A Touch of Success

by L.J. Sellers, author of provocative mysteries & thrillers

As novelists, one of the best things we can do for our friends and readers is introduce them to other authors. So I'd like to tell you about Gary Ponzo,

Gary has quietly become one of the bestselling indie authors on Amazon. His Nick Bracco series has consistently high ratings, and all three novels are consistently on Amazon's top 100 police procedural list. As an author, I know how hard that consistency is to achieve on Amazon. When I asked Gary what his secret was, he said it’s because his books come up as “also boughts” with many other authors. That means a lot of different readers are willing to try him out. Which is why I’m bringing him to your attention today. Great writing, great stories, and great prices.

In addition, the third book in his series, A Touch of Greed, is free on Amazon today and tomorrow. Grab it while you can. The first two books, A Touch of Deceit and A Touch of Revenge, are only $.99 and $2.99. If you like fast-paced FBI thrillers, add these to your reading list.

Here are few thoughts from the author:

Q: When you wrote the first book, did you envision Nick as a series character from the get-go?
A: I think deep down I always knew Nick was a keeper.  At its core, the series is really a modern day Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kidd. Only they carry credentials. I've never really said this out loud before and never heard anyone ever make the connection, but that's really the truth. I don't even think Nick throws a punch until the third book. His partner Matt McColm is the FBI's sharpshooting champion three years running, so he's the one doing all the damage. Nick is the brains and Matt is the enforcer. Not that Matt is dense, he's just quick with a pistol.

Q: Do you ever get tired of writing about the same character, and what steps do you a take to keep Nick fresh?
A: Nick Bracco has PTSD, a cousin in the mafia, and a wife who wants him to leave the Bureau. That right there is enough material to keep me going for the rest of my life. I don't think I'll ever run out different ways to keep him in trouble. The only thing I'll ever run out of is time to write the next thriller.

Q: In your author bio, you talk about the five year period it took to write A Touch of  Deceit. What’s your writing process, and how have you refined it as you’ve moved forward?
A: I've always worked with a writers critique group where we exchange each other's chapters and line edit our work. Once the novel is complete, I send it out to my beta readers who give me their input, then it's off to my editor who goes through it word-for-word to eliminate any grammatical errors. At the end of the day, it's about the quality of the writing. No one cares how clever your plot is if you can't keep the scene interesting and the five senses involved with every page. The reader needs to smell and hear and feel the emotion of the characters or everything else is nonsense.

Q: You’ve had considerable critical success writing short stories in addition to novels. Do you prefer one over the other, and if so, why?
A: Short stories are one night stands; a romp in the sack with a woman you met at a wedding when you were twenty-five.  It's quick and over fast. Instant gratification.  A novel is a long-term relationship, sometimes involving therapy.  It's messy and intimate and ultimately more rewarding. But every now and then I'll write a short story just to keep my libido working properly.

Q: What are you working on next?
A: I've been asked to collaborate with some talented writers, including Rick Murcer, Dani Amore and Lawrence Kelter, to write a collection of short stories. Each of us will write a story about a murder which has taken place on a beach somewhere around the globe. It should be fun. Also, I have a psychological thriller which will be released sometime over the summer, then on to Nick Bracco # 4.  Not sure of the title just yet, but I'm guessing the first three words will be "A Touch of . . . "