm, MALAPROPS BOOKSTORE / CAFÉ. Free program for writers: "How to Survive the Manuscript Submission Process-or What Every Writer Needs to Know About Book Publishing and Developing Your Writer's Voice." 55 Haywood St., 828-254-6734 www.malaprops.com

Sat. Aug 7, WAYNESVILLE, NC: Bookmania, 10 am-4 pm, open to the public, sponsored by Osondu Books, 828-456-8062, margaret@osondubooksellers.com

Tue. July 13, CANTON, OH: 6-8 pm free workshop for writers at Canton Public Library, 715 Market Av. N. 330-452-0665

Wed. July 14, WORTHINGTON, OH: 7-8:45 pm free workshop for writers at Worthington Public Library, 820 High St. 614-807-2626

Sat. July 17, CLEVELAND, OH: Private appearance

Wed. May 26, NEW YORK CITY: Book Expo America (visitor), Javits Center

Tue. May 25, NEW YORK CITY: Interactive workshop on the writer's voice. Sponsored by the Tri-State Chapter of Sisters in Crime (NY, NJ, CT). http://www.nysinc.org

Sat. May 22, DC AREA / RESTON, VA: CHESAPEAKE SISTERS IN CRIME, 4-hour workshop: 1 to 5 pm, Reston Library. http://www.chessiechapter.org/
*****BOOKED TO CAPACITY!

Sat. May 1, HIGH POINT, NC: ALL-DAY SKILL BUILD in the High Point Library's new conference center, featuring 3 nationally known authors.
- JEFFERY DEAVER, "People Don't Read to Get to the Middle: Writing a Page-Turning Thriller." Deaver's novels have been translated into 25 languages, sell in 150 countries, and hit best-seller lists around the world.
- LEE LOFLAND, "C S I Don't Think So." Enjoy discovering the errors in police procedure in TV, film, and books.
- CHRIS ROERDEN, "What Does Show, Not Tell, Really Mean and How Does it Affect Getting Published?" This is an interactive workshop.
$28 for the full day, including lunch. Details and registration form, email: skillbuild@aol.com and put "May 1 info" in the subject line. Co-sponsored by the High Point Public Library and Sisters in Crime Murder We Write Triad Chapter.
*****SOLD OUT AT CAPACITY! See photos & read 5 reports from this event http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/?p=6751 and http://www.suzanneadair.typepad.com/ scroll to 4 reports dated May 4-12

Sat. April 24, GREENSBORO, NC: NORTH CAROLINA WRITER'S NETWORK Annual Spring Conference, at UNCG. 9:00-10:30 am, interactive workshop: "Show or Tell? What's the Diff, and When Do I Use Each?" http://www.ncwriters.org/

Sat. April 17, CAROLINA WRITERS CONFERENCE, Wadesboro, NC
Chris is one of 3 featured speakers: "Dirty Little Secrets of Submission, or How to Rejection-Proof Your Manuscript"; also a panelist on the "How to Get Published" panel. http://www.ansoncountywritersclub.org/carolinaswritersconference.html

Sat. March 27, ATLANTA, GA: Spring Book Show & Workshops: Cobb Galleria. Details: http://springbookshow.com 3 interactive workshops for writers presented by Chris Roerden:
10:00 am: "Secrets of Surviving the Manuscript Submission Process." Learn about writer's voice from an editor who's worked in publishing 45 years.
11:00 am: "How to Make a Good Living as a Ghost-writer," including how to find your market and charge what you're worth.
1:00 pm: "Become the Master of Dialogue, Description, and Show v. Tell." Learn the techniques that lift your writing out of the slushpile.

For past bookings and a menu of workshops to choose from, please visit www.writersinfo.info and click on the microphone.

To purchase from your local independent bookseller click here:

Purchase at amazon.com

Purchase at barnes&noble.com

Purchase at booksamillion.com:

Order direct from Bella Rosa Books using PAYPAL.
$18.00 Includes shipping & handling worldwide.
Click the button below to begin the order process.

BOOKSELLERS:
All Bella Rosa Book titles are available through most distributors including:
Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Brodart, Follett, BWI, The Book House, Inc., Emery-Pratt, Ambassador. Bella Rosa Books is also a corporate-level vendor for Borders/Waldenbooks.

Booksellers, Schools, and Libraries can also purchase
direct from Bella Rosa Books.
For quantity discounts contact sales@bellarosabooks.com .