Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Thanks for having me! I am a former Silicon Valley radio personality and wedding DJ who now writes romantic comedies full-time. I’m happily married to a kiss monster and we have a hairy golden retriever/lab mix that likes to eat carrots, tuna, and Manchego cheese imported from Spain.
I have written two books so far (Five Minutes Late and Dog Day Wedding) and have three more releases coming in 2015 🙂
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DOG DAY WEDDING actually started out as a short story that I wrote in a creative writing class at Stanford. The title is based on the 1975 Al Pacino movie, Dog Day Afternoon. In the movie, Pacino robs a bank and ends up taking everyone hostage.
My story is a little lighter since it’s a romantic comedy. Okay, A LOT lighter. The final scene is three chapters long and includes a wedding with hostages. Don’t worry…nobody dies and there’s plenty of red velvet cake for everyone!
As for the inspiration behind the story…I love weddings! I thought it would be cool to write a fun, crazy story around a wedding.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write with my toes.
**Dramatic pause**
I’m kidding! Nope. Can’t really think of anything.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
MANY authors and books have influenced and inspired me but Kristan Higgins is at the very top of the list.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a romantic comedy (surprise!) called KISSING FROGS. It’s about a woman who signs up for online dating to find suitable date for an important wedding. And let’s just say it was a lot harder than she thought it would be! LOL. That’s all I can say for now. Yeah, I know, I’m a big tease. Maybe you just need to get distracted and forget I even mentioned it. Look at that pretty bird!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub is number one in the industry, without a doubt. Then I like to add other sites to compliment the Bookbub promotion. Awesomegang is one of the others that help me take the promotion to the next level. Thank you! 🙂
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get so obsessed with sales numbers from your first book. Keep writing. Things should really start to pick up when you release the second book. And the third. And the fourth. Keep writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writers write.
What are you reading now?
Sugar’s Twice as Sweet by Marina Adair.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I just had my first two books made into audiobooks. Getting the books translated into German and Spanish would be great too. My goal is to publish 3-4 books every year. Ideally, I would like to see them made into movies as well. Can you hear me, Hollywood? Give me a call sometime!
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?
Can I cheat and take my Kindle? No? Man, you are strict with this hypothetical stuff! Okay, here are my three:
The Best Man by Kristan Higgins
Stop the Wedding! by Stephanie Bond
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
Author Websites and Profiles
Rich Amooi Website
Rich Amooi Amazon Profile
Rich Amooi’s Social Media Links
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