Interview with Seattle Post Intelligencer for Inherit the Dead

Here’s a preview and link for an interview I did with Seattle Post Intelligencer for Inherit the Dead: “Jonathan Santlofer is the editor of Inherit the Dead, a book similar to No Rest For the Dead, which I did an interview for here in 2011. In both cases the books are written by at least 20 well known mystery writers. They are doing that old thing where one person starts a story and hands it off to another author who continues the story. The result is a fascinating thriller. This kind of project can have hilarious results as was the case when Lisa Lutz co-wrote a novel, Heads You Lose, with her ex-boyfriend, David Heyward. In that case the book contained the communications between them as they’d complain about each other’s writings. They also dispatched with each other’s favorite characters just to be irksome. I found it delightful, but I think Lutz and Heyward were less … Read more

Guest Blogging with the BookBitch – Inherit the Dead

The wonderful Stacy Alessi, AKA the “Book Bitch” (and anyone who knows Stacy knows she is anything but a bitch), asked me to write a guest blog about the creation/editing of the serial novel “Inherit the Dead,” which I did for Touchstone/Simon & Schuster. It turned out to be great project for a good cause, and a dream team to work with. Here’s an excerpt:   “Take 20 great writers. Ask them to each write a chapter in a continuing story. Give them both direction and a free hand. Donate the proceeds to charity. Mix it all together. Stir. Simmer. Bring to a boil. Voila! One great novel written in 20 voices. To continue the recipe metaphor you could say that putting a serial novel together is a bit like making an omelet or better yet, a soufflé. You get all the ingredients together, whip up the eggs, put it in the oven and hope … Read more

Safe Horizon – Inherit the Dead Benefit – October 9th, 2013

Editor Jonathan Santlofer has arranged to donate any royalties in excess of editor and contributor compensation to Safe Horizon, the leading victim assistance agency in the country. Safe Horizon envisions a society free of family and community violence and leads the way by empowering victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking to move from crisis to confidence, www.safehorizon.org. Each year, Safe Horizon supports and advocates for more than 250,000 children, youth, and adults affected by violence and abuse. As the nation’s leading provider of services for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, human trafficking, rape and sexual assault, homeless youth and other victims, we offer the practical and emotional support and tools that victims need to heal and rebuild their lives. All of Safe Horizon’s programs offer intensive and crucial assistance for survivors. These services are made possible only by the generous gifts that we receive from our loyal supporters.  To … Read more

Inherit the Dead – In Stores Now – 20 Great Writers – 1 Noir Tale

With an Introduction by Lee Child and a special note to the reader by Linda Fairstein. Inherit the Dead is a serial novel with each author contributing a chapter. I think readers will be amazed at how well the plot holds together while each writer’s voice remains personal and strong.  As the editor, I arranged to donate all royalties in excess of editor and contributor compensation to Safe Horizon, the nation’s leading provider of services to victims of violence and abuse, making this a worthy – and winning – accomplishment that showcases today’s finest writers at their very best.

Party Girls in December Issue of Ellery Queen

I originally wrote this story in connection to Rockstar’s LA Noire video game, then decided to write another, which is the one Rockstar ran a couple of years ago in conjunction with the video games premier. Recently, I looked at the story again and decided I liked it, updated it a bit and here it is, published in the most recent issue (December 2013) of Ellery Queen Magazine. Here’s an excerpt (hope you can pick up an issue today!): PARTY GIRLS by Jonathan Santlofer I been collecting the souvenirs for almost a year now, a lipstick that belonged to Jeanne French, a butterfly brooch worn by Dorothy Montgomery when she was last seen that I pinned to my sweater the minute I could and almost never take off, and just this morning a compact, Max Factor Dark Ecru, that was in Rosenda Mondragon’s purse the night she was killed, along with the steno pad I … Read more

Crime Fiction Academy Kicks-off with Karin Slaughter

Enjoy a glass of wine while you meet & hear Karin Slaughter talking about her craft, her new novel “Unseen” and the things that have made her one of the most successful thriller writers today. CRIME FICTION ACADEMY kicks off with bestselling author KARIN SLAUGHTER on: Wednesday, September 11, 2013, 7:00pm The Center for Fiction 17 East 47th Street 212 755 6710 View Larger Map

“Picasso Baby” or Pop Meets Performance (and Guess Who Wins?)

Pop. Of course. How could it not? I mean Jay Z versus Marina Abramovic? Gimme a break. Though their stare contest is pretty amusing. And it was kind of genius to have her in the mix: performance meets performance! I could kick myself for not being there. Had I known in advance I would have used every art world connection I have. My doppelganger, art critic Jerry Saltz, was there (I used to be mistaken for him all the time. Once, in a Chelsea gallery, the woman behind the desk asked, “When did you get the hairpiece, Jerry?” I said, “That’s not a nice thing to say, I’m not Jerry Saltz and do you think I’d pay for this lousy hair?” She said, “Oh, c’mon, Jerry.” There have been numerous other times equally funny and strange. I’ve thought about going home to Roberta Smith to test it out then thought better of it. And if … Read more

Vintage Magazine Quarterly – Visual Essay

I’m very proud to be part of the 4th issue of Vintage Magazine, the brainchild of Ivy Baer Sherman, and the most glorious, beautiful and amazing magazine (so much more than that; think, ART), modeled after the brilliant and short-lived Flair Magazine of the early 1950s. But Vintage is like nothing else, entirely unique and has to be seen to be believed. The fact that anyone would take on such an ambitious magazine project in the digital age is incredible, but Sherman pulls it off in spades. I’m not kidding when I say every issue is a collector’s item and not to be missed.