Pieces of Mind Read online

  “It’s just fucking,” she says. “And that’s all.”

  —2009

  5 Things I Learned while Writing Moonlight Falls: An interview by Sia McKye

  It’s my pleasure to welcome Noir Thriller author, Vincent Zandri, back to Over Coffee. He’s one of my favorite people who aside from writing some fabulous thrillers, plays in a band.

  He is a drummer in the Albany-based punk band The Blisterz. What can I say; I’ve always had a weakness for smart witty men who play music. :-)

  Vin, like many authors today, has to juggle life as a single father of three, with working full time. As a photojournalist, he has traveled extensively to Russia, Italy, China, Africa, Turkey, Greece, England, France, and more.

  In addition to an award-winning novelist, Zandri is also a freelance essayist and writes for various global publications. Vincent currently divides his time between New York and Europe.

  I appreciate his drive and ambition to write despite the various changes in the publishing market. Changes we’ve all seen—whether we are readers or fellow writers. Instead of letting setbacks or rejections stop him he’s wisely taken the time to learn lessons along the way and apply them.

  He agreed to share some of those lessons here. Your thoughts on his lessons are welcomed.

  Many things were learned during the five on-again, off-again years while I was writing my new noir, thriller, Moonlight Falls, the least of which, is that initial publishing success can be fading. Back in 1999, when my first commercial thriller, The Innocent (originally titled, As Catch Can), was first published in hardcover by Delacorte, I assumed that I had found a permanent literary home for the rest of my life, and that the next stop in my green career was the Pulitzer Prize. But when Delacorte merged with another publisher, many of its authors were quickly transferred elsewhere and from there, kindly shown the door. For me, it was back to square one.

  But despite the trial and tribulations of a commercial publishing world that has been described as “perilous,” I was nonetheless able to adhere to a program of good, solid writing, day in and day out. That alone became my shield against a volatile publishing business. That alone was my guiding force in a short literary life that had seen great ups and that now, was realizing a very deep, seemingly bottomless pit.

  Still I trudged on through a period of several years where I did not publish a single book, but instead concentrated on the writing of several manuscripts, not the least of which, became Moonlight Falls.

  Here are five things I learned about myself and the world around me during that time.

  Nothing replaces rock solid writing, research and rewriting. Or, the three R’s, if you will. Even though I might have quit the business altogether and moved on to something less volatile than the writing and publishing life, I still adhered to a rigorous writing program day in and day out, even when there was no money coming in. I chose this path because in the back of my head, I always knew that the novel would one day be published. Not self-published, mind you, but published in the traditional format. Which leads me to . . .

  Never lose your faith in yourself and your ability, even in the face of domestic non-tranquility. Things around the house during my, let’s call them “wilderness years,” were not very happy. I’d just married my second wife, Laura, whom I believed was my soul mate. We came together at a time when things were great. I was on top of the world as a writer and we were traveling the world. But then, when things got hard. I retreated back into my shell and nearly lost all confidence in my ability to write a great story. But curiously, and sadly, as Laura and I began to break up, I regained my confidence. Which leads me to . . .

  Don’t quit the day job. Or in my case, don’t give up the freelance writing and journalism because you’re suddenly under the impression you’re the next Norman Mailer. What you must constantly remind yourself is that even a world renowned writer like Mailer was broke half the time. When I published The Innocent and the follow up, Godchild, I assumed I’d never have to write another stitch of journalism again; that I could place all my literary eggs into one basket. Turns out, had I kept my foot in the freelance writing door, I might have saved my marriage and my home by maintaining at least a semblance of income. Luckily, I was able to make a return to journalism but only after the domestic damage was done. Which leads me to . . .

  Learn to weather the storms and know when to move on with your life. Said another way, learn how to swallow your pride. It’s a tough thing losing everything you have worked so hard for in life, from your publisher to your wife to your home. But to have it all happen at once, well, that’s enough to break even the strongest man for good. But this is the life we live as writers and novelists. This is the life we have chosen. While in many ways I would stop at nothing to have my wife back, I know I am powerless to do anything about it other than write the best I can, and do so consistently and without prejudice; without concern for what the publishing market is currently bearing. Which leads me to . . .

  The publishing market is undergoing severe and rapid change. Traditional commercial publishers are dying. Don’t let them tell you otherwise. What’s replacing them are electronically based, independent houses that although utilizing the traditional publishing model of accepting a manuscript based upon its merits as a work of art, now publish the manuscripts in both electronic and POD format. Yes, the independent bookstores will hate you for it, and even turn up their noses at you. But 90% of all book buyers are making their purchases online. Many of them are doing so via Kindle, I-Phone, BlackBerry, and other electronic means.

  It’s the new world publishing model of social media, virtual tours, book trailers, blog talk radio, mommy blogs, etc., and it is here to stay. More than likely, it will give over to an influx of self-published material over the next few years, while big agent firms and big publishers die off.

  —2010

  An Interview by Literarily Speaking

  Thank you for this interview, Vincent. Your book, The Remains, has just been released on Kindle, then the trade paperback will be released this fall. How do you feel about having your book in this medium first and paperback later?

  Well, to be more precise, The Remains is released first as an E-Book, which means it will be available on Kindle, I-pod, Smashwords, Nook, and just about any electronic device known to man and robot. The fact that it will be released first as an E-Book and later as paper makes perfect sense to me, for two reasons. The New York City big publishers I used to publish with release their books in just the opposite order, which tells me Stone House is doing something right. The old big houses have an antiquated system which still relies on a small percentage of sales revenues going to the author. They also are tied into that terrible system of allowing bookstores the option of returning books. I simply never understood the logic or the business model. By being released as an E-Book first, there is a strong likelihood The Remains will hit the Number One spot on Amazon or at least come close. That alone will fuel a very good print run later on down the line. I suppose for a more complete answer you would have to speak with my publisher and agent, but what I’ve told you comes pretty close to the mark.

  Whose idea was it to do it this way and what is their strategy?

  Again, you’d have to refer to the publisher. But like I just answered, bestselling electronic sales will fuel an excellent print run later on down the line. And since the printing method will be POD, it will be a responsible print run with zero returns. This new method of publishing also allows me a huge percentage of sales that I would have only dreamt about with the NYC Biggies. Finally, The Remains will be in print and available as an E-Book forever and ever. It will be the gift that keeps on giving. Welcome to the new world publishing order.

  Do you think people are going to be receptive to reading your book on an e-reader rather than paper?

  Initially some will, and some won’t. People like my parents and their generation, might prefer to wait until the novel is available in paper. Some people like my
self, who own an extensive library, will prefer to wait until it comes out on paper. But those who live and die by their Kindles and IPods, they will be more than receptive. In fact, I’m frantically working on another novel, The Concrete Pearl, which will be a new series, in order to help feed their habit. But of course, first Stone House has to read and decide whether or not to take it on. By the way, I’m told that Kindle books and the like are outselling paper books by a margin of 6-1!

  What’s your experience with ebooks? Do you own an e-reader and, if so, have you ever read an ebook? If not, have you read one through your computer? Do you know anyone with an e-reader?

  Well, I own a Kindle on my computer and I’ve downloaded the reader to my Blackberry. I’ve yet to read a book on Kindle, but as a journalist I fly to Europe and other destinations fairly often. Now, instead of packing six pounds worth of books, I’ll use my reader. When I get back, if I want to order those same books in hard or soft cover for my library, I will do so. Oh, and also, lots of indie publishers, Like R.J. Buckley for instance, who published my recent noir thriller, Moonlight Falls on Kindle and as a trade paperback, now forward galley proofs as electronic PDFs. So in that sense, I have already read my first novel in electronic format.

  Regardless of which format they choose to read your new book, I’m sure it’s going to be another Vincent Zandri winner. How is it different from your first book, Moonlight Falls? Everyone I have talked to fell in love with that one!

  In technical terms, Moonlight Falls is my first noir thriller in a while. The first two, As Catch Can and Godchild, were published by Dell, and quickly made unavailable even after a mid-six-figure advance and awesome reviews like “Brilliant . . .” by the New York Post and “The most arresting first crime novel to break into print this season,” by the Boston Herald. In fact those two books are now considered noir classics in some circles and were recently included in an extensive history of noir written by Detroit author and noir critic, Heath Lowrance.

  As for the difference between The Remains and Moonlight Falls? The Remains features a very strong, female protagonist, painter and painting teacher, caught up in a nightmarish situation. She’s simply different from Richard Moonlight in that she’s a little more controlled. She’s even got a real job! But much like Richard Moonlight, some of the life-and-death problems that stem from her past have now come back to haunt her. Or, in this case, come back to literally kill her. While Moonlight Falls is not necessarily a novel for everyone, due to its subject matter, style, and language The Remains is a far more accessible mainstream read for all sort of readers, ages and tastes. It’s still dark, still pile-driver plotted, still noir, but no one’s doing heroin in this one, if you get my drift. PG as opposed to R-rated.

  I love (as you know!) the haunted looking house on the cover. Why is the house significant?

  That’s the place where my protagonist Rebecca Underhill and her late twin sister Molly, were abducted, tortured and kept in a basement 30 years ago by a murderer and serial rapist named Joseph William Whalen. Having been in prison all these years, Joseph is back on the streets and he once more wants to spend a little quality time with his one surviving girl. The image and the novel were inspired by the nightmares we’ve all had at one time or another in which you find yourself alone inside an abandoned house or building.

  If you could compare your book to a movie, which one would that be?

  Think Along Came a Spider meets The Blair Witch Project!

  Thank you so much for this interview, Vincent. Do you have any final words?

  Final words? Is my computer about to explode in my face? Ha!!! LOL.

  —2010

  The Case of an Autistic Savant!

  Lots of interviewers ask me if I base my characters on real people. And the answer is yes and no. While I always write about real people and real events, I'm pretty good at twisting around the truth to suit my purposes. In the case of The Remains, my newest thriller, I borrowed a real life character from my childhood by the name of Francis Scaramuzzi.

  Francis worked in my high school, The Albany Academy, which at the time was a military themed, country day prep school. He was a simple man. What we then called mentally challenged. A sweet, short, portly character who seemed more boy than man, despite his middle age, Francis loved the school and the boys who attended it. He worked in the cafeteria, or what was called, The Buttery, and on occasion he'd hand out towels to the boys on their way out of the showers after athletics. Often, at the end of the day, I'd see Francis waiting at the bus stop on the corner, standing anxiously, wool cap pulled over his head, over-sized jeans yanked way up over his belly, a paper shopping bag in his hand.

  I couldn't help but wonder where he lived, and what his home was like. If he lived alone or if he lived with relatives or friends. But it wasn't until many years later, when Francis was in ill health and close to death, that it was discovered he spent many of his nights painting. His painting contained brilliant colors and crafty illustrations and very much reminded the school's art prof of Grandma Moses in theme, tone and delivery. Many of these paintings were sold on Francis's behalf and for a short time, he enjoyed some local fame and notoriety from the local Albany, New York art scene.

  Francis, it was discovered, wasn't a simple mentally challenged man so much as he was a gifted painter. A savant. He was the real thing and more.

  When I set out to write The Remains, I wanted to make the fascinating Francis a central character and a kind of hero. So I created an autism for him, and made him into a savant who, like the real man, has a terrific gift for painting. In the story, his paintings send messages to the book's central character, Rebecca Underhill, and warning her about a man who has been released from prison and who is now out to get her.

  Thanks Francis, wherever you are. For me you are both real and imagined. Your memory is not lost with the ages but lives on in your paintings and your humble character, which now is immortalized in, The Remains.

  —2010

  The Prodigal Thriller Writer

  A lot can change in six months. In just one week I'll receive a statement from my agent which she will receive from one of my two traditionally-based indie publishers regarding sales for Moonlight Falls.

  I'm not sure what to expect. But I do anticipate good news since "Moonlight" has been that company's bestseller every month since it came out in December 2009. It also spent a brief time as an Amazon.com bestseller.

  Prior to six months ago, I was simply a working stiff freelance journalist who was spending lots of time traveling abroad looking for stories to report or blog about. When news came of an acceptance on Moonlight Falls from a very small publisher, me and my agent didn't have any high expectations for it. We merely giggled and agreed that we'd have a nice looking book to sell to my friends, fans and family. But since that time, I've contracted with a larger indie publisher who has already put out my newest thriller, The Remains, in E-Book and Kindle. It will also be out in trade paperback in November. The audio rights have sold and a very good bookstore distribution agreement has ensued. And who would have thunk it, but The Remains is an Amazon bestseller right out of the gate, and as of last night was listed as an Amazon "Hot New Release" in "Hard Boiled" Kindle.

  In the wake of that initial success, I've just signed a contract for both the republication of my 1999 thriller, As Catch Can, and my new thriller series, The Concrete Pearl, to a new imprint largely started for me and a few other novelists and writers.

  To what do I attribute the new found success? I'm not sure, other than perhaps my timing is right. Listen, prior to six months ago, I assumed there might not be a market for my fiction. That, like the great noir novelist before me, Jim Crumley, I might be relegated to pretty much a cult following. And I was fine with that, so long as I could publish a small press effort every few years, pay my bills and travel while working as a full-time writer and journalist. But now it turns out, my audience is expanding like crazy. Every day it gets bigger.

  So, back
to the timing thing. Has the emergence of E-Books and Kindle helped my efforts? You betcha. Although I had somewhat of a platform on which to build thanks to having two critically acclaimed thrillers published under two Random House imprints, said platform wasn't all that big anymore, and in fact, was dangerously close to being tossed into the "has been" bucket. But the new electronic publishing model has rapidly changed all that.

  Is the on-line publishing world about to become filled up with a whole bunch of crap just because it's easy for independents to get their work out there? Of course it will. But when hasn't there been a whole bunch of crap out there for people to waste their money on? Crap that bleeds off the fingertips of some pretty big perpetual New York Times bestsellers?

  What makes the new publishing model interesting and exciting (and has big New York sweating under the pits!) is finally, we all have a level playing field in which to compete for unlimited space. The Remains is selling better than Patterson, Coben, Parker, LeHane and more in several categories. That's not to say that it's better than what they are writing. It's to say that people who enjoy those authors are getting somewhat of a kick out of my new books too. And even though they are also being released in paper and audio, the electronic versions will be available forever. If this were ten years ago, and I were limited to just the Barnes and Nobles tables of the world, The Remains would probably already be heading to the Remainder bin. It simply wouldn't have the backing or the support that the mega authors enjoy.

  Don't worry about a whole bunch of crap filling up Amazon and other markets. I trust readers to always pick out the cream and leave the crap behind, just like they always have. But with the new publishing model comes the opportunity for formerly forgotten authors like me to reach a massive audience. It will also allow a talented selection of newbies to outsell their mega-heroes.