Ask the Author: Spencer Kope

“Ask me a question.” Spencer Kope

Answered Questions (16)

Sort By:

An error occurred while sorting questions for author Spencer Kope.

I really enjoy Steps and his use of his synesthesia. Have you based his talent on an actual case of someone having this particular type? I have a friend with synesthesia and she sees peoples voices in different colors, much like Steps sees their "shine". I thought this was in intriguing way to have a new way to investigate crimes. I am on your fourth book now and look forward to more.

Spencer Kope Hi Beth, When I first started thinking about writing a crime novel, I knew I wanted it to be different than all the others, but couldn't settle on how. I thought about a K-9 related story, but all the cases that our K-9s get involved with are short and couldn't be stretched into a novel. That's when I thought of having a "human bloodhound" who was also part of a team that analyzed and worked the case to completion. After that, the synesthesia just sort of found me :-)

1 like · like
Comment

What are you currently working on?

Spencer Kope Currently finishing up the fourth book in the Special Tracking Unit series. This one is titled "Echoes of the Dead," and takes place in and around Bakersfield, California.

4 likes · like
1 comment

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Spencer Kope Persist, press on, and persevere! No one can make you a writer but you. No one can stop you from being a writer but you.

like
Comment

What’s the best thing about being a writer?

Spencer Kope Hanging out with book people, whether that's at a convention, library, book club or bookstore. There's just something different (better) about people who enjoy cracking open a book.

like
Comment

If my information is correct your next Steps novel is only going to be an ebook. I need to hold a book in my hands and devour the pages. Is it possible it will come out in print? I love your tracking unit series. You are a favorite author for me, will you keep going with it?

Spencer Kope Hi Lori, it should be coming out in hardback, paperback, ebook, and audio. I've noticed that Amazon tends to list the ebook first for some reason. I also saw the release date they have listed and hope that's not true. Too long to wait. The original title for number three was "Dark Wolf Rising," but I've talked to my editor about changing it to "Shadows of the Dead." We'll see what they decide. Thanks for reading, Lori. If you're on Facebook, I'm at Facebook.com/Spencer.Kope

2 likes · like
Comment

Thank you Spencer! I am so happy to hear you have begun number 4. I got your book from the library but then I bought it to add it to my collection. I am so anxious to read the next one! Do you have any plans to visit Northern NJ for a book signing? I will be first in line!

Spencer Kope Hi Debbie. At some point down the road I want to go to ThrillerFest, which is always in New York. If that happens, I'll probably stick around a few extra days, visit relatives in Maryland, go to Gettysburg, that type of thing. I'll definitely keep NJ in mind - maybe try to set up a book signing. If I do, I'll post it on my "author page" on Facebook.

Thanks for the support, Debbie. It means the world to me.

1 like · like
Comment

I really enjoyed this book! Steps is a great character. Looking forward to Whispers of the Dead. I hope you are planning on more :) Please tell me you are?

Spencer Kope Hi Debbie,

As a matter of fact, I just sent the draft for book three to my editor. At this point, I'm pretty sure it'll either be called "Dark Wolf Rising" or "Shadows of the Dead." I'm now starting on number four, which will take place mostly in Kern County (Bakersfield area), California. I'm only a few thousand words into it, and still trying to shape the story as a whole and know where I'm going with everything.

Thanks for reading, Debbie. Hope to meet you at a book signing one of these days.

4 likes · like
Comment

Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?

Spencer Kope Lying upon the fresh grave, she weeps uncontrollably, inconsolably for a life too soon lost. And glancing at the marker for the hundredth time, reading her own name thereupon, she feels herself suddenly slipping into the inescapable grave, pulled down to the rot below while her screams beat against the uncaring darkness.

2 likes · like
Comment

What books are on your summer reading list this year?

Spencer Kope Since "Collecting the Dead" was nominated for a Barry Award for Best Thriller, I've been reading the competing novels for that award. I already finished "The One Man" by Andrew Gross, which was excellent, and "Guilty Minds," by Joseph Finder. I also read "Vanished," by Finder, and have to admit that I'm now a big fan. He's a superb writer.

Right now I'm reading "First Strike," by Ben Coes, another excellent writer, and next on the list will be "Overwatch," by Matthew Betley, and last but not least, "Back Blast," by Mark Greaney.

like
Comment

I found "Steps" to be achingly real, captivating, irresistible. The humor was unexpected and clever. The angst, relatable and compelling. Looking forward to "A Shine So Cold." Any update on the unveiling of The Red Hand club?

Spencer Kope Hey Marsha,

Clearly I haven't been paying appropriate attention to my Goodreads account, because I somehow missed your question. I'm still working on the concept of the Red Hand, and probably won't really start to grow it until after book two or three. Though, at this point, if you're a fan of Steps and Jimmy, you're a member of the Red Hand.

I do have a logo for the Special Tracing Unit, which I've posted on my Facebook author page. I also want to come up with a Hangar 7 Flight Crew logo for Les and Marty, something they can wear on a ball cap or shirt. Ultimately, these are items I want to have on hand to give out at book signings and other book events. Plus, it would be fun to have regular contests where I can give some of these items away.

Thanks so much for reading, Marsha.

6 likes · like
Comment

I have just finished "Collecting the Dead". Loved it - read it in a couple of days and was left hanging for more. I love the characters too. I don't know if I can wait a whole year for your next book in this series. I know you owuldn't want to give much away - but will you let Steps catch Leonardo in the next book, or will it be a continuous hunt?

Spencer Kope Hi Robyn.

The hunt for Leonardo is going to come to a head in book five, with things ratcheting up as we approach that climax. Books two, three, and four will reveal a little more about what makes him tick, and there'll be plenty of surprises along the way. There may even be some collateral damage . . . I haven't decided yet.

So glad you liked "Collecting the Dead," Robyn. I'll be posting updates on "Whispers of the Dead" as we approach pub date (I should have the cover art in a few months).

My author page is http://www.Facebook.com/Spencer.Kope

1 like · like
Comment

I just finished "Collecting the Dead" Great job. I can't wait for the next Steps book. I received the audio copy and P. J. Ochlan was amazing. I am so excited to have a new author I can recommend to my customers. Thank you so much. It's time to get Leonardo. The synopsis on the back said that Steps has stopped seventeen serial killers over the past five years. Will there be anything from the past?

Spencer Kope Hi Kathy, so glad you liked the story. I probably won't ever do a book on the STU's past, other than Leonardo, but I've been tossing around the idea of writing some short stories and placing them on either my Facebook page or website (or both). The one I want to dig into a little deeper is Steps' run-in with Pat McCourt - the shootout where Steps takes down the serial killer in a flurry of bullets after the two come face to face while Jimmy and Steps have the suspected hideout under surveillance.

Another serial killer I mention is Main Vein, who I really haven't fleshed out, but I have some cool ideas and think that would make an interesting short story as well.

As the books progress, you'll get a little more history on Jimmy and Steps. In fact, in the second book, you learn how they first met, how the Director of the FBI learned of Steps' ability, and a few other details about how the team was formed.

Thanks again, Kathy. You're now an official member of The Red Hand :-)

2 likes · like
2 comments

I read A LOT, and Collecting The Dead is the best book I have read on a long, long time. It is a mystery, a thriller, eerie, and definitely not boring. Thank you for a great read that is new and interesting. You have to be one of the best new authors of the year! If this book doesn't make the top ten list for The New York Times, it is only because no one there has read it. Why haven't they? Kristi Layman

Spencer Kope Thanks so much, Kristi. I love hearing that. As for the New York Times, I think we'll get there eventually, but it may not be until the second or third book. Right now I consider myself successful every time I get a question or review from someone like you.

Thanks so much for making my day - I'm off to Leavenworth, WA for a signing. If you want updates on when the next book will be out, I'm at Facebook.com/Spencer.Kope I'm also experimenting with Twitter and Instagram, but boy, do I have a lot to learn. Take care, Kristi.

1 like · like
Comment

I loved Collecting The Dead. What a unique story. Hope the second book arrives soon for us to read and hope there are many more books. Thanks for a great read . Any sense of a series?

Spencer Kope Hi, Barb. Thanks so much. The second book in the series takes place in the south (El Paso, Tucson, and Albuquerque, for the most part) and is already in the hands of my gifted editor, Keith. I'm currently writing number three, and will be heading out to the Olympic Peninsula next week to do some research. I also have rough ideas sketched out for numbers four and five. If you're on Facebook you can find my author page at Facebook.com/Spencer.Kope - I'll be posting updates as things progress.

Collecting the Dead was on the "New Fiction" cart at the library, so picked it up to try. Just finished July 19, 2016. Excellent character in Steps and great story well-told. Thanks. Can't wait for the next one in the series ... when?

Spencer Kope Hey Mike,

So glad you liked it. The second book is already in the gifted hands of my editor, though I haven't heard a release date. Collecting the Dead comes out in paperback on April 1st, 2017, so I suspect they'll release book two a few months after. I'm currently working on the third book, and hope to have it complete by the end of the year. I'll be posting updates at Facebook.com/Spencer.Kope as things progress.

Thanks, Mike - now go tell everyone :-)

like
Comment

Just finished Collecting the Dead and was blown away!! Steps is amazing and so was the book. Only took 2 days to read and now I am craving another one so that the cliff-hanger you left this reader with is cleared up!! Thanks for an amazing story with amazing characters and the time spent enjoying reading it. Left a 5 star review on Amazon!! Another one soon?

Spencer Kope Thanks so much, Linda; I'm glad you liked it. The second book in the series is already with my editor and I'm hoping it comes out this time next year, but I haven't heard a schedule yet. As for the cliffhanger at the end, I have to warn you that the hunt for that really nasty character goes on for several books and gets a little too close for comfort towards the end :-)

8 likes · like
Comment

223 followers

To ask Spencer Kope a question, please sign up.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions