tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post3459268755236956030..comments2024-03-18T19:00:03.047-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: The Mysterious Women of Dell Magazines: Janet HutchingsLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-58571222930791931372018-06-27T12:51:47.412-04:002018-06-27T12:51:47.412-04:00I agree, Debra!I agree, Debra!Janet Hutchingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-39028032347337216702018-06-22T23:45:49.941-04:002018-06-22T23:45:49.941-04:00Janet,
Having gone the other way -- from the NJ/NY...Janet,<br />Having gone the other way -- from the NJ/NY area to the Midwest (and for so many years now in the south), I know there is a pattern to the voices that plays into the stories and their settings which I think can't help but be subconsciously heard.<br />Debra H. Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17533446284471717884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-39546530560783199422018-06-22T09:36:46.407-04:002018-06-22T09:36:46.407-04:00Thanks so much Josh, R.T., Leigh, Vija, and Debra....Thanks so much Josh, R.T., Leigh, Vija, and Debra. It's our wonderful authors that have caused the magazine to thrive for so long.<br /><br />Debra, I'm not sure what role my own transition from living in the Midwest to the East Coast plays in EQMM's mix, but I know I'm always interested in stories set in places I don't yet know.Janet Hutchingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-75114328143828494942018-06-22T00:10:03.844-04:002018-06-22T00:10:03.844-04:00Interesting perspective. Perhaps it reflects the p...Interesting perspective. Perhaps it reflects the perceived balance one develops from the mix of Midwest and New York which is comparable to what readers find in the mix in each issue of the magazine? Debra H. Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17533446284471717884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-986917479943528942018-06-21T21:57:57.429-04:002018-06-21T21:57:57.429-04:00Hello from the road, Ohio, on my way to Chicago! T...Hello from the road, Ohio, on my way to Chicago! This is a fascinating, informative interview. Thanks so much for all you do, Janet. VS Kemanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00021018213124563080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-91782198889341216572018-06-21T18:46:47.572-04:002018-06-21T18:46:47.572-04:00JoshPac (above) rings true, Janet. Acting as a pro...JoshPac (above) rings true, Janet. Acting as a proxy for readers and expanding horizons makes perfect sense, notions some of us overlook. Love your work, Janet. You have to much to be proud of and I'm glad you could join us.Leigh Lundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-91564984891055437822018-06-21T16:46:47.904-04:002018-06-21T16:46:47.904-04:00Janet, I enjoyed reading the pieces of history abo...Janet, I enjoyed reading the pieces of history about EQMM, plus your thoughts on approaching the short story from the different angles of reading, writing and editing.R.T. Lawtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15523486296396710227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-61816619325498812482018-06-21T16:38:29.202-04:002018-06-21T16:38:29.202-04:00It’s always a treat to read your “behind the scene...It’s always a treat to read your “behind the scenes” pieces, Janet. Ongoing thanks for all you’ve contributed — and continue to contribute — to the world of short crime fiction!joshpachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12123432071405643210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-37659570599516368842018-06-21T14:41:53.955-04:002018-06-21T14:41:53.955-04:00Thanks Earl, Deborah, John, and David. Always so h...Thanks Earl, Deborah, John, and David. Always so happy to hear that people are reading and enjoying the magazine!Janet Hutchingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-9309222049298961022018-06-21T12:16:18.403-04:002018-06-21T12:16:18.403-04:00An example of the power of EQMM: Instead of wastin...An example of the power of EQMM: Instead of wasting three hours of my life waiting on a car repair, I got to read several excellent short stories. Everyone else was left with the Weather Channel and texting. <br /><br />Great interview and observations, Janet. Thanks for taking the time and for putting together a terrific magazine.David Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13005457506363262838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-83526602562907242712018-06-21T11:20:49.600-04:002018-06-21T11:20:49.600-04:00Fantastic interview, Janet! Thanks so much for do...Fantastic interview, Janet! Thanks so much for doing this, and for giving us such an interesting "inside" view of a magazine that ALL of us love.<br /><br />Keep up the great work!!!John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-51766701990350652182018-06-21T11:16:50.647-04:002018-06-21T11:16:50.647-04:00Ellery Queen was the first mystery magazine I read...Ellery Queen was the first mystery magazine I read and I was hooked! There have been many writers I may not have sought out if I'd not been first introduced to their writing through Ellery Queen or Alfred Hitchcock mystery magazines. Thanks for keeping the issues so entertaining! Great interview!Deborah Elliott-Uptonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00847049319243268520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-33442295669474674602018-06-21T11:14:37.976-04:002018-06-21T11:14:37.976-04:00Terrific interview, Janet. I learned a lot about ...Terrific interview, Janet. I learned a lot about you as well as the magazine in one sitting. I especially liked your comments regarding opening lines. While I appreciate a grabber in the first line or first paragraph as much as anyone, I prefer it to tell me, “This writer is good at stringing words together.” That's enough to pull me into reading further.Earl Staggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13349667172813175960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-20168830970593608882018-06-21T11:12:17.269-04:002018-06-21T11:12:17.269-04:00My previous replies did not post, so I'll try ...My previous replies did not post, so I'll try again.<br /><br />Barb, I agree about voice. A strong voice tells me right away that the author is likely to be in control of the story.<br /><br />Thanks, Stephen, Janice, Art, O'Neil, and Melodie!<br /><br />Steve, I agree about revising the first sentence last in a short story.<br /><br />Paul, that night in the rain forest was in cabins without walls, just screens, and deep eaves to keep out the rain. They were up on stilts.There was some animal screaming-- possibly monkeys, there seemed to be a lot of them in that area. Lots of other animal sounds too. A wild night.<br /><br /><br />Janet Hitchingsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-41591191317278801402018-06-21T10:03:11.412-04:002018-06-21T10:03:11.412-04:00Wow - that Poe quote says so much. Explains my lo...Wow - that Poe quote says so much. Explains my love of the perfect short story, and how it stays with me much longer than a novel. Thanks, Janet, for this meaty interview. Melodie Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07870938103759179132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-37765538328739141502018-06-21T09:25:02.992-04:002018-06-21T09:25:02.992-04:00A great interview! I've interviewed Janet myse...A great interview! I've interviewed Janet myself on a couple of different occasions, but learned even more here. Really enjoyed!<br />Art Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409008167752619352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-16190304243757002142018-06-21T08:50:23.407-04:002018-06-21T08:50:23.407-04:00Fascinating interview, Janet.
Like O'Neil and...Fascinating interview, Janet.<br /><br />Like O'Neil and Paul, I'd never really registered the full range of the stories in a given issue until you just mentioned it here, but it's certainly one of the great assets. And I agree with you on the advantage of variety to discover new writers, as opposed to buying a single story somewhere.<br /><br />Your comments on an opening hook are enlightening, too. I always tell writers in my classes to revise their opening LAST, after they know where the rest of the story is going.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing all your ideas.Steve Liskowhttp://www.steveliskow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-71658917328087192292018-06-21T08:25:00.848-04:002018-06-21T08:25:00.848-04:00A fine interview! I thought your comments on what ...A fine interview! I thought your comments on what you look for in fiction and how you approach stories were right on. I was also very interested in the early history of EQMM and why to this day the magazine has a great deal of variety and international authors.janice lawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-25177807794162746832018-06-21T07:34:11.452-04:002018-06-21T07:34:11.452-04:00Lots of really interesting things here, Janet. And...Lots of really interesting things here, Janet. And O'Neil beat me to it, but I was also going to comment on what you said about how "The magazine should be designed to take the reader on a journey, via the juxtaposition of the stories, sometimes also by thematic convergences..." I love that way of looking at it as opposed to the single story option that you mention. Though I suppose both have their places.<br /><br />I have to say I'm also curious about that night you spent in the rain forest in the storm. That must have been a hell of a night.Paul D. Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15466234708772287399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-25253467259253341942018-06-21T07:27:35.854-04:002018-06-21T07:27:35.854-04:00As Stephen says - "Very interesting and infor...As Stephen says - "Very interesting and informative." I like learning the history and influence of EQMM. I did not realize one of the reasons I stick with the magazine once I start reading an issue is the journey each issue takes, "the juxtaposition" of the stories as well as the occasion "thematic converges." Reading short story magazines does broaden my esperiences in the field. I too hope magazines are always around to offer readers like me discoveries that do strech my horizon. Cool article.<br /><br />O'Neil De Nouxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03142721824657611738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-6410205503872731562018-06-21T06:34:15.089-04:002018-06-21T06:34:15.089-04:00Write with passion. Always! Thank you, Janet. Very...Write with passion. Always! Thank you, Janet. Very interesting and informative interview.Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-17343822714464764252018-06-21T00:45:17.336-04:002018-06-21T00:45:17.336-04:00Lots of good information in this interview, Janet....Lots of good information in this interview, Janet. Thanks for sharing. I especially liked your discussion about getting immersed in stories. For me, at least, that boils down to characters--voices--I want to spend time with. I can often tell right away with a story or novel if I'm going to really enjoy it based on the voice and how it draws me in. Barb Goffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16013123434790272424noreply@blogger.com