Leslynn asked Matthew FitzSimmons:

Hi there! The Short Drop is definitely one of my all-time favorite books, and I'm really looking forward to reading Poisonfeather! I just wanted to know how you felt after completing this book, did you get the same sense of satisfaction to indicate that the book is as good as, or better, than your first work?

Matthew FitzSimmons Hello Leslynn!

So this is a question that I've been thinking about a lot as my publication date draws near, and the answer is both yes, and... I don't have the foggiest idea. Poisonfeather is a different book than Short Drop - perhaps an unnecessary and self-evident statement so allow me to elaborate. My feeling was that if Gibson Vaughn and Co. were to become a series that I did not want to repeat Short Drop. I wanted to avoid discovering the "Gibson Vaughn" formula and writing book after book that took essentially the same structure. I never want the characters to become static. I believe I succeeded in that aim, and that Poisonfeather should feel both familiar and foreign to readers of Shot Drop. So I do feel that sense of satisfaction that you asked about, and yes, I do feel good about it. On the other hand, I know that mine is no longer the only opinion that matters and as a writer still in his professional infancy, I have butterflies and worry that I've changed too much. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't, and honestly, I hope that internal contradiction never fades. I think the best I should wish for as a writer is to feel good about my own work and hope, but not expect, readers to come along for the ride.

I suppose I shall see on October 4th. I hope my ramblings answered your questions.

Best,

Matthew

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