Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Anthony O’Brian is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest. He has a beautiful wife, three wonderful children, one dog, and two cats. O’Brian has worked a wide variety of jobs, traveled the continental U.S. extensively, and been involved in several professional and non-professional capacities through the years, as a teacher, principal, P.E. instructor, construction worker, bus driver, public speaker, welder, editor, truck driver, machinist, and mechanic; currently a business owner and President of a non-profit corporation. He enjoys writing and has plans for several books to be published soon. Anthony and his family are traveling the United States again working for their non-profit corporation.
O’Brian has published four books in ebook and paperback with one novel just released in audiobook on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. His ebooks are available on Smashwords, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, etc. His paperbacks are available on Amazon and B&N.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled, “The Fishing Trip” and it was inspired by my experiences as a boy and teenager growing up. Also, inspired by the “Hardy Boys” series, which I am wishing to emulate. I will be weaving in real events into my stories that either happened to me or my friends growing up.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
What writer doesn’t, right? I sometimes have a hard time sleeping and will slip over to my laptop and pound out words until my eyelids get droopy. This has been known to be my most productive and best writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
What is the word limit here?
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Sherlock Holmes
Harold Lamb – historical fiction
Herman Wouk – historical fiction
Rafael Sabatini – historical fiction
Charles Dickens – Tale of Two Cities
Louis L’amour – westerns
Tom Clancy – Hunt for Red October and others
Robert Ludlum – Borne Series
Michael Crighton – Timeline
The list continues…
What are you working on now?
I am working on a fifth novel that has lost a little bit of steam. It is a great idea, but difficult for me to write as it may be a little out of my genre. We will see…I won’t tell anymore as it would only be a teaser.
I am also working on the 2nd book in the Summer Days Series (think Hardy Boys) and it is going well so far. These are fun and easier to write.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am relatively new to the whole market so it is still an evolving process, but I have found GoodReads to be a great tool for marketing. Even if it wasn’t for this aspect I would still be a member as a reader.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
For what its worth: Write something worth reading. Don’t worry about money or critics. Just know at the end of the day that your wrote something worth reading. Don’t get caught up in trends, but write from your heart.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day. Though I am not able to do so, it continually drives me to get back on track and write.
What are you reading now?
Well, now does that mean ALL the books I am reading? 🙂 I am in-between audiobooks, having just finished “Defying Hitler” by Sebastian Haffner, and currently have a page marked in “Civilian Warriors” by Erik Prince.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Another audiobook in January hopefully and the completion of my 2nd in the Summer Days Series. After that the sequel to The Elevator and book 3 of the SDS. I have another idea for a great novel, but this list has probably already taken up 2015.
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?
The Bible
The Survivor Club
Tale of Two Cities
and “How to get off a desert island after reading three books” by Anthony O’Brian
Author Websites and Profiles
Anthony O’Brian Website
Anthony O’Brian Amazon Profile
Anthony O’Brian Author Profile on Smashwords
Anthony O’Brian’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile