Robert B. Parker

The Return of the Blogger

Time to address some input from blogees:
Negotiations continue on the Spenser For Hire front. The mills of Hollywood grind exceeding fine. But I have no reason to think it won't happen in awhile. . . . The response to BRIMSTONE has been gratifying. I don't know very far ahead, what I'm going to write. But I rather don't like the idea of not writing anymore about Hitch and Cole, so, probably, I will. . . . to the high school teacher who is planning to teach my books to her 10th graders (shame on you), I think you should start with some of the adult stuff (maybe EARLY AUTUMN?) and then go back to CHASING THE BEAR. However, I can report that I was once banned in Concord New Hampshire ("live free, or die") because there were swears and maybe some tasteful sex (write what you know). CHASING THE BEAR has little of either. You know your students (and their parents); you should be the final judge. . . .as for the current baseball season, we need to get Papi turned around and Jed Lowrie back at short, after that I think the Sox roll on through the season to another World Series Championship . . . As for the Celtics, wait'll Kevin Garnett comes back. . . . Several of you have asked how I can produce so many books a year. One answer would be: I am a creative giant. Another would be: I have no life. But the truth is probably more that Joan thinks I should. . . . I am currently writing a book with the working title SIXKILL in which a new character joins Spenser's world. Probably be out next year. Joan likes it. . . . time to go box with my trainer (who has promised not to hurt me).
rbp

An Harbinger of Spring

As the swallows return to Capistrano (usually), I am back, in the spring, with a commercial message. As you may have noticed NIGHT & DAY (the most recent Jesse Stone novel) had a 5 week run on the NYTimes best seller list, and the paperback of STRANGER IN PARADISE had some face time there too.  APPALOOSA, the movie, is now available on DVD. Since I had nothing to do with it once they bought the book, I can say without false modesty, that it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. And Daniel Parker's performance as Bragg's lawyer, while brief, is penetrating. I am both amazed and annoyed that the movie didn't get some awards. BRIMSTONE, the third in what has now become The APPALOOSA Trilogy, will be out on May 5, and the second book in The Trilogy, RESOLUTION comes out in paper the same day. Also appearing in May is CHASING THE BEAR , a novel of Spenser's beginnings, which will appear on May 14 (talk about saturation marketing). It's been designated a Young Adult novel; but it is a book for anyone of any age interested in Spenser. Wolverine isn't the only one with a past. The next Spenser novel, THE PROFESSIONAL will go on sale October 5 of this year. The next Jesse Stone movie will be on CBS sometime later this year (its done and waiting) and Jesse Stone movie #7 will start shooting in Nova Scotia on , I am told, September 8. And, interestingly, we are in negotiation for a remake of the SPENSER: FOR HIRE series to be produced by SONY/DREAMWORKS, and shown on TNT. There is often a slip twixt cup and lip in Los Angeles, but so far things are promising. Son David (the choreographer,  who turned fifty this month -- how did that happen?) has accepted a position at Juiliard for next year. He also teaches at Columbia. Son Dan (the actor) has a recurring role in a show on Turner called "Ten Items or Less." Sox are on a roll. Pitching is impressive. Papi is starting to hit. Yankees are floundering (what  shame). Here at home Joan has finally chosen a new puppy to replace Rose who died two years ago. Another miniature bull terrier, this one named Emma. She is only a week or so  old at the moment, she will come home in July. . . YAY!

I'm boxing, and typing. Go Celtics.

Bob the Blogger

This Just In

Hello,
The new Jesse Stone novel, NIGHT & DAY, appears on Feb 24. The latest Jesse Stone movie , THIN ICE(Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone), is on CBS March 1. The movie is an original, not based on one of the books, but of course using the characters. I don't like it that they don't need me,  but you'll enjoy it. Tom and I will be in New York  promoting Jesse Stone and may do so at some point, together. If you see us and are confused (we both have moustaches), Tom's the taller one. . . . In May my new YA novel, CHASING THE BEAR comes out. It is about the young Spenser(age 14-15), his father and his uncles, who raised him. And in June (I think), BRIMSTONE, the third book in the Appaloosa Trilogy, will appear. You loved the movie, now visit them again.
rbp

And now this word from our sponser

Back after  long absence, with an update. "Resolution," the sequel to "Appalooosa" came out in June. The newest Spenser, "Rough Weather" will be out in October, and "Appaloosa," the movie, has had its world premier at the Toronto Film Festival, then limited release in Boston, New York, and LA. It will appear nationally, at a theater near you, starting October 3rd when it goes into geneal release. I had no part in the movie other than to sell them my book. But I promise you, you will like it. It is a magnificent film. Check the court room scene for Daniel T. Parker, as the lawyer. If you liked the book you will love the movie. If you hated the book. . . why the hell are you reading my blog? I'll be back soon with responses to some of your input. But in the mean time,go sox!
rbp

fast breaking blog

The CD album, "Songs That Spenser Taught Me," Sung by Daniel T. Parker, with a guest appearance by someone who sounds a little like Donald Duck, is now available on ITUNES.
Go to ITUNES, go to the store, and search by name or title or both. Hurry!
rbp

The Return of the Blogger

I'm back after a long delinquency. . . .
Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch have returned as well, in RESOLUTION, the second book in the "Appaloosa" trilogy, which is now out and available. The third entry, BRIMSTONE, will appear next year. . .  My new young adult novel, THE BOXER AND THE SPY is also available for purchase . . .  APPALOOSA,  the movie (Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Jeremy Irons, & Rene Zellweger -- directed by Harris) has finished shooting and progresses through the editing and post production process. I don't know yet when it will be released. . .  The next Tom Selleck/Jesse Stone movie will be on CBS in the fall . .  David Parker and the Bang Group will offer their all dance reinvention of Irving Berlin's "Annie Get Your Gun" in dinner theater at Rialto restaurant  at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge on July 8, 22 & 29. A splendid show, a gourmet meal. The show previously performed in NYC at Joe's Pub. For you medical fans, I had my right knee replaced in April, and am now the proud owner of two steel knees, no outmoded original equipment for me. . . The Daniel Parker CD, SONGS THAT SPENSER TAUGHT ME, is almost ready. I'll let you know. . . Joan and Pearl are both doing very well, and remain beautiful (each in her own way, of course).
rbp 

The Return

I'm back, with a new right knee, to match the previously replaced left one. Both are titanium steel (in keeping with my body type), and I set of alarms in all airports. On the other hand I can walk good. "Resolution", The second in the Appaloosa Trilogy, will be out in the first week of June. I'll be in Texas to promote it (I'm not planning to visit Crawford, or hunt with Dick Chaney). My new YA novel, "The Boxer and the Spy" is out this month. The next Jesse Stone/Tom Selleck movie will be on CBS later this year. The feature film, Appaloosa, directed by Ed Harris, starring Harris, Viggo Mortenson, Rene Zellweger, and Jeremy Irons (also featuring the great Daniel T. Parker) is in post production, don't have a release date yet.David Parker and the Bang Group will be at Joe's Pub (Public Theater) in NYC on June 6 & 7. I'm about to start the next Jesse Stone novel(tentatively titled, The Next Jesse Stone Novel).  And the beat goes on.
rbp

Holiday Blog 2007

The question of spelling Spenser's name has arisen.  I may be the only one who has never mis-spelled it. Spenser, with an S like the English poet (who probably also spelled it right, though they were less picky about spelling in the 16th century). . . . Several have raised a question about who this "Rose" is, to whom NOW & THEN was dedicated. That would be Rosie, Joan's miniature bull terrier, who died at age 14 this past March. She was the model for Sunny Randall's dog. There is a picture of Rose on the back cover of PERISH TWICE . . . It has been suggested that the back list of my books is not available. I believe this is wrong. In paperback, to my best knowledge, all the books are out there. Great Xmas gifts! . . . on the show biz front: APPALOOSA has, I believe, wrapped. Should be ready to go in spring. After that, when it does go is pretty much a marketing decision. If you haven't been paying attention, the cast includes Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Rene Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Lance Hendrickson, and, of course, the brilliant Daniel T. Parker. Harris directs.  The new Jesse Stone movie, THIN ICE, with Tom Selleck doing his usual dandy job,  is tentatively scheduled to air on CBS in February. If that changes I'll issue a blog alert. As for my day job, STRANGER IN PARADISE (Jesse Stone) goes on sale in February. My second YA novel, THE BOXER AND THE SPY appears in May, and RESOLUTION (the sequel to APPALOOSA) comes out in June. I'll be doing a week in Texas (strating June 2) to promote the book. Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and Austen, I believe. . . .  Boston is having a particularly good year, weather's good so far. In addition to having the best baseball team in the world, again, we also have, apparently, the best football team, and, incredibly, so far, the best basketball team. It also seems that we have become Hollywood east, or Toronto south, thanks in noticeable part to Dennis Lehane (whose success, of course, I deeply resent) . . . I'll be having my right knee replaced in April.  I had my left knee replaced in 2004, and its working very well, so by the time y'all see me in Texas, you'll think I'm Fred Astaire. . . . And, of course, my annual endorsement of presidential candidates -- Except for John McCain, whom I admire but disagree with, I hope they all lose. . . . Happy Holidays.
rbp

LA Break down . . .

Joan and I have returned from Hollywood. We visited Dan, dined with moguls, and were generally the talk of Tinsel Town. . . several moguls asked me if I was the wine guy. . . the fifth Jesse Stone Movie, an original called THIN EDGE, starring Tom Selleck again as Jesse Stone, is in post production (we Hollywood insiders refer to that simply as "post") and is expected to air in February. APPALOOSA is now shooting in Santa Fe. Jeremy Irons has joined the cast, and so has Daniel T. Parker. They shot the railroad train scene this week, I believe.  The new Spenser, NOW & THEN will be published on October 23. Be sure to get yours (we Hollywood insiders refer to that as pleading). The CD, "Songs That Spenser Taught Me" is completed (though not yet available). Noted actor,Dan Parker sings classics from the American Songbook, joined harmonically on one track by his father,  known fondly as the velvet rasp. I'll let you know when it's available. Despite the presence of the old groaner, it's a very good album. And noted choreographer David Parker brings his company (David Parker and the Bang Group) to Boston for a week at the Calderwood Pavilion, starting November 7. Details to follow . . . there's nothing wrong with nepotism as long as you keep it in the family.
Go Sox!!!!!

rbp

The fall blog

I am not, as you may have noticed, an assiduous blogger -- for which most of the world seems grateful. But it is time to catch up. I've been asked about major league baseball, steroids, and Barry Bonds. My answer is I don't know. His situation is yet to be legally resolved, and until it is, I'll simply observe that he is one of the best players in the history of the game. . . and if he did in fact enhance his natural talents in some chemical way, he certainly made more of it than anyone else did. . . . should there be an asterisk by his record? I am happy to say I don't have to decide that. . . .  I share the view that DOUBLE PLAY should be a movie . . . I pitched it with a producing partner all over LA before it came out, and succeeded only in firming my resolve to give up show business. But, one never knows. . . . We do have Jesse Stone # 5 shooting in Nova Scotia. And Appaloosa begins principal photography in Santa Fe in a couple of weeks. . .  I have little opinion on the quality of writing on TV, because I don't watch it. Basically I only watch ball games and an occasional movie on The Western Channel. I can say that Joe Buck is the best play by play guy in America, and that the combo of Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy who do the Sox games are the best pair in America. Remy is a damned legend around here. . . . As for the difference between TV and feature films, it is rooted in money (there's a surprise). To stay inside budget on a TV movie they often shoot in a maybe 19 or 20 days. A feature has more money and more time. . . you can afford better directors, better writers, you can frequently attract bigger stars: If Appaloosa were a TV movie, it is less likely that it would star Ed Harris, Viggo Mortenson, and Rene Zellweger . . . or be directed by Harris. This is not always the case (e.g. Lonesome Dove), but it is often so. If a story is too long for a feature film, it might go to a mini series format on television. As was the initial plan for All Our Yesterdays. Which of course didn't work out. In either case, it often depends on who wants to do it. On the Jesse Stone movies, Tom Selleck initiated proceedings. On Appaloosa, Ed Harris did so. People write books on this subject, and even I, who know very few things, and have a small vocabulary, could go on for pages. But if you get the idea that it has to do with money and luck, than you know what I do. . . . remember that NOW AND THEN (Spenser) will be published on October 23. . . I will be speaking at the Whitney Humanities Center at Yale University on October 24. . . . Daniel T. Parker was said to have stolen the show (Tempest) at the Santa Cruz Shakespeare Festival this summer . . . David Parker and the Bang Group will be appearing at the Roberts Theater in the Calderwood Center in Boston on November 7 thru the 10th . . . talk to you soon (or pretty soon, maybe)
rbp