We have a
two-fer today with author Stephen Seitz. He’s sharing a bit about his novels Never Meant to Be (MX Publishing,
London, 2013), and Secrets Can’t Be Kept
Forever (CreateSpace and Kindle, 2013).
Bio:
Stephen Seitz is a journalist, author, media consultant, film
critic and talk show host based in Springfield, Vermont. His varied career
includes writing and editing books, radio host, advertising, newspaper
reporting, and political campaign manager. He is also a lifelong Sherlockian.
Sherlock Holmes and the Plague of Dracula is Seitz' first novel. His next Sherlock Holmes-themed novel, Never Meant to Be, released in October 2013 by MX Publishing.
Seitz has recently published the first novel in a Vermont-based contemporary mystery series, titled Secrets Can't Be Kept Forever. He is revising the second novel in the series and drafting the third. In addition to that, Seitz is researching a series of nonfiction books about the art of cinema.
Seitz also hosts the cable program, "Book Talk,” seen on various public access shows, as well as on Vimeo and YouTube.
Sherlock Holmes and the Plague of Dracula is Seitz' first novel. His next Sherlock Holmes-themed novel, Never Meant to Be, released in October 2013 by MX Publishing.
Seitz has recently published the first novel in a Vermont-based contemporary mystery series, titled Secrets Can't Be Kept Forever. He is revising the second novel in the series and drafting the third. In addition to that, Seitz is researching a series of nonfiction books about the art of cinema.
Seitz also hosts the cable program, "Book Talk,” seen on various public access shows, as well as on Vimeo and YouTube.
Welcome, Stephen. Please tell us about
your current releases.
I have two
which emerged at about the same time. In Never
Meant to Be, copy editor Cynthia Kenyon has an accident with H.G. Wells’
time machine, and finds herself taken to London in 1882. An encounter with
Prof. James Moriarty requires the aid of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
Cynthia doesn’t count on her attraction to Watson, or the consequences it has
for the course of history.
Secrets Can’t Be Kept Forever, is the first in a series of
contemporary mysteries featuring Ace Herron, the crime reporter for a Vermont
newspaper. (I’ve been covering courts and crime for going on 20 years.) I based
part of the story on a real-life case where two people who would ordinarily
have no business falling in love, fall in love anyway, with devastating
consequences for two families. And the story doesn’t do a lot of good for Ace’s
marriage, either.
What inspired you to write these books?
Never Meant to Be just sort of emerged. I wanted to
write a love story, and time travel has always fascinated me; in fact, I’m
researching another story involving the Lincoln assassination. The universe of
Sherlock Holmes provides the perfect setting for such a story, and poor Dr.
Watson, so often described as a ladies’ man, hardly ever gets to indulge that
side of his character. I don’t believe I have ever written a book so quickly;
it took about six weeks.
For Secrets, one reason I wrote it is that
no one writing stories featuring reporters has even met one, let alone
understand what reporters actually do. I wanted to have some fun with life in
the newsroom, and especially correct the cliches. I also have a few things to
say about modern newspaper management, which is strangling the industry. The
Internet and online news outlets are not the problem.
The other
reason is that mysteries are more challenging when the protagonist doesn’t have
the tools of law enforcement at his disposal. Reporters can’t search law
enforcement databases, witnesses are under no obligation to talk, there isn’t
any penalty for lying to the press, and deadlines can’t be ignored. I like to
think I portray people more realistically than usual. However, only the readers
can make that judgment.
Excerpt from Secrets:
Virginia
made an impromptu lunch date with Robin Ewald, her closest friend from high
school, class flirt and oracle on all relationship problems. Virginia had been
there for both of Robin's divorces, after all; perhaps the time had come to
return the favor. They met at a quiet Italian restaurant south of town, close
to Massachusetts, where neither Ace nor anyone he knew (but, dammit, he knew
everybody!) would be likely to overhear.
"Don't
do it, Ginny," Robin told her, topping up her glass with strong, dark
chianti.
Ginny,
surprised, stared at her steaming plate of angel hair pasta, savored the aroma
of the garlic sauce and sipped cold white wine.
"What
are you talking about?" she asked. "Out of everyone I know, I thought
you'd understand."
"I
do understand," Robin said, her brown eyes tight and concerned. "It's
an emotional and financial train wreck. Get him into couples counseling. It's
what I did with Bob. That's why we're still together."
"But--"
"About
fifteen years' worth of equity in your home, yes?"
Ginny
nodded.
"A
fair amount tucked away for retirement?"
"As
long as Ace doesn't get his hands on it."
"How's
the sex life?"
"Pretty
middle-aged."
"Ah."
Now
it was Robin's turn to hesitate, and Ginny jumped in.
"You
were about to say?"
Robin
sliced a meatball with her fork.
"I'm
not sure I should mention this in your frame of mind."
"Too
late now, snookums."
Robin
smiled.
"There's
a good chance that this is your midlife crisis, you know. Have you thought of
that?"
"So
you think this might be a fling that doesn't go anywhere?"
"Let's
face it, Ace may be dull, but he's reliable. He's never cheated on you, and the
two of you have raised as level-headed a daughter as any parents I've met. The
things that are driving you crazy now are the things you liked about him in the
first place: steady, calm, there when you need him, predictable as the sunrise.
In short, security. Dump him or hurt him too much, that all goes away."
Ginny
nodded.
"But
I'm bored out of my mind, Robin."
"Are
you capable of not taking a fling too far?"
"What?"
"You
know, just have the affair for a little while, keep Ace from finding out, and
then drop the guy like a hot rock once you've satisfied yourself."
Ginny
laughed.
"Is
that the real reason you and Bob stay together?"
"Let's
just say that sometimes I've explored my options."
What!?
thought Ginny,
flashing Robin a surprised smile. You hypocritical bitch!
"But,
seriously," Robin continued, "you do have to be careful. I think if
you use this guy like a vibrator for a while and let it go when the time comes,
fine. Every woman likes to be the apple of a man's eye now and then. But if you
fall in love with him, you're headed for disaster."
Ginny
dropped her gaze to her plate, and the two ate in silence for a while.
Finally,
Ginny raised her glass.
"To
adventure," she said.
What exciting story are you working on
next?
This never
stops. I’m writing a new Sherlock Holmes pastiche for MX, this time in the
traditional mold. Ace’s next adventure follows him as he investigates a
possible terrorist explosion that takes out half a city block. And there’s the
Lincoln assassination story I’m researching, as well as the third Herron book.
The real problem for me is picking which ideas to develop fully.
When did you first consider yourself a
writer?
My
fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Corliss, told me I was a writer. It seems as if I’ve
been spinning stories since I learned to read. There are several novels in the
trunk which will never see the light of day. I didn’t become good until a few
years ago.
Do you write full-time?
I’m a
full-time freelance writer. I keep pretty busy with that.
If so, what's your work day like?
It depends
on what assignments I have at any given time. If it’s slow, I write fiction, or
work social media in order to keep people interested in the books.
If not, what do you do other than
write and how do you find time to write?
I always
find time to write.
What would you say is your interesting
writing quirk?
I’d have to
say repetition. I constantly have to weed certain words out of my copy because
of overuse. It usually takes about three drafts before I’m satisfied.
As a child, what did you want to be
when you grew up?
First
Batman, then James Bond once I discovered girls.
Anything additional you want to share
with the readers?
I host a
show on public access cable, titled “Book Talk.” On it, I have librarians,
fellow authors, bookstore owners, and readers. The idea is to promote interest
in reading and writing. Anyone interested and able to come to Springfield,
Vermont to tape a show is welcome to contact me and arrange it.
Here’s a
link to the most recent episode: https://vimeo.com/81715347
Other links:
Thanks, Stephen!
