The First Reviews are Great!
The first two reviews of my sixth Ohio Amish Mystery (Separate from the World – Ohio University Press, July, 2008) have been published – one in Publisher’s Weekly and the other in Kirkus Reviews – and they are both very good. Authors are usually nervous (at least I am) waiting for reviews of a new book, and when they come in, you read them so fast the first time that you don’t really get it all. Good, you’ll say to yourself – nothing bad there. Take a breath. Relax. Now read it slowly so you can see everything that is there.
It’s the bad reviews that cause you to do this. Every author gets one sooner or later, and you just have to learn to accept it. It’s not like there is a suitable place for an author to make counter arguments or complaints. Reviewers know what they like and what they don’t like, and they are good at spotting weaknesses. So, when good reviews come in, it is all the more gratifying.
This time both reviews contained accurate summaries of the plot. The names of the characters were all spelled correctly. Both reviewers understood the implications of the work. In one for instance, it was stated that the story presented “A perceptive look at problems that have no easy solutions.” Hurray! That’s what I set out to do two years ago when I designed the plot sequences for Separate from the World. In the other review, we read: “a convincing plot and credible, sympathetic characters” make this “another winner in this fine regional series.”
So, that’s excellent news. I’ll take these first reviews out on the porch this evening and read them again with a cool drink. There are other reviews to come, no doubt, and I’d like to savor each good one that comes in.
» Debbie Willis says:
September 7th, 2008 at 2:10 am
I recently discovered your books at the Ashland (Ohio) Public Library. I’ve read them all except A Prayer for the Night and I’m going to request the librarians get that one for me as well. I absolutely love them. You portray Amish life in Ohio quite realistically and that’s the best part of your writing. There are many “English” who don’t understand the Amish ways and you do a wonderful job explaining who they are and why they live the way they do and also explaining the different sects and their beliefs. The storylines are well laid out. I keep trying to figure out “who done it” and never can until the very end of the book when Michael Branden explains it all to the sheriff and everything falls into place. That’s the mark of a good mystery writer. Keep up the good work and I’m looking forward to many more of your Amish mystery books in the future.
» Helen Darmara says:
September 18th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I have a theory about the pronunciation of Calmoutier. I notice that in Canadian French (I suppose properly Quebecois), the tier sound is pronounced tchey. It’s much chewier than the Parisian pronunciation. I think the shift from Acadian to Cajun may follow the same path.
Anyway, the shift from Calmoutchey to Calmouch isn’t very far. As I say, just a theory.
Haven’t gotten beyond the note yet. My curiosity was piqued by Calmoutier.
» Paul Gaus says:
September 29th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Thanks for the insight, Helen. This is the most plausible explanation for that pronunciation that I have seen. Of course few Amish people will make the connection to Canadian French, but the next time I am out at Calmoutier, I’ll ask about it.
» Paul Gaus says:
September 30th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Your remarks about my mysteries are very kind, Debbie, and I am grateful. My goal is to illuminate Amish culture as much as possible in these mysteries, and I guess with you I have succeeded. Thanks for your interest.
I am working on a new one (it seems I always am), this time about an “Englisher” who ties to convert to Amish ways. It’s a difficult story to write because it would be almost impossible for someone to convert like that, without a lot of help from the bishop and the congregants.
» Ann Marie Schlindwein says:
November 21st, 2008 at 11:51 am
Hi Paul-
Would you ever consider doing a talk at the Erie County Public Library for our Blasco Senior Day program? I was thinking about October 8, 2009 at 1PM in the Admiral Room of the Blasco Library. Usually talks run about one hour. Is there a fee or cost for travel? (Erie PA) You can look at our website at http://www.erielibrary.org
Thanks-
Ann Marie Schlindwein
Adult Services Manager
» Paul says:
November 21st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I give quite a few talks each year at libraries, book clubs, and literary groups, and I would be happy to give one at yours next year. I have a modest speaker’s fee and a mileage charge of 15 cents a mile for travel over 80 miles round trip. I tailor my remarks to the type of audience, and I am happy to autograph books. The most popular stories are about Amish people I have met over the years, and I make it as fun as possible, while still talking seriously about Amish culture, religion and society in Holmes County, Ohio. People also want to know how I got started writing the Ohio Amish Mysteries, and I usually talk about the themes that are present in each of my six mystery novels. I will contact you by email in the next day or two, and we can discuss arrangements. I am glad you wrote early; 2009 is filling up.