Sherlock, Watson, and Me

It had really never occurred to me to write a pastiche, to step into another author's shoes and pretend I could write their character, before being ask to by Loren D. Estleman.  It's a daunting task.  Especially when the character is Sherlock Holmes.  But honestly, after some thought, I found it to be a challenge that I couldn't pass up.

I brushed up on my Holmes knowledge and appreciation by re-reading the two collections of short stories on my shelves, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Then I went deeper in the canon, perusing and studying the list of resources provided to me by Loren. I said to him, "That's a rabbit hole one can fall down into and never come back out of."  There are encyclopedias, and enough text to stretch out to Jupiter and back.  All that I touched and read was fascinating and passionate.  I had to restrain myself. 

So, I knew what was taking on.  If I failed, I would infuriate the legions of Sherlock fans the world over, and I would also fail my editor and publisher.  None of which I was in a hurry to do.  No pressure right?   There's no way to know what will happen, but know this: I did my best to be respectful of Conan Doyle's original creation and all that has come before me.

In the end, I wrote a story that I could be proud of.  I had found out much more about Sherlock than I knew before, but ultimately, I discovered the joy of getting to know John Watson, war veteran, doctor, and proverbial sidekick.  It was that discovery more than any that moved me as a writer, that brought me within sight of Conan Doyle's world and its center.  It might be a distant sight.  But honestly, I came away from this experience with a greater appreciation for the entire work of Sherlock Holmes.  I am exceedingly grateful for the opportunity.  Thank you, Loren and Tyrus Books.

I hope you will enjoy my short story, "The Adventure of The Rounded Ocelot."  It can be found in the anthology, The Adventure of the Plated Spoon and Other Tales of Sherlock Holmes here. 

Update -- A Flurry of Covers

After the launch of Vengeance of Sundown (Lucas Fume #1) I have gone a little quiet here--I figured that would happen.  It's been a busy year, and the blog gets the least of my attention--which is always the problem with blogs--it takes stamina and a strong idea to keep them going.  As we go into fall, I'm rethinking the blog format (for the thousandth time)...so we'll see what happens.  End of the year can be busier than normal, as I continue my freelance indexing practice full time, and write as much as I can.  I'm glad to say that my last big writing deadline for the year is in sight, and I'm planning on taking a short break (after I finish a short story that's banging away in the back of my head--which means there's never really break, and that's okay).

So, for the first time, here are some cover reveals of upcoming projects.  Some of them aren't complete, final, but close enough:

My short story, "The Adventure of the Rounded Ocelot," will appear in this anthology (published by Tyrus Books).  A first for me--a Sherlock Holmes pastiche, that I was happy to write.  It will be published October 31, and can be preordered here.

I have another short story, "How to Swim," set to appear in the anthology, Indy Writes Books.  This one will publish in November.  The proceeds of this book will help fund Indy Reads, a literacy program based in Indianapolis.  The book features stories from Indiana writers such as John Green, Dan Wakefield, Ben Winters, and others.  For more information about purchasing, sponsoring, or donating, to a great cause, go here.

The Italian publisher, Editoriale Cosmo, recently bought and published The Rattlesnake Season (Josiah Wolfe, Texas Ranger #1).  This is my first translation, and I'm thrilled that Josiah Wolfe is being introduced to a new audience.  I'm not sure how to tell you to get your hands on this one, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out.  Unfortunately, there are no plans to write any more Josiah Wolfe books at the moment.  I get asked that question a lot.  All six books are still in print, and available through the normal avenues.

Here's the fist look at the cover for See Also Murder (Seventh Street Books), my second mystery novel.  This one will be published in May, 2015.  It's available for preorder now here.  Set in North Dakota in 1964, this novel combines both of my passions, indexing and writing, for the first time in novel-length.  More to come soon. This novel is based on the Derringer-nominated short story of the same title that was originally published in 2006.

Here's another first look, not the final cover.  Escape from Hangtown (Lucas Fume #2--Berkley Books) is set to appear late summer/early fall, 2015, and continues Lucas Fume's quest for freedom.  This time around, Lucas sets out to clear Zeke Henry of all the charges against him, so his friend and partner can enjoy the same freedom that he does.

And, finally, coming in January, 2016, A Thousand Falling Crows (Seventh Street Books).  A new mystery, set in Texas in 1933, and features Texas Ranger Sonny Burton who is pulled into a mystery after a near-fatal encounter with Bonnie and Clyde,  This novel is also based on another previously published short story, "Shadow of a Crow" (Beat To A Pulp Press), and was originally published in 2012. (Note that the above picture is not a cover, just a picture I took of a crow's eye.)


As usual, I'll post more news when I have it.  Thanks for stopping by.  ~~Larry