Grant Bywaters's "The Red Storm"

Grant Bywaters's The Red Storm won the Minotaur Books/Private Eye Writers of America Best First Private Eye Novel Competition. Here the author dreamcasts an adaptation of the novel:

I modeled the appearance of my detective William Fletcher off of 1960s heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Liston was a freak of nature. He had 15 inch fists, which were so big they didn’t fit into standard boxing gloves.

So the actor I could see handling the physical aspects of Fletcher would have been a younger Laurence Fishburne. I’m referring to Fishburne around the time he played Morpheus in the first Matrix movie.

For Bill Storm, the sadistic criminal acquaintance from Fletcher’s past, is an easy one, Jeff Bridges. Bridges is imposing and can play a nasty villain when he wants to.

Zell, the daughter Storm wants Fletcher to find, is an interesting one. I never really had any particular actress in mind when creating the husky voiced raven haired wildcat, but Emma Stone seems to fit her pretty well. She’s a great actress and she can sing, which is important, since Zella is a singer. Of course, Stone would have to underperform a bit because Zella is not a very good singer when Fletcher meets her.

Then there is of course Brawley, the detective that is not really Fletcher’s friend but they both sort of use each other. Michael Chiklis could handle it because he is real good at playing someone that can cross the line and do bad things, but deep down is not really a bad guy.

Learn more about The Red Storm at the publisher's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Red Storm.

--Marshal Zeringue

Terri Blackstock's "If I Run"

Terri Blackstock, author of If I Run, has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.

Here Blackstock dreamcasts an adaptation of If I Run:

My book If I Run features a twenty-five year old woman with almond-shaped blue eyes. Casey Cox is a fugitive fleeing a murder rap, and she's a complex character. She discovered the body of her close friend, and in her shock, left her DNA all over the crime scene. Instead of calling police, she decided to run. Casey has dealt with the justice system once before, and it failed her abysmally. Beyond that, she's certain that if she's found, she will be murdered before she ever makes it to prison. Because of how she looks and how complex her character is, I would love to see Jennifer Lawrence play her role. J-Law is great at complicated characters, and she has so many different looks, that I think she could easily pull off Casey's habit of changing identities and disguising her appearance.

And while it might seem cliché and overdone since they've done four movies together already, I'd love to pair her with Bradley Cooper. Bradley does a great brooding character, and my private investigator Dylan Roberts, the war-weary Army vet who's tasked with finding her, is brooding. He's suffering from PTSD, and it's keeping him from moving forward in his life. But the more he learns about Casey, the more he realizes she doesn't fit the profile of a killer. He can't decide if she's a psychopath or another struggling victim of PTSD. Cooper is the one I had in mind when I created Dylan. He has brown hair and pale eyes about a mile deep. I realize it's a long-shot that these two would ever play love interests again, but one can hope. And maybe I'll start a letter-writing campaign.

Visit Terri Blackstock's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

The Page 69 Test: If I Run.

Writers Read: Terri Blackstock.

--Marshal Zeringue

Joshilyn Jackson's "The Opposite of Everyone"

New York Times bestselling novelist Joshilyn Jackson's books include the novels: Someone Else’s Love Story, gods in Alabama, Between, Georgia, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, Backseat Saints, and A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty.

Here Jackson has some hints for the casting director of an adaptation of her latest novel, The Opposite of Everyone:

The Opposite of Everyone is the story of a hard-edged divorce lawyer originally named after Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction and renewal. Casting her provides an interesting challenge---she is at the very least tri-racial. Paula Vauss never knew her father (and her young, hippie mother was truth-impaired), but it’s likely he was half black and half Asian. Her mother was mostly Irish but may well have a good bit of Cherokee in her genetic make-up.

Right now---and rightfully, and more than a little late---Hollywood is getting pushback on racebending---casting white actors in plum roles as characters of color. Gods of Egypt, anyone? But Paula is of such “murky racial origin,” as she says, that I’m not sure how to cast her. What I really need is for Olivia Munn and Halle Berry to have a tall, fierce, litigious baby, but so far I can’t even get the two of them to have coffee.

As for Zach Birdwine, Paula’s hard-drinking private investigator and sometime lover, that’s easy. In fact, an independent bookseller (Luan, from Laurel Book Store out in California) sent me a note after she read the book, saying that Jeffrey Dean Morgan had to play Birdwine, cut, print, the end. She nailed it.

Learn more about the book and author at Joshilyn Jackson's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Opposite of Everyone.

--Marshal Zeringue

Charlie Jane Anders's "All the Birds in the Sky"

Charlie Jane Anders is the editor in chief of io9.com and the organizer of the Writers With Drinks reading series. Her stories have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Tor.com, Lightspeed, Tin House, ZYZZYVA, and several anthologies. Her novelette “Six Months, Three Days” won a Hugo award.

Here Anders dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, All the Birds in the Sky:

I actually suck at figuring out who ought to play characters I thought up in my head. Part of that is because the more time I spend imagining them, the less they look like any particular actor or other real-life person. That said, I would kill to have Jennifer Lawrence play the grown-up Patricia, the witch in my novel. I think Lawrence could bring the mixture of vulnerability and whimsy -- with an edge of anger and resentment -- that keeps Patricia going.

For Laurence, the mad scientist, it would be hard to find an actor with a such a big long chin. But maybe Dylan O'Brien? I mostly want whoever plays Laurence to be able to do "overthinking and nerdy," without too much adorkableness. This is for the grown-up versions of the characters, natch. Mostly I sort of fantasize about going back in time to 1997-ish and kidnapping the young cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and forcing them all to play all the characters in my book. Anthony Stewart Head could play a dozen different roles.

Visit Charlie Jane Anders's website.

--Marshal Zeringue

Gin Price's "On Edge"

Gin Price lives in Michigan with her partner David, two children, many reptiles and an ornery cat.

Here Price shares some ideas about a big screen adaptation of her new novel, On Edge:

Coming Soon to Theaters Near You…

In a world where graffiti and parkour collide on the violent streets of Three Rivers Michigan, one girl is determined to bring rival gangs together, or die trying!

Emanuella “LL” Harvey is being hunted by a serial-killing graffiti artist. Though her newest love interest swears it isn’t him, all the evidence points directly to him, and LL’s brother is ready to call down hell in the form of a massive gang war to try to bring the stalker down.

Hoping to keep the peace, LL must discover the true culprit…even if the truth will kill her heart and soul.

From the director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Trek: Into Darkness…

JJ Abrams presents: On Edge.

Starring Sarah Jeffrey as Emanuella and Asher Monroe as Brennen “Haze” Craig. Featuring Dayo Okeniyi as Surge.

That’s how it mostly plays in my mind…my book as a movie. But in all honesty, I’d like to see a bunch of up-and-comers in lieu of those already out there struggling to play a young person as someone on the older side of the young adult spectrum.

I’d like to see all of the parkour scenes carefully choreographed by pros in the expression. Perhaps someone of the Bell and Waters persuasion. Don’t know whom I refer to? Oh my friends…YouTube your eyes cashed. You won’t regret it.

Visit Gin Price's website and blog.

The Page 69 Test: On Edge.

--Marshal Zeringue

Phillip Margolin's "Violent Crimes"

Former trial attorney Phillip Margolin has been writing full-time since 1996. Most of his many novels have been New York Times bestsellers.

Here Margolin dreamcasts an adaptation of his new novel, Violent Crimes:

If they made Violent Crimes into a movie who could I see in the lead roles? I never think about this question while I am writing and I had to consult with my movie buff brother, Jerry, for ideas. I think Chyler Leigh, who places Supergirl's sister on TV, would be a good Amanda Jaffe. I also thought about Kate Mara and Brie Larson.

Mark Wahlberg, Ben Affleck and other actors who have played special ops types would be good as Tom Beatty, the retired Navy Seal with PTSD who is on the loose and looking for revenge against the people who have framed him for murder.

George Clooney would be good as Frank Jaffe, Amanda's dad.

Visit Phillip Margolin's website and Facebook page.

The Page 69 Test: Violent Crimes.

--Marshal Zeringue

Sally Hepworth's "The Things We Keep"

Sally Hepworth has lived and traveled around the world, spending extended periods in Singapore, the U.K., and Canada. While on maternity leave from her job in Human Resources, Hepworth finally fulfilled a lifelong dream to write, the result of which was Love Like the French, published in Germany in 2014. While pregnant with her second child, she wrote The Secrets of Midwives, published worldwide in English, as well as in France, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2015. A novel about three generations of midwives, The Secrets of Midwives asks readers what makes a mother and what role biology plays in the making and binding of a family.

The Secrets of Midwives has been labelled “enchanting” by The Herald Sun, “smart and engaging” by Publishers Weekly, and New York Times bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin have praised Hepworth’s debut English language novel as “women’s fiction at its finest” and “totally absorbing.”

Here Hepworth shares some ideas about the cast of an adaptation of her latest novel, The Things We Keep:

Ah, the movie. I think about this all the time. Here is my cast for The Things We Keep:

Anna, a 38-year-old feisty paramedic, now with early onset Alzheimer’s – I would love to see Emily Blunt in this role – she just has the strength and character to pull it off. I also can see Julia Roberts or Jessica Chastain in this role.

Luke, 41, also with early-onset dementia, is shy but has a gentle strength about him — I think John Krasinski or Ryan Reynolds would do a great job of this role.

Eve, 35, British, is a former wealthy wife, now a cook at a nursing home. Kate Winslet could play Eve in her sleep. Also, Jennifer Garner would be amazing in this role.

As for blonde, quirky, 7-year-old Clementine – I pictured Mackenzie Foy the whole time I was writing her.

Visit Sally Hepworth's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

The Page 69 Test: The Secrets of Midwives.

My Book, The Movie: The Secrets of Midwives.

The Page 69 Test: The Things We Keep.

--Marshal Zeringue

Suzanne Redfearn's "No Ordinary Life"

Born and raised on the east coast, Suzanne Redfearn moved to California when she was fifteen. She currently lives in Laguna Beach with her husband, their two kids, a Cockapoo named Cooper, and a cat named Motley. They own a restaurant in town called Lumberyard. Prior to becoming an author, Redfearn was an architect specializing in residential and commercial design. When not writing, she enjoys doing anything and everything with her family—skiing, golf, tennis, surfing, playing board games, and watching reality TV. Redfearn is an avid baseball fan. Her team is the Angels. She can also be found in the bleachers watching her kids’ sports or prowling the streets with her husband checking out the culinary scene of Orange County.

Here Redfearn dreamcasts an adaptation of her new novel, No Ordinary Life:

There is a lot of hypocrisy in me contemplating this question. My novel is about the dangers of child stardom, and if my book was made into a film, it would require casting half a dozen young actors to play the parts of the characters in the book. The age of the kids would be paramount, so who is cast would depend on when the movie was made and what child stars were available. As far as the adults go, I always start with a photo pulled off the web of who I think the characters are. For Faye, I started with a photo of Reese Witherspoon when she was in her twenties. Faye needs to be young, naive, pretty though not stunning, and with a sense of humor, maybe Julianne Hough. Faye’s husband, Sean, is a rebel and a jerk, but good looking and charming. He started out as Tyson from Survivor. I’m thinking maybe Chris Hemsworth if you tat him up a bit and make him scruffy. Griff, Faye’s love interest, one of my favorite characters, is big and loveable. He was originally Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, and if Tom would like to take a break from football, I’m fine with him playing the part (I’m sure Julianne Hough would be fine with it as well).

Visit Suzanne Redfearn's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

Coffee with a Canine: Suzanne Redfearn and Cooper.

The Page 69 Test: No Ordinary Life.

Writers Read: Suzanne Redfearn.

--Marshal Zeringue

William C. Dietz's "Graveyard"

New York Times bestselling author William C. Dietz has published more than fifty novels some of which have been translated into German, French, Russian, Korean and Japanese. Dietz also wrote the script for the Legion of the Damned game (i-Phone, i-Touch, & i-Pad) based on his book of the same name--and co-wrote SONY's Resistance: Burning Skies game for the PS Vita.

He grew up in the Seattle area, spent time with the Navy and Marine Corps as a medic, graduated from the University of Washington, lived in Africa for half a year, and has traveled to six continents. He has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, news writer, television producer and Director of Public Relations and Marketing for an international telephone company.

Dietz is a member of the Writer’s Guild and the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers. He and his wife live near Gig Harbor in Washington State where they enjoy traveling, kayaking, and reading books.

Here Dietz dreamcasts an adaptation of his latest novel, Graveyard:

Graveyard is the third book in the Mutant Files trilogy. The first book was Deadeye, and here’s the first paragraph of the dreamcast that I wrote about it: “I would love to see actress Jurnee Smollett play Detective Cassandra Lee in the movie Deadeye. She’s beautiful, about the right age (29), and can act. This role will call for some outer toughness however, with just a hint of vulnerability, and a lean/mean physicality.”

Well, guess what? Nothing has changed. I still think that Jurnee would make a fabulous Cassandra Lee. That said, if Jurnee was busy, and I had to choose another actress for the role, I couldn’t go wrong with Kerry Washington (Django Unchained among others.) Like Jurnee she has the necessary physicality, not to mention an awesome screen presence.

As for a director I’m going all out… I’m a huge Michael Mann fan (Miami Vice and Last of The Mohicans among others.) And I would love to see him bring his sensibility to Deadeye, Redzone, or Graveyard. I’m going to sit by the phone. Maybe Michael will call.

Visit William C. Dietz's website, Facebook page, and Twitter perch.

The Page 69 Test: Andromeda's Fall.

My Book, The Movie: Andromeda's Fall.

The Page 69 Test: Andromeda's Choice.

The Page 69 Test: Deadeye.

My Book, The Movie: Deadeye.

The Page 69 Test: Graveyard.

--Marshal Zeringue

Jonathan Moore's "The Poison Artist"

Jonathan Moore is an attorney with the Honolulu firm of Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda. Before completing law school in New Orleans, he was an English teacher, the owner of Taiwan’s first Mexican restaurant, and an investigator for a criminal defense attorney in Washington D.C. His novels include Close Reach and Redheads, which was short-listed for the Bram Stoker Award.

Here he shares some thoughts about dreamcasting his latest novel, The Poison Artist:

With one exception, I didn’t give any consideration to who would portray the characters if The Poison Artist is ever filmed. The exception was a character named Emmeline. I envisioned her as the apotheosis of the femme fatale, and I needed a Kim Novak or an Eva Marie Saint for the modern age. Of course, that meant Scarlett Johansson would be perfect for the role. She’s a great actress, and she’d build a character who was both sinister and innocent in the same breath—and alluring because of that mix. I’d line up at midnight to see the film on opening night.

Visit Jonathan Moore's website.

--Marshal Zeringue