Coffee & Convo welcomes the creator of the Twitter hashtag #ThrillerThursday - Stephen England. What an honor to have him here on Thriller Thursday!
Stephen has written the political/spy thriller, Pandora’s Grave. Tell us a little bit about Pandora’s Grave.
Pandora’s Grave is a fast-paced thriller, written in a time-stamped format reminiscent of 24 and moving back and forth between the United States and the Middle East, where most of the book is set. The book centers on the threat posed by the regime in Tehran against the Jewish state of Israel, manifesting itself in Pandora’s Grave in the form of a bio-terrorism attack against Jerusalem. With the threat of war erupting all across the Middle East if the Iranians succeed, CIA paramilitary operations officer Harry Nichols is tasked with leading a highly trained clandestine strike team to thwart the attack. His mission is dangerous enough to begin with, but it soon appears that there may be elements within the U.S. government that are invested in the attack’s success, perhaps even among his own team members.
What inspired the story for the book?
Current events, to be honest with you. Anyone who doesn’t see Tehran as an imminent threat to the security of the Middle East, and indeed, the world, isn’t paying attention. The ayatollahs don’t like to get their own hands dirty, but they love terrorism by proxy. They’ve been interfering in Lebanon for decades, and I’m afraid when the dust settles from this year’s “Arab spring”, we’ll see the Iranian money was behind quite a bit of the unrest.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Laying the foundation. I’ve been writing about Harry Nichols for years, but after five or six manuscripts that had to be trashed, I finally found my “voice” with the series. Then I had to go back and figure out where the story began. It was that rewrite, that search for a proper beginning—it was some of the most painstaking work I’ve ever had to do. I’m not kidding when I say that Pandora’s Grave has been years in the making.
What do you think readers will enjoy most about Pandora’s Grave?
That’s hard to say—I like to think there’s a little something for everyone. Enjoy fast-paced, gritty action? Check. Enjoy a story that’s driven primarily by solid, multi-dimensional characters? Check. Prefer a thriller that’s free from explicit sex and profanity? Yeah, we’ve got that one too.
Is there a sequel?
Yes, I’m currently working on the sequel, Day of Reckoning, the second novel in the Shadow Warriors series. In Day of Reckoning, the cast of Pandora’s Grave makes an explosive return as the Director of the CIA, David Lay, is targeted with a car bomb. Toss in a homegrown Islamic terror cell, the Russian Mafia, corrupt politicians, and an ex-Spetsnaz hit team, and it promises to be a thrilling ride.
Is your book part of a series?
Yes, the Shadow Warriors series is a series of books dedicated to America’s clandestine community, focusing on the story of Harry Nichols, a CIA strike team leader. It is a story of men and women who give up everything in the service of their country, knowing full well that if they fail, no one is coming for them—and if they succeed, no one will know.
Where can we find Pandora’s Grave?
Print: http://bit.ly/rl9SY1 Electronic: http://amzn.to/qtOPh4 Also on Smashwords
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m twenty-one, young enough that most people initially think I must write Young Adult fiction. When I clarify that I write political/spy thrillers, most react with “Really?” I’m the son of a pastor and a committed Christian, which certainly affects the world-view of the book, although it’s not your traditional Christian novel.
Why did you decide to become an Indie author?
It was a practical decision, really. I’m sure everyone dreams of signing a contract with New York and selling millions of copies, but in all practicality, indie publishing is the future for debut authors. I know some would recommend the small press alternative, but what, in reality, are you getting in return for giving up control of your project? I’ve always been a believer in the old truism that “if you want it done right, do it yourself.” And indie allows me to do just that.
Is this your debut novel?
No. My first novel, Sword of Neamha, was published in late 2009, also by Lulu Press. It’s a Celtic adventure novel set in pre-Roman Britain, a coming-of-age story of one young Gallic warrior in a time when his tribe is torn apart by civil war. As loyalties change at the turning of the wind, young Cadwalador is faced with a test of his own loyalty, a test that could result in his death, or worse, the loss of everything he holds dear. You can find Sword on Amazon in both paperback and electronic editions.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Of course—I’ve always got advice. All of it free of charge. But my best advice would be—don’t rush off and publish the first thing you write. Just because indie lets you do it. . .doesn’t mean you should. It’s going to take a while—a lot of trial and error—to find a voice that is both marketable and unique. But’s it worth the time it takes.
Stephen, thank you so much for sharing with us today.
Thanks for the interview, Lili. It’s been great talking with you!
Thank you so much for supporting SAND!
