On today's 160th episode of The Thriller Zone, I'm happy to spend some time with debut author Steve Urszenyi as we discuss his thriller novel, Perfect Shot.

Sure, we cover his experience as a writer, but be sure to listen as he shares the story behind the breathtaking opening scene, plus his reasoning behind and the process of choosing a female protagonist Alexandre Martel. As you may guess, we learn how Perfect Shot is the first book in a series featuring Alex.

One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when Steve talks about his background as a paramedic and tactical medic which, as you'll quickly see, heavily influenced his writing and this story.

Our conversation concludes with a discussion about Steve's agent, John Talbot, and John's role in the publishing process. Plus, you'll hear how Steve Urszenyi used his experience with PitchFest to land that "dream agent," and continues by offering some advice for aspiring writers. Yes, you may have heard this one particular advice before, but listen as to how Steve makes it seem a wee bit different.

If you'd like to learn more about this debut author, visit: SteveUrszenyi.com and follow him on all social channels.

Of course, you're happily invited to join us as we discuss all things thriller, mystery, and suspense at TheThrillerZone.com, as well as following us on ALL social channels @thethrillerzone. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to us at YouTube.com/thethrillerzone.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for watching. And as always, be sure to tell a friend you've found "The front-row seat to the best thriller writers in the world...with TheThrillerZone.com!"

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Summary

In this episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple interviews debut author Steve Yerzani about his thriller novel, Perfect Shot. They discuss the process of writing the opening scene, the choice of a female protagonist, and the research involved in the book. Steve shares his background as a paramedic and tactical medic, which influenced his writing. He also talks about working with his literary agent, John Talbot, and reveals that Perfect Shot is the first book in a series featuring the protagonist Alex Martel.

Takeaways

• Choosing a strong opening scene can set the tone for the entire book.
• The choice of a female protagonist can challenge genre norms and provide a fresh perspective.
• Research is crucial for creating an authentic and engaging story.
• Drawing from personal experiences can add depth and realism to the writing.
• Having confidence in your own writing style and process is essential.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:00 The Opening Scene and Writing Process
06:00 Choosing a Female Protagonist
09:01 Elevator Pitch and Plot
17:33 The Importance of Research
21:42 Becoming a Tactical Medic
25:34 Surprising Experiences as a Paramedic
28:49 Working with Literary Agent John Talbot
32:08 The Alex Martel Series
39:18 What's Next for Alex Martel
43:00 Best Writing Advice
44:39 Closing Remarks

The Thriller Zone promises to wrap 2024 in a BIG way...Stay Tuned! Questions? Just write us at "[email protected]"