Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have 2 published novels and a novella published as a stand-alone book. ‘A Cold Dish’ is an adult revenge fantasy. “Shadytown’ is the first entry into a Middle Grade paranormal adventure series. My novella ‘Under A Raging Moon’ is an adult horror.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Shadytown’ is my latest. I wanted to write a suspenseful fantasy adventure for a young audience. I enjoyed creating young characters I could develop over a lengthy series. Although this book stands alone with a definite ending, it can lead on to many more adventures. Writing it was a balancing act between crafting tense situations that would hold a reader’s interest, yet keep it from being too dark for young readers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I stare at a blank red brick wall while I write. It’s in a corner of my basement where I can escape from all distractions. That wall has become a screen for me to project all the action taking place in my head. It really helps to just stare at it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Thomas Pynchon is my god. I’ve read everything. Also, Neal Stephenson, I’ve read everything of his. John Updike is another, especially his Rabbit series. Several others would be Joyce Carol Oates, Ray Bradbury, Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series.
What are you working on now?
A science fiction novel titled ‘Flatlanders’. It’s very early in, I haven’t even finished the rough draft yet.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
goodreads, Facebook writers groups, Twitter’s writers groups.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Never stop. Never give up. Engage with other writers, in person through local writing groups if possible. Scour the Internet for informative articles – there is a lot of good free info out there.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
DON’T STOP WRITING!
What are you reading now?
‘Horns’, by Joe Hill.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Find an agent. It would probably be a big help. I don’t know for sure as I have never had one.
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?
‘V’, ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’, ‘Mason and Dixon’, and ‘Against The Day’. You can read these tomes by Thomas Pynchon over and over and still not glean everything that is tucked away between the pages. He is such an incredible writer.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mike Sherer Website
Mike Sherer Amazon Profile
Mike Sherer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account