by Deborah Elliott-Upton'tis the season of stress. The news is filled with greedy shoppers elbowing their way to do hand-to-hand combat for the toy everyone wants this year. Prepared to get the best deal means being armed with pepper spray and perhaps trampling a grandpa in your way. Students are in a frenzy trying to finish up reports and finals before being released for the holidays. Moms are preparing for a return of the kids being home 24/7 with nothing to do but finds new ways to irritate their siblings. Writers are pretty much the same all year with the stress of finding a new twist on crimes as old as mankind.
As I sit safely in my home with little of my own shopping done and a manuscript half-formed in my mind, my thoughts wander to ruthless criminals preparing for their busiest season, too. Unlocked doors have a bounty of gifts under a tree just for the taking. Each burglar's booty will be a surprise present for someone. Identity theft is on the rise and cyberspace is the New Frontier. Every vehicle on the road is ripe for a carjacking experience to spice up the Family Newsletter this year.
Crime is never out of season and mystery writers seem to know that as much as a voracious readership. Mysteries hold a perpetual spot on my personal Want List. Fortunately, I'm not alone.
How many mystery books will be sold this season? With the popularity of e-readers, probably more novels will be downloaded than ever.
A few years ago, I was involved in an anthology of holiday crime stories to benefit Toys for Tots. THE GIFT OF MURDER was the brainchild of Tony Burton of Wolfmont Press. Edited by John M. Floyd, the anthology was a collection of stories by authors you just might recognize: J. F. Benedetto, Stefanie Lazar, Stephen D. Rogers, Anita Page, Randy Rawls, Earl Skaggs, Peg Herring, Bill Crider, Carolyn J. Rose, Elizabeth Zelvin, Barb Goffman, Austin S. Camacho, Sandra Seamans, Steve Shrott, Gail Farrelly, Hershel Cozine, Kris neri, Marian Allen and me. Though we shared the same theme of holiday crimes, the stories -- like the authors -- are vastly different.
My contribution was deemed "disturbing" by one reviewer which made me smile. My intention was to pen a more naughty than nice story this time around.
As for now, I am content to concoct a murder or two, an arson case and maybe a posioning. It really releives my stress.
I just read the reviews for this on Amazon and now I need to read it! I loved the Criminal Brief Christmas collection from a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning The Gift of Murder, Deborah. It's a lovely anthology, and I was proud to be in your company and the other authors'. My story, "Death Will Trim Your Tree," has just been reprinted in X Is for Xmas from Wildside Press. Speaking of a busy season for criminals, my son is currently on business in Edinburgh--inadvertently coinciding with a general strike of public employees, including police and firefighters, throughout the UK. On the other hand, the airports aren't crowded. :)
ReplyDeleteStress relievers: murder, arson, poisoning… (laughing)
ReplyDeleteGood job, folks!
I'm with Leigh; I love your list of stress relievers. lol Guess I'd better get cracking, myself, as the kids will be home starting in two weeks. And, you're dead on target about that "stressor" too. lol
ReplyDelete--Dix
That project was a lot of fun, Deborah. It was a pleasure and honor for me, to work with such a good group of authors.
ReplyDeleteI must mention that the stories by Liz Zelvin and Barb Goffman were nominated for the Agatha Award that year!
Nice one Deb.
ReplyDeleteAnd if it's not too early, I raise my glass of liquid stress reliever in a toast to you all, and wish you a stress free Holiday Season.
Liquid stress reliever sans blood...uh, okay, I am mulling wine as we speak...
ReplyDeleteYou contribution was delightfully disturbing. I might go reread you wickedly wonderful tale by the fire with a little liquid stress relief myself.
ReplyDeleteI think I ordered A Gift Of Murder. Think I gifted it to my folks. Wonderful book, wonderful column!
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