Say Hello to Our New Blogger: Tom Schreck

Tom and Wilber

Our forensic specialist has left us, but Tom Schreck—author, boxing official, psychologist, professor, and Basset Hound rescuer—will be taking his spot. I've known Tom since my first Bouchercon in 2008 and he's one of the nicest people in the business. We were both with the small press that shall not be named, and now we're both Thomas & Mercer authors, and it's been fun to be on a parallel journey with him through this publishing world.

Tom writes the fast-paced Duffy Dombroski mysteries, which Publisher Weekly calls “fresh, intense, and funny” and he has a new standalone thriller, Getting Dunn. There are more interesting details about him in his bio at the bottom so don’t skip it. But here’s a snapshot of Tom in his own words.

L.J.: You’re a man of diverse talents, but seriously, how did you move from boxing to writing mysteries? 

Tom: Actually, I didn’t move at all. I’m still an active boxing judge. This past month was maybe busiest ever doing title fights. I did four world title fights and was on HBO twice and Showtime once in just a few short weeks. I just wish I could do my book covers or website in face paint so when the camera hit me I’d get some free promo time.

My main character is a social worker during the day and a pro fighter at night. Most pro boxers make very little money and have to have day gigs. Duffy isn’t world class, he’s what’s known in the trade as a “professional opponent.” That means he can fight but he’s sent in to lose to the best up-and -coming fighters.

I thought having a fighter who was there for the vulnerable ghetto people on his caseload would be an interesting protagonist. He’s sort of an amateur sleuth with an edge, a chip on his shoulder and a pretty good hook.

As for my own boxing—I still get in the ring but I’m very selective with who I let punch me in the face these days.

L.J.: Where do you fall in this new, messy publishing world? Indie, legacy, or a little of both?

Tom: Right now I’m in the “all of the above” category. I have two books with Thomas & Mercer, I have an indie short story collection, and I just got my rights back for my three previous Duffy books. They are going to be published cooperatively through the literary agency that reps me, The Irene Goodman Agency.

I, like most writers, have no idea what’s going to happen next but I’m thrilled at all the different places I’ve landed.

L.J. What can readers expect from you next?

Tom: I’m working on the fifth in the series that brings together the characters from my series with the characters from my standalone. It’s a fun but challenging project that keeps me getting up earlier and earlier to write. I still got the day gig as the communications director for a non-profit, and I teach college at night. Sometimes I get frustrated at how little time I have to write and other times I’m glad because my time management makes me get down to writing and not waste any time.

Bio: Tom Schreck is the author of five novels, including On the Ropes, TKO, Out Cold, The Vegas Knockout and Getting Dunn. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and has a master's degree in psychology—and a black belt. He previously worked as the director of an inner-city drug clinic and today juggles several jobs: communications director for a program for people with disabilities, adjunct psychology professor, freelance writer, and world championship boxing official. He lives in Albany, New York, with his wife.

Publisher's Weekly calls the Duffy Series, "Fresh, intense and funny" and says, "Duffy delivers a knockout punch." Kirkus says they are "Refreshingly iconoclastic," and from Crimespree: "One of the five best books I read this year."

Read more about Tom on his blog or join him on Facebook and Twitter.