An Interview By Sheri Hoyt of Reader Views
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With Gary D. McGugan – Author of A Slippery Shadow
Recently awarded a Gold Medal by Reader Views 2021-22 Literary Awards in the Mystery/Thriller category, writing started for Gary D. McGugan after a 40-year career in the world of business. He’s worked in supermarkets, sold appliances, distributed motorcycles, launched an automobile dealer network, and provided financing to help businesses grow. Every industry was very different from the other. Each company had a distinctive culture and character, but all were units of large corporations with operations around the globe. Travel has always been a large component of his business roles and he’s now visited more than 650 towns and cities in more than fifty countries for either business or leisure. Experts say we should write about things we know best. In Gary’s case, those subjects are business, travel, and people. As an author, his goal is to entertain readers around the world — one at a time.
Hi Gary, Welcome back to Reader Views! What is “A Slippery Shadow” all about?
Thanks for having me back, Sheri. And thanks for asking about my latest novel, “A Slippery Shadow.” It’s a suspense thriller, revealing some of the unexpected challenges people who lead enterprises—either legal or criminal types of organizations—can encounter when a mysterious player pulls some strings behind the scenes.
What inspired the storyline behind this book?
When I decide to write a story, my inspiration is always to create a tale to entertain my readers. There’s great competition for the hard-earned dollars people have available for entertainment, so I always want to tell a story that rewards their investment of time and money. But, there are also fundamental changes taking place in our global society.
Some countries’ political leaders were formerly entertainers, spies, businesspeople, or military officers. Corporations have become global, generating revenues far greater than most people can conceptualize. Organized crime has become sanitized, controlling supposedly legitimate companies traded on public stock markets.
“A Slippery Shadow” suggests what might happen when a player in one of those sectors decides to pull strings to influence what they want to happen, and how easily it all might take form. While I’m entertaining my readers, I’d like them to think about the possible implications and how those actions might eventually touch all of us in unexpected ways.
As always, your characters hit the mark for me—especially your “fierce females” as I like to call them. In “A Slippery Shadow,” readers get to see an intimate side to both Fidelia Morales and Suzanne Simpson- something we haven’t been privy to in your previous novels. What was it like getting inside the heads of two strong independent women when they were at their most vulnerable and how did you bring that vulnerability to the page?
I think two factors influence most how I write from a female Point of View. I’ve had the good fortune to work closely with women for more than fifty years, women who have been colleagues, customers, suppliers, and friends. I also like to “people-watch.” But to me, people-watching delves far deeper than clothes people wear, hairstyles, make-up, or the way they carry themselves.
I’ve watched women negotiate fiercely, revealing their inner thought processes. I’ve seen many reactions to victory or accomplishment, and observed how some coped with adversity.
Every interaction is an opportunity to learn, and behaviors of both genders have long fascinated me. When it’s time to write, create dialog, or dig deep for emotion, I try to recall real people in similar circumstances and remember things they said or actions they took. Recalling those memories helps make my characters and their dialog feel more genuine to a reader.
For anyone who’s read any of your previous novels, they know Howard Knight has had his share of ups and downs. To me, he has the quintessential traits of rising to stardom level with your fanbase. Is he a fan favorite? What do you hear about Howard Knight? Are there Howard Knight groupies among us?
I haven’t seen Howard Knight groupies at any in-store author events yet, but he consistently intrigues readers. In my first story, Three Weeks Less a Day, Howard was probably the most despised character. In “The Multima Scheme” and “Unrelenting Peril,” I put him in circumstances that showed different elements of his complex personality, and in “Pernicious Pursuit,” he became a clear favorite of most readers. In A Slippery Shadow, the poor guy deals with so much adversity I think it’s hard for most readers to resist his tug of appeal.
Which one of your characters in “A Slippery Shadow” was the most fun to write and why?
I enjoy them all. But Fidelia Morales was the most interesting for me. I think it would be fair to say Fidelia was not a favorite in A Web of Deceit, the novel immediately before A Slippery Shadow. Readers will find her in radically different circumstances in this story, and I think most will enjoy reading how she copes with the new challenges!
Would you and your main characters get along?
Yes. Of course, with Suzanne Simpson, I’d avoid conversations about loyalty. With Howard, I’d never talk about The Organization, and with Fidelia, I’d surely display my non-judgmental persona.
It sounds like we can expect more from this “slippery shadow” character. Will he/she ever surface, or do you plan to keep that identity elusive?
Great question! And I still don’t have an answer. Future world events will probably determine any future role for my “Slippery Shadow.”
The most surprising development for me in “A Slippery Shadow” was the level of betrayal involved. I truly did not see a few key betrayals coming. Can’t you ever let your characters just be happy? 🙂
And wouldn’t it be nice if we could also achieve world peace? 🙂 Human nature is bewildering. People seek happiness but do things that make it elusive. And for as long as we have that dichotomy, I’ll probably have adequate material to create entertaining stories that reflect life: brief interludes of happiness countered by events and characters determined to ensure happiness never becomes permanent.
What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with this work?
This story was finished before Russia invaded Ukraine. But for many years, people weighing events in Russia might have predicted the recent invasion. A Slippery Shadow demonstrates several different ways Russia tries to influence our global evolution. While the story is pure fiction, readers will relate to behavior and events in other parts of the world like those they read about in A Slippery Shadow.
What part of “A Slippery Shadow” did you have the hardest time writing?
I don’t recall any specific passage that was more difficult to write. Details related to cryptocurrencies took some comprehensive research. Fidelia’s detention by authorities in Singapore drew on some creative imagination, and the goings-on in Eastern Europe combined both. But I think readers will find each of those scenes plausible, if not authentic.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
My goal is to make every chapter exciting. When I approach writing with that perspective, every page is fun.
If you only had a few words in which to convince me to buy “A Slippery Shadow” what would your pitch sound like?
Imagine the intrigue of a story that combines arrests, escapes, kidnapping, betrayal, deception, massive amounts of money, and baffling technology while none of the main characters know who’s pulling the strings and creating all the chaos.
How early do you try to hook your readers – first sentence, first page, first chapter? Do you agree that the first sentence is the most important sentence in your entire book?
I think a good story demands many meaningful sentences to grab and hold a reader’s attention. I try to make the first sentence impactful, for sure. But I also try to make every subsequent sentence and chapter equally strong. My goal is to make every story hard for a reader to put down the book or digital device.
How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
I think anyone who enjoys quick-paced suspense, with lots of twists and turns, and consistently challenging a reader to solve the mystery or guess the outcome, will enjoy any of my novels.
Travel plays an important part in your writing process. How has your process changed over the last several years with restricted travel guidelines in place?
Like most people, I didn’t travel for almost two years. A Web of Deceit and A Slippery Shadow were written and published during the pandemic with memories, photos, and research to fill in any blanks. Because I usually spend weeks or months in a foreign location—rather than a few days—my experiences are rich. I try to live among the people of the country I’m visiting rather than in hotels or resorts. I learn from personal interactions and my long walks every day. I think the intimacy I develop with a location reflects in my stories.
Do you think your writing has strengthened over the course of your series? How so?
I imagine every writer likes to think their work improves with each story. I’m happy with every novel I’ve written, but I’m never satisfied. In each book, I try to focus more attention on one critical element. Initially, I worked hard to develop the Point of View we talked about. Later, I tried to polish dialog and emotion. I belong to a community of writers that arranges monthly presentations from polished writers, and I attend as many as possible to learn as much as possible.
I know you had planned to take a year off from your fiction writing to consider a “memoir-ish” project when Covid first hit but of course, Covid changed many plans indefinitely. Do you still have a desire to delve into non-fiction?
You have a good memory! I’m still interested in the “memoir-ish” direction, but I’m unsure of the timing. As you know, in the publishing world today, we authors are ultimately responsible for promoting our books to generate optimum sales results. During the April to October 2022 window, I plan to invest considerable time in personal appearances—COVID permitting. During these next few months, I’ll decide whether to immediately jump into a seventh novel or experiment with a work of non-fiction.
You’re writing about one fiction book a year now! What are your future plans for your international intrigue series?
There will surely be a seventh story about the goings-on at the summit of Multima Corporation, including my cast of characters who provide the intrigue. The only question is timing. I expect emails will start soon, asking when the next one will be ready, and that demand will probably determine how soon I release another story.
With six fiction books and one non-fiction book under your belt, you’ve probably fine-tuned your writing/publishing/marketing strategies. What has been the most important thing you’ve learned on your journey that you can pass along to new authors?
Become a member of a writing community. Writing communities offer extraordinary value for authors. I belong to the Writers’ Community of York Region ( https://wcyork.ca/ ) in Canada, but there are hundreds across the globe. All offer an opportunity to network with other writers to learn what’s working for them. Many communities arrange guest speakers who share valuable tips and advice on the latest trends in publishing, writing skills to attract more readers, and the ever-changing tastes of retailers and readers.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Yes. I’d like to thank you for this opportunity to share some thoughts with you and your readers, and express my appreciation for all the great work your organization does to help independent authors and publishers grow readership. Thank you!
Recently awarded a Gold Medal by Reader Views 2021-22 Literary Awards in the Mystery/Thriller category, writing started for Gary D. McGugan after a 40-year career in the world of business. He’s worked in supermarkets, sold appliances, distributed motorcycles, launched an automobile dealer network, and provided financing to help businesses grow. Every industry was very different from the other. Each company had a distinctive culture and character, but all were units of large corporations with operations around the globe. Travel has always been a large component of his business roles and he’s now visited more than 650 towns and cities in more than fifty countries for either business or leisure. Experts say we should write about things we know best. In Gary’s case, those subjects are business, travel, and people. As an author, his goal is to entertain readers around the world — one at a time.
Hi Gary, Welcome back to Reader Views! What is “A Slippery Shadow” all about?
Thanks for having me back, Sheri. And thanks for asking about my latest novel, “A Slippery Shadow.” It’s a suspense thriller, revealing some of the unexpected challenges people who lead enterprises—either legal or criminal types of organizations—can encounter when a mysterious player pulls some strings behind the scenes.
What inspired the storyline behind this book?
When I decide to write a story, my inspiration is always to create a tale to entertain my readers. There’s great competition for the hard-earned dollars people have available for entertainment, so I always want to tell a story that rewards their investment of time and money. But, there are also fundamental changes taking place in our global society.
Some countries’ political leaders were formerly entertainers, spies, businesspeople, or military officers. Corporations have become global, generating revenues far greater than most people can conceptualize. Organized crime has become sanitized, controlling supposedly legitimate companies traded on public stock markets.
“A Slippery Shadow” suggests what might happen when a player in one of those sectors decides to pull strings to influence what they want to happen, and how easily it all might take form. While I’m entertaining my readers, I’d like them to think about the possible implications and how those actions might eventually touch all of us in unexpected ways.
As always, your characters hit the mark for me—especially your “fierce females” as I like to call them. In “A Slippery Shadow,” readers get to see an intimate side to both Fidelia Morales and Suzanne Simpson- something we haven’t been privy to in your previous novels. What was it like getting inside the heads of two strong independent women when they were at their most vulnerable and how did you bring that vulnerability to the page?
I think two factors influence most how I write from a female Point of View. I’ve had the good fortune to work closely with women for more than fifty years, women who have been colleagues, customers, suppliers, and friends. I also like to “people-watch.” But to me, people-watching delves far deeper than clothes people wear, hairstyles, make-up, or the way they carry themselves.
I’ve watched women negotiate fiercely, revealing their inner thought processes. I’ve seen many reactions to victory or accomplishment, and observed how some coped with adversity.
Every interaction is an opportunity to learn, and behaviors of both genders have long fascinated me. When it’s time to write, create dialog, or dig deep for emotion, I try to recall real people in similar circumstances and remember things they said or actions they took. Recalling those memories helps make my characters and their dialog feel more genuine to a reader.
For anyone who’s read any of your previous novels, they know Howard Knight has had his share of ups and downs. To me, he has the quintessential traits of rising to stardom level with your fanbase. Is he a fan favorite? What do you hear about Howard Knight? Are there Howard Knight groupies among us?
I haven’t seen Howard Knight groupies at any in-store author events yet, but he consistently intrigues readers. In my first story, Three Weeks Less a Day, Howard was probably the most despised character. In “The Multima Scheme” and “Unrelenting Peril,” I put him in circumstances that showed different elements of his complex personality, and in “Pernicious Pursuit,” he became a clear favorite of most readers. In A Slippery Shadow, the poor guy deals with so much adversity I think it’s hard for most readers to resist his tug of appeal.
Which one of your characters in “A Slippery Shadow” was the most fun to write and why?
I enjoy them all. But Fidelia Morales was the most interesting for me. I think it would be fair to say Fidelia was not a favorite in A Web of Deceit, the novel immediately before A Slippery Shadow. Readers will find her in radically different circumstances in this story, and I think most will enjoy reading how she copes with the new challenges!
Would you and your main characters get along?
Yes. Of course, with Suzanne Simpson, I’d avoid conversations about loyalty. With Howard, I’d never talk about The Organization, and with Fidelia, I’d surely display my non-judgmental persona.
It sounds like we can expect more from this “slippery shadow” character. Will he/she ever surface, or do you plan to keep that identity elusive?
Great question! And I still don’t have an answer. Future world events will probably determine any future role for my “Slippery Shadow.”
The most surprising development for me in “A Slippery Shadow” was the level of betrayal involved. I truly did not see a few key betrayals coming. Can’t you ever let your characters just be happy? 🙂
And wouldn’t it be nice if we could also achieve world peace? 🙂 Human nature is bewildering. People seek happiness but do things that make it elusive. And for as long as we have that dichotomy, I’ll probably have adequate material to create entertaining stories that reflect life: brief interludes of happiness countered by events and characters determined to ensure happiness never becomes permanent.
What perspectives or beliefs have you challenged with this work?
This story was finished before Russia invaded Ukraine. But for many years, people weighing events in Russia might have predicted the recent invasion. A Slippery Shadow demonstrates several different ways Russia tries to influence our global evolution. While the story is pure fiction, readers will relate to behavior and events in other parts of the world like those they read about in A Slippery Shadow.
What part of “A Slippery Shadow” did you have the hardest time writing?
I don’t recall any specific passage that was more difficult to write. Details related to cryptocurrencies took some comprehensive research. Fidelia’s detention by authorities in Singapore drew on some creative imagination, and the goings-on in Eastern Europe combined both. But I think readers will find each of those scenes plausible, if not authentic.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
My goal is to make every chapter exciting. When I approach writing with that perspective, every page is fun.
If you only had a few words in which to convince me to buy “A Slippery Shadow” what would your pitch sound like?
Imagine the intrigue of a story that combines arrests, escapes, kidnapping, betrayal, deception, massive amounts of money, and baffling technology while none of the main characters know who’s pulling the strings and creating all the chaos.
How early do you try to hook your readers – first sentence, first page, first chapter? Do you agree that the first sentence is the most important sentence in your entire book?
I think a good story demands many meaningful sentences to grab and hold a reader’s attention. I try to make the first sentence impactful, for sure. But I also try to make every subsequent sentence and chapter equally strong. My goal is to make every story hard for a reader to put down the book or digital device.
How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
I think anyone who enjoys quick-paced suspense, with lots of twists and turns, and consistently challenging a reader to solve the mystery or guess the outcome, will enjoy any of my novels.
Travel plays an important part in your writing process. How has your process changed over the last several years with restricted travel guidelines in place?
Like most people, I didn’t travel for almost two years. A Web of Deceit and A Slippery Shadow were written and published during the pandemic with memories, photos, and research to fill in any blanks. Because I usually spend weeks or months in a foreign location—rather than a few days—my experiences are rich. I try to live among the people of the country I’m visiting rather than in hotels or resorts. I learn from personal interactions and my long walks every day. I think the intimacy I develop with a location reflects in my stories.
Do you think your writing has strengthened over the course of your series? How so?
I imagine every writer likes to think their work improves with each story. I’m happy with every novel I’ve written, but I’m never satisfied. In each book, I try to focus more attention on one critical element. Initially, I worked hard to develop the Point of View we talked about. Later, I tried to polish dialog and emotion. I belong to a community of writers that arranges monthly presentations from polished writers, and I attend as many as possible to learn as much as possible.
I know you had planned to take a year off from your fiction writing to consider a “memoir-ish” project when Covid first hit but of course, Covid changed many plans indefinitely. Do you still have a desire to delve into non-fiction?
You have a good memory! I’m still interested in the “memoir-ish” direction, but I’m unsure of the timing. As you know, in the publishing world today, we authors are ultimately responsible for promoting our books to generate optimum sales results. During the April to October 2022 window, I plan to invest considerable time in personal appearances—COVID permitting. During these next few months, I’ll decide whether to immediately jump into a seventh novel or experiment with a work of non-fiction.
You’re writing about one fiction book a year now! What are your future plans for your international intrigue series?
There will surely be a seventh story about the goings-on at the summit of Multima Corporation, including my cast of characters who provide the intrigue. The only question is timing. I expect emails will start soon, asking when the next one will be ready, and that demand will probably determine how soon I release another story.
With six fiction books and one non-fiction book under your belt, you’ve probably fine-tuned your writing/publishing/marketing strategies. What has been the most important thing you’ve learned on your journey that you can pass along to new authors?
Become a member of a writing community. Writing communities offer extraordinary value for authors. I belong to the Writers’ Community of York Region ( https://wcyork.ca/ ) in Canada, but there are hundreds across the globe. All offer an opportunity to network with other writers to learn what’s working for them. Many communities arrange guest speakers who share valuable tips and advice on the latest trends in publishing, writing skills to attract more readers, and the ever-changing tastes of retailers and readers.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Yes. I’d like to thank you for this opportunity to share some thoughts with you and your readers, and express my appreciation for all the great work your organization does to help independent authors and publishers grow readership. Thank you!
In Conversation With Gary D. McGugan
Reviewer & Author Interviewer, Norm Goldman. Norm is the Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com.
Bookpleasures.com welcomes once again as our guest Gary D. McGugan author of the Three Weeks Less A Day, The Multima Scheme. Unrelenting Peril, Pernicious Pursuit and A Web of Deceit.
Norm: Good day Gary and thanks once again for taking part in an interview for Bookpleasures.com
Gary: Thank you for the opportunity, Norm. It’s wonderful to be with you.
Norm: What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
Gary: Digital sales become increasingly important each year. With that growth in popularity, traditional publishers play a less prominent role as authors create professional, compelling manuscripts, build electronic or print books entirely, and promote their work directly to readers.
Reviewer & Author Interviewer, Norm Goldman. Norm is the Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com.
Bookpleasures.com welcomes once again as our guest Gary D. McGugan author of the Three Weeks Less A Day, The Multima Scheme. Unrelenting Peril, Pernicious Pursuit and A Web of Deceit.
Norm: Good day Gary and thanks once again for taking part in an interview for Bookpleasures.com
Gary: Thank you for the opportunity, Norm. It’s wonderful to be with you.
Norm: What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?
Gary: Digital sales become increasingly important each year. With that growth in popularity, traditional publishers play a less prominent role as authors create professional, compelling manuscripts, build electronic or print books entirely, and promote their work directly to readers.
Norm: How many times in your writing career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
Gary: I started writing later in life so I think my experience is atypical. Agents and publishers understandably showed little interest in an aging non-celebrity just setting out.
They had no way of knowing whether my capacity to generate revenue for them was limited to one book; or might offer more opportunities with others to follow.
When it became clear traditional routes showed little immediate interest, I decided to follow a self-publishing path instead of waiting for doors to open. I have no regrets.
Norm: What does a typical writing day look like for you, from waking to turning in at night, and how does it compare to a conventional 9 to 5 job?
Gary: Three primary activities occupy much of my day: investing, writing, and fitness. Early mornings, I research data for an investment portfolio I manage. From 9-Noon, I research, write, or edit my novel in progress.
Two to three hours each afternoon are devoted to walking and stretching. The remainder of my day and evening is devoted to relaxation, reading, social and family activities.
Norm; Do you feel that writers, regardless of genre owe something to readers, if not, why not, if so, why and what would that be?
Gary: Writers owe their readers a satisfying reading experience. Non-fiction readers usually expect to gain new information and insights into a specific subject. Suspense readers expect a tale that entertains them with some mystery, twists and surprises.
Readers pay hard-earned money when they buy books and should feel their expenditure was entirely justified when they reach the last page.
Norm: What do you consider to be your greatest success (or successes) so far in your writing career?
Gary: Canada’s largest bookseller—Indigo—has become a wonderful supporter, with its stores across Ontario and Quebec inviting me to hold in-store events to promote and sign books with readers.
This personal interaction directly with prospective readers has significantly boosted my readership for all five novels.
Norm: Many people have the skills and drive to write a book, but failure to market and sell the book the right way is probably what keep a lot of people from finding success. Can you give us 2-3 strategies that have been effective for you promoting your books.
Gary: Without a doubt, working with Indigo stores has been my most successful marketing thrust. I also communicate by email twice per month with readers who subscribe to my VIP Readers List. Folks who’d like to subscribe can do it easily by visiting my website.
And I also use social media to inform and promote.
Norm: What inspires you?
Gary: Learning. Throughout my adult life, I’ve learned continuously about business, people, science, the arts, and life itself. Crafting some of that knowledge into a unique story created from a blank piece of paper provides powerful inspiration. Writing a story demands more discovery to make each plot work and make it appealing to, and credible for, most readers.
Norm: Where did you get your information or ideas for A Web of Deceit?
Gary: During the twenty-years I worked in commercial finance with some of the world’s most successful organizations, each of my employers invested huge amounts of time and money to educate its executives about continuously occurring pitfalls with digital commerce and money-laundering—and the massive risks each poses for successful businesses. It kindled a passion for me to learn more, read media articles, and listen intently to expert speakers at industry conferences.
Over the years, I’ve considered many possible scenarios where the worlds of organized crime and thriving commercial businesses might intersect. With A Web of Deceit, I added a pinch of imagination to create a scenario that might just be possible as a criminal element uses technology to attack a major corporation and wage a war with others.
Norm: What was the time-line between the time you decided to write your book and publication? What were the major events along the way?
Gary: Since 2016, I’ve written and published a new novel each year, and I’ll release another one in 2022. Before a story is fully completed, I usually started building the plot and begin research into settings and locales. A Web of Deceit takes place in the Caribbean, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Australia.
With the exception of Australia, I spent considerable time in those locations in 2019 and 2020 before the pandemic restricted travel. My major events along the way are getting it all down on paper first, revising until I’m satisfied with the plot and content, then working with two professional editors to edit and modify as needed. I welcome their input and suggestions to make a story better, then fine tune it over several months. Finally, a professional proofreader points out any spelling and / or grammar concerns to polish a version ready for publishing.
Norm: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your story?
Gary: When the subject relates to computer hacking there is little I find surprising. With enough technical knowledge, time, patience and creativity, expert hackers can penetrate virtually any computer system. For this reason, a next world war may well be waged more with technology weapons than conventional weapons.
Norm: Was there anything you found particularly challenging in writing A Web of Deceit? How did you deal with it?
Gary: For most people, technical talk can become boring very quickly. My goal in A Web of Deceit was to avoid ‘tech-speak’ and focus on activities and results that contributed directly to the plot.
Norm: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
Gary: My primary goal with every story is to entertain my readers. Feedback from readers and reviewers suggest I was successful in A web of Deceit. I think most readers will find the pacing very quick, with a high level of intrigue, and insight into some of the dangers associated with digital commerce lurking in the background.
Norm: What is your secret in keeping the intensity of the plot throughout the narrative?
Gary: From the first chapter, my goal is to make every chapter in the book as exciting as possible. I try to avoid a natural inclination to provide backstory and focus instead on as much action and dialog as possible. During my editing reviews, I focus on specific passages where an additional twist or turn might heighten intensity and raise more questions for a reader.
Norm: How much research went into before writing the novel, and what were some of the references that you used while researching this book?
Gary: My stories draw on experiences from my forty-year career with major corporations around the globe. So far, I’ve personally visited 66 countries and more than 635 cities on every continent but Africa and Antarctica. Sometimes Googlemaps.com is necessary to refresh memories about a specific location or calculate distance or travel times, but most research is the result of observing people, listening to experts, and reading about a book a week over most of my lifetime.
Norm: Did you know the end of your book at the beginning, and what is the most favorite part of your book?
Gary: With every story, I have a beginning, middle, and end well established. The path I follow to reach the end often changes as I find more exciting routes to get from here to there!
Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and A Web of Deceit?
Gary: I have information about all five novels and myself at my website.
Norm: What is next for Gary D. McGugan?
Gary: In April 2022, I’ll release A Slippery Shadow. This new story will be an independent self-contained story like all my novels, but will pick up from where A Web of Deceit ends. So I’d encourage your readers to read a copy of A Web of Deceit first. A Slippery Shadow will focus more on Fidelia Morales who recently assumed command of The Organization. I think readers will find this female crime boss an intriguing character as she interacts once again with venerable Howard Knight who bungles into yet another crisis involving Suzanne Simpson and her Multima Corporation empire. Once started, I think readers will have a hard time putting down A Slippery Shadow.
Norm: As this interview comes to an end, if you can invite three authors, dead or alive, of thrillers and crime to your dinner table, who would they be and what would you ask them?
Gary: Wilbur Smith, John Grisham and James Patterson would all be delightful dinner companions. I’d ask each of them the same question: “What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your writing career?” I have no doubt their answers would take far more than a dinner conversation to dissect and absorb!
Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.
Gary: Thank you, Norm. It’s been great talking with you again.