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Hometown:: Chicagoland, IL

About Me:: I'm Todd, aka T.A. Stone, Todd Stone, and a couple of others. I'm an author. My latest book is NOVELIST'S BOOT CAMP; 101 Ways to Take your Fiction from Boring to Bestseller. It's from Writers Digest Books.

If you think you might be interested in NOVELIST'S BOOT CAMP, I encourage you to "try before you buy." Drop by www.storytellerroad.com and download a free excerpt, a free copy of the "Battle Map for Success," and see what others say about the book.

I've also published two mysteries about an emotionally traumatized former FBI profiler turned PI who pursues some very sadistic killers in Chicago's affluent suburbs (CLOSE TO HOME and NO PLACE LIKE HOME).

If you like James Patterson, noir, and

--Tough but tortured heroes
--Thoroughly evil vicious criminals
--And mystery/suspense that makes you lock the doors at night

--you'll enjoy CLOSE TO HOME and NO PLACE LIKE HOME

My two technothrillers are KRIEGSPIEL, a military technothriller published by Presidio Press (Random House) and THE BEST DEFENSE -- a "tough chicks in uniform with guns kicking butt" military action-adventure novel.

You can find out more at www.storytellerroad.com

I'm also the Head Writer (altho on an extended sabbatical) at Crime Scene (www.crimescene.com) the web's first interactive mystery site. Think: CSI on the web, and you're the detective.

I'm a former board member for Chicagoland's premier mystery and dark fiction readers' and writer's conference Love is Murder . You can find out about the next conference at www.loveismurder.net.

I ride a motorcycle, a 1997 Valkyrie. I say riding is inspiration for writing and vice versa, but my friends say that's no more than an excuse to spend more time on the bike. I'm a member of ABATE and MRF, for those who know what those are. I ride with the Chicago Crusiers www.chicagocruisers.com

I'm a veteran -- former Army Airborne Ranger infantry officer. My last assignment was as an assistant professor at West Point. There I taught English, American Literature, Professional Communications, Composition, Rhetoric, and Small Unit Tactics--how's that for an eclectic combination?

I'm a member of the Mystery Writers of America, National Writers Union, Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America, the Crime Writers Guild, and Sisters in Crime,

I live in a perfectly normal suburb of Chicago.

And oh yeah, I have a kilt collection.

I Am A:: Writer

Website:: http://www.storytellerroad.com

Books And Authors I Like:: Mine, of course (see above). David Drake's military science fiction. George Pelecanos, Anne Perry, Walter Mosley, Robert W. Walker, and Lawrence Block. The Bard himself, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Faulkner, Finley Peter Dunne, Carl Sandburg, and the author who started American fiction, Mark Twain.

Movies And TV Shows I Like:: I watch the commercials on the major networks and documentaries on cable. I'm a Mail Call and Biker Build-off fan (go figure). Cannot stand sitcoms.

Novelist's Boot Camp's Photos

Novelist's Boot Camp's Blog

I have been to the mountaintop

Or thereabouts. Actually, on a recent business trip to London I dropped by the "residence" of a fairly well-known detective. It's something of a pilgrimage for mystery writers. You can see the pictures by clicking the "Side Trips" link off of the home page of storytellerroad, or go here.

Todd

Posted on May 8, 2007 at 10:03am — 1 Comment

Comment Wall (65 comments)

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At 5:56am on February 13, 2008, Allan E. Ansorge said…: Wanted to let you know I enjoyed you panel on using the net. Thank you for the help.

Allan

At 3:37pm on January 22, 2008, Lindy Cameron said…: 'The Best Defense' - sounds like something I'd love to get my hands on Todd. Is it available in Australia - or online?
As a thriller writer, I'd kill for a CV like yours!

At 10:01am on January 14, 2008, Goldie Alexander said…: Hi Todd,
Great to meet you in Cyberspace. I'll follow up those elads you mention. Sadistic killers eh? Sound like fun.

At 7:53am on January 14, 2008, Hazel Edwards said…: Todd,
Many thanks for the invitation. I'll follow up the leads you suggested. Haven't visited Baker Street, but did visit Schloss Blutenberg in Munich which had half a million kids' books under the duckpond in the castle grounds.Enjoy visiting sites related to writers.

At 12:37pm on December 20, 2007, Russ Heitz said…: Thanks for the invite, Todd. You've got a broad, convoluted and impressive background, no doubt about that. Best wishes to you and yours for the holiday season!

At 3:54am on December 16, 2007, J. D. Webb said…: Hey, Todd. Thanks for the invite. Hope you have your long kilt on for the cold weather. Also hope to see you at Love Is Murder in Feb.

At 7:56am on December 10, 2007, Brian L Porter said…: Hi Todd, thanks for the add. I'm a vet too, ex Royal Air force, and I'm a great fan of James Patterson, though my personal favourite is Jeff Deaver.

Brian

At 7:29am on December 10, 2007, Denis OLeary said…: Thanks for your invite. Denis.

At 1:40am on December 9, 2007, Joan Hiller said…: Thanks for the invitation and I will check out Battle Map.
Joan

At 2:20pm on December 8, 2007, Sarah M. Chen said…: Hi Todd, Thanks for the invite. You sound like a cool kick-ass guy!