“But when I do book signings and personal appearances, the audiences are mostly white. Growing up here, I expected that and understand it. Black audiences won't come out for a white writer for the most part. It really is just a fact of life.” BookFactsBlackWhiteAudienceGrowing UpGrowingAppearanceExpectedFacts Of LifeSigningPersonal Appearance Author:George Pelecanos
“I do have shout-outs to bands and musicians I like in my books, but the musical references can be misunderstood. Often, I have people listening to music that I would never listen to personally, because it fits and defines their character.” PeopleBookCharacterListeningFitBandMusicianMusicalMisunderstoodListening To Music Author:George Pelecanos
“I don't believe that murders can be "solved." I think that this is the big lie of the mystery novel, that you should close the book and feel that the world is back in order and everything's all right. I want the reader to know that the world is not all right, and maybe we ought to do something about it.” ThinkingKnowsWorldWantFeelsShouldBelieveBookBigsLyingOrderNovelMysteryOughtReaderMurderDon't BelieveMystery Novels Author:George Pelecanos
“I'm a better writer now because I've worked very hard at getting better. My long-range goal will always be to write better books.” WritingLongBookHardGoalRangeGet Better Author:George Pelecanos
“The reason some crime writers have a chip on their shoulder about the label is because their good books are shelved beside books about nuns and birdwatchers and cats who solve crimes. Overseas, my books are reviewed alongside those of authors like Robert Stone and Don DeLillo, and I have to live and die by that comparison. They don't ghettoize crime writers in other countries, and of course they shouldn't.” BookCountryReasonDiesCoursesCrimeStonesCatSolveShouldersLabelsComparisonOther CountriesChipsGood BookNun Author:George Pelecanos
“I can write any kind of novel I want, any time, and sell it, but there's not that many people watching it. Even a low-rated TV show is a couple million more people than read my books. You want to be read, in essence. If you're a television writer, you're a writer and you want people to read your stuff. You're still reaching a bigger audience, that way. That's a philosophical way to look at it.” PeopleWritingKindBookNovelAudienceCouplePhilosophical Author:George Pelecanos
