Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve worked for over twenty years in the pharmaceutical industry, based in Japan. To date I’ve written over a dozen books, including a unique Tarot system together with the cards, some books have been translated in Japanese. My hobbies include playing Bach on the ‘cello, Aikido and spiritual studies.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Freemasonry: Initiation by Light.” It is one of a quadrilogy of books on the same subject. Originally it was a larger, single book of about 600 pages, but a publisher suggested that I divide the content into smaller units. There are four degrees in Freemasonry recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England, so that seemed a logical way to divide the book. I was inspired to write these books after staying at a Daoist temple in Taiwan. That is where I found the similarity of the two initiations, the Daoist and the Masonic.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not write fiction, so I start with months of background research. For this book, I spent nearly two years researching various aspects of the story before starting to write. I like to spend long hours of intense writing, say 12 to 14 hours a day, when I won’t be interrupted. I often skip meals, and survive on coffee and bananas.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Charles Dickens, Seeds of Change by Henry Hobhouse, The Hobbit – JRRTolkein, The DaoDeJing, anything by William Buhlman – the list is too long
What are you working on now?
The fourth in the quadrilogy, “Freemasonry: Royal Arch.” It connects the esoteric teachings of the first three books to show what the first three Grand Masters of the Revival of Freemasonry, 1717-1740, were designing. A way to experience immortality!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
No idea. I have only recently started to self-publish on KDP. I have been paying Amazon to promote the book. I pay about 14% of royalties.
Before I have always used publishers, but recently the results have been less than stellar, so I decided to branch out on my own.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Forget about traditional publishing. Unless they can sell 100,000 copies of your book per year, they won’t bother to market it. I write non-fiction books, so I know where my audience is. This is #101 marketing; identify your market and provide the book they want at a price they can afford.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Concerning writing: write the chapter, then don’t look at it for a week. Reread, and then correct. Finish the book and then don’t read it for a month. Reread and then correct.
Second: learn to love your Thesaurus.
What are you reading now?
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F**K, by Mark Manson;
The 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Green
Harmonica for Dummies, by Winslow Yerxa
What’s next for you as a writer?
To find a way to market my books more effectively.
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?
“How to survive on a desert island” by Bear Gryles
The DaoDeJing
Three Books of Occult Philosophy, by C. Agrippa
The Secret Teachings of All Ages, Manley P. Hall
Author Websites and Profiles
Christopher Earnshaw Website
Christopher Earnshaw Amazon Profile