Author Interview: The Literary Spotlight with Author J.T. Kunkel
I’m thrilled to welcome the talented J.T. Kunkel to The Literary Spotlight! A seasoned author with an impressive repertoire of mystery novels, J.T. has mastered the art of weaving intrigue, suspense, and authenticity into his storytelling. With ten published books and 21 written, he has carved out a remarkable space in the literary world. His journey from finance professional to prolific writer is nothing short of inspiring, proving that passion and persistence can lead to extraordinary achievements.
J.T.’s writing career began in an unexpected but deeply personal way—documenting his battle with stage three melanoma. That journey, which led to his memoir, ignited a love for storytelling that only grew stronger. His ability to translate real-life experiences and emotions into compelling fiction is what makes his work resonate so powerfully with readers. From cozy mysteries to gripping narratives set in rich, immersive settings, J.T. has mastered the balance between character depth and page-turning suspense.
Beyond his captivating plots, J.T. brings a unique perspective to storytelling. His approach—writing without a rigid outline and allowing the story to unfold naturally—adds an organic quality to his mysteries, keeping both himself and his readers on their toes. His commitment to authenticity, whether through thorough research or crafting believable dialogue, showcases his dedication to the craft. It’s no surprise that he has persevered through thousands of query letters, secured multiple publishing deals, and continues to engage with readers through local events and signings.
It’s an honor to have J.T. join us for this interview, where we’ll dive into his creative process, inspirations, and insights for aspiring writers. His journey is a testament to the power of determination and passion for storytelling. Let’s get started!
Introduction:
Cyra: Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your writing background. What inspired you to become a writer, and how did your writing journey begin?
J.T.: I’m actually a finance person by trade, having been a CFO for twenty plus years. So my background is not really in writing. Although I am also a musician, and a singer/ songwriter, having started writing songs at age fifteen.
My first writing venture started 15 years ago when I was diagnosed with stage three melanoma and wanted to document my journey. As it turned out, due to the fantastic staff at Sloan Kettering in Nee York City, I’ve been cancer free for twelve years and I wrote a memoir of 150,000 words as a result.
So, in 2015, with a memoir under my belt I thought I’d try fiction. I wrote several cozy mysteries before landing a publishing deal in 2019. I now have ten books published and 21 written. I love writing and learn more every day.
Creative Process:
Cyra: Walk us through your creative process. How do you develop your ideas into full-fledged stories? Do you follow specific rituals or routines to get into the writing zone?
J.T.: I have no idea how most authors accomplish what they do. I, however, just sit down and write and let the story write itself. Because I write murder mysteries, I don’t like to spoil the ending by knowing what it is myself.
My process is easy. I sit down in the evening with the goal of writing 1,000 words. Sometimes I write more, sometimes less. But I usually write about 1,000 in an hour.
Writing Influences:
Cyra: Who are some of your favorite authors or literary influences, and how have they shaped your writing style? Are there any books or works that have profoundly impacted your writing career?
J.T.: Two of my favorite authors are Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Yes, I realize that neither of them write cozy mysteries. I never really sought out cozies as my genre. In fact I didn’t even know that was a genre until my agent told me about it. I can’t say I have a particular book or books that have profoundly impacted my writing career.
Challenges & Successes:
Cyra: What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your writing career, and how did you overcome them? How do you handle writer’s block or periods of self-doubt? On the flip side, what achievements are you most proud of (books, projects, etc.) in your journey as an author? Were there any scenes or moments in The Miranda Marquette Mysteries series that were particularly challenging to write? How did you overcome those hurdles to ensure they resonated with authenticity?
J.T.: The biggest challenge of my writing career was finding an agent. I did not want to self-publish. For my first manuscript, I sent out nearly a thousand query letters without landing an agent. It’s extremely competitive. Some agents only accept one or two new authors in a year. Some don’t take on any.
So I began querying for book 2 about a year later and finally landed an agent after nearly another thousand letters. I believe this is a world record number of query letters but who knows?
So, to answer the question of how I overcame the challenge, I simply kept moving forward and never gave up.
In terms of writer’s block or self doubt, I have either been very lucky or I’m just too ignorant to know any better. I have never been faced with either writers block or self-doubt since I started writing.
I am very proud to have now contracted with my fourth publisher due to a series of issues with publishers over the last ten years. Again, the key is always never to give up.
I think the toughest part of Book One of the Miranda Marquette series, Blood on the Bayou, was doing justice to the damage done by and the impact of Hurricane Katrina In New Orleans. Knowing that people from the area would likely be reading it, I wanted to make sure I didn’t minimize the damage. And I had never been to New Orleans when I wrote the book.
Character Development:
Cyra: How do you develop compelling and relatable characters in your stories? Do you use strategies or exercises to ensure your characters feel authentic, genuine, and three-dimensional?
J.T.: I always write in first person, so everything you read is from the point of view of the narrator. In the case of series one, it’s Miranda Marquette. In series two, Cordelia Corbett. The characters are developed through their interactions with the narrator and how she perceives them. So, for better or worse, it’s all about perception. Dialogue also is key to character development when it comes to writing.
Plot/World Building:
Cyra: How do you approach plot building to balance intricate twists and maintain a cohesive storyline when crafting your novels? Can you share any tips for aspiring writers on developing compelling plots? World-building is crucial for many genres, creating immersive settings that feel authentic and integral to the story. How do you go about constructing worlds that feel both fantastical and believable? Can you share your approach to balancing detail and narrative flow when introducing readers to a new world? Your Miranda Marquette and Cordelia Corbett Mysteries dive into various intense scenarios. What inspired you to create these series, and how do you keep the intrigue and suspense alive across multiple books?
J.T.: This is probably the biggest challenge for a mystery writer especially one who doesn’t do any plot planning or outlining. The way that I’ve found to write cohesive and consistent plots, is to write the manuscript quickly, so that you, as the author, remember what has happened throughout the book without having to keep rereading it which can get very tedious.
Make it interesting to you as the author. If it’s interesting to you, it’s likely your readers will find it interesting.
I try to use real places for my scenes. I often use the internet to get details about those places if I haven’t been there.
For balancing detail and narrative flow, it can be a matter of taste. Some readers love to delve deeply into every detail of the scene. I tend to keep it a little lighter and just describe as necessary. For example, I started reading a book the other day where it took three pages for the author to describe his childhood bicycle. I was exhausted by the time I was through reading that section.
It’s a challenge to mantian suspense. I try to intersperse different geography and new characters to keep it interesting. What inspired me to create the series? I guess deep inside I pictured them becoming a series on TV somewhere.
Dialogue and Setting:
Cyra: Dialogue can breathe life into a story, especially when intertwined with the setting. How do you use dialogue to enrich your settings and evoke a sense of place? How did you research and recreate your book’s atmosphere, culture, and nuances for your story?
J.T.: Dialogue is the key to writing in first person. That is, other than thoughts in the narrator’s head, the only way to find out details for the story. I believe that First person is the most difficult point of view to write from. Many agents will not represent an author who writes in first person. I use my own experience and the internet to create, the atmosphere, culture and nuances. It
can be very challenging though. You have to pay close attention that you don’t write something info an area that isn’t appropriate to that area. Or leave something out. Readers will be very quick to point it out to you.
Creative Inspiration:
Cyra: Where do you find inspiration for your stories? Are there any specific themes or topics you enjoy exploring in your writing? As a lifetime singer and songwriter, how has your music background influenced your writing, especially in your novels? Do you approach storytelling in a way similar to writing a song?
J.T.: I would say that my stories tend to be influenced by what is going on in my life at the time I’m writing the manuscript. Whether it’s things going on in the world, or more specifically, to me personally, they usually make their way into the plot.
My songwriting tends to be far more personal, though. I tend to write love songs directed at the person I love. My experience with the healthcare system has occasionally reared its head in my novels.
Editing & Revision:
Cyra: How important is a writer’s editing and revision process? Please share your approach to editing your work. Do you have any suggestions for writers to improve their attention to detail and editing skills?
J.T.: As far as editing goes, I’m not a huge fan. But I try to read my work through with a critical eye,
both in terms of grammar and spelling but any plot inconsistencies.
Publishing & Marketing:
Cyra: What has your experience been with the publishing industry? What is the culture like? Do you have any advice for aspiring authors on finding agents or publishers? How do you navigate the world of book marketing and promotion? Do you have any tips for authors looking to build their audience and niche?
J.T.: I have only dealt with smaller publishers, and generally through an agent until mine retired. I have found small publishers easy to work with, but they don’t do much promotion. My present publisher is more like a medium sized publisher and they do significantly more promotion than any of my small publishers did.
To find an agent, send out as many personal query letters as you can, specify to your genre and never give up. There are also small publishers you can approach on your own without an agent.
I have a website, I have a publisher who does a lot of Amazon promotion and I do about 10-12 local author events/ craft fairs through the Spring to Fall months to sell and sign books. I usually sell about 300 books a year at those events and meet. Lot of interesting people.
Social Media & Reader Engagement:
Cyra: What strategies do you recommend for connecting authentically with readers through platforms like BookTok and Bookstagram, and how has engaging with readers on these platforms influenced your approach to writing and book promotion? How has this platform impacted your relationship with your readers and your approach to writing? What’s been the most rewarding aspect of connecting with your readers through social media?
J.T.: I am on Amazon Author. And I have my own website. I also connect with readers on Facebook. The most rewarding thing about connecting with readers is getting feedback about my writing.
Personal Insights & Reflections:
Cyra: Beyond writing, how do you balance your personal life with your career as a successful author? What does success mean to you as an author, and how do you define and measure it? What is the most rewarding and fulfilling aspect of being an author for you? Is there a particular book or project you are most proud of?
J.T.: I am still a CFO. It’s difficult to make much money as an author. I enjoy walking, running, hiking, music, travel.
As long as I have a publisher willing to promote my books I’m a success.
Having readers tell me specifically how much they were captivated by my book is very rewarding.
Blood on the Bayou. My first published book. It’s still my baby and I’m very proud of it.
Advice for Budding Writers:
Cyra: What advice would you give aspiring authors just starting their writing journey? How do you handle rejection and criticism in the publishing world and literature?
J.T.: Write as much and as often as you can and get familiar with what publishers are looking for.
Don’t take rejection personally. Take it as a learning experience.
Impact and Connection:
Cyra: Your work is a mix of intrigue and personal reflection. What do you hope readers will take away from the journeys of your characters?
J.T.: I hope readers will see something of themselves in my characters because I often include universal themes.
Personal Touch:
Cyra: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that readers might not know? Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of writing that influence your stories?
J.T.: I am an avid motorcyclist just like Miranda.
Gratitude:
Cyra: Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers and fans who have supported you throughout your career? Do you have any final thoughts or messages you’d like to leave with aspiring authors or your readers?
J.T.: I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my series and you can expect several
more new books this year.
Community and Networking:
Cyra: How can readers stay connected with you and keep up with your latest work?
J.T.:
Favorite Quote:
Cyra: What’s your favorite quote that keeps you going?
J.T.: There is Nothing Permanent except Change
Future Projects:
Cyra: Could you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or books you’re currently working on? Is there anything else you want to share?
J.T.:
- 4 more books (9-12) in the Miranda Marquette Series
- 7 more books (3-9) in the Cordelia Corbett Series
