Additionally, he's worked in children's television, and in 2001, he decided to embark on another dream becoming a mystery writer with the pen name Lee Hollis. Rick, I could say so much more about your incredible life and career, but for now, I just want to say welcome toswell thank you so much for joining us
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:25
I'd like to begin by talking a bit about failure. I rowan a newsletter called Ask a Failure, and I love hearing from writers and artists about how failure and rejection have played a role or informed their success in some way. So I'm wondering, could you talk a bit about your journey as a writer and how you have overcome any hurdles along the way?
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:43
You've written prolifically as Lee Hollis, and your stories are so incredibly fun and engrossing. Your latest is part of the Irish Coffee Murder Anthology, and you've published a lot of books over the years. I'm curious how this one in particular began and if you can speak a bit to what it feels like to have a new book in the world so many books later
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:36
My understanding from following your career is that Lee Hollis is actually comprised of two people, you and your sister. I loved learning this because writing with others and creating together is one of my very favorite things to do. Can you tell us a bit about what it feels like to write as Rick Cop versus Lee Hollis? Also, what is you've learned from writing with others over the years and writing rooms and also with your sister?
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 0:43
Lastly, what's next for Rick Hop and Lee Hollis? Something I admire about you is that you're clearly someone who is committed to making your dreams come true, and it makes me wonder if there are any other dreams that we can look forward to seeing you bring to life or anything else that you're currently working on that you'd be willing to share with us
Richard Copp
@RickCopp · 0:19
Well, Bowie, that's probably the best introduction I've ever heard in my life. Thank you so much, and it's so nice to be with you today and to be on swell. This is a new platform for me, so I'm very excited to be here and to talk to everybody. So thank you for having me
Richard Copp
@RickCopp · 1:55
I was running TV pilots that never got produced, that never made it, and I just got so tired of the slog through Hollywood. And so I teamed up with two friends of mine and we put our own money into a web series and it was called Where The Bears Are. And it was about three harry gay men who solved murders in Silver Lake, California. And it was campy and fun. And I had the most rewarding seven years of my life doing that show that we self produced
Richard Copp
@RickCopp · 2:42
We have another one coming out, easter Basket Murder next year and two more after that, I believe, in the coming years, so they're fun to do. I love being on the same cover as writers as esteemed as Leslie Meyer and Barbara Ross. So it's always a treat to do those in addition to the other series we do as of favorite books
Richard Copp
@RickCopp · 3:04
Yes. I started out writing with a partner, David Goodman, who went on to do many famous shows like Family Guy, The Orville, and he currently wrote a movie, Honor Society, which was very well received. And so I'm used to writing for partners. I wrote the Brady Bunch movie with a partner, Larissa Elawani, and I've written several scripts with Bennett Yellen, who did Dumb and Dumber, and then, of course, with the web series Where the Bears Are
Richard Copp
@RickCopp · 2:54
And they didn't do much, but I always loved the characters. This gay couple, he was a former child actor who was married to a police detective, and they were kind of a gay heart to heart, and the books never went anywhere. But now I'm still with the same editor, and we're going to reintroduce these characters as they would be today with a grown daughter
Bowie Rowan
@bowie · 2:42
Rick, first of all, you are my hero. Not only are you extremely talented and prolific, but you're also just so kind and your responses were so wonderful. Thank you so much for trying out Swell and also for sharing so much wisdom and insight for our writing and reading community here