Interview With Author Nicholas Schroeder
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a philosopher. Been teaching philosophy for 8 years. Love it. I’m originally from New Orleans, but moved to Fort Collins, CO about a year ago. This would be my first major work as an author. Though I have a few philosophy papers published in academic journals. I’ll probably get some pushback from the professional philosophical community for writing this book, due to its oddity, but I’ve been wanting to do this book for over 10 years.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The new book is Philosophical Mysticism: A Spiritual Handbook for Mankind. I wanted to write something big and bold. I think it’s a big deal. But I’m biased. My inspiration is David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature. That’s the biggest and boldest book I can think of. Hume just threw caution to the wind. And of course the intellectuals of his day hated it, at least at first.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in spurts. Don’t really have too much writer’s block. I can write more if I needed. But it sounds much better when I’m inspired.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
All the great philosophers of history. But I do appreciate good writing that is meant for wide seeding. A really well written book that I read as of late is David Chalmers’ Reality+. Really enjoyable book and it covers a lot of ground. Though I’ve been following Chalmers for a while. He’s a good writer and has only gotten better over the years. My weird fascination is reading the supposedly last book of good philosophers. A feel almost guilty that I can enjoy the ultimate culmination of 30-40 years of someone’s hard work in just a dozen hours or so.
What are you working on now?
Mostly been working on the book in question. I am currently recording 100 short videos (about 10 minutes each) on YouTube to supplement the book. Just google Philosophical Mysticism on YouTube. It simplifies the arguments in the book and might be helpful to readers.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Trying to figure that out. I’m sure giving it away for free helps. Not in it for the money. Trying to work on the YouTube channel right now. If I can get people to make it through a 10-minute video. YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilosophicalMysticism.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a new author, I’m on the hunt for advice myself.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As far as advice for being a philosopher and writer, one of the best philosophers I’ve ever met, the distinguished Richard De George, during office hours while I was in grad school at the University of Kansas once told me in response to one of my “safe” term papers to never intentionally weaken one’s own philosophical argument and never to name-drop and give credit/or burden to other philosophers for your own original ideas. Own your arguments and be bold. That advice stuck with me to this day.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Matt Ridley’s Birds, Sex and Beauty: The Extraordinary Implications of Charles Darwin’s Strangest Idea. He’s my favorite non-philosopher writer.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to get back to publishing regular philosophy papers for a while. But when I get the right inspiration I’m going to finish my fiction novella 6 Billion A.D., about how intelligent life deals with the collapse of the universe 6 billion years from now.
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?
David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature, The Complete Works of Aristotle (if I can cheat), and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Author Websites and Profiles
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.