Must-See Monday

Kick off December with Tuesday Funk at Hopleaf Bar (5148 N. Clark). Hear fiction, poetry and essays from authors Jennifer Scappettone, Jotham Burrello, Nicholas Michael Ravnikar and Nicholas Kryczka. The night kicks off at 7:00pm.

On Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00pm, head over to Sheffield's (3248 N. Sheffield) for RUI: Reading Under the Influence. This month's theme is "Snow and Whiskey" and features Literary Death Match champion Jill Summers, performance artist Sean Ewert, 2nd Story ensemble member C.P. Chang and local author Jeff Phillips.

On Thursday, December 3rd, swing by Chicago Comics 6:00-8:00pm for the YI SOON SHIN: Warrior and Defender Issue #1 launch party. Help celebrate the launch of this historical comic book series with complimentary drinks and mingle with the Chicago author, Onrie Kompan.

Depaul hosts a Holiday Book Bash on Friday, December 4th 6:00-9:00pm at the John J. Egan Urban Center (1 E. Jackson). Hosted by "The Today Show" correspondent Mike Leonard and Young Chicago Authors president and WBEZ radio personality Sylvia Ewing, the event features over 30 authors, including Elizabeth Bracket and Janice Metzger. Tickets are $50, $15 for students. Visit the Young Chicago Authors website for more info.

Writer's Block Wednesday: Q&A with Onrie Kompan

Joining the Chicago Contingent just before the Thanksgiving festivities, is comic book author, Onrie Kompan. Onrie is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, a native to the area, and his first comic book series, YI SOON SHIN: Warrior and Defender, launches today!

Dana Kaye: What was your motivation for writing this series?

Onrie Kompan: I grew up reading many comic books and have always been intrigued by the struggles that super heroes dealt with. I always felt like I could relate to them on a personal level but there was always this line that couldn’t be crossed because none of these heroes actually existed.

When I first started writing comics I found that nothing I had produced was adding any value to the medium. Then one day, I came across a TV show called THE IMMORTAL YI SOON SHIN.

Like many super heroes, Admiral Yi endured very difficult hardships and I believe he stands out more because he existed. Not only is he real but you can also relate to him because he was just as human as everyone else. His philosophies not only guided me through the process of producing the series, but they also had a significant impact on my life in general.

Because so few people outside of Korea know who Yi Soon Shin is, I feel it is my calling to bring his story to the center stage of the world.

DK: Speak a little bit about the writing process. How is it different for comics and novels?

OK: I spent 5 years learning how to write novels and then spent two years unlearning it all. Not that writing novels is a bad thing but comics have a very different flow to them than novels. You need to get the point across very quickly.

In college, many of my professors asked me to slow down when I was writing so that I could see everything on the page. This forced me to pay attention to all the fine details going on in each scene, but I was no longer focused on the actual story itself and I often found myself stopping and asking, “Wait, what’s this about again?” In other words, when it comes to writing, I have a severe case of A.D.D and memory loss.

In prose forms, you control the whole playground and I find that to be a bit distracting. I like to get close to my characters and I like to watch them interact with one another. Writing comics has always felt natural to me because I can let my artist worry about the background details. I’m all about character interaction.

DK: Since this is your first series, what has surprised you about the publishing process? Anything you wish you knew going in?

OK: Oh yeah! I’m still learning things as I go and I’m making lots of mistakes and having lots of breakthroughs. I had many mentors who helped me along the way. Mort Castle and Len Strazewski taught me how to write and produce. My father taught me how to conduct business. All of them have been extremely supportive.

Putting my production team together was a dream come true but there were some difficult moments. Till this day, none of us have actually met each other face-to-face. David (the editor) and I talk on the phone fairly often but the rest of the team is pretty spread out. Gio’ lives in Italy and Adriana and Joel are from Argentina.

Despite our distance and how difficult it can sometimes be to communicate with each other, I have never worked with such a committed group of artists. They are all extremely talented and it’s a great honor working with them.

In my humble opinion, the ride isn’t worth it if you know what’s in store for you. If you decide to get involved in comics, you’re already taking a risk and are in store for a ton of surprises. Some are great and some just really suck. But there is nothing more gratifying than accomplishing the goals you set for yourself and standing out from everyone else.

DK: Which book or series made you want to write comics?

OK: Growing up, I was a huge Spider-Man fan and I always knew that I wanted to write comics professionally.

Over the last ten years, I began exposing myself to more mainstream comics and eventually started developing an interest in independent graphic novels.

I have a great deal of admiration for writers that choose to maintain their integrity and know when to walk away from a project. Alan Moore’s works are a prime example of that.

I would love to write all kinds of comics but I also feel that it’s important to add to the medium. The comic book industry as a whole is in dire need of afresh perspective in order to survive and attract new readers.

For decades comics have been seen as a childish form of entertainment. That’s something I would like to see change over the course of time and I’m really glad to see that there are so many talented writers out there who are telling their own stories.

******
Want a signed copy of Issue #1? E-mail Onrie and he'll send you one! For more information on Onrie and YI SOON SHIN, visit his website.

Must-See Monday

Ready to take your writing to the next level? Check out "Going Pro" at the Chicago Cultural Center (77 E. Randolph). StoryStudio founder Jill Pollack, author Carol Saller, and Agate Publishing president Doug Seibold discuss what it takes to become a professional writer tonight at 6:00pm.

2nd Story returns to Red Kiva (1108 W. Randolph) on Wednesday, November 26th at 7pm. Check out this long-running reading series where authors put their prose to music. Tickets include wine tasting.

Friday, November 28th at 8:00pm, head over to the Playground Theater (3209 N. Halsted) for Christopher Piatt's Thanksgiving Spectacular. The Time Out Chicago theater editor has put together a show of storytellers talking about their families. The catch? The families have to be present. No doubt, there will be plenty of laughs. And don't worry if you burned through your paycheck at the Black Friday sales, the event is free!

If you don't laugh enough on Friday, stop by Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln) on Saturday, November 29th for Comedy Night with the Kates. The literary stand-ups who once preformed at Kate The Great's Bookstore have now made the Book Cellar home. Show starts at 7pm.

Weekend Reading

This weekend I'll be inundated with upcoming releases (STEIN STONED by Hal Ackerman, THE DARKNESS by Jason Pinter, WHY MY THIRD HUSBAND WILL BE A DOG by Lisa Scottoline), but there are still plenty of great books out on the shelves now:

Michael Connelly finally did what his fans (and publisher) have always wanted him to do: write 2 books in a year. Detective Harry Bosch returns in NINE DRAGONS, and Connelly explores the world of Asian gangs. When the most important person in Bosch's life is taken from him, he's forced to do something he seldom does: leave LA.

If you ask Andrew Grant which book made him want to become a writer, he'll tell you it's ICE STATION ZEBRA by Alistair Maclean. It was published before I was born, so the book was never on my radar. But after Andrew's recommendation, I picked it up and couldn't put it down. If you like Espionage or Action/Adventure, ICE STATION ZEBRA is right up your alley. And if you want to write crime fiction, it's a necessary read.

Last weekend, I was up all night reading THE JOKER by Brian Azzarello. Even if you're not a graphic novel fan, it's impossible not to get sucked in to the gripping story, spot-on dialogue, and impressive illustrations. THE JOKER was published prior to The Dark Night's release, but judging by the similarities in illustrations, it's clear where the Hollywood guys got their image.

Writer's Block Wednesday: Expectations

I'm a firm believer in having reasonable expectations. This doesn't mean you shouldn't set lofty goals or you should have a pessimistic attitude. It simply means accepting the reality of situations and knowing that not everything is going to go perfectly or as planned.

Many authors have lots of unreasonable expectations and I'd like to address a few. This is not meant to be mean and I'm not trying to be a downer. It's simple honesty and I believe the more reasonable your expectations, the better chance you have at exceeding them.

The Expectation: I'll be rich and famous
The Reality: I always laugh when people think we become authors for the money, but apparently, a lot of writers do have the expectation of wealth and fame. Unfortunately, there is only a very small percentage of authors who make six figures and there are more authors who make less then 10K. This isn't to say if you work hard and market yourself you can't get up to that eight-figure-four-book contract, but it's not going to happen with your debut novel. Fame is even less likely. Even authors who I deem famous (Dennis Lehane, Nora Roberts, Junot Diaz) are still unknown to many non and infrequent readers. If you want to be rich, go into finance. If you want to be famous, star on a reality TV show. Write because you want to write.

The Expectation: You'll go on an extensive book tour and pack bookstores across the country
The Reality: Aside from your home town, you will be lucky to have 5 people at your book signing. Many times, it will be you and the two bookstore employees. The reality is, it is very difficult to get people to go to book signings, even for well known authors. I attended a duel signing with Michael Connelly and George Pelecanos at the Borders downtown. There were about 20 people in attendance. That was for two bestselling authors. Over time, you'll build up an audience and there may be a few signings where you do pack the room. But don't be surprised or disappointed when attendance is light. It's just the reality.

The Expectation: Your book will be reviewed in the New York Times and Washington Post, you'll have a feature on the Today show, and your book will chosen for Oprah's book club.
The Reality: If you have a decent publicist, the odds of landing a handful of newspaper reviews and radio spots are good. Odds of appearing on network television? Slim. Big media is hard to land, especially if you're a debut or mid-list author. Even the bestsellers don't always have luck. Online reviews can be just as effective as those in newspapers and an appearance on Leno isn't a guarantee that your book will be pushed up into the NYT bestseller list. Work to attain any possible media coverage rather than focusing on the most prestigious.

The Expectation: You won't have to market or promote your book; that's what the publisher is for.
The Reality: Unfortunately, writers cannot simply sit at their desks and churn out product while their publisher handles the promotion. Bookstore visits, writing conferences, and utilization of social media are all necessary steps for a successful writing career. If you have a supportive publisher, they'll attempt to attain press, maybe take out a few ads, but the grassroots marketing is all up to you. The most successful authors are accessible to their fans, which means attending conventions and scheduling bookstore signings.

Feel free to comment with additional unrealistic expectations. The more aspiring authors know about the business, the better, even if the reality can sometimes be harsh.

Writer's Block Wednesday: What I Learned at Court

For those of you who follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, know that I've spent the last couple of days serving on a jury. It was a criminal case, a drug dealer on Chicago's west side, and although it was extremely disruptive to take off work for so long, I did find the whole experience rather intriguing. I learned a lot about how our legal system works (or sometimes doesn't work), procedures cops must follow when apprehending a suspect, and really how hard it is to convict someone of a crime. All of this information, all of the details I experienced during my two days, could be used in a novel.

Though most of our research is done via the internet, nothing compares to the authority of personal experience. I can go on Google Earth and look at an aerial photo of a neighborhood, but it's not the same as growing up on that block. I truly believe the best research is active research, where you are experiencing something first hand rather than reading an account of it on your computer.

So, should all crime writers stand on the most violent corner to witness crime first hand? Should romance writers attempt to get involved with an unattainable man and overcome obstacles where love triumphs in the end? Of course not. We write fiction because it's more interesting than anything we've experienced. But there are small things we can do to research and bring more authenticity to our novels.

Talk to People. Say you're writing a police procedural or some novel involving a cop. Do not write a single word of dialogue before talking to a couple police officers. Cops have a different way of speaking, a specific way of saying things, and it's necessary to capture that on the page. Is one of your characters a lawyer? An ER nurse? Talking with people in these professions will give you insight into their daily lives, which you will bring into your book.

Explore the City. Most of us are perfectly content to stay in our house for days on end writing and not seeing the light of day. But if you're writing about people and places, you need to get out and experience them. I find driving or biking through different neighborhoods gets the creative juices flowing. If you know what certain neighborhoods look like first hand, your knowledge will shine through in your writing. You don't have to visit every location in your book, that takes too long. But if you're writing about a neighborhood you've never been to before, it's probably worth a trip.

Try Something New. Do you know what it feels like to hold a gun? To dig a ditch? To ride in a helicopter? Trying a few of these things can also help bring authenticity to your book. Again, you don't have to experience everything you write about, that's why they call it fiction. But if you have one or two new experiences a year, you'll eventually build a large stash of knowledge. Visit a shooting range (or in some states, Wal-Mart) and ask to hold a gun. Go on a helicopter ride. Even something as small as swimming in the ocean can serve as important research.

With all of these suggestions, comes a warning: Research is fun, sometimes more fun than writing. Don't get so caught up in the research that you use it as a way to push the writing aside. Remember your goal is to write a novel, a good novel, and while research is necessary, it does not take the place of writing.

Must-See Monday

Stop by The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) on Wednesday, November 11th for Funny Ha-Ha, the monthly comedy and reading series hosted by Claire Zulkey. This month's guests include Tribune critic Maureen Ryan, The Onion's A.V. Club, novelist Kevin Guilfoile, and filmmaker Steve Delahoyde.

Also on Wednesday, Time Out Chicago Kid's editor Judy Sutton-Taylor, reads from her contribution to P.S.:WHAT I DIDN'T SAY, a collection of unsent letters written by women to their friends. Stop by the Book Cellar at 7pm to hear readings from the anthology.

Feel like a road trip this weekend? Head up to Wisconsin for Murder and Mayhem in Muskego. This great library event features appearances by Marcus Sakey, Jamie Freveletti, Andrew Grant, Tasha Alexander, Michael Koryta, Sean Chercover and...who else...oh yeah, myself! Sign up for the Friday evening cocktail reception where I'll be interviewing Freveletti, Alexander, Grant and Koryta and stay Saturday for a long lineup of authors.

Weekend Reading

This weekend, I hope to read CHRONIC CITY by Jonathan Lethem, which was recently chosen for Indie Next List. For this book, he moves the setting to Manhattan, but hopefully it will be just as gripping as MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN.

Another one in my To Be Read pile is Martin Limon's G.I. BONES. Part of the Sueno/Bascom series, this military novel is set during 1970's Korea. Limon is a master at setting the scene and transporting readers into his world. If you're not familiar with the series, I encourage you to start from the beginning with JADE LADY BURNING.

If you're a sports fan or a history buff, pick up Mike Bohn's HEROES AND BALLYHOO: How the Golden Age of the 1920s Transformed American Sports. This nonfiction book profiles the great American sports heroes of that era , including Babe Ruth, Red Grange, and Bobby Jones. He goes further to explore those behind the scenes: sports writers, press agents, etc. Bohn is a knowledgeable storyteller and his book is a fascinating read.

In Lieu of Real Content...

Because of work and some family obligations, I don't have time to blog today. Instead, I refer you to some of my colleagues, all of whom have some very helpful writing tips:

• J.A. Konrath continues his e-book observations
• Marcus Sakey discusses his favorite writing words of wisdom
• Tess Gerritsen analyzes her audience
• Agent Michelle Wolfson discusses the benefits of Twitter
• Lynne Patrick lists the reasons why publishers don't offer feedback on submissions

Enjoy!

Must-See Monday

Lots of big name authors are coming to Chicago this week, most as a part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. I've picked my favorites, but visit their website to get the full lineup.

Stop by Sheffields (3258 N. Sheffield) on Wednesday, November 4th for the monthly reading series RUI: Reading Under the Influence. This month's theme is "Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes" and features Chicago authors Kathie Bergquist and Geoff Hyatt.

Also on Wednesday at 7pm, the talented John Connolly reads from and signs his latest novel THE GATES at the Albany Park Borders (6103 N. Lincoln).

University of Illinois's literary magazine Ninth Letter celebrates the release of their latest issue at 57th St. Books (1301 E. 57th) on Thursday, November 5th at 6pm.

Head up north for another lit mag launch on Friday, November 6th. Fifth Wednesday Journal celebrates the release of their fall issue at Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln) at 7pm.

Also on Friday, Margaret Atwood reads from her latest novel, THE YEAR OF THE FLOOD at the Merle Reskin theatre (60 E. Balbo) at 7:30pm. Her novel is a follow up to ORYX AND CRAKE. Tickets are $20 for the public and $10 for DePaul students.

Sunday, November 8th at 12:00pm, radio host Victoria Laufman interviews bestselling author Jonathan Lethem at the Art Institute (111 S. Michigan) in the Fullerton auditorium. Tickets are $5, but Lethem fans will agree with me, it's totally worth it.

Halloween Weekend Reading

When I think of Halloween reads, I immediately think of Anne Rice. If you enjoy vampire tales, try INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE or THE VAMPIRE LESTAT. If you prefer witches, try any of the books in the Witches of Mayfair series.

For contemporary paranormal, try Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series, inspiration for the hit show True Blood. Probably best to start at the beginning with DEAD UNTIL DARK.

If you want a non-paranormal Halloween read, pick up Ray Bradbury's SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. The psychological horror story takes place in small-town Illinois one week before Halloween when an eerie Carnival rolls into town and begins to destroy the lives of everyone who participates in its attractions.

Lastly, what Halloween would be complete without the Horror-master himself, Stephen King? My favorites include THE TOMMYKNOCKERS, IT, and THE SHINING even though they all kept me up for days.

Writer's Block Wednesday: The Blurb Revealed

What's one thing writers hate and editors will always require? Asking for blurbs. Those little snippets on the back of books from New York Times bestselling authors and prominent book critics. They rave about the characters, claim the book kept them up all night, and praise the exceptional prose. A great blurb can give a lesser known book a boost and being paired with a NYT bestselling author in Amazon searches always helps. But are blurbs really accurate recommendations?

Well known authors can receive as many as ten manuscripts a day from authors requesting blurbs. Many of them, in the interest of helping fellow writers, will try and read as many as they can, but obviously, can't get to them all. Others will blurb based on the back cover and first 50 pages. Some will give an okay book an exceptional blurb by finding one or two things the author did really well.

The blurbs are not mean to deceive readers, but to help writers. However, if you pick up a book because your favorite author blurbbed it and the book was bad, does it make you feel different about your favorite author?

After years of reviewing and spending a lot of time with authors, I've learned that there are four types of blurbers:

1. The Blurb Whore - This is the big name author whose stamp of approval seems to be on every single new release, whether it be a crime fiction novel or a low-carb cookbook.
2. The Fair blurber - This author will blurb a fair amount of books, but only ones they honestly enjoyed.
3. The Newbie - This is the recently published author who is so flattered when approached by authors for blurbs, they feel obligated to provide one, even if they didn't enjoy the book.
4. The Coveted Blurb - This is a blurb from an author who never blurbs anything, and if s/he said something wonderful about your book, it must be amazing.

As a reader, you learn to identify the difference, and the blurb whores will soon lose credibility. A book with a coveted blurb may rise to the top of your list and a blurb from a newbie author may have no affect at all. As an author, it's important to identify a big name author who will enjoy your book and who doesn't dole out blurbs by the dozens. You can go after the coveted blurb, it may pay off, but it's risky and time consuming.

Lastly, there's the issue of conflict of interest. Can an editors ask one of their big name authors to blurb a book by one of their lesser-knowns? Can an agent? Would people outside of the industry notice?

I think now, with Amazon reviews and book bloggers, blurbs aren't playing as much of a part in book buying. Most people will consider reviews and friend recommendations rather than solely relying on a blurb to tell them whether a book is good or not. But looking at all the implications of a blurb and all the outside factors, it's impossible to say without a doubt that the quotes on the back of the book are accurate recommendations.

Must-See Monday

Head over to the Music Box (3733 N. Southport) on Tuesday, October 27th at 7pm to hear Augusten Burroughs read from his new collection of holiday short stories, YOU BETTER NOT CRY. Tickets required.

Stop by Manny's (1141 S. Jefferson) to hear David Sax read from his new book SAVE THAT DELI. Not only does the book sound entertaining, Manny's is arguably the best Jewish food in Chicago.

Stop by Red Kiva (1108 W. Randolph) on October 28th at 7:30pm for the Halloween edition of 2ND STORY. This long-running series features authors reading their work with musical accompaniment.

For something different this Halloween, stop by the Irish American Center (4626 N. Knox) 11:00am-9pm Saturday and Sunday for iBam! A Celebration of Irish Books Arts and Music. Author Malachy McCourt, cartoonist Jack Higgins, and Irish rock band Black 47 are all scheduled to attend.

Weekend Reading

This weekend, I'm diving head first into the stack of books I took home from this year's Bouchercon. My list includes:

DEAD MEN'S DUST by, Matt Hilton. This debut novel had been on my reading list for quite a while, since it released in June. The protagonist, Joe Hunter, is reminiscent of Jack Reacher: a former military operative and ex-CIA agent who gets the job done. When his estranged brother has disappeared because he stole from the wrong man, it's up to Hunter to find him.

BOULEVARD by, Steven Jay Schwartz. This I managed to read when it first came out, but if you haven't, definitely pick it up this weekend. Protagonist, Hayden Glass, is a robbery and homicide detective in LA. He's also a sex addict. And when a string of murders, executed by a sadistic, sexual killer, his two worlds collide.

I'm not familiar with her work, but I also snagged EVIL WITHOUT A FACE by, Jordan Dane. This book is the start of her new series featuring bounty hunter, Jessica Beckett. She's on the hunt for an online predator who's abducted a teenage girl, but soon realizes, she's nothing but a pawn in a terrifying global conspiracy.

Lastly, the book that was on everyone's lips this Bouchercon, is DOUBLE EXPOSURE by Michael Lister. For most, it was the Michael Connelly recommendation that had everyone rushing to pick up this book. For me, it was the back cover. I'll let it speak for itself:

Following his dad’s death, Remington James returns to the small North
Florida town where he grew up to assume his father’s life—taking care of his
dying mother and running the local gun and pawn shop.One fateful fall evening,
as the sun sinks and the darkness expands, Remington ventures deep into the
river swamp to try out some new equipment and check his camera traps.
Encountering the kind of wildlife that made him want to be a photographer in the
first place, Remington gets some of the best shots of his life, but he’s about
to happen upon the most dangerous animal of all—a feral, patient, sociopath who
wants Remington dead.

Writer's Block Wednesday: What I Learned at Bcon

Get a bunch of writers in a room, guaranteed you'll leave with some helpful writing tips. This weekend, we had a hotel filled with authors, and I left with lots of great insights into the world of writing:

"Everyone has to have skin in the game." --Marcus Sakey
I think this is something a lot of writer's forget. They let their minor characters meander through the book, not serving any purpose. A good rule: if the character has a name, s/he should have something at stake. This doesn't mean cut your cast of characters in half. Instead, give those characters something to gain and, more importantly, something to lose.

"I don't do much research, I just make shit up." --Harlan Coben
Besides causing a lot of laughter from the audience, I know this quote struck home with a lot of writers. We spend so much time doing research - police procedures, setting details, etc. - that we sometimes forget we're writing fiction. Research can give writing authenticity, but it can often serve as a form of procrastination. Don't waste all your time doing research, just make it up. Once the story is on the page, you can authenticate it later.

"Write what your passionate about. Write the book you want to read." --R.J. Ellroy
This is a good alteration to the old adage, "write what you know." For most people, what they know isn't too exciting. Or maybe it is, maybe you're a homicide cop in south central LA. But if you're not passionate about the life, if you have no interest in reading LA crime fiction, then don't write it. Most people take 10 months to write a book, that's too much time spent on something you're not passionate about.

The last quote I picked up was spoken by so many authors, I couldn't give attribution:

"You sell books one reader at a time."
I honestly believe this. While there are many who read reviews or hear an author on the radio before racing to buy their book, most of us rely on word of mouth. If you impress one reader, they'll recommend the book to other readers, creating a snowball effect. Many authors are so concerned with numbers, signing attendance, and media coverage, they forget who's doing the buying. Even after all the technological advances, I still believe word of mouth is the best way to sell a book.

Must-See Monday

It's a busy literary week here in Chicago! Creative Nonfiction week kicks off today at Columbia College, so be sure to check out the following events at the Film Row Cinema (1104 S. Wabash, 8th floor):

• Student Reading today at 3:30pm
• Pulitzer finalist Luis Alberto Urrea reads from a selection of his work tonight at 6:30pm
• Sam Weller, author of THE BRADBURY CHRONICLES, hosts Words + Music, featuring Sun-Times writer Laura Emerick, blogger Max G, musician Laura Lindeen, and Time Out Chicago music editor Brent DiCrescenzo tomorrow at 3:30pm
• The South Loop Review launches their latest issue Friday at 3:30 in the Hokin Gallery (623 S. Wabash).

Events unrelated to Creative Nonfiction week include:

MARLEY & ME memoirist, John Grogan, reads from his new novel, THE LONGEST TRIP HOME, at Barnes and Noble (1 E. Jackson) tomorrow at 5:30pm.

Chicago author, Joe Meno, reads from his new novel, THE GREAT PERHAPS, at Literacy Chicago (17 N. State) Wednesday, October 21st at 6pm.

Also Wednesday at 6pm, Michael Chabon reads from his new memoir, MANHOOD FOR AMATEURS, at the Harold Washington Library (400 S. State).

And if that's not enough Literary activity for a Wednesday night, head up to Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln) for Local Author night. Readers include Libby Hellmann, Lise Marinelli, and Craig Hickman.

Off to Bouchercon

I'll be heading down to Indianapolis first thing in the morning and won't be blogging in my absence. I will, however, attempt to Tweet a few of the highlights. If you want a more comprehensive play-by-play, check out The Rap Sheet.

The Chicago Contingent will be back with Must-Sees first thing on Monday.

Must-See Monday

Tonight, Monty Python fans should head over to Borders (830 N. Michigan) to see comedian and author Eric Idle. He'll read from and sign copies of his new book, MONTY PYTHON LIVE!, written in collaboration with fellow Monty Python comedy troupe members.

Chicago author Sara Paretsky visits the Newberry Library (60 W. Walton) on Tuesday, October 13th at 6:00pm. She'll sign copies of her latest V.I. Warshawski novel, HARDBALL.

Billy Lombardo, another Chicago author, will read and sign copies of his latest novel, HOW TO HOLD A WOMAN at Barbara's Bookstore (1218 S. Halsted) on Wednesday, October 14th at 7:30pm.

Not much going on this weekend since everyone worth seeing will be down at Bouchercon Indy. This mystery convention is like 100 signings, book launches and readings rolled into one! Good news is, it's not too late to register. Here are a few events you won't want to miss this weekend:

• Thursday at 6:00pm - presentation of the Barry, Macavity, Derringer and CrimeSpree Awards
• Friday at 9:45am - First novelists speed dating event, get a chance to chat with 24 debut novelists attending Bouchercon, including Jamie Freveletti
• Friday at 10:30am - Character Is Destiny panel with Marcus Sakey
• Friday at 1:30pm - Michael Connelly interviewed by Michael Koryta
• Sunday at 9:00am - Books Bazaar hosted by J.A. Konrath, get free signed copies from over 100 of your favorite authors

Weekend Reading - Bouchercon Edition

Next week is the 40th annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, one of the largest in the world. I deem it the world series of writer's conferences. For those of you heading down to Indy, spend the weekend reading the works of authors in attendance. It'll give you something to talk about at the bar. There's still time to register, but if you're unable to attend, read these books anyway and see what you're missing:

Heavy Hitters
Michael Connelly - THE SCARECROW
S.J. Rozan - THE SHANGHAI MOON
Lee Child - GONE TOMORROW
Linwood Barclay - FEAR THE WORST
C.J.Box - BELOW ZERO

Ringers
Marcus Sakey - THE AMATEURS
Sean Chercover - TRIGGER CITY
Michael Koryta - THE SILENT HOUR
Laura Benedict - ISABELLA MOON
Theresa Schwegel - LAST KNOWN ADDRESS
Libby Fischer Hellmann - DOUBLE BACK
Robin Burcell - FACE OF A KILLER

Rookies of the Year
Jamie Freveletti - RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL
Rebecca Cantrell - A TRACE OF SMOKE
Connie Dial - INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Writer's Block Wednesday: Q&A with Rebecca York

This week, bestselling author Rebecca York joins The Chicago Contingent. She is the author of over a hundred novels and her latest, DRAGON MOON, was released yesterday by Berkley.

Dana Kaye: Tell us a little about your writing process. How has it changed over the years?

Rebecca York: Every book I write begins with what I’d call a “cool idea.” For DRAGON MOON, the germ of the book comes from the idea: What if a frightening dragon-shifter monster from my parallel universe planned to invade our world? What if he sent a spy here–and she had to figure out how to free herself from his hold on her?

I always get as much of the story down in outline form as I can before I start to write. And I try to develop plot and character together–because they are so intertwined. The characters must fit into the plot, and the plot must keep the reader interested and illuminate the characters.

I always plan to start with a gripping first scene that will plunge the reader into the action. In DRAGON MOON, Vandar, my dragon-shifter monster, flies over his domain, lands and gathers his slaves so he can execute one of them by drinking his blood. Then he thinks about his current project–invading our world and how he’s going to accomplish it.

When I write the first few chapters of my book, I get to know my characters. Although I have an outline, I’m free to abandon any part of it if I think of something better. As I said, I try to write ten pages a day. I always start the next day by editing what I wrote the day before, which gets me back into the story. I try to write fast. Then I spend a lot of time editing my manuscript. Each book I write gets edited on the screen at least once. Then I edit on paper two to four times. I also try to write fast to give myself time to put the book away for a few weeks or months. When I get it out again, it’s like someone else wrote it, and I can be very objective about what works and what doesn’t.

Really, my writing process hasn’t changed much over the years. I just understand it better. When I wrote my first novel, I said to myself, “Let’s see if I can outline part of this book before I start writing.” When I’d come up with part of the plot, I felt comfortable starting the chapters. I wrote the first part of the book while working on the outline. And just as I do now, I edited over and over to make the story better.

DK: What inspired you to write a mix of paranormal, romance and suspense? How does each genre inform the other?

RY: My chief reading material when I was young was science fiction and fantasy with some mysteries and adventure novels scattered in. I didn’t even know that “romances” existed. So it was natural for me to start off writing science fiction. My first published novel was a kids’ science fiction story. Then the romance field heated up, and a friend asked if I wanted to write one. When I told her I’d never read a romance, she brought me shopping bags full of paperback romances. I LIKED them. I’d always loved reading about the development of a relationship between a man and a woman (like the strong romance element in THE PUPPET MASTERS, by Robert Heinlein, for example), and romances were all about that relationship. I wrote a few, but I wanted more plot with my stories. So I was one of the early modern writers of romantic suspense, beginning with the Peregrine Connection series for Dell in 1986-87. In my first books for Harlequin Intrigue (in the early 90's), I started sneaking in paranormal elements. At first I wrote what I call “stealth paranormals” because I had to hide the weird bits until well into the story. The reader didn’t know the hero was a space alien or a clone being trained for a suicide mission until she’d already gotten to know and like him.

As paranormal became more acceptable, I got more overt about using it. I wanted to use those elements that I’d liked so much in my own reading. One book that stuck with me for years was DARKER THAN YOU THINK, by Jack Williamson, about a man discovering his werewolf powers. It made me want to BE a werewolf. Later I read THE WOLF’S HOUR, by Robert McCammon, and that rekindled my interest in the subgenre. I wanted to write my own werewolf story, but I was sure I couldn’t sell one unless I wrote the whole book. It was hard to make myself do that since I was selling to Harlequin Intrigue on short proposals. But finally, I HAD TO write KILLING MOON. That was my first single-title paranormal, and I’ve been deep into the weird ever since. DRAGON MOON is the latest example.

The heroine of DRAGON MOON, Kenna, is a slave from my alternate universe, sent here to help Vandar, her ruthless dragon-shifter master, invade our world. She meets werewolf Talon Marshall, is drawn to him, and desperately wants to tell him the secret she’s been commanded to hide. But every time she tries to reveal her plight, excruciating pains stab into her head. Even as Kenna and Talon fall in love, he knows he can’t trust her. And she struggles to break through the barriers that control her mind. It’s classic romantic suspense, with the paranormal twists that add so much to the book for me. I love writing stories about men and women falling in love against a background of suspense and danger, so I always have a fast-paced plot with plenty of frightening incidents that my hero and heroine must deal with. But the most important thing about any plot element is how it affects the hero and heroine emotionally. Like when Talon comes home from a wilderness expedition to find Kenna attacking a man who came to Talon’s lodge to burn it down. Or when Kenna’s programming forces her to rob a nearby house, and Talon watches her in wolf form. Knowing she’s a thief sends him off on a near disastrous course.

DK: In this economic climate and with the world of publishing drastically changing, how are you shifting your marketing efforts? Are you doing anything differently this time around?

RY: I’ve been looking for more ways to bring my books to the attention of readers. Several books ago, I decided there was value in having a book trailer made because it’s something you can “show” people. Circle of Seven, which produced all my book trailers, is offering more services to go along with the trailer (like podcasts), which I’m taking advantage of. I’m also doing more guest blogging, and I’m taking more advantage of Facebook and Twitter, and trying to increase my followers.

DK: What piece of advice can you give aspiring writers?

RY: Don’t think that because you’ve written something, it’s set in stone. Be prepared to revise and improve your work. Shoot for the best markets first. Don’t try “easier” publishers until you’ve struck out with the bigger ones.