Ask the Author: Michael McGarrity

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Will you ever resolve Colonel Sara Brannon's situation that was left hanging in "Nothing But Trouble" in a future novel? Andy culligana@bellaliant.net

Michael McGarrity Probably not. I'm not the type that has to tidy everything up. Life's messy and sometimes situations don't get completely resolved. Thanks for the good question.

MMcG

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My husband has read all your Kerney novels, and when it was his turn to pick our next vacation, he chose 10 days in New Mexico. We went to Ft. Seedless, Tularosa, Las Cruces, maples, White Sands Missile Range, Dripping Springs, etc. etc. Your books guided our trip ... and it was one of our best trips ever.... and we've been all over the world. Anything new on the Kerneys coming out?

Michael McGarrity What a wonderful note. Sounds like you had a grand time. After the 12th Kerney novel, I wrote the American West trilogy (Hard Country," "Backlands" and "The Last Ranch") about the Kerney family between 1875 and the end of the Vietnam war, also set in New Mexico and the very area you visited. Next Kerney novel is "Residue" due out next October. Thanks for writing.

Your tour guide,

Michael McGarrity

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What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Michael McGarrity The murder of a young man right outside my apartment door.

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Any plans to ever do unabridged audio for books 5, 6, 7? I gave up reading due to old eyes but have discovered audio and a new world. I started your series on advice from a friend and was lucky enough to be able to start with the prequel which was simply "awesome". I have now made it through serpent Gate but there is a gap and the next recorded book is #7 Big Gamble. Thank you for this wonderful body of work

Michael McGarrity All my books are on audio, you may just have to search harder for them. Sorry, I can't be more helpful. Thanks for the high praise and compliment. Truly appreciated.

Michael

I never actually answered your question. I doubt unabridged audio versions will be done.

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The trilogy was the first reading of your work for me. The other Kerney novels I read, for the most part, in chronological order. Their synchronicity is so fine, when did you realize you were going to write the prequels? Are the Kerneys autobiographic? Thank you for these wonderful stories. When I finished the last published work in the Kerney series it felt like a mourning.

Michael McGarrity As Kerney's backstory evolved through the crime novels, I began building a research library in anticipation of writing a prequel, which morphed into the trilogy. The Kerneys are fictional characters and not autobiographic, although I borrowed some family history here and there that fit nicely within the narrative framework. My next book, "Residue" while contemporary in setting, will link to the trilogy. Thanks for your compliment and question.

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I just finished Dead or Alive and it seems to have an open-ended ending. Does this mean there's going to be another Kevin Kerney novel? I discovered your novels when my library had The Last Ranch on their new books bookshelf. Finding out that it was the third in a series, I first read the other two and the The Last Ranch. It was a great series, but I think I liked the first two the best. I've read all the Kevin Kerney

Michael McGarrity Yes, the next book in the Kerney series, "Residue, " is underway and I hope to have to my publisher next October, which means probably a spring 2018 release date. I'm very happy you enjoyed the American West trilogy.

The spring of 2018 release date was much too optimistic. Probably late 2018 is more likely, if my editor isn't terribly disappointed with my manuscript.

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Michael McGarrity See above. In the twelve Kevin Kerney novels I was constantly adding to his backstory and when I decided to elaborate on it, it grew into a prequel trilogy, supposedly the first of its kind. "Residue" simply continues that story. What happens after "Residue", I have no idea. I take it one book at a time.

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How do you get inspired to write?

Michael McGarrity There are so many stories to tell how can I not be inspired? I keep a list of possible book titles. I'm sure the list will outlive me.

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What are you currently working on?

Michael McGarrity "Head Wounds," with Clayton Istee, Kerney's half-Apache son, as the protagonist. I hope to have to my publisher by the end of November. Stay tuned.

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Michael McGarrity Don't give up. Success as a writer depends on some talent, a lot of perseverance, and a dollop of luck -- the only part of it you can't control.

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