Somewhere along the way I guess I started wondering what it might take for a third party candidate to really get traction, and it occurred to me that it might need to be a mistake or an accident…..
Stu Strumwasser – 2 April 2026
The Back Flap
A Real Collusion, explains the real conspiracy between the Republican and Democratic parties and is the David Vs. Goliath(s) story of the man who led an independent political movement that almost took down the two-party system in America.
About the book
What is the book about?
A Real Collusion is an exposé of the conspiracy orchestrated by the Republican and Democratic parties to share a duopoly of control over the US government. It is also a novel that tells the David Vs. Goliath(s) story of the man who accidentally becomes the leader of an independent political movement that nearly takes down the two-party system in America, while exposing a conspiracy that affects the results of the 2016 election.
When did you start writing the book?
Around 2013 or 2014, when I was selling my first novel, The Organ Broker, and preparing to publish it, I started A Real Collusion. The plan was to get it out in 2015, before the 2016 election, and I couldn’t get it done in time. After that, and Trump’s surprise victory, I didn’t feel like I could tell this story properly without updating it to include Trump in a meaningful way, as well as his impact on the entire American political landscape. It took almost ten years before I had the time to do that.
How long did it take you to write it?
The Organ Broker was my first published novel, but it was my fourth such attempt. They have each generally taken me around five years. A Real Collusion took less time to actively write, but much longer to fully complete, due to the aforementioned ten-year hiatus in the middle of the exercise.
Where did you get the idea from?
I’ve been frustrated and angry about the US government’s dysfunction and the broken two-party system for a long time. Leading into the 2000 election I consulted to the Committee For A Unified Independent Party on their fundraising and also wrote a song called “Bush And Gore Suck.” My band, Channeling Owen played at a rally in NY for John Haglin, a third-party Presidential candidate. Somewhere along the way I guess I started wondering what it might take for a third party candidate to really get traction, and it occurred to me that it might need to be a mistake or an accident…..
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
These characters are all fictional. Many first novels are semi-autobiographical, and mine was too, but that was thirty years ago. These folks are made up, but the main characters are also imbued with some traits of real people I have met along the way.
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?
My favorite authors are usually strongest on prose and craft, and less plot-driven. Perhaps that’s why my books, while classified as thrillers, move at a more modest pace and are a bit more character driven.
Do you have a target reader?
86% of Americans presently disapprove of Congress. I hope that some of them will read this book and remember that change is not only possible, but it is inevitable.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
It took my four attempts to sell a “first novel.” My process on the first attempt, was to just start writing, and that led to a great deal of revision and wasted time. With each book I think I have gotten a little more organized and now I painstakingly outline both the projected events, and also a timeline (as the dates and their correlation to real historical events are important).
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I am not a great editor nor am I particularly strong on grammar or syntax. I am better at banging out fresh and realistic dialogue and focus on getting down as much as possible in a first draft. I go back and revise it later
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, and this is one piece of advice I can give to indie authors or first-time novelists: after you have gone over your manuscript numerous times, and labored over the flow and sequencing and every sentence, hire an independent editor. I found my way to a guy named Howar Mittlemark who is a novelist in his own right but an incredible editor. For The Organ Broker he made suggestions for large and fundamental changes without which the book would probably have never been published. For my new novel, A Real Collusion, it was a no-brainer to hire him again, and he was hugely valuable. It is worth the investment.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Absolutely not. I am a songwriter. If there is a song playing I am focusing on the lyrics and not my own work.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
For The Organ Broker I had agent representation but a few years ago my agent sadly passed away. I thought about sourcing a new agent and trying to sell my new book to a major publisher but after a few queries were rejected I decided that it just wasn’t worth it. I had received very limited support from my prior publisher and decided that it might make more sense to publish this book with a very small indie publisher, which is what I have done.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I party created it myself and got a little help from a graphics professional I sometimes employ in my day job.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
We have a robust marketing plan, albeit with a modest budget. The book is broadly available on all platforms. We’re running a campaign to pre-populate reviews by professionals and bloggers and hired a publicist to pitch media and influencers. We also hope to connect with independent political organizations and college clubs interested in the issues of broken government that are explored in the novel.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Be realistic about the tension between art and commerce (and don’t quit your day job) as almost no one makes a good living writing novels. That said, if you have something important to say and/or a new and beautiful way of saying it, it must be said.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Lynbrook, NY on Long Island
Where do you live now?
Brooklyn, NY.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I care about what I am saying.
What are you working on now?
I write thrillers about underlying sociopolitical issues. My next book is called Divorce Lawyer Vampires.
End of Interview:
For more from Stu Strumwasser visit his website and follow him on Instagram and TikTok.
Get your copy of A Real Collusion from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
