After Blood is the Sky, when will the next Alex McKnight novel be available?

Blood is the Sky Book Review Excerpt Thematically, this story deals with how people respond to crises. Alex rebuilds his dead father's cabin after it burned to the ground. Vinnie rushes to the aid of his younger brother at the first hint of trouble. Other characters respond more desperately with violent acts of vengeance, long after the moment of crisis has passed. No matter what choice is made, though, all the characters follow through with their actions, never giving up. Complete Review

The next one's tentatively called Ice Run. (Yeah, back to the dead of winter.) Oddly enough, it should come out right in the middle of next summer.

Do you plan on writing other novels that will not be a part of the Alex McKnight series?

The book after Ice Run, if you put a gun to my head... I'd say it won't be an Alex book. But I know for sure that I'll get back to him. Maybe he just needs a little rest for a change.

Before you won the Edgar Award and Shamus Award for your first book, did you think you would become a novelist?

I always hoped I'd be a writer of some sort, going back to when I was a little kid. Of course, I REALLY wanted to write mysteries back then -- I even sent a short story to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine when I was like twelve years old. They didn't buy it, of course. It wasn't that good. A couple of years ago, the EQMM editor asked me for a story, so that was like a circle of life coming together. (Sorry, that was a little over the top.)

The Hunting Wind Book Review Excerpt Alex McKnight used to be a Detroit police officer but when he got shot, his career ended. With a bullet still lodged in his chest and a failed marriage behind him, Alex decided to move to his father’s property in the cold northern town of Paradise, Michigan. Complete Review

Most writers only dream of the success you've accomplished. Yet, you still continue to work for IBM. What's made you continue to keep the typical 9-5 instead of pursuing your writing as a full-time career?

Well, IBM has been fantastic about it. That's really the main reason. The people I work with have been so proud and so supportive, it's made it possible for me to hang in there for a while. I think leaving IBM right now would make the writing suddenly a little too "real," if you know what I mean.

How has your success as an author affected your career and personal life?

Again, that's more of the "real" versus this great double life I get to lead now. It's like having a secret identity, you know? Mild-mannered family man turns into. Um, mild-mannered crime writer? No, wait, that's not coming out right.

When do you find time to write and what is a typical writing day like for you?

I write late at night, after everyone else has gone to bed. (Fortunately, I'm a night owl anyway.) So I'll start at ten o'clock if I'm lucky, sometimes going until two or three in the morning. That's why I'm so mild-mannered. I'm too tired.

What is the most important advice that you can give to other writers who have not yet made their big break?

Listen to people. Listen not only to what they say but the way they say it. When you're working on dialog, keep listening - hear it in your head and then write down what they say. If you put your own words in every character's mouth, they're all gonna sound the same. To me as a reader, that wrecks everything.

We appreciate Steve Hamilton talking with us just as he was gearing up for his book tour. You can purchase any of his novels, including his new release Blood is the Sky, through this site by visiting Amazon.com, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble or visit your favorite bookstore for more details.