Mystery Writers of America's Talk Show: Murder Must Air
Note: Murder Must Air aired from OCt. 2006-OCt. 2007. After a year on the air, Mystery Writers of America decided to put the show on a hiatus to discuss further financing the show.
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The call came in one lazy afternoon. "How would you like to host a talk show sponsored by Mystery Writers of America?"
My first reaction-you're kidding, right?-was immediately replaced by why me? Luckily, my mouth blurted out, "I'd love to."
Thus a show was born. My first task centered on naming the show. Using the Internet, I asked for name ideas. Suggestion after suggestion poured in. I compiled a list and asked people to choose their favorites. We narrowed the choices to the top twenty-five titles, then the top ten, and finally, the top five. Pinkie Paranya, author of Herr Schnoodle and McBee, came up with the winning title, Murder Must Air.
Reed Farrel Coleman became my first guest. Besides being a multi-award winner for The James Deans novel, he serves as MWA's vice-president. He was a great first guest. He entertained with his unique sense of humor, but also offered advice and set the standards for future shows.
Murder Must Air would exist to serve all MWA members. In considering each guest, I ask myself what can this person offer the members and what does this mean to you, the author and the mystery fan? I figured the best way to help you is to have the show bring various topics to the privacy of your living room. You will find out about new opportunities, get new ideas, and receive the latest information on a variety of topics. In addition, you will be able to talk directly to my guest and get any information you want.
So how does the show work? Mystery Writers of America members will be able to dial a toll-free number (see the The 3rd Degree or contact me for the numbers.) Once you've dialed that number and punched in the code, you will be able to listen to the live interview. At the beginning of the presentation, all lines will be closed and you will serve as part of the audience. Toward the end of the show, I'll open the lines so that you can directly ask the guest questions or make any comments you want.
If you have any suggestions as to whom you'd like to listen to (including yourself!) or if there's a topic you'd like to hear discussed, please contact me at ontheair@mysterywriter.org. Please put on the subject line "Murder Must Air" or MWA show. Also, if there are any questions you'd like to ask the guest but won't be able to do so yourself, e-mail me and I will ask for you.
