Harlan Coben, the bestselling thriller author of 38 novels and 13 Netflix shows, discusses his new memoir "Plot Twist," subtitled "Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft," which blends writing advice with personal reflection. Speaking over a New Jersey-style sloppy joe at his Ridgewood, N. J. home, Coben, 64, shares how his childhood in Livingston — marked by parental loss and subtle dangers like a nearby mafia-linked crematory and missile site — shaped his storytelling.

He emphasizes that his thrillers draw from real-life experiences, not pure imagination. The book originated from a BBC Maestro master class and evolved into a hybrid guide to inspire others to create. Coben, married to pediatrician Anne and father of four grown children, lives a seemingly normal suburban life with his Havanese dogs, Winslow and Laszlo.

He describes himself as an encouraging, slightly bossy mentor urging readers to tell their own stories. "Plot Twist" releases Sept. 8 via Grand Central and aims to motivate anyone seeking to bring more art into their world.