BOLO Books hosted the cover reveal of the upcoming novel-in-stories that E.A. Aymar and I co-edited. The Swamp Killers is coming to you on March 16, 2020 with Down & Out Books! I’m so excited for this one. It’s most of the same crew from The Night of the Flood with the addition of some new writers.
THE SWAMP KILLERS: A Novel in Stories
Here’s what we know is true.
Timmy Milici, a low-level hitter with the infamous Atlanta-based Duplass crime family, ran off with Melody Duplass to Jacksonville, Florida. Olivia Duplass, her mother and head of the Duplass family, was incensed, and put a price on Timmy—a hundred thousand for his corpse, but with explicit instructions that her daughter not be harmed.
We know that’s true.
Or, at least, we think we do.
Sixteen writers tell their versions of what happened those fateful days in this gripping novel-in-stories, brought to you from the team behind The Night of the Flood.
Contributors: E.A. Aymar, Sarah M. Chen, Hilary Davidson, Alex Dolan, Rebecca Drake, Gwen Florio, Elizabeth Heiter, J.J. Hensley, Susi Holliday, Shannon Kirk, Tara Laskowski, Jenny Milchman, Alan Orloff, Tom Sweterlitsch, Art Taylor, and Wendy Tyson.
I’m so excited to be part of this collection of short stories inspired by the music of The Go-Go’s. Editor Holly West has put together an awesome line-up of talent which I’m honored to be included with. What’s really cool is that all proceeds go toward Planned Parenthood.
My story “Fading Fast” is a revenge tale involving young love, regrets, and family ties. And the Foreword is written by Jane Wiedlin herself! I was a huge fan of The Go-Go’s when I was a teen. I ended up not seeing them in concert until 10 years ago at the Hollywood Bowl and they sounded amazing.
And here’s the incredible cover!
And check out the praise this cool little collection is already generating!
“I always suspected that twinkle in the Go-Gos’ eyes was a coded invitation to a darker world. In the hands of these 25 stellar crime fiction writers, ‘We Got the Beat’ and ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ become evil little gems. A totally rad read.” –Alan Hunter, Original MTV VJ, SiriusXM Host
“Shock and awe, that sums up my reaction to Murder-A-Go-Go’s. Shock to live in times when ‘The Whole World Lost Its Head’ and awe at the response of these gifted writers. Buckle up for a ride that will leave ‘Skidmarks on Your Heart.'” –Sara Paretsky, bestselling author of the V.I. Warshawski crime series
“Who knew those happy songs by one of all-time favorite bands, the Go-Go’s could inspire such dark, noir, spine tingling stories?!! It’s a collection of tales of distinctly female rage–the murderous kind and other wise–to keep you up at night!” –Alison Arngrim, TV’s Nellie Oleson and New York Times bestselling author of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch
“This is the music-driven anthology you didn’t know you needed, but after you read it, you’ll realize your bookshelf was lacking without it. This is a killer line-up of writers, and under Holly’s steady hand, they don’t play a single false note. Murder-a-Go-Go’s has got the beat.” –Rob Hart, author of The Warehouse
“With 25 stories from a greatest-hits list of authors, it’s no surprise that Murder-a-Go-Go’s is a fascinating, addictive anthology, with story styles spanning the entire breadth of the crime fiction genre. Like the songs these writers used for muses, each story contains the energy of a pop group and the rawness of a punk band, with some of the darkness and vulnerability that underscores the Go-Go’s themselves thrown in for good measure.” –Steph Post, author of Miraculum
So I wrote a story for this cool concept: a novel-in-stories. Sounds awesome, right? What’s even more exciting is that I’m actually a co-editor on this collection, along with E.A. Aymar. My first official “editor” moniker! I’m on the front cover and everything. It will be out March 5, 2018 through Down & Out Books. And best-selling author Hank Phillippi Ryan wrote the intro!
Here’s a peek at it:
Maggie Wilbourne is set to be executed in the fictional town of Everton, PA. She was sentenced for killing her rapists and is the first female to be executed in Pennsylvania. The Daughters of Diana threaten to blow up the small town’s dam if her execution isn’t stayed. Maggie is executed and the dam explodes. What follows is a hellish night of crime and murder as the dam floods the small town below.
Fourteen thriller and crime fiction writers each tell a story beginning at a different hour of that fateful night. These are twisted tales of shop owners, outsiders passing through, wealthy townsfolk, serial murderers, and local police officers. THE NIGHT OF THE FLOOD is an intricate and intimate examination of the moment when chaos is released—in both society and the human spirit.
I’m thrilled to share the cover for my upcoming noir novella CLEANING UP FINN. Isn’t it purdy? I’m indebted to the superbly talented graphic designer J.T. Lindroos and All Due Respect Books. Look for it in May!
