Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m semi-retired, former software trainer for a large company, former customer service manager for Northern California quick service restaurant distributor. Former truck driver. Currently book marketing coach and writer. I’ve written three books in the urban fantasy genre, one book in epic fantasy, one book in non-fiction self help for authors and several short stories and poems.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My current book is being offered on Amazon Vella and is called ‘The Bottled Gods’. It’s urban fantasy with witches, Fae, werewolves, demons, and vampires. It was inspired I suppose, by the substance addiction issues within my family. The villain of the story, uses alcoholics by turning them into killers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have no idea. What would be considered unusual????
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Lee Child, and Janet Evanovich. From my childhood, I’d have to go with the three horsemen of Science Fiction: Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and Robert A. Heinlein. Others are Eoin McNamee, Anthony Doerr, Eowyn Ivey (if you haven’t read it, get “The Snow Child” god, that book had me in a daze for a week after I finished it), Samuel R. Delaney, Douglas Adams, Scott Meyer, Dennis Taylor, John Scalzi. I’m sure there are many more I’m just not remembering.
What are you working on now?
Finishing up book 3 of the The Shasha’s Team series, getting ready to rewrite an epic fantasy I wrote a couple years ago called “The Village at the Crossing”, which will be book 1 of a series entilted ‘The Unharmed”.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still looking for that! I guess BookBub has done the most for me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get an editor!!!! Be serious if you want to be an author. Collaborate, KNOW WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS, and for god’s sakes don’t skimp on the cover design.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There are a lot of good storytellers out there. The successful ones know that to be successful, writing is 60% of the job and marketing is 40%.
What are you reading now?
‘Hot Ice’ by Nora Roberts
What’s next for you as a writer?
I will finish writing three books in the series ‘The Unharmed”. My goal is to get to twenty books before 2024.
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?
oh god. “The Winning Hand” by Nora Roberts, Jack Reacher “the Killing Floor, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty.
Author Websites and Profiles
M.J. Fitzmaurice Website
M.J. Fitzmaurice Amazon Profile