Russ Heitz

115, Male

Sarasota

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:
Sarasota, Florida, USA
About Me:
Originally from Pennsylvania, my wife and I moved to Sarasota, Florida, over 30 years ago. I have been writing most of my life and have, at one time or another, written in almost every genre, from romance to suspense, from Picture Book texts to technical reports, from short stories to novels to Young Adult biographies. I was also a publications specialist for local government for a number of years and in that capacity I wrote press releases, audio/visual scripts, magazine articles, newspaper columns, annual reports, newsletters, technical reports, procedure manuals, ceremonial documents, and letters to the president. ***** My rapidly-paced suspense novel, CROSSHAIRS, was released last summer and I am now involved in the promotion of the book. I have also been doing book reviews when I find the time and have also been working on a sequel to CROSSHAIRS. ***** My original idea that prompted CROSSHAIRS was to do a series of suspense novels set in the wilderness areas of north-central Pennsylvania where I lived for a number of years. The series would revolve around a newly elected sheriff who has no law enforcement experience at all, doesn't like guns, and is suddenly faced with a serial killer whose victims appear to have no connection with each other. Each novel in the series would have the same basic cast of characters, some in law enforcement, some not. My original idea was sorta-kinda like a police procedural except the setting is a combination of small town plus sparsely populated deer-hunting wilderness where EVERYBODY has a gun of some sort. ***** I am a member of the Mystery Writers of America, American Crime Writers League, and the Florida Association of Writers. I would be pleased to correspond with other mystery/suspense/thriller writers.
I Am A:
Writer
Website:
http://russheitz.com
Books And Authors I Like:
Ed McBain, Bill Pronzini, John Steinbeck, J.D. Salinger and the classical Japanese haiku writers. My all-time favorite book is JOHN BROWN'S BODY by Stephen Vincent Benet.
Movies And TV Shows I Like:
Don't watch much TV but when I do it's usually non-network channels (I make an exception for the NFL) like A & E, History, Discovery, Travel, National Geographic. I never missed ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, and THE DEADLIEST CATCH and FIRST 48.

Comment Wall:

  • Pepper Smith

    Thanks for the invitation, Russ. Looks like you've had quite a varied career.

    Aug 20, 2007

  • Tom Barclay

    Hello, Russ - thank you for the invitation.

    Must say your resume looks one whole heckuva lot like mine!

    Aug 20, 2007

  • Kevin Allman

    Thanks for inviting me, Russ.

    Best of luck with CROSSHAIRS.

    Aug 20, 2007

  • Cara Black

    Hi Russ,

    Crosshairs is a great title. Thanks for inviting me

    Aug 21, 2007

  • Eric Stone

    Hi Russ, glad to see you here. I'm in the preparatory stages for going nuts promoting my new book. I actually sort of like this part, it gets me out from behind the computer for a change. Hope it's all going well with you.

    Aug 21, 2007

  • Cyndi Martin

    Thank you for adding me! And for reading my blog. AND for writing more books for us readers! The puppies are keeping me busy. I was glad to come to work to rest! They will go home some time between now & Labor Day and my poor Abby can breathe again!

    Aug 21, 2007

  • Ken Isaacson

    Hi Russ, thanks for looking me up and reaching out!

    Aug 24, 2007

  • Timothy Hallinan

    HI, Russ --

    I wish you all the best with CROSSHAIRS. I personally think few things are crazier than promoting a book, but there's no way around it - it has to be done. I hope you enjoy it, and that your efforts are successful.

    Aug 24, 2007

  • Roger Newbury

    Hi Russ, thanks for the invite! How are you? Looking forward to getting to know you as a fellow Crime Space member.

    Roger

    Aug 24, 2007

  • carole gill

    correspond with me! i write! okay not published yet, but soon?! all the best.
    i love yhour page. you surely are a writer!

    Aug 24, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Thanks for the kind words, Carole. It's great to have you as part of my circle. And remember the three cardinal rules of how to be a writer. (1) Write, (2) Write, and , yep, you guessed it, number (3) is also, Write! Good luck! And keep in touch.
    Russ

    Aug 24, 2007

  • carole gill

    I agree. It tears at your soul. it's soul music but for real. so flattered to be part of your circle. and yes, I will write x3! just doing some now actually and its after 9pm here. started at 9 am. took out time to read (research!)

    Aug 24, 2007

  • I. J. Parker

    Hi, Russ. Good luck with the new book! I like Haiku, too.

    Aug 24, 2007

  • joe miller

    Russ,
    Thanks for the Invite.
    I have been writing for my kids for years, but started working on a project that I would like to get published in the future.

    So, Here I am at 1:00 AM writing...lol

    Joe

    Aug 24, 2007

  • carole gill

    thanks for that! will check. all the best

    Aug 24, 2007

  • Gordon Tucker

    Dear Russ,

    Ship's master is the same as ship's captain; however, the Coast Guard uses the title of Ship's Master. Near oceans, alludes to the Altlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as The carribean and other nearby bodies of water. There are several licenses, from 100 tons up.
    My license is for the lowest level.
    Thanks for asking, Russ.

    Aug 25, 2007

  • Cheryl Norman

    Hello, Russ!

    Cheryl, another Florida author

    Aug 29, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Hi Cheryl,
    I don't know where Drake Springs is but it sounds like a nice place to be from. Congrats on your many accomplishments and good luck with the new release!
    Russ

    Aug 29, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    I don't know Stu personally but I've been to one of his 'talks' about writing. Interesting guy. Don't know John Lutz. There are a LOT of writing groups in Sarasota! My primary group is one that is connected to the Florida Writers Association, but I visit some of the others from time to time. Welcome to my circle!
    Russ

    Aug 29, 2007

  • Clea Simon

    Hi Russ!
    I'm also a writer-of-all-trades (journalism, nonfiction books, just finished a ghostwriting project...). Good to meet you.
    Clea

    Aug 30, 2007

  • D. W. Wickard

    Thanks for the warm welcome, Russ.

    Aug 30, 2007

  • D K Gaston

    Thanks for the invite, Russ.

    Aug 30, 2007

  • Deborah Turrell Atkinson

    Hi Russ,
    Thanks for the invitation! I'll be looking for your book, Crosshairs. I'm in the middle of promoting my latest, too, called Fire Prayer. I write a mystery series that takes place in Hawaii. Hope I see you at a conference soon. Are you going to Bouchercon by any chance?
    Aloha,
    Debby

    Aug 30, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Hi Deborah,
    Welcome! I envy your locale. I was in Hawaii (Maui, mostly) some years ago and the thing I remember most was the smell of flowers in the air. Everywhere I went! Fantastic. And the beautiful people, of course. Hawaii has a LOT of beautiful people! ***** I hope to turn CROSSHAIRS into a series, too. That was my original intent. So I best get my fanny in gear. ***** Bouchercon? Sadly, no. Wish I could. ***** Best of luck. Keep in touch.
    Russ

    Aug 30, 2007

  • Kim Howell

    Thanks Russ,
    Your book called "CROSSHAIRS" does look like it'll be right down my alley, and I'm honored that you've included me in your list of friends. I've traveled down to Sarasota visiting my in-laws that are scattered around the Florida coast. So I can fully appreciate what a great change that would be from shoveling the snow during the winter months.

    I lived in New Jersey for a few years during my childhood, and saw enough snow then to last me a lifetime. Several of my in-laws have been relocating to NC with being slammed with the cost of insurance lately. They're mostly going towards to westerly part of the state though, so it's still about a 6 hour commute between us. Not near as bad as the 16 hours from previous visits though. :-)

    Aug 31, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Hi again, Kim,
    My wife and I have lived in Sarasota so long we're almost Florida Crackers. Almost. Sometimes I miss looking at the snow, and walking through it. But I don't miss shoveling it or driving through it. Especially with icy macadam beneath the snow. But I definitely do miss the mountains and the wilderness, the kind of country in which CROSSHAIRS takes place. I lived in that area for six years and still love it. All except the rattlesnakes.

    Yeah, we got battered again with home owners insurance this year, too, despite promises from our new governor that he was 'definitely going to do something about the high cost of home owners insurance'. I don't know what he did but our bill went up $500 this year.

    Keep in touch and my best to you and yours.

    Russ

    Aug 31, 2007

  • Kim Howell

    *WOW* Russ,
    That does sound like an exciting review and definitely a book I'd like to dig into soon as well. Thanks for sharing it with me. I'm hoping to give just as good a review when I get a chance to pick up a copy.

    Hopefully they can do something about the cost of insurance out there. We've seen about 9 members on my in-laws side make the move up here this past month, and as soon as some of the others have sold their homes, they'll be heading up too. Not sure how many we'll have left to visit, by the time things settle down.

    Three years of snow in NJ, cured me of the desire to ever want to pick up another shovel, or wear rubber boots, leather gloves, and heavy jackets. But there are parts of the cold season that weren't too back, since we were still kids back then., and didn't HAVE to drive though it.

    Sep 7, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Thanks Kim,
    I'd be honored to have you do a review. Yeah, we thought about moving back up north, too, when the homeowners insurance, taxes, and everything else started going through the roof here. But I'm not sure these old sun-baked bones would respond very well to cold weather again. I loved hiking through the snow when I was younger but .....
    Great talking with you!
    Russ

    Sep 7, 2007

  • Maryann Mercer

    Happy to have you invite me. And I'm heading out to see if I can find Crosshairs! At the rate I've been going, I'll be reading instead of writing until Christmas. And did you catch the Saints/COlts game last night?

    Sep 8, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Hi Maryann,
    Welcome! Yeah, we saw the Colts & Saints. Peyton was fantastic! As usual! Wish we had a QB like that on "our" team, the hapless TB Bucs. Maybe this year we'll see some improvement? -- The best, quickest, and cheapest way to get CROSSHAIRS is through Amazon. com. There are a couple of reviews there, too. Hope you enjoy it. I know what you mean about reading. I've got 5 must-read books piled right now. No, make that six. (sigh!)

    Sep 8, 2007

  • Dave Zeltserman

    Russ, thanks for the invitation and best of luck with Crosshairs.--Dave

    Sep 9, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Dear Carol,
    No offense intended. I merely meant the book is not meant for beginning writers. It is for people who have had some experience with professional writing and would like to know how an insider like Maass sees the Big Business side of the publishing industry. I apologize if I offended you. I am assuming that everyone in CrimeSpace, including you, are professional writers and therefore the book might be helpful to all of us in understanding what we are up against in dealing with the publishing industry.
    Russ

    Russ

    Sep 12, 2007

  • carole gill

    thank you very much Russ. I misunderstood. You made me feel a lot better. Forgive me for blowing up. I was wrong, and you are a big man to have replied to me as you did. sorry. I guess i was stressed. xxxx

    Sep 12, 2007

  • L. A. Starks

    Russ, Thanks for the add. LAS

    Sep 13, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    Welcome, LAS!
    I checked your website. Love the cover of your book! Very eye-catching! And you've got some great reviews! Pleased to have you in the circle!
    Russ

    Sep 13, 2007

  • James Roberts

    I appreciate your comments. My writing is largely limited to press releases and an occassional letter but I'm working on a couple of short projects and a longer one. My "Roberts-isms" have grown by a couple.

    Sep 13, 2007

  • Russ Heitz

    James,
    I used to do press releases all the time when I worked for local government. Good practice. The practice now helps me write some promotional PRs for myself, promoting my suspense novel CROSSHAIRS.

    Sep 13, 2007

  • Rick Mofina

    Russ thanks for the kind words. Noce to have you aboard.

    Sep 14, 2007

  • D K Gaston

    Hi Russ, I wanted to stop by and say hello. Congrats on such a great review for Crosshairs, I will add it to my TBR list.

    Sep 15, 2007

  • Eric Eckert

    Hi, Russ: I accidentally hit "block user" instead of accepting your invite. It was a simple mistake, so please don't take offense. I've sent an invite your way.
    Thanks,
    Eric

    Nov 22, 2007

  • JackBludis

    Russ--

    You're absolutely right. Write anything and it helps develop your style, your voice, plotting--all of it. Even good work is crap to somebody. And crap is golden to others. Good luck with your series.

    (I see by your info that you're only seven years older than I am.)

    Jack

    Dec 23, 2007

  • Todd Robinson

    Thanks Russ. Back atcha.

    Dec 24, 2007

  • Tony Black

    Nice to meet you Russ
    Thanks for your wishes for PAYING FOR IT...I hope it sells zillions too, but will settle for the billions. A-hem. Good luck with CROSSHAIRS...sounds the business.
    Tone

    Jan 5, 2008

  • Darren Laws

    Hi Russ, On my way to your site now to have a read. Looks like you are picking up lots of nice reviews. It's always great to get good feedback. Wishing you great success for 2008!

    Jan 5, 2008