Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m not your typical novelist (as if anyone is). I grew up overseas, living on four continents and six countries (including the US). Because of this, I eventually majored in geography, and have multiple degrees in it, and teach geography at the college level.
I’m also a former law enforcement officer (city cop and National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger, which has helped me in my fraud investigation/investigative accounting business. I’m a licensed Private Investigator in Washington State, along with being a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Add in the fact that I’m an avid outdoorsman, and you’ve got a recipe for adventure, which is what three of my books are about (the fourth is a cookbook for Peregrinos – those who walk The Way).
A couple of my favorite hobbies are fishing, shooting, traveling, hiking, and (if I can ever convince my wife) motorcycle riding.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Explorer: Book 3 in the Corps of the Discovery Series. I enjoy reading alternative history, and have been fascinated with the concept of “what if.” Having lived in the South for a number of years, one of the most common “what if” scenarios is “what if the South had won the war?” So, I took that route, but in a different manner.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t say that I have any unusual writing habits, other than the fact that I can pretty much write anywhere I’ve got a place to put my butt and laptop.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Major authors that influenced me were Robert A. Heinlein (Tunnel in the Sky and Starship Troopers are my favs), H. Beam Piper (his Paratime series and his Little Fuzzy series), David Weber (particularly his March Upcountry Series), S.M. Stirling, Harry Harrison, and, of course, Harry Turtledove.
In terms of world-building, The Nine Nations of North America by Joel Garreau and American Nations by Colin Woodard (both cultural geography books).
What are you working on now?
Whoo, boy. Lots of things. I’m almost done writing the first in a new series, the Chronicles of Hayek which is the backstory for the Corps of Discovery Series, with a sequel already planned; a sequel to Explorer (my latest CoD book), and; a YA novel set in my alt-history timeline. I’ve also got several alt-history book ideas down on paper, and hope to work on them next year when I wrap up the four that I’m currently working on.
On top of that, I’m working on a fraud-related article for Fraud Magazine, the official journal of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Did I mention I have a day job and teach as an adjunct college instructor?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I can’t say I have anything yet – I keep saying, “after I get my next book out.”
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get the book written, get it edited, publish it, and don’t worry about making it perfect. Too much time spent on perfect means less time on other books. Also, write in series. If you’re gonna be all over the genre board, use pen names.
Also, join the 20BooksTo50K group on Facebook – lots of learning there for noobs, especially on publishing as a business for indie authors.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A short pencil is better than a long memory.
What are you reading now?
1945 by Robert Conrad.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More books and series (including one on my alt-history timeline starting in WW2 and featuring a Tank Destroyer unit).
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?
Starship Troopers (always lots to learn there)
The Federalist Papers
Red Storm Rising
Author Websites and Profiles
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