1--What is the title of your latest release?
BLUE RIDGE
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
What would you do if you were planning to kill your brother—but someone beat you to it?
After former Olympic contender turned burn-out horse trainer Cillian Clarke is framed for the murder of his identical twin Christopher, a rising-star Virginia politician, Cillian is forced to go on the lam. But when someone from Christopher’s past emerges and offers Cillian the chance to clear his name, Cillian is plunged headfirst into a sinister conspiracy that not only threatens the sanctity of democracy, but also promises to expose the devastating secret intertwining the brothers forever—the truth behind the death of a woman they both loved.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, just a short drive away from the mystical, mysterious magic that is the Blue Ridge Mountains. The haunting yet gorgeous scenery of that landscape has always held a special place in my heart. So, naturally, when I decided to write my debut novel, it was only appropriate that I set it there!
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Ha! What a question. Without giving away any spoilers, it would probably be a bit difficult to hang out with Cillian…but if I were able to, I think it would be a very intriguing proposition. I have very little in common with the man—but it would undoubtedly be a fascinating conversation.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Haunted, passionate, and rugged.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
How much I prefer writing novels to screenplays!
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I draft. I have a lot of respect for people who can churn out a “vomit” draft and then go back in from there…but my brain doesn’t work that way.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I am very much a bourbon snob. And I am an enormous BBQ connoisseur…so I was delighted to find a spot in Brooklyn (shoutout to Hometown Bar-B-Que in Red Hook!) that holds up to even my favorite Southern-based joints.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I count myself very lucky to live on the top floor of a lovely townhouse in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn—so the entire front room is my office space! I’ve got my desk set up right in front of my big, beautiful bay window so I’m constantly bathed in natural light while I work—punctuated by the familiar score of my snoring pit bull, Panda. And then, once I’m done for the day, I turn around and settle into my reading corner, where I’ve got an Eames replica chair set up next to my bookshelf. It’s a lovely little nest I’ve created for myself!
10--Who is an author you admire?
There aren’t enough complimentary words I can say about S.A. Cosby. To me, he is the gold standard for a crime novelist—and someone I look up to with every fiber of my creative being.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Narrowing it down to a single book is impossible. But growing up as the son of a New York Times best-selling novelist (L.M. Elliott) was a perpetual inspiration for me. Reading her work—and having “behind-the-scenes” access to how she crafted her novels—was the thing that made me want to become a writer in the first place. She was (and still is) my guiding light—and if I could have half the career she’s had, I would count myself extremely lucky.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
It was…an incredibly special moment. After querying agents for nearly a year and receiving about 100 rejections, I was about ready to put BLUE RIDGE in a drawer and call it quits. But before I did that, I decided to throw caution to the wind and do one last gasp round of submissions. I sent the manuscript to 14 well-respected small presses that accepted unagented projects. I got two offers of publication within two weeks of one another. To say I felt vindicated was…quite the understatement.
I wrote a blog piece about the entire process, which you can read here: https://pipelineartists.com/f-ck-it-writing-career/
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
While I try to read across as many genres as possible, I do routinely find myself dipping primarily into the thriller and horror spaces. The darker the better!
14--What’s your favorite movie?
While it’s impossible to answer this question with absolute decisiveness, I am a massive Taylor Sheridan fan—and I think Hell or High Water is a perfect film. I also adore most of the filmography of David Fincher.
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall. None of the other seasons even come close to comparing!
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I’m not a massive party person—so my ideal birthday celebration is an intimate gathering of my closest friends and family, where we can nosh on great barbecue and sip on some smooth bourbon.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I know it’s not technically “recent,” but my favorite TV show of all time is Justified—and I don’t think it got enough plaudits and attention during its run, so I want to give it a nod! Raylan Givens is a superstar—and the coolest character to ever grace the screen.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
See my previous answer—BBQ all the way!
I do, however, also love Italian food—there’s nothing better than a well-made Pasta Carbonara.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I jump at any chance I can get to hop in my car, escape the hustle and bustle of NYC, and go hiking in the mountains. I am at my happiest when I’m traversing up a trail with crisp country air circulating through my lungs.
Aside from that, I play in adult soccer leagues across the city, and love visiting as many museums and bookstores as possible!
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I’m currently shopping around my second novel—a psychological thriller-horror set in Yosemite National Park—which I hope will be the start of a series…so stay tuned!
What would you do if you were planning to kill your brother—but someone beat you to it?
After former Olympic contender turned burn-out horse trainer Cillian Clarke is framed for the murder of his identical twin Christopher, a rising-star Virginia politician, Cillian is forced to go on the lam. But when someone from Christopher’s past emerges and offers Cillian the chance to clear his name, Cillian is plunged headfirst into a sinister conspiracy that not only threatens the sanctity of democracy, but also promises to expose the devastating secret intertwining the brothers forever—the truth behind the death of a woman they both loved.
Thriller [Level Best Books, On Sale: January 9, 2024, e-Book, ISBN: 9781685124731 / ]
Peter Malone Elliott is an author, screenwriter, and developmental editor. Born and raised in Virginia, he now lives in Brooklyn, but still holds the magic of the mountains and Southern living near and dear to his heart. His debut novel, BLUE RIDGE, is set to be released by Level Best Books on January 9th, 2024. Other notable writing achievements include a Leo Award nomination for “Best Screenwriting, Motion Picture” and winning the Grand Prize of the Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition. Peter is also the founder and owner of Fortiter et Recte Literary, where he offers bespoke editorial consulting for manuscripts and screenplays.
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