My "Bogusly Autobiographical Life in Writer's Hell" Series

I have written a series of short crime fiction that I refer to as my "bogusly autobiographical life in writer's hell" stories. What I like to do with these is have just enough superficial similarities with myself that they appear autobiographical even though they're completely fictitious. Usually I get several concerned emails when one's published. The first of them, More than a Scam, could be the first (and maybe only??) Nigerian email scam story written, and received honorable mention in the 2003 Best American Mystery Stories anthology. Here's the complete series so far (all online), but more will follow, and maybe even a novel.

• More Than a Scam
• She Stole My Fortune! (originally written for the Quertermous/White "Junk in the Trunk" Blogathon)
• Flies

Not bad from the back either...

Bad Thoughts, that is. Back cover turned out as impressive as the front. You can click on the image to enlarge it.

Library Journal on Bad Thoughts

"This fast-paced, gritty psychological tale balances the fine line between mystery and horror."

Preordering some Bad Thoughts

Bad Thoughts is available for preordering from both amazon.com and BN.com, both at a discount (hardcover, regular price $25.95). Amazon is selling it for $17.13. BN is selling it for $20.76 (members $18.68).

What people are saying so far about Bad Thoughts:

A compellingly clever wheels-within-wheels thriller, Zeltserman’s new novel blends genres in a subtle mix that will appeal to both mystery and horror fans. —Elliott Swanson, Booklist (read whole review)

If you're looking for a hardboiled anybody-can-die-at-any-time book that's a change of pace from the usual, look no further. --Bill Crider (read whole review)

This book is an often graphic and intense read that delves deep into the psychology of evil and sanity. -- Kevin Tipple (read whole review)

For a dark, metaphysical thriller with very real characters, give Bad Thoughts a run. -- Frank Zafiro

Bad Thoughts is hypnotic, gripping, even terrifying. -- Steve Hamilton, Edgar Award-winning author of A Stolen Season

Stunning, though definitely not for the faint of heart— Shamus-award winning author, Jeremiah Healy

THIS IS HIGH OCTANE NOIR, DAZZLING IN IT'S SHEER VIVACITY........I DIDN'T LIKE THIS BOOK, I ADORED IT—Shamus-award winning author, Ken Bruen

Bad thoughts is a fast moving occult thriller, with taut dialogue and smart, likeable characters… Pour yourself a fifth of Scotch, get an easy chair, grab a protective talisman and enjoy.—Adrian McKinty, author of Dead I Well May Be and Hidden River

Friday is Cruel Poetry day!

You can read my review of Vicki Hendrick's excellent new novel here. As part of a grand experiment to bring attention to a worthy book, buy a copy of Cruel Poetry today from Amazon if you like your crime fiction populated by dark, twisted souls on a one-way ticket to hell. Or maybe if you just want to read something different from the norm that's beautifully written.

Booklist on Bad Thoughts

A compellingly clever wheels-within-wheels thriller, Zeltserman’s new novel blends genres in a subtle mix that will appeal to both mystery and horror fans. Police detective Bill Shannon’s dreams are being invaded by images of horrific violence, but the source of the intrusion remains shadowed until the harrowing conclusion of the novel, a homage to the Australian Aboriginal concept of “Dreamtime.” The reader will be kept guessing as to whether the psychologically hammered cop is being revisited by his own guilt or whether there’s an outside factor involved in his recurring visions of murdering his own mother. The resolution of the novel clearly indicates the possibility of sequels to come, so if you want to get in on the ground floor, now’s the time. An ingenious plot, skillfully executed. —Elliott Swanson, Booklist

First Thoughts on Bad Thoughts

From Bill Crider:

"...And it's at this point that the genre gets bent. After that, it's a wild ride. I was reminded a little of Blood Dreams, a novel by the late Jack MacLane, published by Zebra just after the era of the knives-in-fresh-fruit covers. Joe Lansdale's Act of Love had one of those covers, come to think of it. Zeltserman's book would rest comfortably on the shelf beside them. If you're looking for a hardboiled anybody-can-die-at-any-time book that's a change of pace from the usual, look no further. Just check this one out when it appears in July."

You can read the whole review here, and I'd like to thank Bill for taking the time to read Bad Thoughts, reviewing it, and putting it in such fine company.

A Hardluck Sampler

We're in between issues right now at Hardluck, and I thought I'd put together a 12-story sampler from Hardluck's archives to show new readers some of the goodies lurking there. Enjoy.

Punk by Ken Bruen
Beauty by Ed Gorman
"One Step Closer" by Iain Rowan
What's in a Name? by Robert Wm. Wagner
I'm No Killer by Allan Guthrie
Evil Forces by Gary Lovisi
A Handful of Dust by Harry Shannon
Keely Sings The Blues by Sarah Weinman
No Hablo Ingles by Manuel Ramos
Lost in the Water by Trey Barker
Coyote's Ballard by Mike MacLean
Church Social by Pearce Hansen

Hardluck turns the spotlight on Five Star

Here's the general announcement for the Summer issue of Hardluck Stories that John Helfers and I came up with:

"Hardluck Stories announces a call for stories for its upcoming Five Star Publishing edition:

Hardluck Stories, the noir fiction e-zine edited by Dave Zeltserman, is announcing a call for story submissions for a future edition that will celebrate the Five Star Mystery line. Edited by Dave and guest editor John Helfers, who oversees the Mystery Fiction line for Tekno Books, and packager of the Five Star Mystery line, this special edition of Hardluck stories will be open to any Five Star author who wishes to submit, whether they've published in the Mystery, SF/Fantasy, or Expressions lines.

Of course, stories must be noir, the darker the better, and the overarching theme of the edition will be Crime in the City. Stories should be no more than 5,000 words long, are due by July 1, 2007, and should be sent to dz@hardluckstories.com. Authors of the chosen stories will be notified by e-mail. For more information on Hardluck Stories, please visit the website at http://www.hardluckstories.com"

So why a Hardluck Five Star issue? For a lot of reasons, really. One is I have a book coming out with them July 18th. But that's only a small part of it. Without the support of people like Ed Gorman (who created the Five Star Mystery Line), Michael Black, Harry Shannon and Trey Barker, Hardluck wouldn't be what it is today. All of them have of them have been guest editors (in Michael's case, twice), all of them have been contributers, and they all helped shaped Hardluck's vision. There have been other links between Hardluck and Five Star--Jeremiah Healy, who gave Hardluck a much needed boost in the early days by guest editing a special issue of Hardluck, had one of his standalone books published by Five Star and gave me the privilege of publishing one of his stories in the Western Noir issue, as did Bill Crider, who's been a great friend of Hardluck, and also has a standalone coming out through Five Star. Other Five Star authors who've been published on Hardluck include Julie Hyzy and Dave Case. Anyway, Five Star is putting out some terrific crime fiction by some amazingly talented writers, and they deserve any attention Hardluck could provide it. Plus, I'll end up publishing a terrific collection of noir stories in the process. Can't beat that.

Bad and Beautiful

Bad as in the first word of the title for my upcoming novel Bad Thoughts, Beautiful as in the stunning cover my publisher settled on*. So far I've been lucky--both the Point Blank and Meridiano Zero covers for my first novel, Fast Lane, have been works of art. Now just waiting to see what Serpent's Tail comes up with for Small Crimes.

*the photo for the cover was taken by a good friend and an amazingly talented artist, Laurie Pzena.