Monday, February 04, 2008

WIRETAP debuts (and other stuff)

Let’s face it: NOBODY needs more me online.

However, the powers that be don’t see it that way. And so, if Amazon Connect ever decides that five days to confirm me shouldn’t be dragged out to 12 or more, I will actually start blogging over there once a week, about WHAT BURNS WITHIN. Specifically, talking about the setting, the RCMP and arson investigation. The aim will be to avoid spoilers, while satisfying the readers who enjoy more background.

Why am I doing this? Well, it’s probably pretty clear I’m not going to kiss ass, but I freaked at the idea of me doing a blog tour, because I don’t believe in them for myself. I mean, hell, between Spinetingler and At Central Booking and my blog and Crime Zine Report and now Mystery Bookspot, even Lee Child told me I have an impressive online presence. I think it already borders on excessive. I can live with it, doing the reviews and interviews for others, but shoot me now if I have to talk about myself non-stop.

However, it’s called compromise. If I’m going to resist one marketing suggestion, I should find the ones I can live with and play nice in the sand box.

Also, in the midst of the craziness with the new Spinetingler and new site last week, I neglected to mention I’ve put up my first newsletter.

I’m really sick of me at this point, but wait! There’s more! ”Burnt Offering” is officially the first review of What Burns Within in the public domain.

Now – thank God – on to something about somebody else.

WIRETAP debuts with a deliciously twisted little tale called FUCKING LIARS, written and read by Allan Guthrie.

I’m still working out some technical glitches with how to do the audio files, but it’s coming. And since even this sounds too much like talking about me, I’ll be quiet now.

17 comments:

Randy Johnson said...

Bagley's review sounds interesting. I knew already I would probably like What Burns Within. But when he said fans of Rankin would like it, I was positive. I like Rankin almost nearly as much as yourself.

Randy Johnson said...

Looking back on my previous comment, it didn't come out like I meant. Not slighting your abilities as a writer, mind you, I meant to say I like Rankin almost as much as you do. Sorry about that.

Sandra Ruttan said...

LOL Randy - no problem, I get what you mean, and I don't feel slighted at all.

angie said...

Hey, nice review! And I was wondering where the Madman of Maine had gotten off to...now I know!

Graham Powell said...

So... WIRETAP is a fiction podcast?

Sandra Ruttan said...

Angie, I wish he's called his new blog The Madman of Maine!

Graham... yes, it is. On At Central Booking under the 'contact' section it explains more. I'm not heavily promoting it at the moment, but I am taking submissions.

Anonymous said...

I recommend encoding the audio in .mp3 format as opposed to .wav. Compressing saves space and mp3s can be d/l and put on your ipod or what have you.

Sounds like the recording process itself is what needs worked on though. Did he record that over the phone?

Sandra Ruttan said...

I recorded it over the phone.

Unfortunately, Skype has been giving my computer grief, so I wasn't able to do it that way, hence the way it was done.

If I can figure out how to do it mp3 I will. Part of the problem of the pull forward - not getting all technical bugs worked out, but this is helpful. Now that the last Spinetingler is out of the way I have a bit more time to mess around with it and (hopefully) get it figured out. And get a mic for my computer...

Graham Powell said...

If you are using Windows, you can open a .wav file in the Sound Recorder and save it as .mp3. Go to:

Start->Programs->Accessories->Entertainment

Sandra Ruttan said...

I have a mac, so in a moment of total girly technical ineptness, I can't find start.

Don't laugh at me! I taught myself html in December because I had to for Spinetingler and I can learn any damn thing I put my mind to, but this really isn't my terrain.

Jack Ruttan said...

It's quite interesting becoming a pro and blogging, and not being boring. So many of the blogs of pro writers are "I'm signing here," "publishing a new book but can't talk about it," and meanwhile the aspiring types seem to have all the drama and time on their hands.

I'm always worried that I'm not doing it right, whatever it is I'm trying to be doing, but have elected to let it flow, and maybe I won't get into trouble. But I've already gotten into trouble. Still, I like blogging, and it's been rewarding in certain ways.

Sandra Ruttan said...

Someone shoot me if that's ever all my blog is about. I mean, sure, if there's news, share it. But days on end? Oy...

Jack Ruttan said...

Sandra, your profile shows you run or contribute to 17 blogs. I don't think "nothing to say" is an issue in your case.

Sandra Ruttan said...

It's because I set up all the blogs for at central booking. One is a total test blog where I was fucking around with code. I rarely contribute to Crime Lab Project, and when I do it's all about crime lab issues, primarily in the US. I seldom contribute to In For Questioning - that was turned over for the podcast. I don't contribute to Snitch - again, strictly set up for acb.

And (of course) the issues with Spinetingler prompted the Spinetingler blog for posting it in the interim. Once Spinetingler and At Central Booking are moved to their new homes, I should be back down to a short list, with crime zine report being just one I maintain and seldom post on - just updates about ezines.

Thank goodness they aren't all personal blogs. You'll be hard pressed to find out too much about me on most of them, if anything at all, other than the fact I maintain the code.

Daniel Hatadi said...

The internet? I thought it was the Ruttanet (sounds great when pronounced correctly).

Ducks.

Seriously, good to see you in full flight. It's more of that '2008 is the year to make it all happen' vibe.

Sandra Ruttan said...

Mr Hot Toddy ducks and runs. ;)

And in the latest developments, I think I might have skype working. Finally.

Eileen said...

I still read you..