Literary turns

Classic King returns for spooky thrills with 'Mile 81'

2011-10-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

He’s been called the master of modern horror, but that fails to do Stephen King the justice his longevity deserves. Whether ones believes his writing to be pedantic, formulaic, or even written by ghost writers, no one can argue the man’s ability to tell at least one story that even his critics remember fondly. For most it’s The Stand or The Shining, the latter of which comes thanks to Stanley Kubrick’s remarkable 1980 film of the same name. Let’s just forget about the 1997 version.

Always a prolific writer, King brings readers exactly what they would expect in a good, scary read. His newest novel, 11/22/63, is set for release November 8, less than a year after the hardcover release of Full Dark, No Stars.

Until then, King has treated his fans to a little old-fashioned horror in his short novella, Mile 81.

Mile 81 is the sort of tale that makes a person afraid to leave their home. It's one of those creepy short pieces that reminds us of our own youth, particularly when it comes to exploring places we shouldn't. King, like always, proves he is still the master at probing the base fears so many of us carry around just under our skin. We've all gone somewhere we shouldn't go, a deserted house, an old mine, an abandoned construction site, and felt a tingle of fear creep along our spine as a result of it.

In Mile 81, available exclusively in digital format, King chases fear from his mind and into ours. But it isn't the location we need fear. Like his early novel Christine, it's what drives up outside the rest stop you need to fear.

Pete Simmons decides he can have more fun alone than with his older brother and his friends, doing what any healthy ten-year-old would do: reading sex magazines, sipping old vodka, and generally goofing off. What's good for teenagers has to be good for ten-year-olds after all. And what better place to goof off than a decrepit, abandoned rest stop off the New England interstate?

Born-again insurance salesman Doug Clayton was the first to come upon the beat-up old station wagon at the closed-off Interstate 95 rest stop. Former mud wrestler Julie Vernon stopped next, horse-trailer and all, followed by the adult members of the Lussier family, who also ended up getting a little too close to the old vehicle. Six-year-old Rachel and and her little brother Blakie saw what happened to them. They knew what that muddy station wagon could do. When help came for the kids, however, it proved difficult to convince anyone of the imminent danger. But Pete Simmons, fresh from his own adventures, saw the whole thing. He knew the kids needed help. King, seemingly aware of his esteemed place in pop culture, even offers a nod to Christine in his latest tale of terror.

King has carved himself a notch above nearly every author out there, horror or otherwise, for it’s difficult to say he’s the master of fright alone and not a master of words. Like Hemingway and Bukowski, he’s found the pulse of common, mainstream mankind in his creativity.

Everyone can remember the first Stephen King book they read, as they can their first time cozied up with Anne Rice or Edgar Allen Poe. Like any first time, those moments spent with King’s often chilling adventures is hardly easy to forget. Whether it was Salem’s Lot, Cujo, Misery, Pet Sematary, or The Gunslinger doesn’t matter. The way you clutched the book, and carefully peeked at the next page before turning it, is what matters. Now is the time to discover the master of the macabre once more. With Mile 81, King’s literary fists keeping packing the punches.

Christmas book signing

2010-12-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

Grand Canyon authors will help ring in the holiday season at the South Rim Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Writers such as Thomas Ratz, Wayne Ranney, Todd Berger, Tom Martin, and myself will be there signing our varied Grand Canyon books as part of the sixth annual Holiday Event. The traditional holiday gala will be held at the Grand Canyon Visitors Center and Books N’ More across the plaza. The occasion is always an exciting one for residents at the Canyon and there is no better place to sign books than at the edge of one of the world’s most splendid natural wonders. I hope to see you there!
Carolers, Santa, cookies and hot cocoa will also be on hand. Rangers will even be in attendance with a number of fun activities for kids. It’s sure to be an exciting evening at the South Rim.

Dirty Harry's pulp power

2010-11-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

Dark and gritty streets don’t get that way by themselves. Lurking eyes, thoughts soured by peril and desperation, minds numbed by sickness and perversion, make them that way. San Francisco Inspector Harry Callahan can be called the cure to these back-alley ills. Like all hard-boiled detectives, Callahan didn’t earn the nickname “Dirty Harry” by sitting at a desk.

While the 1980s were full of meaty fiction, and paved the way for dark literary giants such as Stephen King, Anne Rice and Clive Barker, the 80s were also a time when lesser known novelists toiled away on classic characters. Conan novels were huge reads for anyone looking to devour the further adventures of their favorite Cimmerian for instance. Other famed series includes Mack Bolan, Nick Carter, the John Gardner James Bond continuation novels, a plethora of Star Trek paperback adventures, and plenty more. Into this mix came the pulpy, paperback Dirty Harry novels. Culled from the scenery-chewing Clint Eastwood films, which began with “Dirty Harry” in 1971, the series by Dane Hartman remained loyal to the no-nonsense, no mercy killer found in Inspector Callahan.

Drenched in sex and gore, the novels take the grime of San Francisco’s unspoken bowels and explore them in a way largely untouched by the popular Warner Brothers film franchise. With only 12 books in the three-year run, the Hartman pulps were published during the height of Dirty Harry’s thug-shooting popularity in the early 1980s. Then, with publication of The Dealer of Death, the novels burned into obscurity, just as so many hot-blooded pulps of the 1940s and 1980s did before it.

Hartman, however, is largely believed to be a pseudonym for two successful authors who wrote for Warner Brothers’ Men of Action Books imprint at the time. According to Wikimedia and other sources, authors Ric Meyers, a film consultant and martial arts authority, is credited with penning the novels alongside fellow author Leslie Alan Horvitz, who specializes in scientific fiction and non-fiction.

Beginning with Dual for Cannons, and including such lurid titles as The Mexico Kill and City of Blood, the books threw Callahan against every type of heartless criminal imaginable, from kidnappers to pirates and all in between. Like many of the great pulps, including “The Shadow” and “Fu Manchu” titles of yesteryear, the Dirty Harry series left creative writing’s tendency for intellectual overachievement at the door, focusing instead on the story, brutal descriptions and fast-paced action. Those looking for an adventure with their favorite .44 Magnum-toting San Francisco police inspector need look no further than the pages of the Hartman novels to get one hell of a fix.

'Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village' available now

2010-09-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village is now available through Arcadia Publishing, as part of their wildly popular Images of America series. Tusayan details the intriguing history of the small community located on the doorstep of the Grand Canyon National Park, from its earliest history with the noble Havasupai people to its current incarnation as a hub for visitors flocking in and out of the famed South Rim.

This book marks my second for Arcadia Publishing; the first being the story of Williams, located about 50 miles south of Tusayan, though both communities carry with them their own unique sense of individuality. It’s always nice to find others who share an appreciation for the real stories that help shape the history of a particular area. At signings, I get a chance to meet those with a fascination for a certain geographical location. Often those people have spent a great deal of time in the location in question, leading to a desire to know a little more than they did before.

During a recent signing at Coyote Kid in Williams, hosted by the Besler family, I met a number of these people. My thanks to the Beslers and all of those who came out to the event. Labor Day weekend marks the last of the summer visitors to the area and those visitors were certainly in evidence last Saturday, as were the rugged Cowboy entertainers and ample sunshine. Thanks also to the Grand Canyon News and Ryan Williams for a nice write-up on the book.

Next Saturday I will sign copies of Tusayan at the IMAX Theater in Tusayan, located along Highway 64 near the entrance to the national park. The signing will begin at 1 p.m. for those interested in attending. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, on Arcadia Publishing’s website and at a number of retail book stores in northern Arizona and other locations, including Colors of the West and the IMAX National Geographic Visitors Center in Tusayan.

Collected Works 2010 to showcase NAZAA members

2010-06-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

The Northern Arizona’s Authors Association plans to release their first book within the next few months, collecting stories from many of the authors and writers involved in the Williams-based organization. Called Collected Works 2010, the anthology will feature short stories, recipes, excerpts from novels, and much more. Celebrated western and historical author Gary McCarthy, a member of the association, will write the forward for the book.

Members of the Northern Arizona Authors Association decided to produce the book as a way to showcase the diversified talent represented by the individual members. Collected Works 2010 will be available online and at a number of northern Arizona locations in the coming months. Members also plan to sell the book during special signing events throughout the area.

The Northern Arizona Authors Association meets monthly at the offices of Williams City Hall. Their next meeting is planned for July 17 at 9 a.m. New members are encouraged to attend the meeting. For more information on the group, visit them online at http://nazauthassoc.webs.com. The Northern Arizona Authors Association can also be found on Facebook.

Train Day event

2010-05-10T20:00:00.001-07:00

The steam engine of the Grand Canyon Railway whistled nearby, model railroads tooted and made the rounds on their scaled tracks, and live music filled the air during the recent northern Arizona celebration of National Train Day. The two-day event was held at the historic Grand Canyon Railway depot in Williams. Organizers for the celebration offered rides aboard the popular 4960 steam engine throughout the day.

I was asked to sign copies of my Arcadia Publishing book, Williams, for the fun weekend event, alongside railroad author and Arizona State Railroad Museum Founder Al Richmond. Organizers with the signing hosted a wonderful event, which will hopefully become an annual one in Williams.

My second Arcadia title, Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village, is slated for release later this year. Having completed my share of the work on the project, I am now expecting proofs on the book by July. Like my experience with the Grand Canyon Railway’s Train Day organizers, working with Arcadia Publishing has been a wholly rewarding tale. My thanks to them and to everyone who came out for the event!

The exciting world of author Gary McCarthy

2010-04-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

When it comes to writing westerns, there’s no one better equipped to handle the task than novelist Gary McCarthy. With his six-shooters drawn and a tumble weed hurrying past, McCarthy takes aim on the Old West genre like Stephen King does for the world of the macabre – with dead-on accuracy. But like King, and a host of other great and prolific authors of our time, he can just as easily break from the standard mold and create something unique and astounding, as evidenced in McCarthy’s latest works, River Thunder, Restitution, and others. With a walloping 50 novels under his belt, McCarthy continues to dazzle readers with every word he writes.

McCarthy’s novels speak to both our hearts and our taste for adventure. His tales encompass high-flying narratives of the southwest to literary masterpieces.

One of his early books, The First Sheriff, tells the story of Glen Collins as he runs for the position of first sheriff in San Diego. Collins isn’t a gunfighter, however, just an honest man who hopes to make a difference. Earning enough to support his love, Maria, also plays a part in his decision to run for the elected position. Problems arise for Collins when the brother of San Diego’s mayor breezes into town. Roy Whitlow, handsome and daring, also sets his sights on the young senorita. Further complications come in the form of local rancher Howard Trimmer, the self-styled ruler of San Diego. Trimmer also thinks it should be one of his own men wearing the sheriff’s badge and not someone with enough guts to stand up to his bullying tactics.

The First Sheriff is a simple tale of love and fortitude and it’s charming in that simplicity. Chock full of humor and action, including a fast paced gunfight in a saloon, dancing lessons in jail, and a final showdown sure to thrill, McCarthy’s early tale of San Diego is sure to resonate with readers young and old alike.

The thrills continue in his galloping take on the famous Lone Ranger character. Written in three weeks in the early 1980s, McCarthy adapted The Legend of the Lone Ranger for his publishers, who wanted to provide a novel tie-in for the upcoming big screen re-telling of the classic Clayton Moore television program. Released in 1981, the Lone Ranger film adaptation, starring relative unknown Klinton Spilsbury, would go on to become one of the studio’s most memorable flops. McCarthy’s novel tells the origin of the famous masked man, beginning with his first meeting with Tonto, the story of the Reid family, and his eventual confrontation with the murderous Butch Cavendish and his gang of thugs bent on taking over the state of Texas.

While staying true to the classic television story of the Lone Ranger’s transformation from Texas Ranger to western icon (including his first meeting with Silver, who he finds fighting a buffalo of all things and a scene McCarthy harbored serious reservations about), the story of the Lone Ranger deviates slightly in certain areas, particularly when it comes to Reid’s love interest Amy Striker and his rescue of President Ulysses Grant. Fans of the Lone Ranger and Tonto, despite the film version’s lackluster box-office success, will find the novel a thrilling addition to their western collection and a testament to McCarthy’s sterling writing ability.

‘Post Office’ a great job

2010-03-15T21:06:00.000-07:00

Henry Chinaski is the kind of guy you can hang out with pretty often. Reading his story is kind of like coming home to rest for a while, with slippers and some beer, or maybe truckloads of beer. Charles Bukowski’s Post Office may not feel that way for everyone, but for a lot of people it’s a modern cozy. Like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poroit, Jane Marple or Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Bukowski’s writing is one of those safe bets when it comes to knowing how it will make you feel at the end of the book.

Just nowhere near as cozy.

Post Office clocks in on Chinaski, a down and outer, but one who can at least keep a job and a roof over his head, even if just barely. He’s not too mean, not too nice, and never too happy – just an average human like so many of us. His working life, particularly when it comes to his on again, off again employment with the U.S. Postal Service, is sad to the point of subdued hilarity. Chinaski himself is the kind of guy a person would enjoy working with, whether he’s getting locked in a stairwell, trying to burn the place down with cigar ash, or hoping to put the moves to the on-site nurse, there’s always something to smile about. It can also be taken as a dead-on observation of the working world, where everything has to be cleared by the boss and every action comes with documentation attached.

Bukowski’s meaty narrative carries a flavor all its own. Like S.E. Hinton’s edgy angst-ridden tones, Bukowski spews a sense of worthlessness in his writing; he lugs those tones to their truthful conclusion. He makes a nobody into a nobody we all stare at, laugh at, or pity, but not someone we think will ever change. Would anyone want Chinaski to do that?

Besides a smoker and a man of questionable ambitions, Bukowski is hailed as one of literary’s greatest poets and writers. His work can be summed up in just a handful of words. A man that people call Buk decided to write books. And he did.

Gloria Vanderbilt creates dreamlike ‘Obsession’

2010-01-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

For most people, Gloria Vanderbilt’s name is vaguely familiar. Many have heard it somewhere before, but they can’t remember why. Not knowing is probably the best way to begin reading her latest book, Obsession: An Erotic Tale, as there are no preconceived thoughts about the author to taint the read. As it should be with all books, the words should speak louder than the person who wrote them. In Obsession, Vanderbilt’s words are elegant, even poetic at times.

The story revolves around Priscilla Bingham, a young widow who mourns the loss of her incredibly wealthy husband Talbot, an architect who has been very successful at his work. Priscilla’s world is turned upside down, however, when she learns of her husband’s secret life while attending to his belongings. After discovering letters written by her husband’s lover, the mysterious Bee, Priscilla finds herself thrust from her cold world into a hotter one filled with sex clubs, masters and servants, and more. While the word “erotic” in the title might suggest scenes of graphic sex, Vanderbilt’s eroticism is left more to the imagination, suggested more than it is described, though there are a few graphic passages within the pages as well. While Talbot’s erotic life is explored; the writing style itself is far more prosaic than erotic.

Vanderbilt can definitely turn a phrase and, while it is a quick read, her talent at spinning a silken yarn is clearly evident in Obsession. The characters are explored lightly in favor of descriptive exposition, which grow more and more dreamlike as the novella progresses, leading one to wonder whether it was all a fantasy, whether Priscilla and Bee are merely two sides of the same personality (scattered throughout the book are numerous clues that could support this theory), or whether obsession itself can put one into a delusional state of mind.

Whatever one believes, the story itself should be taken for what it is – a simple, yet elegant yarn.

Gloria Vanderbilt can be seen in the above photo, taken around 50 years ago by Carl van Vechten.

New Flagstaff book celebrates town’s hard-working history

2009-12-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

Williams has always had a sort of rivalry with Flagstaff. Whether it has to do with tourism, holiday celebrations or attractions, that rivalry dates back well over 100 years. At the same time, however, Flagstaff also serves as the unofficial backbone for Williams. Locals shop in Flagstaff, see movies there and attend events not offered in Williams, making the rivalry a lopsided one. Flagstaff is a larger community after all, as is evident in Arcadia Publishing’s new Images of America book, Flagstaff, by James E. Babbitt and John G. DeGraff III.

Reading a book on the history of Flagstaff, one written by a Babbitt no less, is a perfect way to understand the city’s significant role in northern Arizona. The Babbitt family has lived in the area for generations and their role in the area has been quite prominent as they operated their successful business endeavors. Author James Babbitt reached into his own family archives to produce the book, which is filled with over 180 historic photographs designed to illuminate the city’s long history of lumber, tourism and railroading.

Photos in the collection cover a wide range of attributes that helped define Flagstaff, including its connections to the Oak Creek/Sedona area and the Grand Canyon National Park. Railroads, merchants and roadways are also given due coverage in the book. Intriguing photos appear on nearly every page and are particularly exciting for those who frequent the city, as many of the buildings are still standing. Babbitt and DeGraff make a point to point out those buildings that are still standing, as well as their current names and locations.

As the name suggests, Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America Series is more about detailing the history of America through historic photographs than it is about telling an area’s history in words. As is clear in Flagstaff, that formula works well, as budding historians and fans of the southwest will come away with a much clearer picture of the city’s esteemed place in the world. Flagstaff is sure to find appeal with a wide audience throughout the state and across the country. The book can be found on a number of online retailers, including bn.com and amazon.com, as well as on the Arcadia Publishing Web site at www.arcadiapublishing.com

Cover for 'Grand Canyon's Tusayan Village'

2009-11-10T16:29:00.000-08:00

Here is the cover for Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village, courtesy of Arcadia Publishing. On it are the Kolb brothers as they fish near the Supai Reservation. The Kolb brothers, besides being well known in the Grand Canyon’s South Rim area, were also quite familiar with the area now known as Tusayan, as they were involved with an airport and even owned land there, among other interests. According to officials with the National Park Service, the two brothers had a sort of second home in Tusayan, kept as a backup in case a fire or some other calamity destroyed their South Rim lodgings.

With one month to go before my deadline for Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village, I have been hard at work developing chapters and gathering last minute historic photographs. There are now over 200 of them in my collection for the book, with another handful left to collect and add in. The book will document, not just the 160-acres of Tusayan, but the entire picture of what makes the community work. In order to accomplish that goal, the book will encompass areas within the national park, including the intriguing history of the park’s South Rim entrance, the Grand Canyon School, the cemetery and more. It will also delve into Red Butte and the Havasupai people.

Photos have come from a number of personal collections, the National Park Service, the Kaibab National Forest, the John Ivens American Legion Post and other collections. Sadly, Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) special collections proved to have very little in the way of Tusayan’s history, so far as an online search could provide. Having to navigate their Web site and being charged a fee for historic photos proved slightly discouraging as well. They like all their researchers to begin by doing their own legwork online. Not only that, but I could not tell if their fee was $30 or 30 cents (it read as only “30”), though I imagine they were talking dollars, simply for one digitized photo. Rather a shame for a university, but not surprising for anyone who has had to deal with NAU administration. On the flip side, Mike Quinn with the National Park Service proved to be a wonderful resource, both for historical information and historic photos and was of invaluable assistance. Thanks Mike!

I hope everyone enjoys the cover. I think it will make for a striking book when it is released in 2010.

Tusayan’s history in new book

2009-09-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Tusayan, located at the front door of the Grand Canyon National Park, has a unique history, from its connections to the park and Havasupai tribe, to its history of uranium mining and its tourism efforts. A number of individuals, some of whom still have descendants in the area, helped shape the village into what it is today – one of the most visited little towns in northern Arizona. The story of Tusayan runs hand in hand with the national park, both of which were created only a year apart in the early 1900’s.

My latest project, Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village, will reflect the growth of the community, from a sheep ranch to the birth of tourism. The book is scheduled for publication next year by Arcadia Publishing as part of their Images of America series. Like my earlier book, Williams, published late last year, Grand Canyon’s Tusayan Village will be a pictorial history of the area with small chapters designed to accentuate the images within.

While the project is still in its early stages, work has been proceeding apace. I’ve so far collected roughly 100 of the over 200 images I will need. It is always a challenge to get the right mix of images in order to build a well rounded glimpse into an area’s history and sources come from everywhere; some easy to find and others more difficult. With luck, I’ll find the proper ingredients.

I am currently working on a cover for the book, which I will share as soon it is available. What I have found interesting about this project, as compared to Williams, is that both communities share many common bonds, almost as if they are sister cities, but with very different personalities. While Williams moved to embrace a culture of mountain men and Route 66 lore, Tusayan is allied with the national park and shares its story with the Grand Canyon. For me, however, taking on the project seemed a natural progression, as both areas offer something special to those who live and visit them.

Review: Murder on Route 66: The Milky Way Murder

2009-07-19T16:25:00.000-07:00

Ramona Preston becomes a suspect in a nasty murder thanks to her affinity for Milky Way chocolate bars in this humorous glimpse into small town hijinks from first time author Karen Colson.Set in rural Williams, Arizona, her first book, Murder on Route 66: The Milky Way Murders, tells a tale of small town lust and love.

Hosted by the mysterious, but quite human, traveler; The Milky Way Murders follows the day to day activities of Preston and others who live in the downtown Williams areas. Full of shopkeepers and business owners struggling to survive; the story paints a comic portrayal of this small Route 66 main street community. There’s Lola, Leonard, Preston’s uncle the police chief, and a handful of other colorful characters. As Williams is a town known by ghost hunters for its spiritual activity, Colson also added a little supernatural flavor in the form of Anna, a friendly ghost who attempts to help Preston after she is named a suspect in the murder of one of the local business owners. Preston’s own uncle is investigating the case, and fears for his niece’s innocence after her fingerprints are found at the crime scene.

Colson designed her mysteries as short vignettes and has two other mysteries set to appear following the release of the The Milky Way Murders, with a possible fourth addition in the works as well. Fans of hardcore suspense may find the book a bit too light for their taste, while others may appreciate the humorous slant to the topic at hand, particularly the “Peyton Place” atmosphere Colson creates among the business owners, many of whom seem more interested in their sales figures than they do the loss of a fellow shopkeeper.

The book cover is also an attractive element to Colson’s endeavor. Painted by Peggy Colson, the author’s sister-in-law, the water color painting adds a fantastic image that perfectly accentuates the story within. For locals in Williams, this book will be a fun read as they attempt to pick out who is who from the pages. Tourists, particularly those with literary tastes, can take a special souvenir home with them in this book as well. Route 66 aficionados and mystery lovers can find the book in the coming months at www.lulu.com and on www.amazon.com.

The Canyon in print

2009-07-01T19:08:00.000-07:00

When it comes to Grand Canyon, many believe there is no better way to understand the allure of the place without actually standing on the Rim. Something about the wind blowing up the cliffs, the hot sun on your cheeks, and the embrace of nature’s music — it cannot be completely explained in words or even pictures. For many, however, finding the time to spend with the Canyon is just not in the cards.

Others do make it there, and want something to bring home with them, a memento of their magical trip. There’s no better way to do this than with a literary keepsake and Grand Canyon books are legion. There’s a little something readable for everyone.

From children’s books, such as the seminal Marguerite Henry work, “Brighty: of the Grand Canyon,” to photographic collections, such as the recent collection by Pulitzer prize-winning photographer Jack Dykinga in his book “Jack Dykinga’s Grand Canyon.”

Of the multitude out there, including Canyon related history books in the popular Images of America series produced by Arcadia Publishing, there are those that delve deep into Canyon lore and those that only do a quick fly-by, offering snippets of useful, immediate information for those looking for a little bit of knowledge and not the whole enchilada in one sitting. Those who are new to the Canyon, whether they are new fans to the geological marvel or new residents in the area, should start there. Historical books, action books and more utilize the Canyon as the central character in their tomes.

A good book for those getting out and about for the first time, one of many, would be “Along the rim,” written by Michael F. Anderson with photographs by Gary Ladd. The handy-sized book is chock full of useful information for Canyoners who wish to learn a little more about the South Rim - from Hermits Rest to Desert View. Not only does it make a great souvenir, but great information for those who have always wondered about the stories behind Maswik Lodge, the El Tovar, Hopi Point and more.

Another fun book for Canyon visitors is the “The Ranger’s Guide to the Grand Canyon, Insider Advice from Ranger Jack,” written by Susan and Phil Frank. This is not just a fun and funny book for anyone who visits the Canyon, but it is a fabulous resource for those who live in the area as well — particularly those who are asked questions about the Canyon on a daily basis. Offering information ranging from feeding the wildlife to winter activities on the Rim, the Frank’s book is also populated with humorous illustrations that bring a sense of amusement to the topics.

Local northern Arizona physician Thomas Myers has also become a staple for those with a Grand Canyon section in their personal library. Myers has penned three books dealing with Grand Canyon to date: "Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon," which he co-authored with Michael Ghiglieri, "Fateful Journey" with co-authors Chris Becker and Larry Stevens, and "Grand Obsession - Harvey Butchart and the Exploration of Grand Canyon,” which Myers co-authored with writer Elias Butler. The latter deals with a man known as one of the Canyon’s greatest hikers. He explored Grand Canyon from 1945 to 1987 and would spend 1,025 days hiking below the rim, with 12,000 miles covered, and 82 buttes climbed.

No matter one’s personal taste, Grand Canyon books, like the wonder itself, will surely find a unique place in anyone’s heart.

‘Josh That!’ excerpt

2009-05-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Things begin to deteriorate at the small town AM radio station in this excerpt from my novella, “Josh That!,” leaving the main character, Josh White, in serious doubt about his future in talk radio. In this scene, toward the end of the 53,000 word tale, White and fellow talk show host Columbus Murphy race back to the station after hearing the drunken on-air ramblings of the man left in charge of the station during their absence, a cowboy nicknamed Freeway. Murphy, meanwhile, begins to make his own assumptions about the station’s imminent downfall.

***

Columbus tore through the small town like a cop chasing O.J. Simpson. His mini-van had never been driven so hard. The brakes squealed with every turn.

“That drunken, stupid bastard,” he raved. “I’m going to kill him!” Static filled the KYAM airwaves, with occasional bursts of conversation. Freeway appeared to be having one hell of a time getting the satellites in order.

“Be careful, man!” White warned him as he gripped the sides of his seat. “Driving like this; you’re liable to kill the only two talented people at that radio station!”

“That’s what it is! That’s why Paul likes Freeway so much,” Columbus shouted. “He only wants people there who aren’t a threat to him. As long as he knows for a fact that he sounds better, makes funnier jokes, and looks better than everyone else at the station; you don’t have to worry about losing your job!

“Think about it for a second,” Columbus continued as the car swerved past a busy intersection, nearly hitting a couple of dope peddlers. “It explains why he never seems to like it when we get compliments about doing a good job. He gets angrier. He doesn’t want anyone to do a better job than him.”

“It helps to laugh at his jokes too,” White added.

“Have you seen our Arbitron ratings? They’re God-awful. We have less of an audience now than we did when Rob Stout was alive, that’s for sure. Copying damn FM programming,” Columbus ranted. “Changing to hillbilly music and letting morons on the air, we’ll be lucky to get any advertisers by the end of the month. They’ll run from us. We’re becoming the lepers of talk radio.”

When they pulled up to the radio station, Columbus and White found Mormonsen in the fishbowl, along with Freeway and some guy with long hair and a stained white t-shirt. The fishbowl reeked like stale beer and cigarettes. The station manager fiddled with the dials and knobs on the board, but appeared to make no progress in fixing the problem. Columbus rushed past everyone and pressed a number of keys on the computer, then flicked a large black switch on the sound board, which had been marked “Do Not Touch!” Some drunk had obviously touched it. Within three minutes, the station went back to normal, running its normal piped-in national talk.

Columbus glared at Freeway and his drinking buddy when he finished calibrating the instruments. “Paul, we need to have a talk - again.” Columbus took Paul by the arm and both walked off to the offices down the hall. White, not wanting to spend a moment alone with the two drunks, decided it was time to go home. He felt like drinking something to help shake off his cold.

A conversation with ‘Shroud of Evidence’ author Glen Davis

2009-05-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

WILLIAMS, Ariz., - While Glen Davis worked for a number of years on his novella, “A Shroud of Evidence,” he did not complete the futuristic tale of faith and chaos until recently. Davis, who works as a Web designer, an author, blogger and photographer, took some time out of his busy schedule to talk about his new book, published through LULU, and spoke about writing in general.

He said the genesis for “Shroud” came to him four years ago in 2005.

“Bill Mize, author of ‘Resurrection Angel’ and ‘Everlasting Life,’ told me about LULU,” Davis said. “I had a friend who asked me to do some research on gun control, which I used to practice making covers and moving around the LULU Web site. The result is ‘Concerning the Militia,’ which can be found on LULU.com. I picked up on ‘A Shroud of Evidence,’ again, at the end of 2008. It started flowing, so I just went with it. I thought it turned out pretty good, so I went ahead and published it with an ISBN. The cover came together very well and I even had a compliment from an artist friend. I mean, everything just seemed to fall into place with this one, so I went with it. And just so people know; it is a fictional account of events that could occur according to the book of Revelation. I was asked if I thought God wanted me to write this book. My answer is that God certainly did not tell me to write this book. I had no vision or anything like that. It is mainly a character generated story. But then again, he didn't tell me that I couldn't write it.”

“Shroud” tells the story of exiled police lieutenant Dustin Conrad as he attempts to unravel a deep-seeded conspiracy that reaches to all levels of the American government. The story follows the apocalyptic adventures of the hard-boiled main character as he is chased by the evil Dr. Cornelius Devlin and runs the gamut from action-packed car chases in San Francisco to a bloody battlefield in Israel, adding in a few super-powered miracles as icing on the cake. Filled with biblical verses and Christian ruminations, “Shroud” may not be everyone’s cup of tea - especially those tired of religious actioners such as “The Da Vinci Code” and the “Left Behind” series. As much as it tells a guns blazing, futuristic tale of religious faith (and Conrad’s own personal faith), so also does it serve as a no-nonsense commentary on freedom and the American way.

“Shroud” can be found through most online booksellers, such as Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, as well as through the lulu.com Web site. More information on “Shroud” can be found at http://shroud.glencdavis.com/. Davis is also the “Web Sensei” for http://grandcanyonrvparks.com/. He said he began the latter in order to help cover events in the Williams area, located roughly fifty miles from the Grand Canyon and a hot spot for northern Arizona tourists. When it comes to his writing, blogs included, Davis said he writes whatever is “flowing at the moment.”

“I've got several projects that I am working on. A few years ago, I finished an X-Files book and haven't been able to locate a decent agent,” Davis said. “So I've got that in my unpublished works file. That's one reason that I went to self-publishing is all of the hassle of finding agents and dealing with publishers. I didn't realize that I was stepping into a mire of different hassles.”

Davis is no stranger to the self-publishing industry, or to writing in general. His first book was self-published at the age of ten. He said he’s been writing, on and off, for most of his life. His first book, like “Shroud,” delved into the realm of science fiction.

“It was an action-packed, science fiction that a friend of mine illustrated. I wrapped it in an orange cover and donated it to the school librarian, who tucked it under the counter never to be seen again. Talk about a tough review. When I started learning about computers about twenty years ago, I picked up writing again, mainly for Star Trek and science fiction fanzines. I pretty much gave up until I started up on LULU about a year ago.”

Review: Northern Arizona Book Festival too ‘green’

2009-04-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

There’s a dog-eared copy of “On the Road” or “Desolation Angels” on the bookshelf within prominent view of all who stop by. Usually it’s next to a copy of “Fear and Loathing” or some other Hunter S. Thompson title, maybe more than one title – but just as dog-eared. Hanging on the door is a hiking vest made by Columbia with a knit beanie of some kind scrunched over it. A mountain bike is never far away, also in plain view. The message behind this caricature is simple. “I am a part of the elitist ‘green’ movement.” If one happens to live in Flagstaff, Arizona, those beanies will most certainly have attended the Northern Arizona Book Festival April 24-26.

Those interested in literary ideas beyond ecology, environment, poetry and unshaven eco-friends, however, were undoubtedly disappointed. While the respected poet Robert Bly headlined the festival, most fit the bill when it comes to a general description of the Flagstaff “scene.” Writers such as Bruce Aiken, Seth Muller, Rod Parnell, Wayne Ranney, Bill Plotkin and others typically cover nature and the environment and were on hand for the book festival.

While book festivals of any slant are a good thing, Flagstaff’s annual event read more like a get together of old Northern Arizona University (NAU) alumni and the above mentioned eco-crowd, with painfully few exceptions. There was a firm message etched within the 2009 author lineup and that message can be summed up in one word: green.

Authors who explore sexuality, realms of fantasy, science fiction, espionage, death, romance and other genres (the rest of the literary world in a nutshell) were mostly absent from the festival, in favor of ecologists, outdoorsmen, former NAU college students and other writers of similar niches.

While tough economic times, one might argue, will undoubtedly be the reason why some authors were asked to attend and others were not, one might also argue that authors of other interests, due to the same economy, would have been more than willing to appear for a chance to find new readers. Maybe authors that appeal to young adults, such as Allison Van Diepen, or authors who write science fiction, such as Kevin J. Anderson, as well as many others, would have helped attract visitors of a different ilk. Those other ideas, other great novels, seem lost to those who lament the death of Hunter S. Thompson and fail to step out of their mountain bike, micro-brewed existence.

Authors such as Bly, T. Greenwood and Diana Gabaldon, author of the titillating “Outlander” series, brought some balance to the festival’s lineup, though Gabaldon and Greenwood are themselves former NAU students. Gabaldon holds three science degrees, among other achievements, and undoubtedly helped bring a large turnout. Not due to her background, however, but more to the fact that she writes popular fiction and leaves “green” be.

For those who devour everything literary, who live their lives for books and not for a perceived lifestyle, there are other literary events in the world. Those who can afford to live their lives for the environment, however, and do so with fervor, hit the jackpot with the Flagstaff book festival.

Hot Scottish blood in Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander’

2009-04-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

While it is true that Diana Gabaldon gave the world “Outlander” some years ago, in 1992 to be precise, the novel remains one of the prolific author’s most popular titles. Both a graphic novel and film adaptation are slated for release in the coming years. Gabaldon, meanwhile, continues to produce novels in the thrilling “Outlander” epic. Her seventh in the series, “Echo in the Bone,” is slated for release this September.

The original “Outlander” follows the adventures of Claire Randall, a young nurse who passes through a mystical portal in time while on a second honeymoon in the Scottish highlands. Immediately upon her arrival in the past, her troubles begin. Claire falls under the spell of Jamie Fraser, a Scottish powerhouse, who takes the young time-traveler under his muscle-bound wing. From there the novel speeds into the realm of action and romance. Filled with battles, humor, sex and intrigue, “Outlander” easily captures the imagination and takes it for quite a ride.

There are a number of rousing adventures encapsulate within the 600-plus page novel. When one bit of excitement seems to end, something else occurs, which takes the reader in a new direction and lends to the length of the novel. Historically speaking, “Outlander” carries the feel and romance of Scotland in the 1700s, just as it carries some of the ugliness inherent in a period strife with war and disease (not to mention a period that lacks modern plumbing), all of which Gabaldon examines from Claire’s nearly modern perspective.

As her legions of fans can attest, Diana Gabaldon’s later books share the same hot-blooded sense of fun, history, sex and brutal tough guy action. Gabaldon herself is an author who openly shares her life with her readers and seems generally fond of their existence. To hear her speak, one truly believes she is as much a fan of the “Outlander” series as the fans themselves. Her blog often shares recipes, news of her writing and even photos of her pets.

While many may argue that Gabaldon’s audience is comprised mostly of women, guys should not let that label get in the way of an exciting read. Gabaldon’s expressive prose caters well to both audiences, particularly in her erotic moments, which might raise an eyebrow (or both) no matter one’s gender.

Stephen King’s 'UR' simple, modern fun

2009-03-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

Stephen King’s long-term readers know what to expect when it comes to his literary works, or at the very least they can guess how his characters may react to any given situation. There is something very familiar about his novels, which is why they can be so much fun to read. When it comes to familiar every day items turned frightening, King is your man. Whether it’s a “Cat from Hell,” a crazed dog, or any number of household devices, King has always been known for turning the mundane into something fearsome. In his newest effort, “UR,” he turns a simple piece of modern technology – namely the Amazon Kindle - into something far more than it appears.

Amazon’s portable reading device, often called an i-Pod for books, has received numerous accolades since it was introduced in late 2007. This year is no different, as King’s “UR” coincides with the release of the Amazon Kindle 2.0, the newest version of the device. King’s novella is available exclusively through Amazon.com for download on the Kindle and nowhere else, for now at least.

The story revolves around college professor Wesley Smith, who orders a Kindle 2.0 in order to prove to his girlfriend that he can indeed embrace modern technology. But things are not as they seem. Smith’s Kindle offers more than just the ability to download books and newspapers, as the professor and his friends soon discover. Not only is the device “Pepto” pink, it can also see into alternate realities and even peer into the future.

The novella’s initial chapters were fascinating “what if” scenarios, where famous authors wrote books they never penned in this reality, such as a book on dogs by Ernest Hemingway and wholly original literature written by an alternate Edgar Allen Poe. From there the story veers into more familiar territory, similar to the television series “Early Edition” and others that came before it.

All in all, “UR” is a short, sweet read. It is especially fun for Kindle owners, as they must hold in their hands the very item described within the virtual pages of the book as they read it, making the story all the more chilling - especially for those book lovers who rarely venture into the realm of new technology.

For those bibliophiles, the Kindle can be frightening enough.

Gabaldon and 'Williams'

2009-03-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

I was privelaged to meet bestselling author Diana Gabaldon March 7, during a "Highland Tea" held at the Kilted Cat in Flagstaff. While not my normal cup of tea, the event proved to be an entertaining one, as I have never been to anything quite like it before. Hearing that Gabaldon was born in Williams, I gave her a copy of my Images of America book during the event, which I hope she enjoys. Of course I did manage to mangle the cover of the book on the trip to Flagstaff.

Gabaldon, whose "Outlander" and "Lord John" novels often frequent the bestseller lists, lives in the Phoenix area and has her own Blogspot post at http://voyagesoftheartemis.blogspot.com/.

Making a novel novel

2009-01-19T18:50:00.000-08:00

Writing is the fun part. Editing is not. I know I am not the only writer in the world who feels this way. Anyone who has worked on a novel, even those who only start novels and never finish them, knows how vexing it is to go back in and make drastic changes to their beloved manuscript. It is, however, a necessary evil.

As many editors can attest, cutting out the fat is the best way to bring out the best in a literary work. While there are many who would argue the point, editing is as much a part of writing as writing itself, just as the ability to sell yourself and your books is just as important. For a number of writers, editing is also their least favorite part of the job. Without proper edits, however, the odds of a literary masterpiece becoming a bankable commodity — meaning a publishable piece of work — are pretty slim.

I’ve recently begun this corrective process on “Josh That!,”my novella about a small town AM radio station located in a junk town along Route 66.

While the work has been complete for some time, the editing portion of the process remained. After two initial passes upon the completion of the small fiction novel, I have now begun a third pass, complete with re-writes and other changes.

One edit, which may seem small to others, counted as a big change in my mind. Instead of referring to my main character, Josh White, as “Josh” throughout the book, I now call him by his last name, sort of in the same tradition as author Ian Fleming, who always referred to James Bond as “Bond” in his espionage books. Though my character is far from being a suave and sophisticated secret agent, I thought using his last name would add something extra to the novella that I felt was missing when it came to the main character. This simple act alone, to me, changed the entire feel of the novella for the better.

While it is possible to over-edit, and many before have alluded to the fact that sometimes one has to simply walk away from a project, for they can continue to tweak forever otherwise, three to seven edits, with a gap of time in between, will often help make a literary work that much better.

A sample from “Josh That!” with new edits can be found below.

As the weeks progressed, White’s show got better and better. Becoming a little more accustomed to the radio station and how to speak into a microphone, White got cocky. He played with his inflections and tried on sarcastic, rather punk-ish tones for his voice. This ended up working pretty well when it came to bitching about politics and the overall stupidity of being human. He actually developed a small group of fans.

This became evident as he drove home from work and saw police sirens flashing in his rearview mirror. White pulled over, feeling that dreaded “cop adrenaline” pump through his heart. Everyone flips out just a little when they get pulled over by the police, even if it is only under the skin. The cop approached the car and asked White if he knew why he had been stopped. When White shrugged, the grumpy cop informed him that his rear taillight no longer worked. He asked White for his license and registration. White handed them over and waited while the officer took his time.

“Josh White?” the cop asked incredulously. “The one on KYAM? Josh That?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” He gulped, thinking he might be in bigger trouble.

“I love you’re commentary show! You hit things dead on, man! That one you did about the president last week was awesome.”

“Oh!”

“Hey, it’s great to hear someone who doesn’t follow all the stupid cultural sensitivity crap on the radio.” He handed his license and registration back. “You really need to get that tail light looked at, okay?” He held out his hand. Taking it rather reluctantly, White smiled at the officer.

“Have a good night. I’ll be looking forward to what you talk about next week!” The officer walked back to his flashing police cruiser.

“Uh, I’m thinking about doing it on cloning!” White called back. He waited until the officer drove past him before driving on himself. White smiled. He just got off a ticket because of his commentary show.

How cool is that?

Daily Sun ‘Williams’ story

2009-01-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

The Arizona Daily Sun and writer Betsey Brunner wrote a nice piece on “Williams” in early January. The story generated renewed interest in the book, particularly from Flagstaff readers. A link to the story can be found below.

http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2009/01/06/news/20090106_front_188349.txt

Presidents can fix anything

2009-01-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

When it comes to the President of the United States, anything is possible. At least that’s what many of the President’s letter writers believe when they sit down to drop him a line. They ask for help of all kinds, ranging from better weather conditions to cold, hard cash. Many seem to think the President, who obviously has nothing better to do, will simply bend to their wishes and make real their every desire. What’s surprising is that they think the President will actually even read their letters.

I recently had the opportunity to purchase a vintage book online, a non-fiction collection written by my great-grandfather Ben Whitehurst in 1937. My great-grandfather had the privilege of working for President Franklin Roosevelt during what could arguably be called one of the more trying times of the nation, as Americans continued to survive the Great Depression and worldwide political tensions escalated.

As Chief of the Correspondence Division for FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Administration) and the WPA (Work Progress Administration) under President Roosevelt, Ben Whitehurst had the task of sorting through stacks and stacks of letters written to the “Big Boss.”

A number of those letters, mostly humorous ones, are collected in the book, “Dear Mr. President,” published by E.P. Dutton & Co. Inc as part of their Everyman’s Collection. What struck me as surprising is how those wants and desires are mirrored in today’s world. Letter writers to Barack Obama may very well ask for the same things in 2009, such as more money and jobs, due to the recent turbulence in the nation’s economy.

“Dear Mr. President,” despite its gloomy background, is a humorous look at those who once asked for the Commander in Chief’s help. The letters contained in the book are reproduced as they were written, leading to further insight as to the state of the nation’s educational system in the late 1930s.

One letter to the president serves as a perfect example.

“I am a student of literature. The more knowledge a man have, the better prepared he is to lead. As I sit some time and plunder upon a word, I am lost for information.”

Another comes from a letter writer who hoped to find a job writing for the U.S. Government.

“I hear that the WPA are employing writers, and I hearby apply for a position. I have never written anything, so I ought to be chuck full of ideas.”

The book itself is a wonderful read, for more reasons than one. For me, I found excitement in discovering a book written by a member of my very own family that detailed one of the more interesting chapters in his life. I also found the subject matter of “Dear Mr. President” to be just as interesting, as its topics hit as close to home with me, at the tail end of 2008, as they did to readers 71 years ago. There is a strong sense of something bigger and better when it comes to how one views a nation’s president, as if they were more than just a mere mortal and more of a god. To hear talk of people’s expectations when it comes to the Obama Administration, that philosophy is just as strong today as it was way back when. The following letter to Roosevelt is a perfect example.

“I have tryed all I could possibly do — first God and then you — and you are the only one that I trust.”

‘Carol' still sings

2008-12-16T17:07:00.000-08:00

When Charles Dickens wrote his collection of holiday “staves,” he undoubtedly had no clue they would go down in history as one of the most remarkable literary works in the history of Christmas.

“A Christmas Carol” was originally scribed in the early 1840s. It’s been said that Dickens penned the novella to pay off a number of debts and wrote the chapters as “staves” to follow the novella’s inclination toward a piece of music, as intimated in the name itself.

While Dickens certainly made beautiful music with “A Christmas Carol,” he made very little money from the story himself.

Despite a less than stellar reception, the petite novel has since been embraced by the planet at large, in various Christmas shapes and forms. Many gather around their flat screens to watch the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Marley and the other ghosts as they bring the true meaning of Christmas to light. Some read and re-read the short Dickens classic each holiday season. Other seek the story through an acting group at the local theater.

The word “Scrooge” itself has become less the name of a literary character and more of a description of one’s character.

The story of Christmas, of charity, kindness, and redemption in particular, has never been said better than in “A Christmas Carol.” Dickens took a miserly, hateful old man and created a character full of love and compassion. His ability to alter the fundamental core of the story’s main character, in only 100-plus pages, illustrates the author’s mastery over the human condition.

Scrooge evolved from a penny pinching, gruff boss to a lovable grandfather and generous benefactor in a fluid tale full of lost love and deep regret, from the loss of his sister Fan, his love Belle, to his hatred for his father and his scorn for Fan’s offspring, a nephew who embraced the holiday season.

The four ghosts of Christmas bring a sense of darkness and fear to the tale of Ebenezer’s pitiful existence, from the first glimpse of Jacob Marley in the door knocker, to the ghastly blackness of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. It is this gothic injection that keeps the tale crisp and interesting. The beings themselves, who show Scrooge what he himself refuses to see, and appearing as they do in the dead of night, are highlights to the tale as they travel through time with Scrooge.

While many know the story inside and out, so much so that they now look at the story as cliché and tired, its message of charity and kindness still resonates. Its song still sings and, as it was with Scrooge himself, that message should be examined through fresh eyes and not with eyes clouded by the burdensome, opinionated past.

Nice stories on ‘Williams’

2008-11-30T12:04:00.000-08:00

Media coverage for “Williams” has been pretty nice so far! Check out this nice article by Allison Klein of the Northern Arizona University Lumberjack newspaper Williams News Web site.
Book sales have been pretty incredible so far. Copies of “Williams” have sold out at nearly every local retailer after only two weeks on the shelves!

‘Paul of Dune’ as fun as the rest

2008-11-27T18:06:00.000-08:00

Perhaps the busiest writer on the planet, Kevin J. Anderson cranks out novel after novel year after year. Besides co-writing the new “Dune” series of science fiction novels with author Brian Herbert (son of original “Dune” author Frank Herbert) Anderson also writes his own novels as well as novels with his wife, writer Rebecca Moesta.

Herbert and Anderson create a new Dune novel every year. Besides that, however, Andersen also manages to produce his own novels every year as well, including his exciting “Saga of the Seven Suns” series and others.

This year has been a good one for fans of the Dune universe. Not only has the dynamic duo of Anderson and Herbert produced one of their most popular Dune novels to date in “Paul of Dune,” Paramount Pictures also recently announced plans for an all new motion picture based on the Frank Herbert brainchild. The last theatrical release of “Dune,” directed by David Lynch in 1984, proved to be a disappointment for studio execs, though the film has since gone on to achieve a cult-like status. Two mini-series were recently produced from the franchise as well, both of which aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in 2000 and 2003 to some degree of success from fans and newcomers to the franchise.

“Paul of Dune” follows the adventures of Paul Atreides, directly following the original “Dune” classic, though the newest installment occurs prior to the Frank Herbert sequel “Dune Messiah.”
Like their other novels, “Paul of Dune” carries more than one lead character throughout the novel. The book reads like a literary tapestry, with characters and stories woven in and around one another to create a singular plotline at the end. Like their other Dune novels, “Paul of Dune” is the first in a planned three-part trilogy. It’s also just as fun.

While most fans call the Dune series “The Lord of the Rings” of the sci-fi world, there are others who claim the original series to be a little too loaded with religious and social rhetoric. For other readers, the latter formed the meat and potatoes of the series. While traces of both remain in “Paul of Dune,” Herbert and Anderson have done a remarkable job of finding the core of the Dune universe, those aspects of the franchise that make it exciting, and leaving most of the heady stuff on the chopping block.

Jumping from Paul Atreides’ prince-like beginnings as a youngster to his subsequent rule as the emperor of the known universe, “Paul of Dune” is a well-paced space opera that seems to blend effortlessly with a science fiction classic written decades before. The original characters from the original Dune novel are all there and seem just as they did when Frank Herbert originally created them. Those looking for a soliloquy on religion, however, may have to look elsewhere.

Despite his fast schedule and frequent book tours. Anderson continues to produce novels that never fail to entertain. Writing the new “Dune” series alongside Herbert, the books have continuously leapt onto the bestseller lists, as more and more readers discover the Fremen, Sandworms, Spice and all the other gems that make the franchise such a cool place to visit, though I doubt anyone would want to live there.

Video online for "Williams"

2008-11-10T19:59:00.001-08:00

Check out a video for my new book produced by the “Williams-Grand Canyon News!” Arcadia Publishing released “Williams” Nov. 3 and it is now available throughout northern Arizona and online through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Overstock.com. I had a lot of fun writing and prepping for this book, though it was pretty tiring!
See the video at http://williamsnews.com/main.asp?SectionID=100&SubSectionID=159&ArticleID=8296

Who, what, and when — but maybe not why or how

2008-11-10T18:42:00.000-08:00

Journalists to write smaller stories

Journalists from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean are hearing the same thing these days. Write smaller stories. Give the bare bones of the story and leave everything else out. Nearly every form of the craft, from hard news to feature stories, stop at about 500 words – roughly the size of the description on the back of a paperback novel.

The reason behind the current edict is the belief that readers no longer wish to read longer stories. They want fast, decisive news. They want to get through the paper quicker when they sit down to catch up on the news.

Industry magazines, such as the November 2008 edition of “Presstime,” report that smaller stories attract a younger audience. What age are they talking about? Not those in their 30-somethings, nor those in their 20-somethings that I know of, have ever declared any dissatisfaction with long news stories. On the contrary, when they are too short, many in my age group complain that the particulars of the story were missing. Perhaps the analysts referred to those in their teens, maybe younger, such those who are still waiting to graduate from the “Captain Underpants” books to the “Spiderwick Chronicles.”

Most are already aware of the fact that the truly pertinent information in a news story, though not necessarily in a feature story, can be found in the first two paragraphs. For journalists, it’s called the “inverted pyramid.” Most stories explain to the reader why they should care in the first place about a given article, followed by background information and other details. The five “Ws:” who, what, when, where, and why, are typically followed by the how. Reduced stories, however, may leave some of that out, such as the how and why, for example, and may create a news story that raises more questions than answers.

Print editions suffering from declining ad sales will benefit from shorter news stories, however. As newspapers shrink in size, so do the news holes, and smaller stories stand a better chance of making the final cut. For many newspapers, the longer versions of the stories are being saved for the online edition of the printed product. This means reporters and editors are creating two versions of the same story — one to stick in the paper and the other online. Readers who desire to know more are expected to leap onto their computers and seek out the rest of the story.

Many feel this philosophy is flawed, however, as there are readers who do not know how to navigate the World Wide Web, not to mention those who do not own a computer. For those who do not use computers recreationally, they may feel slighted by the shift to smaller stories. Others argue that readers who want to get through their print editions quicker will bring that same philosophy with them online.

Many newspapers continue to cultivate the majority of their revenue from print editions as well, while income from online sales remains questionable. To sacrifice the moneymaker for the unknown, many believe, is a big mistake.

I, for one, fear the reliability of a new source may be threatened in the long run due to shrinking coverage and smaller stories in print editions. As more and more citizen journalists report from the Web, long time news sources find themselves competing, not just with each other, but with anyone who owns a laptop. Writing smaller stories in print editions, with less information, threatens the credibility of a news source and could leave readers shopping for more. Yes, they may look online, but not necessarily at the newspaper’s Web site. For an online newspaper to be successful the print edition must also be successful and that may not be the case if readers grow dissatisfied by smaller stories lacking in information.

They may very well feel they will get more of the same online.

In order to build an online audience, newspapers might consider beefing up the reliability of their printed product rather than chopping it.

Magic, vampires, clues and even more magic

2008-10-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

Kids books are pretty incredible these days, maybe not so much in plot, but in volume they are staggering.

Some are merely recycled versions of existing kids’ fare, released maybe a year before, which for kids is forever, while others forage into original territory. Even the recycled plots, however, offer kernels of a novel idea. Adults who pick up the books, intended for teens and preteens, may get a little tired of reading about orphaned children, typically three of them, sometimes two of them, or children with divorced, dead or otherwise suffering parents, but many read on anyway — for the fun and sense of high adventure that seems to be lacking in many of today’s adult titles. Apparently grownups are supposed to like depression and little else.

Today’s literary marketplace, however, is one where adults and their children often read the same book.

Many believe the phenomenon began with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the first in the Harry Potter series. J. K. Rowling’s romping magical series has brought many young minds into the literary world to be sure. The tale of the boy wizard and his friends blossomed into seven novels and a handful of popular films. While the books may be cliché now, (it seems almost taboo for authors to tread into magical topics), they are undeniably fun to read. Even J. K. Rowling’s personal tale is one of magical proportions as she shot from welfare mom to queenly riches.

Hoping to follow the success of their own Potter books with even bigger success, Scholastic has recently begun a new series for young readers in “The 39 Clues.” Publishers hope to bring a new dimension of fandom with the new series (the second is scheduled to appear this December) by offering not only books, but an interactive Web site and trading cards as well. Should the books do well, a subsequent movie and video game should surprise no one.

Unlike their moneymaker, “Clues” differs greatly from Potter in both plot and originality and may fail to draw in older readers. With shades of “Narnia” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events” as well as a library of others, Clues tells the tale of two orphaned children who are offered the chance to become the most powerful people on the planet — should they solve a total of 39 clues first. In the first title, Rick Riordan’s “Maze of Bones,” the children are asked to accept a million dollars each or accept the challenge to solve the clues. Blending elements of movies like “National Treasure” and the “The Bourne Identity,” Clues does score on the originality index for the fact that, surprisingly, none of the characters are wizards, witches or otherwise magical. Older readers, those who have read Lemony Snicket and C. S. Lewis, may find the characters and plot a little too familiar. The shortness of the book also creates an idea for older readers that the work is meant for kids only, which may limit the audience.

This same formula applies to “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” in which three children, with divorced parents, battle magical creatures in order to protect a book that, should it fall into the hands of evil, may threaten all of humanity. Each book in the series is more like a chapter, sliding the collection once again into the “kids only” bracket for many readers. It’s cadre of fairy tale characters and children with “issues” treads, once again, on very familiar territory. Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black’s books do have one wonderful aspect that sets the series apart from most others, with the exception of “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” and that is the artwork within the pages, as well as the smaller than average hardcover design, perfect for rough and tumble (and literate) children. The series has also found a huge fan base in children that are just beginning to delve into the reading world. For them it is their first exposure to orphans, groups of three children in perilous situations, sometimes two, and the like.

Unlike “Spiderwick” and “Clues,” Cornelia Funke’s book, “Inkheart,” and its two sequels, serves both young and old book lovers. A book about a young girl and her father (the girl’s mother has vanished) who can bring characters from books into the real world is both entertaining and original in plot. The characters, however, are once again pulled from the same pool when it comes to back-story. Despite this fact, “Inkheart” is a fun read for any age group and serves up a healthy dose of action and suspense that even fans of espionage would appreciate.

Lastly, the “Twilight” series has become what many are calling the next “Harry Potter” in terms of book sales and popularity. Author Stephanie Meyer, a Mormon housewife, has brought the realm of vampires back into the sphere of popular fiction once dominated by Anne Rice and her “Vampire Chronicles.” Teens are literally “wolfing down” Meyer’s tale of Edward the vampire and his mortal lover, Bella.

Adults, too, can’t seem to keep their hands off the titles. With four in the series so far and a movie in the works, excitement over the “Twilight” saga continues to soar. Unlike many teen titles, Meyer has tapped into mostly uncharted territory with the “Twilight” series. Her characters have a wholly human quality to them, despite one disappointing aspect in the main character’s divorced parents, which is, once again, terribly familiar. Bella herself reads more like a normal teenager than most books, however. The topics in the series, a vampire version of “Romeo and Juliet” at times, place Meyer and her work on the same pedestal as J. K. Rowling, though not because both series fly like rockets off the shelves at bookstores and the fact that both authors can buy small moons should they choose to do so, but because both authors were not afraid to try something new. Both deserve their accolades for that fact alone, as do many of those authors who create something magical for children, not by way of wizards and dragons and orphaned children (though that applies as well), but by the fact that their books get children to read.

"Candy Girl" not too sweet

2008-10-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

There were a few humorous anecdotes within the pages of “Candy Girl,” a memoir by the famed “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody. A reference to the “Cathy” comic strip actually got me to laugh out loud. The meat and potatoes of the book, however, while highly descriptive, seemed more like a guide to the mundane. Her memoir will undoubtedly appeal to those 18,000-plus Cody MySpacers, who devour her every afterthought and leave sympathetic comments.

Those of us who simply wondered about her story-telling ability may still be wondering.

Candy Girl centers on Cody’s decision to become a stripper after she moves in with a boyfriend in Minneapolis. While climbing the corporate ladder, the young woman begins to fear that she is losing herself in the “high-powered” Minnesota business world. She decides to combat her fear of the office by stripping. The remainder of the memoir details her existence on and off the stage with stark particulars; in particular with images of her own body and the bodies of the other women she rubbed elbows with during her shadowy tenure as a sex worker.

Cody is a self-described geek, which I find terribly difficult to swallow. No real geeks would have tattoos and, well, be as “cool” as Diablo Cody, but aside from questionable admonitions, Cody’s writing ability impressed me. I read to the end, while wondering throughout when I might come to a plot point. Even the decision to become a stripper in an effort to stay out of the corporate monster’s devilish maw seemed little more than an after thought in my opinion. Anyone with an inclination to strip might be wise to keep a dog-eared copy of Candy Girl in their backpack. I would also recommend the book to any geek, as they would love to read about a cool girl who takes her clothes off and, obviously, loves their ilk to no end.

I began to wonder if she was trying to shock the reader or, surprisingly, not shock the reader with Candy Girl. Cody’s bible-belt fans might raise an eyebrow, but the rest of us could have guessed at everything within the pages, over coffee at Denny’s, without ever having tried to strip in public. To Cody’s credit, however, not many of us would have the ability to write it as well. I would certainly read her next novel should it come with a soul.

It’s possible that, being past my twenties, I failed to see the plot in the novel or understand the subtle nuances of a stripper’s forlorn existence. Younger folk may understand the flat storytelling, without a discernable beginning, middle and end. These 20-something readers would be the same social networkers who leap onto Cody’s bustling MySpace page and lavish their adoration on the ex-stripper turned Oscar nominee in the form of LOLspeak and hip English. If there is such a thing as modern experimental writing, Candy Girl could be it.

As an erotic memoir, it pales in comparison to others on the market, such as Lauren Wissot’s “Under My Master’s Wings.” Both follow a “year in the life of,” though “Wings” holds the distinction of being the most ambitious.

Wissot’s 2006 memoir, which details her year as a submissive under the yoke of a gay-for-pay stripper, carries a sense of originality that cannot be duplicated and certainly not guessed at over coffee at Denny’s. Those readers looking for a slice of life that can’t be found in their own pie would do well to sample Wissot’s creative existence.

There is little that can be called mundane within the pages of Wissot’s erotic memoir, from simple, humorous descriptions of one’s carnal appetite to voracious carnal mayhem; her tale is solid proof that an erotic memoir can be an impressive force in the literary world.

Those seeking anything “Cody” should visit her social networking sites. For those seeking an erotic memoir with a bite, read Wissot.

Is LOLspeak the new English?

2008-09-25T14:53:00.000-07:00

4 thos of us who cnt stnd gtng txts that r hard 2 read, and thnk the future of the English language is going the way of the Dodo, u may b rite.

Teenagers, children and even young adults are sending short bursts of (pointless) information to one another in the form of text messages these days. With nearly everyone owning cell phones, children, adults and grandparents, the popularity of texting, or “txtng,” is soaring. But is it really all that bad?

I don’t think so. Sure, I am a huge fan of the English language and I would rather get a text message that reads more like my e-mail messages, or better yet, like a Dickens novel, but that would be asking a lot. For most people, the ability to text is simply a way to exchange information without actually having to talk on the phone. In class or at work, for example, whether that’s high school or college or the car wash or boardroom, texting is a way to communicate while doing “real” work.

Nearly everyone does it and the ones who don’t, don’t know what they’re missing. Most texters still retain the ability to use proper English; they’re just in too much of a hurry to do it with text messages.

In fact, the cell phone companies themselves may have to shoulder some of the burden on this one. Charging for text length probably had a lot to do with the creation of the whole text-speak (or LOLspeak) phenomenon. Don’t be mad at the teenager if you don’t like their last text to you, the one that read, “ c u l8r,” be mad that they got charged per letter to say something nice!

The scary aspect is that some don’t know when to shut their text-speak off and will write as if they are sending an instant message rather than writing a letter to a loan agency. It could be where our language is headed if more and more people begin to carry their texting speech to the “real world.” As humans get busier and busier, it’s possible communication will condense into fragmented bytes of information with blurbs favored over actual sentences. Id h8 tht!

Nor do I find LOLspeak to be nothing more than a popular form of shorthand, which actually used to be taught in schools. For me, shorthand and text-speak are close cousins, maybe even brother and sister. The difference is that shorthand never reached the levels of popularity that text-speak has. It’s also a little harder to pick up.

Shorthand never took over the planet, nor do I think LOLspeak will. If anything, it will be an annoyance to those of us who have a hard time learning new languages.
For all we know, it may soon be replaced by the next form of communication soon enough anyway — emoticon-speak.

Who wouldn’t want a bunch of round, yellow, smiley faces as a sentence rather than those boring old letter things?

James Frey's literary debacle

2008-09-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

One thing is for sure when it comes to author James Frey. Nearly everyone knows who he is. For good or bad, we all know him as the author of “A Million Little Pieces.”
We also know him as the guy who supposedly wrote a memoir, which turned out to have a lot more fiction than non.

Oprah, were she a real queen, would undoubtedly have had his head after she plugged “Pieces” to death in her various media outlets so many years ago. One question remains, however, at least in my opinion, and I think it’s a good one. Was this a marketing ploy? Was the ensuing media circus simply an act to sell copies? In other words, did he lie to sell the book and then get caught? Or did he lie to sell the book, knowing full well he would come clean publicly, and then sell more books?

Like one of the most recent “Frey-esque” scandals, in which the private-schooled author Margaret Seltzer sold her supposed L.A. gang memoir (under the pseudonym of Margaret B. Jones), was it really the only way the book would be published? Seltzer, it turned out, never ran with gangs and the book was subsequently yanked from the shelves. Did Frey face that same question? Did he believe the book would never be published? Even an interview with the man may never clear up the real truth behind the matter.

For a lot of people the distinction doesn’t matter. The main point is he lied.

It’s not a bad idea really, trick the public at large and then own up to the trick, but still sell copies. Is it better to be remembered as a writer that hoodwinked the reading public, with the hope of forgiveness or not be remembered at all? For some authors, maybe that is their only recourse. Perhaps it was Frey’s?

Frey’s second book, “My Friend Leonard,” had just come out and the book rode the coattails of the author’s “confession” right to the bank if memory serves. While some may argue that the revelation may have hurt Frey’s sales, I can’t help but wonder what the sales may have been like without it.

Frey’s third novel, “Bright Shiny Morning” is now riding those same coattails, but with so much time having passed, I will be curious to see how well it does in comparison to his first two. At this point, Frey’s fan base may be what the publishers are counting on, that and his writing talent.

However “Pieces” was marketed, whether it was a planned ordeal or just an ordeal, Frey’s first book certainly carried the telltale signs of strong story-telling. Frey writes like a sports reporter working part time as a social worker. His character, whether the author himself or not, was so pitiful, wretched and smashed-up that you couldn’t help but feel repulsed and saddened by him. His journey through the dark, foul smelling world of drug rehabilitation read like a sick blow-by-blow account of the nastiness of addiction.

On its own, without thinking about the media circus and Oprah, “Pieces” is a fair read. As I read it, I kept thinking “this isn’t so bad, if it weren’t for all the problems around the guy who wrote it.”

When Frank McCourt wrote “Angela’s Ashes,” no one really questioned whether he could actually remember every nuance of his pitiful Irish childhood. The book, as we all know, became a firecracker on the best seller list. Maybe I’m wrong, but I seem to recall that it was marketed as a memoir as well.

Like JT Leroy, Seltzer, and even Kaavya Viswanathan (in a way), Frey made the door bang against the wall when he came into the literary world, and while the marketing may have been in bad taste for some people, sadly, it seems to be the trend these days. That same way of getting an author’s name out there may simply be a reflection of the world we live in and not (so much) the author’s character.

With Viswanathan, I have to add, the misdeeds went further than most authors are willing to travel. Her notorious “plagiarism” sent ripples through the publishing world, not to mention Harvard, and went beyond the lie of the “author” and into the lie of “the story.” Still, I doubt if anyone in the publishing world would be surprised to find another book contract in her future – offered not so much due to her writing ability, but by her notoriety.

No matter a truth-turned-lie, a copycat embarrassment, or Palin’s diary, read any book for its content rather than for its insight into the real world. In my opinion, an author’s lasting worth is only as good as their product. As a literary consumer, if I didn’t like the first book, I won’t buy the second one. Who wrote it sits close to my tenth finger when I count off the justifications for my desire to read something. It’s nowhere near the first reason.

After all, I may not have wanted to hang out with Hunter S. Thompson when he lived, but damned if he isn’t a good writer.

Kindle-ized

2008-09-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

There’s no substitute to a book in hand. I am old fashioned when it comes to the literary marvels that make their home in my home. But like nearly everyone, authors included, I have more than one facet to my personality. While I like the feel of a hardcover in my lap, I also like the sleek, sweet smell of new technology. With a new cell phone born every minute, GPS systems of all sizes and makes, MP3 players and mini-laptops, flash drives, cameras and everything else under the sun, technology is budding faster than America’s foreclosure rate.

For anyone who has a secret love of new technology, or a raging, out-of-control addiction to it for that matter, e-Readers are a must-have piece of gadgetry. For lovers of literature and technology, it is heartening to know that the two have wed. E-Readers are becoming almost as accepted as MP3 players these days. Those who like to make techy comparisons call them i-Pods for books. Download a novel, just like music, right into the reader. They hold hundreds of titles, all in one little package. A person can carry their entire library with them, from the Bible to Robert Jordan, or from “Twilight” to “On the Road,” depending on your fancy as a literary consumer.

While the e-Readers, for me, will never replace the tangible novel that I can feel, kiss and caress, it is a great addition to my bookish existence. I caress my e-Reader, too, stare fondly at it and download regularly from Amazon.

While there are plenty of other e-Readers out there to choose from, I opted to lay my money on Amazon.com’s first venture into the retail market. I read reviews, looked at other models from other manufacturers and basically got to know the world of e-readers before getting one myself. Though I was thrilled to see the publishing world make forays into the modern technological marketplace, and wanted to support it as best I could, the $400 price tag made a poor guy like me sweat.

I won’t go into technical details here, as I think it would be pretty damn boring to do so (not to mention the fact that it wouldn’t make sense, since I would be making it up), but I will say that I love the Kindle. I’ve downloaded about 10 books to it, used the built-in dictionary and looked up tons of crap on Wikipedia. The screen, while black and white, is made with “e-ink” technology that makes the pictures sharp and clear, but not on a backlit screen that would hurt sensitive bookworm eyes like mine. In other words, you can’t read it in the dark without a night-light.
The cool thing about the Kindle, however, is that it does way more than allow you to carry around 200 novels in something as small as a skinny day planner. It also has wireless service for downloads no matter where you are. Amazon offers subscriptions to newspapers; every morning the latest issue of the “San Francisco Chronicle” would magically appear on my Kindle’s main page.

There are a few downsides too, which I imagine will get cleared up, such as the fact that I have had to reset it a couple of times when it froze up on me, and that I ended up having to cancel my subscription to the Chronicle, because it would not recognize the charge to my debit on a daily basis (again the techy aspect is beyond me), which is why I cancelled rather than spend the time to figure out the problem and fix it. It is also easy to get addicted to downloading without a second thought, which can tap a bank account that often goes hungry in the first place. The latter, however, is my own shortcoming.

As I said earlier, I may not stop buying bound hardcovers when the mood strikes me, but the e-Reader is a great addition to the library and perfect to take on the run, especially when I miss my mortgage payment and have to get out of town in a hurry. Or, if I’m lucky, when I can afford to take a vacation somewhere nice.