Name-dropping

Jo Barrett treats readers to some non-arsenic brownies at a B&N reading. She also chats with fellow real-life avengers on Great Day Houston.

Coffee Time Romance gives THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED a full "5 cups" for "a funny, engaging read"


Chef Jon Bonnell reveals the new cookbook deal for FINE TEXAS CUISINE, to be published by Gibbs-Smith. Check out Chef Bonnell's website for some teasers of his exquisite dishes.


Victor Gischler announces that he is tackling THE PUNISHER. Look for "Little Black Book", illustrated by Jefte Paolo, in June.

Bill Crider reviews Gischler's forthcoming novel GO-GO GIRLS OF THE APOCALYPSE, which could be the best title of 2008.


Crider also enjoys James Patrick Hunt's GOODBYE SISTER DISCO, which has "lean, fast, unpretentious, well-plotted stories peopled with vivid characters."



Gary Phillips previews his brand new, 4 issue mini-series called HIGH ROLLERS, a gangster story that has "some echoes to ‘The Wire' and even ‘The Sopranos' and ‘American Gangster.' "



Greg Rucka's PATRIOT ACTS is out on Audio CD. AudioFile agrees with book reviewers that the story is "electrifying" and "action-packed".




Eisner judges name Rucka's comic, 52, one of the best of 2007.

In other comic award news, Rucka's CHECKMATE, has been nominated for a Glyph Comics Award, which honors black comics and creators. Amanda Waller, from Checkmate, is up for Best Female Character.

Congrats also to Axel Alonso, whose Storm Premiere Hardcover is up for Best Reprint Publication.

Rucka and Ed Brubaker are back together for DAREDEVIL! “Starting with May’s issue #107, Rucka and Brubaker will team up for the four-part arc”. Rucka says working with Brubaker’s like “getting back on the horse again and falling off the bike”.


The Chicago Public Library Foundation honors Theresa Schwegel and Tom Wolfe with the 21st Century and Carl Sandburg Literary awards, respectively.



THE BLONDE, by Duane Swierczynski, is optioned by "Mission Impossible: III" and "Gone Baby Gone" co-star Michelle Monaghan, with screenwriter Paul Leyden attached!

Great news for Swierczy's comics too -- CABLE #1 sells out within days! Now you'll just have to wait for Cable #1 Second Printing Variant, in stores on April 9.

CrimeSpree magazine matches Swierczy together with Ed Brubaker, and reviews the forthcoming "laugh out loud funny, snidely satirical" SEVERANCE PACKAGE.

PW gets in on the review action, calling SEVERANCE PACKAGE a "violent and intense noir and espionage hybrid [that] moves swiftly to its darkly satisfying conclusion."


Fantastic news for Mark Williams, whose book SO MANY FISH, SO LITTLE TIME was voted the Texas Outdoor Writers Association 2008 Book of the Year!