Jul 10, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Crime, Interviews, Thriller
Today, we’re talking with Bob DeGeorge about his book,
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I'm a retired big city cop who now lives in a small town in Texas so I can play cowboy for the rest of my life.
Why do you write?
I always liked reading police drama. With the exception of a very few writers, these stories lacked the little details or, simply got those details wrong, that make a story real. Also, most big city cop stories take place in New York or Los Angeles. San Jose and Silicon Valley have a lot of interesting stories, I know, because I worked there for 27 years. After I retired, I decided to put those stories in a book series.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
My stories come from the real people and real crimes that I have investigated over the years. As I like to say, ‘that's the way it really was, give or take a lie or two.'
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Writing a police procedural is actually more challenging than living it. But that's what I like about it. The challenge of not just getting the facts of the investigation right, but getting every detail of the story and the characters correct. And then making sure it is an interesting and exciting story.
How would you describe your writing process?
I am a linear writer. I decide on who and what is going to be investigated and then proceed to follow my characters through their investigation much like investigations unfold in real life, with all the twists and turns and false starts, until the main bad guy is caught.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Being able to connect with your readers all over the world is definitely a plus. My readers can contact me, and I can contact them, either in a large group or one-on-one.
What advice would you have for other writers?
I'm hardly one to give other writers advice since this is my first book, and I'm a newbie myself. In my case, I picked a topic I knew a lot about and worked hard to turn it into an interesting story.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
From the beginning, I knew this was going to be a series, so the titles had to connect. From my days investigating financial crimes, we always said, ‘follow the money.' So, ‘Follow the Money', ‘Other Peoples' Money', and ‘Where's the Money'. As far as the book covers go, I hired a professional book cover designer, Tobi Afran, who worked very closely with me to bring the idea of each book to life.
What's your next step?
Book two is in final editing and will be released in a couple of months. Book three is outlined in my mind, and as soon as I'm done editing book two, I'll get busy writing it. I will promise three books in the series. If I find an audience that likes my work, there will be more.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
Now that's a loaded question. If it's a good review, of course, I feel great. If it's not so good, I take a deep breath and then see what I can do to fix it. If I'm getting dinged for something technical, I'll see if I can fix that in the next book. But if a reviewer just doesn't like my story or my storytelling style, there is not much I can do about that. I guess my book just wasn't for them.
FIND BOB'S BOOK ON AMAZON
Jul 10, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Crime, Interviews, Mystery, Thriller
Today, we’re talking with Sheila Lowe about her book,
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I am a forensic document examiner. One of my sons is a rock star, the other is a tattoo artist.
Why do you write?
I am compelled to.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
While attending my high school reunion, many classmates asked me to write about a murder at a reunion. So I did.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
Getting to understand what motivates the characters to behave the way they do.
How would you describe your writing process?
Haphazard until I finally settle down. Then I loosely outline, never look at the outline again, and work at writing 1000 new words a day. This consists of starting with what I wrote the day before and expanding on it.
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
Exposure. Apparently, readers like to feel they know the authors they enjoy reading. Wider distribution. It's a great way to get free PR.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Learn the craft before you start publishing. Leave out most of the adverbs. Understand that even if you have a major publisher, you will be expected to do most of your own marketing. Writing a book is hard. Getting it published is harder. Selling it is the hardest of all.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
My titles are all puns on handwriting (my character is a forensic handwriting expert). The current covers are tied to the locations where the stories take place.
What's your next step?
Starting to write the fourth book in my other series (Beyond the Veil). Continuing to market MAXIMUM PRESSURE.
What book do you wish you'd written?
Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
If it's a 5 star one, with great pleasure.
FIND SHEILA'S BOOK ON AMAZON
Jul 9, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Crime, Interviews, Mystery, Sci-fi
Today, we’re talking with James Lance about his book,
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I once woke up in a hospital in Spain. I had no idea how I got there.
Why do you write?
To entertain, to help give someone that necessary escape we all need at times. If I can inform and educate on top of that, that's even better.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
All around me; everything I've read, heard people say, seen with my eyes. Many great authors, including Huxley and Pullman, helped along the way.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
It allows you to fully utilise your imagination as long as you follow the rules.
How would you describe your writing process?
Partly hyper-organised and strict, partly chaotic and mad. My sleep pattern agrees!
What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?
You can reach new fans and establish a following. You'll find people that like your style and the way you write.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Trite but true: never give up. This is a long game, and you improve every day. Keep going, keep writing. Find an author who inspires you, someone with experience. In my case: Anthony Horowitz, who once told me to be ‘persistent to the point of annoyance'.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
Both the title and cover have to quickly summarise the mood and feel that readers can expect—the story they're getting involved with before turning a single page. We've all seen a book title and cover before, and instinctively, thought: ‘I think this was made for me'.
What's your next step?
I haven't taken a holiday in over six years. It's time to recharge! After that, it's on to the second book.
What book do you wish you'd written?
The Great Gatsby.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
I think: ‘Someone actually read me?'
FIND JAMES'S BOOK ON AMAZON
Jul 9, 2024 | Editors' Blog, Crime, Interviews, Thriller
Today, we’re talking with Chris Fortunato about his book, Deadly Guests
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I coach high school junior varsity girls soccer.
Why do you write?
I don't know why.
Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?
It is a story collection, so there are many inspirations, all from conflicts in my life.
What do you enjoy the most about your genre?
With the best stories, you always care about what is going to happen to the protagonist.
How would you describe your writing process?
Slow and laborious.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Nobody cares. Only you. Throw the TV out the window.
How do you select your books’ titles and covers?
The title should have some relationship to what the story is about. At least for me.
What's your next step?
Wake up at 3 a.m. and write.
What book do you wish you'd written?
The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearn, by Brian Moore.
How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?
If it is a good review, pleased.
FIND CHRIS' BOOK ON AMAZON
