Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write under the name Declan Finn, and I’ve published nearly 30 novels. They vary in genre from thrillers to urban fantasy to space opera. I’ve only been published for ten years, but I’ve been writing for over 20.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is White Ops #3, Main Street, DOA. The book was inspired by my father while I first wrote the series. He had suggested the hostage takeover of a planet-sized amusement park.
Me, being a smartass, called it Yesdin Planet. If you scramble the letters, you’ll see what I was shooting for.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual? I don’t think so. I roll out of bed and into my office, and I write from nine to five.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
J. Michael Stracznski.
Timothy Zahn
John Ringo
Fred Saberhagen
David Weber
What are you working on now?
I’m working on three projects right now.
One project is the next two books of my space opera series White Ops. Basically, I use alien space mafia.
A second project is a sequel series to my “Love at First Bite” novels, called “Honeymoon from Hell.” I’ve finished book one, “The Neck Romancer,” and I’m in the middle of “Blood Country.” Can you tell they involve vampires?
A third project is an open world urban fantasy where I use magic as an excuse to have superheroes.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media. As much as I loathe the eternal dumpster fire, I find that the moment I stop posting about my books online, my sales take a hit.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
There is a difference between wanting to be a writer and being a writer.
If you want to be a writer … trust me, you don’t. In retrospect, I would rather have been an electrician.
But if you feel compelled to write, and you need to write, then there are two routes for you. 1) Get a marketable skill, like plumbing or welding, or electrical work. You can make money doing that, and you’ll probably find that you can use it in your writing. Or 2) Get skills in marketing and graphic designs, because they’ll come in handy for selling books and making your own book covers. Those are the priciest parts of the book selling business. And you better treat it like a business.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write fast and publish often. It comes in handy with Amazon algorithms.
What are you reading now?
John Ringo’s Into The Real.
What’s next for you as a writer?
See the “What are you working on now?” answer.
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 Silmarillion.
Les Miserables.
Shogun, James Clavell
The collected Father Brown, by GK Chesterton
They’re big books, and no way in heck am I going to be able to memorize them all. I can literally reread them without losing much in the way of value.
Though if you meant what are my favorite books…
Verticle Run, Joseph Garber.
Princess of Wands, John Ringo
Heir to the Empire, by Timothy Zahn.
Lord of the Rings.
Author Websites and Profiles
Declan Finn Website
Declan Finn Amazon Profile
Declan Finn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account