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For whatever reason, I’ve taken a recent interest in Joe Konrath. Yep. That Joe Konrath.
But let me back up for a second. It’s full disclosure time. I hated his first novel, Whiskey Sour. I thought it was terrible. Okay, okay. I did find some things funny … like Jack’s current sidekick as well as her ex-partner. Beyond that, I found the book unworthy of even beach reading.
The ending? I predicted it by chapter six. The FBI guys were caricatures instead of characters. I got they were supposed to be that way, but the depth of their incompetence bordered the absurd. And when the current sidekick ate the candy with the razors in it and then guzzled down hot coffee just a few days later. C’mon. As a result, I decided not to pick up another book from him. At least not in the Jack Daniels series, anyway.
I hafta say, though, I do enjoy his short fiction. In fact, after reading “Suffer” in the June 2006 issue of Ellery Queen, I think that his storytelling has gotten leaps and bounds better. Plus, the main character in “Suffer,” Phineas Troutt, was one of the highlights of Whiskey Sour. I’d actually read a Troutt book/series if for no other reason than the character is considerably darker than the Daniels character. Frankly, I just don’t think Konrath writes women well.
But that’s not what this post is about. What this post is about is my undying admiration for Joe Konrath. Yesterday, he announced his tour schedule for 2006: The plan is to hit 500 bookstores for signings and meet-n-greets.
That wasn’t a typo. It’s 500 bookstores. That’s his goal for his book tour this year. He’s even aimed high and planned for 700 stores — he built in the extra 200 just in case things go swimmingly.
I tip my hat because the man does work extra hard to live his dream of being a full time author. He’s like his own personal Johnny Appleseed, traveling the land planting Konrath seeds and hopin’ they’ll grow.
And, yet, he may never crack the bestsellers list.
But it won’t be because he didn’t do his part to try and get his work in as many hands as possible.
Joe, it’s too bad you’re not blowing through Denver this go ’round. You’d definitely have my spare bedroom and a bevy of hot meals.
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