Randy Overbeck Author Bio:
Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades in a range of roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His thriller, LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND (2012) and his recent mysteries, the Amazon and B & N No. 1 Best Seller, BLOOD ON THE CHESAPEAKE (2019), the No 2 Bestseller CRIMSON AT CAPE MAY (2020) and SCARLET AT CRYSTAL RIVER (2021) have earned Hundreds of five star reviews and garnered national awards including “Thriller of the Year”—ReadersFavorite.com, “Gold Award”—Literary Titan, “Mystery of the Year”—ReadersView.com and “Crowned Heart of Excellence”—InD’Tale Magazine. He is also the author and voice of a new podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual backstories of famous authors, directors and poets.
As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop. When he’s not writing or researching his next exciting novel or sharing his presentations, “Things Still Go Bump in the Night” and “A Few Favorite Haunts,” he’s spending time with his incredible family of wife, three children (and their spouses) and seven wonderful grandchildren.
What inspires you to write?
I'm inspired by the heroic work I witnessed by the educators working with children and I decided I wanted to tell stories that reveal this heroism. It helps that schools are places of constant drama and only take a little literary liberty to craft interesting and engaging stories.
Tell us about your writing process.
I'm a little of both. Since most are mysteries or thriller, I do some planning and outlining early on, but later do more pantsing as the story takes on a life of its own. The result hangs together well and readers seem to love.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I usually listen to them as they tell me their stories. Since my narratives are usually told in deep third person, It's important for me to listen to be able to capture them accurately.
Who are your favorite authors?
I love William Kent Krueger and his Cork O'Connor series. His tales have such authenticity and passion they simply draw me in. Next would be Ken Follett. he's been writing for decades and although his early thrillers are great, I'm really impressed with his historical fiction. Reading him has taught bee so much about the importance of great research. Then I'd have to add C J Box, Joseph Finder, Ink Phillipi Ryan, John Gilstrap, Michael Connelly, and Lee Child.
What genres do you write?
Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Paranormal, Historical
How did you choose the genre(s) you write?
More like the genres chose me. Most of these are the genres I read a good deal of books in, More importantly, I've been able to come up with viable stories in these genres. I enjoy Sci-Fi and Westerns but have not come up with any viable tales, at least not yet.
What three things are on your writing desk at any given moment?
My computer, a notepad and books for research on my latest writing project
What hobbies do you have when you need a break from writing?
I enjoy golf and traveling with my wife.
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Home Page Link
Link to Author Page on Goodreads
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.
