He is a writer and researcher dedicated to the weird, the wild and the horrific. To stories that are overlooked or kept off the radar. Stories you may find hard to believe. Stories that powerful interests would prefer to keep hidden. Names and places have been changed to protect the innocent, starting with Avery’s.
Q.1 Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
A. Over the years, my writing has extended across film, TV, and journalism. My work has been published, optioned, and produced by major outlets and indie producers alike, including The Los Angeles Times, Relativity Studios, WGN America, and Dark Horse Comics.
Q.1 Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
A. Over the years, my writing has extended across film, TV, and journalism. My work has been published, optioned, and produced by major outlets and indie producers alike, including The Los Angeles Times, Relativity Studios, WGN America, and Dark Horse Comics.
But Vengeance Falls is something different. It's my first novel, and I wrote it for thriller fans who love their stories fast, unpredictable, and character-driven.
Q.2 When should we expect your next book? What will it be about?
A. My next book is a thriller with a paranormal twist. It should be out this fall.
Q.3 When and why did you decide to write Vengeance Falls?
A. During the pandemic. This was the first time I really sat down and focused on a novel. I’d been thinking about Beck for a long time, but it took a while to find a story that did her justice.
Q.4 Beck Gideon is a fascinating character—smart, driven, and deeply emotional. How did you develop her character?
A. I wanted to create an unexpected hero in criminal noir. We’ve all read and seen the ex-special forces, hard-drinking, middle-aged, burnt-out male trope (usually named Jack). I thought readers might be ready for a fresh approach.
Q.5 The relationship between Beck and Riley is central to the story. Was it difficult to balance sisterly love with mystery and tension?
A. At times, yes. I didn’t want these two characters bickering the entire novel, but I also wanted to layer in a bunch of unresolved sibling anger. The whole point of the book is to reveal the source of all of that tension and change everyone’s perspective about it.
Q.6 Did you base any of the characters or events on real people or experiences?
A. Not particularly. The book is mostly born out of a love for genre, twisty thrillers and propulsive plotting, all supported by colourful characters. If there’s a “character” inspired by reality, it’s the city of Boston.
Q.7 What was your writing process like for this book? Plotter, pantser, or a mix of both?
A. My first draft was definitely pantser, and by the time I finished, I realised I had written myself into a corner. I always knew the ending, and I was fairly confident about the beginning, but the second act was terribly convoluted. Rewriting it took close to a year. For my new book, I’m using a mix of both.
Q.8 How long did it take you to complete the first draft and then move into revisions?
A. The first draft sprang to life pretty fast, in about 3 months. Revisions started immediately and unfolded over the following year.
Q.9 What was the most challenging part of writing Vengeance Falls?
A. Writing most of it at 5AM before my day job. I think I single-handedly kept the coffee industry in profit.
Q.10 As a debut author, what was the most surprising thing you learned during the publishing process?
A. You don’t really appreciate the level of effort in marketing the title. Writing the book was way easier than getting it in front of readers.
Q.11 Who are some authors that have influenced your writing, especially in the thriller genre?
A. Dennis Lehane, Robert R. McCammon, Gillian Flynn, Stephen King, and Elmore Leonard.
Q.12 What makes your book stand out from the crowd?
A. I believe it’s the character of Beck Gideon. You don’t get too many young, idealistic, female protagonists in gritty crime thrillers who use their wits rather than their fists.
Q.13 What do you hope readers take away from this book?
A. We never escape our past, and it’s better to face and reconcile our histories than try to move on from them.
Q.14 Have you received any reader feedback that particularly moved or surprised you?
A. I received an email from a young reader (also a programmer like Beck) who didn’t think she’d ever see “herself” in a novel. Most of the time, the computer geek is the sidekick or comic relief, not the hero. That meant a lot.
Q.15 If you could sit down with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you ask them?
A. Francis Hain. I know, I know, he’s a criminal kingpin, but I bet he has a lot of great stories to tell.
Q.16 Do you believe in writer’s block? If yes, how do you deal with it?
A. No.
Q.17 What’s a crime thriller you’ve recently read and loved?
A. Gangland by Chuck Hogan. Everything he writes is a masterpiece or very close to it.
Q.18 How do your friends or family feel about your book or writing venture in general?
A. I’m lucky to have a supportive cast of characters around me. My parents told me to do what I love (as long as I could also find a way to pay the bills).
Q.19 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. Legitimacy. Even if gender (or any part of a character’s identity) is irrelevant to the plot, I do believe you have an obligation to represent it with respect and integrity.
Q.20 Share the experience of your writing journey so far.
A. As it’s just getting off the ground, so far, there are no complaints! It’s been a blast. Writers do what we do for an audience, and hearing from readers has been incredible.
Share your social account links -
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/averywestauthor/
Website - https://averywestauthor.com/
Q.2 When should we expect your next book? What will it be about?
A. My next book is a thriller with a paranormal twist. It should be out this fall.
Q.3 When and why did you decide to write Vengeance Falls?
A. During the pandemic. This was the first time I really sat down and focused on a novel. I’d been thinking about Beck for a long time, but it took a while to find a story that did her justice.
Q.4 Beck Gideon is a fascinating character—smart, driven, and deeply emotional. How did you develop her character?
A. I wanted to create an unexpected hero in criminal noir. We’ve all read and seen the ex-special forces, hard-drinking, middle-aged, burnt-out male trope (usually named Jack). I thought readers might be ready for a fresh approach.
Q.5 The relationship between Beck and Riley is central to the story. Was it difficult to balance sisterly love with mystery and tension?
A. At times, yes. I didn’t want these two characters bickering the entire novel, but I also wanted to layer in a bunch of unresolved sibling anger. The whole point of the book is to reveal the source of all of that tension and change everyone’s perspective about it.
Q.6 Did you base any of the characters or events on real people or experiences?
A. Not particularly. The book is mostly born out of a love for genre, twisty thrillers and propulsive plotting, all supported by colourful characters. If there’s a “character” inspired by reality, it’s the city of Boston.
Q.7 What was your writing process like for this book? Plotter, pantser, or a mix of both?
A. My first draft was definitely pantser, and by the time I finished, I realised I had written myself into a corner. I always knew the ending, and I was fairly confident about the beginning, but the second act was terribly convoluted. Rewriting it took close to a year. For my new book, I’m using a mix of both.
Q.8 How long did it take you to complete the first draft and then move into revisions?
A. The first draft sprang to life pretty fast, in about 3 months. Revisions started immediately and unfolded over the following year.
Q.9 What was the most challenging part of writing Vengeance Falls?
A. Writing most of it at 5AM before my day job. I think I single-handedly kept the coffee industry in profit.
Q.10 As a debut author, what was the most surprising thing you learned during the publishing process?
A. You don’t really appreciate the level of effort in marketing the title. Writing the book was way easier than getting it in front of readers.
Q.11 Who are some authors that have influenced your writing, especially in the thriller genre?
A. Dennis Lehane, Robert R. McCammon, Gillian Flynn, Stephen King, and Elmore Leonard.
Q.12 What makes your book stand out from the crowd?
A. I believe it’s the character of Beck Gideon. You don’t get too many young, idealistic, female protagonists in gritty crime thrillers who use their wits rather than their fists.
Q.13 What do you hope readers take away from this book?
A. We never escape our past, and it’s better to face and reconcile our histories than try to move on from them.
Q.14 Have you received any reader feedback that particularly moved or surprised you?
A. I received an email from a young reader (also a programmer like Beck) who didn’t think she’d ever see “herself” in a novel. Most of the time, the computer geek is the sidekick or comic relief, not the hero. That meant a lot.
Q.15 If you could sit down with one of your characters, who would it be and what would you ask them?
A. Francis Hain. I know, I know, he’s a criminal kingpin, but I bet he has a lot of great stories to tell.
Q.16 Do you believe in writer’s block? If yes, how do you deal with it?
A. No.
Q.17 What’s a crime thriller you’ve recently read and loved?
A. Gangland by Chuck Hogan. Everything he writes is a masterpiece or very close to it.
Q.18 How do your friends or family feel about your book or writing venture in general?
A. I’m lucky to have a supportive cast of characters around me. My parents told me to do what I love (as long as I could also find a way to pay the bills).
Q.19 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. Legitimacy. Even if gender (or any part of a character’s identity) is irrelevant to the plot, I do believe you have an obligation to represent it with respect and integrity.
Q.20 Share the experience of your writing journey so far.
A. As it’s just getting off the ground, so far, there are no complaints! It’s been a blast. Writers do what we do for an audience, and hearing from readers has been incredible.
Share your social account links -
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/averywestauthor/
Website - https://averywestauthor.com/
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