An Intimate Look at Richard S. Prather’s Writing Career and Life.
Richard Prather's long and successful writing career began in 1950 with the publication of his first Shell Scott mystery novel, “The Case of the Vanishing Beauty,” published by Fawcett's Gold Medal Paperback Originals. His successful and best-selling Shell Scott series of thirty-six novels plus four short story collections, published between 1950 and 1987, have sold over 40 million copies in the United States and have enjoyed foreign language publication, selling millions more world-wide and are considered classics. Richard S. Prather’s last Shell Scott novel “Shellshock,” was published in hardcover in 1987.
In addition to the Shell Scott mysteries, Richard penned three novels under pseudonyms. He wrote the first Dragnet novel based on the television show, “Dragnet,” titled, "Dragnet: Case No. 561," published under the name, David Knight; used that same pseudonym for the initial publication of “Pattern for Murder,” later republished by Gold Medal Books as “The Scrambled Yeggs” by Richard S. Prather; and used the pen name Douglas Ring for “The Peddler,” which was later republished under his own name by Gold Medal. He also published a number of short stories; and lent his name to the Shell Scott Mystery Magazine. “The Peddler” has recently been reissued by Hard Case Crime.
He received the Private Eye Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 1986, and was twice on the Board of Directors of the Mystery Writers of America. His Shell Scott mysteries are now back in print available as POD paperbacks, ebooks, Kindle editions, and a number of his novels are published by Books in Motion as unabridged audio books.
Although Richard Prather had not published a new novel for several years, his mystery writing and classic Shell Scott character remain an inspiration to fans, both old and new, and to aspiring and established writers.
This exclusive in-depth interview by Linda Pendleton, author and widow of author Don Pendleton, and friend of Richard Prather, was completed two months before Richard’s death at 85 years of age. Within this unique interview he talks of his long writing career, his personal life, his philosophy, and gives useful information on writing for aspiring authors.
Prather had this to say about his Shell Scott character: “I created Shell Scott as essentially a light-hearted, optimistic, happy-go-lucky fellow, and from the beginning I wanted my books—even though they’re mystery novels about murder and crimes and troubles and crooks—to reflect that upbeat attitude, to focus more on the “mystery” than the “murder,” more on the approaching light than the gathering darkness. There’s always enough misery in the world, and I didn’t want to add more to it.”
About the Author
Linda Pendleton is author of nonfiction and fiction books, comics, and ecourses. She is a member of the Authors Guild Inc. and Authors Foundation.
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