The WMF Archives

By Angela Atkinson

The WM Freelance Connection is honored to have had the opportunity to interview novelist Mike Angley, author of The Child Finder Trilogy. Mike talks about his books, his careers and passions, his craft and his life. He offers a glimpse into his writing career, touching on everything from rejection to what it means to be a "real" writer. Learn what Mike says is the best writing advice he ever got and find out what he thinks all new writers should know about the publishing industry.

Want to know more about Mike? Check out his bio following the interview!

The Interview

Writing Mommies: Can you tell us what inspired you to create the Child Finder Trilogy? Was your 25 year career as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) part of your inspiration?

Mike Angley: Generically, yes. The main reason I decided on this concept for the book was because of the number of crimes against children I worked in the Air Force. Every one of them literally broke my heart, and as a dad myself, it made it even tougher on me. In some respects, Child Finder is a kind of catharsis for me, enabling me to save some kids even if fictional.

Writing Mommies: Exactly what is the OSI and what did you do during your career?

Mike Angley: The OSI is the Air Force equivalent of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) which most people can relate to from the TV series. My wife tells me I’m a cross between DiNozzo and Gibbs, so for those who watch the program, I guess that will give you some insight!

The OSI has been the Air Force's major investigative service since August 1, 1948. The agency reports to the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. OSI is headquartered at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., but has units in 221 places globally -- both on Air Force bases and in strategically-important locations around the globe.

OSI provides professional investigative service to commanders of all Air Force activities. Its mission is to identify, exploit and neutralize criminal, terrorist and intelligence threats to the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense and U.S. Government. In my long career I think I’ve seen just about everything from rapes, child sexual assaults, murders, arson, robbery, even counterfeiting.

I spent about half my time in the criminal investigative realm, and the remaining time conducting counterintelligence and counterterrorism operations.

Writing Mommies: Are any of your characters based on yourself or others you know? How do you develop characters?

Mike Angley: Not really, but it’s hard not to write fiction without sprinkling some of your own real life in the plot or character development. I would say my characters are 90% fictional…10% real. In terms of my protagonist, Special Agent Patrick O’Donnell, I took a chance. I realized that most heroes in this genre (mystery/suspense thrillers) are rough and tough, and rarely show a soft side.

I wanted both! Pat is a family man (has two small children), a deeply-faithful Christian, happily- married, and has an incredibly strong moral/ethical compass. At the same time, he is a kick-ass investigator and counterterrorism operator (I provide some back story to his prior Middle East exploits).

These contrasts come into play as he enters this Top Secret program – he finds himself pulled in many directions where he must make tough moral/ethical decisions (is everything he is asked to do actually legal?). He wants to save kids, but at what price? I used his faith for contrast, as well. He is a man who grew up with an unfulfilled sense of calling – is it the psychic gift and rescue of children? He’s not sure, so he grapples with what it all means.

Writing Mommies: What should a reader expect from the Child Finder Trilogy? Can you give us an overview of the series? Each book?

Mike Angley: If people feel inspired after reading each Child Finder book, I will have achieved a powerful goal. Each story is a journey of sorts, not just for my protagonist, but for the reader. I want people to cheer him on as he faces danger and makes decisions, weep when his heart breaks, and feel his joy when God reaches down into his soul and gives him hope.

When the first novel debuted in June, the prestigious Library Journal placed it on its Summer Reads list and called it a ―compelling debut novel‖ and ―a real find.‖ It also recently received a Silver Medal for fiction from the Military Writers Society of America. In it, Major Patrick O’Donnell, an Air Force Special Agent assigned to the Pentagon, begins experiencing haunting nightmares about children who have been abducted and murdered – before their bodies are found. It quickly becomes apparent he has a special psychic gift the government is all too eager to exploit. He is drawn into a secret black world community, overseen by the FBI, which leverages his skills to solve child abductions. But he soon discovers this black world has an even darker underbelly, when those close to him begin to die mysteriously…and his own family gets trapped in a twisted web of government intrigue.

The second novel, Child Finder: Resurrection, will publish in December 2009. It has been a year and a half since Agent O’Donnell left the TOP SECRET child rescue program after it went horribly off-track, resulting in murder and endangering his own family. And just when he thinks he’s comfortably put this painful past behind him, he receives a call from his mentor.

The murky, shadowy TOP SECRET community where he once was center-stage has been revised, revamped, resurrected! The government needs his psychic skills more than ever. A sick, twisted, menacing child killer is on the loose, and no one but Pat can stop him. But Agent O’Donnell soon discovers this new nemesis is more than he bargained for. Nothing can prepare him for the psychotic genius he must fight…and the life and death cat-and-mouse game that entraps him! Once again, Pat must call upon his faith and strong spiritual connection with God to sustain and guide him, especially during his darkest hours as he battles…pure evil.

Finally, the third novel, Child Finder: Revelation, will launch circa December 2010. Special Agent O’Donnell is dispatched to Korea on a TOP SECRET mission to crack the disturbing abduction of a high ranking U.S. official’s children. What he discovers about their sudden disappearance — especially where they have been taken — shocks the foundation of international relations. But more intriguing is what makes these particular children so special.

What O’Donnell learns about them, and himself, involves sensitive government secrets he regrets ever knowing. These new revelations will rock his faith, his concept of life, and his understanding of his place in the universe. Think Da Vinci Code, but with a favorable portrayal of the Vatican!

Writing Mommies: Did you write during your military career? Can you tell us about your writing career in relation to your military career?

Mike Angley: I wrote the first draft of CF in 2001 during an assignment I had in Miami, FL. It was an unusual military assignment where I enjoyed the rare luxury of a lot of free time, so I finally buckled down and disciplined myself to complete the initial manuscript. It was hard work because I had become so accustomed to the very sterile writing style of official government reports! I put the first draft away for six more years until I retired in 2007…dusted it off and went shopping for an agent.

Writing Mommies: Was there a specific moment in which you knew you were a "real" writer?

Mike Angley: Well, not sure I am yet! I don’t think there’s a bright line of distinction one crosses, no formal accreditation, or ceremony. I must admit though, that getting the Library Journal review and the annual award gave me a hint of validation.

Writing Mommies: Many of our readers are just starting out in the writing business. What would you say to a new writer who wanted to get a novel published?

Mike Angley: Two things – learn the business end of writing with the same passion as you write. Learn all about agents and publishers, book review processes, and industry trends. Second – be patient yet persistent, and don’t take rejection personally.

Writing Mommies: How do you stay focused on the task at hand when you’re writing? Do you find that you get distracted? How do you handle that?

Mike Angley: I’m nowhere near as disciplined as many other writers. Some days I write a few sentences, other days chapters. Many days nothing at all. I really must be mentally ready and fully inspired to write, otherwise it’s not fun and the words that flow are terrible. When I’m distracted, I balance the checkbook or walk my beagle so as not to spoil the words I want to write but can’t seem to move from head to fingertips.

Writing Mommies: What is the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given, and who did it come from?

Mike Angley: The two items I mentioned previously about the business end of writing and persistence – many authors told me the same thing. Several others also told me to network with as many authors and publishers as I can, even on social networking sites. I think that’s been some good advice that has helped me greatly.

Writing Mommies: Who are your favorite writers?

Mike Angley: I’m a big Tom Clancy fan – and had the chance to meet him many years back when he was the guest of honor at a military function I attended. I’m also a fan of Joel Rosenberg, particularly his book, The Last Jihad.

Writing Mommies: Have you ever had to deal with rejection as a writer? How did you handle it?

Mike Angley: I sure have. I shopped Child Finder around to many agents for a year and a half and received dozens of rejection letters. It hurt at first, but after receiving many of them, I got over it. A few agents offered me some free advice and suggestions which I eagerly gobbled up and followed.

Writing Mommies: Were you always a novelist? Do you do any other kind of writing?

Mike Angley: My lifelong passion has been to write novels. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do since I was a little boy. I used to write a lot of short stories in high school and college, which teachers would rave about, so I found the feedback very inspiring. I must confess, I dabbled in poetry during high school, mostly to impress girls I had crushes on. One time during a lunch period, I stood up and read out loud a poem I wrote to one girl who never seemed to even notice me, but I sure liked her a lot. I embarrassed us both, but she kissed me as everyone in the cafeteria cheered. That was pretty cool.

Writing Mommies: Can you tell us about your experiences in the publishing industry?

Mike Angley: My only experience is my current one. Child Finder is my debut novel and I’m pleased with how well it is doing. I came into the literary market during a recession, with fewer people buying books than ever before. It also meant fewer authors were getting contracts. I went with a small publishing house that happened to be looking for new fiction authors, so I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity!

Writing Mommies: Beyond a trilogy, what are your writing plans for the future?

Mike Angley: I like the idea of continuing to feature Patrick O’Donnell in other stories beyond the Child Finder trilogy. In many respects he has come to life for me, and I enjoy mentoring him as a fictional character as much as I enjoyed mentoring junior officers when I was on active duty. I anticipate many new adventures capturing dangerous criminals, spies, and terrorists!

More About Mike

MICHAEL “Mike” ANGLEY is the award-winning author of the mystery/suspense thriller series, the Child Finder Trilogy, which features USAF Special Agent protagonist, Major Patrick S. O’Donnell. More information about the entire trilogy can be found at: www.childfinder.us.

His debut novel, Child Finder, received the Silver Medal for fiction in the 2009
Military Writers Society of America’s Annual Awards program, and when the book launched in June
2009, the Library Journal placed it on its Summer Reads list and called it a “compelling debut novel” and
“a real find.”

Mike retired from the U.S. Air Force in September 2007 in the rank of Colonel, following an exciting and dangerous 25-year career as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI). During his career, he held thirteen different assignments throughout the world. Among these assignments were five tours as a Commander of different units, to include two Air Force Squadrons and a Wing.

Michael Angley is a seasoned criminal investigator and a counterintelligence and counterterrorism specialist. Following the 1996 Khobar Towers terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia, Angley was dispatched to command all OSI units throughout the Middle East, with responsibility for 23 countries. During his tenure, he and his teams effectively neutralized numerous terrorist threats to U.S. forces in the region, to include an imminent threat to senior Department of Defense officials. In 2004 he commanded all OSI units in South Korea where he and his teams countered a classified target in Seoul. For his efforts, the President of South Korea presented him with a Presidential Citation and medal, and the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA) Commissioner decorated him with the KNPA Medal of Cooperation.

Earlier in his career, while commanding an OSI unit in northern Japan, Angley conducted an operation that effectively blocked a KGB agent’s efforts to steal critical U.S. technology, and thereby stymied Soviet military advances for years. In 1999, he was the Chief of Counterintelligence within the Directorate of Intelligence, U.S. Strategic Command. His office competed for the prestigious Killian Award, a White House-level honor that annually recognizes the very best intelligence unit in the entire U.S. government. His unit came in as first runner-up for this significant honor.

EDUCATION: Michael Angley has an M.A. in National Security Affairs from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, and a B.A. in Criminal Justice and Psychology from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA. In 2001 he served as a National Defense Fellow and Adjunct Professor of
International Relations at Florida International University, Miami, FL.

FAMILY: Mike and Evelyn, his wife of 24 years, make their home in Colorado Springs, CO. They have three children, and they usually can be found chasing after their rambunctious beagle named Brynn.

*Check out other WM Writers to Watch!

Writers to Watch: Mike Angley