Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a thirty year plus law enforcement officer, a twenty-eight year volunteer firefighter, and a sixteen year volunteer emergency medical technician. While assigned to major crimes for fourteen years I specialized in child abuse investigations. I love children and feel it is our duty to protect them. I always wanted to be a children’s book writer. My books target six to twelve year olds but I have had teens and adults enjoy them. I started attempting to be published in 2014 and have been writing the series since then.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Spruce Hollow Gang The Salem Witch Hunt Adventure. My first eight books have been recently released on Amazon/Kindle available in ebook or paperback. The children in our gang are twelve year olds who share a desire for excitement, adventure, and history. They travel to historical events to help others in need. Many times their own safety is at risk. I began the series because I feel our children and teens are inundated by sex, violence, drugs, and alcohol. I wanted to write a series that is good, clean fun.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, I do spend a lot of time researching historical events I can adapt to the gang’s adventures. You might say my books are altered history to a certain extent. However, they teach actual historical facts as well as values like friendship, loyalty, and honesty.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Carolyn Keene who authored the Nancy Drew series and the Hardy Boys which were basically written by ghostwriters. I wanted my series to be reminiscent of these type mysteries which were clean fun for all children and early teens.
What are you working on now?
I have a book, the ninth in the series in the works now. I will not release it until the books are in the public’s eye.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have an authors page through Amazon/Kindle and am working on setting up a website at this time. My author page is linked to Facebook and Twitter.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing the books is the easy part. Hopefully there will be a way to get your books publicized without having to pay for a high dollar agent or expensive advertising. I will say beware of many so-called traditional publishers. First of all from what I have seen they will not give you the time of day. Many self-publishing companies will draw you in and then charge you for every little thing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I really have not had much help. It seems everywhere I have turned there are false hopes.
What are you reading now?
Currently I am not reading anything. I can say one of my all time favorite novels is Something is Alive on the Titanic.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have been working on a novel and may attempt to publish it in the future. Right now I have to find a way to publicize my Spruce Hollow gang Series. If not I will be out of luck because I just do not have the money it takes for an all out advertising campaign.
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?
Something is Alive on the Titanic. Stephen King’s Christine. The Bible.
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