Author Chat: Ian Thomas Healy, Writer of the “Just Cause” Universe

This is B.C. Johnson, your nearest emergency author, and today I’m sitting down with Ian Thomas Healy. Ian is the author of the “Just Cause” superhero universe and the latest novel, RAIN MUST FALL.

About the Author

I’m Ian Thomas Healy, millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht. Well, no, not really on either account. It just sounds good. Actually, I live in Colorado with my family and own a micro-publisher called Local Hero Press.

Through LHP, I publish my own work and work from a small selection of other authors. The main line from LHP is my Just Cause Universe series of superhero novels, which is currently at 26 books and counting. All of them are standalones, so you can start anywhere in the series without feeling like you needed to do homework first.

The Questions

1. Do you have a writer you idolize?

I tend to get more excited about comic book writers, because as much as I’ve read novels over the decades, I remember more specific comic book stories. These days, it’s pretty much a tossup between Gail Simone and Tom King.

Gail Simone’s Batgirl/Birds of Prey/Secret Six are all terrific runs, and Tom King’s Human Target and Woman of Tomorrow limited series are astonishingly good.

EDITOR’S NOTE: B.C. here, loved Gail’s SECRET SIX run, somehow it made Catman cool.

2. What are you reading right now, and how is it?

I’m currently listening to book 5 of the Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell (of 6 – and I’ve been on a military/naval sci fi kick for awhile now so I’m enjoying it), reading NEON NOIR by Nina Voss (a great and entertaining cyberpunk story), and rereading JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL from the late 80s/early 90s.

3. What’s your favorite Big Comic Crossover storyline?

I actually don’t like them. They interfere with the regular storylines that the writers and artists are trying to tell, and Editorial comes in and says “Ok, you have to include these characters in this thing and it’s going to upset your entire status quo.” Plus, it’s a transparent cash grab telling readers that they have to grab a bunch of extra comics they might not normally read so they can have a “complete” story.

If the idea is to get people to start reading other titles, it’s not representative of the current stories being told by the creative team, so I think it doesn’t work.

4. Your Just Cause Universe it huge, how do you stay so prolific and keep your motivation?

I mean, it’s better than working for a living. Well, I work for a living anyway. I just love writing superheroes. I will probably keep doing it until I can’t string a complete sentence together any longer. I am slowing down at my advanced age (well, I’m 52) though, so the rest of you have time to catch up.

5. You help writers with their action scenes. How can a writer tell if their action scenes need work?

Do they dread writing action scenes? That’s a good indicator. If their beta readers point out they need to work on them, that’s another hint. The thing to remember is that all stories are based upon conflict of some kind, and an action scene is just an expression of conflict through violence. Everything else is just details.

6. I feel like every writer I’ve spoken to has created a random side character who ended up becoming one of their favorites. Which side character elbowed their way into your heart?

I’ll give you two. One is an asshole of an ex-con named Hector who first appeared in Champion and has since turned up in several other books. He’s a master of fighting dirty, cheap shots, and one of Mustang Sally’s most trusted friends.

The other is actually a character created by Adrienne Dellwo, who has written two books for the Just Cause Universe. Ava Zheng was a character from her book HERO ACADEMY who just struck a note with me. I made her the star of my book FLINT AND STEEL, which is a superhero romance and I’m stupid proud of it.

7. If you had to hide a giraffe for a day, and you had to keep it alive, how would you do it?

I’m assuming you mean a full-size giraffe, not a baby. I’m assuming I have the ability to transport said giraffe. I know it’s not a very creative answer, but the truth is that there is a lot of open range for ranching herds out here in Colorado.

I’m thinking I’d hook up Mr. Giraffe with one of the buffalo herds, a big box of Ry-Krisp crackers, and the entire Rush discography to listen to (giraffes love prog rock and especially identify with Geddy Lee for some reason).

8. What do you do when you’re not writing (or running a publishing company)?

I sell parts for construction equipment, watch hockey, play video games, and am the booth bunny for my wife’s jewelry business (except when I’m doing an event at the same time).

Where Can We Read Your Books?

Coming early next year is the next Just Cause Universe novel: RAIN MUST FALL, a superhero noir.

Here is the link to ALL my books: https://books2read.com/ap/n0V5zx/Ian-Thomas-Healy

Where to Find the Author

Find me via my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ianthomashealy

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Next Author Chat: James D. McEwan

This is BC again, thanks for stopping by! Check back on Thursday for our next chat, with fantasy author James D. McEwan.

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