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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; being adapted for HBO True Blood series

"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

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 trade association of 150 Midwest publishers, 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.
    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 three 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.MarketSavvyBookEditing.com
Author's Call for Submissions & Contest: http://tinyurl.com/yclawc

Author Appearances:

2008

Mar 5-8
Left Coast Crime
Panel moderator: Don't Murder Your Mystery(SM)
Denver CO

Apr 25-27
"Tapping Your Native Spirit" 1st annual Indian Springs Writers Conference
Workshops: Friday: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM); Sunday: What's Voice and How Can I Get Some?
Indian Springs GA

Wed. May 28 6:30-8:00 pm
Speaker: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Bridgeport Public Library (Main) bportlibrary.org/
Bridgeport CT

Thu. May 29 6:30-8:00 pm
Workshop: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Hartford Public Library (Main) hplct.org
Hartford CT

Fri. May 30 7 pm-8:30 pm
Speaker: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Borders Books, bordersstores.com/stores/
1499 Post Rd., Fairfield CT

Sat. May 31
Workshop: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Ignite Your Muse Conference; Romance Writers of America ctrwa.org/
Holiday Inn, 201 Washington Ave., North Haven CT

Mon. June 2 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Speaker: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Newton Free Library, www.ci.newton.ma.us
330 Homer St., Newton MA

Tue. Jun 3
Speaker: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Woonsocket Public Library, woonsocketlibrary.org
303 Clinton St., Woonsocket RI

Thu. Jun 5 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Speaker: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Otis Library, otislibrarynorwich.org
261 Main St., Norwich CT

Mon. Jun 9 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Speaker: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Vineland Public Library, vineland.lib.nj.us
1058 E. Landis Ave., Vineland NJ

Wed. Jun 11; 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Speaker: Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Free Library of Philadelphia (Central), library.phila.gov
1901 Vine St # 111, Philadelphia, PA

Sat. Jul 12;
Workshop leader
Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Carolina Romance Writers
Charlotte NC

Fri-Sun, Jul 18-20
Workshop leader
Don't Sabotage Your Submission(SM)
Harriette Austin Writers Conf. harrietteaustin.org/
Athens GA

Wed. Jul 30 - Sat. Aug 2
Speaker at a private women's conference
Los Angeles CA

Sun Aug 3, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm:
Los Angeles, CA
Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Chapter
South Pasadena Public Library Community Rm
1115 El Centro St, South Pasadena

Mon Aug 4, 7:00-8:30 pm
Burbank Library
Burbank, CA

Tue Aug 5, time TBA
San Bernardino Library
San Bernardino, CA

Aug 6-8
Available for other So. California appearances

Sat Aug 9, 10:30-11:50 am
Brea, CA
Orange County Romance Writers
Brea Community Center, 695 E. Madison Way
$10 members, $20 non; http://occrwa.com

Aug 15–17
Nashville, TN
Killer Nashville Writers Conference
killernashville.com

Aug 14 &18
Check back for more appearances in NC & TN

Thu Sep 10, 7-8:30
Cary, NC
Cary Library Aspiring Writers Series

Sat Sep 27, all day
Columbus, GA
Chattahoochee Valley Writers Conference
chattwriters.org

Oct 9–12
Baltimore, MD
Bouchercon
bouchercon2009.com/

2009

Oct 14-18
Indianapolis, IN
Bouchercon

For 200+ past presentations, please see: snurl.com/editorspeaks

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