Featured Interview With C.E. Newsom
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in the Chicago area and still live there today. We got a dog about seven years ago because my wife wanted one, but since she never leaves my side, she is decidedly my dog.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination with books started with Harold and the Purple Crayon, and hasn’t stopped since. I remember writing my first short story with my brother and cousins, when we were visiting them up in Wisconsin one summer–I was probably nine or ten. It was a horrible story about a serial killer that made lampshades out of his victims’ skin (think Ed Gein). It wasn’t very good, but I loved the process of writing it.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
When I was a kid, my favorites were Vonnegut, Poe, and Arthur Conan Doyle. I loved the darkness of Poe, the character of Sherlock Holmes, and the wit in which Vonnegut commented on the world. Now, I read a lot of mystery, with Sue Grafton clearly the best out there. If I had to pick one mystery writer I wish I could write like, it would be Grafton.
I also like non-fiction, especially history with a focus on presidential history (don’t try to take me on in a presidential trivia contest!).
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My most recent short story, “The Shapiro Affair” features my Chicago private detective character Jeffrey Sparks. He’s blunt, to-the-point, sarcastic, and a narcissist in denial. He also has a strong moral compass (even if he thinks that the ends justify the means), which makes him incredibly determined. In addition, his biggest fear is Not Knowing, so he’s obsessed with finding the answer to a puzzle. In “The Shapiro Affair,” Sparks is hired to find a man’s missing wife. Upon investigating, Sparks finds that the woman is closer than he first thought possible.
There are other Sparks short stories, and I’m currently working on the first Sparks novel. Without giving it away, it was inspired by news events over the past year or so, and shows the danger that’s possible when ignorance and intolerance prevails.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles