Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My writing career sprung from working for his uncle in a small office in Greenville, SC. During periods of downtime, his uncle told him to “look busy” when clients came in to the shop instead of reading books. His solution was to write short stories. He based these short stories around his days as a youth in Mt. Lookout, WV. He eventually tied this collection of stories together and added a few new characters to create his first novel Moment of Impact in 2006.
Three years later, after moving to Concord, NC just outside of Charlotte, he released a sequel to his first novel, A Murder In Concord.
After the promotional period for the sequel ran its course, he began a third novel, but set it aside after creating the website WVUPros.com. A site dedicated to following the West Virginia Mountaineers who used to play for West Virginia in their pro careers. The site started as a hobby, but quickly took off. Caleb set the book writing aside to focus on building the new sports website. His articles appeared on nationally recognized websites such as ESPN.com and SI.com. He made appearances on ESPN Radio in Beckley, WV and on WVSports Radio, as well as contributing articles to the college football preview magazine The Signal Caller in 2013 and 2014.
In the fall of 2013, he started writing an adventure novel about the search for Blackbeard’s Lost Treasure using real places and events. That novel was released on April 28, 2016 by Black Rose Writing.
When not creating new adventures on the written page, Caleb owns a social media marketing and website development company in Concord, NC.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is titled BLACKBEARD’S LOST TREASURE. I last released a novel in 2009 and a few years ago, I had the urge to do another. My wife and I were on vacation at a small island and we watched a program on TV one night about Blackbeard and his alleged treasure that had never been found.
The next day, we were at a small bookstore on the island and I found a few books detailing the island’s history. I found out that the first settler on the island had had his estate destroyed by unknown pirates. When I read that, I had a brief burst of thought laying out the entire book right then and there.
In the end, the finished product wound up being so much better than the idea I originally began with.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I mostly just write in my office with some combination of Zac Brown Band or Jimmy Buffett playing on a speaker in the corner to get me in that tropical state of mind.
Now, it’s not a habit, but when I get writer’s block and can’t figure the way out of a scene or where the story should lead to get from A to B to C, I seem to think best by taking a long drive or in the shower.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Readers of Clive Cussler will find this novel generally follows his formula. I grew up a big fan of his works as well as John Grisham and Greg Iles.
What are you working on now?
I have began writing on a follow-up to Blackbeard’s Lost Treasure. At the end of that book, I set it up so the two characters in it will perhaps go on similar quests in the future. The next mystery from the South they will try to solve will be The Fountain of Youth.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a social media marketer by day, promoting my books via Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest is second nature. Over the past six months, I’ve really worked on SEO for my website, calebwygal.com, and have seen those efforts pay off.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. If you’re stuck, hone your craft in some other way, whether it be through the use of story prompts or through a blog.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Stephen King: Write with the door closed. Don’t be afraid of what others might think of your writing. That first draft should be raw and from the heart.
What are you reading now?
Star Wars: Bloodlines by Claudia Gray
What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue writing novels and develop my sports blog.
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?
Ooo. Tough question.
In no particular order of favorites: The Lion’s Game by Nelson DeMille, Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke, Sphere by Michael Crichton and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
Author Websites and Profiles
Caleb Wygal Website
Caleb Wygal Amazon Profile
Caleb Wygal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account