Switchblade - Issue 10

Issue Ten of Switchblade is now available right here. Scotch Rutherford has done it again, gathering the kind of stories that promise trouble and then deliver it, in spades. A big thank you to Scotch for including me in this collection. The anthology description wraps it all up well...

"Rough riders, gangsters, hitters, stick up men, boxers and box crushers. From the west side all the way back to the east; featuring the bar flies, cheap motels and day-old diner coffee in between...From the A-bomb to the B-word (Betrayal) and it's all about Zulu Time. It's another motley crew of unusual suspects grinding out yet another set of premium gutter noir. This is Switchblade Issue 10, and it ain't just another black and blue issue with shades of gray. It's full color and absolute. Featuring the criminally good fiction work of Selena Jayne, Jim Wilsky, Eddie McNamara, Beaumont Rand, Gene Breaznell, N.W. Barcus, Tim V. Decker, Christian Goss, C.W. Blackwell, Jim Towns, Brian Beatty and Timothy Friend."

So, do yourself a favor. Get yourself a copy and give it a read. Take a little ride through blue hammered hell. - JW

A Grifter's Song - Print Editions

Down & Out Books has announced that the new A Grifter's Song covers are ready for Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the Subscriber Editions and they are gorgeous....

Volume 1 >        Zafiro ~ Rhoades ~ Kelter

Volume 2 >       Phillips ~ Conway ~ Wilsky

It's all right here. In addition, the print copies of all six episodes in Season 1 will be available at Amazon and BN within the week. If you haven't got on board with this Grifter series yet, you're missing out! - JW 

LOSING STREAK

NOW AVAILABLE!

My story, Losing Streak is the sixth episode and final edition for this season of A Grifter's Song is available starting today. You can get it right here or here.

If you haven't heard yet, this is a series you don't want to miss. Not with contributing authors like Frank Zafiro, JD Rhoades, Lawrence Kelter, Gary Phillips and Colin Conway. Get a copy today!  -JW

A Tribute to Sandra Seamans

I can't really do justice in trying to say how special Sandra Seamans was, so I'll keep it short and simply say here that it was with much sadness that I learned of her recent passing.

I visited her My Little Corner many, many times down through the years. Sandra helped me and everyone else find writing opportunities more times than be counted. I always tried to thank her and tell her how great of a service she was providing her fellow writers. I tried to express the gratitude I felt and my admiration of how unselfish she was. I just wish now I could tell her those things one more time.

She was an extraordinary person, one of a kind, and will be greatly missed.

Wrong Place, Write Crime

Frank Zafiro has posted an audio interview with me on his very cool Wrong Place, Write Crime podcast that he hosts. Frank was kind enough to include me and I consider myself lucky to get a spot, considering the talent level of the other folks he's had on the podcast. 

Check out my interview right here where Frank and I discuss the writing of Losing Streak as well as it's June 1 release by Down & Out Books. While you're there, be sure to check out the past interviews he's had with truly outstanding writers.

Losing Streak is the 6th and final episode of this season but Frank has already lined up a tremendous team of authors for Season 2 of his series. - JW  

Memory Lane

For some reason, the good folks over at Down & Out Books have decided to risk their good reputation and post an article I wrote on their main page. It discusses my challenge to contribute an issue for Frank's series of stories by himself and other authors called A Grifter's Song. I've been featuring the ongoing series in several posts below and you might be getting pretty tired of it...But maybe, there are one or two of you that aren't tired of hearing about it. I had a little Grifter story of my own, not my fictional one that will be coming in June, but a non-fictional story. A 100% true story. Trust me when I say it was necessary to leave certain details out. If that might interest you. See it right here at the bottom of the page.
-JW

The Beat Goes On

Lost in Middle America, written by Colin Conway, is Book #5 of the A Grifters Song series is now available right now at Amazon and all the usual outlets.

Colin keeps this series, that was created by Frank Zafiro, rolling right along with another great story featuring the exploits of Sam and Rachel. Below is the book description by Down and Out Books, the publisher for all the books of A Grifter's Song:

Sam is called to Lima, Ohio to help a former acquaintance, a pimp that helped him early in his career. This colleague wants revenge on the rival pimp who stole his business, his stable of girls, and his reputation. Another man’s redemption holds little interest to Sam, but the promise of a payday gets his attention.

Rachel doesn’t want anything to do with this job. It’s got too many things going against it, starting with the target they’re supposed to con. A pimp with a nasty disposition and a quick temper is not a man to cross. However, she jumps in with Sam when they learn just how that rival pimp has been hiding his ill-gotten gains. To keep his extra cash out of the banking system, he’d been buying and hoarding high-grade comics and gold bars. They’re kept securely in a safety deposit box. All Sam and Rachel must do is figure out how to get into that box and get away clean.

Now, the heat is turned up in mid-western Ohio as an untrusting pimp slowly realizes he’s being played for his fortune.

A Grifter's Song, Book #4

The newest edition of A Grifter's Song is here! The 4th book in the series is now out! Gary Phillips, who is a terrific writer, wrote The Movie Makers and it available now at Amazon. Pick it up today and keep track of Sam and Rachel on their wild ride around the country. 

-JW

A Grifter's Song

CAUTION - NOT READING THIS SERIES WILL RESULT IN EXTREME REGRET

A Grifter's Song, Season One is moving right along. Frank, the creator/editor of this new series got things rolling in January with The Concrete Smile, followed by JD Rhoades story, People Like Us and this month's installment, Lawrence Kelter's The Whale.

Next up starting with April, will be The Movie Makers by Gary Phillips, May will feature Lost in Middle America by Colin Conway and June will offer the first year finale, Losing Streak written by some shmuck that you've never heard of - unlike the other authors. Season Two which is already lined up, will feature more of the same. Terrific stories written by some great authors; Eric Beetner, Holly West, Eryk Pruitt, Asa Maria Bradley, Scott Eubanks and Frank again.

A Grifter's Song description in Frank's own words:

"The series features a pair of grifters, Sam and Rachel, who are lifelong grifters in their late thirties. Their past is as shadowy as their present, but we know that they pulled a major long con on the mafia in Philadelphia, and now they are on the run. While one or the other may speak longingly of that quiet life in a beach house somewhere at the end of the rainbow, we all know that the likelihood is that they will never leave this life, unless it is in a box. They are who they are, and so they continue to find and exploit marks, trying to stay one step ahead of the mobsters bent on vengeance." So do yourself a favor...Buy them, enjoy them. - JW












    

The Odds Are Against Us

After a long, long publishing ordeal, an anthology of Military Fiction that I contributed to is now available on Amazon. The Odds Are Against Us is a collection of great stories dealing with virtue, bravery and valor. Stories of life and death conflict. Tales of survival and struggle, both armed and emotional. I'm a little biased but I think you'll like it.

It's always a pleasure to be involved in a project with writers I know and respect greatly. Both Frank Scalise and John Floyd are writers that fit that mold perfectly. It's an honor to have my name alongside theirs.

I'm not acquainted with the other writers, but it quickly became clear to me that I was lucky to just be included in the mix.

Oren Litwin who masterminded and edited this project from the very beginning deserves a lot of praise for seeing this through to a successful conclusion. He never gave up and there were plenty of times where some might have. Pick up a copy today! You won't regret it. - JW  

SORT 'EM OUT lATER. Take a shot. Find it right here. 

   

Legend

I'm lucky enough to be acquainted with one of the most prolific and published writers out there...in any genre and any category. His name is James Reasoner. The man is a living legend in my mind (and plenty of others) as he has written for decades, four successful decades, to be exact. Think about that. 

I'm citing some round numbers here but James has written literally hundreds of books under his own name and publishing 'house names'...over 350 Westerns, Historicals, and other genres. He posted the other day that he is closing in on 30 million words written. So yes, I'd say I'm very lucky to be acquainted with James. 

He has written book reviews of the previous Ania Series books and my deep gratitude goes out to him for his recent comments regarding Harbinger. You can find that post, along with a wonderful blog called Rough Edges, right here.

Harbinger - The Ania Series Prequel

Set on the sunny Gulf coast of Florida, Harbinger centers around two lifelong friends and fishing charter boat partners, Boyd Tomlin and Hicks Ledoux. Boyd is the serious one who always makes sure things get done, and Hicks is the carefree one who always makes sure everyone has a good time.

But times aren’t so good. They are struggling to get charters, and bills are coming due. In desperate need of money, they consider smuggling drugs to make ends meet. By chance or fate, they meet two beautiful sisters who will change everything—a young Ania and her kid sister Karolyn. Hicks is immediately attached to the brash, confident Ania while Boyd gravitates toward Karolyn.

As romance blossoms, Boyd and Hicks quickly find themselves embroiled in the world of illegal drug trade, romance, danger and violence lurking around every corner.

An Offer You Can't Refuse

Just to see if anyone is out there reading my posts. I have an offer for you. The first three people that reply to this in the comment section will get one kindle copy of your choice. You can pick one of the three books below:

Harbinger - Available now! The new prequel to the Ania series. The fourth & final book. Some folks like to start with a prequel, some like to end a series with it. But whether you read them in the order they were released or in the order they take place in time, this story works both ways.

Sort'em Out Later - A new collection of my short stories. The book contains a wide spectrum of places, people and crimes. 28 stories in all, some are long and some are quick hits. I think you might enjoy this collection, or at least I hope so.

Blood on Blood - The first book released of the four book Ania series. You can start from the beginning with this one, followed by Queen of Diamonds, then Closing the Circle and end up with the prequel Harbinger - which contains some surprises and explains some things.

So be one of the first three to comment to this post below and I'll send you one of these kindle books. I'm trying to figure out if I'm just talking to myself on this blog! - JW

HARBINGER

Available Today! Pick a copy up at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, etc. Harbinger is the prequel to the Ania Series. My brand new novel, co-written with Frank Zafiro just hit the electronic shelves, so buy yourself a Christmas present or give a copy to someone for the Holidays. Frank and I are excited about the launch of Harbinger. We hope you enjoy this fourth and final book of the series.

Open and Shut Discussion

Over at Frank Zafiro's place, I have a new interview up on Wrong Place, Write Crime. Open and Shut Episode #21. 

Frank and I discuss our new book, titled Harbinger, as well as the extreme difficulty and negativity I encountered while working with him. It was a nightmare. I did everything I could to get along with him but he's just impossible to deal with. You can find the tense and strained interview right here.

Harbinger will launch on December 10 and will be available at all the usual outlets. Please pick up a copy and spread the word. 

As always, a big thanks goes out to Frank for all the opportunities he has provided and continues to provide. He's the ultimate writing partner, friend/and mentor a guy like me could have. Thanks also to Eric and all the crew at Down & Out Books. They do a fantastic job and are great to work with, simply the best.   

Interview

Recently Frank and I did an interview with PJ Bodnar of The Big Thrill. In the run up to the coming book launch for our latest addition to the Ania series. The prequel novel Harbinger was the focus of discussion. Pardon the cheesy remark but it was indeed a big thrill and a big thanks goes out to PJ and The Big Thrill folks for the opportunity and support. You can find the interview right here.

-JW

Announcement - BIG STUFF

So excited, proud and fortunate to be a part of this project! Scroll down below for details and cover reveals of Season One...more information to come as we go. A season two is already scheduled and authors picked. Got a feeling, this one is gonna be something special. - JW

Sam and Rachel are lifelong grifters in their late thirties. Their past is as shadowy as their present, but we know that they pulled a major long con on the mafia in Philadelphia, and now they are on the run. While one or the other may speak longingly of that quiet life in a beach house somewhere at the end of the rainbow, we all know that the likelihood is that they will never leave this life, unless it is in a box. They are who they are, and so they continue to find and exploit marks, trying to stay one step ahead of the mobsters bent on vengeance.

Titles and authors for Season One are:

• The Concrete Smile by Frank Zafiro,
• People Like Us by JD Rhoades,
• The Whale by Lawrence Kelter,
• The Movie Makers by Gary Phillips,
• Lost in Middle America by Colin Conway, and
• Losing Streak by Jim Wilsky.

Sort 'Em Out Later

Alright folks, 

A reminder, Harbinger the prequel to the Ania series co-authored by Frank and I will be launching and available in December. But right now and I mean...Right Now.

Buy this short story collection of mine. Please. I'm not above begging...or groveling. Thanks so much to the editors that originally accepted these stories and of course thanks to Eric, Lance and everyone else at Down & Out. I can't say enough good things about D.O.B. to do them justice and I couldn't be more pleased with the relationship we have. Go here and then look around some more. 


The Amazon link is right here . Available at the other usual outlets as well.

Una Cosa Más

One more post before I get this thing cranked up to a coughing start, or at least get the engine to turn over.

I've always been happy to tell anybody that would listen, that I was never really cut out for this whole Writing deal. I love it, don't get me wrong but I'm just not very good at it.

Yes, on one hand it can swallow me whole sometimes and there are periods where its all I can think about or all I want to do. Sometimes I'm even pleased with a piece. On the other hand though, there are too many times that I lose focus, I lose the fire, run dry of ideas and get to a point where writing a single paragraph is like writing a chapter.

I understand that most writers go through stops and starts but that's not what I'm talking about here. I'll use the car analogy again. I'm not talking about running out of gas sometimes. Oh no, I'm talking about having four flat tires, a radiator blowing smoke, a blown engine, dead battery, doors and hood wide open on the side of a two lane road in West Texas.

I'm too streaky. I can go like hell for a while and then I can stop on a dime. Worse than that I don't promote well, don't market myself - or my books/stories worth a damn. I'm a social media 'no show' which is a surefire recipe for failure these days. I don't attend the events I should, I don't hang with the right people - although I'm lucky as hell there are exceptions to that. People like Frank and the Down & Out crew, all the great short story editors and writers out there that I've been fortunate enough to get to know down through the years.

In terms of my boundless ability to sabotage my own writing efforts, I think the reason behind that could possibly be my background. I spent a long, grinding career in Sales & Marketing ironically. To be honest, I got to be pretty good at it over time. Maybe even a step above pretty good. I could sell screen doors to a submarine commander as the old saying goes. I was in a role where I met with mid-level buyers and/or Senior V.P.'s, all across North America and a few times in Europe and Asia. Across a desk in a small office or in a boardroom scene right out of Mad Men.

I could relate to people from any region, position or status. You wanted confidence almost to the point of being brash? There I was. You wanted a calm confidence mixed with a quiet assurance, there I was. You wanted somebody to not talk but just listen, I was your man. I could be a "good ol' boy" (which is basically all I am) or a buttoned-down serious as hell, or West coast laid back. I talked and met comfortably with clients and accounts anywhere from Manhatten to Florida to Iowa and California - in their own unique markets, language and culture.

Bear with me here because this is not a brag fest by any means, in fact its the opposite. Its an outline of why I fail so miserably at the business end of writing. Everything I did then (retired now) was done in person, live and with 'cameras rolling' so to speak. Sure, there were detailed and splashy media presentations, formal proposals and contracts that I had to prepare...but the 'sell' was a personal thing. It was connecting to a person or people sitting in the room. A real room, with people staring at you, people that needed to trust you and be convinced of something. As a writer trying to sell my own books, I don't have that situation and experience to fall back on very often - except for a rare book signing maybe. That shtick that I used to be able to employ just doesn't work anymore.

So I think all of that shines a light, a very bright and hot light, on the fact that carrying over skills and abilities from one profession to another is not a given by any means. It's a hard bridge to build and cross, at least for me. In my opinion, being a successful writer (by whatever definition and measure you prefer to use) is one of the most difficult things I know of to achieve. I'm fortunate enough to know a few successful writers and seen firsthand the other necessary skills they possess, in addition to the wonderful writing talent they have. Unfortunately, I'm fairly sure that I'll never have that depth, that reach and that extra something to get over the hump. Hell, I'm a poster boy for the writer bio that whispers "just didn't have quite enough"

You know what though? I'm okay with that. I write because I love it and I enjoy it (most of the time). Simple as that. And hey, if three or four other people enjoy it too, well that's just a bonus. Alright...I'm done. Finally, right? If you've somehow read this entire post then all I can say is you're pretty amazing, not to mention being a person who has extraordinary patience.

Enough of this self analysis bs...huh?

JW