Jason Pellegrini may have just published his first novel, but you’d be surprised to find out that he never really wanted to be a writer.
“The thought never really crossed my mind until I decided I wanted to give it a shot,” said Pellegrini, who has lived in Levittown for the past 24 years. “I attended Nassau
Community College while earning my Associates, and finished up online at the University of Phoenix with a BA in English. I’m currently working as a lab technician at a cancer research facility, which I find to be very rewarding work.”
Pellegrini discovered the art of writing when he purchased a copy of his friend’s debut novel in 2008.
“I bought the book to show support, but while reading, I found myself in awe of the fact that someone was able to create these characters and this story in their head, and turn it into a form of reality, so to speak, by writing a book,” said Pellegrini, who had always been a creative person. “I decided to try it and was hooked immediately [on writing]. I loved everything about it, and I knew I had finally found what I was truly passionate about.”
Pellegrini created the idea for his first novel, The Replacement, nine years ago, when he and his friends decided to write a screenplay. It was during that time that he came up with an idea for a plot about a young rookie cop coming in to replace a retiring cop, who then work together to chase down a sadistic serial killer.
“When it came time to come up with a book idea, that one had stuck with me throughout the years, so I obviously thought it had potential,” said Pellegrini. “I started the process of fleshing out my characters and plot, and once I was able to do that, I knew I had my first novel.”
The Replacement follows Patrick Sullivan, a former NYDP cop, who resigns from the force after a violent altercation with a drug lord named Baby Tooth. Desperate to provide financial security for his family, he returns to law enforcement barely a year after his resignation, this time as a homicide detective for Nassau County.
“As Patrick battles ghosts of his past, he and his new partner; retiring detective Jonathan Hawkins, find themselves hunting down a serial killer whose extremely twisted murders earn him the moniker the Long Island Surgeon,” explained Pellegrini on intertwining his characters’ situations both past and present.
Of the mystery/thriller genre, Pellegrini is intrigued by the aspect of suspense more than anything else.
“I’ve read some thrillers that have had me on the edge of my seat and some that have had me on the edge of sleep,” he said. “All stories, no matter what genre, need to grab you.”
Lately, Pellegrini’s hobbies have been restricted to reading and writing, which he deems a good thing, as both activities come with the territory in what he is trying to achieve. As a first-time author, Pellegrini also chose to self-publish his book, an experience, he said, that taught him a great deal about the industry.
“After writing my manuscript, instead of just sending it off to be formatted for print, I had to do all of that work myself, so I learned a lot,” he said. “I think that if the day comes that this dream is realized and I become a New York Times best selling author, it’ll feel a little more rewarding; knowing I did it on my own, and on my own terms and not anyone else’s.”
Since its release on Jan. 20, Pellegrini has sold roughly 165 copies of the book. Eleven copies have been downloaded through the Kindle Unlimited program and an impressive 753 copies were downloaded to the Kindle during a 24-hour free promotion through Amazon.
“I do a lot of promotion for The Replacement, including interviews with newspapers and online magazines and blogs. Goodreads is another amazing platform for authors to promote as well,” said Pellegrini of how he garners attention for his book. He is also hoping to put together a few library talks and readings, allowing readers to contribute to a Q&A session.
As for his next project, Pellegrini said he is again jumping into uncharted waters, but did not reveal any further information.
“I took a concept that has been done, stripped it down to its bare bones, and rebuilt it into something I don’t believe has been done before,” he said. “Having already finished and published a novel, I feel more comfortable and ready to take on another.”
For aspiring writers like himself, Pellegrini suggests reading Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, as he himself found the book helpful.
“Take away from it what works for you and apply it to your writing. Don’t get discouraged, because writing is hard and exhausting,” he said. “The end result is so satisfying, because the first time someone tells you they read your book in one sitting, you’re going to swell with pride at your accomplishment.”
To purchase The Replacement, visit Amazon.com.
