Tacitus: A man Without Copyright Protection
Kevin at Collected Miscellany wrote a review of Olen Steinhauer’s Bridge of Sighs. A few months ago I reviewed The Confession, the second novel in Olen’s excellent series. His latest, 39 Yalta Boulevard, was released by St. Martins-Minotaur in the past few weeks. I hope this series catches on and gains a readership. The stories are intelligent, well written, and slightly exotic by dint of setting and the point in history. All the books are well worth tracking down. Storm the Flatiron Building or go to a bookstore. No pushing and shoving unless you live in New York, then it’s okay, expected even.
Back in May your reporter won a $25 gift certificate from Partners N Crime bookstore in Greenwich Village. I took second place in the hard boiled contest for an entry called Stumptown Chump. While it was gratifying, it must be said that the Nevermores are given for bad writing, or, at least, stories that capture the essence of cliche. Still, 25 bucks represents the average annual income of freelance writers everywhere. That the prize will take the form of a book, not cash, is a bitter irony.
Why hasn’t this classic bit of political reportage been made into a movie? I’m talking about Tacitus’ Annales. You’ve got war, intrigue, a despotic emperor, real estate speculation, sex, Nero, and a happy ending. Logline: His mother wanted to do things on horseback no mother should ever want to do. Then she poisoned the dog.
Elevator pitch: author has no copyright protection. Sex, dogs, horses, poison. Call me.