Taipei Back

Today's mail brought the Taiwanese edition of my novel Severance Package. I think it's a winner. The red wine in the glass looks very much like blood, the splashing effect is nicely unsettling. On the inside flap (not shown) there's a hand making a gun shape, complete with smoke curling from the extended index finger. And the interior contains a series of illustration headshots of every main character. Since I can't read Chinese, I'm not sure who is supposed to be who, or what the accompanying copy says... but it looks cool. Here's a sample:

Also: last week I received a copy of the Italian edition of Level 26: Dark Origins, which looks very close to the Dutton version, except that the "Level 26" logo is stained with blood. Kind of a running theme this week, I guess.

Anyway, what do you guys think?

Molly Goes to Japan

The Japanese edition of Severance Package is out from Hayakawa, and they were kind enough to send me a box full of 'em via sea mail. Will you look at that bad ass cover? I love it even more than Hayakawa's edition of The Blonde (and I was pretty fond of that one, too). Even better, the novel's "death list" is faithfully reproduced in the text, cross-outs and everything, and they've included Dennis Calero's fantastic full-page illustrations. Best of all, there's no dude in a raccoon suit. (Just kidding, Newton and Compton!) What do you guys think?

Severance and the Barry

This morning I woke up to the happy news that my fourth novel, Severance Package, has been nominated for a Barry Award in the category of Best Paperback Original. The full list has been leaked here; the winners will be announced at this year's Bouchercon in Indianapolis. I'm sure I'm going to have my ass handed to me by my fellow nominees (including Max Allan Collins and Christa Faust), but as they say, it's just a pleasure to be nominated.

The Right To Bear Arms. No, Literally, Bear Arms

Here's the cover for the Italian edition of Severance Package, which will be published this year by Newton and Compton. Your eyes are not playing tricks; that is indeed a human being in a bear (possibly raccoon?) suit, holding a rifle. The title is Uccidere O Essere Uccisi, which Babelfish tells me is something like To Kill or Be Murdered. (I'm sure, like most things, it sounds more elegant in Italian.) I've been going back and forth thinking this cover is either genius or lunacy... quite possible a little of both. It also puts me in the mind of that infamous "furry" episode of CSI... but let's not go there. Anyway, what do you guys think? Genius or lunacy?

And That's An Order

Today's mail brought three copies of Letzte Order, which is the German edition of my latest novel, Severance Package. "Letzte Order," according to Secret Dead Blog's in-house team of translators, means "Last Order" (or perhaps "Final Order"), both of which certainly apply. But man, do I love this cover. (Click on it for a larger version.) It has the champagne, as well as a nice hint of blood. (Okay, maybe it's more than a hint.) It carries over the look of my first German edition (The Blonde, a.k.a., Blondes Gift, a.k.a. Blonde Poison). And while there are no sweet Dennis (X-Men Noir) Calero illustrations inside, the folks at Heyne did include their own version of the handwritten "death list," which was fun to see.

And I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a thrill from the line at the bottom: "Vom Autor Des Bestsellers Blondes Gift," which I'm pretty sure means "From the Author of the Bestselling Blonde Poison." (It's true; that book was a bestseller over there.)

What do you guys think? If you spoke German, you'd pick this up, right?

(And for those of you who are new to Secret Dead Blog, here's why I'm Duane Louis in Germany.)

Swierczy's Double, Orson Randall's Threesome

There's a short feature at Marvel.com highlighting my next two comics, both of which drop on the same day (September 24): Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and the Death Queen of California and Wolverine: Roar. There's also a slew of preview pages, which include the kinda kinky panel you see above. (I think it's kinky; the Bride looked at it and just thought it was weird.) Both are oversized issues (34 pages each) and self-contained stories, which means if you're new to comics, you can pick up either of one of these issues and not worry about back issue muss and fuss. Because I know that's what's been holding you back.

Also in the Me, Me, Me Department: Brian Lindenmuth posted his very kind Severance Package review over at Bookspot Central. It's so kind, I don't even mind he dredged up the whole "not living up to his potential" stuff from earlier this summer.

Cruel to Be Kindle

Okay, maybe it's a little strange that this is the post immediately following the one about the glories of my new, yet old-fashioned ink-on-paper library. But a few people have asked me about this, so it is my duty to report: Severance Package is now available in an Amazon Kindle edition. You can download it right this very second, if you were so inclined.

Do I have a Kindle? No. Do I plan on buying one? Oh... I don't know. While I love the idea of having 200 books in one little device at all times, it seems devoid of all of all the little things I love about ink-on-paper books. The cheesy die-cut covers. The smell of aging pages. Over-the-top and/or ridiculous back cover copy. The feel of a nicely-assembled tome in my hands.

And let's not forget the sublime joy I've been enjoying this week: running my eyes over the spines of my collection. Don't think you have quite the same experience scrolling down a screen, no matter how sharp the "electronic paper."

But what the hell do I know. I think I was born 30 years too late. I had my way, every paperback would be designed like a God Medal. What do you guys think? Any of you have a Kindle?

The Package Deal

Today (or late last night, technically) Variety broke the news that I've been dying to share for, oh, two months now: Lionsgate has bought the rights to my novel, Severance Package, with Marc Platt and Adam Siegel (of Wanted fame) producing.

Even better: I've been hired to co-write the screenplay with Brett Simon (Assassination of a High School President), who will be directing.

Sharp-eyed Secret Dead Blog readers may have noticed an abundance of Hollywood/L.A. photos around these parts recently; that's because I've spent quite a bit of time out there this summer, mostly meeting with Brett and hammering out adaptation ideas. We've been having a blast, and hopefully that enthusiasm will make its way into the eventual screenplay. That's not to say that adapting your own work is the easiest thing in the world. The crap you can pull in a novel doesn't translate easy to film. (Like, say, putting your heroine in a coma for half of a novel. Cool in print; boring as shit on screen.)

Anyway, now that this cat is out of the bag, I'll share as much of the experience as I can on this blog. Namely, because I'd want to read about it, too. And believe me, I know the deal: many books are called, few are chosen. A million things can go wrong. This all could evaporate... like, tomorrow. But I have a really good feeling about this team. And it's already been fun.

Meanwhile, the only diva-like demand I've made (to Brett) is that this classic 80s hit single play over the end credits. (Mostly to piss off Ed Pettit.)

Brett kind of just looked at me funny.

Illustration by Dennis Calero.

Goin' West

I'm headed for Texas early (and I mean early) tomorrow for an appearance at both Bedrock City Comics (at 3 p.m.) and Murder by the Book (4:30). If you're anywhere in the Houston area, stop by and say hello. Signing at MBTB has become something of an annual tradition; my first time was spring 2005, when I somehow wormed my way into the very first "Noir Night" featuring Ken Bruen, Jason Starr, J.D. Rhoades and Allan Guthrie. And let me tell you, there's nothing more fun than watching a pale Scot stumble around, blinking, in the extreme Texas sun and heat. Ah, the memories.

Presumed Guilty

I'm the process of moving my office down to the basement... er, I mean, ground floor of Secret Dead Blog Headquarters. (The daughter will be inheriting the room in which The Wheelman, The Blonde, Severance Package, and a fairly large chunk of the next one were written, as well as the first eleven issues of Cable and other assorted comics.) I've been going up and down the stairs, carefully transporting my Richard Stark collection, my Richard Matheson collection, my pulp paperback reference collection, my Black Lizard collection, my Manhunt collection... yeah, I've got a bunch of collections going.

Just took a break now, though, and I was happy to see that Paul Goat Allen is calling Severance Package a hit of "literary methamphetamine" in the Chicago Tribune. (I hasten to add that very few Severance readers have reported weight loss, meth mouth, and/or a sudden resemblance to Amy Winehouse; ask your doctor if Severance Package is right for you.) He also think it's a guilty pleasure novel full of "dark, twisted energy." Not going to complain about that one bit.

And I forgot to blog about Adam Woog's review in the Seattle Times that appeared last week. He also think Severance is a guilty pleasure, and adds that it's "gleefully crude, cartoonishly violent, and as thoroughly addictive as the best (or worst) of Tarantino and Spillane."

Which reminds me; time to move the Spillane collection downstairs.

A Bit of Indie Cred

Just wanted to share this extreme cool piece of news: it seems that Severance Package was June's number two bestselling trade paperback at indie mystery shops across the country. If only it weren't for that meddling, award-winning Tana French...

Thanks to everyone who picked up a copy, especially those who shopped at one of many fine mystery bookstores.

Ethan Iverson is Still Trying to Kill Me

I'm very happy about Ethan Iverson's reaction to both Severance Package and my buddy Sunshine's latest, Savage Night. (And yes, he's right -- there is a Bad Plus reference folded up and tucked away where you probably least expect it. Heh heh heh.)

I'm also glad he got over his funnybook phobia and picked up Criminal, Ed Brubaker's brilliant n' nasty crime comic published by Marvel's Icon imprint. All I have to do now is convince him to check out Scalped. And 100 Bullets. And DMZ...

There's also a great bit at the end of the post about my hero Fredric Brown and his mystery writer pal William Campbell Gault, taken from David Laurence Wilson's 1984 L.A. Times piece on Gault:

Gault’s closest friend was Fredric Brown, a frail intellectual who had also started out in Milwaukee. "Fred was the great, innovative one," Gault said. "He had a mind like Einstein and he peddled it for two cents a word."

What a brain whore.

(Photo by Chadwick Ginther. Yes, those are scotch bottles to the left and right of Sunshine's book.)

The Playboy Interview... No, Really!

Well, no, it's not one of those famous 20K-word interviews you find in the magazine. But this is almost as cool: Jamie Malanowski grills me about Severance Package, Steve Carrell, comics, snow globes and blood-soaked glasses over at Playboy.com. (Sorry about the glasses, Jamie.) And while you're at it, check out this cool interview with Mark Millar, creator of Wanted.

Also, Don Crouch has a few choice questions for me over at New Mystery Reader, as well as a very nice Severance review.

And George Snell at the Dark Party Review gives the book an A minus.

Um, Oh Yeah...

Talk about burying the lead: I forgot to mention one of the main reasons I'm going to be in L.A. this weekend--namely, a noon signing at The Mystery Bookstore in Westwood (1036-C Broxton Avenue, 310-209-0415). Please do stop by if you're in the area.

Also: earlier today, Playboy's Jamie Malanowski posted some photos from my Mysterious Bookshop signing a few weeks ago. I have no idea what I'm pointing at in that first photo.

Show Us Your Titus (Andronicus!)

I'm very happy about a bunch of Severance Package reviews that have popped up lately. Yesterday, the novel was featured in Patrick Anderson's "Monday Thrillers" column in the Washington Post, and offered up this bit that I want to tattoo on my right bicep: "At the very least, [Swierczynski's] written one of the most outrageously original spy thrillers I can remember." And he gives me credit for a Shakespeare reference that I didn't intend, but will brag about anyway.

Book Strumpet Clayton Moore called me a bastard, but liked the book anyway.

Bill Crider pointed out one of the novel's in-jokes in his very flattering review. (The commenters? Um, not so much.)

Wally Conger thinks that Severance is yes, a spy story, and a horror novel, but also a love story. I'm not going to disagree with him.

Update (6/11): Just to balance things out: Lee Goldberg doesn't like the book, and says I'm skating on flash.

Thursday: The Summer of Severance Begins

Well, okay, it began today, but my first signing will be at The Mysterious Bookshop this Thursday night. And it's not just a signing: it's a party. Poe Boy and Dave "Giamatti" White will also be on hand, and there's a good chance we'll be hitting the Raccoon Lodge across the street afterward. So if you're anywhere near NYC, stop by and say hello. Here are the details:

Join us in celebrating the new novel Severance Package (St. Martin's Minotaur) Mr. Swierczynski will discuss and read from his book and answer questions. Copies will be available for autographs. Light refreshments will be served.

Thursday, May 29th 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. Admission is Free.

The Mysterious Bookshop
58 Warren Street (Between Church and West Broadway)
New York, NY 10007
(212) 587-1011
info@mysteriousbookshop.com

Well, Shoot

Severance Package is available in stores everywhere today. It kind of feels weird typing that, because it's been so long coming. I finished the first draft in early November 2006, and it was originally scheduled to appear in November 2007, but somewhere along the line St. Martin's decided it would be better as a paperback original, and launched in early summer 2008. And while I was a little bummed at first, I think it was a very good call.

I've always been a paperback guy. Nothing wrong with hardcovers; I've bought my share, certainly. But if I have a choice, I'll always go with paperbacks. They're easier to carry around. They usually have cooler art. And frankly, they're more affordable. When you gorge on books like I do, price matters. (And yes, I love public libraries... but there's something cool about owning your own copy, you know?)

Anyway, St. Martin's has done me a solid by making this a very, very cool paperback. The cover is by Tomm Coker, and there are eight black-and-white illustrations inside by Dennis Calero. (One of 'em is included at the top of this post.) There's a nice and grisly "death fax" inside. And finally, the cover stock is made of this material that feels like a painter's canvas--classy stuff for what is essentially a pulp hybrid of a spy novel and a slasher flick.

So even if you think the story blows... the book still looks like a million bucks.

I'll stop before this sounds any more like late-night TV infomercial. ("Act now and receive the exclusive bonus chapter of Severance Package, which can strip paint and remove warts within seconds!") But I'm damned proud of this one, and I hope you'll check it out.

Early Packages

I've received reports that Severance Package is oozing into bookstores a few days early. I'm headed out this afternoon to see if any of my local chains have copies ahead of time. Because... well, I just have to. It'd be like having a kid, and not going to check it out in the nursery, from behind the glass.

Anyway, if you see any early copies, let me know in the comments section. Just curious.

I forgot to mention two amazingly kind reviews that appeared earlier this week. First, Rod Lott weighed in over at Bookgasm, which is a huge thrill. No lie: it's the one book review site that's always uncannily tuned in to my strange tastes in reading material. It's a rare week that goes by without me ordering something they've mentioned. (And Bruce Grossman's "Bullets, Broads, Blackmail & Bombs" column is a weekly treat.)

And my pal Tim Haas gives Severance the 60-second treatment over at PhillyMag.com, the website of Philadelphia Magazine (where I've worked twice, back in the early 90s, and again in the early 00s). Tim hints at a little insider stuff in the novel: I did kinda sorta base the layout of "Murphy, Knox & Associates" on the Philly Mag offices, but mostly because that's where I was working on 9/11, and... we'll, you'll see.

Update (Memorial Day, 1:30 p.m.): Robert Thompson at Fantasy Book Critic weighs in on Severance. I was extremely flattered by the comparisons to Dean Koontz, and happy he mentioned the Kevlar-reinforced pantyhose. I had almost forgotten about that!

Oh Happy Times

Marylin Stasio includes Severance Package in her latest NY Times Book Review Crime column, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Especially this bit, which makes me sound like a bit of a sick puppy:

... characterization isn’t the point of this turbocharged entertainment. Action is — via macabre bursts of violence dished out with extreme cruelty and astonishing cleverness.

So yes, lots of violence... but at least it's clever violence. Check out the rest right here (second item down).

I Love the Germans

Here's the German cover for Severance Package, which is being retitled Last Order (at least according to Babelfish). The Blonde cover (Blondes Gift) was a knockout, and so is this one... in fact, I think I even like this a bit more. Dude, check out that letter "R," dripping blood! And the champagne glass is dead perfect. Top job, Heyne.

If you're new to the blog, you may wonder who this "Duane Louis" guy is. Well, it's me. In Germany. (As I've said before, in Germany, even Lisa Scottoline is "Lisa Scott.") You'll notice that text at the bottom says that this book is from the bestselling author of Blondes Gift; that's true. I'm nobody in Germany, but this Duane Louis guy is a freakin' bestseller. Is this a lesson, or sign that God has a sense of humor? Maybe both.