Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been a Medical Doctor for over 45 years. I am Board Certified in OB/GYN and Preventive Medicine. I wrote my first book “DON’T LET THE DR. WAKEFIELD’S OF THE WORLD CONVINCE YOU TO ENDANGER YOUR CHILD’S LIFE” that was published 7/1/21 on Amazon KDP as an e-book, paperback, and audio book on Findaway.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DON’T LET THE DR. WAKEFIELD’S OF THE WORLD CONVINCE YOU TO ENDANGER YOUR CHILD’S LIFE was written because many of my new parents had questions about the risks and benefits of vaccines for their newborn and themselves. Dr Wakefield convinced many parents that the MMR vaccine was not safe and caused autism. It was later discovered that he was being paid by British lawyers to collect cases so they could sue the vaccine companies. His fake research was removed from medical literature and he lost his medical license. Multiple international research papers proved MMR was safe and did not cause autism. Many children got measles and some died because parents believed his fake news and did not get their children vaccinated. My book shows how over 10,000 lives are saved every year in the US with vaccines by preventing “usual childhood diseases”. The book is easy to read and written to help new parents understand that the benefits far outweigh a very small risk. Vaccines have eliminated smallpox and almost eliminated polio. Some people have died from mistakes in the early polio vaccine. This is discussed in my book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Based on my 45+ years of medical experience, I am currently writing non-fiction medical books. It is easy because I just pretend I am answering medical questions from my patients. My next book will be about the unnecessary and preventable deaths caused by hip fractures (osteoporosis).
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Medical articles have been most of my “spare time” reading. Dr. Thomas B Clarkson’s research done on monkeys back in the 70’s, should have received the Nobel Prize. When many groups were trying to ban birth control pills (BCPs), he was able to show that not only did BCPs not cause heart attacks, strokes, and cancer, they prevented some of these problems.
When reading for pleasure, I loved John D. McDonald (Travis McGee series). I grew up in Tampa Florida and remember driving on some of the roads in his books. Jack Reacher (by Lee Childs) is my current favorite. As a teen, I loved science fiction (Flowers for Algernon, 2001, 1984, The Time Machine,The Day of the Triffids).
What are you working on now?
Osteoporosis and how to prevent unnecessary deaths by preventing fractures. Twenty percent (20%) of hip fracture patients are dead within 6-12 months. Almost 50% of people living independently prior to the fracture will be in a nursing home the rest of their lives. The main risk is women over 60 and men over 70.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
KDP
Develop your own e-mail list on your website to promote your new books. Offer free “10 best reasons” related to your book to collect e-mails, or a free blog about subject of your book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take advantage of all the free YouTube advice. Use Fiver for cheap covers, editing, and website. Buy 10 ISBN from Bowker, or use free KDP if you plan to stay exclusive to KDP for 3-12 mon. You will need your own ISBN to go other routes. Faraway is best for audio books. Start with an e-book, paperback, and audiobook of the same book. Exclusive with KDP for 90 days gets you some free promotion.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
DO IT NOW
What are you reading now?
As I See Sex Through The Bible
What’s next for you as a writer?
Several more non-fiction medical books in easy to understand form, then try fiction.
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?
Basic Survival on an Island
Killing Floor: Jack Reacher
The Green Ripper: A Travis McGee Novel
Flowers for Algernon
Author Websites and Profiles
David Grimes Website