Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have lived year round on the Cape since 1984. However, according to local customs, only my daughter can be considered a native Cape Codder. I have engaged in numerous occupations and activities from paperboy, to bag boy, to laborer, to metal fabricator, to bank examiner, to CFO, to COO, to ghost youth sports writer, to entrepreneur, to movie extra, while writing along the way. My roots were in Marlboro, MA and I’ve been replanted in Boston, Washington DC, New York, San Juan, Houston and finally Cape Cod where I expect to remain firmly planted barring any climatic catastrophes … knock on wood. ‘ITCHIWAN’ is my first published novel and it’s a dozy!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘ITCHIWAN’! I became the controller and ultimately the COO of New Seabury working for the Chace family in the eighties. They liked my writing style and had me do the copy for their 25th anniversary magazine documenting the history of their development and the surrounding area. Doing this I found a book written in 1934 called “The Narrow Land” by Elizabeth Renyard. Part of it chronicled Wampanoag legends as told to her by a Chief Wixon. She also spoke of the Screecham sisters, Witch Pond and Sam Bellamy to name a few. Through her I found Pukwudgees and asked “What if … ?” The result …
Four wise-ass, foul mouth, but lovable thirteen year old boys … with backgrounds of South Boston Irish, upper class WASP, local townie Wampanoag Indian twins … unending summers on Cape Cod … a mysterious long buried portal through time … a mesmerizing rumored witch … a resurrected deadly Wampanoag legend thought to be only a fairy tale to keep children close to home … Hey, what’s the worst that could happen?
Ehh … mayhem, horror, tragedy, romance, laughter, suspense and non-stop thrills. Buckle up for one of the most enjoyable rides of your life and a cast of characters you’ll never forget.
Miss that queasy feeling interrupted by sporadic humor? It’s time to get it back! Enjoy being embraced in a story that you won’t want to let go.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Maybe. What does everyone else do? I write when the spirit moves me. Mostly after supper, sometimes till after the clock strikes 12. Sometimes in bed before sleep, something hits and I write it down or else it will be gone.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I started on Poe, Tolkien, Vonnegut, Kesey, Heller, Irving and Clavell. Then there was McMurtry, Hiaasen and Lehane. The two most influential though were Douglas Adams and Stephen King. I happened to meet Stephen in 1986. We both had just got off the same plane and were standing next to each other in the car rental line at Orlando. All we talked about the Red Sox and Disneyworld. I did get him to sign a hardcover of Skeleton Crew which I happened to be reading on the plane.
What are you working on now?
I got two novels in the oven. One is the sequel to ‘Itchiwan’ tentatively called ‘Pukwudgees’.
The other, which is farther along, I’m calling “Did You Say Something?” the main characters are ‘Joe’ and his conscience ‘Ricky the Roach’. Envision a wise ass Jiminy Cricket.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hoping it’s going to be Awesome Gang. I’m an amateur at this publishing/marketing gig. Yesterday, I set up a fictitious publishing arm called Nutsak & Johnson. I named myself Principal. Here’s the description I posted for my new venture in LinkedIn –
Esoteric self-publishing and promotional services for discerning clients between the hours of 11AM and 1PM on alternating Wednesdays (Bavarian and Moravian observed holidays excluded). Clients include J.J. Cunis, noted novelist and Chuckles the Juggling Hamster. Request an appointment by picking up and completing an ARVW-z2468 form at any nearby Howard Johnson’s.
Everything is so serious in the business world, I thought I’d lighten things up.
Other than that I’ve been doing posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I’m bound to get myself in trouble on Twitter.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
No matter how you feel – your first draft is unreadable to others. Your fingers/hand couldn’t keep up with your brain. Even when you re-read your mind sees the story happening but that’s not necessarily what’s written on the page. Re-write again and again. Then get an editor or meticulous proof reader. Your story is unreadable from an editorial stand point by you. However, you’ve birthed your baby! You just have to clean it up.
Other than that, read ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King no matter what your genre or categorical box is.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t Panic!” courtesy of Douglas Adams. It’s served me well in my life. He also said “Always bring a towel.” I found that one handy but it wouldn’t make the top twenty.
What are you reading now?
‘The Institute’ by Stephen King. ‘Welcome to the Monkey House’ by Kurt Vonnegut is on deck. This one caught my attention while doing a book signing at a library.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Beside the two novels mentioned? As an Indie, writing endless copy trying to draw people into reading my book. Making goofy little promo films and learning about this publishing business.
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?
Why is it always ‘desert’ island? Do I get a supply of paper and pens? I’m no professor from Gilligan’s Island and can’t craft my own.
I think these four would keep me busy after hunting and gathering – The Bible, The Quran, The Buddhist Bible assembled by Dwight Goddard and The Vedas. I haven’t read any of them. I don’t believe in religion but do believe in God (that’s what 12 years of parochial school will do to you). The authors of these collective works essentially empowered men (key word men, definitely a major problem) to dictate and control the vast majority of the human race and empower institutions (not so much the latter two volumes, but those civilizations are much older). They make Hitler’s Mein Kampf and Karl Marx’s Das Capital look like Little Golden Books in comparison.
Author Websites and Profiles
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