Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Near the end of the 1990s I read about the disappearance of Albert Fountain and his young son Henry near the White Sands in 1896. I wanted to read a book about the case, but what I kept finding was only a few chapters here and there about it in books about a larger subject, such as biographies of those involved. I began researching the topic and once I found the investigation reports, I knew there was enough for a book, so I wrote the book I had wanted to read. I followed that with a biography of Pinkerton detective and Civil War spy Timothy Webster. I’ve written a few nonfiction articles as well. My new book, Death of a Kootch Show Girl, is my first work of fiction.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The novel is a mystery called Death of a Kootch Show Girl, published by Black Opal Books. I was in my car listening to a Mick Ronson song called “The Empty Bed,” which begins with the narrator lighting a cigarette and ends with the cigarette burning out. I thought that would be a great idea for something set in the 1950s. I thought it’d be fun to write something set in that time period and, by the time I got home, I had a rough idea for the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write out everything with pen and paper first. I know some find that unusual, but I change a lot as I type it, so this makes sense for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
For my early nonfiction work Frederick Nolan, Leon Metz, and Robert Utley were my biggest influences. Others include Oscar Wilde, Ian Fleming, Al Franken, Woody Allen, and Mark Twain.
What are you working on now?
I always have a few ideas that I’m researching. Both my next book and next article will be nonfiction and deal with murders in late 19th century New Mexico.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to the fiction world, so it’s too early to comment on what is working and what isn’t. For nonfiction, reviews and articles in relevant magazines and journals have probably helped the most. Speeches have also been very successful and rewarding for me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and rewrite. Make your final product as good as it can be, then find a good and appropriate publisher. The more help you have, the better. I owe so much to my publishers.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It would be very difficult to choose just one piece of advice. I had no experience writing books when I started my first manuscript, and I was lucky enough to get critiques and very helpful advice from successful authors in my field. I can’t thank Frederick Nolan, Gordon Owen, Leon Metz, and Chuck Parsons enough for all they taught me. Writers (and in that case, historians) can be a very friendly group, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
What are you reading now?
I just finished a book about the Sam Sheppard case by James Neff called The Wrong Man. It’s inspired me to learn more about the Marilyn Sheppard murder.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to research and write. I have many projects I want to get to.
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?
The list would change depending on when you ask me, but here goes: Letters From the Earth by Mark Twain (or the Bible According to Mark Twain which includes Letters From the Earth); The West of Billy the Kid by Frederick Nolan, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and the Complete Calvin and Hobbes (am I allowed a box-set?).
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