Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former counterterrorism intelligence specialist who was an avid thriller reader. I was looking for something a bit more true to life in black ops novels so I decided to write my own. I have now written five novels, three of which are currently on the market.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Buried in Black, a Task Force Orange thriller. The book takes the latest signals technology and intelligence gathering from NSA and layers it with fictional scenarios in counterterrorism involving the highly secretive Intelligence Support Activity. I was inspired to write this for two main reasons: 1.) I was tired of reading about the usual Navy SEAL or Delta Force hero and wanted to do something more innovative. 2.) The mission of the Task Force Orange is largely shrouded by the big brothers of the Joint Special Operations Command, and without divulging anything secretive wanted to bring some awareness of this capability to men or women who might consider it as a career option.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My optimal writing atmosphere is a dark quiet bar while I am working my day job that often involved extensive travel. I like to write best from 7pm-10pm with an IPA beer first and a pint of a stout second. The IPA gets things going, and the stout can warm if I am on a writing roll.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King jumpstarted my creativity. Tom Clancy introduced me to more of the military and technology space than a pure espionage novel or some of the military non-fiction books I read. Mark Greaney was a huge influence in that his writing level of detail and character development was exactly what I liked to read and had a similar style to what I envisioned mine as being initially.
What are you working on now?
I have just completed the second book in my Task Force Orange series, The Presence of Evil. The story involves my team trying to pre-empt a terror strike in Chicago. However, their methods leave the reader wondering whether the presence of evil exists because of the bad guys or the “good guys.”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I found that initially posting my book on NetGalley gave me some quick feedback and generated some fast reviews.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write your story, have someone else read it, make changes and then submit it for publishing or to agents. If no one jumps on it, self-publish but don’t make it a series. If you get traction, write a new one even if it is very similar, and try submitting that one.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write like you can do no wrong, edit like you can do no right. (Mark Greaney)
What are you reading now?
Tehran’s Vengeance by David Austin.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I can’t tell you. The next series is so awesome, I don’t want anyone to swipe it.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Hobbit.
Author Websites and Profiles
J.T. Patten Website
J.T. Patten Amazon Profile
J.T. Patten’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account