Link dump

Before I get to a bunch of links that have piled up over the week, I’d like to thank Alina for really stirring things up and getting people talking–especially in the Thread That Wouldn’t Die. Excellent. Next week, Jason Starr will be minding the view. I’ll do a proper introduction later next week, but if you’re in the New York City area, Jason’s doing an event at the Astor place Barnes & Noble on Monday, August 23 at 7:30 PM to promote his newest book, TWISTED CITY. So say hello and tell him I sent you.

Walter Mosley speaks to the Minnesota Spokesman-Reporter about his new books, his upcoming books, and wy writers “always lie.”

Will Cohu, writing for the Telegraph, argues that Mickey Spillane should be considered as a member of the crime writers’ pantheon.

Lots and lots of ‘sphere-like folks have linked to this rather cheeky essay from Tibor Fischer about the arduosness of judging the Booker Prize hopefuls (the longlist will be announced on the 26th.) Oh yeah, and send him bribes, because Fischer digs that sort of thing.

Not long ago I posted a missive about my pseudo-obsession with Elsa Klensch back in the day. Now the former CNN style maven is getting ready to launch her first mystery, and she speaks to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about how much is fictional and how much is based on real life.

Craig McDonald goes on a reviewing tear for ThisWeekNews: mixed feelings on INDELIBLE, total admiration for James Sallis, and good feelings for the return of Carol Lea Benjamin (who has moved to William Morrow) and Deon Meyer.

Mystery Ink’s Yvette Banek does double duty at January Magazine, offering up this lengthy, illuminating interview of Dylan Schaffer, author of MISDEMEANOR MAN.

Get ready, Dublin, because Irvine Welsh is settling down in your town. His next novel, however, reflects his life in Edinburgh and more recently, San Francisco. As long as it’s got nothing to do with boxing….

The time-honored tradition of writing a pointless sequel to a classic continues as the estate of JM Barrie prepares its search to find the right author to write a sequel to Peter Pan, which would be published in autumn of 2005. The imp in me suggests putting forward Andrew Vachss as a potential candidate, but that might be pushing the boundaries of taste a bit, I admit….

The Brits are trying desperately to adopt Monday launch dates across the board, but they are having some trouble implementing it. What’s wrong with Tuesday? That’s what North America does….(link first seen at TEV.)

Carolyn Slaughter’s new novel is based on the horrifying story of her grandmother, locked away in an asylum for decades by a ruthless husband. She speaks to the Guardian about why she was compelled to write her grandmother’s story–and give the woman a fictional happy ending.

The publishers don’t have to scramble to write an additional chapter (as the famed chihuahua has been found after being missing for a week) but USA Today tracks down the author of the Tinkerbell Hilton diaries: blogger Dong Resin, long a favorite.

And finally, I thought you’re supposed to launch a big-money prize when you actually have enough money to give the winner, but it seems the Dylan Thomas Prize organizers have it bass-ackwards or something.