Today, we’re talking with Jeff Burlingame about his book, George Varnell: The Life and Times of a Pioneering Sportsman.
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
My books have twice been featured as questions on Jeopardy!
Why do you write?
To share stories about unique and interesting people, places, and things.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
From the subject’s family. It also involves Gonzaga University’s successful basketball team (George Varnell was their first-ever coach), The Boys in the Boat (George Varnell was like a member of their squad), and the Olympics (George Varnell was a competitor in two events). He was one well-known person that I had never heard of until I spoke with his family.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
That truth (nonfiction) can be just as interesting as fiction, or even more so, if done properly.
How would you describe your writing process?
Research, sketch, edit. Repeat.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
They can discover an audience of like-minded individuals.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Be sure that at its core, you're writing for the right reason… and that right reason is not any potential monetary gain.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
I have been fortunate enough that all my publishers have allowed me to have at least some creative input in the cover-selection process. Some more than others, but I've always had a say. I love working with talented designers to see what they come up with.
What's your next step?
I am working on writing and publishing my next book. That's something I've fortunately been able to say for almost 20 years now since my first one was published.
What book do you wish you had written?
The River Why by David James Duncan.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I'm glad someone read it and felt strongly enough to form a written opinion… good or bad (but mostly good!).
