Several times a year a new Clive Cussler book is released, followed by a full-page ad in the New York Times and then a speedy trip to the top of the best-sellers list.
The books, with their action-packed cover illustrations, appear like clockwork: whether they be from the Dirk Pitt series or those about action heroes such as Kurt Austin or Sam and Remi Fargo.
If it’s March, it must be time for a new Isaac Bell novel. That series centers on the dashing turn-of-the-century detective who solves mysteries, finds killers and, in the latest novel “The Cutthroat,” even catches Jack the Ripper.
The Isaac Bell series began with “The Chase,” but since then all the other novels have had another name after Cussler’s on the cover: Justin Scott.
From his cozy, book-lined study off his kitchen in his spacious home in Newtown, Scott, 71, collaborates with Cussler, now 85 and living in Scottsdale, Ariz. Together, they’ve formed an efficient, creative and lucrative partnership.
When asked why he chose Scott to be his latest collaborator, Cussler is as succinct as his prose. “It was his writing.”
Scott has authored more than two dozen novels of his own, sometimes writing under the pseudonyms Paul Garrison, J.S. Blazer and Alexander Cole. His books take the form of thrillers and sea-story novels, including his best-selling novel “The Shipkiller.”
In 2007, Scott was asked by Cussler’s agent if he would be interested in collaborating with the author on the second Isaac Bell novel, “The Wrecker,” in what was to become a new book franchise.
Their first collaboration took place entirely by phone and email.
“Clive and I hadn’t met until I’d done two or three books. We never shook hands or had seen each other face to face.” They now connect in person at the start of each project in Cussler’s Arizona home “where we just sit in the office for a few days and just talk,” says Scott.
It was a perfect pairing of personalities as well as craft. Both men share a disdain for small talk; sport fashion flourishes (Scott’s dapper hats, Cussler’s Hawaiian shirts); thrive on historic research; and, despite their seriousness of writing, are jovial men who enjoy a cocktail or two (Cussler favors tequila, Scott a Manhattan).
Scott wasn’t sure what the collaboration would be like “but I discovered it became more fun than sitting alone writing.”
“That’s what I’ve always said,” says Cussler. “If it ain’t fun, it ain’t worth doing.”
Cussler’s interests go beyond his writing. He is an underwater explorer who — with a crew of marine experts and volunteers from the National Underwater and Marine Agency — has discovered more than 60 historic underwater wreck sites. His collection of more than 150 vintage cars became so large he created a museum to house and exhibit them. (His favorites are the Duesenberg, an early Mercedes and a Stutz Bearcat. “I’d rather have that than a painting on a wall.”)
“My forte is the plotting. You sit down and you work out a plot,” says Cussler of his process, sometimes working on writing or editing on three books at the same time. “Then Justin goes to work and writes 99 percent of it, and I edit.”
But being prolific has its pitfalls.
“It’s too easy after all these books to repeat yourself,” says Cussler. “If I write a sentence I’d go, ‘Aw hell, I used that same sentence’ or ‘Oh, gosh, I used that plot before.’ After 60 books [the total is now 72] it’s getting very difficult.”
Cussler and Scott say they only plan one book at a time and sometimes the idea for a new Isaac Bell adventure is as casual as a notion.
After the first book, Scott mentioned to Cussler over the phone, “I’ve been thinking of battleships,” Cussler responded with a “Go for it.” “That was the extent of the literary discussion,” says Scott.
For “The Cutthroat,” Cussler says, “we were sitting at my house and Justin said, ‘I’ve always wanted to do something on Jekyll and Hyde’ and I said, ‘How about Jekyll and Hyde and Jack the Ripper?’ So off we went.”
Cussler also collaborates with other writers for other series. The last seven books of his highest profile series — 24 books centering on hero Dirk Pitt — were co-authored with his son, Dirk, for whom the protagonist was named.
“Unfortunately, sadly, my son and I don’t talk. It’s one of those family things.”
However his son continues to write the Dirk Pitt series. As with his other co authors, their professional relationship continues, working together developing plot, characters and editing through the completed manuscript.
Film adaptations of two of his books — “Raise the Titanic!” and “Sahara” — have soured him on turning any more of his books into movies.
“I had horrible experiences in Hollywood,” he says. “If there was ever a time I was ready to go into the nut house it was then. I don’t care about the money.”
Cussler, who got his start in advertising before switching careers, says he always keeps the reading public in mind first.
He is a disciplined workman, he says. “It’s a job. Once I finish, the curtain comes down and I go on to something else. When I type ‘The End’ it’s like being paroled from prison.”
Cussler and Scott’s next collaboration is “The Widow Maker,” set in the world of automobiles in the early 20th century, an area that is close to Cussler’s heart.
“It’s been a ball,” says Scott of the nearly decade-long collaboration. “I always thought of myself as a gnarly lone wolf, but working with Clive I’ve discovered to my shock that I’m fairly collegial.”
“And the money ain’t bad either,” says Cussler, laughing.
