Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello from Texas!
I just released the third book in my Vital Secrets series (mystery/suspense), and also a tribute book of my father’s short stories and poems, called One Last Gift.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
List of Secrets is book three in the Vital Secrets series, and it basically is a scenario where there are several deaths, all looking natural or accidental, that are anything but.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I know a lot of authors tend to plot out arcs or beats. I tend to just sit down and get going for the most part. Because my first book had historical elements in it, I did research the location and time frame quite a bit prior to writing. But the others have pretty much ‘start typing and see where it goes’.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ken Follett, JD Robb, and Frederick Forsyth are among my favorites. And of course, for classic, expertly woven tales of both psychological and mortal danger, Agatha Christie remains a huge inspiration.
What are you working on now?
I am juggling the main plot idea for book four of the existing series, but also fleshing out the first of at least three in a ‘second chance romance’ series that’s about to begin.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve only recently ‘gone wide’ with my works, so there’s a lot of testing left to do. But so far, I’ve found that Facebook along with strategic items such as Booksweeps and Bookfunnel are doing rather well.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
First, don’t be afraid to fail. I don’t believe I’ve yet met or talked with one single author that’s ever said they 100% did everything right, right off the bat. There’s a learning curve involved, to be sure, particularly for the self-published. You might not do everything correct, or in the right order, at first. Learn from those times, allow yourself some grace and keep trying.
Second, follow your passion and believe in yourself, always. There may be days you’re not motivated to write, or research, or edit, or some of the other tasks that are part-and-parcel of being an author. Do them anyway. Keep moving. You’ll thank yourself later. BUT – With that, also practice good self-care. Maintain a healthy balance.
Lastly – Get on some of the review sites out there (Bookbub, Hidden Gems, NetGalley) and use them – As a READER. Two reasons why:
1) It gets you very familiar with their processes, so that when the time comes to list YOUR books, you have an excellent feel of what to expect.
2) It just might, as it did for me, open your horizon to other genres you aren’t aware of or fluent in, that you might want to read or to create works in.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stay true to your path up the mountain. You’ll be bombarded with advice and suggestions; some of it might sting, and you’ll have to decide if what they suggest makes the most sense for you and your journey. Network with others.
What are you reading now?
There’s one book I got just a bit into, then had to set aside. I fully intend to pick it back up again once I have time to devote my full attention to it as it deserves. It is “Pride’s Children”, by Alicia Ehrhardt.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, hopefully at least three more books in the Vital Secrets series as well as some success with the new romance series! We’ll have to see.
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?
WOW – That’s a hard one. Only 3 or 4? Hmm..
“And Then There Were None” – Agatha Christie
“Death on the Nile” – Agatha Christie
“Eye of the Needle” – Ken Follett
“Day of the Jackal” – Frederick Forsyth
Author Websites and Profiles
D.F. Hart Website
D.F. Hart Amazon Profile
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