Over time, the story grew from a combination of my life experiences, my love for travel and history, and my overactive imagination.
Kim Rozdeba – 4 April 2026
The Back Flap
A Gripping Political Thriller Novel
Scott Barton’s dull retirement takes a dark turn when he uncovers a global conspiracy steeped in political intrigue, corruption, and unbridled power. Forced into a heart-stopping race against ruthless enemies determined to silence him, Scott realizes his fight is not for survival but for redemption.
Driven by shocking discoveries that challenge his resolve and health, Scott teams up with his estranged daughter and a brilliant rogue hacker. Together, they work to expose the terrifying depths of a shadowy operation manipulating world events. As their mission intensifies, Scott faces devastating betrayals, unimaginable sacrifices, and deadly forces far greater than he ever imagined.
Balance of Evil delivers a fast-paced, thought-provoking political thriller packed with high-stakes action, chilling conspiracy, and brutal moral conflict. Fans of Baldacci, Ludlum, or Flynn will love this gripping tale of resilience, justice, and the fight against corruption.
About the Book
What is the book about?
Balance of Evil follows Scott Barton, a retired CEO whose quiet life takes a dramatic turn when he uncovers a global conspiracy woven with political intrigue, corruption, and unfettered power. Suddenly, he’s thrust into a high-stakes race against ruthless enemies who will stop at nothing to silence him. But for Scott, it’s more than a battle for survival—it becomes a personal journey of redemption.
As secrets unravel and the stakes rise, Scott teams up with his estranged daughter and a brilliant rogue hacker to expose a shadowy organization orchestrating world-shaping events from behind the scenes. Along the way, he faces devastating betrayals, life-altering sacrifices, and forces far more menacing than he could ever imagine.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing it on the very first day of my retirement—January 1, 2025.
How long did it take you to write it?
I had the first draft completed by June, but the process didn’t stop there. I went through several rounds of revisions with input from beta readers, an editor, and a proofreader before finishing it in January 2026.
Where did you get the idea from?
It started on a walk along a serene beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. That moment of inspiration was just the spark. Over time, the story grew from a combination of my life experiences, my love for travel and history, and my overactive imagination.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Yes, absolutely. There was a point where I dove into listening to podcasts about the craft of novel writing—everything from character arcs to pacing and story structure. It was helpful but also overwhelming. I started over analyzing my manuscript and froze because I couldn’t see the structure they were talking about. I started doubting myself. That’s when I got some advice from a seasoned author: “Stop listening and just start writing. Trust that you know how to tell a story.” So that’s what I did, and that’s how I got here.
What came easily?
The character development. I loved giving them life and letting them come alive on the page.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real-world people you know?
They’re a mix, really. I spent many years in the advertising industry, and that experience gave me a ringside seat to observe why people do what they do, especially their body language. It’s fascinating because body language often reveals more than it hides. So, all my characters are inspired by bits and pieces of many real people, including a little of myself.
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?
Oh, I’m a total thriller junkie, so I’ve devoured books by the big names like Daniel Silva, David Baldacci, Robert Ludlum, Vince Flynn, and Dan Brown. But the author I resonate with most is John Grisham. I admire his clean, straightforward style and his knack for crafting realistic, gripping dialogue.
Do you have a target reader?
Other thriller junkies like me—readers who crave fast-paced, thought-provoking political thrillers with high-stakes action, chilling conspiracies, and moral dilemmas.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?
My process is pretty straightforward. I prefer writing in the mornings when my mind is fresh, and then I like to take walks in the afternoons to work through any plot or character dilemmas. I often listen to podcasts on those walks, which can spark solutions or other ideas. That said, there are days when the story is just flowing, so I sit at my computer for hours until it’s all out. One of my favorite parts of writing, though, is the research that goes into making the story believable yet rooted in a fictional world.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Great question! There are generally two different approaches to writing: some authors prefer an extensive outline, while others take a more organic, seat-of-the-pants path. I’d say I’m more organic. I wrote the first and last chapters first because I wanted a starting point and an ending point, so I knew where I was going. After that, the rest unfolded almost day by day, chapter by chapter.
One thing I thoroughly mapped out early on was the backstories of my main characters. I feel that knowing their past, motivations, and quirks made it easier to let the story take shape as I went along.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Both, to be honest. I often go back and read what I wrote the day before, just to get back into the flow of the story. Inevitably, that leads to some tweaking and minor edits. But the big edits—the major overhauls—wait until the draft is done. I try to resist getting too bogged down. It was the story, not the words, that was important.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, definitely! This was a non-negotiable for me. You just can’t edit your book entirely on your own. As the writer, you’re naturally too close to the material to spot all your quirks and blind spots. A professional editor was essential to get the manuscript to its best possible version.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Always! Classical music is my go-to. It helps me stay focused and keeps the stress of sitting at my desk for hours at bay.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to agents?
Nope, I didn’t go the agent route. I wanted complete creative control over the process.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
My first nonfiction book, Branding Queens, was inspired by twenty incredible women who built global brand empires from the ground up. They started with little more than belief in themselves and persevered against the odds. That inspired me to take the leap with Balance of Evil and learn everything I could about doing it myself. I wanted the freedom to make my own choices—and while I haven’t looked back, I also knew it was important to surround myself with talented people to help me along the way.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
For my first two books, I worked with professional designers. But for Balance of Evil, I wanted to experiment with designing the cover myself.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book, or are you just winging it?
I’ve spent the past 30 years working in marketing and communications, so I know a thing or two about creating a solid plan. The challenge, though, is managing the execution when there’s no big budget behind it. For most indie authors, marketing efforts come down to personal ability, talent, and time. But yes, I do have a plan.
Any advice you’d like to give to other newbies considering becoming indie authors?
Oh, I could fill a book with what I’ve learned so far—and I’m still learning! But if I had to boil it down, I’d say the biggest challenge new authors face is simply lack of awareness. No one can buy your book if they don’t know it exists.
So you’ve got a few options:
- Tell people about your book yourself.
- Find someone with an audience and get them to promote it for you.
- Build your own audience (a slow and often frustrating process).
- Spend money on advertising.
None of these options are easy, and the competition can be tough. Over three million books are published each year, but the average bookstore only carries about 1,000 new titles annually. That’s just 0.03%! If you’re lucky enough to get your book into a bookstore, be proactive. Build relationships with your local booksellers and work together with them to sell your book. Every connection counts.
About You
Where did you grow up?
On beautiful Vancouver Island, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.
Where do you live now?
I now call Calgary home, just an hour away from the breathtaking Rocky Mountains.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a writer, and, to be honest, English was my worst subject in school. But I’ve always been a storyteller. I just needed to teach myself how to put those stories into words. It took me 68 years, but here I am—publishing my first political thriller!
What are you working on now?
I’m excited to share that I’m currently working on the sequel to Balance of Evil. The story is far from over, and I can’t wait to surprise and delight my readers!
End of Interview:
For more from Kim Rozdeba visit her website.
Get your copy of Balance of Evil from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
