A Bullet for the Ghost Whisperer is a good old-fashioned police procedure mystery with a dollop of the paranormal. Sprinkle in a dose of high-tech intrigue, a pinch of Harry Bosch, and a touch of Faye Kellerman's Rina and Peter novels and you have a fun read.
When the CEO of Zynx, a high-tech startup company, is found dead at his desk, determined Detective "Frankie" Ryan is assigned the case. She learns that everyone entering and leaving the super-secure building is logged in and out automatically—it would take a ghost to get
through that kind of security. She enlists reluctant gossip columnist and ace reporter for the Midnight Whisperer, Josh Harrell, to help her solve the case. After all, he has his own ghostly assistant, a seductive spirit that only he can see. But can she save Josh and Frankie from the killer's bullet?
Interview
Welcome to my Blog Stan. My readers and I are looking forward to hearing more about your latest book A Bullet for the Ghost Whisperer and your life and career.
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Tell us about your latest work—title, genre, etc. — and why you wrote it?
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A Bullet for the Ghost Whisperer, released November 15th by Pen-L Publishing, is a good, old-fashioned police procedure mystery with a dollop of the paranormal. Sprinkle in a dose of high-tech intrigue, a pinch of Harry Bosch, and a touch of Faye Kellerman’s Rina and Peter novels, and you have a fun read.
When the CEO of Zynx, a high-tech startup company, is found dead at his desk, determined Detective “Frankie” Ryan is assigned the case. She learns that everyone entering and leaving the super-secure building is logged in and out automatically—it would take a ghost to get through that kind of security. She enlists reluctant gossip columnist and ace reporter for the Midnight Whisperer Josh Harrell, to help her solve the case. After all, he has his own ghostly assistant, a seductive spirit that only he can see. But can she save Josh and Frankie from the killer?
I wrote this book because of the popularity of Silent Partner, the novel that introduced Ryan and Harrell. Readers indicated they wanted more of the beguiling ghost, Andrea.
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What draws you to your genre(s)? Why is this type of story compelling to you?
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I worked briefly in a police department, so I enjoy reading police procedure books. I also enjoy speculating on the paranormal.
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What is your writing process like? Do you map the whole thing out or do you just let it unfold?
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I map out the general plot but then often go off the path. It is important in a mystery to know how it will end so you can plant clues.
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What kind of research was involved?
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I have worked in the high-tech world, so I already understand that environment. I did research on paranormal elements, including auras and theories on life after life.
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How much of YOU makes it into your characters?
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Very little—I think by nature most writers are introverted and not that interesting as characters. They are more observers than active participants in exciting events.
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How do you balance the need to have time to write with the needs of family, society, etc.?
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I am in the enviable position of being able to write full-time. When I was working full-time, I wrote evenings and weekends. I wrote many of my 35 books while working full-time and being active in our son’s life— soccer, cub scouts, etc.
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Have there been any authors in particular, that inspired your writing?
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I have written books about Michael Connelly and Daniel Silva —both have inspired me with their ability to keep continuing characters fresh.
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Is there a story you want to tell behind or about your work(s)?
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My interests are so very varied and the topics of my books so wide ranging that the Library of Congress called to ask if there were more than one Stan Schatt. I’ve had around twelve careers —very different ones including college professor, software trainer, network manager, market research executive, sales manager, retail store manager, police department administrator, autopsy assistant, etc.
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What other projects are you currently working on or about to start?
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I am about half done with a cozy mystery. I am co-author of a YA novel that will come out October 19th.
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Could you share some of your marketing strategies? Which ones are the most effective in your opinion?
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I managed to get one book on BookBub—it seems to reach the most potential readers.
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What would be the top five, (or 3 or 1 or however many) things you would tell aspiring authors?
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Find time to write even if it is in short sprints; write quickly and then take lots of time on your editing and revising; do research; show rather than tell.
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Again, thanks Stan for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. We appreciate you and your work.
Links
For many years I worked as a technology analyst, covering such diverse areas as green technology, wireless networking, network security, and local area networks. I’ve written several books on these topics and still manage to keep up with the latest trends.I started Schatt Research as a way for me to publish my views on key technology trends. Because traditional market research firms charge such outrageous fees for their reports, I’ve decided to publish my studies as books online, available at Amazon for a tiny fraction of what companies I worked for sold the same type of material. Instead of paying $5000, I’m charging the general public $10.
I’m also a volunteer job facilitator for the Jewish Family Service in San Diego with the goal of finding good jobs for the unemployed.
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