Ten Questions with Jason Powell
NYC firefighter Jason Powell lived the adage “write what you know” for his debut thriller No Man’s Ghost coming out June 27th. In this interview he described the steps he took to realize his dream of being published, Thanks Jason!
1. Please tell us about your debut novel.
No Man's Ghost follows Charles Davids, a probationary firefighter working his first week out of the academy. For Charles, quietly battling his lack of confidence is a daily challenge as his new officers coach him on life as a New York City firefighter. It also follows Alan Johnson, an unstable and soon-to-be-ex husband who gets kicked out of his home during that same week. Alan comes up with the idea to report fake fires at his wife's apartment every night, smiling at the thought of her awakened nightly by sirens and horns—if he can’t sleep in their apartment, why should she? But after days of crying wolf, Alan decides that fake fires aren’t enough.
2. I’ve read that only 4% of the people who start a novel, finish writing it. Why do you think you beat the odds?
Because it was finished before I started writing it. I've had several short stories published and with all of those, I wrote down what I thought would be a cool premise, or a cool ending, then I just filled in the blanks. It wasn't like that with No Man's Ghost. With this, I didn't start writing at all until the whole story was in my head. The final draft differs, some from my original train of thought, but getting it worked out in my head made the task of writing a book feel less daunting, and more exciting, I couldn't wait to experience writing the last sentence, and seeing what that felt like. There was no way I wasn't going to finish.
3. Was your debut novel the first book you wrote? (Any prior efforts hiding on your hard drive?)
I wrote a "book" in 10th grade. It was maybe 30,000 words and very not good. Everyone who read it told me that it was great and that I would be a published author one day. I don't think any of those people really believed it was great; I think they were just impressed with the effort. Nevertheless, they inspired and motivated me, and I'm grateful for their support even in the face of trash. And it really, really was.
4. What helped you become a better writer? Any books or resources you found helpful?
I think reading helped me. When I'm writing, I only read the genre that I'm writing in, so I've read everything by Sandford and Child and Westlake; but when I'm not writing I read everything else. Whatever's recommended or popular. I've learned what I like to read and what I don't and so have learned what to take out of my own writing and what to add.
5. What was your process like getting an agent?
Long but fun. I didn't know anything about the process when I started looking. I joined a facebook writing group and asked. It was recommended that I try Poets and Writers online agent database which I did, and loved. I would recommend that to anyone querying agents. When I found agents I liked and thought might like my book and me, I did more research and discovered ManuscriptWishlist.com, which is also awesome, because there, the agents tell you exactly what and who they're looking for. I queried everyday for five weeks and received over two dozen rejections before I met my agent. It was all for good, because my agent is amazing.
6. How did you celebrate when you learned your book would be published?
I told my family, my closest friends, and my firehouse, all within five minutes. Then I celebrated over dinner with all three groups, three separate times.
7. What was the most exciting moment involving the publication of your debut novel? (The moment you first saw the cover? The call when you learned when it was being published? When you cashed your advance check?)
I think it was getting an offer from my publisher. I've read and heard, and I know first hand how hard it is to land an agent. Agents usually only do well, if you do well. They need to have confidence in your writing and your passion for writing, and then be willing to take a chance on it. When my agent emailed me asking for the full manuscript after she read the sample, I was excited and hopeful because I love this book and I thought she might as well. When she asked two days later if we could chat on the phone, I was more excited than hopeful. Two days later, when she offered to work with me... it felt like a dream come true. The best dream that I've dreamt for years. Once I spoke with her, I had no doubt that the rest of my author dreams would come true.
8. What’s your best advice for someone who wants to be published?
Don't be discouraged. I'm not saying "stick with it," I'm saying don't give up because of setbacks. Finishing your book is a huge accomplishment, and a victory. Not finding the right agent or publisher for it doesn't change that. Don't think of setbacks as a sign that your wish of getting published may not happen; think instead about the fact that you're book is ready for the eyes of others. It may happen! Don't be discouraged by setbacks. You'll only lose if you stop trying.
9. What are you currently reading? Or, what's one of the best novels you've read lately?
I'm currently reading an Advanced Copy of One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris which is amazing. The last book I read that I loved was The Librarian of Burned Books by Brianna Labuskes. I highly recommend it, no matter what genre you normally read.
10. What are you working on now? Any projects coming out soon?
I'm actually working on my third book. Book two is in the hands of my editor, then it'll go to my agent once I've gone through the edits. Book two is based on a character introduced in book one, but the character isn't a firefighter and you don't have to read book one to enjoy it. Though you should read book one.