A.J. Banner with E.C. Murray

ECM: AJ, how does it feel to have written a bestseller that knocked it out of the park, and has achieved success across the world?

AJB: The book has done well. I’m incredibly grateful to my agent, publishing team and my readers! Seriously, the success of The Good Neighbor feels wonderful, and also stressful because a writer starts over again every day, with every book. It’s not overnight success. I’ve worked hard at my career over the past 20 years. This is a high moment, but I’m also focused on the next book. I’ve received many lovely messages from readers who ask when the next novel will be released!

ECM: While this is your first psychological thriller, you’ve written nine other books, both middle grade and women’s fiction. What was it like to switch genres? I’m especially interested because I’ve switched from memoir, my area of expertise, to fiction, and it’s been incredibly difficult –almost like starting from square one.

AJB: It is like starting from square one. I had to learn a lot to write this kind of book. For example, how do you create suspense, develop suspects, and surprise the reader? [PUT

 ECM: What skills do you need to switch genres?

AJB: Some writing skills apply universally (show, don’t tell, for example). In a psychological thriller, the character’s psyche usually drives the story. The protagonist may not trust his or her perceptions or the motives of the people around her. Events which drive the story are usually internal, unlike, for example, a mystery (a la Agatha Christie) in which a detective questions suspects and tries to solve a murder. Instead, it’s more like Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca in which the suspense lies in atmospheric details and psychological uncertainty.

  AJ Banner's gives tips on writing a thriller in the Manhattan Book Review   

 ECM: You attended law school, and then decided you wanted to be a writer. I know you originally took Writers Digest classes. How else did you develop your writing skills?

AJB: Back then, all Writer’s Digest classes were through the physical mail. My phenomenal teacher, Marian Blue, wrote me detailed letters in response to my stories. I also took classes, attended conferences, and then, as my writing improved, I was invited to join a critique group with wonderful authors including (NYT Best Selling author) Susan Wiggs.

ECM: Do you recommend any writing books?

AJB: Yes. There are many, but books by Natalie Goldberg like Wild Mind and Writing Down the Bones, and Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway come to mind. 

ECM: How many times did you really rewrite your book? My writing students get frustrated and I think they don’t realize how many times they need to revise a book for it to come out well.

AJB: Each book is different. My middle grade novel, Looking for Bapu, required minimal revision. The Good Neighbor I rewrote five or six times. The first draft included elements of magical realism, and I worked with an editor who suggested I remove the magic and focus on realism. I researched a great deal. For example, I read a book on fire investigation and interviewed our local fire chief, who has since retired.

ECM: I understand you’re working with a new agent and new publishing company, Lake Union. On your AJ Banner Facebook page you write, “I’m thrilled to share this photo of my fabulous team at Amazon Publishing.”  What exactly did the Amazon Publishing team do?

AJB: My Amazon Publishing team at Lake Union Publishing is beyond amazing. The team is made up of publicity specialists, my editor, copy editors, a marketing team, and many more talented professionals. Amazon Publishing is the umbrella for a number of imprints including Lake Union Publishing. My team has been fabulous, working with me collaboratively through all stages of the production process, running special promotions, and bringing The Good Neighbor to a wide international readership.


                                                               

ECM: You gave away books other than your own on Facebook. How did that happen?

AJB: I worked with my publicist on the idea. I ran a giveaway each week on my Facebook page, for several weeks leading to my publication date, and my publicist at Amazon mailed the books to the give-away winners

ECM: What makes your current agent, Paige Wheeler, stand out?

AJB: How much time do you have? She believes in my work, and she thinks in terms of a long term strategy for an author’s career. She’s good at pushing the envelope for me. I trust her to take care of the business side of things, so I can focus on writing and promotion. But she also helps with promotion, tweeting about reviews, news and special promotions, and she’s very involved in the entire publication process from offering manuscript notes to participating in conference calls with my publishing team. She continues to be incredibly supportive.

ECM: I see you’re on Facebook and Twitter. What role does social media play in book publicity?

AJB: Social media is useful so readers can connect and interact with authors. Rather than trying too hard to sell my books through social media, I try to just be myself, so readers and other industry professionals can get to know me. Social media is a wonderful medium for interacting with readers, announcing events, sharing a little of my life and interests, and supporting other authors as well.

ECM: Has there been discussion of movie?

My agent, Paige, is working with a wonderful film agent who represents The Good Neighbor. That’s all I can say at this point!

ECM: I recently read an article by a woman who had a hefty advance which came with a two year book contract. She got writer’s block and basically shut down. What is it like for you to have a contract deadline?

AJB: Stressful and exciting. I tell aspiring writers: you just need to make your deadline.

 With that, I’ll let you get back to your writing. Thank you so much, A.J. Banner. I look forward to the next book! http://ajbanner.com/