JournalStone's Double Down series will feature two novels packaged together like this old Ace Double.
Dos-à-dos, it turns out, is the fancy French term for two separate books bound together at the spine, kind of like those old Ace Double sf paperbacks.
I learned the term because JournalStone Publishing is bringing back the format through its new Double Down series — and I’m one of a dozen authors participating in the launch.
Each Double Down book will feature a short novel from an already established author paired with a separate short novel from an up-and-coming writer (that’s where I come in). Rather than focus on sf like the Ace books, this series’ emphasis is on horror.
I’m thrilled to be paired with Stoker Award-winning scribe Joe McKinney, who I’ve known for a few years through the Alamo City-based writing group Drafthouse. Joe’s got a brisk, action-focused style that keeps the pages turning — whether he’s writing about zombies, deadly fire ants or mutated meth-heads. His day job as a San Antonio cop brings an unmistakable grit and authenticity to his work.
Our book is scheduled to hit the shelves in summer 2013.
The rest of Double Down’s lineup includes Gene O’Neill with Chris Mars, Gord Rollo with Rena Mason, Lisa Morton with Eric Guignard, Harry Shannon with Brett Talley and Jonathan Maberry with a writer yet to be named.
I’m honored to be working with Joe, who I’m sure would have had plenty of other willing takers for this project, and I’m excited to publish in a series alongside such talented luminaries and up-and-comers.
Of couse, I’m also thankful for editor Christopher C. Payne’s JournalStone for resurrecting the old doubles concept… and teaching me a high-fallutin’ new term.
I feel smarter already.