Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For years, I survived in the “publish or perish” world of academia. I wrote grants to fund my research and wrote publications about my research. I received a peer review comment that this grant application reads more like science-fiction than science, and a new career was born.
I’ve published 4 full-length novels, edited a book of short stories with other authors and published my own short stores. I’ve had more success with my western stories than with my sci-fi.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My rich Uncle sent me a letter and invited me to live with him in Texas. Many of the men my age remember getting a letter from Uncle Sam. I loved Texas and though my job took me around the country, I visit there every year, finding something new I hadn’t seen before. My Latest book is set in Eagle Pass Texas, where the problems with folks wandering back and forth across the border wasn’t any different in 1866 than in 2019. Mexico was lock in a bitter revolution at the same time the US suffered a similar War Between the States. This stories borrows on true events and weaves a fictional story about what might of happened during those historical events.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do my work, business, and shopping before noon every day (including Sunday.) Then I spend 4-6 hours writing after lunch. I try to get 2,500 words on the page every day. I don’t watch much TV, and read 3-4 hours in the evening.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have to give a tip of the hat to Jakc London, Louis L’amour, and Zane Grey in my youth. Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove gets credit for bring back to westerns.
What are you working on now?
I’m in the middle of a early west saga about a young man new to America and, after losing his family to the Comanche, becomes a scout for a mule train. The first book in the series, The “Apprenticeship of Nigel Blackthorn” has been well received. So well, in fact, I’m continuing his coming-of-age adventures as a teen before it moves on to what he does as an adult.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon rules the roost in sales and marketing. I get the best promotions on Amazon Advertising, formerly AMS.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Join a critique group, and learn what works and does’t work in you writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep you head down in your manuscript while your typing, keeping your mind inside the characters. Don’t stop to edit of make changes-stay in the story and type as fast as the words come to mind. Edit 2 or 3 time when your done. Keep Typing!
What are you reading now?
I picked up an old Larry McMurtry , Telegraph Days.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve written several short stories as contemporary thrillers with secret agents or former agents.
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?
Lonesome Dove would be first, a Jack London, A L’Amour, and Tony Hillerman.
Author Websites and Profiles
Frank Kelso Website
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