Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in a small village in southwest Ontario, Canada with my partner, our three children and some cats and chickens. When I’m not writing I’m thinking about writing, and/or running, and/or swimming and/or walking in the fields and forests. Like many Canadians, I’m passionate about hockey and have a love-hate relationship with winter. If given the opportunity, I would write and live full-time on a tropical island, and would weave numerous visits to Canada and traveling the world into the island life. I like coconuts, the ocean, tigers, the color blue, the number 10, science and Indie music.
I’ve written several books – under other names – but they have all been non-fiction. I’ve also written two humor books and dozens of short humor pieces.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called “The Secret of Immortality: The Tombmakers Village” – just recently published (April 2020). The book is based on the question: ‘What would you do if you discovered how to be immortal? I enjoy creating something from nothing. The idea for the book had been in my mind for years, and events in my life and those of others I know brought the storyline together. I also enjoy mixing fact with fiction and pushing the boundaries of the possible. While there are no super heroes in the book, I’d like to think that readers see themselves in the roles of the various characters doing their best in extraordinary circumstances and making the best decisions they can. Some decisions, of course, don’t work out. That makes for a lot of fun writing the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. My favourite time to write is in the early, early hours of the day. I try to write regularly and will often start writing a chapter with little idea of what will happen in it and how it will end. I feel much more part of the book itself – kind of exciting that way.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Strangely I suppose, I read a lot of non-fiction. Mainly science, philosophy, history – plus the odd humor book.
What are you working on now?
‘The Secret of Immortality’ is the first book in a series of four, and right now I’m writing the second book – ‘Search for the Holobiont’
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am hopeless at marketing and promotion. There is no one ‘best’ method for me – that said, I’m a huge fan of honest book reviews and will happily give my book to others in the hope that maybe they will spread the word about what they’ve read.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write …. If you don’t actually write, ‘it’ will never happen. Follow your train of thought and get the words down and always think about how each chapter fits into the overall storyline. But get it done by writing consistently – daily – so your thoughts are always fresh. Always carry a small notebook with you wherever you go – so when that cool idea comes to you, you can write it down and use later. When you have that first draft completed, then its ‘edit, edit, edit.’ Take out all the superfluous stuff and make sure there are no inconsistencies.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day!
What are you reading now?
A couple of books on physics and biology – awesome.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing the series – 1 book done, 3 to go. And to engage more with the writing community.
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 going to cheat here and say my e-reader — with a box of batteries — and also boxes of paper and pens and pencils to write with.
Author Websites and Profiles
CJ McKivvik Website
CJ McKivvik’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile