Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is George Cook. I am a married father of one. I have served in the US army form 1991-1994. I have served on my local board of education since 2009 and have been board president since 2011. I have been writing since I was about ten years old.
I have written nine books. Four books of poetry. Two children’s book and the three books in The Dead War Trilogy.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is The Dead War Trilogy.
I love zombie stories, science fiction, and old fashioned war movies and those three things inspired me to write the three books that make up The Dead War Trilogy. It’s sort of Black Hawk Down meets aliens meets The Walking Dead.
I had always wondered that if a zombie apocalypse took place in the future would our technolgy really make a difference. This book is my attempt at answering that question.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if mine or that unusual. I can write a thousand words a day for a week and then got go back near the manuscript for two or three days. I might then write two thousand words the next day. There’s not musch rhyme or reason to how I write.
I guess one thing I do is find a song that fits the mood of the book I am trying to create and play that on an endless loop. I wrote The Dead War Trilogy to the Jay Z and Kanye West song ” No Church in the Wild”.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m not that influenced by other authors. That’s a conscious choice I made because I fear their style may seep into my writing. When it comes to books I am influenced by World War Z, The Magic of Xanth series, The Dragonriders of Pern, and even graphic comic books. I try to read some of everything.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on two projects right now. I am working on the first book in the second volume of The Dead War trilogy and the start of a new super hero series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Doing as many interviews as I can. I find that Twitter and Facebook can be useful if not overused. But I think after the first book the readers and their word of mouth is the best tool for us authors.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t worry about bad reviews. We all get them especialy when first starting out. Take the time to read them and see what the issues are and then work to fix them. This will only make you a better writer.
Also don’t get into online arguments with people that give you bad reviews. It does not help you at all. Use That time could better be used to write and improve your skills.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t limit yourself to any one genre or audience as a writer. Of course we all have our favorite genres to write it but stepping out of our comfort zone can help us expand our horizons.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading CURE by Belinda Frisch and have just purchased Under The Dome by Stephen King.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As I mentioned earlier I intend to start a new super hero series. I am seriously considering going the graphic novel route in 2014. I think this would be a great challenge but one I would love to try.
What is your favorite book of all time?
World War Z. I love gthe way Max Brooks told the story and it just may the only book I have read more than three times.
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