Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I retired from my lifelong career of twenty three years to pursue my dream of becoming a full time author. I realize that this is a common dream of many to write full time. I was lucky enough to find myself in a position to give it a try.
This is my first novel and I have many ideas that I am attempting to get down on paper.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is titled, “The Airship Artemis”. I have always loved good adventure books, and I wanted to take readers on an adventure with airships, and pirates. I have always had a love of airships, and the wanting to travel the globe aboard one. How great would it be to float along the currents like a cloud?
I combined the longing and the sense of travel aboard the airships, and the always popular villains “pirates” for a tense action thriller set in the near future.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Massive amounts of coffee, and 2am writing sessions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always been a huge fan of the Patrick O’Brian – Aubrey Series. These are amazing stories of adventure and intrigue during the Napoleonic wars on the high seas.
I also have found the adventures of Jules Verne and Rudyard Kipling influencing much of what I read and write about.
What are you working on now?
I currently have several novels started and it’s a race to see who makes it to the finish line first. I have a novel of short stories, A steampunk adventure, an adventure tale from 1925 in the California Desert, and maybe a zombie or two.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
AwesomeGang.com. Word of mouth has been very beneficial, as people tell their friends on Facebook, and in person. I am also in talks with several publicists to help promote my novel.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Many people are overwhelmed by the enormity that is involved in writing a novel. Break it down in chunks, and write one chapter at a time.
Many people feel that they don’t have time to write. I suggest taking time to write (1) single page a day. If you can devote enough time to write one page a day, then in the course of one year from when you started, you would have a 365 page rough draft.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, and write, and keep reading.
Writing regularly will keep your mind and habits where they need to be to do serious writing. Write anything, and regularly to keep you in the zone.
Read often, this will help you see how others approach the genre you’re writing in. This is also a great way to escape and relax.
Before long you will find yourself narrating your own life with that inner voice, as you run errands.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading several books;
The Mysterious Island, by Jules Verne
Slaughter House Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
Richard Temple, by Patrick O’Brian
The Reaches, by David Drake
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am still writing, but I am launching the beginning of my promo campaign for my new novel, “The Airship Artemis.”
The scheduling of appearances and book signings to get the word out for the holiday buying season.
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?
Well I think they should be carefully considered.
Perhaps: 101 ways to prepare coconuts,
50 ways to build a boat with limited supplies
Fire and How to be friends
and of course:
The John Carter of Mars collection, by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Wake Of The Red Witch, by Garland Roarke
anything by Choral Pepper…
Author Websites and Profiles
Chester Quinn Website
Chester Quinn Amazon Profile
Chester Quinn’s Social Media Links