If you don’t know who Matthew Betley is, don’t worry–you will soon! Betley’s explosive debut novel Overwatch has been well received by critics and fans of the political thriller genre, and he’s already drawing comparisons to superstars like Brad Thor, and the late Vince Flynn.
Granted, part of the reason for those comparisons has to do with the fact that Betley is signed to Emily Bestler Books, an imprint of Atria books at Simon & Schuster, which also happens to be the publishing home of Thor and Flynn (whose Mitch Rapp series has been continued by Kyle Mills).
But the high praise Betley has received is ligament and well deserved, as the new author burst onto the scene back in March by delivering the year’s best debut novel. If you haven’t read Overwatch yet, take my advice and move it to the top of your reading list right away!
Those of you who have already read Overwatch know that it’s obviously no secret Matthew Betley is an author to watch closely. And now, thanks to a meet-and-greet style blog post, you can get to know him a little bit better.
I’ll post the first two tidbits here, but to read the rest you’ll have to check out his website by clicking here.
In the hopes of you getting to know me a little more intimately than my BIO, here are some things you should know about me:
1. I’m a recovering alcoholic. There’s a reason that Logan West is a relapsing alcoholic. While I have 7+ years of sobriety and never relapsed – I still take it one day at a time – I wanted to give Logan the same issue that I struggled with for years and millions of others continue to struggle with each day. As a result of my sobriety, I’m brutally honest with myself and others, often to such an extent that people who don’t know me might not believe me when I provide direct feedback or answer questions honestly. Regardless, none of you would have ever heard of Logan West had it not been for my decision to face my problem head-on, fortunate that the Marine Corps gave me the opportunity to deal with it through an outpatient rehab program in the military to which I self-referred. I didn’t get a DUI or arrested for some kind of bar fight – I just realized I was heading in the wrong direction that could only end in tombstone.
2. I spent 10 years as a Marine officer. Yes. It’s true – I even once commanded a scout sniper platoon more than 15 years ago in what feels like a different lifetime. I searched for the hardest military occupational specialty I could find and was privileged to be given the chance to get it. During the first two and a half years of my Marine Corps, I had non-stop tactical training in one form or another. While I thrived in that kind of environment, I can honestly say that I wasn’t the best Marine officer I could be. I wasn’t what we called our “10 percent” by any stretch of the imagination, but I didn’t maximize my potential as a result of being a functioning alcoholic. (I also wasn’t running around doing the things that Logan West is doing in the books. It is fiction, which is why it can be dramatized.) Ironically, it wasn’t until I got sober towards the end of my 10 years that I truly realized what it meant to be a Marine, to be a part of something larger than myself, where it truly is about the Marines you’re privileged to serve with and – if you’re lucky – lead. There is no doubt I could have been a better leader and officer, and that is something that I try to remedy by who I am and how I act today. I joke that I’m a better, more fit Marine officer now than when I was in, and the truth in that statement is a result of finally getting sober and recognizing the bond that all Marines share, no matter when or for how long they served.
Again, visit Betley’s website to read the rest–and don’t forget to grab your copy of Overwatch (if you haven’t read it yet) today!