I am thrilled to Welcome Tim Hall to Escape With Dollycas today!!
He was originally supposed to be visiting Judith over at Musings and Ramblings today
but she is taking a little break from blogging and I am happy to fill in for her.
So let’s get to know a little bit about the author behind the
pages of Dead Stock: A Bert Shambles Mystery.
1. Tell us something about yourself that’s not in your bio.
When I graduated from grade school I was voted “heaviest smoker” by the class. I had never smoked a cigarette in my life.
2. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Play with my son, who’s 7, or cook, or take in some art at one of NYC’s many wonderful galleries.
3. How did you choose the genres you write in?
Mystery has always been my favorite genre, and I liked cozies from early on because I’m not a fan of violence or graphic sex in books. Well, sex is okay, but definitely not violence.
4. Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?
My favorite writer of all time is probably John D. MacDonald, with Lawrence Block, P.G. Wodehouse, and Dawn Powell close behind.
5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
Once I wrote to an editor about this brilliant story idea I had. His response, and I quote, was “ZZzzzzzzz.” As for compliments, a gal on Goodreads once gave an early book of mine a low rating and said it was boring, but ended the review with, “…but I couldn’t put it down for some reason.” That was kind of awesome.
Fun Stuff
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?
Picasso, because he’s Picasso. Maybe Orson Welles, just to hear him speak.
7. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?
A Martin guitar, an oil painting, and a pair of Louis Vuitton shoes.
8. Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?
I’m proud to say that I don’t know enough about celebrities to answer this!
9. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?
Chocolate chips. Anchovies. Homemade pea soup.
10. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
He Did It All For Love.
Think Fast
Summer or Winter? Summer!
Coffee or Tea? Coffee!
Cake or Pie? Cake!
Car or Truck? Car!
Print or Electronic? Electronic!
Any final words of wisdom to pass along?
The older I get the more I realize that the hippies were right: all you really need is love.
Thank you Tim for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend a few minutes with us.
About Tim Hall
Tim Hall has had a long and varied career in the underground and independent press as a journalist, author, and as co-founder of the Outsider Writers Collective. He has collaborated with many illustrators and fine artists, including with Emmy Award winning artist Dean Haspiel on “The Last Mortician”, published by Tor.com in 2010 (link here). Tim grew up on Long Island, where his Bert Shambles mysteries are set. He lives in New York City.
Author Links:
http://timhallbooks.wordpress.com
Twitter: @timhallbooks
Now let me tell you about Tim’s book!!
Dead Stock:
A Bert Shambles Mystery
A Brand New Series
Cozy Mystery
Published by Cozy Cat Press (September 28, 2013)
Paperback: 200 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1939816214
E-Book File Size: 740 KB
ASIN: B00FYX9SLU
Meet Bert Shambles, a perpetually confused young man whose life mirrors his surname. He is stuck back in his suburban Long Island hometown, enduring a three-year suspended sentence for an act of chivalry gone terribly wrong. He works part-time at a church thrift shop and makes extra money by selling “dead stock”—vintage clothes that have never been worn—to a local boutique.
On a routine pick up for the store, Bert learns that the widow of a recently deceased pro golfer is offering a reward for the return of her dead husband’s favorite putter—and an even bigger reward for proof that her husband was murdered. Bert jumps at the chance, and soon finds himself being chased by a violent, van-driving maniac, romantically involved with a mobster’s daughter, and quite possibly being set up to take the fall by his probation officer and crazy ex-girlfriend. As the forces of good and evil close in around him, Bert must race to clear his name and discover the truth so he doesn’t wind up in prison…or worse.
Filled with twists, turns, and unforgettable characters, and propelled by a truly lovable hero and wicked sense of humor, Dead Stock heralds the arrival of a wonderful new mystery series.
Thanks to Tim I have a signed paperback
with a corrected manuscript page tipped in to give away
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Leave a comment for Tim for 5 Bonus Entries !
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End December 13, 2013 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Oh no, another author whose words keep me from productive work. Oh boy, can’t wait to start reading.
I heard some buzz about this book earlier this week. It sounds like a series I’d enjoy, thanks for the intro.
I don’t usually see male authors of cozy mysteries (or romance), so I’m glad to meet you. I will be interested in reading about your Bert Shambles too.
Wow! It is nice and also a little different to see a guy in a cozy mystery. Sounds like a great series and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
Tim is a new author for me.
I’ll look out for this. I’d love to read a “boring book” that I can’t put down!
By the way, I gave you a shout out on my blog today.
Ann
This book sounds captivating. thanks.
This sounds like a good read
Wow, I like the sound of this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
A male author and main character – makes a different cozy,
The hippies were right, Tim—but I’d still like a little money, too.
Sounds great. Count me in, please.
I’m looking forward to reading a male’s point of view of cozies – sounds fascinating! You’re a brave man. 🙂
This one sounds like a good mystery with some humor thrown in. I’d like to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.