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An Interview with Author Dita Dow

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Dita Dow, former police detective, private investigator, and consultant, is an award-winning, best-selling author of short fiction that showcases her passion for mysteries, thrillers, and the supernatural. She became a novelist in June 2025 with her debut release of Sins in Black (The Sinister Falls Series Book 1), a slow-burn thriller that ushers readers into the story of a brutal murder, a town that wants it forgotten, and a detective who won’t walk away. Look for Dita on DitaDow.com, on Instagram and Facebook, and her Amazon author page.

Dita, please tell us a little about your recent release, Sins in Black.
Sins in Black is a crime thriller set in a Pacific Northwest town that’s hiding more than anyone wants to admit. Harlie Whitlock, a former Dallas detective who returns home to Sinister Falls to care for her ailing mother, is hoping for some peace and distance from her past. But when a young woman turns up murdered, Harlie is pulled into an investigation the town’s elite are desperate to shut down. It’s a story about ill-gotten power and a detective who refuses to look the other way.

You had a career in law enforcement. Do you share traits with your protagonist, Detective Harlie Whitlock, or is she an amalgamation of people you’ve known?
My experience in law enforcement shapes how I write Harlie and her world. While she’s not a direct reflection of me, parts of her are: her sense of justice, determination, and the way she carries emotional scars without letting them define her.

Harlie is tougher, more reckless, and more willing to break rules than I ever was. She’s a blend of people I’ve known. Her flaws, resilience, and dark humor all come from real personalities and moments I’ve witnessed. I wanted her to feel real, not idealized.

My background also brings authenticity to the investigative side. I know what it’s like to walk into a scene, to feel pressure mounting when justice threatens power. That all bleeds into her story.

Why will readers connect with Harlie?
She’s authentic. She’s not a superhero or a perfect detective, but a woman who’s been through a lot and keeps showing up anyway. She’s tough, but her strength comes from surviving loss, pushing through trauma, and still choosing to do the right thing. She makes mistakes. She doubts herself. She struggles with anger, with grief, with trust. But that vulnerability makes her relatable. Harlie isn’t out to save the world — she just wants to speak the truth, protect the innocent, and hold people accountable, even when it puts her at odds with powerful forces.

No doubt your years of service have given you a vantage point regarding mysteries and crime. When pulling from your memories with law enforcement, how do you go about not crossing the line regarding revealing too much?
My years in law enforcement gave me a front-row seat to the reality behind crime and investigations. But I never use real names, locations, or specific case details. That is non-negotiable. It’s not about retelling real cases — it’s about translating the psychology, the tension, and the humanity into fiction that resonates.

What unique challenges did Sins in Black pose for you?
The biggest challenge was the shift from short fiction to a full-length novel. I had to learn how to stretch tension, build emotional depth, and let the story unfold at its own pace. Sins in Black is a slow-burn thriller, and it needed room to explore not just the murder, but the trauma, corruption, and inner conflicts woven through Harlie’s world.

Another challenge was letting go of control. Early on, I forced the plot — but it didn’t breathe until I let the characters lead. Trusting Harlie’s voice changed everything. That shift taught me patience, humility, and how to truly listen.

Tell us how long Sins in Black took to write and what your editing process looked like.
I first started writing it 15 years ago, but because of life, work, doubt, other projects — take your pick — it got shelved. The story back then was very different from what it eventually became. It had the seed of Sinister Falls, a version of Harlie, and a hint of the mystery, but it didn’t have the voice or depth it needed. It wasn’t ready. And neither was I.

The version that became the published novel took about a year to write, once I truly committed to finishing it. And thank goodness for my editor. She was instrumental in helping shape the final product. I had written it in third person, but she suggested it might be more powerful if told in first person — from Harlie’s point of view. Once I rewrote it that way, the story clicked. Harlie’s voice came alive. Her thoughts, pain, and defiance — all of it landed harder. It gave the story a pulse I didn’t realize it was missing.

You write mysteries and thrillers, but you’ve also written horror shorts, as well as magical realism. Do you have a preferred genre?
That’s a tough one because I love all of them for different reasons. Mysteries and thrillers are where I feel most at home. I enjoy the structure, the tension, the slow unraveling of truth — building a puzzle and letting the reader piece it together.

But horror holds a special place for me, too. I’ve written several horror shorts, and what I love about the genre is how it’s not just about monsters or gore — it’s about dread, trauma, isolation, the dark corners of the mind. Horror lets me explore emotions and ideas that don’t quite fit into a traditional mystery.

Magical realism is more rare for me, but when the right story calls for it, I love the freedom it offers. There’s beauty in blurring the lines between the real and the surreal. It allows emotion to bend the rules a bit — and sometimes, that’s exactly what a story needs.

For me, it’s less about fitting a category and more about finding the right frame for the characters and questions I want to explore.

What are you most happy with, and what do you struggle with most in your writing?
I’m most happy with writing characters who feel real. When readers connect with my characters, it means everything. I don’t just want to entertain; I want people to feel something that stays with them. I’m also proud I kept going. Writing is rarely a straight line. Doubt, silence, and setbacks nearly stopped Sins in Black, but persistence got it done — and that’s its own quiet kind of win.

What I struggle with most is letting go. Knowing when to stop tweaking and trust the work is ready. And navigating self-doubt. Impostor syndrome is real, especially when writing darker stories. But leaning into discomfort often leads to the most honest work. The business side of writing is hard, too — self-promotion doesn’t come naturally. Balancing creativity with visibility is still a work in progress.

Your website is multifaceted: A blog, a writer’s resource list, music you’ve written, samples of your artwork, and most recently, an inspirational email called Words to Inspire Your Days. What prompted you to start the latter?
It came from a place deep inside me — born not just from my love of writing, but from what I’ve witnessed in life, particularly during my years in law enforcement. Working in that field, I saw the darkest parts of the human experience. I saw people weighed down by trauma, stuck in cycles of abuse, addiction, and pain, but couldn’t seem to escape. I also saw something else: people who had survived equally horrific pasts, but somehow, they rose. They became advocates, mentors, creators — people who had every reason to fall apart but instead became whole in a way that inspired others.

That contrast haunted me. Why can some people rise from the ashes, while others remain trapped in the fire? What’s the difference? And while my fiction allows me to explore trauma, justice, and the complexities of human behavior through storytelling, it wasn’t fully feeding the side of me that wanted to offer hope — tangible, honest encouragement for people still in the thick of their battles. That’s how Words to Inspire Your Days was born.

I now send out two newsletters per month — one is my general author newsletter with updates, releases, and writing news. The other, which I send mid-month, is my motivational letter. It’s filled with insight, mindset tools, and encouragement for anyone struggling to keep going — whether they’re readers, writers, survivors, or simply people trying to find meaning in their day.

That’s how I came to my tagline: “Stories to Haunt Your Nights. Words to Inspire Your Days.” Because I believe we are all capable of holding light and shadow at once. My fiction explores darkness, but the newsletter is my way of reminding people the darkness doesn’t get the final say.

Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently if you started your writing and publishing career today?
I think the biggest thing I would do differently is give myself permission to begin publishing sooner. I let doubt, perfectionism, and fear of not “doing it right” hold me back. I had stories in me, but I kept them tucked away until I thought I was “ready.” The truth is, we’re never fully ready. You grow by doing.

I also would’ve learned the business side of writing earlier on. Publishing isn’t just about telling good stories — it’s about understanding how to position those stories, how to market them, and how to navigate things like editors, cover design, branding, and platforms. I’ve since learned to embrace that part of the process — it’s not a distraction from the writing, it’s a tool to get your words into the hands of the right readers.

I’d be kinder to myself. I would remind myself that growth doesn’t happen in straight lines, and success doesn’t look the same for every writer. I would’ve stopped comparing my path to someone else’s and just focused on telling the stories that mattered most to me.

What marketing techniques have been most helpful to you?
Building my email list before publishing was one of my best decisions. It gave me a direct connection to readers who truly cared about my voice and helped create a supportive community from the start. Word of mouth has been invaluable. When readers share my books — through reviews or conversations — it builds trust in a way traditional marketing can’t. I’ve also found social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, useful for authentic connection. I share behind-the-scenes moments and focus on real engagement, not sales. Ultimately, what works is staying genuine. Relationships — not just sales — are what sustain a writing career.

When’s the next installment for The Sinister Fall Series?
The next installment is titled Sins in White, and I anticipate its release in early 2026. This time, Detective Harlie Whitlock finds herself investigating a new wellness center in Sinister Falls that promises healing but may be hiding something beneath its pristine exterior.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
I want readers to know how much I value them. Every time you read, share, review, or reach out, it means more than you know. It reminds me why I write.

Though my fiction often explores dark places — crime, trauma, corruption — it’s always with purpose. I write about the shadows because I believe in the light. At the heart of every story is a fight for justice, healing, and truth. My characters are messy and flawed, but they’re survivors. My hope is that readers see a part of themselves in that struggle — and in that resilience.

Su Lierz is a horror writer in the Land of Enchantment. Her short work can be found in anthologies and several publications including Grey Sparrow Journal and The Horror Zine. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico with her husband Dennis.



Author Update 2025: Zachry Wheeler

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Zachry Wheeler is an award-winning science fiction author who has published over twenty books across four series. His newest release, Starship Eternity: A Sci-Fi Horror Short (January 2025), is the fifth addition to his Twisted Simulations series. Look for him on his website ZachryWheeler.com, his new YouTube channel, and his Amazon author page. For more about his writing, see his first interview for SouthWest Writers and his interview update.

Zachry, there’s a lot to catch up on in your world. You’ve taken a hiatus from writing to focus on photography. What lead up to that decision?
This is how I avoid burnout. I never shelve my creative drive, I just point it at something else until my batteries recharge. Photography has always served as a great counterweight, in that it scratches the creative itch while also forcing me to touch grass.

When you’re working on both writing and photography, do they share your time in equal measure?
Not at all. There is always a primary focus, otherwise the quality suffers. At the moment, I am delving deeper into photography while casually working on writing tasks. I still promote my books and develop new ideas, but without any goals or time pressure. For now, my brain is focused on what camera settings produce the best hummingbird photos.

As a creative, do you find one medium (writing or photography) more intimate than the other?
For me, writing is more intimate. I really enjoy the challenge of snapping good photos, but I’ve spent decades with my story characters and know them like family members.

What is the most rewarding aspect of both artistic endeavors?
In photography, it’s a perfect moment. You are constantly hunting for perfect weather, perfect lighting, and perfect timing. When you “get the shot,” it’s a fantastic feeling.

In writing, it’s a happy reader. When you put so much time and effort into creating, editing, and publishing a story, there is nothing more rewarding than a fan telling you why they loved it.

You’ve made big changes regarding your interaction with social media. According to your website, you’ve moved away from all platforms and you’re focusing more on your website, blog, and mailing list. You stated social media was “actively harming” your brand. Can you explain what you mean by “harming” and in what ways has changing focus helped your brand?
We all know that social media is catastrophic to mental health. In my opinion, trying to leverage it effectively is not worth the stress and reputational risk. Brands have done serious damage to themselves by posting the wrong things at the wrong times, no matter how innocent. It’s also a massive time sink that eats into valuable creative time.

In my own experience, I noticed that I was wasting too much effort chasing engagement. The resulting frustration would derail my process and cause me to rant in writing groups, which is never a good look. I realized that social media was more bane than boon, so I deleted all of my accounts and walked away. The resulting peace of mind was immeasurable. Many authors are waking up to the fact that you don’t need social media to be successful.

If I’m not mistaken, you spent some time as a script doctor. What was that experience like and are you still called upon from time to time to help?
I lucked into this role, which I found to be surreal yet enjoyable. Long story short, my novel Transient (Immortal Wake #1) got optioned for a feature film and landed in development for a time. That got my foot into the door and a few chance encounters resulted in some work as a script doctor. It’s different from writing the screenplay (which I have also done), in that you’re using your author skills to polish dialogue, fix structural errors, and find plot holes. It’s actually quite fun and engaging. I haven’t done much doctoring in recent years, but I’m always up for it when the producers need me.

What marketing techniques have been most helpful to you?
I spent many years in the marketing trenches, where I flushed piles of cash down the toilet. As with everything in advertising, some things work, most fail. I have found that the only surefire bet is BookBub. Their featured deals are very expensive and hard to get, but they offer the only guaranteed ROI in the game. It took me several years of patience and perseverance to get into their regular rotation. Now it’s the only service I use. I compiled my strategies into a marketing guide on my blog, which you can read here: https://zachrywheeler.com/an-authors-guide-to-marketing/

I’m seeing more and more authors put out short stories and novelettes in chapbook form. Has this been beneficial in gaining visibility for your work?
Very much so, and for many different reasons. First and foremost, it expands your readership net because the attention economy is a difficult nut to crack. People who read novels and people who read short stories are rarely the same. But, if they enjoy your writing and become fans, then they will cross over. In addition, shorts and novellas are much easier to produce and publish. It’s a great way to mitigate risk if you want to experiment with different styles or genres. Shorts are also great fodder for freebie promos and reader magnets.

What draws you to the dark side of literature?
I have always been a big horror fan, so it was only natural that it would creep into my writing. My first true horror title was The Bone Maiden, a prequel novella to the Immortal Wake book trilogy. I greatly enjoyed that writing process, which got me thinking about a new horror series. That became Twisted Simulations, a collection of short stories with sci-fi horror themes. This is another series that I have an abundance of ideas for, so I’m sure it will continue.

You have a tech noir series, Immortal Wake; a sci-fi comedy series, Max and the Multiverse; and a collection of chilling tales called Twisted Simulations, to name a few. All are diverse. Do you have a favorite?
I am proud of them all, but if I had to pick one, it would be Puki Horpocket Presents. This is a sci-fi comedy series that spun off from Max and the Multiverse. It’s about a famous journalist who profiles extraordinary beings in the cosmos. The stories are so much fun to write because I blend so many different styles. I use interview formats, first-person commentary, third-person narration, you name it. I definitely want to return to this series at some point because I have so many ideas for new tales.

What authors influenced your writing?
Douglas Adams has been my favorite author since childhood and his influence can be seen all over my works. Andy Weir is another big influence, as I greatly admire his ability to blend sharp humor with hard science. On the darker side, I have a wide range of influences, everyone from Max Brooks to George Orwell.

I always like to get an author’s take on critique groups: some can help, some can hinder. Do you work with a critique group or share your work with anyone prior to putting it out into the world?
Critique groups are double-edged swords. Good ones can elevate you to new heights. Bad ones can destroy your motivation or blind you to obvious issues. I have experienced both and it took a while to find what works best for me. I have a small group of trusted peers who serve as my beta team. The key is to find people who enjoy your work, but are willing to give you fair and honest feedback. Seems simple, but they are very hard to find. In my experience, most people are either pleasers (everything you do is great) or punishers (everything you do is crap). Sadly, fair is rare. And for the love of all that is good and holy, be receptive! A good critique group is worthless if you aren’t willing to heed the advice.

What’s on the horizon for you? Will you be adding to these series, or are there other series or standalones percolating that you can tell us about?
I honestly have no clue, but that’s only because I’m currently enjoying a hiatus. I have several new ideas and many works in progress, so who knows.

If you want to stay in the loop, the easiest way is to sign up for my newsletter. As a special gift, I will also send you a free limited edition eBook!

Su Lierz is a horror writer in the Land of Enchantment. Her short work can be found in anthologies and several publications including Grey Sparrow Journal and The Horror Zine. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico with her husband Dennis.



An Interview with Author Butch Maki

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Best-selling author Walter “Butch” Maki is a decorated Vietnam War veteran who went on to become a senior advisor on a U.S. presidential campaign, a successful entrepreneur, and a family man. Covid isolation offered him the focus to give voice to his PTSD battles and write his debut novel, Bikini Beach (May 2023), where he reveals “how love, understanding, and friendship are the special forces that get his main character, Mack, through the Vietnam War and civilian life that followed it.” You’ll find Butch on his website BikiniBeach.info and his Amazon author page.

Butch, please tell us a little about your novel Bikini Beach.
Bikini Beach, a first-person account, is based on actual events. The story is about Donald Makinen, or “Mack,” a soldier in Vietnam in his early twenties and his fifteen-year battle with PTSD upon his return home.

Tell us about your main character Mack Mackinen. What is his most endearing quality and his greatest flaw?
Macks greatest quality is his devotion to duty while not believing in the war. His greatest flaw would be his PTSD.

Describe the main setting in your story and what the day-to-day activities were like for the servicemen and women.
In Vietnam it was mostly helicopter missions with ASS and Trash missions. Ass being hauling men and trash cargo; an aircrew in Vietnam which involves hours and hours of boredom, punctuated by moments of sheer terror.

Did you have any opinions about U.S. involvement in Vietnam at the time that colored the telling of this story?
Yes, I saw the Vietnam War as a total waste of resources and men. The country’s leaders were corrupt, and the population was uneducated and too rural to worry about anything but caring for their family.

What prompted you to write Bikini Beach?
I was quarantined during COVID and driving my wife crazy. She suggested I write the book about Vietnam, which I had toyed with for years. I worked six to ten hours a day, five days a week to complete the work.

As a combat veteran, did you struggle with any part of putting this story together, and if so, can you tell readers what you did to move past it?
I did in parts of the story, but I worked through it with all the blessing I had.

Were there any surprising moments while writing your novel? Something you had forgotten or hadn’t realized previously that ultimately ended up in your novel?
I called friends who I served with to review or remember all the situations.

What was the biggest challenge you experienced during the war?
Getting back to flying after a crash or the helicopter got shot up and barely made it back to base.

Were there any lessons you learned that you’ve carried throughout your life?
I offered another crew chief $100 to swap places with me on a mission. If he agreed, I’d take his safe command and control ship while he flew the combat assault. Deep down, I knew he wouldn’t take the deal, but I had to make the offer. That day, his helicopter crashed, and he died in the wreckage. It taught me a hard lesson: never assume someone else has it easier than you do.

What do you hope readers will take away from Bikini Beach?
The dedication by the soldiers and the real problems with PTSD for returning soldiers.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and how have they influenced your writing?
My favorite author, Joe Badal, gave me invaluable advice. He told me I had a great story but encouraged me to turn it into a novel. He said that would give me the space to add more depth and color to the narrative.

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



Author Update: Lynn Ellen Doxon

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Lynn Ellen Doxon had authored over a thousand newspaper and magazine articles, three nonfiction books, and a children’s book before she branched into historical fiction in 2022 with the publication of the first World War II novel in her Becoming the Greatest Generation series. Book two in that series, and her newest release, is The Moonlight Cavalry (Artemesia Publishing, April 2024). You’ll find Lynn on her website LynnDoxon.com and her Amazon author page. For more about her work, read her 2023 interview for SouthWest Writers.

The Moonlight Cavalry is the second book in your Becoming the Greatest Generation series. Can you give readers a little background on this new book?
In the first book, Ninety Day Wonder, schoolteacher Eugene Sinclair is drafted against his will as war rages in Europe but before the US is involved. Following boot camp he is trained for the Coastal Artillery and sent to the shores of Puget Sound. He feels his calling is in medicine and manages to get additional training as a pharmacist. His pharmacy training is completed on December 5, 1941.

After the Pearl Harbor attack, he is almost immediately reassigned to anti-aircraft artillery and sent to Camp Davis in North Carolina for Officers Training School. On his way there he meets Sarah Gale, a young woman who works in the camp laundry. Ninety days later he is commissioned as an officer and deeply involved with Sarah Gale.

Following further training in Texas (and New Mexico since Fort Bliss extended all the way to what is now White Sands) and Florida, where Sarah Gale is now stationed as a WAC and they become engaged, he was sent to the Pacific, where he is separated from his battery.

In The Moonlight Cavalry, Gene leads a replacement platoon to the island where his unit will soon arrive, then rejoins the unit as they follow the 24th Infantry around New Guinea and the Philippines. Along the way they experience pitched battles, battle fatigue, friendly fire and the biggest killer in the Pacific, tropical diseases. Gene contracts malaria and is plagued by hallucinations of his fifth great grandfather’s experience in the Revolutionary War.

What drew you to the historical fiction genre?
I discovered historical fiction in elementary school, and it quickly became my favorite genre. In high school I waded through several Michener novels and read War and Peace.  I was a voracious reader all my life and read The Thorn Birds (which isn’t historical fiction) in one sitting when it first came out. When I decided to start writing full time, historical fiction seemed the natural choice.

Were there any scenes you found difficult to write? How did you move past that?
As the relationship developed between Sarah Gale and Gene, I had to consider how to write intimate scenes between them. Since this is a 1940’s novel I went with the suggestive level of many 1940’s movies, but I still am not sure those scenes are as engaging as they could be.

What is the most difficult aspect of writing historical fiction?
There is a lot of research involved in writing historical fiction and the temptation is to try to include all you have learned. I quickly figured out that my long descriptions were not as engaging as Michener’s. They sounded more like the academic writing I did on the way to getting my MS and PhD. I tried to remove everything that did not contribute to the story.

Also, this story takes place recently enough that there are some people who remember it and more who can say “that’s not what my dad told me.” Sometimes I could not find research on details I wanted to include so I just made things up. It is fiction, but the historical details still need to be accurate, or somebody will call you on it.

When writing a series, what is it that keeps readers coming back for more?
Each book has to be a complete story but still have some unanswered questions to draw the reader to the next book. Of course, everyone knows how the war comes out, but how does Gene fare for the remainder of the conflict? It is also important to have characters people love. I hope I have made Gene and Sarah Gale into characters that people want to know.

How much involvement did you have regarding the book’s cover design?
I sent the editor several suggestions and he sent back something that was much better.

What is your elevator pitch for The Moonlight Cavalry?
The Moonlight Cavalry is the story of a searchlight battery of antiaircraft artillery, told by their executive officer, island hopping across the Pacific during World War II.

Authors are faced with handling much of their own exposure when it comes to media and marketing. How do you balance your writing career with the business of being a writer?
My daughter and I just started a digital marketing company. In that process I have learned a lot about effective websites and social media marketing. The problem is I simply don’t have time for everything, and things aren’t too well balanced at the moment.

What part do critique groups play in your writing process?
I find the critiques of other writers to be very important. I belong to a critique group that has made several suggestions that I believe will make the third book much better. I believe critique groups and beta readers are extremely important in the writing process.

When can readers expect to see book three in your Becoming the Greatest Generation series?
Life is pretty hectic right now. I am hoping to have a publication date in November 2025.

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



An Interview with Author Steve Bennett

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Steve Bennett is a retired educator who also worked as a journalist for three New Mexico newspapers. In 1964, a shocking multi-murder occurred in San Diego, California in the seemingly idyllic suburb of Chula Vista where Steve was raised. Thirty years later, he began a decades-long journey to tell the story. His debut true crime release, His Own Flesh and Blood: The story of Raymond Goedecke, the killer in the choir (July 2023), is a “haunting exploration of deceit, manipulation, and the terrifying depths of human nature…a story that will leave readers questioning the very nature of evil and the masks that it wears.” Look for Steve on his SWW author page and on Amazon.

Steve, please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in San Diego, California and raised in the suburb of Chula Vista. These were my formative years—beginning with kindergarten and continuing to college. A good athlete, I accepted a football scholarship to New Mexico State University where I earned a degree in education. For the next 37 years, I served as a teacher, coach and school administrator. During that time, I was a New Mexico Teacher of the Year nominee as well as an Outstanding Alumnus in the NMSU College of Education. Additionally, I worked as a journalist for three New Mexico newspapers. Since 1968, New Mexico has been and continues to be my home.

What was the impetus for writing His Own Flesh and Blood?
During my high school years in the 1960s, I believed the growing city of Chula Vista had it all: great weather, excellent schools, civic pride, very little crime. But those beliefs were shattered in August 1964 when I read the newspaper headline, “Homicidal Maniac Strikes, Four Dead in Chula Vista.” The article read, “Four members of the Henry Goedecke family were bludgeoned to death last night in their Chula Vista home.” Shocked citizens first believed the killer must be a transient, or an escaped mental patient. But the murderer—using a hunting knife and pipe—was eighteen-year-old Raymond Goedecke, the oldest son.

For me, the horror of the crime was magnified because the Goedecke family attended the Lutheran Church which sat directly across the street from my church, the First Baptist Church of Chula Vista. The close proximity of my church and Raymond’s church—where I had many friends—made his crime personal. And in the years to come, images of Raymond Goedecke would intrude upon my thoughts like an uninvited guest. But the real reason Goedecke cemented himself in my memory had to do with my teaching career. From the moment I stepped into my first high school classroom, dealing with dysfunctional and violent students, Raymond Goedecke became a fixture in my mind. At such times, I had a single thought, “Why did he kill?” His Own Flesh and Blood is my answer to the question.

Can you step us through the process you used when obtaining research material for your book?
Researching my book was daunting, a job spanning ten years. When I started the process, finding time for research was difficult since I was teaching full-time. So, research was limited to weekends and summer breaks. I began at the Chula Vista and San Diego Public Libraries copying newspaper articles which recounted the murder, trial and sentencing. Later, this continued at the San Francisco Chronicle and the Placerville Mountain Democrat. I obtained police records from the Chula Vista, El Dorado County, Vacaville and San Rafael police departments. An invaluable source was the El Dorado County Courthouse and San Diego Superior Court. In San Diego, I copied the entire trial transcript (one thousand pages) which enabled me to speak to the legal issues and combine them with newspaper articles and interviews, blending them together to create a consistent narrative for readers to follow.

Were you able to conduct interviews with anyone who had been directly involved with solving this case? How about descendants of the victims?
The simple answer is “Yes,” but interviewing former friends close to the Goedecke family (those traumatized by Raymond’s crime) was a delicate business. I approached everyone with the utmost care and sensitivity. However, the police officers, bailiffs, judges and parole officers (once I established credibility) were another matter. In particular, former Chula Vista police officers were eager to speak to me. I believe the Chula Vista Police Department did a flawless job to develop an ironclad case against Goedecke. The California Supreme Court decision (that vacated Goedecke’s death sentence) appeared to agree, since they found no legal or procedural problems with Chula Vista’s police investigation. In short, these former police officers were proud of their work.

However, when I first began, my first interview was with an old church friend from 1964, Lee Bendickson. A lawyer, he handled the Goedecke estate and later testified at Raymond’s trial. Bendickson helped by contacting people on my interview list assuring them I could be trusted. Above all, I avoided surprising people I didn’t know by cold-calling them. I conducted scores of interviews with Chula Vista, San Rafael and El Dorado County officers who were directly involved in Goedecke’s case. The most significant of these was the two Chula Vista officers who obtained Raymond’s confession to the murders. But my most important contact was with San Diego Superior Court judge William Kennedy. In 1964, Kennedy had been the lead prosecutor at Goedecke’s trial. Kennedy was instrumental in obtaining the trial transcripts of the 1964 proceedings.

Henry Goedecke (the murdered father) was survived by his mother Elizabeth Goedecke and a sister and her family. At the advice of a close friend of theirs, he asked that I not pursue an interview with the family since the murders were extremely traumatic for all of them. I honored his request.

All told, either by direct contact or telephone, I conducted from forty to fifty interviews—all of them tape recorded.

Do you think the time you spent working in journalism helped you transition into the role of writing nonfiction?
Doubtless, the two years I spent working in journalism helped improve my writing a great deal. Working for the Alamogordo Daily News—which went to press seven days a week—writing with the pressure of a deadline, everything improved: writing speed, organization, and flow of article. Above all, the experience impressed upon me the importance of accuracy of language: using precise nouns and verbs and, above all, never misquoting a single living soul. However, though rewarding and mentally challenging, newspaper reporters are paid even less than teachers. This is why I left my job in Alamogordo, to take a teaching position at the Mescalero Apache Schools, thus returning to teaching.

Did you experience any obstacles while writing His Own Flesh and Blood?
When I began the book in 1994, the judicial cases against Raymond Goedecke had been adjudicated, or legally resolved. Since no appeals or other legal issues were pending, police departments and courts were able to legally release information. Otherwise, there would have been significant roadblocks hindering or halting outright any request for information. Regarding personal interviews, most individuals I approached were willing to share their stories with me. However, a few—for personal reasons—simply declined.

If you found yourself stalling during the writing process, how did you move past it?
Like any writer, there were frustrating moments that stopped me cold. At such times I’d reexamine the crime photographs for another look. These images were black and white pictures and color slides, pictures that were chilling, sickening…truly beyond belief. The violence Raymond inflicted upon his family was unspeakable. To describe it as just a murder would be an understatement, it was a massacre. Raymond, a son and brother, slaughtered his family and reduced them to four, lifeless piles of bloody pulp. Every police officer who witnessed the crime scene told me they’d never seen this level of violence. Their beaten, bloody bodies scarcely looked human. But the photos taken at the San Diego County morgue were, for me, the worst. These showed the condition of the bodies after being washed and cleaned. With the blood removed, the damage inflicted on their bodies was shockingly evident: Ellen’s broken jaw, a deep wound on her chest from the pipe end; the gaping wound on Mark’s forehead that shattered his skull; their eyes closed as if sleeping, their lives and humanity ripped away. What made this more painful for me was the knowledge that Ellen and Mark were both awake when the attack began. Seeing this, no matter how often, summoned deep emotion, bringing tears to my eyes. However, this was quickly supplanted by another feeling…anger. “How could he do that to his own brother and sister, his own flesh and blood?” Soon, the awful bitterness would pass. Somehow the intense anger I felt for Raymond was rejuvenating. I went back to work.

How long did it take you from start to finish to complete your book?
The short answer is that I began researching and writing in 1994, but the book was not published until 2023. However, that’s not the whole story. When I began in 1994 (the year I joined SouthWest Writers), technology was less sophisticated. As a result, I approached the process the old-fashioned way by sending query letters to agents. Agents usually responded with, “Dear Mr. Bennett, your book, His Own Flesh and Blood sounds like a great story, however….” My file drawer is full of those. Eventually, I simply gave up. But recently, a few friends who’d read my manuscript showed a lot of enthusiasm. I began to look into publishing independently (Amazon, BookBaby, etc.). To my surprise, I discovered that Amazon publishes more books worldwide than anyone. But they hadn’t started their publishing arm until 1995, the year they published and sold their first book.

What other genres do you enjoy reading other than true crime?
My reading interests are quite broad, largely due to diversity of subjects I taught during my teaching career. Any subject related to history: American Civil War, First and Second world wars, ancient history and New Mexico history. Reading about native American culture; Navajo, Apache, etc., are subjects I find fascinating. This also includes biographies of great national and international leaders.

Who are a few of your favorite authors?
My favorite author list is a long one, but these are a few who stand out: Herman Wouk, J.R.R. Tolkien, Gore Vidal, Laura Hillenbrand, Drew Gilpin Faust, Ann Rule, Ron Chernow and, of course, William Shakespeare.

What’s on your horizon regarding writing projects? Do you intend to stick with true crime?
There are many true crime stories pertaining to New Mexico that interest me, however, I’m undecided. Since I have Attention Deficit Disorder, that is a subject I’d like to put on paper at some point.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
Only that—after a break from writing for many years—I’m happy to be more active with SouthWest Writers, a fine organization.

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



Author Update: Paula Paul

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Paula Paul is the award-winning author of over thirty novels including historical fiction, contemporary women’s fiction, and the Alexandra Gladstone mystery series. Her latest fiction release, The Last of the Baileys (March 2023), was inspired by her mother’s colorful family and the boarding house they ran. Look for Paula on her website PaulaPaul.net and on Facebook. You’ll find many of her books on her main Amazon author page, but The Last of the Baileys is available on Amazon here. Read more about Paula and her work in the 2016 interview for SouthWest Writers.

Please tell us about The Last of the Baileys, who are your main characters and where does the story take place?
The Last of the Baileys is set in a small town in West Texas called Anton, where my mother grew up, and in Lubbock, Texas, the largest city in the area. Trudy Bailey Walters is the main character, along with Adam Bailey who claims to be the descendant of a Bailey family slave.

Is Trudy Bailey Walters based on an actual person, or an amalgamation of people?
Trudy is an amalgamation of two of my great aunts who were the daughters of John and Julia Bailey, my great grandparents, who built and ran the boarding house in Anton where most of the story takes place.

What was the inspiration for The Last of the Baileys?
The inspiration for the story came from my memories of the old boarding house and of my mother’s colorful family, the Baileys. I brought Marta Romandino, an undocumented woman, into the story because of my interest in the plight of immigrants coming to the U.S.

How is this book different from your previous novels?
This book is different from my earlier books because it is not genre fiction. I have written mysteries and romance novels as well as children’s books. I have long wanted to write general fiction, however, and The Last of the Baileys is one of my attempts at doing that.

Of all the books you’ve written, were there any that posed more challenges than others?
As for the most challenging books I have written, the general fiction or literary fiction books have been more challenging than genre fiction because the plot is not so predictable. Also, I have tried, over the years, to add more depth to characters and to develop a better writing style. Both of those endeavors are challenging.

With so many books under your belt, do you ever find yourself struggling to flesh out a story idea? If yes, can you give us an example of how you moved past it?
I often have trouble fleshing out a story idea. I have begun to think that is just part of every project. When I get what seems to be hopelessly stuck, it is always because I don’t know the characters well enough. The solution is to have what I call a conversation with the character. I do that by asking the character a lot of questions. It usually starts out with something like, “Why won’t you let me move this story along?” The answer is almost always something like, “Let me tell you about myself so you will understand me better.” Then I just let the character talk about anything including childhood, fears, love life, bad habits, family—anything that comes to mind. I fill up several typewritten pages this way, and while some of it has nothing to do with the story, I don’t censor myself. When all that is done, I usually have what I need to move the story forward. Sometimes that means changing the plot.

As a seasoned author, do you still belong to writing groups or have partnerships to help culture an idea? What are your thoughts on critique groups?
The only writing group I currently belong to is the First Friday group that was started years ago by Lois Duncan and Tony Hillerman. It is for published writers, but many in the group are no longer writing regularly. I have belonged to critique groups in the past, and I got a lot of help and inspiration from them. I haven’t belonged to one in several years because it had gotten to the point that I felt I was teaching writing when I went and wasn’t getting the help I needed. I would love to find a group of widely published working writers.

Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently if you started your writing career today?
I would hate to have to start a writing career today because it is so much harder to get published than it was when I started. However, I think I would just do the same thing I did way back then. That is, I would read books that are like what I want to write. I would read how-to books and magazines. I would attend conferences and talk to other writers, editors, and agents. I would just not give up.

What is it that many beginning writers misunderstand about telling a story?
Beginning writers of fiction often don’t understand how intricately character growth and plot are related.

What marketing techniques have been most beneficial to you?
Marketing techniques are tricky in my view. I have tried buying advertising, being on talk shows, talking to various groups to promote my books, and having book signings. They all help to some extent, but I think a writer really needs a publishing house with money for promotion and we don’t all have that. It’s mostly just the top sellers who can take advantage of that these days. I have had the most success with marketing by hiring someone who specializes in marketing and knows where to place the ads. Regrettably, that can be quite expensive.

What’s next on your radar for writing projects?
My new writing project is a family saga. It is proving to be challenging.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
As for anything else I would like writers to know, it is to think about the question on a paperweight my daughter gave me years ago. That is: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



An Interview with Author Stephen McIlwain

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Stephen McIlwain is a practicing attorney who discovered writing fiction is good for his soul. Decades of experience in criminal defense lends insight and authenticity to his debut legal thriller, A Snitch in Time (August 2023), set in Albuquerque, New Mexico and based on a true case. Look for Steve on Facebook and his Amazon author page.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am an almost retired lawyer who has been practicing law for more than 50 years. When I started practicing law, Richard Nixon was in the White House, and his first term at that. The last 20 years of my practice have been almost exclusively criminal law working for the Public Defender Department for eight years and as a contractor lawyer for the Public Defender for the past 12 or so years. I am married (55+ years) and we have three children with five grandchildren.

Please give us a little background regarding A Snitch in Time.
The book has as its main component a homicide in Albuquerque with appendages from various other cases and an addition of fiction.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I have enjoyed writing for quite some time. When I was in high school, I wrote a humor column for the school newspaper that I enjoyed immensely. I have liked all the writing courses I have taken. I have done a great deal of legal writing (briefs, motions, memoranda and the like), but discovered a few decades ago that fiction writing could be cathartic and therapeutic and was good for my soul.

Life experience can pepper our writing. Did you find this happening when you wrote A Snitch in Time?
Nearly all the legal material in the book is from my life experiences, so the “peppering” of my writing is extensive, and occasionally some situations practically wrote themselves.

Do you share any traits with your characters?
Ted Griego and I are close to being indistinguishable except that he is a better lawyer than I.

What is your elevator pitch for A Snitch in Time?
The book is about a double homicide committed during a home invasion. In the course of the police investigation, two innocent but clueless young door-to-door magazine salesmen are swept up in the investigation by two inept detectives and charged with the murders after the detectives extract a false confession from one of them. A separate detective works with a defense lawyer to uncover facts that eventually solve the case. Sometimes I need a slower elevator.

Is there a scene in your book you’d like to see play out in a movie?
The seemingly unrelated murder committed at the beginning of the book is a good scene as well as the detectives’ interrogations that result in the false confession.

Have any of your ideas stemmed from actual cases?
All my ideas for legal fiction have their genesis from actual cases.

How did you feel the day you held the copy of your first book in your hands?
When I held the book for the first time, I was speechless—too many instantaneous emotions to isolate just one. I still pause when the word author precedes my name such as it does at the top of your list of questions.

Is there an underlying structure that guides your writing process or is this something you discover as you work?
I have certain points that I want to include in the story, but I just let the story proceed and those points find their way into the writing without much help from me. The closest thing I do as an outline is create a timeline to keep track of what’s going on. If you would permit a digression, I’ll add that I have an unpublished book about growing up in Indiana that I have been rewriting for 30 years. There is one character who insists that he must write his part of the story and that my job is only to be his scrivener. I read an article about this happening to authors and remember one in particular: That writer had a character at a cocktail party and was having a challenging time getting the character to leave. The character finally convinced the author that he didn’t want to be at the damned party in the first place.

Do you have another legal thriller in the works?
I am nearly finished with a book that is a thriller but not a legal thriller. I have a few ideas swimming around in my head about more legal thrillers.

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



Author Update: Victoria Murata

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Victoria Murata is a retired teacher turned author with two series in progress, one historical fiction and the other fantasy. The Ranger (September 2023) is book two of her Magicians of the Beyond fantasy series where readers will find new and returning characters, unexpected magical creatures, and a forest and a monster that don’t play by the rules. Look for Vicky on Facebook and her Amazon author page. Read about The Acolyte, the first of her fantasy novels, in her 2021 interview for SouthWest Writers.

Victoria, The Ranger is the second book in your series Magicians of the Beyond. Tell us a little about The Ranger and how long it took you to write it?
It took me two years to write The Ranger. This second book in the series introduces a new character who lives in the Beyond. Rafe isn’t a Covert, but he has special skills that are needed on a mission to a troubled world. He’s a ranger who has amazing knowledge of the forest and the creatures who live there. What he doesn’t know is the danger that awaits him in a foreign forest. Far from home and everything familiar, Rafe comes face to face with his fears and limitations. And the monster inhabiting this forest is intent on his destruction.

What elements of fantasy drew you to the genre?
The fantasy genre has always appealed to me. As a child, the stories of Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz were favorites, along with Alice in Wonderland. It was easy to suspend disbelief and allow myself to be carried away by imagination. Fantasy is such a huge genre with many sub-categories. Epic stories that take place in plausible worlds with people who have incredible powers appeal to me. The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss is one of my favorite fantasy series.

Did you experience any challenges while writing this series?
As a writer of fantasy, I have to remember that the story in my head must be translated to readers who cannot only follow it but become immersed in it. The challenges in writing fantasy are different from writing other genres in that not only are the stories fiction, but they’re fantastical with characters and creatures and worlds that have never been encountered anywhere before. I think the writer of fantasy must have well-developed and relatable characters who will move the plot along through fantastical worlds filled with incredible creatures. The story must culminate in a satisfactory and believable conclusion.

Please tell us about your inspiration for The Ranger.
My stories are character driven. I’m a people-watcher, inspired by individuals and interested in what motivates them. The main character in The Ranger, Rafe, is a troubled young man who has exceptional gifts. He’s a loner and an introvert, and past trauma has caused him to withdraw into himself. At the beginning of the story, he’s asked to accompany the Coverts on a mission where his skills as a ranger are needed. This invitation both intrigues him and causes him extreme anxiety.

Is there a book three?
Yes. I have another book of the series percolating. It will focus on one of the Coverts—magicians who have special powers and who travel to distant worlds to save them.

How much research goes into writing a fantasy novel and what is that like?
The research required in writing fantasy often depends on the world-building. My first fantasy novel, The Acolyte, had a Medieval setting so there was some research required. The Ranger is set in an other-worldly “modern” city and the forest nearby. Previous to writing my fantasy novels, I’d written two YA historical fiction novels. Those took a lot of research into life on a wagon train in 1852, and then about the overlanders settling in Oregon City.

What was the most difficult aspect of creating Rafe’s world?
The difficulty in creating Rafe’s world was getting into his head to figure out his motivations. He’s complicated and withdrawn in the beginning. I needed to consider how an introvert like Rafe can step outside his comfort level and take the leap to work with others. Danica, the main character from the first novel in the series, helps him with this. When he meets her, Rafe finds a kindred spirit.

Was there a defining moment that prompted your writing journey?
I joined a writing group in 2008. We were retired teachers who met once a month and shared our writings with each other. When I was teaching Humanities to 6th graders, I was aware of the power of story. My students and I would read YA historical fiction novels pertaining to the time period we were studying. I loved these stories as much as my students, and that’s why I decided to write a novel based on the history of the Oregon Trail. A friend’s daughter who teaches middle school in northern New Mexico has used this novel, Journey of Hope, for years to teach her students about the trials and tribulations of crossing the country in a wagon train in 1852. I wrote this novel as a catalyst for further research into the people, conditions, and events of that distinctive time.

What are you currently reading?
Currently I’m reading a novel called The Physician by Noah Gordon. It’s about a young man in the Middle Ages who learns to be a healer. He realizes he can learn so much more from practitioners in the Orient, so he embarks on a perilous journey to Persia, posing as a Jew who wants to apprentice himself to the world’s most renowned physician, Avicenna. Interestingly, Rob, the main character, has a special power, but the novel isn’t classified as fantasy. I do love it when genres overlap.

What writing projects do you have on the horizon?
I have two books to write: the third of my historical fiction novels, and the third of the fantasy series. I’m not in a rush and I know the stories will be written when they’re ready. But they’re always percolating.

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



Author Update 2024: Neill McKee

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Neill McKee is a retired teacher, international filmmaker and multi-media producer, and an award-winning creative nonfiction author. He published his fourth memoir, My University of the World: Adventures of an International Film & Media Maker, in 2023. Look for Neill on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as on NeillMckeeAuthor.com. To learn about his first three memoirs, read his 2019, 2021, and 2022 SWW interviews.

Neill, you’ve led a storied life. Please tell readers a little about your memoir My University of the World.
My University of the World (2023) is a stand-alone sequel to two of my other memoirs, Kid on the Go! Memoir of my Childhood and Youth (2021) and Finding Myself in Borneo: Sojourns in Sabah (2019). All three books can be enjoyed in any order you read them. This latest memoir is composed of 28 short chapters and an epilogue that takes readers on an entertaining journey through the developing world from 1970 to 2012. The book is filled with compelling dialog, humorous and poignant incidents, thoughts on world development, vivid descriptions of people and places I visited and worked in, and over 200 images.

The story starts when I became a “one-man film crew,” documenting the lives of Canadian CUSO volunteers working in Asia and Africa, and covers my marriage to Elizabeth, an American I met in Japan. Her life with me and her growth as an artist, as well as our children’s lives, are also covered in this new book.

Thirteen chapters document my time as a filmmaker for Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), when I roamed the developing world and made about 30 films on many research projects in education, rural development, agriculture, post-harvest technology, fisheries and aquaculture, health care, water and sanitation—the list goes on. I wrote these stories to allow the reader to get a sense of the challenges I encountered. I kept the chapters light on technical details and full of humorous and poignant incidents. In each chapter, I also included how IDRC projects made an impact, or not.

The book also covers my time as a multimedia producer, leading teams of people in UNICEF in Bangladesh and Eastern and Southern Africa, and how my family adapted to a very different and interesting life. I ended up working for Johns Hopkins University, and then took over a project in Moscow, Russia. In my final job, I was asked to save a large project in Washington, D.C. from 2009 to 2012. By then I had learned a lot about managing people and, I must admit, sometimes I missed my years as a “lone-wolf” filmmaker at the beginning of my career.

Was it a natural transition for you to go from filmmaker to author?
During my career, I wrote three books and many articles on the role of communication in behavior and social change. But when I retired in 2013, I decided to turn to creative nonfiction writing. I submitted my first manuscript to about a dozen publishers and finally received two offers from small firms, but when I saw the contract details, I could see they were mainly interested in acquiring new titles with little or no resources for promotion. Also, despite the fact I had engaged a professional editor, they wanted to start over with that process. So, I decided to hire a professional book designer and self-publish. Either way, it was evident I was going to have to do the promotion myself. Perhaps if I was younger, I would have tried harder to seek an agent and publisher, but at my age, I didn’t think it made sense to wait. I don’t regret my decision because I have since learned that almost all authors, even if they do find a publisher, have to do or pay for most of the promotion themselves. With about 1,000 new books released every day in North America, in all genres, there is a lot of competition for readers’ attention. Fortunately for me, making money has not been a necessary objective in my new “retirement career.”

What was the most rewarding aspect of writing My University of the World?
I entered this memoir in several contests and so far have won two awards: Distinguished Favorite, Independent Press Award (2024) for Career; and Finalist, Book Excellence Awards (2024) for Autobiography. It’s rewarding to get such feedback, as well as good reviews on Amazon and Goodreads—some from people who have had no experience in international development work or film and media production. They simply enjoyed riding along with me, and some wrote that they felt they were there. Another benefit of writing this memoir was helping me sharpen my long-term memory, revising connections with old friends and former colleagues in Canada, the US, and around the world.

Do you have one place of travel that has left an indelible mark on you?
I would have to say it is Sabah, Malaysia, on Borneo Island, and the small town of Kota Belud near the coast of the South China Sea. That’s where I “found myself,” learning Malay language and teaching beautiful students, visiting their kampongs (villages), roaming around on my motorcycle, climbing Mount Kinabalu (the highest in Southeast Asia), having a few love affairs, and making my first film. It is all in my memoir Finding Myself in Borneo. That book has won three awards.

Was there anything surprising you discovered about yourself while writing your memoir?
I found that I always had a knack for creative writing but never developed it until I retired. I never kept a diary but I had a lot of stories in my head for years. I wrote up some of these at the time they happened and kept a file. I found many more in old letters to and from my fiancé/wife and family, plus official trip reports that I always tried to make entertaining, including all the funny happenings along the way. Some of my colleagues might not have appreciated such embellishments, but I didn’t care. I had the feeling I would use these someday.

What was your favorite part of putting this project together?
Besides the creative writing, it was returning to IDRC in Ottawa, Canada, to look through a library of thousands of colored slides I had taken all over the developing world, many of which I used in the book. I also searched film archives and websites and managed to locate most of my film and media projects. This also helped to bring back my experiences over the years, and I decided to create a digital library, housing all I could find on https://www.neillmckeevideos.com.

The videos play on YouTube and I get great satisfaction from messages I receive every week from young adults who were influenced in their childhoods, especially from my most successful multi-media project, the Meena Communication Initiative for girls’ empowerment in South Asia.

Do you have a favorite quote from My University of the World you could share with us?
That’s a difficult thing for a writer to answer, but I think the opening paragraph of Chapter One gets the reader into the spirit of the memoir:

As I rolled across the plains of northern India in December 1970, on a rickety old train, rumbling between station stops and passing many smaller ones, I soon got into the stride of things by listening to Santana Abraxas through the earphones plugged into my compact reel-to-reel tape recorder. From that time on, the song Black Magic Woman became forever embedded in my mind as a part of India. The time was magic for me because I was on the road, filming and photographing Canadian volunteers in Asia. It was exactly what I wanted to do with my life—an answer to my prayers, or I should say to my meditation sessions. I was more in touch with Zen Buddhism than Christianity in those days, like other North American youth—many of whom were hippies, or what we then called “flower children,” who traveled to the East in search of answers to life’s mysteries and their future paths.

Does meditation play a role in your writing ritual today?
Well, I never got deeply into Zen Buddhism, but in my late twenties, I learned how to do Transcendental Meditation (TM) for practical, rather than spiritual reasons. My younger brother Philip had taken it up and even traveled to Spain to study at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s TM institute. In 1968, the Beatles had visited this Maharishi in India for spiritual replenishment, and by doing so, they helped spread TM worldwide. Philip taught me the basic method and gave me my secret mantra—a sound I repeated in my head for 20 minutes, two times a day, while breathing deeply, sometimes falling asleep, which was okay according to Philip. Eventually, I learned how to do this just about anywhere, even in noisy airports. Learning TM helped me survive the busy years of my career. I still use the technique for refreshing my brain cells while writing.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
I chose to print and distribute through IngramSpark.com (IS), rather than going with Amazon alone. Through IS my books are available in North America and around the world on Amazon and many other platforms. Even independent bookstores and libraries can order copies. I publish in paperback and eBook formats, and two of my memoirs, Finding Myself in Borneo and Kid on the Go! were also produced as audiobooks by Lantern Audio, which distributes them very widely on many platforms as well. I promote through a growing email list, blog and review tours, and some social media channel posts, although I don’t put a lot of effort into the latter because it is evident to me that it doesn’t help much for sales, plus I am a bit allergic to simple messages, “likes,” and “congratulations,” etc., that have little substance or follow up. I find LinkedIn the most useful. I also put a lot of blog posts, interviews, links to reviews, places to buy, and awards on my author’s website: https://www.neillmckeeauthor.com/.

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



An Interview with Author Dale Garratt

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Author Dale Garratt is a New Mexico native and a longtime educator who has taught in schools across the United States as well as in South Korea. His travel experience and geopolitical interests informed the writing of his debut novel, The Peace Road: A High-stakes Geopolitical Thriller (August 2023), which is described as “an absolute nail-biter, fast-paced with cutting-edge twists and turns.” Look for Dale on his website at DaleGarratt.com, on Facebook and Twitter/X, and on his Amazon author page.

Dale, what would you like readers to know about the story you tell in The Peace Road?
The threat of a hypersonic missile attack by North Korea is even stronger now than it was two years ago, when I started writing the book.

The book starts with North Korea launching a hypersonic ICBM at the U.S., narrowly missing Los Angeles. This triggers a series of events leading to naval battles between the U.S. and China, which is the shadow behind North Korea. An underlying theme is the concept of a peace road: a literal road that could facilitate peaceful relations in East Asia. The novel also explores the path to peace in romantic relationships.

Who are your main characters and why will readers connect with them?
Ric O’Malley is the protagonist, a top quantum physicist at Sandia Laboratories and a Medal of Honor recipient. He is a really good person, and I think the protagonist in a thriller should be. He has a great sense of humor, a remarkable adaptability to varied situations big and small, and truly cares about the lives of others.

Ric’s wife Marie, a high school science teacher, understands that her husband is involved in events of national and international consequence but equally values her role in educating students. They have a great marriage but face a serious challenge in the course of the book. I think that many readers will relate to the realities of relationships and a career-life balance that the O’Malleys go through.

U.S. President Sarah Jacobsen is a tough leader, and at the same time is able to look at concepts out of the box. She may shed light on what it takes to make a great president.

Do you share traits with your protagonist Ric O’Malley?
Like most people, I like to think I’m a good person! I’m a geopolitical news addict. I’ve taught at several high schools in Albuquerque, and I am licensed to teach science. Ric has a PhD in physics and I have a PhD from University of New Mexico (UNM) in language, literacy and sociocultural studies. Like Ric, I have a very good marriage. But over the years we have experienced and resolved a challenge that occurs in many intimate relationships.

Describe one or more of the main settings.
Albuquerque plays a central role. Ric lives here and his team is based at Sandia Labs. In the course of events, Ric is attacked twice in Albuquerque by would-be assassins. Of course, East Asia is a main setting, particularly North Korea, South Korea and Japan. Also, the Western Pacific Ocean, where naval battles between the U.S. and China take place.

How did you approach your research for The Peace Road?
Fortunately, I have personal experience with East Asia. We lived in South Korea for eight years, teaching English to middle school and then university students. I was able to officially stand on North Korea soil with students at the Panmunjom Village on the 38th Parallel. I continue to read two South Korean newspapers and keep up with what’s happening in politics and the economy. I delve into online information, but I make it a point to read sites that present different views. Triangulation, as we teachers say.

One priority for me was making sure that the military technology used by all five countries in the book was accurate. There are great .mil and .gov sites for U.S. technology and very good intelligence about China’s military technology. For North Korea you can find “propaganda” websites and read a lot between the lines about its military, economy and politics. Of course, anything you are really interested in as an author can turn into a rabbit hole. That’s something you always have to look out for.

In 2022 I attended the Quantum New Mexico Symposium at UNM where UNM, Sandia Labs, and the Air Force Research Laboratory were featured. Participants were able to actually visit Sandia and see the latest research in quantum computing. We asked questions of the researchers themselves — it was the kind of thing you can more easily do in New Mexico than in other states.

What obstacles did you face when writing about the technology used in your novel?
The main problem in writing about quantum computer research is that it is advancing so fast! It’s fascinating but a challenge to keep up with. Yesterday’s Business Outlook (March 24, 2024) in the Albuquerque Journal featured an article that could have been written about Ric O’Malley. It was an interview with Jake Douglass of Sandia about quantum research there. He says in part, “[Quantum technology] is a field where we’re [NM] truly world leaders.”

What part do beta readers or critique groups play in your writing process?
I sent the first draft and new drafts to more than a dozen friends who are good readers and/or writers. They gave me some valuable and honest suggestions as well as many practical editing suggestions. Getting several beta readers is, for me, more helpful than just relying on a couple.

Tell us about your writing process or your writing routine. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Both. I start with the overall shape of the book. While I’m doing that, I freewrite almost every day, putting down material that can make up chapters. Then I move from shaping the book to writing an outline. Then chapters fall into place in the outline. I write better in the mornings, and I make it a practice to schedule appointments and errands in the afternoons.

Who are your favorite authors, and what do you admire most about their writing?
I love Louis L’Amour’s westerns and Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances. In the thriller genre, I really like Tom Clancy — the actual Tom Clancy! David Baldacci’s Memory Man series has a lot to teach writers. My favorite author is Daniel Silva. His thrillers are almost always exciting, and the way he dives into a European locale is not only entertaining but also informative. One example is The Confessor with its fascinating deep dive into the Vatican and the Catholic Church. But like most geopolitical thrillers he has a European setting. It’s time now to include settings in Asia.

What writing projects are you working on now?
I’m writing book two of the Peace Road Trilogy. It takes place in North Africa and the Middle East. Religious, economic, political, and other major threads in this most ancient part of the Earth are woven together. It’s very exciting to me, and I hope it will be so for readers.

Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
In the midst of current geopolitical turmoil and conflict, there is hope. My book ultimately shows a realistic, doable path toward a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. And a real peace road there could be a key component.

Su Lierz writes dark fiction, short story fiction, and personal essays. Her short story “Twelve Days in April,” written under the pen name Laney Payne, appeared in the 2018 SouthWest Writers Sage Anthology. Su was a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Albuquerque Museum Authors Festival Writing Contest. She lives in Corrales, New Mexico, with her husband Dennis.



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