re-direct: I have a new JDM Webpage, vastly improved over this one, and it is at :
jdmhomepage.org
as of October, 2006
THE JOHN D. MACDONALD HOMEPAGE
Here you will find some information on John D. MacDonald, a list of titles, the 1996 Conference Review, and the JDM Bibliophile.
Green Flash Salvage, a non-profit organization, has been formed and hosted a conference titled "MYSTERY: THE FLORIDA CONNECTION", with an emphasis on JDM
It was held April 12-14, 2002 at the Sarasota Hyatt Hotel, and JDM was alluded to frequently by the authors in attendance,
JOHN DANN MACDONALD 1916-1986
Born in Sharon, Pa., MacDonald as a young boy wished he had been born a writer,
believing that they were a separate "race," marked from birth.
But by the time he died he had published 78 books, with more than
75 million copies in print. He graduated from Syracuse University
with a degree in business; worked at several menial jobs before earning
his MBA from Harvard; married and produced a son; and served in the OSS
in India during WW2. He wrote nearly 500 short stories, and published his
first novel ,The Brass Cupcake, in 1950. He continues to earn praise from
millions of readers and lasting respect from fellow authors.
He was given the Grandmaster Award in 1972 by the Mystery Writers of America;
The American Book Award (1980); the Ben Franklin Award (1955); and was Guest
of Honor at Bouchercon in 1983. Numerous other awards and Honorary Doctorates
were given to him as well.
The JDM Bibliophile was the oldest continuously- published magazine in the United States devoted to a single crime fiction author. It was first published in the mid-Sixties by Len and June Moffat. It has ceased publication. <p> <p>If you have not read JDM's works try the edition of the Travis McGee series published by Ballantine (Fawcett Crest Books). <u> The Deep Blue Goodby,</u>with a foreword by Carl Hiaasen, and comments by some of the best known writers of today, is a good place to start.<p> <p> Older works , especially those printed in the Fifties ,are very well-written, and are available although they may be difficult to obtain. Try libraries as an alternative, or even yard sales and flea markets. My mother-in-law picked up a first-edition of Condominium recently for 50 cents; a signed first of Condominium would cost around 75.00 I do have some duplicates of titles in my collection which are for sale.
THE RUMOR OF THE LAST MCGEE NOVEL
From time to time readers will inquire as to the truth of the rumor that JDM wrote a black McGee, to be published after the writer's death.
It makes for fascinating stories and they do abound. However, there is no truth involved. Both his widow, Dorothy, and his son, Maynard, stated categorically
that "There is no book or manuscript by John which ends in Travis McGee's death.
We think John would have missed him as you would." (see JDM Bibliophile #39)
JDM himself said this many times. On one such occasion he said
"It would be really wicked so to do because of the people who haven't yet met the gentleman."
"That would be a poor legacy to leave them."<p> <p><img SRC="bluebar.gif"
Another resource for Travis McGee fans on the Web is at Random House publishers.
During the hot weather you may want to enjoy Trav's favorite drink.
To make this McGee Drink fill an old fashioned glass to the two-thirds line with cracked ice. Slosh dry sherry into glass. Swiftly, with strainer across top of glass, dump the sherry.
Fill to the ice level with Plymouth Gin (imported). Rub lemon peel around inside of rim, pinch some floating beads of citrus oil on the surface of the drink.
Throw away the peel.
And imagine you are on the Busted Flush, miles away from the hum of the big city, lost in your thoughts as the boat moves gracefully through the water
