Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I became a bestselling author in 2010 and have written 4 books so far. I’m an industry recognized consultant and technology expert for the premier global technology firms for over 15 years. I was named #1 IT Super Hero by InfoWorld (Wall St Journal of the technology world) and ComputerWorld, was the winner of the National Federal Office Systems Award (FOSE – Nation’s Largest Information Technology Exposition Serving the Government Marketplace), and the winner of Government Computer News Best New Technology Award. Several case studies have been published on my solutions across the Information Technology industry. Currently I provide technology solutions and advisement for America’s most distinguished clients including a sizeable amount of work for the U.S. Defense Sector, Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security. This personal experience is where I grab some of the technology and story line from in The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox. My projects have been featured in national media outlets including Fox News. After founding my own technology firm, I completed my formal education with a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is Devil’s Dairy: The Coming. It’s about where each reader falls between the battle of good and evil. If the Lord returned tomorrow (which happens in the book), how would you react? What would you as a reader expect? Would you be ready? This novel appeals to the reader to look inside themselves as they identify with the characters. I wrote it because as current times are as they have been prophesized in several holy books, including a general increase in anarchy, the demoralization of our society’s ethical fabric, the wars, and the persecution of those trying to worship, the stage has been set. Sides are being chosen. Angels and their worst enemies prepare for The Coming. Also, from an inspiration standpoint, with my first books, I wrote the book that I had always wanted to read but had never been read. With this book, I wrote the book that I had I always thought someone should write, but had never been written. It’s a journey for the reader. You have to ask yourself a question during the book: Are you ready to face your deeds? For many people the answer will be no, which makes the book an even deeper journey as they realize where they fall in the battle of good and evil. Each reader will face their own internal journey. Some who are not familiar with any religion will hopefully want to know more as they look inside themselves. Even though the book is called Devil’s Diary, the book is not about evil. The second part of the title is the focus. The Coming.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
(Laughs) Some would consider writing about Biblical Prophecy is an unusual writing habit. It’s a touchy subject and certainly complex. There are literally hundreds of interpretations and translations. I put them into 3 main categories during my studies. 1. The Past interpretations: meaning that some interpretations indicate that the 2nd coming of Jesus has already happened. 2nd group is the Present interpretation, meaning that based on what is happening now, the 2nd coming is imminent, the 3rd group is the Future interpretation which pretty much follows the course the 2nd coming is off in the distant future someplace. I focus on the present interpretation. In the book, the Son of Man returns, but its not quite what you’d expect. This is not about the rapture. It’s about the war between good and evil. God vs His enemies.
What are you working on now?
My last two novels were from the spy/action genre, including one bestseller The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox. Now I’m working on enticing the platform I’ve built to follow me into this new religious genre Devil’s Diary: The Coming deeps its feet in. This is actually the book that got me my first book deal. It was decided by the publishing company to come out with the spy series as a business decision because of my background with technology and the Dept of Defense, and the degrees and awards behind my name. I speak at technology conferences on a regular basis but I wasn’t a famous minister. In their minds, I didn’t have a guaranteed platform to generate book sales. Do I hope my audience follows? I’d like to think I’ve built an audience who loves good writing, so I believe they will venture into this genre even if it’s a bit new to them, because they enjoy good writing. The point of writing of to bring people to something new. Something great. One of my goals in writing is to broaden the experiences of my reader community and add to the literary art form. It believe its key to not only present a fascinating story to the reader, but to bring value to the reader aside from entertainment. I believe that’s one of the key differences of my style of writing. Everyone loves to be entertained, so I’m obviously going to do that, and I truly enjoy it. Then a lot of people also value riveting, thought provoking idea’s. Topics where you finish the book and want to know more. Motifs that make you want do a bit of web surfing on the topics presented, or maybe dive even deeper.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is www.anthonyrhoward.org. I believe outlets like Awesomegang will be critical to authors who want to maintain creative control and grow a genuine following. I also started a small studio to create a different kind of audiobook. Traditional audiobooks are boring to many people. One narrator reads the entire 10 hours story in monotone can lull you to sleep. In the Invisible Enemy: Black Fox Audiobook a new genre is opened to new markets and the social media generation with over 2000 expertly placed sound effects, a cast of actors reading the major characters and movie scores created for every scene/chapter, giving the audiobook a surreal movie theater experience in additional to an exhilarating story. If you want, Download a free sample from my website, or see the trailer below.
Audiobook trailer
Do you have any advice for new authors?
With POD (Print on Demand) the publishing world is changing. The game is different. As both a “traditionally published” and self published author, I’ve had to learn the hard way which way to go. Now I coach others into how to be successful @ POD publishing/self publishing. I’ve become a bestselling author as a self published author with The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox, The Invisible Enemy II: Vendetta, and landed spot on nationally syndicated shows such as the Michael Eric Dyson show. Because of the books I’ve written I was Named Super Hero 2011 by InfoWorld and ComputerWorld for several of the ground breaking projects I designed and architected for the worlds top organizations (Including Google, Dept of Defense and Major banks). They even gave a shout out to my bestseller The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox, which brought millions of additional readers to my website. I’ve been on nationally syndicated shows speaking on the writing process and my career and how to succeed as an author.
Certain tricks such as “what is the right price for my book on amazon?” “When should I sell out to a major publisher”, “is my book deal good?”, “how many books can I expect to sell at a book signing”, or “Where is the money?” or “why is fiction so hard to sell”, “Mr. Howard, Do I have to create a cool movie trailer like you (http://www.anthonyrhoward.com/book.php) with explosions and special effects just to sell my book
Every book is different, so every path is different. One fact remains the same unless you are a celebrity. You mush shatter the literary genre. You book MUST be different, and you must have a platform to sell it. “Anthony, what do you mean?”
I mean you book will not sell because you wrote it or because it’s good. For instance, I’ve shattered the literary genre in a major way with The InvisibleEnemy: Black Fox. Since I work with the Dept of Defense and Homeland Security as a world class IT Architect, designing supercomputers, storage area networks and much more – I’m considered an insider, and people always want to know the real scoop on what’s going on behind the scenes. The once classified secret gov’t organizations in the Invisible Enemy: Black Fox are REAL. The next generation exposed in the book is REAL. People are longing for something hot, new, and different, and the media is looking for things that will keep their audience interested and even expand your audience, generating more revenue and popularity.
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