Interview With Author Bentley Turner
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far, I have written four books of fiction: "The File on Thomas Marks," "The Prize Winners and Other Stories," "A Killing in Oklahoma," and "The Agency," which is supposed to be out November 15, 2022.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
"The Agency" is a thriller about a CIA agent who becomes head of a small department that investigates UFOs. The inspiration for the novel came from my research about UFOs many years ago.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to write or edit something almost every day. Is this unusual? Maybe, maybe not. However, I enjoy it. I even enjoy doing research, which, I guess, many writers do not.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many years ago I read novels by Donald Hamilton, John D. MacDonald, James M. Cain, John O'Hara, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Erskine Caldwell, and numerous others. I appreciate the styles of a few of these writers. Whether I have been influenced by any, well, probably so, but I don't necessarily want to name names because, to be perfectly honest, I don't know.
What are you working on now?
I'm working on a mystery tentatively titled "The Taking of the First Lady," which, you guessed it, is about a group of kidnappers who take the First Lady from a friend's private yacht.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use several–from my own to blogs produced by various individuals. I use major sites such as Awesome Gang, Goodreads, Amazon's Author's Page, and several others. I use various groups on Facebook. In short, I try to learn more about social media and how it can be used with each published work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I know this sounds trite, but my advice is "never give up." If an agent or publisher turns you down, contact another. My first novel, for instance, was turned down by numerous publishers. Then a small publisher offered a contract, which I accepted. Before the novel was published, however, the publisher went out of business. I had to find another publisher. Eventually, I did, and the novel was published.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write about what you know, which, today, could be about almost anything–that is, if one is willing to invest the time to learn about what s/he doesn't know.
What are you reading now?
I just finished "Elevator Pitch" by Linwood Barclay. I am reading three or four books of nonfiction.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing and editing "The Taking of the First Lady," which I mentioned above.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
"Holy Bible," at least one book about what to eat when stranded on a desert island, and at least one book about how to build a boat.
Author Websites and Profiles
Bentley Turner Author Profile on Smashwords
Bentley Turner’s Social Media Links