Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spent 20 years writing novels and subsequently being rejected by every major publishing company and agent in both the U.S. and UK. Finally, in 2010, I decided I had nothing left to lose and I self-published my first romance novel, “No Cure for the Broken Hearted.” Sales in the U.S. were better than I’d expected, but they really took off in the UK. The book ended up becoming a top ten overall bestseller on Amazon UK and the number one bestselling romance for several weeks. After that, I was hooked on self-publishing.
To stretch my dollars, I moved from California to Budapest, Hungary, where rents are two-thirds cheaper. During the previous 20 years or so, I worked all sorts of jobs, saving up enough money to take time off and write. Some of those jobs included working as a journalist for a business magazine, a snowboarding instructor, a dive master and a merchant seaman. I spent extended periods living and writing in Australia, Hawaii, Estonia, Portugal, Ukraine and Hungary.
For the past three years, most of my time has been split between California and Hungary. I’ve come out with three new books in that time, a romance set in Hollywood, “Sweet Ophelia,” a suspense set in Eastern Europe, “Natalia,” and a non-fiction book about my life, “Memoirs of a Starving Artist: An Itinerant Writer’s Journey through an Unconventional Life.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
When I graduated from college (UCLA), I thought I had to live a traditional life, with a 9 to 5 job, wife, kids, house, car payment, etc. I tried working at a few corporate jobs, but in the end I just couldn’t stand it. I’m far too independent. Instead, I decided to follow my own path and pursue a writing career. I haven’t had the commercial success that I’d hoped for, but I’ve led what I think is a somewhat extraordinary life. In any case, it is far outside the mainstream. Whenever I started telling my friends stories from my life, they always said, “You should write that up and make a book out of it!” Eventually, I decided that was a good idea. “Memoirs of a Starving Artist” is meant to be a portrait of what life can be like for someone who doesn’t follow the traditional path, including all of the ups and downs, the triumphs and the challenges.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in cafes where I can settle in with a coffee as the world goes spinning by all around me. I spent some time living in San Diego, which has some great coffee houses to write in, as well as Seattle. Part of the reason I spend so much time in Europe is that there is never a shortage of great cafes to write in over there.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Possibly my biggest influence was Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast,” which is his memoir of life as a struggling writer, living and writing in Paris in the 1920’s. Ever since I read that book, I’ve been on a bit of a quest to re-create that place and time. Of course, this is impossible, but I feel that I have come somewhat close in Budapest. Like Paris during the 20’s, Budapest is also relatively cheap and it has a great, artistic atmosphere. I’ve managed to carve out a social network there, and I have a whole list of favorite cafes to write in.
Another big influence on my was Melville’s “Moby Dick.” Reading that book inspired me to actually sign up in the merchant marines and go to sea. That was a great experience that I’ll always cherish.
What are you working on now?
My latest book is another Hollywood romance titled “Bachelor Number Five.” Here is the description:
“From the moment Amanda Perkins first laid eyes on Bachelor Number Five on her favorite dating show, she knew it was love at first sight. Handsome, smart and kind, Grant Hutchinson is everything she’s ever dreamed of in a man. The problem? She’s not a contestant. And she lives halfway across the country. These small details aren’t about to stop Amanda, who will do whatever it takes to win her man.”
I plan to have this book out in Spring 2014. This will be the first in a series of Bachelor books that will follow the lives of a group of characters that live in an apartment complex in Hollywood.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Marketing and promotion are constantly changing and evolving in the realm of ebook publishing. It’s hard to keep up, sometimes, but one great resource is the “Writer’s Cafe” forum over at kindleboards.com. Every indie writer should stop by there from time to time, in order to keep up with the latest strategies and see what their fellow indie authors have to say.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you plan to go the traditional route, be prepared to be patient. If you plan to go the indie route, all successful indie authors tend to do the same three things. 1) Write in a popular genre, 2) Write a series, 3) Crank out books as fast as you can. After I had success with my first novel, it took me eight months to get my next book out. By then all of my momentum was gone and I’ve never quite gotten it back. Now I’m working on a series and trying to pick up the pace, knock on wood.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One of my professors in college told me to always write 1,000 words a day, no matter what. I think that the key is to just really stick with whatever you’re trying to do and don’t give up. It has been said that the only failure is in giving up. Maybe you haven’t achieved the success you are after yet, but if you haven’t given up then you haven’t failed either.
What are you reading now?
I just finished “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter, which I really enjoyed. It is a romantic story set in Italy about a young American movie actress and all of the drama that surrounds an unfortunate affair she’s had with a famous actor (Richard Burton).
What’s next for you as a writer?
After I finish my latest novel, “Bachelor Number Five,” I plan to write “Bachelor Number Nine” and then “Bachelor of Arts.” I’m hoping to have all three done this 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?
Definitely “A Moveable Feast,” to remind myself of the idyllic life writing in European cafes. Probably “Moby Dick” for some high seas adventure. And maybe “Robinson Crusoe” for something to relate to sitting on a desert island!
Author Websites and Profiles
Kenneth Rosenberg Website
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