Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m from Wales in the UK, and unlike many other authors I don’t have any official sounding training or qualifications. Prior to writing my latest book I worked pretty much as a janitor. That should give you an idea of any “official” skill sets I have. I consider this an advantage in many respects, many people who want to make it online or as a self-published author can more easily identify with me, than they can with somebody who has gone through years of law school or runs their own company etc. Even the little guy can achieve with the help of the interwebs, willingness to learn and some staying power!
I have written 5 books to date, all of which have been Kindle best sellers. Three are no longer available because I made the mistake of writing about subjects that were either not evergreen, or they were about a third product which kept changing or simply no longer exist.
My grammar also stinks, you’ll probably notice that throughout this interview, but that’s what editors and proof readers are there for. Don’t let your spelling and grammar put you off creating something if you have a book idea, work with that creative strength and bring on others with strengths in the areas where you are weak.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “Internet Business Insights” and it was really my own way of finding out what successful people were doing. Inside we interviewed 101 online entrepreneurs which in itself was an education, but the biggest take away was that these people kept mentioning the same things over and over again, it was uncanny! We turned these 30 repeating themes into 30 lessons at the end of the book that anybody can start using to find more success.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, most of the books I have published are selfish in many respects. Although they help others to learn various skills, they are also experiments to satisfy my own curiosity. I’m a firm believer that you don’t need to know all the answers when you start writing, you’ll probably never begin if you take that mindset.
I also rite betterer after a good drink. 😉
What authors, or books have influenced you?
With regards to my writing, I couldn’t really point to any influence as a fiction writer might.
Life in general, I started reading and listening to all the usual success and self help type of books at around 15 years old. “Think and Grow Rich,” Earl Nightingales stuff among many others, but the one book that really sticks in my mind is “The Forbidden Book Of Getting What You Want” by Dantalion Jones. There is a lot of the same old stuff in there, but the author points out on the inside that the book is a trap. And for me, the trap worked and made me start chasing dreams and goals. To quote the author and hopefully clarify…
“This warning is provided to make you aware that The Forbidden Book Of Getting What You Want is a written as a TRAP to ensnare you into going after what you want like a shark ending a hunger strike.
Once you read it… you can’t unread it.
Seriously, all the hype aside, the key to making this process work is based on a simple formula of motivation; that we are more easily motivated to move away from what we don’t want than to go after what we do want.”
What are you working on now?
After finishing “Internet Business Insights” I took a break for a short while, but my focus lies on a follow up to this book as it was so well received. If something works, there is little point changing the system.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Use your network! If you don’t have a network then start getting involved with people who have similar interests and goals. This is a slow process at first, but working alone and trying to accomplish big things alone is a recipe for failure.
Help others in your network achieve their goals and they will be more than happy to reciprocate when you also need help. It may sound counterproductive (maybe even woo-woo to some) but giving of yourself and your time to help others achieve will come back to you in spades.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you don’t have a budget to outsource marketing and promotion, get used to wearing a lot of hats until you do. A lot of new authors just want to write their book and then expect it to sell well just because it is a good book. While that might be true, I’m sorry to tell you that just throwing the book up on Kindle etc won’t get you anywhere fast. The cream doesn’t rise to the top in the self-publishing business without some hard marketing and promotional work to help it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When I asked my co-author for “Internet Business Insights” how we were going to split the royalties he replied “Why the f*ck would I be interested in the royalties from a Kindle book? It’s all yours!”
Sounds like a stupid thing for him to say, but you can probably see how much money is to be made from the back end of a book. (And the book itself will make tens of thousands no doubt.) I was shocked at this statement, but it taught me that non-fiction self publishing should only be the first step somebody takes into your wider funnel.
What are you reading now?
Fiction: I have just today finished “Ready Player One” which I found a little slow to start, but overall a good read.
Non-fiction: “Drug of Choice: The Inspiring True Story Of The One-Armed Criminal Who Mastered Love And Made Millions” by Mark van Stratum who I was lucky enough to be able to interview for my latest book. You should definitely check this out.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same. My books are all about finding out what works for others, or experimenting to find out what works for myself with regards to self-publishing and success in general. It comes more easily than other types of projects as it truly interests me.
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?
I’m not sure what they are called but they would be very big books that I could tie together to make a raft… Books float right? :-s
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