Today I’m speaking with Scott Blackburn. Scott’s debut novel—It Dies With You—is a literary/mystery hybrid from Crooked Lane Books. J.B.: Scott, thanks for speaking with me. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your background? Scott: My pleasure. I’m a 39-year-old English instructor, born and raised in North Carolina…
A Swollen Red Sun by Matthew McBride is a southern noir thriller where dirty cops cross paths with drug dealers in a Missouri town once dubbed the Meth Capital of the World (available June 17, 2014). Matthew McBride's A Swollen Red Sun is a disturbing and heartfelt piece of country noir, equal parts Donald Ray…
If the popularity of writers such as Donald Ray Pollock, Cormac McCarthy, Daniel Woodrell and Frank Bill is anything to go by, rural noir is a big deal in the United States. While it may not be anywhere near as well-known, for my money, the 1961 novel Wake In Fright by Australian writer Kenneth Cook…
One of coolest things about the Spinetingler Awards is the recognition that there’s not just one great book a year and that comparing relative newcomers to the field to legends is a tough bet. Thus the categories of “New Voice” (those who have published 1-3 books), “Rising Star” (4-8 books) and “Legend” (9+ books). We…
