'Blue Vegas' book bash

Bill Hughes/special to vIEWAuthor P Moss raises his glass to salute supporters at his March 2 book launch party. Jenn O. Cide lights P Moss? cigar before doing a fire-eating demonstration during a March 2 book launch party at the Double Down Saloon.Bill Hughes/special to vIEW Bill Hughes/special to viewAuthor P Moss reads from his new short story collection, "Blue Vegas," during a March 2 book launch party at Moss? Double Down Saloon, 4640 Paradise Road. Advertisement

There may be no one more qualified to write about life in Las Vegas, fictionalized or otherwise, than iconic Double Down Saloon and Frankie's Tiki Room owner P Moss.

Moss, a downtown-area resident for nearly 20 years, has made a career of learning about people: how they think, what gets them going and the trials of human experience.

"Anybody who has an ability to watch other human beings and learn how they tick, well, that's how you learn to run a successful business," he said. "It's also great for writing."

Moss published his first book, "Blue Vegas," under the banner of the newly formed CityLife Books on March 2.

CityLife Books is an imprint of Stephens Press, a division of Stephens Media, the parent company of Las Vegas CityLife and the View Newspapers.

Moss' short story collection features fictional accounts of hard-luck Vegas types, struggling entertainers, burned-out gamblers, desperate mercenaries and deranged killers.

"Las Vegas has a population unlike that of any other city in the country," Moss said. "And the common theme in the book, I think, is sadness. It's about what happens when you see dreams fade, you find yourself broke or struggling. It's about what people do to survive. There's a humanality to all of it."

Geoff Schumacher, editor of CityLife Books and publisher of Las Vegas CityLife, said "Blue Vegas" was a perfect fit for the publishing company's imprint.

"The stories are edgy, brutally honest and very Vegas," he said. "We're proud to be able to deliver Moss' vision to a wide audience. We see this book as a fine contribution to the local literary canon."

Moss said that as an observer in the city of sin, it's easy to spot souls who may be on the verge of utter destruction.

"I keep my eyes open," he said. "And I learn from the people around me. I take in what is happening. None of the stories in the book are true, but I have been inspired by real life."

Moss said that he began writing the book as a side project about five years ago, but originally struggled with the ending.

"Once I had that worked out, I wanted to start shopping it around," he said.

Moss said that it was picked up by CityLife Books almost immediately.

Las Vegas resident Molly Grant attended a recent launch party for the book at the Double Down Saloon and said that she was impressed with the prose.

"I have only been able to flip through and read paragraphs here and there," she said. "But from what I have read, it's been great. An accurate depiction of hard-knocks Vegas, from what I can tell. And he has a unique and interesting flair to his writing."

Fan Ryder Park said he has been patronizing the Double Down Saloon at 4640 Paradise Road for more than 10 years and couldn't wait to read Moss' book.

"I've only briefly met the guy, but I love his bar," he said.

Moss said that the book has been well received so far.

"The best part has been seeing it on the shelves," he said. "When I was walking through the airport and saw my book for sale, that was the best."

Moss said he is working on a second book that he hopes will chronicle life in this town.

"I wanted to write something about life in Las Vegas," he said. "I think I've succeeded in capturing what can happen to the downtrodden in this city. And you don't have to be a bum to be downtrodden. Just look around."

"Blue Vegas" sells for $14.95 and can be purchased at local bookstores or online at www.lvcitylifebooks.com/buy.

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.