It took a little coaxing for Kevin R. Tipple to agree to be the subject of my next Sunday Spotlight. I do have three or four authors lined up for the next few months. But, Kevin is a regular here, sending me reviews for Kevin’s Corner Annex. You can find him daily at his own award-winning blog, https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/. There are other names you might recognize who post regularly there, including Aubrey Hamilton.
But, today’s spotlight is on Kevin. I’m glad he agreed to be interviewed. Thank you, Kevin.
Kevin, would you tell us about your work as a writer and blogger. (Details about the blog, Kevin – who blogs there regularly, how did you start it, etc.?)
This is a long answer— Decades ago, The Dallas Morning News, the hometown paper, had something around 500 reviewers on staff. The ones that did the mystery books, routinely ran reviews that told too much and often had major details wrong. Such as saying that a knife was used in the killing of so and so, when I knew, having read the book, that it was a gun. They would mess up the title and the author’s name. Week in and week out, the reviews were messed
up and garbage. My Mom suggested I write them and send a mini review or three, of books they had miss reviewed and see if I could not get my foot in the door.
I did that and the Editor in Charge of the Book section, at that time, said the reviews were great,
but I had no experience, so the door was firmly closed. At about the same time, I was talking to
Elizabeth Burton who, at that time, was running the Blue Iris Journal. She ran reviews and
decided to give me a shot. She started running my reviews and guided me along to writing better
and better reviews.
In October 2004 I started the blog, Kevin’s Corner, at https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/
That first post at https://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/2004/10/inaugural-edition_23 did not
gain much notice, but those that did come by, got exposed to my sense of humor from the get go.
It was not until the next year that I got things going on a more routine basis. I was working
nights, taking care of a newborn during the day, writing my own fiction, and occasionally
actually making a sale, and had my hands full, so the review pace was slow. But, there was
interest and Sandi was sure if I just stayed with it somebody prestigious would put me on staff.
That never happened. I still don’t have a paying gig.
Not for want of trying, but folks have said consistently said no. Those running things at those
few places that still exist have bemoaned a lack of resources to bring me on staff or have stated
they are syndication only now.
Kevin’s Corner in the years since has won several awards and has made some sort of impact in
the crime and mystery community. There have been over 21 thousand posts, more than 3.2
million page views, and the blog averages about 10 thousand page views a month. Much of that
is due to folks who guest post, on a consistent basis, or one-off deals.
These days, Aubrey Nye Hamilton and my adult son, Scott Tipple, are the main guest
contributors. Aubrey brings reviews of books that I normally would not read. Though, every now
and then, her review covers one I have read or encourages me to go look for the book and read it
myself. I have long said, one could make quite the reading list just from her suggestions.
Scott brings reviews of fantasy and science fiction, whether they be graphic novels or other
reads. His pieces are very popular and reach an audience that not normally would engage with
my blog.
I continue to link to many things each week, including everything you do, Lesa, and share what I
think is interesting. Occasionally, it is a version of the News of the Weird, which Bill Crider
famously did on his blog for many years and did it far better.
At this point, I have pretty much given up on the idea of a paid review gig. Reviews are not
valued these days where a three-sentence comment on Amazon is classified by some, including
authors that should know better, as a “review.” It isn’t. The Dallas Morning News, like a lot of
papers, is barely hanging on by a thread. These days they have cut back to about five reviewers
and mainly run generic syndicated reviews that have no soul and could be applied to any book.
Sandi wanted the blog to continue and it has, though these days, keeping things going is a lot
harder. Part of it is due to the grief that I will always carry with her passing. Part of it is simply
me as I read slower these days and have various health and financial issues that cause stress and
strain.
A number of folks have expressed to me in recent weeks that I should start some sort of YouTube
or Podcast channel and talk books and things. How I would pull that off, I have no idea. I also
can’t imagine that anyone would want to watch or listen to me ramble about books, my life, and
the state of sports here.
Tell us about Noir at the Bar, please, including some of the authors who participate in it.
Noir at the Bar: Dallas started a few years ago thanks to Johnny Wesner. His goal was to get
Texas Authors exposed to the local reading audience here in Dallas. Events were held at The
Wild Detectives. The place is a very cool bookstore and bar in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas.
I, Jim Nesbitt, Kathleen Kent, Graham Powell, Harry Hunsicker, and a number of others over the
years read at the well-attended events.
Johnny has stepped back in recent weeks and plans for future events are quite a bit fluid. From
what little I know; it appears that they will continue. Timing, the new host, venue, etc., are up in
the air. I don’t expect to be one of the authors included if, and when, it continues.
At the time of this writing, I don’t know much, and I don’t want to say specifics about the little I
do know, and cause issues, so I will not say more. I can say to check out my blog and what I
share on social media, as once I know the plan, I will share. My hope is that it continues as we
need more of these type events here in Dallas.
You attended Bouchercon in Dallas a few years ago. What was the highlight for you?
Beyond meeting you? That was so very cool!
Well, beyond that, what really blew me away was the fact that Reed Farrel Coleman and
Lawrence Block actually knew who I was, by name, and walked up to me to tell me that as they
introduced themselves. A lot of folks, somehow, knew who I was. But, the idea that huge big-
name authors like Mr. Block and Mr. Coleman would stop what they were doing, walk across the
room to shake my hand, and tell me they knew who I was and read my reviews, just boggled my
mind. Still does for that matter.
In all likelihood, Bouchercon Dallas will be my only Bouchercon. It was an exhausting blast. I
will always have that incredible memory of what Mr. Block and Mr. Coleman did.
One author, not a book. Who is your favorite author, and why?
Oh, this is a cruel question. I simply don’t have a one-person favorite. I have a lot of favorites as
each one tends to hit me in a different way when I read them. So, I can’t narrow it down to one
author to rule them all.
Thank you for having me, Lesa.
By the way, the picture Lesa is using today is from a few years ago. It is outside the nearby Lochwood Library. It sits on the site that, when I was growing up, held our neighborhood YMCA.
It is also the setting for part of my short story, Whatever Happened To….?, which appears in an upcoming anthology from members of the Sisters in Crime North Dallas Chapter.
Anyway, thanks again for having me. Truth be told, it took a lot of coaxing.,Good stuff will be back tomorrow. 😎
Lesa thanks for coaxing Kevin to be in the Spotlight.
And thank you Kevin for the blog. I enjoy the variety you post, I’m always finding something to add to my list.
Thank you, MM. Much appreciated.
Oh, I like it that the picture was taken outside a library.
But, Kevin! Don’t go promising the good stuff will be back tomorrow. I don”t yet know what I’m posting tomorrow.
Thank you for participating!
Thank you, MM!
I guarantee that anything you post tomorrow is a resumption of the good stuff, Lesa.
Lesa, great job profiling Kevin. I have read his blog for years – it is one of those 6 degrees of separation. Years ago I subscribed to DorothyL. Kevin was a regular contributor posting many different blogs from other people. From him I found Lesa’s Book Critique and Kings River. His interests are varied and he does a tremendous job.
Love the reviews that you use from him and do hope he continues to contribute.
Keep up the great work – both of u=you.
Thank you, Jeannette. I knew you ended up here thanks to Kevin’s blog. And, I’m happy he sent you this way.
I like thinking of it as six degrees of separation.
Thank you, Jeannette. I got driven off of DorothyL by the haters and personal attacks last fall, but it was good there while it lasted.
As long as Lesa refuses to take her medication and therefore lets me contribute, I will.
Kevin, I have not gotten DorothyL for over a year. When I started with it, it was fabulous but the quality was going down. Stick with Lesa and you will be fine.
Oh, I know. Once Diane and Michael stepped back and some of the self appointed moderators took over, that was the beginning of the end. I have heard from so many who were horrified what folks were doing and that I finally left over it.
I know I am not everyone’s cup of tea. But, apparently, some folks really have a hate on for me.
Nice profile. I met Kevin briefly at Bill Crider’s memorial at the Dallas Bouchercon (our last to date). It was good putting a face to the name and words.
Thank you, Jeff. I have an author’s profile ready for April 7, and two more to post. I’m sticking to 4 questions for now.
Thank you, Jeff. I did not stay long at that as everybody knew Bill Crider way better than I did and I felt like a gate crasher.
Enjoyed learning more about you, Kevin. I always enjoy your reviews. You have added significantly to my TBR list. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Jennifer. I love to see someone building that TBR pile!
Thank you, Jennifer. Glad to help. We all need bigger TBR piles as it is election season and, at least here in Texas, THE SUN GOD is coming yet again to try to kill us all. Our only hope is to hide inside with the TV off and the AC running. 😉
Love the interview. Nice to know you a bit more.
Thanks, Dru Ann!
Thank you, Dru. Everything you now know has been fully sanitized for your protection. lol
Loved finding out so much more about you, Kevin. Great post and thanks for hosting these Sunday Spotlights, Lesa!
My pleasure, Wendall! Thank you! I already have one posted and ready to go on April 7. (smile)
Thank you, Wendall.
tt’s nice to officially meet you, Kevin!
Thank you, Margie.
Kevin’s blog is a wonderful reader resource and also just a lot of fun. He’s a huge part of the mystery community. Thank you for the reader spotlight, Lesa!
Thank you, Claire!
Well, I do weigh a bit over 300 pounds so there is that…. lol. Thank you, Claire. Tell Hank I said hello. l)
Great questions and answers. It was good to learn more about Kevin, especially in the years before I was blogging.
Thanks, Tracy!
Thank you, Tracy.