Acclaimed Crime Novelist Laura Lippman to Speak on the Business of Writing March 27
February 6, 2007
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Laura Lippman, the Baltimore-based novelist and journalist whose work in crime fiction and newspaper features has brought her both critical acclaim and substantial popularity, will speak on the business life of a fiction writer in a special event at the University of Baltimore on Tuesday, March 27. Lippman, the author of 11 celebrated crime novels—nine featuring her one-of-a-kind creation, "accidental" private investigator Tess Monaghan—and a former reporter for The Sun in Baltimore, will discuss "This Business of Fiction: Living to Write and Writing to Live," beginning at 6 p.m. in the UB Student Center Performing Arts Theater, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave. The event is part of the University's GEICO Spring Speaker Series (registration information below).
Lippman, who grew up in Baltimore and still lives in the city, spent 20 years as a reporter and feature writer, including 12 years at The Sun, before leaving in 2001 to pursue a full-time career as a novelist. She has won every major prize in American crime fiction in only a decade. The Edgar, Nero Wolfe, Shamus, Agatha, Barry, Macavity and Anthony prizes have all been bestowed upon her for books like Baltimore Blues, In a Strange City and, most recently, No Good Deeds. Strange City was a New York Times Notable Book in 2001, and To the Power of Three received the Gumshoe Award for Best Novel in 2005.
Critics have praised Lippman's work both for the strength of her characters and the believability of her portrayal of life in the big city.
"Lippman is a master at baring both the soul and the body politic through the sneaky scrim of a page-turner," the Village Voice said.
"This mystery author is poised on the edge of flight—into the high, thin regions where bestsellers dwell," wrote Bookreporter.com.
In addition to writing novels, Lippman has contributed to Slate and a number of short-story anthologies, including Murder and All that Jazz: Best American Mystery Stories 2005 and Dublin Noir.
Lippman attended Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. She also worked as a reporter at the Waco Tribune-Herald and the San Antonio Light.
She was the inaugural recipient of the Mayor's Prize for Literary Excellence and the first genre writer recognized as Author of the Year by the Maryland Library Association.
"This Business of Fiction: Living to Write and Writing to Live" will include a reception and book-signing following Lippman’s appearance. In addition, Lippman will read from her work during her talk.
The GEICO Spring Speaker Series is supported by the Merrick Business Alumni Network, which consists of Merrick School of Business alumni and is a part of the UB Alumni Association. Established in 1995, this volunteer committee coordinates a variety of high-profile events promoting education and career development for alumni and students, as well as a mentor program for graduate-level business students.
The cost to attend Lippman's this event is $40 for the general public, $30 for UB alumni, faculty and staff and $20 for UB students. For additional information, call 410.837.6131 or e-mail alumni@ubalt.edu. Registration is available via those sources or online at www.ubalt.edu/alumni.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.
(Photo of Laura Lippman by Jan Cobb.)