Book deal: Coffin rides again!

[Jon Loomis]

So, it looks like we've finally settled on a workable deal with SM/M to do the third Frank Coffin mystery--either Fire Season or Hurricane Season. It's a modest advance, but for a single book rather than two (good news for me: I was reluctant to tie up the next four years of my writing life in one contract), and with a deadline I'm pretty sure I can handle. It's great, too, because I won't have to teach freshman English for a whole year--woo hoo!

[Jon Loomis]

I.J. and John--thanks! The two-book thing can work both ways, I think. There's a degree of security for a lot of writers in knowing what they'll be working on down the road--and in knowing that the series will continue through the mid-term, at least. But for me, in my current situation, one at a time makes more sense. If the books take off commercially or get picked up by TV/film, that might change things, of course. Not holding my breath, though.

[I. J. Parker]

Lucky man, and in this economy, too! Congratulations. This is an interesting take on the one-book vs. two-book contract. And you're quite right.

[John McFetridge]

Congrats, Jon.

And hey, anything that gets you out of freshman English is a good thing ;)

[Jon Loomis]

Thanks, all. Eric--Fire Season is loosely based in real life and is about a series of arson fires that take place in and around Provincetown over a period of several weeks. It would be set in winter, most likely--the dark off-season.

[Eric Christopherson]

Congratulations, Jon! FWIW, I like Hurricane season better. Tempestuous. Don't remember anyone ever worrying about fires when I was growing up in Massachusetts as it's not particularly dry there. Hurricanes got our attention though, even if we only ended up getting the remnants of one, which was usually the case.

[B.R.Stateham]

Good! Fire season has an interesting suggestive quality to it I like.

[Dana King]

Great news, Jon. I'm looking forward to it. HIGH SEASON was as much fun as I've had reading all year.

[J. F. Juzwik]

Congratulations, Jon, that's so fantastic. I can't wait for it to come out!

[Pepper Smith]

Congratulations!