In this episode, I talk with Jack Friday (a.k.a John Fram) about his new P.I. series Killer Vibes!

Listen to hear all about:

• Building a detective unlike the classic hard-boiled heroes: How Peter Key became a lazy, bisexual, stoner private investigator whose sincerity, humor, and curiosity make him feel fresh while still honoring classic noir traditions.
• The art of writing humor that actually lands: Why he never writes "jokes" on purpose, how Peter's personality naturally creates comedy, and why sincerity is the secret ingredient behind the book's funniest moments.
• Balancing creativity with the business of publishing: From choosing genres strategically to discussing pen names, annual series deadlines, Hollywood adaptations, and why chasing trends rarely works, John offers an honest look at the publishing industry behind the scenes.
• Creating memorable characters and a setting that feels like one: How Austin became a character in its own right, why supporting characters like LaShirl practically wrote themselves, and how an unexpected inheritance became the perfect origin story for Peter Key.
• Why John Fram created the Jack Friday pen name: John shares how Peter Key's voice and the desire to write an ongoing mystery series naturally led to a new identity, allowing readers to distinguish these books from his horror novels while giving him room to build a long-running detective franchise.

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Gare Billings @gareindeedreads

Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland

Halley Sutton @halleysutton25

Brian Watson @readingwithbrian

MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba

Erin Ashley @bellametaphor