C.T. Phipps asked Michael J. Sullivan:

I just wanted you to know I really loved Professional Integrity in Blackguards. I hope to read and review your entire series starring said characters in the near-future! What was your inspiration for that story?

Michael J. Sullivan Hey thanks! The line up for Blackguards was pretty amazing, and I was honored to be included. I'm so glad it's got you interested in the larger series...it is the dastardly plan. Anthologies don't pay very well (usually a few hundred) but the hope is always that you'll get seen by a new reader who will want to read your other stuff. So, glad it turned out that way with you.

As for inspirations. When I was a kid my favorite Saturday morning cartoon was Scoobie Doo. With those "meddling kids" always uncovering a plot that debunked some mystical event or creature. This story is a kind of homage to that.

Personally, I find writing short stories much harder than longer novels. It's hard to develop a whole plot and do everything you want to in such a short word count. The trick is to make them a "simple concept" that can be explored in short order. I think I'm getting better at them...and I am proud of Professional Integrity, but I think there are a lot of other authors who are much better at the shorter-form question then myself.

Thanks for asking.

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