Interview With Author EDGAR GARCIA
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am currently on my fourth book. I published one in October 2023 and have two that will be publishing in February and March 2024, respectively. I love to write books full of action and adventure with a lot of imagination. I have three kids that have always been my biggest fans and we have always made up stories to challenge ourselves and pass the time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book that will be coming out early 2024 is named “Would It Be Weird?” and it was inspired by my second child. She was brushing her teeth one morning when she was about 6 or 7, immediately stopped, looked at us with a puzzled look on her face, and asked, “Would it be weird if my mouth was a piano?” She then proceeded to tell us what she would do if that were true. The rest of the day we spent with the family coming up with ‘weird’ scenarios that the kids enjoyed.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I would be in bed trying to fall asleep and then a lightning bolt of an idea strikes. I tended to fight it, tell myself I can write it down in the morning, or even tried keeping a pen and paper by the bed side. None of that worked, so I gave in, and when I get that bolt of lightning, I’ll get out of bed, walk to the office, and get it all on the computer. I tend to work well under stress, so the ideas flow easily. I’ll write them down, change my alarms to wake up just a tiny bit later, and then go to sleep. When I wake up, it’s fun to see what I wrote and what I once thought was a genius idea, ends up being complete nonsense. There do tend to be some good usable nuggets in there, so I’ll take those and build up a story from them.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love all kinds of picture books. I grew up around the Where the Wild Thing Are and Miss Nelson books. Today, I tend to love books like We Don’t Eat Our Classmates and that entire series, I love Mo Willems and all the work he has put together, I Need My Monster is another great series, and works that Dan Santat has put together is fun as well. I guess I really like books that carry a great story and an amazing artist. Howard McWilliam is another great artist that I admire and love all the books he has worked on with awesome authors.
What are you working on now?
I have a book that is titled, “Pocketful of Dinosaurs” all about how tiny dinosaurs can cause HUGE problems. It’s been one of those projects that you love so much, that you tend to second guess yourself and re-write and re-write again, so hoping to close it out within the first half of 2024.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am building up my website, “www.nextCoreBooks.com”. I love being an author, but what I really want to focus on is being a publisher where I can help other independent authors and illustrators get their work out there. We have so much talent within the independent groups that I would love to work with them to get their amazing high caliber work out to the public. I’ve worked with over 30 illustrators, so have developed some amazing relationships with them and feel like I have a great platform to start helping others.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Information is key; continuously learn from others on what works and what doesn’t work. You will fail, but it’s getting back up and trying again that will make you successful.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For me, the best advice I’ve heard is, “Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes. – 1 Samuel 12:16.
As people, we tend to want to control as much as possible, and I can’t count the # of times I thought something should go a certain way, got frustrated when the things didn’t go according to plan, and then somehow, things still worked out for the best. God can work through anything and anyone, so the advice I got is when it gets too big for you, give it to God. There is nothing too big OR too small for God.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m really into independently published children’s books. I tend to buy A LOT of books and get to know the different authors and illustrators. I’m already short-listing some of the folks that I would want to approach next year to provide them with a traditional publishing contract.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll continue writing a few books per year, but I’m focused on growing the publishing side to help authors and illustrators get greater exposure.
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 Bible – To guide me.
Family Photo Book – To keep me going.
SAS Survival Handbook – To keep me alive (because let’s face it, without it, there is no way I would know what to do).
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