Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born and celebrated in the “City of Brotherly Love,” the author left Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in his early twenties. For over thirty-five years, I interacted with various military governments and business entities who dominated the spheres of influence throughout the Far East, Africa, and South America.
A linguist, a devotee to the Martial Arts (holder of a Black Belt in Hapkido, earned while living in South Korea) and a retired United States Army Intelligence Officer, I bring all of my varied experiences to my writings.
I have currently published 3 novels (The Profession, The Shaolin Covenant and Her Father’s Daughter but have written ten additional novels, a few short stories and a couple children’s books. I hope to publish the entire back catalogue of my work along with illustrations for the children’s books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is called Her Father’s Daughter. All of my books contain something I have experienced from my years as a United States Army Intelligence Officer, my approximately four and a half years of living in South Korea, my extensive travel for over thirty-five years throughout South America, Africa and the Far East and of course the many personalities, both male and female, that I have met during this period of time and with whom I worked, partied, and shared some difficult times. The story takes life from there and I weave in some fictional aspects to make the story more readable. And from all my experiences – some good and many not so good, I discovered one thing many years ago that has become the foundation of my belief system – “One act of kindness can change a person’s life forever.” I try to weave this into all my stories in some fashion.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always began writing very early in the morning, when my mind was uncluttered. Once I started to feel tired or found that my mind was wondering, I stopped and called it a day. I didn’t start writing again until early the next morning and kept up this pattern until I finished the novel.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
George Orwell’s 1984 & Animal Farm along with Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged.
What are you working on now?
Just released my third novel Her Father’s Daughter, a novel that follows Kathy Longrin, a lawyer with an extensive art background is recruited by a man who is trying to recover priceless artwork stolen from his family during World War II. Kathy soon finds herself immersed in a world of diamonds, stolen art, aging Nazis, Neo-Nazis, Israeli agents and discovers a secret that will change her life forever. My next release will be called The Dark which follows United States Army Lieutenant Craig Benson, who finds himself separated from his unit in a country ravaged by insurrection and war. Bonding with a young woman, Benson struggles to stay alive as he tries to reach one of the remaining free states and sanctuary. It is a dark journey where life is measured in seconds.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found organic promotion has worked very well, this includes social channels like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. As for paid media, I work closely with Goodreads and Amazon…both of which have produced tremendous results.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
We all have a book inside of us. Don’t be afraid to put that book on paper whether it’s a short story, a life experience or some fictional idea you have thought about.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That one act of kindness can change a person’s life forever
What are you reading now?
Currently reading and editing my next book to be published…The Dark, which is a story that follows United States Army Lieutenant Craig Benson, who finds himself separated from his unit in a country ravaged by insurrection and war. Bonding with a young woman, Benson struggles to stay alive as he tries to reach one of the remaining free states and sanctuary. It is a dark journey where life is measured in seconds.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next for me as a writer is to hopefully get more of my completed novels published, so that they can be enjoyed by the reading public. After that, there is always another book inside my head that I’d like to get into manuscript form.
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?
I would take a book entitled “SAS Survival Handbook” by John Lofty Wiseman, which is a book of survival skills on land and sea. The SAS or Special Air Service is a British Special Operations force similar to the United States’ Army Special Forces, SEALS or Army Rangers. The next two books would be Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland,” and the sequel, “Through The Looking Glass, and the fourth book would be the Bible.
Author Websites and Profiles
Harris Kligman Website
Harris Kligman Amazon Profile
Harris Kligman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account