The Lit-Crit Take: A genre-bending, character-driven thriller about memory, identity and making peace with the past. The Pure Plot Pitch: Sure, we all know about arrogant, self-centered media executives. But how about one who served time as a teen for murdering her sister? And who suddenly believes she’s possessed by the spirit of Indira Gandhi? And now, at the height of her power, a secret from her past is threatening to destroy her empire, while someone from that past is trying to take her life. Stop the damn presses!
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What do you think readers will find most notable about this book?
Richard Sanders
Two things, I hope. (1) Ispent 30 years working as an editor in magazines and media, mostly at Peopleand Entertainment Weekly and their websites, so much of the journalistic actionin Dead Line is based on personal,behind-the-scenes experience and observation. (2) I’ve tried to inject thematerial with an adrenaline-fueled spirituality, a zen freedom needed to trickaway the addictions to power and control.
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Have you acquired anygood anecdotes surrounding this book? If so, could you share one?
Richard Sanders
All the media scenes arebased on things that have actually happened to me or to people I know. Forexample, there’s one scene where a brand-conscious editor goes ballisticbecause someone is using an old memo pad with an outdated magazine logo.Something very much like this happened to me. I was in a meeting with our mediadirector, and just in case I was inspired to write something down, I pulled outan old memo pad, one printed in purple ink instead of the new, approved RobinEgg Blue. The woman completely freaked and started—literally—to scream: “Whatare you DOING? We don’t use those anymore! Please, put that away! Don’t letANYONE see it!” Some people take their branding very, very seriously.
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Did researching andwriting this book teach you anything or influence your thinking in any way?
Richard Sanders
Yeah. Looking back on it,the media/magazine/dotcom world is even crazier than I thought.
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What would you mostlike readers to tell others about this book?
Richard Sanders
That it’s a entertaininginside look at publishing, that it’s an exciting, well-written thriller, andthat it has interesting things to say about the way we try to live our lives.
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Can you suggest onequestion readers might find interesting to discuss, concerning you, yourwriting in general, or this book?
Richard Sanders
Well, one of my bigpersonal challenges is mixing spiritual values with the murder and mayhem of agood thriller. I try to make the spiritual insights part of thecharacters—almost all my characters are addicted to something, whether it’smoney or power or one of the more traditional substances. But I’m not alwayssure I succeed. So I guess that would be a question I’d ask readers: Have thetwo elements blended?
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How can readers helpyou promote this book?
Richard Sanders
I really depend on reviews to sell, so I ask readers to please share their thoughts wherever they’ve madetheir purchase. No need for an essay—just one positive word or line will do:“Brilliant.” “Stupendous.” “It really CAN save you 15% on your car insurance.”
About You:Richard Sanders
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Why do you write?
Richard Sanders
Two reasons, I think. One,there’s a real joy is shaping thoughts and words and images. Two, there’s areal joy in sharing that joy with other people. Besides, I was never good atanything else except writing.
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What is your greateststrength as a writer?
Richard Sanders
It might be the reporter’sability to describe something in perfectly selected detail, and then to shootthe details through with mystery. At least that’s my ambition.
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What quality do youmost value in yourself?
Richard Sanders
Avoiding bullshit and speaking the truth.
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In addition towriting, what else are you passionate about?
Richard Sanders
Taking photos, playingacoustic slide guitar and making my wife happy—I really enjoy doing that lastone.
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What are you mostproud of accomplishing so far in your life?
Richard Sanders
Working as an editor at Time Inc. for 23 years, staying married to a beautiful woman (the same beautiful woman) for 41 years, writing six novels (sofar), surviving time in jail, rehab and a psych ward and somehow managing to stay sane and alive.
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Is there any new or established author whom you feel deserves more attention, and what is it that strikes you about his or her work?
Richard Sanders
Two new ones, actually. One is Richard Bell, a funny, weirdly imaginative guy who’s written a series of fractured fairy tales called Life Seemed Good, But…
I reviewed the book on Smashwords and tried to describe it as Mark Twain on mushrooms or Garrison Keillor with food poisoning.Whatever it is, it’s fascinating and hilarious and unlike anything I’ve everread.The other writer is Jennifer Place, who’s written a powerful, gimlet-eyed memoir about her alcohol addiction called Saturation
. I’m biased here because I edited her book, but all I did was suggest changes in pacing and structure. The brilliant, courageous writing she uses to tell her story—whichincludes multiple trips to jail and many, many visits to rehabs—is all her own.She’s also on Smashwords. For more on Richard Sanders please visit https://rsandersdeadline.wordpress.com/
