Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an Ohio country boy who joined the Army infantry to escape farm work. I admit, it wasn’t a well thought out plan. I eventually became a police officer, starting out part-time in Jamestown, Ohio. I moved on to the City of St. Bernard, which is surrounded by Cincinnati, and finally retired from Huber Heights.
I served as a patrol officer, detective, field training officer, crime scene investigator, school resource officer, and still train the next generation from time to time in the police academy.
I live on the same farm in southwestern Ohio that I ran away from, with my wife Gloria. We have two children, both of which graduated from The Ohio State University. Our daughter, Nadia, is a behavioral therapist for children in Columbus, Ohio. She was my first and most critical editor for Becoming The Wolf. Our son, Richard Jr., is a police officer in San Antonio, Texas.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Becoming The Wolf: A White Wolf Justice Thriller, is my first novel. The story was inspired by a lifetime of law enforcement, and watching my brothers and sisters in blue try to lead two lives. One as a husband, mother, parent, sibling, and friend. The other as a law enforcer, victim’s advocate, and guardian of justice.
I represented the two lives by forcing JD Ward, a young rookie city cop who grew up in the country, to become a reluctant vigilante to protect his family. It might be easy for one of those TV loner cops to moonlight as a vigilante, but not an ethically-driven farm boy with a wife and two kids. I watched many officers try to live separate lives, but our profession is more than a job. It becomes part of who you are, and sometimes it’s messy when the two mix. But they will mix whether we like it or not.
The struggles and fears that officers deal with every day are highlighted throughout the pages of Becoming The Wolf.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in Narnia. No kidding! I walk through a wardrobe filled with coats and boots to enter my office. There are photos of it on my website www.RHNeil.com
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite books are The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. They have stayed with me since third grade, but I mostly read thrillers nowadays.
David Baldacci and Lee Child are my favorite storytellers. I also enjoy Clive Cussler, A.G. Riddle, Robery Crais, and Janet Evanovich. And I read some fantasy, my favorite being anything from Brandon Sanderson.
What are you working on now?
Joining The Pack is the second book of the White Wolf Justice Thrillers. It will hopefully be out in March of 2017. I outlined three books before writing Becoming The Wolf.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.RHNeil.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the kind of book you enjoy reading.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Regardless of your doubts, never give up. Be persistent. Finish.
What are you reading now?
A Jack Reacher novel, by Lee Child.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve been remodeling our farmhouse, which was built in 1814, but I’m back to working on book two of the series.
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 Swiss Family Robinson, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Jungle Book seem to be obvious choices for survival. And enjoyment.
Author Websites and Profiles
Richard Neil Website
Richard Neil Amazon Profile