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PEOPLE BRAD MELTZER: DECODED The brilliant best-selling author opens up about his extensive work Words by Marla E. Schwartz Many people believe authors who write political thrillers are very serious-minded individuals, and to a certain extent this is true. On the other hand, combine such a character trait with a wonderful sense of humor, love for one's family and friends and a great appreciation for one's fans and there's only one writer who fits the bill — the phenomenal Brad Meltzer. It was at these packed to the brim milieus, Miami Book Fair International, Books & Books in Coral Gables and Barnes and Noble in Boca Raton, that his family, friends and fans all waited at the edge of their seats to listen to his every word. This #1 New York Times bestselling author spoke about his books THE INNER CIRCLE (released in paperback, October 2011), HEROES FOR MY SON and his most recent television show BRAD MELTZER'S DECODED. This consummate gentleman is always thanking people for their support and is forever grateful to Mitchell Kaplan owner of Books and Books for offering him his very first book signing and the rest is history. And history perhaps should be Brad's middle-name because he excels at not only telling compelling stories but by weaving them around historical nuggets, therefore creating a place for himself within this highly exclusive genre. It's no coincidence that his work reflects American historical experiences, mysteries and conspiracy theories because the man himself has such a diverse background. Brad was a member of the Columbia Law Review and became a successful comic book writer who created a six-issue story arc for DC Comic's Green Arrow; took over writing duties for thirteen issues for the Justice League of America series and along with artist Gene Ha received an Eisner Award for "Best Single Issue" for their work on issue number eleven. In addition to his exceptional work in the comic book industry, including his mini-series Identity Crisis in which Wizard Magazine honored him as Writer of the Year, he also co-created the critically acclaimed television program Jack & Bobby. It's Brad's unflappable ability to traverse the realms of all these genres that has brought his career to the forefront of a worldwide audience. In fact, Brad has become such a celebrity that he appeared as himself as an extra in Woody Allen's movie Celebrity. This Brooklyn-born, Miami-raised, Ft. Lauderdale resident graduated from the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. He's 74 MIAMI LIVING the author of The Tenth Justice (1998), Dead Even (1999), The First Counsel (2001), The Millionaires (2002), The Zero Game (2005), The Book of Fate (2006), The Book of Lies (2008), Heroes for my Son {Non-Fiction}(2010) and The Inner Circle (2011). Miami Living: Is Beecher White, the Archivist in THE INNER CIRLCE, based on anyone in particular? The actual U.S. archivist, David Ferriero admired the way you combined history, myth and mystery in this book. Brad Meltzer: Beecher is a combination of real archivists and my own nerdiness, with my own love of history sprinkled in on top. When I was with the Archivist of the U.S., he picked out his favorite line of the book. And it was my own favorite as well. So, us history nerds stick together. ML: You've had access to many documents and places that most people will never see. What did you find more interesting, the tunnels underneath the White House or the tunnels underneath Disney World? BM: I love the underground tunnels below the White House, but I will say, the ones below Disney World were far harder to crack. Mickey and Goofy are sweet, but if you cross them, they'll make your family disappear in the middle of the night. ML: Did you pitch your idea for BRAD MELTZER'S DECODED, which premiered December 3, 2010 on the History Channel, before or after your book THE INNER CIRCLE was published? BM: We got lucky. I was working on the book for two years. Then the show for six months. And they both came out at the same time. Total dumb luck. ML: How did you choose the show's experts: Scott Rolle, Christine McKinley and Buddy Levy? Do you have any bloopers outtakes? BM: I looked for people who, basically, weren't me. Our team brings very different skills than my own, as it should be. As for bloopers, oh, we've got them, especially the team singing in the car. ML: In the episode titled "2012" a journalist spoke about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. She claimed if the relief well had failed the Macondo Well would've caved into the sea floor causing a