52 NovelsPosts filed in “On writers”

Best-selling author Michael Crichton dies

Rob @ 52 Novels — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:40:28 +0000

Best-selling author Michael Crichton dies
Novelist and ‘ER’ creator passed away after a long battle with cancer

Prolific novelist and “ER” creator Michael Crichton has unexpectedly died after a private battle with cancer. He was 66.

Best-known for his best-selling books like “Jurassic Park,” and its sequel “The Lost World,” which were made into a successful movie franchise, Crichton has sold more than 150 million books worldwide. Many of his books, including “The Andromeda Strain,” “Congo,” “Twister,” “Terminal Man,” and “Disclosure,” were also turned into films.

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Writer = lawyer = linebacker

Rob @ 52 Novels — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:07:28 +0000

So says big time Hollywood screenwriter John August last Friday, in a great piece about what he calls “The One.”

While the essay’s specific to screenwriters, turns out they’ve got no monopoly on the nut of it: writing is still ass plus chair plus tippity-tappity.

The highlight?

Screenwriting is a career of continuous effort marked by occasional highlights, not unlike trial law or professional football: a single case or game might be notable, but it’s what you do on a daily basis that determines your overall success. And, like trial law and professional football, you may discover that you’re just not cut out for it. But you need to approach screenwriting with the same perspective as a lawyer or linebacker. Expect it to be very hard work, with long hours and continuous setbacks.

Image via jercraigs at flickr.

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My first mention in Kirkus Reviews

Rob @ 52 Novels — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:19:05 +0000

Seems I’ve backed my way in.

Here’s a snippet of the review:

FUZZY NAVEL
In the beginning were the three murderous members of The Urban Hunting Club: Swanson, Munchel and Pessolano. Conceived by Swanson in righteous anger, TUHC has taken it upon itself to kill perverts. Rob Siders, who attacked Swanson’s beloved wife…
May 15, 2008 — Kirkus Reviews — Konrath, J.A.

Here’s the story:

I did some freelance work for J.A. Konrath a couple of years ago. Instead of working for cash, I traded for signed first editions of his books, the ARC for DIRTY MARTINI, a multi-author signed copy of THESE GUNS FOR HIRE, and a slew of mags in which he’s had short stories published.

He also named a character after me in FUZZY NAVEL, his forthcoming Jack Daniels thriller.

Next time I’ll be sure to go in through the front door.

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The Sunday Salon: Wanna win a book?

Rob @ 52 Novels — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:23:27 +0000

Free books are good.

And Lynn Viehl agrees. That’s why she’s decided to grant a BookWish. Just drop by her blog before midnight EST on April 21, 2008… leave a comment in this thread.

Sometime after the deadline she’ll draw a name at random and the winner gets a book of their choice from any online retailer (up to $30 maximum).

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THE UNDEAD KAMA SUTRA and the best book trailer ever

Rob @ 52 Novels — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:51:57 +0000

If you’re in Denver this week, go check out Mario Acevedo at Murder by the Book tonight (3/26/2008) at 5:30, or at Tattered Cover–Lodo tomorrow night (3/27/2008) at 7:30.

Mario — whom I’ve written about before — is busy ~~pimping~~ touring for his latest book, THE UNDEAD KAMA SUTRA. If you’re not in Denver, you can see him in a city or town near you.

Do the right things: buy the book, buy him a beer, and tell him Rob says “hello.”

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On being prolific

Rob @ 52 Novels — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:17:48 +0000

A couple of things I noticed yesterday around the Intarwebs:

First, Lynn Viehl of Paperback Writer posted her Novel Notebook template… including what a completed version looks like. In a nutshell, the book serves as her novel-writing blueprint and covers everything from cover art concepts to deep, deep character maps. She even gives her characters a birthday.

Girl knows what she’s doing, too. If you’re one of the three people who’ve never heard of her, she’s written thirty-eight novels in five genres over the last eight years. And she cracked the NYT in 2007. Plus, Lynn’s one of the most generous writers you’ll find anywhere on the Web. Download The Novel Notebook for free.

Second, Sarah Weinman dropped a snippet about Japanese crime novelist Jiro Akagawa, who just published his five hundredth novel. Yes. That’s a five followed by two zeros. 500. Like the famous race in Indiana.

So, Lynn Viehl writes five books a year. Jiro Akagawa writes sixteen a year.

The question I have is, “The fuck you waiting for?”

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Win free stuff from Michael Connelly

Rob @ 52 Novels — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:51:56 +0000

Did you read THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly?

Is it in your TBR pile right now?

If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, then you might want to check out the contest the author’s having.

Here’re the details:

The Mickey Haller Trivia Contest

Michael’s next book, THE BRASS VERDICT (due October 14, 2008), features Mickey Haller from THE LINCOLN LAWYER. So it is time to refresh your memory of this character with a little trivia contest. To be entered into the prize drawing you must answer all of the questions correctly. You may be entered into the prize drawing only once. Five winners will be randomly selected from all of the correct entries and will be notified via email. Each winner will receive a DARK SACRED NIGHT CD, a BLUE NEON NIGHT DVD, and a Michael Connelly T-shirt. The contest will run through March 28, 2008. The answers and winners’ names will be posted on March 29, 2008.

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