Interview With Author Liam Fitzgerald

                                   

1. What inspired you to write this book?

The inspiration for the novel came from reading the history of New South Wales, Australia and its fascinating early history as an English Penal Colony and the Rum Rebellion where the Officer Corp staged a coup d'etat in the colony and a more recent Royal Commission of Inquiry into systemic police and official corruption.

 

2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for?

The book looks at what is corruption and how it arises, what are the mechanisms that permit official corruption. The book is written for adults who enjoy crime fiction.

 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

It is hoped readers will seriously question what they think they know about corruption whilst enjoying an enjoyable read.

 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

The title came from the chess piece; Black Knights applied to official corrupt officials. Cover was designed by a friend who is an artist and represents the City of Sydney where the book is centered.

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

 

Other than telling fellow writers to run, my advice is if you have a good idea keep going - never give up - take a rest, if need be, but don't give up!

 

 

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? 

Trends in the book world appear to be focused heavily on personal journey accounts and self-help profiles.

 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? 

As a Criminal Law defence counsel, these experiences helped inform the accuracy of the novel, whilst purely fictions, professional experiences helped inform the book.

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

As a novice, I don’t think I can point to any particular writing style.

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

The challenges in writing the book were similar to other writers, maintaining consistency and output and dealing with writer’s block.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

People should buy my book because apart from being a fast-paced thrilling read; it will challenge perceptions of why people change to become corrupt.

 

Author Bio: Jack Cleary, once indifferent to corruption is thrust into its heart upon joining the Sydney police and being assigned to the infamous Park Lane Police Station. Lurking in the shadows are the Black Knights, a covert group seeking to ensnare Jack in their web of deceit. When he’s caught between a Chinese gang war and the enigmatic brothel owner, Madam Liu, who desires to wield him for her empire’s gain, the stakes are sky-high. As Sydney is rocked by gunfights and power plays for control of its underworld, can Jack resist the allure of corruption and treachery? From the very first page, this riveting crime thriller plunges you into the dark underbelly of corruption, making you question everything you thought you knew.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 4.4 million pageviews. With 5,300+ posts over the past 14 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs  by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum