“Push” Is Out

As promised a couple of weeks ago, “Push” is now out. It’s the 25,000 word novella version of a 4,000 word short story I wrote 15 or so years ago, which was reprinted in the Best American Mystery Stories 2001. It’s from Paul Bishop‘s Fight Card Books, which has been putting out excellent pulpish boxing stories for a couple of years and is now branching out into mixed martial arts, luchadores, and now, with “Push,” U.S.-style professional wrestling.

At the moment, “Push” is only available as an Amazon e-book, which shouldn’t stop anybody from buying it (hell, it’s only $2.99), because Amazon has free e-reader apps for just about any computer or mobile device you’re likely to have. If you’ve subscribed to the new Kindle Unlimited program, you can read it for free. The credited author is Jack Tunney, as is the case with all Fight Card titles.

The “Push” page on this site is here.

“Push” should eventually be available at other e-outlets, and before too long there’ll be a paper version with my name on it. Here’s the blurb that would be on the back cover if e-books had back covers:

You’re a jobber. You make your living by losing in the wrestling ring. You’re a good wrestler, but promoters don&Ssquo;t think you have what it takes to become a superstar. Then Thumper shows up. Big and strong, with a bunny-rabbit gimmick and fans eating out of his hand. His finishing move is called The Thump, and most guys don’t get up from it on their own.

One night, Thumper puts his opponent in the hospital. Not a big deal. Sure, the outcome of a wrestling match is fake. But the bumps in the ring can be all too real. Sometimes you get hurt. Part of the territory.

Then it happens again. Only this time, the guy who got Thumped is tossed into a car like a sack of potatoes. Lou Boone, the promoter who runs Central States Wrestling with an iron fist, knows you saw something and offers you a push if you keep your mouth shut.

A push. Every jobber’s dream. To get to win some matches, to get to be on the big cards in the big arenas. You want it more than anything. You begin thinking you imagined the sack-of-potatoes guy—until it happens again.

Now, you have to choose between wrestling fame and doing the right thing. Before this is over, someone else will be dead. And you don’t want it to be you …

Based on the short story “Push Comes to Shove,” selected by Lawrence Block for the Best American Mystery Stories series.

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