Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of the the six-time award-winning book “Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents.” I am also the creator of “Around the World in 90 Minutes,” which is the live/theatrical version of my book. For the past six years I have been presenting “Around the World in 90 Minutes at colleges from coast-to-coast. It has become the second most popular slide-show of all-time, behind Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Prior to the above, I was a talent agent/manager in the music business.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
At the present time “Cool Creatures, Hot Planet: Exploring the Seven Continents” is my only published book. The book was inspired by feedback from readers who enjoyed newspaper stories I had written about my adventures to the Amazon Rainforest and Australia. After writing those two articles, I did some research and found out that no one had written a book on “travel to all seven continents, looking for rare and interesting wildlife,” so I made that my theme. I visited all seven continents during a three-and-a-half-year period, with each adventure becoming a chapter.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I write, I do so non-stop—frequently writing sixteen-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. Sometimes I’ll spend an entire day getting a single paragraph just the way I want it. I am definitely not a speed-writer!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joe Kane (author of “Running the Amazon”) and Bill Bryson were the biggest inspirations for my first book.
What are you working on now?
I have just finished two children’s books, which have wildlife conservation themes, and I will soon start work on another adult travel/nature book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think it’s important to use as many promotion methods as possible. For me, I sell the most books at my live shows. But in reality, it’s my live show (based on my book) that is the most profitable. I have been able to make an excellent living for six years and counting, performing “Around the World in 90 Minutes” at colleges. A show which, of course, wouldn’t exist without my book.
I also teach a college workshop, “Cool Writing Careers,” that generates book sales.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get cocky and think you can write a book without help from others. Work with a professional editor. Listen to that editor’s advice, but if you and the editor disagree on something important, don’t give in. After all, it’s your book!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From my editor: Don’t just tell the reader what’s happening. Help the reader experience what is happening, using all of his or her senses!
What are you reading now?
Last night I finished an independently published book that was just okay. The story was good, but the author should have done a better job of proof-reading and/or worked with a professional editor. Since I have a policy of not publicly dissing other authors, I’m going to keep name of the author and the book confidential.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Since I have many years of experience as a talent agent/manager, I represent myself as a literary agent. I am currently shopping my two completed children’s books to publishers as well as querying different publishers about my idea for a new adult travel/nature book.
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?
I seldom read books more than once, so that’s a tough question. My favorite non-fiction book is “Running the Amazon” by Joe Kane, and my favorite fiction book is “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger. That being said, I’m really getting a kick out of Rick Gualtieri’s hilarious “Bill the Vampire” series. So I’d probably want to bring a few of the yet-to-be-written “Bill the Vampire” books.
Author Websites and Profiles
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