Interview With Author A.W. Baldwin
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written six thrillers (with a touch of humor). Readers’ Favorite has awarded 5 Stars to each of them, calling Raptor Canyon “a hoot of an adventure novel… most highly recommended” and describing Wings Over Ghost Creek as “a beautifully written thriller.” Raptor Canyon received the 2019 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award, established by New York Times best selling author, Clive Cussler and was a finalist in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Contest 2019-2020. Wings Over Ghost Creek received the 2020 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award. Broken Inn received the 2021 Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award and awards from Global Book Awards, New York City Big Book Awards, Books Shelf Writing Awards for Fiction, and Independent Press Awards.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is The Antidote, inspired by the possibility that genetically modified plants could be part of the solution to climate change. Plants absorb CO2 and some plants might be modified to increase their rate of absorption to counteract all the CO2 put into the atmosphere by mankind. What would happen if such a plant was developed? What would it be worth? What would some people be willing to do to get their hands on it?
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if they are unusual; they’re just my habits! Everyone has their own ways to write and their own preferred environments, times of day to write, whether they outline heavily or not at all, and so forth.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy Clive Cussler, Edward Abbey, Craig Johnson, and many others, but outdoor adventures, thrillers, or mysteries are my favorite.
What are you working on now?
A sixth “Relic” novel, featuring a moonshining hermit of Canyonlands National Park.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Competing in an over-crowded marketplace is tough. Write because you love it, not because you expect fame or fortune! If you have some financial success at it, great; if not, no sweat. And always work to improve your craft because that’s a major source of satisfaction in what you do!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That’s a tough question. My answer might change over time, but one of my favorites is from Ghandi, who said (roughly) “A long life may or may not be good enough, but a good life is always long enough.”
What are you reading now?
Wait for Signs by Craig Johnson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve started on my sixth “Relic” novel and I have ideas for other non-Relic novels (like The Antidote).
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?
Another tough question. A book about Ghandi’s life and philosophy. The Monkey Wrench Gang by Abbey. Any one of Clive Cussler’s books.
Author Websites and Profiles
A.W. Baldwin’s Social Media Links