7 Hours to Barstow - Kindle Vella

7 Hours to Barstow - then Turn Left

Alert, Alert, Alert . . . I am trying something new – and maybe you should too. Amazon Kindle has this new serial format that allows us writers to serialize our books (not old ones, mind you). From just a few episodes to an unlimited number – all your decision. It’s called Kindle Vella. I’ve just published the first five episodes of my first serial titled 7 HOURS TO BARSTOW – THEN TURN LEFT. New genre, Slipstream and new character, the Gray Rider. Ten episodes are available, the first three are free, more to be added. Check it out here.

Years ago there was the opportunity to use Amazon Kindle as a way of serializing our stories, even novels. Hugh Howey used this as a stepping stone to his success, Wool, and so did Andy Weir and his amazing novel The Martian. Both started by publishing one chapter (episode) at a time. Eventually they became the novels we enjoy. But they started in the old fashioned Dickens-Victorian way (England) on weekly episodes in the newspapers or magazines.

I don't know whether Amazon will pull this off, there's some concern (on my part) about the issue of buying Tokens (credits) to be used to acquire new episodes (complicated) and the split for the author. Time will tell and they will adjust as needed. However, I believe that this will provide opportunities for writer to strut their stuff, try new genres, styles, even go over the edge (as does 7 Hours to Barstow - Then Turn Left).

Here's a peak at the scope of VELLA:

7 Hours to Barstow comes from an idea my trainer and I cooked up. He was taking a motorcycle ride down the backside of the Sierra Mountains on Highway 395 last summer and we starting wondering what he'd run into along the way: ghosts, sheep, hitchhikers, etc. I started a run of text that I liked and it became what you will find.

There's an obscure genre out there called slipstream (WIKI HERE). My fascination with this style came from a book an old friend (who sadly has passed) gave me. It is Robert F. Jones' Blood Sport, A Journey Up the Hassayampa. It is without a doubt one of the weirdest novels I've ever read and totally embodies the goal of slipstream as "nonrealistic fiction with a postmodern sensibility."

HERE

7 Hours is sort of an homage to Jones and his story. What I'm hoping to do is keep adding episodes (10 posted or soon will be), that continue the travels of my man, the Gray Rider, as he cruises the back roads of America. Let me know what you think.

More Later . . . .

BREAKING NEWS: RANDALL TO PUBLISH TWO WWII THRILLERS IN OCTOBER

 >>>>>BREAKING NEWS<<<<<

On October 5, 2021, I'll be publishing two new novels.

Two on the same day!

click to pre-order: This Face of Evil

 

Now a word from our sponsor:

We survived – or at least that’s what it looks like. We’ve been through a lot this past year, for the first time in maybe forever, we have all been in the battle together. And we won! Yeah, for us. Three huzzahs. Our thoughts go to those families that lost someone, and to those that will never know what their future could have been. Sometimes humans need to be reminded how delicate and fragile life really is. Hug your family, have lunch with friends, dream of that vacation . . .

 

Now, get back to work, we have a much to repair.

 

Lots of great things have happened this year to me and here at Windsor Hill Publishing—and others are promised.

 

Chicago Boogie Woogie was published in February. For those that know Detective Tony Alfano, his latest case takes him from Chicago to Hollywood to chase down a killer. Yes Hollywood, film fantasyland for the incredible 1930s. The reviews are great. Get it here.

 

Two books are being studied by my wonderful agent, Kimberley Cameron. Both with new and modern characters, as well as exotic settings. You will not be disappointed. More as they develop.

 

This October it’s twins. 

What can I say . . . What better way to celebrate a new character (actually two!) than to release two books on the same day – October 5, 2021. Introducing OSS Captain Max Adler and MI6 agent Sophie Norcross. I’ve worked on these two novels for the last five years (more like forever). Both are chockablock full of action, adventure, politics, Nazis, Rome, Paris, Cairo, London, Chicago – what a ride. These novels have been promised for the last two years – and finally they are here. Pre-order at Amazon, send me a message if you want a reviewable copy, go to my website for more information (www.gregorycrandall.info). They will make great Christmas presents.

click to pre-order: This Face of Evil

 

And a reminder that all the other characters in the Gregory C. Randall universe are waiting for you. There are the seven Sharon O’Mara action-adventure thrillers, the three Alex Polonia international thrillers, and the aforementioned Detective Tony Alfano stories that take you back to 1933.

 

Have a great and safe summer.

 

Look for me on Facebook (become my friend), send me an email at rpd@lmi.net, or just pick up one of my novels and get lost in the worlds that I have created.

 

Stay Tuned:

Greg

Boogie Woogie Coming 2-16-21

 COMING FEBRUARY 16, 2021

CHICAGO BOOGIE WOOGIE

I'm thrilled to offer you and my readers the latest Detective Tony Alfano mystery. It's 1933 Chicago, the Century of Progress World's Fair is now in its fourth month, and a starlet is found murdered on the top floor of the Palmer House hotel. Tony is sent to investigate and discovers she's with a Hollywood promotion tour for their latest gangland movie. At the request of the producer, Chicago Mayor Ed Kelly, sends him to Hollywood to be their technical advisor. And the first thing Alfano finds is another body.

In Los Angeles, California, Tony discovers that fantasy can become reality.

Pre-order before 2-16-21 or order now here!

 

Wishing you and yours the happiest of New Years. We've gotten this far, so don't give up, get your shot (when you can), spend time with friends, and most of all take care of yourself. There are great things ahead.

PRE-ORDER HERE OR CLICK THE BOOK

I will be releasing my latest Detective Tony Alfano thriller on February 16, 2021. This will be an ebook for now, with the paperback available sometime in March (I hope). for those that don't know Tony, here is a snippet from he novel:

Detective Anthony Alfano tugged at the hem of his crisply pressed dark grey suit jacket, snugged up his red silk tie, and adjusted the Colt in his shoulder holster. He was tall, snappishly thin. The pinstripes in his suit added the illusion of an inch or two to his height. His face was narrow, with a hard, long jaw, thin mouth, and a fashionably crisp William Powell mustache. The mustache enhanced a sharp, slightly hooked nose (with a perceptible kink on its ridge due to being broken a few times) that anchored his face like a spike driven between his dark grey eyes. Hidden under his grey fedora was a thick head of black hair that was evolving to grey at the temples. If grey were a meal, Tony Alfano was a serious grey serving. After setting the brim of his hat, he lit a cigarette, and strolled north up the west side of State Street. This night the sidewalks were full; the weather, for a Friday night in mid-September, was warm and dry.

I am looking forward to an exciting year - bother personally and professionally. We will get out of the house (once vaccinated) and get back to seeing the world, if there is anything left of it. I fear that it will be a long time before some parts are open again. Professionally, I am looking to publish at least three books this year, possibly four. Great stories are underway that will take you all the corners of the world. To name just a few: Carmel, Cairo, Rome, Montana, Los Angeles, the moon and Mars, London, Chicago, and even Cleveland.

Stay tuned, the road will be bumpy. . . . .

Thank You and A Cover Reveal

 UPDATE

I want to thank all of you who downloaded a free copy of one or all of the Sharon O'Mara adventure thrillers. She is the reason I got into this writing gig, and she it still my second favorite gal. I hope that you are enjoying them.

I gave away 10,052 copies - that's right over 10,000 free books.

I'm thrilled and I hope you are one of those that took the time to download the ebook from Amazon. Again thank you very much.

I am also pleased to announce the cover for the next Detective Tony Alfano thriller (see below with the first three covers in the series).

Tony is becoming one of my favorites. It's 1933 - so no TV, no cell phones, limited radio, and certainly no police radio. Chicago is in the middle of the Century of Progress World's Fair - and 200,000 people visit the city on any weekend. It has become a city full of tourists, gangs, gambling, and other forms of corruption. Just the background for an honest Italian cop on an Irish police force.

PRE-ORDER NOW AT AMAZON