Jameo Pollock

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jameo (pronounced JAY-me-oh).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is entitled ‘Mirrored Echoes: A Myrna Sontiago Novella’

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am pretty fond of the snowflake method because it helps me keep my ideas together and keeps me from going off the deep end. I try to write for at least an hour everyday.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Writing for one hour each day came from a video interview of R.L. Stine. In the video he mentioned that he writes ten pages each day. I knew that I couldn’t commit to this as a full-time worker, however, I could commit to one hour each day regardless of the time translated into pages or not. Sometimes my one hour is character development. Other times it may be scene development. Either way, I try to get one hour in everyday.

Being former military, I enjoyed military and espionage thrillers so I gravitated to Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and James Patterson. I also enjoy Patricia Cornwell for her expertise with detail. It is because of her that I love research of my location, cars, cities, medical terminology, etc. It was in reading my first John Gilstrap book that really moved me. His pace seemed to get my heartrate up and I couldn’t figure it out. I experimented with finding my own writing voice based on this style. I wanted my readers to hurt. I wanted them to be angry at the antagonist. I wanted them to be unable to avoid the pace and put my book down until it was over.

Amazingly, when I first started REALLY writing, I imagined myself writing inspirational stories. I still do, but by no means did I imagine writing a police thriller.

What are you working on now?
I am working on another story in the Myrna Sontiago Novella Series entitled ‘Serial Rain’. It is still a short-story but twice as long as my first book. The complete title, at least for now, will be:
Serial Rain: A Myrna Sontiago Novella

I anticipate having it available for purchase around May/June 2017.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Writing the book is fun and energizing. Promoting the book…not so much. I think the world of social media makes it both easier and more difficult to promote a book, especially for a new author. I am continuing to learn what works for me and what doesn’t. Thus far I have paid for a few promotions through FIVERR, FaceBook, and Twitter. So, I do not have a “best” method yet but I honestly hope that good old fashioned word-of-mouth and book reviews will still work and serve me well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
This is a great questions considering that I am still a new author. One thing that helped me tremendously is the knowledge of other writers. I am amazed at how other mystery writers have embraced me into their world and provided guidance to me regarding pitfalls and suggestions.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice thus far includes how to get my book cataloged and in the library. The library is a great source for a brand new author.

What are you reading now?
In addition to reading for my doctoral program, I am reading a Batman graphic novel,
I-Engage: Your Personal Engagement Roadmap by Bob Kelleher, and Friendly Fire by John Gilstrap.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My desire to speak came before my desire to write so my next step is using both to boost the other. Hopefully my speaking engagements will boost my book sales and my book sales will boost my speaking engagements.

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?
The Shack by William P. Young, Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson, The Far Side by Gary Larson, and The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Of course if you asked me again I would possibly change my answers.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jameo Pollock Website
Jameo Pollock Amazon Profile

Jameo Pollock’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account