This week on Author Spotlight, we chat with Dorrance author M.W. Gats. Their book, The New Assassin’s Field Guide & Almanac, is a thrilling novel about a professional hitman faced with hard decisions.

Name: M.W. Gats

Hometown: Portsmouth NH, currently reside in South Berwick ME

Book Title: The New Assassin’s Field Guide & Almanac

Genre: Thriller

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

A professional hit man explores the depths of his honor; professionally & personally.

What made you want to write your book?

I wanted the story to exist. They say, “Write the book you’d like to read”

How long did it take you to write your book?

Roughly 3 years.

How do you choose the names of your characters?

Several ways: other books, articles, relatives, friends and enemies, all mixed and blended.

What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

Work on something in a different genre. Your whole brain is never blocked.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Chapter 27 “Rintrah Roars” It was part of the short story (revamped) that the character originally appeared in (Dan Ketch)

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why?

1. One character from your book: Mors, because he is resourceful and fairly skilled. Ex military man.
2. One fictional character: Elijah Snow (‘Planetary’ – Warren Ellis) because he’s immortal and has other powers
3. One famous person: Amy Sedaris because she’s one of the funniest people in the world (and I had to reassure my wife that it would be platonic!!! And it would be!!)

Besides writing, what are your other interests?

Art, Reading, (MANY genres) comedy, music, travel

Do you keep a journal?

Sort of!

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

With very expensive whiskey!

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

Dan Ketch – Robert Pattinson

Mors – Jason Stratham

Jieufeng – Claudia Kim

Kestrel – Stanly Tucci

Rupert – Jack Black

Bleach – James McAvoy

Dagny – Natalie Portman

Five favorite books of all time?

‘Shogun’, ‘A Separate Peace’, ‘The Stand’, ‘Anansi Boys’, ‘Lonesome Dove’

What was your favorite part of working with Dorrance Publishing?

Opening the box of my first published novel!

Thank you, M.W.!

Have a thriller novel you’d like to publish? Contact us!