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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with David Swinson, author of Sweet Thing

Author’s Bio: David Swinson is a retired police detective from the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, having been assigned to Major Crimes. Swinson is the author of the critically acclaimed Frank Marr Trilogy – The Second Girl, Crime Song and Trigger, and the standalone City on the Edge. He lives in Upstate New York.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?


David Swinson: The song, “Sweet Thing” by Van Morrison. It’s both beautiful and sad.

 

Here's the Synopsis: In a red brick house on a tree-lined street, DC homicide detective Alex Blum stares at the bullet-pocked body of Chris Doyle. As he roots around for evidence, he finds an old polaroid: the decedent, arm in arm with Arthur Holland, Blum's informant from years ago when he worked at the Narcotics branch.

But Arthur has been missing for days. Blum’s only source: Arthur’s girl, Celeste—beautiful, seductive, and tragic—whom he can’t get out of his head. Blum is drawn to her and feels compelled to save her from Arthur’s underworld. As the investigation ticks on and dead bodies domino, Blum, unearths clues with damning implications for Celeste. Swallowed by desire, Blum’s single misstep sends him tunnelling down a rabbit hole of transgression. He may soon find the only way out is down below.

 

Set in 1999, Swinson, a former DC cop, offers a look back at a rougher, grittier, bygone DC replete with seedy strip clubs, pagers beeping, and Y2K anxiety. It’s here we’re taken inside sting operations, fluorescent-tinged interrogation chambers, and rooms that have seen irreversible mistakes. At once authentic, gritty, tragic, and profound, SWEET THING asks how far can you fall when the world teeters on the edge?

 

DL: What is your writing process?


SW: Music is essential. I always create a playlist for the books I write and then listen to them over and over. I’m inspired by music. It is an important part of my life. I take a lot of notes when listening to music and come up with characters before the story. After that, I try to sit down at the same time every day and hope for the best. 

 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?


SW: Without even having to think about it I’d have to say To Kill a Mockingbird. I have read it numerous times and each time I get something new out of it. It is, in my opinion, the perfect book. It is so many genres put into one – Crime, Mystery, Suspense, Courtroom drama and so much more.

 

DL: What was the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?


SW: A bestselling author, and a mentor of mine, told me years ago to always have a time designated for writing, and to just sit and stare at the screen until something happens. Hopefully, what happens is wonderful.

 

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?


DS: Donna Tartt, because she is absolutely brilliant; Stephen King, because I’d be an idiot not to invite him, and if I could resurrect him from the dead, James Baldwin. He is one of the greatest American writers and I could learn so much from him.

 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?


DS: Don’t ever give up and never realize the obstacles in your way because it will cripple you. Most importantly, read as much as you can.

 

DL: What are three books you’ll never part with?


DS: My hardcover first editions of The Friends of Eddie Coyle by George Higgins, The Poets and the Lunatic, by G.K. Chesterton, and my paperback of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

 

DL: What’s your favorite line from a book?


DS: “Here at last is the thing I was made for.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

 

DL: What are three fun facts about yourself?


DS: Three fun facts about myself are:

  1. I promoted alternative and punk rock concerts in the eighties.
  2. I developed and produced a feature film for New Line Cinema and had the rights to a couple of very popular books, but quit and joined the police academy in Washington, DC and eventually became a police detective.
  3. I wrote my first book when I was seventeen and got my first rejection when I was eighteen. I have always wanted to be an author but did not get published until I was 51 years old.

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?


DS: I’m working on my next book, Hound of Heaven. It takes place in a small fictitious town in Upstate, New York. A retired homicide detective moves there after his father dies because he has to take care of his younger brother who suffers from severe agoraphobia and PTSD. It isn’t long before something bad happens and he finds himself assisting the very small local jurisdiction with the case.

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

 

DS: Readers can get more information here:

DL: Thanks for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.


DS: Thank you so much for your support! 





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