Writers, Ink: Your backstage pass to the world's most prolific authors Skirting the genre line with Bestselling author, Alma Katsu.
Alma Katsu, a former CIA and NSA intelligence agent turned bestselling author, dives into her fascinating transition from the spy world to storytelling. She shares insights about crafting complex female characters and the balance of reading fiction versus non-fiction for writers. Katsu discusses the nuances of blending genres, particularly her unique mix of spy thrillers and horror. Additionally, she provides a glimpse into her creative process, revealing how her real-life experiences shape her narrative techniques.
58:33
Late-Blooming Author With Intelligence Roots
- Alma Katsu delayed publishing until after a 30+ year intelligence career and sold her first book at 50.
- Fifteen years later she has published nine books drawing on that life experience.
From Secret Work To Spy Novels
- Alma tried writing spy novels while in intelligence but found them weak and constrained.
- After retiring she was invited by her Putnam editor to write spy fiction leveraging her background.
Plotting Efficiency, Then Leave Room For Twist
- Alma plots tightly because thrillers require intricate construction and efficient pacing.
- She still allows the last third to shift during edits, which often produces surprising twists.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Navigating the Publishing Landscape
02:26 • 9min
Navigating KDP Select and Library Distribution
11:53 • 5min
Spotify and TikTok's Audiobook Revolution
17:11 • 3min
Audiobooks and Author Insights
20:33 • 4min
From Intelligence to Imagination
24:41 • 15min
Complex Female Characters in Narrative
39:40 • 16min
The Balance of Reading: Fiction vs. Non-Fiction for Writers
56:10 • 2min
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It covers the initial days of the conflict, the grim reality of the ongoing war, and the human stories behind the headlines.
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Langdon teams up with Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist, to follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols across Rome to prevent the Illuminati from carrying out their deadly plans, including the detonation of an antimatter bomb in Vatican City.
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Fat Vampire
Johnny B. Truant
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Join hosts J.D. Barker, Jena Brown, Kevin Tumlinson, and Jena Brown as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about book club scammers, Kindle Unlimited, and BookTok Hub. Then, stick around for a chat with Alma Katsu!
Alma Katsu: NYT bestselling author Alma Katsu’s books have been nominated for and won multiple prestigious awards including the Stoker, Goodreads Readers Choice, International Thriller Writers, Locus Magazine, the Western Heritage Awards, Spain’s Celsius 232 festival, and appeared on numerous Best Books lists including NPR, the Observer, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, Goodreads, and Amazon.
She has written two spy novels (RED WIDOW and RED LONDON), the logical marriage of her love of storytelling with her 30+ year career in intelligence. She also writes novels that combine historical fiction with supernatural and horror elements. THE HUNGER (2018), a reimagining of the story of the Donner Party, was named one of NPR’s 100 favorite horror stories, was on numerous Best Books of the Year lists, sold rights in 17 languages, and continues to be honored as a new classic in horror. Her first book, THE TAKER (2011), was named one of the top ten debut novels of 2011 by Booklist.
Ms. Katsu is also a contributor to the Washington Post Book World, where she reviews thrillers. She has relocated from the Washington, DC area to the mountains of West Virginia, where she lives with her musician husband Bruce and their two dogs, Nick and Ash.