Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a professional writer for decades – journalist and commercial writer but only started writing fiction in the past two years. Since then I’ve published two thrillers – Late Bite and Gravity Games. I have my third novel, Lycanthrope Rising set for publishing in the spring of 2016 and a collection of paranormal short stories that I’ll be publishing in the summer under the title, Dark Matters.
Dark Matters is also the title of my blog: http://www.johnmatsui.com.
I’ve also written an educational TV series and four thriller style film scripts.
All of my fiction to date can be classified as horror. Horror buffs accept it as within the genre but many others say it’s horror for people who don’t like horror because my novels contain a fair amount of humour. I’ve always liked horror books and flicks that use humour to break up the tension.
My first taste came via Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein through to TV series Kolchak the Nightstalker and the film classic, American Werewolf in London.
So if your tastes run along these lines, please take a look via my link to my Amazon page: http://www.mh99.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Gravity Games, a weird concoction of Gordon Ramsey meets Sherlock Holmes or maybe it’s Homeland meets Heroes Reborn. Then again it could be The Big Short meets Frankenstein. As you’ve gathered, I’m hopeless when it coms to staying within a genre. It’s about top chef Nathan Sherlock with a super sense of smell that helps him make the world’s most incredible dishes but it also means he keeps smelling murder.
He’s recruited by Homeland Security to track down terrorists and gets to buddy with other super enhanced agents.
As crazy as all of this sounds, so far most reviews are five stars and the worst are three star reviews written by those who say they will definitely read the sequel.
Here’s an example of what a ReadersFavorite.com reviewer had to say: “Gravity Games was a joy to read. The action packed novel was a thrilling ride. I was a little skeptical about how a super sense of smell can help a task force to capture a terrorist, but the way it was handled and written was awe inspiring.” Five Stars.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually don’t get a head of steam until 11 p.m. and may write straight through to nearly morning.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Just about anything written by Ken Follett, Stephen King, Frederick Forsyth and Jules Verne. I also love Lee Child’s Jack Reacher and greatly admire the story-telling of Harlan Coben, Dennis Lehane and Gillian Flynn.
If you want to peg my stories, I’d say they have an approach like Dean Koontz but with twists and endings like Dennis Lehane and Frederick Forsyth and characters like those penned by Gillian Flynn or JK Rowling.
What are you working on now?
My Third novel is Lycanthrope Rising. It’s the sequel to Late Bite. The ancient enemy of the Sanguinus (pseudo vampires) the Lycan Clan (pseudo werewolves) reveal themselves to ensure the extinction of a species they’ve warred against for 30,000 years.
Many of the characters in Late Bite reprise their roles in Lycanthrope Rising. I’m hoping to have it out in April.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still trying to figure that out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
When I asked an accomplished and much-awarded novelist more than 30 years ago how she did it, she said, “John, you just sit down and write.” I thought she was blowing me off. Now a third of a century later, I’ve discovered that’s exactly it. Books don’t write themselves. You just have to apply yourself to get it done.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
See above.
What are you reading now?
Nora Roberts – High Noon
Greg Iles – Natchez Burning.
Natchez Burning is an amazing work in all respects.
I’m also beta reading a novel by Jeanie Long – The Last Chameleon. So far it is an extremely well written and well thought out novel.
I’m more than halfway through Bubble Goes Bang by David Ince, a refreshing, well written and humorous look at politics if all of the politicians conveniently died.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to be able to get all three books in the Late Bite series completed and finish book 2 in the Nathan Sherlock foodie thriller series. I’ve started a third series with a reporter who digs up the paranormal but unlike the seriousness of the X-Files, I’d like to have fun with it in the style of the reporter depicted in the 1970s TV series Kolchak The Nightstalker.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Toss up – Moby Dick by Herman Manville and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.
Author Websites and Profiles
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Lynne collins says
John, am. Big fan of yours. Can’t wait go read your next book!