Jim Fusilli
@jimfusilli.bsky.social
Author, journalist, songwriter, host and executive producer of the "Writers at Work" podcast. www.jimfusilli.com www.writersatworkpodcast.com
“I’m ready now. Ready to have my fun. Ready to murder and create. Ready to enter my own world" - from "Favourite Hour" by Martyn Waites, one of 20 short stories in the new, expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) that's on sale now.
“If you were Irish or a woman, you’d have more feel for vengeance than you do. But you’re neither" - from "Permanent Lent" by Peter Spiegelman, one of 20 short stories in the new, expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) that's on sale now
"If you rattle the cage—something might come out and bite you" - from "I Want You" by Alex Segura @alexsegura.com, one of 20 short stories in the new, expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) that's on sale now.
"Ernesto opened his arms to comfort her. Trina walked into his embrace. She looked over his shoulder at Bill’s boat. 'What should I change the name to?'” - from "Living in Paradise" by Raquel Reyes, in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" on sale now.
I'm joined by @dervlamctiernan.bsky.social, the international best-selling mystery writer whose latest, “Three Reasons for Revenge,” is out now. A native of Ireland who now resides in Australia, she has a gift for developing setting as the springboard for character and plot. tinyurl.com/muczy77b
Dervla McTiernan
Podcast Episode · Writers at Work · August 6 · 33m
tinyurl.com
"If you leave, it’ll make you look guilty." "And if I stay and they’ll figure out who I am?" - from "Accidents Will Happen" by Naomi Rand, one of 20 short stories in the expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) that's available now.
"The life wheezing out of Treadmore, he fixated on water dripping from an outdoor faucet. If he’d been so inclined, he might have taken this as being symbolic" - from "My Aim is True" by Gary Phillips, one of 20 short stories in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello."
"Lecky wasn’t averse to talking with strangers in bars, but he didn’t encourage it. You never knew what you were going to get." - from "Motel Matches" by George Pelecanos, one of 20 short stories in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" that's available now.
"They agreed a long time ago not to waste any more of their lives wondering how she could be that way, what she got from it, why she had them at all when she loathed them so much" - from "Tramp the Dirt Down " by @catrionamcp.bsky.social in the Elvis Costello-inspired "Brutal & Strange."
“That’s it, Lum. Go sit in the shade, you’re nothing but a nuisance” - from "Busy Bodies" by Ed Lin, one of 20 short stories in the new, expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) that's available now.
"He was afraid that he wasn’t going to be able to finish what he had started. But then how could he explain himself, what he was doing?" - from "Opportunity" by Reece Hirsch, one of 20 short stories in the expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" available now.
"She gives him a look that is so full of want that it’s almost heartbreaking. 'We could get out,' she says. 'You and me.' - from "Complicated Shadows" by @meggardiner.bsky.social, one of 20 short stories in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" available now.
My latest guest is Dervla McTiernan, the international best-selling mystery writer whose latest, “Three Reasons for Revenge,” is available now. A native of Ireland who now resides in Australia, she has a gift for developing setting as the springboard for character and plot. tinyurl.com/muczy77b
"All she’d done was take her own turn at the game of betrayal. Nothing had been broken that wasn’t doomed to be broken, by one of us, eventually" - from "Everyday I Write the Book" by Gar Anthony Haywood in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" available now.
"As they were dancing slow and close in his room to a dreamy Chet Baker ballad, he said it, whispering. 'Do you?' she asked. 'Why?' 'You look good in blue.' 'Just blue?' She nipped at his ear." - from "Almost Blue" in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" out now.
"But who is at their best in a situation of utter chaos, listening in darkness to voices tuned for intimidation and waiting for the sound of doors being battered down?" - from "Watching the Detectives" by Mary Anna Evans in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello."
“In my experience, it’s always the husband.” “And what experience is that?” “You notice things in my line of work.” - from "Alison" by Mailan Doquang, one of 20 short stories in the new, expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" that's available now.
"Everything was different when I still had you. You wouldn’t recognize me now. After the storm, I hardly recognize myself." - from "One Bell RInging" by @tylerdilts.bsky.social in "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) that's available now.
With me is Charles J. Shields, author of several books on writers including “The Man Who Wrote the Perfect Novel: John Williams, ‘Stoner’ and the Writing Life.” Charles reveals how unlikely it was that a man like Williams would've ever written a novel like "Stoner"... tinyurl.com/5duah454
Charles J. Shields
Podcast Episode · Writers at Work · July 24 · 43m
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"Strolling the dirty sidewalks, the stink of rotting garbage and exhaust fumes filling his head, he tried convincing himself it would all work out in the end. He didn’t believe it for a second" - from "You Belong to Me," a new story by Reed Farrel Coleman. Costello collection is available now.
"Not only had she said yes, she’d smiled and laughed through the meal, and not reared back in horror when his hand touched hers." - from "Waiting for the End of the World" by Peter Blauner @peterblauner.bsky.social in the new "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello."
Virginia Feito, the author of the novel that's the basis for this gruesome horror flick, was a guest on "Writers at Work." I suspect the film will be the subject of much debate. youtu.be/sDiFol_2j2I?... The Feito episode: tinyurl.com/55sx392n
Victorian Psycho | Official Trailer | Bleecker Street
YouTube video by Bleecker Street
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“She’s got a reputation, OK.” “For what?” Sean puffed out his cheeks. “For making bad choices.” “I’m not a bad choice,” Jimmy said. - from "Our Little Angel" by Mark Billingham "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) available now.
"Charlie thought she was stunning. He would give anything to be her victim" - "The Beat" by Raymond Benson @raymondbenson.bsky.social "The Beat" is one of 20 stories in the new, expanded "Brutal & Strange: Stories Inspired by the Songs of Elvis Costello" (Writers at Work Books) available now
The 2026 list includes new works from household names Douglas Stuart, Marlon James and Elizabeth Strout as well as a few debut authors. n.pr/3TkSp3y
Here are the 13 books that made the Booker Prize longlist
The 2026 list includes new works from household names Douglas Stuart, Marlon James and Elizabeth Strout as well as a few debut authors.
n.pr