Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a brand-new indie author just beginning my exciting adventure in the role of writer and story teller.
In my early years I was a voracious reader. I would read just about anything I could get my hands on, particularly science fiction. I remember reading Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” trilogy and being completely engrossed by the story telling. Then on to Ray Bradbury’s novel “Fahrenheit 451”, about a future dystopian society where firemen were dispatched to burn banned books. More recently I have had the pleasure to read the Harry Bosch series of Detective novels by Michael Connelly as well as the action-packed Mitch Rapp novels by the late Vince Flynn.
The art of good story-telling has always been an experience that has filled me with incredible joy and awe. This type of story-telling has given me the opportunity to enter into new worlds and experiences created by the author. I want to transport the reader from the “hum drum” of ordinary life to an elevated plane of existence. This type of desire is exactly what has made me want to pursue writing. And now, I have been given the opportunity.
As for my background, I am an Electrical Engineer by education and training. I hold both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in that engineering discipline. During my career I have worked for a number of Fortune 500 companies in various engineering and leadership capacities. Now I am looking forward to taking my engineering/technical knowledge coupled with my passion for writing science fiction and merging them into some exciting reads.
I have resided in both Canada and the U.S. I now make my home in Wisconsin with my beautiful wife.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a science fiction/crime novel called the “Rise of the Familia Umbra”.
The novel is set in a 2250 Los Angeles. But this Los Angeles is unlike any you would know. The Earth has been devastated by a cataclysmic global war. A number of the major cities have been able to escape the planet’s surface through the use of new technology. Los Angeles is now a city that is part of a Federation of Cities that employ anti-gravity technology to allow them to hover safely above the surface of the Earth.
Recently there has been an increased incidence of serious criminal activity within Los Angeles. A psychic assault. A murder. An abduction. Crimes that threaten to de-stabilize and overthrow the current government of Los Angeles. And even the Federation.
Detective Vince O’Neill of the LAPD has been assigned to investigate these crimes, but is this more than the young detective can handle? The investigation leads Vince to uncover the sheer darkness of an ancient criminal organization. An organization that has been lurking in the underworld since the cataclysmic world war which devastated Earth.
Ultimately the trail leads to the supposedly lifeless surface of the planet. No Federation citizen has set foot on the surface in nearly a century. Vince and his team must get to the surface before it is too late.
The inspiration for this novel came from reading the many Harry Bosch novels by Michael Connelly. I wanted to carry aspects of an action-packed, suspense filled detective novel into a futuristic science fiction setting.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My preference in writing is to set aside time in which I will be uninterrupted and able to focus.
I like to pop in my earbuds and listen to my favorite music from my smart phone. I find this helpful in getting me in the mood to write. It also helps in reducing distractions.
The other thing I like to do is to rough out the outline of my story. To date I have been using a Composition Book to write down ideas and thoughts for how I want the story to flow. I do this before I begin writing anything. Now that’s not to say that I have the story completely outlined. Many times I will outline the story in incremental chunks.
I also like to carry out research on certain aspects of the story using the Internet and in particular Wikipedia.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In the science fiction genre, I have been influenced by Isaac Asimov with his “Foundation” trilogy and his Robot series of novels. Arthur C. Clarke and Robert Heinlein have also been great influences with “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Starship Troopers” respectively.
I have very much enjoyed reading Harry Turtledove’s alternate history novels. His World War series details an alien invasion of Earth during the 2nd World War which significantly alters its trajectory and mankind’s future.
I was also influenced by the writings of Michael Connelly and the Harry Bosch Detective novels. These novels are set in LA and follow the tough and gritty LAPD Detective Harry Bosch.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my next installment of the Detective O’Neill series, picking up where my last book the Rise of the Familia Umbra concluded.
I am hoping to have this next release out in the spring of 2021.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have to confess, that as a new author I am still in the early phases of promoting my books.
During my career as an Engineer I have had a presence on the LinkedIn social media site. I have posted the release of my new book on some Author and Literary Writing groups that I joined. This promotion on LinkedIn has provided some good feedback and sales. I also have a presence on Pinterest that I am trying to further develop.
Additionally, I have been following Dave Chesson – The Kindlepreneur, on his site and on YouTube. He provides a lot of free information to new indie authors on writing and promoting their books. In fact, it was the Kindlepreneur that directed me to the AwesomeGang.com book promotion site. He gave it high marks as a great book promotion site.
I very much appreciate the opportunity to have my new book promoted on AwesomeGang.com.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start writing early. Try to set aside some time each day to do some writing.
Establish your presence early on 2-3 key social media sites to promote yourself and your books.
Also, take time to research and develop a plan for how you will promote and market your books.
Consider creating an LLC for your writing business. This will help you protect your personal assets and allow you to take some tax deductions for your business. It is pretty easy and inexpensive to form an LLC in most states.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I am a big fan of Stephen Covey’s – “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. One of those habits states that you should “Always start with the end in mind.” What that means is that you should understand where you are going and what that end destination looks like. So, what I am saying is, that you need to define your end goal and then begin putting plans in place to achieve that goal.
The other advice I have is that you should always be reading a new book or novel. Reading other people’s works will provide inspiration and stir your imagination. It will help you become a better writer.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading a science fiction novel by Isaac Asimov entitled “The Gods Themselves”
I have also had the opportunity to re-read the original Foundation trilogy that Isaac Asimov wrote. I am looking forward to reading some of the prequel and sequel Foundation novels that Isaac Asimov wrote later in his life.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My immediate priority is the completion of my Detective Vince O’Neill science fiction/crime series of novels.
Further, once this COVID-19 pandemic is under control, I am hoping to do some travelling. I would very much like to attend some conventions/conferences for science fiction writers. Love to meet other authors of the genre and exchange ideas.
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?
Taking only 3 to 4 books would force me to make some really tough decisions. So, I am going to have to cheat a little.
I would have to take the entire “Federation” series by Isaac Asimov, treating that as one entire book. As for something more recent, I would take “The Martian” by Andy Weir.
Then I would definitely have to take some Harry Bosch Detective novels by Michael Connelly, perhaps “The Black Echo” or “The Concrete Blonde”.
And finally, something to keep me laughing and in high spirits until rescue occurs from this desert island, would be the book “The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ralph Joseph Amazon Profile
Ralph Joseph’s Social Media Links
Pinterest Account