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The Writing Life In this section, Mike intends to shed a little light on himself and his writing buddies, with occasional ponderings, wanderings and wonderings, as well as a selection of news items that may remain of interest to readers interested in a glimpse into the nuts and bolts of "the writing life." Ever wonder what keeps Mike running? Well, it turns out it's... running. Read this inspiring tale of global circumnavigation and you'll never look at the mirror in quite the same way again. Conversations with Authors Authors are supposed to promote themselves. That's so we sell enough copies of our books to keep our publishers happy and, with luck, avoid living in dumpsters during our golden years. Southwest Crime Ink is a group of four Tucson mystery writers: Elizabeth Gunn, Susan Cummins Miller, J. Carson Black and myself. We've been friends for years. Three of us still critique for each other. If you put us together in front of a crowd, we're still a ready-made event. Contact us. In June 2007, Mike was informed that his 2004 novel, Prairie Gothic, had just made a "Best of" list, although he confessed it's one he'd perhaps "rather not be eligible for." A friend just sent him a copy of the June 4, 2007 New York Magazine. On page 56, the article (also blurbed on the cover) is titled "The Best Novels You've Never Read: Sixty-One Critics Reveal Their Favorite Underrated Book of the Past Ten Years," by Katie Charles." The kind and generous (and perceptive) John Orr of the San Jose Mercury News picked Prairie Gothic. "It's no easy trick to write about America with a clear eye for its faults and with warm humor. Mark Twain managed it, and so does J.M. Hayes, with admirable wit in the face of horror."
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