I understand how it is possible that Vern E. Smith has had 25
years go by without attempting to followup his impressive
debut novel THE JONES MEN. According to the introduction to
the Old School Books reprint, Smith had a young family to
support and a demanding career with Newsweek. One reason I
can understand this is that it is very similar to my
experience (although I hope not to match the 25 year hiatus).
Some writers are dedicated and driven enough to overcome all
obstacles and others are not. In the introduction it was said
that not withstanding the good reviews, the Edgar nomination
and the movie option by Warner on the novel, Smith was not
very happy about the whole experience. No details
given.
Curiously enough I bought THE JONES MEN because I recognized
Smith's picture but could not place him. After his Detroit
years (where he gained the background for the novel), Smith
was moved to Newsweek's Atlanta bureau. I spent much of the
70s as a reporter there and his face was familiar because we
were often in the cluster of reporters at various political
events and other major stories. I remember him as having an
air of dignity about him and if we ever exchanged more than a
few words, I don't recall it. Reporters for the national news
weeklies often did seem to be off to one side from the
scrambling crowd facing daily deadlines. I am certain if his
novel had received any publicity or even just a review in the
local paper I would have read the book then and sought him
out.
I do hope that he followed through on the plans for the
second novel and we will soon have an opportunity to read
it.
Richard Moore
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