UPDATE: The winners are Jennette/Rusty Nail, Jaye/Whiskey Sour, Gina/Bloody Mary
Today I have coaxed the shy and reclusive J.A.Konrath out of his writer’s cave to tell us a bit about his LT. JACQUELINE “JACK” DANIELS SERIES for Hyperion. The newest book, RUSTY NAIL, is due out July 5th. (Okay, really, the interview has very little to do with the series, but it just seemed a fun kind of thing to do today!) J.A. has been generous enough to offer one copy of each book in the series for me to dole out, so post in the comments if you’re interested and I’ll draw names randomly on Sunday, the 24th at 6:00 p.m. central.
AK: What five books would you take to a desert island?
Garfield’s Coronary Bypass
The Joy of String
The Complete Guide to Pog Collecting
Deep Breath by Alison Kent
Encyclopedia Brown Gets Laid
AK: You and I talked briefly earlier this year about a shooting incident in Whiskey Sour that didn’t ring true to me because of my experience with my detective sister being shot. What is your take on the balance of reality in fiction? (Granted, my sister was shot with a hunting rifle . . .)
I get into trouble often because I let the story get in the way of reality. It’s unlikely that, after being shot, Jack would be able to go limping through the sewers, chasing the bad guy, a few chapters later. But the book wouldn’t have been much fun if I spent 100 pages describing physical therapy.
I know if I got shot, I’d stay in bed for at least six years. Even if the bullet missed me.
AK: What five luxury items would you take to a desert island?
A Porsche
A fondue pot
The Trump Tower
Legos
Baking powder
AK: You are the promo king. Have you ever thought that you’ve gone too far with anything you’ve done? Care to share any compliments or complaints?
I regret tattooing the title of my first novel on my nine year old son’s forehead. Especially since that first novel was never published.
AK: What five necessities would you take to a desert island?
Sunscreen
A good pumice stone
My iPod
Ramen noodles
Dress slacks
AK: You currently have one new Jack Daniels release a year, correct? But you also do a lot of short stories and other writing projects. What sort of schedule do you keep? Do you write every day?
I spend at least four hours, every single day, thinking about writing while I’m watching cable. Does it make me less of a man to admit I like Desperate Housewives? If so, then I won’t admit it. Tell everyone I was watching The Sopranos while smoking cigars and cleaning my Glock and spitting.
As for writing, I could write more than a book a year, but my publisher won’t let me. In fact, they think a book a year may be too much Konrath for the world. We’re considering doing half a book a year, but we’d release the second half first, so people would know how it ends and wouldn’t have to wait a whole year.
I also write a lot of short stories, probably.
AK: What five people (past or present, no family) would you take to a desert island?
I bet you’d be a real hoot on a Trans-Atlantic flight.
I’d take Sam Adams, Jack Daniel, and Jose Cuervo. Also, Ginger and Marianne. It would be some party.
AK: You have 50 words left. What do you want to say?
Rather than the standard “buy my books” spiel, how about a personal anecdote instead? When I was a kid, I had a little doll named Louie. I slept with him every night and used to dress him up, and took him everywhere I went. After a while, he started to smell, but I still dragged him everywhere. Then some people came and took him away, because he was really the corpse of my dead baby brother.
Now buy my books.
[...] Clicky here for details. miladyinsanity @ 5:18 am [filed under Contests [...]
by Twists & Turns June 22nd, 2006 at 12:25 amOkay, after that Interview I have to pick up a book. Not to mention the bartender inme loves the characetr name and title tie-ins.
by Sasha June 22nd, 2006 at 3:52 amI would love this cool book. Great reading.
by sharon June 22nd, 2006 at 9:01 amJust the type of book that would interest me in this long, hot summer
by ellie June 22nd, 2006 at 9:01 amDefinitely would love to read this book.
by pearl June 22nd, 2006 at 9:02 amperfect reading material.
by joelle June 22nd, 2006 at 9:02 am>Encyclopedia Brown Gets Laid
Where can I get this??? LOL
I’d love to win Rusty Nail but I have to read Bloody Mary first, so if I win I’ll go buy that now, rather than later.
by Jennette June 22nd, 2006 at 9:11 amBoy, that guy is funny! I bet his books are really funny too! I think we should all go out any buy a gazillion copies of his books to give to everyone we know.
by JA Konrath June 22nd, 2006 at 9:11 amI would really, really love to have a copy of Rusty Nail! I have Whiskey Sour and Bloody Mary which are great! I think I should have a copy because Joe has named an Indiana Police Captain after me in this story because I won his contest. I would love to have a signed copy of that book!
by Carol June 22nd, 2006 at 10:11 amGreat interview to both. Loved some of the answers.
by Robyn June 22nd, 2006 at 10:48 amWhen I was a kid, I had a little doll named Louie. I slept with him every night and used to dress him up, and took him everywhere I went. After a while, he started to smell, but I still dragged him everywhere. Then some people came and took him away, because he was really the corpse of my dead baby brother.
Now buy my books.
That’s 66 words. Can’t be funny in under 50? Ha!
by Walt June 22nd, 2006 at 12:37 pmGreat interview, it definitely had me stifling laughter here at work. I have been wanting to check out the books for awhile but haven’t yet – I definitely have to now.
by Crystal F. June 22nd, 2006 at 12:41 pmi’m with Sasha… I’ve gotta pick up one of these books.
by Shiloh June 22nd, 2006 at 12:56 pmYour interview made me smile and forget for a moment the horror of the bedroom painted by the teenage daughter.
by Maureen June 22nd, 2006 at 2:58 pmWhat a sense of humor! I would love a chance to read one of his books.
by Cheryl June 22nd, 2006 at 4:21 pmFive reasons for you to pick me…
My TBR pile has stopped falling over
I wouldn’t run out of reading material until sometime in 2008
I won’t sell it on eBay
my cat likes the covers
I’m very random
and I want to read one. (Okay that’s six reasons…but I’m having trouble with limits lately…)
by Gina Black June 22nd, 2006 at 5:04 pmhahaha! Love your sense of humor. The Joy of String…I bet that would keep you busy.
Please enter me in the drawing
by KimW June 22nd, 2006 at 5:41 pmYep, I’d like to try one. I searched Aussie bookstores, but the stores had either never heard of JA Konrath or are out of stock. (I hate them… alot… no, really, I do.)
Good interview, Alison, excellent responses from JA…
by Jaye Patrick June 22nd, 2006 at 6:34 pmAK: What five people (past or present, no family) would you take to a desert island?
I bet you’d be a real hoot on a Trans-Atlantic flight.
I’d take Sam Adams, Jack Daniel, and Jose Cuervo. Also, Ginger and Marianne. It would be some party.
Now them’s good people. Folks you can count on.
Although I’d probably substitute Tom Collins and my good friend Margarita for Ginger and Marianne…..
And Boy~ that guy is funny! I bet his books are funny, too. I would love to read them….right after I find out how the Encylopedia Brown book turns out. :lol:
by Angie June 23rd, 2006 at 9:41 pm[...] Don’t forget the drawing tonight at 6:00 for the [...]
by Alison Kent » Blog Archive » Connections June 25th, 2006 at 10:20 amOh, I’d love to try one.
by Nicole June 25th, 2006 at 11:31 amCool! I have WHISKEY SOUR. I can’t wait to read BLOODY MARY and RUSTY NAIL. The latter has a character named after a friend of mine.
by Melissa June 25th, 2006 at 12:09 pmWow, this one looks to be great.
by Debby June 25th, 2006 at 3:42 pmWow I really love the covers and the titles are wonderful. I would love to read these books. Great Interview.
by Linda June 26th, 2006 at 7:00 amCongratulations to the lucky winners – Jennette/Rusty Nail, Jaye/Whiskey Sour, Gina/Bloody Mary.
by Carol June 26th, 2006 at 7:21 pmwtg winners
by kim h June 28th, 2006 at 11:14 am