How I can get away with talking to a good-looking young blonde: sign ANTIQUES ROADKILL to her with Barb snapping the pic.

Who says I’m not an outdoorsman?

What Barb does at a book fair.

Pontificating in public with Persia Walker on noir panel.

Jim Traylor of GA and MAC of IA work on their upcoming collaboration, SPILLANE ON SCREEN (for McFarland).

The Decatur Book Fair was a lot of fun, and felt more like a mini-vacation than a book tour stop. Barb and I met some wonderful readers – new and old – at the event, and the panel with Persia Walker was well-attended, with great audience questions. Persia is as lovely as her writing style, which is plenty lovely, and her subject matter is historical noir, so we were a good fit. Barb was not on the panel, but there were Trash ‘n’ Treasures fans afoot and we signed several copies of the paperback versions. Also, if you go the Atlanta area, try Fox Brothers for barbecue. The only barbecue we’ve had that rivals or possibly tops Pappy’s in my son’s St. Louis haunts.

The Titan relaunch of Hard Case Crime is getting lots of web attention, including Publisher’s Weekly itself.

Online venues are excited about Hard Case’s return. Check out this nice write-up.

Even the Associated Press noticed the Hard Case revival, and went so far as to interview an obscure Iowa author for a quote or two.

And THE CONSUMMATA already has several nice reader reviews at Goodreads.

As I’ve mentioned here, I am one of the writers for the new Fangoria radio series, DREADTIME STORIES. I’ve done three scripts for the series so far, with the first set to air next week (“Reincarnal,” which I’m also going to be adapting into a film script, possibly for my long-awaited…by me, anyway…return to film directing). Check out the first show here (and see the announcement for “Reincarnal”).

M.A.C.

[Nate speaking: Just a quick reminder — Max and Barb are appearing at the Centuries & Sleuths bookstore in Chicago this Thursday (Sept. 8) at 7PM for a signing and Q&A.]