Eric Beetner, author of REAL BAD, REAL SOON: A Carter McCoy Novel

Eric Beetner has been hailed as “the new maestro of noir,” by Ken Bruen and LitReactor said he’s “The 21st Century’s answer to Jim Thompson.” He has written more than 30 novels and his 100+ short stories have been featured in over 35 anthologies, including Palm Springs Noir, the Akashic anthology I edited that includes a story of Eric’s, one of my favorites. Along the way he’s been nominated for two International Thriller Writer awards, a Shamus, Derringer and four Anthony awards. He’s won none of them, he jokes. Eric joins Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to talk about his most recent novels, the Carter McCoy series: Real Bad, Real Soon and The Last Few Miles of Road. They discuss why he likes to write trilogies— a third Carter McCoy is coming; why he chose to write a good guy who commits crimes, kind of a Dexter in Wisconsin; why he writes what he doesn’t know; outlining; how it’s vital to know the beats of a story; what becomes a novel and what becomes a short story; and more. For more information on Writers on Writing and to become a supporter, visit our Patreon page. For a one-time donation, visit Ko-fi. You can find hundreds of past interviews on our website. You can help out the show and indie bookstores by buying books at our bookstore on bookshop.org. It’s stocked with titles by our guest authors, as well as our personal favorites. And on Spotify, you’ll find an album’s worth of typewriter music like what you hear on the show. It’s perfect for writing. Look for the artist, Just My Type. Email the show at [email protected]. We love to hear from our listeners! (Recorded on November 21, 2025) Host: Barbara DeMarco-BarrettHost: Marrie StoneMusic: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)