A quick catch-up on the state of affairs!
It goes without saying that I’m not much of a blogger; my day job, and the novel writing, leave me little time to write posts or essays. But it’s been a long time since I checked in, and now is as good a time as any.
Honestly, I’ve been one of the lucky ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m an essential employee (although let’s be honest, that’s a pretty hazy term), and other than a cross-country move (right in the first two months of the lock-down, and nothing I would ever recommend), I’ve been at work every day. In fact, I’ve bought and sold house, moved, driven back and forth to Texas (twice), been to Florida (twice), spent a week in Tennessee, and hosted my daughters from Arizona.
If anything, I’ve been just as busy as I ever was before the pandemic.
That’s not to say the virus it hasn’t had an impact. I released LOST RIVER in June, almost four months ago now, and without the regular sort of promotion/publicity and book store events that prop up a new release, I’ve faced the real possibility that a book I worked hard on and I’m proud of will sink without a trace. It’s just incredibly difficult to generate much excitement enthusiasm and frisson for certain projects in this environment, and LOST RIVER may prove to be one, although it’s tough to draw hard conclusions (yet). That being said, I’m far from the only writer who’s had to face this, so even if LOST RIVER never quite finds an audience now, I hope it finds fans in the future.
Similarly, the various other projects I’ve been involved in (film and TV) have all taken on water too, victims of COVID-19 and the subsequent lock downs and a general re-assessment (I think) of the kind of stories that are viable and pertinent and immediate to the moment. It’s fair to say that I spent late 2018 and a good chunk of 2019 devoted to these projects, and while they were lucrative and enjoyable and I learned a tremendous amount from them, there’s a decent risk that these might not get their heads above water either. Such is Hollywood. That’s not an indictment of the business, that’s the reality of the business of being (a part time) professional author and screenwriter.
So, in terms of novels, what did I get done? A chunk of a crime thriller, titled BURN DOWN. The start of the 4th Chris Cherry novel (tentatively titled A SILENT SKY), a possible Casey Alexander book, file-saved as THE NIGHT ROOM. A full re-write of 13 DAYS, a book that I’m fond of but just can’t seem to nail down; a bit of another book without a decent working title, and finally, the one I’m currently working and aiming to finish by the end of this year that I’m simply calling ARK (yeah, it’ll have a different title when I’m done).
ARK, like LOST RIVER, is another stand-alone. One of things I had several discussions with both my publisher and agents about was trying my hand at some different novel genres, since my film/TV stuff has ranged from sci-fi to horror. And one of the advantages of my “day career” – and it is a career, I’ve been doing this whole federal agent thing for 25 years – is that I do have the luxury of writing the kind of books I want to, when I want to. Now, that doesn’t mean anyone will publish them, but I can afford to take the occasional flier on a book, without worrying if it lands. The disadvantage? Sometimes the career truly does swamp everything else, and when I was promoted to the Special Agent in Charge and moved back home to Kentucky – in the teeth of this pandemic – I spun my wheels on another book that wasn’t going anywhere, all the while juggling work, the move, new responsibilities, and the family, as we all dealt with pandemic disruptions, before returning to ARK for the homestretch.
And I am in the homestretch for ARK. I feel damn good about it.
THE FAR EMPTY debuted in 2016, and I’ve been fortunate since then to release three more novels, be published in two anthologies and one magazine, create and sell an original audio series, write three feature film screenplays (and earn my WGA membership), and a TV series pilot. I’ve also been talking with my German publisher recently, as we get closer to releasing THE FAR EMPTY over there. That’s a helluva lot of full-time work in a short amount of time for a part-time professional, and I don’t plan on stopping soon. Although 2019 was challenging personally and 2020 has been challenging professionally, I’ve still been able to create and produce.
That’s always been the one constant…one word, right after another.
Best, JTS
Gary says
Looking forward to the new book, have loved the trilogy so far, and another Cherry book will be great👍
I bought Lost River during lockdown in the UK and demolished it in two days. Hopefully word will get around, I always recommend you as an author to people that I know who like this genre.
Now if you are thinking of sci-fi and horror as novels at any point, put my name down now !
Keep up the good work, although honestly I have no idea how you fit it all in 😄
J.TODD SCOTT says
Thanks so much! Glad you liked the books, and thrilled you had a chance to get through LOST RIVER!
Troy A. Jackson says
New fan here!!!!!
It has been so long since I’ve found a Author who has fully captured my attention and admiration.
I was at the store looking at the books trying to find a novel to pass some time. One of the titles kept pulling my attention back to it so I picked it up and have been captivated ever since ( This Side of Night).
I have to thank you for your hard work and the balancing you do each day to to get everything done.
As for me you have earned a lifetime reader and fan of yours and you characters as well!
J.TODD SCOTT says
Thanks so much for the kinds words! This Side of Night is one of those titles I had right from the start (they don’t all come that easy), lol!
Ruth Ayres says
I just finished Lost River. I loved it! I was initially disappointed that it wasn’t a follow-up to your three prior books, but I soon discovered how much I liked it. I have never liked male authors until I read you. I am looking forward to your next book.
J.TODD SCOTT says
Thanks, and glad you liked Lost River. It’s always hard to break stride from a series, but I was looking forward to tackling that book.
Rich Lanave says
Superb writing. The authenticity is obvious, as a retired P.O. often times it can be frustrating when details like cocking the trigger of a Glock pistol get published in books. Each of your books have had that innate level of truthfulness and for a part time “career” have been damn good. Congrats on the promotion, running a shop is a full time gig , glad your fire to write has stayed intact. Looking forward to the next one, regardless of genre. Stay safe.
J.TODD SCOTT says
Thanks so much, and it always means a lot when someone who’s carried a badge and a gun feels like I’ve gotten it “right.”
Nathan Glowacki says
Lost River was fantastic! As are all of your novels. Great, powerful storytelling. It is always a treat to read your work. Thank you!
Laura Gould says
Hey we met you in Destin at the Henderson. I am having a Book Club on Sept 30 and was wondering if you could Zoom call for about 10 minutes. Of course your book is our read this month. Thanks!