Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two complete manuscripts entitled Curse of Cortes, and SWARM.
I was encouraged by close friends to publish the second manuscript first, entitled SWARM because of the relevance to current world conditions. including the recent election. SWARM is a action-packed cyber-AI-thriller inspired by a true story. I plan to publish my first manuscript, entitled Curse of Cortes’ in the late spring or summer. Also inspired by a true story, Cortes will tie a billion dollar lost plunder, a 1911 claim of finding Atlantis and the Mayan creation myth into an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is SWARM. The title is inspired by a AI drone technology in development by DARPA featured in the story. The bulk of the premise was inspired by a true story about a program which escaped an NSA spy lab in the early ’90s and never re-captured. When I produced a webisode series about the program in ’95, the FBI paid me a visit to ask me to take down the site. Apparently, I had stumbled onto a top secret program. That program is central to the story of SWARM.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, not sure what would be considered unusual, but I can say that my plots often derive from years of research into a field, asking question after question until I stumble onto the key flaw, the vulnerability or moral dilemma that we face as humanity. Then I will spend months more trying to understand that issue before I outline a story. Some writers create incredible story worlds, I try to nudge as close to reality as a can without a law suit because I believe truth is more frightening than fiction.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read many of the classics in college with Mark Twain rising as my favorite primarily for his ability to use wit. Post college, when I did get a chance to read, I found myself drawn to Raymond Khoury, Ian Caldwell, Michael Crichton, Daniel Silva, Steve Berry, James Rollins, and my all-time favorite Dan Brown. I loved their integration of history, archaeology and science into a plausible, yet fictional scenario.
What are you working on now?
I am currently eyeballs deep into the research for a sequel to SWARM, tentatively entitled “The Second Scroll”, which will extend the AI-Espionage world of SWARM. I will also extend the premise that we have entered into the Seven Seals of prophecy. Research will cover AI, AI-weapons, geo-politics, Middle East, church corruption, but will also include the true story of the Dead Sea copper scrolls and the possible hiding place of the arc of the covenant.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I’m new to book promotion. I research others who have been successful. Yes, I have a website with lots of extra content and media, but I get more attention on Facebook and Good Reads. I am focusing on finding and building relationships with reviewers with an audience, and kicking off with free promotions on Amazon and Good Reads with the idea that the more who read the book, the more word of mouth.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Absolutely. Don’t give up, and just keep writing. I spent years on my first book, re-writing over a hundred times until it actually worked. My second advice is to find someone who will force you to improve. not stroke your ego. The best person you can have as a beta reader is someone who will rip your work apart so you know how to stitch it back together. Re-write, then re-write again until to sings.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever received was to completely rewrite a manuscript complete with page by page notes, and 45 pages of general notes. Humiliating. Discouraging. Ruthless. Exactly what I needed. A good coach will tear you down and then build you up right. Don’t be afraid of criticism, embrace it, internalize it, own it and then work to eliminate it. Negative feedback keeps us humble, but more importantly, they lay a path to improving the reader experience.
What are you reading now?
I am ‘half-reading’ several books as I swing between research for my next book, and taking time to get inspired. Research wise I am reading: Welcome to Putingrad by Franz Sedelmayer. I’m trying to get inside Putin’s head and post election influence on Trump. I finished two books on the Dead Sea Copper Scrolls, and one on the third Jewish Temple. On the fun stack are Camino Winds by John Grisham, then Crucible by James Rollins.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The next few years will be focused on a series of six to ten novels that will extend either the SWARM or Curse of Cortes series. The SWARM series will cover AI, cyber-espionage, geo-political, weapons, church corruption and end-time prophecy. Curse of Cortes cast will cover lost treasures, lost civilizations, archaeology and the history behind ancient myths. Since my books are deeply researched, and highly cinematic, so I hope to work with my contacts in Hollywood to create screenplay adaptions.
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?
My inner geek would battle my inner artist. My library is half research, half thrillers. The geek would want practical books on how to eat, survive, signal and escape. My inner artist would want to take some action-thrillers like Inferno, Timeline, Tom Sawyer, or Da Vinci Code. Of course, a Bible wouldn’t hurt for those darker nights.
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