Announcements!

My apologies for the lack of posts this summer, have been busy and have had other things to think about. But I did want to make a couple of announcements.

I think I already mentioned that I have been nominated for a Barry Award for Best Thriller. Well, you can add a nom for a Shamus Award for Best First Novel!

Here's the official announcement.

Private Eye Writers of America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 2, 2008

CONTACT: Ted Fitzgerald – Shamus Awards Chair tedfitz [at] msn.com

PRIVATE EYE WRITERS OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES
2008 SHAMUS AWARDS NOMINEES

The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) is proud to announce the nominees for the 27th annual Shamus Awards, given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. The 2008 awards cover works first published in the U.S. in 2007. The awards will be presented at the PWA banquet, to be held Friday evening Oct. 10, 2008, in Baltimore, Maryland, during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. Banquet details will be announced later in August.

2008 Shamus Awards Nominees

Best Hardcover
Head Games by Thomas B. Cavanagh (St. Martins Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books), featuring Mike Garrity.
Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman (Bleak House Books), featuring Moe Prager.
The Color of Blood by Declan Hughes (William Morrow), featuring Ed Loy.
A Welcome Grave by Michael Koryta (St. Martins Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books), featuring Lincoln Perry.
A Killer’s Kiss by William Lashner (William Morrow), featuring Victor Carl.

Best Paperback Original
Songs of Innocence by Richard Aleas (Hard Case) featuring John Blake.
Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong (Bantam) featuring Nadia Stafford.
Stone Rain by Linwood Barclay (Bantam) featuring Zack Walker.
Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins (Hard Case) featuring Ms. Michael Tree.
Blood of Paradise by David Corbett (Mortalis/Ballantine) featuring Jude McManus.

Best First Novel
The Cleaner by Brett Battles (Delacorte), featuring Jonathan Quinn.
Keep It Real by Bill Bryan (Bleak House Books), featuring Ted Collins.
Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover (William Morrow), featuring Ray Dudgeon.
When One Man Dies by Dave White (Three Rivers Press), featuring Jackson Donne.
The Last Striptease by Michael Wiley (St. Martins/Thomas Dunne Books), featuring Joe Kozmarski.

Best Short Story
"Kill the Cat" by Loren D. Estleman, DETROIT NOIR (Akashic), featuring Amos Walker.
"Trust Me" by Loren D. Estleman, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2007, featuring Amos Walker.
"Open Mike" by James Nolan, NEW ORLEANS NOIR (Akashic), featuring Vincent Panarello.
“Hungry Enough" by Cornelia Read, A HELL OF A WOMAN (Busted Flush Press), featuring Philip.
"Room for Improvement" by Marilyn Todd, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Dec. 2007, featuring Lois Hepburn.



PWA was founded in 1981 by Robert J. Randisi to recognize the private eye genre and its writers. Previous Shamus winners include Lawrence Block, Ken Bruen, Harlan Coben, Max Allan Collins, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, O’Neil deNoux, Brendan DuBois, Loren D. Estleman, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, Sue Grafton, James W. Hall, Steve Hamilton, Jeremiah Healy, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, John Lutz, Bill Pronzini, S.J. Rozan, Sandra Scoppettone and Don Winslow.
P.I. Guy logo by Terry Beatty.

As I was with the Barry Nom, I am deeply touched and honored. In fact, it's still hard to believe, but hard to argue with the black and white announcement!

THE DECEIVED hits the UK

As of today, my second novel - THE DECEIVED - is in bookstores throughout the UK and Ireland! If you're over there and have a chance, check it out, then let me know what you think.

THE DECEIVED in Bookstores TODAY

Today's pub day for both my new novel, THE DECEIVED, and for the mass paperback of my first novel, THE CLEANER, both featuring freelance op Jonathan Quinn.

Anonymity. Trust. Professionalism. In his world, Jonathan Quinn has a few rules. He’ll get rid of bodies that have to disappear; nothing ever gets traced back to him. But when Quinn is called to a busy Los Angeles port where a shipping container has just come in from the sea, it’s clear his rules have been violated. Inside the crate is a dead man—a man who once saved Quinn’s life. And while no one knows how CIA agent Steven Markoff died, Quinn has to do more than clean. He has to find Markoff’s girlfriend, Jenny. To tell her that Markoff is dead. To find out why—and why someone sent Markoff’s body to him.

Until a week ago, Jenny Fuentes was an assistant to an ambitious congressman. Now Jenny is missing, too, and a lot of man power is making sure she isn’t found. But Quinn has his own man power. He has tools that can pry into secrets held anywhere in the world. He has the skill to trade blows with killers and spies. And he has covert weapons: his eager and smart apprentice, Nate, and brilliant Orlando, his closest friend, who’s saved his life more than once.

Racing from the corridors of power in Washington to the bustling streets of Singapore, Quinn won’t stop until he uncovers the truth behind his friend’s violent death, the astounding reason Jenny has vanished—and what she knows about the most explosive deception of all.

Let me know if you have a chance to read it, then let me know what you think!

-------

CONTEST WINNERS

The latest sweepstakes ended last night, and we have two winners. Rena P. from Oklahoma City, OK, and Melissa R. from Roswell, GA. Congratulations to both of you. Your signed copies of THE DECEIVED will be in the mail very soon.

Thank you LIBRARY JOURNAL

STARRED REVIEW for THE DECEIVED!

Battles, Brett. The Deceived. Delacorte. Jul. 2008. c.368p. ISBN 978-0-385-34157-8. $24. F

Freelance "cleaner" Jonathan Quinn is hired to make a body disappear. When he discovers that the victim is a friend, Quinn violates the first rule of his profession and becomes personally involved. Quinn, female ally Orlando, and apprentice Nate travel to Singapore to prevent an assassination and rescue an innocent woman. Lots of tradecraft and a growing relationship between Quinn and Orlando make this a successful sequel to The Cleaner. Highly recommended.

LAUNCH PARTY & Signing Schedule

Less than a week until THE DECEIVED and the paperback of THE CLEANER reach bookstores! Sounds like a great reason for a party to me...

If you're in the L.A. area on Saturday afternoon, come on by The Mystery Bookstore in Westwood. They will be hosting the launch party for THE DECEIVED at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. They'll be some champagne, some snacks, and fun.

The Mystery Bookstore
1036-C Broxton Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.209.0415
Map here
Mystery Bookstore Website Here

Also have a couple other signings and events coming up:

Saturday, June 28th 12:30 p.m.
The Mysterious Galaxy
7051 Clairemont Mesa Drive #302
San Diego, CA 92111
858.268.4747
Website Here

Thursday, July 10th through Saturday July 12th
THRILLERFEST
Grand Hyatt, New York City
Website Here

Saturday, July 19th
Mysteries To Die For
2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
805.374.0084
Website Here

Hope to see you somewhere along the way!

DON'T FORGET...win a copy of THE DECEIVED

Find Out How HERE

Cleaning Up

Bill Cameron cleans up:

Sweeping up from Duplo's Dad on Vimeo.

FINAL SWEEPSTAKES for THE DECEIVED

We are t-minus twelve days until the pub date for both my new novel THE DECEIVED and the mass paperback of my first novel THE CLEANER.

So instead of giving away an ARC this month, I'll be giving away 2, YES TWO, hardcover first editions of THE DECEIVED to 2 lucky winners. Here's all you have to do to enter:

1. Send an email to contest AT brettbattles DOT com .
2. In the email tell me your favorite book from the last three months.
3. Optional: include your address
4. You will automatically be added to my mailing list, so if you do not want to be add, say so in the email.

That's it. We'll have the drawing on Monday June 23rd, the night before the big day. So come on, what are you waiting for?

Musical Inspiration #22

No explanation necessary. Just watch:

Weekend Wrap Up

Spent much of the weekend at Book Expo America (BEA) held this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Saw a lot of old friends. A couple of highlights:

1. Ran out of books at my signing on Sunday less than 40 minutes into an hour signing!
2. The MWA party on Friday night at the Edison in downtown LA...very cool.
3. Dinner after the party with Naomi Hirahara, Bill Cameron, Robert Gregory Browne, and Bill's agent Janet Reid.
4. Got home Friday night to find out that I'd been NOMINATED for a BARRY AWARD for BEST THRILLER!!
(see all the noms here)
5. On Sunday the new ITW newsletter came out and there's a feature on me.
See it here.

And to top it all off...a little league game with my son on Saturday, and my daughter dancing the hula on stage at the Hawaiian Festival in Northridge on Sunday Afternoon.

That makes for a pretty good weekend.

And The Winner Is...

The winner of the ARC for my MAY drawing is:

Robert T. of Rockville, MD!

Congrats Robert. I'll get it out to you next week.

NEXT MONTH'S DRAWING WILL BE FOR AN ACTUAL HARD COPY FIRST EDITION OF THE DECEIVED. Watch here for more info.

THE DECEIVED - Sweepstakes #4

This is it. The final chance to win an ARC of THE DECEIVED! I will have one more sweepstakes in June, but that will be for an actual hardcover copy. Entering is simple:

1. Email me at: contest AT brettbattles DOT com

2. Include: your name, and the title of the favorite book you read in the last three months.

3. Optional: include your mailing address. If you don't and you win, I'll email you for the info.

4. Mailing List: all those who enter will be added to my mailing list (something I don't share with others...also I limit the amount of emails I send to a few a year.) If you do NOT want to be including on the list, please let me know in your email.

Nothing else needed.

Deadline is 6 p.m. Pacific Coast Time on May 29th. That's a little over 2 weeks away.

Remember: those who participated in the previous sweepstakes in February, March and April but didn't win are automatically entered. If you were one of the winners, sorry, only those who haven't won are eligible.

Best of luck to everyone.

THE DECEIVED - First Chapter Excerpt

Tthe first chapter and part of the second of THE DECEIVED is now up on my website! We are t-minus one and a half months to pub date (June 24th), and I can't wait.

Did I mention that it's a double pub date? That's right. Not only does the hardcover of THE DECEIVED come out on June 24th, but so does the mass market paperback of THE CLEANER! Something for everyone.

CLICK HERE to read the excerpt from THE DECEIVED

KISS HER GOODBYE

My good friend Robert Gregory Browne's novel KISS HER GOODBYE is out today in paperback.

It's an non-stop thrill ride that I highly recommend.

I was lucky enough to get an early copy and I loved it! (And for you Rob fans...something to make you jealous...Rob was kind enough to give me a copy of his next novel WHISPERS IN THE DARK which doesn't come out until January. I'm only about 50 pages in, but it's great. Can't wait to get back to it.)

KISS HER GOODBYE description:

ATF Agent Jack Donovan has two ambitions: take down cult leader Alex Gunderson after years of violent mayhem, and reconnect with his daughter Jessie, who has somehow managed to slip from his life. But, none of Jack’s experience as a stellar cop or an absent father has prepared him for the unthinkable way these two parts of his life are about to collide.

In a desperate act of revenge, Gunderson kidnaps Jessie and buries her alive. But just as Jack’s team is closing in, fate intervenes in the form of a bullet and the secret to Jessie’s location is lost. With only a few precious hours of oxygen to sustain her, and with not a single clue pointing in her direction, Jessie is sure to die—unless Jack can somehow find her. But what Jack doesn’t realize is that he’s about to take a sharp turn into a world from which few of us return: the darkness of death itself.

READ MORE AND BUY IT HERE

A Winner! And A Festival! And A Hiatus.

First off, the winner of the April Sweepstakes for a signed ARC of THE DECEIVED is Erika S. from Florida! Congratulations, Erika.

Don't worry, the May sweepstakes for another copy will begin in a few weeks. So if you didn't enter or did but didn't win, you'll have another chance soon!

--------

This weekend is the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books! Too much fun. If you are in Southern California this weekend, I'd seriously advise you check it out. I blogged about it yesterday at Murderati.

Read more here

--------

And now Hiatus...I speeding toward a June 1st deadline, so my blogging will be light at best until then. Hell, it's been pretty light for the last couple weeks, but at least now you know the reason why. The May Sweepstakes will happen, so watch for that. And if I have anything relevant to say/share, I'll post that, too. Otherwise you'll be able to find me every other Thursday over at Murderati.

THE DECEIVED Sweepstakes #3

Running a little late getting this started, but it's time for the April sweepstakes for an advance copy of my upcoming release, THE DECEIVED! Those of you who participated in the previous sweepstakes in February and March but didn't win, you are automatically entered. If you were one of the winners, sorry, only those who haven't won are eligible.

If you have played yet, all you have to do is:

Email me at: contest AT brettbattles DOT com

Include: your name, and the title of the favorite book you read in the last three months.

Optional...include your mailing address. If you don't and you will, I'll email you for the info.

Nothing else needed.

Deadline is 6 p.m. Pacific Coast Time on April 24th. That's right, only one week from tonight! I'll announce the winner on the 25th.

Best of luck! And don't worry if you don't win, I be having a contest in May and in June also...and if you've entered any of my sweepstakes for the launch of THE DECEIVED but haven't won, you are automatically entered in the upcoming drawings.

Dear President Bush

A few weeks ago you seemed surprised by the idea that gas would soon reach $4.00 a gallon. If you don't remember, here's a clip to remind you:



Well, I was driving around Los Angeles this weekend and noticed a theme that I thought I should make you aware of.












Hope these help.

Save the Date!

Murderati #8

Over at MURDERATI today.

Sweepstakes #2 Winner

Again, thanks to everyone who participated! For those who didn't win, fear not, you will automatically be entered in the upcoming April, May, and June sweepstakes. And for those of you didn't get a chance to enter, the next one will start in a couple weeks, so stay tune.

March's winner is:

Josue C.

Congrats to Josue! Once I have your info, I'll send out your signed copy of THE DECEIVED.

Musical Inspiration #21

Great song to start the week, and as an added bonus, it's a kick-ass video too! Enjoy...



DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION - The Blood Arm featuring Anais

Sweepstakes #2 Reminder

Only 1 week left to entry to win an advanced copy of my new novel THE DECEIVED.

DETAILS HERE

Murderati #6

Over at Murderati today. Stop by if you have a chance.

THE DECEIVED Sweepstakes #2

I'm now taking entries for the March sweepstakes for an advance copy of THE DECEIVED! Those of you who participated in February's sweepstakes but didn't win, you are automatically entered. If you were one of our winners, sorry, only those who haven't won are eligible.

Now for the rest of you, those who didn't get their entries in last month, here's all you have to do:

Email me at: contest AT brettbattles DOT com

Include: your name, and the title of the favorite book you read in the last three months.

That's it.

Deadline is 6 p.m. Pacific Coast Time on March 27th. I'll announce the winner on the 28th.

Good luck to everyone!

Lessons on Reporting #1

The sweet spot starts about :55 seconds in. You think maybe there's some history here?


http://view.break.com/467869 - Watch more free videos

THE CLEANER Reviewed

Shots Magazine in the UK has just reviewed THE CLEANER.

READ IT HERE

UK and Ireland THE CLEANER IS HERE

Today is the official release date in the UK and Ireland for THE CLEANER. And good news for the folks there, you won't have to wait a year for my next novel. THE DECEIVED will be in bookstores at the beginning of July, just a week or so after it comes out here in the U.S.

So enjoy...and, everyone, let me know what you think of the UK cover (above).

Animation Inspiration #4

Title design has always been an interest of mine, especially so since I've worked in the motion graphics industry for many, many years. Saul Bass has always been one of the pillars of the industry.

Here's someone's idea of what Saul might have done if he'd been assigned the project of designing the title sequence for STAR WARS. In a word...hilarious.



CLICK HERE for more on Saul Bass

Sweepstakes #1 Winner(s)

First, thank you so much to everyone who participated! What a great turn out, even larger than I expected. And a note to those who didn't get their entries in...Come March will do it all again, so you still have a chance. Also, anyone who entered February's sweepstakes will be automatically entered in March. So it's a win-win for everyone!

And because there were so many entries, I decided to give away not 1, but 2 advance copies of THE DECEIVED. And the winners are:

Peggy from West Terre Haute, Indiana
and
Joanne from Warrington, Pennsylvania

Congratulations to both of you. Expect your prizes in the next two weeks.

And to the rest of you, stay tuned for the announcement in March of THE DECEIVED Sweepstakes #2.

Murderati #5 and Sweepstakes Reminder

I'm over at Murderati again today.

Also, today is the LAST DAY to enter the sweepstakes for an ARC of my new novel THE DECEIVED.

DETAILS HERE

Musical Inspiration #20

One of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time.


FALLING SLOWLY, the Academy Award® winning song from the movie ONCE

I hear the movie is pretty damn good, too.

Sweepstakes Reminder! ONE WEEK LEFT!

Want to win an advance review copy of my next book THE DECEIVED? Well, you can't if you don't enter.

DETAILS HERE

Thanks for playing.

A Little Valetine's Day Love

Don't forget the sweepstakes for a copy of THE DECEIVED!

And check out my post on Murderati today!

Murderati #4

Over at Murderati today.

Check it out here.

And don't forget the sweepstakes for a copy of THE DECEIVED! See below!

THE DECEIVED Sweepstakes #1

As promised, it's time for our first sweepstakes to win an advanced copy of my new novel THE DECEIVED....

Just to give you a taste:

The Port of Los Angeles. Quinn has been called there to do a job. A body has arrived in a shipping container, and he has been hired to dispose of it. Only the body isn't just another nameless corpse. And Quinn realizes his job won't be over just because the deadman has been buried.

And no worries...Nate and Orlando are both back.

Here's the rules.

1. EMAIL me at: contest@brettbattles.com

2. Subject line should read "THE DECEIVED Sweepstakes #1" or something similar.

3. IMPORTANT: In the body of the email, give me the name and the author of the best book you've read in the last three months. I'll post the list here at the end of the sweepstakes.

4. Everyone entering will be added to my mailing list, so if you don't want to be added, say so in the body of the message. (No worries, this will not change your chances. Everyone who enters is equally eligible. And if you are already on my mailing list, you are still eligible.)

5. SWEEPSTAKES CONCLUSION: No more entries will be accepted after 6:00 p.m. Pacfic Time (Los Angeles) on February 28th. That's almost 3 weeks to get your entry in! I'll draw the winner that night and post details on February 29th (LEAP DAY!)

Easy enough. Now get cracking!

What Some People Think Up...Random Inspiration #1

So artist Michel de Broin has come up with an interesting idea...he's taken a 1986 Buick Regal and made it...well...green. Check out the video (it gets especially good went the cops get involved).



On his website, he says:

In this project, all superfluous devices were removed from an 86’ Buick Regal – the engine, suspension, transmission and electrical system – thereby reducing the weight of the vehicle whilst preserving its appearance. It was then equipped with 4 independent pedal and gear mechanisms that make it possible for passengers to form the self-propulsion group. A cutting edge transmission technology was developed to transmit the power supplied by the passengers to the drive wheels and to vary the reduction ratios between cyclists and wheels, so as to ensure their progressive coupling for start-ups. With a top speed of around 15 km/h, the vehicle’s resistance to the culture of performance is raised to an unprecedented level.

Check out more on his website here.

Thanks to carectomy.com
and to
EcoGeek.org for pointing it out.

Fair Warning

First, watch out for buffet scrambled eggs...I've never gotten food poisoning until Tuesday night, and here it is Thursday and I'm still not 100% right yet. Ugh...but I'm getting there. Plus side: forced diet for the last 48 hours!

BUT MORE IMPORTANT: I just received my ARCs of THE DECEIVED! So it is almost time for our first sweepstakes to win a copy. Watch for details. Warn your friends. I think we'll kick things off next month.

And if you don't win, no worries...I'm planning on having a sweepstakes a month!

A Super Tuesday

I’m in one of the Super Tuesday states. As I write this, it’s 6:18 a.m. Usually I’ve been working on my current manuscript for around twenty minutes by now. But I’m finding myself distracted. I’m finding myself unable to focus the scene I’ve been working on.

I’m a bit of a political junkie, I’ll admit to that. It’s not a 100% thing, but it is something that has been part of my make up since I was a child. I remember elections from when I was a child, being fascinated by the electoral vote, watching the news as each states choice was made.

My fascination with politics hasn’t been limited to just elections either. I remember also as a child, being glued to the television one summer watching the Watergate hearing, and seeing John Dean testify against Richard Nixon and his people. I should have been out playing. I think my mother even encouraged me at times to stop watching the TV, but I couldn’t. I was riveted.

I don’t have a perfect voting record. But I have missed very few since I was old enough to cast my ballot. And I’m not going to miss today. The polls open here in California in thirty-five minutes (it’s now 6:27 a.m.), and I plan on being one of the first people through the door.

See, I have this anxiousness, this excitement building inside me today. I can’t wait to see how the day turns out. I’ve already got the TV turned on to one of those 24 hour news stations. And I’ll keep it on all day.

I have a definite candidate I’m voting for. One I’m excited about. But that’s not why I’m writing about the election today. Those of you in the US in states voting today won’t be influenced by who I choose, you’ll have your own idea of who excites you, who will bring the vision that you want this country to go in.

My only request is that if you do have an election in your state today, vote.

Please.

Musical Inspiration #19

We haven't done one of these for a little while. Here's one from 6 or 7 years ago.


Gorillaz - 19/2000

Murderati #3

I'm over here today. I said OVER HERE!

Pictures from Last Saturday's KILLER YEAR Signing

We had a wonderful signing with a lot of familiar and new faces. Thanks to everyone who came out, or even tried to! We had a great time. (FYI for those wondering...yes my hair is long...yes I'm getting it cut.)


Marc and Rob wonder, Where the hell is Brett?



Brett and Rob discuss the finer points of punctuation, while Marc looks on and thinks, Maybe it was better when Brett wasn't here!



Audience members look on transfixed by the witty novelists...ahem...



Let the signing begin!





Fun had by all

The Liar's Diary

Today marks the release in paperback of my fellow Killer Year member Patry Francis' novel THE LIAR'S DIARY. And because Patry is unable to get out and about to promote her work at the moment, her friends in blogland have decided to do it for her.

About THE LIAR'S DIARY

Jeanne Cross’s contented suburban life gets a jolt of energy from the arrival of Ali Mather, the stunning new music teacher at the local high school. With a magnetic personality and looks to match, Ali draws attention from all quarters, including Jeanne’s husband and son. Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a deep friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities and long-held secrets that Ali has been recording in her diary. The diary also holds a key to something darker: Ali’s suspicion that someone has been entering her house when she is not at home. Soon their friendship will be shattered by violence—and Jeanne will find herself facing impossible choices in order to protect the people she loves.

And some praise, of course:

“Twists and turns but never lets go.”
—Jacquelyn Mitchard, bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean

“Outright chilling.”
—New York Daily News

“Genuinely creepy . . . The unlikely friendship between a small-town school secretary and a flamboyant teacher proves deadly in this psychological murder mystery.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A twisting ride full of dangerous curves and jaw-dropping surprises. This is one of my favorite reads of the year!”
—Tess Gerritsen, bestselling author of The Mephisto Club

“A quirky, well-written and well-constructed mystery with an edge.”
—Publishers Weekly

And if that's not enough to convince you yet...check out the trailer:



Patry's had a bit of a go at it the past couple months, but things are looking up. If you want to know more, you can read about it at her blog:

Simply Wait

Buy THE LIAR'S DIARY here.

Signing Tomorrow

If you're in L.A. tomorrow afternoon, come by the Mystery Bookstore in Westwood and join Robert Gregory Browne, Marc Lecard, and I as we talk about and sign copies KILLER YEAR: Stories to Die For....

Would love to see you there!

The Mystery Bookstore Website

I'm In For Questioning

I'm the latest guest at Angie Johnson-Schmit's In For Questioning.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

And when you have the time, check out some of her other interviews. She's talk to a lot of really interesting writers already (she only started late last year!)

Thanks, Angie, for including me.

KILLER YEAR is HERE

The KILLER YEAR Anthology is out as of today! (Actually there were sightings in stores as early as last Thursday, but today is the official drop day.) It's a collection of short stories by my fellow Killer Year members, plus four stories from some of our mentors: Ken Bruen, Allison Brennan, MJ Rose, & Duane Swierczynski.

Read the wonderful reviews we've been receiving here!

Special thank you to Lee Child for signing on to be our editor, to MJ, Duane, Ken, & Allison for their wonderful contributions, and to our Killer Year mentors for introducing each of our stories in the book. (Personal thanks to my mentor James Rollins!)

Cool Gear #2

(I'm calling this #2 because I'm going to consider the 40 hour computer battery post #1)

A JET PACK that works for more than a few seconds. There are a few drawbacks (like needing a plane to get it to the proper altitude), but still it is incredibly cool. It's a little too flashy for Quinn, but I can so see this in the next Bond film.

WIRED has more details.

Take a look...the real flying starts about a minute thirty to a minute forty-five in:

Congratulations!!!!!

The Edgar Award nominations were just announced this morning...of particular interest is the list for Best First Novel By An American Author:

Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell (HarperCollins - William Morrow)
In the Woods by Tana French (Penguin Group - Viking)
Snitch Jacket by Christopher Goffard (The Rookery Press)
Head Games by Craig McDonald (Bleak House Books)
Pyres by Derek Nikitas (St. Martin's Minotaur)

Congrats to all the nominees, but particular congratulations to fellow Killer Year member Derek Nikitas!!!! Way to go Derek!

Also, congrats to fellow Murderati mate Ken Bruen for his Best Novel nom!

Best Novel Nominees

Christine Falls by Benjamin Black (Henry Holt and Company)
Priest by Ken Bruen (St. Martin's Minotaur)
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon (HarperCollins)
Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman (Bleak House Books)
Down River by John Hart (St. Martin's Minotaur)

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES HERE

Make It So #1

Oh please, oh please, oh please let this be for real. And let it trickle down to us lowly users as fast as possible. Oh please! Oh please!

The 40 Hour Laptop Battery

Definition #1

Today's word: startle

Dictionary.com says:
star·tle [stahr-tl]
–verb (used with object)
1. to disturb or agitate suddenly as by surprise or alarm.
2. to cause to start involuntarily, by or as by a sudden shock.
–verb (used without object)
3. to start involuntarily, as from a shock of surprise or alarm.
–noun
4. a sudden shock of surprise, alarm, or the like.
5. something that startles.

But I prefer this:

Murderati #2

You'll find me at Murderati today....

CLICK HERE

Animation Inpsiration #3

Here's a fun animation project I came across...per the website:

This animation was created by all the students in COMS274 Intermedia I, Dept of Communication Studies, Concordia University, Fall 2007. Working in Flash, all 64 students rotoscoped 1-3 seconds of video each, over a period of three weeks. (Most of them had never used Flash before.)

We were inspired by Bob Sabiston's digital rotoscoping (as seen in Snack and Drink, Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly), and our readings and class discussions about copyright and creativity.

Love to watch what students who are not tied down by corporate clients will do. This is a lot of fun, and a nice rev up for a Monday.

See It Here
(It's a cool video, but I got annoyed that the embedded version automatically starts playing when you open my blog...so hence the link now.)

Musical Inspiration #18

Friday...thank God! I thought the insanity would never end. Out here in L.A., the entertainment world is a mess with this unresolved writer's strike. People are getting laid off, award shows are getting down graded to glorified news conferences, and the temperature has barely climbed out of the 50s so we're all bundled up in our winter best. (Note to all you laughing about our whimpiness: I've seen plenty of cold weather folks move out here and mock us in their first winter only to be wrapped in sweaters and down jackets like the rest of us the next one.)

So today we ask the question, where is the love?


Black Eyed Peas - Where is the Love

Creative Discussion #1 - Tone

From Webster's New World Dictionary:

tone (tõn) n
...2. a manner of expression showing a certain attitude

From Dictionary.com

tone (tohn)
...15. a particular style or manner, as of writing or speech; mood: the macabre tone of Poe's stories.


A story without tone is like a serving of Pad Thai without any spices or flavoring. It's still there, it's still digestible, but it is all it can be? No.

Tone is the tool writers use to create mood and atmosphere and feeling. It is a hand that we use to guide the reader through our stories that allows them to feel what we want them to knew, to experience - as close as possible - the story they are reading without actually having to live the events.

Your tone can be dark, humorous, mysterious, whimsical...

To illustrate tone watch the following two videos. They are the same song, but performed by different artists to completely different effect.






As you know my now, they are both QUE SERA SERA. The first is Doris Day from the Alfred Hitchcock movie THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH. The second is from the Portland based band Pink Martini.

I'm actually partial to the Pink Martini version because I guess I'm drawn to things which are darker or a little askew. A very good friend of mine thinks the opposite. She likes the Doris Day version because, I think, of the lightness and the anything can happen (in a good way) feeling it envokes. Both create the tone the particular artist was going for. The same can be said for the prose you write or read. It's just another part of the writing tool kit.

Did you have a favorite? Or perhaps another example of Tone.

Musical Inspiration #17

It's Tuesday, so how about a little Jazz..."Why?" you ask. I say, "Why Not!"

And if we're going jazz for the first time on A Writer's Sphere, let's start off with two of the great!

Enjoy:


Miles Davis & John Coltrane- So What

Animation Inspiration #2

I love this style...simple, yet very effective. Everything is aimed at helping to tell the story:


M. Ward - Chinese Translation

Musical Inpsiration #16

Something fun to get the first full week of 2008 started!


Len - If You Steal My Sunshine

Animation Inspiration #1

This is just beautiful on so many levels...as a story...as an animation...as something we can all relate to...

It was created by Julia Pott (with music by Christopher Frost...

From Julia's description on YouTube: "This was my final film at Kingston University, it is an animated film based on interviews with people about their first crushes. (best version). I can be found at www.myspace.com/angrypony_ and at www.juliapott.com."

Please take a moment and watch My First Crush by Julia Pott:

Musical Inspiration #15

Some fun for a Friday. It's the video that really gets my attention. Love the animation style.


Puffy Ami Yumi - Tokyo I'm On My Way

Murderati #1

I mentioned last month when I began blogging again that this was not the only place you'd be seeing me. Many of you have probably heard about the blog MURDERATI. As of today, I've joined their ranks.

Read my blog post here.

I'll be alternating Thursdays with the wonderful Zoë Sharp. So I'll be there again in two weeks. But don't worry...I'll let you know.

Blog Inspiration #1 - Brotherhood 2.0

During 2007, did you follow Brotherhood 2.0? If not, you miss a hell of a lot of fun. For a year, brothers John and Hank Green decided not to have any written communications for a year, and decided instead to create a videoblog, each posting videos to the other on alternating days.

What presumably started out as a small experiment turned into something huge. They ended up creating a large community that tuned in every day to see what was next, a community of fellow Nerd Fighters The whole year of video communication is still up there, so you can go back and sample some or all of the videos. They really have videoblogging down to an art.

But now that the year is over, the daily posts will no longer continue. That makes the whole Nerd Fighter nation (myself included) sad. The good news is that I believe there will be weekly post, so John and Hank are not completely leaving the vidblog scene.

One of the things that really shows the community that they created is the Happy Dance project. You all know what a happy dance is...it's the dance you do when something wonderful happens. Well, Brotherhood 2.0 faithful sent John and Hank videos of their own happy dances after seeing John (I think it was John) doing his own happy dance. Those videos where cut together and put to music then posted to YouTube. It brings a smile to my face every time I watch, partly because it's silly and fun, but partly because it demonstrates the power of creating a world wide community, a community that I'm pretty sure John and Hank had no idea they were going to create when they set out on this path.

So, in celebration of John and Hank achieving the goals set out at the beginning of Brotherhood 2.0, I give you the Happy Dance Project:

Musical Inspiration #14

Happy New Year, everyone! This year will be another big one, hopefully for all of us.

Later this month will see the release of the KILLER YEAR Anthology.
More about that later.

June will bring the publication of my next novel THE DECEIVED.

And while all this is happening, I'll be working on the third book in the series. So a busy, big year.

To get us started on the right foot...a little bit of inspiration and musical entertainment...


1 Giant Leap - Braided Hair

Musical Inspiration #13 And A Holiday Break

I'm going dark for a few days to celebrity the holidays with family, but to keep in the Holiday spirit and as our morning musical selection...a special tune. I remember this one from when I was a kid. I remember for years trying to find a recording of it. It wasn't until sometime later I discovered a 45 of it at a record store.

But now, thanks to YouTube, you can both hear and see the performance.

When worlds collide...Bing Crosby and David Bowie...Little Drummer Boy

Musical Inspiration #12

Something for your Thursday morning. A little Black Eyed Peas:


Black Eyed Peas - Where is the Love?

Musical Inspiration #11

Today I thought I get things going with a song that's actually mentioned in THE CLEANER. For those of you who have read the book, this song is playing in the background auring the bar scene at in Ho Chi Minh City.

I love the video that goes with it, too. For your pleasure...here are the Gorillaz:


Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood

Holiday Gift for me #1 and #2

Here's gift number 1...a full color cover proof the the US release of THE DECEIVED:



It looks INCREDIBLE in person. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the title is actually embossed silver. Even my name is embossed (though in black, not silver). When set side-by-side with THE CLEANER, the spines are a beautifully matched set. Awesome job by the good folks at Bantam Dell.

Holiday Gift #2 for me...THE CLEANER is out in Australia!!! Waiting for my copy (cover is similar to the US cover but in red). I also hear is it selling VERY WELL. WOO-HOO!!!

(thanks to Grace Erb for taking the photo!)

Musical Inspiration #10

Courtesy of one of my favorite Los Angeles blogs.

Thirty years ago (apparently today) Declan MacManus, or as most of us know him Elvis Costello, performed on Saturday Night Live. He was supposed to play "Less Than Zero," but apparently he had other ideas which ended up getting him banned from SNL for twelve years.

Read more about the incident here

And now...Elvis Costello



Elvis Costello - Radio, Radio

Cinematic Inspiration #3

So we've seen a clip that demonstrates tension:

Opening of TOUCH OF EVIL

And we've seen a clip that highlights character:

Lee J. Cobb's monologue from 12 ANGRY MEN

Today, we put them both together, and take a look at how character and suspense work hand-in-hand. Let's have a look at this absolutely fantastic scene between screen greats Laurence Olivier and Dustin Hoffman. Is it safe?

(Note: the sound cuts out at the end, but still, you can see the power of this scene.)


Marathon Man

Musical Inspiration #9

I've always been fascinated by the voice of today's musical treat. There's emotion, strength, sadness wrapped in nearly every note. If I'm writing a particularly emotional scene, her music will definitely be in rotation on my iPod.

This morning, a week before Christmas Eve, I'd like to share with you the little sparrow...



Edith Piaf - La Vie en Rose


Learn more about Edith Piaf here.

Musical Inspiration #8

(Sorry for the late start today...busy morning)

Since we went with one of my favorite musicians yesterday (David Bowie), today I thought we'd lighten it and go with the hilarious Bowie parody done by The Flight of the Conchords...

If you've never seen the HBO show The Flight of the Conchords you are seriously missing some brilliant writing and acting. Find in. Watch it.

In the meantime, I give you this snippet from Episode 6:


The Flight of the Conchords - Bowie's in Space

Cinematic Inspiration #2

Character is the base of any good story. Writers do it with descriptions and actions and dialog. Actors do it the same way minus the paper and ink (or computer screen and keyboard).

I give to you this afternoon one of the great monologues in film (and stage) history.

Lee J. Cobb in 12 Angry Men:

Musical Inspiration #7

Today, perhaps one of the coolest people on the planet, David Bowie. I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert a few years ago, and it was one of the best shows I've ever attended.

Here's a live performance of one of my favorite songs:


David Bowie - Hereos

Artistic Inspiration #1

One of my biggest dreams is to learn how to paint and draw. Unfortunately a big obsticle I'll have to surmount is the fact that I suck at drawing. But someday, I swear, I'm going to take a painting class and just go for it.

Sadly, because of that lack of drawing skill, I know I'll never be able to really paint the type of art I love. Mainly illustration based. I'm not just talking about cartoons or manga or animie, though there is some fantastic work being done in those realms I enjoy very much, but I'm also talking about illustration beyond the pages of a cartoon book or graphic novel.

Recently, I stumbled upon the art of James Jean.

You can check out his website here.

Browse through his illustrations (the links are on the left side on his home page.) There's an amazing quailty to what he does. I get lost in each image, and as I stare at them, I can't help but to start coming up with story ideas. Many, of course, are based directly on what I'm looking at, but many are not. These are the ideas freed in my mind by the images James has created.

It's not just James Jean's work that does this to me, other illustrators also do the same. But I have to say I am definitely drawn to works that have similar otherwordly qualities like his work.

He has a book out, too!


Process Recess 2: Portfolio
Consider that a hidden gift idea within this Inspiration. (Note to close friends, I do not own this book myself, but boy would I like a copy...hint, hint...)

Musical Inspiration #6

Music has a texture, a tone, a feel that can evoke strong emotions. Sometimes it doesn't even matter what the lyrics are, it's all about the passion and strength of the performance. I often listen to music when I write. Depending on the scene I'm working on, the more emotion the tune the better.

Let's start today off with one that always pulls me in. Haunting...beautiful,,,



Evanescence - My Immortal, Live at the David Letterman Show

Cinematic Inspiration #1

Let's look at building suspense. You tease your audience, you pull them along letting them know something is going to happen, you put your protagonist(s) in harms way...will they get caught in the action?...will they survive?...the anticipation...the tension...then finally the moment arrives...

Sure, hundreds, if not thousands, of people know how to build suspense...but it takes a real master to do it in a new and bold way...and in one take...

From 1958, the classic opening scene to TOUCH OF EVIL by master director Orson Welles:





More on TOUCH OF EVIL here

Musical Inspiration #5

Can't beat the classics...(the video and audio are just a bit out of sync, but who cares, it's Hendrix, baby!)



Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower

Holiday Gift Idea #2

Yes...another book. But a historical fiction piece this time...one I couldn't put down when I read it. A story of Stalinist Russia...set in Moscow, pre-World War II...may I suggest The Archivist's Story.

Read more or even purchase a copy here.

From the book description on Amazon:

Moscow, 1939. In the recesses of the infamous Lubyanka prison, a young archivist is sent to authenticate an unsigned story confiscated from one of the many political prisoners there. The writer is Isaac Babel. The great author of Red Cavalry is spending his last days forbidden to write, his final manuscripts consigned to the archivist, Pavel Dubrov, who will ultimately be charged with destroying them. The emotional jolt of meeting Babel face-to-face leads to a reckless decision: he will save the last stories of the author he reveres, whatever the cost.

From the margins of history, Travis Holland has woven a tale of the greatest power. Pavel’s private act of courage in the face of a vast bureaucracy of evil invigorates a life that had lost its meaning, even as it guarantees his almost certain undoing. A story of suspense, courage, and unexpected avenues of grace, The Archivist’s Story is ultimately an enduring tribute to the written word.

Highly recommended.

* * *As is, and will continue to be, the rule, I make no money from any recommendations.* * *
~ ~ ~Well...unless I recommend my own book(s)...which somehow would seem wrong...but, who knows? I might do it anyway!~ ~ ~

Advertising Inspiration #1

Advertising? Inspirational? You bet. While there is a ton of advertising dreck out there, there are a few gems that are visually stimulating, clever, have great story, or any combination of these things.

From the Netherlands comes this highly entertaining ad...I have no idea what it's for, but it really doesn't matter...think of it as a great short story...

Musical Inspiration #4

Let's start the week off with a BANG...



Arctic Monkeys - A Certain Romance

Interactive Inspiration #1

Final post for today...a little (odd) fun for the week.

CLICK HERE

When you get there (and after you feel slightly creeped out) like on the directions link on the left.

DON'T FORGET...

...my new short story!

CLICK HERE

Holiday Gift Idea #1

What better thing to start off with than with one of my favorite thrillers of the year...NO TIME FOR GOODBYE by Linwood Barclay. From the Amazon description:

The house was deathly quiet. That was the first sign that something was terribly wrong. Fourteen-year-old Cynthia Bigge woke that morning to find herself alone. Her family—mother, father, and brother—had vanished without a word, without a note, without a trace. Twenty-five years later, Cynthia is still looking for answers. Now she is about to learn the devastating truth.

From critically acclaimed author Linwood Barclay comes a new suspense thriller that strikes to the core of our most primal fear. What if you woke one day to find your entire life had changed? If everyone you loved had disappeared overnight without so much as a chance to ask why?

Cynthia and Terry Archer still live in Milford, Connecticut, not far from the old Bigge house on Hickory Street. With a solid marriage and a young daughter, the Archers seem on track for a successful future. But the questions raised by Cynthia’s past still haunt her, and her obsession to find the answers threatens to destroy everything they’ve worked for. For Cynthia, there can be no closure until she finds out why her family disappeared—and how they could have left her behind.

Terry thinks the segment on the popular TV crime-stopper program Deadline is a mistake. But his wife hopes that someone watching will have a lead to her missing family. Sure enough, it’s Cynthia who spots the strange car cruising the neighborhood, hears the untraceable phone calls, and discovers the ominous “gifts.” And as Cynthia’s nerves begin to unravel, no one’s innocence is guaranteed, not even her own. By the time the first body is found, it’s clear that her past is more of a mystery than she ever imagined—or may ever survive.

Someone has returned to this Connecticut town to finish what was started twenty-five years ago. And by the time Terry and Cynthia discover the killer’s shocking identity, it will be too late even for goodbye.

Read more or even buy it here.

Or visit Linwood's website

* * *As is, and will continue to be, the rule, I make no money from any recommendations.* * *
~ ~ ~Well...unless I recommend my own book(s)...which somehow would seem wrong...but, who knows? I might do it anyway!~ ~ ~

Musical Inspiration #3

A classic to get Friday started...






...and a lesson in just do it...

Musical Inspiration #2 - Who says we don't have the spirit in L.A.?

Eerily accurate....

News - Short Story

For those of you jones for the next Quinn story (THE DECEIVED due June 24th), SURPRISE! You don't have to wait that long.

I have a new short story entitled JUST ANOTHER JOB on Authorlinks' Celebwire, and it's a Quinn story. Check it out here, just scroll down until you see my mug or the cover of THE CLEANER.

UPDATE: The link works now. After you get to the download page, you'll see a rectangle button to the right that says DOWNLOAD STORY NOW. Click there, and you're set! If you're still having problems, try refreshing your page. That's worked for a few folks, too.

Musical Inspiration #1

I've posted this video before, but I love the performance so much I have to do it again. KT Tunstall...notice at the beginning how she is records a couple of sounds (a guitar strum, a tamborine hit), then replays them basically becoming a one woman band. I love this performance. Always pull it up when I need a lift.

Blogging

So my virtual silence (read the double meaning) over the last several months has been noticed by at least 2 of you. A combo of a lot going on outside the world of the Internet, and a bit of blog burn out (i.e., what am I going to write now.)

Well, I've finally got it figured out. This blog is entitle A Writer's Sphere, and, damn it, that's just what it is. My sphere. My world. What makes me tick.

I'm going to write and post whatever I feel like. I'm going to share things that inspire me, and help stir my own creativity. I'll post thoughts when I have something to share, and also some news about upcoming releases and signings and appearances and all that. I'll even have special post series...for instance, this month I'm going to also post gift ideas for you to consider this holiday season.

Also (as if that's not going to be enough), you'll be hearing more from me elsewhere than just here at the good old AWS after the new year. More on that later.

Without further ado, I'M BACK.

A Virtual Appearance

I will be the guest this Sunday evening at THE WRITER'S CHATROOM from 7 to 9 pm East Coast Time. It's free and easy to get into to.

Oh yeah...did I mention some lucky chatroom participant will win a signed copy of THE CLEANER, but you have to be there to be eligible.

Hope to see you there!

The Art of Editing

We all know that a good editor is worth more than what they are probably being paid. Even if you are just doing rewrites, you know editing is a monumentally important part of the writing process, and you probably wrestle with whether you are doing a good job or not.

In the spirit of editing done well, I bring you THE AMATUER via YouTube. It's amazing. Be sure to read the credits at the end...specifically about his abilities:

Phil Hawley Does His Part for Starving Authors

It's been a couple months since Phil Hawley and I got together for coffee/dinner, something we've been trying to do at least once a month. But the last couple of months got away from each of us (Phil IS a busy doctor after all), so we weren't able to meet up until last Tuesday night.

I'm happy to report Phil is doing well and doing well for the world. After a leisurely talk outside at the famous Farmer's Market near CBS, I then forced him to take the three minute walk to the Barnes and Noble at The Grove shopping center next door. There I was again forced to used abusive (some might say almost torture-esque) techniques to convince him to pick up some of the latest books by friends of his and mine. And when I say pick up, I should note that Phil did attempt at first to walk out of the store without paying...shame, shame... A gently amount of guilt plus the sight of a large security guard roaming near the front door changed his mind.

Here's proof of his newest purchases:




(okay, the truth...Phil is the one who wanted to go to the bookstore. And while, yes, he did start to head for the door without paying, it was mainly because he missed the entrance to the check out line. I guess that's an age thing...)

Coming to A Bookstore Near You in 2008!

The second book in my Jonathan Quinn series is now listed on Amazon. Not due out until June 24th, so you still have a little while to wait...

But before then, another book is coming out that I contributed to. In January, on the 22nd, the KILLER YEAR anthology edited by Lee Child will hit stores.



We got a GREAT review from Publisher's Weekly. You'll have to scroll down a little to get to it...

News and Interview

Two new countries have signed up to published versions of THE CLEANER! France and Estonia!

And, BOY, does my UK publisher have some great plans for the March release of TH CLEANER. Can't really say much yet, but if you happen to be taking the Tube in London around launch time, I'm sure you'll see a portion of what I mean. Here's my UK cover (click on image for larger view):



And finally...I have an interview up. (Not the long delays radio interview, no word on that yet). It's at ShallaDeGuzman.com. Read it here.

DEREK'S BIG DAY

Fellow Killer Year Member Derek Nikitas' PYRES hits stores today! Check it out here.

Radio Inteview UPDATE

As often happens on TV or Radio...I'm being re-scheduled for sometime next week. There's this crazy thing called the Emmys® that airs this weekend. Seems to be taking up a lot of air time.

I'll keep you posted with the new time.