In Reference to Murder

An Early Halloween

Since stores now put up their Halloween displays around the Fourth of July, it's only fitting to feature an author who specializes in horror and paranormal suspense and has been nominated for a Bram Stoker award for best debut novel. Deborah Leblanc is also the president of the Horror Writers Association and active in the  Mystery Writers of America's Southwest Chapter and Sisters in Crime. In addition to being part of paranormal investigation teams, she's also own a funeral service business and is a licensed death scene investigator. I asked her a couple of quick questions about those items and her literacy program.

IRTM:  I understand you're a licensed death scene investigator, although that's not your primary living. What made you decide to get the license and what's involved in getting certified? Have you ever been called upon to use this experience outside of your books?

DL:  Curiosity and frustration caused me to look into death scene investigation. I've worked in the funeral service industry for a number of years now, primarily as a management consultant. When I first started, I had to earn my stripes by learning the trade from the ground up--no pun intended--in order to be accepted in that industry. Earning those stripes included assisting with removals, embalmings, casketing, cosmetizing and even schlepping flowers to gravesites. It took about two years before the industry finally recognized me as one of their own. But even after that 'trial by fire' period was over, I continued to help with the 'hands-on' duties whenever I can and still do today.

All that said, it was during that two year training period and doing removals that initially sparked my interest in death scene investigation. I'm overly curious by nature, so each time I helped remove a body from a homicide scene or one where the cause of death didn't appear clear-cut, a million questions raced through my mind. The 'who--what--when--where--how--and whys plagued me long after the body was embalmed. And so it went for five more years.

Then one day, as fate would have it, the Safety Director for the National Funeral Directors Assoc. , who also happened to be my mentor in the business and a priceless friend, handed me a brochure about a death scene investigation program that included licensure at a Georgia university. There was a prerequisite for licensure, however. The applicant had to have served in law enforcement for a minimum of ten years--or had to have worked in funeral service for at least seven years. Remember the fate I mentioned earlier? I had just finished my seventh year in funeral service, which made me eligible!

Before you could say CSI Miami, I signed up for the program and was soon elbow-deep in text books, lectures, and hands-on workshops that focused on blood spatter analysis, DNA testing, fingerprint analysis, profiling---it was Nirvana!

I've never been called upon to use this experience outside of writing, but it has served other purposes. It's allowed me 'behind the scenes', where I can question something I think has been overlooked, which occasionally has detectives looking in new, more productive directions to solve a case.

IRTM:  You also have worked in the funeral/mortician business? What types of
experiences has that involved, and how do those work their way into your
writing?

DL: Funeral service is a fascinating business to me, and I hold directors and embalmers (in many states they're one in the same) in high regard. It takes a special person to deal with death and the bereaved everyday and still maintain a positive outlook on life.

Being involved in this unique business has provided a treasure chest of experiences that would be invaluable to any storyteller.  Even if I lived to be a hundred, I'd never be able to pen enough novels to write about them all. From a writer's perspective, the best part about experiencing even the worst this death business has to offer is authenticity. It brings a ring of truth to my readers' ears.

When I write about a murder scene, you can bet all your bananas on the fact that you're reading the real deal. I'm recalling an actual murder scene I've witnessed--sights, sounds, smells. If a tale involves a shooting, not only can I give an accurate accounting of gunshot wounds and blood spatter, I know the weight and feel of the weapons used. I'm licensed to carry concealed, so I spend as much time as time allows on the firing range. Sometimes I target practice with a 9mm Glock, a 9mm Luger, and know all too well the rapid casing spray from an automatic M11.

If one of my stories takes you into an embalming room, chances are it'll read as if you're actually there--because I've actually  been there. You'll read secrets of the trade that few outsiders ever hear about.

I'm a stickler for details because my greatest desire is to have a reader truly experience my stories. I want him or her to feel as if they are standing right in the scene.

The same holds true when I write about paranormal experiences. You can bet most of what you're reading comes from a first- hand experience. I've been a paranormal investigator for over 15 years, and have found myself in some of the creepiest places on the globe.

I have to admit, though, that sometimes I can take this obsession for detail a tad too far. Like the time I had myself locked in a casket. I was writing GRAVE INTENT at the time, and since one of my main characters wound up locked and trapped in a casket--I HAD to know, instead of imagine, what that felt like. What were the movement limitations REALLY like inside a casket. What about the smell? Did ANY light filter through cracks? Did sound penetrate through a coffin? Yep, that adventure was a bit intimidating, to say the least--but it sure was a rush experiencing it!

IRTM: I'm very much interested in the organization you founded, Literacy, Inc., since I'm a firm believer in literacy for all ages. The Leblanc Literacy Challenge has cash incentives for reading--including this year a potential grand prize of a free college education--which involves reading some of your books and taking a quiz and writing an essay. Certainly, the scholarship and funds for the kids and their schools are a great idea, and I'm curious as to what response you've had thus far? Are you considering branching out and including other books in the future?

DL: The Literacy Challenge is now in its fourth year, and the program response has exceeded our wildest expectations. So you can witness the impact it's had first hand, I've included a few comments we've received from teachers, students and parents:  "The workshop was very enlightening to my students. It not only motivated them to read, but excited them about the challenge. I was thrilled by the way you were able to relate to the students, get on their level and share with them the boundless opportunities that await them if they only try." 

Deborah Leblanc's latest paranormal suspense novel is Water Witch. She's also currently writing a paranormal thriller for Harlequin Nocturne, part of a trilogy with Heather Graham and Alexandra Sokoloff.

The Truth Lies in the Dark

It's always interesting to hear from newly-published writers about their experiences with both the creative and the publishing processes. Kristin Callender is one such author who recently published her first novel, The Truth Lies in the Dark, through BlueWater Press. The book asks the questions, "What if you found out that everything you thought you knew was a lie? That the people you loved and trusted kept a life-changing secret from you?" The story follows Amanda Martineau, survivor of a childhood plane crash that killed her parents and left her with no memory of her life before the accident, as she struggles to uncover the secrets of her past.

I asked Kristin some questions about her journey into the world of writing and publishing and how it was going for her so far:

(IRTM) Since March is Small Press Month, it's fitting to point out your debut novel was published by one such company, BlueWaterPress. What made you decide to bypass the agenting process and go straight to a publisher and what has been your experience thus far working with a small press? Would you do anything differently if you were doing it all over again?

(KC) Without sounding ungrateful, there are many disadvantages in choosing a small press. They are unlikely to have the staff or resources to provide assistance in marketing the books they publish. Also, smaller publishers commonly use POD (Print On Demand) instead of printing a large amount of books and storing them. This method is cost effective for them, but limits the author's sales and review options. There are also some advantages. Small presses can usually offer a higher royalty percentage to their authors and some are able to maintain a better one-on-one relationship than larger houses. And of course, the best advantage is that small presses are more open to writers without agents.  Some larger publishers will not accept anything unless it is from an agent.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to be published, especially seeing how competitive the book market is. If given the chance to do it again, I would like to think that I would do the same.  I have learned so much about writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. I try to see it all as a learning experience that will help make all of my future books that much more successful.

(IRTM) One of the biggest shocks for most first-time writers is how much of their own marketing they have to take on. What have you tried thus far and what has worked the best for you?

(KC)  I think the hardest part of marketing is putting your doubts and ego aside so you can get your book out there. I have started a website, joined many online writing groups, asked questions, and continue to read everything I can find.  There are many great websites and books for writers. I just recently learned about virtual book tours and decided to give it a try. It took a lot work, contacting book related blog and then preparing the guest blogs and author interviews, but the response has been great. Not as much in sales as in networking. I have met established authors, marketing professionals, reviewers, editors, and countless readers. I would suggest this to any author.  It also helped prepare me for my real life book signings.

(IRTM) It's unusual for an author to have any say-so in their book covers. That's why the story of your particular cover is even more interesing than it would be otherwise. How did this all come about?

(KC)  While we were in the final editing of the book my son had painted this amazing picture of New York City in his high school art class. Friends of ours were the first to suggest that it would make a great cover for my book. I played around with it a little and sent it to my editor, who loved it.  We were all surprised and proud when we received that first box of books in the mail.  I want him to design another cover for me.

(IRTM) Your book deals with secret identities and tangled family relationships. Were there any real-life experiences that helped in writing this particular scenario?

(KC) No, there is no secret forgotten life for me (Not that I know of anyway). I am fascinated with how our minds work, though. How we determine what we remember and what we forget, and how our dreams can be a window into our subconscious.  I am exploring that idea in another form now with a new mystery I am working on.

(IRTM) Do you outline before you write? (Most writers are either strongly pro- or strongly anti-outline). Either way, do you find your characters start to do things you didn't expect, perhaps even changing the direction of the story?

(KC) I do not outline. I know where I want the story to go, but really let the characters decide how to get there. I do keep a notebook though. I start every book with notes on the characters and their backstories and then I take quick notes after each chapter is finished. This helps me keep the details straight without having to go back and reread all the time.

(IRTM) You've indicated your current favorite author is Ernest Hemingway and that reading his biographies, short stories and novels help you find you own voice in you writing. Can you explain a little more about what you mean by that?

(KC)  The first book by Hemingway that I read was Islands in the Stream. It was so hard to get through, as it jumped around a lot. But there was something about the way he writes that I liked.  So I started reading his short stories and other books. I am no literature critic, but he has such a strong, constant voice in all of his writing. Even when I don't care for the subject he is writing about I am hooked on his characters and what will happen next. I like to read him when I get frustrated or stuck in my own writing. Not that I am comparing my writing to his. I am sure he wouldn't agree with my genre choices.

(IRTM) What current crime fiction writers do you admire? What writers have inspired you and taught you by example?

(KC) I am reading Nora Roberts' J.D. Robb 'Death' series now and love it. I tend to jump from mystery to romance in my own writing and love how she combines them. 

(IRTM) What do you believe are your greatest strengths as a writer? What aspects of craft are you still trying to master?

(KC)  My imagination is my greatest strength. When I am writing, the story comes alive in my mind and just keeps building as I write. It keeps me excited about the story and motivated to finish. I am always learning new things about writing, publishing, marketing, and promoting. I don't know if I will ever think that I have mastered any of it. Besides, I am a Gemini and my grandmother always said that made me a jack of all trades, but master of none.  So I will keep on learning all I can to improve all of my trades

(IRTM) Are there plans for more crime fiction stories in your future?

(KC) I am working on a contemporary romance now.  I also have started another mystery and did leave the possibility of a sequel to The Truth Lies in the Dark. I think Amanda's intuition and determination could bring her into the detective world, maybe as a private eye.

Time For Some Bahama Burnout

Don Bruns was a songwriter, musician, and advertising executive long before he got the itch to write crime fiction.  But itch he did, and in 2000 he purchased Sue Grafton's critiquing services for his first book manuscript as part of a charity auction during a mystery convention. Her advice? Throw it away and try again. Mostly undaunted, he did just that, and after Grafton read this second effort, she stood up in front of a Bouchercon meeting and made the announcement that someone should publish his book. That piqued the interest of Charles Spicer from St. Martin's Press and in September 2002, Bruns had his first published novel, Jamaica Blue, in stores.

For that novel and the sequels, Bruns relies on his rock music background and takes a look at the seamy side of the music business with his protagonist Mick Sever, a journalist who chronicles the history of rock and roll and uncovers murder. "There's enough crime, corruption, drugs, and slimy people in the music business to keep Mick Sever busy for a long time," Bruns says.

Bruns's latest in his Caribbean mystery series (he also has another series with two 24 year old college grads reminiscent of the Hardy Boys), is Bahama Burnout, released this month. In this outing, Sever is covering a story for Newsweek magazine in Nassau about a famous recording studio rebuilt on the same site where the old studio had burned down. But the new studio seems to be cursed — a mysterious smashed guitar and erased tracks, for starters, and then there's the still-unanswered question of just whose body was discovered in the fiery ruins.

Bruns graciously took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for "In Reference to Murder."

IRTM:  Pity poor Don Bruns. He has to travel to all those Caribbean islands to get research for his novels. What an ordeal (especially this time of year). But seriously, do you visit all the various areas where the books are set, or seek out certain places and people for inspiration in getting the flavor of these locales?

DB: The research is intense.  I know, I know, you think it's nothing but fun, but after the initial excitement of being on the island, I have to find someone to become my best friend and guide for five days.  A bartender, a taxi driver, in the case of Bahama Burnout, a nun.  And I have to take copious notes, pictures, figure out all the questions I need to ask and make sure I do everything my protagonist would do. Like visit all the bars, stay out till four in the morning. Still...it's not bad.

IRTM: You've expressed admiration for John D. MacDonald, a fellow Florida writer. Do you find any parallels in your styles or writing philosophy?

DB: I live about five minutes from where MacDonald lived and wrote.  I've visited the house and it's on this spit of land called Point Crisp Road on Siesta Key.  He was surrounded by water as he looked out of his loft.  I am taken with the idea that he popularized the Florida mystery genre, and I play semi-regularly in a liars poker group that he started in the 50s. Other than that, I don't think there's much similarity.  We both write about men who are loners, but that may be as close as it gets.

IRTM: In one of your postings on the Little Blog of Murder, you mentioned how much most writers hate the "where do you get your ideas?" question. Yet the idea for this latest book, Bahama Burnout, had an interesting genesis in an otherwise ordinary conversation. Can you tell us just a little bit about that?

DB: I was introduced to a sound engineer from L.A who told me he was intrigued by my books since I wrote about the rock and roll entertainment scene.  Then he asked me if I had heard the story about a studio in Teluride back in the 70s. The Eagles, America, Crosby Stills and Nash all recorded there. It seems this very popular recording location mysteriously burned down.  When it was rebuilt, all the major acts booked sessions, but the first band found that their tapes were all erased.  Then a group came in to find their equipment smashed.  So people quit booking the studio and it went out of business.  Now I was hooked and asked the guy what had happened.  He shrugged his shoulders and said he had no idea.  But since I was a writer, I could probably figure out an ending. So, I moved the studio to Nassau in the Bahamas, put Mick Sever on the case, and solved the crime.  Fiction writers can do that.

IRTM: You've talked about how we're a nation mired in the cult of celebrity and how celebrities often get away literally with murder, in addition to lesser crimes, yet they seem to get a free pass. How many of the characters in your book are based on real-life individuals and are you concerned about painting anyone you've worked with in a bad light that might entice lawsuits?

DB: Jamiaca Blue was loosely based on a Bob Marley type character.  South Beach Shakedown was about a celebrity rock star who was being blackmailed.  I borrowed the story of 60's star Jackie Wilson.  St. Bart's Breakdown is a close look at a Phil Spector character.  So yes, I do use real life celebrities, but more of the 'ripped from the headlines' than making the stories targets for lawsuits.

IRTM: As a former musician myself who hasn't touched a piano in years, I think I'm jealous — it sounds like you still find time to play guitar (and perhaps other instruments?), which makes you a lucky boy. Of course, you've also worked with acts like Ricky Nelson, the Platters, Ray Charles and Eric Carmen, so there's that, too. I've read you decided against having a musician protagonist because a performer solving crimes "was almost comical." How much research therefore did you have to do to feel comfortable writing Mick Sever as a journalist?

DB: Well now, you've done a good job of having a musician as your protagonist so maybe I should have tried it.  I didn't have to stretch much to find Sever's voice and profession.  He's a guy who does a much better job of writing about the entertainment business than being a performer himself.  He got his start writing concert reviews for the Chicago Tribune when he was about 15. Since then he's had columns, books, and two movies made about his work.  I was a journalist at one time and just go with that.

IRTM: Mick Sever's been spending a lot of time in Florida and the Caribbean. What's in store for the future for Mick — more sunshine or will we ever see him heading off to other parts of the world?

DB: Right now I'm working on the fourth book of my second series.  Mick is off vacationing somewhere, but I'm certain he'll be back.  I think he might go to L.A. and find a sleezy paparazzi group that is killing celebrities. Yeah.  I like that.

IRTM: It's hard to stand out in this day and age, so finding new ways of marketing is more important than ever. I was interested in your book trailer produced, written, cast and directed by four grad students from the University of Miami which appeared in 20 theaters in the Miami area. Do you find that your background in marketing has helped with your own book PR? And what advice would you give to other authors out there?

DB: Wasn't that good?  And those kids were perfect.  The book, Stuff To Die For, won two national awards and a starred review in Booklist, so I've got to think the trailer helped.  My background in marketing just lets me know that I've got to market.  The real work is done by our publicist.  She is fabulous and has an unbelievable list of contacts.  In December we had a full page interview in Sky Magazine, Delta's in-flight mag, and in February I had a full page story in The Rotarian, Rotary Club's magazine.  I think a writer has to explore every single opportunity.  The one thing I don't have patience for is all the social pages on the internet.  I still don't Twitter.

IRTM: Speaking of marketing,you recently released a CD of original songs called Last Flight Out, and performed two original songs at the 2004 Edgar Awards ceremonies. Have you ever thought about a CD tie-in with one of your books? Any singing at signings?

DB: I sing and entertain at a lot of signings. I love it. Carrying a guitar is pretty easy. You on the other hand would have to carry a piano. And author Claudia Bishop and I did an anthology with Jeff Deaver, Rupert Holmes, John Lescroart, Peter Robinson, Rhys Bowen and a bunch of other talented writers/musicians. We had each of them write a story and song, and then record the song. The CD appears in the back of the book. Poisoned Pen published A Merry Band Of Murderers two years ago.

IRTM: As if you weren't busy enough, you opened up a used book store with some friends. Used book stores are apparently doing very well in this economy, by the way, so good timing on your part. Have you ever had any unsuspecting customers stop by wanting to sell or buy Don Bruns books only to discover he's one of the proprietors?

DB: The book store is in my hometown and most of the people there know who I am.

IRTM: Let's see. A little over seven years ago, you were an unpublished author, and now you have six published books under your belt (with the seventh released this month), and the likes of Sue Grafton, Lee Child, and Stuart Kaminsky blurbing your books, you've been featured in Sky Magazine, you won a 2008 National Indie Excellence Award for best novel in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller category and ForeWord Magazine's Book Of The Year award for Best Mystery, as well as the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion award for Best Novel. But what would you say is the highlight thus far of your writing career?

DB: I think I tell a good story and I think my characters and place are well done.  But I don't take myself too seriously.  The highlight of my career is when someone Comes up and says "I just read your book and I want to ask you a couple of questions."  Seriously.  That's the coolest part of the job. Except maybe when Booklist compared my Stuff series to Mark Twain's narrative style in Huck Finn.  That was pretty cool too.

Don Bruns is giving away a free signed copy of his book, Bahama Burnout. Go to Don's book tour page, enter your name, e-mail address, and this 4-digit PIN, 9764, for your chance to win. Entries from "In Reference to Murder" will be accepted until 12:00 Noon (PT) tomorrow. The winner (first name only) will be announced on Don's book tour page next week.