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Last month, political thriller writer Brad Meltzer hit a career high.
After writing five novels and co-creating the cult TV show Jack & Bobby for the WB network, Meltzer found himself at the top of The New York Times best seller list for the first time.
But for Meltzer, a self-described comic-book nerd who credits superhero stories with shaping him as a novelist, another victory made it all the sweeter.
He was also writing the nations best-selling comic book __ his high-profile relaunch of DC Comics Justice League of America, whose roster includes no less than Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
The next John Grisham?
If you dont know Meltzer, you soon will.
His newest thriller, The Book of Fate __ which involves murder, presidential conspiracies and the secrets of the Freemasons __ is like The West Wing meets The Da Vinci Code.
Sensing they had a hit on their hands, his publisher asked him to do something hed never done __ a television commercial.
Youd think it would be one of those moments where its like the high point of your career, says Meltzer in a phone interview just before his cross-country book tour. But when youre standing in front of a whole entire camera crew ... and saying: Im Brad Meltzer and this is The Book of Fate! over and over, you just cant not sound like a fool by take 22.
The move was worth it. The book went to No. 1, has been plugged by celebrities and mocked on Comedy Centrals The Colbert Report.
But Meltzer is more comfortable working than selling his work __ doing the deep research that informs his political thrillers and has won him a large audience.
Hes been called the next John Grisham, but while Grisham learned the ropes as a lawyer in his younger days, Meltzer has managed to get himself into highly secretive communities and situations (the underground tunnels of Disney World, the day-to-day life of Secret Service agents) to find the gems he needs for his novels.
If I say I want to write an expose and see what your life is like, no one is going to say yes, Meltzer says. But if I say Im writing fiction, they usually think, Whats the worst that could happen?
For The Book of Fate __ which centers somewhat on the life of an ex-president __ Meltzer spent time with former presidents Bush and Clinton, both of whom are fans.
Meltzer says it began when Bush contacted him as a fan. After he realized the letter wasnt a hoax, he jumped at the chance to see what his life was like.
I spent nearly a week in Houston with the Bushes and then was lucky enough to go up to Clintons offices in Harlem, researching what its like to be a former president, he says.
Meltzer says the Secret Service has helped him with a number of novels now and have grown to trust him.
In fact, Meltzer says, he was asked to join a group of military and intelligence minds to brainstorm terrorism scenarios in a Red Cell program for the Department of Homeland Security.
Comics are what I love
For his writing gig on Justice League of America, Meltzer says he needed to do almost no research.
[Comics] are what I love, and you have to go to what you love Meltzer says. Im clearly obsessed with powerful American heroes. I think Clinton and Bush are, in some strange way, no different than Superman and Batman.
For some people in this country, theyre ideals.
Comic fans know Meltzer as the author of last years wildly successful Justice League story Identity Crisis, which grafted a dark murder mystery onto the bright fantasy of superhero fiction.
When offered a chance to re-launch the series, he says he couldnt resist. Comics played a big part in making him the writer he is.
The first books I read growing up __ it wasnt the great American novel, Meltzer says. They were comic books. Thats what affected me. Thats what taught me how to style a thriller, thats what taught me how to do a cliffhanger, thats what taught me how to get in and out of a scene and really scare someone with a great ending.
If the charts __ fiction or comic book __ are any indication, Meltzer learned those lessons well.
Contact Joe Killian at 373-7023 or jkillian@news-record.com.
(C) 2006 Greensboro News & Record. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
