by Karna Small Bodman Many authors say they get ideas “ripped from the headlines” and then do a “what if” to craft a tale. But what if, instead of following headlines, the author actually predicts them? Have you ever read a novel and later discovered that an event, historical reference, attack —...
I am delighted to introduce an old friend I first met at Thrillerfest many years ago, Mike Lawson. He began his career working for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer. While keeping his “day job” he began writing a terrific series centered in the US Congress. Now he has a new thriller, Redemption,...
Writing is a perilous business. At its best, the writer journeys through a portal deep into a fictional realm, and lives a multi-verse away from their nearest and dearest, causing all sorts of glitches like burnt dinners, or no dinners at all. At its worst, said fictional world does not appear on the page, causing said writer to turn into a roaring, demonic creature seldom seen outside of a William Peter Blatty novel.
By Karna Small Bodman In The New York Times Sunday Book Review section, you’ll see a prominent author answering certain questions such as: “You are hosting a Literary Dinner Party, which authors (living or dead) would you invite and why?” What an interesting challenge. Considering the heartless...
Rogue Tracy Clark has an experience with the paranormal to be on film with PBS.
By Tosca Lee At one time I meant to stencile “Abandon hope, all ye who enter here” above my office door. They’re the words in Dante’s Inferno carved above the gate to hell. Yes, it might be dark–made complete by the ever-favorite shot of a piano about to crush me Wiley E. Coyote style (a too-apt...
By Karna Small Bodman George Bernard Shaw once observed, “The best way to get your point across is to entertain.” I often think about that quote when I read a “thought-provoking” novel and sense that the author is trying to call attention to an issue, problem or, threat, and perhaps encouraging...
The grandchildren’s winter treehouse in Gayle’s yard By Gayle Lynds It’s seven degrees here in Maine. Snow blankets the forest. Squirrels are hiding in their nests. Deer, foxes, and porcupines are out of sight, too, keeping warm, I hope. I step outdoors, and my nose turns red. My lips are so...
By Tosca Lee My grandfather, a school principal and one of a dozen educators in my family,” used to challenge us every New Year's Day to commit to a family motto such as "Let's live for others." Another year it was “Let’s live in style.” New Year's is a special day in Korean culture when we eat...
By Karna Small Bodman While newspapers are looking back and featuring stories about the best inventions, movies, books and happenings in the year 2021, I would rather look ahead and see what is predicted for 2022. First of my list is what will be discovered by the new James Webb Space...
