Author's Corner

Listed below are questions from interested readers:
(Send your question to sperone@juno.com, using "Author's Corner" in the Subject Line.)

What kind of novels do you write?
The common theme through all of my novels has been mystery/thriller. But my first three novels (The StarSight Trilogy) were in the science fiction genre, with time travel and historical fiction featured in the last two (Crisis on Flight 101 and Einstein's Tunnel). The next two novels, Murder Almighty and Judgment Day, departed from the SciFi genre. The first is a Vatican thriller; the second is a political thriller. The most recent novel, Youthanasia (2009), is a futuristic young adult political thriller that’s edgy enough to appeal to an adult audience.

Which novel is your best seller?
To date the best seller has been the Vatican thriller, Murder Almighty. In fact, it's sold so well that I have only a few signed copies left. I'm offering the remaining copies at a big discount and hope to see it "sold out" soon. My most recent novel, Youthanasia (2009), is selling quite well and may give Murder Almighty a run for the money.

Your experiences as a professor and government scientist gave credibility to your first novel, The StarSight Project. But what about other novels...like Crisis on Flight 101?
Each new novel seems to branch further from personal experiences, so I must do research to make the characters and settings believable. In Crisis on Flight 101, for example, the central feature of the novel is a transatlantic overnight flight in 1939 on a Pan American flying boat, one of the Boeing B-314 Clippers. These were awesome aircraft, providing in-flight luxury like a sea-going passenger ship---sleeping cabins, dining lounge, and an upper-level flight deck. Only 12 B-314 aircraft were built, and none remain, so I had to research archival information. Few who actually flew these aircraft are still with us, but many recorded their experiences. I was fortunate to have one of these chroniclers, a former 1940s Pan Am flight crew member, Ed Dover, review the Clipper flight characteristics I detailed in my book. I was delighted to get confirmation that I had practically everything right!

Do you write every day? How much?
No, not every day. Not even every week. I have a writing "season" that begins right after the first of the year through about May. That's enough time to complete a novel once I've done the initial outline, research, character definitions, etc. I like to get up early and do all my writing before noon. Typically, I'll work about 5 days a week and produce an average of 6 typed pages a day. I don't write chapters sequentially, often writing first the crucial chapters in the middle or end.

Do you ever get "writer's block"?
This question came from members of the freshman English class at Las Positas College during a booksigning event in Pleasanton, CA. I answered, "No, I can always write. But sometimes what comes out is worthless." Students were skeptical, and I've thought much about my answer since then. Here's a more accurate response: I don't sit down to write until I've already worked out the scene I'm going to portray and the dialogue in my mind. When I do sit down to write, I'm already primed with the words that I want to get down on paper. If I don't follow this procedure, I will experience "writer's block"---sitting and staring at the keyboard.

How did your career as a science professor prepare you to write novels?
I wrote and published over a hundred technical papers and jointly authored a couple of textbooks. But, really, the most relevant writing I did as a professor was for research grants. To obtain research grants you have to come up with an original idea for advancing knowledge regarding a significant scientific issue; do enough background research to make your proposal credible; and then write it up in such a way that gets the favorable attention of critical reviewers. The major difference with writing novels is that the original ideas are in the realm of fiction...a lot more fun, but the overall process is very similar to writing for research grants!

Were the political characters in Judgment Day based on Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld? And the dedication, "For George," that was directed to ex-President George W. Bush, right?
The G. W. Bush administration provided a wealth of inspiration for the characters and incidents in this novel. But the lead characters are composites inspired by many public figures, not specifically those you mentioned. The dedication? That was for a dear friend, definitely not the ex-President...although he might benefit from reading the book.

Your novel, Murder Almighty, is a religious thriller like some of Dan Brown's works (The DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons). How do you compare your book to his?
Murder Almighty is similar in topic to Brown's Angels and Demons. That is, they are both religious mystery-thrillers set in Rome and both involve violent events affecting papal elections. The story lines are quite different, however. Brown's book blends futuristic science and academic symbology to combat an ancient secret organization attacking the Church. My story is about a contemporary Vatican conspiracy, where conflicted secular characters are drawn into the middle of deadly skirmishes between strong religious figures.

What are your current writing projects?
I'm pursuing two projects at the moment. The first is a new venture---children's books. I've completed an illustrated children's novel directed at the pre-teen audience. Feedback from preliminary distribution to local children's groups has been great, and I'm preparing the book for publication.
The second project is a memoir of "campus life in the 1960s." It's 50% completed. Feedback from preliminary reviews has been inspirational!
If you would like to be on the early distribution list for any of these publications, please e-mail your contact address to sperone@juno.com, using "New Book Notice" in the Subject Line.

Which is your favorite novel?
The one I'm currently working on (see previous question). But, of the initial StarSight Trilogy, my favorite is Einstein's Tunnel, because of the challenge of tying together the entire trilogy. This book included elements of SciFi, fantasy, historical fiction, and techno-thriller. It was FUN to write!

I understand the first three Tony Shane novels form a connected trilogy. Can a reader enjoy one without reading the others?
Absolutely! These novels are intricately connected--but each is written to stand alone. Anyone reading all three will enjoy following the characters and threads that tie the stories together, and will appreciate that the third novel folds back on the first in unexpected ways. Nevertheless, each novel stands alone with a satisfying and complete story line.

Was the fictional terrorist plot in The StarSight Project patterned after the 9/11 attack on the United States?
The original version of The StarSight Project was completed in January 2001, but had not yet been published by September 11. The origins and nature of the 9/11 attack were strikingly similar to the terrorist plot of my book -- disturbing a number of reviewers that had seen advance copies. Of course, the book was revised after 9/11. The revised book now opens with the 9/11 attack. It was published in November 2002.

Why are your books independently published?
Independent publication best suits my needs at this point in my career. My publisher, iUniverse, provides efficient, professional service with a print-on-demand business plan compatible with on-line marketing. I can get my work published promptly without sacrificing content, production finish, or literary quality. The publisher provides very thorough editorial reviews, and I edit my novels to meet demanding literary standards. The proof of the pudding is six novels in seven years, with a growing number of appreciative readers.

How many books have you sold?
More than I ever expected, and the sales rate continues to increase. Still, we’re only talking thousands, not millions. I do practically no marketing, except for my website. Most readers learn about my novels by word of mouth. Some come across my work on the Internet or pick up a book at one of the few bookstores where they are carried. My entire focus has been on creating a body of work that I might consider worthy someday of broader marketing.

Are your books available in bookstores?
Any bookstore can order the books for you. Bookstores that have the books in stock include: The Book Seller, Grass Valley, CA; Towne Center Books, Pleasanton, CA; Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Rockford, IL. Signed copies of Crisis on Flight 101 and Judgment Day are available at the Nevada County Airport (Admin. Bldg.), Grass Valley, CA.



If you have a question for the Author's Corner, contact the author at sperone@juno.com, using "Author's Corner" in the Subject Line.

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