Shaken – An Appeal

Here’s a project that I’d like as many people as possible to support.  It’s a bunch of top-drawer crime writers who are trying to help out those caught up in the devestation in Japan from this year’s disaster.

You can find a personal interview over at:

http://nigelpbird.blogspot.com/2011/06/dancing-together-shaken-not-stirred.html

One hundred percent of the royalties from this new collection of original
stories will go directly to the 2011 Japan Relief Fund administered by the Japan
America Society of Southern California. EVERY PENNY the Fund receives will go
directly to northern Japan, to rebuild shattered communities, reunite families,
help men, women, and children to get on with their lives despite dreadful loss,
and cope with the continuing threat of nuclear contamination.

This
collection was born out of the writers’ concern for the people in the disaster
zone. SHAKEN: STORIES FOR JAPAN is an attempt by writers to pool their talents
to help people in need, as musicians and actors so often do.

The book
contains original stories by Brett Battles, Cara Black, Vicki Doudera, Dianne
Emley, Dale Furutani, Timothy Hallinan, Stefan Hammond, Rosemary Harris, Naomi
Hirahara, Wendy Hornsby, Ken Kuhlken, Debbi Mack, Adrian McKinty, I.J. Parker,
Gary Phillips, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Jeffrey Siger, Kelli Stanley, C.J. West, and
Jeri Westerson. As a group, these authors have won every mystery award there is
and sold hundreds of thousand of copies. They’re all working at the top of their
games in this volume. SHAKEN; STORIES FROM JAPAN is art for heart’s sake, and
the purchase price will help those who are struggling to repair, or at least
soothe, these terrible losses.

Not all the stories are mysteries; the
consensus was simply that all writers should submit something that touches on
Japan. Linking the stories are haiku by the 17th-century master Basho,
translated by Jane Reichhold, and Issa, translated by David Lanoue. Both
translators donated their work, as did the cover designer, writer Gar Anthony
Haywood, and the e-book producer, Kimberly Hitchens.

PRAISE FOR THE
AUTHORS

“Kelli Stanley has her eye on greatness.” -George
Pelecanos
Wendy Hornsby’s “stories are edgy, menacing, and masterful.”
-Booklist
Dianne Emley’s books are “Intense and hard-edged… First-rate.”
-Tess Gerritsen
“[Naomi Hirahara] is truly one of a kind.” -Chicago
Sun-Times
“[Brett] Battles is a master storyteller.” -Sheldon Siegel
I. J.
Parker’s books are “terrifically imaginative work” -Wall Street Journal
Ken
Kuhlken’s writing is “Elegant . . . haunting, and beautiful.” -Don Winslow.

Jeffrey Siger’s work “Brilliantly explores a fascinating culture” -Leighton
Gage
“Hank Phillippi Ryan understands plotting and she writes beautifully.”
-Robert B. Parker
Adrian McKinty is “One of his generation’s leading
talents” -Publishers Weekly.
Jeri Westerson’s work is “creative and
enthralling…” -John Lescroart
“Gary Phillips writes tough and gritty
parables.” -Michael Connelly
Vicki “Doudera expertly weaves a tale of
suspense.” -Tess Garritsen
Rosemary Harris is “Hilarious” (Kirkus Reviews),
“A rising star” -Crimespree Magazine
Timothy Hallinan’s writing is
“razor-sharp, convincing, and heartbreaking.” -Gregg Hurwitz
C.J. West’s work
is “Powerful, thought provoking and massively entertaining.”
-Crimesquad.com
Cara Black’s Aimee Leduc novels are an “irresistible series
set in Paris.” -New York Times
“Debbi Mack has carved her own niche in the
mystery pantheon.” -Scott Nicholson
[Dale]”Furutani manages a fluid mix of
cultural history and swashbuckling adventure.” -Publishers Weekly
Stefan
Hammond created the “Essential guide to Hong Kong’s mind-bending films.”
-Entertainment Weekly

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