Author Marc Avery is building is crime-fiction career one book at a time. I recently spoke with him about his latest release, Discipline.
Tell me about Discipline.
Discipline is like Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger from Black Panther, if you swapped out Wakanda for Philadelphia. Not just the title of the book, but also the name of the main character, Discipline shares the same thirst for revenge and doesn’t care who or what he has to go through to get it. But beneath all the bravado, machismo, and stoicism is a man wrestling with past traumas, facing love for the first time, and waging war against everyone who ever did him wrong.
What inspired you to write this story?
I’ve always loved reading and watching basketball, and I’ve long been fascinated by the idea of dynamic duos. There are so many legendary pairings in both basketball and crime fiction, and I knew I wanted to create one of my own. So, I threw my hat into the ring.
My characters are in part a homage to some of my favorite crime fiction figures. Not direct copies, but inspired by classics like Miami Vice, Beverly Hills Cop, Bad Boys, New York Undercover, Bosch, and Alex Cross.
Bad Boys and New York Undercover especially stuck with me because they featured two leads who were people of color. That was something I hadn’t seen before, and it was fascinating to see people who looked like me. Once I decided to dip my toe into the crime-fiction pool, I wanted my two leads to be people of color because representation is important to me. So, when you pair representation with voice, that, too, is a dynamic duo.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Originally, my favorite character was Detective Aaden Bravo. I’ve always enjoyed the lone-wolf detective archetypes like Harry Bosch and Alex Cross, so I wanted my own tentpole character in that same vein. But somewhere along the way, the story had other plans, and Aaden needed a partner. That’s how Detective Christian Bennett came into the picture.
In early drafts, Discipline was just a side character. Then, out of nowhere he took over the book like how Steve Urkel did Family Matters.
So, long story short, Discipline is my favorite character in this book. But Aaden? He’ll probably be my favorite character in the books to come.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
It probably started after I read Pretend You Don’t See Her by Mary Higgins Clark. I remember checking it out from my school library. It really stuck with me. In high school, I loved class projects because they gave me a chance to create something from scratch. Writing has always been a creative outlet and a kind of sanctuary for me. It’s a powerful tool, and I enjoy creating whenever inspiration strikes. Expressing myself through written words puts me in a place of total calm.
What author would you fan over?
Easily Michael Connelly. I’ve read at least half a dozen Harry Bosch novels, and his Amazon Prime show, Bosch is, hands down, the best show on television. His attention to detail is unmatched. He makes you feel like you’re right there in the story as it unfolds. That’s a rare skill, and he truly mastered it
What books have you read lately and loved?
How to Sell Out: The (Hidden) Cost of Being a Black Writer by Chad Sanders is the first book that comes to mind. I loved it because it came at just the right time, as I’m preparing to release my first crime thriller. Getting a firsthand account from someone who not only looks like me but has also been in the rooms I hope to enter, was a breath of fresh air. Hearing someone speak so honestly about the challenges writers of color face validated my feelings. It also let me know I wasn’t alone in my journey.
Your publisher, Black Odyssey Media, is a huge proponent of script-to-screen. How do you envision Discipline beyond the book?
From the beginning, I envisioned Discipline as a television series—something in the spirit of James Patterson’s Cross or Michael Connelly’s Bosch on Amazon Prime. I think the ideal format would be a six-to-eight-episode arc. That said, if someone wants to adapt it into a film, I’d be just as humbled and excited for the opportunity.
What do you hope readers gain from your work?
Above all, I want readers to be entertained. My goal is to become a trusted name in crime fiction—someone readers come back to again and again. I hope they appreciate the care and detail I put into creating an immersive literary experience; working hard to make this more than just a good read. I hope we gain from each other. They gain a great piece of literature, and I gain a dedicated reader. I’m already working on the name I’m going to refer to my reading family as, as my literary agent, Joylynn M. Ross, taught me that every great writer with a great fanbase has a great tribe name that every one of them is proud to put behind a hashtag when talking me and my books up.
What’s next for you?
I’m building my crime-fiction catalog, and Discipline is just the beginning. It’s the first in what I hope will be a long line of interconnected stand-alone novels featuring Detectives Aaden Bravo and Christian Bennett. My goal is to carve out a unique space in the genre. Something unmistakably mine. I’m aiming high: accolades, adaptations, magazine features, bestseller lists, and most importantly, a loyal fanbase that looks forward to each new release. For me, the literary mountaintop is doing more than earning money with my writing, but also making a living from my writing; being someone’s favorite author and becoming a household name.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Discipline by Marc Avery.
Philadelphia native Marc Avery is a husband, father, entrepreneur, and habitual coffee drinker with a great imagination and an awesome beard. His debut novel, Redemption Lost, is a story of risk, restitution, and retribution. Marc lives in Delaware with his wife and children. When he’s not working, or writing his new crime fiction series, you can probably find him at Dunkin’ drinking an iced coffee. Visit him here: www.iammarcavery.com