Ask the Author: Barbara Nickless
Answered Questions (13)
Barbara Nickless
Thanks, Norma. I’m so glad you did! My next book is slated to come out in Q1 of 2026. So a year away.
Barbara Nickless
Kendra, thanks for reaching out. Thanks for reading my books. Right now, sadly, my publisher doesn't plan any more Sydney books. Not to say it won't happen one of these days!
Barbara Nickless
Norma, you are so kind to read my books and reach out to me. Thank you! I'm sorry to not respond sooner--between promoting TDG and writing the next book under a tight deadline, I'm way behind on everything else. I greatly appreciate your offer to be an early reader. The easiest way is to join NetGalley (it's free, and a great way to access a lot of books early). My books are always included on their website.
Barbara Nickless
Chris, please forgive my long delay in answering. I've been traveling more than I've been at home. First, thank you for reading my books. Second, thank you for reaching out with your question. Bear with me, as it's been a few years and I've researched a lot of things between now and when I wrote Gone to Darkness. I remember Comicgate coming to my attention in a mainstream outlet, and then doing a deep dive. I read opinions from both sides of the divide. One thing I've learned: there are two sides to every story. I respect your opinion about Comicgate.
Barbara Nickless
Angelina, thanks for your flexibility! October 24th will work. :)
Barbara Nickless
Angie, how wonderful that you know Maria! And thanks for choosing Blood on the Tracks. I would love to attend your book group, but unfortunately, I'll be traveling out of the country during that time. Thanks for thinking of me, and please let me know if another date becomes available.
Barbara Nickless
Rodney, I'm so glad you asked this question. When my kids were young, I was very careful about what I allowed them to read. (Maybe because as a kid myself, I snuck in and read Jaws without my mom knowing--I had nightmares for weeks). My books feature Marines and cops, who are among the most foul-mouthed people on the planet. Bad language is a huge stress reliever for them, and there is a lot of it in my first book. And while I lessened the language in the second and third books, it's still there. I would not recommend them for young kids! My best, Barbara
Barbara Nickless
Thanks for reading my books, Mike! My RR intel comes from multiple sources: books (see a few that I recommend at the end of "Dead Stop") and the internet. But mostly from working with and talking to RR employees, past and present. Boy, these men and women have a lot of stories. I've been fortunate to talk to folks from BNSF, UP and other railroads. And I've followed a railway cop around on his various tasks. I have him on speed dial. :-)
Barbara Nickless
Kim, thanks for a great question! You are right about Guam--I'm an Air Force brat. My father served as a bomber pilot in WWII. My maternal grandfather was a general in the National Guard. A maternal uncle was a POW in Germany. None of these men talked much about their experiences, and after reading some great books about WWII and Vietnam (including the incomparable Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes), I became curious about what our troops were experiencing in Afghanistan and Iraq. When I read Jessica Goodell's Shade it Black and other resources about Mortuary Affairs, I knew what perspective I wanted to use in Blood on the Tracks. So, yes, a lot of interviews and research. And all those family members who dealt with the aftermath of war. Thank you for asking!
Barbara Nickless
Hi, Dee. I'm so glad you enjoyed Blood on the Tracks! I am getting through "On Combat" rather slowly since I read multiple books at a time. But this book is every bit as interesting and helpful as "On Killing." Grossman and Christensen talk about normal physical and psychological responses to combat (whether it be in battle or on the streets). For the moment, I have skipped ahead to Section Four--The Price of Combat: After the Smoke Clears because I am particularly interested in our response to traumatic stress (both mental and physical) and how we can mitigate it. I think you'd enjoy it.
Barbara Nickless
Great question! Yes, railroad police are a real entity. Like traditional police, they are POST certified officers with the same jurisprudence of arrest and investigation. As the BNSF website states, "Railroad police are provided police authority from state and local governments and are authorized interstate authority by the federal government. Our community is best described as being 32,500 miles long and 100 feet wide, crisscrossing hundreds of local and state jurisdictions along the way. Railroad police are active in all forms of police duties." And thank you, Billy, for reading my novel!
Barbara Nickless
If writing is truly your passion, don't give up! The publishing business is constantly changing, but there are more opportunities for writers than ever before. My other advice is to read and write as much as you can. Read everything. And try to write every day.
Barbara Nickless
Getting to place myself in someone else's shoes. For Blood on the Tracks, I imagined life as a war veteran, as a hobo, as a homicide detective.
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