Volume One Magazine Archives

V1 Dashboard: Sign Up | Sign In

Current Issue

cover

Read Issue #147

Opinions

Entertainment

Culture

Special Sections

Magazine Archives

 

All Issues » Issue #129 » Words

Local author Jon Loomis (shown here sitting next to an ominous-looking wood pile) recently released <i>Mating Season</i>, his second crime novel.

Local author Jon Loomis (shown here sitting next to an ominous-looking wood pile) recently released Mating Season, his second crime novel.

June 25, 2009 Issue

Crime Season

Jon Loomis releases next installment of crime fiction

words by Ken Szymanski
photography by Andrea Paulseth

11:32 a.m. on a recent Wednesday … suspected local mystery author Jon Loomis enters CourtN’ House Bar & Grill. It’s the kind of place the main character in his two mystery novels, Detective Frank Coffin, would hang out with fellow members of the force. Loomis is here for an interrogation interview. My name’s Szymanski. I carry a pen.

    Few would expect that a book written by a professor could be something one could take to the beach. With his debut, High Season, and the current follow-up, Mating Season, UWEC English professor Jon Loomis shatters the stuffy ivory tower stereotypes and delivers a fast-paced, witty, seedy, quirky who-done-it that’s leaving fingerprints all over the crime novel world.

    Jon Loomis, who has two volumes of published poetry, who can speak knowledgably about literary criticism and Shakespeare, who has been published in academic journals, is writing mystery novels one critic complimented as “delightfully campy.” One would think a professor would prefer “delightfully profound.” Loomis, however, revels in what he jokingly called the “lower rent” world of crime fiction.

    “Ultimately, we write the book we want to read,” says Loomis, a fan of mysteries since childhood. Poetry’s limited market also played into Loomis’ decision. “Even students of poetry don’t read much poetry. I wanted to experiment with the prospects of a broader audience. And it seems to be working out.”

    Yes it does. His debut earned high-profile praise across the country. Mating Season, the sequel released in April, will be featured on NPR’s Morning Edition sometime in July. Loomis flew to Provincetown, Massachusetts to do a walking tour with host Linda Wertheimer, with Loomis discussing different settings in the book. Exposure to NPR’s national audience will undoubtedly lead to another sales boost. High Season, meanwhile, is enjoying a second run in paperback.

Page 1   Page 2  

 

I Like This

Share/Save/Bookmark

Fiction,

Comments (0)

Post a Comment

 

Create an account or login to skip entering your name and email.

Allowed HTML tags: b,i,a[href],strong

Notify me of new comments via e-mail

 

Prove you are human. Type the numbers. Click the image for a new one if you cannot read it. Create an account or login and you will not have to do this.

 
You / Reader Comments

You can download all the past episodes of Underdog radio FREE @ http://www....

Brian Bethke
03/11/10

from article: Bethke Runs Deep

Brian's songs are wrote with heartfelt rhythms that follow through his guit...

Brooke Pederson
03/10/10

from article: Bethke Runs Deep

smart-bomb-iathalon?

MikePaulus
03/03/10

from article: City Ponders Terrain Park

While biathlon is a sport based on military activity, it was typically exer...

pookums
03/03/10

from article: City Ponders Terrain Park

Hey, watching the Olympics biathalon made me think-what a great american sp...

Knute
03/03/10

from article: City Ponders Terrain Park

You know what's even better!? Go to google and type in "Why won't". (j/k,...

Bryant
03/02/10

from article: Delayed Culture Shock

I've lived in Wisconsin since I was six (I'm 29 currently), but I really do...

Trae Dorn
03/02/10

from article: Delayed Culture Shock

Saw Grey Gardens over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. Grey Gardens ...

Steve Hanson
03/01/10

from article: Grey Gardens

 
V1 Insiders

Insider Giveaway:
Listen up @LongPlay Replay

Win a $50 Gift Certificate from LongPlay Replay

Insider Giveaway:
Unwire yourself @Wireless Outlet

Win a $50 Gift Certificate from Wireless Outlet

Insider Giveaway:
Treasure hunting at Eclectica

Win a $50 Gift Certificate from Eclectica on Grand