• Newsletter Signup
  • Interested Authors
  • Blog/Content
    • Author Reports
      • On The Trail Of Ted Bundy
      • Bradley Nickell Q&A With a Sin City Cop
      • From Russia With Love
      • eZine
        • Sign Up For The WildBlue Press eZine
  • Events / Media
    • Special Events
    • Upcoming Media Appearances
    • Media Appearances Archive
  • About Us
    • Catalog
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • Partners
    • MacGregor Literary
    • ImaginePublicity
    • The House Of Mystery With Host Al Warren
  • Contact Us
    • For Interested Authors
    • Participate in Focus Groups
    • Employment

WildBlue Press

Great Reads from Exceptional Authors

Great Reads from
Exceptional Authors

  • Home
  • Our Books
    • By Genre
      • Business
      • History
      • Mystery
      • Sci-Fi/Fantasy
      • Thrillers
      • True Crime
    • Box Sets
    • Award Winners
    • Coming Soon
    • Featured Books
    • New Releases
  • Blog
  • Subscribe
  • Interested Authors
  • Partners
    • Imagine Publicity
    • MacGregor Literary
    • The House Of Mystery With Al Warren
  • About Us
    • Catalog
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

PAPER WINGS’ Les Abend Discusses How His Passion For Flying Has Helped His Writing

Les Abend’s new aviation thriller, PAPER WINGS, is now available! Order your copy today!

As much as I’d like to believe that people find my day job fascinating, their interest may extend only as far as a visit to the cockpit. Reading a novel involving my profession may not be high on the entertainment list. I get it. The technical nature of flying airplanes might glaze over some eyes… well, unless you’re talking Top Gun stuff while listening to Kenny Loggins perform “Danger zone.”

Sorry, but most times flying airplanes doesn’t involve an impromptu, inconceivable, inverted formation flight with a Russian Mig, not with standing the extension of a certain middle finger. And therein lies the dilemma. How does one present an interesting profession that successfully and consistently achieves the mundane with very few exceptions? Nobody wants to read about the mundane.

Making a subject matter interesting requires passion. I’ve been passionate about flying airplanes since I started taking lessons before I could legally drive a car… actually at 6-years-old if you’ve read my bio. It goes without saying that inside knowledge of the subject matter adds the element of realism and credibility. If nothing else, 40-plus years of flying airplanes provides insight.

Order Your Copy Of Abend’s Aviation Thriller PAPER WINGS Today!

After having stared into a CNN camera on a few occasions, my fear has not been the millions of potential viewers evaluating the credibility of my words but rather the scrutiny of colleagues who might raise the BS flag. (And trust me, they won’t hesitate.) In that regard, it is the anonymous scrutiny of my fellow pilots that keeps me true to the profession and true to the novel.

Author Les Abend

The other goal for writing an aviation novel was to offer a mystery, a whodunit. Who doesn’t like a good whodunit? From detective novels, to legal dramas, to the Stephen King supernatural thrillers, a mystery should be entertaining.

During the process of considering a novel, one of my goals was to refrain from beating up readers with technical jargon. But I didn’t want to insult reader intelligence either. So when it’s appropriate, I sprinkle in just enough airplane-speak to maintain the realism. You still probably won’t be able to fly a Boeing 767 when you finish the book, but you’ll have a better idea on how it might be done.

Also, it was important for me to provide characters to which readers can relate regardless of their vocation. As is true of life, none of my characters, especially the hero, is without flaws.

And judging by the continuous popularity of cop TV shows with the underlying plot to discover the culprit, I have paralleled that theme. People’s fascination with an airplane accident is a reflection of the thirst to piece together clues in order to solve a mystery. This is the ultimate function of the NTSB, to unravel the circumstances behind a tragedy and never allow the same event to occur again. But sometimes, what happens behind the cockpit door is not the end of the story.

Turn off your TV for a little while. Grab “Paper Wings.” Find your favorite sofa. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight!

Filed Under: Blog, Les Abend, PAPER WINGS, Thrillers Tagged With: airplanes, Aviation thriller, Crime thriller, flying, Les Abend, Mystery, mystery thriller, Paper Wings, pilot, suspense thriller, technothriller, Thriller, thriller author
February 21, 2017 By Les Abend Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

PAPER WINGS by Les Abend

Buy PAPER WINGS now:
Paper Wings Star Ratings
     Kindle $ 12.99   978-1-942266-64-8
     Audible $ 24.95   
     iTunes $ 21.99   
     Trade Pbk $ 12.99   978-1-942266-63-1

INTERNATIONAL KINDLE SALES

USA  UK  Canada  Australia  Germany  France  Spain  Japan  Italy  Brazil  India  Mexico


AUDIO BOOK
Get this Title for FREE at Audible with a free trialGet this Title for FREE at Audible with a 30-day free trial

THRILLED TO DEATH VOLUME TWO

Buy THRILLED TO DEATH VOLUME TWO (Includes LOCKOUT by John Nance, PAPER WINGS by Les Abend, and THE STRAIT by Dom Stasi) now:

     Kindle $ 26.99   978-1-948239-57-8
     Nook $ 20.49   9781948239578
     Kobo $ 19.49   9781948239578

INTERNATIONAL KINDLE SALES

USA  UK  Canada  Australia  Germany  France  Spain  Japan  Italy  Brazil  India  Mexico

Les Abend On Crime Cafe With Debbi Mack

More From Les Abend:

Audiobook Offer

Audiobook Offer

Start 2021 off right by reading more and learning more with free audiobooks!   ***For a limited time only Browse by genre and select the cover to get more information and your free copy! Non-Fiction True Crime Business … [Read More...]

Holiday 2020 Audiobook Giveaway, get free audiobooks

Holiday 2020 Audiobook Giveaway

We know how hard 2020 has been. To help you end the year on a better note, we wanted to give you the gift of free audiobooks! Hence, the Holiday 2020 Audiobook Giveaway! You're probably thinking of gifts for others right now, like we always do during … [Read More...]

PAPER WING’s Les Abend On How He Became A Pilot and Writer

Even though Mom would like me to sing my own praises, it’s not my style. But I’m often asked about the opportunities I’ve been fortunate enough to be afforded. Here’s one of my scripted responses for “How did you get that gig?” Answer: “I am grateful … [Read More...]

Les Abend On His Characters For PAPER WINGS

The old adage of, “Write about what you know,” is certainly applicable to “Paper Wings.” But beyond the story itself, the adage is also applicable to the characters. As is true for most, life experience dictates our perception of people and their … [Read More...]

EXPLAINING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLT 37O: The Most Incredible Aviation Mystery of the 21st Century

It’s hard to believe that three years has passed since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared. The Boeing 777-200, carrying 239 passengers and crew, literally vanished from radar screens in the early morning hours of March 8, 2014. But just how did … [Read More...]

Genres, Types

New Releases
Featured Books
Coming Soon
Award Winners

Business
History
Horror
Mysteries
Romance
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Thrillers
True Crime

eBooks
Paperbacks
Audio Books
Box Sets

Available

Cookbook
• Frank Cullotta's Greatest (Kitchen) Hits
True Crime
• Satin Pumps
• Out Of The Mouths Of Serial Killers
• True Crime Chronicles Volume Two
• The World Encyclopedia Of Serial Killers Volume Three
• The Enigma Of Ted Bundy
• True Crime Chronicles Volume One
• Killing Women
• From The Mob To The Movies
• The World Encyclopedia Of Serial Killers Volume Two
• To Kill Or Be Killed
• No Angels
• Monster
• Under A Full Moon
• 'til Death Do Us ...'
• The World Encyclopedia Of Serial Killers
• First Degree Rage
• The 'supreme Gentleman' Killer
• Beast Of New Castle
• The Garden State Parkway Murders
• How Now, Butterfly?
• The Encyclopedia Of The Ted Bundy Murders
• Survival
• Missing ... And Presumed Dead
• Wrong Numbers
• Tantamount
• Playing Dead
• Mothers And Murderers
• Dead Reckoning
• Underworld
• Gabacho
• The Gangster's Cousin
• Race To Justice
• Ted Bundy's Murderous Mysteries
• Travesty Of Justice
• Railroaded
• You Have A Very Soft Voice, Susan
• A Family Business
• Pathological
• Wrecking Crew
• The Last Man Standing
• My Son, The Killer
• Saving Annie Book 2
• Inconvenience Gone
• Toxic Rage
• The Killing Game
• Shots In The Dark
• Saving Annie
• The Case Of The Golden State Killer
• His Garden
• The Crate
• Burned
• The Case Of The Zodiac Killer
• A Murder In My Hometown
• Bullied To Death
• The Beast I Loved
• Summary Execution
• The Shawcross Letters
• Better Off Dead
• Sidetracked
• My Brother's Keeper
• Targeted
• Held Hostage
• Room 1203
• A Special Kind Of Evil
• Brooklyn's Most Wanted
• Outlaw Los Angeles
• Unsolved No More
• She Is Evil
• The Rise And Fall Of A Casino Mobster
• Outlaw Southwest
• A Clockwork Murder
• Raw Deal
• The Bundy Secrets
• Betrayal In Blue
• The Politics Of Murder
• Murderers Row
• Rough Trade
• Daddy's Little Secret
• Murder In The Family
• Failure Of Justice
• Ice And Bone
• Smooth Talker
• The Trail Of Ted Bundy
• A Taste For Murder
• Sketchcop
• Body Of Proof
• Kentucky Bloodbath
• No Stone Unturned
• Repeat Offender
• Dixie's Last Stand
• Vampire
• Man Overboard
• Bogeyman
Thriller
• No One Will Hear Your Screams
• The Screaming Room
• Bone Thief
• Crux
• Sword Of The Caliphate
• Last Son Of The War God
• Leviathan
• The Strait
• Enemy Of The People
• Cain
• Dark Visions
• Hunter
• The Reckoning
• Hard Dog To Kill
• 16 Souls
• Borderland
• Paper Wings
• Lockout
• The Pure And The Hated
• Savage Highway
• Pitfall
Mystery
• Raven's Ridge
• Raptor's Ridge
• Napa Noir
• Melia Ridge
• Emerald Ridge
• Beacon Hill
• Northern Ex
• Created
• Crevice
• Headlock
• Identity Crisis
• The Obituary
• Naked Addiction
• The Deadline
Horror
• Four
• Acadia Event
• The Red Son
• The Equinox
• Highwayman
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
• Happenstance
• Destruction Of Justice
• Blunt Force Magic
Business
• Leaderology
• The Age Of Pluralism
• Bamboo Strong
• Corporate Superpower
• Wordpress Websites For Business
• Productivity Tools For Business
History
• Legion Rising
• The Korean Crisis
• Tempest Tost
• Saving Sandoval
• Killing Rasputin
Politics
• The (Redacted) Mueller Report
Romance
• When Fall Fades

New Releases

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF SERIAL KILLERS

Why Do Serial Killers Kill? Find Out In OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF SERIAL KILLERS

WHY DO SERIAL KILLERS KILL? OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF SERIAL KILLERS​ is as close as you will ever come to discovering the answer ... and in the killer’s own words! In this one-of-a-kind book, author Mary Brett corresponded with some of America’s … [More...]

True Crime Chronicles Volume Two

TRUE CRIME CHRONICLES: Volume Two Is Out! Classic Journalism With Commentary by New York Times Bestselling Author Mike Rothmiller

What do Wyatt Earp, Belle Gunness, Big Foot the Renegade, Billy the Kid, and Dr. H.H. Holmes, and The Black Hand have in common? They were all subjects of true crime newspaper reporting in the 1800s, and now these stories and that of many others … [More...]

“Frank Swaps His Gun And Fedora For An Apron And Chef’s Hat” To Bring You FRANK CULLOTTA’S GREATEST (KITCHEN) HITS

INCLUDES OVER 40 COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS! Frank Cullotta was best known for his exploits as an associate of the Chicago Outfit and his role as Tony Spilotro’s enforcer and street lieutenant in Las Vegas. However, he had another interest besides crime. … [More...]

Bundy Expert Kevin Sullivan Adds To Series With THE ENIGMA OF TED BUNDY

In this 6th and final book on the Ted Bundy case, I wanted to tackle some questions and legitimate controversies that remain about Ted Bundy, the murders, and his victims. These questions and controversies cover such issues as Bundy’s hunting … [More...]

Coming Soon

SATIN PUMPS Gives Inside Look Into Gripping Midcentury Murder

It was the midcentury murder that fascinated a nation and kept it glued for two years to radio, television and newspapers through three trials. Did the handsome, wealthy doctor and his beautiful young paramour plan to kill his glamorous socialite … [More...]

SERIAL KILLERS: 101 Questions True Crime Fans Ask

Learn the terrifying truth behind the world’s deadliest serial killers… Serial killers haunt our dreams and inspire the terrifying villains of TV shows and horror movies. But how much do you really know about the minds behind the world’s deadliest … [More...]

The Son Of Seven Mothers Kindle Cover

Cult Survivor Benjamin Risha Tells Readers His Story In THE SON OF SEVEN MOTHERS

As the adopted son of two cult leaders, Benjamin Risha was raised to someday assume a place of leadership in the Tony and Susan Alamo Christian Foundation with the Bible, and his parents’ interpretation of it, as his guide. He believed the prophecies … [More...]

Recent Posts

  • Meet Steve Kosareff, Author of True Crime Memoir, SATIN PUMPS
  • Author Steve Kosareff Introduces His True Crime Memoir, SATIN PUMPS
  • Book Trailer for OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF SERIAL KILLERS
  • Audiobook Offer
  • Mary Brett
  • OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF SERIAL KILLERS Photo Gallery
  • Why Do Serial Killers Kill? Find Out In OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF SERIAL KILLERS

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

eZine SignupJoin our email list and be the first to get hot deals, new releases and...
* Author updates
* Free eBooks
* Free audio books
* Enlightening and entertaining posts
* Advance notice of book deals, special offers

Follow Us

Blog Tag Cloud

best true crime books Bogeyman Bradley Nickell Burl Barer Caitlin Rother Cold Case Crime Fiction Crime thriller Detective Detectives Facebook True Crime John Ferak Kevin Sullivan Las Vegas Murder murder book Mysteries Mystery mystery book mystery thriller Non-Fiction Ron Franscell Serial Killer serial killer books Serial Killers Steve Jackson Suspense suspense thriller Ted Bundy Thriller Thriller Books Thrillers True-crime truecrime True Crime True Crime Authors true crime book true crime books True Crime Discussions True Crime Original true crimes true crime stories True Murder WildBlue Press writing

Privacy Policy

As Seen On:

Our Authors Have Been Seen On...

Interested Authors Click Here
See Our Entire Catalog
SSL Secure Connection

Copyright © 2021 WildBlue Press. All rights reserved.
Website design by Denver Local SEO Marketing Company
PAPER WINGS’ Les Abend Discusses How His Passion For Flying Has Helped His Writing