Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently work as a producer for Rogers TV, a community television station in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I’ve been in broadcasting now for 28 years, 12 of those years with where I’m working now. “HOLLYWOOD HOUSE” is my debut book release.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As I’ve mentioned, “HOLLYWOOD HOUSE” is the very first book I’ve ever written. When I was a teenager in high school, I was part of crew that was involved in the beginning stages of a genre that would be later known as “Hip-Hop”. That was over 40 years ago. I began writing about my experiences in the early 1990’s, and I’ve dabbled in and out thru out the next few decades. It was originally written as a screenplay, but after shopping it around for years, I decided to release the story in book form.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually take a whole week off work and do nothing but write. At the end of the week, I was able to have at least 40,000 words completed, good enough for a novella.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Being that I’ve studied screenplay writing, Paddy Chayefsky, Quentin Tarantino, Spike Lee and Woody Allen. As far as book authors, Cormac McCarthy, Truman Capote, Larry McMurtry and Richard Wright.
What are you working on now?
I’m very protective about my work. But I will tell you that my next book project is going to be on a more mature subject matter. Stay tuned!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media! Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc. Use it frequently! Canva, which is a graphic design platform, is great for creating social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents and other visual content. It’s a very important website for promotion, and it has ready made templates. Also, if you haven’t used Amazon’s Free Book Promotion, do it, especially if it’s Amazon Prime Day.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay the course! Never give up! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t! No matter how old you are, keep writing!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Motivational speaker Les Brown once said, “You gotta be hungry.” He believed “…you have to work with a sense of urgency. We have to work to our full potential and work like everyday is our last.” It took me seven years after graduating from college to finally make it into broadcasting. I used that advice to finally complete my book, and I’m glad I did.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading some of the classics, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatzby”, Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”. Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. On my list next, Ira Levin’s “Rosemary’s Baby” and Pat Conroy’s “The Prince of Tides”.
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?
Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” (At over 1,200 pages, that would keep me busy for years).
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley.
The Bible and The Quoran to compare stories.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michael James Website
Michael James Amazon Profile
Michael James’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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