Chris Holm's Blog, page 22
June 30, 2015
Read "One Man's Muse" For Free!
"One Man's Muse," my short-story ode to all things Stephen King, is up today at the River Heights Book Review for your reading pleasure. It's a creepy little tale that answers the question, "What happened to the modest double-wide in Hermon, Maine where Stephen King lived when he wrote CARRIE and 'SALEM'S LOT?"
Click through to give it a read, and see if you can spot all the King-related easter eggs peppered throughout!
Click through to give it a read, and see if you can spot all the King-related easter eggs peppered throughout!
June 29, 2015
Every Read Thing on THE KILLING KIND
Today, Brandon at Every Read Thing took an early look at THE KILLING KIND and had this to say (click through to read the full review):
"THE KILLING KIND moves like a tank with a Ferrari engine; absolutely brutal and destructive scenes infused with action that flows effortlessly... THE KILLING KIND had been one of my most anticipated reads of 2015 and I’m happy to say that my expectations were met, and then some."Many thanks, Brandon! So glad you enjoyed it. In other news, I need to figure out how to work a tank with a Ferrari engine into my next book...
June 28, 2015
Kirkus gives THE KILLING KIND a starred review!
Writing careers are full of firsts. Moments you'll carry in your mind forever. Your first rejection (in my case, it was from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine). Your first acceptance (also from Ellery Queen; I'm nothing if not stubborn). Your first book deal. The first time you hold a finished copy of your novel in your hands.
Today, for me, is another such milestone. Because today, thanks to Kirkus, I've gotten my first starred review. I'm honored, and incredibly grateful that they've chosen to highlight THE KILLING KIND as a book worth seeking out. Here's a taste of what they had to say:
Today, for me, is another such milestone. Because today, thanks to Kirkus, I've gotten my first starred review. I'm honored, and incredibly grateful that they've chosen to highlight THE KILLING KIND as a book worth seeking out. Here's a taste of what they had to say:
"Who will best whom is by no means obvious in this fast-moving, witty tale of good guy versus bad guy versus worse guy."Click through if you'd like to read the rest of the review, or if you'd like to stare at the star beside the title awhile. Or am I the only one doing that?
June 15, 2015
Simon Kernick on THE KILLING KIND
I just received word from my UK editor, Ruth Tross, that bestselling author Simon Kernick had this to say about THE KILLING KIND:
"Chris Holm's a thriller writer to look out for and THE KILLING KIND is a ripping, twisting yarn you can read in one sitting."Many thanks, Simon! So glad you enjoyed it.
June 11, 2015
Maine Crime Writers: The Tao of Networking
Today I'm over at Maine Crime Writers, talking networking, teacup pigs, and how not being on KikSnap is affecting your writing career. Click through to give it a read!
June 1, 2015
Marcus Sakey on THE KILLING KIND
Marcus Sakey is one of my favorite writers on the planet. The first two books in his Brilliance Saga, BRILLIANCE and A BETTER WORLD, are as close to perfect as thrillers get, and I can't wait to read the forthcoming third installment. So imagine my delight when he had this to say about THE KILLING KIND:
THE KILLING KIND is mercilessly tense, wonderfully evocative, and so cinematic it should come with popcorn. Chris Holm writes with swagger and wit and crackling intensity—I love his stuff.Many thanks, Marcus. Now go finish book three of the Brilliance Saga; I'm jonesing here.
May 31, 2015
Post-BEA Rundown
As I write this, it's a rainy Sunday in southern Maine, which is proving the perfect antidote to the utter insanity of my first Book Expo America.
Don't get me wrong; I had a blast. I got to hang out with the fine folks of The Gernert Company and Little, Brown/Mulholland Books—who are, if possible, even more brilliant and charming in person than they are by phone and email. I met loads of booksellers, librarians, bloggers, writers, and reviewers, some of whom have supported my books from the very beginning. I signed tons of books (my publisher brought more than 500 advance copies, and we gave away every damn one of 'em) and got great feedback from friends and fans both old and new. (Thanks to everyone who waited in line, and apologies for those who left bookless because we ran out!) And I managed to get through my panel without geeking out too hard on any of my fellow panelists—no minor feat when you're chatting with the likes of Jeff Abbott, Michael Koryta, Brad Meltzer, Douglas Preston, and Lincoln Child. (Okay, maybe I geeked out on them a little backstage beforehand.)
I tossed back beers at the bar in the Village where Dylan Thomas drank himself to death, wine on a rooftop deck overlooking Midtown Manhattan, and pisco sours at a Peruvian joint with old friends. And, uh, yet more beers at The Pony Bar in Hell's Kitchen, including a delicious DIPA called Superfuckingyawn that was anything but. (What? The men and women of the writing world are a drinky lot. Just ask Dylan Thomas.)
Since words can hardly do justice to the bizarre whirlwind of the past few days (which, for the record, began on the flight to New York, which my wife Katrina and I inexplicably shared with our congresswoman and one of our senators, both of whom proved lovely company), here are some pictures that'll give you an idea of what it was like. I never manage to snap any pics myself, so some of these are shamelessly (and, quite possibly, illegally) stolen from friends on social media. (Credits in the captions.)
Brad Meltzer's billboard outside the Javits beckons the bookish. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
Lee Child lords above the crowd, daring them to make him... what? (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
My cover graces the lightbox at the Hachette booth. (Photo: Mulholland Books)
A pyramid of THE KILLING KIND, ripe for giving away. (Photo: Mulholland Books)
A glimpse of the line at my first signing of the day, the fantastic Sabrina Callahan beside me. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
Signing books and hanging with Editorial Director of Mulholland Books, Josh Kendall. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
L-R: Jeff Abbott, Brad Meltzer, yours truly, Michael Koryta, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
Me, Andrew Gross, and Hank Phillippi Ryan signing at the MWA table. (Photo: Hank Phillippi Ryan)
Signing a book for Tracey Maknis of The Qwillery. (Photo: Tracey Maknis)
Dave White and I receiving the famed Alex Segura point. (Photo: Alex Segura)
Katrina and I, a couple pisco sours in with Hilary Davidson and her husband Dan. (Photo: Hilary Davidson, by way of one very chatty waiter)
The view of Midtown Manhattan from our hotel's rooftop deck. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
Don't get me wrong; I had a blast. I got to hang out with the fine folks of The Gernert Company and Little, Brown/Mulholland Books—who are, if possible, even more brilliant and charming in person than they are by phone and email. I met loads of booksellers, librarians, bloggers, writers, and reviewers, some of whom have supported my books from the very beginning. I signed tons of books (my publisher brought more than 500 advance copies, and we gave away every damn one of 'em) and got great feedback from friends and fans both old and new. (Thanks to everyone who waited in line, and apologies for those who left bookless because we ran out!) And I managed to get through my panel without geeking out too hard on any of my fellow panelists—no minor feat when you're chatting with the likes of Jeff Abbott, Michael Koryta, Brad Meltzer, Douglas Preston, and Lincoln Child. (Okay, maybe I geeked out on them a little backstage beforehand.)
I tossed back beers at the bar in the Village where Dylan Thomas drank himself to death, wine on a rooftop deck overlooking Midtown Manhattan, and pisco sours at a Peruvian joint with old friends. And, uh, yet more beers at The Pony Bar in Hell's Kitchen, including a delicious DIPA called Superfuckingyawn that was anything but. (What? The men and women of the writing world are a drinky lot. Just ask Dylan Thomas.)
Since words can hardly do justice to the bizarre whirlwind of the past few days (which, for the record, began on the flight to New York, which my wife Katrina and I inexplicably shared with our congresswoman and one of our senators, both of whom proved lovely company), here are some pictures that'll give you an idea of what it was like. I never manage to snap any pics myself, so some of these are shamelessly (and, quite possibly, illegally) stolen from friends on social media. (Credits in the captions.)
Brad Meltzer's billboard outside the Javits beckons the bookish. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
Lee Child lords above the crowd, daring them to make him... what? (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
My cover graces the lightbox at the Hachette booth. (Photo: Mulholland Books)
A pyramid of THE KILLING KIND, ripe for giving away. (Photo: Mulholland Books)
A glimpse of the line at my first signing of the day, the fantastic Sabrina Callahan beside me. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
Signing books and hanging with Editorial Director of Mulholland Books, Josh Kendall. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
L-R: Jeff Abbott, Brad Meltzer, yours truly, Michael Koryta, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
Me, Andrew Gross, and Hank Phillippi Ryan signing at the MWA table. (Photo: Hank Phillippi Ryan)
Signing a book for Tracey Maknis of The Qwillery. (Photo: Tracey Maknis)
Dave White and I receiving the famed Alex Segura point. (Photo: Alex Segura)
Katrina and I, a couple pisco sours in with Hilary Davidson and her husband Dan. (Photo: Hilary Davidson, by way of one very chatty waiter)
The view of Midtown Manhattan from our hotel's rooftop deck. (Photo: Katrina Niidas Holm)
May 25, 2015
The Stalker's Guide to Finding Chris at BEA
Book Expo America is soon upon us! I'm psyched, because this year will be my first, and what a first it's shaping up to be. THE KILLING KIND was named a 2015 Buzz Book by Publishers Marketplace, and the fine folks at Mulholland Books will be giving away 500 advance copies (!) for attendees' reading pleasure.
Want one? Your best bet is Mulholland's Booth Takeover, which is going down Thursday, May 28 from 1:00 to 3:30 at booths 2918 and 2919. I'll be touching down in New York around the time it kicks off, but I'll do my best to catch the end of it, at least.
Your next shot to grab one will be at my signing Friday, May 29 from 10:00 to 11:00. I'll be at Table 5 in the Autographing Area. And, of course, if you already snagged one, I'm happy to sign that, too.
I'm delighted to report that, immediately after my signing, I'll be participating in the Inside the Mystery Writers Studio panel alongside some of the finest thriller writers on the planet. You can catch us at the Downtown Stage from 11:00 to 11:45 Friday. Here's the program description:
That's it for my official schedule, but if you see me wandering the expo and would like to say hello and/or have me sign your book, please feel free*.
*Restrooms excluded, because c'mon, that's just weird.
Want one? Your best bet is Mulholland's Booth Takeover, which is going down Thursday, May 28 from 1:00 to 3:30 at booths 2918 and 2919. I'll be touching down in New York around the time it kicks off, but I'll do my best to catch the end of it, at least.
Your next shot to grab one will be at my signing Friday, May 29 from 10:00 to 11:00. I'll be at Table 5 in the Autographing Area. And, of course, if you already snagged one, I'm happy to sign that, too.
I'm delighted to report that, immediately after my signing, I'll be participating in the Inside the Mystery Writers Studio panel alongside some of the finest thriller writers on the planet. You can catch us at the Downtown Stage from 11:00 to 11:45 Friday. Here's the program description:
Get a glimpse inside the creative processes of bestselling mystery/thriller writers Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Brad Meltzer, Chris Holm and Michael Koryta. Jeff Abbott, New York Times Best Selling author of 2013’s DOWNFALL and the forthcoming THE FIRST ORDER will lead an engaging discussion about what drives—and challenges—some of today’s top-selling and most beloved mystery novelists. Who are their favorite writers? What are they reading now? How do they combat writer’s block? How do they feel about publishing in an increasingly digital age and marketplace? Also, find out little known truths about the people behind their blockbuster bestsellers with an open discussion about inspiration, what, if not writers, they might like to be, and much more.And lastly (but certainly not, um, leastly), I'll be signing at the MWA Booth (2657) on Friday from 1:45 to 2:15, alongside Andrew Gross and Hank Phillippi Ryan.
That's it for my official schedule, but if you see me wandering the expo and would like to say hello and/or have me sign your book, please feel free*.
*Restrooms excluded, because c'mon, that's just weird.
May 14, 2015
Maine Crime Writers: Recidivism
My first post as a regular contributor to the Maine Crime Writers blog went live this morning. Click through to check it out!
May 13, 2015
Get a Sneak Peek of THE KILLING KIND!
I'm delighted to report that THE KILLING KIND has been selected for inclusion in Publishers Marketplace's Buzz Books 2015 sampler! If you're interested in getting a sneak peek of THE KILLING KIND and 32 other big upcoming releases, then click through and download your free copy today!If you're stuck at work and just can't wait to get home to check out the first chapter of THE KILLING KIND, I've got you covered; Publishers Marketplace has posted it online as well. Click through to give it a read!
