Johnson: “It’s kind of like having a house-plant for seven years and suddenly it starts talking, were but wonderful. The deal I got from Warner Brothers was a package deal in which I got to meet the producers, directors and writers, which gave me an opportunity to gauge their interest in the material. They were really great folks who were really knowledgeable of the books and characters and had track records of how they’d gotten things done. That’s generally the problem with being optioned by Hollywood, you never know if the people you’re dealing with will ever get anything made. I’m a Cowboy author from a town of 25 in northern Wyoming, so for me it will always be about visibility for the books. Our producers were responsible for shows like The Closer and Nip/Tuck so I felt relatively confident—as confident as you can feel in Hollywood.
A question and answer session with New York Times Best-Selling author, Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson is currently on a book signing tour.
If you live in Cheyenne, Wyoming where this e-zine is based you will be able to meet Craig in person tonight at 6 p.m.
At the local Barnes and Noble Booksellers. The store is located on Dell Range Blvd. 307-632-3000
Craig lives in Ucross, Wyoming and is known for his mystery novels that feature the character, Sheriff Walt Longmire.
The TV show, “Longmire,” used to air on A & E, until they stupidly cancelled it. Now Netflix calls the show its home.
Viewers are happy and the Long LIve Longmire Twitter campaign worked!
With that said Craig talked about what it’s like seeing his characters larger than life on TV, what he likes best about book signings and you can learn what he has in the works right now!
Q AND A with Craig Johnson
Q: What’s it like seeing your characters come alive on Netflix? And isn’t it great they picked the show and idea up? Yay!
“I think the casting was crucial and when they made me a Creative Consultant, I figured they were serious. Warner started sending me dvd’s of the actors they were considering, so I wasn’t shocked by them—pretty much every actor I was rooting for got the roles.”
Q: What do you like the most about book signings and meeting your fans?
Johnson: “You pretty much said it yourself, meeting the folks that read my books and having the opportunity to talk with them in person. Email and social media are great, but I’m a face to face kind of guy. I’ve established tons of friendships over the years with people I only get to see once a year, if I’m lucky. These people are important to me in that they know the innermost workings of my mind by reading my books—and they still want to meet me? That’s pretty great.”
Q: What’s next? What are you working on next?
Johnson: “The next Walt Longmire novel is called, An Obvious Fact, and should be out in May. It takes place up in Hulett, Wyoming, (population 396, police force 1), the sister city to Sturgis and once a year it has about a half-million bikers in it… That seemed like something Walt, Henry and Vic should be involved in. Then I’ve got another novella akin to Spirit of Steamboat, The Highwayman that concerns a Highway Patrol-Person who is transferred to the Wind River Canyon and begins getting Officer-In-Need-Of-Assitance calls from another Highway Patrolman every night—the problem? He’s been dead for thirty years.
Life is as Sweet as Cotton Candy 