Author Interview - Hank Phillippi Ryan

Happy Friday, Writing Desk Readers!

I am so pleased to present my interview with bestselling author, Hank Phillippi Ryan. This interview has been months in the making, I was on pins and needles for weeks until I could finally announce the publication date. 

Don't forget, today is also the last day to enter the Say No More Giveaway! One lucky winner will receive a hardback copy of the latest book in her Jane Ryland series, Say No More.

This interview is also a lead-up to the release of Hank's new novel, Trust Me, which will be available on August 28, 2018. I plan on downloading a Kindle copy for my trip in September, so expect to see Trust Me featured on What Am I Reading Wednesday when I return!

Enjoy!

Photo provided by: Hank Phillippi Ryan

Writing Desk Blog: Hi Hank, thank you for agreeing to this blog interview with me! Today I'd like to talk about your latest novel, Trust Me, which is due for release on August 28, 2018. Congratulations! If you could describe Trust Me in one sentence, what would it be?

Hank Phillippi Ryan: Thank you! Very exciting. How about: Two strong women face off in a high-stakes psychological cat and mouse game to discover the truth about a gruesome crime– – but which one is the cat and which one is the mouse? 

***

WDB: Trust Me is your first standalone novel, correct? What made you decide to step away from your current (Jane Ryland) series? 

HPR: When I got the idea for a Trust Me, I got goosebumps. I was listening to my husband practice a closing argument in a big murder trial. His closing for the defense was so perfect and so convincing that I was absolutely certain the jury could come to no other verdict than not guilty. 

But then I imagined the wife of the prosecutor, somewhere across town in Boston, listing to her husband practice his closing argument. And I imagine she believed just is deeply in what her husband was saying, that the defendant was guilty. 

And I thought: how could two smart people using exactly the same evidence come up with two completely opposite versions of the same story? How would you know who to trust? 

And then I thought, oh my gosh--my book my book my book! And I knew it could not be a Jane Ryland story. I knew this book had to be about the one big most important thing that ever happened in this these two characters’ lives, one and done, because nothing would ever be that critical or pivotal to their life again. 

The Booklist starred review says, “It’s a knockout.” So, hurray. 

***

WDB: You've had a fascinating career as an investigative reporter! How would you say your work in journalism has influenced your writing? 

HPR: Yes, it has been, and continues to be, wonderful! I’ve won 34 Emmys for investigative reporting—I’ve wired myself with hidden cameras, confronted corrupt politicians, chased down criminals, gone undercover and in disguise. 

And I have to tell you, it is the best training ever toward becoming a crime fiction author. Every day as a TV journalist, I write a story with a beginning middle and end, it has to have characters you care about, and a problem that needs to be solved.  You follow clues and track down leads, you want the good guys to win and the bad guys to get what’s coming to them. And in the end, you want some justice and you want to change the world. And that is exactly what I do in my crime fiction.

***

WDB: What made you decide to write in the mystery genre? Are there any other genres you'd like to explore?  

HPR: Oh, ever since I was a little girl, reading Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie, I always wanted to be a mystery author. And I am delighted that’s how my life, after all those years, turned out. Other genres? It’s funny, or year ago I would’ve said no. But now, after writing Trust Me and thinking about narrative non-fiction, I’d love to do a true crime, written as a journalist. I just have to find exactly the right story. I also have an idea about World War II, but let’s talk about that later. 

***

WDB: What is your favorite method for connecting with readers and other writers? Social media, conferences, meet-ups, or a combination? 

HPR: I have to say, I love social media, because I have so much work to do that it allows me to meet a wide range of people, and really talk and get to know them, and yet be able to make sure I have time to write. It is very tempting, isn’t it, to spend a lot of time on social media? Because, frankly, it’s fun! And, because you are typing, it kind of feels like you were working. But I have to make sure to make my novel writing is my priority, and that lets me do it. Conferences, great! And I love to do public speaking at women’s groups, and keynoting and teaching at conventions, speaking at libraries and bookstores, and book clubs. So, invite me! 

***

WDB: Has your experience as an author been primarily with traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a mixture of both? If the answer is both, is there one avenue of publishing you prefer over the other? 

HPR: I have only done traditional publishing, and I’m very grateful for it. My editor at Forge Books is a brilliant genius, and the publisher is incredibly enthusiastic, and I am very pleased it has worked out this way for me. 

***

WDB: These next questions are ones I like to ask in each Writing Desk Blog interview, it’s so interesting to see the range of responses! 

Where do you typically work from? (Home, office, coffee shop, etc.) Is there any place you find you're more productive than others? 

HPR: That’s so funny!  As a reporter, I learned I could write anywhere! In the backseat of a speeding car, at a fire, in the rain or snow or hurricanes, at the front of a news conference, or in a court room. Not a problem! With noise, and chaos, and people yelling, and with it snowing on me. But when I started writing novels, at first I needed to be at my desk, at home, and in absolute silence. As  my career progressed, it turns out I can write anywhere. And you know what? I love to write on airplanes! I’m just in that little pod, safe and by myself, and I can get so much done! I think it’s because I turn off the Internet. 

***

WDB: If you are able to tell me, what’s next for you? Will we be seeing another standalone novel, or perhaps the next installment of the Jane Ryland series? 

HPR: This just in, I am deeply into revisions for my next standalone psychological thriller, and the title is…well, I can tell you, right? It’s THE MURDER LIST. (Isn’t that great?) I am so very excited about it. But mostly I’m gearing up for my nationwide book tour! I am thrilled about that, and cannot wait to share Trust Me with everyone.

(And psst, yes, there’ll be more Jane later!)

***

WDB: Best piece(s) of writing advice? 

HPR: My advice is to realize this is a very difficult thing we have decided to do. Some days writing is fabulously fun, when your mind is racing with glorious ideas. Other days are gloomy dismal mires of disaster, where we fear we will never have another good idea.  Both situations are necessary for writers, and my best advice is to keep going, move forward, advance the story, and get better. Revisions are the ball game, so get that first draft done, and then comes the fun part, editing! Which I love. Embrace it all, and remember, we are all in this together.

*** 

WDB: Something about you that people may be surprised to know? 

HPR: Surprised to know? In these days of social media, is anything secret? But I am a terrible singer, and a terrific cook, and for some crazy reason I know the words to hundreds of songs. I worked at Rolling Stone Magazine, with Hunter S. Thompson and Richard Avedon, and was a majorette in junior high school. But I was so terrible, they told me just to pretend to twirl. Seriously. Oh! And in junior high? I was voted most individual. They put my picture in the school paper upside down to show how weird I was.

But people will not be surprised to know I am thrilled with my new writing life! 

Find me on Instagram and Twitter at @HankPRyan, and on Facebook on my author page!  Love to hear from you.

*****

This interview was so much fun, and I hope to have Hank join me again on the Writing Desk Blog in the future!

Entries for the Say No More Giveaway will be accepted until midnight tonight (EST). Check out the original giveaway post for how to enter.  

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!