Congratulations to Daniel P. Depp, whose debut novel “Loser’s Town” will be published by Simon & Schuster in the spring of 2009. The novel has a Hollywood background; press reports describe the plot this way: “Set in the celebrity-studded enclave of the Hollywood Hills, the novel sees a private investigator, David Spandau, hired by an A-list actor who is receiving a series of chilling death threats from an obsessive fan.” Sounds very intriguing and Raymond Chandlerish, although we earnestly hope that last plot detail is pure fiction, since the author’s kid brother happens to be an A-list actor very dear to our hearts . . . .

Longtime Zoners will remember that Daniel Depp (credited as D. P. Depp) co-wrote the screenplay of THE BRAVE (1997) with Johnny. “With his background as scriptwriter and producer, Daniel brings a unique authority to this material,” says his British literary agent, Meg Davis. “There is keen enthusiasm for the quality of his writing, which has enormous depth and heart, and a rich sense of humour.”

ONBC moderators Liz and DeppintheHeartofTexas have already penciled in “Loser’s Town” as a book club selection for next spring; we can’t wait to read Daniel Depp’s novel. Many thanks to Mrs Pink, FANtastic JD and Vermont Fudge for sharing the happy news; you can read more about it on the Porch. –Part-Time Poet