Meet Jay Hirschman
Jay Hirschman is a Certified Public Accountant, internal auditor, and now novelist who proves that numbers can tell gripping stories. Based on years of professional experience in accounting, auditing, programming, and systems analysis, Jay’s writing turns the world of spreadsheets and financial reviews into a stage for high-stakes drama and moral conflict.
His debut novel, The Auditors, marks his entrance into the world of fiction. It’s a fast-paced financial thriller that challenges the stereotype of auditing as a dull profession. “When I tell people I’m an auditor, they usually think it’s all about taxes,” Jay says. “But what I see every day are complex puzzles, ethical crossroads, and power struggles that rival any corporate thriller.”
Through The Auditors, he sets out to prove that the world behind the balance sheet can be every bit as suspenseful as a courtroom or a crime scene.
The Story Behind The Auditors
The inspiration for The Auditors came from a simple but familiar experience the blank stare Jay often receives when he tells people what he does for a living. “People assume auditing is tedious,” he explains. “But the reality is full of tension, ethical dilemmas, and real-world consequences.”
In his novel, protagonist Jase Mathews isn’t crunching numbers he’s uncovering a massive corporate conspiracy that could destabilize the global economy. With every audit trail he follows, he steps deeper into a web of deceit, corruption, and danger.
“I wanted to write a story that captures what it feels like to pursue truth when everyone around you benefits from keeping it hidden,” Jay says. “Auditing, at its core, is about accountability and that’s inherently dramatic.”
Writing Habits and Creative Process
Jay’s writing process is as unconventional as his subject matter. As a full-time professional and a devoted father, his writing time is often carved out of small, precious moments.
“I’m what I call a literary scavenger,” he jokes. “I write on lunch breaks, in my car, or late at night when my daughter’s asleep. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real.”
His approach is built on persistence rather than routine. “Every page of The Auditors was written in the stolen moments of a busy life,” he says. “That’s what gives it its authenticity.”
Literary Influences
Jay credits John Grisham and Michael Crichton as his biggest influences. “They showed me how to take what you know your profession, your expertise and turn it into something thrilling and accessible,” he says.
Like Grisham’s legal worlds and Crichton’s scientific universes, Jay’s background gives The Auditors its realism and texture. “My goal was to break the stereotype of my own profession,” he explains. “To show that behind every audit, there’s a story worth telling.”
What He’s Working On Now
Jay is already working on his second novel, A Glitch in the Cloud, a new thriller that dives into the world of IT auditing. The story follows Leo Mathews, an IT auditor who discovers a dangerous conspiracy while examining a cloud-based enterprise system.
“It’s about what happens when technology, business, and ethics collide,” Jay says. “The digital world is just as corruptible as the financial one and just as thrilling to explore.”
Promoting His Work
When it comes to book promotion, Jay admits he’s still learning. “Writing a novel and marketing one are two completely different challenges,” he laughs. “But as an auditor, I’m used to analyzing systems and the publishing industry is just another one to figure out.”
He’s currently focused on building his online author platform, experimenting with social media, and connecting with readers who appreciate realistic, intelligent thrillers.
Advice for Aspiring Authors
Jay’s advice for new writers is simple: write what you know. “Authenticity resonates,” he says. “Don’t underestimate the power of your own experience. What seems ordinary to you might be extraordinary to readers.”
He encourages writers to find inspiration in the everyday. “Every profession, every life, has untold stories hiding beneath the surface,” he adds. “You just have to dig.”
The Best Advice He’s Ever Heard
The best advice Jay has ever received can be summed up in two words: Be authentic.
“People can sense when you’re faking it,” he says. “In auditing, that means integrity; in writing, it means honesty. Readers know when a story comes from genuine experience.”
What He’s Reading
Between editing rounds for The Auditors, Jay listens to Stephen King’s Finders Keepers audiobook. “King’s ability to craft suspense while staying grounded in real emotion is something I admire deeply,” he says. “It’s a masterclass in storytelling.”
What’s Next for Jay Hirschman
With The Auditors nearing release, Jay is diving deeper into A Glitch in the Cloud while brainstorming future projects inspired by his professional world. “Corporate systems are filled with mysteries,” he says. “Every audit uncovers a story it’s just a matter of finding the right way to tell it.”
His long-term goal is to continue writing thrillers that expose the hidden drama of business, finance, and technology fields often overlooked by mainstream fiction.
Books He Would Take to a Desert Island
If stranded on a desert island, Jay says he’d bring:
- A Desert Island Survival Guide – for practicality.
- A Navigation and Celestial Mechanics Manual – to find his way home.
- The Auditors – as a reminder of what persistence can create.
“I might not survive long,” he jokes, “but at least I’ll have my own story to read.”
Connect with Jay Hirschman
- Website: Jay Hirschman Official Site
