I’m pleased to have Craig Boyack with me today. He is here to discuss a new anthology project in which he participated. Most of you know Craig and his entertaining books and now he has joined seven other authors to bring a variety of stories to their readers. So Craig, tell us about it.
Thanks for having me back again, John. I’m here to talk about a project I got involved in during the early Spring. I was asked to submit a story to a murder anthology. I was approached, because they wanted to include a science fiction author.
I write across a broad spectrum of speculative fields, but I’m no stranger to science fiction, so I accepted. The problem was, I was right in the middle of drafting two novels that I wanted published this year. There was a bit of a time crunch.
Jason Fogg to the rescue:
I happened to have a pre-existing character who could fit the bill. Science fiction is so broad that I didn’t have to place it in outer space or get involved with time travel. If you squint and turn your head, Jason might qualify as a superhero.
Jason has been with me for a long time. He made an appearance in an old trunk novel that will never see the light of day, but he had a different name back then.
He is the result of a science fiction accident. The nutshell version is while he was working to string the high-tension power lines in the Pacific Northwest, a piece of space debris crashed back to Earth. It clipped the wire Jason was working on, and just like when lightning strikes, something traveled along the cable and blasted him into oblivion.
The Pacific Northwest is stormy, cloudy, foggy. The accident evaporated him. He drifted for years until he was able to reform. Now he has the ability to “fog out” at will, but there are limitations. When he does, it’s just him. No clothes, no hair products, not even aftershave. This poses a problem for when he reconstitutes.
I did a quick count, and Jason has appeared in more stories than any other character I’ve written. (At the time of this writing.) Over time, he became a private detective. His abilities allow him to slip into places and through cracks and do quite a bit of snooping around. Sometimes he relies too much on this, and ignores some of the basics of detective work.
Jason even works well in the short form. I’ve published his tales a couple of times as short stories in my own collections. Science fiction (check), mystery (check), murder (Why not?).
Jason Fogg is on the case. Can this private detective run interference for a client accused of murder?
The anthology is called Murder They Wrote. It involves seven different authors dealing with murder in the short form. I’m proud to be included among them, and would appreciate if your fans would check it out.
Cover Blurb: Murder comes in 7 different genres. By 7 different authors. Are you a fan of courtroom drama? In the anthology’s first story, Abraham Lincoln defends a friend’s son against a charge of murder. For lovers of speculative fiction, Jason Fogg dissolves into mist to sneak through open windows and snoop for clues. How about a cozy? Jazzi, Jerod, and Ansel discover a dead body while renovating a kitchen, dining room, and half bath. Have a craving for a Regency? Lord Peregrine and his wife, Elizabeth, use their sharp minds and quick wit to solve a murder at a garden party. Need a bit of literary fiction? A young, lonely widow must deal with the theft of a valuable butterfly collection. And what about a little psychological horror? Twin sisters discover that their attic is haunted by not one, but two ghosts. Last, but never least, the anthology concludes with a historical mystery. A young, newly married knight is accused of murdering his obnoxious host at a holiday gathering in his castle.
Pick up your copy of Murder They Wrote.
You can contact Craig at the following locations:
Fiction Favorites 
I’m looking forward to reading Murder They Wrote. It’s on my Kindle, waiting not so patiently. 😀
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Mine, too. Hope you enjoy it when it rises to the top.
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It does look like a good one for sure.
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I’m grabbing a story here and there from Murder They Wrote to read on short breaks from work. (Somehow, I can’t get back into a novel for a ten minute break, or the break will suddenly turn into much, much more.) Just finished your contribution, Craig, and I have to say, Jason could easily become my favorite Boyack character. I liked everything about him, though I’m glad he’s not my neighbor. 😀 A fun tale in a whole collection of them. I’ve only read a couple, so far, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them. Here’s hoping Murder They Wrote takes off like gangbusters. Great post, guys! 🙂
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Thank you, Marcia. It kind of surprised me that Jason has the most stories right now. I expect Lizzie and the hat to surpass him eventually, but Jason has been with me for a long time. Glad you’re enjoying him. I tend to read anthologies the same way you do. It’s one of the beauties of the short form.
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I can’t get enough of them, Craig. Have an entire shelf devoted to them. But one thing I’ve learned is that not all talented writers are good at short stories. It’s a whole different skill set than writing a novel, but done well, I just love them. And I’m very happy with this collection, so far. 😀
I’ll be seeking out some more stories about Jason, too, for sure. (Besides, it’s my son’s name, so I was predisposed to like this guy, anyway.) 😀
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Thank you, Marcia. Great to see you support Craig today.
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I decided some time ago that Craig was one of the Good Guys. I’m happy to support him, and even happier that I really do like his books. 😀 Grinders just blew me away! 🙂 I enjoyed today’s post very much, John! And I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the stories in this collection.
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😁
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Thanks for hosting me today, John. I’ll share this far and wide throughout the day.
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My pleasure.
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How interesting that Jason Fogg has been used more than another character, even Lisa Burton. I have this new anthology on my Kindle and look forward to reading it! Congrats, Craig, and thank you for hosting, John!
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Thank you for the visit, Jan. 😊
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It was a surprise to me, too. I’m sure Lizzie and the hat will surpass him one day, but he tends to stick around.
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Jason is quite an interesting character. It was nice to revisit him in this anthology. Wishing all the authors the best. Thanks for hosting, John.
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Thank you, Staci.
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Thank you for the visit, Staci.
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I just started reading this and am enjoying it. Jason is a fun character and thanks for the reminder how he got his power 🙂
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Thank you. Glad you’re enjoying it.
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Thanks, Denise.
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Congratulations to Craig! Thanks for sharing, John.
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Thank you, Jill.
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Thank you for the visit and comment.
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This book sounds really good, John. And Jason sounds like an interesting character, too. Congrats to Craig and all the authors. I’ll add this to my list.
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Thank you so much.
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You’re very welcome, Craig!
~Lauren
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Thank you, Lauren. 😁
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I always enjoy reading your blog posts, Craig. And thanks for promoting MURDER THEY WROTE. Thanks for hosting, John.
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Thanks, Judi.
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Thank you for the visit, Judi.
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I’m off to visitin’!
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😁
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
I’m over at John Howell’s place today. The topic is the anthology I contributed to, Murder They Wrote. I’m discussing the character of my story, Jason Fogg. Come on over and say, hi. While you’re there, John has a new book out that you ought to explore.
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Thank you for the reblog, Craig.
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Thanks for lending your space.
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Anytime.
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Looks like a great read Craig and Jason has the perfect ‘gift’ to be a PI… thanks for sharing John. x
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Thanks for swinging by today.
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Pleasure Craig..x
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Thank you, Sally. So nice of you to come by,
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Pleasure John…hugsx
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Hugs
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I gotta admit, Jason Fogg is a big draw for me in considering this anthology. He’s a really cool character 😊
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Glad you like Jason. I’d love to know what you think of his story.
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I’ll let you know 😉
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Have this one on my Kindle! Viral Blues was my first experience with Jason, so I’m glad you mentioned how he got his “power”. Look forward to reading about him again.
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Thanks, Teri.
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Jason was just hanging around the characters union hall, looking for work when I got the call for a short story. Glad you liked the post about his history.
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Jason has populated more of your stories than Lisa? Wow. That piques my interest. The anthology is already on my TBR. 😉
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Lisa is more prominent on my blog and the promotional circuit. I’d never bothered to tally it up before and it was kind of a surprise. Lisa appears in three stories, Jason in four. (One of them with each other)
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Thank you for the visit, Sue.
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I’m late, but had to chime in and say how much i like Jason Fogg. Craig’s story in Murder They Wrote was a lot of fun, especially given the first person POV which really brought a strong character voice to the front!
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That’s always a risk. I like first person, but am looking for ways to tighten it up. I find it easier in a short piece, but it appeals to me for some novels, too.
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Jason is an interesting character. Enjoyed seeing him in this story.
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Thank you. Joan
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Thank you, Joan.
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The ability to “fog out” sounds rather appealing . . .
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Makes for a good snoop. With some limitations.
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Details, details . . . 😉
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