Rocky Mountain Chapter / Mystery Writers of America Deadlines June 11th Laura Manuel: The Daily Grind in

Blue-Black Next meeting: Please join us at the Rocky Mountain MWA monthly meeting, THURSDAY, June 11 which will be held via Zoom on June 11, 6:30pm starting at 6:30 p.m. Law enforcement officer Location: Your place and trainer, Laura Manuel, will present the program. We’ll dress a LEO, give her some June 2020 weapons on her utility belt, and describe how those can be used. We will take her through a typical day, and then perhaps a not so typical IN THIS ISSUE one to discuss who handles what on a crime 2 Upcoming Meetings scene. We will briefly discuss training and 4 Member News where you can easily research training for 6 Free virtual conference yourselves. As usual, questions are welcomed. 7 Breakout Out During the Outbreak Laura Manuel was a law enforcement officer (LEO) for 21 years 8 Mystery minute in Virginia & Colorado. She was in patrol and was an investigator in 9 Fleeting Felonious Flicks Person’s crimes. Her B.A. is from the University of Michigan, M.A. 10 Aspen Summer Words and Ph.D. from UNC in Psychology. She taught Criminal Justice and virtual public events Psychology at FRCC. She established the first police academy at FRCC 12 Meeting Recap: May and directed the Academy for the first three classes, all of which scored the top scores in Colorado. She still teaches at the Academy and reviews material with the Cadets before their Professional testing. Meeting Agenda: 6:30-7:00 Announcements, Introductions, and News We need to keep this short, so please limit your introduction to one minute or less. Tell us your name, where you’re from, and news related only to recent sales, signed contracts, awards, or new releases. 7:00-7:15 Mystery Minute by ZJ Czupor 7:15-8:15 or so: Program featuring Laura Manuel After Party: Stay after the program to mingle and visit.

Here is the Zoom Invitation: Rocky Mountain Chapter MWA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: RMMWA June Meeting Time: Jun 11, 2020 06:30 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86342067967?pwd=SllQWXl6djVBUWJ3U0lSTGZLb0Z2UT09

Continued on page 2 Upcoming Meetings Continued from page 1 Meeting ID: 863 4206 7967 Password: 754686 One tap mobile +16699006833,,86342067967#,,1#,754686# US (San Jose) +12532158782,,86342067967#,,1#,754686# US (Tacoma)

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Tips for the Zoom Meeting: 1. Download the Zoom app onto your device prior to the meeting. You’ll find it at zoom.us 2. To join the meeting, use the link included in the invitation above. If asked for the meeting ID and password, enter the numbers listed on the invitation. 3. If asked to test your sound and video, go ahead and do it to make sure your system is set right. 4. You might be muted when you enter the meeting. Find the microphone at the left corner of the bottom of the screen, and click on that to unmute. You can click on this again to mute yourself when others are speaking. 5. At the right-side-top of your screen it will say Speaker View or Gallery View (or there might just be a grid-like icon). Use this to either focus the screen on the person who’s speaking in Speaker View, or open up your screen to a grid presentation of all the faces in the room in Gallery View. 6. During the presentation, we’ll mute the entire audience and take control of muting and unmuting for questions. Please don’t take this personally. Ambient noise from a large number of users gets very distracting and spoils the recording. 7. You can turn your video on and off by clicking the video camera icon found near the microphone icon. When your video is off, you can see us, but we can’t see you. This is helpful if you want to move around your room or get up and stretch—it ensures your privacy. 8. With a large group, we’ll implement the Chat function for questions. We’ll give instructions about this before the program starts, but you’ll find the Chat icon at the bottom of your screen. 9. If you receive a message that your internet connection is unstable, it might help to turn off your video. This alleviates strain on the bandwidth and might prevent system shut down, although sometimes this happens anyway. If it does, log out and then try to rejoin the meeting.

Continued on page 3 Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 2 Upcoming Meetings Continued from page 2 If you have questions or problems entering the meeting, send an email to [email protected]. Hope to see you on June 11!

Take care, Margaret Mizushima, RMMWA Chapter President Lori Lacefield, RMMWA Program Director And the RMMWA Board of Directors July 9 Mark Songer, Forensic Document Examination Mark Songer is a court qualified expert in Forensic Document Examinations. He provides investigations, reports, and testimony towards the resolution of matters involving disputed documents or signatures, including: wills, checks, contracts, deeds, account ledgers, medical records, and autograph authentication. His other areas of expertise include employment background screening, casino and hotel surveillance systems and operation, proper procedure and protocol in the handling and destruction of classified materials, and the collection, storage and retention of biometric information. Mark is a former FBI Special Agent and FBI Document Analyst, and was the designated handwriting expert for the Evidence Response Team-Los Angeles. During his tenure in the FBI, Mr. Songer instructed numerous law enforcement officers and examiners in handwriting identification, crime scene investigations and the proper collection of writing samples. He has also developed and implemented Criminal Justice and Forensic Science programs at several institutions of higher learning, including the University of California and La Sierra University. In addition, Mark is a former Adjunct Professor of Forensic Science at National University, San Diego, California and is currently an Adjunct Professor with Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, Florida. Mark is also a life-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

August 13 DNA: CAN BE SERVED COLD Former prosecuting Denver D.A. Mitch Morrissey is on the cutting edge of crime solving. A career prosecutor for 33 years, Morrissey was elected District Attorney of Denver, Colorado for three terms from 2004-2017. Morrissey introduced the first DNA evidence used in a criminal trial in Denver, and is internationally recognized for his expertise in DNA technology, applying that technology in criminal prosecutions. He has trained law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges throughout the United States, in the Middle East, Central America and Canada. Prior to leaving office, Morrissey spearheaded the Denver Cold Case Project, which reviewed more than 4,200 unsolved sexual assaults and murders in an effort to use DNA technologies to solve old cases. In addition, he and the Denver Police Crime Lab introduced the use of DNA to solve burglary cases and other property crimes. During his tenure as Denver District Attorney, Morrissey became the leading proponent in the United States of using Familial DNA Database Searches to solve violent crime.

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 3 Member News

Kate Lansing’s debut novel, Killer Chardonnay, the first installment of the Colorado Wine Mystery series, will be released May 26 with Berkley. A young winery owner won’t let one sour grape ruin the bunch in the first installment of this exciting cozy mystery series. Parker Valentine has always dreamed of opening her own winery in her hometown of Boulder, Colorado. But she gets more than she bargained for when a food and wine critic unexpectedly shows up at Vino Valentine on opening day. A negative review could be fatal for her business, and not only does he seem to hate her chardonnay, he also collapses and dies shortly after drinking it. To restore her reputation, catch a killer, and keep her struggling business open, Parker needs only one thing: some good proof.

Mesa Verde Victim, the sixth installment in Scott Graham’s National Park Mystery Series for Torrey House Press (https://www.torreyhouse.org/), is launching in a phased approach. The ebook was released May 15. The physical book release has been postponed and will take place on August 25, at which point Scott’s planned three-week tour to two dozen independent bookstores across the Southwest hopefully will be possible. Kirkus Reviews calls Mesa Verde Victim”An expert look at the great outdoors seamlessly incorporated with a focus on the hero’s family,” while Publishers Weekly says, “Agreeable characters are enhanced by beautiful landscape descriptions and intriguing local lore.” More information at http://www.scottfranklingraham.com/.

The Solace of Bay Leaves, Leslie Budewicz’s fifth Spice Shop mystery, will launch from Seventh St. Books on July 21; it’s available for pre-order now. Pepper Reece never expected to find her life’s passion in running the Seattle Spice Shop. But when evidence links a friend’s shooting to an unsolved murder, her own regrets surface. Can she uncover the truth and protect those she loves, before the deadly danger boils over?

Rebecca Bates’s book, Burning Candles, by Sue Star and Bill Beatty, was chosen as this year’s best romantic suspense by the Independent Press Association. https://www. independentpressaward.com/2020winners

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 4 MEMBER NEWS (continued)

The Study of Secrets (Lila Maclean Academic Mystery #5) by Cynthia Kuhn releases May 26. There could be nowhere more fitting for English professor Lila Maclean to spend her sabbatical than in a proper Victorian mansion. The whimsical Callahan House seems to have materialized from the pages of the mystery novels she is researching, with its enchanting towers, cozy nooks, and charming library. Unfortunately, it also features a body in the study. “...Cynthia Kuhn once again offers mystery lovers what they crave most: a smart, thoughtful, and fiercely-determined heroine; an intriguing puzzle; an idyllic setting, and a cast of suspects worthy of Agatha Christie–with a charming side of humor.” — Lisa Q. Mathews, author of The Ladies Smythe & Westin Mysteries. For more information on the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.

Catherine Dilts’s newest Secrets of the Castleton Manor Library novel has been released. Watson the detective cat, and his human, Faith, continue their sleuthing adventures in the Castleton Manor Library, but this time as part of the Christmas-themed series, Annie’s Mistletoe Mysteries. A contentious family attempts to heal old wounds, but reunions aren’t all they’re cut out to be. Silent Knife begins with a sleigh ride, and ends balanced on the knife-edge of disaster. Published by Annie’s Fiction - AnniesFiction.com

C. Joseph Greaves’ novel Church of the Graveyard Saints, which was chosen by six cities and their public libraries as the “Four Corners/One Book” community reading selection for 2019-2020 and was a “Best Reads of the Season” selection by High Country News, has been named a finalists for the Colorado Authors’ League Writer’s Award in the Mainstream Fiction category.

Barbara Nickless’s fourth Sydney Rose Parnell thriller, Gone to Darkness, stars Parnell facing a savage killer whose endgame is to capture her. And keep her. As a newly minted homicide detective, her instincts lead to a man tortured and beaten to death, then left in a refrigerated train car with cryptic messages carved into his body. As Sydney; her K9 partner, Clyde; and an old nemesis turned reluctant mentor investigate the grisly murder, the three develop a bond that carries them through a shocking series of crimes and a horrifying conspiracy that threatens their lives and promises to bring their beloved city to its knees.

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 5 MEMBER NEWS (continued)

Fleur Bradley’s story The Perfect Alibi appears in the new MWA middle-grade (for kids) anthology Super Puzzletastic Mysteries, published by HarperCollins Children’s on June 25th, edited by .

Patricia Smith Wood’s Murder at the Petroglyphs, which as a consequence of winning first place in the New Mexico Press Women’s Communication contest was eligible to be sent on to the National Federation of Press Women Contest, has placed in what’s described as “an extremely competitive contest.” In a normal world, winners would have been announced at NFPW’s annual meeting in June. Instead, they will be announced on June 6 at a Zoom-type meeting. Patricia does not know whether Murder at the Petroglyphs will get first, second, or third place, or an honorable mention, but says she is thrilled to pieces to get whichever one she’s given. Welcome to RMMWA As a child, Christine Hanlon made up spy adventures and performed them in the back yard at night. Her love of lurking around in the shadows didn’t lead her on a crime-fighting career path. Instead, she went to college and earned her Interior Design degree. In the design community, Christine became known as an observant and imaginative problem-solver. Designing, after all, is one big adventure puzzle. But not until a dispute over a dead tree did her writing creative juices get activated. Now she blends her problem-solving skills, a knack for seeing the dark side of life, and a wild imagination to write down all the tales she still sees forming in the shadows. She is presently working on a mystery thriller novel centered around an incurable disease. She lives in Denver with her husband and dog. In her free time, she volunteers at Colorado Talking Book Library, Green Drinks Denver, and enjoys cooking, baking, and drawing. Free virtual conference Mystery in the Midlands, a FREE virtual conference sponsored by SEMWA and the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime, will be held on Saturday, July 25 between 10-2:30 EST. Moderated by Dana Kaye, it will feature . Other panelists include John Floyd, Tara Laskowski, and (short stories), Alexia Gordon, Toni L.P. Kelner, and Gigi Pandian (paranormals), and Charlaine Harris, Dana Cameron, and Jeffery Deaver (novels to screenplays). Although FREE to all MWA and SinC members, registration is required https://www.sistersincrime.org/events/ EventDetails.aspx?id=1369310

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 6 Breakout Out During the Outbreak

By Kate Lansing

My debut cozy mystery, titled Killer Chardonnay, released May 26 and I have to say, in all the launch scenarios that played out in my mind over the last year, a global pandemic never entered the realm of possibility. But it’s not all bad—my loved ones are healthy, John Krasinski is entertaining the world with Some Good News, and there are plenty of ways to adapt. Virtual events are all the rage right now. From Instagram Live to Facebook parties to Zoom, there are great options for connecting with readers. When BookBar understandably cancelled all their events for May and June (note: they’re still taking online orders!), that included the launch party I had planned. And while I was definitely bummed, it also gave me the opportunity to pivot and try an alternative: Instagram Live. I crafted promo material on Canva, which is a fabulous—and free!—tool, and asked for questions ahead of time. Live events have an appealing, authentic feel and the technology is relatively easy to figure out. (In case you’re interested, my Instagram Live virtual launch party will be May 30 from 4-4:30 MT @kmlansing). Leverage your writing communities, like RMMWA! Send news in for newsletters, connect with members on social media, and if you know someone with a release date near yours, see if you can help boost each other. Speaking of signal boosting: social media. Chat up your new releases, share exciting stepping stones in the process, build some buzz. People are craving an escape right now and reading more than ever (no really, Publisher’s Marketplace has reported an increase in print sales!). And if someone mentions you and your book on Twitter or Instagram, be sure to retweet or share to stories! Inquire about being a guest on genre blogs or podcasts. In fact, our own Mark Stevens runs the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ podcast and is such a gracious host! These are all great ways to organically tap into new audiences from the safety of our homes. And I’m an advocate for the age-old wisdom: focus on the next project. Especially at times like these, it’s essential to tap into your creative side, to use your craft as a way to process. Miss visiting coffee shops and bookstores? Write that scene! Getting to know your neighbors slightly better than you’d like? There’s your new cast of quirky characters! But for me, the biggest thing that needed to change was my expectations. The world is a different and unprecedented place, and as such, our productivity, celebrations, and promotional strategies aren’t going to be the same as they once were. And that’s okay. My launch might not be quite what I imagined, but I’m still unbelievably excited that my lifelong dream is coming true. Stay safe, everyone!

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 7 Mystery minute by ZJ Czupor THE SILENCE OF THE AUTHOR This successful author has kept a low profile for the past forty years. He rarely gives interviews, preferring to let his work speak for itself. He does, however, answer his fan mail and poses for pictures when he’s recognized. He has a Santa-Claus quality about him—big, bearded, and jovial and described as a soft- spoken southern gentleman. Aside from writing popular thrillers, he’s a nature lover and often takes orphaned squirrels and injured ibises to an animal rescue center on Biscayne Bay in Florida. While he’s volunteered there since 1999, no one realized who he was. The center’s director said, “We had no idea. He’s such a kind, gentle man.” He draws, cooks gourmet meals, and often dines with friends. A retired Miami-Dade police sergeant said, “If you didn’t know who he was, you’d think he’s just a little old guy from Mississippi. He’s not impressed with himself, or anybody else.” Writing by hand, he begins his day at 8:30 and finishes around 2 or 3. He has lunch and a nap. He describes his writing process as starting with a scene that appears in his head. He thinks through what came before and after. He describes “the very act of writing as a kind of torment…” But his agent, Mort Janklow, says his books never really need editing. “What he delivers has the quality of a precisely cut gem.” Thomas Harris (1940 --) grew up in a small town in Mississippi where his family owned a cotton, soybeans, and wheat farm. He majored in English at Baylor University, rode a motorcycle, and worked nights as a reporter covering the police beat in Waco, Texas. In 1968, he took a job with the Associated Press in New York as a general assignment reporter and night editor on the city desk. While there, he and two other reporters (Sam Maull and Dick Riley) cooked up the idea for Black Sunday, a novel about a terrorist plot to commit mass murder during the Super Bowl game in Miami. He wrote the novel, sold it to Putnam in 1975, and he and his friends split the advance. In 1978, the film version was nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Motion Picture. Harris’s second novel, Red Dragon (1981), introduced one of America’s most grisly villains— Hannibal Lecter, the psychiatrist turned psychotic. In the novel, Dr. Lecter appears as a minor character and is already in prison. Stephen King compared that book with The Godfather and later called Hannibal “the great fictional monster of our time.” It was Harris’s third novel, Silence of the Lambs (1988), that became a pop-culture phenomenon and is considered a masterpiece of suspense. Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for his performance as Hannibal Lecter in the film version (1991), which won five awards—only the third film in Academy Awards history to sweep the Oscars in major categories—(best actor, best actress, best screenplay, best director and best picture). After his first novel (Red Dragon) was adapted into a film named “Manhunter” (1986), he was disappointed in it and in Hollywood in general. So, he didn’t watch “Silence of the Lambs” until two years after the Oscars. He liked it. His next two novels were sequels Hannibal (1999) and Hannibal Rising (2006). He wrote them on a $5-million-plus deal with Dell/Delacorte publishing. While the last two novels were also adapted into films, audience reaction began to wane and Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 8 Mystery Minute (continued) journalists kept pestering him about where his twisted ideas came from, implying he held deep- seated psychopathic tendencies. His response was “I don’t make anything up. So, look around you. Because everything has happened.” His novels have sold more than 50 million copies. His latest Cara Mora (2019), is his first in fourteen years and while it doesn’t feature Hannibal Lecter, he introduces a new evil villain who is hairless, owns a white latex plugsuit, and a liquid cremation machine. Harris has written six novels, five have been adapted into films, one into a television series, with a new TV series in production. His estimated net worth is $73 million. Not bad for a quiet, unassuming southern gentleman who creates monstrous villains. And that’s your Mystery Minute. # # #

Author’s Note: CBS recently announced the go-ahead on a new series for next season—a Silence of the Lambs sequel titled Clarice, which follows FBI agent Clarice Starling six months after the events of the movie. Rebecca Breeds takes over the Jodie Foster role from the 1991 film.

Fleeting Felonious Flicks Jeffrey A. Lockwood

The interest in six-word mysteries that arises with our annual contest suggests that perhaps brevity is the soul of both wit and intrigue. So, I’m offering these short reviews (1 to 5 revolvers) of short mystery films for you to watch while sipping your morning coffee—or afternoon Scotch.

A Detective Story (7:28) [2] Written and directed by Vicki Penny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krVoH9oSf4c (28,750 views) Here’s a B&W retro style film aspiring to a 1950s feel, which would’ve been fifty years before the cast was born. Ultimately, this is a funny, heart-warming venture with comically bad acting in a parody of noir which is sweetly enhanced by amateur camera work and editing (albeit with rather decent sound). The result is adolescent absurdity at its earnest and amateur best. That said, mystery writers should heartily encourage such youthful and playful ventures into our genre to foster the next generation of readers and writers.

Closed Doors (1:28) [2] Written and directed by Chase Diedrich https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ptF1nQzgxU (767 views) Now this is minimalism: a 90-second film with no dialogue, no actors, and just a few hundred YouTube views! There is only one very brief appearance of a human hand to let you know that someone is opening (and presumably closing) the doors. A darkly enchanting soundtrack and point-of-view shooting are remarkably effective in fostering tension. This would be a great film to use as a prompt for students in a creative writing class to craft a mystery story of what’s behind (literally and figurative) the “closed doors.”

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 9 Fleeting Felonious Flicks (continued)

Only to Exist (5:55) [3] Written and directed by Chris Romriell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aynphnlE_NQ (10,100 views) A most interesting film insofar as there is one actor and no dialogue. The cinematography and soundtrack make this a solid piece of work. As for the plot, there were some playful Sherlockian allusions, but there were also some story gaps (e.g., who sent the text message?). The final twist works even if it’s not terribly original, However, the filmmaker had to clarify the ending by tagging on a bit of text, which felt like the awkwardness of telling a joke and then needing to explain the punchline.

The Last Note (4:27) [5] Written by Harshh Mahadeshawar; Directed by Abhishek Satham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZhHUdEkZJ0&t=76s (6,500 views) The film was made for the 48 Hour Film Project (Indianapolis 2019), where it won Best Film and Best Writing. This is one of the finest short mysteries out there, so don’t start with this gem or your expectations for other films will be unreasonably elevated. The film has a wonderful plot twist and features first-rate acting. The cinematography is absolutely professional and the use of music/sound is wickedly effective. The story is told through the reading of two letters while the malevolent action unfolds. Aspen Summer Words virtual public events Aspen Summer Words Virtual will present five public panels throughout June. All panels will take place on Zoom Webinar and participants will be provided a link in an email confirmation upon completing registration for each panel. There is a unique link and password for each panel. Workshop students do need to register for each panel to receive the proper Zoom link. In the spirit of supporting literary community during these challenging times, there is no charge to enjoy the Aspen Summer Words Virtual panels. However, we need your support to carry out our mission and sustain literary arts programming. If you are in a position to give, please consider a donation to Aspen Words! https://engage.aspeninstitute.org/site/Donation2?df_ id=2040&mfc_pref=T&2040.donation=form1 2020 Panels Thursday, June 4 Writing About Real People 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Time / 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time What are the rules when you’re writing about friends and family or reimagining the lives of famous figures in your fiction? We’ll explore this topic with award-winning memoirists, essayists and novelists. Moderator: Adrienne Brodeur, Aspen Words executive director and author of the best- selling memoir “Wild Game” Panelists: Steve Almond, author of 10 books of fiction and nonfiction, including the New York Times best–sellers Candyfreak and Against Football. Christopher Castellani, author of four critically acclaimed novels including, most recently, “Leading Men,” and artistic director of Grub Street Gregory Pardlo, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and memoirist (“Air Traffic”) Claire Bidwell Smith, internationally renowned author of three books of nonfiction, speaker and grief expert. Register: https://aspeninst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M5S_ Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 10 Aspen Summer Words (continued) Tg81R6yVOWfiQS0l6A Thursday, June 11 People, Places, POV 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Time / 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time How do you create characters who are compelling and believable? How do you produce settings that have a life of their own? How do you figure out what voice and vantage point works best to tell your story? We’ll dive into these topics and other fundamentals of great writing. Moderator: Petra Mayer, editor, NPR Books Panelists: Steve Almond, Christopher Castellani, Yolanda Wisher, former poet laureate of Philadelphia and author of the poetry collection “Monk Easts an Afro” Register: https://aspeninst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3nGIK6WLRJaeW1Uun5hC7w Tuesday, June 16 Can I Write About This? 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Time / 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time Deadlines is published 10 times a year by Can you write about people and subjects outside the Rocky Mountain chapter of Mystery Writers of America. of your immediate experience and/or identity? What is the difference between appropriation and inclusion of Send member news to a complex and diverse cast of characters? How do you [email protected] balance creativity and imagination with writing about a Ch a p t e r o f f i c e r s : reality outside of your life experience and understanding? President: Margaret Mizushima This panel will examine these questions and also ask [email protected] what the publishing world is doing to create space for those Vice President: Z.J. Czupor voices from marginalized communities. [email protected] Secretary: Mike McClanahan Moderator: Leah Henderson, middle grade [email protected] author of novels The Magic in Changing Your Stars Treasurer: Bruce Most and One Shadow on the Wall Panelists: TBA Register: [email protected] https://aspeninst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ Membership: Laurie Sanderson-Walcott udWFwEpcSX64Lal0wLLY3w [email protected] Newsletter editor: Suzanne Proulx Wednesday, June 17 [email protected] The Business of Being a Writer Webmaster: Matthew Porter 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Time / 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern [email protected] Time Caterer Director: Sue Hinkin What does it take to collaborate effectively with [email protected] an agent and editor and build a lasting career as Social Media: Pat Stoltey [email protected] a writer? What’s the impact of coronavirus on Program Chairman: Lori Lacefield publishing? This panel of publishing experts will provide [email protected] insight into what writers need to know about getting their Montana: Lise McClendon work into the world. [email protected] Moderator: Jenna Blum, novelist and co-founder of A New Mexico: Ann Zeigler

Mighty Blaze Panelists: [email protected] Utah: Craig Kingsman Farley Chase, founder, Chase Literary Agency, Vanessa [email protected] Mobley, executive editor, Little, Brown. Register: Wyoming: Jeff Lockwood https://aspeninst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ [email protected] o55HFv7bQXaC6r5SRZ7hmA Past President: Chris Goff [email protected]

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 11 Aspen Summer Words (continued)

Monday, June 22 The Writer’s Journey: Advice & Inspiration from Summer Words Alumni 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mountain Time / 7:30-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time Every writer’s journey looks a little bit different. Some are practically born with a pen and paper in hand, while others turn to writing after a career in an entirely different field. Many attend MFA programs; others hone their skills through journalism, blogging or clandestine diary writing. There’s no single path, no silver bullet. This panel brings together star alumni from the Aspen Summer Words program to discuss their writing and publishing journeys, provide advice for students as they launch into a writers conference, and share their new books/ projects. Moderator: Caroline Tory, Aspen Words managing director Panelists: Stephanie Danler, author of best-selling novel Bittersweet and the new memoir Stray, Trapeta Mayson, C. Pam Zhang, author of the new novel How Much of These Hills is Gold, Eilene Zimmerman, journalist and author of the new memoir Smacked: A Story of White Collar Ambition, Addiction and Tragedy Register: https://aspeninst.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XmspOG9jTOO1TkUTOE9cug

Meeting Recap: May 14 Q&A with Nelson Literary Agency’s Angie Hodapp

On a pleasant spring evening this May, thirty-some quarantined writers joined Angie Hodapp of Nelson Literary Agency for a question-and-answer view of the publishing game in this viral age. The monthly meeting of the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Mystery Writers of America was held on Zoom and attracted members and guests from each of the chapter’s five states—and one guest from Australia. Angie Hodapp is the Director of Literary Development at Denver’s Nelson Literary Agency and the author of Do You Need a Literary Agent? and Query Craft: The Writer-in-the-Know Guide to Getting Your Manuscript Requested. She holds a BA in English and secondary education and an MA in English and communication development. A graduate of the Publishing Institute at the University of Denver, she has worked in professional writing, editing, and education for more than twenty years. A frequent presenter at writing conferences and events, she loves helping writers improve their craft and learn about the ever-changing world of publishing. The Q&A session was ably moderated by chapter Program Director Lori Lacefield, who fielded questions from the audience. The following is a condensation of the session, edited for brevity and continuity.

Q: Angie, what’s a typical work day like for you as Director of Literary Development? A: First, let me say I’m not a writer’s agent. I read submissions, request and read manuscripts, Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 12 RECAP: Q&A with Angie Hodapp (continued) and edit manuscripts for existing clients before they go out to acquiring editors. I also do some marketing for the agency and authors, especially at large international book fairs. I’ve also published two books about working with agents and publishers. One, Do You Need a Literary Agent?, lists 16 steps in making the decision. The first 8 steps are about writing the book and getting an agent, and the final 8 deal with reading royalty statements, what to look for in a contract and what to avoid, and how to get your rights back from a publisher. Q: To paraphrase your book title, should all authors have an agent? A: Not necessarily. Agents can open doors, but those aren’t necessarily doors you want or need opened. It depends on what you’re writing, what your goals are, and who you’re marketing to. Self-published authors and authors who work with small specialty presses may not need an agent, depending on your personal goals. If you’re independent and impatient and just want to keep writing, bear in mind that traditional publishing moves very slowly. It can take several months or longer for a large press to accept, print, and release a book. Q: What can an agent do that authors can’t do for themselves? A: First of all, very few Big Five and subsidiary presses will read a manuscript that isn’t presented by an agent. Smaller presses may accept submissions directly, but it’s very tough to

“It’s generally best to keep a series with same press but it’s okay to pitch a new series to a new press” sell a book to foreign markets without an agent, and foreign rights are very lucrative but may be overlooked without an agent. The same holds true with TV and movie rights. Q: How do agencies decide which books will be featured at foreign book fairs? A: Foreign markets have different tastes. Nelson takes everything to international book fairs because of that. For instance, Brazil and Turkey love horror. France likes romance. Japanese publishers won’t buy long works because Japanese characters take up more room than western words. They prefer 60k or fewer words and may break longer works into series. Q: How can an agent help secure the most beneficial deal for an author? A: Agents know how different publishers support authors so they guide authors to the best deals. For instance, a book might get lost in a big list but a small or medium press might give it more presence, resulting in better sales. Q: Do agents mind if you already have self/small pubs you’re working with? A: Generally, they don’t. Just be upfront and have it written into your contract. You want to protect income from your existing work and unless an agent adds revenue to it, like foreign or screen rights, you shouldn’t have to pay a commission. The agent may want you to use a second pen name to keep the revenue streams separate…unless your name is already money, of course. Early resistance to self-pub is largely gone since publishers realized there was a lot of sellable talent out there. Most authors are hybrid now; everyone does it anymore. Q: If you have an existing relationship with an indie and want to shop a new series, can you remain on good terms with your original publisher? Can you switch publishers after your first book? A: It’s generally best to keep a series with same press but it’s okay to pitch a new series to a Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 13 RECAP: Q&A with Angie Hodapp (continued) new press. If you try to switch midstream it may be hard to get a publisher to release rights. Q: Are Amazon imprints considered Big Five? A: No, despite the huge volume, Amazon is considered a mid-level press. But so are many well-known and successful imprints like Houghton-Mifflin and Five Star. Q: Are publishing houses taking a break during the current pandemic situation? A: There have been changes, but our agency is in constant contact with presses. Many, including the Big Five, are taking austerity measures. Five Star and Thorndike have pulled back library and large print, but those are mostly secondary markets. But books, especially eBooks and books at big box retailers, are selling well. Indies and independents are innovating to keep sales flowing, too. So far, we’re negotiating contracts the same as ever and no advances or royalty payments have been changed. So keep writing and at worst you’ll be ready when the market returns. Q: is eBook only a trend? A: Our agency won’t allow an eBook-only release. We insist on print as well because we want to work with publishers who will support our authors. But if your publisher wants eBook only, it should be in your contract that you retain the other rights. Q: What would get your attention in a query letter? A: I read hundreds of query letters a week. Basically, there are four parts to a query letter: a brief greeting with a quick one-sentence intro and why you’re querying; a product description that has the book’s title, genre, and word count; and your pitch. The pitch should be the bulk of letter. Get to the pitch; don’t make me look for it. Wrap with a two- to three-sentence bio, and don’t worry if you’re a debut author. It’s not a hindrance. A flashy bio and flattery won’t sell the book; the pitch makes the sale. That’s why I wrote 225 pages on how to write a one-page query letter.

“Agents know how different publishers support authors so they guide authors to the best deals. For instance, a book might get lost in a big list but a small or medium press might give it more presence, resulting in better sales.”

Q: What’s hot and what’s not? A: Most books won’t hit the shelves for 12-18 months, so my guess is humorous, hopeful, inspirational, and romantic comedy will sell best after the plague. Dystopian fiction sells best during times of comfort and prosperity. If you have an apocalyptic novel near completion, go ahead and query it, but if you’re in development, consider using the pandemic as the inciting incident, not the story. For instance, we heard about a book idea where one sister goes into quarantine and the other steals her identity. Q: What changes caused by the pandemic do you think are long-term? A: Agents and editors working from at home is likely to persist. Advances are likely to come down, especially the big ones. and maybe royalties, too. Most agents have boilerplate contracts Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 14 RECAP: Q&A with Angie Hodapp (continued) with pre-negotiated terms that may need revision to reflect the changes. But there may be some good stuff, too, like innovations in how books are handled and marketed. Q: Will publishers be focusing on the top one- or two-percenters and ignoring the rest? A: Keep in mind that those are who the publishers were always focused on, and while acquisitions may drop, all a writer can do is deal with what they can change—what they write, how much they write, and how well they write, learn, and grow. Don’t let fear stop you. Q: A lot of agents ask for five pages. What should they be, the inciting incident or further along in the story? A: Agents have their own preferences, and the more I read, the more I’m willing to look outside the traditional formulas. Reader expectation for your genre should influence what you submit. Mysteries and thrillers need to address that audience. Upmarket work can be more flexible. Pay attention to what other authors in your genre are doing. When I read now, I look for the author’s voice and mastery of language more than the hook. Q: What is typical advance these days? A: It varies by market and initial format, of course, but $25k is still doable for a series. YA and fantasy have been hot but are cooling. A paperback release of 5-10k is decent. And your book has to be pitched to an editor who in turn pitches to their peers at the press, so a lot depends on the publisher’s acquisition budget, too. Q: Are small presses folding? A: It’s a tough business to begin with and small presses are most vulnerable. Some are folding, some are being acquired. And that should be in your contract, that you get the choice of moving or getting your rights back in case of a merger or closure. The contract should have a rights reversion term if possible, too. The Big Five are tough and may only have a provision for you to ask, but that can be refused. Getting a term of license or a threshold on earnings or an out of print clause in the contract is important regardless of the hoops you may have to jump through to get your rights back from the big guys. You may even have to buy up any remaining inventory. Most other presses are at least reasonable, though. They can’t stand in way of you earning a living. At least they shouldn’t. Q: How much promotion can authors expect from midlevel presses and how much control over it? A: Again, this varies by press. The 80-20 rule is real; 80% of their budget goes to the top 20% of revenue producers. So you may not get much. You may need to invest in your own promotion, but publisher’s restrictions on what you can do may apply, especially in sensitive markets like children’s. Don’t go rogue. Work with your agent and editor. Don’t make them mad at you. They may even have helpful ideas and coaching support. But you are always your best advocate and readers want to like you, so try to let them. Q: If you’re not a good marketer, how do you find a good publicist? A: When self-publishing got hot, lots of people claimed to know how to sell your books. But books aren’t cars or mattresses. The best advice I can give is to get some references from authors in your genre who have had success using publicists. Q: Has the open-access Internet Archive affected your authors? A: Not a lot, but our agency takes strong stand against free content and copyright violations.

Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 15 RECAP: Q&A with Angie Hodapp (continued) Whether a work is open access should be the author’s choice. Our agency has requested that our authors be removed from the archive. Indie authors should do the same. Google for how to do it. As for copyrights, selling into places like China or Iran can be a problem, too, but royalties aren’t that big in those markets anyway.

With that, the session ended. If you have any follow-up questions, Angie invites you to email her at [email protected] with, and reference RMMWA in the subject line. Angie’s books are available through local booksellers and online. And congratulations to Lori for moderating a great program. —Mike McClanahan How to get your news into this newsletter (and on facebook and twitter) When you send your news to [email protected], it will automatically forward to Pat Stoltey so that she can post your news on our Facebook page, webmaster Matthew Porter, so he can post it on our website, and DEADLINES editor Suzanne Proulx, so it appears here. If you’re not following us on Facebook yet, here’s where you can go to loop in: https://www. facebook.com/Rocky-Mountain-Chapter-Mystery-Writers-of-America-257708297593037/ There is a chapter member list on the RMMWA Twitter account that we use to retweet your book news for you. If you’re active on Twitter and haven’t been getting regular retweets, drop Pat a line so that she can make certain you’re on the member list. If you want to be assured that a given tweet will be retweeted by RMMWA, just add @rmmwa to your tweet so that it gets into our Twitter notifications. Unless Pat is on vacation, your tweet will be retweeted within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. One of your RMMWA member benefits is social media support, so please follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook. And stay connected by keeping us informed of your writing-related news. We’re happy to help you spread the word about your publications, awards, and upcoming events. Stay in the loop As many of you know, our RMMWA Yahoo communication loop has gone away, and we’ve replaced it with [email protected]. But only about half of our members have signed up, which concerns us since we plan to use this loop more in the future to communicate news, make announcements, and stay in touch. If you haven’t signed up already, send an email to MWA- [email protected] and ask to subscribe. Or go directly to the group and ask to join at: https://groups.io/g/MWA-RM. You’re welcome to use the group to make announcements about new releases, signings, and events, but the hope is that this list can be used for conversations. If you have a question about writing or publishing, many people in our chapter might have the answer. While you’re at it, join the National MWA discussion list, open to all MWA members. Send an email to [email protected]. Signing up will not only allow you to ask questions and join in discussions with your fellow MWA members, but it will also give you access to the databases associated with it, including a list of libraries looking for speakers. If you have questions or need assistance, contact me at [email protected]. I’m happy to help link you in. Margaret Mizushima Deadlines JUNE 2020 Page 16