Page 35 from: March 2014
35March 2014
I n t e r v I e w
ly went off to college, I got bored. That’s when
I started looking for a Big-Boy job (that’s what
my wife Joy calls it) – one that looked more like
the jobs my neighbours had.
And serendipity stepped up again. I stumbled
upon an ad in the Washington Post stating that
the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries was
looking for a director of safety. They hired me,
and as far as I’m concerned, ISRI and I are a
perfect match. I get to combine my passions and
skills as a safety professional with my passions
and skills as a communicator and storyteller. At
the end of the day, that’s what safety manage-
ment is: the ability to help members envision
other ways to do things that they have been
doing one way for a long time. If I can stir emo-
tion in them, then I can influence their decisions.
It’s also interesting to note that, in the 10 years
I’ve been with ISRI, I have been more prolific
as an author than I was when my sole focus was
writing. I’m not sure why that’s the case, but
there you go.’
Some of the names of characters in
your books may be familiar to recycling
industry readers. How does that come
about?
‘When people ask to be a character in a book, I
test their resolve by asking them if they are will-
ing to be a transvestite prostitute. While I’ve
never written about a transvestite or a prostitute,
if they say “yes”, then I know they’re good sports.
If they say “no”, then they’re too self-conscious
for the pressure. ISRI’s incoming chair Doug
Kramer is a recurring character in the Jonathan
Grave thriller series as a police chief. David Kirk
and Trevor Munro of Metalcorp NZ Ltd have
both been featured in books, thanks to their gen-
erous donations to the Recycling Research Foun-
dation. Things went well for David’s character,
but not so much for Trevor. For those who pay
attention, there are lots of familiar names
throughout all the books.’
Has the recycling industry experience
informed the content of your books in
any way?
‘Other than the fact that Jonathan Grave’s
father once ran a scrap yard, I stay away from
overt references to the recycling industry.
Because my novels are thrillers that are filled
with corruption and payback, I don’t want my
stories to imply anything other than the great
respect I have for the recycling industry and its
people. That said, I can think of at least two
occasions in the books where Jonathan tells
another character that scrap is not waste.’
What’s next for Jonathan Grave and for
your writing career in general?
‘I am pleased to report that I have just signed a
contract for two more Jonathan Grave novels
and another stand-alone thriller. Plus, as men-
tioned earlier, I am signed on as the screen-
writer for the film adaptation of ‘Six Minutes
to Freedom’, which may actually one day find
its way out of Development Hell. As time per-
mits, I also want to write a series of novellas that
will explore areas of Jonathan Grave’s world
that don’t warrant a full-blown book.
Nathan’s Run
‘Accused of murder and branded a cop killer,
Nathan becomes the target of a nationwide
manhunt…’
At All Costs
‘They appear to be a typical couple in small-
town America, but they are top of the FBI’s
most-wanted list…’
Even Steven
‘They must stay one step ahead of a vicious
crime ring, and are unsure whether they can
trust the police…’
Scott Free
‘After his plane crashes, Scott is lost and alone in
the frozen wilderness, miles from anywhere peo-
ple would search for him…’
Six Minutes to Freedom
‘The true story of a real-life hero at the centre of
an international crisis and of the US Army’s elite
Delta Force team who saved his life…’
The Chopin Manuscript
‘Within the handwritten notes of a previously
unknown score by Frederic Chopin lies a secret
that now threatens the lives of thousands of
Americans…’
No Mercy
‘Someone wants to control a devastating secret.
Someone rich and powerful…’
The Copper Bracelet
‘Sixteen of the world’s greatest thriller writers
collaborate on a story at the heart of which is
one question: what is the secret of the Copper
Bracelet…?’
Fresh Kills
‘A collection of paranormal, chilling or just plain
scary tales from the authors of the literary blog
The Kill Zone…’
Hostage Zero
‘An innocent man has been shot and two young
people are missing. But tracking them down is
just the beginning…’
Threat Warning
‘Jonathan Grave spies a gunman getting away
with a mother and her son as hostages. To free
them, his team must enter the dark heart of a
nationwide conspiracy…’
Damage Control
‘The ransom demands are explicit: deliver three
million dollars – with zero involvement from law
enforcement – or all captives will be executed…’
High Treason
‘America’s First Lady has been kidnapped and
the rescue team must operate in absolute secre-
cy to avoid public panic. But the mission is not
all it seems…’
John Gilstrap’s published books:
More details at: www.johngilstrap.com
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