Harry Hunsicker
How a Working Professional Became a Bestselling Crime Thriller Author
A candid look at the craft—and the business—behind writing, publishing, and building a readership over time.
Harry Hunsicker pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a second career as a published fiction author—without romanticizing the grind. He and Henry talk craft, discipline, rejection, and the practical realities of selling books, plus how research and life experience shape believable crime thrillers set in Dallas.
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About This Episode
For a lot of people, writing a novel is a dream. Harry Hunsicker has done it nine times—and built a real second career around the work.
In this episode, Henry Harrison sits down with Harry, a bestselling Dallas author known for crime thrillers that keep readers turning pages. Harry explains the reality behind the “I’ve got a book in me” idea: many people start, fewer finish, and even fewer navigate the publishing funnel. He shares how persistence—especially through rejection—became part of the job, including sending more than 100 query letters before landing representation.
Harry also talks about craft: outlining, rewriting, and the long process of shaping a story that feels authentic. He doesn’t use AI to write fiction, but he does use it as a research tool—replacing much of what he used to Google. Henry and Harry also discuss how real-world accuracy matters even in fiction, especially when a story touches courts, policing, and legal procedure.
For entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders, this conversation is full of founder lessons in discipline, resilience, and building something meaningful while balancing real life. It’s also a reminder that creative careers still run on business fundamentals: positioning, distribution, and staying in the game long enough for the market to notice.
Key Insights
Treat big creative goals like a business: finish the work, then plan distribution and sales.
Expect publishing to be a funnel—most people drop off at each stage; persistence is the differentiator.
Rejection is part of the process; track your outreach and keep moving like a sales pipeline.
Outlining upfront can reduce friction and make execution more consistent.
“Writing is rewriting”—editing and polishing are where the book becomes publishable.
Use AI for research and speed, but protect your creative voice if authenticity is your edge.
Build credibility through relationships and community (conferences, peers, endorsements).
Local setting can be a strategic advantage: Dallas realism creates trust and immersion.
Episode Transcript
This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Filler words, false starts, and minor verbal tics have been removed, and punctuation and paragraphing have been adjusted. The meaning and intent of the conversation have been preserved.
Henry Harrison:
Today we’re very fortunate to have on the show Harry Hunsicker, bestselling author of crime thrillers.
Welcome to Entrepreneurs, Business, and Finance, the Henry Harrison Podcast.
We’ve had another author on the show—Dianna Booher—but she’s a business author with a consulting company. Harry’s work is very different, and this is at least a second career for him. He’s in the business of becoming an author. I’m not sure he’s comfortable calling it a business, so that will be an interesting topic. But to get published and sell books, there’s a business side to it.
Hello, Harry.
Harry Hunsicker:
Hello, Henry. Thank you for having me. I’m happy to be here.
It might be my second nonprofit—I don’t know how profitable writing is—but it pays a little bit, and I have a good time doing it.
Becoming a Fiction Author
Henry Harrison:
We know each other through mutual friends. We go to a regular lunch in Dallas and have been to a couple of parties together.
I’ve always been intrigued because, outside of Dianna Booher, I haven’t had fiction authors on the show. A lot of people dream of becoming an author, and just the idea of writing a whole book feels challenging.
You’re a bestselling author, and you’ve published your ninth book. It’s right behind you.
Harry Hunsicker:
It just came out in October—number nine. It’s available on Amazon and all the major places you can buy books.
Henry Harrison:
I’ve read it—and I have a complaint.
Harry Hunsicker:
What’s the complaint?
Henry Harrison:
I couldn’t go to sleep because I wanted to read more chapters.
Harry Hunsicker:
That’s a good problem to have. I’ve got eight more—you can wean yourself off or get more of the same.
Early Interest in Writing
Henry Harrison:
How do you go from wanting to write a book to actually getting published and selling copies?
Harry Hunsicker:
It’s very challenging. A lot of people want to write a book. Many start, fewer finish, and fewer still get published. It’s a pyramid.
I always wanted to be a writer. I grew up in Dallas as an only child, before the internet and video games, so I read constantly—especially fiction.
When people say they want to write a book, I ask: fiction or nonfiction? I make things up—none of what I write is real.
When I was 10, I got a typewriter for Christmas and wrote my first story. It was about Mary and Joseph—but in my version, they came to Dallas and went shopping at Neiman Marcus after the birth of Jesus.
Henry Harrison:
That’s unexpected—and your books definitely have unexpected twists and turns.
First Career & Transition
Henry Harrison:
You didn’t become a writer right away.
Harry Hunsicker:
No. I didn’t know how.
I was a history major and ended up becoming a commercial real estate appraiser—which I joke is for people who find accounting too exciting.
It was a solid, steady career. Writing became my second career.
Henry Harrison:
So you did both at the same time?
Harry Hunsicker:
Yes. My first book came out about 20 years ago, and for most of that time, I had a day job.
That’s the reality for most fiction authors unless you’re at the very top.
Learning the Craft
Henry Harrison:
Did you take courses to improve?
Harry Hunsicker:
I devoured “how to write” books. Then I took continuing education classes in creative writing at SMU.
That was the turning point—when I realized I needed to pursue the dream seriously.
Publishing & Networking
Henry Harrison:
You have an endorsement from Lee Child—author of the Jack Reacher series. How did that happen?
Harry Hunsicker:
Lee is a friend. He used to attend conferences I went to. I asked him, and he agreed.
I’m very grateful—it helped my career.
Writing Process
Henry Harrison:
Do you use AI?
Harry Hunsicker:
I love AI and use ChatGPT regularly—but not for writing fiction.
It’s replaced Google for me. It’s a great research and information tool.
Henry Harrison:
How much research goes into your books?
Harry Hunsicker:
A lot of it comes from years of absorbing information—news, documentaries, articles.
For this latest book, which has strong police and courtroom elements, I did specific research and consulted experts to make it realistic.
Henry Harrison:
And your books are set in real places.
Harry Hunsicker:
Yes—all set in Dallas. I don’t make up cities.
Genre & Structure
Henry Harrison:
You write crime thrillers. What defines that?
Harry Hunsicker:
A mystery is “who did it.”
A thriller is “who did it—and can you stop them before they do it again?”
There’s overlap, so I call my work crime thrillers.
Henry Harrison:
Do you outline your books?
Harry Hunsicker:
Yes. I’ve learned I need to outline.
If I don’t, I get moody and unpleasant—at least according to my wife.
I plan the characters, twists, and structure before I start writing.
The Reality of Writing
Henry Harrison:
What about the writing process itself?
Harry Hunsicker:
Writing is rewriting.
You go back over it again and again—polishing, improving. You never get it perfect the first time.
The more I write, the more I realize how much I still have to learn.
Overcoming Rejection
Henry Harrison:
What were some early challenges?
Harry Hunsicker:
If you want traditional publishing, you need an agent. That means writing query letters—and facing rejection.
I sent out 117 queries and got rejected over 100 times. It took nearly two years to find an agent.
It’s like sales—cold calling and persistence.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
Henry Harrison:
What would you say to someone chasing a dream like this?
Harry Hunsicker:
If you’ve got a dream, go for it.
You only have so much time—no matter your age.
Closing
Henry Harrison:
For anyone interested, The Life and Death of Rose Doucette is available wherever books are sold.
Harry Hunsicker:
You can also visit my website—HarryHunsicker.com—to find links and sign up for my newsletter.
Henry Harrison:
This was terrific. I think people will really enjoy hearing what it takes to become a bestselling author of nine books.
Thanks for coming on, Harry.
Harry Hunsicker:
Thanks for having me.
Henry Harrison:
Thank you.
Connect with Harry Hunsicker
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