Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Long ago, I surprised myself by writing a large screenplay, including all the research, completing it in just 30 days. My first thought on that accomplishment: “If I can do this, I can write novels!!” So I embarked on my first: a light-hearted parallel universe tale. And just as I finished the first draft, I got huge idea for a Young Adult novel about an “enhanced,” genetically improved chimp and the trouble it gets into when it’s enrolled in the same Elementary School as his human brother. That book got me my first agent, but it failed to launch. I’ve since written three crime novels, a Tom-Clancy-ish political-military thriller, another YA novel, a Chapter Book about a wannabe police dog hired to track down a runaway cat, a Rom-Com about an advertising copywriter (like me) who falls for a rising young actress: she rises, he falls. My one published novel, Mindclone, a near-term sci-fi novel about mind uploading, is available on Amazon as a paperback, an eBook and an audiobook. It’s been translated into four languages so far, with a fifth (Portuguese,) almost completed. I’ve also written several short stories, three of which are also available on Amazon.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
One of my most recently-published works is a short story called A Disturbance in the Church, in which an Android seeks to join the congregation, confess its sins and receive communion. The senior priest at the church is outraged at the very idea, and drops F-bombs all over the younger priest who had the temerity to bring it up. This leads to a conference among the two priests, a bishop, a cardinal, a rabbi, the atheistic creator of the android program, the android itself, and even Pope Francis (via Skype.)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read widely, in fiction and non-fiction. In fiction, I’m attracted to literary, crime, sci-fi, the classics and the occasional best-seller. In non-fiction, I read biographies, histories, books on many kinds of science and technology–really, almost anything that catches my interest. One author in particular inspired me to write Mindclone: Ray Kurzweil. I’ve read several of his books that talk about “the Singularity,” that moment when computers become smarter than people.
What are you working on now?
Revising two novels at the same time. Hoping to make them good enough to sell. One is a crime novel, the other is another near-term science fiction novel involving Cryo-Preservation.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are many Twitter services out there that can be effective, but it’s important to look at their reader/purchaser-facing pages to see if they’re serious about marketing and selling your book. All too often, their main source of revenue seems to be taking money from authors hungry for success.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! Join a critique group and get fresh eyes on your writing. It’s far too easy to fall in love with your own words and be blind to its flaws. It’s been crucial for me throughout my writing. Outside readers can also make you aware of your built-in biases and help you see the world from a more universal and balanced perspective.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make sure you have a compelling book description! Here’s one that’s posted on my Facebook page for Mindclone:
TALKING TO THE DEAD
The April 5, 2020 60 Minutes included a segment featuring a company that makes it possible to talk to the dead. The technology they use is a special form of Artificial Intelligence. That concept is similar to the idea behind my science fiction novel, Mindclone. If the idea of talking with the dead appeals to you, you just might find my novel of interest! PS: The man behind the creation of his own digital twin also makes an appearance on 60 Minutes (Fictionally, of course.)
What are you reading now?
Greenwood, by Michael Christie, a marvelous book.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m in constant search for an agent that can get me noticed as an author and help me get all those novels I’ve written out there!
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 Time of our Singing, by Richard Powers; The Science Fiction Century, edited by David G. Hartwell; The Fourth Protocol, by Frederick Forsyth; The Passage of Power, by Robert A. Caro (It’s very hard to narrow my choices to just four!)
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