Last September I participated in the launch of a new bookstore in Kittery with writers from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. One of the authors I met was Dennis Pierce whose debut novel, Swinging for Power, captured my attention as I pursued the tables.

Book One, Parker Hanson Mystery series

In the spirit of bringing new mystery authors to the forefront, I spoke with him earlier this month about his novel and writing process. Here is our conversation.

Why do you write? I grew up with a love of reading, riding my bike to the library as a kid. The librarian would warn me that I only had two weeks to read the large stack that I brought to the counter. In two weeks, I’d return those books, read, and bring home more. It started with the Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown, and by fifth grade, I was reading Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie. Knowing how much I loved reading, I wanted to create a work that would bring joy to others.

How did you get started as a writer?
I majored in English in college, but I admit, I didn’t know how to make the leap to becoming a professional writer. I did eventually work as a journalist, and now I am a freelance writer. Besides writing novels, I am also still a journalist and a copy writer. I found writing fiction difficult at first. I would start a first chapter, and then when it felt difficult, I would quit that story and start a new one.

One day, in a bookstore, Walter Mosley’s This Year You Write Your Novel caught my eye. He said to write 250 words a day, and in a year you’d have a novel. It inspired me. He also said writing every day keeps you in the flow, and it’s easier to keep going.

After reading Mosley’s book—it’s a short read—I started to work on a political thriller, and while I didn’t end up finishing that project—the work felt dated—I used some of the Concord, NH, research in Swinging for Power.

How do you create and develop your characters? How did you come up with Parker Hanson, your protagonist, in particular? I use many ways to come up with a character. I brainstorm for the type of character I need. Also, dialogue shapes the character. I start to write how the character speaks. That is where Parker came from. My villain in book two, Cross Checking, is a well-educated mobster—-“Harvard-educated mob boss…Once I know that, I bring them to life and round them out. I learn what quirks or individual touches they have vs.a cardbord/cliche version. Like I wanted to subvert the tough sidekick to Parker, so I made her a woman.

How did you come up with the premise for Swinging for Power? I had an idea for an underdog to take on someone powerful, and who is more powerful in a state than the governor? I wanted class to play a role in the story: class differences. Power and wealth often go hand in hand. Parker grew up like I did, working as a teen. I draw differences between the governor (Dartmouth) and Parker (public college), and the confidence issues that can exist when you don’t come from money, like feeling not worthy.

The book works on a story level—David vs. Goliath—Everyman, Every Person taking on a powerful person. It’s also an allegory for where we are as a society. We can all make a difference—if we find the courage to do so—with today’s issues such as the environment. You don’t need a gun to have courage

Who or what have been your writing influences? Robert B. Parker and Spenser for Hire as a wise-cracking detective. Lee Child’s Reacher books, except I want my characters to be “everyman” who still tries to change. In my novels, I have a journalist in danger. As Parker says, “What am I going to do? Hit those two crooks with a well-placed metaphor?” I have to figure out another way for him to succeed.

What are you working on now? Book Two is out, Cross Checking. I’m working on Book Three, Full Court Press. I like using sports naming conventions.

I’m also working on a SciFi Mystery set in the 1980s.

Book Two, Parker Hanson Mystery series

To learn more about Dennis Pierce’s excellent novels, please visit https://denniswpierce.com/books

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Allison Keeton writes the Midcoast Maine Mystery series. Arctic Green is now available and Lobster Red launches in February 2027. She can be reached at www.akeetonbooks.com.