Available Now - THE GRAVE OF MARCUS PAULY

 

My new Western novella—The Grave of Marcus Pauly—is now available from Western Trail Blazer on Amazon Kindle (click link).

It is also available on Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/78026)  and Lulu (http://www.lulu.com/ebook/the-grave-of-marcus-pauly/16383615).

Within a couple weeks, it will be on The Nook at B&N, Apple iStore, Kobo, Diesel, and ScrollMotion as well.

All reasonably priced at 99 cents (except for Lulu where it is $1.99 – still a good buy).

The teaser blurb reads:

An old grave …

A determined woman …

An ex-con with a conscience …

"Annabelle Heath travels west on a mission to fulfill her mother's dying wish. To do so, she needs the help of a man once imprisoned for bank robbery.

For Ramsey needs his current job and has no time to take off on a foolish errand. But something about this woman makes him rethink his first inclination.

Together, they ride into wild country to look for a long ago grave and find more than either ever bargained for."

I think that sets the stage well.

The story has action, grit, emotion, and a hint of romance.

I hope you'll give it a try.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Persevere — WD 

YELLOWSTONE KELLY - 1959, starring Clint Walker

This often overlooked and somewhat underrated film is actually a solid, very entertaining Western that, if you've never seen it or haven't seen it lately, is definitely worth checking out. It was released on DVD last year and has played a few times on cable, on the Western Channel.

Clint Walker plays the title role of Luther "Yellowstone" Kelly—a real-life trapper, explorer, Indian fighter, and Army scout. He is most noted for his time spent in and around the Yellowstone River Valley, where he was the first white man to venture and from which his nickname originated. Kelly also soldiered in the Civil War, fought as a Captain of Volunteers in the Philippines, and later in life led two expeditions to Alaska. In short, his life and exploits offered much to draw upon as the basis for an action movie … As far as I can tell, however, few—if any—of his actual adventures were used for the storyline of this film.

Nevertheless, as noted at the outset, this is still a darn good Western. For starters, it has Clint Walker whose screen presence is little short of awesome. Montgomery Clift once said of John Wayne, after starring with the Duke in Red River, "Whenever he comes on screen … I just disappear." The same could be said of Walker. The massive shoulders, the catlike grace of his movements, the deep, slow drawl … you can't not watch him when he's in a scene. It's hard to understand why Walker's movie career never climbed higher than it did. From 1955 to 1963, as TV's Cheyenne Bodie, he was one of the most popular stars of the era. So much so that Warner Brothers hastened to cash in by putting him in films like Yellowstone Kelly, Fort Dobbs, and Gold of Seven Saints shot during the hiatus periods. At that point in time if you'd been inclined to bet on which of the two "Clints" appearing weekly on TV (Walker or some gangly kid named Eastwood who had a co-starring role in another oater called Rawhide) would go on to become a mega movie star, I'd venture your money would have been placed on Walker. Such was not to be, though. While Walker did appear in a number of good films (The Dirty Dozen, None But The Brave, Night of the Grizzly, to name a few, and also a couple of other short-lived TV series) his star never again shined as bright as it did during the Cheyenne years. As for the other Clint, that Eastwood fella, well you're probably well aware how that turned out to be a different story.

Anyway, getting back to Yellowstone Kelly … The storyline of the film is basically a cavalry vs. Indians tale set in the months right after Custer's massacre at the Little Big Horn. Kelly, having been trapping and co-existing with the Sioux in the Yellowstone Valley for several years, turns down a revenge-seeking major's request to scout for him on a campaign in pursuit of the Sioux. His refusal segues into a nicely staged brawl with several troopers before he departs to resume his trapping and seclusion away from whatever conflict he can see is brewing. In the process he is reluctantly saddled with a young tenderfoot named Anse who wants to travel into the wilderness with him. It soon becomes evident that the peaceful life Kelly had been leading will not continue … He is  tested by Anse's inept ways, his relationship with Gall, the Sioux chief whose life he once saved is strained by the advance of the cavalry and also by a beautiful captive Arapaho girl whose life-threatening wound Gall forces Kelly to treat, much as he did the chief's own wounds years earlier. Kelly saves the girl and this only leads to further complications. Kelly, Anse, Gall, and Gall's nephew Sayapi—who initially captured the girl and intends to still claim her as soon as she is well—all fall in love with the captive. As the four men's feelings and jealousies build toward an explosion, the cavalry arrives and a series of bloody battles takes center stage. When all is said and done and many have died, the cavalry is turned back and allowed to retreat without being completely wiped out and Kelly and the captive girl (her name is Wahleeah) are allowed to ride off together because she demonstrates bravely in the midst of battle that it is only his love that she returns.

The production values of the film are excellent, especially the color photography of the lush setting, and the directorship of Gordon Douglas is that of a solid veteran. A Western screenplay by Burt Kennedy is always a plus and you knew there will be some memorable dialogue. The cast is made up almost exclusively of Warner Brother's TV contract actors such as John Russell, Ray Danton, Gary Vinson, Rhodes Reason, Andra Martin, and teen heartthrob Edd "Kookie" Byrnes (from 77 Sunset Strip) in the role of Anse. He actually does a pretty decent job, as do the others. Veterans Claude Akins and Warren Oates (in a very early role) round out the players.

It is strongly rumored that the film was at one point scheduled to be another teaming of director John Ford with John Wayne in the starring role. They reportedly opted instead to make The Horse Soldiers. With that in mind, it's sort of hard to watch Yellowstone now without a few "what-ifs" drifting through one's mind … wondering what Ford's touches might have been and how the Duke would have handled the role. The physical statures of Wayne and Walker are certainly similar enough, and the terse dialogue given the Kelly character Wayne could have done in his sleep. Plus there are other aspects of the film I found relatable to Wayne … The river crossing where the cavalry is in flight from the unexpectedly large Sioux force is shot with a large, bare-limbed fallen tree trunk in the foreground that looks almost identical to the scene in The Searchers where the squad of Texas Rangers under Duke and Ward Bond also stand off an Indian attack; and when Anse prepares to take Wahleeah back to her people against the wishes of Kelly, he tells her: "He's wrong … I just hope I'm right."—straight from Red River, when Matt decides to take over Dunson's herd. These and a few other things struck me. Just observations, not fault-finding; hell, maybe only a movie nut like me would even notice.

At any rate, Yellowstone Kelly is a highly entertaining, well-crafted movie. Certainly worth your time and even worth going to a little trouble to seek out. It may be Clint Walker at his best, which only serves to make one wish he'd done a hell of a lot more.

Persevere — WD

JOE PUMA - PI

            William Campbell Gault's Joe Puma has long been one of my favorite fictional private eyes. All it took was a reading of NIGHT LADY, some time in the early 60s, for me to be hooked. Although I've stayed on the lookout for any Gault/Puma title I could get my hands on ever since, a few in the series have still eluded me. Nevertheless, the impact was strong enough so that when it came time to name my own fictional PI in the early 80s, the choice of "Joe" as his first name came partly from the influence of Gault's Puma. (Other contributing factors were: "Joe" was the type of common, basic name I wanted for my character; as a kid, one of my nicknames—I accumulated many—for some reason was "Joe"; and the only other fictional PI I could think of at the time with that monicker was Joe Mannix, on TV.)

            In retrospect, I think Puma also represented the first step in the evolution of my reading tastes and writing aspirations from the two-fisted/blazing-gun/relentless avenger style of Spillane (though the Mick still rates at the top of my favorites list) to stories with a bit more depth, richer characterizations—but still with plenty of action and, of course, a generous sprinkling of sexy dames.

Joe Puma is tough, testy, horny, a big "paisano" with more than a few rough edges, quick to throw a punch but a bit more reluctant when it comes to gunplay. Still, he is down-to-earth and likable, the kind of guy you'd probably enjoy having a few beers with at a neighborhood tavern. He operates against the familiar backdrop of LA/ Hollywood, but at its lower echelons ("not the carriage trade", as he puts it). Any movie stars he encounters are likely working for the lower-ranked studios on B-movie Row and the agents or studio moguls who seek to hire him are usually more interested in hiding facts than uncovering them. Puma sees his world for what it is, admits to his shortcomings, aspires to walk a straight line and be a better person, yet makes few apologies and in the end goes after justice in his own way.

Gault is also the creator of another, more acclaimed fictional private eye—Brock Callahan. I, for one, have never understood why the Callahan titles are perceived as the superior series … But that's a discussion (or argument, perhaps) for another time.

The main point of this post is to bring attention to JOE PUMA – PI, a fine collection of Puma short stories (originally published in the mid- to late 50s) now available from the Wonder Publishing Grop via Kindle. There are 5 stories here (of only 7 that Gault ever wrote, appearing mostly in Manhunt magazine).

The titles are:

           The Unholy Three

Deadly Beloved

Death of a Big Wheel

No Client of Mine

           Stolen Star

If you're unfamiliar with Joe Puma, these stories are a terrific way to get introduced to him. If you're already familiar with the big paisano, then this is an equally terrific way to rediscover why you liked him to begin with.

Highly recommended!

Persevere --- WD

DISMAL RIVER - Now Avaialble Bookstores/Amazon

            As a follow-up to the video promo I posted a few days ago, I am pleased to announce that my new novel, DISMAL RIVER is now out from Oak Tree Press. It is my first (but definitely not last) Western, and I am pretty pleased with it. I naturally hope readers will check it out and that they will like it too.

            It should already—or soon—be available in bookstores. And, as per the attached link, it can also be found on Amazon. It is appearing first as a trade paperback and will shortly be available in eBook format as well.

            I want to publicly thank all the fine writers who took time from their busy schedules to read advances of this book and were kind enough to provide complimentary blurbs. They are: James Reasoner; L.J. Washburn; Bill Crider; Peter Brandvold; Edward A. Grainger; C.K. Crigger; John R. Lindermuth; and Michael A. Black. The trail to getting DISMAL RIVER published was a rocky one at times, but the encouraging words from good folks like these made the journey a lot smoother.

            Like I always say, the name of the game is to …

            Persevere — WD

DISMAL RIVER Video Promo

Here is a video promo that my grandson Billy Wayne made for my new novel, DISMAL RIVER. It may not be a totally slick professional job, but I think the kid did a pretty darn good job on it and I'm proud to present it.
Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do ... And, obviously, I hope you enjoy the book too.

Persevere --- WD

WESTERN FICTIONEERS' 2010 PEACEMAKER AWARDS

I was surprised, pleased, and very honored to receive the following news in my e-mail yesterday morning. My thanks to the good folks at Western Fictioneers and my sincere congratulations to the other fine writers who were also recognized this year.

I am just getting my boot in the stirrup as far as writing in the Western genre and this sure makes me feel like I have started on a good trail.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM WESTERN FICTIONEERS (6/1/11):

There will be no awards ceremony in North Dakota as previously announced.  Instead, the winners and finalists for the 2010 Peacemaker are listed below:

Best Short Story

WINNER:

Wayne Dundee, “This Old Star” from the anthology Bad Cop…No Donut (Padwolf Publishing)

FINALISTS:

Carol Crigger, “Left Behind” from the anthology Roundup! Great Stories of the West (La Frontera Publishing

C. Courtney Joyner , “Two-Bit Kill” from the anthology Law of the Gun (Kensington)

Matthew P. Mayo, “Scourge of Spoils” from the anthology Steampunk’d (DAW Books, Inc.)

Pete Peterson, “Catch a Killer by the Toe” published by Untreed Reads

Best Novel

WINNER:

Lyle Brandt (winner), Manhunt (Berkley)

FINALISTS:

Lyle Brandt, Avenging Angels (Berkley)

D.H. Eraldi, Settler’s Chase (Berkley)

Dusty Richards, Wulf’s Tracks (Berkley)

Kit Prate, Long Ride to Limbo -- Western Trail Blazer (an imprint of

Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery)

S. Craig Zahler, Congregation of Jackals (Dorchester Publishing)

Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists. Awards will be mailed to the recipients.

Western Fictioneers (WF) was formed in 2010 by Robert J. Randisi, James Reasoner, Frank Roderus, and other professional Western writers, to preserve, honor, and promote traditional Western writing in the 21^st century.  Entries were accepted in both print and electronic forms from all over the world.  The Peacemaker Awards will be given out annually.  Submissions for the 2011 awards will be open in July, 2011. Submission guidelines will be posted on the WF web site.  For more information about Western Fictioneers (WF) please visit: http://www.westernfictioneers.com/ or http://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/

JOE HANNIBAL NOW ON KINDLE

I am pleased and excited to be able to announce that the back list of Joe Hannibal novels are now being re-issued as eBooks, starting with first in the series, THE BURNING SEASON, currently available on Amazon Kindle. Up until now, unfortunately, many of these books have been out of print. The older titles will start coming out an on average of two a month and then, in August, an original, never-before-published title --- GOSHEN HOLE --- will be available.

I've written a brief overview of the series that appears as an Author's Introduction to each of the re-issued books. You can preview it here:

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION

The Joe Hannibal Series

            The first Joe Hannibal story, "The Fancy Case", appeared in a now-defunct small press magazine called Spiderweb. That was 1982. And now, nearly three decades later, Joe and I are still open for business. In the interim, many other fictional PIs—some arriving to considerable acclaim—have come and gone. That makes the Hannibal books and short stories one of the longest-running, still-active PI series on the scene. And, if nothing else, it makes Joe and me a couple of durable old bastards.

            I wrote that first story while I was recovering from kidney stone surgery. This was back in the pre-lithotripsy days, when they damn near cut you in half to get at those pesky little pebbles, so the recovery time was several weeks. In the beginning and through the handful of short stories to follow, Hannibal was stamped from a pretty stereotypical mold—just another a sock-and-shoot PI; another "Mike Hammer wanna-be", if you will. Which was okay, as far as it went. I am, after all, a huge Spillane/Hammer fan and I couldn't dispute my obvious pulp roots if I tried.

            However, by the time I wrote my first Hannibal novel (The Burning Season – 1988), I had begun to focus on giving Joe considerably more depth. This was also true for the recurring cast of characters I had built up around him, as well as those he came in contact with during the course of a given story. There is a saying in the acting profession that goes something like: "There are no small parts, only small actors." Along similar lines, I once heard an old-pro writer say: "Each character in a story should want something." I took that to mean what they should want was to be memorable to the reader, and I have strived to follow that guideline in all of my writing since. 

Joe remained plenty tough, seldom hesitant to throw a punch or a wisecrack if the situation warranted, but I also gave him a very human—and humane—side. To do this I drew upon my own experiences and those of friends and family I had known growing up. Since I came from a deeply-rooted blue collar background it was inevitable, I suppose, for that to start show-ing through. Peers and reviewers alike quickly dubbed Joe Hannibal a "blue collar" private eye. And I had no issue with that. In fact, I kinda liked it.

Initially operating out of Rockford, Illinois, also played a part in shaping Joe's image. Hardly a metropolis at under a quarter of a million people, Rockford provided a backdrop with little in the way of glitz or distinction in and of itself, thereby making Joe seem less urban-oriented than most other fictional PIs who tended to function in much larger, better-known cities. In fact, many of Joe's cases—and this is especially true in the novels—take him out of the city entirely.

The Burning Season is set completely in the moonshine region of southern Illinois; The Brutal Ballet (1992) takes place mostly in the Quad Cities area along the Mississippi River; And Flesh And Blood So Cheap (2001) is set in and around the fictional southern Wisconsin resort of Crescent Lake (patterned after real-life Lake Geneva); The Fight In The Dog (2005) ventures into Chicago but most of the action occurs in rural northwestern Illinois and then climaxes near the Racine-Kenosha area on Lake Michigan; and, finally, The Day After Yesterday (2007) takes Hannibal to the very rural setting of Nebraska's high plains. Only The Skintight Shroud (1988), the second of Joe's novel-length adventures, is set wholly in Rockford.

None of this was the result of any particular plan on my part. In fact, I hadn't fully realized the trend until I began reviewing the books as I sat down to write this piece. Upon reflection, I guess this speaks to my own comfort zone—as a writer seeking to capture scenes and settings to wrap my stories in—lying primarily outside the confines of any city or highly populated urban area. Again … my small-town, blue collar roots showing through and being reflected onto Hannibal and his world. And now, in its current phase, I have completely removed the series from an urban backdrop, even a smaller-sized city like Rockford. Following events detailed in The Day After Yesterday, Joe (like his creator) has relocated to Keith County in west central Nebraska. As chronicled in a handful of subsequent short stories and in the forthcoming new Hannibal novel (Goshen Hole, available soon in e-book format) these days Joe runs a private security patrol serving homes and businesses around popular Lake McConaughy. Although he no longer actively solicits investigative work, out of habit he's taken out a Nebraska PI license and, being who he is, trouble just naturally seems to have a way of still finding him …

Whatever the setting, the Hannibal stories and novels are not lacking (in my humble opinion) when it comes to complex plots, a reasonably solid mystery element, colorful characters, nasty bad guys (including a few who aren't all bad), a healthy sprinkling of sexual encounters, and plenty of action.

As the character of Joe Hannibal has evolved over the years, he has—partly by design, partly at a subconscious level—taken on certain aspects of his creator. In the beginning I was in my thirties, Joe was forty-plus; I have now edged into my sixties, Joe is sort of "frozen" in his late fifties; Joe used to smoke (although I never did), he has since quit; we both drive Honda automobiles; our tastes in music and food are the same; we have the same personal biases, political views, and religious outlooks; we both have the aforementioned blue collar back-grounds; we both fight the battle of a thickening gut; I have developed a bum knee and bad back, Joe now has a bum hip (resulting from being caught on the periphery of an explosion, as related in The Day After Yesterday) … Still, as a fictional extension, Joe remains different from me—and probably a lot more interesting—in many ways. He has an edgy, dangerous side for one thing. He's double-tough and capable of being quite ruthless when backed into a corner. He packs a gun every day of his life, has killed a number of people, and walks around constantly aware and alert to the fact that there are those still alive from previous encounters who would not hesitate, if given half a chance, to do him serious harm. I don't know that I would ever want to be Hannibal, but at the same time if I were to spend a day living in his shoes I hope I'd have the guts and toughness to handle things pretty much the same as he does.

If you are reading these words, that means you have purchased an e-book edition of one of the previously out-of-print Hannibal novels. For that I am sincerely grateful and I hope that by the end of the book you are able to look back and say you enjoyed it. For whatever reason, the Hannibal series has always received decent (albeit limited) critical acclaim—including nominations for an Edgar, an Anthony, and six Shamus Awards—but it has never enjoyed a wide readership. I am in hopes that, through the magic of e-books, this may now be accomplished and new readers will keep coming back for more. Like I said at the beginning, Joe and I are a couple of durable old bastards; we're in it for the long haul.

Persevere … That is the single trait in life that can take you the farthest and gain you the most.

Wayne D. Dundee

Ogallala, Nebraska

May, 2011

For those of you who've supported us in the past, I hope you pay Joe and me another visit. For those of you who may be hearing about us for the first time, I hope you give us a try. In either case, we'll be doing our darnedest not to disappoint

Persevere --- WD