A Writer's Life

Mr. Monk and the Blog Reviews

MR. MONK GOES TO GERMANY is author/publisher/editor/reviewer/man-of-the-world Ed Gorman's favorite Monk book so far. He says, in part:

For me the only thing more fun than watching Monk is reading the adventures Lee Goldberg creates for him.

[...]As usual Mr. Goldberg not only keeps the story rolling, he also gives us a plenty of smiles and out-loud laughs along the way. This time he gives a sense of a foreign milieu as well, some very sly travel commentary from time to time. The Monk books take a series that is one of the best on TV and makes it even better. No small accomplishment. I can't wait for the next one

But if that wasn't flattering enough, Ed goes on to talk about my novel THE MAN WITH THE IRON-ON BADGE.

Whenever I review one of Lee's books I feel guilty if I don't mention his masterpiece, The Man With The Iron-On Badge. This is a novel that pays tribute to the classic private eyes by introducing a funny, cranky, sly and very bright guy named Harvey Mapes who between honoring his twin obsessions junk food and crime fiction on page and tv screen manages to become more than just a security guard--he becomes a private eye, kind of.

[...]The mystery here is cleverly drawn and not without grit and real suspense. The other aspect is the tour of LA that Lee/Harvey takes us on. Too much of LA fiction plays the usual songs. But the cunning detail in Iron-On Badge makes everything from gated communities to eating at Denny's seem brand new. This is because we're seeing it through the eyes of a burned-out working class guy who takes us inside his dotty but endearing fantasy life.

This is one of those novels that will be around for a long, long time. It's that good.

I hope he's right, though the book is hard-to-find. I still haven't managed to get a deal for a mass market paperback edition...but I'm working on it.

Thanks so much, Ed!

Geekerati Radio Interview Avec Moi

Another Rave for HOLLYWOOD & CRIME

Booklist has praised HOLLYWOOD AND CRIME, a new anthology coming out next month that includes my short story "Jack Webb's Star":

As veteran crime writer Randisi notes in his introduction, when some people think of Hollywood, they think fame, glamour, and Disneyland. Others think of the Black Dahlia, O. J., and Fatty Arbuckle--the dark side of the Tinseltown dream. Among the authors represented in this collection of original short stories with a Hollywood theme are marquee names Michael Connelly, Max Allan Collins, Bill Pronzini, and Stuart Kaminsky. Among the best of the 14 selections are Collins' "Murderlized," featuring Moe Howard of Three Stooges fame investigating the death of his mentor, and Connelly's "Suicide Run," in which Harry Bosch extracts justice for a series of murdered starlets. Veteran television screenwriter Lee Goldberg has some fun with a small screen legend in "Jack Webb's Star," and Dick Lochte brings back private investigator Leo Bloodworth--still listening to Dinah Shore but on an MP3 player--in a mystery that ends with a devilish poke at the quality of modern screenwriting. This consistently high-quality collection offers readers a nice mix of big names and lesser-knowns who deserve larger audiences.

This follows a rave review from Publisher's Weekly, published a few months back before the book's release date was changed:

The 14 stories in this entertaining anthology from Shamus Award–founder Randisi span Tinsel Town history from the 1930s to the present and intersect, literally, at Hollywood and Vine. Top billing should go to Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch story, "Suicide Run," and to Lee Goldberg's "Jack Webb's Star"—the former for the detection and the latter for biggest laughs. Other highlights include Max Allan Collins and Matthew V. Clemens's reinvention of one of the Three Stooges, Moe Howard, as a detective in their clever "Murderlized," about the 1937 death of the Stooges' mentor, vaudevillian Ted Healy. Robert S. Levinson delivers a wicked portrait of gossip columnist Hedda Hopper in "And the Winner Is...," which turns on her lackey's efforts to stop a Nazi sharpshooter at the 1960 Academy Awards. From Harry Bosch's visit to a photographer at Hollywood & Vine Studios to Moe's meeting at a coffee shop at that intersection, all the tales pay homage to the storied Hollywood street corner.

Reviews and Interviews

Matt Witten and I were interviewed in Lohr, Germany by a Serienjunkies, a German website devoted to television. You can read the wide-ranging interview (in English!) over the next several days here and here.

And my book MR. MONK AND THE BLUE FLU has received some very nice reviews while I have been away from Bookgasm, MyShelf, Gerald So, and Gumshoe Review.

Mr. Monk and The Ransom Notes

MR. MONK AND THE BLUE FLU received a rave review from Barnes & Noble's Ransom Notes newsletter.

While the obvious audience for the Monk novels are fans of the multiple Emmy Award-winning television series, Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu will appeal to anyone who enjoys lighthearted, comedic whodunits, regardless of whether they've even seen the show. Goldberg's succinct writing style -- with an emphasis on witty dialogue, laugh-out-loud hijinks, and nonstop action -- will make a devoted Monk fan of anyone who picks up this surprisingly entertaining read. Rubber gloves and moist towelettes not included. Paul Goat Allen

My publisher swears they didn't pay for this. But even if they did, I figure it's a win-win. Either B&N loved it, which is great... or my publisher is putting some real marketing money into the book, which is also great. So I'm smiling.

Write On

The Writer's Room has reviewed our book SUCCESSFUL TELEVISION WRITING which is, of course, all about TV writer's rooms.

After promising myself not to buy any more books on scriptwriting, I succumbed to this purchase while browsing in an Los Angeles bookstore with a bewildering array of film books. And I can truly say, it's worth every dime. This is one for those who are serious about writing. Full of practical advice and exercises, the book is an insightful account of the realities of being a writer for hire. It’s sort of a TV equivalent to “Adventures in the Screen Trade”, William Goldman’s infamous book.

At the back of the book are a series of appendices which would be worth the cover alone. Goldberg and Rabkin include a detailed “beat sheet” for an episode of Martial Law which demonstrates just how well an American show is structured with tense cliffhangers at the end of every act. There are also character outlines, the details of which could be helpful in writing your own treatments. It’s very useful to see just how well-thought out each character is and how much depth to go into in order to “sell” an idea.

Considering how long the book has been in print, it's always a pleasant surprise to stumble on a review (while relentlessly googling your own name in a pitiful attempt to avoid writing) and to discover that people still find our book relevant and helpful.

Mr. Monk Goes to the Well

Chris Well has given MR. MONK GOES TO THE FIREHOUSE a warm review. Here's an excerpt:

Novelist (and TV writer) Lee Goldberg does a remarkable job of capturing the wit and spark of the series, while exploring the possibilities that come with a different medium. The story is told from the point of view of Natalie, adding more layers to the narrative than possible in a regular episode.

Thanks, Chris!

Bouchercon

I've just booked my hotel room for Bouchercon 2006 in Madison, Wisconsin ( if you attending, and haven't made room reservations yet, you better hurry -- the area hotels are selling out fast). I also received my Anthony Award ballot in the mail this week.  The Anthonys are selected by Bouchercon attendees and any mystery novel published in 2005 is eligible for nomination. I hope if you enjoyed THE MAN WITH THE IRON ON BADGE, and are attending Bouchercon this fall, that you will consider nominating the book for Best Novel when you receive your ballot.  My book aside, I can't honestly remember all the good stuff that I read that was published in 2005. Please jog my memory with any suggestions you might have in the comment below. The categories are Best Novel, Best First Novel, Best Paperback Original, Best Short Story and Best Critical/Non-fiction Work. Thanks!

Why Couldn't the New York Times Have Said This?

I love it when people stay up all night reading my books. This came today from The Shaudy Life:

For some reason, I am awake. It's 4 in the am, and I am still awake. Just got done reading Lee Goldberg's and William Rabkin's "Successful Television Screenwriting." Fabulous book!!! Absolutely amazing! I've never read an industry book that I haven't been able to put down, even if it's a topic I'm really interested in. They've got humor and wit. And they're a little cynical and neurotic, which makes me more comfortable with being cynical and neurotic, myself. Fantastic book.

Thanks, Nina!

How to Order a Signed Copy of MR. MONK GOES TO THE FIRE HOUSE

Here's how you can order your own, signed copy of MR. MONK GOES TO THE FIRE HOUSE.

1. Email Mysteries to Die For with the following information:

Name

Address

Phone number

Method of payment (check, money order or credit card)

Info about how you want the book inscribed (signed only, inscribed to ‘name’, etc.)

3. Mail your check or money order made payable to Mysteries to Die For ($10.50 if you live in California; $10.00 for all other states except Alaska and Hawaii – if you live outside the contiguous 48 states, we’ll email you with pricing information) to this address: Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks CA, 91362.
4. If you want to use a credit card, we will call you to get the necessary information so please be sure to include your phone number.
5. If you want more than one copy of the book, we’ll email you specifics as to cost.

There is a possibility I will be signing with MONK co-star Traylor Howard. Please indicate on your order how you would like her to sign the book as well...assuming she is able to attend.

Room 222

Enrollment has begun for our next online session of Beginning Television Writing. The four-week course begins Oct. 24th and is a lot of fun...at least for your humble instructors. Here's the listing from Writers University:

In this four week course, two established executive producers/showrunners [That would be William Rabkin and me ] will give you an inside look at the world of episodic television. You will learn—and practice— the actual process involved in successfully writing a spec episodic script that will open doors across Hollywood. You will learn how to analyze a TV show and develop “franchise”-friendly story ideas. You will develop and write a story under the direction of the instructors, who will be acting as showrunners… and then, after incorporating their notes, you will be sent off to write your outline. Finally, you will develop and refine your outline with the instructors, leaving you at the end of the course ready to write your episodic spec script…the first step in getting a job on a TV series.

We look forward to seeing your in our virtual classroom.

Today is Pub Day

Prepare yourself for same blatant self-promotion...but I think I'm allowed.

Today is the official publication date of THE MAN WITH THE IRON-ON BADGE, which should start appearing in finer mystery bookstores nationwide, like Mystery Book Store, Mysteries to Die For, and Murder By The Book. You can also order if from Amazon. Here are some excerpts from the pre-publication reviews:

"As dark and twisted as anything as anything Hammett or Chandler ever dreamed up...leaving Travis McGee in the dust" Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

"Approaching the level of Lawrence Block is no mean feat, but Goldberg (the Diagnosis Murder series) succeeds with this engaging PI novel..." Publishers Weekly

"A convincing, even moving tale about the real nature of the SoCal streets and the real nature of heroism," Ed Gorman

"Likeable loser Harvey Mapes is my new favorite private eye, the guy with the dead-end job who longs to be Mannix or Travis McGee.  I hope the folks in charge of the Shamus nominations are paying attention." Victor Gischler

"Violent, often crude, sometimes hilarious and ultimately touching, this book is a great homage to the Gold Medal paperbacks of the 1950s and 1960s." Clair Lamb, Mystery Bookstore newsletter

A witty, wicked and dare I say wise little book. Lee Goldberg shows off more than just his funny bone here. He reveals a keen eye for the wrenching heartbreaks and triumphs that forge heroes" David Corbett

"Lee Goldberg's 'The Man in the Iron-On Badge' is a very funny book about the ironclad LA class system, life in a security guard's shack, and the crucial differences between violence as experienced on a TV show and in real life. " Scott Phillips

"A quick fun read with a satisfying and unexpected ending. Harvey Mapes is a hero I  hope we see in a sequel." Phillip Margolin

"A clever, witty and intelligent parody of, and homage to, the PI genre." Robert Randisi

"Lee Goldberg is a sly and funny writer, with a warm heart and an ease with words.  He never disappoints." SJ Rozan

"This book starts out as a fine example of the humorous “lovable schmoe” school of detective fiction, and Goldberg does a good job with that part of it, but then it takes a sudden turn into darker and more dangerous territory and becomes even better..."James Reasoner

"The book is about Harvey’s discovery that real-life crime isn’t like the fictional variety at all. At first, the differences are played for laughs, but when Harvey’s case takes a tragic turn, Lee never loses his footing. Harvey actually matures on the page, a transformation made evident in the character’s distinctive voice." Vince Keenan

"Goldberg is funny in this rip on pop culture, PI cliches, and California culture...a laugh-out-loud example of what the best PI novels should be."  James Winter, Reflections in a Private Eye

Room 222

Bill Rabkin and I are teaching another four-week, online course of  "Beginning Television Writing" for Writers University. For more information on the session, which begins Sept. 5, click here. I don't know how the students feel about it, but we've been really enjoying the experience. This is our third or fourth time doing it and I've discovered that helping others learn how we do what we do has sharpened my own writing. In fact, I applied some advice we gave a student the other day (she was having trouble structuring her story)  to one of our own pitches and it made a big difference.