Very few can write about crime like New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen. Throughout his writing career Olsen has written seven nonfiction books, 2 novels, and a short story that was published in a collection of stories edited by Lee Child.
He has appeared on several national and local television shows including the History Channel, Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, and The Morning Show to just name a few. His book titled, The Deep Dark, was named Idaho book of the year by the ILA and his book, Starvation Heights, was honored by Washington´s Secretary of State.
C. L. Vaughn: Thank you for taking the time to fill out these questions for our readers. I noticed on your site that you and your family live with several pets, one of which is a spoiled dachshund. That alone puts you at the top of my author list; my wife and I are also the humble servants of a spoiled dachshund. However Baxter doesn´t like being called spoiled, he prefers the term "Environmentally Privileged."
I guess I´ll start by asking the usual question of why you started writing. Have you always wanted to write and then become published?
Gregg Olsen: Yes, I think most writers can trace there love for the written word back to elementary school. I know I can. I really didn´t think about book form, I was more focused on being a journalist.
C. L. Vaughn: With so many other genres out there, such as thrillers, horrors, and even romance, what made you gravitate towards the true crime and fictional crime genre?
Gregg Olsen: I´ve always been fascinated by crime – real and imagined – so the fit seems to work for me. I´m drawn to the "why" of a crime, more than anything. In true crime, we don´t always get to know the real reason behind a murder. In fiction, I can control the story, which is satisfying.
C. L. Vaughn: I imagine that one advantage to writing about real crime is that there´s never a shortage for story ideas. Can you explain your typical process for writing a book, starting from choosing a story idea to research and writing?
Gregg Olsen: The litmus test for me on any TC is whether or not I can live with the story and the people for the rest of my life. When people trust me to tell there story, I know they are putting faith in me to do it right.
C. L. Vaughn: I see that you´ve started a blog titled Crime Rant with your "partner in crime" Matt Phelps. Do you feel that running a blog has helped increase your book sales? What do you feel is the key to running a successful blogging site?
Gregg Olsen: I actually don´t think Crime Rant has contributed much to actual sales, but I´ve enjoyed interacting with readers. That´s been so much fun. But, as any blogger will tell you it takes work keeping it going. Sometimes I think much too work! Our blog has been a great success in terms of unique visits and comments, but ultimately does it really move books? I don´t think so.
C. L. Vaughn: I know that it was a while ago since you signed your first publishing contract, but for the authors out there learning what it takes to become traditionally published (current company included), could you go into how you first became published?
Gregg Olsen: For me, it as having a really great true story and getting it to a publisher who had success with true crime. It wasn´t hard. I just took a little persistence.
C. L. Vaughn: I noticed that your website shows you´ll be visiting Leavenworth on April 5th for a book signing. My wife and I love that town, we were actually married there. Their local book store, A Book for All Seasons, makes a great place for book signings.
Do you prefer to conduct book signings in smaller book stores like the one in Leavenworth, or do you prefer the larger stores like Borders?
Gregg Olsen: There are benefits to both, of course. But I especially enjoy supporting independent bookstores. Libraries are great for getting face to face with readers, too.
C. L. Vaughn: Out of all of the true crime stories you´ve written about, which one stands out the most to you? Does seeing all of the dark details while researching the books change your perception of people?
Gregg Olsen: I will always be haunted by Danny Stuzman´s death. Abandoned Prayers was my first book. I poured my heart and soul into that, only to learn that we can never really have all the answers. No one can. As far as looking into the dark side of human nature, I´d say that I´m more accepting that most people have a little dark side. People make mistakes. People do dumb things. Sometimes they do evil.
C. L. Vaughn: I´ve always been a fan of anything paranormal, ghosts, Bigfoot, you name it. During a television interview you did on KOMO regarding the Starvation Heights book there was mention of the home being haunted. Just out of curiosity, do you believe that location is indeed haunted? Do you still feel that there may be bodies buried in the basement?
Gregg Olsen: I don´t like idea of a haunting, but I do think that there is a sad energy that envelopes places in which evil has been done. I can feel it whenever I´m at a crime scene. As far as Dr. Hazzard of Starvation Heights is concerned, I´d say she likely did kill more patients at her sanitarium than we know about. I don´t know if they were buried in the basement, but I´d say it was a good bet.
C. L. Vaughn: Personally I would be too nervous to speak, but I thought I´d ask. What comes easier for you, speaking in front of the cameras or writing your books?
Gregg Olsen: Talking is always easier than writing. I´m always nervous in the beginning of a talk or interview, but that goes away after a few minutes. People want to hear what writers have to say about their work, process and plans for the future.
C. L. Vaughn: Now that you´ve reached such a high level within your literary career, if you could go back to the beginning, would you do anything different? Also, do you have any tips or words of wisdom for the other authors out there who are working towards success?
Gregg Olsen: High level, that´s a laugh! But if I could do it all over again, I´d try for the fiction career twenty years sooner. The thing about writing is that it is a job. Keep at it. Never give up.
C. L. Vaughn: Thank you again for answering the questions in this Q&A interview. Do you have any last words you´d like to share with our readers?
Gregg Olsen: Keep reading. If you find a book that you love – tell people about it. And know that when you do, there are authors out there thanking you!
He has appeared on several national and local television shows including the History Channel, Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, and The Morning Show to just name a few. His book titled, The Deep Dark, was named Idaho book of the year by the ILA and his book, Starvation Heights, was honored by Washington´s Secretary of State.
C. L. Vaughn: Thank you for taking the time to fill out these questions for our readers. I noticed on your site that you and your family live with several pets, one of which is a spoiled dachshund. That alone puts you at the top of my author list; my wife and I are also the humble servants of a spoiled dachshund. However Baxter doesn´t like being called spoiled, he prefers the term "Environmentally Privileged."
I guess I´ll start by asking the usual question of why you started writing. Have you always wanted to write and then become published?
Gregg Olsen: Yes, I think most writers can trace there love for the written word back to elementary school. I know I can. I really didn´t think about book form, I was more focused on being a journalist.
C. L. Vaughn: With so many other genres out there, such as thrillers, horrors, and even romance, what made you gravitate towards the true crime and fictional crime genre?
Gregg Olsen: I´ve always been fascinated by crime – real and imagined – so the fit seems to work for me. I´m drawn to the "why" of a crime, more than anything. In true crime, we don´t always get to know the real reason behind a murder. In fiction, I can control the story, which is satisfying.
C. L. Vaughn: I imagine that one advantage to writing about real crime is that there´s never a shortage for story ideas. Can you explain your typical process for writing a book, starting from choosing a story idea to research and writing?
Gregg Olsen: The litmus test for me on any TC is whether or not I can live with the story and the people for the rest of my life. When people trust me to tell there story, I know they are putting faith in me to do it right.
C. L. Vaughn: I see that you´ve started a blog titled Crime Rant with your "partner in crime" Matt Phelps. Do you feel that running a blog has helped increase your book sales? What do you feel is the key to running a successful blogging site?
Gregg Olsen: I actually don´t think Crime Rant has contributed much to actual sales, but I´ve enjoyed interacting with readers. That´s been so much fun. But, as any blogger will tell you it takes work keeping it going. Sometimes I think much too work! Our blog has been a great success in terms of unique visits and comments, but ultimately does it really move books? I don´t think so.
C. L. Vaughn: I know that it was a while ago since you signed your first publishing contract, but for the authors out there learning what it takes to become traditionally published (current company included), could you go into how you first became published?
Gregg Olsen: For me, it as having a really great true story and getting it to a publisher who had success with true crime. It wasn´t hard. I just took a little persistence.
C. L. Vaughn: I noticed that your website shows you´ll be visiting Leavenworth on April 5th for a book signing. My wife and I love that town, we were actually married there. Their local book store, A Book for All Seasons, makes a great place for book signings.
Do you prefer to conduct book signings in smaller book stores like the one in Leavenworth, or do you prefer the larger stores like Borders?
Gregg Olsen: There are benefits to both, of course. But I especially enjoy supporting independent bookstores. Libraries are great for getting face to face with readers, too.
C. L. Vaughn: Out of all of the true crime stories you´ve written about, which one stands out the most to you? Does seeing all of the dark details while researching the books change your perception of people?
Gregg Olsen: I will always be haunted by Danny Stuzman´s death. Abandoned Prayers was my first book. I poured my heart and soul into that, only to learn that we can never really have all the answers. No one can. As far as looking into the dark side of human nature, I´d say that I´m more accepting that most people have a little dark side. People make mistakes. People do dumb things. Sometimes they do evil.
C. L. Vaughn: I´ve always been a fan of anything paranormal, ghosts, Bigfoot, you name it. During a television interview you did on KOMO regarding the Starvation Heights book there was mention of the home being haunted. Just out of curiosity, do you believe that location is indeed haunted? Do you still feel that there may be bodies buried in the basement?
Gregg Olsen: I don´t like idea of a haunting, but I do think that there is a sad energy that envelopes places in which evil has been done. I can feel it whenever I´m at a crime scene. As far as Dr. Hazzard of Starvation Heights is concerned, I´d say she likely did kill more patients at her sanitarium than we know about. I don´t know if they were buried in the basement, but I´d say it was a good bet.
C. L. Vaughn: Personally I would be too nervous to speak, but I thought I´d ask. What comes easier for you, speaking in front of the cameras or writing your books?
Gregg Olsen: Talking is always easier than writing. I´m always nervous in the beginning of a talk or interview, but that goes away after a few minutes. People want to hear what writers have to say about their work, process and plans for the future.
C. L. Vaughn: Now that you´ve reached such a high level within your literary career, if you could go back to the beginning, would you do anything different? Also, do you have any tips or words of wisdom for the other authors out there who are working towards success?
Gregg Olsen: High level, that´s a laugh! But if I could do it all over again, I´d try for the fiction career twenty years sooner. The thing about writing is that it is a job. Keep at it. Never give up.
C. L. Vaughn: Thank you again for answering the questions in this Q&A interview. Do you have any last words you´d like to share with our readers?
Gregg Olsen: Keep reading. If you find a book that you love – tell people about it. And know that when you do, there are authors out there thanking you!
