The Authors Speak: Ridley Pearson

Now that Michael Jackson (Wacko Jacko, indeed) has passed from this mortal coil, I feel that I can safely speak of my affection for Peter Pan.  I'm not sure why I've always had a fascination with Barrie's creation.  But I have.  I've always been intrigued by the tale (in fact, at one point I was writing a novel that showcased the whole thing as a crazy-off in London, with Peter living under a bridge and kidnapping kids, dragging them to "wonderland").  Imagine my delight when two solid writers picked up the series and began cranking out quality yarns.  Thank you, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.

It was an odd task, to be sure.  Ridley Pearson, #1 bestselling crime fiction writer, and Dave Barry, known humorist, were now the Young Adult dynamic duo.  How is that possible?  It's possible because both possess a talent that knows no boundaries.

I was never a big reader of Ridley Pearson's adult fiction.  I knew the name, sure.  You don't become a fan of Dave Barry's or Stephen King's without hearing the name.  (For those playing along at home, Ridley Pearson plays in a band with Barry and King - the Rockbottom Remainders)  When Stephen King's "Diary of Ellen Rimbauer" hit, it was shrouded in secrecy as to who really wrote the "diary".  When it was revealed that it was indeed Ridley, I began to take notice. 

I'm a die hard fan of the Peter Pan series that he and Barry write.  However, I've fallen in love with Walt Fleming, Ridley Pearson's latest protagonist.  I've not read the latest Walt Fleming book (which was released this week and can be ordered by clicking the link below), but rest assured it's on my TBR stack as we speak. 

I'm not sure why I groove off of Fleming's swagger.  He's far cooler than Connelly's Hieronymous Bosch and some of the other series favorites out there.  And Ridley Pearson knows how to keep everything within the realm of reality.  Plus, he's brought along another of his protagonists - Lou Boldt.  I'm hoping Boldt becomes a regular in this series.

I was privileged to have the chance to ask a few questions of Mr. Pearson.  In fact, we chat (my faves) Peter Pan, Walt Fleming, Dave Barry, and performing in the Rockbottom Remainders. 

Eric Mays: Ridley, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to answer a few questions. I understand we’ve got the new book coming out. Tell us about the new Walt Fleming book. What can we expect from “In Harm’s Way”?

Ridley Pearson: In Harm's Way represents an exciting convergence for me. For over a decade I wrote a series of thrillers/procedurals set in Seattle, revolving around two protagonists: Lou Boldt and Daphne Matthews. For the past five or six years, I've focused on stories closer to home–Sun Valley, Idaho where I live part time. That series features Sheriff Walt Fleming. The new book brings the two worlds together. While primarily a Killer novel, that is a Walt Fleming novel, Lou Boldt makes an extended cameo appearance while together the two face an insurmountable investigation. I avoided these kinds of combinations before, afraid they would feel forced or self-indulgent. But, in In Harm's Way, it happened organically; I had no intention of Lou Boldt making an appearance. Then he showed up, and the rest… What fun I've had.

EM: What is it about Walt Fleming that’s just so cool?

RP: For me, it's Walt Fleming's guy-next-door qualities that make him accessible. He is based on the area's real life sheriff, a personal friend of mine. Though real Walt Fleming, Walt Femling, doesn't share the family problems and difficult relationships as the fictional character, he's such a rock solid individual, that I hope that side of him comes through in the writing. He is iconic in a kind of Harrison Ford way–not able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but capable of taking actions that or I might shrink away from-- a person who cares, yet is willing to go to extremes when called upon. He is a joy to write.

EM: Your previous Fleming novels all had “Killer” titles. There was a John Sandford type thing going on there. Why did the “killer” in the titles get the layoff for the upcoming book?

RP: It was difficult for both my publisher and me to decide whether to keep "Killer" in the title for the fourth book. There are obvious marketing advantages–the readership of the "Killer" series continues to grow and is outselling any previous series I've written by a large percentage. But the tone of the new book, and the fact that Lou Boldt makes both an appearance and a contribution, finally resulted in the decision to leave Killer out of this title. Obviously, I hope it doesn't cost us in terms of sales, but ultimately I think we all felt it was the right choice. I certainly hope as the Walt Fleming novels continue, that we'll return to the Killer format.

EM: You’ve actually got so many unique characters: Walt Fleming, Lou Boldt, Daphne Matthews, Captain Hook. I hate to sound cliché, but who’s your favorite?

RP: Like a good parent, I don't play favorites. But since as a writer I get to play roles, I'm a cat in a fish factory at the moment. I enjoy every minute I'm at the keyboard.

EM: You’ve also gotten into YA fiction, which is amazing. I’m an enormous fan of your Peter Pan books, co-authored by Dave Barry. How did this come about? Dave writes humor. You write crime fiction. Peter Pan doesn’t seem like the natural progression (Unless it’s a crime caper about Michael Jackson…too soon?)?

RP: There are any number of references to the whole story on http://www.ridleypearson.com/, so I won't bore you with the details. What it came down to was: an intriguing question from my daughter; a very bad rock band; and a very great friendship. The result is now over 12 books, and a 5th Starcatcher's novel on the way in the fall of 2011.

EM: You recently got to see your words up on the stage. Peter Pan made it Broadway. Well…La Jolla. Now you’re in a league with Gregory Maguire and Bill Fitzhugh. What’s better – seeing your books live on stage or seeing your books transformed into film?

RP: Both experiences–seeing your book turned into a stage play, or a motion picture–are moments to be savored. But working with Disney Theatrical and Rick Elice (Jersey Boys) continues to be one of the highlights of my career. Rick's adaptation of Peter And The Starcatchers is sensational! Disney has encouraged our participation from the very beginning of the project, now over three years ago. The result is an eye opening, mind-blowing production, without any of the usual Disney flash, that leaves the audience with a tear in their eyes and a smile on their faces. The production opens off Broadway the first week of March 2011. It's not to be missed.

EM: Where are we headed with the Peter franchise? Are you and Dave going to adorn your pirate hats and patches and take over the world? (Speaking of which, I’ve seen you and Dave dress like pirates, but I’ve seen neither of you don Peter Pan’s green tights. What gives?)

RP: Dave has been spotted in green tights. The National Security Council has decided that image should be banned for all eternity. Seriously, the next Starcatchers novel moves the story into present time. I haven't mentioned this to Dave, but I can see an entire series coming out of this new book. It's that much fun! (Please don't tell Dave.)

EM: Going back to your crime fiction, tell me about your “aerobic fiction”.

RP: I enjoy the term “aerobic fiction” as a means of describing fast-paced, engrossing suspense/crime fiction. That kind of book you not only can't put down, but where the story gets your heart beating so fast you're actually losing weight while reading. It's the Ridley Pearson diet.

EM: You’re also the bass guitarist for the Rock Bottom Remainders. Amy Tan, Dave Barry, Steve King. C’mon, that’s got to be the coolest gig ever! Do you guys still get together and jam? Be honest, who’s the most talented?

RP: Our crazy all-authors rock band is an example of people with little to no musical talent finding an audience for a good cause. The Remainders performs–if you can call it that–about five nights each year to raise money for worthy causes. We've never gotten any better, but the audience doesn't seem to mind. And we had so much fun up there but honestly we could care less how it sounds.

EM: So, out of the three – Disney auteur and YA god, Crime Fiction lord, and bass guitarist – which is your favorite?

RP: Honestly? Being a dad is my favorite. The old cliché is true: it's the hardest job and the best job I've ever had.

EM: We’ve talked about the state of publishing on this site. It’s definitely in flux, and I’ve heard everything from the very, very bad to the overly optimistic. We have a few writers (well, more than few) that read and follow us. Any take on the publishing industry these days?

RP: I think the publishing industry as a whole is in very good shape. That doesn't mean that some companies will fail while others excel–of course that will happen, this is capitalism. You can't put a chain store on every other corner and not affect the independent, locally owned bookstore. The big transition is of course to digital books, and we are hitting milestones every few months it seems. I suspect authors and publishers are about to go through some of what musicians and recording companies went through a decade or so ago: a loss of revenue, a fragmentation of customers. A sea change.

What we all need to focus on, and what most of us in the business give at least some of our time giving back to, is reading. Education. You can have a very slick and efficient delivery system for the written word, but if you don't have readers the results are going to be pretty obvious. America Scores, a soccer/poetry non-profit that the band and I have supported for over 15 years helps inner-city kids gain athletics and literacy in an exciting after school program. 826-LA, the brainchild of Dave Eggars is a fabulous tutorial program that I and the band also support. Its programs and projects like these that will get people reading, inspire continued reading, and ultimately keep the publishing industry healthy.

EM: And, the obligatory: What’s up next?

RP: It's a busy year for me. In Harm's Way publishes August 3rd. The off-Broadway play of "Peter and the Starcatchers" opens in March. April sees the fourth Kingdom Keepers novel and October (2011) the new Starcatchers. But it is my new crime thriller–an international thriller set in Shanghai--that for the moment preoccupies me. I'm going to sign off now, and get back to it. See you in Shanghai!



I've already got my copy of "In Harm's Way" sitting on my bedside table.  This weekend I'll plow through it and let you all know how it is.  I'm sure it will be fantastic-o!  If you've never read any of Ridley's work, I hope that you will be inspired to do so.  Ridley Pearson is a classic writer, one that grows in you like an infection.  It's great stuff to read.  And it's so varied.  Click the link to order the new Walt Fleming book.

Next week is another big week for The Authors Speak.  We turn our attention to the horror genre.  In fact, we'll eyeball three very distinct voices writing horror fiction today.  There's Michael Laimo, solid storyteller of hits like "The Demonologist" and "Dead Souls".  There's Mark McLaughlin, the comedic storyteller of such classics as "ZomBee Moo Vee" and "Raising Demons for Fun and Profit".  And finally there's the Stinky bizarro writer himself, Jason Wuchenich, author of "Dinner Bell for the Dream Worms".  We're calling it: "The Good, the Funny, and the Stinky of Horror"...and really, combined they're all three.  Join us then, readers.  Until then, keep reading.