Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a writer all my life, but mostly applied that skill to dull work-related papers until I decided to try my hand at a couple books and now I’m hooked on that!
The Adventures of Dan and Tina is my first major book. It’s part memoir and part self-help book. From there, I’m moving on to writing a totally unrelated fantasy novel.
I’m learning to fly airplanes and reconnecting with other creative pursuits like music and video production, as well.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Adventures of Dan and Tina – Enduring and Recovering from Narcissistic Abuse began as a therapeutic outlet after ending a long and tortured on-again-off-again relationship with a dangerous, personality-disordered woman. It took years to see through the maze of lies and covert abuse that was withering every aspect of my life and then years more to claw my way back to sanity when it was over.
I realized it’s a pretty compelling tale and one that I thought could be of value to others who may have found themselves in similarly abusive relationships, so I published it.
It’s been gratifying and humbling to hear from people who’ve been helped by my book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have poor writing habits. I’m a creature of inspiration, not routine. I write when the words come to me. Trying to force it sometimes yields results, but often not.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My mom influenced me to read from a young age and I’ve devoured books all these years. They’ve all influenced me in some way or another.
What are you working on now?
My next book will be a fantasy fiction yarn about a chance meeting of strangers seeking shelter from a storm in a mysterious and spooky location. Conflict, intrigue and murder ensues. I’m well into it and hope to have it published early in 2022.
It’s a far-cry from The Adventures of Dan and Tina! I guess I don’t see myself getting pinned down to one genre to write for.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Tricky. I’m still throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks as far as book promotion goes. I have found some success with social media. I have a decent facebook following and found their ads useful, because of how specific you can be in targeting an appropriate audience. Amazon ads are doing OK for me, now, but they take longer (and cost significantly) to get working.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hire an editor (or two). Editing your own work is difficult at best and proofreading it is impossible.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t quit.
What are you reading now?
I just finished reading a book called Drunk Talk. It’s a cynical, semi-satirical sort-of philosophy book based on drunken conversations.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on my fantasy fiction novel and I have another non-fiction book planned. How far I get on those may depend on how well The Adventures of Dan and Tina fares in the marketplace. Promoting the book takes more effort than writing it did.
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’d be looking for a 10,000-page omnibus of A Song of Ice and Fire, for one. Probably something by Brandon Sanderson and definitely a book called How to Survive and Rescue Yourself when Stranded on a Desert Island. That one would be dog-eared.
Author Websites and Profiles
Dan McGrath Website
Dan McGrath Amazon Profile
Dan McGrath’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account