Jeff Nelson

Subject: Debut Thriller "Fault Lines" - 1985 Hollywood, Burt Lancaster, Mexican Earthquake

Hi Dave,

I'm reaching out about my debut thriller FAULT LINES (November 6, 2025). I understand you typically don't feature self-published authors, but I'm hoping my unusual background and the book's origin story might warrant an exception.

Quick pitch:

My daughter dated the son of Hollywood producer Michael Barnathan (Harry Potter films), whom I'd worked with in the 80s but hadn't spoken with in decades - that reconnection sparked memories that became this book

Set during the 1985 Mexico City earthquake - which I actually experienced while working as Associate Producer on an NBC miniseries

I worked directly with Burt Lancaster and legendary producer Edgar Scherick, with behind-the-scenes stories that aren't in the book

Negotiated to buy life rights for CBS from a woman trapped 10 days under rubble who had her legs amputated (felt like an ambulance chaser - this IS in the book)

The novel evolved from romance to noir thriller after reading Lawrence Kasdan's BODY HEAT script

Why this might interest your audience:

The book blends real Hollywood production experiences and characters with noir fiction - a young producer navigating 1980s entertainment industry while being drawn into a dangerous relationship that connects to Mexican cartels and government corruption.

Topics I could discuss:

Working with Burt Lancaster (his professionalism, his complicated relationship with fame, a memorable conversation about press interviews and why he shied away from them)

Edgar Scherick's producing style and what Hollywood looked like in the 80s

The earthquake's aftermath and ethical compromises in entertainment

Transforming personal trauma and industry experience into thriller fiction

The intersection of Hollywood productions and Mexican power structures

How noir storytelling reflects real moral ambiguity

About me:

Television producer, documentary filmmaker, worked with Scherick on productions starring Burt Lancaster and Samuel L. Jackson, wrote for Emmy-winning Cagney & Lacey. This is my first novel after years in nonfiction.

Happy to send you a PDF of book. Here's a draft video discussing the book's origins to go up in November:

https://youtu.be/tvr0Z9WMHjo

I know self-published isn't your usual beat, but given the Hollywood connections and true-story foundation, I thought it might be worth reaching out.

Best,
Jeff Nelson

Links:
Substack: https://jeffnelsonauthor.substack.com
Publisher site: https://coolkeypress.com

(I have a large plant-based YT channel...)