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A former journalist turned novelist and now novel editor, L.J. Sellers is thrilling mystery fans with the release of The Sex Club. The novel features returning protagonist Detective Wade Jackson - and a plot that dovetails to real events today. Today Sellers sits down with Book Addict Editor Angela Wilson to chat about The Sex Club, her career and where she gets her inspiration.

Tell us about your latest, The Sex Club.

The Sex Club is a provocative mystery/thriller that readers say they can’t put down. The tag line is: A dead girl, a ticking bomb, a Bible study that’s not what it appears to be, and a detective who won’t give up. That sums it up well. For the record, it’s not an x-rated story. I’m a crime writer (who hates to write sex scenes). In this story, I wrote about teenage sex, the suppression of sexuality, and the consequences of both. But first and foremost, it’s fast-moving, suspense-filled whodunit.

This novel includes suspenseful thrills, political scheming, police procedures, social commentary with a dash of humanity. What was it like to bring all of this together into one tale?

It was tremendously challenging and exciting. The story started fairly simply with a few ideas from news stories that stuck with me. Then I started looking at the relationships between those news stories (teen sex, religious extremism, politics), and the complexity began to develop. As I wrote, I realized that everything is political—sex, money, power, war, choice, and even death sometimes. When the final twist came to me, the irony and poetic justice of it felt like a gift.

What type of research did you do for this story?

I read dozens of news stories and pages of government statistics. (Boy, will that make you numb and blind). I also interviewed several detectives and several Planned Parenthood staff members. Some of the Planned Parenthood information surprised me. Oregon is a very progressive state.

Who was your inspiration for Detective Wade Jackson?

He’s a hybrid. Much of his character is based on a detective I interviewed with the Salem police department, even using the exact phrasing for how he talks about, and to, criminals. There’s also a good chunk of my husband in there because I wanted Jackson to be a loving family man with no major character flaws, as well as a slightly cynical cop who sees the world in mostly black and white.

Why choose to write a series, rather than stand alone novels?

I’m laughing a little as I try to answer this. I’ve written eight novels, and only the last one could truly be considered part of a series because it’s the next Jackson story. When I wrote The Sex Club, it was simply a story that I was compelled to tell. But I’m a practical person, so I figured I might as well create a character that I could base a series on—if I was fortunate enough to sell it and readers wanted more. (And they do!) I’m writing a third Jackson story now, but I also have outlines for standalone thrillers that I plan to write.

Why this genre?

It’s what I read. I’ve loved mystery/suspense/crime novels since I discovered Rex Stout in high school. I write stories that I would love to read that no one else is writing.

You are a professional novel editor. When did you decide to use your talents for your own fiction?

I was a journalist first, then a novelist, then an editor. I’ve been writing novels for nearly 20 years (but I should not admit that). I started my first novel after tossing aside a piece of dreck and thinking, I could write a better novel than that. Then the compulsive part of my brain said, Oh yeah? Prove it. So I spent a couple of weeks brainstorming and outlining a novel, then sat down and cranked it out in about three months. It wasn’t publishable, but it was better than that piece of dreck that somehow made it into print.

Is it difficult to put your inner editor aside to write?

Amazingly enough, no. When I’m in storytelling mode, I am not an editor. I simply get the story on the page. It’s the only time I’m able to turn off that part of my brain. I wish I could put aside my inner editor when I read, but I can’t. Everything jumps out at me, whether I’m scanning the newspaper, reading a novel, or even listening to news broadcasts. I mentally correct newscasters’ subject/verb disagreements and delete the clichés. It’s compulsive.

When will we get to read about Detective Jackson’s next case?

Secrets to Die For will be out next September, which seems like an eternity. But I’m already working on the next Jackson story, so hopefully fans won’t have to wait as long for the third installment.

What inspires you?

Passion! People who are fired up and committed to their causes—even the misguided ones—fascinate and inspire me. They make great characters as well as great friends and associates in real life.

Who are you reading?

This is what’s in my stack: Lost Dog by Bill Cameron (currently reading), Invisible Prey by John Sanford (one of my favorite authors), Hardly Knew Her by Laura Lippman (short stories), Taming the Dragon by Dan Armstrong (a local writer), Angel’s Tip by Alafair Burke (an ARC I won), Baby Shark by Robert Fate (can’t wait).

What’s next for you?

I’m working on a third Detective Jackson story, tentatively titled Thrilled to Death, and I’m revising a previous standalone thriller called The Baby Thief so that includes Jackson as a minor character.

Where can we find you on the Web?

My website:
http://ljsellers.com

My blog:
http://ljraves.blogspot.com

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/profile.php?id=568183620&ref=name
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/ljsellers

CrimeSpace:
http://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LJSellers

MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/ljsellers