Matt Phillips's Blog, page 2

Roughneck Dispatch: Crime Writers in Conversation

In this episode, crime writers Joel Nedecky and Matt Phillips discuss Sunset and Jericho, a stellar hardboiled novel written by Canada's own, Sam Wiebe. In this episode, Joel and Matt discuss the book's spellbinding plot and Sam's incredible prose.

Joel Nedecky is a crime writer and Arthur Ellis Award nominee for his forthcoming book The Broken Detective, a gritty detective novel that centers around a man’s struggle to solve a crime that will guarantee the safety of his loved ones, while he faces life changing consequences of his family’s alcoholic past. | Follow Joel

Matt Phillips lives in San Diego. His next novel is A Good Rush of Blood, slated for release November 1, 2023 from Run Amok Crime. | Follow Matt

Intro music by Road Side Brake.

Podcast, Goodreads Giveaway, and Official Selection

Howdy, Readers!

We’re giving away twenty signed paperback copies of my new mystery novel, A Good Rush of Blood. If you are interested in the chance to win a free copy…Enter now!

Enter Giveaway on Goodreads

Here’s what readers are saying:

“Creeley is a fascinating protagonist…”

“This book goes off like a bomb! Must read!”

“It's best to go in as cold as possible and let it unravel. But...it is definitely more twisty and labyrinthine than anything else I've read by Phillips. Just when you think you've got it worked out, the rug is pulled from under your feet.”

“The pacing is relentless as each character demonstrates the propensity to be both inherently good, but also very bad. You may think you have it all figured out, but turn one more page and that theory will start to unravel.”

Enter Giveaway on Goodreads

In other news, I’m stoked to say my feature-length horror script, The Eat-It-All-Kids, a cannibal coming-of-age story, is an official selection of the HorrOrigins Film Festival. May have a shot at being considered for a badass O’Scare Award in Tucson!

A final note to let you know there is a new episode of the Roughneck Dispatch Podcast. On this episode, crime writer Joel Nedecky and myself discuss the stellar noir film, A Bluebird in My Heart. Not to be missed. Check it out!

Roughneck Dispatch: Crime Writers in Conversation

In this episode, crime writers Joel Nedecky and Matt Phillips discuss A Bluebird in My Heart, a stellar neo-noir directed by Jérémie Guez and starring Roland MØller, Veerle Baetens, and Lola Le Lann. The film is available for viewing via the Shudder channel on streaming devices. In this episode, Joel and Matt discuss the film’s most interesting elements and give some little known facts about the director and star.

Joel Nedecky is a crime writer and Arthur Ellis Award nominee for his forthcoming book The Broken Detective, a gritty detective novel that centers around a man’s struggle to solve a crime that will guarantee the safety of his loved ones, while he faces life changing consequences of his family’s alcoholic past. | Follow Joel

Matt Phillips lives in San Diego. His next novel is A Good Rush of Blood, slated for release November 1, 2023 from Run Amok Crime. | Follow Matt

Intro music by Road Side Brake.

NEW CRIME NOVEL OUT NOVEMBER 1

Greetings, Fiction Lovers!

Thanks for reading this email and for caring about great writing and stories.

I’m writing to tell you that my next novel, A Good Rush of Blood, is out November 1. This sweaty, fast-paced neo-noir follows drug runner Creeley Nash as she unravels the mystery of her estranged mother’s murder conviction.

Here’s what early readers are saying:

“…as hot as a Palm Springs sunburn, strong as a kamikaze shot…”

“Creeley goes on a hell-blazing path toward justice…”

“…a seedy mystery full of unique characters who expose the unwashed underarm of pristine Palm Springs…”

To support my upcoming release, I’d like to ask for your help.

If you have a Goodreads profile, add my book to your ‘want to read shelf.’

Go to this link on Goodreads.

Click the ‘Want to Read’ button below the image of the cover.

This is helpful because it raises reader awareness for the book, and anybody who follows your Goodreads reviews will be notified about my upcoming release.

I’d also like to make a special offer to seasoned readers of crime fiction.

I have a limited number of advance review copies, and I want to give my past readers first dibs on reading what I am certain is my best novel yet—that means you!

If you’d like the opportunity to read an advance review copy of this book, please reply to this email with your preferred format (digital or paperback), and a link to one of your book reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, or elsewhere.

I’ll get back to you as soon as I can…

Thanks for reading, fiction lovers, and I can’t wait to hear from you.

Roughneck Dispatch: Vern Smith

On this episode, crime writer Vern Smith, editor of the Chinaski award-winning anthology Jacked, talks about his new novel, Scratching the Flint. Already garnering critical acclaim from respected voices in crime circles, Scratching the Flint interrogates the perceived ethics of justice, the elements culpable for the destabilization of North American policing and society, and what it means or doesn’t mean to be responsible for another person’s violent and evil demise. Join us for an engaging conversation about street-level crime fiction, the DIY ethos it takes to write six bad ass books, and the threat that Artificial Intelligence poses to the independent spirit and expression of the true artists and writers among us.

Buy Scratching the Flint here or wherever books are sold.

This episode of Roughneck Dispatch is partially supported by the Independent Fiction Alliance.

Intro music by Road Side Brake.

Closing punk song courtesy Gagmesharkoff.

Waylon Jennings Crime Anthology

WAYLON JENNINGS ANTHOLOGY

The long-awaited Waylon Jennings crime fiction anthology, Weren’t Another Other Way to Be, is out today from Gutter Books. This Outlaw anthology features crime fiction/noir stories based on Waylon Jennings songs. If you’re looking for some hard-hitting, enjoyable crime fiction—stuff by award-winning crime writers—look no farther…we’ve got you covered.

BUY THE ANTHOLOGY

“Outlaw fiction, like all good fiction, takes the reader into realms they might not have the courage to explore in real life. It addresses issues polite conversation won’t allow. Historically, it is out of these more uncomfortable conversations between writers and readers that real progress takes place. The only reason the filthy rich haven’t completely locked down the world in a surveillance state is because too many people have read Orwell’s 1984 and bravely continue to resist global fascism. That’s the power of fiction. - Editor Alec Cizak

Okay…that’s it for now. Look for a new episode of the Roughneck Dispatch podcast later this week.

Book News + Script Award

Hey, There:

Quick thing: If you want to skip directly to book recommendations, scroll all the way to the bottom. Otherwise, here’s all the news I have…

I’m thrilled to say I sent my final revision on the new novel, A Good Rush of Blood, back to my publisher and I feel damn good about the book (slated for November publication). It’s a surprise to me that I still love the book after reading it for the sixth or seventh time—and the dang thing has gotten better each time. Set in Palm Springs, the novel is a sweaty, fast-paced neo-noir that follows drug runner Creeley Nash as she unravels the mystery of her estranged mother’s murder conviction. It’s a burner of a novel, and I can’t wait to get it out in the world. Look for a cover reveal and access via NetGalley in the next few months.

If you want to check out my latest release, have a peek here and pick up a copy!

In other news, my smartphone-made short horror film, Customer Service Representative, screened at the San Diego International Mobile Film Festival this past weekend. The audience response was exactly what I expected and hoped—fingers crossed I get the thing into some more festivals and meet some more talented filmmakers.

I also learned my script, a cannibal coming-of-age horror story called The Eat-it-All-Kids is an honorable mention at The International Horror Hotel Festival. Pretty cool to hear this as honored scripts receive a quality jury score of 85% or higher so…It’s 85% bad ass before the next revision, I guess? If you’re looking to produce your next cannibal coming-of-age film…I’m your man! Rights available!

What else? I’m deep into Jim Ruland’s new book Make it Stop and it’s completely unique. If you dig Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club or his other books, you’d plow through this one. Jim is a SoCal writer whose first novel, Forest of Fortune, is criminally underrated and under-read. Hell, pick up both books if you know what’s good for you.

A couple weeks ago I mentioned Vern Smith’s Scratching the Flint. There’s a couple scenes I re-read last week for the sheer humor—this guy is one you’d love if you ever read George V. Higggins or Elmore Leonard or Rob Pierce. Pick it up, crime lovers. I’m planning to have Vern on the Roughneck Dispatch podcast and can’t wait…Check out Vern’s feature interview on Lit Reactor…

I came up in writing circles that stressed range in all its glory, whereas a fair number of crime writers—right and left, here and back home—have historically presented as strident, yet convenient, moralists (which is why, for instance, you see little support for prison writers in crime-writing circles). I feel like they’ve been sort of guilted into a mindset because much of the work did and does depend on saviors and heroes, as did and does the marketing. I understand why that is, the pressures. And look, there are certainly great savior and hero books out there. But for me, saviors and heroes make the prospect of blurring the lines between good and bad unlikely. That’s why there are no saviors and heroes in Scratching the Flint. I want those lines blurred. -Vern Smith from Lit Reactor

Anywhooo….That’s the skinny.

I’ll see you when I see you. Until next time…

Adíos.

Special Deal: Modern Crime Classic

Hi, There:

This is a note to make readers of crime fiction aware…

For a limited time, my “Contemporary Noir Classic,” Know Me from Smoke, is on sale. A noir of gripping suspense and violence, Know Me from Smoke is a journey into the shadowy terrain of murder, lost love, and the heart’s lust for vengeance.

$2.99 on Kindle | $5.70 trade paperback

Readers say:

“Phenomenally emotionally twisted…” - Amazon Review

“A story like no other…” - Amazon Review

“This is one riveting read…” - Amazon Review

“A page-turning slice of classic modern noir…” - Amazon Review

See Book

Full Description:

Stella Radney, longtime lounge singer, still has a bullet lodged in her hip from the night when a rain of gunshots killed her husband. That was twenty years ago and it’s a surprise when the unsolved murder is reopened after the district attorney discovers new evidence. Royal Atkins is a convicted killer who just got out of prison on a legal technicality. At first, he’s thinking he’ll play it straight. Doesn’t take long before that plan turns to smoke—was it ever really an option?

When Stella and Royal meet one night, they’re drawn to each other. But Royal has a secret. How long before Stella discovers that the man she’s falling for isn’t who he seems? A noir of gripping suspense and violence, Know Me from Smoke is a journey into the shadowy terrain of murder, lost love, and the heart’s lust for vengeance.

And don’t forget to download the latest episode of the Roughneck Dispatch podcast featuring Matthew Louis, founder of Gutter Books and Out of the Gutter Magazine, who talks about his new novel, Roots Down to Hell. This modern crime masterpiece—yeah, I said it—is about a blue collar misfit who marries an idealistic college girl…and about everything that goes wrong from there. Matthew Louis’s previous novel, The Wrong Man, has been optioned for film and his work with Out of the Gutter has made room for modern noir and pulp as we know it today—a listen not to be missed as Matthew talks blue collar fiction, gatekeeping, and the perilous roots of noir. Have a listen and buy a book: Gutter Books available here.

Podcasts and Books and the Blues

Hi, There:

It’s been too long, but I was buried with edits and blurbs and—somewhere in there—a weekend at Left Coast Crime in Tucson. Like most conferences, I made some new friends and spent too much dough on books, but I also bummed around with old friends and found my way to a poker game. There’s so little about writing at these things…It almost makes me feel guilty to write the expenses off. Almost.

Look, I don’t want to bore you with pointless details—I want to give you the goods…So, here goes:

A new episode of the Roughneck Dispatch podcast is live with noir master Matthew Louis. He’s got a new book out—Roots Down to Hell—and it’s a brilliant novel about a blue collar mistfit who marries an idealistic college girl—let’s just say that marriage ends….unwell. If you don’t know, Matthew founded Out of the Gutter and Gutter Books, two stalwart institutions in independent crime fiction. Have a listen for his thoughts on blue collar fiction, gatekeeping, and the storied roots of noir. You can find the podcast on Substack, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

Had the good fortune to read an advance copy of Vern Smith’s new one, Scratching the Flint. This one is a detective novel that offers complex characters and a plot that ripples excitedly toward its own slightly off center target. Two gnarled detectives investigate a vintage car theft ring in pre-9/11 Toronto…Check it out and, if you’re game, join Vern live on Friday with Papercuts Podcast. Get in on the (release) party on Friday at 8 EST. More details on Twitter about Papercuts and the book release party.

Last thing: I heard an NPR story about a forgotten Blues man named Fred Davis. He did his thing in Cleveland and it’s great stuff…But it got me thinking about the man named R.L. Burnside. Hadn’t listened to him in a couple years:

Okay, that’s it for me—keep reading, writing, crossing your i’s and dotting your t’s.

Or whatever it is they say—adíos for now.

Roughneck Dispatch: Matthew Louis

On this episode, Matthew Louis, founder of Gutter Books and Out of the Gutter Magazine, talks about his new novel, Roots Down to Hell. This modern noir classic—yeah, I said it—is about a blue collar misfit who marries an idealistic college girl…and about everything that goes wrong from there. Matthew Louis’s previous novel, The Wrong Man, has been optioned for film and his work with Out of the Gutter has made room for modern noir and pulp as we know it today—a listen not to be missed as Matthew talks blue collar fiction, gatekeeping, and the perilous roots of noir. Have a listen and buy a book: Gutter Books available here.

This episode of Roughneck Dispatch is partially supported by the Independent Fiction Alliance.

Music by Road Side Brake.