Ask the Author: Steven James
Answered Questions (49)
Steven James
Thx for this question. Lots of people have asked for a book/series featuring Tessa over the years and I actually have some fun ideas of the first book, but my writing schedule has been so full over the last few years with other projects that I haven't been able to write it. I'm open to it, if the opportunity arises and hope you'll continue to enjoy my books. (Here's a secret few people know... Adira's character in BROKER OF LIES is greatly influenced by Tessa. Shh....)
Steven James
Start with a dilemma rather than a message. Too many people start out by trying to get a message across—but if you tell great story that will happen naturally. So, focus on that first and not on an agenda.
Steven James
Thanks for the kind words. At this time, I'm focusing most of my energy on a new series, with BROKER OF LIES as the first book, but I would say that I am open to whatever the future might bring!
Steven James
Dallas, thanks for the intriguing question. I can't think of anyone who influenced my writing in that way. I just tried to continually ask what the character would think or how they would believably respond to a situation, and then write down what I heard. I'm glad you enjoy it. Happy Holidays.
Steven James
Yes! I have a book coming out next year, the first in a new series. I’m diving into writing the second entry in that series this fall. Thanks for your interest and patience.
Steven James
There was some confusion about the rights, but it will be available again soon! Thanks for your interest and for reaching out.
Steven James
Thanks for the question. If there's something iconic, I will sometimes refer to it. If it's a small business, I usually ask permission from them before including it. Sometimes I'll say something like "down the block from the FBI Building," that way there's something they recognize but I can make up whatever I want. I hope you continue to enjoy my books! -s
Steven James
Charlene, thanks so much for writing. I'm sorry you haven't been able to find an audio version of The King. There were some rights issues with that particular audiobook that I'm trying to get sorted out, but I'm hoping it will be available again in the near future. I'll make a note to contact you when it is. In the meantime, I hope you continue to enjoy my books. Happy reading! -Steven
Steven James
Steven - wow, thanks for being so attentive to the stories! I admit that sometimes my dates and years get a little mixed up. I actually think that Dr. Werjonic got younger as the series progressed (at least no one has noticed that so far....). Thanks again! I hope you enjoyed the rest of the series. -Steven
Steven James
Corey, thanks so much for the question. We are currently actively pursuing this possibility and I am hopeful that something will come about in the near future.
Steven James
Thanks for the question! I suggest people edit as they go. I know many other writing instructors suggest to finish a first draft first. However, with books as complex as the ones I write, if I were to do that it would require months of rewrites since the story's trajectory could go off in all sorts of irrelevant directions. Take care and best wishes in your writing endeavors. -Steven
Steven James
Ha! Good observation. I am from Wisconsin and grew up in a town called Watertown in the southeastern part of the state, but I also lived for a while in central Wisconsin and went to school at the University of La Crosse. I hope you continue to enjoy the books.
Steven James
Great question! Every Crooked Path, Every Deadly Kiss, and Every Wicked Man happen in the years between Opening Moves and The Pawn, which is the first in the chess series. I'm glad you're enjoying the books. Best wishes, Steven
Steven James
Some people prefer reading them in the order I wrote them, but I would actually recommend starting with Opening Moves, then Every Crooked Path, Every Deadly Kiss, Every Wicked Man, and dive into the chess series with The Pawn. I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for the question.
Steven James
Thanks for asking! At this time I don't have any plans to write another Bowers story, but who knows what the future might bring.
I hope you enjoyed my latest release, Synapse, which just came out last week.
I hope you enjoyed my latest release, Synapse, which just came out last week.
Steven James
Thanks for writing! For me, it's always about keeping promises. Sometimes those relate to the struggles a character has: their desires, their dreams, their pursuits. Often there will be story threads that I start and finish in a later book. I try to fulfill all the major promises in each book and then set up new storylines at the end of my series novels.
Steven James
Chad,
Thanks so much for asking! It's been more than 20 years since anyone asked to look at that thesis and probably just as long since I cracked it open to look at it. It's in the archives at East Tennessee State University. Perhaps an inter-library loan would be able to get it to you. I don't think there's anywhere online to download it from, though.
Thanks for your interest and best of luck with your writing projects!
Yours truly,
Steven James
Thanks so much for asking! It's been more than 20 years since anyone asked to look at that thesis and probably just as long since I cracked it open to look at it. It's in the archives at East Tennessee State University. Perhaps an inter-library loan would be able to get it to you. I don't think there's anywhere online to download it from, though.
Thanks for your interest and best of luck with your writing projects!
Yours truly,
Steven James
Steven James
Thanks for asking. Here's the chronological order:
Opening Moves
Every Crooked Path
Every Deadly Kiss
Every Wicked Man
The Pawn
The Rook
The Knight
The Bishop
The Queen
The King
Checkmate
Hope you continue to enjoy the series! - SJ
Opening Moves
Every Crooked Path
Every Deadly Kiss
Every Wicked Man
The Pawn
The Rook
The Knight
The Bishop
The Queen
The King
Checkmate
Hope you continue to enjoy the series! - SJ
Steven James
Right now, I don't have any specific plans, but more and more people are asking me about Jevin, and I may have to find time to write that elusive third book that I was originally planning on. I always love those characters and would like to spend more time with them myself.
Steven James
It sounds like there may have been a glitch in translation. You're right—Patrick is in his early or mid-thirties, not late thirties. Thanks for your attentive eye. I hope you enjoy the story. —Steven
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
