Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Jeffrey A. Cooper to talk about Burn One Down (15 June 2018, Jeffrey A. Cooper, 212 pages), a Crime Heist, book one in the Bad Apples series.
"This little ditty about Jack and Diane is a fast-paced read that finds a few new wrinkles in a familiar genre." ~ Kirkus Reviews
|| Synopsis || Trailer || The Series || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||
A very warm welcome to Jeffrey A. Cooper; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!
What was the inspiration for Burn One Down ?
The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Burn One Down - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.
Can you tell us something quirky about Burn One Down , its story and characters?
What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?
Burn One Down
What was the inspiration for Burn One Down ?
"I was in a medical marijuana dispensary and saw a sketchy looking character with a large satchel who was escorted to the back by the owner. I wondered, “What if he was a thief?""How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?
"There are stories, pieces of my life, friends, places, petty vendettas against two to three people from my 7th grade gym class, things like that. It all informs how I tell a story, in everything from tone and pace to viewpoint."
"I’ve worked with Peter O’Conner at www.bespokebookcovers.com for both of my books. He creates bold, eye-catching covers that make an immediate impression.Why should we read Burn One Down and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?
For “Burn One Down”, I wanted a cover that could tell a reader everything they needed to know in one look: caper, cops, protesters, and pot. If any or all of those topics are in your personal literary wheelhouse, you and this book are going to get along just fine."
"“Burn One Down” is a funny and entertaining story. Books expand your knowledge or strive for a greater understanding, but sometimes you just want a literary cookie.For the cookie? Nice hot tea, please ;-)
This is that cookie.
The “Bad Apples” series (that begins with “Burn One Down”) roots for the bad guys, because the bad guys are a lot like all of us, probably even more so than the good guys.
Jack and Diane are not perfect people, and it’s those imperfections that set them apart. They’re human. Things don’t always go smooth. They make mistakes. They screw things up. They’re insensitive. They have obvious impulse control problems. They always need money, they don’t get along with the people they work with, their ex is an idiot, their friends are unreliable, and people use them to get ahead.
They have the same problems that everyone else does. Jack and Diane just happen to be criminals.
Learn your lessons somewhere else. Let’s have some fun. Can I get you some milk?"
Can you tell us something quirky about Burn One Down , its story and characters?
"A guy in one of my acting classes tried to get into the background shots of news camera footage in the hope that someone famous would see him, which only sounds crazy if you don’t know any actors. The character of Reggie is slightly based on this guy.Who would you recommend Burn One Down to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?
I used to buy pot from a guy who lived on Hillendale Road, which is why I named the dispensary the Hillendale Wellness Center. That’s not what I called it back then, although that would have made for a pretty cool anecdote right now, wouldn’t it?
Some of these events actually happened and, fortunately, required little exaggeration."
"“Burn One Down” appeals to fans of heist or caper novels. I’d recommend the book to anyone who likes their stories fast, funny and criminal.If you could / wished to turn Burn One Down and the Bad Apples series into a movie, who would be your dream team?
It’s a great summer beach read, and the perfect book when you’re traveling. If you’re on jury duty, you can hold it up and wave it around if you don’t want to get picked. If you’re tired of reading heavy and overly significant books, I hear you. That’s why I wrote this book. It’s fun.
There is very little pot smoking in this book. There is no explicit sex, because if I could write that, I’d probably sell a lot more books. There is some violence, but nothing worse than the evening news.
If you’re concerned about strong language, please know that it is not excessive, but I do write about criminals, who are known to deploy a diverse stockpile of euphemisms for fornication, defecation, and genitalia. If one is too much for you, then it’s too much.
There is more than one."
"My dream team would be filled with people that responded to the story, whoever that might be. If they respond positively to the story, you’ll do a good job bringing the story across.LOL, I would definitely like to see that ... and now I am probably going to read your book hearing Meryl Streep for each part! Thanks!
That said, I would have Meryl Streep play every role, using different accents."
What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?
"I write in the heist/caper genre. I’m not talking about the books that top the Amazon best seller lists in this genre; where shirtless, bad boy, eight-packed motorcycle riders with great hair scoop up hot, divorced, middle-aged women who still look good despite what their loser ex-husband says about them. I write stories where kooky gangs of misfits use their skills and wits to pull off a caper against some wealthy schmuck.What is your writing process?
I read everything. Fiction. Non-fiction. The backs of cereal boxes. As my Mother used to say, “I don’t care what you read. I care that you read.”
Right now I’m reading “A Brief History of Seven Killings” by Marlon James, “A Man with One of Those Faces” by Caimh McDonnell, and Miles Davis’ “Autobiography”"
"It’s something that I do all the time. I relate it to people that work out or go to the gym regularly. When you first start, it’s painful. Your muscles are sore, and most days you really don’t want to get started. Then, you work through it. You start doing it all the time. You get into a routine. It becomes a habit. You miss it when you don’t do it, but you’re usually doing it all the time. It becomes part of your life. It’s just what you do."What is in store next?
"I’m working on an audiobook version of “Burn One Down” that will be available on my website, www.thatjeffreyacooper.comBrilliant! Thank you for sharing!
I’m preparing a crime fiction podcast called “Sketchy Types” that focuses on the heist/caper genre
“Burn One Down” is the first book in the “Bad Apples” series, with at least four others planned in the series. I’m working on the next book now."
"No, thank you!"
How hard could it be to steal from a bunch of potheads?
Burn One Down
Available NOW!
Great interview! I always enjoy learning about the author behind the book.
ReplyDeleteLoved this book!!! Loved the interview!
ReplyDeleteNote to author- I loved Reggie! I know he probably will not be in the next book, but I would love it if he was! That was one thing that I loved about this book was all the quirky characters and their individual personalities and how they just all seems so realistic. I mean you get a group of people together in real life and they're all going to be very different and quirky.