Reading and Networking

by Marsha Ward

Writers need to do many things to be competent and successful. Among those things is reading and networking with other writers, editors, and agents.

Don't forget that American Night Writers Association (aka ANWA) is holding a writers conference on March 1. This is a wonderful conference with terrific speakers at a bare-bones price. Do consider attending.

Another conference--at which I'll be presenting--is LDStorymakers' two-day event on March 21 and 22.

Writers need to be readers, not only to check out the competition, but to develop a sense of what readers are buying.

Here's the list of books I read in 2007. I seem to be favoring mysteries lately. That's okay. The next project I'll be working on, although set in the Old West, has elements of the mystery genre.

1. The Wailing Wind - Tony Hillerman

2. The Witness - Dee Henderson

3. The Tailor of Panama - John le Carre

4. Agatha Christie Mysteries - anthology

5. River's End - Nora Roberts

6. Nocturne - Ed McBain

7. A Time to Kill - John Grisham

8. Skipping Christmas - John Grisham

9. O Pioneers! - Willa Cather

10. Atlantis Found - Clive Cussler

11. Sharpe's Escape - Bernard Cornwell

12. Sense & Sensibility - Jane Austen

13. Wife for a Day - Patti Berg

14. Skeleton Canyon - J. A. Jance

15. Our Game - John le Carre

16. Blindsight - Robin Cook

17. Exit Wounds - J. A. Jance

18. Buzz Cut - James W. Hall

19. Chromosome 6 - Robin Cook

20. Hard Aground - James W. Hall

21. The Dark Wind - Tony Hillerman

22. Birds of Prey - J. A. Jance

23. Sharpe's Fortress - Bernard Cornwell

24. Mischief - Ed McBain

25. Lightning - Ed McBain

26. Dave Barry is not making this up - Dave Barry

27. The Monkey's Raincoat - Robert Crais

28. Wild Horses - Dick Francis

29. The Christmas Tragedy - Agatha Christie

30. The Four Suspects - Agatha Christie

31. Sticks & Scones - Diane Mott Davidson

32. Free Fall - Robert Crais

33. LA Requiem - Robert Crais

34. Sunset Express - Robert Crais

35. Lullaby Town - Robert Crais

36. The Last Detective - Robert Crais

37. Poison Blonde - Loren D. Estleman

38. Indigo Slam - Robert Crais

39. Demolition Angel - Robert Crais

40. The Midnight Man - Loren D. Estleman

41. The Two Minute Rule - Robert Crais

42. Along Came a Spider - James Patterson

43. A Woman's Eye - Mystery Short Stories Anthology - edited by Sara Paretsky

44. Mary Mary - James Patterson

45. Jack & Jill - James Patterson

46. Smokescreen - Dick Francis

47. There Was a Little Girl - Ed McBain

48. Basket Case - Carl Hiaasen

49. Hell is Always Today - Jack Higgins

50. The Gift - Kirk Douglas

51. StripTease - Carl Hiaasen

52. The Fallen Man - Tony Hillerman

53. Wrath of the Lion - Jack Higgins

54. Deep Waters - Jayne Ann Krentz

55. A Session in Hell - Jack Higgins

56. Finding Moon - Tony Hillerman

57. The Street Lawyer - John Grisham

58. Tunnel Vision - Sara Paretsky

59. Cry No More - Linda Howard

60. The Hostage - Robert Crais

61. On Dangerous Ground - Jack Higgins

62. The Partner - John Grisham

63. The Brethren - John Grisham

64. Hey Cowboy, Wanna Get Lucky? - Baxter Black

65. Dave Barry Talks Back - Dave Barry

66. Cowboy Mentality - Baxter Black

67. The Big One That Got Away Blues - Baxter Black

68. Speaking in Tongues - Jeffery Deaver

69. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

70. Out of Sight - Elmore Leonard

71. Split Second - David Baldacci

72. Love is Murder - Linda Palmer

73. 3rd Degree - James Patterson & Andrew Gross

74. Dead Irish - John T. Lescroat

75. Absolute Power - David Baldacci

76. The Simple Truth - David Baldacci

77. The Forgotten Man - Robert Crais

78. Acceptable Risk - Robin Cook

79. Saving Faith - David Baldacci