Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing all of my life. I never submitted my books for publication until 2014. I January 2015 I was signed by Loveforce International Publishing Company. I have many books out but I mostly concentrate on book series A Week’s Worth of Fiction, (Fiction) Volumes 1-4, Slices of Life (humor) Volumes 1-2, Stories of The Supernatural (Ghost / Horror) Volumes 1-2, and Classroom Confessions (Stories about Teachers & Students) Volumes 1-2 and School Kidz (stories about school aged kids) Volumes 1-2.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am working on The Corona-virus Physical, Spiritual and Mental Survival Guide in collaboration with other writers in the Loveforce International Stable of authors. It will cover not only physical information about the virus and protecting yourself from it but also how to handle it and the effects of self-isolation mentally and spiritually. The book is unique because it’s family oriented.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am naturally very creative and I tap into the ebb and flow of the universe. I don’t have a muse problem like most other authors. I write so many different types of things, short stories, plays, music, I create videos and have a flair for humor as well as serious writing including both fiction and non-fiction. I find that when I am dry in one area, my creativity is active in another. I therefore just switch my emphasis, so I rarely have a muse problem.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
For books, O. Henry, Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Dashiell Hammett and Stephen King. For songs, Lennon & McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Bob Marley, people who wrote songs people still sing and re-record. For Plays, William Shakespeare and Thornton Wilder. For film, Steven Spielberg.
What are you working on now?
Several things. A Rock musical, a Rap musical, the aforementioned Corona-virus Survival Guide, I contribute to blogs and videos. I am writing songs for about a half a dozen recording artists. An Alternative Rock band called Teacherz recently released Sonny Brought A Gun To School. A band called A Prophet Among Us is releasing Hope is the Answer, and hip-hop artist named The Godfather of Love just covered my song Godfather of Love.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like Awesome gang. My publisher mostly promotes through Amazon because they have an exclusive with Amazon and a group of booksellers outside of Amazon, selected by Amazon. For my songs, I think most of the Recording Artists use Spotify, Amazon and Google Play.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make an outline of your story before you actually begin writing. Write towards filling in the outline. Then re-read what you wrote to see if it makes sense. Then re-read it again to look for mistakes in punctuation, grammar and usage.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There were two pieces of advice actually. One was not to care about what others think. The other was that there is a market for everything you just need to connect with the market for your creations.
What are you reading now?
Mostly, the newspapers and online blogs to gather info on the Corona-virus.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Likely a sequel to one of my series books or a self-help book. That’s what I like about my publisher they don’t really pressure me to write anything in a particular (except as a contributor to a time sensitive book like The Corona-virus Physical, Spiritual and Mental Survival Guide).
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?
The Faith Trilogy by The Prophet of Life, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, A Stephen King Anthology, and just for fun, Classic Children’s Stories You’ve Likely Never Heard by Dr. Goose.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Wilkins Website
Mark Wilkins Amazon Profile
Mark Wilkins’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile