I haven’t met author Alton Gansky yet, but I’ve read his book Crime Scene Jerusalem and loved it! I look forward to reading more of his work.

Alton Gansky writes fulltime from his home in the high desert area of Southern California. He is the author of 30 books. When not writing, he likes to work in his shop making furniture from exotic hardwoods that invariably end up in his children’s homes. He is also the founder of Gansky Communications, a writing company that services publishers, agents, businesses, and nonprofits. He has recently finished the film script for his book A Treasure Deep. He enjoys sneaking out in the middle of the week to watch movies. A San Diego native, he visits his hometown whenever possible and has been sighted drinking coffee at a sidewalk café in Coronado. He has been married to his wife Becky for more years than anyone thought possible and still enjoying it. He has three children and six grandbuddies. He is also the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

Alton’s novel Certain Jeopardy releases this month (May 2009) from B & H Books:

Six American men live behind a protective façade, their real work hidden from neighbors and friends. Different in countless ways, they are intimately the same in one: at any moment their lives can be altered with a phone call, and their actions may change the world.

They are Special Ops. And one team’s mission is about to hit certain jeopardy status when the discovery of an Al Qaeda base in Venezuela becomes secondary to thwarting the transport of a nuclear weapons expert from that training camp to Iran.

Informed by the true combat experience of Captain Jeff Struecker and finessed by award-winning novelist Alton Gansky, Certain Jeopardy is an immersing and pulsating fictional account of what really happens at every level of a stealth engagement: the physical enemy encounter, the spiritual war fought within a soldier, and the emotional battles in families back at home.

Wow! I can’t wait to read this one! I love suspense and the true-life kind is fascinating!

You can find Certain Jeopardy at these three online bookstores:
Amazon
Christian Book Distributors, or
Barnes & Noble

I asked Alton to give us some insight into how God is using him and his writing.

Jill: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a writer?

Alton: That has always been a tough question for me. I have no concept of time, an affliction that surfaces when anyone asks about something that happened a specific time ago. I do recall writing as a child, but many children do that. As a young man I tried my hand at short stories and articles and even a short movie script, but it never went anywhere. I followed my eclectic career (firefighter, a decade in architecture, two decades as a pastor) toying with stories. Then one day I sat down to write a novel. That book sold and I’ve been at it for the last fifteen years.

Jill: Can you share with me some of the highlights of your writing journey – something particularly memorable or humorous?

Alton: : The novel I mentioned above (By My Hands, Victor Books) sat on the shelf for several years. I sent it to a pay-to-read agent—I just didn’t know better—and received a rejection. Jack Cavanaugh, a friend and fellow novelist, called to tell me about his first contract. We rejoiced together for awhile then he asked, “So what are you working on?” I gave him my top ten excuses about why I wasn’t writing. He listened then asked, “So what are you are working on now?” I pulled my novel off the shelf and rewrote it. I’ve done thirty books since then.

Jill: Tell me a bit about what you write now and what you hope/plan to write in the future. Do you have a favorite genre?

Alton: Of my thirty books, most are novels. Five or six are nonfiction. I write across genres, including straight mysteries and supernatural suspense. All of my novels are some form of suspense—action/suspense, supernatural suspense, thrillers, and the like. I also do a lot of freelance writing and co-author work. Publishers hire me to come alongside other authors and add my two cents. Sometimes people describe my work as science fiction. Technically it’s not. SF is a specialized genre, but I do have tech elements in many of my books.

Jill: Do you consider your writing the work God has given you to do for a lifetime or for a season of your life? Can you see yourself pursuing something outside of writing for His glory?

Alton: I think I’ll be writing for as long as my brain works. Of course, God makes any change he wants. I’m always doing other things, but writing is the thing that won’t let go of me.

Jill: Are there people in your life who encouraged you, who are responsible for you becoming a published author?

Alton: I mentioned Jack Cavanaugh earlier. I have many writer friends and we do what we can to help each other. Jack and I talk or IM every week.

Jill: Can you share one struggle that entered your life as a result of writing and how God helped you to overcome it, to make you more like Christ?

Alton:: I used to think if I had a book published, I’d be on easy street. The harsh truth is most writers make less than a livable income. I’ve been writing “without a net” for the last five years. By that I mean I’ve been writing fulltime. There have been tough times but God remains good. Learning to live on faith is tough but for most Christian writers it’s something that must be learned. In many ways, it is refreshing to relate to God this way.

Jill: Likewise, is there a particular joy in this writing business/ministry that God has used to remind you that He is, in fact, using your words to His glory?

Alton: Just this week I received an e-mail from a man living and working in Jerusalem. He told me how, at the request of family members, he went to the holy sites to take photos. He was also reading my CSI Jerusalem. The subject matter touched him deeply and he made a spiritual commitment. That’s what it is all about.

Jill: Has writing opened opportunities for you to give your testimony and witness for Christ or minister to fellow believers? If so, can you give one example?

Alton:: Every year I do several writers conferences. I believe that is part of my work. Helping other writers is a source of joy for me. I’ve also had opportunity to speak at churches. One of my greatest joys is hearing from a writing student whom I’ve tutored or mentored has made his or her first sale.

Some of Alton’s other recent books are:

Enoch—Realms Publishing – October 2008
Angel—Realms Publishing – October 2007
Zero-G—Zondervan – November 2007

You can visit author Alton Gansky and get to know him better by checking out his personal website or his Communications website. He is also on the staff at Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference. Check them out here.

Thanks Alton, for joining us this month on Spotlight!