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Interview with JD Nixon

Published 2013-08-27.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Queensland, Australia, the middle child in a largish, low-income family. I've always been an avid reader, particularly of crime/mystery books (even as a kid). On special occasions, I asked for books as gifts, otherwise the library was a real treasure for me. I think I was conscious of that when I set the first books in my series free and have a lowish price on the rest of my books.
When did you first start writing?
July 2009. I decided I wanted to do something more engaging than just working, working, working. I enrolled in a course, but at the same time started writing my first book, "Heller". I only ever did one subject in that course, dropping it after the first semester to continue writing more Heller books! I just couldn't stop writing those books!
What's the story behind your latest book?
My two main characters are in a new relationship and as he's rather a distinct, detached and promiscuous character, I was interested in exploring the dynamics between them.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
It suits me because I'm a control freak! I never want to hear, "You can't do that", when it comes to my books.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Knowing that my writing has meant something to someone somewhere. Offering a bit of escapism for people going through rough patches in their life always makes me glad I took that gamble to put my books up on Smashwords. Having contact with readers all over the world is just amazing! I don't think I'll ever grow tired of that!
What do your fans mean to you?
They're wonderful! I've never written to an author before, so I tip my hat to those readers who take the time to contact me. I think it's important to give readers a range of ways to contact you - email, Facebook, blog, Twitter. And I also think it's important to interact with your readers. I'm always surprised when a reader tells me I'm the first author who's ever responded to an email. I like to think I'm on a journey with my characters and my readers (and hopefully we'll all land safely in the end!).
What are you working on next?
Heller's Regret (Book 6 in the Heller series) and then Blood Tears (Book 4 in the Little Town series).
Who are your favorite authors?
John Connolly, Susanna Gregory, Elizabeth George, Faye Kellerman, Jeff Lindsay, Jonathan Kellerman, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Robert Goddard, Bill Bryson - and lots more!! I'm reading a lot less trad-pubbed authors these days and trying out a lot more indie authors. On my end-of-year break, I think I'll exclusively stock my ereaders with indie authors!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The dog barking across the road at 6am every day!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
There's time without writing???!!!
Who is your favourite character?
Oh gee, that's a tough question. Naturally, I love the main female characters in my two series - Tilly and Tessie - so I'll concentrate on them. It really irks me when a book has a female main character who is too perfect or too limp to exist. I like to think Tilly and Tessie are smart, strong and resilient, yet only too human and flawed. Just like real women! :-)
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I trawl through Smashwords a lot, seeing what interests me.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Blood Tears by
Series: Little Town, Book 4. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 128,620. Language: Australian English. Published: October 31, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(4.83 from 6 reviews)
Is Senior Constable Tess Fuller really as resilient as she thinks? When faced with the tragic consequences of her own stubborn decision, further inflaming her lifelong feud with the large, revengeful, and violent Bycraft family, how will she cope? And can she rebuild her trust and relationship with her newly returned partner, Sergeant Finn Maguire, while they work a puzzling accidental death case?
Heller's Regret by
Series: Heller, Book 6. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 106,070. Language: Australian English. Published: January 8, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(5.00 from 6 reviews)
There’s not much ordinary about Tilly Chalmers’ life as a security officer. Her latest assignments – two jobs involving children; protection of a valuable jewellery collection; and security at an unusual conference – provide plenty of adventures for her. But it’s her private life, including her complex relationship with her beautiful boss, Heller, causing her greatest personal challenges yet.
Heller’s Decision by
Series: Heller, Book 5. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 115,140. Language: Australian English. Published: August 13, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(4.93 from 15 reviews)
Tilly Chalmers’ new job as a researcher for a TV star turns out to be more eventful than she ever expected. Always on the lookout for a top rating story for her boss, she tangles with adult movie stars and a man who inspired a couple of young murderers. An unwelcome encounter with an old enemy stirs up trouble, and what decision does Heller make that threatens to jeopardise their relationship?
Blood Feud by
Series: Little Town, Book 3. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 134,040. Language: English. Published: November 18, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(4.98 from 55 reviews)
A seemingly inexplicable and shockingly violent crime in the beautiful rural locale of ‘Little Town’ has devastating personal and professional consequences for its two police officers, Senior Constable Tess Fuller and her partner, Sergeant Finn Maguire. And has Tess really seen the last of the predatory Red Bycraft?
Heller's Punishment by
Series: Heller, Book 4. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 106,690. Language: Australian English. Published: March 4, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(4.95 from 95 reviews)
Security officer Tilly Chalmers has three new assignments to cope with - chaperoning a devious addict to rehabilitation; live-in security for an isolated religious cult; and protecting a TV host in a damaging court case. All this, as well as managing her growing attraction to her boss Heller and deciding what to do about her love-rat ex-boyfriend’s demands to rekindle their relationship.
Heller's Girlfriend by
Series: Heller, Book 3. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 108,510. Language: Australian English. Published: January 21, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(4.95 from 39 reviews)
Tilly Chalmers’ life is complicated. Her boyfriend is demanding more attention while her boss Heller is a distracting temptation. Can she manage both of them as well as her new assignments: chaperoning a woman in an ugly divorce case; security at a swingers’ party; and looking after an A-list movie star? And how well can she pretend she doesn’t care now that Heller’s found himself a girlfriend?
Blood Sport by
Series: Little Town, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 133,230. Language: English. Published: November 20, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(4.81 from 31 reviews)
At first glance, the small mountain settlement of ‘Little Town’ seems a peaceful rural haven, but police officers Tess Fuller and Finn Maguire are kept fully occupied trying to maintain some order amongst the huge feral Bycraft family. Can they recapture fugitive Red Bycraft before he hunts down Tess? And what is it exactly that those bikies are doing at their secret retreat?
Heller's Revenge by
Series: Heller, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 108,230. Language: Australian English. Published: September 29, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(4.90 from 48 reviews)
Tilly Chalmers' sexy boss, Heller, has a talent for making enemies, and he has a few scores to settle - including one with Tilly's brother. Tilly must juggle that constant worry with managing three new jobs as a rookie security officer - crowd control at a lingerie show, babysitting a randy IT billionaire and an emotional job with an environmental activist. But as usual, nothing goes to plan.
Blood Ties by
Series: Little Town, Book 1. Price: Free! Words: 153,180. Language: English. Published: July 7, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(4.89 from 45 reviews)
Police officer Tess Fuller has her hands full trying to maintain order in a poorly-resourced small mountain town overrun by the beautiful, arrogant and lawless Bycraft family. But what will her new sergeant, a serious by-the-books city cop, think of her renegade policing style? And will they be able to work together to save Tess’ life when her feud with the Bycrafts escalates dangerously?
Heller by
Series: Heller, Book 1. Price: Free! Words: 104,600. Language: Australian English. Published: May 30, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General
(4.92 from 50 reviews)
Tilly Chalmers loves her new dream job in a security firm owned by the dangerously attractive Heller. But what is she to make of his great secrecy or the strange group of people who live with him? After her first two assignments go disastrously wrong, and with a ruthless competitor on the scene, Tilly must decide if she has what it takes to survive the rough world of security work.