Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am high school teacher and former minister from Texas. As an only child living on a ranch in Central Texas, I grew up “exercising my creative muscles” by creating worlds to play in and explore on our ninety acres. As an adult, I have found that writing is great outlet for that ‘intellectual workout’ and has the added bonus of being an awesome stress relief at the end of a long day of teaching. My wife and I have been married since 2002, and we have two teenage daughters- and they are my first and most important audience.
I have written four books, total. Two books in the Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles series, an education book called “The Class They Remember,” and a Theordore Roosevelt quote analysis mini-book called “Theodore’s Thoughts.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Red Hand Rising is the second book in the Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles. While book one, Rites of Passage, is pretty claustrophobic in its scope, Red Hand Rising opens up the world of the young hero geographically and regarding the mythos. New entities- good and bad- are present and new paths to follow are opened up. I wanted to write this story as a bridge, a world-building exercise. I experiment with some new concepts, try some new things, and also play with some old tropes. I chose St. Louis as the setting because it was a city I grew up visiting because my grandparents lived there, and it always had a good mix of traditional values and urban progression to me. It is a perfect setting for a story that ties Americana into the dark side of our culture. Like I said earlier, it is a stepping stone story- resolving some mysteries from Rites of Passage and asking new questions as the series progresses.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to create a soundtrack to write to. It helps me find themes and tones that add depth to the story and the characters. Each character has at least one theme that fits them. The playlist for the Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles is a good mix of classic rock, alternative, a dash of country, a pinch of rap, and a healthy dose of my favorite band of all time- Switchfoot.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King is a definite number one. Not just because of the horror elements, but because he has a way of making the details come alive. His scope- especially in my favorite novel, The Stand- is breathtaking. Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling bring my young adult inspiration and sarcastic humor.
What are you working on now?
Book three of the Sawyer Shepherd Chronicles is being typed right now. Without spoiling, it actually takes us into the origins of Sawyer Shepherd and the key antagonist. And that means a journey home for Sawyer. It is tentatively titled “The Origins of Man and Myth.”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really haven’t found anything that is a “definite” winner. A few successes with getting in a newsletter, but the best has been word of mouth. When real people talk you up to other real people, it makes a difference.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. You will grow as you write, but you will never grow if you put the pen (or keyboard) down.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write for yourself and your fans. Don’t worry about the critics.
What are you reading now?
The Stand. I am re-reading it because, in a pandemic, I thought it would be a good idea. What can I say, I have a dark side.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a couple story ideas floating around. One is another urban fantasy story about a man who wakes up in an empty New York City and another is about a high school football star faced with a moral quandry. And since I love epic stories, I always have a massive end-of-the-world story cooking in the back of my mind.
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 Bible (for hope), The Stand (because it’s long), A survival guide, and Nick Offerman’s Paddle Your Own Canoe (because I haven’t read it and could use a good laugh).
Author Websites and Profiles
Chad Lehrmann Website
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