28.April.2006.Fri
A pre-release review of Under A Raging Moon is up at Novelspot.
If you want to read it, click HERE.
The review was written by Ilona Hegedus, a Hungarian poet who writes in both English and Hungarian.
For those of you who don’t want to follow the link, here’s the text of the review:
When I start to read a police story, I expect an exciting one with lots of action and great, loveable characters I can identify with. Above all, however, I expect heroism and grandeur.
The best police characters are the ones that risk their lives day after day, not only for each other, but also because they are committed to making the world a better place to live in. For this they are willing to make sacrifices, even if it puts their most important human relationships at risk. Nevertheless, they somehow feel that it is worth it to continue, because they are doing the right thing.
This is how the characters in Frank Zafiro’s novel Under A Raging Moon are like, and I came to love them immediately. The author really knows how to make you care for the characters, as his greatest talent is in making them very human. The style is enjoyable, the writing is superb, and the book is full of witty dialogue that make you laugh out loud. Zafiro’s cops use humour a lot to ease the stress of everyday life and to show their feelings for each other. Reading their witty exchanges, the reader feels a sense of warmth, while reading about their losses and disappointments makes one root for them even more.
The novel is set in a fictional city in Northeast Washington State, and is the first book in the River City series. The main characters include male and female officers of the River City police department, Thomas Chisolm, Stefan Kopriva, Katie Macleod and many others. In this particular book they have to catch a very dangerous man, a veteran army officer who has committed a series of armed robberies.
Under A Raging Moon is highly recommended for lovers of police stories, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it made it to the big screen. I really hope it will.
Reviewed By Ilona Hegedus
© March 2006
If you want to read it, click HERE.
The review was written by Ilona Hegedus, a Hungarian poet who writes in both English and Hungarian.
For those of you who don’t want to follow the link, here’s the text of the review:
When I start to read a police story, I expect an exciting one with lots of action and great, loveable characters I can identify with. Above all, however, I expect heroism and grandeur.
The best police characters are the ones that risk their lives day after day, not only for each other, but also because they are committed to making the world a better place to live in. For this they are willing to make sacrifices, even if it puts their most important human relationships at risk. Nevertheless, they somehow feel that it is worth it to continue, because they are doing the right thing.
This is how the characters in Frank Zafiro’s novel Under A Raging Moon are like, and I came to love them immediately. The author really knows how to make you care for the characters, as his greatest talent is in making them very human. The style is enjoyable, the writing is superb, and the book is full of witty dialogue that make you laugh out loud. Zafiro’s cops use humour a lot to ease the stress of everyday life and to show their feelings for each other. Reading their witty exchanges, the reader feels a sense of warmth, while reading about their losses and disappointments makes one root for them even more.
The novel is set in a fictional city in Northeast Washington State, and is the first book in the River City series. The main characters include male and female officers of the River City police department, Thomas Chisolm, Stefan Kopriva, Katie Macleod and many others. In this particular book they have to catch a very dangerous man, a veteran army officer who has committed a series of armed robberies.
Under A Raging Moon is highly recommended for lovers of police stories, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it made it to the big screen. I really hope it will.
Reviewed By Ilona Hegedus
© March 2006
I have received two great blurbs for Under A Raging Moon from two great writers: John Floyd and Earl Staggs.
John wrote:
Under A Raging Moon is an extraordinary crime novel. Like Ed McBain’s Isola, River City is a combination of the best and worst of the human species, and its cops are as complex and haunted as the criminals they battle each day. Frank Zafiro has created a gritty, totally authentic world with believable characters, nonstop action, and snappy dialogue (think Hill Street Blues in Washington state). Don’t miss this book–It’ll keep you turning pages well into the moonlit night.
Earl wrote:
In “Under a Raging Moon,” Frank Zafiro doesn’t tell you about the mean
streets, he takes you to them with clear, concise writing as solid as the
asphalt beneath your feet. You feel the tension between those out there
to prey and those there to protect. You feel the anxiety of knowing
every routine traffic stop could turn into a killing, and every junkie
and pusher you bust wants you dead. He also takes you deep behind the
badge. His ensemble cast of cops have issues within themselves and with
each other and can’t leave them at home any more than we can. You’ll be
there with them in the squad room, in the patrol cars and in their
favorite watering hole.
Frank Zafiro has woven a powerful story with realistic, memorable
characters, a suspenseful plot and a climax that will leave you
breathless. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would be like to put
on the blue uniform, wear a badge and carry a gun, this one is highly
recommended.
Look for parts of both of these on the back of cover of my book when it is released sometime in June 2006. There will be an ebook version from ePress-Online for those of you who prefer that medium, as well as a print version from another publisher (I’m working out the details on that right now).
John wrote:
Under A Raging Moon is an extraordinary crime novel. Like Ed McBain’s Isola, River City is a combination of the best and worst of the human species, and its cops are as complex and haunted as the criminals they battle each day. Frank Zafiro has created a gritty, totally authentic world with believable characters, nonstop action, and snappy dialogue (think Hill Street Blues in Washington state). Don’t miss this book–It’ll keep you turning pages well into the moonlit night.
Earl wrote:
In “Under a Raging Moon,” Frank Zafiro doesn’t tell you about the mean
streets, he takes you to them with clear, concise writing as solid as the
asphalt beneath your feet. You feel the tension between those out there
to prey and those there to protect. You feel the anxiety of knowing
every routine traffic stop could turn into a killing, and every junkie
and pusher you bust wants you dead. He also takes you deep behind the
badge. His ensemble cast of cops have issues within themselves and with
each other and can’t leave them at home any more than we can. You’ll be
there with them in the squad room, in the patrol cars and in their
favorite watering hole.
Frank Zafiro has woven a powerful story with realistic, memorable
characters, a suspenseful plot and a climax that will leave you
breathless. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would be like to put
on the blue uniform, wear a badge and carry a gun, this one is highly
recommended.
Look for parts of both of these on the back of cover of my book when it is released sometime in June 2006. There will be an ebook version from ePress-Online for those of you who prefer that medium, as well as a print version from another publisher (I’m working out the details on that right now).
My second ever signing at Extreme Caffeine in Spokane went great! The staff at Extreme Caffeine were wonderful and brew some great coffee. All of the customers were pleasant, even those who weren’t interested in my book (there were a couple). For the most part, every customer gave me a listen and took a card. At least 50% of the people I spoke to bought a copy of Seven By Seven.
The staff said it turned out to be a slow day, business-wise, probably due to the great weather–in the 70s here in Spokane. I wonder how many I’d have sold if it had been busy!
I still have two more scheduled appearances, though I am working on scheduling some more. The scheduled ones are:
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
Again, my thanks to a great establishment, Extreme Caffeine at 2706 N. Monroe in Spokane, Washington. Delicious coffee and friendly staff and a yummy deli menu...with a dash of literary salt.
The staff said it turned out to be a slow day, business-wise, probably due to the great weather–in the 70s here in Spokane. I wonder how many I’d have sold if it had been busy!
I still have two more scheduled appearances, though I am working on scheduling some more. The scheduled ones are:
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
Again, my thanks to a great establishment, Extreme Caffeine at 2706 N. Monroe in Spokane, Washington. Delicious coffee and friendly staff and a yummy deli menu...with a dash of literary salt.
22.April.2006.Sat
I had my first signing today from 1-4 PM at a local bookstore (Hastings, for those of you familiar with it).
Interesting, and fun, experience.
Sold some books, gave away a ton of bookmarks and business cards and talked with some great folks. Even came up with a Mastercard commercial!
3 hours at Hastings...no pay
3 cups of coffee...complimentary
1 copy of Seven By Seven...$13.95
Signing a copy of a book you helped write...priceless.
Next week’s appearance is at a coffee shop, so we’ll see how that one goes!
Here are the next three appearances:
April 28, 2006 11 PM - 2 PM
Extreme Caffeine @ 2706 N. Monore
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
Hope to see some of you there!
Interesting, and fun, experience.
Sold some books, gave away a ton of bookmarks and business cards and talked with some great folks. Even came up with a Mastercard commercial!
3 hours at Hastings...no pay
3 cups of coffee...complimentary
1 copy of Seven By Seven...$13.95
Signing a copy of a book you helped write...priceless.
Next week’s appearance is at a coffee shop, so we’ll see how that one goes!
Here are the next three appearances:
April 28, 2006 11 PM - 2 PM
Extreme Caffeine @ 2706 N. Monore
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
Hope to see some of you there!
15.April.2006.Sat
Well, the pre-orders are closed and I held the drawing tonight for the free copy of Seven By Seven.
Congratulations to the winner, Jeannie Sampson. Ms. Sampson is a pre-school teacher in Spokane and she will get her copy of Seven By Seven for FREE.
I also had three T-shirts to give away and drew those names from the pre-order list as well. Those go to:
Glenda Bogart of Spokane
Kika Morales of Spokane
Jill Maser of Philadelphia
Seven By Seven is officially released and is now for sale to the general public. The best (and cheapest) way is directly from me–plus I’ll sign it! However, you can also order it directly from Wolfmont, or through any bookstore. It will definitely be on the shelves at local Hastings here in Spokane within a week, and hopefully at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Auntie’s.
I have four scheduled appearances and am working on some others. Feel free to stop in at any of the following appearances:
April 22, 2006 1 PM - 4 PM
Shadle Hastings @ 1704 W. Wellesley
April 28, 2006 11 PM - 2 PM
Extreme Caffeine @ 2706 N. Monore
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
Hope to see you there!
Congratulations to the winner, Jeannie Sampson. Ms. Sampson is a pre-school teacher in Spokane and she will get her copy of Seven By Seven for FREE.
I also had three T-shirts to give away and drew those names from the pre-order list as well. Those go to:
Glenda Bogart of Spokane
Kika Morales of Spokane
Jill Maser of Philadelphia
Seven By Seven is officially released and is now for sale to the general public. The best (and cheapest) way is directly from me–plus I’ll sign it! However, you can also order it directly from Wolfmont, or through any bookstore. It will definitely be on the shelves at local Hastings here in Spokane within a week, and hopefully at Barnes & Noble, Borders and Auntie’s.
I have four scheduled appearances and am working on some others. Feel free to stop in at any of the following appearances:
April 22, 2006 1 PM - 4 PM
Shadle Hastings @ 1704 W. Wellesley
April 28, 2006 11 PM - 2 PM
Extreme Caffeine @ 2706 N. Monore
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
Hope to see you there!
12.April.2006.Wed
"Laddie" will be published in the July issue of Crime And Suspense.
This story is a prequel to “Shae,” which was published in the February 2006 issue of the same magazine. It is the second story in a four part character arc...which I am telling in reverse chronological order. The third story will take place in Canada when Shae and Laddie meet and the final story will revolve around Shae and her departure from Ireland.
This story is a prequel to “Shae,” which was published in the February 2006 issue of the same magazine. It is the second story in a four part character arc...which I am telling in reverse chronological order. The third story will take place in Canada when Shae and Laddie meet and the final story will revolve around Shae and her departure from Ireland.
09.April.2006.Sun
My short story, “A Soldier’s Valentine,” has been accepted by Writers Post Journal for publication in the May issue.
This story is written in the form of a letter from “Patrick,” a soldier in Afghanistan, to his wife back home, “Therese.”
This story is written in the form of a letter from “Patrick,” a soldier in Afghanistan, to his wife back home, “Therese.”
08.April.2006.Sat
I will be making a number of appearances in Spokane in support of Seven By Seven.
Here are the first four:
April 22, 2006 1 PM - 4 PM
Shadle Hastings @ 1704 W. Wellesley
April 28, 2006 11 PM - 2 PM
Extreme Caffeine @ 2706 N. Monore
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
If you live in the Spokane area, come visit me during these appearances! It’s a great time to buy your copy and get it signed.
Here are the first four:
April 22, 2006 1 PM - 4 PM
Shadle Hastings @ 1704 W. Wellesley
April 28, 2006 11 PM - 2 PM
Extreme Caffeine @ 2706 N. Monore
May 4, 2006 6 PM - 8 PM
Valley Hastings @ 15312 E. Sprague
May 6, 2006 1 PM - 3 PM
North Division Hastings @ 7706 N. Division
If you live in the Spokane area, come visit me during these appearances! It’s a great time to buy your copy and get it signed.
07.April.2006.Fri
After a long wait (and well worth it!), Mysterical-E accepted my short story The Meat-cutter’s Wife. It will appear in the Spring 2006 issue.
The timing couldn’t be better, as Thuglit just published Rescuing Isaac, a story containing many of the same characters a year or two later in the River City timeline.
One of the great things about Mysterical-E is the illustrations that accompany the story.
The timing couldn’t be better, as Thuglit just published Rescuing Isaac, a story containing many of the same characters a year or two later in the River City timeline.
One of the great things about Mysterical-E is the illustrations that accompany the story.
Round Trip appeared last week as the featured story in Espresso Fiction, a weekly subscription email service that sends a quality short story out every week. It is a paid service and a paying market (actually the highest pay I’ve received yet for a single story!).
Each week, the readers vote on the story. Here was the result on mine:
On top of that, one reader made a comment...
Round Trip by Frank Zafiro
Published on 28th Mar 2006
This story had me hooked from the first line. I thought the narrator’s quiet desperation and frustration with his marriage were finely drawn. A really good read.
Posted by on 4th Apr 2006, 11:32:AM
Pretty cool, huh?
Each week, the readers vote on the story. Here was the result on mine:
On top of that, one reader made a comment...
Round Trip by Frank Zafiro
Published on 28th Mar 2006
This story had me hooked from the first line. I thought the narrator’s quiet desperation and frustration with his marriage were finely drawn. A really good read.
Posted by on 4th Apr 2006, 11:32:AM
Pretty cool, huh?
I have been invited to contribute to another anthology.
This one is called The Ex-Factor and focuses on revenge/poetic justice meted out to ex’s, whether that’s an ex-spouse, ex-lover, or whatever.
Each author will contribute up to three stories. So far, I’ve submitted one of the three–
Helping Out. I’ll be working on the other two over the next few weeks.
Also included in the anthology are: Colin Conway, Jill Maser, BJ Bourg, Sunny Frazier, Earl Staggs, Tony Burton and Tonya “Katt” Dunsmore (who originated the concept).
The book is slated for an October 2006 release. Here’s an early cover design:
This one is called The Ex-Factor and focuses on revenge/poetic justice meted out to ex’s, whether that’s an ex-spouse, ex-lover, or whatever.
Each author will contribute up to three stories. So far, I’ve submitted one of the three–
Helping Out. I’ll be working on the other two over the next few weeks.
Also included in the anthology are: Colin Conway, Jill Maser, BJ Bourg, Sunny Frazier, Earl Staggs, Tony Burton and Tonya “Katt” Dunsmore (who originated the concept).
The book is slated for an October 2006 release. Here’s an early cover design:
06.April.2006.Thu
Seven By Seven is less than two weeks away from release!
You can still pre-order, no money down, and have a chance to win a free copy. For more information, go HERE.
This publication will represent the first time my work has been in book form, and I’m proud to be surrounded by six other writers from all over the USA. Editor Tony Burton put together a great cast and he did a fantastic job of layout with the book.
You can still pre-order, no money down, and have a chance to win a free copy. For more information, go HERE.
This publication will represent the first time my work has been in book form, and I’m proud to be surrounded by six other writers from all over the USA. Editor Tony Burton put together a great cast and he did a fantastic job of layout with the book.
I finished “The Cleaner” and got it into submission.
I finished the first draft of “Laddie,” a prequel to “Shae,” and it is with a critique partner.
Same with another story, called “The Last Day In Paradise.” This is the first short story I’ve written featuring Katie McLeod, a long-standing River City character. The story occurs in late 2004, as Katie is about to be promoted from patrol officer to detective.
Also, I was invited to contribute to a multi-author anthology called, “The Ex Factor.” All the stories will focus on ex-spouses/lovers and some sort of revenge or poetic justice. The tentative publication date is October 2006.
I finished the first draft of “Laddie,” a prequel to “Shae,” and it is with a critique partner.
Same with another story, called “The Last Day In Paradise.” This is the first short story I’ve written featuring Katie McLeod, a long-standing River City character. The story occurs in late 2004, as Katie is about to be promoted from patrol officer to detective.
Also, I was invited to contribute to a multi-author anthology called, “The Ex Factor.” All the stories will focus on ex-spouses/lovers and some sort of revenge or poetic justice. The tentative publication date is October 2006.
