"United We Fall": Do Some Damage X-MAS Noir Story

I have a Christmas themed crime story "United We Fall" on display over at the Do Some Damage site. If you want, you can give it a read HERE 

The Twilight Zone Marathon starts at 8:00 AM today. Can't wait. I love TZ and Rod Serling is brilliant.

Big party to go to tonight to end the year and most importantly, I hope everyone has a a tremendous 2011 ahead of them. It will be interesting to see where we are all this time next year.

Thanks to all the great friends and writers I have had the pleasure of meeting in 2010 and I hope our numbers keep growing,

Peace,

Sean

The Beat on The Street

Lot's happening out there. Here are a few.

The Christmas Noir Flash Challenge continues until Jan 3rd over at Do Some Damage HERE

Some new stories as part of the ongoing 600 -700 word challenge are up at A Twist of Noir HERE

Let's not forget about the Fairy Tale Crime Story Contest. Deadline is Jan 14. Details HERE

After reading John McFetridge's "Let It Ride", as a paying customer, I posted this review on Barnes & Noble's site.

"I bought "Let It Ride" for my nook after reading some of the author's short fiction, which I enjoyed very much. I'm gving it a 5 star rating in the catagory of crime/suspense fiction. I have read many novels in the genre in 2010 and "Let it Ride" was the most entertaining of the lot. If Mel Torme is the Velvet Fog, then John McFetridge is the Velvet Pen, because his writing style, especially with dialogue, is so smooth. It's one of those rare novel's that are almost cinematic in style and storyline. I thought it would make a terrific movie, the whole time I was reading it. I have never been to Canada before, but after reading "Let it Ride", I feel like I have been there. It was a wild, exciting, dangerous trip, and I'll going to check out the author's other novels now."

My 10 or so Best Novels Read in 2010

Joining the list-mania, here are some novels I read in 2010 that you might find are worth a look.  Have a great holiday everyone!!!


The Ghosts of Belfast: Stuart Neville

Gerry Fegan, a former IRA hit man haunted by the ghosts of the 12 people he killed, realizes the only way these specters will give him rest is to systematically assassinate the men who gave him his orders.

Ravens: George Dawes Green

Shaw takes the family “hostage” by telling them that Romeo is driving around their small city, ready to murder their loved ones if they don’t support the ruse that Shaw is due half the families 318 million in lottery winnings.

Speed Queen: Stewart O'Nan

Narrator Marjorie Standiford waits on Oklahoma's death row for her role in the infamous "Sonic" drive-in killings. America's "King of Horror" (a never-named Stephen King) buys the rights to Marjorie's story, and she is given a tape recorder and more than 100 questions to answer in the hours before her death.

Zombie: Joyce Carol Oates

Meet Quentin P. He is the most believable and thoroughly terrifying sexual psychopath and killer ever to be brought to life in fiction

　
Old Dogs: Donna Moore

La Contessa Letitzia di Ponzo and her sister Signora Teodora Grisiola are actually Letty and Dora, a pair of ex-hookers turned con-artists who’ve decided to steal a pair of gold, jewel-encrusted Tibetan shih tzu dog statuettes from a Glasgow museum, if they can avoid the Australian hitman with his sights on a very different future for them.

Resurrection Man: Eoin McNamee

The setting is Belfast in the 1980s; the Resurrection Men are a gang of four led by Victor Kelly, a Protestant drawn into the sectarian violence. Victor is a ruthless killer; his M.O. is the knife across the throat.

Divorcing Jack: Colin Bateman

When Dan Starkey returns to the apartment of his new conquest, Margaret McBride, after going out for pizza, he finds the young brunette riddled with bullets. Starkey is pursued by several parties, including an IRA contingent with a reputation for mayhem and violence.

Boyo's: Richard Marinick

Set in and around  the South Boston working-class Irish-American enclave, the story focuses on Jack "Wacko" Curran, a rising young player in the criminal underworld. Curran and his coked-out brother, Kevin, work for mob boss Marty Fallon, wholesaling drugs to a network of area dealers. Jack dreams of replacing Fallon and figures that the bankroll from the armored-car heist he's planning will put him on his way.

Dead I Well May Be: Adrian McKinty

a brutal tale of revenge starring a young illegal immigrant from Ireland who chooses a criminal career in New York over unemployment in Belfast.


The Big-O: Declan Burke

Frank is a self-important but inept plastic surgeon who wants to have his ex-wife, Madge, snatched so that he can collect a half-million in ransom.

Hard Man: Allan Guthrie

After taking a beating, the men of the Baxter family--dad Jacob and sons Roger and Flash--look for help protecting the pregnant May, Roger and Flash's sister, from her psychopathic husband, Wallace.

The Beat On The Street

PD Bazill, as only he can, offers up his list of the 5 best cime stories of 2010 over at Chris Rhatigan's blog HERE

Thanks to Nigel Bird,  I found about a pretty cool story challenge that is going on over at the Things I'd Rather Be Doing Blog. I knew all those Fractured Fairlytale cartoons I use to watch as a kid would payoff someday. Find out the details HERE

Declan Burke is offering the opportunity to win some free crime fiction over at Crime Always Pays HERE and while you're there, be sure to check out the post regarding the Literary vs Genre fiction pissing contest, where heavy hitters Stuart Neville and John Connolly joined the fun HERE

On a more cerebral note, Seana Graham has a nice post on some recon she did regarding where she lived as a child. Well worth a look HERE

And finally, a special round of well wishes go out to Dave Barber's dad, who's had some challenging health issues lately. Dave's a top guy and you can let him, as many already have,  know he's not alone HERE

He Don't Pop His Zits, He Shaves Them Off.

Don't know why, but today's blog post title popped into my head at the gym yesterday. It was a line from an episode of one of my favorite 70's crime shows,  Baretta, that has always stuck with me. Anyway.....

As the end of the year approaches there are lots of lists everywhere. You know, "the best of" type of things.  Normally, I don't put much, if any, value in such things, but when the lists are offered up by like minded, respected writers, of course I'm going to pay attention and learn something. If you're serious about writing, you might want to do the same. So..

Chris Rhatigan is posting the top five stories of 2010 as told to him by a bunch of different crime writers HERE

At the the Crimefactory magazine blog, you can check out the Best of Whatever feature HERE

Don't forget this weekend's deadline for the Do Dome Damage 2010 Christmas Noir Challenge. Details HERE

Some fab new stories are up for the Twist of Noir 600-700 challenge HERE

As always, there are some new tales over at Killers, Thriller-n-Chillers HERE

And to wrap things up, hard hitting writer Julie Lewthwaite has a really cool story, "Let's Dance" at her blog HERE

"Let It Ride" by John McFetridge

I'm currently reading John McFetridge's latest offering, "Let it Ride" and I am really, really digging it. I'll be posting a review when I finish it and so far, I'd say it is the best crime novel I have read this year, by far. If anyone is interested, it's available in print and ebook at all the usual outlets.

I downloaded mine from B&N for my nook at a reasonable price. John, is an author who seems to have embraced the electronic format, makes good use of it, and even offers some of his shorter pieces for free on Smashwords and other sites, which is how I found out about him.

* Update 12/13: Today, over at John's blog he posted some exciting news regarding the availabilty of the ebook version of his novel "Dirty Sweet". Details HERE

Interview with Cathy Stucker at Selling Books

Been a few posts this week about my novel and I try not overload the blog with to much self promotion, but when you send in answers to Q&A opportunities, you never know when they will be posted to the websites or blogs you submitted them to. One I did for Cathy Stucker over at the Selling Books website and had some different questions was put up today. If you want, you can view it out HERE as well as check out her site, which has all sorts of excellent info for writers.

Whether you are self published or have a deal with a traditional publisher, the fact is that you will have to do your part to get the word out about your novel, so part of the reason I do this is to let others know what opportunities are out there.

Thanks to Col Bury's post today, I leaned that even if you have an agent and a contract with a publisher, nothing is guaranteed ( No worries, it's not Col, he's linking you to another blog with the story). Read and learn about it HERE

Smashwords Books Reviewed Interview

Over at the Smashwords Books Reviewed blog, host, hardworking author, and top notch gent Neil Crabtree posted an interview he did with me. He's a busy guy, but somehow finds the time to help out his fellow writers.  If you care to take a peek, you can do so HERE

Now, I need to begrudgingly pry myself away from watching Valley Girl, where The Plimsouls are making the most of their Rickenbackers doing A Million Miles Away, and get cracking on finishing my story for Do Some Damage

Richard Godwin Interviews Jason Michel

The thing I love about blogs, at least the ones I follow, is that most times, one good blog post leads to another and then some.

Thanks to Paul Brazill's POST I found out about Jason Michel, who turned me on to Richard Godwin's blog, where he just happens to have a tremendous  interview with Jason HERE

Of course I knew of Paul (who doesn't these days) and Richard, who's novel Apostle Rising, looks awesome and I'm purchasing as part of Erin Cole's way cool December Promotion, but finding out about Jason and his writing was a real treat. Check out all of the above, if at all possible.

Mindjacker is #1 Bestseller on Smashwords

Last week I advertised a promotion on variuos discussion forums, including Nookboards, KindleBoards, eBook Gab, and Absolute Write, where you could download the ebook version of "Mindjacker" for free from Smashwords using a coupon code. The promotion ended last night and when I checked this morning it was # 3 on the bestselller list. This morning, I extended the free down load offer to December 12th and it has moved to # 1.

Like most serious, realistic writers, I am not in this for the money, just a "love of the game" and establishing a readership. If anyone would like to take advatage of the offer:

Here is the link http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/17083?ref=athenagwis and be sure to enter the NEW coupon code ZX83E to download for free.

Chris Rhatigan's Top 5 in 2010 Bonanza

Over at Chris Rhatigan's ( a fine crime writer I must say) blog, he's running a feature where he's asking other mucho talented crime writers for a list of the 5 top crime shorts they read in 2010.  AJ Hayes provided the Weds list and Nigel Bird is showing now. Not only are there links to the 5 awesome stories, but also insightful comentary from the the writer providing the selection.

You can get the lowdown HERE

DSD CHRISTMAS NOIR FLASH CHALLENGE

Over at one of my fav sites, DO SOME DAMAGE they have just announced a great opportunity to have your writing displayed on their site and a chance to win some swag. Basically, it's a Christmas themed crime story with a 600 -1000 word count.

I have been thinking about a new short, but nothing gives me a kick in the arse like a challenge or a contest. It's the competitor in me and the word count is a nice relief from the 80,000 I'm working on now.

All the details can be found HERE

Erin Cole's Holiday Book Blog Catalog

Writers and twisted sisters Erin Cole and Jodi Macarthur, who I have been lucky enough to find out about, are doing something very cool and generous for their fellow writers. They are promoting novels and collections during December by showcasing them on Erin's blog. It is done very professionally and looks tremendous. In the interest of full disclosure, my novel 'Mindjacker" is featured, but believe me, there is something for everyone, and I'm going to buy at least two, maybe more.  A huge thank you to Erin & Jodi!!

You can check it all out HERE

John McFetridge's FLASH is Great Stuff

John McFetride is one hell of a talented crime writer in the novel, short story, and flash arena's. I hit the jackpot when I was checking out the excellent Do Some Damage blog last night. If you look on the right side of the blog, you will see John's 64 page PDF called "Flash". I highly recommend this as a must read. Within the pages, you will find tremendous flash stories, a couple of kickass shorts, and a few good interviews with John. The stories read so smooth and I found myself not being able to put it down until I finished every last word.

Do yourself a favor and give it a read. You will not be disapointed!

THE ASHES TIME OF YEAR: Go England!

I got into the sport of Cricket in 2005 after watching an episode of Inspector Morse where Det. Lewis, an avid follower of the sport, goes undercover at Oxford as a player to get to the bottom of a drug smuggling ring. It was the perfect time to get into the sport because the 2005 Ashes was such an incredible series of matches and the England squad had so many great characters ( Hoggy, Harmy, Pieterson to name a few) who eventually brought the Urn back to England in dramatic fashion.This was huge and I bought the DVD collection, which is awesome. Big 6's and vicious, fast bowling made this a great series which has yet to be equaled since.

The first of the 5 tests in 2010 just ended in a draw, but England put on a tremendous performace with the bat to earn it, as they were up against a huge deficit, and were all but counted out.

If you have a desire to keep track of the 2010 Ashes, Cricinfo does a great job with it. You can get it HERE

Write a 100 Word Scene, Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card

Over at Gary Ponzo's Blog, he has a monthly contest where you submit a 100 word scene, he picks the top 5, and his blog readers select the winner via a poll. Gary is also the author of  the Mafia based crime story, "A Touch of Deceit" that I find very intriguing. You can find out more about Gary's contest and his novel HERE

Have a Happy Holiday Everyone!

WD Your Story Challenge ( 25 words)

Over at Writers Digest, they have the "Your Story" challenge, which they have changed up a bit this month. Usually, it is a 750 word max story based on a  prompt like "you receive a letter in the mail and there is an eye patch in it". You write the story around that scenario. This months is much simpler and you enter online as usual. WD will select the top five, which will be posted on the WD forum, where forum members vote for the winner. The winning entry gets published in WD magazine. Complete details HERE, but this is sthe skinny.

Write the opening sentence (25 words or fewer) to a story based on the photo prompt shown below

Want a Critique of a CH in Your WIP?

Over at Clarissa Draper's blog, she's offering a free critique of a chapter of your WIP. Details can be found HERE

Some of you have read this before, and the feedback was valuable, but it certainly never hurts to get an opinion from an independant source, who may not be into reading your genre. So here is CH 1 of  "Sissy Murphy", which is not quite a prologue, but a harbinger of things to come.

Here's the pitch as it stands today: American  writer, pothead, and pacifist Seamus Murphy is befriended by Irish ex-patriot Tommy Moore, who uses Seamus' love of Ireland and lack of confidence to transform him into a killer, who will help Tommy settle unfinished business.

No blood. And the little Puerto Rican cocksucker needs to be alive, when the concrete vault is dropped on top of him.

I love simple instructions.

The no blood tenet meant my initial idea, a cricket ball, was out. The raised seam would easily lacerate flesh. This bummed me out, because I have really improved the pace on my inswinger. Plan B, a lacrosse ball, works perfectly. Delivered at ninety miles per hour, it will hurt like hell, bruise internal organs, break ribs…crush testicles.

I’m sure Armando, street name Striker, follows a code of stereotypical ethics on the streets of Lawrence, Massachusetts. The usual bullshit: no ratting, never go against, or leave the gang. Striker will now learn ours.

Never fuck with the elderly, children…or the Irish.

My well practiced brogue is sweeter than Tim Finnegan’s when I ask him, “Where is she, you piece of shite?”

“Fuck you," Esse says.

Distance: fifty-feet. Coordinates: left rib cage. Clear for crank shot.

David Lee Roth pops into my head…'One break…comin' up'.

Fire!

Whammo!

Striker gives up a cough scream. I realize I must have nicked a lung. Coach would be proud.

Striker screams, but sees nothing. He’s got a severe case of Super Glue conjunctivitis at the moment. He’s naked and facing me, but his uncircumcised welfare check missile is a huge distraction.

I’m weird about shit like that.

He's probably never seen a lacrosse net. Doesn’t know his hands and feet are duct taped to each of the four corners, spread eagle style.

This is the tenderizing of Striker stage of the game. I’m hoping the fear of the money shot is weighing heavily on his mind.

It is not a fear of heights. It is the fear of falling.

The Clancy Brothers are doing "Wild Colonial Boy" on the boom box I set up and it sounds great reverberating off the cement walls of the warehouse. Senor Shitforbrains thinks he's being tortured by some crazy fucking Mick, not the long haired, hippie freak I used to be.

***

I drop his body, which I duct taped in a coffin chic pose, into the trunk of the Charger. He's breathing, but in bad shape, covered in welts and bruises that look like red bulls-eye's, with black centers. If he was going to live another day, they would each expand to the size of purple softballs.

I call Tommy, tell him where his daughter is and that I'm on my way. He tells me everything is cool, proceed as planned.

As I drive through the pre-dawn darkness, I'm thinking of the tattoo that runs the length of Striker's right forearm. It's an upside down cross, DAD, near the wrist, REST IN PIECES just below the elbow joint. Everyone has their anchor to drag. I have a small dick, at least he had the option of a seeing a shrink.

When I pull up to the cemetery gates, Tommy's connection is waiting in the backhoe. He climbs down, opens the gates, and walks over to me.  I hand him an envelope with five large in it, and pop the trunk with the key fob. We carry Styker's half dead carcass over to the backhoe and roll him into the front loader.  We shake hands and he climbs up into the cockpit.

As I walk away, the engine fires up and I see the front loader start to roll up and then raise into the air. On the drive back to my place, I'm thinking of the mourners, who won't know they are getting a two-for-one special later this morning as their beloved's casket is lowered into the vault.  If there is an afterlife, I'm hoping Striker gets to sort things out with his old man.

"Wholesale"; My Entry For Lily Childs' Friday Prediction

Over at Lily Childs blog, she hosts a 100 word flash challenge using three words she comes up with that need to be included in the story. This week the words were: Bed-chamber, Kestrel ( a bird), and Uriel ( the Archangel). Lots of talent going on over there, which you can check out HERE

So, Here's my entry, "Wholesale".

When we enter the bed-chamber, the geezer is under the covers, mumbling to the rosary wrapped around his hands. The nightcap he's wearing makes him look like Scrooge and when I tell Ronni this, she laughs, tells him, "those beads ain't gonna' work old man. Uriel's fresh out of redemption today."

He starts kissing the Cross, tears running down his face. I point toward the bird on the nightstand. It's a Kestrel, stuffed postmortem with 500K in uncut ice from Dachau jewelers. Ronni grabs it, tosses it to me, and then pushes a pillow down hard on his face.

Every Picture Tells a Story and Makes for a Pretty Cool Gift Too

My dad turned 70 last month and my 3 brothers and I wanted to do something special for him, and by default, my mom too. We decided to make a video tribute, kind of a "This is Your Life" type of project. We, or I should say, my daughter, found a really cool site, OneTrue Media, that is free to do such things. we actually ended up paying the membership fee, because of the amount of songs we wanted to use and we wanted to create a nice, customized  DVD with a case. You can do a whole lot without paying a penny though. I'm not pushing home movies on anyone, but if you want to see a bit about the Reardon clan, you can click on the below link. It is about 17 minutes, but the real purpose of me posting this is to let people know about the site and perhaps provide a unique idea for a gift to some loved ones.

The Life and Times of Pa

THE BABY KILLERS: Declan Burke

Over at Crime Always Pays, Declan Burke made an offer to send a copy of his latest, revised, not yet published novel THE BABY KILLERS, to any followers of CAP that might be interested in giving it a read. Having both read and very much enjoyed his previous novels THE BIG-O and CRIME ALWAYS PAYS, I of course, accepted the offer. I would think that most visitors to this blog are already familiar with Declan and his work, so when I finished reading it, I thought long and hard when trying to put together my take, a review if you will, on my experience. I'm not talking about a back-slapping, thank's mate, help the cause type of  review. Although I am a fan, it was going to be non-biased review and if I didn't like the story, I knew I would have to shoot staight and tell Declan the truth.  In other words, I was the one taking the risk here. My blog followers and other writer friends can smell a rat a mile away and I was not going to bullshit them either.  Here is what I came up with.

"If you took Palahniuk's "Fight Club", Ellis' "American Psycho", and King's "Secret Garden, Secret Window", combined them with Burke's mastery of dialogue, character, and the human condition, then removed the gratuitous violence, the end result would be Burke's latest and most impressive novel to date,"The Baby Killers". An excellent read that continually ratchets up the intrigue and suspense factors as it builds toward the tremendous finale, while at the same time providing an intense, no holds barred, behind the scenes introspection into the psyche of the writer and his process."

If you follow CAP, you'll know about the various incarnations, roadblocks to publication, and publishing plans this novel has gone through. The one thing that really pissed me off as I read TBK is the "not commercially viable" tag. This is a total crock of shit and just another example of the publishing industry having their heads up their asses. Hopefully, this version of TBK changes all that.

The Red Adept Reviews Twists Contest

Over at Red Adept Reviews there is a very cool contest going on. Complete details can be found HERE

Here is some info:

I think most people have seen “Sixth Sense”, with Bruce Willis. Remember the surprise ending? Ever read some of O. Henry’s stories? Those are just two examples of the types of “twists” we are looking for in a story. We must never see it coming, yet think “Why didn’t I see that coming?”
All prizes below include publication in a new anthology titled, “Twists and Turns: A Red Adept Reviews Collection.” Each winning author will receive an equal percentage of the net royalties for this anthology and a copy of the resulting e-book.
The anthology will also feature a bonus short story from J.A. Konrath one of our sponsors!

"Crank Shot" published at "A Twist of Noir"

My 622 word (had to be 622 as part of the challenge) crime story "Crank Shot", as well as a bunch of other great stories are online over at " A Twist of Noir". I really like the short word count as it makes it easier to read more of the stories. If you want to have a look click HERE

I sincerely thank all veterans who have served, and those that have died for their country. The world is a better place because of you!

Mark Staniforth's 'Fryupdale"

"Porn stars and serial killers, Nazis and nymphomaniacs, hunchbacks and bare-knuckle boxers: just a few of the disparate cast of characters who call the remote moorland community of Fryupdale their home"

This is what caught my attention, when I read Mark Staniforth's interview regarding his collection of short stories in "Fryupdale"

Need more convincing:
It's a collection of tough, gritty, down-to-earth tales from a semi-fictional North Yorkshire village. There's all sorts of folk from the fringes of society: porn stars, aliens, drunks, Nazis: you name it, they're probably in it. It's loosely based on the kind of place I grew up in, so I like to think I've got a good idea about what makes the characters tick. I won't lie - if you're a fan of chick-lit or wizards this stuff might not be for you. You could say it's an antidote to Harry Potter and all the best-seller, TV book-club froth. Hopefully that will count for something in itself.

Now, it's no secret that I love the U.K. crime writing style and after just a few sentences of the first story in "Fryupdale", I was "all in".

DID I MENTION THE PRICE OF "Fryupdale" IS FREE!!!, so you have nothing to lose by giving it a shot.

You can check out the interview, more info on Mark, and the link to download a free copy HERE

A Helpful Blog Tip, Free Publicity for Novelists, and New Imprint.

Thanks to Dave Barber for an item he posted about regarding protecting your blog information, in case, as we all know can happen, Blogger experiences some quirks. Check it out HERE

Chilly most writer and blogger, Erin Cole, who hosted the tremendous 13 Days of Horror Halloween story special, is going above and beyond the call of duty, by offering free publicity for novelist at her site. Check out her writing and the details HERE

Declan Burke posted about a new imprint, Book Republic, just opening it's doors. I wish them the best of luck and you can read all about it HERE

And finally, over at Detectives Beyond Borders, host Peter Rozovsky posted about a crime novel, "Ghosted" that got my interest with this premise:
"a drug-addled, self-deluding idler who winds up with a job helping those even more desperate than he is: He ghost-writes suicide notes."

Now that is what I call a good pitch. Find out more HERE

SAW 3D and other finds

Took my daughter to SAW 3D this weekend. We have watched all of them ( except # 6) on demand over the last month, so of course we had to see the 7th and final ( yeah right ) installment. It is what it is, when you watch a SAW movie and you know what you are in for. We loved it, and had a great time discussing the "franchise" on the way home. My wife and son decided to pass, stay home, and get in touch with their inner milquetoasts.

I saw 4 good crime themed movies on cable this week. I won't go into details or spoilers, but I think If I liked them, you might as well.

1) Brooklyn's Finest
2) Staten Island, New York
3) Life is Hot in Cracktown
4) Boondog Saints: All Saints Day

I still have not seen the first Boondog Saints, but I will soon. I have been fancying myself a new haircut, and I think I'm going with the the "boondog" style Sean Patrick Flannery has in the movie. Throw in a stache, chinbeard, and black Peacoat, and I think I'll have my winter look. Just might start wearing a scarf too.

Ian Fleming; Kindle author?, Declan Burke, and Mumford and Son's

Intertesting story over at Kindle Author, about how Ian Fleming's estate has bypassed his print publisher, Penguin, and are taking matters into their own hands with the digital versions of his stories. Click HERE to read more.

Over at Declan Burke's mucho cool Crime Always Pays, an exciting upate about his current WIP can be found HERE. If you have not read his novels THE BIG-O or CRIME ALWAYS PAYS, you do not know what you are missing. If you are into crime writing and reading, and are not following his blog, you are missing out, big time.

Finally, might be behind the times a bit with this band, Mumford and Sons, but when I heard this song yesterday, the chills went up my spine, the sinuses burned, and the eyes, well you get the idea. Without going into any of the sordid details of my, er, colorful past, this one goes out to my parents and my wife. Check out "THE CAVE" HERE

My story "Charles in Charge" on Thrillers,Killers -n- Chillers & Other Updates

Had a great Halloween, which was made even better when I got an email from Col Bury, one of the esteemed editors of at KTnC, that my Halloween crime story "Charles in Charge" was posted to the site. Many of the regular vistiors to this blog have been gracious enough to give it  read. If you would like to check it out click HERE

Lots of great stories are out there from Donna Moore's Ramone's Challenge. I think I have read and commented on just about all of them and made a few new "virtual"  friends in the process, always a good thing! Donna has listed all of them HERE

Still time left to check out the tremendous new entries over at A Twist of Noir's 600 -700 challenge. You can do so HERE

"Danny Says": My entry for the Donna Moore Ramones Challenge

Thanks go to Donna for hosting this way cool challenge. Here is my entry "Danny Says".

The early morning sun glistened off the fresh eighteen inches that fell overnight. As the pre-opening chairlift procession got underway, the lift attendant smacked each passing chair with a broom to clear the seats.

     “Stop the North Face lift!” blasted from his walkie-talkie.

***

     Members of the ski patrol and the Jay, Vermont police gathered halfway up the triple black diamond Ripcord trail, all staring up at the mass of white taking up residence in double chair number eighty-one.  They knew it was a person underneath; the snowboard attached to the dangling legs tipping them off. As the rescue team lowered it to the ground, most of the fresh snow covering it had fallen off. When it landed they knew it was a male, encased in a thick, crusty ice that prevented them from seeing any clear facial features.

     "Looks like we got ourselves a bone-a-fide fucking mancicle," one of the Jay cops said.

     “How the hell did this happen?” the ski patrol captain barked at his subordinates.

     No one replied.

     The captain surmised, yelling, “I'll tell you fucking how. From the looks of it, he spent the night getting cornholed by Mother fucking Nature."

***

     The informal consensus was that somehow The Iceman had been on the last lift of the day and for some unknown reason, got stranded at thirty-five hundred feet on the North Face. On a good day, it never had a big crowd. The steep terrain, hidden ice, and lack of grooming, scared most people away from it. The snow and wind had caused white-out conditions by closing time.  The patrol must have missed him during their end of day checks, which considering the conditions, consisted of getting back to base as fast as possible.

     No one had reported him missing, so he must have been there alone.

     Within two hours, the body was transported to the hospital for the post mortem. The mountain closed operations for the day and some of the staff gathered in the main lodge, rehashing the story in various small groups.

     “You should have heard him whimpering. He was crying like a fucking baby,” lift operator Danny Cummings whispered to lift attendant Joey Hyman.

     Joey pointed a finger at Danny. “Got what he deserved. He should have never fucked us over, screw him. Let me hear it. How did it go down?"

      "Come on." Danny stood up. "Let's go out on the deck. I need to burn one."

      "Yeah, me too. Can I bum one off you?"

      "Sure."

***

     Out on the deck, they fired up a couple Newport's, Joey complaining about menthols, Danny telling him they were healthier than Kool's, didn’t have insulation in them. They rested their elbows on the rails, dragging, and looking up at all fresh they wouldn't be enjoying on this bluebird day.

     "So?" Joey whispered. "Get on with it man."

     Danny looked around, blew smoke high into the air. "I saw him coming, twenty or so empty chairs behind him. Hard to tell it was coming down so hard. Good job stalling the one's behind him by the way."

     Joey nodded. "Wasn't hard, only a group of three. I just acted like the scanner had a problem with one of their tickets."

     Danny laughed. "Fucking beautiful.  Man, I just grabbed him as he was about to dismount, dragged him into the lift house, took less than ten seconds.  Had him Tasered and hands tie wrapped in less than a minute. He was kicking, but he wasn’t going anywhere with his board strapped on. Like we planned, I packed his throat with snow and duct taped his mouth and nose. He was gone in three minutes. The threesome that came by had no fucking clue, just went on their merry way."

    "You sure?" Joey flicked the smoke into the snow.

    "Positive. I'm just sitting in the hut, smiling at them, both feet keeping shit-head tight to the floor.  As soon as they're gone, I cut the tie wraps, pull off the tape, and pour my tea water down his throat to melt the snow. I got him on chair eighty-one and when twenty-one went by he's mid-trail. I gave the all clear to the base lodge, stopped the lift, hopped on the snowmobile and hauled ass back down.”

Donna Moore's Ramones Challenge

Over at Donna Moore's blog, she's hosting a challenge. Cliff Notes version: write an up to 750 word story, a Ramones song needs to be the title, and someone has to die. All by Nov 1st. Donna will then post a link to your blog / story. If you don't have a blog, she will post the story on her blog. For complete details click HERE


I might be late to the game on this one but I just heard this song today, and loved it. Why? because I got that chill up my spine and that only happens with very few songs the first time I hear them. It's the combination of good music and great lyrics that does it to me. Great title too, for a novel as well.

"Gold Guns Girls" by Metric...Check it out HERE

Happy Halloween Everyone!

I guess the official holiday season kicks off this weekend with Halloween on Sunday. Saw my first Christmas commercial last night, unbelievable. My kids are getting older now, so each Halloween is extra special, because there won't be anymore trick or treating for them in a few years. This is a bummer, but another fact of life I must face.

In the writing business, here are a few great stories I have read this week. Check them out, ya hear now.

Dave Barber's An Urban Myth
Matthew C. Funk's Certain Saints
Chad Eagleton's The Price of Copper
PD Brazill's Guns of Brixton You can read it in PDF, or buy it and a collection of other crime stories HERE

Adrian Mckinty has a pretty wild video regarding Charlie Chaplin and time travel HERE

Declan Burke has a nice interview with Eoin McNamee HERE and a great take on the Irish Book Awards HERE

Myself,  I have a story pending at A Twist of Noir, one submitted to Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers, wrote a couple scenes for the next novel, and have started a new crime short story.

Oh yeah, special thanks to Peter Rozovsky over at Detectives Beyond Borders, who snagged me a picture of (be still my heart) Crista Faust at Bouchercon 2010 HERE

Have Great Halloween Everyone!

Download Mindjacker for only 99 cents on Smashwords

In an effort to promote interest in the e-book version of Mindjacker, I am offering 99 cent downloads for today and tomorrow on Smashwords. You can choose whatever e-format you need, depending on your e-reader. PDF version can also be downloaded. 

To take me up on this offer use coupon code MR52G after you go to Smashwords HERE

In other news, another round of top notch stories have been posted for the 600-700 challenge over at A Twist of Noir. To check them out, click HERE

Catching Up

Thanks to Dave Barber's BLOG, I found out about a pretty cool event going on over at Erin Cole's BLOG. She's hosting the 13 Days of Horror, where a new horror story will be posted each day until Halloween. Some good stuff going on there, so check it out.

Over at A TWIST of NOIR, 5 new stories (605 - 609) were posted Friday for the 600 -700 word challange. You should check all of them out. Great stuff by mucho talented writers. I am number 622, so it should appear in a few weeks.

Peter Rosovsky has been providing excellent updates from Bouchercon in San Francisco. It is really cool to hear about the behind the scenes action that takes place at this huge crime event. You can check it out HERE

A nice article about my novel, Mindjacker, and me appeared in a local paper up my way. If you feel so inclined, you can read it HERE

I continue to make progress on my second novel, and am wrapping up a Halloween themed crime story to submit to Killers, Thrillers -n- Chillers

Punching A Pumpkin: How I Could Just Kill A Man

I am a huge fan of good crime movies, you know, the heist, the mob, drug dealing and all the violence, suspense, and edge of the seat stuff that goes along with it. I especially love a good hit, done creatively, one that has me on the verge of looking away from the sceen. One that, no matter how many times I see it, even though I know what's coming, makes my gut get tight and brace myself for what's to come.

If I had to pick just one that meets the above criteria, without fail, it would be the scene in Casino, when Joe Peschi and his brother get beat to a pulp in the cornfield. If you want to see it Click HERE

I think the thing that gets me most is, this kind of stuff does happen in real life, if you roll in certain circles.

I ask you, do you have a similiar scene that causes you to experience both physical and emotional reactions when you see it? I would love to hear about it!

Pretty Cool Interview With Me by Sci-fi Author Daniel Carter

I know Daniel Carter from various messaage boards I frequent, and when he was looking for author's to intervew, I jumped at the chance. He did a great job, especially with the pics and his questions.  He is one hell of a nice guy as well.

If you want to read it, Click HERE.

Contest Time :Update: We have a winner.....Glenna

Glenna guessed the correct answer. It was John Paul Dejoria, co-founder of  the John Paul Mitchell hair system franchise.  He is also a very generous philanthropist. Congrats to her, and thanks to everyone who enterered.

Have a reading / signing tonight at a local library. I am a huge supporter of libraries and as part of the evening, if I am fortunate enough to sell any copies I will donate a portion of each sale to the library.

As promised, it's contest time. All you have to do is read the below excerpts descibing the diabolical antogonist of the story, psyhcologist Joel Fischer. Then, tell the me the name of real-life person I modeled him after.

# 1
Mr. Bigshot looked like a caricature of someone Scott had
seen before. His beard, cropped tight to his face and receding
hair, which Scott determined got colored regularly, was slicked
back tight to his skull and fed the piece de resistance, the
ponytail.

#2
Scott noticed Fischer’s eyes were extremely blue, like
crystal marbles. The oversized, porcelain veneers dominating his
mouth looked like they were made of ivory.

Stealing a page from "The Graduate", here's the hint..Hair Care.

This is tougher than the last contest, but I'm confident someone is going to find the answer. I'll post a pic of said person, once we have a winner.

Good Luck!

Peace,

Sean

A Twist of Noir and Contest Reminder

Thanks to Col Bury, I found out about a way cool thing going on over at the A Twist of Noir blog. The deal is that the writer needs to come up with a crime story that has the designated number of words. There were 100 openings (600 to 700) and the line-up is full of talent. That said, I put in my humble request to see if could take part, and the blog owner Chris, has given me a chance at # 622. I'm honored, excited, and nervous as shite, but I have always felt that to succeed at something, you need take a risk and push youself.

I am going to have another contest where you can win a free copy of "Mindjacker", which I will send to you, wherever you live. On Tuesday, October 12th at 12:00 PM EST I will post a small passage from the novel where a character's physical appearance is described. Keep in mind, that most of the characters in the novel are modeled after people who are famous in one way or another. I will also provide a small clue to help point you in the right direction. All you have to do is be the first person to tell me the name of that person.

These People Are Sick!

I normally stay away from getting too serious about anything in life. It is way to short. I need to make an exception in this case. The story on the below link, which was posted on the Black Crowes message board, is really unsettling, to me at least, and reminds me that there are truly evil people in this world.

To see the news story video click HERE

Now, I have two beautiful kids myself, and have always thought that if anyone harmed them, I would not be one to let justice run its course.

Wooba Gooba With The Green Teeth: Contest Time Again

I am going to have another contest where you can win a free copy of "Mindjacker", which I will send to you, wherever you live. On Tuesday, October 12th at 12:00 PM EST I will post a small passage from the novel where a character's physical appearance is described. Keep in mind, that most of the characters in the novel are modeled after people who are famous in one way or another. I will also provide a small clue to help point you in the right direction. All you have to do is be the first person to tell me the name of that person.

For those of you that have kids, or even young ones you care about, I've been revisting some lyrics / poems I have had in the files and thought I would share this one.

The Promise
I promise you my little one
To never raise my hand
Even in your darkest times
I’ll try and understand

I’ve done it all
I’ve seen the worst
Enough to tell you
You’re not the first

Life is not easy
And it is not fair
I’ll try to protect you
From the dragon’s lair

People will be mean
And say hurtful things
Stay true to yourself
And you’ll grab that ring

Some will have more
And others less
If I’ve kept my promise
You’ll do your best

To treat each one
As if they were you
And if they're down
You’ll help them through

There will come a time
When I’ll be gone
My promise is yours
To carry on

Don’t be sad
And don’t you cry
Just remember me
A cloud in the sky

Oh precious child
Gods true gift to me
Your heart is my soul
And forever it will be

A bit of "Sissy Murphy"

I'm working hard on revisting some old short stories to submit as well as getting serious about the second novel. Here is a passage from the WIP, that I'm calling "Sissy Murphy". It is CH 2 now. If you're so inclined to take a read, I would like to know what you think, if anything.

May 2009
It’s eight-thirty in the morning, I’m freshly barbequed, and sitting in my veal pen, dreading the meet-and-greet with the guy they just hired to work with me for the next six months. Before I even meet him, I hate my new right-hand man.

The generic eye drops I bought this morning don’t feel like they’re working. I’m paranoid of looking blatantly fried. It's early May in Massachusetts, so hay fever seems like a worthy cover. The internet recon I did on Mr. Daniel Moore yielded nothing and based on his resume, he’s got a brighter future as a fiction writer, not a Call Center Technology Specialist.

The Black Crowes are telling me through my iPod ear buds that if I smile at the cosmos, the cosmos will smile back at me. In the end, the cosmos didn’t smile on me. They stuffed a sock in my mouth, restrained me, and sodomized me. Hard.

There’s nothing more worth reading on TMZ.com, so I kill the page and look at the clock on my flat screen monitor. It’s eight-fifty, ten minutes until D-Day. I decide to try and get a sneak preview, knowing that Dan the Man is with my boss, V.P. Richard Fitzgerald.

I make the trek around the perimeter of my pod and position myself at an angle that let's me see who is sitting across the desk from the Boss Man. I see his profile. My first thought is that he looks like an extra from 300. With a few tweaks, he could pass for Leonidas, or better, Hercules. I estimate six-three, at least two-fifty.

On the retreat back to my cube, I’m thinking Dan is more adept at smashing the kneecaps of degenerates who are behind on payments, rather than making sure customer calls are answered in under ten seconds.

Nine o’clock, game on. I get in character, chew a stick of gum, put the cell on vibrate. All calls are directed to voicemail. It’s Friday, my regulars will start calling soon to re-up for the weekend.

Dan is already fucking up my program.

My boss is a decent shit. He pretty much let’s me do my own thing, as long as the job gets done. I knock on the outside wall of Rich’s cube, which is four times the size of mine. Dan gets up from his chair to greet me. My size estimates prove true. I feel like a running back in the huddle, standing next to the tackle. His Roman nose looks like it has been broken, a few times, but never repaired. I extend a hand, bracing for the inevitable crunching my fingers are about to receive. I resist the temptation to either completely slacken my hand, or tickle his palm with my index finger.

“Dan Moore,” he says.

I detect a mild Irish accent.

Every preconceived opinion I’ve made, is purged from my brain when I hear this. I’m third generation Irish American, but Dan is the real deal. This might not be so bad.

“Seamus Murphy,” I tell him, smiling. “Call me Shane though.”

My Dad, God rest his soul, is responsible for naming my sister and I. Her name is Siobhan and lives in California with another woman. We are thirty-eight years old. Shame and Shiv is what we were called growing up. It could be worse, my roommate at prep school was a steroid freak named Cash. His sister’s name was Carrie.

We take seats and review Dan’s role, expectations, work hours, and all the other corporate bullshit. My employer, United Investments, is opening a new call center in Rhode Island. It needs to be online by December. I will manage the project, Dan will report to me. My immediate concerns are lunch, and how I can ditch Dan. I want to take a quick cruise and smoke a bowl. I decide I'll make my break at eleven-thirty, be back by twelve, when Dan gets out of orientation.

We end up eating in the cafeteria. I hardly ever eat there. I prefer to use the time working on my writing and dishing out generous helpings of written fellatio on literary agent blogs, hoping they might notice me. It hasn’t worked, but kissing ass has never been my strong point.

During our one hour bread breaking session, I learn the following about Dan.

He’s thirty-eight, moved to Massachusetts from Belfast fifteen years ago and holds dual citizenship. He was married for ten years and had a son, who died at age three from a horrible disease. They divorced and shortly after, he met a stripper while bouncing in the same titty bar. He knocked up the stripper and now has a two year old daughter. He's estranged from the stripper, has custody of the kid, owns a Harley, and is a world class bow hunter.
I also notice he has two holes in each ear lobe. I did the earring thing when I was eighteen, single gold hoop, in the non-fag ear.

The bow hunter item is interesting to me. I decide to call his bluff.

“I’m a huge fan of Errol Flynn. The guy who taught him can-”

“Howard Hill, can split an arrow with an arrow. So can I,” he says.

Thou shalt not fuck with Dan.

Dan has been out of work for the last six months. Prior to that, he had a two year contracting gig with Met-Life, converting telephone systems to use the internet. He spent the downtime, operating a backhoe for the Seabrook Cemetery Department. His former brother-in-law set him up with the job.

As we walk back to our section of the building, Dan tells me that Marissa, the stripper, is a bipolar head-case, addicted to cocaine. I'm hoping he eventually tells me where she works.

The Ultimate "Whoop Ass" Song

So here's the scenario. Two of your main characters are in a top-of-the-line, black, 2008 Dodge Challenger, heading to fire bomb a warehouse that is the centerpiece of all the nefariuos plans of the head honcho they are trying to bring down. On the way, of course, they need some motivational kind of music to inspire them, get them into character if you will. One of them slips a CD into the player and cranks the kick-ass stereo system up.

WHAT SONG COMES ON, IF YOU COULD PICK IT?

I went with THIS

Some Positive Updates for a Shitty, Gloomy Monday

Well, the cold weather settled in here in the Northeast US, so I figured some happy positive news is in order.

My local indie bookstore called to tell me Scottish author Donna Moore's novel "OLD DOGS" finally arrived and I picked it up yesterday. Started reading it and it is awesome. I expected it to be a good one, knowing the unsavory company she keeps in the blogsphere. Did I mention I love unsavory things? I'll post a review when I finish, so stay tuned. Donna alos hosts a great crime blog HERE

In other news, crime blogger / author extraordinaire PD Brazill interviewed one Col Bury on his website HERE. I wish I could say I read it, but I must have some browser issues that prevent me from getting PD's site content. I really, really need to read this, so if someone can help me out with that, I'd be much obliged.

My "Kindle Author" interview was ranked in the top 10 for September for page views and comments. That was way cool to me, and I know followers of this blog, had a lot to do with it.. A big thanks to all of you!

Interview on Kindle Author Blog

As most know, the e-book / e-reader is consistently gaining ground on the tradional print format. Along with being a available in print on Amazon ( US & UK) & B&N, My novel is also out in e-book format on Amazon (US & UK), B&N, and the Apple iBookstore.

David Wisehart's blog-Kindle Author features interviews with writers who's novels are available for Kindle. He does a good job with the questions and it is a great service he is providing.

The Q & A he did with me was posted to his blog yesterday and if you choose, you can take a peek at HERE

What CD, Novel, and Movie (if you could only choose one of each) ?

If you could only have one CD, Novel, and Movie, what would be your choices?
* for this question, the bible is not elibible *

Mine:

Novel: Twilight
Movie: Twilight
CD: Music Inspired by Twilight

Jeez, you think you know a guy, huh?

Novel: The Great Gatsby
Movie: Goodfellas
CD: Appetite For Destruction (Guns n Roses)

Barnes and Noble Is Now Selling Mindjacker!

Got some good news yesterday. Barnes & Noble is now selling the print version of "Mindjacker" on their website. It was previously only available via Amazon. This is a big win for potential readers because B&N is offering it for $9.30 compared to $12.99 on Amazon. Some other retailers are also picking it up and I am excited about that as well. Anytime you can make it more economical and attractive for a reader to give your novel a try, it is a good thing!

To check it out on B&N..Click HERE

IMPERIAL BEDROOMS: Bret Easton Ellis

I have been a fan of Mr. Ellis since I read "Less Than Zero", which he wrote and was published while he was in college. Quite an accomplishment. The movie adaption came out a few years later, with Robert Downey Jr, Andrew McCarthy, and one of my favorite "bad guy" actors of the 80's James Spader. If I think back in time, three movies that tried to capture teen / high school life in the early 80's were: "Fast Times at Ridgemont High", "Valley Girl", and "Less Than Zero". The thing is that all of these were based in California, and this was nothing like how it was growing up in the northeast US. "Dazed and Confused" was a much more realistic portrayal of how it "really was".

When I read that a follow-up to LTZ was in the works, I was intrigued. I wanted to know what happened to Julian, Blair, Clay, and especially Rip. So when it came out, I ended up buying it for my Nook $9.99, saving $15.00 of the $25.00 hardcover. As it turned out, this was a wise decision.

The novel starts off by slamming the film version of LTZ, setting the reader straight on the facts, and gives some nice harbingers of what's in store for this installment. I was intrigued and ready for the show to start. I'm not going to give spoilers of details about the plot, but I will say that BEE has a big problem with finishing, and I noticed this with "Glamorama"( 4 out of 5 stars) and Lunar Park (3 out of 5 stars). I'm giving "Imperial Bedrooms" (2 out 5 stars). Each of these three BEE offerings would have earned another star, if they didn't completely go off the deep-end in the final chapters.

The 2 star rating is a shame in my opinion because for about 3/4 of the novel it was at about a 4, but I have to call it like I see it. I never read Amazon / B&N reviews before I read a novel, but I do after I'm done. It is good to know I am not alone in my opinion. I would be glad to elaborate on this in the comment section, if anyone so chooses

Music in Novels

I am a huge fan of crime / heist movies and novels. I love the criminal element and all that goes along with that. What I don't particularly like is too much police interfernce in the story, unless the cops are corrupt of course. The story's I like focus on the bad guys, and within that some of the bad guys can be the good guys. Besides the profanity, violence, drug / drink use, and dialogue, my favorite movies have great soundtracks - GoodFella's, Blow, Casino, etc.. It really adds that extra to the experience.

Now, it is a little different with novel's, but most of the one's I like do mix in music in one way or another. When writing "Mindjacker", I had many goals, but two of the top ones were: try and write a novel that would have the style and read like some of the movies I dig, and try to incorporate a soundtrack into it. Whether I succeeded, remains to be seen, but the feedback I have received has made me think that I just may have.

So, a question to anyone who reads this: What's you take on music in novels?

For those who give a shite, here are the tunes that are referenced in Mindjacker, and ones that didn't make the cut. I listened to every one of these so many times while writing the story, and each one inspired a thought or a scene. The numero uno song that sparked my inspiration for the story, which I heard while listening to a HEART greatest hit CD in 2007 on way to work was this THIS. I still listen to this almost everyday and still get the spine chill when the kick it into overdrive at 2:23

Some of the people who have read the novel, asked me for a list of the songs so they could burn a play list, they liked them so much. Here is what I sent them. You need to know that my target audience was regular Joe's or Josephine's who grew up in or around the 1970's and were from working class families, where music was one of the things that got us through the good and bad times.

Included in novel in extact order:

“My Favorite Things” The Supremes
“O’ Holy Night”
“Ventura Highway” America
“Magical Mystery Tour” The Beatles
"Ballroom Blitz" The Sweet
“Dr. FeelGood” Motley Crue
“Rollin” Limp Bizkit
“Catch Us If You Can” Dave Clark Five
“Cats in the Cradle” Harry Chapin
“Rooster” Alice in Chains
“Californication” The Red Hot Chili Peppers
“The First Cut is the Deepest” Rod Stewart
“Toys in the Attic” Aerosmith
“Love Removal Machine” The Cult
“One” Metallica
“Celebrity Skin” Hole.
“Dirty White Boy” Foreigner
"Secret Agent Man" Johnny Rivers
“Girl From Ipenema”
“Do You Feel Like We Do” Peter Frampton
“Heartless” Heart
“Straight On” Heart
“Tumbling Dice” The Rolling Stones
“Hard to Handle” Black Crowes
“Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” Black Crowes
“Double Vision” Foreigner
“Come Sail Away” STYX
“Boogie Nights” Heatwave
“Dancing Queen” ABBA
“Sweet Emotion” Aerosmith
“Sister Christian” Night Ranger
“2000 Light Years From Home” Rolling Stones
“JailBreak” Thin Lizzy
“Shattered” Rolling Stones
“Hot Legs” Rod Stewart
“Jump” House of Pain
“Don’t Cry” Guns N’ Roses
“Straight On” Heart
“Dreamboat Annie” Heart
“Too Late For Love” Def Leppard
"Skinned" Blind Melon
“Wild World” Cat Stevens
“Love Hurts” Nazareth
“Knocked Up” Kings of Leon
“Charmer” Kings of Leon
“Death Letter” White Stripes
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” Elton John
“Descending” Black Crowes
“Bohemian Rhapsody” Queen
“You’re No Good” Linda Ronstadt
“Sunshine of Your Love” Cream
"Mr.Brownstone" Guns & Roses
“What’s this Life For” Creed
“My own Prison” Creed
“With Arms Wide Open” Creed
“We Die Young” Alice in Chains
"Brother" Alice in Chains
“Whiskey in a Jar” Metallica
"James Bond Theme" John Barry
“Sex Type Thing” Stone Temple Pilots
“Insane in the Brain” Cypress Hill
"Get Ready" Rare Earth
“I want You to Want Me” Cheap Trick
“Christine Sixteen” KISS
“How I Could Just Kill a Man” Cypress Hill
“Dead and Bloated” Stone Temple Pilots
“I’m That Type of Guy” LL Cool J
“Mistral Wind” Heart
"Fly Like an Eagle" Steve Miller Band
“Train Kept a Rollin” Aerosmith
“Cat Scratch Fever” Ted Nugent
“Let’s Go” The Cars
“Rhiannon” Fleetwood Mac
“Almost Cut My Hair” Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young
“Runnin’ With The Devil” Van Halen
“Little Dreamer” Van Halen
“Camaro” Kings of Leon
“You wear it well” Rod Stewart
“Magic Man” Heart
“Midnight at the Oasis” Maria Muldaur
"Gimme Three Steps" Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Let It Be" The Beatles
“Coma” Guns N Roses
“Grind” Alice in Chains
“Break Stuff” Limp Bizkit
“99 Miles From L.A” Johnny Mathis
“Girl from A Pawnshop” Black Crowes
“You’re Pretty Good Looking (For a Girl)” White Stripes
“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” (Muzak Version )
“Escape” Rupert Holmes
“Sister Do You Know My Name?” White Stripes


Songs from "Mindjacker" that didn't make the cut, but inspired me along the way.

“Patience” Guns N Roses
“Four Kicks” Kings of Leon
“Stellar” Incubus
“Heart Shaped Box” Nirvana
“So This is Love” Van Halen
“Nice to Know You” Incubus
“More Than a Feeling” Boston
“That Smell” Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Do It For The Kids” Velvet Revolver
“My Little Town” Simon & Garfunkel
“Show Me the Way” Peter Frampton
“Dazed and Confused” Led Zeppelin
“Miss You” The Rolling Stones
“Barracuda” Heart
"Sludge Factory" Alice in Chains
“Mean Streets” Van Halen
“Renegade” Styx
“Midnight From the Inside Out” Black Crowes
“Nasty Girl” Vanity Six
“Mamakin” Aerosmith
“Last Child” Aerosmith
“Can’t Stand Losing You”The Police
“Message In A Bottle” The Police
“Canary in a Coal Mine” The Police
“Cinnamon Girl” Neil Young
“Wicked Garden” Stone Temple Pilots
“The Runner” Kings of Leon
“Sucker Train Blues” Velvet Revolver
“Dust in the Wind” Kansas
“Attention” The Raconteurs
“Sister Golden Hair” America
"Get Free" The Vines
“Rich Girl” Hall and Oates
“Beast of Burden” Rolling Stones
“Galaxie” Blind Melon
“Honky Tonk Woman” Rolling Stones
“Time of the Season” The Zombies
“Rock and Roll Fantasy” Bad Company
“Highway to Hell” AC/DC
“Flirtin with Disaster” Molly Hatchet
“Ain’t Talking Bout Love” Van Halen
“Grind” Alice in Chains
"Love Hurts" Nazereth
"Star Rider" Foreigner
"Head Creeps" Alice in Chains
“Renegade” STYX
“Evenflow” Pearl Jam
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” The Beatles
“We Gotta Get Out of This Place” The Animals
“What’s Your Name” Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Effigy” Uncle Tupelo

"Night Games" published on Thrillers,Killer's-n-Chillers

I have always loved the short story, whether in print or film. Fitzgerald and de Maupassant are particular favorites and Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Tales from the Crypt and Darkside as well. I have written many of them over the years and recently I have been revisting them. First impression was..these really suck in both style and format. A lot of them had decent ideas, but they needed work. I re-worked one that was orignally written for a Writers Digest "your story" challenge (750 word limit)The prompt was "you get a package in the mail and it only contains and eye patch" Well, I ditched they eye patch, but some of that story became a 650 word story "Night Games".

I took a chance and submitted it to the awesome website Thriller's, Killers-n-Chillers. A few weeks went by, and when I checked my e-mail on Saturday - a note from Matt Hilton (a many times published crime author)one of the editors at TK-n-C informed me that it was accepted. My kids must have thought I hot the Lotto, because I was dancing around the family room, I was so happy about the news. So, if you want to read the story and more importantly read some kick-ass Horror, Crime, and Thriller shorts

Click HERE

"Experimental Writer" Eddie Wright

While perusing the "Smashwords Books Reviewed" blog yesterday, there was an interview with writer Eddie Wright, who's style is described as "experimental fiction", a style I was not hip to. I really dug the interview. I found his answers interesting enough that I downloaded the free sample of his "Broken Bulbs". I liked it, so I am going to purchase it for my Nook. He's also part of a pretty cool bunch of writers, who sell their books at Backword Books

You can read the interview with Eddie HERE and if you want to give "Broken Bulbs" a try, you can do so HERE

Keep in mind that I do not know Eddie Wright and had never heard of him until I read the interview, so there is no "invisible hand" at work with this recommendation.

A Press Release for Little 'ole Me?

I know it may sound cliche, but sometimes, make that most times, especially where this writing business is concerned, it does help to have friends and relationships. One such is example of this is the below press release that a gent I know was kind enough to craft and distribute on my behalf to his numerous media connections. A little backstory... I have been involved in the youth sports programs up may way for the last 5 years, 2 in Pop Warner football (American version for the soccer chaps) and the last 3 in lacrosse. One of my player's dad's is in the PR business and I have know him for two years. I've kept my writing close to the vest until recently, when I had to out myself. The reactions have been typical: HUH?, You a writer? who'da thunk it? Mild mannered coach Reardon...a writer?

So this most excellent guy offers his services, totally unsolicited and with no hidden agenda..Thanks a Million Rick!!! Enough with my blabber. Here is what he did and maybe you'll find out a bit more about me.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL YOUTH LACROSSE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT TRADES PLAYBOOK FOR NOVEL – RELEASES MINDJACKER

Sean Patrick Reardon Pens Gritty Crime Drama and Realizes Lifelong Dream

PEPPERELL, MASS – September 13, 2010 – Local author, Sean Patrick Reardon today announced the recent release of his debut novel titled MindJacker. Inspired by a love of Irish crime thrillers and what Reardon says is a lack of interesting books for “forty-something” men, he takes readers on a thrill ride across the country from Los Angeles to New York to Boston and New Hampshire in this tale of gangsters, thievery, technology and mind manipulation.

When wealthy Russian mobsters contract LA psychologist Joel Fischer to develop a device to manipulate minds, the DreemWeever exceeds all expectations. Everything is on track for delivery and a big payday, until two adventurous stoners steal his Dodge Challenger that, unknown to them, contains the DreemWeever in its trunk. Fischer and his crew have two days to get it back or he dies.

Early memories of reading with his grandmother while visiting in East Boston, and listening to E.G Marshall’s CBS Mystery Radio as a boy laid the groundwork for Reardon’s passion of reading that eventually developed into writing. “Since I was a child, reading has taken me to foreign lands, exposed me to different cultures, and introduced me to all sorts of interesting characters, but I always felt a yearning to drive the plot and develop characters,” commented Reardon. “After writing a number of short stories, I decided to take the plunge and craft a full length novel.”

Reardon began writing Mindjacker in 2007 and took a few hiatuses, but always came back to the writing. In fact, Reardon wrote much of the book while on planes, in traffic and in the hockey rink during his son’s practices. “Once I created the main idea behind Mindjacker, I just kept expanding on it and tried to link the ideas together. There were many nights after a writing session when I would lie in bed, trying to come up with ideas or solutions to what I had written or was going to write next.”

Locally, Sean is best known for his love of sports and involvement in and around the local sports scene. An avid player and enthusiast of cricket, lacrosse and all things Irish (Yes, even Notre Dame made its way into Mindjacker); he has plans to venture into the very Irish sport of hurling. Sean was recently appointed President of North Middlesex Youth Lacrosse Association. As a coach he is an inspiration to his players and hopes the novel – while not age appropriate for youngsters – will spur a desire to read and write creatively. “I‘ve always had a great imagination and sense of adventure, and in some ways I think children today are really missing out on this because there so many distractions.” He added, “I’m a big proponent of reading and creative writing and I hope that my example touches even one child to pick up a pen and start writing.”

As a result of his penchant for Irish crime novels, acclaimed Irish author, Declan Burke posted a Q&A with Reardon on his blog Crime Always Pays. When asked to describe his writing style, Reardon summed it up best; “…my work contains straight forward prose, action, intriguing plot twists, an entertaining criminal element, rock-n-roll, violence, realistic dialogue and gritty characters. Reardon is already working on his next novel tentatively titled Sissy Murphy; a crime thriller, of course, that is set in Massachusetts and Ireland.

Mindjacker is available in both print and e-book for Kindle on Amazon; in e-book for Nook format at Barnes & Noble; and e-book for iPad, iTouch, iPhone format in the Apple iBookstore. The book has received positive reviews including:
Smashwords (starred review)
“Think Koontz's “Night Chills” and “The Key to Midnight” and you'll have a good idea of what you’re in for when reading “Mindjacker”. The author has come up with a great antagonist in Dr. Joel Fischer, who's both a psychologist, and a sociopath.

Barnes & Noble (starred review)
“A taut, fast-paced thriller that kept me reading until the end.”

About the Author
Sean Patrick Reardon was raised in Billerica, Massachusetts and resides in Pepperell, with his wife, two children. He's usually reading at least one novel on any given day, loves coaching and playing lacrosse, following Cricket, and listening to Rock-n-Roll music. When not in front of his keyboard at work on his latest crime thriller, Sean is a Contact Center Engineer with XXXXXXX Investments in XXXXXXC.
###

Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules to Writing

Elmore Leonard is one of my favorite writers. I favor his crime novels more than his Western themed ones, but that is just me and no matter what the genre, his stuff is top notch. It is hard to find an author who writes dialogue better than him. Listed below are 10 rules he came up with. These are just the title of each rule, and he drills dowm on each one HERE

Keep in mind this is just suggested advice on my part that I found very helpful, and they are subjective. I'm thinking Stephenie Meyer might disagree, but...

1. Never open a book with weather.
2. Avoid prologues.
3. Never use a verb other than ''said'' to carry dialogue.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb ''said'' . . .
5. Keep your exclamation points under control.
6. Never use the words ''suddenly'' or ''all hell broke loose.''
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

What's up with this Hurling business?

On Saturday, while visiting Declan Burke's excellent blog, "Crime Always Pays", he posted a video link about the sport of Hurling. Now, I had heard of this sport in name only, and had no clue what it was. I'm also the guy who thought Cricket was below Badminton and Croquet in terms of the machismo factor. I soon found out the opposite is true. HOWZAT!
* keep in mind it is a sport where it is OKAY to hit the batter.

Now, if that looks like fun, check out this excellent video on Hurling that Dec Posted HERE

I played Football & Lacrosse growing up. In fact, I still play lacrosse, but if they had Hurling in the US, when I was growing up, I know I would have been all over it.

Contest Time

As promised, here is the except from "Mindjacker". The first person to answer these 3 questions correctly in the comment section, will get a free copy of the novel, which I will send to you.

1) What author am I referencing?
2) What is the title of the novel being referenced?
3) What is the character's name in the novel being referenced?
*****************************************************
The next morning we got off the elevator and strolled
across the lobby toward the exit. A Lincoln Town Car was
waiting to take us to Rockefeller Center.

“Hey, look at that.” Bryce pointed at a stack of New York
Post papers, visible through the window of the gift shop. We
stopped to look at it.

ARMANI BUTCHER CAUGHT dominated the top half of
the front page in bold, black letters. The bottom half had a color
photo of a man with graying hair in handcuffs. He was smiling,
wearing a dark cashmere overcoat, and flanked by numerous
members of the NYPD.

“Poorly dressed amateur,” I said. “That will keep them
busy. Let’s go, we need to be in the front row.”
************************************************************

Whoever wins, assuming anyone gives it a shot, I'll provide my e-mail and you can let me know where to ship your copy to.

As promised, to download a free copy of the novel to the e-reader of your choice, go to the "Mindjacker" page on Smashwords HERE

The coupon code to use is YQ89Q. You will need to provide an email address and create a password before the download is accessible. The coupon will expire at midnight tonight. Please feel free to share the coupon and info with others.

Check Her Out, Or Else!: Julie Lewthwaite

One of the best things about the internet and blogs, is it allows you to connect with writers, you would otherwise never have known about. My latest discovery is crime writer, Julie Lewthwaite. Her style is gritty, straight to the gut, and no-nonsense. After a read of one of her shorts, you almost feel violated yourself. Keep in mind, this is not your granma's kind of reading, and I don't suspect the local church group will come a callin' any time soon for any author nights, but she ain't writing for the moral majority. You can read more of Julie's writing HERE

Also, as promised, tomorrow is contest day. Here's the skinny:

You can win a free print copy of "Mindjacker", which I will send to you wherever you live. I am also going to provide a Smashwords coupon code for the entire day to let anyone who visits my blog download a free e-book version in whatever e-reader format they choose. Once you have the code, feel free to give it to others. The novel is also availble in print and e-book on Amazon, but it all started with Smashwords, so...

Here are the details:

Free download:
- Start time is 12:00 PM EST on Tuesday, September, 7 2010
- The free download coupon will expire at midnight.

Free print version:
-I will also, at the same time mentioned above, post a small excerpt from "Mindjacker" and all you have to tell me in the comment section is:

1) What author is being referenced.
2) What is the name of the novel
3) What is the character's name

The first person to answer all 3 questions correctly, will win the free copy.

Peace,

Sean