After learning that these shadowy individuals exist, I was intrigued and disturbed at the same time. This was the genesis of my novel.
Trace Conger – 8 January 2015
The Back Flap
When finding criminals is your business, it’s easy to make a killing.
Finn Harding (Mr. Finn to his clients) specializes in finding people who don’t want to be found. Stripped of his PI license, Finn begins working for the type of clientele who operate in the shadows, pay in cash, and don’t care if he’s licensed or not.
As Finn becomes ensnared in a plot to take over a black market information brokerage, he finds himself and his family straddling the thin line between life and death.
With his own clients gunning for him, Finn must evade a psychopathic killer, special agents from the FBI’s cybercrime unit, and a Detroit mob boss. He’s about to find out that working with criminals has its advantages. Staying alive isn’t one of them.
In The Shadow Broker, Trace Conger delivers a sharp-edged and gritty tale of crime, murder, and family. It’s a fast-paced crime thriller that holds nothing back.
About the book
What is the book about?
The Shadow Broker follows Finn Harding, a PI who recently lost his PI license. To make ends meet be begins working for criminals who pay in cash and don’t care if he’s licensed or not. He gets pulled into a plot to take over a black market information brokerage and finds himself entrenched deeper in the criminal world than he ever expected.
With his own clients gunning for him, Finn (and his family) must evade a psychopathic killer, special agents from the FBI’s cybercrime unit, and a Detroit mob boss.
When did you start writing the book?
I outlined the book in November of 2013 and than began writing it in January 2014.
How long did it take you to write it?
I completed the first draft by May 2014 and then after reviews, editing and cover work, I published the book in October 2014.
Where did you get the idea from?
The idea came from a conversation I had with a retired PI who explained that she used to work as a black market information broker for a very short time (to make ends meet). In that role, she acquired illegal personal information for her clients who paid top dollar. After learning that these shadowy individuals exist, I was intrigued and disturbed at the same time. This was the genesis of my novel.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Most of it came easy. One place where I struggled was where to place an integral flashback scene. I didn’t want to interrupt the flow of the novel by taking the reader back in time, but I thought there was some important information that I could only work in with a flashback. A few of my beta readers commented that I had it in the wrong place in the first draft, so I moved it prior to publishing the novel. I think it works much better where it is now.
What came easily?
I thought most of the writing came easy, thanks to my outline. Had I not outlined prior, I think the process would have been much more challenging.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I think most writers borrow from those they know. I’m no different.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Joe Lansdale has been a huge influence. So have Lee Child and Elmore Leonard. I love Lansdale’s ability to infuse humor into dark situations. His Hap and Leonard series had a huge influence on The Shadow Broker. Lee Child has the ability to craft interesting characters and tight story lines. And Elmore Leonard is just Elmore Leonard. His ability to craft real characters and exceptional dialog are legendary.
Do you have a target reader?
Not really. I write crime thrillers (as well as suspense), which I know is more popular with men, but I’m more concerned about telling a good story, and I hope everyone gives it a try.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I try to write every day, but that’s not always possible with other commitments. Now that I’ve published The Shadow Broker I have more marketing commitments, which can compete with my writing schedule. In a perfect world, I’d handle all the supporting tasks in the morning and then write for a few hours in the afternoon, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I do outline. I have to know where the story is going before I even begin writing it. I respect those who do not outline, but that process doesn’t work for me (except for short stories, which I do not outline). Most of the time I won’t start writing unless I have the ending in mind. I typically will plot out the novel on index cards. I only write a few sentences on each, and it’s never more than what will fit on a standard index card. Each card represents a chapter. Once I have most of the story plotted out, I try to organize it into a logical order. This is the story skeleton. From there I get to writing and put flesh on the bones. I do find that the story deviates from my original outline, but having that roadmap is very valuable for me.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I try to not edit as I go, but it always happens. I try not to do heavy edits until I have a complete first drafts, but sometimes I can’t fight the urge to go back and revise while I’m writing. Sometimes I’ll just go back to that chapter and make a note of what I want to revise later and then get back to what I was writing. That way I won’t forget what I want to revise, but I also don’t break my flow.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I did work with a professional editor. It’s important to me to produce the highest quality work, and I think a professional editor is critical to doing that.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes I do and sometimes not. When I do listen to music, I opt for jazz. Lyrics distract me. Pandora has been a lifesaver here. I also tend to write in coffee shops, which for some reason like to blast horrible 80s music. That’s when I have to pop in the earbuds to counter the Go-Gos.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I did not submit to an agent.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
For me it was having control over the story. I knew the story I wanted to tell and didn’t want anyone to mess with that. That’s not to say that I don’t see the value in traditionally publishing, I do. But for this story, I wanted to do it myself.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I had a professional create the cover. I would have failed miserable had I tried to do it myself.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have a marketing plan and I try to measure everything I can. To me ROI is important because it’s my money, effort and time at stake.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
I think the key is to focus on writing the story first. Don’t let all the other crap—such as whether you need an agent, where you’re going to publish, how you’ll market—get in the way of writing a kick-ass story. Story first and then worry about all that other crap later.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Cincinnati, which is why I set my novel there.
Where do you live now?
I moved back to Cincinnati about ten years ago. Prior to that I was living in New York City.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I have a wonderfully supportive family, which is a huge win when trying to earn a living as a writer. Without their support this would be an even tougher journey.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing Scar Tissue, the sequel to The Shadow Broker.
End of Interview:
For more from Trace, visit his website or like his Facebook page.
Get your copy of The Shadow Broker from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amaozn UK (paper or ebook).
