Monday, December 5, 2011

GREAT MYSTERY SITES

Readers Advisory - Mysteries

The following Internet sites have been selected for their value as reference sources.

General Mystery Sites
Bloodstained Bookself
The Bloodstained Bookshelf is a (more-or-less) monthly list of recent and forthcoming mysteries published in the US.
Euro Crime
This is a site focusing purely on British and other European crime fiction writers that have been published in English.
Guide to Classic Mystery and Detection
A resource on pre-1960 mystery and detective fiction. Includes an alphabetic list of mystery writers, a history of the genre, a glossary and lots of links.
The Gumshoe Site
A neat and well-organized site with all the basics--in English and Japanese.
The Mystery Reader
Mystery reviews, lists of upcoming books, author websites and interviews--plus author freebies.
The MysteryNet.com
Presents an online resource for fans of mystery fiction. Includes interactive stories, book reviews, timeline, character descriptions, book ordering information, and an online forum area.
The Readers Room
A website for readers and writers of mysteries, thrillers and suspense with live chat, interviews, reviews and a free newsletter.
Stop, You're Killing Me!
A site to die for - if you love mystery books. This site is a resource for the lovers of mystery, intrigue and suspense books, including hundreds of authors, with complete, chronological lists of their books in this sub-genre.
Tangled Web UK
A Virtual Library: The Latest on Hundreds of Crime, Mystery & Fantastic Fiction Authors and their books.
The Thrilling Detective Web Site
A valuable reference site for fans of hardboiled detective fiction.

Mystery Organizations
International Thriller Writers, Inc.
The first organization for professional thriller writers - and readers. Founded by David Morrell & Gayle Lynds, these thriller authors created ITW to celebrate the thriller, to enhance the prestige and raise the profile of thrillers, and to award prizes to outstanding thriller novels and authors. Check out the list of Must-Read Thrillers.
Los Angeles Coroner's Gift Shop
Not really an organization, but a fun place to shop for the mystery lover in your life.
The Mystery Readers International
MRI is the largest mystery fan/reader organization in the world, is open to all readers, fans, critics, editors, publishers, and writers. The site offers information on the "Mystery Readers Journal" and a list of mystery periodicals, mystery bookstores, and reading groups.
Mystery Writers of America
Mystery Writers of America, Inc., is the premier organization for mystery writers and other professionals in the mystery field. MWA sponsors symposia and mystery conferences, presents the Edgar Awards, and provides information for mystery writers.
Sisters in Crime
This mystery writers' website includes authors, bibliographies, links to mystery bookstores, membership and chapter information.
Sisters in Crime - Internet Chapter
The Internet Chapter of Sisters in Crime was founded in 1994 to provide a convenient meeting ground for members of SinC who live in places where there are no local chapters, remaining accessible to everyone who has a computer and a modem.

Mystery Reviews
Crescent Blues E'Letter Mystery Views
This site offers articles written by mystery writers and reviewers, as well as lots of reviews.
Crime Books Reviewed
An archive of crime and mystery fiction reviewed by Marilyn Stasio in the NY Times since January 1997, arranged alphabetically by author. Free, but registration required.
Crime Time
This British site has several mystery book reviews and a mystery author interview/feature each month.
I Love a Mystery
New reviews posted every month, including the hot new titles.
January Magazine Crime Fiction
Features reviews of crime fiction and author interviews, and has a free monthly newsletter to read online or available by subscription.
Mostly Fiction Mystery & Suspense
Reviews and excerpts the latest books.
Mysteries Galore
Mystery reviews and recommendations.
Mystery Ink
Features reviews of mysteries, suspense, thrillers, crime & noir, along with author interviews, recommendations, Awards & Top 10 Lists, and books into movies.
Mystery News
The online arm of Black Raven Press's Mystery News magazine features lots of reviews exclusive to the website.
Reviewing the Evidence
A volunteer web site which offers reviews of crime fiction, true crime, and cross-genre material. Readers are invited to submit their own reviews for posting on the site.

Mystery Subgenre
Bibliomysteries
Offers information on bibliomysteries; mystery novels related to the world of books, archives, or libraries. Includes a bibliography, information on library-related detectives, and links to related articles.
Cozy Library
Put a book in your hand – a Cozy Book, one chocked-full of kind-hearted characters, with a terrific story masterfully told, and a satisfying – and generally happy -- ending.
The Detective and the Toga
International lists of Roman mysteries, old and new.
Mystery Book Cats
Mysteries in which cats are important characters -- either as crime-solvers or as companions to a human detective.

Online Communities
4 Mystery Addicts (4MA)
Every month there is a formal discussion of two books selected by the group, plus an ongoing series, as well as daily discussions of what we are reading and what's happening in Mystery Land.
Criminal Element
A themed community for authors and fans to interact and share their love of crime fiction and nonfiction. Original crime stories, exclusive exceprts, blog posts and giveaways.
DorothyL Official Web Site
DorothyL is one of the largest discussion lists for the lovers of the mystery genre on the Internet. DorothyL is available via email as either a daily digest (all messages sent as one large message) or as individual messages.
Murder & Mayham Book Club
Online Reading Club that caters to the Mystery/Thriller/Horror Book Genres.
MurderMustAdvertise
For every author who wonders about the best way to promote a new mystery book. This is the place to trade ideas and practical tips for touring, direct mail, advertising, and online promotion. Traffic currently averages 15-20 messages/day.

Sleuths
Cadfael Chronicles
Ellis Peters' sleuthing eleventh-century monk, Brother Cadfael, is the feature of this web site.
Dorothy L. Sayers Society
In honor of the author of the Lord Peter Wimsey books, the Dorothy L. Sayers Society in England recognizes the works of the English writer Dorothy Leigh Sayers (1893-1957). Describes the society and provides membership information, as well as a brief biography of Sayers and links to other Sayers-related Web sites.
Ellery Queen
Ellery Queen is the American detective story. This site is dedicated to his career.
Hercule Poirot & Miss Marple
Online home of the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie. Find background information about her books, film and television adaptations. The site also includes a short biography, anecdotes and essays about the detectives. There is a calendar with Agatha Christie events taking place around the world, an e-mail discussion message board, and sign up for the e-mail newsletter.
Ian Fleming Centre
The official website of Ian Fleming Publications Limited; Ian Fleming is best known as the creator of the world's best known secret agent, James Bond.
Sherlock Holmes
A listing of historical, fictional and canonical characters appearing, or mentioned in published Sherlock Holmes pastiches, parodies and other Sherlockian writings.
Sherlockian.net
A definitive Sherlock Holmes web site, providing information on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, radio, film, stage, and television adaptations, plus links to e-texts of the stories.

Online Magazines
Demolition Magazine
Edited by Bryon Quertermous and David White, Demolition Magazine is one of the best of the new wave of web-only magazines dedicated to publishing short crime fiction. With stories by such talented writers as Victor Gischler, Mike Maclean, Patricia Abbott and more, Demolition has quickly distinguished itself as a fresh new voice in crime fiction, and a publication worth noticing.
Deadly Pleasures
Deadly Pleasures is a fan-oriented mystery magazine. It celebrates all that is good about the mystery genre.
Mystery News
The web site for Mystery News, an up-to-date, and entertaining guide to the latest mystery books, writers, and events.
Mystery Scene
Thriller, romantic suspense, P.I., cozy, noir -- Mystery Scene's lively, expert coverage spans every aspect of crime fiction.
Shots: The Crime & Thriller Ezine
Reviews, interviews, author profiles and short fiction.

Blogs
Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind
Sarah Weinman, crime fiction columnist for The Baltimore Sun, blogs for mystery and suspense lovers.
Crime Fiction Dossier
From David J. Montgomery, a writer and critic specializing in crime fiction.
Detectives Without Borders
A forum for international crime fiction: "because murder is more fun away from home."
Euro Crime
Snippets about British and other European crime fiction, TV and film.
First Offenders
Four mystery authors share their journey.
Girl-Detective: Baby Got Crime...
The Girl Detective is Diana Killian, mystery writer and fan of vintage crime films and books. She'll be cracking wise on movies, books, writing and publishing--and whatever else catches her magnifying glass.
Hey, There's a Dead Guy in My Living Room
Mystery publishing from idea to bookshelf, with comments from authors, editors, publishers, and publicists.
International Noir Fiction
Includes reviews and ideas on crime novels, most from outside the U.S.
It's a Crime (or a mystery...)
UK based reader of crime fiction brings you the best of crime and mystery fiction.
The Lady Killers
Rhys Bowen, Lyn Hamilton, Meg Chittenden, Mary Anna Evans, Cara Black: Five female writers of mystery fiction share their wit and wisdom, writing tips and travel experiences.
The Lipstick Chronicles
Where the book tarts - Harly Jane Kozak, Nancy Martin, Susan McBride, Sarah Strohmeyer & Elaine Viets - talk love, laughter, laundry and the mysteries of the writing life.
The Little Blog of Murder
Confessions of five Ohio mystery writers.
Murderati
7 mystery writers dedicated to Mysteries, Murder and Marketing.
Mysterious Matters
Mysterious Matters is designed to educate and entertain both writers and readers of mystery and suspense novels with tips, comments, and the inside story of the mystery publishing business.
The Naked Truth about Literature and Life
A cop, a Brit, a deb, a B-school grad, a guy with good hair, and a wisecracking lawyer wrestle with the naked truth about literature and life.
Paperback Mysteries
Reviews of new paperbacks by Dick Adler, who writes the crime fiction column in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday.
Poe's Deadly Daughters
Writers Julia Buckley, Lonnie Cruse, Sandra Parshall, Sharon Wildwind, and Elizabeth Zelvin give their take on the mystery scene.
Rap Sheet
Information about new and forthcoming books, special author projects, genre innovations, and distinctive crime-fiction-related Web sites.
Writers Plot
Consists of four cozy mystery authors (Sheila Connolly, Lorraine Bartlett, Doranna Durgin and Leann Sweeney) and a reference librarian who is interested in mysteries.

Saturday, December 3, 2011



QUICK AND DIRTY CALCULATION OF BREAK EVEN AS A RESULT OF PROMOTIONAL COSTS



BY  EDUARDO R CASAS



Below is a simple way to calculate how many books one has to sell to recover the promotional costs ( or any additional fixed cost) of a marketing campaign.

Both in units and dollars



You need to know 4 things:





A
UNIT SALES PRICE



B
VARIABLE COTS PER UNIT


C
TOTAL FIXED COSTS


D
PROMOTION COSTS




QUICK AND DIRTY CALCULATION OF BREAK EVEN AS A RESULT OF PROMOTION
LINE BREAK EVEN IN UNITS = FIXED COSTS DIVIDED BY UNIT PRICE LESS
 VARIABLE UNIT COST
BE=FC/(P-VC) 10X=7X+2000 SOLVE FOR X
A X B C
UNITS UNIT UNIT
SP NEEDED TO SELL VC FC MARGIN
1 $10.00 X $7.00 $2,000.00 $3.00
2 PROMOTION $1,000.00
3 TOTAL FC $3,000.00
BEFORE PROMOTIONAL COSTS
TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
VARIABLE FIXED COSTS  COST
4 UNIT BE 667
5 DOLLAR BE $6,666.67 = $4,666.67 $2,000.00 $6,666.67
EFFECT OF PROMOTIONAL COSTS ONLY
TOTAL PROMOTIONAL TOTAL
VARIABLE FIXED COSTS  COST
6 UNIT BE 333
7 DOLLAR BE $3,333.33 = $2,333.33 $1,000.00 $3,333.33
AFTER PROMOTIONAL COSTS
TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL
VARIABLE FIXED COSTS  COST
8 UNIT BE 1000
9 DOLLAR BE $10,000.00 = $7,000.00 $3,000.00 $10,000.00






The spread sheet is flexible so that every time you have any additional fixed costs or promotional costs  just simply enter the amounts on the cell 1 FC for fixed cots, 2 FC for promotional costs , 3 FC automatically sums up all the costs , and below you can see the results.

For those who can use EXCEL its rather simple , if you would like an EXCEL COPY PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO THIS SITE AND I WILL FORWARD A COPY .



                   OR COMMENT WITH  E-MAIL AT MY BLOG








You can see given these factors that an additional 333 books need to be sold to cover this additional cost. Just plug in the cells mentioned new costs and the spread sheet gives you the new results.