A Conversation With David Cranmer, Part Two
MB: You recently surprised BTAP readers with a short film at the web site and I know you’ve mentioned the possibility of a short comics piece. What can we look forward to online in the second half of 2010?
DC: My next collaborative project, A RIP THROUGH TIME, will debut on the BTAP site the first week of September. Simon Rip is a time cop on a mission to stop Dr. Berlin, who has stolen a device that, in the wrong hands, could have devastating results for life as we know it! How does that sound? Ha. I’m really excited about this project. Chris F. Holm, Charles Gramlich, and Matthew P. Mayo are all contributing the foundation to what I think will be an ongoing, thrilling pulp ride for BTAP readers. Part 1 by Chris Holm will debut on our Weekly Punch and the conclusion will be presented in BTAP’s first eBook later this year. Did I already mention I’m excited about this?!
MB: What’s the hardest part about putting together a print anthology?
DC: For me, the hardest part is the endless proofing. I am trying to take the idea of being a gatekeeper, as it has been described, very seriously and I need to make sure I do it right. Poring over the manuscript for the seventh, eighth time can make you go cross-eyed, but it’s important. There is a lot of chatter about crappy proofing in eBooks, but there have been times when I’ve been dismayed by a relaxed guard among current professional print books as well. Look, mistakes will make their way into Round One, no doubt about it, but I want to ensure it is as near perfect as humanly possible.
MB: How are you distributing the book?
DC: Through Lulu. I checked around with various printing companies and felt Lulu has the most to offer in terms of flexibility and also marketing and distribution. Plus I’ve been impressed with the quality of their products that I’ve purchased.
MB: Your western character Cash Larmie has appeared in several stories this year, including a print anthology (Fistful of Legends). Will Cash or his deputy appear in Round One?
DC: Cash returns in Round One with a story titled “The Wind Scorpion.” I’m very happy with this tale that finds the marshal near death after being jumped by some bushwhackers. He’s nursed back to health by a kind woman who may know more about the men he’s seeking and Cash learns revenge can take unexpected forms.
MB: Your day job includes a great deal of travel. How do you balance work, your own writing and publishing BTAP?
DC: It seems many of us have day jobs in addition to our writing so it’s what we do with our spare time that makes the difference. Something has to give and for me it’s films and TV and to a certain degree socializing. My main passion is writing and now publishing this anthology. Why stand in line to watch the latest so-so Hollywood film? Or sit through bad TV? So, Denise and I will pick a show we want to watch and that will be our program for a week or two. No more than an hour of the boob tube an evening. You will be amazed how much time you will discover once you slice that medium out.
MB: Will there be a Round Two?
DC: Just try and hold me back!
In: Books, Interviews, Writing
A Conversation With David Cranmer, Part One
MB: The BTAP anthology (Beat to a Pulp: Round One) will be coming out soon and sports an impressive list of contributors. How does the finished product stack up against your orginal concept?
DC: Exceptionally well. Co-editor Elaine Ash and I wanted diversity of genres and veteran writers as well as up-and-coming talent, and we were extremely fortunate on both accounts. I still pinch myself when I see the lineup of names.
MB: How did you land an original story by Charles Ardai?
DC: Ask and ye shall receive. I talked to Elaine about the Hard Case Crime guru, she approached Mr. Ardai in an email and he very graciously sent us “A Free Man.” He is so successful as a publisher that it tends to overshadow the fact he’s a remarkably gifted writer.
MB: What about cover artist James O’Barr? Was he familiar with the online zine?
DC: I don’t believe he was. As much of a huge fan of Mr. Ardai’s Hard Case Crime and their fabulous covers as I am–Glenn Orbik and Robert McGinnis among others do a phenomenal job–I didn’t want to mimic that style and thought bringing in a graphic artist who is known primarily for these dark themes would be perfect. In addition to his ink work, O’Barr also has some bold, colorful oil paintings that struck us as being well suited for what we were looking for. And James O’Barr didn’t disappoint! We also have to give credit to John Bergin for bringing it altogether with his wonderful cover design. O’Barr’s art and Bergin’s design really compliment one another flawlessly.
MB: BTAP online offers noir, hard-boiled, horror, sf, westerns, mystery –even a pirate or two. Will the print antho deliver an equally diverse line-up of tales?
DC: Yes. We have westerns, literary, hardboiled, noir, ghost, war, fantasy, sci-fi, and my favorite, pirates. But most importantly, we have talented writers. That’s the key to the success of Round One. I’ll read occasionally where folks will say I’m not into westerns or I’m not into sci-fi, but I say, if you’re into first-rate writing (and who isn’t) then regardless of genre this collection is for you.
MB: Please tell us how the online version of BTAP developed.
DC: Soon after I began sending out my stories in 2008, several webzines I frequented closed down for various reasons. I was corresponding with Elaine and suggested I wanted to start my own site. She jumped onboard as editor-at-large and her part in working closely with the authors and her attention to detail has been invaluable. Elaine and I both have our important roles but without my wife, Denise, there would be no BTAP. She’s the one who put the entire site together and continues to maintain it, formatting each story every week.
In: Books, Interviews, Writing
Cover Gallery: High Lonesome
