Thank You Once Again, Reader's Digest Select Editions

 

Jeff–Saturday

 

A little over a year ago I had the distinct honor of announcing that my eleventh Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis novel—A Deadly Twist—had been selected by Reader’s Digest to be one of four novels included in its January 2022 bi-monthly volume of Select Elections (#383)—published from 1950 until 1997 under the name “Condensed Books.”

 

As I wrote back then, that might not seem a big deal to many, but to this kid who grew up in working class Pittsburgh, where there was always a Reader’s Digest magazine to be found lying somewhere around the house, and most assuredly in every doctor’s and dentist’s office, that was a bigtime bucket-list achievement moment.

 

The big kahuna for Reader’s Digest fans was the hardcover “Reader’s Digest Condensed Books,” and whenever I saw one of those, the authors whose names appeared on the binding appeared like gods to me. To learn that my name would be on the cover of a Select Edition had me feeling as if my game jersey was about to hang in the rafters alongside some of my writing idols.

 

At that moment I felt as if I’d won an Oscar.

 

I later learned that Reader’s Digest would also publish A Deadly Twist in Australia/New Zealand and in Finland!  Both major pinch myself moments.

 

But wait, there’s more.  

 

My publisher has informed me that my latest book in the series, One Last Chance (#12), will also be published by Reader’s Digest Select Editions!

 

I’m beyond excited, and well into the realm of tingling all over.

 

Thank you, Poisoned Pen Press, Sourcebooks, and RDSE, for making childhood dreams come true.

 

Καλο Μινα, y’all.

 

–Jeff

 

Jeff’s upcoming events

 

Friday, November 18, 2002 @11am

ICELAND NOIR

Reykjavik, Iceland

Where is My Mind? Madness and Obsession
AUTHORS:  Louise Mangos, Paul Cleave, Jeff Siger, Thomas Fecchio
MODERATOR: Ewa Sherman

A Message From the Island of the Mykonos Billionaire

 

Jeff–Saturday

 

There’s a new club on Mykonos called the Billionaire. For those of you who can’t begin to imagine what a place with such a name could possibly be offering its clientele, perhaps the above photo will kickstart your imagination. 

 

And for those of you interested in the bigger picture, one that shows the common road traveled by Billionaire and Backpacker alike, the below photo might just give you the perspective you’re looking for.

 

Frankly, I’m tired of all this high season madness, so much so that Barbara and I are taking off for a four-week jaunt around the Cyclades, expecting that by when we return home, normalcy will have returned. That’s normal by Mykonos standards.

 

But enough about glitz and gory.  This about a more upbeat topic.  Me.

 

Six months ago, I wrote of how thrilled I was to have achieved a childhood dream by seeing my eleventh Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis novel, A Deadly Twist, included as one of four abridged novels appearing in a bi-monthly volume of Reader’s Digest Select Editions.

 

As I noted in January, I grew up in working class Pittsburgh, where a Reader’s Digest magazine could always be found lying somewhere around the house, and most assuredly in every doctor’s and dentist’s office.  To me, authors whose names appeared on the bindings of its Condensed Books (as they were called between 1950 and 1997) were like gods to me. Seeing my name on the binding of volume #383 had me feeling as if my game jersey now hung in the rafters alongside some of my writing idols.

 

New developments now have me flying up among those rafters unassisted by old jersey #44, in a moment of childhood-dream-come-true déjà vu that has me pinching myself.

 

The news is simply this.  My 2022 entry in the series, One Last Chance (#12)–set on the Greek island of Ikaria–also has been chosen to appear in an upcoming volume of Reader’s Digest Select Editions! And on top of that, A Deadly Twist will be appearing in a Reader’s Digest volume for Australia and New Zealand.

 

I’m beyond words at these incredible honors. It makes this guy who maneuvers a 15-year-old Suzuki Jimny in the land of the Billionaire happy and deeply grateful to all who made it happen for me.

 

Thank you.

 

–Jeff

Jeff’s Upcoming Events

Bouchercon 2022   Minneapolis, MN

Thursday, September 8th  11:30-12:15 

"Odd Jobs: Writers Write What They Know."

Alan Gordon AKA Allison Montclair (Moderator), Julie Holmes, Donna Andrews, Linda O. Johnston/Lark O. Jensen, Annelise Ryan, Jeffrey M. Siger

 

Inspiration, Frustration, and Triumph

 

Jeff–Saturday

 

An author I deeply admire recently posted elsewhere about the influence his subconscious has on whether a work in progress is headed in the right direction, and how often a novel that begins with spectacular promise, fades off into oblivion at around short story length.  From the replies to his post, I think many authors share that experience–especially these days.

 

After all, in pandemic times it’s difficult to bring full creative power to bear while your subconscious is continuously running a fight or flight survival loop in the background.  To that extent, we’re no different than prehistoric man whose mind was far too preoccupied with what predator was intent on having him for (not over for) dinner, to give serious thought to redecorating the cave.

 

Personally, I find it difficult to write without my muse nearby…by that I mean Greece. Yes, I made it over there for seven weeks this summer, but that’s not nearly enough time for me to gain the immersive perspective I seek in creating a new locale for a story.  Place for me—as for all of us at MIE–is seminal to our work, and not something lending itself to compromise. 

Luckily, I’m familiar with enough heavenly (and hellish) places in Greece to keep Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis on duty, but stories set in some magical venues I’d like him to visit will just have to wait out the pandemic. One must play the hand you’re dealt—or kick over the table and face the consequences.

 

On a more upbeat note, I’m honored to share my achieving a childhood bucket list moment.

 

I grew up in working class Pittsburgh, where a Reader’s Digest magazine was always to be found lying somewhere around the house, and most assuredly in every doctor’s and dentist’s office.

The big kahuna for Reader’s Digest fans was the bi-monthly hardcover collection of four abridged novels, first published as “Reader’s Digest Condensed Books” in 1950, and since 1997 as “Reader’s Digest Select Editions.” Whenever I saw one of those anthologies, the authors whose names appeared on the binding appeared like gods to me.

 

To see my name this month on the cover of Select Editions #383 as the author of A Deadly Twist (Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis #11), has me feeling as if my game jersey is about to hang in the rafters alongside some of my writing idols.

 

Undoubtedly, there are far greater triumphs to achieve in the writing life, but for me, this is a childhood-dream-come-true moment.  One to relish and savor in these times.

Congratulations to my fellow cover mates, William Kent Krueger, Mia P. Manansala, and Freya Sampson, and sincere thanks to all who made this possible.

 

–Jeff

A Lot's Happened This Week.

 

Jeff–Saturday

 

We in the mystery community have suffered another communal disappointment with the cancellation of Bouchercon 2021, set to take place in New Orleans at the end of August. This is the second year in a row that this granddaddy of mystery conventions has been derailed by Covid.  But with the indefatigable courage and determination of its all-volunteer Local Organizing Committees, Bouchercon shall move on and prosper.  The New Orleans Convention has been rescheduled for New Orleans in 2025, as planning is already well underway for BCON 2022 in Minneapolis, 2023 in San Diego, and 2024 in Nashville.

 

The disappointment we all feel at the cancellation is real, but it was done for the selfless purpose of protecting us all from the threat of a horrible pandemic.

 

I’m certain we all join in thanking the many BCON 2021 volunteers for their hard work and dedication to our community.  After all, there would be no Bouchercon without you!

 

But there is a second pandemic raging across our world.

 

Fire. 

 

As I type this on the Greek island of Mykonos, I see smoke drifting across the Aegean from fires on the mainland and island of Evia. Though it could also be from fires on the Peloponnese.    It’s reported that yesterday in Athens, the Acropolis was nearly obliterated from some vistas by the drifting smoke, and ancient Olympia remains threatened by fires.  But as bad as it is here, it’s said to be far worse in Western Turkey. And America’s West Coast is suffering once again. Our thoughts and prayers are with all at risk.

 

Now on to a bit of good news.  Condensed for sure—in more ways than one.

 

I’ve been informed by my publisher I may announce that my latest Chief Inspector Andreas Kaldis novel (#11)—A Deadly Twist—has been selected by Reader’s Digest to be one of the four novels included in its January 2022 bi-monthly volume of Select Elections—published from 1950 until 1997 under the name “Condensed Books.”

 

That may not seem a big deal to you, but to this kid who grew up in working class Pittsburgh, where there was always a Reader’s Digest magazine to be found lying somewhere around the house, and most assuredly in every doctor’s and dentist’s office, this is a big time bucket-list achievement moment.

 

The big kahuna for Reader’s Digest fans was the hardcover “Reader’s Digest Condensed Books,” and whenever I saw one of those, the authors whose names appeared on the binding appeared like gods to me. To learn that my name shall now be on the cover of a Select Edition has me feeling as if my game jersey is about to hang in the rafters alongside some of my writing idols.

 

Unquestionably, there are far greater honors and accolades to achieve in this writing life, but at this moment, I’m experiencing a childhood dream come true; one that has me tingling at the thought I’m about to join a pantheon of my heroes…albeit an abridged one. 

 

If only Mom and Dad could see me now.

 

–Jeff

 

Jeff’s upcoming events

Wednesday and Thursday, August 11& 12
Fish & Olive Gallery—Halki, Naxos Island, Greece
European presentation of A Deadly Twist on the island where it is set
Learn more