The Scotland Project received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Matthew Fults.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
My book is titled The Scotland Project and it will be released on Oct. 15, 2024 in paperback and ebook.
What’s the book’s first line?
Standing in the kitchen with the phone receiver to his ear, a tall, dark man listened intently to the caller.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Mathieu James, the protagonist, is an investigative journalist who was orphaned when his parents were killed in the 7/7 bombings in London. There was a rumor of a fifth bomber that escaped capture (there were four suicide bombers that day). With the help of his Paris-based colleague Ana-Marie Poulin, a clue emerges that the rumored fifth bomber is alive and also the mastermind behind the Paris attacks in 2015. James and Poulin work the story to determine who this person is and what he is planning next. They receive help from CIA analyst Alyssa Stevens, who recruited James to work with the agency via the non-official cover program, and MI5 officer Conan MacGregor, a witty, eager intelligence operative who isn’t afraid to wear ugly Christmas sweaters in public.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Writing and actually finishing a book has been a struggle for three decades, even though I’m a professional journalist and natural storyteller. That struggle is a story of its own. With that in mind, I went back to good advice, which was “write what you know.” That helped me develop the character, and then I was looking for hooks with real-world events that would lend an emotional edge that I could paint with intrigue and action.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
If you’re a fan of the thriller genre (authors like Vince Flynn, Jack Carr and others) I think you’ll enjoy the characters, pacing, action and plot twists. I wrote this largely on location in Europe, so the scenes come alive with detail. And sadly, the plot is entirely possible.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Mathieu James is an Everyman Jack. He’s relatable, likable, smart and learns as his journey unfolds he has a darker side. There’s a little bit from a lot of real and fictional characters in him, so I don’t think I could pick just one.
When did you first decide to become an author?
When I started writing for my hometown newspaper at age 14 I always assumed I would be an author one day. It took longer than I expected.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is the first book I have completed. I started three others over the past three decades and was unable to finish. It’s been a journey for sure.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am a writer, commercial photographer and documentary filmmaker.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
For this book, and my second, which I just finished, I typically set aside two hours each morning. Sometimes I go longer. I’ll use the same approach on my third book, which will be the sequel to The Scotland Project, as I begin writing that in December.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is being in control. I’m an entrepreneur at heart, so this comes easy for me. The hardest part is probably not having a suite of cubicles at a major publishing house helping you. But I wouldn’t know, of course!
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Don’t give up on yourself. After three failed attempts, I came back at it because I knew I’d regret not being published. I found a process that finally worked for me, and the flood gates opened.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I really don’t know. It would depend on a number of factors. The team at Ten Hut Media (my current publisher) has been helpful and supportive and I’ve always felt in control of the outcome.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I’m motivated to be the best storyteller I can be. That’s my profession, whether its words or images, and I’m always striving to get better.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Hemingway for his ability to craft a scene. His short stories are better than his novels. Hunter S. Thompson for his fearlessness. He didn’t care what people thought. He did everything on his terms.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan. It’s a memoir by an accomplished writer, but it wasn’t about writing. Rather it was about his journey in life. I was really moved by his steadfast desire to chase his passion around the world and, in the end, come home to his girl and raise a family. It read like a Cormac McCarthy character-driven novel (with punctuation!).