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Meeting Authors

November 7, 2018 by Jim Potter 4 Comments

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(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)


 

·  H.B. Berlow  ·

Author H.B Berlow in 1930s period costume at a cocktail party-book signing.

A few weeks ago sixteen artists gathered at the Wichita Library to recite their poetry accompanied by music. In short time I learned that one of those poets, H.B. Berlow, also writes crime novels.

By the time I arrived home to Greater Medora, I had a Facebook friend request from Berlow. I accepted.

A day later I could barely believe my eyes! H.B. had posted a mugshot that looked like it belonged in my “Wanted” postcard collection. He commented: “This is career criminal Neil McCauley from his Alcatraz mugshot in 1954. He was the inspiration for Robert De Niro’s character in the movie ‘Heat.’ And I just figured out how to include him in Book Five of the #ArkCity Confidential Chronicles.”

I commented: “I would sure like to hear more about this!”

H.B.’s response: “Let’s get together and talk.”

We made arrangements to meet in Wichita at the Beautiful Day Café.

I searched online for Berlow’s bio and found it:

“H.B. Berlow (1962- ) studied filmmaking at the University of Miami in the 80’s; was involved in the Boston poetry scene in the 90’s; and is a former president of the KWA (Kansas Writer’s Association). In fiction, he has concentrated largely on hard-boiled and neo-noir, having been inspired by such writers as Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Jim Thompsom, and James Ellroy. He has delved into various elements of experimental fiction and verse. He discusses his passion for writing at http://tikiman1962.wordpress.com.”

Prior to meeting with H.B., I did a little more research. The cover of his Ark City Confidential novel shows automobiles from the 1930s. I wondered, what’s the crime drama about? I learned that Baron Witherspoon is a police detective, a hard-boiled street cop, ready to rumble. This flawed yet enduring hero, with identity issues from his youth and the war, lives to fight for justice in Arkansas City, Kansas.

H.B. and I met over brunch. He expected us to hit it off since we had both read our poetry at the library, we’re both authors, we collect postcards, and I’m a retired cop while he writes crime fiction. Boy, was he right!

Ark City Confidential is the first book of a series. It takes place during 1933-34. Book two, Secrets of the Righteous, covers the years 1935-38. The third book, being written, takes place in 1943 during the war. Book four, set in 1948, is outlined. Ideas for the last book, in 1954, are still developing.

Since historical novels require a lot of research, I figured H.B. might have lived in Ark City. Not quite. His wife, Shelia, has an uncle and aunt who live in the community. For years Shelia’s uncle has been telling stories about “Little Chicago” where gangsters would lay low from Chicago’s heat.

These tales lit a fuse in Berlow’s creative mind, and he continues to do research on the border town because each book in the series requires greater detail.

Making sure that historical information is accurate is a huge undertaking. For Berlow, it meant figuring out where the buildings and businesses were located. He also had to be cognizant of only using law enforcement terminology, tools, and techniques available during that era.

Even though book five is down the road, it’s important and fun to figure things out ahead of time. A character can be introduced in one book, like planting a seed, but not fully mature into a multidimensional character until a later publication.

I asked H.B. about Neil McCauley. It was his Alcatraz mugshot posted on Facebook that had attracted my interest. I learned about H.B. and Shelia touring Alcatraz. Afterwards, Shelia commented to her author-spouse: “You should figure out how to fit Alcatraz in your books.” Thanks to her idea, career criminal McCauley is itchin’ to get back into action in book five.

I’ve watched a few neo-noir movies, like the Maltese Falcon, but that doesn’t mean I understand the term. I asked H.B. He explained that neo means new, and noir means a crime element. During the mid-1940s to late 1950s noir movies, mostly in black and white, influenced by German expressionism, showed the darker side of humanity when it was brought to the surface.

Berlow commented that neo-noir movies don’t have happily-ever-after endings like in The Wizard of Oz.

I asked Berlow about how he got started on writing neo-noir. He explained that when he was studying screenwriting at the University of Miami he was immersed in lots of film.

Writing crime fiction allows authors to reveal a dark side of people that they’d rather hide. Berlow offers, “We all want to look good but if we’re sinister, it’s going to come out.”

If you see a guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt in Wichita, even in the dead of winter, it could be H.B. Berlow. When he wears any of his collection of colorful, decorated shirts, he’s transported back to a Florida beach during his college days.

To emphasize his statement, Berlow gives an example. “People will comment, ‘He’s only like that when he’s drunk.’ I don’t believe that. He’s that person.”

Now I’m looking forward to reading Berlow’s novels. I’ll start with Ark City Confidential. I’ve heard from readers that his “characters are real and raw and compelling.” I’ll meet Police Detective Baron Witherspoon and the gangsters he battles in Little Chicago.

I’m curious how dark this neo-noir will be. I don’t expect The Wizard of Oz but I’m not ready for Dante’s Inferno.

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

 

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Comments

  1. Nancy Julien Kopp says

    Very interesting post today, Jim. Definitely piqued my interest in the novels of H. B. Berlow, who is a fb friend and attended a KAC convention several years ago. I conducted a discussion on obtaining new members and I remember that he was one of the only people present who took time to tell me he liked the presentation. Made me remember him, didn’t it? 🙂

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Nancy, thanks for the comment. Yes, I’m looking forward to a good read. H.B. is scheduled for the Kansas Authors Club convention next year, October 2019, in Wichita. His seminar will cover historical research. Jim

      Reply
  2. Tom says

    That was a great story about H. B. Barlow. He sounds like an interesting guy.
    Tom

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Thanks for your encouragement, Tom. We had a lot of fun talking about how much fun it is to write!

      Reply

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Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

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Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

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Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

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