Mike Hammer drinks beer because I can't spell Cognac.

If I need something, I'll invent it.

If the public likes you, you're good.

I know an awful lot of Hollywood people, who are so self-important, I can't understand it.

I wrote the original Mike Hammer as a comic, Mike Danger.

Nobody reads a mystery to get to the middle. They read it to get to the end. If it's a letdown, they won't buy anymore. The first page sells that book. The last page sells your next book.

Those big-shot writers ... could never dig the fact that there are more salted peanuts consumed than caviar.