Author Frank Zafiro
Welcome to Flash Bang Mysteries, Frank! We’ve been e-friends for a long time, so it’s a great pleasure for me to have you here. The last time we communicated you told me you had a new book coming out in May. What’s the title and what can you tell us about it?
I’ve had a couple come out since last we spoke. The first was The Short List, the sequel to The Backlist, which came out last August (2016). It’s the second in The List Series (or A Cam & Bricks Job) that I’ve written with Eric Beetner. It features a pair of former mafia hit men. We each wrote one of the two main characters, presented in alternating first person chapters. I wrote Paula “Bricks” Brickey, a sharp tongued, take no prisoners type. The series is a combination of dark comedy and action. The third, The Getaway List, will be out next year.
Down & Out Books also released a police procedural I wrote with Lawrence Kelter called The Last Collar. That one features an NYPD detective and his partner trying to solve a murder while something else is obviously going on with him, lurking in the background.
What inspired you to start writing fiction, and how long have you been at it?
I’m not sure where the inspiration came from, since it was just something I’ve always done. An easy comparison is to someone who is a musician, and just “always has been.” As such, I’ve been writing stories as long as I can remember. Certainly by the time I was ten, the concept of “I’m a writer” had fully formed.
For those who don’t know it, you’re retired law enforcement. How’d you get into that line of work?
I took a civil service test. [grin]. No, I realized early on that being a writer wasn’t a career you could just waltz straight into (at least not as a novelist – I had little interest in journalism), so I had to ask myself what primary career I wanted. I did a tour in the Army and when I got out, I knew I either want to be a cop or a teacher. Both had the opportunity to help people, and to be of service. That was attractive to me. The thing was, I didn’t have my college degree at the time but I had enough credits to apply to the police department. So that decided it. To make up for it, I married a teacher. [another grin].
Do you miss law enforcement work and are you ever tempted to go back? (This question will probably appeal more to me than most readers, as I stare down the barrel of my planned retirement date.)
I miss the work, though I recognize that in retrospect, I probably romanticize it, too. Like Mellencamp sings, ‘the good old days weren’t always good…’ But I definitely miss the people. No matter how much you want to stay in touch, it ends up being sporadic at best. And even if you get a chance to see someone, it’s not the same as the camaraderie of the active patrol team or the investigative squad.
But relax…there is most definitely life after retirement. For one, I got to start teaching! (See, life is a circle?).
What genre do you prefer reading, and who is/are your favorite author(s) in that genre?
I tend to read in the crime fiction field a lot. Lawrence Block, Steve Hamilton, Elmore Leonard, Richard Stark, and the like. Stephen King, too – a much better crime writer than he gets credit for. Lately, I’ve been rediscovering some science fiction, though I’ve been pretty selective. And for every couple of novels, I read something non-fiction, too. I was a history major, so I delve into that, or sometimes psychology (Malcom Gladwell’s Blink, for instance).
Along that same line of questioning, have you ever read an author who has had a lasting and positive impact on your life?
Yeah, a number of Stephen King novels have done that. His novella, The Body, stuck with me pretty hard, and more recently, Duma Key and 11/22/63. A couple of Dennis Lehane’s novels gut punched me, too, particularly Gone, Baby, Gone. I remembered Frank Herbert’s Dune as pretty powerful on many levels, and it is one of the books I recently re-read. It stood up to my memory.
How many hours per day do you devote to writing fiction?
It varies. I’m not really on a set schedule. I probably should be, yes? But I write in bursts, always have.
Can you describe a typical day in the life of Frank Zafiro?
It depends. If I’m on the road teaching leadership to law enforcement, it’s up, breakfast, teach, come back to the hotel exhausted, maybe work up the discipline to go for a run, eat dinner, crash (which means consume Netflix or a book until sleep overcomes). At home, it’s a little more leisurely, and I can work in some time to write.
How does your current day-to-day differ from that of when you were a cop/writer?
When I teach, it’s similar in a lot of ways, because I’m teaching leadership to cops, so I’m around what I was around. But when I’m home, it’s way more leisurely. Mornings are for coffee and easing into the day. No stress, little pressure. It’s a nice change from the hustle, bustle (and BS) of my police world.
What has been the highlight of your novel-writing career thus far?
Up until a few years ago, I would have said when my first novel was published. But then in the fall of 2012, I had a sales explosion that catapulted me to the #1 spot on Amazon in the Police Procedural category. That height lasted about three months, during which time I hung around the top 5 and sold an amazing number of books. Foolishly, I didn’t get a screen shot while I was #1, so the only one I have is when I was #2. Michael Connelly was #1.
I still don’t know exactly what caused that leap, other than I’d switched my titles to .99 cents right at the time that people were looking for that, and readers gobbled up the titles. They must have got their fill, too, because in the last couple of years, my yearly sales are below any of those single months during that stretch. Ah, the vagaries of the marketplace!
If you could write from anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
We took a long trip to Italy, and stayed in Praiano on the Amalfi Coast for almost a week. I think I’d like to write at least one book from there (and set there).
I know one of your interests or hobbies outside of writing is hockey. Do you prefer playing or watching? Do you have any other interests or hobbies?
Both. I follow the Philadelphia Flyers, so watching most of their games all season long is fun for Kristi and me. And while I haven’t played yet since moving to Central Oregon, when I did play, it gave me a chance to get in a work out while experiencing some time with the guys.
I’ve always been impressed by how fast you can pump out your novels. How long does it normally take you to complete a novel?
I’ve been slow of late, since I’ve been teaching so much. But when I’m slow, it usually means I’m simply not putting words on the page at all. When I sit down and actually write, it flows pretty quickly. I can finish a 50-60K word book in about a month. That doesn’t include the revisions and if I’m publishing it myself, all the work associated with that. But for a first draft? It either flows or it drips.
I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions and I wish you continued success.
Thanks for having me. It’s been a pleasure.
Purchase THE LAST COLLAR
THE LAST COLLAR blurb:
The demons that drive John “Mocha” Moccia to obsess, to put absolutely everyone under a microscope, and scratch away at every last clue, make him the best hardnosed detective in Brooklyn homicide. But these same demons may very well write the final chapter in his career.
He isn’t the kind of detective to take no for an answer, but in his most recent case answers are damn hard to come by. Partnered with the conscientious Detective Matt Winslow, Mocha endeavors to solve the murder of the wealthy and beautiful Jessica Shannon, a woman who had every reason to live.
As Mocha and Winslow strive to push forward the hands of time and solve the murder, their imposing lieutenant breathes down their necks, suspects are scarce, and all of the evidence seems to be a dead end.
With the last precious grains of sand falling through the hourglass, Mocha pushes ever forward, determined to make an arrest, even if it means this collar will be his last.
Frank Zafiro was a police officer in Spokane, Washington, from 1993 to 2013. He retired as a captain. He is the author of numerous crime novels, including River City novels and the Stefan Kopriva series. This is his second novel with Eric Beetner.
In addition to writing, Frank teaches leadership and other law enforcement topics to police officers and college students alike. He is an avid hockey fan and a tortured guitarist. He lives in central Oregon with his wife, Kristi and two dogs.
For more about the author, visit: http://www.frankzafiro.com
Copyright © 2017 Frank Zafiro
Enjoyed the interview Jacqui. I wasn’t aware you also paint. Surprising (well, maybe not) how many of us delve into other areas of creativity.
Thank you, John!
Glad to know you better, Jacqueline. You clearly have a long-established, good writing routine. Having read earlier works of yours, I’m eager to read THE BAD WIFE. Best of success on this one! Peter
Thank you, Peter! I appreciate your support and enjoy reading your books as well.
I also cut my teeth on Nancy Drew and graduated to Agatha Christie! Great interview.
Thanks Judy! I’ve known BJ online for a long time, and was thrilled to participate in his blog! I also read all of Agatha Christie, and Rex Stout. Love the old classics!
Thanks for the “interrogation,” BJ. I enjoyed reading the stories on the site!
No problem, Allan. I enjoyed learning about your book.
Fun interview…I, too, suffer from “bright, shiny things” syndrome! That being said, looking forward to reading your book, Allan!
BTW, Robert B Parker has long been one of my favorites…other than Jesse Stone, I’ve loved all of his work, including non-fiction.
I like the “bright shiny things syndrome” term, Kathleen! I think that describes it perfectly. Hope you enjoy the book!
Hi, Allan and BJ,
Allan, I enjoyed reading your novel as you know and have recommended it to other mystery readers. Five Star/Cengage puts out a great mystery line.
I’m glad you liked “Death of a Bride and Groom,” Jacqueline, and thanks for all your support!
Great interview, Allan. Enjoyed your sense of humor and happy-go-whatever attitude. And, yes, a boyhood idol of mine, Roy Rogers, was born Leonard Slye in Cincinnati, Ohio. When he was a youngster, his family moved upriver to Portsmouth, Ohio, where I also spent some of my early years. I met him in person many years later and even wrote about that day in a story called “White Hats and Happy Trails.” It’s still on my blogsite along with a picture to prove it’s all true. I’ll take your word for it that a macaw can live eighty years. Anyway, best wishes for continued success with your writing.
That’s a great story about Roy Rogers!
I didn’t get to meet him, like you did, but I was at the arena many moons ago when Roy and Dale Evans were performing at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver. I remember how thrilled people were to see them and get Roy’s autograph. One lady showed me hers–it read “Roy Rogers and Trigger.”
An excellent, in depth interrogation–I mean interview!
Fun interview! You didn’t accept my very first published story, Earl, but one of the first. BJ, you took some, too–two of my favorite guys here!
I, too, watch a lot of Dateline, so I guess I’m in good company. The fictional cop shows start out well, then deteriorate. I’m still hooked on The Blacklist. O. Henry and Mark Twain are my writing idols. I keep re-reading them over and over, hoping to make it to their level some day.
(Oh, and I saw Trigger on stage once, Roy and Dale at ball games a few times. They were all great.)
Thanks, Jacqueline. BJ may be a tough interrogator, but he’s fair and very kind to authors. 😉
Great, in-depth interview, Earl and B.J. And fun to read. I always like to know about other writers schedules and processes.
Thanks, Jan! Earl is always entertaining.
I enjoy author interviews/interrogations, too, Jan. It’s interesting to see how other writers deal with this crazy writing thing we do.
I can’t wait for the sequel, Earl. I really enjoyed Memory of a Murder, and your short stories. Keep it up. Believe me when I say, this is no hobby for you. You’re too good to call it a hobby. : )
Marja, you’re so nice. Thanks for the kind words. You’re pretty good at stringing words together yourself.
Kaye, I watch Blacklist, too. Love the characters, the intrigue, and the fast pace. I was a bit disappointed when Roy didn’t have Dale and Trigger with him when I met him. Dusty was there, tho. Roy was great and even sang for us.
Great to see you here, Earl. Eagerly awaiting your next novel. Best wishes to you and Carol!
Hi, Caroline! Thanks for stopping by. A ton of best wishes back to you and Lilburn.