Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing because I wanted to be a rock star. At first, I wrote songs, but I soon realized they weren’t very good and my voice was worse. I self-published my first book in 2013 and since I’ve released 3 novels and 1 short story.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is called Chasing Fireflies. The story, which is part of my Morning Star trilogy, is inspired by my love of shows like The Rockford Files and Criminal Minds. Book-wise, I really wanted to jump into the crime fiction genre after binge-reading Joe Konrath’s Jack Daniels series.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I actually come up with a title for a book before I start writing it. It’s like the seedling and the roots just grow from there. I don’t really have a set daily word count, but I do like to stop in the middle of a heated scene. That makes it much easier for me to get cranking again than starting with a fresh chapter.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I mainly write horror, so of course, Stephen King is a big influence. I really like the structure of Joe Konrath’s Jack Daniels stories also. Until I read those books, I didn’t think I’d like to write a series, but the characters are so developed that it’s easy to get lost in their world. A well-written series will have you champing at the bit for the next installment. With this trilogy that I am writing it gives me the opportunity to create a world that I hope readers will enjoy.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book of the Morning Star story. It’s called Babylon Sister and should be out in November 2014.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning. I made a huge mistake when I first self-published. I didn’t research marketing. I hit publish without a game plan. It’s a mistake I’m still paying for today, but I’m gradually gaining more marketing knowledge. For me, the best method so far is stacking promos. It’s a trial and error method. Some sites work for certain genres and not others. You just have to play around until you find what works best for you.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s probably been said many times before, but — writing the book is easy part. For a book to be successful, you’re going to have to spend time nurturing it. And for that to happen, you need to research marketing, promotion, and networking. Hitting the Publish button does not send you through a magical portal that transforms you into a best seller. It doesn’t even guarantee you one sale. You have to prepare yourself and your book before you publish. You have to be willing to put yourself out there. If you’re an introvert, get over it. You have to be ready to accept rejection. I’ve always said that for writers the forecast calls for heavy criticism, wear thick skin. Giving out ARC copies in hopes of getting reviews to go live as soon as you publish puts you ahead in the game.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s a quote from Jim Morrison. “Expose yourself to your deepest fear, after that, fear has no power.”
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Iain Rob Wright’s “Soft Target” and “Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Heavy Metal.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
My plan is to finish the Morning Star trilogy around February of 2015. A character from the trilogy will be teaming up with Joe Konrath’s Jack Daniels for a few adventures in the future. After that, I’ll just keep on writing.
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?
Joe Hill’s NOS4A2 , and probably the Game of Thrones books because I’d die before I had the chance to read them all.
Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Seiple Website
Paul Seiple Amazon Profile
Paul Seiple’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account