Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I started my career in television marketing, working on shows such as 24, American Idol, Friends, etc. and recently, for the past seven years, I’ve been ghostwriting nonfiction books for NBA players, business leaders and even a few interesting criminals. I’m currently based in New York City with my wife, who is also a writer. She sits right next to me everyday…
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What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DARK SKY is my first novel and something I never thought I’d have the time to write. I’ve been working for clients nonstop for the past few years and, to tell you the truth, I was actually feeling a little burnt out on all the nonstop typing. A few months ago, a friend introduced me to someone who was self-publishing his novels and this guy talked nonstop about how great the experience had been. My wife was enthralled – but I didn’t care. Then I got home and suddenly got the whole idea for a mystery-thriller right then and there – something based on the old Raymond Chandler books, but with a more contemporary, funny and human narrative. It was written and finished within three months, which is still shocking to me.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Frequently, when I had little to no idea of what I was going to write next in DARK SKY, I would wake up in the middle of the night with the concept for the next chapter. Then I would stay awake for a couple of hours working it out on my head. I lost a lot of sleep, but I’m not going to knock that kind of ongoing inspiration.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I noted, Raymond Chandler was a big influence on this book – as he is to so many mystery writers. Joseph Heller is another guy who really spoke to me, especially in CATCH-22 and SOMETHING HAPPENED, both of which are among my favorite books.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m back on a couple of client books, but then I hope to write the next entry in the series I started with DARK SKY, if I can carve out the time (and if sales of the book give me some hope). I really enjoyed the character of Max Bowman I created in DARK SKY and I have many more adventures in mind for him.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am new at this, so I’ve been following advice from friends in terms of giving away a whole lot of ebooks to generate interest and reviews. I’m using Kindle Select promotions and also some exterior service. I don’t want to recommend anything specific yet, because this is my first time and I want to make sure results are good before I pass any of them on here.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
WRITE EVERY DAY.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Go against the grain. If you’re doing a genre book, do it in a way that meets the expectations of the genre but does it in a completely unexpected way. In my case, my hero is far from the usual mystery-thriller norm. He’s a brain without the traditional physical skills we expect to see – he has to see what he’s capable of at the same time the reader does.
What are you reading now?
A lot of nonfiction – that’s mostly what I read. Specifically, KEEPERS by Richard Schickel, an overview of his most memorable movie experiences over his 50 years as a movie critic and a biography of Bob and Ray, a legendary comedy team.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now, I have to pay the bills with some more ghostwriting , my wife and I are waiting for notes on the first draft of a Hallmark romance movie we’re writing for that channel, and there is another screenplay opportunity on the horizon. Also, again, hopefully will be writing a DARK SKY sequel, maybe around the end of the year.
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?
Well, they would have to be books I’d like to read over and over…so probably SINATRA: THE SONG IS YOU, Chandler’s THE LONG GOODBYE, Heller’s CATCH-22 and maybe DARK SKY, so I can catch any remaining typos that are lurking in there.
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