29.September.2007.Sat
The Spokesman Review has written a story about me...pulling the veil of my true identity away.
You can link to it here.
There are some audio clips, too.
How I Began Writing
People’s Projections
About the River City Series
Plots
A Book Club Reaction
Writing Credits
Here’s the text of the story, in case the link doesn’t work:
SPD lieutenant also writes crime fiction
Jody Lawrence-Turner
Staff writer
September 29, 2007
He started putting pen to paper when he was 8 years old, crafting “goofy little stories.” By 12, he was writing “more vignettes than scenes” and that’s when he knew he wanted to be a writer.
“It just felt natural,” said crime novelist Frank Zafiro, now 39. “Sort of like a musician or a carpenter, I was just drawn to it.”
But even in his pre-teen years, the Deer Park native was realistic about a career as a creative writer.
“It’s not like you put a shingle out, and someone just starts sending you a check,” he said.
Two other jobs appealed to him – teacher and police officer. He opted for the latter.
Zafiro is the pen name used by Spokane Police Lt. Frank Scalise, whose first novel, “Under a Raging Moon” was published in 2006.
A follow-up book, also based on the fictitious River City Police Department hits book stores today. “Heroes Often Fail” is published by Aisling Press, a division of Oculus Media Group.
The first book was about a serial robber. The second is about a kidnapping. His third will be about a serial rapist – though not Kevin Coe, he says – and he plans a fourth “River City novel” about Russian gangs. Many of the characters in the novels continue throughout.
River City is a “barely fictional” Spokane. And Scalise said the character of Thomas Chisolm is “loosely” based on a real person – Spokane Police officer Thomas Chapman.
“The scar on the face is the same, the swagger is the same,” Scalise said. So is “the willingness and almost delight he takes to standing up to the brass.”
Otherwise the books are pure fiction. But because Scalise worried that people would think otherwise, he has been quiet about his dual identities. Even the short biographies at the end of his books – and others he’s contributed to – have been vague about his career.
But with the police administration’s blessing, he’s making it recognized.
“I think he’s been given a gift, and he should make it known,” said Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. “His work is policing, but he’s also an author.”
Cpl. Brad Hallock, who’s known Scalise since they were in the police academy together, said the author is “able to capture the gritty realism about law enforcement” that other writers can’t if they haven’t worn a badge.
“It’s always a pleasure to read and critique his work,” said Jill Maser, a New Jersey writer to whom Scalise often sends stories for an honest opinion.
In addition to his novels, Scalise has also written instructional manuals for ITT Technical Institute and numerous short stories. He’s currently working on a children’s book and one about hockey, he said.
Through his stories, Scalise said, he tries to expose law enforcement’s human side, as well as an officer’s desire to “slap” someone who might deserve it, without suffering the repercussions.
“I think everyone has a dark streak in them,” Scalise said. And for him, “the writing is where it goes, where it comes off the shelf, and goes into the writing.”Scalise graduated from Deer Park High School in 1986 and went straight into the Army. He attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., to learn Czechoslovakian then spent 2½ years in Germany, working in military intelligence.
After a time in California, he returned to Spokane in 1992, and took tests to qualify for a job at the Police Department or Sheriff’s Office. He was offered jobs at both and started with the Police Department in September 1993.
While working full time, Scalise took classes at Eastern Washington University and received a bachelor’s degree in history in 1998.
He was promoted to lieutenant this summer and works in patrol. He also plays hockey a couple of times a week. And he has three children – 6- and 15-year-old sons, and a 13-year-old daughter – who spend about half their time with him.
“I write between the time I take my son to school and when I go to work (on graveyard shift), almost every single day,” Scalise said. “I tend to be a little bit obsessive.”
You can link to it here.
There are some audio clips, too.
How I Began Writing
People’s Projections
About the River City Series
Plots
A Book Club Reaction
Writing Credits
Here’s the text of the story, in case the link doesn’t work:
SPD lieutenant also writes crime fiction
Jody Lawrence-Turner
Staff writer
September 29, 2007
He started putting pen to paper when he was 8 years old, crafting “goofy little stories.” By 12, he was writing “more vignettes than scenes” and that’s when he knew he wanted to be a writer.
“It just felt natural,” said crime novelist Frank Zafiro, now 39. “Sort of like a musician or a carpenter, I was just drawn to it.”
But even in his pre-teen years, the Deer Park native was realistic about a career as a creative writer.
“It’s not like you put a shingle out, and someone just starts sending you a check,” he said.
Two other jobs appealed to him – teacher and police officer. He opted for the latter.
Zafiro is the pen name used by Spokane Police Lt. Frank Scalise, whose first novel, “Under a Raging Moon” was published in 2006.
A follow-up book, also based on the fictitious River City Police Department hits book stores today. “Heroes Often Fail” is published by Aisling Press, a division of Oculus Media Group.
The first book was about a serial robber. The second is about a kidnapping. His third will be about a serial rapist – though not Kevin Coe, he says – and he plans a fourth “River City novel” about Russian gangs. Many of the characters in the novels continue throughout.
River City is a “barely fictional” Spokane. And Scalise said the character of Thomas Chisolm is “loosely” based on a real person – Spokane Police officer Thomas Chapman.
“The scar on the face is the same, the swagger is the same,” Scalise said. So is “the willingness and almost delight he takes to standing up to the brass.”
Otherwise the books are pure fiction. But because Scalise worried that people would think otherwise, he has been quiet about his dual identities. Even the short biographies at the end of his books – and others he’s contributed to – have been vague about his career.
But with the police administration’s blessing, he’s making it recognized.
“I think he’s been given a gift, and he should make it known,” said Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick. “His work is policing, but he’s also an author.”
Cpl. Brad Hallock, who’s known Scalise since they were in the police academy together, said the author is “able to capture the gritty realism about law enforcement” that other writers can’t if they haven’t worn a badge.
“It’s always a pleasure to read and critique his work,” said Jill Maser, a New Jersey writer to whom Scalise often sends stories for an honest opinion.
In addition to his novels, Scalise has also written instructional manuals for ITT Technical Institute and numerous short stories. He’s currently working on a children’s book and one about hockey, he said.
Through his stories, Scalise said, he tries to expose law enforcement’s human side, as well as an officer’s desire to “slap” someone who might deserve it, without suffering the repercussions.
“I think everyone has a dark streak in them,” Scalise said. And for him, “the writing is where it goes, where it comes off the shelf, and goes into the writing.”Scalise graduated from Deer Park High School in 1986 and went straight into the Army. He attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., to learn Czechoslovakian then spent 2½ years in Germany, working in military intelligence.
After a time in California, he returned to Spokane in 1992, and took tests to qualify for a job at the Police Department or Sheriff’s Office. He was offered jobs at both and started with the Police Department in September 1993.
While working full time, Scalise took classes at Eastern Washington University and received a bachelor’s degree in history in 1998.
He was promoted to lieutenant this summer and works in patrol. He also plays hockey a couple of times a week. And he has three children – 6- and 15-year-old sons, and a 13-year-old daughter – who spend about half their time with him.
“I write between the time I take my son to school and when I go to work (on graveyard shift), almost every single day,” Scalise said. “I tend to be a little bit obsessive.”
23.September.2007.Sun
With just five days left until the official release of Heroes Often Fail, it is showing as now available on Amazon.com. The cover art isn’t attached yet, but I’m sure it will be shortly. So for those of you who prefer to get your book that way, you may now order away!
21.September.2007.Fri
14.September.2007.Fri
Here is a review I thought you might enjoy.
MAP OF MURDER review from MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW:
Map of Murder: Original Stories of Mystery and Suspense is an anthology of stories by diverse authors, sure to delight mystery and suspense connoisseurs. From a young college professor drawn into the seductive black arts of Louisiana, to a Texas police offer trying to keep the peace amid a fracas with a beautiful woman at its center, to a Chicago woman who finds a skull on her property and resolves to do something about it, putting her own life at risk, the stories range the gamut from contemplative to tense to puzzling to utterly terrifying. A quality smorgasbord of chilling fine writing.
The italicized part refers to my short story “In the Shadow of El Paso.”
MAP OF MURDER review from MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW:
Map of Murder: Original Stories of Mystery and Suspense is an anthology of stories by diverse authors, sure to delight mystery and suspense connoisseurs. From a young college professor drawn into the seductive black arts of Louisiana, to a Texas police offer trying to keep the peace amid a fracas with a beautiful woman at its center, to a Chicago woman who finds a skull on her property and resolves to do something about it, putting her own life at risk, the stories range the gamut from contemplative to tense to puzzling to utterly terrifying. A quality smorgasbord of chilling fine writing.
The italicized part refers to my short story “In the Shadow of El Paso.”
12.September.2007.Wed
I sat with a reporter from the local newspaper, The Spokesman Review, today for about two hours. She interviewed me about my writing and how it related to being a police officer. The angle of the piece is definitely human interest, but it should let a lot of people in this region know about the book. That can’t hurt.
This particular reporter is a good one. She actually offered some constructive criticism after reading Under a Raging Moon that led to some small but significant changes in Heroes Often Fail. So I was happy to sit for her.
Plus she bought the coffee.
Colin Conway, if you’re reading this – I got the Jack Collins special, as always.
For the rest of you, that means black. Black with no cream, no sugar, no foo-foo. Just black.
Back to the newspaper interview. The story should run by the end of the month. I’ll post a link when I know more.
This particular reporter is a good one. She actually offered some constructive criticism after reading Under a Raging Moon that led to some small but significant changes in Heroes Often Fail. So I was happy to sit for her.
Plus she bought the coffee.
Colin Conway, if you’re reading this – I got the Jack Collins special, as always.
For the rest of you, that means black. Black with no cream, no sugar, no foo-foo. Just black.
Back to the newspaper interview. The story should run by the end of the month. I’ll post a link when I know more.
My publisher, Aisling, advised me that Heroes Often Fail will be released simultaneously in both hardcover and paperback.
This will be Aisling’s first hardcover release.
Mine, too.
The hardcover will retail for $24.95. The trade paperback version will be $13.95.
Countdown to release? Sixteen days.
This will be Aisling’s first hardcover release.
Mine, too.
The hardcover will retail for $24.95. The trade paperback version will be $13.95.
Countdown to release? Sixteen days.
I’ve started work again on the third book in the River City series, Beneath a Weeping Sky. It takes place in 1996. Aisling will release this book in September 2008.
I’m only about 18,000 words into it at this point, though I’ve got a good handle on where it is going.
In the meantime, though, I’m finishing part three of the Shae quartet of stories. This one is tentatively called “A New Life.” It follows Shae’s arrival in Canada after some bad things happened to her in Ireland. The fourth and final story will be about those bad things.
Whereas the first two stories in this quartet ("Shae" and “Laddie”) were told from Laddie’s viewpoint, the final two are being narrated by Shae. This will be in the first person and marks only the second time I’ve tried to do this – that is, write in the first person with a female character. Being a male, that can be a tricky proposition. My first go-round was “Last Day in Paradise,” which featured Katie MacLeod.
We’ll see if I can pull it off.
The other aspect of this quartet is that it is being told in reverse chronological order. In other words, the first story published ("Shae") was actually the last in the timeline. “Laddie” came before that and “A New Life” is before Laddie. The final story will actually be the first in the chronology.
Joe DeMarcus at Mysterical-E has expressed an interest in printing all four in consecutive issues over the course of a year. “Shae” and “Laddie” are reprints (originally appeared in Crime and Suspense), but the final two are yet unpublished.
I’m probably halfway through the first draft of “A New Life” right now. I hope to finish it this week. Don’t know if I’ll dive right into the final one or not. I might just go back to Weeping Sky and get rolling on that one, then come back to Shae and Laddie.
I’ll let ya know.
HEROES OFTEN FAIL COUNTDOWN: 16 Days
I’m only about 18,000 words into it at this point, though I’ve got a good handle on where it is going.
In the meantime, though, I’m finishing part three of the Shae quartet of stories. This one is tentatively called “A New Life.” It follows Shae’s arrival in Canada after some bad things happened to her in Ireland. The fourth and final story will be about those bad things.
Whereas the first two stories in this quartet ("Shae" and “Laddie”) were told from Laddie’s viewpoint, the final two are being narrated by Shae. This will be in the first person and marks only the second time I’ve tried to do this – that is, write in the first person with a female character. Being a male, that can be a tricky proposition. My first go-round was “Last Day in Paradise,” which featured Katie MacLeod.
We’ll see if I can pull it off.
The other aspect of this quartet is that it is being told in reverse chronological order. In other words, the first story published ("Shae") was actually the last in the timeline. “Laddie” came before that and “A New Life” is before Laddie. The final story will actually be the first in the chronology.
Joe DeMarcus at Mysterical-E has expressed an interest in printing all four in consecutive issues over the course of a year. “Shae” and “Laddie” are reprints (originally appeared in Crime and Suspense), but the final two are yet unpublished.
I’m probably halfway through the first draft of “A New Life” right now. I hope to finish it this week. Don’t know if I’ll dive right into the final one or not. I might just go back to Weeping Sky and get rolling on that one, then come back to Shae and Laddie.
I’ll let ya know.
HEROES OFTEN FAIL COUNTDOWN: 16 Days
11.September.2007.Tue
Virtually everything I include on this blog is related to my crime fiction writing – the books, the stories, the publishing side, the appearances, all of it.
I keep out observations about politics because no one cares what I think about this issue or that. And of those few who do care, half of them will agree and half will think I’m an idiot. That’s a good way to sell books, huh?
I also keep away from social commentary, entertainment news, family updates, personal stories (except those related to writing in some fashion) or anything that doesn’t somehow come back to River City fiction.
Today is different.
Today is September 11th. And just like every September 11th since 2001, it is a day that messes with me. It is a day of profound sadness.
I think about the hatred that caused men to fly those planes into the towers.
I think about the courage of the firefighters, police officers and EMS people who ran into those burning buildings.
I think about the destruction of the Pentagon.
I think about a field in Pennsylvania.
I think about courage.
I think about sovereignty.
Most of all, I think about the fact that our time on this small blue planet is so very brief. I wonder why we spend so much of it hating and destroying each other. But I also know that the warrior in me says that such questions are moot. When a man comes at you with a blade, you defend yourself with one.
What’s the point of this entry? There really isn’t one. There doesn’t have to be. Everything doesn’t have a point, folks. Unlike short story or a novel, there isn’t a tidy ending. Life has edges. Screws fall out.
Every year, I think about this. This year, I am writing about it. For the other 364 days, you’ll only hear about River City fiction and all the hoopla I can muster about that topic.
But not today.
Not today.
I keep out observations about politics because no one cares what I think about this issue or that. And of those few who do care, half of them will agree and half will think I’m an idiot. That’s a good way to sell books, huh?
I also keep away from social commentary, entertainment news, family updates, personal stories (except those related to writing in some fashion) or anything that doesn’t somehow come back to River City fiction.
Today is different.
Today is September 11th. And just like every September 11th since 2001, it is a day that messes with me. It is a day of profound sadness.
I think about the hatred that caused men to fly those planes into the towers.
I think about the courage of the firefighters, police officers and EMS people who ran into those burning buildings.
I think about the destruction of the Pentagon.
I think about a field in Pennsylvania.
I think about courage.
I think about sovereignty.
Most of all, I think about the fact that our time on this small blue planet is so very brief. I wonder why we spend so much of it hating and destroying each other. But I also know that the warrior in me says that such questions are moot. When a man comes at you with a blade, you defend yourself with one.
What’s the point of this entry? There really isn’t one. There doesn’t have to be. Everything doesn’t have a point, folks. Unlike short story or a novel, there isn’t a tidy ending. Life has edges. Screws fall out.
Every year, I think about this. This year, I am writing about it. For the other 364 days, you’ll only hear about River City fiction and all the hoopla I can muster about that topic.
But not today.
Not today.
