Two Decades Ago

2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of my debut novel, The Nymphos of Rocky Flats. Its arrival was the culmination of a seventeen-year-long journey that began when I decided to write a book and get it published. 

What initiated the journey was me reading a library book and having the most dangerous idea ever to enter the head of a wannabe writer: "If this guy got published, then so can I." And so it began. When I started, I did so on my own before discovering that I needed guidance learning how to tell a novel-length story. I enrolled in an adult-education writing class, which taught me a valuable lesson in how rotten people could be. In other words, what kind of writing groups to avoid. Soon after moving to Colorado, I joined Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, an organization I can't credit enough for their mentorship in helping me get published. I was then invited to a critique group headed by the late Jameson Cole, who ran the sessions like a boot camp. The discipline and hard lessons paid off as three of us, Jeanne Stein, Jeff Shelby, and myself, went on to get contracts with the NY Big Six (or is it Five now?) However, the path to publication was neither straight nor certain. Donis Casey, on her blog Write Errant, gave me an opportunity to share an anecdote about my challenges. 

 

 

I entered my manuscript in the 2003 RMFW Colorado Gold contest. Though I didn't get top prize, as a finalist, my submission was evaluated by guest editors and agents, which primed the pump when the opportunity arose for me to pitch my story. I gave an elevator pitch in an elevator--how meta is that? In November 2004, I got The Call, an offer for a three-book deal with HarperCollins. With a publication date of 2006, you can appreciate the long, long lead times of traditional publishing.

After the confirmation for a book launch, I pulled out all the stops to promote the event. Naturally, I got support from RMFW. At the time I was an active volunteer with Su Teatro, so I nudged ribs over there. I scoured my Rolodex (remember those?) to invite former work colleagues, and I prodded every media contact that I knew. 

The audience filled almost all 300 seats in the auditorium of the Tattered Cover LoDo. I was so overwhelmed that I forgot people's names, even those of good friends who showed up. How embarrassing for me, yes.  Despite that, the night was indeed a magical experience. 

 

Me signing and adding something dirty.

Since then, what has happened? Quite a lot actually.  For as Lily Tomlin once said, "The road to success is always under construction." I could dwell on what didn't take place. No blockbuster deals. Hollywood never came calling. I got orphaned. But a lot of great things did come my way. I was fortunate enough to teach creative writing at Lighthouse Writers Workshops and with the Regis University Mile-High MFA program. I got a Colorado Book Award, was a finalist several times, won two International Latino Book Awards, and gathered many other distinctions. Along the way I've attended bunches of conferences and became friends with many writers. As a ghostwriter, I helped clients publish twenty books. I've also edited three anthologies, and published nine of my novels: seven in the Felix Gomez series, a YA adventure, and a graphic novel.

In retrospect I have a lot to be grateful for. What does the future have in store? Stay tuned.

 

 

 

Validation

We crime writers write for many reasons but principally it's that we're storytellers, and we're compelled to spin tales involving murder and mayhem, all wrapped in twisted lies and dark motives. As writers we toil in solitary confinement (emerging occasionally like gophers to gather at the local watering hole), and we've learned to sustain ourselves with faith in our efforts and the pride of accomplishment that comes from penning our stories. But even the most jaded hermit scribe among us likes a pat on the back, an acknowledgement that others in the business appreciate our hard work and creativity

The best atta-boys are publishing contracts, sales, and awards. Of those three, I'd rather have sales. Not surprising since one of my most admired writers is Harold Robbins and his sole literary acclaim was only that he was one of the most widely sold writers of all time--over 750 million copies in print! Throw me in that briar patch.

Awards are also a welcome pubic validation, and I have to mention my good fortune in that last weekend I received a 2017 Colorado Book Award in the category of Anthology Collection. I was the editor for the 2016 anthology, Found, published by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Although my name is on the awards plaque, I have to share the accolades with the writers who submitted stories, my fine crew of reader-judges, my graphic and interior designer, and the RMFW board. Interestingly, the competition included CyberWorld, whose editor had a story in Found, while I had a story in CyberWorld.

This wasn't my first go-around with the Colorado Book Awards. Ten years ago, my debut novel, The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, was a finalist though I didn't win. So my 2017 CBA seemed especially sweet. What I did receive in 2007 was another award that I treasure as much as I do any other prize, and that is Westword's Best of Denver. While a Best of Denver didn't bring any of the vast fortunes I'm still waiting for, it did get me one free drink from the corner bar.