Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always written poetry and music, but this is actually the first novel I have written. It took me a while to finally sit down and devote the time to it, because of my work and family obligations. Now that I’m retired, I’ve been able to have the discipline to do the proper amount of research and character development necessary to write a novel that does justice to the concept of the book.
Today, I live in Fort Mill, South Carolina, with my wife Helaine. I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland. I earned my bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Maryland and my master’s degree in Literature from The American University.
My other passions are softball, traveling, debating politics and religion, the Baltimore Ravens, my children, and my grandchildren.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
This novel is titled “The Revelation of the Nones.” It was actually inspired 40 years ago by the play “Jesus Christ Superstar.” In the play, the question is asked about what would have happened if this self-proclaimed messiah/superstar came in more modern times with the advantage of mass communication. Back when I saw the play, mass communication meant newspapers, magazines, and T.V. Now, however, it encompasses those things as well as the explosion of social media. I took that general idea and combined it with the rapid growth of people globally becoming dissatisfied and unaffiliated with organized religion. I tried to explore the reasons for the growth of this group, now identified as “Nones,” and put the potential results of their dissatisfaction with organized religion into the perspective of speculative fiction. The organized religions of the world are losing followers rapidly today. I’ve tried to use the fictional framework of the book to discuss the reasons for this and provoke thought as to what the alternatives might be.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a very detail oriented person. I research things to death. I worked hard to try to make my characters realistic, which was a big challenge. It took lots of re-writes and trying to see the book in my mind as a movie with real dialogue.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a lot of James Patterson’s books (back when he wrote as only James Patterson). I loved how his short chapters kept the reader constantly moving forward. I am also a big science fiction fan, and follow many authors’ works. I particularly like speculative fiction, or books that take a subject, expand it out, and ask “What if this happened?”
What are you working on now?
Actually, I am focused on getting this novel off the ground. I think it is an important topic that is very relevant today. I want to work to get people to read it and react to it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My book is only recently published. In order to get a measure of how people are reacting to it from a technical and an artistic point of view, I’ve actually been very successful meeting in person with book clubs. I love the philosophical discussions that take place around the topic of my book. Sometimes the discussions can go on for hours and delve into deeply personal stories about my readers’ feelings about their religion or organized religion in general.
I am just beginning the process of utilizing social media and various web sites.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be patient, and be willing to invest the time in researching those details that will allow your book to resonate as “real” with your readers. Also, get a good editor. No matter how many times you re-read your book and have friends/family read the book, it is impossible to pick up everything. Have a professional do it. Finally , marketing your book can be a long and tedious process. Take your time, and again, be patient.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Walk with the angels.” This basically means to simply do the right thing, no matter what other people might try to get you to do. There are lots of short-cuts you can take to get what you want in a less than honest way or in a way that can hurt others, but generally, if you just try to do the right thing you’re better off in the long run. This theme runs throughout my book as well.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Book 6 of John Scalzi’s sci-fi series “Old Man’s War.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve got some ideas, but right now my focus is to build an audience for The Revelation of the Nones.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I guess a survival book would be helpful! After that, I’d probably bring a couple of Leon Uris books because they are long and always very interesting, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (If I could take that entire series, I would), and Tom Wolfe’s “The Right Stuff” (Which I’ve already read several times).
Author Websites and Profiles
Arnie Stone Website
Arnie Stone Amazon Profile
Arnie Stone’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account