Bouchercon Appearances This Weekend!

FYI, I'll be doing two events at this weekend's Bouchercon in San Francisco. Taking place at the Hyatt Regency, it's one of the premiere mystery conventions in the country. 

 

First, I'll be part of the Continuous Conversation on Saturday, Oct. 16th, from 11:30 AM till 12:30 PM, joining a group of terrific fellow mystery authors for spirited conversation about the field.

 

Later that day, at 3:30 PM, I'll be doing a "30 on the 30" mini-presentation called "Page Fright," addressing writers' block, procrastination, and other perils of the writer's life. As a licensed psychotherapist specializing in creative issues, I've worked with hundreds of writers over the years on such dilemmas.

 

Signings of my new crime novel, Mirror Image, follow both events.

 

It's my first Bouchercon, and I'm pretty excited! 

 

Dennis

 

BOOKLIST Review of MIRROR IMAGE

FYI, here's a new review of Mirror Image from BookList. (And I didn't pay the guy--honest!)

 

Mirror Image.
Palumbo, Dennis (Author)
Aug 2010. 334 p. Poisoned Pen, hardcover, $24.95. (9781590587508). Poisoned Pen, softcover, $14.95. (9781590587522).

This debut novel from psychotherapist Palumbo features a psychologist, Daniel Rinaldi, whose client, a college student, is murdered. But here's the twist: the victim, for therapeutic reasons, has lately been imitating Rinaldi's appearance and manner of dress. So naturally Rinaldi believes that he, and not his client, was the intended victim. Wracked with guilt over the incident—he believes his encouragement of the victim's behavior got him killed—Rinaldi sets out to find the killer.

 

Palumbo, a screenwriter with credits as varied as Welcome Back, Kotter and the classic film My Favorite Year, does an excellent job of building suspense, and Rinaldi, who comes off as likable if a bit self-absorbed, makes a complex protagonist. A solid first novel, especially recommendable to fans of Jonathan Kellerman, Keith Ablow, and Meg Gardiner.
— David Pitt

 

 

FYI: My latest Huffington Post blog

To paraphrase Jack Nicholson in Terms of Endearment, "I don't know, something about the Tea Party brings out the devil in me..."

 

Click here: Dennis Palumbo: The Problem with the World...

 

 

 

FYI: My latest Huffington Post blog

Alert the media! Two Huffington Post blogs, only a week apart!

 

Click here: Dennis Palumbo: GUT CHECK: Living the Writer's Life

 

Seriously, I'm glad to be back in the swing of posting for Huff Po. Hope you like this one.

 

As always, if the mood strikes, please feel free to post a comment.

 

Thanks!

 

 

FYI: Another MIRROR IMAGE review

Here's another review, just posted, of my new crime novel. Let's hope it's part of a trend...

 

Click here: Lesa's Book Critiques: Sunday Salon - Mirror Image by Dennis Palumbo

 

Take care...

 

Dennis

 

 

 

FYI: NEW Huffington Post piece

I don't remember if I posted this here already (another sign of my rapidly dwindling brain cells!), but here's my latest Huff Po blog:

 

 

Click here: Dennis Palumbo: "MIRROR IMAGE"--Reflections on Fact and Fiction

 

Thanks!

 

Dennis

 

 

FYI: Nice new review of MIRROR IMAGE

Just saw this new review of my crime novel, Mirror Image, posted on a very cool site called Bookpleasures.com. In the name of shameless self-promotion, I thought I'd pass it along...

 

Click here: Mirror Image Reviewed By Lois Henderson of Bookpleasures.com

 

Thanks!

 

Dennis

 

 

Here's my latest Huffington Post Blog

It's been a while, but here's my latest Huff Po piece...

 

Click here: Dennis Palumbo: "MIRROR IMAGE"--Reflections on Fact and Fiction

 

Thanks!

 

Dennis

 

 

New Review of MIRROR IMAGE in Pittsburgh Magazine

I just got back from Pittsburgh, my home town and the setting of my new crime novel, Mirror Image. Had a great time, saw some old friends, and signed some books at four different area stores.

 

FYI, here's a nice review of the novel from Pittsburgh Magazine...

 

 

Click here: 'Mirror Image' - Pittsburgh Magazine - August 2010 - Pittsburgh, PA

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

"BETWEEN THE LINES" Appearance

FYI--

 

I'll be the guest on PBS' Between the Lines author interview show this Saturday, Aug.14th, at 8 PM. It's on KLCS-TV (which is channel 3 on my cable outfit). You can check klcs.org for schedule info.

 

Here's the press release they sent out:

 

LOS ANGELES

 

KLCS-TV – www.klcs.org

Saturday Night, August 14, at 8:00 PM

Dennis Palumbo - Writing from the Inside Out

Breaking through creative barriers is what this episode is all about.  Dennis Palumbo co-wrote the critically acclaimed, Oscar nominated film, My Favorite Year and just published his first mystery novel Mirror Image.  But it is his years as a psychotherapist, specializing in the creative process, which brings him to our program.

 

With his acclaimed book, Writing from the Inside Out, Dennis reveals that you already have everything you need within yourself to create your best work.  Keep in mind that this book is not just for writers, but for anyone from artists to teachers and from lawyers to plumbers, who may get caught up fighting emotional wedges no matter what career or journey they are on. 

 

In Writing from the Inside Out, Dennis shows how to transform those psychological blocks to free the creativity within us.

 

 

 

Also, here's some info from the show about another way to watch it:

 

Remember, you can catch us "On Demand" by visiting www.la36.org.  Once there, go to Ch. 200, the Arts & Culture Channel, then scroll down the right hand side until you find the Between the Lines episode you'd like to see. 

 

Hope you get a chance to see it (or Tivo it, or what-have-you).

 

Thanks!

 

Dennis

 

 

My Appearance on "Suspense Your Disbelief"

FYI, here's a short biographical essay I was asked to do for Jenny Milchman's website. Thanks to Jenny for giving me the forum!

 

Click here: Suspense Your Disbelief » Made It Moment: Dennis Palumbo

 

Meanwhile, I'm gearing up for the release of my new crime novel, Mirror Image, next week...which includes books signings in Pittsburgh (my home town, and the setting of the novel) and a number of appearances at book stores and conferences here in Southern California.

 

As the blatant self-promoting PR machines chugs along...

 

All best,

 

Dennis

 

MIRROR IMAGE On Sale Next Week!

I've been so busy these past few weeks, I haven't had a chance to post anything on this pathetic excuse for a blog.

 

That said, I'm naturally doing so now in the name of shameless self-promotion!

 

My new crime novel, Mirror Image, goes on sale next week. It's the first in a new series featuring psychologist Daniel Rinaldi, a trauma expert who consults with the Pittsburgh Police.

 

The publisher is Poisoned Pen Press, and I think they've done a wonderful job with the book. It's available in hardcover, trade paperback and as an audio book.

 

Moreover, I've been extremely gratified by the advance blurbs the novel has received.

For example:

 

"Dennis Palumbo establishes himself as a master story-teller with his first crime novel, Mirror Image.  Using his background as a licensed psychotherapist to good advantage, Palumbo infuses his fast-moving, suspenseful story with fascinating texture, interesting characters, and the twists, turns and surprises of a mind-bending mystery. Very impressive."

---Stephen J. Cannell (writer/creator of The Rockford Files; New York Times best-selling mystery author)

 

 

"Mirror Image is a rich, complex thriller, built around a sizzling love affair. A compelling read, with surprising twists and characters that leap off the page."

---Bobby Moresco (Oscar-winning writer/producer of Crash and Million Dollar Baby)

 

 

"Mirror Image is a deviously plotted thriller with lots of shocks and surprises you won't see coming, and a smart, sympathetic hero-narrator who takes you along as he peels back layers of lies and wrong guesses to get closer to the truth."
---Thomas Perry (Edgar-winning, New York Times best-selling crime novelist)

 

 

"Dennis Palumbo's experience as a psychotherapist hasn't just helped him make his hero, therapist Dr. Daniel Rinaldi, authentic, human and a man in full, it's endowed him with the insight to craft a debut thriller filled with action, deduction and romance, expertly paced for maximum suspense." 

---Dick Lochte, award-winning author and critic

 

 

"Dennis Palumbo's novel is stark and disturbing but there's a humanity running through the core of it that makes this book special.  Maybe it's Palumbo's dual training – as a writer and as a psychotherapist – that allows him to plumb the depths and bring up not only darkness but those occasional diamonds of light that sparkle and illuminate and make a book worth reading."

 ---T. Jefferson Parker (Edgar-winning, New York Times best-selling author of The Renegades and Iron River)

 

 

"Mirror Image is a standout mind-bender! A wonderfully constructed novel that has you seeing double---and all through the eyes of an intriguingly fresh character: a psychologist.  Dennis Palumbo knows his craft.  This guy can write."

---Ridley Pearson (New York Times best-selling crime author)

 

 

"A gripping thriller, chock full of the desired twists and cliffhangers, with the added layer and intriguing access of a therapist  narrator/detective.  A page turner!"

---Aimee Bender (New York Times best-selling author of An Invisible Sign of My Own)

 

 

Again, the book launches next week. I hope you'll check it out---and if you do, please let me know what you think.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

My Latest Column for "In Cold Blog"

Been a while since I've posted, but I've been back-logged with work.

 

However, FYI, here's my latest column for the true-crime site "In Cold Blog."

 

Click here: In Cold Blog: Deadline Dread

 

Hope everyone's having a good summer. 

 

 

Simple, But Not Easy

I know it's been a while since I've posted here on my blog, but I've been swamped.

My practice, writing deadlines, planning the PR push for my upcoming crime novel, Mirror Image. The usual suspects.

 

Anyway, FYI, here's my latest essay for the really cool true-crime site, In Cold Blog:

 

Click here: TheWrite Mind: Simple, but not easy

 

Hope you enjoy it!

 

 

Writing is Easy!

FYI, here's the link to the first in a series of columns I'm doing for In Cold Blog, a terrific true-crime site:

 

Click here: The Write Mind: Real Life and Writing. Easy, Right?

 

 

Please feel free to forward to your friends, families, colleagues, mortal enemies, etc.

 

And, as always, love to hear your thoughts...  

 

 

New Zealand Interview

To my pleasant surprise, I was invited to do an interview for Crime Watch, a fascinating mystery-oriented website out of New Zealand. I hope you find it interesting.

 

http://kiwicrime.blogspot.com/2010/04/9mm-interview-with-dennis-palumbo.html

 

As always, I welcome your comments, questions, rants, etc.

 

 

The Joke That Wouldn't Die!

FYI, here's my latest blog for the Huffington Post....

 

Click here: Dennis Palumbo: The Joke That Wouldn't Die

 

 

Better Late Than Never!

When it first came out two years ago, I was gratified by the reviews my collection of mystery short stories, From Crime to Crime, received at the time.

However, to my pleasant surprise, this review of the book just appeared. If anyone's interested, here's the link:

Click here: From Crime to Crime: Mind-boggling Tales of Mystery and Murder Reviewed By Lois Henderson of Bookpleasures.com

I also want to thank those of you who attended my mystery-writing workshop this past Saturday afternoon at Vroman's Bookstore. As always, I was struck by the thoughtful, perceptive questions the attendees asked. Really made it a great experience.

And,of course, I'll keep you posted about the next one...

Taking the Mystery Out of Writing Mysteries

As some of you may know, I'll be presenting a FREE WRITING WORKSHOP at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena next Saturday, April 17, at 3 PM. It's called "Taking the Mystery Out of Writing Mysteries."

 

In anticipation of that event, here's a link to an article of the same title that I did a few years back for The Writer's Store newsletter. Whether you're interested in classic whodunnits, crime thrillers or police procedurals, I hope you'll find it helpful.

 

 

Click here: Writers Store: Taking the Mystery Out of Writing Mysteries by Dennis Palumbo

 

 

BTW, if you'd like some info about the writing workshop, here's a link to the Vroman's Bookstore Events page, offering a description of the event, as well as the store's address and contact info:

 

 

Click here: Free Writing Workshop: Taking the Mystery Out of Writing Mysteries! | Vroman's Bookstore

 

 

Hope to see some of you there!

 

My Favorite Quote

It's a growth industry--the hundreds of books, tapes and videos available on the craft of writing; the multitudes of conferences, seminars and workshops (some of which I've taught myself over the years); the teachers and coaches and gurus promising to reveal the secrets of the "can't-miss" premise, the "never-fails" plot structure, the "you-can't-help-but-love-'em" lead characters.

But in the cacophony of instruction and inspiration competing for the writer's ear, it seems to me a quote from Ray Bradbury emerges from the din. "There is only one type of story in the world--your story."

In all the writing classes I've ever taught, it was always the first quote I put on the blackboard. And now, as a therapist, the essence of that quote is what underlies my support for creative patients struggling to write out of the depths of their own particular truths, no matter how painful or contradictory.

I recall an incident, years ago, when I was Screenwriter-In-Residence at San Francisco State University. I was working with a group of young writers-to-be, one of whom had just read a scene from his script, a political thriller, to the rest of the class. Unfortunately, the scene--in which the hero is trapped by bad guys in a dingy back alley--was flat and uninvolving, though the writer clearly had talent. Moreover, the writing itself seemed tentative...careful, somehow.

I asked the writer what would happen if, instead of his hero, he himself were the guy trapped in that alley. 

"You mean, if that were me?" He suddenly became quite animated, as he described the sequence of scary, funny incidents that would befall him. A scene that was unique and particular to a very specific sort of individual--a guy like himself. A human being.

"But this guy's gotta be a hero," he said afterwards. "Like in the movies."

"He is," I replied. "Your hero."

The problem with this student's scene was his attempt to portray what a hero "should" be like. The writing seemed tentative as a result of the tension within him caused by the effort to exclude his own feelings, doubts, and impulses, as though they were inappropriate for a movie hero.

The irony--and the point of Bradbury's quote--is that all writing is autobiographical. Even the student's attempt to write a hero "like in the movies" revealed an aspect of his autobiography, namely, his belief about how a hero needed to behave.

Like it or not, our writing reveals who we are. The story doesn't matter. The genre doesn't matter. Even if you're writing a pirate movie, taking place two hundred years ago, your autobiography informs that script: your own attitude toward heroics, vague memories of some pirate movie you saw as a kid, your fantasies about the "freedom of the seas" or whatever. Even your concern about whether or not your pirate movie is commercial is part of your experience writing it.

On the plus side, it's one of the paradoxes of writing that the more particular and personal a detail in character or story, the more powerfully its impact generalizes out to the audience.

(The specifics of Rocky Balboa's life in the first Rocky film were shared by few in the audience, I'm sure, but everyone understood what he meant by "going the distance." Nor did the reader of Frank McCourt's memoir Angela's Ashes have to grow up in the slums of Dublin to relate to that family's struggle with poverty. Nor did the viewers of the recent film The Blind Side need to have had any life experiences similar to those of the young black athlete to identify with the yearning for someone to appear who believes in you, even when you don't.)

I repeat: All writing is autobiographical. The more you can accept and acknowledge this, the greater the extent to which you can mine your own feelings and experiences to give shape and texture to your work.

Of course, to write from this place, the core of who we are, is damned hard. Often the results are just painful, ambiguous, unformed. Maybe there's something wrong with me, the writer thinks. Maybe I'm not enough...

That's why writing seminars and workshops flourish; why "how-to" books on writing are perennial sellers. Intentionally or not, they validate our belief in some "key" or technique that ensures success; some thing outside of ourselves that we need to learn, or to become.

And, yes, every writer needs to learn story construction, needs to develop craft. But the most important thing a writer needs is the awareness that he or she is enough. That one's feelings, enthusiasms, regrets, hopes, doubts, yearnings, loves and hates are in fact, the raw materials of one's writing talent.

"There is only one type of story in the world--your story." Which means only you can tell it, no matter what form--thriller, romantic comedy, sci-fi adventure--it takes.

It reminds me of another quote I like, from Ralph Waldo Emerson, a pretty fair writer himself. He said, "To believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for everyone--that is genius."