What makes a gripping thriller impossible to put down? Is it the twisty plot, the flawed hero, or the chilling consequences of one wrong move?
Welcome! Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a guest whose stories leap off the page with intensity and imagination—Armand Rosamilia. A prolific writer with an impressive body of work spanning crime novels, thrillers, supernatural horror, zombies, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction, Armand is the kind of storyteller who begins with one intriguing question: What if? And from there, a gripping tale unfolds. In today’s conversation, we’ll be diving into his novel Shake Down, and you’ll also hear a powerful excerpt capturing the chilling moment when Walt, a low-level crew member, realizes his final mistake may have cost him everything—including his life.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- (02:39) Armand discusses the different genres he writes, with crime/thrillers being the most profitable
- (03:40) The “business” of writing—how Armand turned his passion into a full-time profession
- (09:33) Armand explains character development and the role of Patreon in his creative process
- (17:04) The evolution of Clayton Conway, a central figure in his fiction
- (22:41) A gripping read-aloud from Shake Down that describes the fatal price of a botched job
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Armand Rosamilia has been a full-time writer for 13 years, which he attributes to a strategic blend of writing in high-performing genres like crime thrillers (which earn him significantly more than horror) and maintaining a business mindset. He writes what sells while still occasionally indulging in passion projects.
- Armand uses short stories as marketing tools, “reader magnets,” and experiments in character development. These stories—often published in anthologies or released to his Patreon and newsletter—introduce readers to characters from his longer works, helping build engagement and anticipation for his full-length novels.
- Armand follows a hybrid publishing model—self-publishing under his imprint (Rimfire Books) while also working with small and large presses. This approach broadens his audience, shares production costs, and provides him with access to the built-in fan bases of other publishers, thereby increasing discoverability and long-term earnings.
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FICTION CREDITS:
Excerpt written and ready by: Armand Rosamilia
GUEST RESOURCES:
Armand Rosamilia – Horror Author – LinkedIn
Author Armand Rosamilia – Facebook Business
Armand Rosamilia (@ArmandAuthor) – X
Armand Rosamilia (@armand_rosamilia) • Instagram Photos and Videos
Shake Down (First Coast Thriller Series): 9798401775757: Rosamilia, Amazon Armand: Books
HOST RESOURCES
BIO:
Armand Rosamilia is a New Jersey boy currently living in sunny Florida, where he writes when he’s not sleeping. He’s happily married to a woman who helps his career and is supportive, which is all he ever wanted in life. He has written over 200 stories that are currently available, including crime thrillers, supernatural thrillers, horror, zombie fiction, contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and more. His goal is to write a good story and not worry about genre labels. He also loves to talk in third person… because he’s really that cool. Maybe.
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