08-Dec-2002
Michael Z. Lewin Newsletter 1
December 2002
As I write this - in early December - I feel like I'm still recovering from more than a month away from home: I spent all of October in the US. It was a wizard trip, mind. Full of magics and amusements, especially the first third of it when I was on the road with Liza Cody and Peter Lovesey.
We were doing a show called "Wanted for Murder." The title refers to what's wanted for beginning to write a murder mystery these days. And what we do is a show, with a playlet, audience participation, circus skills and even a rendition of Peter's hit, "The Autopsy Song." I spent minutes early in the show with my head in an apple green bucket, Liza and Peter no doubt feeling that I look my best that way.
(I was going to give you a picture of the bucket, but it turns out that the newsletter gizmo that’s associated with my website isn’t up to sending pictures. I’m very disappointed.)
Anyway, this time out on tour we displayed our trio of wares - and enjoyed many hospitalities - in Kansas City, Columbus (Ohio) and St Louis. I was going to give you a picture of the messiest menu option from McCormack & Schmick in KC but my technology’s let me down. Try not to cry.
Although our last US tour of “Wanted” was in 1994, we'll probably be on the road with it again next year. At the end of November Liza, Peter and I met up in Bath and agreed to make spectacles of ourselves a time or two on our way to the Bouchercon in Las Vegas. We'll also do the show at the convention, programmers allowing.
I haven't begun to look for possible pre-Vegas venues. Check the site or await future newsletters.
My liveliest times after the tour ended were in Austin – for the Bouchercon – and the next weekend in Muncie – for Magna cum Murder.
In Austin I appeared in the weightily titled "A Jungian Interpretation of the Mythology of Mystery Fiction." A neglected topic, it obviously was of genuine interest to conferees because the panelists arrived to a packed house.
Not long after we began, two couples left – probably the only four people there who expected events to be as advertised. The rest of the audience knew better, what with being faced by Joan Hess, Parnell Hall, Dorothy Cannell, Charlaine Harris - and me.
We were soon deep into rewriting portions of each other's work - along the lines of the alternate panel title, “Trading Pages.” I was the new boy with this regular Bouchercon team, and I felt purely honored to be among the select. Joan rewrote the opening of EYE OPENER, the Albert Samson novel I finished before the trip, for me. I wonder how Jung would have interpreted her suggestions…
Muncie was fun too. I've been to all but one of the Magnas – and will be there again next year. I combine it with an annual visit to Indianapolis.
This year my contribution to the program was a turn I usually do in libraries and schools - though I also did it at the Milwaukee Bouchercon. It's called "What Happens Next?" and is an audience participation program during which we talk together about this key question for both writers and readers.
News of the Oeuvre
With EYE OPENER safely delivered to my agent's desk I've been musing about what to work on next. I've got more EYEs that I want to do, a couple of Lunghi novels, a historical project - probably non-fiction - and a bunch of stories. Not to mention another Jan Moro book and maybe something in the way of Leroy Powder. Yeah, like in so much of life the issue is choosing. Although I have done notes on all of the above, as yet I have not dipped a fresh quill. Maybe tomorrow.
Otherwise
I live in the small and outrageously beautiful city of Bath. Because Bath is the most visited British city after London, I thought that in these communiqués I might occasionally point out a place or two I like, especially places you might not find otherwise should you happen to visit. A good idea?
The first that comes to mind is Doolally's, a coffee shop on Walcot Street. Doollies is non-chain, very personal and usually has something going on in the evenings. I like the food and the atmosphere. Maybe you would too. Walcot Street is also where my family of Bath PIs, the Lunghis, lives and works. Keep an eye peeled.
Is a newsletter supposed to have, like, news? If so, I guess these may be a bit on the infrequent side. On the other hand, if there's stuff you might like me to include in the future, let me know via website. I'll see what I can do.
Michael Z. Lewin
8 December 2002
