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Bestselling Author Stephen Coonts ReadersRoom: Stephen Coonts, welcome to ReadersRoom.com. Thank you for joining us here this morning. StephenCoonts: Thank you for inviting me. ReadersRoom: I would like to start this off with your latest novel first, Deep Black. Could you tell our readers a bit about it? StephenCoonts: Deep Black was co-written with Jim DeFelice. It hit #14 on the New York Times list. There are two more in the series to follow. ReadersRoom: Could you give our readers an idea of the story? StephenCoonts: It's about Russian conspirators trying to topple the legit government. Lots of action. A paperback original. The next one is about biowar. Out in May, I think. It's gonna have a cool cover.

ReadersRoom: And this is, I believe, the first time you have done a novel with a co-author, is that correct?

StephenCoonts:Yep. The problem is keeping the quality good enough so that you don't anger your fans. The publishers really want paperback originals from bestselling authors because they sell very well, which is a commentary on the state of the industry. Too few readers will try new stuff. It's the age we live in.

ReadersRoom: Stephen, tell us more about the cover. Do you get a lot of input on the design?

StephenCoonts: On the major thrillers I certainly do. They let me see the stuff they like and I am not supposed to complain.

ReadersRoom: Your latest anthology out is . Could you tell our readers a bit about that?

StephenCoonts: This book has been in the works about four years. I envisioned it as a companion volume to War in the Air which is a non-fiction anthology that came out in '94 or '95. It did very well. It's been republished in mass market this year too.

ReadersRoom: This is your fifth anthology?

StephenCoonts: Fourth I think. War in the Air, Combat, Victory, and now On Glorious Wings. Combat and Victory contain ten original short novels, or novellas, by ten writers, including me. They have done well in hardcover and in paperback. They are time consuming, and it is difficult persuading the authors to write short novels for the money we can pay. All these guys have careers and publishing contracts, so they do it as a favor, think. First to Fight was a paperback of short stories, edited by Marty Greenberg. I wrote one.

ReadersRoom: Stephen, you are best known for your Jake Grafton novels, and I would like to return to the beginning of those and Flight of the Intruder -- which is, quite frankly, one of the best novels I have ever read. Could you tell us a bit about how you came to write that novel?

StephenCoonts: I thought while the Vietnam war was going on and I was flying the missions that that whole scene would make a great novel. I tried for years to write it but didn't have the plot or the craft. After a divorce in '84 I finally decided I was going to do it. I had a plot by then. I sat down and started writing nights and weekends. After 34 rejections, it was picked up by the Naval Institute Press, which was looking for a book to follow Clancy's The Hunt for Red October. FOTI did very well, spent 28 weeks on the NYT list.

ReadersRoom: One of the things that makes Intruder so unique is that it is almost completely a soldier's (or flier's) story, and really makes no judgments about the war. Do you think that was partially responsible for the 34 rejections?

StephenCoonts: No. I think that was why the book succeeded with the public. But it was a first novel by an unknown author short on craft. That's what made the publishers leery.

ReadersRoom: How did you feel when you received the "yes, we want it"? Elated? Nervous?

StephenCoonts: I was stunned. At first I thought there had been some mistake. But they did indeed want it. The guarantee was $5,000. I was so excited.

ReadersRoom: When did it feel real?

StephenCoonts: It never did. I remember watching the pages go through the copier after we had spent a year editing and rewriting. Looked like trash to me. I thought the publisher and I were both crazy.

ReadersRoom: Even after it hit the NY Times list?

StephenCoonts: That was the most unreal part of the whole experience. It was reviewed everywhere, most of the reviewers loved it (a few hated it), and finally it sank in. I personally think I am the luckiest guy in the world to have the job I have, writing stories. They sell well, I make a fine living, and I am my own boss. It doesn't get any better. So is this a great country or what? But it's tough as hell to break in. I was the only first time author on the NYT list in 1986.

ReadersRoom: An incredible accomplishment -- and since then Jake Grafton has spent a LOT of time on the NY Times Bestseller list. Tell me, is there another Grafton novel in the works?

StephenCoonts: After ten Jake Grafton tales, Libertywas number 10, I think its time to move on. The next thriller stars Tommy Carmellini. It's Liars and Thieves, to be published in May 2004.

ReadersRoom: Carmellini is a CIA Burglar -- and has been in a couple of your previous Grafton novels, correct?

StephenCoonts: He's had a minor role in four -- was introduced in Cuba. He tells Liars and Thieves from a first person perspective. Jake and Callie Grafton have small roles.

ReadersRoom: Stephen, since we announced this chat we've had a lot of questions from readers. Could you answer a few of them for us?

StephenCoonts: Fire away.

ReadersRoom: Tonya, St Louis, Missouri: Hello, Mr. Coonts! I have read that you broke into publishing in 1986 with your bestseller, Flight of the Intruder.

StephenCoonts: That is correct.

ReadersRoom: Do you have any earlier work hidden away that you might dust off and have published one day?

StephenCoonts: Nope. I wrote two novels through the years that were initially rejected, then ultimately I twisted arms in the publishing house. The first was Saucer, which was going to be published under a penname; my publisher was very leery. It was a big hit in the U.S. (number 14 on NYT list) and a huge hit in the UK. The second was The Garden of Eden, which I wrote in '94-'95. It will be published in November of 2004. Thought they would do a pen name but now they want to put my name on it.

ReadersRoom: Gregory, Louisville, KY: On Glorious Wings is on my wish list! Twenty-three stories! Did you search hard to find the 23, or did you have 200 stories to chose from and picked your 23 favorites?

StephenCoonts: I had most of these books on my shelf. (I own a lot of books). Some I didn't have and one, the pulp tale from G-8 and his Battle Aces, I found in the Library of Congress. As usual, there were selections we couldn't get, for the usual variety of reasons. And some I just didn't think of that I now wish I had.

ReadersRoom: Robin, Pittsburgh, PA: Steve, Your love for flying is well known. I grew up with the story of the day my mother soloed. (The tail of her shirt was cut off upon landing back at the airport.) When was your solo flight and what was your favorite memory of the day?

StephenCoonts: I had my first solo in July of '68 and I remember it well. I had fallen in love with flying by then. I can still recall the thrill.

ReadersRoom: John, Dover, DE: When the Naval Institute awarded you with "The Author of the Year" for Flight of the Intruder, did it change the expectations you had for yourself as a newly published author?

StephenCoonts: The award was what the public saw. The director of the press didn't want my second novel. Told me I couldn't write it. He then got in a copyright battle with Clancy and me. I think that experience made me realize that if I was going to make it as a pro writer, it was up to me. Don't expect strokes from the publishing folks or anyone else. You must believe in yourself.

ReadersRoom: Barbara, Salt Lake City, UT: Thank you for having such a great official web site. I am a complete computer dummy but your site makes it easy to navigate. My question is, the last time I visited there was not a schedule of your upcoming signings. Are you making any appearances in the next few months? (There was s spot for the information but it was empty.)

StephenCoonts: Thank you. Tell all your friends to check it out. No appearances in the next few months -- which is why there is a blank there. I am doing fewer and fewer of those.

ReadersRoom: Any particular reason for that?.

StephenCoonts: Truthfully, public appearances don't sell books. They waste the publisher's money and my time. They are fun though.

ReadersRoom: And this is our final reader question. Kelly, Flagstaff, AZ: Hi! I have read in an interview that you have a science fiction and a commercial fiction being considered for publication. Can you give us an update or any information?

StephenCoonts: That must be Saucer as the sci-fi. Everything I write is commercial fiction. The Garden of Eden is not a thriller, but a touchy feely book strong on relationships. The first suggestion was to publish under a penname. I suggested my mom's maiden name and thought why not? I think though that the publisher wants to publish it as a Stephen Coonts book. The success of Saucer, and different genre books by other bestselling writers, like Grisham, has convinced them the public won't bail.

ReadersRoom: I wanted to follow up on Saucer, if I could. I found it to be a fascinating -- and at times quite hilarious -- entry into science fiction for you. Do you have any plans to do any more sci-fi in the future?

StephenCoonts: Saucer isn't really sci-fi. It's an action adventure flying tale about a boy and girl and a flying saucer. The sci-fi freaks hated it, the military techo-fans retched, but folks who liked a fun action tale loved it. I am busy scribbling a sequel. A crazed Frenchman tries to conquer the world from a base on the moon. Rip and Charley have to save the world.

ReadersRoom: I will be looking forward to that! Before we go, Stephen, can I ask you about your writing schedule? Do you have a set time to write, or do you follow the muse?

StephenCoonts: Oh boy. I try to do a reasonable amount five days a week. 1,500 to 2,500 words. Stay focused. Stay dressed. Stay sober. Don't play until the work is done.

ReadersRoom: Great goals. How often do you succeed?

StephenCoonts: The muse sometimes takes a break when I need to write. The problem occurs when that happens every day. This is a business, as my banker reminds me.

ReadersRoom: And what is next for Stephen Coonts?

StephenCoonts: I have to finish the Saucer sequel, then I'm under contract for two more Tommy Carmellini tales. After that I want to take a boat down the Ohio and Mississippi and write about it. The River -- that is the plan. We'll see. I enjoy writing, enjoy creating stories. As long as I don't agree to do more than I can reasonably accomplish, life is good.

ReadersRoom: Finally, is there anything you would like to say to your fans who might read this interview?

StephenCoonts: Keep reading my stuff.

ReadersRoom: Stephen Coonts, this has been a true pleasure. Thanks for joining us today, and best of luck with all your endeavors!

StephenCoonts: Thank you. All the best in 2004.




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