Jeffrey James Higgins
The Khorasan Retribution
The nation is crumbling from within, and one agent is the last line of defense.
The Writer’s Dossier 6/16/2025 – The Jeffrey James Higgins interview
DOSSIER: You’ve battled the Taliban in combat, chased terrorists across five continents, and went on news channels like CNN and Fox News. Bullets and bombs aside, what environment did you find to be most hostile? The folks here at The Dossier think it’s a fair question.
HIGGINS: Ha! I love that question. I started my career as a reporter, and I take journalistic integrity seriously, so the current behavior of legacy media makes me crazy. Too many journalists identify as activists, and they push predetermined narratives instead of impartial observers. They’ve become propogandists. Having said that, the Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and other terror groups I’ve chased around the world are far more hostile. A biased news report is less annoying than an RPG exploding near me—but it’s a tough call.
How’s Severn River?
DOSSIER: You have a lot going on with your new publisher Severn River. THE HAVANAH SYNDROME is coming out June 17th, and it’s the first book in your new Nathan Burke series. More are in the pipeline, and they’re coming fast! Since you’ve written other praiseworthy books with other different types of characters, how are these new books going to differ from the others?
HIGGINS: I love Severn River Publishing. They’re professional and responsive, and they’ve helped improve and promote my work. The Nathan Burke series are international thrillers with elements of espionage, terrorism, assassination. My other published books are also thrillers, but they range in subgenres from psychological suspense to techno-thriller. Writing in multiple subgenres makes it harder to carry audiences from one book to another, but I tell the stories I’m driven to tell. I think
this new series will appeal to readers of Jack Carr, Lee Child, and Vince Flynn.
Here’s a secret to getting words down
DOSSIER: Where and when do you like to write? Do you have a view of the Potomac, a nice greenspace, or that hideous D.C. / Alexandria traffic?
HIGGINS: In an ideal situation, I’d write in my home office with a view of the city streets, but as a professional writer with deadlines, I’ve learned to write anywhere. I used to write for 4-5 hours in my office, but now that I run a literary salon and manage our family restaurant, I gets words in whenever and wherever possible. I usually arrive at our restaurant very early in the morning, and I write before my staff arrives. I sneak outside in the afternoon and dictate while I pace on the sidewalk. For writers working fulltime jobs, I highly recommend learning to dictate. It takes a little time to master, but once you do, it’s a productivity hack.
Give yourself an edge
DOSSIER: You were a Killer Nashville Claymore winner in 2022, and you’ve won other writing awards and earned accolades from the writing community. What level of importance do you put on engagement and attending conferences?
HIGGINS: Three million books are published each year, and while self-publishing has given authors a new avenue to share their work, it has also flooded the market with subpar books. In this environment, engaging with readers, reviewers, and other writers is critical to make work standout. I counsel writers to engage with their communities and attend conferences, both to learn about the craft and business of writing, but also to network. Writing is a solitary pursuit, so socializing with other writers is a refreshing change. It also allows authors the chance to share their experiences and help each other avoid making common
mistakes. I’ve found writers to be incredibly generous with their time and advice, especially those that write in the mystery, suspense, and thriller spaces. If writers are in the DC area, I recommend they attend events at Elaine’s Literary Salon.
Write what excites you
DOSSIER: Some authors say, “Write what you know,” others hate that saying. You’ve supervised DEA special agents, and some of your stories reflect that part of your past. But you’ve written other stories, too, even some poetry. How do you approach the craft of writing, and where are your priorities as you continue to grow as an author?
HIGGINS: I agree in part with the “write what you know” direction if it means you should research enough to bring realism into your work, but I tell new authors to write what excites them. If they’re compelled to write a story, the reader will feel the energy. Authors can also visit settings, interview experts, and study topics to gain inside knowledge.
I’ve written several books that feature cops and agents, but I also enjoy writing psychological suspense. Furious: Sailing into Terror was one of my bestsellers, and it fell into that category. In the near future, I plan to go out on submission with a few more psychological suspense manuscripts that feature female protagonists in isolated settings.
I always challenge myself by adding different elements to new manuscripts. Beyond switching thriller subgenres, I’ve writing in first person and close third-person limited. I’ve written one POV, two POV, and multiple POV books. I always give myself a new challenge, like making setting a character, flashbacks, or a historical narrative. I think it’s important to keep adding tools to my writing.
Discover more about Jeffrey James Higgins on Facebook | Instagram | X | Goodreads | Website and Amazon