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Agatha Award Winner for Best Non-Fiction Book

Reviews:

"Many experienced writers may also find the tips helpful and inspiring if they have hit a roadblock in their current work. I went back and rewrote an entire first page after reading it."
—P.J. PARRISH/Kelly, NYTimes Best-Selling author of 7 thrillers
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"Immensely insightful.... Highly recommended."
—Midwest Book Review, Reviewer's Choice read entire review #1

"Invaluable to fiction writers of all genres. An enthusiastically recommended, energetic, easy-to-follow guide."
—Midwest Book Review, Reviewer's Choice read entire review #2

"Offers a wealth of good advice, supported by excellent examples."
—Mystery Scene

"Roerden has a clear and thoughtful style . . . Don't Murder Your Mystery is smarter, more comprehensive, more effectively targeted, and more accessible than most books on writing . . . a thoughtful tune-up for writers at all levels."
—ForeWord Magazine Spotlight review, KATE FLORA (former national president, Sisters in Crime) author of 10 books read entire review

"Based on her 40 years' experience as an award-winning author, manuscript editor and teacher, Chris shares the secrets of how to get past the manuscript screeners. . . . they apply to all genres of fiction."
—Mensa Bulletin

"Emphatic thumbs up."
—My Shelf

"Even after writing 9 novels, I keep this book by my computer with my thesaurus and dictionary as an indispensable tool. I can truthfully say I've learned more from it than any of the numerous other instructional manuals I've read."
—SCOTT NICHOLSON, Absolute Write read entire review

"Every thoughtful writer will find at least a half-dozen tips that will directly apply to his or her own work. I certainly did!"
—MARGARET MARON, award-winning author of the Judge Deborah Knott series (2005 President of Mystery Writers of America)

"On the level of the William Noble writer's guides. I wish this excellent manual was available when I began my career!"
—CHARLES TODD, NYTimes Book Review Notable Books of the Year author, the Inspector Ian Rutledge mystery series

"Noteworthy small press book. . . Get a copy."
—Southern Review of Books read entire review

"I couldn't put it down. Another benchmark. She shows us how to avoid all the mistakes writers make that drive readers nuts. I find myself quoting from it when I teach workshops."
—LONNIE CRUSE, author of 4 mystery novels

"It's one of the best books of its type on the market. Of all my books on wrirting, it's the one I would not part with."
—PHIL HARDWICK, author of 10 mystery novels

"Don't let the title fool you. This book is not just for mystery writers. ALL fiction writers can benefit. 5 stars!"
—FUTURES Magazine, Catherine Chant

"The required reading will be Don't Murder Your Mystery by Chris Roerden."
—VICKI LANE, author of 4 mystery novels and instructor, UNCA Great Smokies Writing Program course description

"One of the more fascinating guests at this year's Cape Fear Crime Festival was an editor, Chris Roerden, who's worked in . . . publishing for more than 40 years. In case you missed her workshop . . . you can get her coaching through her book."
—BEN STEELMAN, Wilmington Star-News

"Lots of good information, even for experienced writers, presented with wit."
—CYNTHIA RIGGS, author of 7 mysteries

"I urge you to think of Don't Murder Your Mystery as a short (and well-written and often funny) lesson in 'author appreciation.' We take art appreciation without any thought to becoming an artist. Even tone deaf students take music appreciation."
—Diana Vickery, Cozy Library

"I believe your advice on avoiding rejection may comprise the best technique book I've ever read." read more
—Dan Birlew (blogger)

"Yours is the only craft book I've ever been able to stick with. Love it!"
—Stacey Wilk, Romance Writers of America member

for DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUBMISSION:

"Chock full of practical advice for the novice writer. Even seasoned writers could use a copy as a refresher course."
—Charlaine Harris, New York Times best-selling author of 29 books in multiple genres; Sookie Stackhouse series is HBO hit True Blood

"Best book of its kind by far. Required for my college level students. Recommended for all aspiring writers."
—Reed Farrel Coleman, two-time Edgar nominee; Shamus, Barry, and Anthony winner

"Without qualification, I recommend this book to fiction writers, be they literary, mainstream, or genre writers."
—John Thornburg, Professor English/Creative Writing, San Jacinto College, Pasadena, Texas

"A savvy writer's guide to creating a manuscript that will SELL!"
—Carolyn Hart, two-time winner of Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards

About the Author:
An accomplished editor, writer, and teacher, Chris Roerden shares knowledge gleaned from more than 40 years in niche publishing—a career that began upon graduation from New York City's H. S. of Music & Art at age 16. It took publication of a first book for Chris to act on the urge to go to college, which produced a BA in English summa cum laude, an MA, and an invitation to stay on at the University of Maine to teach writing.
    Eventually returning to publishing, in 1983 Chris left a busy managing editor's position to become a busy independent book editor, taking time out to teach communication skills in South Korea one summer, serve as president of a regional trade association of 250 commercial publishers and university presses, teach classes in publishing at night at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and serve six years on the southeast regional board of Mystery Writers of America, receiving its Magnolia Award for service to the organization.
    Her clients have been published by St. Martin's, Berkley Prime Crime, Midnight Ink, Rodale, Walker, and Viking, and have won more than 21 awards, including an Agatha for Best First Mystery and two Benjamin Franklins.
    Chris is also a member of Sisters in Crime and Mensa, and a proud parent and grandparent—with one son, three grandsons, and a daughter-in-law (also an editor) in Boston, and a son and two granddogs in Los Angeles.
    Now settled in Greensboro, NC, Chris enjoys seeing pansies bloom in February and hasn't put on snow boots since the 20th century.

Author's website: www.writersinfo.info

Author Appearances:

2010

Sep 25, Calgary, CAN: ALBERTA ROMANCE WRITERS, all-day workshop.

Jul 12-19, Cleveland, OH: Extended tour now being planned. Invitations welcome!

May 25, New York City, double program: early evening introduction for aspiring writers; followed by a workshop on voice for advanced writers, open to all. Muhlenberg Public Library, 209 W. 23rd St. near 7th Ave. Sponsored by the Tri-State Chapter of Sisters in Crime (NY, NJ, CT). www.nysinc.org

May 22, Baltimore/DC Area: CHESAPEAKE SISTERS IN CRIME, 4-hour workshop. Watch for details to be posted on www.chessiechapter.org/

Apr 17, Wadesboro, NC: CAROLINA WRITERS CONFERENCE. "The Dirty Little Secrets of Submission." www.carolinawritersconference.org

Mar or Apr, Charleston, WV: Chris appears with Robert W. Walker, author of nearly 50 books and teacher of writing, and Miranda Phillips Walker, ER nurse and author of the FBI-procedural The Well-Meaning Killer, in an all-day program modeled on the popular Skill-Build series of craft workshops. Check back for date and details.

2009

Nov 21, 10:00am-noon in Winston Salem, NC, to be repeated:
Nov 21, 2:00pm-4:00 in Greensboro, NC: Chris introduces mystery author and psychotherapist Elizabeth Zelvin, presenting: "'The End' Is Just the Beginning: Editing, Critique, & Craft." Zelvin is the Agatha-nominated author of Death Will Get You Sober and the just-released Death Will Help You Leave Him, as well as many published poems, short stories, and professional articles. Co-sponsored by Winston-Salem Writers, www.wswriters.org, and Writers' Group of the Triad, www.triadwriters.org

Nov 14, Charlotte, NC, 9am-4pm: Charlotte Writers' Club presents Chris's 7-hour interactive workshop on Voice and Its Role in Getting Your Manuscript READ! For details, reservations, and the list of 27 topics Chris will cover, see: www.charlottewritersclub.org This is the Charlotte Writers Club's second annual education day. The first featured popular NY agent Donald Maass.

Nov 10, Greensboro, NC, 7:00-8:30pm: Chris introduces mystery author, addictions counselor, and psychotherapist Elizabeth Zelvin speaking at a public forum on "Alcoholism and Co-dependency Can Be Murder: How a therapist's whodunits help people understand, live with, and even recover from addiction to booze and bad relationships." Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Greensboro, 5603 Hilltop Rd., Jamestown, NC 27282, and includes a lively Q&A followed by refreshments. Details: 336-856-0330.

Oct 15, Indianapolis, IN, 9:00 am-9:55 am: Bouchercon 2009: "GUIDANCE FROM WRITING GUIDES." Chris moderates the panel discussion of the elements of great fiction, with James Scott Bell, Kathy Lynn Emerson, Hallie Ephron, and Nancy Pickard. http://bouchercon2009.com/

Oct 14, Indianapolis, IN: Sisters in Crime Daylong workshop for writers, with 4 invited experts: Donald Maass, Hallie Ephron, Nancy Pickard, and Chris Roerden. Attendance is limited to 200. Chris's "Don't Sabotage Your Submission Workshop™" is scheduled from 7 to 9 pm. www.sistersincrime.org/conference/

Oct 13, Huntington, WV, 6:30-8:30 pm: Cabell County Public Library, "How To Get & Stay Published: What Writers Must Know." www.cabell.lib.wv.us

For 225+ past presentations, please see: www.writersinfo.info and click on the microphone.

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