Read our Q&A with Bestselling Author Kyle Perry

What inspired the idea behind this book?

A client gave me a step-by-step process for beginning an ice syndicate, and that’s where it took off from. The Deep mainly centres around a crime family, and the royalty of a drug dynasty. It was inspired by my work in a men’s drug and alcohol rehab. Working in that rehab changed my life—I learnt that some of the best stories of Hollywood and novels are actually happening around us.

What was the research process like for the book?

I made good friends with some dangerous people. They let me get some insight into their lives, which included some enlightening road trips. One involved being greeted at the door by a hunting bow. One found me allegedly accidentally being used to allegedly transport a very large amount of money in duffel bags—I’d thought my mate had to pick up $50 bucks he was owed, but he didn’t realise there was other money to pick up too … (“Sorry bro, didn’t realise there’d be so much, if you see the cops don’t pull over”). One thing that will always stick out in my mind is late night, sitting on a couch, sharing funny YouTube videos with a very influential criminal leader. All of it incredible inspiration for The Deep and future books.

Does the creative process get easier for you with each book?

The creative process is easier, because part of it is linked to confidence and it also makes a difference when you’re able to share more and more with the people in your world. After you are published, the excitement and encouragement and support you get from your friends makes creating deeper and richer. Being a published author also opens doors that were closed to you before—particularly when you’re trying to draw answers from people that are incriminating.

How does it feel to hold your book in your hands?

It’s an incredible feeling. Not sure how else to describe it, except maybe like the way it feels when you climb to the top of a mountain and finally get to see the view. I’ve had a few moments on Instagram when I’m scrolling and I’ll see someone’s shared my book, and there’s my name, and it jolts me every time. It’s definitely a part of the magic of being a writer.

Are you able to switch off at the end of a day of writing? If so, how?

Not really. I feel like the writing is always there. I think the best way to describe it is like a tree. It is always growing, the writer’s mind is always writing, always absorbing stuff with our roots: for example, I find it impossible to read other books some days, as the writer in me is trying to absorb new ideas as I’m going. Writing is not just not the contact of fingers on the keyboard, it happens always.