Telephone Interview with Ty N Batson

After several failed attempts, Crime Thriller Writers of Trinidad and Tobago (CTWOTT) were finally able to pin down Ty N Batson for a quick telephone interview. Ty N Batson, is the author of Mr. Big, a sensational crime thriller set in Trinidad which is now captivating the Caribbean and international market.

CTWOTT: Thanks, Ty for agreeing to this telephone interview on such short notice.

TNB: No problem. My pleasure really…

CTWOTT: I know you’re very busy and on the way to the airport—

TNB: Yes, I’m on my way to Montego Bay, Jamaica. I’m being hosted by a large international book publisher who is interested in buying over the publishing rights to Mr. Big.

CTWOTT: That’s great!

TNB: We’ll see…

CTWOTT: I know you have been asked this question at least a thousand times but I can’t help myself. What inspired you to write Mr. Big?

TNB: What inspired Picasso to paint? Frank Sinatra to sing? Shakespeare to write?

CTWOTT: Not sure I follow you.

TNB: Simple. A little voice in my head just kept whispering to me to get this story out.

CTWOTT: Sort of a higher calling?

TNB: Sort of, yes.

CTWOTT: Are you pleased with how the book turned out?

TNB: You should ask the readers that question. I didn’t write it for me.

CTWOTT: Are you working on a second book?

TNB: Sure. That little voice in my head is getting restless. Very restless.

CTWOTT: Some folks in the Caribbean literary world are saying that Mr. Big is the first true Caribbean crime thriller. Do you agree with that statement?

TNB: First, second, third or last…doesn’t matter to me. Mr. Big is what it is.

CTWOTT: Some people think Mr. Big is more of a literary crime thriller, a hybrid so to speak. And a few people don’t think the book is Caribbeanish enough. What are your thoughts on this?

TNB: People can think of Mr. Big as a comic book once the readers enjoy it. That’s all that matters, really.

CTWOTT: Is the character Mr. Big based on anyone? And what about the character of Minister Jones?

TNB: That little voice in my head didn’t specify those details.

CTWOTT: Did any writer(s) influence your writing?

TNB: Sure, but too many to mention.

CTWOTT: Just a couple more questions and then we can close the interview. Where can we buy Mr. Big?

TNB: It will soon be available on Amazon and also in many local bookstores. A Kindle version is expected to be out soon.

CTWOTT: Just one more question. Why don’t you do face-to-face interviews?

TNB: Wouldn’t know what to wear.

CWOTT: Well, thank you for your time, Ty. And good luck with your second book.

TNB: Pleasure.