FIRST PLACE!

Hi folks,

Woke up this ayem and checked the Preditors and Editors competiiton and... THE BITCH is now Number One! All the credit goes to the fantastic folks here and other friends who took the time and trouble to vote for it. I'm in deep debt and gratitude to you. It's not over yet--I imagine others will mount a big push, so if you haven't voted yet or can ask your friends to vote, we'll win this puppy!

For the Preditors and Editors (and Preditors is misspelled on purpose by the founders of the site), go here to vote. It's under Thrillers. http://critters.org/predpoll/novelthrill.shtml

For those who want to vote in the Spinetingler's awards, go here: http://www.spinetinglermag.com/  That link takes you to the article about the awards. Click on "More" and at the poll, scroll down to Legends (folks with more than 9 books published) and write in The Bitch by Les Edgerton in the box. That's it.

And... THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!

Blue skies,
Les

MOVING UP! THANK YOU!!!

Hi folks,
Thanks to y'all, THE BITCH is now in second place in the P&E Awards! Keep it going, please! Ask your friends if they'd help if you don't mind. We're really, really close! Don't know how to tell how we're doing in the Spinetingler Awards but think we're doing okay.

Here are the links again:

http://www.spinetinglermag.com/

http://critters.org/predpoll/novelthrill.shtml

And, for those who haven’t had a chance to buy the book and want to, go here:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Bitch-ebook/dp/B006P2NLHG/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324588756&sr=1-1

  Some have said they didn't know where to vote on the Spinetingler site. Just click on the link on the lead article and then go to Legends in the thriller category. I'm a legend since I've had more than 8 books published. This is flat-out amazing, as all the other books have been out for a long time and mine less than a week. That means it's YOU FOLKS who are making this happen! I love ya and am having you all over to my place for drinks if we win!

Thank you!

Blue skies,
Les

Help!

HI folks,

I just learned my new novel, THE BITCH, is currently in fifth place in the Predators and Critter's Best Of poll. You can vote at http://critters.org/predpoll/novelthrill.shtml

There are some REALLY good novels listed. Personally, I voted for Anthony Neil Smith's book, and there were several others I wish I could have voted for also. But... if ya love me, you'll vote for...

I'd appreciate your taking the time and trouble! If I do well, I'm taking everybody here out for drinks. (I'm just taking you out... not buying.

Blue skies,
Les

INTERVIEW AT INSPIRATION FORUM

Hi folks,

I just completed one of the most fun interviews I've ever had the pleasure of participating in over at the Inspiration Forum from the U.K. You can see it at: http://www.inspirationforum.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=1790

Paul D. Brazill recommended me to Fiona, the interviewer and her questions were spot-on. Thanks, Paul--you were right--Fiona's da bomb!

Hope you enjoy it--I sure did!

Blue skies,
Les

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Hi folks,

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone arrived safe and sound at Grandma's house and is enjoying a great meal and fellowship. And... I hope in everyone's stocking they found a new Kindle.

Which means you need stuff to fill it with...

Here's a few ideas http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=les+edgerton&x=0&y=0

There's no snow! Yay!

Happy writing for next year! My wish for all my writing friends is that they publish everything they write! And, for my reading friends, that they love every book they read.

Blue skies,
Les

THE BITCH IS FOR SALE!!!

Hi folks,

THE BITCH JUST WENT ON SALE AT AMAZON!!!

Go to http://www.amazon.com/The-Bitch-ebook/dp/B006P2NLHG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324588026&sr=1-1

Hope you like it! I'm extremely proud of this book--put everything I had into it!

If you go to Amazon, please take a second and hit the "Like" button. Also, if anyone will leave a review, I'll put you in my will...



Blue skies,
Les

THE BITCH is coming! Promise...

Hi folks,

I know at least some of you are awaiting publication of my psychological thriller, THE BITCH, and I just wanted to give you an update on it.

The holdup is due entirely to the publisher, Eddie Vega. Lest you think I just threw Eddie under the bus, allow me to explain.

The whole problem is, Eddie's a perfectionist. Definitely a guy who's out of touch with modern life! Who in contemporary publishing does what this guy does! And, what is it he does, exactly?

Well, if you’ve read many ebooks, you’ve no doubt encountered a number of glitches in at least some of them. Paragraphs separated by space breaks, ala Lorrie Moore… but not on purpose as her work is. Those little wing-dings that mysteriously appear, such as the little blank boxes that sometimes show up. Paragraphs that aren’t indented. Spelling errors, punctuation mistakes, lines split mysteriously in places that don’t make sense. Dozens of other glitches.

Those who’ve published ebooks are well aware of them. The best publishers try to eliminate as many as possible. They appear because of the conversion programs available. What goes into the wood-chipper of a conversion program isn’t necessarily what comes out. While the best publishers do their best to clean up and eliminate conversion errors, there are some who could care less. Just slap it up on Amazon and fuggetaboutit. Some of these publishers just don’t give a damn. Slap it through the program and get it out there…

Not Eddie, nor Cort McMeel, the publishers of Bare Knuckles Press and Noir Nation International Crime Magazine. These guys are just plain anal. They have this ridiculous notion that what the buyer sees on his/her Kindle or Nook or other e-reader should be nothing less than perfect and that nothing on the page detract from the reading experience.

Here’s an encapsulated history of the editing of this book. First, I went through at least three major edits and rewrites of the entire manuscript under the guidance and tutelage of Cort and Eddie. Several dozen additional minor rewrites. This was before it was sent out for the ebook conversion process.

Eddie worked with the artists and technical wizards of the brilliant firm of Hurricanes and Butterflies in Prague, both for the cover and for the conversion to ebook format. He spent literally weeks just on the cover. Not to mention spending a boatload of money on it! This wasn’t some cover art from Jim Bob at the local graphic shop. He wanted the perfect cover. And got it, at least in my opinion. Oh—and that’s another thing. While most publishers I’ve worked with have been very gracious in soliciting my opinion about the cover on my books, not all do so. These guys really care that the author likes his cover.

For the past month, Eddie has had the three of us—him, Cort and me--going over and over the converted manuscript. Three times we’ve gone over and over a new version. Each time, we found and ferreted out conversion errors and my own errors.

Eddie and Cort have literally been working on manuscripts for BKP for 20-hour days, seven days a week. For months and months. They only publish books they’re passionate about and they’ve treated my manuscript with more respect and loving care than I’ve ever experienced with any other publisher, including several of the Big Six legacy publishers.

I’ve had to turn my phone off at night to get any sleep. Eddie is a vampire and if I didn’t turn off my phone, I’d be sure to get a call from him at three in the ayem. He often works through the night and I think he thinks the rest of us are doing the same.

The thing is, both Eddie and Cort feel this is a great book. And, they treat it with that kind of respect. Whether it is or not, I imagine readers will let us know. I’m very happy with it—especially after these guys helped me make it much “gooder” than it was when I submitted it to them.

I wish all my writer friends will get to experience a publishing experience akin to mine with Bare Knuckles Press with their own publishers! It’s the kind of experience that renews my faith in publishers—the kind that used to exist in larger numbers. Who aren’t concerned about the money first and foremost, but more in delivering what they feel to be worthwhile literature to the world.

So, I’m not throwing Eddie under the bus at all. Mostly, I love the respect and care he’s given my work, even if it gets the release date moved up some.

At this moment, we’re hoping it’ll be available in a day or so. In the meantime, I just wanted those of you who’ve been asking me when they can get a copy to know what’s going on. It’s all good.

I also wanted to share with you what some folks have said about THE BITCH in the blurbs they’ve generously given to me. As you can see by their names, these are people most of us know from their own, superb work. It means a lot to me what they had to say.

BLURBS

THE BITCH is the kind of raw crime fiction that’s right up my alley, like sandpaper for the brain. Edgerton has got the chops. Mad chops. Gonna make us all ashamed of our puny efforts one day.

 —Anthony Neil Smith, bestselling author of All the Young Warriors, Choke on Your Lies, Psychomatic, Hogdoggin’, Yellow Medicine, The Drummer, To the Devil, My Regards, Devil Red (Hap and Leonard) and others.

The Bitch is a vicious barnstormer of a novel, a noir rollercoaster that won’t let you unbuckle until that final three-word smackdown. Les Edgerton is Eddie Bunker’s pulpy cousin and Eugene Izzi’s soul brother, and with a spiritual family like that, you can’t go wrong. Pick it up immediately.

—Ray Banks, internationally bestselling author of Dead Money, Beast of Burden, The Big Blind. Saturday’s Child, Donkey Punch, No More Heroes and others.

Les Edgerton doesn’t pussyfoot around. He writes about real people drowning in desperation in THE BITCH. He’s got a story to tell you so get ready; it’s coming at you fast. Get ready…

 —Linwood Barclay, international bestselling author of Never Look Away, Clouded Vision, The Last Resort, Fear the Worst, Too Close to Home, No Time for Goodbye, The Accident and others.

Les Edgerton’s brilliantly hardboiled THE BITCH is the tense and hard hitting story of Jake Bishop, a reformed ex-con whose dark past drags him back into a life of crime like an umbilical cord tied tight around his neck.

 —Paul D. Brazill, author of 13 Shots of Noir.

I liked THE BITCH so much that I wanted to publish it. But we lost out and Bare Knuckles Press got a hell of a book. The Bitch is a dark crime fiction story that never once pulls a punch or ducks behind some bullshit like “happy endings” or “closure.” The Bitch isn’t afraid to stay dark until the very end.

 —Brian Lindenmuth, editor/publisher of Snubnose Press and Spinetingler Magazine.

From its opening sentence to its last, THE BITCH is an engrossing journey into some very dark places. Les Edgerton writes like a poet with a mean streak, and his prose goes down easy and smooth like good liquor as it carves up your insides.

—Henry Perez, author of Mourn the Living and Killing Red.

Imagine, if you will, Les Edgerton, Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler sipping straight whiskey while swapping lies in the back booth of the Linebacker bar as the “noir” legends welcome Edgerton into the brotherhood of broken dreams. With THE BITCH, Edgerton earns his way into this special literary brotherhood. No, The Bitch isn’t a wild woman, but prison slang for “ha-BITCH-ual criminal.” This is a taut tale of double-cross, death, diamonds and destruction as Jake Bishop fights to protect all he holds dear—his freedom, his pregnant wife, and his teen-age brother—by holding The Bitch at bay when trapped into one last job. Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe could learn a thing or two from this hairdresser.

—Bob Stewart, author of Remorse (Pinnacle) a True Crime Book of the Month selection, Hidden Evil, and others.

 Les Edgerton. I just read his newest hard-boiled effort, THE BITCH, and I realized I didn’t once breathe through the entire thing. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but it is one of the most fun, dangerous, if not pyromaniac literary performances of the past year (word up is that parts of it are taken from Les’s own life. Holy crap, this guy shouldn’t be alive!). Like Les’s previous bestselling nonfiction effort on writing, HOOKED, this novel is a sure bet.

—Vincent Zandri author of The Remains, The Innocent, Moonlight Falls and The Concrete Pearl.

Every crime novelist remembers how his breath was literally taken away when he first started to read the early novels of Elmore Leonard. Les Edgerton has used the time he served in prison well. Years from now many future crime writers will also remember discovering him. His first crime novel, but not his first published book, THE BITCH is a realistic crime noir kind of novel that reminds me of Unknown Man 89, La Brava, Stick, and The Killer Inside Me (Jim Thompson).

 —Joseph Trigoboff, author of The Bone Orchard and The Shooting Gallery.

And then, there’s this!

Paul D. Brazill and Luca Veste both named THE BITCH on their lists of top novels of 2011.

It just doesn’t get any better than this. At least not for me! Watch this space for the announcement of its availability.

Blue skies,

Les

Paul D. Brazill names THE BITCH as one of his top crime novels of 2011!

Hi folks,

I am beside myself. Speechless. Humbled. Hugely honored. Did I mention speechless?

The reason is, noir master Paul D. Brazill just named THE BITCH as one of his choices for the top crime novels of 2011. We're racing to get it out and it should be out within a week.

But... Paul D. Brazill! Now I know how Moses felt when God reached down and touched off the burning bush... Sorry to be sacriligious... well, no, I'm not... maybe a little... but we're talking about PAUL D. BRAZILL!

You can see it here http://pdbrazill.blogspot.com/

I also know how Scarlett O'Hara felt when she got the vapors. I've got 'em right now.

This has got to be the best Christmas present I've ever received!

Thank you, Mr. Brazill!

Blue skies,
Les

TWO HUGE HONORS!

Hi folks,
I had to go back and edit the original post I just placed on here. I had originally talked about being honored by noir god Paul D. Brazill when he picked one of my short stories as on of the best of the year... and, then I stumbled upon another huge honor I wasn't even aware of--Luca Veste had named my new novel, THE BITCH as one his picks for top novels of the year! I don't know how I missed that! Anyway, the write-up is over at Luca's blog at http://www.lucaveste.com/

I am just in seventh heaven! Thank you so, so much, Luca and Paul!


Death by Killing: Five You Can't Miss: Paul D. Brazill: Paul D. Brazill is a funny guy, a great writer, and one of the best promoters in the biz. He's responsible for the Drunk on the Moon series ...

THIS WAS JUST POSTED IN CHRIS RHATIGAN'S BLOG, DEATH BY KILLING.

Hi folks,

I had to sit down when I read this blog and catch my breath. Seriously. In it, Paul D. Brazill names my short story, "Pit Stop" which appeared in Noir Nation, as one of his picks for The Top Five Short Stories of 2011."

From PAUL D. BRAZILL! Those of you who know me know I consider Paul one of the true gods of noir. To have him honor me in this way means more to me than winning just about any award out there. I am totally speechless and beside myself.

Thank you, Mr. Brazill!

Blue skies,
Les

RADIO SHOW--GIOVANNI GELATI'S THE G-SPOT

HI folks,

Didn't have time to send out an alert, but just participated in an interview on Gio Gelati's radio blog, The G-Spot, along with author B.R. Stateham. If interested in hearing my dulcet tones, go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatisscoop/2011/12/14/two-best-selling-authorsbrstateham-paul-d-brazill

Paul D. Brazill was scheduled to appear, but he had problems connecting with his phone from his home in Poland. (I'll let an amateur handle any Polish jokes... I have far too much respect to do something like that...)

Anyway, we had a cool conversation about writing and publishing you may enjoy. B.R. Stateham writes some kick-butt novels and has a wealth of wisdom about writing and I try to supply the laughs...

Blue skies,
Les

JUST LIKE THAT and THE PERFECT CRIME now in paperback!

Hi folks,

My latest two novels, JUST LIKE THAT and THE PERFECT CRIME from StoneGate Ink are now available in paperback. One quick source is to just go to my page on Amazon to order at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=les+edgerton&x=0&y=0

THE PERFECT CRIME is $13.97
JUST LIKE THAT is $12.97

I'm excited! Especially since they're available for Christmas presents just in time.

Blue skies,
Les

Coming soon...

The Bitch by Les Edgerton

The Bitch explores the dark choices that Jake, as a two-time offender faces to save both his life and his soul--life imprisonment if caught for the third time under the federal ha-bitch-ual criminal law--known to outlaws as "The Bitch." Choices that may cost him everything and everyone he loves. What are the limits of loyalty? What is the spiritual process by which a savvy hair designer deteriorates into a mass murderer? A work in the cold existentialist tradition of Sartre and Camus, and the transgressive fiction of Celine, The Bitch struggles for answers and, on finding them, a way out.
The author, Les Edgerton, is an ex-con who spent two years in prison for burglary at the Pendleton Reformatory in Indiana. Since his release, he has earned a B.A. from Indiana University and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College. This will be the thirteenth book he has published, with several more forthcoming later this year and next, including a short story collection, an existential noir novel, a new black comedy novel, and his memoir. His career for many years as an outlaw and criminal lend an air of rare verisimilitude to his crime novels.
The book cover was designed by Butterflies & Hurricanes in Prague. The novel was edited by Eddie Vega for Bare Knuckles Press.

ALERT! My publisher, Bare Knuckles Press, will be on the G-Spot Radio Show today at 4 pm EST

Hi folks,

Sorry for the lateness of this alert, but just learned that Eddie Vega, my publisher of THE BITCH and THE RAPIST will be on the Gio Gelati radio show in a few minutes. You can hear it live at  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatisscoop

If you miss it, it will be on the site and you can click on it at any time.

Blue skies,
Les