Jerry Harrison

Jerry Harrison recently launched his debut title, Striking Down Scoundrels, through BelieversPress.

We talked with him about his book:

Why did you write your book?

I wrote Striking Down Scoundrels to entertain readers, and to present God’s grace to those readers.

I feel led to write entertaining books for Christians, especially to produce stories with appeal to men, and to present the basics of the faith. Striking Down Scoundrels presents God’s grace which is extremely good news, but is often not understood nor accepted by men. The travel, golf, gadgets, banter and action in Striking Down Scoundrels are “man things”. The book’s issues involving investments, trusts and money management appeal to professionals and investors. The story also reflects my disgust, and, I think, the general population’s disgust with corporate raiders.

My hope is that someday I will receive a note stating that because of the book a reader came to know Jesus Christ, or at least was moved to a closer relationship with God. I also look forward to the day that as I walk through an airport I see someone so engrossed in Striking Down Scoundrels that he or she is paying no attention at all to surrounding activities.

I had fun writing this book. My wife and I frequently talked about the characters as if they were good friends.

Tell us a little about yourself and your book

I begin my prayers with “Gracious Lord.” I appreciate God’s patience with man’s imperfection. I appreciate God’s grace.
Early in my life, I developed an enjoyment of reading, but also enjoyed baseball, football, and other sports. I worked on student publications in high school and college, and took more English classes than required. During my career in the oil industry, I wrote many business plans, contracts, and reports but kept a book available for time in an airliner seat or hotel room. I’ve often commented about unusual events, “When I write my book this will be chapter….” Early retirement enabled me to begin writing fiction.
I enjoy creating stories, characters and settings and then intertwining and directing them toward a singular conclusion. I build plot or develop characters as I walk or as I sit very still for long periods, thinking. I joke that writing fiction is a license to daydream, but I often workout the most complex issues of the story during these times. My stories and characters are fiction, but each story conveys a significant truth.
My wife Evelyn and I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, are active in our church, travel extensively, volunteer, and enjoy our wonderful family.

What was your favorite part about working with Bethany Press/BelieversPress?

I enjoyed a feeling of trust and respect in the Lord as I worked with the various people at Believers Press. I appreciate the high standards of Believers Press in all aspects of the work, including theological matters and publication matters. I liked knowing that book sellers would recognize my book had to meet these standards.

Share a tip for other authors

Develop a plan for the marketing, distribution and publication of your book. Make detailed lists of what must be done by when, who will do it, what the costs will be, what the risks of success / failure are, and determine if you have the resources to do what you are proposing. Publishing a good book doesn’t accomplish much if copies of that book remain piled in a warehouse.

Buy Striking Down Scoundrels!

About the book: Corporate scoundrels have wiped out the retirement savings of Abe Brown’s kind friend Ann Walker along with the savings of hundreds of other retirees. Abe and his buddies watch as Ann’s daughter and family move Ann from the Ozark View Retirement Center where she can no longer afford to live. “Somebody oughtta’ strike down those scoundrels!” declares Abe, and he sets upon a plan to do just that, using tools and knowledge from his shrouded past.

Buy it