Author Interview - The Posh Prepper Trilogy
Hello friend!
I wanted to share a fun interview I just did with Reader's House, a UK magazine for fiction readers. I pasted an excerpt below, and you can read the full interview on the Reader's House website.
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Todd Knight has carved out a formidable place in the world of dark, character-driven thrillers, blending psychological depth with relentless tension. His Posh Prepper trilogy is a testament to his storytelling prowess, taking readers on an electrifying journey through a world unraveling in the face of catastrophe. With The Posh Prepper, The Dread Merchant, and the forthcoming The War Saint, Knight delivers a gripping, high-stakes narrative that explores human resilience, morality, and survival in a collapsing society.
What sets Knight apart is his ability to craft deeply compelling characters—figures like Nick Ritter, whose evolution across the trilogy mirrors the struggles we all face when confronted with impossible challenges. Drawing inspiration from masterful works such as The Silence of the Lambs, Breaking Bad, and True Detective, Knight infuses his thrillers with psychological intensity, razor-sharp dialogue, and an unflinching look at the human condition. His writing doesn’t merely entertain; it immerses, unsettles, and lingers long after the final page.
In this interview, the award-winning author reflects on his journey from the corporate tech world to the literary stage, the creative process behind his pulse-pounding narratives, and the intricate balance of maintaining character-driven storytelling within the thriller genre. He also offers a glimpse into his upcoming projects and shares invaluable advice for aspiring writers looking to make their mark.
It is a privilege to feature Todd Knight in this issue of Reader’s House Magazine, as we delve into the mind behind one of the most gripping thriller series of recent years.
Todd Knight captivates with masterful storytelling, crafting intense, thought-provoking thrillers filled with rich character arcs, psychological depth, and unrelenting suspense.
What inspired you to transition from a career in tech companies to pursuing storytelling, leading to your debut novel, The Posh Prepper?
At the age of forty, I found myself tired of the soul-crushing corporate world and reeling from a failed startup venture. I decided to spend what little free time and energy I had on something that was pure pleasure. Ever since I was a boy, I loved great stories. But I never considered writing my own. I figured it would be a good challenge and a welcome distraction from life’s other stressors. I promised myself I’d write the best book I possibly could and release it without expectations. However the world received it, I’d accept. After a slow start, The Posh Prepper caught on and found many delighted readers. The message was clear: keep writing.
“Prepare for a marathon. Writing great books takes time, energy, and perseverance, but if you love it, the journey is worth it.” – Todd Knight
How did your experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic influence the development of The Posh Prepper and its themes?
The COVID-19 pandemic was a huge inspiration for The Posh Prepper. Not so much the details of the situation, but the human response. It was fascinating to watch confusion, fear, and division spread faster than the virus itself. I wanted to capture that feeling of panic and distrust in The Posh Prepper. As I wrote, the ongoing crisis provided a steady stream of inspiration for characters, settings, and themes. And crafting the story became my way of processing all the pain I was seeing in the world.
Could you share insights into the character development of Nick Ritter and how his background as a crisis consultant shapes his actions throughout the series?
Nick’s character development through the trilogy follows the arc of someone trying to solve an unsolvable problem: He starts off cynical and distant, not wanting to engage with it. Then he gets drawn into it by the people he loves and sets his mind on fixing it for them. But it’s too big, too hard, too broken, and his honest efforts fall to pieces. Nick’s left embarrassed and frustrated. So he rages and tries to tear it all down, which makes him look like the bad guy. Finally Nick realizes the truth: some problems are too big to be solved. All you can do is lead a few good people with a message of hope and start something new. As a crisis consultant, Nick is trying to solve the ultimate problem: a world-ending virus released by an alliance of power players. But his arc is something we’ve all experienced as we face unsolvable problems in our own lives.
With The Dread Merchant and The War Saint completing The Posh Prepper trilogy, what challenges did you face in maintaining narrative consistency and character evolution across the series?
This was SO hard. The trilogy has a huge cast of characters, each with their own unique personalities, strengths, weaknesses, plans, and arcs. I realized early on it would be impossible to write a coherent trilogy while keeping all the players and plots in my head (I have three toddlers, two jobs, and one needy house—if I don’t write something down in ten seconds, it’s gone forever). So I created a giant Character document that captured every major character, their starting point, their evolution, and their finishing point, both within each book and across the trilogy. That document (currently 154 pages and growing) has become the driving force for the trilogy. In my books, plot serves character. So as long as I know how the characters are changing, I can shape the story around them.
How have your favourite works, such as The Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon, and shows like Breaking Bad, influenced your writing style and thematic choices?
Character, character, character. My favorite books, movies, and shows all have one thing in common: they are driven by character growth. From Tony Soprano to Walter White to Clarice Starling, the greatest stories follow a vivid, captivating, realistic human being as they battle through the biggest challenge of their life. I knew I wanted The Posh Prepper trilogy to follow that same approach. It was all about Nick and his newfound family’s growth through a world-ending catastrophe.
Could you discuss the significance of the “Knight Club” and how engaging directly with your readers has impacted your writing journey?
Knight Club is my fan email list. I send a few emails per year, offer free early copies of my books, share brief updates on my personal life, and never, ever spam my readers. In return, they’ve given me so much. Not just feedback on my stories and characters, but encouragement. Writing a book is a lonely journey. I spend endless hours alone in a dark room imagining a collapsing world. A kind note from a fan warms my heart and pushes me forward. Nothing makes me smile like hearing, “Your book kept me up all night!”
What can readers expect from your future projects beyond The Posh Prepper trilogy?
My next book after The War Saint will be a psychological crime thriller. I have a unique idea I can’t stop thinking about. It has haunted my mind every day for the last two years, and I can’t wait to get it down on paper and see where it leads. Stay tuned.
What advice would you offer to aspiring authors looking to transition from a different industry into writing, based on your own experiences?
Prepare for a marathon. It took me three years to write The Posh Prepper. Veteran authors suggest waiting until you have at least three books out before you start advertising, which will take me six years. The timeline will be different for every author, but the two main resources required to write great books are time and energy. If you’re tied to a full-time job, both of those will be in short supply. The good news is if you love writing, the journey will be a joy.