HOTSHOTS
March 2006
 Karen MacInerney, editor

Well, spring is definitely here... actually, some might call it summer... and there's lots going on at HOTXSINC.  In fact, I hope I got it all! If I missed anything, please drop me a line.

Oh, and speaking of lots going on, Mystery Week is just around the corner! If you haven't signed up to volunteer, yet, please do --  we've listed some volunteer opportunities below, but there will be lots more coming down the pike. We need you!

While you peruse all the wonderful opportunities to live the mysterious life this month, please take a moment to remember one of our dearest members by scrolling down to the Elmer Grape Tribute, at the bottom of the newsletter.  Thank you, Susan, for putting together such a wonderful testament to a great man's life.

And now... presenting... the March 2006 HOTXSINC Newsletter!

UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH SISTERS IN CRIME MEETING -- THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 12

On March 12, we’ll hear how Sherlock Holmes still excites readers all over the world.

This month's featured speaker is Holmes expert Steven Rothman, who is in Austin as an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow at the Humanities Research Center, where he is doing research for a biography of American writer, Christopher Morley (1890-1957) whose work he has been reading and collecting since he was 12. He edited The Standard Doyle Company: Christopher Morley on Sherlock Holmes (New York: Fordham University Press, 1990), and has many Holmes-related publications to his credit.  His interest in both Christopher Morley and Sherlock Holmes started about the same time and he has, happily, been able to pursue them in tandem. He has been a book collector for too many years and has served on the boards of many libraries in his hometown of Philadelphia, where he is president of The Philobiblon Club, an organization of book lovers. Join us for coffee, camaraderie... and an in-depth look at one of mystery's most celebrated sleuths.

Sisters in Crime Heart of Texas Chapter, meets monthly on the second Sunday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Westlake Barnes & Noble bookstore, located at the southeast corner of Loop 360 and Bee Cave Road, in The Village at Westlake shopping center.
 
SHERLOCK HOLMES SOCIETY MEETING -- March 13

The spotlight turns to Holmes' helpers when the Sherlock Holmes Society of Austin meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 13th at the Kerbey Lane restaurant on north Hwy 183, between Oak Knoll and Spicewood Springs/McNeil. The world's greatest detective has many assistants, in person and in print. Steven Rothman, Editor of the Baker Street Journal, will describe a few of these colorful characters and tell their stories in "The Baker Street Irregulars and the Baker Street Journal."


WORKSHOP: WRITING THE MYSTERY NOVEL -- March 27 - April 17

Love mysteries? Thought about writing one? If you’ve always wanted to write a mystery but haven’t been sure where to start, Karen MacInerney will show you to get your criminal impulses onto the page – without killing yourself in the process.  Karen is the author of the Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series and the co-author of Tourmaline Teal with Barbara Burnett Smith.  To sign up, visit the University of Texas Informal Classes web site at https://www.informalclasses.org/index2.html or call (512) 23-CLASS (232-5277).  Space is limited, so be sure to register early!

BAY AREA SPRING FLING WORKSHOP -- April 8

The Bay Area Writers League Spring Fling Workshop will be on April 8 from 9:00 until 5:00 at the Houston Yacht Club.  The workshop will include three speakers - Robin T. Popp who will speak on Novel Structure, Brian Klems who will speak on what editors want, and Leslie Kriewaldt who will speak on what to do to promote your books after you're published.  Registration is $50 for B.A.W.L. Members and $65 for non-members. You may register and pay online or send check or money order.   For more information, please visit the B.A.W.L. website at http://www.bawl.org

TEXAS MYSTERY WEEK -- May 5-21


Texas Mystery Week is just around the corner! The event, which hasn’t lasted for only a week in quite a few years, is planned for May 5-21. Long-term sponsors include Sisters In Crime, Writers’ League of Texas and Top Publications.  It looks like it's going to be an exciting year; Julie Wray Herman has already agreed to offer a great workshop on How to Write a Mystery, and we've got lots more planned.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN LOCKHART AND GEORGETOWN: Feel like taking a day trip to scenic Lockhart? We're looking for a volunteer to help sell books on May 12 in Lockhart. (A ride can be arranged!) We also need a book sales volunteers the following day, May 13, in Georgetown! Also, if you are interested in designing the Texas Mystery Week Poster, please contact Sarah Ann at hotxsinc@yahoo.com.

THE INAUGURAL SEA-SI CRIME SCENE CRUISE  -- July 15-22

Join D.P. Lyle, MD and Jan Burke on the inaugural Sea-SI Crime Scene Cruise to Alaska aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines' M/S Oosterdam. The trip departs from and returns to Seattle, WA.  Doug and Jan will offer a multipart presentation on all things forensic, in both the real and fictional world.  For details visit www.innovativejourneys.com or call Oscar Sylican at Worldview Travel at 714-882-4654.

CONTESTS

FORENSIC EXAMINER/ANNALS OF AMERICAN PSYCOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCE MYSTERY WRITING CONTEST -- DEADLINE MAY 15

The Forensic Examiner and Annals of American Psychotherapy Association are announcing a new contest for mystery writers, including a cash prize and opportunities for publications.  Categories include True-Life Forensic Case Studies, Fictional Forensic Cases, True-Life Psychological Profile Case Studies, and Fictional Psychological Cases. The top prize is $500 and publication in The Forensic Examiner or Annals; the deadline is May 15. For more information, go to www.mysterywriterscontest.com .

NOTICES

The Friends of the Library group at the Bulverde/Spring Branch Texas library are looking for authors who might be interested in participating in their Book/Author luncheon in April. Although they'd like to feature local authors, they would be interested in hearing from Austin authors, as well.  For more information, contact Susan Herr at srherr2@gvtc.com or (830) 885-2819.

****************************************************TRIBUTE TO ELMER GRAPE

There has been a great outpouring from the HOTXSINC community since the loss of one of our favorite members, Elmer Grape. Please read on for a heartfelt -- and moving -- memorial Susan Rogers Cooper put together in his honor.


IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
ELMER GRAPE
By
Susan Rogers Cooper



I was asked by the powers that be in HOTSINC to compile memorial tributes to Elmer Grape, life-time member of HOTSINC, former owner of Mysteries & More Bookstore, husband of our beloved Jan Grape, and all around great guy.

Well, what can one say about Elmer Grape?  One thing for sure, he was a flirt. As far as I know, he never met a woman he didn’t like.  And I know for a fact that he never met a woman who didn’t adore him. I remember sitting at a large round table at a convention one time, watching two usually dignified writers arguing over who got to sit next to Elmer. Jan just sat there and laughed.

I think the reason women adored Elmer so was because he was a real, old-fashioned gentleman. When he asked how you were, he really wanted to know.  When he said hello, it was because he was glad to see you. He was a gentle, funny man and, although old-fashioned in a lot of ways, he was a staunch supporter of women writers, especially Jan.  But he was there for me, too, and countless other women.

Elmer was a good and dear friend, a kind and gentle soul, and, yes, he was a flirt.  And I’d bet anything that there are angels in Heaven right now arguing over who gets to sit next to Elmer.

The following are member tributes to a really great guy.

Elmer was a true gentleman of the old school; he could either talk or
listen to you with equal amounts of interest and understanding.  We
grieve for the loss of his poker playing skills, his knowledge and history of
all aspects of the mystery genre.  But most of all I will miss his sly
smile and the wonderful glint he always had in his eyes
-- Karen Meschke

Elmer was one of those people whose presence always gave me a lift.  Somehow, you always just naturally felt better when Elmer was in the room.  He was a sweet man who never knew a stranger. If I had to find a word to describe Elmer it would be "comfortable." I know that's not epic or grand, but who feels comfortable around an icon? Give me Elmer Grape any day.
-- Nancy Bell

From the moment I met Elmer, he made me feel comfortable and like an old friend. One of my favorite memories of him is working together at the Texas Book Festival in the booths that Mysteries and More shared with HoTSinC. During my tenure on the steering committee, I always arrived early to help with set-up. I’d pack extra coffee and doughnuts to share, and we’d have a bit of pleasant conversation before the day would get hectic. He was always so gracious about sharing the space, and he actually made me look forward to the long -- and occasionally damp -- days in the booth. No matter how long it had been since I'd seen him, he always met me with that quick warm smile and wonderful laugh. He was certainly a gracious man who, by constant example, taught us the virtues of treating one another with respect, courtesy, and humor. How lucky I am to have known him.
-- Beth Sample

Elmer Grape never met a stranger, or at least no
stranger ever walked into his mystery bookstore. When
my husband, Jim, and I were looking to move to Austin
years ago we noticed a bookstore on I-35 and stopped
in. Elmer immediately welcomed us and subsequently we
met Jan and so many mystery writers and fans through
the Mysteries and More. Elmer was always patient as we
browsed, pulling books off the shelf while searching
for the perfect combination of titles that would meet
our budget for that visit. He was also always able to
recommend a new author and was extremely supportive of
any area mystery events. In the true meaning of the
words, Elmer Grape was a gentle man.
-- Jeanette Larson

I first met Elmer when I went to see the Grapes' bookstore. Jan wasn't
there, and Elmer explained that she was at home writing. Then and every time
I saw him, he was a quiet gentleman, always friendly in a shy way, never
assuming. It's so unusual to find couples who share the same interests, but
it was obvious how proud Elmer was of Jan and how staunchly he supported her
writing ambitions. He had a gracious, manly presence that is all too rare.
-- Patricia Wynn

Elmer always had a wonderful smile and friendly hello for everyone.  I
remember so many good conversations with him at Mysteries and More and
other mystery gatherings and conventions. He was a lovely, lovely man and so
proud of Jan.  HOTSINC gatherings won't be the same now that he's gone.
-- Betsy Tyson

I first met Elmer Grape in a bookshop. He was, appropriately enough, bent over a book, absorbing it with keen interest. The store was the mystery bookshop he and his wife Jan ran in Austin. The shelves, floor, tops of shelves, and stacks of boxes all around contained books, as full as thrills and suspense as you could find anywhere, yet Elmer knew every book in the store, where to find it, and often what it contained.  You see, in a world of writers and would-be writers, Elmer was a reader.  We forget sometimes the vital role readers play.  Whether critiquing upon and assisting with the work of his writer wife or giving a steer to some neophyte to the realm of mysteries, Elmer was an explorer and trail blazer through the written word of his field of interest. Having lived through the days when it was literally possible to read every mystery published in a year, he made his way with sure feet through the plethora of books that fills the market to this day, and he never lost his way.  Urbane in conversation and always with time to spare to discuss the finer points, he was a model of why people write – to entertain and help others enjoy. He could enjoy and savor with the best.  Let us hoist a glass and remember the like of one who is little enough honored in his day, a reader, and an extraordinary one at that.
-- Russ Hall

I was deeply saddened by the passing of our friend, Elmer Grape. My
favorite memories of Elmer were the times when we browsed the
bookshelves together on days when the store was quiet. (Oh, where
are those slower times now?  Online will never replace that.)  Elmer
was always up for a chat, and recommended many writers who were
previously unknown to me.  When I became an author myself, he was so
encouraging and helpful.
   But his favorite topic was Jan, and it brightened my day to know
how much he loved and supported her.
   I will miss him very much.  May his memory always be a blessing.
-- Sharon Kahn

Elmer was the man with the kind smile, the listening ear and the
gentle guidance in the aisles of Mysteries and More. I always looked
forward to seeing him there and then at Sisters in Crime gatherings.
In December his gentle wit and storytelling were a holiday gift to us
all. Thanks for the memories, Elmer.
-- Sarah Ann Robertson

Jan, HOTXSINC honors and will always remember your Elmer.  We can only hope that this tribute lets you know we share your grief, your pain, and your joy in remembering a dearly loved man.

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Got something you'd like to see in the next newsletter? E-mail me at karen@karenmacinerney.com : please put HOTSHOTS ITEM in the subject line.  Thanks!

Karen MacInerney

The Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series: Murder on the Rocks (May 2006) and Dead and Berried (February 2007)
Tourmaline Teal with Barbara Burnett Smith (Fall 2007)
www.karenmacinerney.com