Interview with Sherlockian Author Petr Macek

The influence and appreciation of Sherlock Holmes is a global phenomenon. As evidence, today I have an author interview with Czech writer Petr Macek. Petr, author of Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cold Served Revenge, writes his novels in Czech and then has them translated to English. A writer of fast paced Sherlock Holmes tales, I interviewed Petr via e-mail:

1. Since you live in Prague, and English is not your first language, what made you decide to write a Sherlock Holmes book in English?

I was introduced to the world of Sherlock Homes as a child. Back in the 80´s, there was a very popular Czech comic from writer Rudolf Čechura and illustrator Marcel Stecker. I absolutely loved it! And it didn´t take too long before I got to the Doyle books. Later, when I started to write, it felt only natural to choose my favourite character and try to create a new story for him. Until today, I published around 15 books in Czech. Two of them are Holmes pastiches, now I´m writing the third one. Holmes is like an old friend I keep coming back to visit from time to time, and it's always a good time - surely for me :) And as I said - I don´t write in English, I write in Czech, so if you read Cold-Served Revenge, it is thanks to the brilliant translation of Andre Swoboda.


2. Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cold Served Revenge is set in a number of locales in Britain as well as Italy. Your descriptions of your settings are quite vivid. Had you been to the locations you wrote about and did they inspire the story?

I would spend all of my money on traveling, if I could :) So sure, I´ve been to London and some parts of UK several times, as in Venice. I´m letting the World inspire me. I like to put my characters in real places and dealing with real events.


3. Your novel is a Sherlock Holmes book, but it feels like it is influenced by other mystery genres. You have a strong femme fatale character who could fit a gritty Noir film, and your action packed ending could fit the thriller genre. What were your influences, beyond Sherlock Holmes, for your novel?

Some people say that it is easy to use existing characters and put them in some story. They say that half of the work is done. I don´t think its so easy, on the contrary. You have to fit in very specific boards and limitations, set by the original, and yet bring something fresh and new. Truth is, you can never be the second Arthur Conan Doyle, no one can. Fortunately, as you know, Sir Arthur himself gave us permission to bend his mantels, and let us use his Sherlock Holmes character in ways he maybe wouldn´t imagine. I think that´s why Holmes is so alive in 21st century. So yes, my Sherlock is influenced. He is not "an action figure", but he´s got definitely more adventure. He is like I´d want to read a Sherlock Holmes novel if I was a teenager today.



4. You have used Kickstarter campaigns to help fund your book. What is it like using crowd funding? Have you found it a unique way to connect with your fans?

Yes, first of all, I would like to thank all the book supporters! I m very happy we achieved our goal. I used Kickstarter, with a help of my English publisher Mr. Steve Emecz from MX Publishing, to fund the translation of my second Sherlock book - Golem´s Shadow: The Fall of Sherlock Holmes. The Czech edition of the book created a little scandal a few years ago in the Czech Sherlock Holmes Society, so I hope this connection won´t backfire! MX will publish it in March :)


5. The question I ask all Sherlockians. If you were stranded on a desert island with only one Sherlock Holmes story, which would it be and why?

The Hound of the Baskervilles. It´s a timeless classic.


6. What are your upcoming projects?

I´m in the middle of work on my third Sherlock Holmes installment. The working title is The Messenger of Death. I must say: God save the Queen! :)

Petr Macek (April 23, 1981) is Czech crime and science fiction writer and journalist. He lives in Prague.
http://www.amazon.com/Petr-Macek/e/B0...


Author Derrick Belanger's publications include an eclectic mix: book reviews, articles for education journals, short stories, poems, comic books, and the graphic novel, Twenty-Three Skidoo! A former instructor at Washington State University, and a current middle school Language Arts teacher, Derrick lives in Broomfield, Colorado with his wife Abigail Gosselin and their two daughters, Rhea and Phoebe. Currently, Derrick is working on several Sherlockian projects: The second book in the MacDougall Twins with Sherlock Holmes series entitled Attack of the Violet Vampire, The pastiche novel Sherlock Holmes and the Curse of Cthulhu, the book How to be Like Sherlock Holmes, and the short story collection The Astounding Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, as well as several projects in the Science Fiction and Horror genres. He also co-authors the web site Mystery Aircraft.com with author Chuck Davis.
http://www.amazon.com/Derrick-Belange...