Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve had two novels published in 2019, both are LGBTQ mysteries written for a primarily YA audience. They are two in a series of mysteries which will follow several main characters. (White Oak Mysteries)
I worked as a writer for more than 20 years at Disney/Touchstone (and other studios) writing film and TV and working as a publicist. I also sold one screenplay in 2019. There are loads of differences between writing for the screen and writing books…but it’s all really just storytelling.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just published book 2 in the series I’m writing. The title is The Butcher of Oxford. The inspiration for this series of mysteries is to have positive, compelling LGBTQ characters in a story that isn’t about coming out or coming to terms with being gay. (those books have been written)
These are fun reads. Whodunnits which just happen to have a bit of a queer romance thrown in.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have lots of habits, but none of them are unusual to me. All writers have a process, don’t we? Coffee is a big part of it–I also have a carefully curated Spotify playlist of movie themes that always gets me in the mood to write. I set regular quotas and goals for myself…so I probably check word counts more often than I should.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The list is endless isn’t it? Good writers are always great readers. I love George Martin, bless his glacial pace at releasing books, Salinger, Tolkien, Andre Aciman, Mackenzie Lee, Roald Dahl, Stephen King, Fitzgerald, Andrew Sean Greer, Frank Herbert, John Green, Dan Brown, Douglass Preston, Patrick Rothfuss, Lee Child…
What are you working on now?
Ah, book 3 in my mystery series. Rabid fans demand the next installment. The working title is Deadly Games. I also have outlines for three other stand-alone novels.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Indy book promotion is a constantly changing bird, isn’t it? I’m on a mini-book tour…signing books and giving panel discussions in libraries for school kids. My series is nominated for a bunch of awards–so I’m praying to win one and hopefully, that will cause a snowball effect. Awesome Gang seems cool. I like Goodreads too, but as an author, I never wander into the fray when people are discussing my work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You have to show up every day. I worked as a professional writer for a movie studio so I wasn’t allowed to have writer’s block. We have so many distractions in our world…you need to carve out the time to sit your butt down and work.
Also, read a bunch…not just in your genre.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you can’t say something nice, say something clever and devastating.
What are you reading now?
I just finished The Institute. I’m currently reading Red, White and Royal Blue.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Book signings, promotion, reading…oh, yeah, and writing every day.
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 Lord of the Rings (which is meant to be one book)
The SAS Survival Handbook.
The collected works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Author Websites and Profiles
Marko Realmonte Website
Marko Realmonte Amazon Profile
Marko Realmonte’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account