Alex Dolan's Blog, page 6

Contra Costa Times: San Leandro author builds a thriller around the topic of mercy killing in his first novel, "The Euthanist"

Thanks to Lou Fancher and the Bay Area News Service for writing up a feature of me and The Euthanist! The print edition of the story will be available on Sunday, June 28 in the Contra Costa Times, and possibly The Oakland Tribune and the San Jose Mercury News.   Read the full article here           

Free Sample Available Through iBooks

You're at an ice cream store. You usually get the mint chip, but you see a new flavor called chocolate persimmon. Will it be good? Who knows? Maybe it will be the best thing you've ever tasted, and maybe it will taste like a summer dumpster. You don't want to commit. If only you could get a little taste...   I get it. Really, I do.   Some of you might be interested in The Euthanist, but might want a little taste first.   Good news! Diversion Books is offering a free sample of The Euthanist

The Memory Painter by Gwendolyn Womack: Unlocking past lives with art and drugs

The premise hooked me immediately. As the son of two painters, and a New England native (the book is set around Boston), I just tore through The Memory Painter. At the onset, I expected a novel like Bel Canto that showcased the power of art, mixed with a love story that bounced through time like The Time Traveler’s Wife. What delights me about the story is that it defies categorization.  Author Gwendolyn Womack has crafted a book that combines a love story, science fiction, historical fiction,

CA SB 128: The End of Life Debate Comes to California

  When I first started writing The Euthanist, I was intrigued by the ongoing debate over end of life decisions such as physician-assisted suicide and euthansia. The story is set in California, where, at the time of writing, there was no active bill that allowed patients the power to end their own lives.   In the U.S., only five states currently have legislation that supports physician-assisted suicide: Washington, Vermont, Montana, New Mexico and Oregon (for those curious about Oregon’s Death

Author Crash Barry on The Euthanist

  "Daring and original, Alex Dolan’s evocative prose takes you on a wild ride with an unforgettable (and literal) femme fatal. A lethal mix of beauty, physical prowess, compassion and a touch of freakiness, the character Kali stays with you long after you finish this compelling debut novel."   —Crash Barry, author of Marijuana Valley and Sex, Drugs and Blueberries   Crash Barry has been a good friend since I was playing music shows at the Free Street Taverna in Portland, ME. He's one of the most

How Much Writing Prep is Anal?

  The International Thriller Writers organization recently asked me to participate in a discussion on outlining and plotting novels. You can read the full discussion here. But I wanted to post this again here in case it helps anyone think of how to map out their next book.    For me, long-form fiction is a big project to tackle, and so I need to break it down to small tasks. This is where the outline helps for me. I wish I were one of those writers who could just start typing and go with

Author Robert Pobi on The Euthanist

  "Reading Alex Dolan's The Euthanist is like cutting open a pearl; you negotiate through well crafted layers to get to the dirty little secret that put it all in motion.”   —Robert Pobi, author of Bloodman and American Woman   Robert Pobi's work has been translated and published around the world, and I'm grateful that he took the time to read The Euthanist. His books are fresh, suspenseful and literary, proving that you can write a thinking person's thriller. If you're new to his work, start

Author Louis Bayard on The Euthanist

  "Alex Dolan's THE EUTHANIST grabbed me from the first page and showed no signs of letting go. Dark and sinewy, topical and timeless, laced with rich characterization and gallows humor, it showcases Dolan as a thriller writer to watch and follow."   —Louis Bayard, author of Roosevelt's Beast, Mr. Timothy, The Pale Blue Eye, The School of Night, and more   I first started reading Louis Bayard when someone at The Strand (NYC) recommended Mr. Timothy, a book about what might happen if Tim Crachit

Author Scott O'Connor on The Euthanist

  "Fast, fierce, complex and compassionate, [Alex Dolan's] The Euthanist is an extraordinary performance from a writer full of both fire and heart."   —Scott O'Connor, author of Half World and Untouchable   I'm deeply grateful that Scott O'Connor read through The Euthanist and offered a quote for the book!   Half World was one of my favorite books from last year. It's a fictionalized account of a real CIA program that involved dosing unwitting civilians with LSD to try and improve interrogation

Thrilled to be an ITW Debut Author

  I'm excited to be part of the International Thriller Writer's Debut Authors program! This organization is led by M.J. Rose and thriller superstar Lee Child, and hosts the annual Thrillerfest conference in New York. I'm looking forward to connecting with these other debut authors, especially when we all convene in New York this July. If you're looking for new titles, give these a shot:   INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS DEBUT AUTHORS CLASS OF 2014-2015   Alex Dolan - THE EUTHANIST (Diversion