Three Things We Loved This Week
Thomas Trang, Underscores, and a villainy bracket
Whenever a call for submissions goes up, there’s always that little admonishment: “Be sure to read some back issues to get a sense of what we publish.” So what do you do when there are no back issues to read?
Fair question! To help give a sense of Cold Caller’s sensibilities (and, honestly, just to promote some stuff we’re excited about), we’re going to share these quick weekly roundups. If you like what we post1, we’ll probably like what you write. So send us your stuff, yeah?
Nick Kolakowski Interviews Thomas Trang
Nick Kolakowski’s a really smart writer, which makes for a way more interesting exchange when he’s talking to other writers. We really dug his interview with Thomas Trang this week, especially this exchange about writing action scenes:
The thing I love about “Dark Neon & Dirt” is the pace—it’s incredibly fast, light on its feet, but doesn’t skimp on details when it needs to. What’s your approach to designing heists and action scenes?
Rewriting and then some more rewriting. I’d still be tinkering with the book if the publisher let me. I’m glad it comes across as fast-paced, because it didn’t feel that way to me at first. I guess it is, but there are also strange tangents with people eating dinner, talking about this or that. Music, the books they read, or maybe their careers, and that weird scene at the art gallery. Those are probably my favorite parts of the novel. They’re what make the story feel textured. I suppose this is the Elmore Leonard influence. What I try and do is make it feel realistic instead of an infodump. The way people talk and what they choose to talk about, and even how they say it – that’s character.
Underscores, Cops and Robbers
When’s the last time you saw someone with a ski mask and a gun? This song kicks ass, and it’s a great little crime story told in less than 4 minutes 30.
The Best Villains in Literature Bracket
March Madness is nearly upon us, but if basketball isn’t really your thing, you’re in luck: Literary Hub just posted their Literary Villains bracket, with the first round of voting open today through March 9.
(Looks like he’s got some stiff competition, but our money’s still on Anton Chigurh to go all the way.)
You don’t actually have to hit the heart button, we aren’t being that literal. Just, you know, vibe with us.