John Knoerle’s first novel, Crystal Meth Cowboys, was optioned by Fox for a TV series. His second novel, The Violin Player, won the Mayhaven Award for Fiction. His new novel, A Pure Double Cross, is Book One of the American Spy Trilogy. John lives with his wife in Chicago. You can learn more about John Knoerle at www.bluesteelpress.com.

Welcome to Beyond the Books, John. Can you tell us whether you are published for the first time or multi-published? Can you give us the title(s) of your book(s)?

I currently have three books in print. “Crystal Meth Cowboys,” which was optioned by Fox for a TV series, “The Violin Player,” which won the Mayhaven Award for Fiction, and my new title, “A Pure Double Cross.”

What was the name of your very first book regardless of whether it was published or not and, if not published, why?

“Crystal Meth Cowboys” was published by Blue Steel Press.

How did the rejections make you feel and what did you do to overcome the blows?

If you believe in yourself you put your head down and just keep going.

Have you been published since then and how have you grown as an author?

My style has become more taut and streamlined. People are busy, they don’t have time for flowery descriptions and tangential diversions.

Looking back since the early days when you were trying to get published, what do you think you could have done differently to speed things up? What kind of mistakes could you have avoided?

In retrospect I think that I might have concentrated on a central character, built a series as I am doing now with Hal Schroeder.

If you could have chosen another profession, what would that profession be?

I have always thought I might be a good architect. There is a certain similarity to designing a building and creating a book.

Would you give up being an author for that profession or have you combined the best of both worlds?

I think being a good author is so demanding that it requires your full attention.

Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

If you can’t snag a publisher consider self-publishing. With Print on Demand the prices are reasonable.