I always enjoy author interviews, and I hope readers do as well. I have an opportunity to meet, and introduce you to authors who might be new to us, even if they’ve been writing for a while. Today, J.J. Hensley has answers to some of my questions. Hensley’s latest crime novel is Record Scratch. Thank you, J.J.
J.J., what can you
tell us about your background without then having to kill us to keep it secret?
tell us about your background without then having to kill us to keep it secret?
Surprisingly, my background isn’t really secret at all! What
I can’t always get into is the methodology surrounding the duties I performed.
I can’t always get into is the methodology surrounding the duties I performed.
I grew up in West Virginia, graduated from Penn State, and
served a few years as a police officer in Chesterfield County, Virginia before
I got hired on as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service. During my first
couple of years with the Secret Service, I worked out of the Richmond, VA Field
Office and conducted investigations into criminal activities such as
counterfeiting, check fraud, and other economic crimes. However, during the
time I was assigned to the Richmond office I was also traveling quite a bit to
protect the President, Vice President, former Presidents, and foreign heads of
state.
served a few years as a police officer in Chesterfield County, Virginia before
I got hired on as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service. During my first
couple of years with the Secret Service, I worked out of the Richmond, VA Field
Office and conducted investigations into criminal activities such as
counterfeiting, check fraud, and other economic crimes. However, during the
time I was assigned to the Richmond office I was also traveling quite a bit to
protect the President, Vice President, former Presidents, and foreign heads of
state.
Eventually, I transferred to the Washington Field Office
where I primarily worked protection assignments and something called Protective
Intelligence, which is investigating threat cases. After the Washington Field
Office, I moved over to the agency’s Intelligence Division where I did advance
work ahead of Presidential trips and conducted threat assessments and
interviewed those who might have a special interest in the President. I also
spent a lot of time assessing and classifying individuals to determine how
serious of a threat they might present to one of our protectees. I did a lot of
other stuff dealing with Technical Security (looking for things that go “BOOM”)
as well, but that’s the gist of my experience in the Secret Service. After
that, I moved to Pittsburgh, PA where I helped train federal background
investigators. Now I work for another government agency, I live near Savannah,
Georgia, and I’m based at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center near the
Georgia coast. Life is good!
where I primarily worked protection assignments and something called Protective
Intelligence, which is investigating threat cases. After the Washington Field
Office, I moved over to the agency’s Intelligence Division where I did advance
work ahead of Presidential trips and conducted threat assessments and
interviewed those who might have a special interest in the President. I also
spent a lot of time assessing and classifying individuals to determine how
serious of a threat they might present to one of our protectees. I did a lot of
other stuff dealing with Technical Security (looking for things that go “BOOM”)
as well, but that’s the gist of my experience in the Secret Service. After
that, I moved to Pittsburgh, PA where I helped train federal background
investigators. Now I work for another government agency, I live near Savannah,
Georgia, and I’m based at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center near the
Georgia coast. Life is good!
Would you introduce
us to Trevor Galloway?
us to Trevor Galloway?
Trevor is my favorite out of the protagonists I’ve created. He’s a former
Pittsburgh narcotics detective who, through no fault of his own, became
addicted to heroin and then pills. The police department let him go and he
ended up being an unlicensed private investigator. I gave him his first private
job in a novel called Bolt Action Remedy
and readers really took to him, although I wasn’t sure that would be the case
because he’s stoic, can have a quiet temper, and is extremely complicated. Due
to past trauma he’s experienced, his battle with addiction, and some other
factors, he’s got this itsy-bitsy problem with seeing the occasional
hallucination. This creates all sorts of problems when he’s got people after
him or believes he witnessed a crime. Although he’s honest to a fault, he’s not
always the most trustworthy protagonist.
Tell us about Record
Scratch, without spoilers.
Scratch, without spoilers.
Trevor Galloway has been hired to solve the homicide of
1980s rock and roll legend Jimmy Spartan. Spartan’s sister not only wants the
killer found, but wants Galloway to recover her brother’s final recordings
which consist of twelve songs on a vinyl record. Spartan’s sister meets with
Galloway, hands him his payment, and the promptly kills herself. Out of a
feeling of obligation more than anything, Galloway begins to look into the cold
case and quickly finds himself immersed in part of the music business few ever
consider. He makes new enemies, meets a few old rivals, and is reunited with an
old flame. Of course, he’s not exactly certain which ones are real.
1980s rock and roll legend Jimmy Spartan. Spartan’s sister not only wants the
killer found, but wants Galloway to recover her brother’s final recordings
which consist of twelve songs on a vinyl record. Spartan’s sister meets with
Galloway, hands him his payment, and the promptly kills herself. Out of a
feeling of obligation more than anything, Galloway begins to look into the cold
case and quickly finds himself immersed in part of the music business few ever
consider. He makes new enemies, meets a few old rivals, and is reunited with an
old flame. Of course, he’s not exactly certain which ones are real.
Record Scratch is divided into 12 Tracks (Chapters) and each
song tells part of Jimmy Spartan’s final story while the title hints at the
action that will play out in the chapter.
song tells part of Jimmy Spartan’s final story while the title hints at the
action that will play out in the chapter.
As humans, we’re all
flawed, but you seem drawn to flawed heroes. Why?
flawed, but you seem drawn to flawed heroes. Why?
One of the main reasons I began writing was because I was
tired of reading books in which the good guys were 100% good and the bad guys
were 100% evil. I strive for authenticity in every chapter I put together. If a
career in law enforcement and national security has taught me anything it’s
that there is a lot of gray space in the world and decent people make huge mistakes. It’s weird. Sometimes, I
find myself more comfortable around people I know are a bit shady because at
least I know what to expect. People who seem too perfect make me wary. I don’t
know of any adult who is completely good and I never trust a saint.
tired of reading books in which the good guys were 100% good and the bad guys
were 100% evil. I strive for authenticity in every chapter I put together. If a
career in law enforcement and national security has taught me anything it’s
that there is a lot of gray space in the world and decent people make huge mistakes. It’s weird. Sometimes, I
find myself more comfortable around people I know are a bit shady because at
least I know what to expect. People who seem too perfect make me wary. I don’t
know of any adult who is completely good and I never trust a saint.
Everyone’s publishing
journey is different. Would you tell us about yours?
journey is different. Would you tell us about yours?
Luck, luck, luck.
In 2010, I cranked out a novel titled Resolve. I think the first draft took me about three months to
complete and I had queries out to agents after five or six months. By the end
of the year, I had an agent and by January of the next year I had a deal with a
small press. The book got great reviews, but wasn’t making many waves until it
got named as a Thriller Award finalist for Best First Novel. Then came a
Suspense Magazine award and some other accolades. That led me to another book
deal which eventually led me to my current publisher, Down and Out Books. So,
basically every novel I’ve written has ended up being traditionally published.
I would love to say it happened because of an abundance of talent, but there
are so many great writers out there who have fantastic manuscripts rejected by
large and small publishers and then there are some highly-questionable
manuscripts that end up being placed with one of the major publishers. So, I
consider myself extremely fortunate.
complete and I had queries out to agents after five or six months. By the end
of the year, I had an agent and by January of the next year I had a deal with a
small press. The book got great reviews, but wasn’t making many waves until it
got named as a Thriller Award finalist for Best First Novel. Then came a
Suspense Magazine award and some other accolades. That led me to another book
deal which eventually led me to my current publisher, Down and Out Books. So,
basically every novel I’ve written has ended up being traditionally published.
I would love to say it happened because of an abundance of talent, but there
are so many great writers out there who have fantastic manuscripts rejected by
large and small publishers and then there are some highly-questionable
manuscripts that end up being placed with one of the major publishers. So, I
consider myself extremely fortunate.
What has been the
highlight of your crime fiction career so far?
highlight of your crime fiction career so far?
I’m tempted to say the Thriller Awards ceremony. I should say the Thriller Awards ceremony.
But, my highlight hasn’t happened yet. I know
I have a readership out there. I know there
are people who buy my books. However, I have never—not once—walked into an
airport or Starbucks to see someone reading one of my novels. Never. I really
want that to happen although I don’t know why.
But, my highlight hasn’t happened yet. I know
I have a readership out there. I know there
are people who buy my books. However, I have never—not once—walked into an
airport or Starbucks to see someone reading one of my novels. Never. I really
want that to happen although I don’t know why.
One time I was at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh
and I was sure I saw a guy carrying a hard cover copy of Resolve from the café. I nearly pulled a hamstring chasing that guy
down. By the time I caught up and got close to him, I realized it was some
non-fiction history book. Damnit! I probably wouldn’t have even said anything
to him if he would have had my book, but… DAMNIT! In the meantime, I keep
trying to convince all those people with iPads and Kindles in front of them at
Panera are reading my books, but I know they’re probably playing Candy Crush or
watching porn. DAMNIT!
and I was sure I saw a guy carrying a hard cover copy of Resolve from the café. I nearly pulled a hamstring chasing that guy
down. By the time I caught up and got close to him, I realized it was some
non-fiction history book. Damnit! I probably wouldn’t have even said anything
to him if he would have had my book, but… DAMNIT! In the meantime, I keep
trying to convince all those people with iPads and Kindles in front of them at
Panera are reading my books, but I know they’re probably playing Candy Crush or
watching porn. DAMNIT!
What’s in the
pipeline for you right now?
pipeline for you right now?
I’m working on what will be the third Trevor Galloway novel,
currently titled Forgiveness Dies on the
Vine. It should come out sometime in late 2019. I also occasionally write
short stories that end up in anthologies and I’ve got one of those that will be
published in an anthology sometime in 2019.
currently titled Forgiveness Dies on the
Vine. It should come out sometime in late 2019. I also occasionally write
short stories that end up in anthologies and I’ve got one of those that will be
published in an anthology sometime in 2019.
What authors
influenced you?
influenced you?
Every author I read influences me, for better or worse. As
far as good influences, I would certainly want to mention Raymond Chandler,
Agatha Christie, James Grady, John Verdon, Vince Flynn, Shannon Kirk, Gwen
Florio, Jonathan Kellerman, and Joseph Finder.
far as good influences, I would certainly want to mention Raymond Chandler,
Agatha Christie, James Grady, John Verdon, Vince Flynn, Shannon Kirk, Gwen
Florio, Jonathan Kellerman, and Joseph Finder.
What author or book
do you think is underappreciated?
do you think is underappreciated?
I’m a huge advocate for small press books because they are
honestly some of the best and get very little marketing support. Anything from
Down and Out Books, Midnight Ink, Crooked Lane Books, Polis Books, or any of
the other truly independent publishers is likely more original than one will
find with one of the Big Five publishers.
honestly some of the best and get very little marketing support. Anything from
Down and Out Books, Midnight Ink, Crooked Lane Books, Polis Books, or any of
the other truly independent publishers is likely more original than one will
find with one of the Big Five publishers.
I’m a librarian, and
I always end with this question. Do you have a story you can share about a
library or librarian?
I always end with this question. Do you have a story you can share about a
library or librarian?
I owe librarians BIG TIME!
If it were not for librarians in western Pennsylvania, my
sales numbers would be half of what they are. When I was first getting started
in the business, I sent out emails to some of the libraries near where I was
living in the Pittsburgh area. I mentioned I had a novel out and would be
willing to come speak to book clubs or discussion groups, or whoever would
listen to a first-time novelist. I spoke to a few small groups and then a
library book club or two read my book. Then the librarian grapevine got to
work. The next thing I knew I was in demand and never had any issue getting an
event at a library in the Pittsburgh area. By the time my second novel came
out, it wasn’t uncommon for me to show up at an event where I would speak to
fifty or more people and then sell and sign books. It was amazing. Now I live
the Savannah, Georgia area and hopefully I can establish a similar relationship
with librarians here.
sales numbers would be half of what they are. When I was first getting started
in the business, I sent out emails to some of the libraries near where I was
living in the Pittsburgh area. I mentioned I had a novel out and would be
willing to come speak to book clubs or discussion groups, or whoever would
listen to a first-time novelist. I spoke to a few small groups and then a
library book club or two read my book. Then the librarian grapevine got to
work. The next thing I knew I was in demand and never had any issue getting an
event at a library in the Pittsburgh area. By the time my second novel came
out, it wasn’t uncommon for me to show up at an event where I would speak to
fifty or more people and then sell and sign books. It was amazing. Now I live
the Savannah, Georgia area and hopefully I can establish a similar relationship
with librarians here.
Thank you, J.J.
J.J. Hensley’s website is http://www.hensley-books.com/
J.J. Hensley’s website is http://www.hensley-books.com/
Record Scratch by J.J. Hensley. Down & Out Books, 2018. ISBN 9781948235858 (paperback), 234p.
Lesa, thanks for interviewing J.J. and letting us know about his books. I'm always looking for new series to try and to suggest to others. Now I have another! What an interesting background – my Dad was an officer with the Texas state police and he worked in intelligence. I think that has given me a different perspective on individuals who choose that sort of career. I agree that the small publishers certainly do a great job of bringing very special books to us. And, I love libraries, of course. LOL
Lesa, thank you for this outstanding interview with J J Hensley. I immediately looked to find out if my library carried his books. They have four titles. Of course they are in other towns and have only one copy of each. At least they have some. I placed a hold on the first book that he wrote Bolt Action Remedy. I don't know how long I will have to wait. I am wrapped up in the PJ Tracy books so I won't be hurting for something to read.
Have a outstanding week.
Hugs
My pleasure, Kay. I enjoy discovering more about authors and doing the interviews. Sometimes, I just need to find time to sit down and do them. You're right. Your father's experiences would give you a different viewpoint. And, as to libraries… (smile)
Oh, good, Charlotte. I'm glad you're enjoying the Monkeewrench books. And, I'm happy your library has some of Hensley's. I hope you enjoy them when they come around!
Thanks for the interview!
You're welcome, J.J. Thank you!