As it stands now, Devil’s Own Day will be the last book in The Spy Devils series…as it stands now. I have been asked several questions over the last three years—some more often than others. I decided to answer some of them here.
Q: Each book opens with a foreword authored by Bridger. It makes it appear as if The Spy Devils are real. You worked at the CIA. Are they, or is this opening some fictional device? Yes or no!
A: Yes and no. This is the question I get asked the most. It is the answer I avoid the most, but I will do my best.
Yes, they are real, and no, they are not. Good books lead with strong characters. That was in my rules published in last month’s blog. I developed The Spy Devils based on people I worked with or met during my Agency years., people I know, or my imagination. Is there a Bridger? There are lots of Bridgers. Combined, they make just one.
These books are entertainment. Truth can be stranger than fiction, but truth can be boring, too. Nobody wants to read about my endless hours balancing my petty cash box or sitting at a computer crafting a cable.
Q: Will there be more Spy Devils books?
A: I am done with the three books in this story arc. A little hint on how Devil’s Own Day ends: there is a door open to continue them in a slightly different direction. I have some ideas for The Spy Devils 4/5/6, but those will wait. I also have ideas for three “origin novellas” on Demon, Imp, and Bridger that I could publish in one book. That will need to wait, also.
I plan to move on from espionage with my next book(s). I have an idea I am excited to write.
Q: Where do you get your character names?
A: Character names can be important. They present a mental image of the person that the reader is constructing in their mind. Is the image of a “Joe” different than a “Bridger?” Does Mayflower (May) present something different to a reader than “Lena?”
But I can have fun with it.
Did you know that many of the character names in the Spy Devils series are references to my college alma mater, the University of Iowa and Iowa City? I received a lot of messages from friends commenting on them. Some keep count of them as a game. Maybe I should…
Why did I do that? The easy answer is I don’t like making names too much. I have a list of the buildings and streets and pick one that best represents the character. That is why their name is “Hall.” Trowbridge. Stanley. Mayflower. Currier. My favorites? Danforth Chapel is the name of a small chapel on campus outside the student union. Gilbert Street is…a street.
For other names, I look up popular names in a country or names or use the names of people I knew.
Q: Why did I self-publish?
A: I was impatient. I had no intention of self-publishing, in fact, I did everything I could (I thought) to avoid it. I had worked on The Spy Devils for a couple of years and thought I had it ready. I did everything I was supposed to (I thought) and sent it off. I got 20+ full requests. About half that were partials, and the rest were rejections (120?). It wasn’t ready. I hired a top-notch editor who proved to me it wasn’t ready.
I rewrote, resubmitted (which is hard enough to try), and got some more positive comments, but then it was COVID, and no one knew what to expect. I wasn’t going to wait anymore. I sent it out, which a few agents said was a good idea given the times.
I was impatient. I could have sat on it and wrote Rebellious Son, but I didn’t. I actually like it, I have control, but I plan on going the query route for the next book. Why not?
Below, I am reposting an article I wrote on self-publishing that I hope you will find interesting.
Q: How do I deal with feedback and reviews?
A: I appreciate constructive feedback. The “bad” reviews that lack any educational value for me as a writer are what they are—there to be ignored. I do not interact with book-selling/reviewing platforms like Amazon. I do reply to anyone who contacts me directly (email, message, or a comment on social media). If someone has taken the time to read the book and contact me, I appreciate it and should take the time to reply.