This page links to interviews conducted with me, news about my personal appearances, plus reviews and commentary about HUNTER: A Thriller. The most recent items appear at the top of the listing.
If you see a review or published reference about HUNTER or its author, please let us know.
Also, if you would like to interview Robert Bidinotto or review the book, please contact him through this blog.
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* March 17, 2013: Matt Posner has interviewed me here on his “School of the Ages” blog. The range of topics include: where I live; how writing a bestseller has changed my life; my description of HUNTER and the Dylan Hunter character; a brief synopsis of my two upcoming novels; why I try to help other writers; my favorite thriller authors; the ways in which Ayn Rand’s ideas and literary style have influenced me and my writing; my stint writing for Reader’s Digest; and whether my outspoken views and political commentaries have affected my readership.
* February 23, 2013: I gave two well-received workshop presentations to writers attending the annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland. My topics: “Writing the Thriller” and “The Ten Best Ways to Market Your Ebooks.”
* February 2013: This month’s issue of Writer’s Digest features an article, “Banking on E-Books,” by well-known e-publishing columnist and industry observer Porter Anderson. Drawing from the December 13, 2011 interview of me by Jennie Coughlin (see below), Anderson recounts (on page 35) the story of HUNTER’s sudden ascent to the top of the ebook bestseller lists that month.
* January 4, 2013: I received by private message the following “blurb” from renowned writing teacher Randy Ingermanson, author of the bestselling Writing Fiction for Dummies: “Hunter is a terrifically-paced suspense novel with a killer premise—a mysterious good guy starts offing the bad guys who are leaking through the cracks in the broken criminal justice system. As a novel, it works Xtremely well (just don’t try this vigilante stuff at home, folks!) If you’re a fan of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, I suspect you’ll like Hunter.” — Randy Ingermanson, “America’s Mad Professor of Fiction Writing.”
* December 12, 2012: Prolific book reviewer James Henderson offers a 5-star assessment of HUNTER on his blog. Among his comments: “[I]t displays a confident narrative of a suspenseful revenge thriller in a style that is both beautiful and clear. Thus it belied the expectation of this reader who has read many first novels and does not expect such flawless performance. . . . The effect is to continually raise the suspense and keep the reader guessing with deft twists of a seamless plot. This is the best thriller I have read. I would recommend it to anyone who admires a great plot, who responds to inspirational heroes, or who just wants a great read.”
* November 25, 2012: I was interviewed by Denise Wy in her blog “Successilism,” devoted to publishing success stories from people in different walks of life. It is probably the longest, and undoubtedly the most probing and personal, interview yet conducted with me by anyone. Her questions allowed me to discuss many subjects in depth and detail.
* August 15, 2012: A long, impressively researched article about how self-publishing is revolutionizing the publishing industry, written by marketing expert and author David Vinjamuri, has appeared in Forbes. Vinjamuri interviewed and quoted me, along with a couple of friends–best-selling indie author Hugh Howey and traditionally published superstar Brad Thor–letting us opine about the radical changes shaking the book business, why they’ve occurred, and what the future may hold.
* July 2012: The editor of the website “BestSellingCrimeThrillers.com” awarded HUNTER “Five Distinguished Stars” in a rave review that concludes, “If you believe in the concept of justice, you will love this book.”
* May 2012: I was profiled in the “Your Voice” feature of this month’s edition of the “Kindle Direct Publishing Newsletter,” published by Amazon’s KDP division. I describe how self-publishing through KDP provided a life-changing opportunity for my wife and me.
* May 5, 2012: I was profiled as Featured Author for the month on “The Thorum Underground” — an online discussion forum for fans of best-selling thriller author Brad Thor (whom I have interviewed here on “The Vigilante Author.”)
* May 3, 2012: I was interviewed on “American Entrepreneur Radio” by host Jerry Bowyer. Jerry and I discussed the opportunities and mechanics of self-publishing, as well as my background and why I wrote and indie-published HUNTER. The interview runs about a half an hour and is archived at the link. I hope you enjoy it.
* March 18, 2012: An enthusiastic review of HUNTER appeared on “The Paperback Pursuer” blog. “There better be more Dylan Hunter novels on the way, because I am hooked and ready for more!” writes reviewer Allizabeth Collins, who describes HUNTER as “an intense debut novel filled with pulse-pounding action, kick-a** characters, and a touch of romance. . . . Bidinotto’s technique is near flawless–the characters are well-developed and genuine, fitting seamlessly into the novel’s tight-knit and suspense-filled plot . . . . I find Bidinotto’s first novel to be on the same level as authors Tom Clancy, John Grisham, and James Patterson.”
* March 2012: A nice review of HUNTER, written by Kathryn Marchi, appears in the Early Spring 2012 issue of Outlook by the Bay, a magazine for seniors who live in the Chesapeake Bay area. Describing my novel as a “well-written, fast-paced thriller,” Marchi concludes: “From the first page to the last, it is difficult to put this book down. The twists and turns of events keep the reader involved and wanting to solve the mystery…”
* February 19, 2012: “The Indie Spotlight” website interviews me about HUNTER and my writing habits. The interview includes an excerpt from an action scene in the book.
* February 15, 2012: The Washington Examiner spotlights HUNTER and me in their daily “Three-Minute Interview” feature. Condensed from a pleasant phone chat I had with reporter Courtney Zott.
* February 14, 2012: Blogger C.B. Edwards gives HUNTER a 4-star review. Conclusion: “I’ll read his next book — what better rec can I give? Great job, Roberto. Fo’ Stars.”
* February 6, 2012: I am interviewed on the blog of Crimespree Magazine, a major publication of the crime-fiction genre. Brendan Durkes, the interviewer, asks probing questions about my real-life experiences and actual research that served as the background for HUNTER; how I created the characters who populate the novel; how I researched in order to lend realism to scenes of violence; the literary influences that seeped their way into my novel; the book’s controversial philosophical themes; and the elements that I think helped propel HUNTER to become a bestseller.
* January 22, 2012: A profile of me, focusing on my sudden success with HUNTER, appeared in The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland). The newspaper article, written by Theresa Winslow, is both concise and unusually accurate. The article was picked up for syndication by Associated Press and widely reprinted, including on the following media websites: WJZ-TV CBS Baltimore; WFTV 9 (Orlando, Florida); The Republic newspaper (Columbus, Indiana); the Washington Examiner newspaper (Washington, DC); and WTOP newsradio (Washington, DC). A number of blogs and websites also linked to The Capital article, including most notably “Instapundit,“ which attracts tens of thousands of readers each day.
* January 2012: Crime novelist, professional criminologist, and criminal profiler Jennifer Chase gives HUNTER a stellar review in the January issue of “Out & About Magazine,” California’s South Bay premiere entertainment guide. You can read her review here by clicking and then scrolling through to page 37.
* December 27, 2011: Thriller author Mel Comley, who has published her own vigilante-style tales, interviewed me for her website. I love some of the fresh questions in this one, including, “Name six people, dead or alive, you’d love to have as guests around your dinner table” and “What three books would you want to take with you if you were stranded on a desert island?” Plus more info about my background.
* December 13, 2011: When the Kindle editors made my novel an “Editors’ Pick” on November 27, 2011, it soared to #4 on the bestseller lists. How and why did that happen? What have I learned from the experience that other authors may find helpful? Indie author Jennie Coughlin has interviewed me about all this at length, and here is the info and advice I have to offer other writers.
* December 7, 2011: I’m interviewed by author Pat Bertram about HUNTER and a wide range of related topics, including: how my background influenced the story; what I want readers to take away from the novel; how much of me is in the book and in the character of Dylan Hunter; my research methods; my biggest challenges in the writing; and which famous author gave me the best writing advice I’ve ever received.
* October 21, 2011: “Individualism and Fiction,” an interview with me by blogger and indie writer Mike Whitacre about the political themes in my novel, and in fiction generally.
* October 21, 2011: The Star Democrat, which covers Maryland’s Eastern Shore from its headquarters in Easton, Md., reprinted the Oct. 19 feature story from its sister newspaper, the Bay Times, about HUNTER and me. This piece also appeared in a great position: the top of the back page of its “Weekend” entertainment tabloid section. (If you wish to take a look at the article, it is posted online temporarily here; scroll down the page to about the 16th item listed. Of course, this archive doesn’t reflect the excellent appearance and positioning in the print edition.)
* October 19, 2011: A front-page (no less) feature story about me and my novel HUNTER appeared in the Kent Island (Md.) Bay Times. An excellent piece written by staff reporter Jack Shaum. You have to be a subscriber to read it at the online link.
* October 13, 2011: A large feature story about me and HUNTER appeared in the newspaper of the city of my birth, the New Castle (Pa.) News. If the article becomes available online, I’ll post a link here.
* October 8, 2011: Patricia McCallum interviewed me on her blog, the IndieWriterZone, about many aspects of the mechanics and logistics of fiction-writing and self-publishing.
* October 4, 2011: Author Mark Everett Stone conducted this interview with me for “Writing on the Rocks,” a website devoted to indie authors. Good questions about my writing habits, influences, background, and plans.
* September 30, 2011: Rob Walden, CEO of Ravenshead — creators of the wonderful creative-writing software that I use, “WriteItNow” — conducted the most far-reaching and in-depth interview with me to date. Topics included: my personal history and motives as a writer; the elements of fiction that I find easiest, and hardest; where I get my fiction ideas; the role that feedback from others has in my writing process; which writers have most influenced me; why I chose to self-publish; what it means to be a “vigilante author”; how to promote indie books; and my advice for other writers.
* September 27, 2011: Author Mark Everett Stone reviews HUNTER on the “Writing on the Rocks” indie-author site. He concludes by saying that though the book is “not perfect,” nonetheless “it ranks up there with the likes of John Sanford and Lee Child.” Well, if that’s “not perfect,” I’ll take it!
* September 25, 2011: Thriller writer Claude Bouchard, author of Vigilante and other suspense titles, posted a glowing 5-star review of HUNTER on its Amazon product page.
* September 25, 2011: Joshua Zader posted this effusive review of HUNTER on the “Atlas Shrugged Movie” web page and on his “Mudita Journal” blog, discussing how the novel was of special interest to fans of the works of the late novelist-philosopher Ayn Rand.
* September 21, 2011: Writer, poet, and scholar Roger Donway presents a stunning review of HUNTER on “The Atlasphere” website. If you want to read just one review of the book, don’t miss this one: Mr. Donway sees and says everything that an author could possibly want from a reviewer.
* September 16, 2011: Hot-selling author Nathan Lowell graciously invited me to do a guest-blog on his site, and here is the result: “Who Was That Masked Man?“ — a tribute to the cowboy hero of my childhood who helped inspire me to become The Vigilante Author.
* September 14, 2011: Blogger C. Jeffery Small posted a highly favorable review of HUNTER. He describes it as “a compelling novel of suspense, intrigue and action, all of which converges in an exploration of a number of important moral questions.”
* September 8, 2011: Bestselling thriller author Gary Ponzo posted on his blog a thoughtful interview that he conducted with me. I am grateful for the attention that Gary has given to HUNTER, and to my thoughts on fiction writing and the future of publishing.
* September 7, 2011: Indie author Helen Hanson — who just published the thriller 3 Lies — conducted an engaging, enjoyable, and probing interview with me on her wonderful blog. She asked me fresh questions about the technique of writing, as well as about my background.
* September 6, 2011: Stephen England — whose latest thriller is the widely praised Pandora’s Grave — gave HUNTER a 5-star rave review on the Goodreads site, which is dedicated to introducing exceptional books to its readers.
* September 5, 2011: Doug Dorow, author of The Ninth District, posted an extensive, revealing blog interview with me. Doug asked me not only about my background and the genesis of HUNTER, but also about the craft of writing fiction and the art of marketing it. I think you’ll enjoy the resulting exchange — I hope as much as I did.
* August 17, 2011: Here’s an early interview with me by blogger Rich Engle. Those interested in learning a bit more about me, my writing methods, the public response to HUNTER, and the role that my philosophical views played in the novel, will find my comments here.
* August 15, 2011: A 4-star review of HUNTER by R. Thomas Brown appeared at the Crime Fiction Lover website. Brown calls HUNTER “a tight, slick spy thriller” with “engaging characters,” and he praises the “convincing details of weapons, combat, information gathering, information masking methods, and the technology that makes it all possible.”
* August 11, 2011: Noted libertarian writer Jeff Riggenbach offers this rather strange 24-minute podcast about HUNTER. Well, it is sort of about HUNTER. In reality, Riggenbach used the novel mainly as a point of departure to criticize me for unrelated philosophical and political views I have expressed elsewhere. Riggenbach did like the book a lot and “commends” it to his audience; but you’ll have to wade through a lot of discussion of extraneous points to find anything resembling a “review.”
* This promotional page for HUNTER was established by the “Kindle Mojo” website.
* August 7, 2011: In an interview with me at the Kindle Author website, David Wisehart asked me about my journey as a writer; how I draw distinctive characters; who I consider to be my target readership; my writing process; my favorite thriller authors; my marketing plan; and my advice to other would-be “indie” authors.
* July 13, 2011: An early interview with me conducted at the 1stIndieAuthors website covered: why I wrote the book, and what inspired it; what prompted me to become a writer; how I came up with the book’s title; why I waited until age 62 to write my first novel; why I chose to be an “indie” author rather than seek a traditional publisher; and the prospects for future Dylan Hunter novels.
Photo (c) by Debbie Scott
Photo (c) by Debbie Scott
