Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always loved history and before retiring have been an archaeologist, teacher, historic preservation consultant, and historic interpreter! I have written three time travel books for middle grade to adult and five history books for adults. I have two more books finished to be published later this year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Divided Only by Distance & Allegiance” is the third and final book in a series! The first “Mittie & Thee” tells the story of the courtship of Theodore Roosevelt’s parents in 1853. The book contains there letters from that year. The middle book in the series “Between the Wedding & the War” contains letters from the Bulloch and Roosevelt families between 1854 and 1860. It provides the reader with a great deal of history about this period of political turmoil and about the lives of these important families. The final book, to be released in October 2017, contains the war years letters.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Each day, I begin from the beginning of the manuscript and edit until I come to where I left off. Then I start writing. So, when I write the last bit, I have already edited my manuscript about 100 times! I would not recommend this format but it works for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
For my fiction books for middle grade readers, I would have to say that two great story tellers, Larry McMurtry and Janice Holt Giles are ones I would like to emulate.
What are you working on now?
I am writing the second of two short stories for a Christmas anthology for children. The characters in each story are from children’s books and will hopefully lead them to reading more about these characters. Each story has a Christmas/winter holiday theme.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used several book promotion sites and try to use them all together. I discount my books, then promote them on such sites as Awesome Gang, Book Bongo, Book Cave, Choosy Bookworm, and Book Hearts.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t despair when sales are non-existent. Just keep working at it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Submit your children’s books to Children’s Literary Classics for a free review! Then if you garner one of their great seals of approval then submit your book to their awards contest. I have two Gold Medals for “Greg’s First Adventure in Time” and “Greg’s Second Adventure in Time”
What are you reading now?
Oathtaker by Patricia Reding
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have two books to ready for publication and then I’ll start writing Greg’s Fourth Adventure in Time. I also have a book started about five young men in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.
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?
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Oh, Kentucky by Betty Layman Receveur
Any Harry Potter book!
Author Websites and Profiles
C.M. Huddleston Website
C.M. Huddleston Amazon Profile
C.M. Huddleston’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account