Author Interview – J. H. Markert – Spider To The Fly

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, J. H. Markert discusses Spider to the Fly, a dark thriller where a true crime writer, haunted by her doppelgänger’s murder, joins a desperate hunt for an elusive serial killer.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed J. H. Markert about his life and career, the inspiration behind his new thriller book, Spider To The Fly, and his creative writing process.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

Lets see, first and foremost I’m a husband to my wife Tracy for 26 years and father of my two children, Ryan and Molly. I spent 25 years as a tennis pro before hanging the racquets up for good in 2020 to write full time. When I’m not madly typing out stories on my laptop, I love to listen to music, watch the Cincinnati Reds, cook, and hang out with friends and family.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

I used to hate reading in general until my junior year of high school, when, after reading Catcher in the Rye, our teacher said, “Okay, we’re reading Stephen King the rest of the year!” It opened my eyes and mind to a new world of fiction, and I soon fell in love with reading. Once I started to devour every Stephen King book, the seed was planted, and it wasn’t long before I knew I wanted to be a writer, myself, one day.

When did you take a step to start writing?

It was three years into college when I decided to take a stab at a novel. I worked on it for years, and later (partially because it dealt with the coming of the year 2000 and I needed to get it out, and also because it wasn’t good enough to find traditional publishing) self-published it in 1999, right in time for the millennium. It’s a horror novel called THE HELL THAT IS ICE. I sold about 500 copies and still have about that many in my basement storage. I call it not bad, but definitely not great, which is why I mostly pretend it doesn’t exist.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

After the above-mentioned self-published novel, my first traditionally published book was a historical fiction called A WHITE WIND BLEW, which was released by Sourcebooks in 2013. Yes, if you’re doing the math, it took me 13 more years to find an agent and sell my first book, after three more horror/thrillers never panned out during those years. The process from conception to book release on A WHITE WIND BLEW was around 3 years. I sold 5 more historical fiction novels over the next 7 years (4 to Thomas Nelson/Harper and one to an indie called Holland Brown Books) before rebranding to JH Markert, signing with my current agent Alice Speilburg (she’s brilliant) and selling THE NIGHTMARE MAN to Crooked Lane Books. My 11^th novel, SPIDER TO THE FLY, a horror/thriller, comes out September 2, 2025.

How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?

SPIDER TO THE FLY was my fastest turnaround from idea to release. I pitched the idea in June of 2024 and sold it to my publisher a couple weeks later. I started in July and had it to my fabulous editor Sarah J. Henry by the end of November.

Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Spider To The Fly?

It was lightning in a bottle for sure. The idea about twins hit me hard and fast. I thought back to a time in my 20s when I was bitten by a brown recluse spider, and then that theme provided the creepy factor I felt I needed. While I was brainstorming the story, the concept of Nature Vs Nurture took firm hold of the steering wheel, and from then on out it was fairly smooth sailing to the end.

What were your biggest challenges with writing Spider To The Fly?

For sure it was the time constraints on this one. Not so much how few months I had to write it, but I generally, by the time I sit down and start writing a book, will have been thinking about the story for months, if not years, before actually writing it, but this one I had to start very soon after the idea. So that was definitely a challenge for me, but at the same time, I loved it, and I often need deadlines, so I don’t waste time goofing off.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?

Ellie Isles was a fun character to write because she’s a quiet, complex hero. She wasn’t technically based on anyone, as far as inspiration, but rather a character who transformed fully on the page for me as the story progressed. She’s shy yet not afraid to speak her mind. She’s fearful of certain things and fearless of others. She’s often funny but doesn’t try to be. She’s a character I’d definitely like to see lead a TV series, starting with the book.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?

The antagonist, without giving anything or anyone away, was inspired by the crimes themselves, as in—who or what kind of a monster could do this? This was a story where, instead of the “bad guy”, the crimes came first to me, and, not too unlike Ellie and the FBI task force, I learned who the antagonist was as I wrote. So, in this case, perhaps the story and my protagonist inspired my antagonist, The Spider.

What is the inciting incident of Spider To The Fly?

Although there are a lot of backstories to be revealed for everything to take shape, the inciting incident would be the burning down of the Brock Family mansion at the beginning of the book, and the subsequent chapter where a certain unexpected character takes the blame.

What is the main conflict of Spider To The Fly?

Definitely Ellie and the FBI task force trying to catch The Spider before he takes victim #30, but as the story goes on we find out how connected Ellie herself might be to the crimes, and what her past has to do with it all. She is constantly conflicted and in turmoil because of this dynamic.

Did you plot Spider To The Fly in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?

I am a definite hard-core fly (pun intended) by the seat of my pants type of writer, and SPIDER TO THE FLY was no different. Other than writing the screenplay for one of my books, and then using that to write the novel, I have never plotted or outlined a book. I don’t have the patience or foresight to do it.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Spider To The Fly need?

I get a lot of support in editing, either from my in-house agent Sara at Crooked Lane, or from my agent Alice, who is a great editor as well. Over time I’ve improved in my own editing, so I try and have the novel as polished as possible before anyone reads it. SPIDER happened quickly, the writing of it and the editing phase, but luckily for all, it didn’t need a lot of extensive editing. Every book is different; some need more edits than others. Some might need editing throughout, and some might need more at the beginning or end or middle, or on characters. I enjoy the editing phase because I know whatever has to be done is always done for the betterment of the overall product.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?

Just to sit down and write it. Don’t worry about whether you’re ready or good enough, just sit down and start writing, and don’t put a timeline on it. Write for the cathartic pleasure of writing.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

My 2026 looks to be a busy year! In March I’ll have a horror novel called DIG coming out, and in the Fall I’ll have a suspense/thriller called I AM MALLARD MALONE set to be released, both with Crooked Lane. I also have finished my next historical fiction novel called RANSOM BURNING, which is a civil rights era crime drama/mystery. I think its my best book yet and I can’t wait to get it out to the world.

And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

In a business where all writers need to take the time to be proud of themselves for not only attempting and finishing a novel, but also for having it published, I make sure to stop periodically and be thankful. It has all been worth the effort for me, for sure. SLEEP TIGHT was my tenth novel, and so far my biggest, with a definite boost from the Book of the Month club, but while I’m proud and often have to figuratively pinch myself, I never take any success for granted, and I’m not close to satisfied. There are still plenty of readers out there who have yet to read my books, and I’m going to find them all!

Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

Apple Books: https://apple.co/4nuH76p

Apple Audiobook: https://apple.co/4goGcly

Kindle: https://amzn.to/3K54iWA

Paperback: https://amzn.to/4nmYcQl

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/4gIytzj

Audible: https://amzn.to/3Vk6ImF

Website: www.jamesmarkert.com

Instagram: @jamesmarkert74

Twitter (X): @jamesmarkert

Facebook: @jamesmarkertauthor

Blue Sky: @jamesmarkert74.bsky.social