Tag Archives: Clay Stafford

Collaborations Can Be As Easy as 1-2-3 / Author Steven Womack

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Clay Stafford

Writing with someone else is tricky. Most writers have their own toys, their own ideas, and they like to write in their own way. How do you keep the other person from being an intrusion rather than a partner? How … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Uncategorized | Tagged Author, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Collaboration, cozy mystery, crazy, ego, Elsa, Frozen, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, McDaniel, movie, movie writing, Readers, screenplay, scrip;t, script writing, Steven, Steven Womack, Thriller, thriller writing, Wayne, Wayne McDaniel, Womack, Writing | 3 Comments

An Interview with 2014 Killer Nashville Attending Editor Bryon Quertermous

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Clay Stafford

All the agents and editors who come to Killer Nashville are looking for new authors. We make sure of that before they are invited. Sometimes, though, we see a new house that is incredibly hungry. And, for us, that’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Angry Robot Books, Author, authors, Award Winning, Books, Bryon Quertermous, characters, Clay Stafford, Crim Fiction Imprint, Crime Fiction, Exhibit A Books, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, mystery, Writing | 1 Comment

Blending Humor and Tension in a Traditional Mystery / Author Nancy J. Cohen

Posted on May 7, 2014 by Clay Stafford

There’s nothing funny about murder. Or is there? Mystery, romance, and how-to author Nancy J. Cohen navigates the delicate balance between bloodshed and laughter in her guest blog, “Blending Humor and Tension in a Traditional Mystery.” Here’s a great way … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series | Tagged Author, Award Winning, Bad Hair Day series, Blending Humor and Tension in a Traditional Mystery, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Marla Shore, mystery, mystery series, Nancy J Cohen, Readers, Shear Murder, suspense, Themes, Writing, writing the cozy mystery | 6 Comments

Killer Nashville’s Featured Books / Thursday, February 27, 2014 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Clay Stafford

DEATH CANYON by David Riley Bertsch KILLER’S ISLAND by Anna Jansson THE LAST TIME I DIED by Joe Nelms Dear Murderous Reader – This week my reading was all over the place. I went from a mystery-western, to a Swedish version of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged Anna Jansson, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, David Riley Bertsch, Death Canyon, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Detective Inspector Marian Wern, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Joe Nelms, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, Killer's Island, murder, mystery, Nashville, New York City, Readers, Series, sweden, Swedish Mystery, The Last Time I Died, Writing | 1 Comment

Killing Your Protagonist – Or At Least Trying To / Author Vic DiGenti (aka Parker Francis)

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Clay Stafford

What makes us keep turning the pages? The same thing that makes us watch a train wreck. Award-winning author Vic DiGenti shares with us how he beats up his protagonists and how, if they didn’t have to appear in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series | Tagged Author, Award Winning, characters, Clay Stafford, Criminal Minds, CSI, current-events, drama, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Killing Your Protagonist, Matanzas Bay, Monty Python Show, mystery, mystery series, Parker Francis, protagonist, Readers, suspense, Themes, Vic DiGenti, Writing | 1 Comment

Time Management for Writers / Writer Chloe Winston

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Clay Stafford

How do I find the time to write? It’s a common concern for busy people. Travel writer Chloe Winston, through her own trial and error, has found a way to make it work. She shares her techniques with you. Here’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series | Tagged Author, Chloe Winston, Clay Stafford, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Time Management, Travel Writer, Writer, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Books / Friday, February 14, 2014 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Clay Stafford

DEATH NELL by Mary Grace Murphy FRAME-UP by Jill Elizabeth Nelson LOVE IS MURDER by Sandra Brown MEGAN’S MARK by Lora Leigh MOTIVE FOR MURDER by Carol J. Post SCORCHED by Laura Griffin THE SEARCH by Nora Roberts SILENCE by Debra Webb SWEET SURRENDER by Maya Banks TELL ME by … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged Book of the day, Books, Carol J. Post, characters, Clay Stafford, Death Nell, Debra Webb, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Frame-Up, Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, Laura Griffin, Lisa Jackson, Lora Leigh, Love is Murder, Mary Grace Murphy, Maya Banks, Megan's Mark, Motive for Murder, murder, mystery, mystery series, Nashville, Nora Roberts, Readers, Romantic suspense, Sandra Brown, Scorched, Series, Silence, Sweet Surrender, Tell Me, The Search, Valentine's Day, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Books / Monday, February 10, 2014 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Clay Stafford

Beewitched by Hannah Reed Books, Cooks, and Crooks by Lucy Arlington Days of Wine and Roquefort by Avery Aames Three must reads from Berkley Prime Crime’s lineup. Part 1 of 3. Dear Murderous Reader – It doesn’t get any better than Berkley Prime … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged A Novel Idea, A Queen Bee Mystery, Avery Aames, Beewitched, Berkley Prime Crime, Book of the day, Books, Books Cooks and Crooks, characters, Cheese Shop Mysteries, Cheese Shop Mystery, Clay Stafford, Cozy, cozy mystery, Daryl Wood Gerber, Days of Wine and Roquefort, Deb Baker, Ellery Adams, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Hannah Reed, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, Lucy Arlington, murder, mystery, mystery series, Readers, Series, Sylvia May, Writing | 1 Comment

Outline or No Outline? / Author Rick Reed

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Clay Stafford

Outline or no outline? That is the question. Sometimes it’s great to hear how other successful writers do it. Author Rick Reed, after writing several acclaimed books, has found his groove. Here’s his take on how he plots. Happy Reading! … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, Bestselling, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Final Justice, Forensics, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, murder, Murder In Mind, mystery, Nashville, Outline or No Outline, Police Procedural, Readers, Rick Reed, The Coldest Fear, The Cruelest Cut, Themes, Writing, writing from a title, writing from an idea, Writing from an outline | 1 Comment

An Interview with Author Baron R. Birtcher / Killer Nashville Success Story

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Clay Stafford

Killer Nashville is pleased to present an interview with author Baron R. Birtcher, whose novel Rain Dogs was acquired by The Permanent Press after being named a Killer Nashville Claymore Award finalist. KN: Baron, welcome, and thank you for joining … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Interviews | Tagged Angels Fall, Author, Baron R Birtcher, Bestselling, characters, Clay Stafford, Claymore Award, Claymore Award Finalist, guest bloggers, Hardy Boys, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Claymore Award, Killer Nashville Success Story, Killer Nashville writers conference, Mike Travis series, murder, mystery, mystery series, Nashville, Police Procedural, Rain Dogs, Readers, Roadhouse Blues, Ruby Tuesday, Series, success story, Writing | Leave a comment

The Checks Are Coming In: Why I Self-Published My Book and How I Did It / Author Helen Haught Fanick

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Sometimes authors wonder when and if they should self-publish a book. Author Helen Haught Fanick, a traditionally published author, had the same concerns. As our Guest Blogger this week, Helen shares with us the decision to self-publish a book she … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series | Tagged Author, Barnes & Noble submissions, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Cozy, cozy mystery, Create Space, CreateSpace, current-events, guest bloggers, Haught Fanick, Helen Haught Fanick, Hunter’s Moon, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Kindle Direct Publishing, Moon Signs, mystery, publishing, Readers, Self-Publishing, The Checks Are Coming In, TOC, Why I Self-Published My Book and How I Did It | Leave a comment

An Interview with Agent Jill Marr of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today, we have an interview with agent Jill Marr of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. Jill has been attending Killer Nashville since 2010 and has been a staunch supporter of the conference ever since. She has a strong Internet and … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Agent, Agent Jill Marr, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, guest bloggers, Interview, Jill Marr, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Success Story, Killer Nashville writers conference, murder, mystery, mystery series, Nashville, Readers, Sandra Dijkstra, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, success story, Themes, Thriller, thriller writing, Writing | Leave a comment

Sherlock Holmes / Author Amnon Kabatchnik

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Clay Stafford

My love affair with detective fiction began decades ago in a far-away country where people read and write from right to left. Paperbacks began to arrive in Israel from the U.S. and England, and I couldn’t resist the pictorial, enticing … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series | Tagged 221B Baker Street, Agatha Christie, Amnon Kabatchnik, Arsene Lupin, Arsene Lupin vs Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle, Basil Rathbone, Beryl Stapleton, Blood On The Stage, Books, Broadway, characters, Charles H.F. Brookfield, Charles Marowitz, Charles P Rice, Chekhov, Clay Stafford, Conan Doyle, Crime and Suspense, Dorothy L Sayers, Dr. John Watson, Dr. Watson, drama, eccentric, Edgar Wallace, Ellery Queen, Erle Stanley Gardner, femme fatale, Forrester, Frankenstein, Frankenstein monster, French adventurer, George Ashiotis, Great Detective, guest bloggers, Ibsen, John Arthur Fraser, Judd Woldin, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville writers conference, Langdon McCormick, life-or-death, Lillian Hellman, London's Royal Court Theatre, Mary Morstan, Mrs. Hudson, Murder in Baker Street, New Century Theatre, Ouida, Professor Moriarty, Readers, Reichenbach Falls, Rex Stout, S.S. Van Dine, Sax Rohmer, Series, Seymour Hicks, Shaw, Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes on the Stage, Sherlock's Last Case, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sir Charles, Sir Henry, sleuth, SS Van Dine, strong plot, Tennessee Williams, The Burglar, The Burglar and the Lady, The Final Problem, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Sign of Four, Theatre by the Blind, Tim Kelly, Under the Clock, Watson | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Books / Wednesday, October 23, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Killer’s Art by Marji Jungstedt The Girl in Berlin by Elizabeth Wilson Death on Demand by Paul Thomas Styx & Stone by James W. Ziskin Today’s Killer Nashville Featured Books take me around the world, but they all have two things in common: non-stop … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 1950s spy novel, 1960s, all-boy's club, Author, baltic sea, Berlin, Book of the day, Books, brains, characters, Clay Stafford, Communist, Crime Fiction, Death on Demand, drama, Elizabeth Wilson, Ellie Stone, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, fiction, James W Ziskin, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, Killer's Art, Marji Jungstedt, murder, mystery, Mystery debut, mystery series, New York, New Zealand, New Zealand Police Department, non-stop suspense, Paul Thomas, Police Procedural, Readers, Reporter, Series, Sexism, Styx & Stone, suspense, sweden, The Girl in Berlin, Thriller, Writing | 1 Comment

An Interview with Author Eyre Price / Killer Nashville Success Story

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today, it’s my pleasure to interview Eyre Price, author of the Crossroads thriller series and Killer Nashville Success Story. So, Eyre, when did you know you wanted to be a writer? I’ve absolutely always wanted to be a writer. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series | Tagged Author, Bestselling, Blues Highway Blues, characters, Clay Stafford, Daniel Erickson, drama, Eyre, Eyre Price, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Success Story, Killer Nashville writers conference, murder, mystery, mystery series, Nashville, Readers, Rock Island Rock, Rockford Files, Series, Stephen J. Cannell, success story, The Killer, Themes, Thriller, thriller writing, Writing | 1 Comment

Begin With The Spirit / Author Ken Kuhlken

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Clay Stafford

When I moved back to my hometown of San Diego from Chico, California, I left behind a tenured professorship. My kids lived with me and cost plenty. So I started teaching all around. One semester, I was teaching nine classes … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Begin with the Spirit, Best American Short Stories, Best First Novel, Clay Stafford, Ernest Hemingway Award, Esquire, guest bloggers, Ken Kuhlken, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Midheaven, Nashville, No Cats No Chocolate, Private Eye Writers of America, Readers, Road Kill, San Diego Reader, Shamus Award Finalist, The Angel Gang, The Biggest Liar in Los Angeles, The Do-Re-Mi, The Loud Adios, The Venus Deal, Vagabond Virgins, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book / Friday, October 4, 2013 / “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” by Alex Haley / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Clay Stafford

As abhorrent as I have always viewed slavery, this book actually made me feel it. Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley Like most of Americans in the 1970s, I was riveted to the mini-series “Roots.” Also probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 1970s, Africa, African American, African American History, Alex Haley, American History, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Classic Literature, Clay Stafford, Controversy, drama, Emmy Award nominations, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, genealogy, Historical, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, literature, politics, pulitzer prize, Readers, Roots, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, Slavery, slaves, The Saga of an American Family, The Thornbirds, Themes, Winds of War, Writing | 1 Comment

There’s A Story Everywhere You Look / Writer Chloe Winston

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Clay Stafford

“I’ll never get published.” Rubbish! (And I’m not even mentioning computer-generated books.) Best-selling novelist Carolyn Hart lives in Oklahoma. In rural Oklahoma. She just started writing, submitting, and getting published and winning national awards, even “Malice Domestic” this year, because of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged candy store, Chloe Winston, Clay Stafford, guest bloggers, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Nashville, Readers, Shastawatch, Writing | Leave a comment

2014 Guests of Honor Announced

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Killer Nashville is please to announce bestselling authors Lisa Jackson and William Kent Krueger as the 2014 Guests of Honor for our 9th annual writers’ conference. Lisa Jackson is neck deep in murder, her books appear on The New York Times, USA … Continue reading →

Posted in About Killer Nashville, Announcements | Tagged 2014, 2014 Killer Nashville, 2014 Killer Nashville Writers' Conference, Author, authors, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, bestselling authors, Clay Stafford, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Lisa Jackson, mystery, New York Times, New York Times Bestselling Author, Ordinary Grace, Romantic suspense, Series, suspense, Tell Me, Thriller, thriller writing, William Kent Krueger, Writers' Conference, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book / Friday, September 27, 2013 / “SNAFU” by Glen C. Allison / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Discover why I’m a new fan of Glen C. Allison’s messed-up protagonist in SNAFU. SNAFU by Glen C. Allison For years I have been a friend of Glen C. Allison; now, I’m a fan. Glen has created an incredible series with New … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 2013, 2013 Killer Nashville, Al Forte, Author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Forte Suspense Series, Glen C. Allison, I'm a little mousey, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, Louisiana, murder, mystery, mystery series, Navy SEAL, New Orleans, Readers, running though the housey, Series, SNAFU, suspense | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book / Thursday, September 26, 2013 / “A Killing At Cotton Hill” by Terry Shames / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Clay Stafford

A retired chief of police is pulled into the investigation of an old friend in a Texas small town in A Killing at Cotton Hill, a debut novel you won’t want to miss. A Killing At Cotton Hill by Terry Shames This … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged A Killing At Cotton Hill, A Samuel Craddock Mystery, Author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Claymore Award, Claymore Award Finalist, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Jarrett Creek, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, murder, mystery, mystery series, Readers, Samuel Craddock, Series, success stories, success story, Terry Shames, Texas, Texas mystery, The Claymore Award, The Last Death of Jack Harbin, Writing | 1 Comment

Creating and Managing a Supporting Cast in a Series / Author Frankie Y. Bailey

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Providing a protagonist of a crime fiction series with a supporting cast is a task that should be approached with both caution and malice aforethought. Caution because once a character is introduced as a part of the protagonist’s life, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, entertainment, Frankie Bailey, Frankie Y Bailey, guest bloggers, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville writers conference, protagonist, Readers, Series, Supporting Cast, The Red Queen Dies, Writing | Leave a comment

When Your Novel and Plausibility Part Ways / Writer Julie Bates

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Clay Stafford

What time is it-really? Such was the thought running through my mind after having my brain jogged from its immersion in a friend’s manuscript. I had settled into the novel’s antebellum atmosphere and slowly sunk into the sultry rhythm of … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged antebellum south, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, comedy of errors, guest bloggers, Julie Bates, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville writers conference, Location, plausibility, Readers, rich details, running through my mind, steam punk, suspense novel, Themes, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book / Wednesday, September 18, 2013 / “Theodore Boone: The Accused” by John Grisham / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Clay Stafford

A young wannabe lawyer finds himself on the wrong side of the law in “Theodore Boone: The Accused” by John Grisham. Read my review. Theodore Boone: The Accused by John Grisham I grew up reading John Grisham books. Now my son … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 2013, 2013 Killer Nashville, adult series, attorney, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Hardy Boys, John Grisham, john grisham books, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, legal fiction, legal thriller, murder, mystery, mystery series, Nancy Drew, nancy drew and the hardy boys, New York Times, New York Times Bestselling Author, Readers, Series, suspense, Themes, Theodore Boone, Theodore Boone Series, Theodore Boone: The Accused, Thriller, Writing, YA, Young Adult | 2 Comments

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book / Monday, September 16, 2013 / “Until She Comes Home” by Lori Roy / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Clay Stafford

A murder and disappearance destroy the essence of a once-respectable neighborhood in “Until She Comes Home” by Lori Roy. Until She Comes Home by Lori Roy Winning an Edgar for your first novel is a hard setup for your second one. … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 2013, Award Winner, Award Winning, Bent Road, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Detroit, drama, Edgar, Edgar Award, Edgar Award Winner, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, literature, Lori Roy, murder, mystery, Readers, Romantic suspense, Spellbinding suspense, suspense, Thriller, Until She Comes Home, Writing | 1 Comment

Location, Location, Location: Should You Go? / Author Alana White

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Clay Stafford

If the book you are writing is set in your hometown, details and interesting locations are relatively close to hand: a few days will go a long way in establishing tone, mood, and finding intriguing, unusual places for scenes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged 1400's Italy, Alana White, Author, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, fifteenth century, five hundred years, Florence, florence cathedral, Florence Italy, guest bloggers, Guid'Antonio, Historical, Historical Mystery, Historical Novel, Historical Series, Italian Renaissance, Italy, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville writers conference, Literary genre, literary mystery, Location, mystery, mystery series, Piazza Limbo, politics, Readers, Series, Sign Of The Weeping Virgin, Silver Falchion Award, Silver Falchion Finalist, Themes, Vespucci, Viper district, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book / Thursday, September 5, 2013 / “Tell Me” by Lisa Jackson / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Who murdered a pregnant teenage girl? Her mother is not talking. Tell Me by Lisa Jackson Thriller author Lisa Jackson’s new book “Tell Me” sucked me in and disabled me like a snakebite. Out of nowhere, from the first page of … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 2013, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, cozy mystery, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Georgia, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, Lisa Jackson, literature, murder, mystery, New York Times, Readers, Romantic suspense, Savannah, Savannah Georgia, snakebite, suspense, Tell Me, Thriller, thriller author, Writing | 1 Comment

Time Of Death / Forensic Investigator Steve Rush

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Accurate details prove important when including crime scenes in our prose. Three basic questions we want to answer when writing these scenes are: What was my character doing before incident? What altered and/or interrupted her/him at the inciting moment? What … Continue reading →

Posted in Forensics, Guest Blogger Series, Law Enforcement, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Dragnet, Facade, Facts, Forensic, Forensic Investigator, Forensics, guest bloggers, Jack Webb, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, mystery, Readers, Shane Kinsey, Steve Rush, Time of Death, Writing | 3 Comments

Critiques Are A Two-Edged Sword / Author Maggie Toussaint

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Authors are polarized on the subject of critiques. For some, the idea of anyone criticizing any part of their baby is unthinkable. Other authors wouldn’t dream of turning in a manuscript unless it had been vetted by critique partners. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, critique group, critique partners, Critiques, Critiquing, guest bloggers, helpfulness, Hot Water, insightful comments, intangibles, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Maggie Toussaint, mystery, Readers, southern, story construction, walks of life, Writing | 22 Comments

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book / Wednesday, July 24, 2013 / “The Deadly Streets” by Harlan Ellison / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Clay Stafford

A collection of stories every short story writer and reader should know about: Harlan Ellison’s The Deadly Streets. The Deadly Streets by Harlan Ellison Subterranean Press is the epitome of cool. I have thought so for years. Books such as The Deadly Streets a … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 2013 Killer Nashville, Author, Book of the day, Books, characters, city sidewalks, Classic Literature, Clay Stafford, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Harlan Ellison, how to write a short story, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Nashville writers conference, log flume, murder, mystery, mystery series, nashville writers, psychological mystery, Readers, Short Stories, Short Story Collection, Subterranean Press, suspense, The Deadly Streets, Thriller, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Books / Tuesday, June 23, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Clay Stafford

The senseless murder of children in Africa, an Amish love affair, a woman’s heart-tugging self-discovery, the financial industry’s crooked corporate deals, and the death of a police officer. Here are some books I think you might find of interest. Some I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged Alan Glynn, Author, authors, Award Winning, Bestselling, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Deadly Harvest, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Graveland, Jennie Shortridge, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Laura V Hilton, Lifetime, literature, Liza Marklund, Love Water Memory, Michael Stanley, mystery, Readers, Romantic suspense, Series, Surrendered Love, suspense, Themes, Thriller, thriller writing, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Books / Friday, June 19, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Clay Stafford

A man on death row, a second wife learning the startling truth about the first, a sister avenging the death of her sister, and how to write a killer thriller. Here are some books I think you might find of interest. … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged Attica Locke, Author, authors, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, Candlemoth, characters, Clay Stafford, Death, Death Row, Dorothy Koomson, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Historical, Jodie Renner, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Thriller, literary mystery, literature, Low Pressure, mystery, New York Times, R.J. Ellory, Readers, Romantic suspense, Sandra Brown, Second Wife, suspense, The Cutting Season, The Woman He Loved Before, Thriller, thriller writing, Writing, Writing A Killer Thriller | 2 Comments

Why Washington Political Thrillers Aren’t Real to Me and Why I Want to Write One / Author/filmmaker & Killer Nashville founder Clay Stafford

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I’ve reviewed numerous Washington political and legal thrillers and mysteries over the past twenty years. After reading Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress by Olympia Snowe, I came away feeling that many of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, authors, Beth Terrell, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Equal Rights, fiction writer, Fighting for Common Ground, Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress, filmmaker, guest bloggers, Jimmy Stewart, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, legal thrillers, man-against-the-machine, massive machine, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Olympia Snowe, Party man, political fiction, Political Party, Political Thriller, Political Thrillers, political writers, politician, Readers, realistic world, Robert Penn Warren, Senator, Stalemate in Congress, Tennessee, United States, Washington, Washington Political Thriller, Writers, Writing, writing a political thriller | 2 Comments

A Writer’s Training Ground / Writer Tom Wood

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I always loved a good mystery, but never, ever, in my thirty-six-year career as a sports writer and copy editor at a major Southern daily newspaper did I imagine writing one. So when I decided it was time to write … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged abbott and costello, authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, east point georgia, fiction horror, fundamental lesson, Great American Novel, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, last millennium, literature, mystery, mystery science, newspaper, Readers, southern, sports writer, Tom Wood, Writers Training Ground, Writing | Leave a comment

The Best Contest I Ever Lost / NYT bestselling author Lynn Viehl

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Clay Stafford

In 2012 I entered Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award contest, but don’t bother checking the names of the finalists; I didn’t make that list. There was no trophy or bragging rights for me; I’m just one of the many Claymore losers … Continue reading →

Posted in Claymore Award, Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, award contest, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Claymore Award, claymore feedback, feedback, guest bloggers, her Ladyship's curse, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Lynn Viehl, mystery, New York Times, new york times bestsellers, New York Times Bestselling, New York Times Bestselling Author, professional author, Readers, Writing | Leave a comment

The Dark Side of Mystery Writing / Author Joyce Lavene

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I was thinking about how much darkness mystery writers have to take in – and deflect – every day. What made me think about it were the shocked and horrified faces of friends and family after I’d related what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Ellie Grant, guest bloggers, Joyce Lavene, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, literature, mystery, Plum Deadly, Readers, the dark side of mystery writing, Thriller, Writing, writing death | 2 Comments

How to Slash Your Word Count by 20-50% / Editor & Author Jodie Renner

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Clay Stafford

…and tighten up your story without losing any of the good stuff! Have you been told your story looks promising or even intriguing, but your novel is way too long? Today’s readers have shorter attention spans, and publishers don’t want … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, edit your book, editing your book, editing your story, editing your work, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, mystery, pacing for power, Readers, romance, style that sizzles, Thriller, well-written, Word count, Writing | 9 Comments

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “You Cannoli Die Once” by Shelley Costa / Thursday, May 30, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is You Cannoli Die Once by Shelley Costa An Italian food mystery series? What could be better than this! Get ready to sit down and indulge. Edgar Award-nominated author Shelley Costa has put the fine touches on the start … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged Author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, cozies, Cozy, cozy mystery, Edgar Award, Edgar Award nominee, entertainment, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Food Mystery series, italian food, Italian food mystery, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, literature, mystery, mystery series, Philadelphia, Quaker Hills, Readers, Rebel Cannoli, Series, Shelley Costa, The Ziti That Never Sleeps, Themes, Writing, You Cannoli Die Once | 1 Comment

Guns: Magic or Science / Author Ernest Lancaster

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I wouldn’t dare presume to tell you how to define the weapons your characters use. After all, Hollywood churns out films with magical guns and bullets that defy the laws of physics. And heroes with implausible powers from Sherlock Holmes … Continue reading →

Posted in Forensics, Guest Blogger Series, Law Enforcement, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, bullets, characters, Clay Stafford, Cop, Cop Tales, Do you write Hollywood or Real Guns, Ernest Lancaster, firearms, firearms instructor, Forensic, Forensics, guest bloggers, gunpowder, Guns, hollywood myth, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Magic, Magic or Science, Memphis, mystery, Police, police sniper, Precinct Memphis, Readers, science, Themes, Thriller, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “Rapscallion” by James McGee / Tuesday, May 28, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Rapscallion by James McGee It’s the early 1800s and espionage is alive and well in jolly old England. “Rapscallion” by James McGee is the third adventure for Bow Street Runner Matthew Hawkwood and in this installment, without giving … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 1800s, American mercenary, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, Bow Street Runner, characters, Clay Stafford, Dark English, drama, England, espionage, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, floating penitentiary, French, Historical, Historical Mystery, James McGee, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, literary mystery, literature, Matthew Hawkwood, mystery, mystery series, Napoleonic time period, prisoner, profiteering, Rapscallion, Readers, Rhett Butler, Series, Smuggling operation, suspense, Themes, undercover, Writing | 1 Comment

How Technology Helps & Hinders The Modern-Day Sleuth

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Back in the good old days, a private detective or amateur sleuth could justify entering the villain’s secluded hideout alone because they were miles from a telephone. Now, when everyone has a cell phone (and probably an internet connection) in … Continue reading →

Posted in About Killer Nashville, Writing | Tagged 2013, 2013 conference, 2013 conference sessions, 2013 Killer Nashville, amateur sleuth, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Cozy, cozy mystery, current-events, detective, great sessions, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville sessions, modern-day sleuth, mystery, mystery and thriller, mystery series, nashville writers, private detective, Readers, Serial Killer sub-genre, Series, sleuth, smartphones, smartphones the the sleuth, suspense, Technology, Themes, thriller authors, Writing | 1 Comment

Are We There Yet – Where No Man Has Gone Before? / Author Tom Collins

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I try to include some far out stuff in my mysteries, but I’m finding that is hard to dabble in science fiction when we keep catching up with it. Drones are becoming commonplace. The college where I received my undergraduate … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Are we there yet, Author, Author Tom Collins, authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Mark Rollins Mystery, mystery, Readers, Sci-Fi, science, Science Fiction, Series, suspense, The Claret Murders, Themes, Tom Collins, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “Green Light For Murder” by Heywood Gould / Saturday, May 18, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Green Light For Murder by Heywood Gould I’ve heard it said that the only good producer is a dead producer. In “Green Light for Murder”, Heywood Gould takes that literally. This is a true insider’s look at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 2013 Killer Nashville, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Cocktail, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Fort Apache the Bronx, Green Light For Murder, Heywood Gould, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, mystery, mystery series, New York Times, Readers, Screenwriter, Series, suspense, Themes, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “Dead Insider” by Victoria Houston / Friday, May 17, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Dead Insider by Victoria Houston There is so much to like about Victoria Houston’s new novel, “Dead Insider,” I almost don’t know where to begin. Plot-wise, it is what I might call a suspenseful cozy, or maybe a … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged Author, Book of the day, Books, Cabot Cove, characters, Clay Stafford, Cozy, crime-mystery, Dead Insider, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, fly-fisherman, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Loon Lake, Loon Lake Mystery, mystery, mystery series, politics, Readers, remote fishing area, rural mystery, Series, small fishing community, standalone, Themes, Victoria Houston, well-plotted, Wisconsin, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective” by Christine Amsden / Wednesday, May 15, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective by Christine Amsden Nothing delights me more than a new discovery and what delights me even more is that I found it from an independent publisher here in my own backyard, Twilight Times Books in … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged Author, Book of the day, Books, Cassie Scot, characters, Christine Amsden, Clay Stafford, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Harry Potter, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, new series, ParaNormal, paranormal detective, paranormal series, Readers, Series, suspense, Themes, Twilight Times Books, urban fantasy, Urban Fantasy Series, Writing | 1 Comment

My First Literary Advice / Award Winning Author/Screenwriter Heywood Gould

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Clay Stafford

It’s 1963. I’m twenty- one and I have the best job in the world— police reporter for the New York Post. I’m making $95 a week and paying $53 a month in rent. A bowl of shrimp fried rice costs … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Albert Gallo, Author, authors, Award Winning, Books, Boys From Brazil, Bronx Night Court, characters, Clay Stafford, Cocktail, Criminal Court, Double Bang, drama, entertainment, Fort Apache the Bronx, Green Light For Murder, Grimaldi, guest bloggers, Heywood Gould, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Leading Lady, literary mystery, literature, Manhattan, Midtown, Mistrial, mystery, New York Post, Old Fashioned, One Good Cop, Readers, Rolling Thunder, Saroyan, Screenwriter, Serial Killer's Daughter, suspense, the Abbey, Themes, Thriller, Trial By Jury, Walter Matthau, William Saroyan, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “Another Sun” by Timothy Williams / Tuesday, May 14, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Another Sun by Timothy Williams I love taking trips to places I’ve never been and I think this is the first novel I’ve read set in Guadeloupe. It is an underdog tale with a twist. “Another Son” by … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 1980, Anne Marie Laveaud, Another Sun, Author, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, characters, Clay Stafford, crime novel, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, French, French colonialism, gender bias, Guadeloupe, Hegesippe Bray, island, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, murder, mystery, Mystery old politics, politics, Readers, suspense, Ten Best European Crime Writers, Themes, Timothy Williams, UK Observer, white landowner, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “The House of Special Purpose” by John Boyne / Monday, May 13, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne If you are looking for a page-turning mixture of suspense and betrayal within a well-executed part love story, part historical epic, and part-tragedy, then “The House of Special Purpose” is … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged alternative history, Author, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Czarist Russia, drama, epic, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, georgy, Historical, Historical Mystery, insensitivity, Irish author, John Boyne, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Lenin, literary mystery, literature, London, Marx, mysterious, mystery, New York Times, New York Times Bestselling, New York Times Bestselling Author, Other Press, Paris, Readers, riveting, Romanovs, special purpose, Stalin, storytelling, suspense, tense with suspense, The House of Special Purpose, Themes, Thriller, tragedy, Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarevich Alexei, Writing, zoya | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “The Mothers” by Jennifer Gilmore / Friday, May 10, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is The Mothers by Jennifer Gilmore It is amazing how, when one can’t have children, that one sees children and pregnant women everywhere, hears women getting pregnant who didn’t want to be, hears innocent remarks made by family members … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged adopt, adoption, Author, Book of the day, Books, characters, children, Clay Stafford, current-events, drama, emotional, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Jennifer Gilmore, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, literary mystery, literature, Mother's Day, pregnant women, Readers, suspense, The Mothers, Themes, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Featured Book of the Day / “Don’t Go” by Lisa Scottoline / Thursday, May 9, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Don’t Go by Lisa Scottoline Most of the books I read from Lisa Scottoline are series related. Here’s a standalone you won’t want to miss. Scottoline is one of the best writers I’ve ever read. This one goes … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day | Tagged 2013, Afghanistan, army doctor, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, current-events, Don't Go, Dr. Mike Scanlon, drama, Edgar Award, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, heros, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Lisa Scottoline, man's point-of-view, military, New York Times, Readers, Series, serve his country, standalone, suspense, Themes, Writing | 1 Comment

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