David Berens is a professional tennis player, teaching folks how to play tennis as well writing crime thrillers. He has traveled up and down the East Coast and has been a tourist at every beach from Key West to Pawleys Island.
Today he calls Knoxville, Tennessee home, where he lives with his family.
A constant reader of Florida Fiction, Dave has enjoyed the likes of Carl Hiaasen, Tim Dorsey, Randy Wayne White, Laurence Shames, and Elmore Leonard, just to name of few. So, when he decided to create a series of Island Thrillers, he did his best to capture that zany quality so many of these amazing writers use in their work.
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David Berens Books

Show Notes
Other authors mentioned during the podcast: Carl Hiaasen, Elmore Leonard, Robert B. Parker, James Rollins.
David picked up some great advice from book cover designer Stuart Bache who has designed covers for Mark Dawson, John Le Carre, Stephen King, and others. Note: Mark Dawson’s podcast has a great episode about book cover design with Stuart Bache.
Tools used: Scrivener to outline and organize his beats then he writes in Word. Vellum to format.
We discussed the great opening of David’s novel, Hat Check. I recommend you check it out to see how well he crafted the opening scene to really pull the reader in:

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MTTA 65: David F. Berens

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Brian J. Morra has spent his career in intelligence and national security beginning with his time as a decorated Air Force Intelligence officer and through his many years as a senior executive in the aerospace and defense industry. Brian was encouraged to write the story of The Able Archers by many friends who convinced him that his unique, personal insight could bring the story to life of how humanity narrowly avoided extinction in the fall of 1983. His writing is based on first-hand experience and the stories of the many intriguing people he’s encountered over the years



Brian grew up in Virginia and is married to Tracy, who is an outstanding story editor. They split their time between homes in Virginia and Florida. When Brian isn’t writing, he is a corporate board member, enjoys cycling, playing guitar and piano, and visiting with his two grandchildren.



The second installment of The Able Archer series, “The Righteous Arrows” will be published on April 16, 2024.



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Show Notes & Transcripts



In this episode:




* Morra’s debut novel, “The Able Archers,” won awards for military fiction and delves into the 1983 nuclear war crisis.



* He discusses his approach to balancing real-world experiences with fictional storytelling, drawing from his background in intelligence work.



* The conversation covers Morra’s involvement in a Netflix documentary on the Cold War and the importance of arms control in today’s nuclear landscape.



* Morra gives a sneak peek into his upcoming novel, “The Righteous Arrows,” focusing on the Soviet war in Afghanistan, and shares insights on writing processes and advice for aspiring writers.




Transcript (Click here for fulltranscript)

Please note that a machine generated this transcript, and a human made only minimal edits, so there may be errors/typos.




[00:00:03.280] – Alan PetersenYou are listening to Meet the Thriller Author, the podcast where I interview writers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense books. I’m Alan Petersen, an author of mysteries and thrillers myself, and it’s been a privilege to interview amazing authors in the genre that I love to write and read. So far, I’ve interviewed over 200 authors, including thriller icons like Dean Koontz, Walter Moseley, Tess Gerritsen, Lee Child, and many, many more. You can find an archive of all my interviews with show notes, resources, book reviews, and a lot more over at my website at ThrillerAuthors.com. From there, you can also join my Thrilling Reads newsletter for book deals on great thriller and mystery books. So head on over to thrillerauthors.com. And check all that out.



[00:00:47.960]In this episode of the podcast, Number 200, you’ll be meeting Brian J. Morra. Brian is a former United States intelligence officer and a retired senior aerospace executive. He helped lead the American intelligence team in Japan that uncovered the true story behind the Soviet Union’s shoot down of K...

MTTA 200: Brian J. Morra



Dana Perry is an award-winning author of crime fiction and a journalist in New York City where he has had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine and NBC News. 



As R. G. Belsky, he is a contributing writer for The Big Thrill magazine and has published 20 novels—all set in the New York city media world



The first three novels in his new Nikki Cassidy series, starting with THE NOWHERE GIRLS, will be published on April 2.



Dana Perry’s latest series, starting with “The Nowhere Girls,” introduces readers to the intriguing character of Nikki Cassidy, an FBI agent with a troubled past. Set in a small town in Southeastern Ohio, the story unfolds as Nikki delves into a new case, uncovering secrets that lead her to revisit the unsolved mystery of her sister’s abduction and murder. Perry’s skillful storytelling weaves together a tale of suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.



What sets Dana Perry’s writing apart is his ability to draw inspiration from real-life events and infuse them into his fictional narratives. With a knack for creating strong, kick-ass female characters like Nikki Cassidy, Perry brings a fresh and dynamic energy to the thriller genre. His background as a journalist covering high-profile cases such as the Son of Sam serial killer adds a layer of authenticity to his storytelling, making his novels both captivating and thought-provoking. If you’re looking for a thrilling escape into a world of mystery and suspense, Dana Perry’s books are a must-read for any fan of the genre.



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Show Notes and Transcript




* Dana Perry, an award-winning author of crime fiction and journalist, was interviewed in this episode.



* Dana Perry has had a long career as a top editor at the New York Post, New York Daily News, Star magazine, and NBC News.



* Dana Perry also writes under the name R. G. Belsky and has published over 20 mystery novels, all set in the New York City media world.



* Dana Perry discusses his writing process and transition from journalism to full-time authorship.



* He talks about his experience writing under pressure and meeting deadlines due to his background in journalism.



* Dana Perry does not outline his novels and enjoys letting the characters surprise him as he writes.



* He shares insights into his new book series featuring FBI agent Nikki Cassidy,

MTTA 199: Dana Perry



Ron Corbett author interview.



Ron Corbett is a former radio host and newspaper columnist, his first book of fiction was Ragged Lake, the debut novel in the Frank Yakabuski mystery series, and an Edgar Award nominee for Best Original Paperback.



His latest novel, CAPE RAGE (Berkley Hardcover; on sale March 19, 2024) is a follow-up to his “dynamite new series debut” (New York Times Book Review) The Sweet Goodbye featuring undercover agent, Danny Barrett who is in the rugged landscape of the Pacific Northwest, where he is caught between a family of criminals and the psychopath who is tracking them down. 



The father of four, Ron is married to award-winning photo-journalist Julie Oliver and still lives in his hometown of Ottawa, Canada, where he writes his novels from the study of a century-old house, “not far from a good river.”



In this episode, author Ron Corbett discusses his background as a journalist and how it influenced his transition into writing mystery and thriller novels. He shares insights into his writing process, mentioning how he often starts with scenes and then strings them together to form the narrative. Ron also talks about the inspiration behind his Danny Barrett series, where the protagonist is an undercover police officer who moves around different locations for each novel, adding a unique dynamic to the storytelling.



Furthermore, Ron delves into his latest novel, “Cape Rage,” the second book in the Danny Barrett series, where he introduces a powerful family and a psychopathic character to create suspense and intrigue in the story. He talks about the setting of the novel on an island and the challenges faced by the protagonist as he investigates a bank robbery while dealing with suspicion from the family. Ron also mentions his upcoming project set in Florida with a circus theme, highlighting his interest in circus performers and the unique history of Gibsonton, known for its association with the circus community.



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Show Notes & Resources




* Ron Corbett talks about his two mystery series, the Frank Yakabuski mysteries and the Danny Barrett Thriller series.



* Ron Corbett’s latest novel, “<a href="https://amzn.

MTTA 198: Ron Corbett



Lisa Regan is the USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series as well as several other crime fiction titles. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master of Education degree from Bloomsburg University. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers Association, and Mystery Writers of America. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, daughter and Boston Terrier named Mr. Phillip.



Delve into the world of bestselling author Lisa Regan, known for her gripping Detective Josie Quinn series and other crime fiction titles. In this episode, Lisa shares insights into her writing journey, from humble beginnings to the release of her 19th novel, “Face Her Fear.” What started as a dream of three books turned into a remarkable series spanning 19 thrilling installments and counting, while captivating readers worldwide.



Lisa’s dedication to her craft shines through as she discusses her writing process, highlighting the delicate balance of sticking to what works while constantly seeking fresh ideas to keep her stories engaging and dynamic. With each book presenting a new challenge and opportunity for growth, Lisa’s meticulous approach to research and character development ensures that her readers are always in for a captivating and immersive experience.



As Lisa reflects on her career and the evolving landscape of the publishing industry, her advice to aspiring authors resonates with a message of perseverance and continuous improvement. Emphasizing the importance of creating new content and embracing the learning journey inherent in writing, Lisa’s story serves as an inspiring testament to the power of persistence and passion in the pursuit of literary success. 



Connect with Lisa Regan



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Show Notes and Resources








Click here for machine-generated transcript
[00:00:01.080] – Lisa ReganWelcome to Meet the Thriller Author, the go-to podcast for delving into the minds behind the most gripping mysteries, readers, and suspense novels. As a fellow thriller writer and your guide, I invite you to explore new to a decade of conversations with the giants of the genre, from Lee Child to Dean Koontz, Walter Moseley, Tess Gerritssen, and more, all available at ThrillingReads.com there you’ll find a treasure trove of show notes, transcripts, and direct links to my own thriller novels.

MTTA 197: Lisa Regan



Nick Petrie received his MFA in fiction from the University of Washington and won a Hopwood Award for short fiction while an undergraduate at the University of Michigan. His story “At the Laundromat” won the 2006 Short Story Contest in The Seattle Review, a national literary journal.



Petrie’s debut novel, “The Drifter,” garnered widespread acclaim, securing the ITW Thriller and Barry Awards, and earning nominations for the Edgar, Anthony, and Hammett Awards. His remarkable talent was recognized with the 2016 Literary Award from the Wisconsin Library Association, and he was heralded as one of Apple’s 10 Writers to Read in 2017. His novel “Light It Up” was celebrated as the Best Thriller of 2018 by Apple Books, and both “Light It Up” and “The Wild One” were finalists for the Barry Award.



Fans of the series can eagerly anticipate the latest installment, “The Price You Pay,” set to be published on February 6, 2024.



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Show Notes and Transcript of Nick Petrie Author Interview



Nick Petrie returns to the podcast for a new interview discussing his latest novel, “The Price You Pay.”



Click here for Transcript (Machine Generated)
[00:00:01.100] – Alan PetersenWelcome to Meet the Thriller Author, the go-to podcast for delving into the minds behind the most gripping mysteries, readers, and suspense novels. As a fellow thriller writer and your guide, I’m Alan Petersen, and I invite you to explore nearly a decade of conversations with the giants of the genre, from Lee Child to Dean Koontz, Walter Moseley, Tess Gerritssen, and more, all available over at thrillingreads. Com. There you’ll find a treasure trove of show notes, transcripts, and direct links to my novels, adding to your experience of the Thriller Universe.



[00:00:30.850] – Alan PetersenI’m glad to bring back the podcast after a couple of months of hiatus. I have a great lineup of new interviews coming up to you this year, so stay tuned for those. In this episode, number 196, I welcome back Nick Petrie. His first novel, The Drifter, won the ITW Thriller and Barry Awards and was nominated for Edgar, Anthony, and Hammond Awards. The eighth book in the Peter Asch series, The Price You Pay, will be published on February sixth, so make sure to go get your copy. It was another action-pack thriller from nick who writes some of the most high-octane scenes from places and using regular everyday items. Reminds me a little bit of MacGyver, a bit lethal,

MTTA 65: David F. Berens

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