Throw out everything you know about crime fiction. Tom Pitts, author of\u00a0Hustle<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0American Static<\/em>, returns with a plot stickier than an ounce of Humboldt County\u2019s finest.\u00a0101<\/em>\u00a0is typical Tom Pitts, the kind of novel that proves he\u2019ll forever and ever have followers, trailing behind him begging for one more hit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Frank Reardon:<\/strong> \u00a0Hello, Tom. Let’s dig right in. When did you start writing, or taking it seriously? Did you always write crime fiction?<\/p>\n Tom Pitts:<\/strong> True story: I began writing to learn how to type. Back in the 90s my mind was too unglued to sit still and use one of those early typing programs, so I decided I was going to write a book instead. I was really into true crime at the time and I thought I\u2019d write the story of the North Beach Mafia\u2014as little as I knew about it. When the real work got too heavy and the FBI stonewalled my research, I gave up and started writing a fictional novel. Sort of. I lugged that draft around with me for years. Hard years. It was a little gem I\u2019d tinker with but never made any serious progress. Many years later, when I was off the junk, Joe Clifford dragged my ass to a reading and made me get behind the mike. I think that was around 2010. That\u2019s when it really took hold and I decided to get serious.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n FR:<\/strong> Do other art mediums interest, inspire you, to write the way you do?<\/p>\n TP:<\/strong> Way back 80s, I was in a rock \u2018n\u2019 roll band. That\u2019s what drew me to San Francisco in the first place. Even then, as a songwriter, I was still interested in the bottom rung, the losers and the ne\u2019er-do-wells. I think that\u2019s what appeals to me in art as well. I much prefer an old black and white picture than a cubist\u2019s interpretation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n FR:<\/strong> I remember we had a conversation on Facebook about Denis Johnson. Although his books do have crime or can be dark, he isn’t known for crime fiction. What about crime fiction interests you to want to write it?<\/p>\n TP:<\/strong> There\u2019re a lot of heavy hitters that aren\u2019t considered crime writers, but fit the criteria. Cormac McCarthy is another. I think it\u2019s the grit that pulls me in. Something down to earth, but still has the elements of drama. I\u2019m more of a John Cassevettes guy than a Spielberg guy, you know? Always have been. I\u2019m the guy watching the superhero movie saying, that could never happen. We talked about Willie Vlautin too. He\u2019s another writer with both feet on the ground. Not necessarily crime, per se, but he\u2019s got that grit that I love.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n FR:<\/strong> All of your novels (including the new one) have been published with Down & Out Books<\/a>, as well as one with Shotgun Honey<\/a>. Granted all writers want to make a larger stack of cash for their work, also larger distribution, etc. but I have always been a fan of the indie presses. What do you like about being able to publish your books with heavy hitter indie presses like Down&Out and Shotgun Honey?<\/p>\n TP:<\/strong> Down & Out has been good to me. After a reading in Raleigh, Eric made me an offer to re-release Hustle,<\/em> which was out with Snubnose Press<\/a> at the time. It was done over a handshake. He just wanted me to dip my toe in the water, to see if I wanted to release my next one with \u2018em. They\u2019re up-front, honest, and they give me a lot of control. I\u2019m not sure I\u2019d get the attention I do if I was with a big press.<\/p>\n
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