1. When and why did you decide to become an Indie writer?
I'd
been writing for some time and was just starting to work with my critique
group on query letters to send to agents. This was two summers ago. Then I
saw a notice on Amazon opening up directly to authors with the 70% royalty,
and I decided then and there to forget the traditional route and to try the
indie route. I was targeting to publish my first Thriller by Christmas that
year, but my mom got sick, so I got a little delayed and published THE
NINTH DISTRICT June 2011. I've never regretted my decision to be an Indie
Writer and an Authorpreneur.
2. What genre do you write in and what genre do you prefer to read?
I
write thrillers and that's what I prefer to read. They say to write what
you know. I'm not an FBI agent or a huge adventurer, but I do like to read
about these adventures, so that's what I'm writing.
3. Where do you sell most books, USA or UK, Amazon or Barnes and
Noble?
In
the beginning, I tried all of the sellers. Amazon has been the king for me.
Before KDP Select, 95% of my sales were on Amazon, followed by Barnes
and Noble and then iTunes. I've participated in three rounds of KDP
Select. I sell primarily in the US, but June and I had a pretty good month
of sales in the UK followed by Germany. I'm pursuing translation into Spanish
and German and the book is available as an Audiobook and in paper as
well.
4. During your childhood who was your biggest influence?
My parents, both taught by example. My dad loved to camp and travel
and led us on summer vacations. My mother taught me to read early and
supported my reading habit by taking me to the library to get new
books.
5. Are you fortunate enough to write
full-time?
Not yet! :) I'm an IT manager by day and a father, husband
and chauffeur for my son by night. I find time to write at
coffee shops while my son is at practice for soccer or hockey. Or I stay up
late and write after the family has gone to bed.
6. If Hollywood came knocking who would you
want to play your main character?
This
is a great question. A reader and I were discussing this on Twitter a
couple of months ago as she read the book. The main character is a
veteran FBI agent, confident, a little cocky, and personable. I'd want
someone that's more of a character actor, I think. Age-wise and how I have
him pictured in my head, I'm going with Aaron Eckhart, I think he'd do a
great job.
7. Name 6 people, dead or alive, you’d love to have as guests seated
around your dinner-table.
Former
President Bill Clinton - he's smart, laid back and can talk. Late night
talk show host Craig Ferguson - so funny and great at improvisation.
Michael Connelly - thriller author, a lot I could learn from him. My wife -
she's smart, funny, but I wouldn't sit her by Clinton :). Bonnie Raitt -
great voice and lots of stories to share, Oscar Pistorius aka the South
African Olympian who ran with the prosthetic legs, seemed so humble and a
great inspiration. I only get six?
I'm
sure the list would change if you asked me again in 3 months, but if we're
sending out invites today, these are the people I'd invite.
8. What one piece of advice have you found the most important in
your writing career?
Just
write. Sit in the chair and write and finish the book. (I don't always
follow that and then I have to tell myself to Just sit down and write!) If
I get a second piece of advice, it's read, every writer needs to be a
reader.
9. What are your plans for the coming year?
I
have one book out, THE NINTH DISTRICT. I'm trying to broaden/deepen its
reach. It's in ebook, audio, paper and this year I'm hoping to have the
Spanish version and maybe German done. I'm working on the the sequel(s).
The main sequel is in the works and I'm spinning off a novella series
with a secondary character from the first book. These two should be out in
the coming year.
10. And finally, if you were stranded on a desert island what 3
books would you choose to have with you?
If my
Kindle counts, I'm set. Give me that and a solar powered adapter! If
not, then then my three books are Shibumi, by Trevanian and A Prayer for
Owen Meany by John Irving and The Stand by Stephen King. A little variety
and books I can read more than once.
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Mel
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview. Great questions. Love sharing about writing, my book, and me to give readers and other writers a little insight.
Doug