Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a professional writer for 30 years and the editor of The MOON magazine since December 2012. “Animal Intelligence” is the second book of excerpts I’ve published from The MOON; the first was “Overcoming Death.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I saw photographs of Charlie Russell walking and fishing with wild grizzly companions and immediately wanted to interview him. I’ve studied shamanism with Native American elders and learned how much I needed to “unlearn” to free my mind and see the world as it really is. I thought it would be wonderful to go “one step closer to the Source and learn directly from wild animals, from nature. The intermediate step was to talk to people who learned directly from animals.
That was the initial inspiration—and then I rounded out the issue by identifying and contacting other people who’ve done remarkable work with animals: Toni Frohoff, who studies wild dolphins and whales; Rupert Sheldrake, a biologist whose work I love. And then, the great thing about editing The MOON is that I announce a topic and people from all over the world send me articles–essays, memoirs, short stories, and poetry–about it. It’s quite a wonderful education. So, for example, I received an essay from a lifelong aquarist about the surprising “intellectual” abilities of fish. And the memoir from Petra Keese, who communicates with animals.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I guess I’m unusual in that I’m not “driven” to write. I write and read every day–but it’s more
What authors, or books have influenced you?
A great many authors and books have influenced me over time. As a teenager, Herman Hesse and Kurt Vonnegut; as a young adult, spiritual and religious books–“Zen Dawn in the West”; Bo Lozoff’s “We’re All Doing Time” and his other titles, plus I went through a Hemingway period. I’ve always loved Barbara Kingsolver–“Animal Dreams” and “The Poisonwood Bible” are two of my favorites. I love books about people making a difference: “Mountains Beyond Mountains” about Paul Farmer; “My Path Leads to Tibet” by Sabriye Tenberken; Julia Butterfly Hill’s “The Legacy of Luna.” Other, more recent books I’ve loved include “Orange Is the New Black,” “The Glass Castle,” and “Shantaram.”
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a Kindle version of “The Wonder of Boys” and another called “Talk is Deep: Interviews from The MOON.” And of course, every month a new issue of The MOON comes out, so I’m always thinking about that.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wish I knew what websites and social media outlets generated the most traffic and sales. At present, I promote my books through as many free promotion sites as possible when they’re free, with the strategy being to drive them to the first page of an Amazon search for the keywords–and then to let organic search do the rest. I’m hugely grateful to sites like Awesome Gang for helping promote independent authors and publishers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, live, and write as much as you can–not necessarily in that order! Allow time for yourself because creativity takes down time to germinate and blossom. But also try to discipline yourself to write–or at least, sit at your desk and think about writing!–every day. The Muse honors faithful lovers…those who show up consistently.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to your conscience over all other voices.
What are you reading now?
“The Reinvention of Work,” “The Coming of the Cosmic Christ,” and “Occupy Spirituality,” all by Matthew Fox.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on a Kindle version of “The Wonder of Boys” and another called “Talk is Deep: Interviews from The MOON.”
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?
Bo Lozoff’s “We’re All Doing Time” (for sure!), “The Life of Pi,” “Shantaram,” and…something about wilderness survival!
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