17 August 2013 by Published in: Black, Uncategorized 41 comments

After much hair pulling and gnashing of teeth, I’m happy to report that my noir detective series, BLACK, is almost ready to go live. It will officially launch around the middle of Sept., with BLACK 2 already in the bag, and going out 30 days later, followed by BLACK 3 in November, and possibly BLACK 4 in December.

If that sounds like a lot of writing, you ain’t seen nuthin yet. I’ll also be writing JET VI for a December release, and have agreed to do two co-authored novels with indie authors with whom I’m friends, and also a fan. Different genres than my usual, though – one’s a dystopian prepper novelist of considerable talent, and the other’s a NA author and USA Today/NY Times bestselling author of no small repute and ability.

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ANTHOLOGY RELEASED – FREE!!! The new anthology,  The End of the Road, to which I’m a contributor, is now out…and free!

BREAKING NEWS: An interview about Upon A Pale Horse! Check it out!!!

NEWS: New in-depth interview with yours truly at Smashwords. Worth a read if your TV’s on the blink. Feel free to comment and leave questions you’d like answered there. I’ll probably ignore them, but hey, worth a shot, right?

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Whether the two co-authored deals will get done by year’s end is up in the air due to everyone’s schedules, but I can honestly say that I’ve never written this much in my life. For those keeping track at home, 2013 will be a year where I released eight of my own novels, if all goes well, and these two co-authored offerings.

Next year I am slowing the pace down to three or four of my own, and that’s it. I swear. Really. Unless the co-authored books go through the roof and I become a NA romance sensation, dancing in my lime green man thong for the tourist ladies off the cruise ship, their hungry eyes and grabby hands haunting my nights – but that’s a whole nuther topic, thank god. As it is, figure one Russell book every three months, and no more. For which my editors and proofreader are already exhaling long sighs of relief.

I will also be announcing some incredibly exciting news in November that will change the way many view indie authors. That’s all I’m going to say right now, but trust me when I tell you that it’s news that will be front-page-worthy, right up there with some of the biggest accomplishments to date. It’s a huge milestone for me on a personal level, and a game-changer in many ways. Stay tuned. And no, this is not a cheap publicity ploy to get people wondering what the big deal is. It’s not a big buildup to a completely uninteresting non-event. This is the real thing. Unless I’m lying. Which I do, early and often. So you’ll just have to wait to see.

BLACK, for those wondering, is the final title of the hard-boiled detective novel I discussed here in April or May – Artemus Black, Hollywood PI to the stars, with anger management problems and a host of other issues. It’s written with more than a little humor, and is reminiscent of The Geronimo Breach in terms of the main character’s luck. I really like this series, and can see it going for a long, long time. Lighter than some of my stuff, it’s a tip of the hat and a wink at the likes of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Michael Connelly and James Patterson. So if you like that bunch, give it a try. I’ve always enjoyed detective mysteries, and promised myself I’d write a few, so this is my toe in that water. I think it turned out really well, and hope that it’s kindly received.

That’s the latest. If you don’t see me around my usual haunts, it’s because the next 100 days is going to be a marathon, not because I hate you or you’ve offended me in any way. Except for you. And you know who you are. Don’t play dumb. It’s not going to work this time. I’ve got a memory like an elephant on meth, and I’m not going to forget your betrayal.

The rest of you, carry on. And go buy some of my crap. The price is going nowhere but up soon, so this is probably your last chance at it at these prices.

 

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Comments

  1. yoon
    Sat 17th Aug 2013 at 8:45 pm

    Bahahahahahaha I LOVE it every time you swear you’ll write only X number of books and that’s it, this time you mean it, you’re really serious.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Sat 17th Aug 2013 at 10:40 pm

      But this time I really am totally serious. Really.

      Reply
      • yoon  –  Sat 17th Aug 2013 at 11:29 pm

        Oh stop. You’re giving me stitches.

        Reply
  2. Sat 17th Aug 2013 at 10:39 pm

    Hey, Joe at 3Dpicture. Kindly send your email address to [email protected] – thanks!

    Reply
  3. Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 10:28 am

    Very excited to read the BLACK series and upcoming NA romance novel. If it’s not ready by Christmas, then a Valentine’s Day release date sounds good.

    Yoon and I may need to book tickets to the cruise…

    Reply
    • yoon  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 8:54 pm

      I’ll go on the cruise with you only if you promise to seduce me.

      Reply
      • Kim Cano  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 10:06 pm

        I’m assuming you’re talking to Russell?

        Reply
        • yoon  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 10:32 pm

          No, you be wrong.

          Reply
          • Kim Cano  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 10:35 pm

            Are you saying you meant me? I’m confused. I thought we were on the same grabby hands team. 🙂

          • yoon  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 10:44 pm

            Of course, I meant you. And yes, we belong to the same team. Nevertheless I was expecting you to say something like of course you’ll seduce me as long as nobody tells your husband but who knows maybe you’ll leave him for me or something.

  4. Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 11:19 am

    Cool. Been looking forward to this series.

    Russell, you read any Arthur Conan Doyle?

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 12:21 pm

      Been years. But yes. Loved him.

      Reply
      • Ryan Schneider  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 3:21 pm

        Ah okay. I was curious if he had any influence on your development as a writer, specifically as it pertains to incorporating the mystery element into the story, for which he was a master.

        Reply
        • Russell Blake  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 6:50 pm

          Perhaps he did. I recall reading all his work as I was growing up, but then again I read most of the usual suspects when I was growing up, so it’s hard to say who had the greatest or least influence on me. Probably Forsyth, and to a lesser extent, Ludlum and the rest of that “popular in the seventies” gang – Trevanian, Chandler, Le Carre, etc. Nowadays when I have a chance to read for pleasure, it’s usually James Lee Burke or David Foster Wallace. Neither of which impact my approach to mystery, but both of whom certainly have elevated my aspirations for my prose, if only by demonstrating again and again what’s possible.

          Reply
  5. Collette
    Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 5:35 pm

    It’s about time. Honestly. I’ve been forced to read other authors while you were on sabbatical. One of which rivals your own talent. His penchant for surprise ending is.. well, surprising. Scary, huh? Impatiently waiting for Black.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 6:51 pm

      There are quite a few good authors out there. I personally like David Vinjamuri’s Operator for similar fare to some of my stuff. Very well written.

      Reply
      • Collette  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 11:43 pm

        I’ll try his book. Thanks for the federal. The author I referenced is Nathan Gottlieb.

        Reply
        • Collette  –  Mon 19th Aug 2013 at 12:57 am

          You know predicative spelling is so aggravating somtimes. Federal? Referral?

          Reply
  6. Vincent
    Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 8:55 pm

    Prices headed up, huh? Tequila prices on the rise?

    Reply
  7. Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 10:46 pm

    Yoon. God you’re funny! You make this blog. 🙂

    Reply
    • yoon  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 10:56 pm

      Oh I don’t know about that. I think Mr. ThisTimeIReallyAmSerious has something to do with this blog? My friends tell me they’ll leave their respective spouses and marry me all the time. I’m spoiled that way.

      Reply
      • Kim Cano  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 11:00 pm

        You two could co-author a book of just the funny stuff you say to each other in this blog! And yeah, he’s got good intentions, until another great idea hits. Then it’s hard to turn off those voices…

        Reply
        • yoon  –  Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 11:12 pm

          I’m a reader, not a writer. But seriously, I think too many people write from what they thought funny from their blogs? Even that bestseller from whatshername, the bloggess blogger, just couldn’t get me through more than a few pages.

          I knew writers hear voices. Dangerous people, your lot.

          Reply
          • Kim Cano  –  Mon 19th Aug 2013 at 12:54 am

            Writers. We’re the worst.
            Oh, and about seducing you. Not tell the husband? Isn’t that like depriving men of their biggest dream come true?
            Afterward we shock em and run away together though. But I don’t want to marry you. No need to get hitched and ruin what we have with silly paperwork.

          • yoon  –  Mon 19th Aug 2013 at 11:06 pm

            YOU DON’T WANT TO MARRY ME? I don’t believe this. You know, I think I’m going to rethink that cruise thing. And I’m writing it down as our first fight.

  8. Collette
    Sun 18th Aug 2013 at 11:52 pm

    Thanks for the referral. I’ll try his book. The author I mentioned is Nathan Gottlieb, mystery writer with surprises.

    Reply
  9. Thu 22nd Aug 2013 at 7:02 am

    Psyched to hear your news, Russell. I can think of few people who have earned their success more than you.

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Thu 22nd Aug 2013 at 10:35 am

      Thanks, Sean. Still pinching myself, and of course, writing my ass off. That seems to make up for my host of deficiencies, so I’ll keep at it as long as readers can stomach it.

      Hope you don’t mind my not naming Artemus Black, Sean. No hard feelings and all.

      Reply
      • Sean Black  –  Thu 22nd Aug 2013 at 10:38 am

        Don’t sweat it, big guy. Black is a pen name. My real name is Trixie O’Shaughnessy

        Reply
        • Russell Blake  –  Thu 22nd Aug 2013 at 11:29 am

          Crap. There goes my Trixie O series. Bastard. BASTARD!!!

          Reply
  10. Margaret Rainforth
    Sun 25th Aug 2013 at 7:51 am

    I’m looking forward to your romance story but be prepared to anger some of your fans. David Baldacci tried it this year to a lot of negative reviews (it was a very good book). Fans just weren’t expecting the genre switch. Good to spread your author wings!

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Sun 25th Aug 2013 at 10:47 am

      Margaret, there will be zero way my fans will not understand this is a completely different genre, and will be forewarned. I’m very sensitive to genre hopping and don’t recommend it. Most of my male fans, for instance, won’t want to follow me over, nor should they. Some of the female have indicated an interest in doing so, and they’re welcome to. But I intend to make it as clear as it could possibly be that it’s a co-authored romance and NOT my usual fare. Guess we’ll all see how that goes…

      Reply
  11. Fri 30th Aug 2013 at 6:34 am

    Hey Blake you are crazy man. I had to laugh when I saw your notice about the coming releases. I was going to send you a message about checking out the Prologue in my coming September novel to get your thoughts on that opening sequence…and now I realize what time would you really have to do it. LOL! Anyway if you want a breather from the beach and the tequila then check out the preview file on Amazon under the title ‘Iceman Genesis.’ That is not the real cover for the complete book, only for the snippet. Anyway with that crazy schedule of yours, I won’t consider it a slight if you are unable.

    Hoilett, Over and out…watching your fingers rapidly move across the keyboard at electrifying speed 🙂

    Reply
  12. Sat 31st Aug 2013 at 1:07 pm

    In recognition of your hard work and trail-blazing output, I named a character in Sonoma Knight: The Goat-Ripper Case after you. The wine buyer from Tottenham’s, Jared Vanderblake — he’s over-the-top and very funny. Lead on! Write on!

    Reply
  13. Tue 03rd Sep 2013 at 1:16 am

    I seldom comment, however i did a few searching and wound up here Russell
    Blake ? Coming up on BLACK time!. And I actually do have 2
    questions for you if it’s allright. Could it be just me or does it look like some of these comments come across like coming
    from brain dead people? 😛 And, if you are writing on additional online social
    sites, I would like to follow everything fresh you
    have to post. Could you make a list of every one of all your communal
    pages like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

    Reply
  14. Sun 08th Sep 2013 at 2:27 pm

    Amazing blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally confused .. Any suggestions? Appreciate it!

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Tue 10th Sep 2013 at 8:36 pm

      I use WordPress.

      Hints? Write a good book. Then write another. Continue till famous or dead.

      Reply
  15. Wed 27th Nov 2013 at 10:53 am

    I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re using?
    I’m having some minor security problems with my latest site and I would
    like to find something more safe. Do you have any recommendations?

    Reply
    • Russell Blake  –  Wed 27th Nov 2013 at 12:26 pm

      I use WordPress. Hope that helps.

      Reply
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