Book Talks

Quite a busy time here at Writing Central. Book talks aplenty!

Yesterday, author Vlad Vaslyn and I journeyed down to Conn. to the cool new bookstore Books and Boos for a guest appearance. We had a blast, chatting with Jason and Stacey, who own the store.

We're even going back for more, on Saturday, June 22, for an all-day author signing event to benefit Holly Newstein Hautala.

My name was in the Boston Globe today, mentioning my talk and signing next Saturday, May 4th, at the Used Book Superstore in Burlington, Mass. from11-2.

And today I'll be at the talk by Andre Dubus III sponsored by the Chelmsford Library.

I got to meet Andre at the Stephen King talk back in December, and he seemed like a pretty cool guy. Then I read Townie, and was blown away. Awesome book, incredible life journey, and an amazing story.

The Truth Hurts

Noted best-selling author Barry Eisler gave an address (On Digital Denial) at the Pike's Peak Writers Convention. You can read all about the fallout here on Joe Konrath's site.

The gist of it is, Barry once more told a few truths that sent Big Publishers and agents harumphing over the Internet, saying all kinds of crap.

The buggy-whip salespeople really hate it when people get the truth. They piss and moan on their social media sites, but they do not engage Barry in actual debate, though he and others invite it.

They won't, because he's right. He tells the truth, and they bloody well know it, but they don't want anyone hearing it.

Come on, industry apologists, if you think he's full of pony poop, have the stones to come out and engage in a discussion and debate.

You don't dare, because he'll shred you with the truth.

Nigel Bird New Work

British writer Nigel Bird is best known for his gritty crime dramas, with writing that encompasses the dark side of our nature. His work reminds you of the good stuff from Ian Rankin, George Pelecanos, and a host of other chroniclers of the seamy life.

In his latest work, The Rocks Below, the darkness comes from our actions, and nature responds.
It's a novella, free on Kindle now (if you're quick), and worth it if you have to buy it when it stops being free. It's good writing that layers in something bigger, a warning to us about our actions.

Here's my review- like the work- brief, sharp, and to the point:

Nigel Bird's The Rocks Below is a series of short, hard punches, character sketches that are all part of a larger mosaic. There is visceral, heart-pounding action as the different folks handle a tense situation in various ways. Bird gives us vivid imagery that puts you right in the action. Good entertainment with a moral, one that may help us if we listen. Top marks.

Fun Pulp Covers and Great Reviews

Wow, check this out-- you can make your own pulp magazine cover, with different pics, colors, and text. Here's one I did:

 

 

This coolness can be yours-- check out http://thrilling-tales.webomator.com/derange-o-lab/pulp-o-mizer/pulp-o-mizer.html

And got a pair of great reviews for my first two Zack Taylor mysteries.
"This was a well-written mystery, well-paced and well-constructed."

"I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well-written and engaging."

Views From the Top

A couple of great perspectives here on modern publishing, both in one day!

First is Hugh Howey. Who's he? Merely a guy who was writing his books and working for wage just over a year ago, and who struck gold with his writing, and signed a monster, 7-figure deal with a big publisher-- for the print rights only-- he keeps the ebook profits!
Holy crap! This is a sea change in how business is done in the publishing world.
Yet better is that Howey seems like a really nice guy who wants to help other writers. And he has a great piece out on Salon today, which is a response to another of Salon's self-publishing-bashing pieces from a few days ago, where an idiot whined in public about being a failure at self-publishing-- and condemned it-- because he did it wrong, was incredibly stupid, and had unrealistic expectations.
So read Self-publishing is the future — and great for writers.

Then go for the perspective of a long-time pro in the writng biz. Kristine Kathryn Rusch posted
The Business Rusch: Four Years on what a revolution there has been in a mere four years.