An interview with Stefan Vucak
Q: Thank you for your time in answering our questions, Stefan. Tell us what inspired you to become a writer?
A: As a kid, I liked doing things all other kids liked doing – until I discovered books, an illustrated copy of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. After that, I was gone, lost in the universes those books opened up for me and dreaming of creating my own. I had a great time at school, even though English and its convoluted grammar rules did give me some trouble, but those rules gave me a grounding how to write. My first effort was pretty awful and I am glad it will never see the light of day. That thing went through two rewrites, but it still isn’t something I want to share. Call it my training wheels.
My first successful book, although not perfect, a science fiction work, was presentable and I tried for a long time to break into the traditional publishing market while holding down a demanding job in the IT industry, which kept me very busy. But writing has always been a passion and a drive, and I kept at it in my spare time. When ebook publishing took off, I at least got my books out to readers. I have been writing for more than ten years and still learning, but I like to think that my latest works are something I am proud to share. These days, I am no longer in the IT industry – thank God! – and I spend my time writing, reviewing and being a hard nosed editor.
Q: Your novel, Cry of Eagles, is a contemporary thriller. Tell us something about it.
A: Cry of Eagles is about a Mossad conspiracy to drag America into a war. Iran’s nuclear capability represents a clear national threat to Israel. Frustrated that nothing is being done, Mossad decides to force the United States into action. A black ops team sabotages a refinery complex in Galveston and plants evidence that incriminates Iran, confident that an enraged America will retaliate. Congress and the public urge the U.S. president to bomb Iran, but the administration lacks direct evidence. With carriers positioned in the Gulf ready to strike, the world waits to see if the Middle East will explode into open conflict. With tension mounting, the FBI uncovers a shocking truth. It wasn’t Iran at all, but Israel! A government falls and America forces Israel to confront the Palestinian problem.
Q: Why you decided to write the book?
A: Cry of Eagles touches a possible raw nerve, looking as it does at some of the history behind the Israeli/Palestinian problem, unwillingness by the American administration to broker a settlement, Mossad prepared to do anything to further Israeli interests, how FBI operates, makes for what seems a unique treatment of the topic. Combining these factors into the mix, plus extensive research and not seeing anything like this on the market, it did not take me long to decide to write a book about it. I hope it is also an entertaining yarn.
Q: What was your greatest challenge writing this book?
A: Background research gave me a few headaches as I wanted to be absolutely certain about my facts. It was also a hell of a lot of fun, and along the way, I accumulated a thick folder of material. Not all of it was used, but it provided a tapestry, a background of information against which the novel was written, giving the reader a sense of comfort knowing that he is in an environment where I as the author will not let him down. It was also sobering finding out some of the more murkier things about Mossad and Israeli politics.
Q: Do you have a favorite chapter and why do you like it?
A: It is not exactly a favorite chapter, I like to think they are all pretty good, but Chapter Five combines the problems Tom Meecham has as the FBI investigator pinning down who sabotaged the Galveston refinery, his involvement with Mark Price from Homeland Security, and Admiral Ronald Vincent, commanding USS Nimitz, stationed in the Arabian Gulf, poised to send a strike against Iran. They are all vital elements weaving themselves through the tapestry of the book.
Q: Are there any messages in this book that you want the reader to know about?
A: Wow, that’s a hard one. I don’t usually write books with a specific message, although one or a bunch may naturally emerge, depending on the reader’s point of view, but nothing deliberate from me as an author. I write the story and whatever messages might be in it are purely incidental … to protect the guilty, as they say. With Cry of Eagles, I guess there are two messages. One demonstrates that Israel is prepared to do anything to further its interests, and the other is that there is always an alternative to do what is right, provided the political will is there. I guess another could be that a nation should not act until all the situational facts are in.
Q: Open to a random page in your book. Can you tell us what is happening?
A: Tom Meecham, FBI Special Agent, is sent to a blazing refinery in Galveston sabotaged by Mossad agents. Seeing the destruction, he marvels that anything is still standing. It is supposed to be a routine investigation as several workers were killed, but when he receives a call from Washington placing him in charge of a team to identify the saboteurs before the US can act, the FBI having uncovered Internet pages claiming Iran committed the act, Meecham is not sure he wants any part of it. The prospect of having to deal with inter-service politics, pressure from the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, none of which enhances his cool. Having his girlfriend leave him hasn’t added to his day.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: Having finished a contemporary novel, due out next year, I decided to return to my Shadow Gods Series and write one last book about Terrllss-rr, his loved one Teena and his battle against the Celi-Kran. At least I think it will be the last book. Fates can be funny that way…
Thank you for this interview, Stefan. Can you tell us where we can find you on the web?