Congratulations on the 20th novel. Sounds like a howl.

Very thoughtful and important piece, M.J.

You wonder if there will be ANY bookstores in 20 years. This trip on the airplane, I saw more than two dozen Kindles in the airport and on the plane. More Kindles than books on the plane. I was shocked.

Not disagreeing, Pepper, but it's also true the most common way into history is soldiering. Joan of Arc helps make both our points, I think.

I'm reading Larson right now and enjoying it very much, but his craft makes the writing remote. Lots of authorial intrusion. POV hopping in the same scene. Passages of background like a magazine article. But the story's good, and "The Girl" is a fabulous character. Sometimes I think nobody notices craft but a certain kind of writer, but maybe these translations add to the remoteness, and that's what's been bothering you.

I'm on page 72 of A NIGHT AT THE OPERATION, and I can tell everyone Jeff is a funny man who writes clever novels with lots of laughs. The mystery is also wonderful, and though I can't be sure, I think the missing Sharon just might be connected to the plumbing problem in Elliot's theater. I know it's a longshot, but I have this hunch. Go Yankees!

I think the problem has been, and always will be, combining mystery with humor. The artist is torn -- Do I play for thrilling or funny? A NIGHT AT THE OPERATION tries hard, and is clearly the best cover. With the new one, at least they can play up the female protag, put (like every urban fantasy novel I've seen this year) a leggy, attractive woman on the cover. Also, you've got the creepy Victorian mansion to work with, maybe ghosts peeking out an upstairs window. This is going to be your favorite cover, I bet. Ms. Copperman. :-)

Did somebody complain about my Speedo?

Did you like the book?

It's a conspiracy! Even the FBI is taking shots at us. "An FBI official called corruption 'a cancer that is destroying the core values of this state,'" the Associated Press said. Of course, 130 public officials pleading guilty or being convicted of corruption in the last eight years does bring some bad publicity. Does North Dakota even have 130 public officials?

I don't want to be a vampire because I like food too much, but maybe us nice guys could get together once a month and discuss ways to improve our situation. Trade tips on being cruel, disrespectful, and dangerous, work on our insults. If I do the dishes one more time, I'm afraid my wife's going to leave me.

Wish I'd read this post four years ago, PJ. Make this part of your seminar. Call it, "BEFORE YOU GET PUBLISHED"

Hard work doesn't always equal results. Too bad some clients don't get it. You rock, PJ.

Randy Newman wrote that song about a very specific, nasty little troll named Clive Davis, who is one of the most successful music guys in there is. Your theory, uh...falls short.

Hey, PJ, wasn't the Dallas area underwater last year at this time, too? Are floods an annual event? What do authors need? Mostly hugs. It's a cruel world.

Some authors think I'm nuts, but librarians can be as helpful as booksellers, especially for us newbies. Thanks for the list.

I will, I won't, I will, I won't. You sound like my last date.

Watched Thelma & Louise again last night. Not a mystery, of course, but interesting to see the cop as a well-intentioned antagonist, trying to stop the disaster.

Thanks for sharing, Ms. B. Words escape me.

Chandler never sent me to the dictionary in the middle of a story, a trip no reader should have to make.

I wish all your wishes come true, PJ. You are a special lady.

Billy Elliott. Go ahead and say it.

The Doc's right. Focus on writing the very best book you can. It's the only thing you can control.

Hey, lady, the absolute, number one way to steal from a supermarket is to walk out eating the food. Page two of Street Survival, 101. Let me see that receipt!

I agree that we are artists, but our words don't have life without readers. We must think of them when we write, not just our own visions. And as an editor, I must say when most new writers ask for a critique, they don't really want one. They seek only confirmation of their talent.