After serving with the U.S. Army overseas, Albert Ashforth graduated from Brooklyn College and subsequently worked on two New York City newspapers. As a military contractor, he has done tours in Bosnia, Germany, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Afghanistan. He has worked as an instructor at Special Forces headquarters in Bad Tolz and trained officers at the German military academy in Neubiberg. His articles have been published in American Scholar, the New York Times Magazine, Four Seasons, Mystery Writers Annual, New Criterion, and other publications. His first novel, The Rendition, which received the bronze medal from the Military Writers Society of America as one of the three best thrillers of 2012, was recently a Kindle #1 selection in the Historical Thrillers category. Publishers Weekly described The Rendition as “an exciting spy thriller.” His newest novel, On Edge, debuts this month.
Tell us about your latest work.
My new book is titled On Edge. Our country is fighting a major war in Afghanistan, where I did two tours as a military contractor. The subject was a natural. While I was there in 2010, the news broke that the Kabul Bank, in which our government had deposited a billion dollars, had gone bankrupt. This was the largest bank failure in the history of the world. This is the historical background of the story. The hero is Alex Klear, who was also the hero of my earlier novel, The Rendition, and of some short stories I’ve written. When a former Army buddy of his is the victim of a green-on-blue murder in Kabul, Alex goes there to investigate. He finds that the military has framed the wrong man, an Afghan soldier, for the murder, and learns that his old friend had been investigating the Kabul Bank fraud. He comes to realize that both the American and Afghan governments are thwarting his investigation.
When and how do you find time to write?
I try to write mornings, when my brain seems to be more active. I write fast — I worked for two newspapers — and try to get a first draft down. If I keep one or two pages out of ten or fifteen, I’m happy. For me, the important thing is to get a workable first draft. Revising is fun. I am one of those people who does a lot of preliminary outlining. Shakespeare liked to know as much as possible about his characters and plot before writing. So does Ashforth.
How much and what kinds of marketing do you personally do, such as blogging, social media, readings? How do you feel it works for you?
I write an occasional blog, and I’m on Facebook and LinkedIn. I’m really astounded at how effective social media is. I try to get readings, where possible. For On Edge, I can talk at length about Afghanistan. Being over there is very different from the impression you get from the newspapers.
What writers have inspired you?
I read “The Gold Bug” by Edgar Allan Poe while I was still in grade school. I have never forgotten how Le Grande provides a logical explanation for the exciting and mysterious events that take place on the fog-shrouded island. Above Suspicion by Helen Macinnes is a brilliantly plotted novel. I found the suspense often came from the atmosphere of the places the professor and his wife were visiting. The story begins in England, then moves to Paris and finally into Nazi Germany. Finally, during a summer vacation from high school a librarian suggested Ashenden: The British Agent by Somerset Maugham when I said I liked suspense. To me, these stories were a revelation because I’d never known there was such a thing as a spy.
In five words or less, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Think before you write!