Exclusive news — Today the New York-based author Lawrence Block dropped us a line to let us know about a new book of short stories he’s launching early in October. The Night and the Music collects together nine stories that have appeared in previous works, plus One Last Night at Grogan’s, a new piece penned this summer. Inside you’ll also find Mick Ballou Looks at the Blank Screen, a story that has only ever appeared in a limited edition publication (only 100 were printed).

Short stories starring Block’s private investigator Matt Scudder are nothing new. As well as umpteen novels over the past few decades, the character has cropped up in novellas and short stories too. However the Night and the Music is a turning point is for the author because it marks his move into self-publishing. “I’m genuinely excited about this book, not least of all because I’m publishing it myself,” he tells us.

Though self-published, the book will be coming out on several formats in the US and UK including Kindle and iBook, priced at $2.99. A paperback is also being released, as well as a leather bound limited edition of 100 by Otto Penzler. Watch for the review soon here on Crime Fiction Lover, or get started with the author by reading A Drop of the Hard Stuff. We can’t wait to see what the hardboiled hero has in store.