An Interview with Howard E. Carson: Co-Author of All The Big Ones Are Dead

Howard E. Carson was born in Winnipeg, Canada and followed a path that took him through careers in music, theatre, education and research. For over thirty years he has been a writer, investigative research specialist and book editor living in Toronto. His extensive travels in Europe, the U.S. and Canada provide the perspective and the wonderful backdrops for much of his research and writing.

Tell us about your book.

All The Big Ones Are Dead is a spy thriller. The trade in illegal elephant ivory and rhino horn is the tip of an iceberg made of money used to finance terrorism, torture and murder. The political and social failures among some of the wealthiest and most politically powerful people in America, result in a corrupt, morally depraved view of the world and how it should run.

CIA agent, Michael Bishop, is one of a cast of sharply etched characters in a story that takes readers from the African poaching grounds deep in the interior of Cameroon, through the rough, narrow and dangerous old streets of Marseille, to the seething, densely packed streets of New York City. Bishop is the one man who is prepared to follow the money trail at all costs to bring the worst kinds of criminals and terrorist networks to account. The trail is dangerous, the traps along the way are devious, and Bishop confronts some of the worst villains ever created for the modern thriller. The end game is about life and death, and a behind-the-scenes battle for freedom that most people never see.

Why did you want to write a book?

Collaborating with story originator Matt Magnatta and co-author Christopher A. Gray resulted in All The Big Ones Are Dead. The original intention was to just get together to discuss a variety of project ideas. The subject matter we landed on was too compelling to ignore. Chris and I were both very excited about the project. Matt Magnatta’s story idea was what got us going in the first place when he brought it to us.

What tools or companies did you use, and what experience did you have?

The most important thing any independent writer can do is spend money to pay an experienced and successful editor. Pay an editor to read your book line by line and be absolutely honest about all of it. Accept that an editor is the one person most likely to see your book in the same way as potential readers. My own experience as an editor helped to inform my practice as a writer. My own experience as an investigative research specialist helped me become a better writer.

Would you self-publish again?

Yes.

What tips can you give other authors looking to self-publish?

Know your subject. Find out about your subject by digging deep into everything you can about it. Admit, if only to yourself, that the subject you think you know all about it is actually the subject you know little about. Wikipedia and Google can be your friends, but only if you dig truly deep into the citations at the end of Wikipedia articles and only if you read, read, read, read about your subject. Fiction, non-fiction – no matter what the subject – learn all the details about it. Tell the best truth you can find about it. Never just make things up because that’s the quickest way to make a fool of yourself.

As a writer, what is your schedule? How do you get the job done?

Write every day. Some days will only be thirty minutes of writing. Other days will be hours of writing. Just write every day and never accept excuses from yourself. Accepting excuses from yourself to not write is the shortest route to writer’s block.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Writer’s block? What’s that? I’ve heard about it. Overcome laziness and intellectual inertia and you overcome writer’s block. Develop detailed story outlines and detailed character workups, and you overcome writer’s block.

Who are your biggest writing inspirations and why?

Of the modern writers, C.S. Forester ranks as my biggest influence. Of the classicists, Thomas Carlyle is undoubtedly my favorite. Both writers were masters of English. Both writers, in the styles of their respective days, had the ability to galvanize attention and take readers on an adventure, a lesson in history, or an exploration of the life of someone genuinely exciting. They were both wonderful craftsmen who thought carefully and deeply about what they wrote. It showed in every line.

What are your plans now your book is published?

I’m working on my next book! Chris Gray and I are promoting All The Big Ones Are Dead. Chris is working on his next book. Chris and I are also working on our next collaborative effort.

Why did you write about this particular subject?

Chris Gray and I were both energized about doing a thriller together and tackling a difficult subject – elephant ivory poaching and rhino horn poaching. It was an opportunity to flex some creative writing muscles and place a terrible tragedy front and center.

What did you learn on your journey as an author?

Journey’s are always interesting, if you keep your eyes and ears open. Researching All The Big Ones Are Dead was an eye-opener. I had known quite well that elephant ivory poaching and rhino horn poaching were driving the big mammals into endangerment and extinction, but the resulting amounts of money flowing into wealthy hands and terrorist hands simultaneously was a shock.

What’s next for you as an author?

I’m working on a semi-sequel to All The Big Ones Are Dead. It’s a completely different theme, still a spy thriller, but the central character is not Michael Bishop. Instead, I’m bring Bishop’s CIA partner, Alexei Rector, front and center. Bio-weapons, mayhem and some very scary ideology.