ReadersRoom: Hello Evan. Welcome to Coffee with Kate, and thank you so much for taking the time to do this!
Evan Hunter: Happy to be here!
ReadersRoom: With so many books under your belt it is hard to know where to begin, but I think we should get started with your most recent work, The Moment She Was Gone.
Evan Hunter: Okay
ReadersRoom: This novel appears to be something of a departure for you. Can you tell us a bit about how it came to be?
Evan Hunter: Not a departure, really. Most of the Evan Hunter novels have to do with generational conflict. The Moment She Was Gone is about a dysfunctional family in extreme denial. The logical next step for me writing under my own name.
ReadersRoom: Considering the subject matter, did you find this to be a difficult book to write?
Evan Hunter: It was tough getting into the head of a schizophrenic. But even more difficult to get into the heads of the family members constantly denying Annie's serious illness.
ReadersRoom: I was particularly interested in Andy's (the narrator of the novel) denial of his twin's condition. By midway through the book, I found it hard to trust his observations. Was this something you planned?
Evan Hunter: Denial is common in this illness. Both for the sick person and the family members.
ReadersRoom: I would like to move to the 87th Precinct novels for a few moments. The first -- Cop Hater -- came out in 1956 and the latest, Fat Ollie's Book came out this year
Evan Hunter: Yes, that's correct.
ReadersRoom: I suppose the first thing I would I like to ask is how you have been able to sustain a series through over 50 books, while still keeping it fresh?
Evan Hunter: I try to find something new each time about the continuing characters. And I try to cook up fascinating plots.
ReadersRoom: It is interesting the way you set up the next book in a previous one, as in the way you introduced Ollie's writing in Money, Money, Money. Do you tend to write with an eye towards the next novel in the series?
Evan Hunter: Not always. I have long range plans for the characters, and tend to foreshadow. But the mystery plots usually come to me shortly before I start writing each book.
ReadersRoom: One thing that you did recently fascinated me -- and that was writing Candyland as both Evan Hunter and Ed McBain. I was wondering where the idea of writing a novel with yourself came from.
Evan Hunter: I did this to make clear the difference between the straight novels Evan Hunter writes and the mysteries McBain writes. Different subject matter, different styles. Two different cats!
ReadersRoom: It was a fascinating experiment. Was the book successful?
Evan Hunter: The book got the best reviews I ever got in my life!
ReadersRoom: And it deserved them!
Evan Hunter: And I myself think it's one of the best books I ever wrote.
ReadersRoom: I have to ask -- what is your personal favorite 87th Precinct novel?
Evan Hunter: The one that will be coming in December. I always like the most recent one best.
ReadersRoom: Perhaps you could tell us a little bit about it?
Evan Hunter: It's called The Frumious Bandersnatch. From the Lewis Carroll poem The Jabberwock.
ReadersRoom: Can you give us an idea of what it's about?
Evan Hunter: It's about 450 pages. Sorry, I couldn't resist that. It's about the kidnapping of a rock star. Real cutting-edge stuff!
ReadersRoom: And while we are on the subject of what's coming up, is there a new Evan Hunter novel in the works?
Evan Hunter: Not a novel. I'm working on a memoir titled Let's Talk. I had my larynx removed last July. Throat cancer. This is about that. Very personal, and very hard to write.
ReadersRoom: Is this the first "memoir" you have written since what you wrote about your time with Hitchcock?
Evan Hunter: Yes. That was easier. But I keep at it every day, and it's getting there! I hope to finish it by October, when I'll start the next McBain. A Deaf Man novel!
ReadersRoom: The Deaf Man is coming back? I know a lot of your fans will be happy about that!
Evan Hunter: Wanna know the title?
ReadersRoom: Please!
Evan Hunter: Hark!
ReadersRoom: That's great!
Evan Hunter: I kind of like it. I always start with a title, you know. Keeps me focused.
ReadersRoom: If we could return to Let's Talk for just a moment -- your fans will want to know -- how are you? Is the cancer in remission?
Evan Hunter: Oh, yes! We radiated after surgery, just to make sure. I go for monthly checkups, and so far I'm still clean. Thanks for asking!
ReadersRoom: I think I can speak for everyone when I say that is wonderful!
Evan Hunter: Thanks. I really appreciate that.
ReadersRoom: And speaking of your fans, we have had a ton of questions from your fans since we announced this interview. Shall we get to them?
Evan Hunter: Shoot! (How's that for McBain?)
ReadersRoom: From J.H. via the Internet: You have the best Web site by an author that I have seen yet, with loads of information and an excellent, easy-to-navigate forum. How closely do you follow what is said in the Web site's forum? What was your motivation for creating and maintaining the forum and Web site?
Evan Hunter: Thanks, I'm glad you like the site. I read the forum every day. And sometimes edit it. I wanted the site so that I could stay in constant touch with my readers. Faster and better than snail mail.
ReadersRoom: From Richard Smith via the Internet: Would you be kind enough to ask the great man about his attitude toward critics? He seems to be influenced by both reader opinion and by critical response in no small measure.
Evan Hunter: Hey, Richard, how are you? Critics? Some of them get it, some don't. I try to write what I feel, and hope it strikes a responsive chord. The best I can do.
ReadersRoom: From Gert Wallitser via the Internet: Did you have any connections to the shoe manufacturing business and the music industry, or how did you get the ideas to write The Spiked Hell and Streets of Gold?
Evan Hunter: Hey, Gert, hello! Guy across the street worked for a shoe giant. I ransacked his mind. I used to play the world's worst piano. I simply wrote about a guy who was the best!
ReadersRoom: From Ken Shipley via the Internet: Recently Mr. Hunter published in his newsletter (from www.edmcbain.com) that he had a long-range plan to publish two new novels a year for (at least) the next fifteen years. One of these novels would be an installment of the 87th Precinct novels, and the other would be a book for a new series that would be premiered with a forthcoming novel. Wonderful news. What I was wondering is Evan Hunter gets no mention in this timetable. Is there still a plan to continue publishing Evan Hunter novels, and if so, is there a planned frequency (or is that entirely dependent on the Muse)?
Evan Hunter: The two McBains a year are still the plan (provided I can get some publisher to go along with it). The Hunters will be wild cards, whenever I get the urge to write one. Can't help it! I'm a workaholic!
ReadersRoom: From Salvatore Buttaci via the Internet: I've read all your books and have been a reading fan of yours for quite sometime now. I have only one question: Being a Salvatore as I am, why didn't you use your own name instead of pseudonyms like Hunter and McBain? I've written a few books myself and writing under my own name--Salvatore Buttaci--is an added kick. Keep those great books coming, Mr. Hunter!
Evan Hunter: Great, go for it, Salvatore! When I began writing, it was a different time and a different place. But I've been Evan Hunter since 1952, and I'm happy with it. Good luck with your own writing!
ReadersRoom: From J.P. Engels-Belgium via the Internet: Will you come to Europe for a signing in a near future? Also, Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well --on what McBain story was this movie based? I try and I try, but do not find any link nor clue.
Evan Hunter: JP, wondered where you were! I'll be heading for Europe next Sunday -- on vacation! The Kurosawa film was titled High and Low, and was based on King's Ransom. If that's the one you mean.
ReadersRoom: Also from J.P.: I will sleep no more if I do not get the answer here on: Where did Ed McBain get started or did Craig Rice left of in the novel: The April Robin Murders. Finally answering, Ed???
Evan Hunter: Nope. I don't even remember myself anymore. But please do sleep well, J.P.
ReadersRoom: Alright Evan, thanks for answering those. One question that seems to pop up on your message boards frequently -- and that I am wondering myself is -- is there another Matthew Hope novel planned for the future?
Evan Hunter: I don't think so. I'm surprised by all this reader interest so long after I wrote the last one. Where were all you guys when I needed you?
ReadersRoom: For our readers who are also writers, I would like to ask about your work habits. Do you have a set writing schedule? A set number of pages per day?
Evan Hunter: I start work sometime between 9 and 10 in the morning, break for lunch around 1, quit around 5 or 6. I try to do about 40 pages a week, more or less. If I don't meet the self-imposed quota, I don't jump out the window. Tomorrow's another day.
ReadersRoom: How much of your work day would you say you spend on research, and how much on actual writing?
Evan Hunter: With Let's Talk, there's been a lot of research. On Frumious Bandersnatch, there was a lot I had to learn about rock and the music biz. I always feel it all has to be right, or it all falls down. All in all, I would say the morning goes to research, the afternoon to writing.
ReadersRoom: Do you see any more screenplays or teleplays in your immediate future?
Evan Hunter: I've written a few originals my agent is now circulating. No car chases or exploding buildings, however, so who knows if they'll get made?
ReadersRoom: And no Birds, I would imagine!
Evan Hunter: No one asked, but I find the state of the movie biz to be absolutely abysmal!
ReadersRoom: How so?
Evan Hunter: Nothing about people in conflict anymore. Nothing about what humans are all about. Who cares about guys climbing the sides of buildings or jumping off bridges?
ReadersRoom: One final question. What have you been reading lately, and who are your favorite authors? Which is actually two final questions, but who is counting?
Evan Hunter: I just finished reading The Da Vinci Code. My good friends Donald Westlake and Larry Block also happen to be two of my favorite writers. You hear that, guys? I plan to do a lot of reading on vacation. Any suggestions?
ReadersRoom: I usually take a McBain on vacation with me. Perhaps you have heard of him!
Evan Hunter: Is he a new kid? McBain? McBain? Doesn't ring a bell.
ReadersRoom: Okay, Evan. This has been wonderful. Is there anything you would like to say to your literally millions of fans?
Evan Hunter: Oh, boy, I wish there WERE millions. But even if there are only five or six of you, thanks for being here today. I truly enjoyed it.
ReadersRoom: Thank you, Evan Hunter!
Copyright 2003 by ReadersRoom, LLC. All rights reserved.
