interviews
ANTHONY FRANZE is a lawyer in the
Appellate and Supreme Court practice of a
prominent Washington, D.C. law firm, and a
critically acclaimed thriller writer with novels
set in the nation’s highest court. Franze has
been a commentator on legal and Supreme
Court issues for The New Republic,
Bloomberg, National Law Journal, and other
major media outlets. He is a board member
and a Vice President of the International
Thriller Writers organization. Franze lives in
the Washington, D.C. area with his family.
Learn more at www.anthonyfranzebooks.com
Now onto our conversation:
What would you like our readers to know about
yourself? This could be a previously prepared bio;
however, something customized exclusively for
TopShelf Magazine would be greatly appreciated.
I’m a D.C. lawyer, and I write thrillers set in
the insular world of the U.S. Supreme Court.
I’ve had several cases in the Supreme Court,
and I try to take readers inside that fascinating
community. But don’t worry, the real
institution isn’t as dangerous as in my novels.
Please tell us a little about your new thriller,
The Outsider.
The book is about a Supreme Court law
clerk, but one unlike SCOTUS has ever
www.TopShelfMagazine.net
How does your experience as a lawyer in the
Appellate and U.S. Supreme Court influence
your writing?
I draw on my experience and understanding
of our court system to try to give the books
a ring of authenticity. But unlike with my
legal briefs, the fun with fiction is that I get
to make up the facts.
How did you celebrate publishing of your
first novel?
My daughter was hounding us to buy a
dog, but we wanted to wait until she was a
little older, so I said we’d get one if my
book sold. So, when my first novel came
out we got Lucy, our smelly Beagle.
Please explain to aspiring authors and
booksellers how much work is required, even
as a traditionally published author, to maintain
I’d hate to calculate the amount of time
because it would likely mean I’ve been
working at below minimum wage.
What’s the most important thing a
bookstore can do for an author to
promote sales? Obviously, every book
cannot be front and center. It is a challenge for booksellers because,
as you note, not every book can be at
the front table. My favorite stores rely
on knowledgeable staff who keep up on
the latest in thrillers, and make
recommendations to customers.
WITH ANTHONY FRANZE
your current level of success?
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
seen. Grayson Hernandez grew up in a
rough part of D.C., and worked his way
through a low-ranked law school only to
graduate with massive student loans and no
law job. The only work he can find is as a
messenger, and it happens to be at the
Supreme Court. One night after a long shift,
he stumbles upon a violent mugging and
rescues the victim, not realizing until later
that it’s the Chief Justice of the United
States. The Chief takes an interest in Gray,
and soon he’s the newest law clerk at the
Supreme Court, one of the most prestigious
law jobs in the country.
Just as Gray begins to adapt to his new
life, the FBI approaches him with unsettling
news. The Feds thinks there’s a serial killer
connected to the Supreme Court. Gray is
the only person who didn’t work at One
First Street at the time of the first murder;
he’s an outsider who they can trust to report
any suspicious goings-on inside the building.
Ultimately, to help find the killer obsessed
with the high court will require not only
Gray’s understanding of Supreme Court
precedent and history, but, as it turns out,
help from old friends he’d left behind.
INTERVIEWS
How big is your personal library? Who
are some of your favorite authors?
We have a huge library. I was a big reader
before being a published autho