Jordan Reed lives to expose criminals who believe they’ll never get caught. So after receiving a tip about a high-profile company dodging tariffs, the relentless journalist digs into the case. But though her lead turns out to be a red herring, a possible connection to the mysterious death of long-distance migratory birds pulls her into a byzantine maze of corruption and pollution.
Joining forces with a rogue conservationist, Jordan infiltrates the inner circle of one of Boston’s top corporate citizens. But when she and her new teammate find themselves surrounded by high-powered enemies, her hunt for the truth could force the coverup of their own murders.
Will the tenacious reporter live long enough to write the ultimate exposé?
Migration Event is the third book in the thrilling Jordan Reed mystery series. If you like powerful female protagonists, threats around every corner, and unexpected twists, then you’ll love K.C. Gillis’s edge-of-your-seat tale.
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Migration-Event-Gripping-Environmental-Thriller-ebook/dp/B09JN345YF
Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/Migration-Event-Gripping-Environmental-Thriller-ebook/dp/B09JN345YF
Author Q&A
1. What is the first book
that made you cry?
Wow! That’s something I
never really thought about. I may get this wrong because it was a long time
ago, but I think it was the fantasy book The Sword of Shanara by Terry Brooks.
I can’t remember the specifics of the scene, but there was a budding relationship
between two of the main characters that was ended by the death of a character.
I think it’s a bit odd that it was a fantasy book that elicited this response,
but I think it goes to the heart of a great story, no matter the genre: the
reader has to connect with and feel for the characters.
2. How long, on average,
does it take you to write a book?
I have to say that the range
of tis quite large…from a few months to a couple of years. And that’s really
just for the first draft, which consider
to be the primary measure of “time to write.”
The longest was my first and the fastest so far was my third book, with
a first draft done in under three months. The key was having a well scripted
outline that kept me knowing (mostly) what would come next. With a poor outline
it can easily take a year or more. At least for action-based stories like those
I’ve done to date. Have a couple other
story concepts in different genres, and ‘m going to experiment with a more
truncated approach with at least one of them.
3. How do you select the
names of your characters?
The first thing I’ll say is
that my process isn’t random, but it’s also not super structured. Once I have a
basic cast in mind I’ll decide on the basics: age, gender and ethnicity. I’ll
also look for an actor who resembles how I picture the character. I find this
helps a great deal with coming u with a name. Based on these factors I will
generally have a few possible options, at least for a first name, that are top
of mind. I also have some “personal favorite” names that I save for special
characters. On the flip side, I also have some names I really don’t want to
use. Based on how much I like my starter list of names I’ll decide on if I need
other options. If so, I’ll use a name generator tool. Regardless, I usually
need help with surnames, so the name generator tool always gets used.
4. What creature do you
consider your "spirit animal" to be?
This is thought provoking as
I’ve never actively considered it. But if I had to pick one, I would go with a
wolf. The reasons aren’t super clear, but I’ve always had a fascination with
wolves, probably due their image as both a lone hunter and a pack animal that
needs some support. Not to mention their connection to the wild and the
countless images of wolves howling under a full moon. There’s something magical
or mystical about their presence.
5. What are your top 5
favorite movies?
I’m going to cheat because I
have way too many favorites.
-All MCU and related movies!
-Lord of the Rings Trilogy
-Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless
Mind
-Zero Dark Thirty
-Avatar
6. If you were the last
person on Earth, what would you do?
Explore as much of the
planet as possible!
7. Do you have any advice
for aspiring writers?
If you really want to write,
don’t give up and don’t wait for the fully formed story to materialize in your
mind. If you do, you are doomed. Once you have the core concept more or less
developed, start to get some words captured. It doesn’t matter if it’s
technically “outline” material or “first draft” material. Get words “on paper.”
Once you do, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that will spur you onward.
8. What book do you wish you
had written?
Interesting question!
9. Tell us some fun facts
about yourself!
Interesting is pretty
subjective, but here are some facts that may be fun.
-I can trace my family back
7+ generations in Canada and the US
-I have been to the
northern-most settlement on earth: It’s called Alert and is at 82 degrees
latitude on Ellsmere Island in Canada
-I did my first (and only)
Ironman triathlon in Lake Placid in 2011
-I took up paragliding at
50+
-I have more than 60 first
cousins
10. If you could live in any
time period, what would it be and why?
I think I got it just about
right, at least based on what I know. It turns out I really like technology, so
going back in time doesn’t really appeal to me, except perhaps for a visit. If
anything, I might want to have been born later to experience more of the
future, but that assumes the future is worth seeing.
11. What is your favorite
genre to read?
That’s
tough since really like so many. If I
look at where I’ve gotten the most enjoyment the last 10+ years, I’d say the intersection
of YA and dystopian/post-apoc. I just can’t get enough!
K.C. (Kevin) Gillis is the author of the Jordan Reed mystery
series. Despite being a lifelong lover of stories and books, writing took a
distant back seat as his professional career travelled through the Canadian Air
Force, a decade as a chemist, followed by a long and continuing run in
corporate America. With writing no longer in the back seat (but not quite yet
in the front seat), Kevin now has the Jordan Reed series well underway. His
personal interests focus on endurance and water sports. Having grown up in the
Canadian Maritimes, he now lives in the US northeast.
Thank you for this fab Q&A today!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
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