What does 26 million books really mean? For bestselling author Steve Berry, it represents 29,000 years of readers' time - a perspective that even surprised him. In this candid conversation, Berry shares his journey from small-town trial lawyer to master storyteller, including the 12-year, 85-rejection road to his first publication.

Berry reveals the meticulous craft behind his Cotton Malone series - from taking 500 photos per research trip to juggling three books simultaneously in his mind. He shares fascinating discoveries, including the Vatican's 500-year-old intelligence agency, and explains how he creates such vivid "movies for the mind" that readers can walk his same paths in real life.

But beyond the craft lies a deeper story about persistence. "If it was easy, everybody'd do it," Berry notes, describing his daily discipline of 1,000 words and six to eight hours of writing. His latest book "The Medici Returns" showcases this dedication, while his upcoming release "The List" - written 30 years ago and rewritten during the pandemic - proves it's never too late for a story to find its moment.

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