Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just released by debut novella Grey Areas a couple of weeks ago. It is the first of four in a serial of books.
I live in Kansas City, Missouri with my wife and daughter. I used to be in radio and I still do voiceover work. I also have a full time job that keeps me busy.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Grey Areas takes place in a small town in Iowa. I am from Iowa and have always appreciated the values of a small Midwest community. I don’t want to say much more about the inspiration due to possible “spoilers” from saying too much.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if they are unusual, but I do have some. I have found the best place for me to write is away from home. Because of this I end up in coffee shops a lot. For me, there are less distractions here than at my house, even when I’m alone. I also prefer to not write sitting up in a hard back chair or on a computer. I tend to write on my iPad (believe it or not) and fight other customers for one of the comfortable chairs at Starbucks.
Earphones and music are a necessity, too. What I listen to varies.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was young the first book series I got into was the Hardy Boys mysteries. I loved them so much that I started to “write” my own Hardy Boys books. Unfortunately, no one in my third grade class bought them.
My Side Of The Mountain by Jean Craighead George is another book I remember quite distinctly. It more than likely influenced the creation of Grey Areas.
When I was older I read Midnight In The Garden Of Good Evil by John Berendt for a taste of what a strong character-driven story reads like. Eventually I grew partial to books by John Grisham, David Baldacci, and Clive Cussler.
What are you working on now?
I am currently editing Grey Areas 2 (Spring 2015). In addition, I have already started writing Grey Areas 3 (TBD).
I also plan to release two books about classic pop and rock hit music in 2015. The first drafts of both have already been written.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m so new to this it’s not right for me to say much. I was skeptical at first about Goodreads but must say I have been pleasantly surprised by it so far. There are so many out there, though. I am more in the trial and error phase of marketing my book(s) right now.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Write. Write. I have had many friends and colleagues tell me they are “writing a book” over the years. But do you know how many of those books have been published? Zero. Writing a book is like losing weight. It takes a strong commitment to see results. But once you put in the time and begin to witness yourself succeeding it becomes addicting. Talk is cheap. Results are priceless. Do it!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get an editor. No matter how good of a writer you think you are, you’re not THAT good. A good editor will do wonders for your book. Keep in mind, there WILL be people out there who want you to fail. They will be combing your book for mistakes. Minimize the mistakes and you will sell more books.
Also love this Tom Clancy quote: “The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.”
What are you reading now?
Stateline: A Dan Reno Novel by Dave Stanton
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to finish the Grey Areas serial and from there I am so excited because the possibilities are endless. I love writing fiction and constructing story lines, but I also enjoy the non-fiction side of writing. I have a few things to say there, too. So I’m guessing – regardless of it being somewhat taboo for authors – that I will be doing a little bit of both over the next couple of years.
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 Art Of War for the Sales Warrior
Rolling Stone Album Guide
Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher
A long fiction book I have not read
Author Websites and Profiles
Brad Carl Website
Brad Carl Amazon Profile
Brad Carl Author Profile on Smashwords
Brad Carl’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account