Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a New Orleans writer with 32 books published, primarily character-driven crime fiction, although he has written in many disciplines including historical fiction, children’s fiction, mainstream fiction, science-fiction, suspense, fantasy, horror, western, literary, religious, romance, humor and erotica.
My writing has garnered a number of awards: 2015 Literary Artist of the Year – St.Tammany Parish Art’s Council, St. Tammany Parish, LA
2016 Shamus Award Nominee for BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL PRIVATE EYE NOVEL The Long Cold
2014 Derringer Award Nominee for BEST NOVELETTE “For Love’s Sake”
2013 Shamus Award Nominee for BEST INDIE P.I. NOVEL Enamored
2011 POLICE BOOK OF THE YEAR. On May 23, 2012 (San Dimas, CA), Police-Writers.com professional writers organization named the novel John Raven Beau by O’Neil De Noux as the police book of the year. The selection process considered all fiction and non-fiction books authored by police writers in 2011. Current, retired and former law enforcement officers are included in the organization of over eleven hundred published writers who have published over 2,300 books.
2009-2010 Artist Services Career Advancement Award from the Louisiana Division of the Arts
2009 Derringer Award Winner The Short Mystery Fiction Society awarded their 2009 Derringer Awards for best short mystery fiction on May 1, 2009. “Too Wise” by O’Neil De Noux (from the November 2008 Issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine) won BEST NOVELETTE (stories between 8,001 and 17,500 words). “Too Wise” is a Lucien Caye private eye mystery. The Derringer Awards are given annually to recognize excellence in the short mystery fiction form. Another De Noux story, The Bonnie and Clyde Caper featuring John Raven Beau was nominated in the Derringer Best Long Story category.
2007 Shamus Award Winner for BEST SHORT STORY was awarded to “The Heart Has Reasons” by O’Neil De Noux (the cover story of the September 2006 Issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine). The prestigious Shamus Award is given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. Both Enamored and “The Heart Has Reasons” feature De Noux’s private eye Lucien Caye.
Best American Mystery Stories Collection. Stories included in 2013 and 2003 editions.
2007 United Kingdom Short Story Prize – Short Story Challenge Winner
2005 Artist Mini-Grant Award for Literature from the Louisiana Division of the Arts
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
HOLD ME, BABE is my latest book. It is the third book in the Lucien Caye New Orleans Private Eye series and was inspired by my agent/literary attorney who told me a story about lost royalties.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write all the time, day and night and I usually listen to rock and roll music while I write in my home office. I love to write and have to force myself to do promotions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Paul Bishop, Max Allan Collins, Bernard Cornwell, George Alec Effinger, Harlan Ellison, Ken Follett, Allan Guthrie, Thomas Harris, Greg Iles, Alexander Kent, Elmore Leonard, H.P. Lovecraft, C. L. Moore, James L. Nelson, Jeff Shaara, James Sallis and Kate Wilhelm. He has also developed a particular affinity for mystery writers Frederic Brown, Howard Browne, David Dodge, Loren Estleman, Channing Hayden, Robert S. Levinson, Wade Miller, Marcia Muller, Max Phillips, Bill Pronzini, Dayne Sherman, Kent Westmoreland, Harry Whittington, Charles Willeford, Charles Williams and Dave Zeltserman.
What are you working on now?
It’s July 2016 and I wrote two novels this year already and will begin a new one on August 1st. This one is the tenth novel in the LaStanza Series (LaStanza began as an NOPD Homicide Detective and is now a Private Eye).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t a clue. I have website: www.oneildenoux.net
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You are an artist. Act that way. Listen to advice but follow your instincts. If you feel the advice is wrong, ignore it. If Van Gogh listened to the art critics we would have none of his paintings. Read. Read as much as you can. Write quickly then get it right. Never give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get it written, then get is right. My friend Harlan Ellison says writing is guerilla warfare. Go to war.
What are you reading now?
Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy: FALL OF GIANTS; WINTER OF THE WORLD, EDGE OF ETERNITY.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have detailed outlines for 5 more books, all lined up and ready to go. I will start a book on August 1 and write some short stories as I write the book. In 2017, we have three books ready to be published and I will write three books that year.
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 GREAT GATSBY, A MOVEABLE FEAST, LONESOME DOVE, and LORD OF THE FLIES (I’ll need the ideas).
Author Websites and Profiles
O’Neil De Noux Website
O’Neil De Noux Amazon Profile
O’Neil De Noux Author Profile on Smashwords
O’Neil De Noux’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account