Jack Getze

, Male

United States

Profile Information:

Hometown:: New Jersey Shore
About Me:: Currently Fiction Editor of Spinetingler Magazine, Jack Getze spent fifteen years covering national economic news for the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, and the London Times. His two crime novels, BIG NUMBERS and BIG MONEY, feature New Jersey stockbroker Austin Carr. www.jackgetze.com
I Am A:: Reader, Writer, Editor
Website:: http://www.jackgetze.com
Books And Authors I Like:: Anything and everything by Elmore Leonard, Robert Crais, Thomas Perry, Carl Hiaasen, Janet Evanovich. Old School: Edgar Allan Poe, A. Conan Doyle, Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain, Dashiell Hammett, John D. MacDonald.
Favorite Novel: Hound of the Baskervilles, or Thomas Perry's "Sleeping Dogs"
Movies And TV Shows I Like:: Godfathers 1 and 2. Casablanca, The Big Sleep, The Deer Hunter, The Unforgiven. TV: I'm a cop show and Star Trek junkie, but The Sopranos was the best series ever. Right now enjoying Dexter, and trying to catch up with The Wire.

Comment Wall:

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Jordan Dane

Hey Jack--It was great to meet you too. Though I did miss the suspenders, the cool Hawaiian shirt made up for it. I lOVED that MWA conference since it was small and I could put a face to the names finally. And meeting David Morrell, a guy I've read since First Blood, was a real kick for me too.

Jun 19, 2007
Jordan Dane

Morrell was truly amazing. I watched him talk to so many authors in the room, to make sure they were getting what they could from the sessions and the speeches. I had the pleasure of hearing some of those conversations. He is a real mentor and an ambassador for our genre. I sent him an email thanking him and sharing a story about his impact on me that started with First Blood. The start of my book#2 came from an inspiration from that first book of his. Sometimes when you meet someone you idolize, you can be disappointed, but in this case, he far exceeded my expectation. Kudos to David.

Jun 19, 2007
des007

It has been awhile since I've been to Galveston. I think the locals use the sea wall as the main drag.

I am also working on a mystery novel.

des

Jul 11, 2007
Burl Barer

Yeah -- it must be in the genes.. my mom was a reporter, my uncle wrote for Time, Life, and was VP of Cole and Weber. My sis and all her kids are published authors. My son, who is high-functioning autistic, has difficulty reading (especially for pleasure), and my daughter, incredibly creative, isn't driven to write -- she has other outlets. My brother the international trade/maritime law expert, writes brilliantly, but within that field not for the general public. I am sure there is heredity and simple familial exposure involved.

Jul 14, 2007
Jeff Markowitz

Jack -

Took my copy of Big Numbers with me to Maine last week. Spent a couple of days relaxing and reading. Nicely done.

Jeff

Aug 7, 2007
carole gill

your photo makes me want to go fishing! love your writing.

Aug 17, 2007
carole gill

working like hell on it. I've been spending ten hour days on it--because my dog is due to have a litter in a week and a bit and I want t have enough down so I can go back to it and not fee lost. I have highs and lows about the novel. sometimes I am so sure it's going well and sometimes not. but the thing is i love my characters. and i love the time period it's set in. late 1940s. glad you borrowed from double ind. was it set in the forties?

Aug 17, 2007
carole gill

thanks for telling me, Jack! I thought it was just because I haven't published yet. also, so many of these writers on this site seem so full of themselves--but i believe what you say, doubts come and doubts go. and you're right, it does suck. it's like writing for Satan. You're damned either way. but it's a drive. a must do thing. I mean I had it in the back of my mind for years. but my life was far too traumatic. it's only now that i'm trying for the first time, and that i'm serious about it. i won't quit. i just want to write it down and see how it seems. today's a good day at least. or should i say good hour?!

Aug 17, 2007
Rick Mofina

Appreciate the comments on my stuff Jack. Welcome to crime world.
Stay tuned for my latest A PERFECT GRAVE, sept 04, 07

Aug 22, 2007
DADavenport

Hi, Jack.
I was happy to get your invitation and of course I accept!

I tried to post an email to the address on your website about a week ago, but it didn't go through.

I wanted to introduce myself and say thanks for your faith in Sweetening The Pot. Looking forward to working with you and learning as much as I can from the experience.

Best,
Deb

Aug 23, 2007
carole gill

HI jack,
Nice to hear from you. I finished my first draft but I over worked myself. After a while (because I was getting nuts) i cut back to four or five hours. you're right to work that. anyway, it's crazy here anyway--in the middle our dog had puppies. Five running around! so i'm just working on the second draft--but won't get going until the puppies are sold! i not only have to learn to write a novel, i have to learn how to work!

Oct 10, 2007
Jane Cleland

Being so close has it's drawbacks, but it just one of the many things that make life in NYC so interesting!

Nice to hear from you! Best, Jane

Oct 15, 2007
Lee Lofland

I hadn't seen that. Thanks, Jack.

Oct 16, 2007
Neil Plakcy

Happy Holidays, Jack-- see you in Denver.

Dec 18, 2007
Neil Plakcy

Hey, Jack, I can just see you in untucked Hawaiian shirt, cigar, and Santa hat. Mele Kalikimaka! It's hot and sunny here in Florida and I confess I do miss a cold snap in the air and some frost on the trees around this time of year-- but just briefly. See you in Denver, which will be more than enough cold for me.

Dec 26, 2007
Pepper Smith

Hey Jack, saw your book as one of the four featured this week in the Shelf Awareness newsletter. Cool!

Feb 8, 2008
Pepper Smith

Yes, they had your cover. I'd be happy to forward the newsletter to you if you'd like to see it. Erm, as long as I can find an email addy to send it to, lol!

Feb 8, 2008
L.J. Sellers

Okay, you win. I've only spent 18 years and have 5 unsold book manuscripts and 5 unsold screenplays. (But I'm still waiting for the call . . )
Congratulations! With writing, it's perseverance, perseverance, perseverance.

Feb 19, 2008
L.J. Sellers

I went the opposite way, sending everything out, ready or not, to agents, editors, and producers. Eventually, I landed the president of Writers House as my agent, who called me one day and said, "Michelle at HarperCollins loves your manuscript, I'll have an offer for you next week." And it still didn't happen.
I had a another similar occurrence last year.
But I have first chapters, full manuscripts, and foreign rights all out there now, being considered. Never give up.

Feb 19, 2008
L.J. Sellers

Al Zuckerman was my agent. He's semi-retired now.
Yes, just a matter of time. Good thing I plan to live to 103.

Feb 20, 2008
L.J. Sellers

Thought you might get a kick out of my blog, The Power of Jack.

Mar 26, 2008
Ailene Yasmin

The total story and what I didn't write was during the preceding chapters she kept emailing me saying she couldn't believe this or that.

In her first read, she read from the prologue to chapter 7 straight away. In all, she read the entire manuscript, on a computer in three sessions: prologue to 7, 7-21 and then the rest. The little feedback I did receive from the one agent who did a full read mentioned the pacing worked for her.

Initially, I did make a mistake and took too long getting to the story. A mistake all new writers make, I understand. Now that I have reworked it, I am satisified it gets the reader to the crux in a hurry.

The jury is still out for me with these conventions, until I hear enough people say they got what they paid for.

What have you gotten out of these conventions/conferences?

Thanks for the tips. =)

Mar 26, 2008
Ailene Yasmin

Thank you for your insight. I will give it some more thought, as I am a great networker being that I am outgoing and extremely communicative I know I would have fun at any convention as I always do.

My major problem with them, however, is they are a huge investment in time and even more money and the payoff is like you said, different for everyone. I mean, how many would I have to pay for before I grab an agent? 1, 5, 20? That's a lot of money and there is no guarantee.

You are right, publishing is a business and my business but I am not in the fiscal position to jet off chasing agents who don't even have the decency to respond to a personalized query letter with a personalized rejection. And my experience with recruiters in this arena is that they are even more selective when staring you in the face than when hitting the reply button. But I will give it more thought and definitely appreciate your advice.

I hope my reluctance on this subject doesn't hinder future communication. =) Thanks again.

Mar 26, 2008
Ailene Yasmin

Wow. Your own story is a testament to perserverance. You are better than me. I don't have 30 years in me to wait. Lawd, have mercy. SMH

Mar 26, 2008
L.J. Sellers

You're not a stereotype, you're a powerful type. And so are your characters. I love all those names.

Mar 26, 2008
L.J. Sellers

Hi Jack
Thought you might want to know I mentioned you on my guest blog on Bookbitch: http://bookbitch.blogspot.com.

Apr 28, 2008
L.J. Sellers

It must be! It's so forceful. No mistaking K for any other sound (unlike P,B, and D, for example). Now that I'm aware of it, I can't stop paying attention. But I"m going to try. (I helped write and edit a phonics program and got tuned in to hearing sounds.) But readers like the sound too and that scene certainly caught my attention.

May 5, 2008
Tom Cooke

Jack,
Thank you for the advice. That actually looks like something I can do.

Again, con muchas gracias.

Tom

May 12, 2008
Tom Cooke

Jack,
I've started on an elevator pitch, a two paragraph synopsis, a one page synopsis and a five page synopsis and I plan to work on them all until I am happy with them. I may post them for critique when I finish.
Thanks again for the help.
Tom

May 14, 2008
Jack Getze

Atta boy. Read the backs of paperbacks in the supermarket and drug store. Those people can write a pitch! I learned the hardway. I am responsible for the back copy on my books, and the first one was pretty lame. Too long, too many modifiers. I watched potential reader after reader read the back and then put the book down. On this second one, I worked very hard on it, and used some lines from the book. It's working much better.

May 20, 2008
carole gill

Hi Jack! oops better not yell that out on a plane, or I might get arrested!
just wanted to say hi. good, good luck with your book!
all the best,
p.s. I'm still plugging--but the final draft approaches finally!

Jun 1, 2008
carole gill

She is the fire that lit me up iniatialy (sp).
Loved Queenpin--btw thanks so much for your good wishes, particulary your prediction! It's funny Jack--because I don't really have a female protaganist. there's a woman there--but she's a product of 1950's conventions--it's pretty old fashioned in its way--but different too. anyway thanks so much, Jack!

Jun 1, 2008
Sheri Fresonke Harper

I've been off to Florida, then Peru now off to Texas. How are you doing? Traveling at all?
:) Sheri

Dec 22, 2008
Allan E. Ansorge

No Jack, it was done by Nathalie Kycher Moore at Echelon Press. She has just picked up two awards for her design work. Like Al McGuire said to the waiter when brought a one clawed lobster to his table, "take this one back and bring me the winner."

Jan 26, 2009
Christopher Valen

Thanks for the tip on the Electric Mist DVD, Jack. It seems strange that it's available for purchase when the movie hasn't even been released.

Feb 12, 2009
Charlotte Williamson

Jack,
Thanks for your input on my discussion. You're right. I suppose that's why they put in the credits "based on a novel by..."
Charlotte

Feb 18, 2009
Gerrie

Good morning from south Georgia (USA). I write crime fiction - romantic suspense, mystery/thrillers (both St. Martin finalists, alas one is not a winner and since April 1 is almost upon us (the deadline for announcing winners) I'm not hopeful. I wrote one romance and one ghost story set on the Outer Banks. I'm a retired journalist (Atlanta Journal Constitution) and loved reporting from the OB. It got to be my beat when the park service planned and then moved the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Thanks for asking. Gerrie

Mar 26, 2009
Gerrie

I write mysteries, romantic suspense, just published with Desert Breeze WHEN SERPENTS DIE. The second in the series, HONORED DAUGHTERS due out in October. Am working now on a noir PI, something new for me.

Mar 30, 2009
Reece Hirsch

Hi Jack -- Your series sounds really interesting. Richard Kunzman left a comment on my page saying that his editor said that financial thrillers are hot right now. For both our sakes, let's hope that's true. By the way, if you like financial crime stories, you might like Peter Spiegelman's "Black Maps." Reece

Jun 10, 2009
Steve Weddle

When I read the 'bats outside Barstow' opening, I was hooked. Then the Kentucky Derby piece. Then I read the Campaign Trail book. Great, great writing whether politics or profanity -- or both.

Jun 11, 2009
Brian L Porter

Thanks for the blog comment Jack. It does feel good to know the book is doing so well.

Brian

Jul 31, 2009
RONALD FEASEL

I'm so new I can't even know anything

Sep 20, 2009
RONALD FEASEL

I've been outlinin a matketing plan book not on shelve yet

Sep 20, 2009
RONALD FEASEL

are the yankees a socccer team

Sep 23, 2009
Kris Neri

Thanks for the friend-invite, Jack.

Jan 25, 2010
B.R.Stateham

Jack--I see you have a new avatar. Makes you look more 'successful authorish.' How's that for a term, eh?

Apr 16, 2010
Mike Dennis

Thanks for the invite, Jack. See you on Crimespace.

May 2, 2010
Lindy Cameron

Thanks for the 'friending' Jack.

Jul 8, 2010
Copper Smith

Remember Goofus and Gallant?
Read all about Goofus's drift to the dark side in 'Always the bad example.'

Sep 14, 2010
Tanis Mallow

Hi Jack! Thanks for the invite. Currently on vacation (Vancouver/Whistler - it's rainin') will respond to your e-mail when I get a sec. See you around Crimespace and Spinetingler...

Mar 15, 2011