Interview with debut mystery novelist Gregory Sterner

Debut mystery author Gregory Sterner joins me today to chat about his suspense novel Solving Cadence Moore.

Bio:

Gregory Sterner is inspired by the great storytelling presentations of National Public Radio, including This American Life and Wiretap, as well as novels by Stephen King, Elmore Leonard, and many others. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Albright College and is currently completing his Master’s in Philosophy at West Chester University while working as a supervisor for Penske Truck Leasing. He lives with his wife Abigail in Reading, Pennsylvania, and has four children: Jordan, Austin, Alexis, and Jack. His debut novel Solving Cadence Moore was released on November 7th, 2017. It is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers. Readers can connect with Gregory on Facebook and Goodreads. To learn more, go to http://www.aperturepress.net/books/solving-cadence-moore/

Welcome, Gregory. Please tell us about your current release.

My debut novel is Solving Cadence Moore, a mystery novel about a ten-year-old cold case. Cadence Moore was a famous young singer who disappeared without a trace in western Pennsylvania in 2002, never to be seen again. The case has recently been brought back to prominence by a smash hit documentary that has played fast and loose with the facts and many die-hard followers of the case believe the mystery remains unsolved. Public radio juggernaut UPR produces a podcast series and live midnight special to capitalize on the notoriety of the documentary and brash conspiracy radio host Charlie Marx is the unlikely choice to host the series. Charlie comes up empty in his efforts to solve the mystery until he starts taking crazy risks and telling big lies all in the pursuit of getting live on air with the long elusive truth. Readers will ride a roller coaster of suspense on their way to finding out if the real truth of Cadence Moore is finally revealed or whether Charlie Marx’s career will go down in flames live on air.

After a very long process of writing, editing, pitching, and re-writing, the book was published by Aperture Press, LLC (the realization of a life-long dream for me) and is now available at Amazon and all other major online retailers.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was attempting to write what was (in my mind) a horror novel about a girl who disappeared ten years ago and the haunting memories which torture her old boyfriend. I quickly realized I was not a horror writer and this book was not working. I kept turning the story around in my mind, trying to figure out a way to bring it to the page in a believable way. This was years before I completed the book. I was exposed to Ira Glass’s show This American Life on NPR. The way he broke down stories into “acts” and did a slow reveal on crucial facts made me realize that my own story could be told in the same way a “radio play” was put together. As I was deeply into the writing process and even as I pitched my first draft of the novel to publishers and agents, the podcast Serial became a super-successful hit. As I re-wrote my novel (initially incorporating my eventual publisher’s structural changes) I decided a topical change was needed and the podcast series and live radio special structure was introduced into my existing story and everything really came together at that point.

Excerpt from Solving Cadence Moore:

Chapter 1 – The Pitch

Charlie Marx sat with his arms crossed, refusing to visually sell his reaction to the sales pitch he was getting. As a successful conspiracy radio show host, Charlie had learned to trust nothing but consider everything, qualities which had made him very effective throughout his career.

His boss (as well as his mentor and friend), Tyler Reubens, had been in the public radio game for fifteen years, becoming a national celebrity by hosting a hugely successful syndicated show covering everything from intimate personal stories to murder mysteries called United Way of Life. Tyler, while still sitting at the helm of United Way of Life, was also now a big player at the executive level as a senior producer for WHHW (his home station) and programming liaison to UPR (the public radio juggernaut of which WHHW was an affiliate).

Tyler’s superiors were looking for on-demand content for various multimedia outlets (a trend the entire entertainment world had already been moving strongly toward for five years and public radio had been one of the first to plant a flag in podcast land, but had never had a smash hit). Tyler was reaching out to the one person who in his mind had the one show he was almost positive would connect with a large audience for the podcast mini-series UPR was prepared to push to the moon (or so went Tyler’s initial sales pitch).

The one man with the one show also happened to be a personal protégé of Tyler Reubens himself, Charlie Marx. Charlie was a former college DJ and conspiracy newsletter writer. Tyler had plucked him from obscurity and offered him an assistant producer job for United Way of Life, simply because he liked his work and was impressed by the buzz Charlie had managed to drum up for his conspiracy rag. Charlie produced a few conspiracy oriented segments for United Way of Life during anniversary years of the Kennedy Assassination and the Apollo Moon Landing. These segments had garnered such positive reviews that Tyler lobbied for Marx to be granted his own time slot on WHHW with a conspiracy-themed show called Underground Broadcast. Underground Broadcast eventually became one of the most popular programs on WHHW and had been considered at least on two occasions for national syndication over UPR stations, although that had never actually come to fruition.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I have two big irons in the fire, both of which I’m about 20% through at this point.

The first book (working title: Tomorrow in Twenty-Nine Palms) is about a dying man who in his last act hands a small leather bound book to a total stranger as he utters his dying words, “It has to be you.” The total stranger is Jack Hayes, a lying con man looking for his next angle in life. He soon finds himself embroiled in an unbelievable situation, and before the night is over, dangerous men who want the book back are chasing him all over town. All roads eventually will lead to Twenty-Nine Palms, CA and the secrets that may be found there.

The second book (working title: The Gallem City Limits) is about a charismatic young man who has worked his way into amassing a large number of troubled young people into his circle and indoctrinating them into his philosophy of life, which revolves around “balance” at all costs. Before long, he and his followers will balance the karma of long-ago atrocities (the mass scapegoating murders in Gallem centuries before is his starting point) by staging current ultra-violent atrocities (only this time with the “good guys” and “bad guys” on different sides). Danny Drake is about to become the most notorious cult leader in America and Gallem is the site of his National emergence.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I have been writing since I was a kid, starting with stories of me and my dog having adventures in space. I started my first novel when I was about 22 years old and got about 100 pages through it before I lost all of it due to the floppy disc it was saved on becoming corrupted. I was too foolish at the time to have backed it up so it became a very demoralizing experience. I later decided to try again and just write a story for myself, to make myself laugh, and to show the finished product to my friends. That put some of the joy back into the process. After that, I began tossing around the bare bones of what would become Solving Cadence Moore. I felt, while writing it, that I was a writer. I felt, while pitching it, that I was a writer. But I did not feel like a “real” writer until the publisher agreed to publish the book. It’s sad that many writers feel the need to be validated by someone else saying they will invest in producing our novels for mass consumption to feel like we’re actually legitimate “real” writers but that seems to be the way it is.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I became good at balancing family life with a full-time job and college education over the last 10 years. This gave me some perspective on the amount of time someone needs to dedicate to complete something and complete it well, with quality in mind. I have brought the same approach to writing. I feel like a writer has to pick their spots so they do not alienate their family in the process of creating their “masterpiece.” That is my take anyway. It also helps to have an encouraging and understanding wife.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I seem to really like having characters drink and smoke as they go about their adventures. I think this might be my way of working through not being able to do these things myself, or at least not as much as I’d like to, so I live my former bad habits through my characters. This is a healthier approach than a writer drinking heavily and smoking like a chimney while writing. My advice: write it- don’t do it. You’ll survive longer and write more books!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a pro-wrestler my whole childhood. I seemed to ignore the sad fact that I had the athletic ability of a bow-legged kangaroo while I was dreaming this dream. I think what I was really attracted to was the pageantry and presentation of a spectacular story being told in the ring and around the ring. I realized later I could do most of this on the page and then writing became my passion.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I have learned so far in my brief membership in the worldwide club of published authors that it is wise to listen to feedback, especially from publishers or agents who have had more success than you. One has to be flexible and open to collaboration in order to move forward in the process of getting your novel published. I think it's important to embrace inspiration when it comes and don't be afraid to take risks, as long as you do so in the parameters of good writing. It can be easy to push things too far if you don't have in mind what a potential wide readership might enjoy. I'm still learning and feel lucky to have been granted the opportunity to get a novel published.

Links:

Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads | Aperture Press | Instagram | Twitter

Thanks for joining me today!

Interview with sci-fi author Scott Burn

Science fiction author Scott Burn is in the hot seat today. We’re chatting about The Enemy Within.

Bio:

Scott Burn is a former lawyer turned writer. He is the creator of the science fiction comic book series AGON and has sold several feature screenplays as well. The Enemy Within is his first novel. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Sarah, three step children and two toe-nibbling cats. He loves that LA offers biking, hiking, surfing and skiing all relatively close by. He doesn't do any of those things, but imagines he might in an alternate universe. 

Welcome, Scott. Please tell us about your current release.

Seventeen-year-old Max has always felt like an outsider. When the agonizing apocalyptic visions begin, he decides suicide is his only escape. He soon finds himself in a psych ward under the guidance of a therapist who sees something exceptional in him. Just as he begins to leave the hallucinations behind, Max discovers the visions weren't just in his head.

There are three others who have shared those same thoughts and they've been searching for Max. Like him, they are something more than human. Each of them possesses certain abilities, which they're going to need when a covert military group begins hunting them down. As the danger escalates, Max doesn’t know which side to trust. But in the end, his choice will decide the fate of both species.

What inspired you to write this book?

I work in Hollywood as a screenwriter. While there is a certain amount of freedom about what you create, if you’re looking to sell it or would like to be kept onboard for rewrites, you have to be cognizant of the market and what studios are after. For years I had wanted to write something that was completely mine and could be, for good or bad, precisely what I wanted it to be. I had been looking to build a story around the idea of teenage alienation, but didn’t quite know what it was. Then one day I heard a fascinating tidbit about how NASA knows precisely how many satellites are orbiting earth at every moment. I thought, what if one day they found one more than there should be - that led to the first page of The Enemy Within.

Excerpt from The Enemy Within:

Clouds of smoke and ash swirled through the city. Tidal waves of fire consumed every helix-shaped building that rose into the burning sky. Max watched the colossal structures collapse with crushing force, shaking the earth.

Agonized screams echoed around him, but all Max could see through the scorching haze was the thousands of charred corpses - their arms outstretched as if reaching for salvation. Brittle bones turned to dust beneath him as he tried to run, but there was nowhere to hide.

No one ever survived the inferno - no one except Max, who was forced to watch a world’s end over and over each day.

*

Cold, wet pavement pressed against his face. Max opened his eyes to find himself in the alley. Rain deluged the streets. He winced as he pushed himself upright, his fingernails raw from clawing at the pavement while in the grip of the last vision.

Max didn’t want to die, but he knew there was only one escape and he’d take that tonight. Clutching the bolt cutter, he stepped out of the shadows into the night.

Streetlights reflected on the slick black pavement as he ran across the avenue to Miller’s Drug Store. A thick padlock held the rusted gate shut. Using bolt cutters was more challenging than he imagined. Max strained until the lock split open. The gate screeched in protest as he slid it aside.

An alarm warning pulsed red through the window like the winking eye of a Terminator – but it didn’t matter. By the time the police responded, he’d be gone. Max shielded his eyes and smashed the heavy bolt cutter into the window. Glass shattered. The alarm pierced the stillness as he cleared shards from the frame and darted inside through the gaping hole.

The flashlight cut a swath through the darkness. Cold and flu remedies were lit on one side, toothpaste on the other as he made his way down the aisle.

With a leap Max was over the pharmacy counter, scanning the rows until he found Klonopin. He emptied the container in his palm. Don’t hesitate…

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’ve been working on a Faustian story about a town that makes a deal with a dark supernatural force… then makes a grave error when they break the deal.

It’s a ways off, but I’m enjoying it.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

As a kid I wrote short stories, started a literary journal in college, and underground newspaper in law school. But I didn’t call myself a writer until I left the practice of law and sold my first screenplay.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I’m fortunate in that I’m able to make a living solely as a writer. Sometimes that income happens from the screenwriting side when I sell a script or get hired to write/rewrite one. Perhaps it will also come meaningfully from the novel side as well. Time will tell.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I find it hard to write in a completely still room. I like to have life around me. If I can get to a place where I don’t even notice the action taking place a few feet away, then I feel pretty good about what I’m working on. But silence can be oppressive.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A professional backgammon player.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

If they take the time to check out the book, I’d love to hear what they think. They can drop me a line through my website.

Cheers,

Scott Burn

Thanks for stopping by today, Scott! All the best with your writing.

Interview with mystery novelist Helen J. Christmas

I’m wrapping up the week with mystery novelist Helen J. Christmas. We’re chatting about the third book in her Same Face Different Place series, Pleasures. It is a romantic suspense, YA, British Noir.

Welcome, Helen. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am an English author living on the south coast with my husband, Peter where share our lovely 17th Century thatched cottage with a black and white collie dog and a large, fluffy white cat.

I have been writing on and off for most of my life. My current romantic suspense series was inspired when I was walking our dog along the beach, daydreaming about my life, when a series of characters and stories started to materialize inside my head. I was born in 1964 and remember the eras of the 70s and 80s - I thought ‘how great it would be to write an epic story that took the reader on a journey through the decades of Britain!’

It was in 2011 when my series ‘Same Face Different Place’ was born. It starts in 1972 where two young characters are drawn into a political conspiracy to murder a British politician and they end up on the run. This debut novel (Beginnings) is enriched with my own memories of the fashion, culture and music. Book 2 (Visions) kicks off 12 years later and travels through the 1980s. Last year I completed the 3rd book of my series, (Pleasures) where the story speeds towards the 90s. It is part suspense thriller, part YA, since it includes the lives and times of the next generation of characters.

Please tell us about your current release.

Pleasures is a gripping suspense thriller where the main character of the series, Eleanor, finally starts to unravel clues of a mystery that began in the 70s. She confides in her son, who at the age of 14 is becoming more curious but at the same time, she lives in fear of her most dangerous enemy, Perry. The book is a race between Eleanor finding the evidence she needs and Perry’s attempts to destroy what she knows at any cost. The youngsters too get involved in this passionate story, set around the early 90s club and rave culture.

What inspired you to write this book?

I remember the club scene of the 90s when the media was filled with news of a designer drug called ‘ecstasy’ and its link to illegal raves - it has been the subject of many good crime thriller of the era - I enjoyed researching it.

Excerpt from Pleasures:

Margaret was still running - her staggering steps pulling her deeper and deeper into the heart of the forest, away from the boots thundering after her. She was sobbing in terror, glancing back at the stage where the light had been gradually fading dimmer.

One minute they had all been dancing. It was so beautiful; those magical seconds when she had snatched William’s eye. It had been like a dream, a transitory flicker of time where he had materialised like an angel. The joining of hands, the pulse of brilliant music where all she could see was flashing lights. Everything glowed, the entire forest effervescent with movement and with the lingering effects of the ecstasy, she had felt sublimely happy.

Then came the screams coiling up from the crowd. Margaret thought she was hallucinating; staring in disbelief at the demonic, hooded figures with their black masks. They rose out of no-where like evil spirits about to destroy their enchanted forest...

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am currently writing the fourth and final book of the series Retribution.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I was six years old! I had a drawing book in which I scribbled out a fairy tale in pencil, complete with pictures - in fact I’ve still got it.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Hah hah, I wish! Writing full time would be a dream but alas no... I have two jobs: 1) I am a web designer - my husband and I run a small business from home and we have a portfolio of customers to look after. 2) I have a part time job in a supermarket (3 days a week) as an online shopper. It involves a 5:00 in the morning start - but I finish at 9am so have the rest of the day ahead of me. On those days I get a couple of hours writing done in the afternoon and on every other day, I make time early in the morning.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

My dog always comes and sits in the office with me when I write. He is my muse and it’s not the same if he’s not present.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Other than writing I enjoy the research. I connect with people I possibly never would; such as a retired army officer and a neurological research doctor (for the next book). I like to travel to the locations of my books too - especially London. For example, I took an exciting ride on the London underground to research a chase scene in one of my books.

I’ll finish by saying, I feel gifted to be a writer and enjoy inspiring others to follow their dreams.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

3 books on Amazon belonging to ‘Same Face Different Place’ series which is also available as a Boxed Set: Beginnings, Visions, and Pleasures.

Thank you for being here today, Helen!