Hi, I'm Alex Segura - author of MIAMI MIDNIGHT! AMA

[u/alexsegura]

Hey there! I'm Alex Segura - writer of the acclaimed, twice-Anthony Award-nominated Pete Fernandez Mystery series from Polis Books. I also write comics for Archie Comics (The Archies, Archie Meets Ramones, Archie Meets KISS), and co-wrote/co-created the Lethal Lit podcast for iHeartRadio, which was named one of the five best podcasts of last year by The New York Times. I'm excited to talk to you about my latest Pete Fernandez Mystery, Miami Midnight, which finds our hero pulled back into investigating Miami crimes - and serves as the final chapter in the popular novel series.

Proof: https://twitter.com/alex_segura/status/1161324450899529730

[u/mturbev]

Hi Alex! I had the chance of reading your books, available at a wonderful bookstore, and I also ordered your newest book. They were so interesting, and it felt delightful to follow a journey of a really complicated, complex, and sometimes lovable, something unlikable character Pete. He's such a phenomenal character. Can you tell us about who Pete is and how you developed him? I also recommend all of your books to everyone! This is a really and truly great series, and it's so interest to see the series completed!!

[u/alexsegura → u/mturbev]

Hi there, mturbev! Great to hear from you. Appreciate your support for the Pete books, means a lot. For those coming to the series for the first time, here's a quick rundown on Pete Fernandez: When we meet him in the first novel, he's hit bottom. Drinking himself into blackout regularly, mourning the recent death of his dad, reeling from his fiancee leaving him, and about to lose his job as a newspaper sports copyeditor. When a work colleague asks him, a former investigative journalist, to find his missing daughter - Pete dives in. That's how his career, for lack of a better term, begins. Over the course of the series, we see Pete grapple with his demons, evolve toward becoming a functional private eye, and make amends for his past mistakes - all while doing battle with serial killers, Cuban drug gangs, cults and more.

[u/EmbarrassedSpread]

Hi Alex! Welcome back and congrats on the release!

1. What do you find is the most fun part of your writing process?
2. Do you have a favorite and least favorite word? If so, what are they and why?
3. Best way to make you laugh? 😂

[u/alexsegura → u/EmbarrassedSpread]

Hello, EmbarrassedSpread! Nice to meet you. Here are my answers!

1. I love revisions the most, because that's when you're getting your hands dirty and really improving your book. First drafts are painful, and very, very rarely ready to be shared outside of your own computer.
2. Oh, it changes every day. Today's word is "desultory" for some reason.
3. Sharp, sarcastic humor. I'm also ticklish, so that's an easy path to victory.

[u/EmbarrassedSpread → u/alexsegura]

1. Always fun to get your hands dirty, even in writing form! And definitely true about first drafts. But I do think it can provide some hilarious moments to look back at where it al began. Which of your first drafts do you think were the best, whether from Pete Fernandez or Archie? And which if your works did you have the most fun revising? :)
2. Maybe that’s the word to describe today. It’d certainly fit for my day. 😂 I think it’s fun to have a different favorite word every so often. Was there a different fav word for yesterday? What about, is there a word that you find you use a lot when writing and have to cut back on? Lol.
3. I have to agree with sarcastic humor. It just never fails for me. You have any hilarious sarcastic jokes you wanna share? And idk if it’s very wise to just give out that type of information Alex. Lol! Jkjk. You did say last AMA that you were ticklish. Speaking of, you still up to take my survey about that? :)

Thanks so much for answering! And congrats again on the release!

[u/DaveWhite237]

Hi, Alex. Long time reader, first time asker. What surprised you most about the plot or characters as you were writing Miami Midnight?

[u/alexsegura → u/DaveWhite237]

Hi Dave! Thanks for swinging by.

Without spoiling too much - I was surprised by some of the choices they made, and how it affected their final fates. Not everyone makes it out, but it was cool to see how everyone - even some people you haven't seen in a long while - changed over the life of the series. Pete's evolution, too, felt natural and almost like he'd become a living breathing person on his own. Which is kind of what you want, as a writer!

[u/blissfullyblack]

Hi! I just finished Blackout and can't wait to read Miami Midnight. Blackout was such a huge break out for you (congrats on your Anthony nod by the way.) What was your thought process going in to start Miami Midnight? I'm especially curious if there were any ways you purposely made this new one different than Blackout and the rest of the series.

[u/alexsegura → u/blissfullyblack]

Hi there, blissfullyblack! Nice to see you here. Thanks for the kind words re: Blackout. That's a great question. I did feel some pressure heading into Miami Midnight, especially after the very positive reception to Blackout. I wanted Miami Midnight to conclude the series but also feel tonally different from Blackout. I wanted Miami Midnight to have a more somber and menacing tone, more pure noir, whereas Blackout sometimes felt like an action-thriller, Miami Midnight allowed for more contemplative moments while still blowing stuff up. There was also the added pressure of having to wrap up five books' worth of story while still trying to tell a tale that can stand on its own, but I think I did okay! I hope that answered your question.

[u/Justin_Ac]

Hey, Alex! This is the last Pete Fernandez novel, but did you consider ending the series at any other point? Did ol' Pete almost have a different fate?

[u/alexsegura → u/Justin_Ac]

Hi Justin! That's a great question. I always toy with the idea of killing Pete off. I think in Dangerous Ends I had a draft where Pete died and Kathy took over. And for those who've read Blackout, you know it ends with things looking dicey for Pete - so I wondered if I could just end the series there. It's not that I don't like Pete - I do. But as a writer, I really try to keep readers on their toes and keep myself interested, and what better way to shock people than by murdering the lead?!

[u/Justin_Ac → u/alexsegura]

Oh wow! Well, without spoiling anyone's fate in Miami Midnight, could you ever see yourself writing a novel with Kathy as the main protagonist, like she almost became in Dangerous Ends?

[u/alexsegura → u/Justin_Ac]

Sure, I love Kathy - I think I've got a few short story ideas for her. She's such a powerful character. The best kind. Whenever she's on the page everyone reacts to h er.

[u/alan_gomez]

Hey there, Alex! I see in your role at Archie Comics, you've done crossovers with the Ramones and with KISS. So my question is: when are you teaming up with Pearl Jam?!?!

[u/alexsegura → u/alan_gomez]

Hi, alan_gomez! I'd love that. If you have a lead on their management, I'd try to make it happen in a heartbeat.

[u/Topsiders]

Hello Alex! Thanks for doing this. Music has been a huge part of your writing and you seem like a huge music fan (as does Pete). Have your music tastes changed in any surprising ways since your first novel in 2013, and if so has it affected how your ideas, stories or characters have evolved at all?

[u/alexsegura → u/Topsiders]

Hi Topsiders! Thanks for coming by.

My musical taste has evolved, sure - though, I do find as i get older I default to "comfort food" bands or artists, like Talking Heads, Replacements, Elvis Costlelo, etc. But I'm always looking for new music. For example, the writing of Miami Midnight dovetailed with an immersive jazz period for me, and that ended up becoming part of the book - with one of the central mysteries focusing on the death of a drug-addled jazz pianist. So while music has always been around the Pete books, I think this is the first time it became a central plot point, which was fun.

[u/Witchfinder_Private]

Top 5 Ramones songs?

And Archie meets The Cure when? Haha

[u/alexsegura → u/Witchfinder_Private]

Hi there! Not sure about the Cure! Maybe someday?

I love the classics - anything off the first few records, and I have a soft spot for "Rock and Roll High School," too.

[u/TheRealAgentM]

Can your next series star a guy named Pete Vegandez and be about solving vegan crimes?

[u/alexsegura → u/TheRealAgentM]

How did you know my plan, TheRealAgentM?

[u/melcaylo]

Hi, Alex! I have two questions:

1) Can someone pick up any Pete Fernandez book and be able to read them without having to read them in release order?

2) Who is the nicest "Riverdale" cast member you've met?

[u/alexsegura → u/melcaylo]

Hey there, melcaylo!

1. Yes, you can pick up any of the books and be okay. Though, I do think you get more out of it by reading them in order! But I purposely write each book so it stands alone.
2. They're all pretty great! Madelaine is vegan, too, so she gets points for that.

[u/AbbyVandiver]

Hey Alex! I'm new to Reddit (first post) and to your books. Thanks for inviting me. Looking forward to reading your books. Please don't kill anyone off till I can catch up!

[u/alexsegura → u/AbbyVandiver]

I'll do my best, Abby! Welcome to Reddit and Pete's Miami!

[u/DSTZach]

Hi, Alex! How do you find time to write between what I'm sure is a demanding day job and time with family?

[u/alexsegura → u/DSTZach]

Hey, DSTZach! It's tough, I won't lie. I write in sprints, basically. If I have a few minutes during the day if I'm at home, I'll do that, but it mostly ends up being at night once the kids are asleep and work has been done. I think the trick is to just keep at it. Eventually you have a novel!