For writers struggling to get an agent or a publisher, it’s almost too big of a dream to think of reaching the best-seller list. Now, think of being the top-selling author, in the world, for an entire decade. John Grisham reached that almost impossible pinnacle. He was the top-selling author of the 1990s, and including his work in this new century, he totals more than 100 million books sold.
His books continue to dominate the publishing landscape. When his most recent novel, The Broker, was published in January of 2005, it sold more than 80,000 copies in its first week of release. And that figure only includes sales at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Waldenbooks.
Grisham has worn his success well over the years. He remains accessible, personable, and friendly. And he uses his powerful position to benefit a number of worthy causes. He endowed a visiting writer position at the University of Mississippi that attracts prestigious authors to Oxford each year. He also funded a number of fellowships so that talented students can study in the creative writing department at Ole Miss. He has built athletic fields in Mississippi and Virginia for local little leagues. And he was so affected by the devastation from Hurricane Katrina that he gave $5 million to the relief efforts.
We were honored that Grisham was willing to speak with us about the legends of his publication, his work habits, and his theories of writing suspense.
Slushpile: It’s the late eighties, you’re an attorney, you’ve got a family, and you’ve been a state legislator. What prompted you to add writing a novel to your already busy schedule?
Grisham: I was driven by a story. I created this wonderful courtroom drama set in a small town in Mississippi, as seen and told through the eyes of a young attorney, like myself. My motives were pure, I was not dreaming of best-seller lists and big fat royalty checks.
Slushpile: I recently read a claim (inaccurate, I believe) that you self-published A Time to Kill. Can you please set the record straight on how your novel came to be published by Wynwood Press?
Grisham: Wynwood Press was a new, small unknown publishing company in New York in 1989. Everybody else had passed on A Time to Kill, Wynwood Press took the gamble. Printed 5,000 hardback copies, and we couldn’t give them away. Wynwood later went bankrupt, or out of business.
Slushpile: Likewise, the story of The Firm publication has been retold and recast into legend. Like a tall tale, aspiring authors often recount this extraordinary set of circumstances and mix in a healthy dose of exaggeration and falsehood. What is the definitive account of how The Firm was published by Doubleday?
Grisham: A bootlegged copy of the manuscript of The Firm was misappropriated from some unknown place in New York, either the offices of a publisher or an agent. It surfaced in Hollywood, where some guy ran 25 copies, said he was my agent, and sent them to all of the major production companies. He got nervous when they started making offers. At some point he called my agent in New York, and the rest is history. It was an unbelievably lucky break, and I had nothing to do with it.
Slushpile: At what point during the success of The Firm or The Pelican Brief (or maybe it was another book) did you realize that this wasn’t going to go away, that your success wasn’t a temporary accomplishment, but that this was going to be your career?
Grisham: Just before the publication of The Firm in March of 1991, Doubleday offered a two book deal. At that point, I knew I could write books for a long time and not worry about the mortgage.
Slushpile: You’ve now authored about 18 books. How have your writing habits changed over the years? Do you do anything differently now as opposed to when you were writing A Time to Kill or The Firm?
Grisham: Not really. The books are written from August to November, from 6 a.m. to noon, five days a week. Old habits die hard.
Slushpile: Do you think your work has changed over the years?
Grisham: Not intentionally, and not to my knowledge. Read The Firm, then read The Broker, and see for yourself. There has been no deliberate effort to change writing style. I have tried over the years to become more efficient with words and produce 400 page manuscripts, as opposed to 500. Also because I have become lazier.
Slushpile: What are your goals for future books?
Grisham: My goal each time out is to write my best book ever. It’s that simple.
Slushpile: Rumors on the Internet claim you are working on a nonfiction book about a death row inmate who turned out to be innocent. Is this true? If so, can you please tell us about this project?
Grisham: Yes, it’s my first work of nonfiction. It’s a story of a death row inmate in Oklahoma who came within five days of being executed for a murder he did not commit, and was later exonerated by DNA evidence.
Slushpile: Do you have any writing superstitions? Do you have any special habits, good luck charms, or talismans that you use?
Grisham: Not really. I write at the same place, same table, same chair, with the same cup and type of coffee. The same computer has produced the last fifteen books, and it’s about to give out. I’m not the superstitious type.
Slushpile: How do you think the publishing industry as a whole has changed since the late eighties, early nineties when you were first established? Do you think it has changed for the better or for the worse?
Grisham: Obviously, there are fewer small publishers, more larger ones, much more consolidation. Truthfully, I don’t spend a lot of time studying the publishing industry. That may sound odd, but I concern myself with what I am writing. I rely on Doubleday to take care of the rest.
Slushpile: Once you’ve turned in a manuscript, how long does it take Doubleday to get it on the shelves.
Grisham: The first draft is usually in by November first, then a furious three weeks of revisions, with the goal of finishing finally by Thanksgiving of each year. The books go to press on December the first, then to the warehouses. They usually go on sale February first.
Slushpile: Clive Cussler’s character Dirk Pitt has a Doxa diving watch as sort of a trademark item. Is there something you own or enjoy that you give to your characters? Airplanes seem to appear frequently in your work. Is this a fascination of yours?
Grisham: Nothing in particular. I started flying and buying airplanes about 10 years ago, but it’s not a passion.
Slushpile: Your fellow Doubleday author Dan Brown is enjoying a phenomenal amount of success and J.K. Rowling seems to set a new publishing record every day. As one of the few writers who know what they are experiencing, what words of advice would you give to Brown and Rowling?
Grisham: Everything is temporary. The books will not always sell the way they are selling now, so enjoy the success but don’t let it go to your head.
Slushpile: Both of those authors seem more private, more reticent with interviews and public appearances. If you could start all over again, do you think you might try to reserve a little more privacy for yourself and your family?
Grisham: Probably so, but we’ve always been extremely private.
Slushpile: What are you reading these days? What is the last book (fiction or nonfiction) that really excited and enthralled you?
Grisham: I’m reading a biography of Willie Morris. The last good book I read was The March by E.L. Doctorow.
Slushpile: Your friend Stephen King got a lot of attention, deservedly so, for stepping in and helping out Ron McLarty by endorsing The Memory of Running. He also got a lot of attention for taking the publishing industry to task in its rejection of McLarty’s work. Have you ever been tempted to help an unknown writer in such a public way? Would you ever do such a thing if a book really moved you?
Grisham: I look at more unpublished manuscripts than I care to admit. With each one, I am always hoping to discover a great writer. I have yet to do so, but if it happened I’m sure I would make a few phone calls.
Slushpile: You have helped writers by establishing the John & Renee Grisham Visiting Writer in Residence program that bring authors to the University of Mississippi to teach each year. T.R. Pearson was the first writer to hold this position and you became friends with him. How did you meet Mr. Pearson?
Grisham: We met through mutual friends at Square Books in Oxford.
Slushpile: You never took any writing classes but have said that you wished you did. If you could study with any writer, who would you choose?
Grisham: Mark Twain.
Slushpile: Aspiring authors are always told the importance of getting the “right” agent. What advice would you give them about selecting the right agent?
Grisham: Take a long look at the other authors represented by the same firm.
Slushpile: How involved is your editor? How closely does he work with you? What is your working process like?
Grisham: Editing is not an enjoyable process. The editor, who is also my agent, looks at the second draft and makes extensive notes. Then I do the third draft, and the fourth and the fifth. The mistake that many big authors make is to get lazy and shy away from careful editing. You can usually tell it in their work.
Slushpile: I know you’re swamped with strangers approaching you with a manuscript to read, or a CD to hear, or a movie script to review, or a legal case that “only you can solve.” What is the craziest thing you’ve ever had thrust upon you?
Grisham: Nothing too crazy, just the usual assortment of manuscripts that end up on the front porch or at the office.
Slushpile: How many times a week does someone come up to you and say “I’ve got this fantastic idea for a book. I’ll tell it to you, you write it, and we’ll split the profits.”
Grisham: They don’t always mention splitting the profits. That normally comes in the second conversation. But, about twice a month someone will say, “Hey, I’ve got a great idea for your next book.” At which time I always say, “So do I.”
Slushpile: If you were starting out today, how would you go about finding an agent or publisher?
Grisham: I’d do it the same way I did it 16 years ago. I researched the agents, made a list of about 20 I thought looked promising, and did multiple submissions to them. If your writing is good, an agent will see it, sooner or later. There are many agents in New York, and they are all looking for authors.
Slushpile: Let’s say an aspiring author can focus on writing a music column that will get him a lot of exposure, but it’s not fiction, it’s not his goal for writing. Should he concentrate on getting the exposure and building a name for himself? Or, should he focus on making his fiction as good as possible and worry about exposure later?
Grisham: Make the fiction as good as possible, and everything else will fall into place.
Slushpile: The Broker features quite a bit of discussion about Italian culture, food and geography. These sections are crucial to the plot, but there is still a danger of making the novel too much of a travel guide instead of a thriller. How did you balance the pacing of these discussions without losing too much of the actual “story” sections?
Grisham: When you write suspense, you cannot spend too much time with other elements of the story, such as setting, food, wine, relationships, etc. It’s a long list. You have to continually keep in mind that you are trying to make sure the pages are turning at a rapid rate.
Slushpile: How do you develop your plots? How detailed and developed are your plots when you start writing the novel? Do you use outlines or any other mechanism?
Grisham: Outlines are crucial. I start with Chapter 1 and write a paragraph. Then Chapter 2, then Chapter 3. When I get to Chapter 40 the book had better be finished or I am in trouble. The outlining process is no fun, but it forces the writer to see the entire story.
Slushpile: Some thriller or mystery writers focus almost exclusively on plot while others try to create a specific atmosphere and still others develop character and so forth. What is your main focus when telling a story?
Grisham: Plot.
Slushpile: What is your single-best, most-important, can’t-live-without writing tip you would offer to aspiring authors?
Grisham: Write at least one page every day, without fail. If you’re trying to write a book, and you’re not writing at least one page a day, then the book is not going to get written.
Slushpile: What is your single-best, most-important, can’t-live-without publishing tip you would offer to aspiring authors struggling to break into print.
Grisham: Get a good agent.
I am in a literature class and I need to write a business letter to John Grisham I was told to write the publisher, Wynwood Press NY, NY and I can not find a physical mailing address anywhere. Someone Please help me.
Mr. Grisham , My wife,family and friends pray that you wriute “Actual Innocence” . I will provide you with copies of all the legal material you need de gratis. Hector
I have been trying to contact Mr, Grisham’s email address. I have a true family story from the 1800′s where my greatgrandmother was murdered and several of her children by a farm hand. My greatgrandmother identified him as the killer. This was written about in many newspapers of that day and needless to say there
were hangings afterwards. Many folks thought that someone else may have been involved but we will never know. Few folks are living today that can tell anything about this as it was long ago. THis happened in rural Mississippi and would make for a very interesting reading and mystery. This is a true story and I have documnets and newspaper to back up. THere is a mass grave nearby where my family is buried…my greatgrandmother happened to hide during this murder and was safe. please email me
Dear Mr.Grisham, wow are you handsome or what???!!!!!!!! I saw your article in the newspaper and would like to know if you could possibly refer me to a Disabled Women’s Legal Foundation in California or just a Legal Foundation in Caliifornia. We are three single women, and being terribly abused by the police here they are refusing to proect us and we need a lawyer to win our three separate cases. May God bless you, I understand you are a very famous man, and …may I say, very handsome, are you single?????? We are!!!!!!!!!!!! And I really do need a date!!!
I have read a lot of your books. A Painted House is very different. I haven’t finished it yet, but can see how it could lead to more stories in the life of Luke Chandler. I love the family values that are portrayed in the book. I would love to read more books about Luke’s live growing up each year in the cotton field with the hired help and the dynamics of all the characters involved. It is a story you don’t want to end. I am an avid reader and want to read more about Luke Chandler!!
I am the Director of Team Freedom, Advocates for Justice. I have a real life situation…a man who has been incarcerated for 27 years for a crime he did not commit. Gross prosecutorial misconduct is still keeping him there for allegedly murdering a young attorney in an alleged conspiracy (love triangle). Beyond belief about the corruption which exists in Florida and the racial profiling which was si orevakebt in 1981. This man was a NY Jewish CEO who moved to Boca and was very successful. I guarantee that this would be a best seller. You can call me at: 480-837-1256. Thank you.
Marilyn Emmons, Director
Team Freedom, Advocates for Justice
P.S. I am a retired attorney.
Has anyone ever been contacted by Mr. Grisham via this thread?
I think that I have read every one of John Grisham’s books. His first titles were the best. And, now I have written a novel that I would like him to read! Where can I send my book?
Mr. Grisham-
Thank you for your support of the Norfolk Four. I appreciate your tenacity and courage, and I pray for the absolute pardon of these innocent men.
Mary
I would like to comment to Mr. Grisham.
1. My comments are similar to S.L Margolies [2/19/09] regarding the ending of The Associate.
2. I also ask, as Julie [9/1/09] does, has anyone ever been contacted through this?
Needing help for my brother who was acused of molesting his step son. The detective threaten my brother that if he did not write down and say what they told him to he would never get to see his children again. Well, he ended up getting 25 yrs. The children went to foster care, but are now with the my bothers mother n law. Which mean that my parents don’t get to see them. The police were to get my parent to say that they new about the abuse. They were threaten parents with not being able to see their grandchildren. But how can say that you knew about something that never happen. Anybody that my brother spent time with outside the family, said that he could not have done what they were saying that he did. Which I know that he didn’t. Because he spent alot of time around my children and he never did anything to them. It;s a mess please, please, please somebody help. I pray that God puts this situation upon your heart. Back in Oklahome, where the Good Old Boys Club is club is rolling strong.
I’m Kimber Feigle, i’m doing a research project on what i want to be when i grow up & I want to be a lawyer. I was wondering if you could tell me what you had to do to become a lawyer?
i have a brother in very much the same problem as the innocent man and we have just about exhautted all our options and dont kniow what to do next and was wondering if you could give us some advice
John what did you think of Coast lawyers Paul Minor and your buddy from Pascagoula and from Ole mIss. New Book just published by Ausa, Kings of Tort. Im beginning to write, former FBI and from Biloxi now in Alabama, Bobby Mahoney is also found of your writing, I enjoy reading your works. Tks
Mr Grishom, I think I have a story you may or may not be interested in. My attorney told me for years fighting what I was, it was a unique case. nothing about my situation in law books. Would love to give ya and talk to you about it more. As I love your writing. I know you most likely get so many stories like mine. But? I am a MS girl. Born and raised. please contact me back. If you would like to here more. Thank you. Amanda Johnson.
Greetings, Mr. Grisham:
Hey, I just recently finished reading The Associate and may have found a mistake. (?) On page 177, line 6, should the name be Baxter instead of Kyle? I was a little confused about it.
Also on page 264, the next to the last line – what is the meaning of “the rows of tombstones where the old money was buried”? Did I miss something?
Don’t know why I am writing you about this other than I just had questions and am curious as to whether you will respond. I have published three books and as a result I notice things like this while reading.
I have read or listened to all of your books. My favorites are The Testament, A Painted House, and, The Innocent Man. (Sorry, The Associate was probably my least favorite of all. For one thing I didn’t like the bad guy getting away and leaving us not even knowing who he was, etc.) (And I really am busy and don’t have time to be writing this.)
I am quite sure you could find a mistake or two in my books also so I don’t really mean to be critical – just wondering. There is no question that you are an amazing author.
All the best,
Sherry Kelly, Author of three very different books:
A Cat Named Zooby (a true story for ages 8 to 108)
Your New Baby’s Instruction Book (for parents of newborns)
The Big Life of a Little Man: Michael Dunn Remembered (biography to be released February 16, 2010)
Ask for them at your favorite book seller!
Or order online at barnesandnoble.com
Contact Sherry at skauthor1@aol.com
Mr. Grisham,
I have a non fiction story about the decimation of a family, the children and grandchildren of high profile parents, one is a “pragmatist” the other has “Narcissistic Personality Disorder” and together they practice a form of filial cannibalism. It makes Mommy Dearest look like a cake walk. Hopefully you might be interested in this as a possible book. I believe you can reach me through my email. THANK YOU ! L.W.
Well, you sucked me in again……I have read most of your books and it is my fault for not learning by now !! How can you write such great beginnings to your books and end them so poorly…The Associate appears to be your worst…what an outstanding beginning and interesting read……….but what a horrible ending !! but I guess you still get your millions , huh ??
John,
How about a true story of a material scientist who discovers a new energy source that requires no external fuel to power vehicles or create localized power for homes, offices and manufacturing. This replacement technology eliminates the need for fossil fuels or any other green technology. Would this invention be welcomed or eliminated by government officials. What would be the effect on mankind to begin the next industrial revolution? How does the inventor keep the information protected and stay alive? Its a question of who to trust and where to begin.
I cannot believe how fanatics can turn their previous admiration for Grisham into rude rejection just because he reveals his liberal views when asked about them. Doesn’t a talented writer deserve the same respect that any American citizen is entitled to when choosing political sides????
I always seek out interviews with John Grisham. He is the author that influnced ne to write my first nove “The Trip.” I did manage to get it published as an Ebook as well as my second fiction novel “The Bridge.” I spoke to Mr. Grisham briefly once back in the 70′s and a nickname that I used at that time as a performer showed up in one of his novels. It was a very unique nickname that I had used for many years even on national television, and I have always been curious as to where he came up with that character. I am sure it wasn’t because of my nickname it just made me curious. Keep up the good work us struggling writers always like to hear the words of the masters like Grisham.
Mr. Grisham:
I have taught senior English for 21 years and would like to incorporate one of your novels in my curriculum next year. Is there a particular novel you would suggest my teaching to my senior classes?
Thank you
Check out The Big Life of a Little Man, Michael Dunn Remembered!
Wild Wild West’s James T. West and Dr. Miguelito Loveless Revisited
Wild Wild West was one of the most popular TV series in the late 1960s and is one of those classic kind of shows that seem to live on. It is a mixture of western, “James Bond”, and science fiction, and is available on DVD while still shown on some cable stations. The shows heroes were United States secret service agents, James T. West, played by Robert Conrad, and, Artemus Gordon, played by the late Ross Martin. One special recurring villain, Dr. Miguelito Loveless, played by the talented Michael Dunn, always managed to escape at the end of each episode and was brought back ten different times to the delight of faithful viewers.
Author Sherry Kelly’s third book, The Big Life of a Little Man, Michael Dunn Remembered is the “can’t put down” biography of the late Michael Dunn, who just happened to be her first cousin. It tells the intriguing and poignant life story of a fascinating man from before he was born until after his mysterious death in London while making a movie. It is the story of his family’s abounding love and relates how they dealt with his dwarfism his entire life.
Recently, (June 10) Kelly was an invited guest on Robert Conrad’s radio program on CRN Talk Radio out of Sunland, California. Mr. Conrad reminisced about Dunn who often stayed in his home while filming Wild Wild West. Conrad also related fond memories of Dunn refereeing football games between teams made up of actors from different studios who played against each other every Saturday. Kelly introduced The Big Life of a Little Man, Michael Dunn Remembered to Conrad and his international radio listeners and announced that the book is available from Tate Publishing 1-888-361-9473, amazon.com, or wherever books are sold.
Kelly’s other works include A Cat Named Zooby, a delightful true story for ages 8 to 108, and, Your New Baby’s Instruction Book, for parents of newborns – now babies can come with instructions!
John Grisham could be compared to a mirage, You might see him or read his work but you will never get close enough to touch him. His advice made me giggle, “Get a good agent.” Kind of like, pick the right numbers and you could win the lottery, or vote for the right person for president and the country would get straightened out. I started writing because of John Grisham’s work and have finished five books and I am resolved to keep writing and reading them myself, because the reality is, unknown writers don’t have a prayer. The good agents won’t read your work, the good publishers won’t accept a submission except from a good agent so, you have two choices, laugh or cry. I choose to laugh because I have so much fun writing that I’d never stop and the industry is so screwed up and political I choose to laugh at them for missing all of the good work that they do miss. It is easy to lump us all into a pile and lable us as “struggling writers,”a term that I heard a great writer from MS.use about himself once before he got lucky. The fact is if your’e not writing because you love it, then 99.9% of us are wasting our time. I know that I have some great work, but you will never see my name on the N.Y Times best seller list.
Mr JOHN GRESHAM, I think your a great inspiration- ever concidered working with Robert Ludlum- ? lol. how about creatin a novel called Spy World- Jason Borne- staring Matt Damien – except it ,has a unique “creative twist ” IT CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE- with various alternatives- stimulating, the excerise of thought and intellectual resoning skills and it will help even in basis sence as education.
Plus, a lot of psycology should be utalized to keep you guessing- lol. it’s like a record that never gets scratched- plays the songs- it can be found not only in book form- copied to CD.
Very inspiring interview, indeed.I am a big fan of Mr Grisham and don’t get tired of reading his previous books.His style of writing has inspired me to contemplate writing a fictional book on the plight of women ,prostitution and human-trafficking in Afghanistan.I desperately want to contact him concerning this project.Tony Mphahlele,South africa.
I always love the novels of John Grisham, they are full of suspense and surprises :
Dear Mr. Grisham,
I am a student working on a an Author Fest project, and for extra credit, we are allowed to send a letter to our author. In this case, John Gisham. I read online that an average response was a wait up to three months or more! Sadly, the project will have ended by then and I might not be able to recieve extra credit. Help!
Thankyou
All of the novels of John Grisham are very good, i love all the stories *:;
dear Mr Grisham, i am an international baccalaureate IB student in Africa MACHABENG COLLEGE. I am currently writing my extended essay on your work, mainly focusing on how you added personal touch on your books. i would most highly appreciate it if you could return my mail. i have quite a few i want to know about you.
thanks inormation for your blog.your post is very good and very useful for me.I want to make a post like your post composed with good.
Hi
Don’t suppose you’ll ever see this but I have read and stayed up all night to finish a number of your books. The book that had the most impact on me was The Innocent Man, I had steam coming out of my ears almost I was so angry and upset about that poor man. I am a huge fan of Michael Jackson and most books about him are,to put it bluntly, utter crap. I have thought for a number of years that I would love to see you write a fair and honest biography of him, I think you would do an amazing job. It needs an outsider who has distance and no vested interest or axe to grind. There was certainly hugh injustice done to him. I don’t suppose you’ll see this or perhaps would want to do it so we are stuck with the so called friends or “celebrity” biographers who just want to write something that will sell.
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I am the sister of Don Hudson who was shot and killed by Bobbie Hoppe,an Auburn football player. He was killed in 1957. It was the talk of Chattanooga Tennessee for years. Mr. Hoppe and his family members took the 5th amendment in 1957. The state said there was not enough evidence to have a trial. My mother after 30 years later got a detective to finally listen and she got a trial which ended in a hung jury. Don was noted for hauling wiskey. Please, please look this up on your computer under Bo
Bobbie Hoppe and get back with me.