After Hours Conversations : Conversations with Lawrence Block

This book is primarily a wide-ranging interview of Lawrence Block, famed author of at least a zillion crime, suspense, and mystery novels and short stories, and a creator of archetypical characters who are resident across multiple Block novels. The interview is informal and extensive, revealing Block's thoughts about writing, his personal quirks, and his dry humor. The interviewer Ernie Bulow, a notable 'character' himself, knew how to elicit conversation that created a biographical account.

An example of that humor is in Block's retelling of 'ghost' books attributed to him, but never written by him. One 'book' consisting of nothing but a title that was given a publishing date and cataloged and promoted by the publisher, received a vague but glowing press review based on the reviewer assuming it was another enjoyable detective novel by Block. The book still did not exist, but Block thought it was the best possible situation to receive positive reviews and not have to write the books at all.

Includes 4 previously unpublished short works by Block: Outliving a Father, Geographic Cures, The Lure of New Places, and A Modest Proposal for the Categorization of Mysteries. Also reprints You Can't Lose, first appearing in an adventure/crime periodical and Block's first story issued under his own name and not a pseudonym. The chatty Introduction: Greenwich Village is the Center of the Universe is by the interviewer Ernie Bulow. Includes a Bibliography of Block's novels and short stories, including those written under the pseudonyms Chip Harrison and Paul Kavanaugh.

This is copy T of 26 signed, lettered, and specially bound copies in a total limited edition of 400. First edition. The title page serves as the limitation page, is lettered "T" in marker pen, and is signed by Lawrence Block, Ernie Bulow, and Ernest Franklin. Bound in black cloth over boards, with the spine titled in silver. This 8vo book 8 3/4" x 5 1/2" and has 165 pp. In a slipcase covered in black, textured, leatherette. The front bears a silver-colored, cast and polished metal (silver?) medallion that is a relief portrait of Lawrence Block. Although the book does not mention Navajo artist Ernest Franklin, he designed the medallion and it reflects his skill in traditional Navajo silversmithing.

Quite scarce in the trade, this specially bound, lettered, signed copy is Fine in a Fine slipcase.