Interview With Author Bentley Turner
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After writing nonfiction for years, I turned to writing fiction–primarily mysteries or thrillers–several years ago. My first mystery, "The File on Thomas Marks," was published in 2021 and is still available. A collection of short stories, "The Prize Winners and Other Stories," which includes the lengthy mystery "Symbols of Death," followed several months later. "A Killing in Oklahoma," a mystery about a wealthy and successful businessman who is murdered, followed in early 2022. "The Agency," a political thriller about the CIA's investigation of UFOs and the KGB, was published in late 2022. My latest political thriller is "The Taking of the First Lady," which concerns the kidnapping of the president's wife, was just published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
"The Taking of the First Lady" is the title of my latest book. A political thriller about the kidnapping of the president's wife, the book was inspired by my having spent several days on an island not far from one of the southern states that border the Atlantic. I wondered what would happen to the resort community if the president of the United States and his wife vacationed there. I also wondered what would happen if the First Lady was kidnapped. Would the investigation be conducted by the FBI? What if the president insisted on two detectives from the local force be involved? I wanted to try to capture the impact such would have on an island community.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to write or edit something at least five days a week.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don't know whether any writers have influenced me, but I have enjoyed reading books by Ernest Heminway, John O'Hara, John D. MacDonald, James M. Cain, Erskine Caldwell, and countless others over the years. I appreciate Heminway's style of writing. I like O'Hara's ability to capture a location or setting. I like MacDonald's ability to depict realistic characters. I like Cain's apparent ability to edit. Indeed, he does not waste words. I like Caldwell's varied characters, not to mention his humor, which is not necessarily appreciated today.
What are you working on now?
I'm working on a thriller tentatively titled "Operation in Berlin," which begins with the murder of Bernard Kolb, a retired successful businessman who had escaped Germany before the Nazis started World War II. His parents had sent him to live with relatives in the United States. Although they had intended to leave Germany, they were taken into custody by the SS and sent to Auschwitz. Although the reader learns about Kolb's life primarily from his good friend, a professor of history, they eventually learn Kolb had done some work for the CIA. The detectives investigating the murder wonder if Kolb was killed by someone he had met while working for the Agency.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In addition to having a page on Facebook, I have pages on Amazon and Goodreads. However, I also promote my books on other websites that are sponsored by different groups. These websites can be found on Facebook. I also contact different individuals who have blogs. I have sent a few ARCs of my work to those who have asked for them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing fiction can be frustrating, especially if you do not have an agent or publisher. In fact, an author can spend days, weeks, or even months trying to find one or the other. This time could have been spent writing another short story or novel. However, if an author wishes to be successful (that is, published), then an agent or publisher has to be found. A new author may grow tired of looking for one or the other and give up. Or the new author may publish via Amazon or Barnes and Noble or some other company. It's not too difficult. However, a new author should make this decision (traditional or self) early, not later. Time may not be a new author's friend.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you are serious about becoming a writer, then write, write, write. Don't talk about it.
What are you reading now?
I am reading several nonfiction books about religion, especially its history.
What’s next for you as a writer?
In addition to the thriller I mentioned above, I have prepared a proposal for a nonfiction book.
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
A book about how to survive on a desert island.
A book about how to build a raft
A book about how to navigate a raft by using the stars.
Author Websites and Profiles
Bentley Turner Author Profile on Smashwords
Bentley Turner’s Social Media Links