Take It from the Start

Editor’s note: As it’s been a while since we last checked on the status of Jack Getze’s opening-line contest, announced here in mid-May, we asked the author to clue us in on how things have been going. His response:

Two weeks ago, I offered $250 for the best opening line to my second Austin Carr Mystery, Big Money. I also said that I’d give away free copies of the first series installment, Big Numbers, to anyone who entered this competition.

Well, the response has been light, so there’s still a good chance for someone to take first prize by the June 8 deadline. Here are a few of the better (though maybe not the best) opening lines I’ve received already:

• “I was up to my ass in crap.” (From GLogsted)
• “Someone wants me dead. Again.” (WriterLor)
• “Older houses and younger women--both of them are nothing but trouble.” (plax)

Think you can do better? I understand a free copy of my book might not be motivation enough--debut authors are a dime a dozen. But $250 is still up for grabs. Are all you crime writers so successful?

E-mail your suggested opening lines to me at jgetze@aol.com. And again, the deadline for submissions is Friday, June 8.