I began writing when I was in college. I’ve always loved reading great stories, then one day I decided I should give it a try. I didn’t risk losing anything but a little ego.

What inspired you to pen your first novel?

I had been at Dartmouth Medical School for two years, one day after leaving the gym I stopped and looked at the peaceful surroundings and thought it would be a great setting for a murder mystery, a violent act standing in stark contrast with the tranquil surroundings. The first story I wrote is actually about an Ivy League experience. Since I haven’t published it yet, you’ll have to wait for the details. But I will publish that story one day.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

I actually came up with the title first and developed the story afterwards – usually happens in the reverse order. I was reading something about a new computer line and the name of it was the Blackbird. The name stuck with me and I just thought it would be an interesting name for a book, perhaps a mystery.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There’s no specific message other than everyone has his or her dark secrets. What I find intriguing is that I used a real life controversy that still exists today but few people know about it as the central theme of the book and the reason for a character’s early disappearance.

Are experiences in the book based on someone you know, or events in your life?

Some of the names in the story are real. I am holding a contest for readers to name the folks from Danbury, CT (it’s my hometown). Anyone who can identify all of the Danburians will be eligible to win round-trip airfare for 2 and a 5 day/ 4 night trip to London. The contest begins on June 15^th, the date the book is published and ends on July 8^th. The winner will be announced on July 11^th on my website: www.iansmithbooks.com. With a little investigative work and a little luck, someone will win this great trip.

Who is your favorite author? why?

I don’t have one favorite author, but I like John Grisham, Michael Connelly, Harlan Coben, Walter Mosley, Dominick Dunne, amongst others. They write in a way that I like to read a book – fast paced, captivating, visceral, and cathartic.

What are you reading now?

I am currently reading: “Darkly Dreaming Dexter” – Jeff Lindsay; “Eleven Minutes” – Paul Coehlo; “Princes of Ireland” Edward Rutherford, and “The Enemy” by Lee Child. I’m waiting for Mosely’s book to come out in July.

What are your current/next projects?

Well, I have a two-book deal with Doubleday; so I am currently working on book #2, “The Coroner’s Report”. It’s the story of what happens when two first-year medical students are dissecting their cadaver late one night and realize the body they’ve been working on is not who it’s supposed to be, and that knowledge leads to murder.

What do you think about the prevalence of books by African-American authors?

More African-American writers are being aggressive about getting their stories in the larger marketplace of books and ideas. More decision makers in the publishing industry are finally recognizing that works by African-American writers are for the equal consumption of the entire society. Black writers don’t just write black stories. This is not a renaissance or something new, because blacks have been writing for a long time. What has really changed is that Black writers are finally receiving broad acceptance and acknowledgment of their talent.

How does your family /or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

My family and close friends have known about my passion for fiction for years and realize it is a dream come true. They also understand that I do different things depending on my interests – I am not circumscribed by traditional conventions or arbitrary parameters.

Do you see writing as a long- or short-term career?

I hope to write forever. As long as I have a story to tell, I hope to be able to communicate it to the world.

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?

Anyone who wants to be a writer has to remember two things:

1. The best writers are great readers.
2. Writers write.