Suspense Author Eric Wilson Talks About the Division Between Secular and Christian Fiction, Book Reviews, Dean Koontz, Blog Tours, and Being a "Hack"

Q: Eric, from what I understand, your break into the world of fiction was unique; something you could almost call "every book reviewer's" dream. Could you share a bit of that with us?

It was a crazy thing. Seven years ago, I started reviewing books on Amazon to promote great novels in general, and to challenge the quality of Christian fiction in particular. Along the way, my reviews caught the eye of an established agent. He saw in my bio that I was working on a novel and he asked to see what I'd written. I'd already received form rejections from seventeen publishers by sending out stuff on my own, so I agreed to work with him-after making sure he wasn't a scam artist, of course. The next year, we signed a two-book contract with Random House.

Q: I see in your bio that you spent time in Europe when the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain still existed. What was that like, taking Bibles to different parts of the world?

I've always had a streak of mischief, so it was exciting to use that personality trait in a positive way, "sneaking" God's Word into countries that refused to give religious freedom to their citizens. In the New Testament, the authorities told the Apostle Paul to stop preaching in public, but he continued to do so and ended up in prison. Though I was never arrested, I do have some wild stories to tell. When you're facing border guards with machine guns, you realize how much your reliance is on the Lord and nothing else.

Q: I recently read Tricia Goyer's Generation Next Parenting - a wonderful devotional - and I was impressed with how honest she was about her shortcomings and failings. As a writer, you've never been shy about sharing what you believe are your mistakes and faults. How important do you think this trait is not only in a writer, but especially a Christian writer?