Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
In 8th grade, I started a myspace-official religion (thank you to our 121 dedicated followers). I picked up trombone after my ska/punk band broke-up in high school. Florida sucked me back in and I became depressed after blowing-out my knee on a 52-day backpacking trip in Colorado because I thought I blew my only chance at realizing my dream by just trying to chase after it. Someone planted the idea in my head to pick-up skydiving as a hobby in college. 8 years later, I jumped out of an airplane solo after watching a man break his leg on landing right before it was my turn to fly. I’m terrible at cooking. After 3 & 1/2 years as a wilderness therapy field guide, my roommate and I woke up one morning and decided to start a high-end catering company. Life is good & I’m satisfied with myself.
All that aside, I like tea. I’m a homebody and a space/tech nerd. I’m becoming increasingly attracted to Daoism. I’m working on letting go of fixed plans and surrendering to the current of life. For the rest and whatnot in between, you’ll have to check out the book.
“Collateral Intentions” is my first-ever publication into official authorhood. I am currently working diligently on another project with plans for a 12-book…series?…not exactly, but something of the like, at some time in the future. Gotta let it percolate.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Collateral Intentions” is a comprehensive collection of my writing from 17 to 28 years-old.
Yes, it has teen angst & cringe.
Yes, it has smile-back-at-that-moment coming-of-age.
Yes, it has letters to unrequited love.
Yes, it has knee-cracking, tear-extracting, mind-blasting, stomach-stirring rawness.
No, it does not have the answer to your problems.
T’was inspired by a desire to put together a book of selected works to read to my students in the field while I was a wilderness therapy guide. I made a small booklet with a few originals and many other established works. It was a fun process creating it (stirring a deep satisfaction to organize and agonize over the most minute details night after sleepless night, cursing the dawn as a landmark of time passing beyond what I could accomplish within “reason”). So, I decided to continue (how insatiable was the urge) and create a larger collection by combing through my dozen journals. Some friends caught wind of my side-project (whole-hearted obsession) that I started so I could have all my writing in one place and they began asking after it. I gave away manuscripts for the cost of printing. At some point, someone teased me about publishing. “PFEH!” I would say. “HA!” I would scoff. “HRNGH!” I would grumble. Then, after sifting through many-a-scam-site, I decided I would self-publish with Overlord Bezos.
Now, I’m like…submitting it to book contests & $h!*.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My journals are open and public. I write in them the same as anyone else would, except I invite and encourage family, friends and strangers to write in them as well. I enjoy capturing life’s raw moments and I see life as a collaboration of relationships, not an individually-informed perspective.
I often write and work on writing projects for days at a time. Eating, drinking, and sleeping very little. It’s somewhat manic, but its a choice and I enjoy it.
For “Collateral Intentions,” I spent a year transcribing 10 journals’-worth of poetry, letters, wrinkled cocktail napkins in a shoebox, milestone journal entries, and phone notes to a google doc (don’t do that), then transferred it over to Mac Pages (don’t do that either), then submitted my eBook to Amazon late (definitely don’t do that), and wrestled with a DOCX for over a year until I finally gave up on the last 5 errors in the printed version.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Saul Williams. Internationally-renowned slam poet, actor, author, musician. I’d say he’s the black David Bowey.
The Dao De Jing has utterly rocked my world and brought clarity, surrender, and trust to places in my life I struggle not to grapple into a stranglehold.
What are you working on now?
A MAGICIAN NEVER TELLS HIS SECRETS.
“Let your workings remain a mystery. Just show people the results.”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, word of mouth has been my primary mode of ingratiation thus far. I’m currently working on getting sales away from MY mouth. I’ve put up a few copies in local bookstores, submitted to multiple writing contests, run ad campaigns on Amazon, and attended open mics with copies at the ready.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It took me just as long or longer to self-publish. I didn’t think I’d be good enough and didn’t have the patience to find the publisher that was looking for my book and submit it. Self-publishing does come with this cool DIY badge of honor, but I plan to find a legitimized press I’m excited to partner with for my future projects.
They have all the resources, they know the biz. While you still have to do most (or all) of the work, I imagine it would be a hell of a lot easier to have that publishing team to call when you’re looking for some help. In fact, I’m still hoping to find a legit publisher for “Collateral Intentions”.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Do what makes you feel good.”
– Howard
Retired, 3rd-grade Education
What are you reading now?
The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra
I thought it would be full-on woo but it is surprisingly, incredibly scientifically informed. I read a little every day and I am left saying, “yes, yes, YES” every time I put it down.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Saying “hello” to Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show and watching him explode in laughter.
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 Pocket Dao De Jing (translated by Stephen Mitchell), The Little Book of Changes (translated by Peter Crisp), The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny, and How to Survive on a Desert Island by literally anyone
Author Websites and Profiles
Constantine Dhonau Website
Constantine Dhonau Amazon Profile
Constantine Dhonau Author Profile on Smashwords
Constantine Dhonau’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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