News & Reviews

WORD: L.A. cop turns crime novelist after Riverhead Books signs Will Beall

Los Angeles police officer Will Beall has launched a second career as a star crime novelist after Riverhead Books bought his first two novels, Marc Gerald of The Agency Group told WORD‘N‘BASS.com.

Beall’s two novels, L.A. Rex and The Lion Hunter, are "epic looks at Los Angeles through the eyes of cops and robbers," Gerald said after closing the two-book deal. He noted that Beall -- a top officer in L.A.’s anti-gang unit who had never before written a book -- has natural writing talent.

But don’t expect a cop’s point of view in these novels. Gerald said Beall "doesn’t choose sides" in his narratives, which are set in one of America’s most crime-ridden cities. Riverhead Books will likely release L.A. Rex in spring of 2006.

Beall’s position in the trenches of crime has evidently piqued interest from Hollywood. Producer Scott Rudin recently bought the film rights for L.A. Rex, in a sale brokered by Shari Smiley of Creative Artists Agency.

Gerald meanwhile has a background in crime novels. He edited the late Donald Goines, who is considered legendary among urban literature enthusiasts, and co-produced last year’s film version of Never Die Alone starring DMX. He usually works with non-fiction authors, however.

"Most of what I do is more market driven. But Will is the real thing and a must-have for any Donald Goines enthusiast," said Gerald, who took over the reigns of The Agency Group’s book division in 2004 after merging his own agency with the talent firm.
 

< Back to News & Reviews Home