I Wish Bush Would Do the Same Thing

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After 12 years in municipal government, The Acton Beacon reports that Town Treasurer Stan Smith will step down to pursue his passion of mystery writing.

"I’ve always thought I’d like to give it a shot, and now that I’m about to turn 45, it seems like the right time of life as well as the right opportunity to make a change of this kind," Smith wrote in his letter to Town Administrator Natalie Lashmit. Smith commended the town and wished his colleagues the best of luck.

We wish you luck, too, Stan. Maybe if you hit it big, other politicians will follow your lead.

Surgery Update

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I will be having surgery on my right elbow on Wednesday, Nov. 17th. In my absense and recuperation, my brother Tod and my writing partner Bill Rabkin will keep you entertained, informed, and offended…and let you know how I am doing. Until then, I’ll do my best to fulfill those awesome responsibilities.

Palm Springs Book Buyers

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Last summer, Bill Rabkin & I spoke at a big library event in Palm Springs where  were supposed to talk about our new book, answer questions, and then sign copies afterwards. About eighty people showed up, the talk was one of the best we’ve ever given, and the people in the audience were obviously enjoying themselves and asked us lots of great questions. I was afraid we wouldn’t have enough books to accomodate everyone who was going to want to buy one.

After our presentation, we were mobbed at the table. Everyone wanted to tell us how much they enjoyed listening to us.

But we sold less than a dozen books. I couldn’t understand it. How could the audience like us so much… but not buy anything?

Today,  my brother Tod and I spoke at an event together in Palm Springs. Again, we had a big crowd, and they seemed to love us, laughing and applauding and smiling. Once again, I thought we hit a home-run. Afterwards, they all came up to thank us, take their pictures with us, kiss us…

But did they buy books? Not really. I think I signed less than 12.

So what’s the deal? Is it the age of the audience (well over 60)? Was it something I said? Were they all Battlestar Galactica fans? It’s not because these were seniors on a fixed income… these were very wealthy seniors.

I’m beginning to wonder if it’s worthwhile doing speaking engagements in Palm Springs…at least from a bookselling point-of-view.

There was a bright side. We spoke at a fundraising event for a charity… and the event managed to raise a lot of money for the cause, so that was good. And I had a good time, met a lot of nice people, had a tasty lunch, and got a very unusual gift… a book mark that’s also a magnifying glass.

I gave the book mark to my daughter, who plans to use it to fry ants.

Palm Springs Signing

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I was interviewed on CBS 2 TV in Palm Springs on Thursday… and my daughter Madison, who was in the studio with me, joined me on the air. I’ll have the video clip on my website soon. In the meantime, here’s a picture from my signing last night (click on it for an enlarged image) Leesigning at Celebrity Book on their stage at the Palm Springs Street Fair. I met tons of DIAGNOSIS MURDER fans and even managed to sell some copies of THE WALK, too. It was a fun night and I look forward to returning in February for THE WAKING NIGHTMARE.

Gil Mille

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This has been a sad year in the world of television and film music — already we’ve lost Jerry Goldsmith, David Raksin, Fred Karlin and Elmer Bernstein. Now Variety reports that composer Gil Mille has died. Mille is perhaps best known for his TV scores for KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER, NIGHT GALLERY, THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, and THE QUESTOR TAPES as well as the feature film THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, among others.

I’m a huge fan of TV and film music… I listen almost exclusively to soundtracks as I write. I’ve been listening to a lot of Goldsmith, Raksin, Karlin and Bernstein over the last few month…Mille never quite attained their legendary status and wide appeal, but his scores were powerful, ground-breaking and memorable. He will be missed.

Book News from Lee

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Today, I finished the first draft of DIAGNOSIS MURDER #5: THE PAST TENSE… and I’ve sent it off to my writing/producing partner Bill Rabkin (with whom I exec produced Diagnosis Murder) and my brother Tod, the literary novelist, for their opinions, suggestions, and brutal edits. Bill & Tod will also be subbing for me here while I recuperate from surgery.

I also am pleased to annouce I’ve sold my book THE MAN WITH THE IRON-ON BADGE to Five Star, the fine folks who brought you my novel THE WALK. The new novel will be published in hardcover some time next year. It’s a dark-comic mystery about a detective who learned everything he knows about being a PI from watching TV shows and reading paperbacks…and discovers the hard way just how different reality and fiction really are.

I’m going to take a few days off for a speaking engagement and two book-signings in Palm Springs this weekend before going into the hospital for surgery on my arm next week…though that date could change. I’ll know more after I see my doctor on Monday.

Rob Lowe and Joe Pantoliano

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Both Rob Lowe and Joe Pantoliano have starred in two TV series in two consecutive seasons… IN THE LIONS DEN (Lowe), THE HANDLER (Pantoliano) and DR. VEGAS (Lowe & Pantoliano).. and all three shows bombed. Do you think anybody will be hiring them to star in a TV series any time soon?

Merry Christmas

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Novelist Victor Gischler has posted “Eleven Silver Johnnies,” a horror story, on the net, that begins like this:

I knew this guy, Johnny Christmas, from the garage. Of all the grease monkeys, he was best, a big, thick-necked, hammy-handed man, and he could spit and smoke and cough up phlegm like it was a career. He farted and swore and laughed, and he could bring down a charging rhino with his salami breath. That was Johnny Christmas.

To read more, click here.

CBS runs Numbers

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The diagnosis isn’t good for DR. VEGAS…. CBS has picked up the mid-season series NUMBERS, starring Judd Hirsch as an FBI agent who solicits the help of his mathematician brother to solve crimes. Sounds like CSI meets MONK. Other cast members David Krumholtz, Sabrina Lloyd, Peter MacNicol, Rob Morrow, and Navi Rawat.

NBC Woes

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According to Variety, NBC is pulling FATHER OF THE PRIDE off the air during sweeps, and while they haven’t admitted this, the long lead time and the fact they haven’t already ordered more episodes guarantees that there is absolutely no way they can make more than 13 episodes this season… and odds are strong for cancellation. (Especially since — and I didn’t know this — the deal with Dreamworks has the network paying ALL costs for the show, not just a license fee.)

Also, LAX is only going to air twice in its new timeslot during November — and if it bombs again this Wednesday, it could be pulled entirely. Looks like Heather Locklear’s winning streak has finally been broken…