Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a chemical engineer currently working in the oil industry and I write on the side. I’ve only written the one book so far – The Shooter Act – although there’s a little asterisk to that. I’ve technically written three books, but only The Shooter Act has been good enough for prime time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book – The Shooter Act – was inspired by the public shootings we seem to have constantly in this country. I was trying to figure out a way to fix it, and after I chased out some of the unintended consequences of the theoretical fix – a law that would be called The Shooter Act – I ended up with the story of political corruption that became my story. It’s a hell of a ride.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
This probably isn’t unusual for any other writers who also have a day job, but I do most of my writing in the middle of the night. I’ll come home after work and have the best intentions of sitting down to write immediately, but something about waiting until nightfall gets things flowing better.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neal Stephenson, Stephen King, John Scalzi, Kurt Vonnegut
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on The Shooter Act’s sequel. It’s also a hell of a ride, but in some different ways. I think readers are going to be surprised as the trilogy shifts more from political conspiracy thriller to hard sci-fi towards the end.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Oh jeez, ask me in five years. I only just got my first book out the door and don’t have anything near a sample set of data large enough to make that call.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! I had more than a million words under my belt before The Shooter Act, and I think the quality of it shows because of that. Also, if you feel a little embarrassed when you send your work out for review, know that that’s normal. If you wait until you are totally sure you won’t be embarrassed, then you waited too long. Do a first draft. Go over it again. Maybe give it one more read before you get it to a reviewer or editor who will give you feedback on the writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you’re going through hell, keep going.
What are you reading now?
Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits, as well as The Smoke At Dawn.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more! And trying to manage this hole marketing thing on the side, ha.
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?
Dune, Ready Player One, and The Information. The first two because they’re great stories I could read over and over again, and the third for survival purposes.
Author Websites and Profiles
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