Dana King's Shelves

What books are currently on your nightstand?

The Big Nowhere, by James Ellroy is ready to be started. Right behind are Jack Wakes Up (Seth Harwood), Give the Boys a Great Big Hand (Ed McBain), and The Book, by Tom Tango. (An analysis of baseball conventional wisdom, weighed against hard data.)

Who is your favorite novelist of all times?

That often depends on when I’m asked. Elmore Leonard, probably, with Raymond Chandler and Ed McBain right up there.

What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?

That’s tougher than I thought at first blush, as nothing in my shelves surprises me—I bought them, after all—and it’s hard to guess what people know, or don’t know, about me. I’d say it’s the copious collection of baseball strategy and analysis book, from just about everything Bill James ever wrote to Earl Weaver’s memoir, It’s What You Learn After You Know it All That Counts.

                                                                                                       

Who is your favorite fictional hero?

Again, this often depends on when I‘m asked. Raylan Givens, most likely, with Justified so much on my mind lately. Elvis Cole comes to mind.

What book do you return to?

The Friends of Eddie Coyle. I also make a point to read at least one Chandler novel a year, as well as one by Hammett. I was appalled to discover it had been ten years since I read The Maltese Falcon. That won’t happen again.

Dana King's novel A Small Sacrifice was nominated for a Shamus Award for Best Indie PI Novel for 2013. His first traditionally published novel, Grind Joint, was released by Stark House in November 2013, and was named by Woody Haut in the LA Review of Books as one of the fifteen best noir reads of 2013. His earlier novels have received praise from authors such as Charlie Stella, Timothy Hallinan, Adrian McKinty, and Leighton Gage. His short story, "Green Gables," was published in the anthology Blood, Guts, and Whiskey, edited by Todd Robinson. Other short fiction has appeared in New Mystery Reader, A Twist of Noir, Mysterical-E, and Powder Burn Flash.

Dana has worked as a musician, public school teacher, adult trainer, and information systems analyst. He lives in Maryland with his Beloved Spouse and The Sole Heir.

P.S. You do not have to be famous or wealthy or a writer or a male to send me answers to these questions. Just forward them to me and I will get them up.