Click Here To Purchase Under the Cover of Darkness

Author: Duane De Melo

ISBN: 978-1-4620-4585-3

Publisher: iUniverse

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Duane De Melo author of Under The Cover Of Darkness.

Duane received a master`s degree from Stanford University. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a military intelligence adviser, before becoming an operations officer in the CIA. Following his retirement in 2010, he authored his first novel, The Wave of the Future. Duane currently lives with his wife in Southern Maryland.

Good day Duane and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

On the first page of your novel you mention that the Central Intelligence Agency's Publication Review Board reviewed the manuscript of Under The Cover Of Darkness. What is this all about and why was this necessary?

Duane:

An Agency staff officer, whether currently or formerly employed, is required to submit all materials under consideration for publication to the Publication Review Board prior to publishing and releasing to the public.  It is done to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of classified information from Agency records.  Typically, information that, for example, is found to reveal sensitive operational information, or disclosure of sources and methods involved in Agency operations, is stricken (redacted) from the manuscript.  This requires the author to rewrite, change or eliminate what is found non-acceptable.  In my own case, it can range from a few words in a chapter, to several paragraphs.  It is a headache, but I have found it to be workable and, after several give and take sessions with the Board, a modus vivendi is reached.     

Norm:

What served as the primary inspiration for your most recent novel?

Duane: 

Desirous to write a sequel to my earlier novel, The Wave of the Future, recent public disclosures of numerous targeted assassinations on the part of U.S. Government agencies provided the timely opportunity to write a detailed account of what actually is involved in the conduct of such operations.    

Norm:

How much of the book is realistic? Are experiences based on someone you know and how much of you is in the book?

Duane: 

As a writer of fiction, I want to entertain my readers with stories containing as much timely historical facts and realism that the Agency's Publication Review Board can tolerate.  Of course, I do indeed base some of my characters on closely resembled individuals whose paths I crossed over the years.  And, not to be missed, I cannot but help fail to pass up the opportunity to include a little of myself here and there.

Norm:

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Duane: 

Before, as well as during my years with the Agency, I traveled a good part of the world, including living as an expatriate for over two decades on three continents.  This enabled me to meet and spend time with a wealth of fascinating personalities that I now take inspiration from.  Combined with the tumultuous events currently taking place around the world, there is no shortage of useful subject matter availability.  

Norm:

Did you find the process of writing your second novel easier or more difficult than the first one and did you learn anything from your second novel?

I would like to think the second one was easier since it basically is an extension of the protagonist, Mitch Vasari's career track and operational record in the Agency.  The difficulty though lies in my pursuit of trying to write better, literally with every page that I compose.  In that respect, trying to become a more skilled writer is turning out to be an arduous task that is a consuming one as well.

Norm:

How do you personally feel about targeted assassinations of maniacal despots?

Duane: 

While I would prefer the Buddhist path of never taking the life of anything, I bristle when considering the masses of innocent lives being lost at the hands of a chosen few who decide the power they hold and are able to exercise entitles them to order death and destruction.  Unfortunately, it turns me into a believer in the need to exercise the same kind of power and selectively eliminate these despots when necessary.

Norm:

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Duane: 

That middle of the night flash of inspiration that enables me to write down an idea, or paragraph or two, and immediately go back to sleep.  

Norm:

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

Duane: 

When I do, it usually is a one-way conversation.  They vent and I don't bother to reply.  Seriously though, I am fortunate in building a circle of friends and followers that I am very grateful to have.  This kind of recognition is priceless and much appreciated.

Norm:

Do you feel that writers, regardless of genre owe something to readers, if not, why not, if so, why and what would that be?

Duane: 

Of course we owe something to readers.  We owe it all to our readers.  I write to entertain.  When I don't have anything interesting to say on a subject of interest to readers, I will no longer write. Crafting a readable tale that holds the interest of the reader is what it is all about.  While I take gratification in pleasing myself, I want it to rub off and be shared with as large an audience as possible

Norm:

What are you upcoming projects?

Duane:

I am currently researching the third and final novel involving our protagonist that will conclude a trilogy of his operational exploits in the world of espionage and counter terrorism.  I am also looking at dusting off a  1970's draft and opening chapters of a historical World War Two novel set in the South China Sea.    

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and your books?

Duane: 

www.duanedemello.com

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Duane: 

Nothing more.  Thank you once again Norm, for this opportunity.

Click Here To Read Norm's Review Of Under The Cover Of Darkness

Click Here To Purchase Under the Cover of Darkness