I’m very excited to have writing legend F. Paul Wilson visiting today! Please welcome him to the blog!
BB&B: First of all, please give us the rundown of what Panacea is about.
FPW: It’s a globetrotting mystery-adventure-thriller about a search for the legendary cure-all led by a woman who doesn’t believe such a thing can exist. (But she’s uniquely suited to the task and has been offered a fee she cannot refuse.) Two ancient cults are working against her. A perfect setup for lots of internal and external conflict, right? Panacea touches on my recurrent theme of healing (like Healer, The Fifth Harmonic, The Touch). Its subtext is Fortean, but it fits surprisingly well into my Secret History of the World.
Panacea deals with the ongoing conflict between science and faith. What do you think it is about this trope that is so intriguing to readers? For me personally, it never gets old!
Same here. A true panacea is impossible; yet, in the novel, miracle cures are happening. So it presents the perfect foil for skeptics such as myself. Researchers say there’s a believer gene. If so, I was born without it. But I was raised a Catholic, so I had a childhood filled with indoctrination. In spite of that, by my late teens I’d questioned myself out of any religion.
This isn’t my first sortie in the science-faith wars. The Fifth Harmonic has a skeptical protagonist with cancer who wants very badly to believe in the cure offered by a new-agey healer but can’t. So she puts him through a set of ordeals to break down his resistance. A Necessary End (written with Sarah Pinborough) is an apocalyptic novel with an epistemological subtext – about the tension between science and faith and about how we choose to know things.
Panacea has two protags – Laura Fanning and Rick Hayden. Rick’s not a skeptic; he’s seen some really screwy things in his life and has a warped view of reality. Laura’s a medical examiner who firmly believes in the scientific method and that every mystery has a rational solution once you collect the proper data. They make a great pair – conflict sparking all over the place. I loved taking Laura and her hard-nosed view of the world and shoving impossibilities in her face, finally forcing her to emote to a decision.
The action in Panacea takes place in some very exotic locales. When you were doing research for the book were you able to do some traveling, or was most of your research done online?
I’ve been to some of the places. Haven’t been to Israel though. The Dead Sea sounds fascinating, and you don’t have to be religious to appreciate how much of western civilization was shaped by events there a couple of millennia ago.
You have published over fifty books! Do you have a favorite, one that is particularly special to you?
A number of books for different reasons. Black Wind is my best novel, without a doubt. The Keep has sold more than any other title. The Select netted me my biggest advance, putting me into the 7-figure club. After thinking about it for 15 years, Sibs practically wrote itself in 9 weeks (while I had a full-time job). The Fifth Harmonic was the most personal – Will is as close as I’ve ever brought a character to myself.
(Note from Tammy: I actually have a first printing hardcover of The Select, from back in my serious book-collecting days!)
You’ve been a published author since your first novel Healer came out in 1976. Have your writing habits changed over the years?
I outline less. I used to do detailed outlines because, as a part-time writer, I was terrified that I’d spend months on a novel and find out I couldn’t end it with a satisfying catharsis. You know that clichéd scene where someone wakes up gasping and sweating from a horrible nightmare? That was me at the thought of having to tear up a page of a manuscript. Now I simply do story beats to make sure I have a logical progression and know the most effective places to position the reveals and twists.
I know one of your big literary influences was H.P. Lovecraft, but what about contemporary authors? Who do you love to read, and what have you read lately that you can recommend?
Well, I’m not a fan of HPL’s prose or his gods, but I’ve riffed a lot on his view of the cosmos. Lovecraft is important for his purely materialistic approach to horror fiction. The weenies who found the World Fantasy Convention an unsafe place because of his face on the award (really?) should remember that. In fact, they should genuflect at mention of his name because we might all still be writing about dragons and chain-rattling ghosts without him.
At the moment I’m reading a Victor LaValle novella and quite enjoying it. Lately I’ve read some good stuff by Peter Clines, Daryl Gregory, Joe Abercrombie, Zoe Sharp. Ann Voss Peterson’s Val Ryker series is excellent, and Joe Konrath’s Jack Daniels novels are always fun. Method 15/33 by newcomer Shannon Kirk is quite a ride. I keep collections of short fiction by Elmore Leonard and Dashiell Hammett in my Kindle for emergencies. Just finished an ARC of Behind Her Eyes by Sara Pinborough (due 2017) and gotta say, “Wow!” On the non-fiction front Dark Matter and the Dinosaurs nearly broke my brain but has some intriguing concepts. I’ve also read some disappointing fiction by names you know but I won’t mention because my dislikes are simply my opinion and I don’t put down another author’s work unless he or she is bulletproof, and even then I’m not comfortable. J.K. ROWLING, YOUR ADVERBS MAKE ME CRAZY! (There. I did it.)
LOL! Tell us three things about you that can’t be found on the internet.
I consider myself a skeptic in search of transcendence.
I’m fascinated by “Lazytown.”
I hate peaty Scotches.
Thanks so much!
F. Paul Wilson is the New York Times bestselling author of horror, adventure, medical thrillers, science fiction, and virtually everything in between. His books include the Repairman Jack novels—including Ground Zero, The Tomb, and Fatal Error—the Adversary cycle—including The Keep—and a young adult series featuring the teenage Jack. Wilson has won the Prometheus Award, the Bram Stoker Award, the Inkpot Award from the San Diego ComicCon, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Horror Writers of America, among other honors. He lives in Wall, New Jersey. To learn more about F. Paul Wilson and his work, visit: www.repairmanjack.com
Find the author & the book: Twitter | Website | Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
About the book:
Two secret societies vie for control of the ultimate medical miracle–Panacea–in the latest novel by New York Times bestselling author F. Paul Wilson.
Medical examiner Laura Fanning has two charred corpses and no answers. Both bear a mysterious tattoo but exhibit no known cause of death. Their only connection to one another is a string of puzzling miracle cures. Her preliminary investigation points to a cult that possesses the fabled panacea–the substance that can cure all ills–but that’s impossible.Laura finds herself enmeshed in an ancient conflict between the secretive keepers of the panacea and the equally secretive and far more deadly group known only as 536, a brotherhood that fervently believes God intended for humanity to suffer, not be cured. Laura doesn’t believe in the panacea, but that doesn’t prevent the agents of 536 from trying to kill her.
A reclusive, terminally ill billionaire hires Laura to research the possibility that such a cure exists. The billionaire’s own body guard, Rick Hayden, a mercenary who isn’t who he pretends to be, has to keep her alive as they race to find the legendary panacea before the agents of 536 can destroy it.
This one sounds like an amazing read!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I’ve seen Panacea showing up in a lot of places. Sounds like a fascinating tale. And great interview. Thanks for posting and for the giveaway!
I love F. Paul Wilson’s books! I’ve been a huge fan of his since high school. Even met him a couple of times.
F. Paul Wilson is one of my favorite writers. I’ve been reading his books for years. Very excited to read this one.
“Black Wind” is one of the first books I grab when a friend is looking for something different to read. “Panacea” is number 4 on my reading list, but I’m seriously considering bumping it up a book or two based upon the entertainment factor of the rest of Paul’s catalog. Thanks for the adventures, Paul.
I have loved F. Paul Wilson books since I found The Keep. Thanks for the chance to win.
Would love to add to our F Paul Wilson shelf!
Haven’t read anything by Paul Wilson but this book might be a good place to start. I’m going to go look up the 3 he mentioned when you asked about the book/s he has written that is/are special to him.
It sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thanks for this chance.
Awesome! Sounds great and the bookmark is too cute!
Looking forward to checking this out. I’ve been reading F. Paul Wilson since the early 1980’s when a friend loaned me a copy of The Keep.
F. Paul Wilson has been my favorite author, for quite a number of years. I don’t know how many times I have read… all of his books, especially The Adversary Cycle, (maybe 12 times or more, just for those books alone, lol). I am looking forward to reading Panacea.
F. Paul Wilson is one of my all-time favorite authors. I can’t wait to read this book!
Can’t wait to read this – F. Paul Wilson never fails to satisfy me.
I’ve seen his books all over the place, but I have never read one before – I need to get with the program! Great post and thanks for the giveaway! My fingers are crossed!
Just bought copies of this for the library. Looks great.
I always look forword to one of Mr. Wilson’s books. Would like a chance to get a copy.
Good interview! Thanks!
Panacea is a wonderful story. It’s fast paced, has an intriguing premise, and poses interesting questions and quandaries. And as always with F Paul Wilson’s work, has snappy, yet believable dialog. Great story
Long time FPW and Repairman Jack fan. FPW is a gracious, friendly person who I had the chance to meet when he stopped in VA Beach last year. Thanks for the contest!
Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
This is a title I really would like to read. Also, I never have heard of seeded paper before which fascinates me.
This book sounds and looks great. I’d love to win a copy of the new work by this seasoned pro. Thanks for the chance.
loving the sound of this book.
This book sounds absolutely fantastic! Definitely my kind of read! Thanks so much for the chance!!
a new author to me-conflict between science and faith that does sound interesting
I would find this incredibly useful as my antagonist in an upcoming story of mine is precisely someone who fell out of faith and his actions will be a direct consequence of that. I would be very interested in learning what I could. Thank you!
Would love to win. Loved his books over the years but I still think The Keep is my all time favorite thanks for the chance
Fingers crossed! XD
Wilson is one of the best. Been looking forward to this.
What a great interview! I’ve had my eye on this one, thanks for hosting the giveaway!
I’ve read several of Mr. Wilson’s books and Panacea sounds like a good one! He must get to the Dead Sea. Besides the history of the area, it’s amazing to float on top of the water. It’s impossible to sink!
Would love to read this book! Thanks for the chance. 🙂
Panacea sounds like it has a lot of action and thought provoking themes. I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
The subject matter of Panacea is one I have often wondered about in my own life, that of religion vs. science. And, my love of mysteries makes me anxious to read this new book. Thank you for the chance at a free copy.
Glad I ran across this before it was over! I appreciate this chance to win an F. Paul Wilson book. I first read a book of his long ago, and I have truly enjoyed his work since. This sounds great!!
And here I thought Mr. Wilson was slowing down now that he’s finished Repairman Jack. Shoulda known better. If I win the book my daughter gets it. She’s read even more Wilson than I have!