On Track to ‘Death Underground’

Mystery writers are master manipulators--they ask “What if?” and construct a convoluted plot to intrigue their readers. At least, that is how Newbury Park author Gerald Schiller described the musings that eventually became his third book, “Death Underground.”

It’s about the Los Angeles subway project, an earthquake and shady dealings by an excavation company. He probably tossed in a murder or two along the way.

“For mysteries, you get ideas every which way: You read newspaper articles or hear something on the radio and it just triggers a whole series of thoughts,” Schiller said. “You say, what if this happens or that happens and project from there.”

Schiller didn’t start out to write mysteries. With a master’s degree in film production from UCLA, he taught English and cinema in the Los Angeles Unified School District until 1991. He also wrote and produced documentaries through his own film company, winning awards from the American Film Festival and Golden Gate Film Festival. Documentaries on the early days of movies and careers of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton are still shown on television worldwide.

So, it’s fitting that his first book started out as a screenplay. When that didn’t get anywhere, he converted the premise into a mystery novel that became “Deadly Dreams,” published three years ago by InterContinental Publishing.

Between mysteries, Schiller wrote a book for young people, “The Dog That Belonged to No One,” set in San Diego in the 1880s. That story fell into his lap while he was doing research for a short piece on old California, he said. He found numerous newspaper clippings at the San Diego Historical Society about the dog, but no one had followed up with a book, so he decided to write one. Since then, teachers have bought multiple copies for fourth-graders learning about California history.

He brought it along to a recent book-signing event with other mystery writers, and the children’s book outsold his mysteries.

Meanwhile, Schiller is 70 pages into writing his next thriller.

Finishing his last stint as president of the Ventura County Writers Club this year will allow more time to reflect on those what-ifs.

For now, you can catch him discussing and signing his book at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Borders Books and Music, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

MORE HAPPENINGS

* Today at 2 p.m.: Book signing and discussion by GaWaNi Pony Boy, author of “Out of the Saddle,” adapted for young readers from the best-selling adult book, “Horse Follow Closely.” Borders, 497-8159.

* Today at 2:30 p.m.: Author Warren Eckstein will discuss and sign his new book “Memoirs of a Pet Therapist” and his “Hugs and Kisses” approach to animals. Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4735 Commons Way, 818-222-0542.

* Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.: Story time at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 650-9688.

* Wednesday from 10:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.: Former first lady Nancy Reagan will be at the Reagan Museum Store to sign her autobiography, “My Turn,” as well as other books available for purchase, including “An American Life: The Autobiography” by President Reagan. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, 522-9953.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m.: Karni Seymour-Brown, a certified professional midwife, will lead discussion of the book “Gentle Birth Choices” by Barbara Harper, R.N. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360-B E. Main St., 339-9179.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m.: Writing group open to writers of all genres to discuss their works in progress. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.: Gerald Schiller will sign and discuss his new thriller, “Death Underground.” Borders, 497-8159.

* Friday at 7 p.m.: I Love My Mom story time. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Readings by professional authors and workshops by Ventura College writing teachers and published authors. Free to all high school students. Keynote speakers will be Michele Serros and Jervey Tervalon. Registration in advance or at the door. Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura; 654-6400, Ext. 1228.

* Saturday at 10 a.m.: Rise ‘n Shine story time at Borders, 497-8159.

* Saturday at 3 p.m.: Story time at Adventures for Kids, 650-9688.

* Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Charles E. Lewis Sr. and Charles E. Lewis Jr. will sign and discuss “Getting What You Want” (Littlejohn Publishing), about solving relationship problems. Harbor Books in the Ventura Marina, 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, 644-1166.

Catch you next week.

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Information about book signings, writers groups or publishing events can be faxed to Ann Shields at 647-5649 or e-mailed to anns40aol.com.