New York Times Bestselling Author Ralph Pezzullo
Ralph Pezzullo is the New York Times and international bestselling author of THE GREAT CHINESE ART HEIST: IMPERIALISM, ORGANIZED CRIME, AND THE HIDDEN STORY OF CHINA’S STOLEN ARTISTIC TREASURES, and award-winning playwright and screenwriter. He is also the host of the popular podcast “Heroes Behind Headlines,” which ranked #8 on Apple Podcasts. The son of a U.S. diplomat, he grew up all over the world. After receiving a master’s degree in International Affairs, he worked on Capitol Hill and later as a correspondent for Associated Press, covering assignments in Latin America and creating relationships with other diplomats, political leaders, CIA agents, and military officers worldwide. His books have sold more than six million copies worldwide. Among his plays produced in NYC, “Tail of the Tiger” was awarded Best New Play by the National Arts Club, and “The American Wife” was recently produced at the Park Theatre in London. He has also written for TV and film, creating screenplays for major film studies and working with directors such as Oliver Stone, Antoine Fuqua, and George Gallo. His screenplay, “An Unacceptable Person,” received a Writer’s Guild East Foundation New Screenplay Award, and his screenplay, “Flashback’ won the best screenplay at the New York Film Festival. He currently lives in L.A.
What inspired you to write, and what has your journey been like in becoming a New York Times bestselling author?
I’ve always been intensely curious about other people and our world. Since my father was a U.S. diplomat and I grew up in Mexico, Vietnam, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and other counties, I had a front-row seat to some of the dramatic events in modern history. I was a kid living in Saigon, Vietnam, amid almost daily bombings and violent attacks against Americans when the Tonkin Gulf resolution was passed, leading to a massive buildup of US troops and a war that killed tens of thousands of American soldiers; I was living in La Paz, Bolivia in 1967 when Che Guevara was captured and killed after trying to incite a communist revolt in that country; my father was US Ambassador to Nicaragua when the Sandinista Revolution took place in July 1979. As a young man of the approximate age of the Sandinista leaders, including Daniel Ortega, Eden Pastor, and others, I befriended them and went with them on fishing trips, etc.
New York Times bestselling author Ralph Pezzullo (left of center) guest stars on the Adam Carolla Show.
My background not only gave me access to important political figures, including Henry Kissinger, presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton (who was invited to spend time with him in the Oval Office), as well as political and military leaders, CIA and FBI officials, and writers, actors, and journalists. Because of all I had been exposed to and my interest in sharing my experience with other people, it seemed natural to start my career as an investigative journalist for the Associated Press and various publications. I became a playwright with over a dozen plays produced in New York City and London, a speechwriter and advertising copywriter, and an award-winning screenwriter and poet. In 2005, I was approached by the CIA officer who led the effort to dispose of the Taliban from Afghanistan and capture Osama Bin Laden, which resulted in the New York Times and international bestseller JAWBREAKER. Since then, I have written more than two dozen works of fiction and nonfiction, including mysteries, thrillers, and books dealing with the military and intelligence communities—over a half-dozen of which have become bestsellers.
“…it didn’t seem real and more like the plot of an international heist movie. The more I researched the story, the more fascinating and multi-layered it became…”
Your book, THE GREAT CHINESE ART HEIST explores how the art world has been rocked by a series of very costly and elaborately planned thefts at significant museums and how China openly promotes efforts to repatriate works. How did you first stumble upon this story?
I first heard about the story from a friend who works in the intelligence community. The first time I heard it, it didn’t seem real and more like the plot of an international heist movie. The more I researched the story, the more fascinating and multi-layered it became and concerned international gangs, Chinese billionaires, and the history of China and the West.
New York Times bestselling author Ralph Pezzullo’s THE GREAT CHINESE ART HEIST (Pegasus Books)
Your book reminded me of MONUMENTS MEN meets THE CONFIDENCE GAME. Were there any other books you had in mind while writing?
My job as a writer is to tell an engaging, fair, and balanced story. Each story involves a unique cast of characters, challenges, and conclusions. I leave the comparisons up to others.
How’s it been working with Jessica Case, Claiborne Hancock, and the team at Pegasus Books on THE GREAT CHINESE ART HEIST?
I’m very grateful for the interest in this subject from Jessica Case, Claiborne Hancock, and the team at Pegasus Books. I am excited to work with them to produce a provocative, entertaining, and bestselling book.
New York Times bestselling author Ralph Pezzullo at his Barnes & Noble book signing for THE GREAT CHINESE ART HEIST.
“I love anyone who sheds light on the human experience.”
Do you have any personal literary influences, such as authors or books you admire?
I admire so many writers that I don’t know where to start. I love anyone who sheds light on the human experience. To name a few: Mark Twain, William Faulkner, poets Pablo Neruda and Antonio Machado, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. I could go on and on...
What do you feel are the qualities of the best literary agents?
An open mind, sympathy, determination, and a strong understanding of the marketplace.
What do you feel are the qualities of the best editors?
An ability to appreciate what you’re trying to achieve and communicate how you can do it better.
Are you reading anything good for pleasure at the moment?
I host a popular website called Heroes Behind Headlines. Because of that, I’ve been reading some fantastic true stories like QUEST FOR LOVE by Anneke Lucas, DAMN LUCKY and In HARM’S WAY by Kevin Mauer, THE INHERITANCE by Christoper and Michelle Fulton, SCARS AND STRIPES by Tim Kennedy and TRANCE by Cathy O’Brien.
Can you tell us about what book you’re working on next?
I’ve just finished a thriller, and I’m working on the true story of an international undercover operative for the CIA and other intelligence agencies, also a world-renowned psychic medium.
“Find stories to provoke and inspire people, put your ego and expectations aside, and get to work.”
Any advice for hopeful writers looking to become published authors?
Find stories to provoke and inspire people, put your ego and expectations aside, and get to work.
Can you finish this sentence? I love writing because…
I love communicating, sharing, and inspiring. And there are always news stories to tell and room to improve.
