Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Have a Dirty Martini

Though the official release date for my new Jack Daniels novel, Dirty Martini, is July 3, you should be able to find it right now at bookstores everywhere.

Library Journal said: "Mix witty repartee with edge-of-your-seat suspense, over-the-top killing devices, and action that never takes a breather, and you have Konrath's latest white-knuckle thriller. Not to be missed."

Booklist said: "Like Jeffrey Deaver, Konrath ratchets up the suspense until readers don't dare stop flipping the pages. A solid success for those who like to mix comedy with grit."

Publishers Weekly said: "Dirty Martini is a particularly potent mix of equal parts mirth and mayhem with a dash of sex and a twist (or two) of plot. It should be taken straight, no chaser needed."

Kirkus said: "The prose ranges from careless to wretched, and the plot demands a breathalyzer."

Ah, Kirkus. If I hadn't burst out into laughter when I read that, I might have been irritated.

I sent out a MySpace bulletin a few days ago, and got over 200 positive responses, plus my Amazon numbers for each book in the series jumped in conjunction with the bulletin. For those authors interested in using MySpace as a promo tool (which should be all of you) here's my post:

---------------------------------

Hello (your name here)!

I'm your close, personal MySpace Friend, thriller author JA Konrath.

I hope everything is going well where you live in the world. How about those local sports in your area? I never would have predicted that win or loss.

I check your MySpace page several times a day. I know you're busy with all of those cool things on your Profile, like that awesome music you listen to, the cool TV shows and movies you watch, and those wonderful hobbies you have. I love those pics you may have posted. You're a truly awesome man or woman!

If you have some free time this week or next, I have a tiny favor to ask. My new Lt. Jack Daniels mystery novel, DIRTY MARTINI, is now available in bookstores everywhere.

Please buy a copy. :)

It's a fast, fun, beach read kind of book, about a homicide cop hunting for a lunatic who is poisoning Chicago's food supply. There's a lot of humor (you'll laugh) and some scary parts. Plus, plenty of action, suspense, and a little bit of sex as well.

If you like books by James Patterson, Janet Evanovich, Tess Gerritsen, Christopher Moore, Patricia Cornwell, Dean Koontz, Dave Barry, Kay Hooper, Kathy Reichs, Sandra Brown, John Sandford, Carl Hiaasen, Ridley Pearson, Robert Crais, David Morrell, or Robert B. Parker, you'll really love this book.

If you like TV shows like CSI, Law and Order, The Closer, Bones, The Flintstones, Curb Your Enthusiasm, American Idol, Survivor, The Sopranos, Sex in the City, Deal or No Deal, or Oprah, you'll really love this book.

If you have a pulse and can read without moving your lips, you'll really love this book.

DIRTY MARTINI is a hardcover. For every book sold, I'll donate a portion of the funds to ending world hunger, by taking my family to a nice restaurant.

If you can't afford a hardcover, please pick up my new Jack Daniels paperback, RUSTY NAIL, available at bookstores everywhere. This one is even scarier that DIRTY MARTINI. If you liked Silence of the Lambs, or Blades of Glory, you'll love it.

Please buy a copy. :)

My books are also available on audio, so you can listen to them while travelling, or working out, or watching juggling videos on YouTube.

If you're so broke you can't even pay attention, you can get my books at the library. If your library doesn't carry them, demand that they do. Try yelling loudly and throwing things. That's how my son gets his way all the time. And he's 23.

Thanks so much for your time (Your Name Here)! I'm so happy we met on MySpace. You've enriched my life and made me a better person.

Please buy my books, or I'll start cutting myself.

Your Friend,

JA

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I'm off to Italy for a week. My Italian publisher, Alacran Edizioni, is flying me out to do some signings for Whiskey Sour. I'm excited, and encourage the many Italian readers of this blog to seek me out while I'm there.

When I get back, I'm going to release my next newsletter, which will have info on past and upcoming contests, along with a touring schedule for Dirty Martini. I'm looking to visit the West Coast this time.

Until then, check out the latest Jack Daniels novel, and let me know if the prose really does range from careless to wretched. Better buy several copies and get your friends' opinions too.

22 comments:

Tasha Alexander said...

Thank goodness--I've been searching everywhere for prose that ranges from careless to wretched. Now I know what to reach for. Headed to Borders right now...

Congratulations on the release and have a great time in Italy!

Blake Crouch said...

you've gotta love kirkus...they ended their review of DESERT PLACES with, "Sadly, a sequel is in the works."

Blake

Marghy said...

Hi, i'd love to become writer. See my books published, touch them in bookshops, see in reader's hands at the park, or at seaside, hear i could leave someone my passions and my feelings... Writing is a power who can't be stopped, writing got life himself, IS life himself.
Anyway, i hear you will visit my beautiful nation, i wish you wonderful days.

sorry for my little english ;o)
Marghy

Spy Scribbler said...

Your MySpace bulletin cracked me up. I can't quite figure out if "the plots demands a breathalyzer" is a compliment or not. :-) It seems like one, but doesn't sound like it, LOL.

Congratulations, and here's to wishing you have a blast in Italy!

WayneThomasBatson said...

Joe,

Suh-weet news. I'm heading to Borders with a shiny, new gift card! Hey, bartender, one Dirty Martini, puh-lease.

Martel said...

So it was fun telling the clerk at Borders that I was buying Dirty Martini to find out how I would die. She gave me a strange look and when I explained that a character is named after me, she said, "Isn't it fun to have an author for a friend?"

If I had to be killed by anyone, I'm glad that it was you.

Martel

Jude Hardin said...

Congrats on the new release, Joe! I know it has to be a thrill, even though it's your fourth. PJ Parrish's new one just came out, too, so I should have some fun reading for July.

Very cool about the trip to Italy. Don't worry too much about all the cops walking around with automatic weapons. As long as you know the Italian words for "Stop, you capitalist pig," you'll be okay. Let's see...what were those words again?

Seriously, though, I wish you wonderful days.

Bernita said...

Joe, you are the MAN!
That had to be the most delicious promo I have ever read.

Josephine Damian said...

Well, your myspace post - and that famous Joe Konrath humor - prompted me to get "Dirty" :-)

I've had it for a couple of days now and am reading it along with Diana Abu-Jaber's thriller, "Origin" - which I received yesterday.

So many myspace friends with books released this week - so little time.

Enjoy Italy, Joe!

Mary Stella said...

Last weekend I hit two bookstores. Barnes and Noble didn't have Dirty Martini, but offered to order it for me. Borders not only had the book, but it was on the front New Hardcover Releases table with its eye-grabbing cover facing out. The Rusty Nail pback was also featured prominently in the new paperback releases case.

Michelle Moran said...

As always, hilarious.
And at least you GOT a review in Kirkus.... Plus, I'm sure you can do something with the plot demands a breathalyzer. That's priceless prose itself!

Have a great time in Italy.

Jim said...

Joe: I was in Borders last Saturday doing a book signing for Fatal Laws, when I got a whiff of alcohol coming from behing me. I turned around and, low and behold, there were five Dirty Martinis sitting on the shelf right behind me. A young lady came up and bought a copy of my book. I then took her over and showed her Dirty, and gave it all the praise it deserves. She headed for the cash register with both books. So now you only have four left in that story. Sorry about that. Jim.

The Dark Scribe said...

Enjoy Italy!

I posted my favorable review for Dirty Martini on my blog last week--and somehow I managed to miss the careless AND the wretched. Guess I'll have to read it again :)

BTW, my whole family thinks I'm some kind of celebrity because my name's in the acknowledgements. Thanks, man!

JA Konrath said...

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

Jim--my wife is halfway through DEADLY LAWS and loving it. Great premise!

Lorenzo said...

http://www.admiralhotel.it/007/eventi/J.A.%20KONRATH/29.html

J.A. KONRATH in ITALY ;)

WayneThomasBatson said...

Joe, I hit that Barnes and Noble we visited last summer, and sure enough, they had four copies of Dirty Martini. They have three now. ;-)

I also noticed they had Rusty Nail paperbacks faceout on an endcap in their mystery section. Co-op, bro. Nice.

-Wayne

Dawn said...

I love how you can laugh at the Kirkus review! I'm just starting to get reviews on my first book and am waiting like a transfixed rabbit for the first "nasty". I know it will come - don't they always - but I shall think of you, Joe, and laugh it off. At least I'm in good company!

And I agree with Michelle - a little editing and you could still use that quote!

Mark Terry said...

Ah Kirkus. The "Mikey" of the book reviewing world (give it to Mikey, he hates everything!)

They reviewed The Devil's Pitchfork and pretty much said, good story, too bad somebody else didn't write it.

WayneThomasBatson said...

Loving Dirty Martini so far! You are getting really good at suspense, my friend.

JD Rhoades said...

Congratulations, Joe, and best of luck. Fingers crossed for you, bro.

Unknown said...

Joe,

Take time out in Italy to enjoy the food, the wine, the style, the genius of design ... In the next life, I'm coming back as an Italian! :-) :-) :-)

Slan go foill,
Pat

Dan said...

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