Monday, May 23, 2011

One More Reason I Love the Internet: Tony Calvano Edition (Possibly NSFW)

So, Friday I publish a Forgotten Books post about the Anthony Calvano novel SIN CAMP, and by Sunday I'm exchanging emails with Mr. Calvano his own self, who, as mentioned in the post, is actually an extremely pleasant gentleman named Tom Ramirez.  There's a lengthy and excellent memoir by Ramirez in Earl Kemp's indispensible fanzine eI, which can be found here, and when you've read it, scroll on down for Earl's informative follow-up.  It was Earl who put me in touch with Tom, and I appreciate it.  I've ordered several more of Tom's books, including the two pictured here, and I'll be reporting my reactions to them in due time.

11 comments:

David Cranmer said...

The net is very cool. I recently had the pleasure to corresponded with a 50s Gold Medal writer.

George said...

I've had authors and editors contact me after I've reviewed their books on my blog. It's a very cool feeling! Love the covers on the books you've ordered, James!

Rick said...

Enjoyed the fanzine article. Thanks for the chance to read it.

Juri said...

Here comes the Tom Ramirez renaissance! :)

Peter Brandvold said...

Wonderful stuff, James. I'm about halfway through Ramirez's terrific autobiography.

I've been reading some sleaze books by the late Calvin Clements--an old Gunsmoke writer who also wrote, directed, and produced many different TV series back in the 60's-80's. Wonderful writer. I think he wrote three--BARGE GIRL, HELL SHIP TO KUMA, and my favorite, SATAN TAKES THE HELM. He's got a lot of the energy and paired down style of the best of Orrie Hitt.

Just thought I'd mention him if you haven't read him yet.

Pete B.

James Reasoner said...

Pete,
I used to have at least one of Clements' books but never read it. I'll have to look for them. Sounds like good stuff.

As I told Tom Ramirez in e-mail, I love to read about the lives of actual working writers. In a lot of ways, his career parallels mine and a number of other writers I know.

James Reasoner said...

The Ramirez Renaissance sounds good to me.

Ron Scheer said...

This, I see, is a drawback of reviewing books by writers who have been dead for half a century...

Matthew P. Mayo said...

Coincidentally, I just read PHOENIX FORCE #6: WHITE HELL by Thomas P. Ramirez (July, 1983), and it was a rippin' read. Now I need to track down some more of Mr. Ramirez's work. The autobiography at the link you supplied is great fun.

Thanks, James.

Tim Mayer said...

Love that Kemp article. The man had some real stories to tell.

Troy D. Smith said...

I love the internet tubes for the same reason. Sometimes I'm amazed at the acquaintances, and even years-long friendships, I have established with folks who were once just names on a book cover to me.