Featured Interview With Bentley Turner
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in a small town that bordered the Ohio River, about 60 miles from Cincinnati. Although I enjoyed small-town life, I left after I earned my master’s degree primarily because of the job I accepted. In fact, my wife and I have lived in several cities in several states over the years. However, we have lived in Tennessee for more than 40 years.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started reading books at an early age. I started writing fiction in high school. When I was in college, I started writing nonfiction. I continued writing nonfiction primarily because of my job. In fact, even though I’m retired, I still enjoy writing nonfiction. I also enjoy writing fiction. However, primarily because I was not necessarily happy with one or more characters and the plot, my first novel took a very long time to write. I worked on it for several years before I was satisfied enough to send it to numerous publishers. Finally, a publisher offered a contract, which I signed. The publisher went out of business before the novel was published. Eventually, I found another publisher that accepted it.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Years ago I read novels by Ernest Hemingway, Erskine Caldwell, John O’Hara, James M. Cain, John D. MacDonald, Erle Stanley Gardner, Donald Hamilton, and numerous others. Later, I read novels by Harold Robbins, Irving Wallace, and Sidney Sheldon, to mention a few. Today, I read mostly mysteries or thrillers when I read fiction. I read a lot of nonfiction, including histories about religion as well as about the United States. I don’t know whether any particular writer inspires me. I know I appreciate Ernest Heminway’s style of writing.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
“The Agency” concerns the federal government’s investigations into UFOs–at least, this is part of the plot. The thriller features Mason Cunningham, a well-educated former agent turned director of the department in the CIA that investigates UFOs. Although Cunningham assigns his staff to investigate sightings and reported abductions, he learns that a former agent who retired and reportedly died has been seen. Cunningham investigates and uncovers information that could put his department and the CIA in jeopardy.
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