David Cranmer's Blog, page 124

This Is Very Nice

Scott D. Parker's pick for Barrie Summy's Book Review Club.

Also, Scott and I have some news coming up soon. Stay tuned to this BTAP channel.

Drunk on the Moon

From Paul D. Brazill:

On Friday July 8th, Trestle Press will be putting out an Ebook written by me, called Drunk On The Moon.

It features Roman Dalton - a Werewolf PI and a version of the story previously appeared in the sadly defunct Dark Valentine Magazine.

Every month afterwards, Trestle Press will put out another story featuring Roman Dalton P I and characters from my story.

Some of those stories will be written by me and others by guest writers. All will take place in the Roman Dalton/ Drunk On The Moon 'universe.'

Have a gander at the first one when it comes out, and see what you think. There are some classy writers putting their own spin and it should be good fun, I think!

The stories are only going to be $.99, a bargain for such quality entertainment. The line starts at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Smashwords so don't be late.

Importance of Leaving Reviews

I hope this post doesn't come across as bragging because that's not my intention. My aim here is two-fold.

First, to say thank you to everyone who has bought Adventures of Cash Laramie and Gideon Miles , and especially those who took the time to leave a review on Amazon. I woke this morning to the good news it's the sixth most recommended western on their charts. There's Lonesome Dove just a few rungs above me! I'm humbled and deeply honored. Many thanks for the five star reviews that placed Adventures there.

Second, to talk about those reviews. I never completely understood the significance of these appraisals on Amazon. That may seem naive but, quite honestly, most of the time I don't follow reviews when I purchase a book or attend a movie—but I'm obviously in the minority in that department. Once my book reached the top twenty, sales picked up significantly. Obviously, the higher chart status brought it to the attention of readers not familiar with me, Edward Grainger, or BEAT to a PULP.

Hilary Davidson mentioned over a year ago that she would begin leaving reviews for books she likes and asked others to join. Well, Hilary I'm a little late but I get it now. I've already dropped comments for Wayne Dundee and Gerald So and plan to do a few more this week to catch up. And from here on, when I finish a book I'll leave a short review. It doesn't take much time and it does make a difference.

White Cat Publications Is Now Live

Here is the link. Hat tip: Charles Gramlich.

Dismal River by Wayne D. Dundee

The Nebraska Sandhills of the 1880s are a vast, untamed expanse of treeless, rolling hills scoured by harsh wind and blistering sun. Into this rugged landscape former Indian scout Lone McGantry reluctantly agrees to lead an expedition of explorers and adventurers headed by an English lord. The hardships of the environment soon become secondary, however, when other threats—both from within and without—overtake the expedition. Deceit, betrayal, stampeding buffalo, a raging grass fire, and a band of ruthless marauders all must be dealt with. The very survival of the expedition is at stake. Lives will be lost and the banks of the Dismal River will be scorched and stained by blood before the ordeal is finished. --Amazon's Editorial Reviews.

BEAT to a PULP #133: A Rip Through Time: Chaos in the Stream by Garnett Elliott

Chronal energies dissipated, leaving Rip ankle-deep in the muddy waters of Havana's bay.

Seagulls wheeled and cried. A warm salt-breeze pressed against his back. Only moments before he'd been fighting for his life in the relative cold of southern England, trading blows with Saxons and sorcerers. He shook his head. The far-off time of King Arthur collapsed like a daydream.

Next to him, Dr. Berlin groaned. Rip whirled to catch the wounded scientist before he fell. Blood dripped from the front of his woolen robe. Rip was no doctor, but he could tell by Berlin's ashen face, his breathing, the man was in serious trouble.

"When are we, Rip?"

When indeed. Find out as Garnett Elliott picks up our story in A Rip Through Time: Chaos in the Stream.

We Might Have: Poems by Gerald So

I've said before I have a difficult time critiquing poetry. But I know what I like and I like Gerald So's poetry a whole helluva a lot. I downloaded We Might Have: Poems and am looking forward to reading one a day. I'll leave a review on Amazon when I'm done.

Garnett Elliott on ADVENTURES

Edward Grainger (AKA pulp writer/editor extraordinaire David Cranmer) serves up some bite-sized wild west excitement in ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES. Many of the stories are reminiscent of old Gunsmoke and Have Gun, Will Travel radio serials, which will satisfy traditional western enthusiasts, but other pieces (notably "Kid Eddie", "Miles to Go," and "The Outlaw Marshal") have a darker bent, for those who like a little grit along with their flashing gun-play.

Written with the pulp values of brevity and action, the stories go down smooth. Lest you think it's all blood and thunder, though, Grainger sets a couple stereotypes on their heads, and even explores so-called "contemporary" issues (child abuse, racism, sociopathy) through the dusty lens of an older time.

Good for readers wanting fast-paced westerns with a twinge of nostalgia, and good for writers interested in the mechanics of vintage pulp, ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES delivers both barrels of literary buckshot! --From Garnett Elliott's Amazon review.

Thank you to all who made ADVENTURES the sixteenth best in Westerns based on Amazon customer reviews.

The Monday Interview (and a book giveaway contest)

Larry Sweazy has an interview with me (now stop groaning!) and he will be giving away five copies of my ADVENTURES OF CASH LARAMIE AND GIDEON MILES. Check all the excitement here.

Ngaio Marsh Award Longlist

Janet Rudolph's Mystery Fanfare.