The Gift of Murder, a Toys for Tots fund-raiser
We're happy to note that Read Street regular Gail Farrelly is among the contributors to a "The Gift of Murder," a new short story anthology that benefits Toys for Tots. She wrote a guest post about her story "The Kindle Did It," which, you'll see, was partially inspired by Read Street. Here's Gail:
Black Friday will not find me up at dawn this year, risking life and limb for holiday bargains. No siree! I've already ordered the holiday gift for most of my friends and family: the fourth annual Toys for Tots holiday anthology, The Gift of Murder, the trade paperback of 19 fictional crime stories edited by John M. Floyd and published by Tony Burton's Wolfmont Press.
In this economic climate, there will be more kids than ever needing the services of the fabulous Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. I think of this book as the perfect gift for those who like fictional crime stories and have soft spots in their hearts for children. The book contains good stories, but it's also well produced: high-quality paper, nice size print, impeccable editing, etc.
Okay, okay, I admit it. I'm biased. Disclosure: One of my stories, "The Kindle Did It," is included in the book. In a way, Dave's Read Street post 10 Reasons to Hate the Kindles was the inspiration for my story. When I read that post, I looked over at my poor little innocent Kindle sitting on my desk and started to think of it as a person. My story is about a female Kindle (a clotheshorse who insists on being dressed in a fancy cover) who takes matters into her own hands when her owner's obnoxious wife needs to be "taken care of." Um. . .this particular Kindle isn't so innocent!
Some of the other authors in the book have a connection to Read Street and/or its environs. Stefanie Lazer lives in Lusby, Maryland. Austin S. Camacho (who wrote a guest post on Read Street last fall about black detectives) lives in Virginia, as does Barb Goffman. Earl Staggs is originally from Baltimore but now lives in Texas. Psychotherapist Elizabeth Zelvin visited Read Street last October, writing a guest post about sobriety.
Although the publisher, editor, and authors have all donated their services, it's still a challenge these days for a small press publisher to turn a profit with a seasonal book. Bookstores can order directly from the publisher or from the traditional outlets, Ingram and Baker & Taylor; but since it's a fundraiser, the terms are not quite as good as those routinely offered. The fact that it's available in a number of ebook formats is terrific, because inventory, packaging, and shipping issues don't exist. More money for the kids! The publisher has info about pricing and the places (including Amazon.com) where the book is available.
Just think. Your Black Friday doesn't have to be that black this year. You can get a jump on your shopping and contribute to Toys for Tots at the same time. Then when you wake up at dawn on Black Friday, maybe you can just roll over and get a few hours more sleep. And you can definitely smile, because you'll know that you helped to put holiday smiles on the faces of kids who usually don't have a lot to smile about.
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
Wow Dave, I think I'll have to check this out just to read about your killer Kindle!
Posted by: Heather J. | October 21, 2009 11:48 AM
While I (a contributor to the anthology) have only visited Baltimore several times, I and my family have enjoyed our stays very much.
As to gift giving, my story, "A Christmas Caper," shows what happens when you leave it up to some people to get their own presents.
Posted by: Stephen D. Rogers | October 21, 2009 12:03 PM
Thanks for the mention, Gail. I too am thrilled to be part of The Gift of Murder with "Death Will Trim Your Tree," in which my series protagonist Bruce Kohler finds tha the joys of sobriety during the holidays include wrestling with the Xmas lights. And murder, of course.
Gail and another anthology author will join me in signing the Toys for Tots book along with my new mystery, DEATH WILL HELP YOU LEAVE HIM, in New York on the 27th at Partners & Crime.
Posted by: Elizabeth Zelvin | October 21, 2009 12:58 PM
Great post, Gail. Let me add that folks who buy this book will smile not only because they'll be helping out needy kids, but also because this book has a lot of smile-inducing stories in it. I tried to weave humor into my own story, "The Worst Noel," in which a woman who has grown up as the unfavored child in her family finally has enough after a series of incidents that begin at Thanksgiving. We all know how Thanksgiving can be. Some families are great together. Others … not so much. And that’s at the start of the holiday season! Anyone who can identify with a family suffering from a little dysfunction should get a smile from my story. That and helping tots – couldn’t ask for more.
Posted by: Barb Goffman | October 21, 2009 1:35 PM
Clever story-lots of fun and facts. Congratulations.
Who sells the entire book, Barnes and Noble or only online?
Jackie Kingon
Posted by: jackie Kingon | October 21, 2009 6:57 PM
Thanks, Jackie. In addition to the online places, you should be able to order it at any bookstore. In Bronxville, NY, you can order it at Womrath Bookshop (Tel. 914-337-0199). I gave a copy of the book to Gene and Wanda, the owners, and told them I'd be doing some local publicity and wanted to have the name of a specific bookstore in Westchester that would know about the book and could handle orders. They assured me that they would be happy to accept orders for the book.
Posted by: Gail Farrelly | October 21, 2009 7:37 PM
Jackie and anyone else who may be interested:
The book is available through Ingram or Baker & Taylor, so if your local bookstore doesn't stock it, they can order it.
You can also get a copy from many of the authors.
It is available through The Digital Bookshop: http://www.digital-bookshop.com in print as well as five different ebook versions.
And of course, it is available through Amazon and B&N Online, both heavily discounted. (It has been submitted to the Kindle channel, but you know how slow Amazon can be to get things done!)
No matter where you buy the book, or what version, you're helping kids, and that's the important thing.
Thanks.
Tony Burton
Posted by: Tony Burton | October 21, 2009 8:04 PM
Gail had a book signing in the Baltimore area. Before and after that, I have been a fan. Her work (including this contribution) never disappoints. Gail's insights intrigue and entertain. I am pleased to see her story (The Kindle Did It) included in the collection. I will be buying it to give as a holiday gift for friends and family.
Posted by: Dahli Gray | October 22, 2009 4:39 PM