Author Interview

When did you first know you wanted to become an author? Who are your favorite authors and why?

I remember the actual moment I learned to read, when the squiggles became symbols that told a story. I was pretty much hooked from
that moment.

As for favorite authors, well, how much time you got?

In the genre, I love Elmore Leonard, Dennis Lehane, George Pelecanos, Laura Lippman, Richard Price, Kent Anderson, James Ellroy, T.
Jefferson Parker...basically, the folks using the form to explore serious literary territory while also telling a story that makes me miss my
subway stop.

I also read heavily outside the genre: Michael Cunningham, Michael Chabon, David Foster Wallace, David Mitchell, Michael Ondaatje,
Arthur Phillips, Chuck Pahlaniuk, Cormac McCarthy...

Of all the genres, what attracted you to writing Thrillers?

First, like most storytellers, I want to reach as large an audience as possible. Crime fiction is the world's best selling genre.

Second, I love the form, the way you can tackle large social issues as well as intimate relationships, all in the context of a story that
keeps people up late. What could be better?

THE BLADE ITSELF, is your debut novel, but I understand many authors write several novels before the one that eventually gets
published. What was your experience with the publishing industry?

I had tremendous good fortune. BLADE was the first novel I'd written. I found an agent out of the gate, he sold it at auction, and things
have gone really well ever since.

That said, I've spent my whole life preparing to write books. That began with an addiction to story--I was the kid sitting in the back row
of class, getting through the day by reading under the table. I followed that with years of professional writing. Most of that was in
advertising, which is a great training ground, because you learn to pack the maximum punch into the minimum space, and to see the
work as something that can be improved, rather than your heart ripped bleeding and perfect from your chest.

I think that dual focus is important to success in this industry. If you approach it both passionately and strategically, your odds improve.

You've landed one of the biggest literary agents in the business. How did you feel when you got "the call"?

That was a great day.

I'd actually queried my agent, Scott Miller, the previous Thursday. I had a friend who connected us, and Scott liked the sound of my book,
asked me to send it to him right away. He read it over the weekend and called me on Monday morning.

I pretty much just floated through the rest of the week.

Hell, the year.