Never give up

'If you examine it carefully you will see that both the pen and the ink have given the writer trouble. The Hound of the Baskervilles I write mysteries for Sherlock Holmes to solve. I am presently writing my fourth historical mystery novel. Each one evolved in it’s own way. If there is truth in the saying… Continue reading Never give up

Rachel’s BLOG #5

Dr. Watson’s Writing Tips Edward Hardwicke, The Abbey Grange. “Writing is dancing with language, walking the tightrope of clarity, and discovering what more there is to learn.” Sherlock Holmes once said: "Yes, I have taken to living by my wits." Writing a novel is nothing like anyone thinks it is. For example, how does one… Continue reading Rachel’s BLOG #5

Rachel’s BLOG #4

Uncle John’s Writing Guidelines Rachel Holmes Always, always remember who the author is. Your voice is the most important one in the story. I have had a talk with my Uncle John about writing. After all, he has just finished publishing Papa’s latest adventure for the Strand. I was home for the weekend and we… Continue reading Rachel’s BLOG #4

Honored for Excellence in Fiction!

“Amazing, ecstatic, overjoyed, fabulously flabbergasted, and of course, humbled by this fantastic award.” During the inaugural Doylean Honors celebration of the ACD Society, I was honored for excellence in Fiction!. I am grateful beyond measure for this momentous Best Fiction of 2022 Award. The awarded short story was “Sir Arthur and the Time Machine” published… Continue reading Honored for Excellence in Fiction!

In The Land of the Living Mystery Magazine

October 2021 issue of Mystery Magazine’s Special Pastiche Double Issue Again and again I rushed after his guilty coat tails, only to uncover his underlings offered as sacrifice, on his false trails the dead men’s bones crunched beneath my feet. Yet, he knew exactly where I lived. Every light I shined into his malevolence went… Continue reading In The Land of the Living Mystery Magazine

Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim

M.E. Altabef, Chang Sik Kim, J.R. Altabef, Chong Kwan Jang Nim, G. Altabef at Shim Gwang Sa, Boston.   Thunder and lightning appearThe sky and earth wake upThe sound of enlightenmentMakes the universe flip upside downNobody knows that“Tong! Tong! Tong!”This sound is enlightenmentDo you have hands?Take it! Saturday March 20th @ 11 AM EST via… Continue reading Shim Gum Do Founding Master Great Zen Master Chang Sik Kim

Stupendo! Splendido! Exciting news!

Italian publisher Mondadori will be publishing an Italian language version of Sherlock Holmes These Scattered Houses in their Il Giallo Mondadori 2022-2023 Sherlock Holmes series. This is a great honor. I am excited that my Italian American Marcello family will be speaking Italian in these books! Of course so will Holmes and the unique villain… Continue reading Stupendo! Splendido! Exciting news!

Doyle’s Posthumous Joke* or Holmes & Watson on Censorship

“It is one of the greatest accomplishments of an author to inspire his reader’s imagination. We can read the same story and because of the miracle of our uniqueness it lights up our imaginations differently.” Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were at the fire, smoking their post dinner pipes. Holmes opened a thin green-backed journal… Continue reading Doyle’s Posthumous Joke* or Holmes & Watson on Censorship

Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes

There's something deep inside people that responds to Holmes. He has a genuine sense of natural justice. A sense of honor. People wish that he did exist. They feel somehow that society would be a safer place if he did. He is what we would like our leaders to be. Someone whom you trust who… Continue reading Happy Birthday Sherlock Holmes