The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers has just released TIED IN: The Business, History and Craft of Media Tie-In Writing, edited by Lee Goldberg.

Tie-in novels are books based on pre-existing media properties — like TV shows, movies and games — and they regularly top the national bestseller lists. But as popular as tie-ins books and novelizations are among readers, few people know how the books are written or the rich history behind the hugely successful and enduring genre.

This 75,000 word book is a ground-breaking collection of lively, informative, and provocative essays and interviews by some of the best-selling, and most acclaimed, writers in the tie-in business, offering an inside glimpse into what they do and how they do it. Contributors include Alina Adams, Jeff Ayers, Donald Bain, Burl Barer, Raymond Benson, Max Allan Collins, Greg Cox, William C. Dietz, Tod Goldberg, Robert Greenberger, Nancy Holder, Paul Kupperberg, Jeff Mariotte, Elizabeth Massie, William Rabkin, Aaron Rosenberg, David Spencer, and Brandie Tarvin.

TIED IN is currently available in an e-edition on Amazon and Smashwords (and soon on the iBookstore and Barnes & Noble). A trade paperback edition will be published later next month.

Purchase at:
Amazon
Smashwords

Beth's short story, "Smoothpicks," originally published in Deathrealm magazine, is now available as a FREE audio download from Crossroad Press!

Beth's new tale of rage, longing, and sacrifice — "Fire" — is now appearing in Darkness On the Edge, an anthology of stories inspired by the songs of Bruce Springsteen. This collection includes 19 tales by such notables as T.M. Wright, Lee Thomas, Gary A. Braunbeck, Sarah Langan, Nancy Kilpatrick, Tom Piccirilli, and more. Edited by Harrison Howe, hardcover, cover art by J.K. Potter.

Elizabeth's chilling tale of a Halloween night gone horribly awry, "The Devil's Yo-Yo," is now appearing in Cemetery Dance #63.

Beth was recently interviewed by Secret Identity about her work on the Phantom comic as well as other creative stuff. Read the interview.

Elizabeth's book — The Tudors: Thy Will Be Done — the official novelization of the third season of Showtime's original television show The Tudors, has been named a finalist for a Scribe Award in the Best Adaptation General & Speculative category. Scribe Awards are presented by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. Winners will be announced at Comic-Con in San Diego, July 22-25.

Beth's comic, "Julie Walker is The Phantom in Race Against Death!" is receiving great reviews and can be purchased from Moonstone Books. When Kit Walker, AKA the Phantom, is injured, his twin sister Julie secretly steps up to the plate to protect investigative reporter Nellie Bly on her historical race around the globe. Danger awaits at every turn, and Julie must wear the Phantom mantle boldly and bravely to keep Nellie from certain death.

Beth is the (March) Writer of the Month on The Horror Zine. This issue features an interview and Beth's short story, "And Baby, You Can Sleep While I Drive."

Beth will be Horror Guest of Honor at Context 23, held in Columbus, Ohio, August 27-29.

Beth's new poignant, ghostly tale of Christmas, "Beggars at Dawn," is now available in Appalachian Winter Hauntings: Tales From the Mountains, published by Woodland Press.

Beth announces: "'Writers Workshop of Horror,' a collection of essays covering the spectrum of writing horror fiction, is up for pre-order at this link, to be out August 2009. This fantastic book focuses solely on the craft of writing, with professional advice from the best: Joe Lansdale, F. Paul Wilson, Clive Barker, Ramsey Campbell, Tom Monteleone, Rick Hautala, and many, many more including yours truly. A wonderful resource for writers, and not just horror writers. Much of the advice transcends genre, because a good story is a good story."

"D.D. Murphry, Secret Policeman," a novel Beth co-authored with Alan M. Clark, is now available for order from Raw Dog Screaming Press. Here is what noted authors are saying:

Christopher Golden — “D.D. Murphry, Secret Policeman is twisted, unnerving, and funny as hell. It takes a special kind of lunacy to write something this wonderful. A triumph.”

Jeremy Robert Johnson — “D.D. Murphry is the first responder to a terrible accident at the intersection of Desire and Reality, sorting through the wreckage with a bloody spoon and a dangerously corrupted sense of Truth. Clark and Massie have created a brilliantly indelible character in D.D., and with each case cracked they offer a smorgasbord of startling shock, laugh-out-loud wordplay, and endearing empathy. D.D. Murphry, Secret Policeman is an arresting literary tightrope act of the top order.”

James A. Moore — “The only thing I regret about reading the seven cases presented in this delicious tome is that I didn't think of them first! I cannot recommend it enough!”

Nate Kenyon — “Massie and Clark have crafted a winner: funny, clever and disturbing all at once. Getting inside D.D. Murphry's head was fascinating and deeply unsettling. Reading it, one gets the feeling that there may be more than one 'secret policeman' out in the real world. I loved it.”

"Images of America: Waynesboro," a photo history of Waynesboro, Virginia and co-authored by Beth and Cortney Skinner, was published June 8th. The book has been a huge success, appealing to both citizens of Waynesboro as well as former citizens, tourists, and collectors of Arcadia photo histories. See this website or their "Images of America: Waynesboro" companion blog for updates.

"The Caretaker," a ghost story set in Babcock State Park, WV, and based on an actual murder, appears in Legends of the Mountain State #3, published by Woodland Press and edited by Michael Knost. This anthology premiered at the prestigious West Virginia Book Festival in Charleston, October 10-11, 2009. Other writers with works in the anthology include Matthew Warner, Brian Hatcher, Scott Nicholson, J. G. Faherty, Fran Friel, and more.

Elizabeth’s “Skeeryvilletown” Skeery Art blog features new Skeeryvilletown works, links, and commentary into the why and wherefore of the lighthearted, spooky town and its inhabitants. Click here to see what’s new! 3-Eyed Devil Cat, Fire Breathing Dog O’ Death, Boo Boy, Rattie, Battie, and the rest are waiting.