A David J. Schow Triple Feature

You know what's cool? When one of your favorite writers has a new book out. You know what's even cooler? When one of your favorite writers has two new books out. You know what's absolutely fucking insane? When one of your favorite writers has three new books out... all in the span of, say, a month.

Then again, I've never made a claim for David J. Schow's sanity.

From The Man himself:

Many writers have such a huge backlist that three books per month is no sweat for them (Dr. Flip, for example, or that Lansdale guy). But these are three NEW books, all at once, a personal best for me not likely to ever occur again.

The paperback: HUNT AMONG THE KILLERS OF MEN, a pulpy softcover thriller in the “Gabriel Hunt” series founded by Hard Case Crime kingpin Charles Ardai (who also published GUN WORK). The adventures are written as “as-told-to” books, and this one’s my installment. The fabulous cover is by Glen Orbik. Yes, there are guns.

The hardcover: INTERNECINE, my first novel since 2003’s BULLETS OF RAIN; what I hope is received as a “suspenser .” Yes, there are lots more guns. (That’s Thomas Jane on the cover — twice — as rendered by Tim Bradstreet).

The pricier hardcover: THE ART OF DREW STRUZAN, which is pretty self-explanatory except that THIS is a book of comps — all the different interpretations of various movies before they get to the poster-painting stage (like those vetoed Indiana Jones posters with the swastikas on them, or the SIX OTHER VERSIONS of the famous Creature from the Black Lagoon limited-edition print). Drew speaks at length on these and his retirement from the Hollywood grind; I interpret what he says. Virtually no guns at all in this one.

Coming soon to actual, real bookstores everywhere.

I haven't read books #1 or #3 yet (but can't wait). However, I have read Internecine, and was flattered to be asked for a blurb. I kind of gushed, and I have no idea how much of it will actually be used. For all I know, I could just be...

"Balls-out!" --Duane Swierczynski

Or even just:

"Balls!" --Duane Swierczynski

But here's the whole blurb, and I stand behind every word. Seriously: we're only five months into 2010, and I can't imagine the thriller that will top this one.

You know how some writers twist reality just so, enabling you to see the world in a different way? David J. Schow doesn't twist reality so much as slip a garrote around its neck and hold it upside down from the roof of a burning skyscraper, all the while jamming a snub-nosed revolver into the base of its spine and telling reality: "Here's how it's going to be, my friend..."

Internecine is a balls-out, bone-snapping, mind-melting thriller -- the best I've read all year. Just when you think Schow's jabbing left, he goes right -- and somehow, you end up with a shiv between your ribs. To paraphrase Billy Bob Thornton: once you finish Internecine, you won't think straight for days.

Schow's even managed to out-shoot Stephen Hunter, who I've long regarded as the Ron Jeremy of gun porn. Duck, you suckers!

July 2010. Start putting aside your milk money now.

Two Q&As and a Review from a Geek

Wait! He calls himself that, really! But Pete Dragasakis gives a super-kind review of Expiration Date at his blog, "My Geek Collection."

John Kenyon grilled me on Expiration over at the newly-redesigned Things I'd Rather Be Doing. (Also, scroll down to check out a rare photo of Ed Gorman, captured in the wild!)

And finally Tom Piccirilli gave me the interrogation treatment over at The Big Adios. Pic's such a brutal interviewer, he even got me talking about my next few books. (Sort of.)

Tumblr-ing through L.A.

I have a Tumblr account, though I'm not sure why. I never update it. I hardly ever think about it. But two years ago, I uploaded a few photos revolving around a loose theme: favorite writers, and where they ate, slept or wrote. After my recent trip to L.A., I've added a few more. They're right here, in case you want to take a look. But seriously, don't expect much.

(Above: Charles Bukowski's favorite liquor emporium, the Pink Elephant. My friend Brett and I toasted Hank's memory with a couple of cold Millers, purchased here.)

Sand, Guns, and Reviews

First off: my apologies that the PDF release of Sand In My Gun is running late. I've been crazy as hell with deadlines. But worry not: just need to polish the intro a little, and then it'll be winging its way to your e-mail boxes by the end of the weekend. Thanks to everyone for being so patient.

UPDATE: These birds are flying. If you don't receive your Sand pdf by midnight tonight, drop me a line.

Meanwhile, I'm grateful for some very kind Expiration Date reviews that have popped up in the last week:

Michael Berry in the San Francisco Chronicle writes: "Swierczynski has to do some creative hand-waving about astral projection to keep the fantasy-mystery plot of Expiration Date moving like a well-maintained amusement park ride. Plausibility may not be the book's virtue, but Mickey's tour through his family's long-buried secrets is ultimately affecting, suspenseful and satisfying." (Guilty on on both charges. My SF is admittedly of the "makey-uppy" variety.)

Dave Richards (of Comic Book Resources fame) says that Expiration "is an immensely satisfying mystery and science fiction novel about one of the most mundane and important things in the world, family. I highly recommend it."

Andrew Byers over at Tales from the Bookworm's Lair says: "This is an outstanding example of modern noir, though, oddly, it’s also a time travel novel."

And finally, Vince Keenan (whose blog is a must read for noir and crime fiction junkies) writes: "There’s inventiveness on every page, but what makes the book work – I hate using this word, but it’s appropriate – is its heart."

Huge thanks for helping spread the word, guys.