Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a kid I found myself intrigued by the magical worlds I found on the library shelves. I read voraciously and began to create my own stories and poems. By age 14 I had written and hand printed my first books. Those books were the foundation and stepping stones to a lifetime of writing. I am the author of over 25 children’s books as well as several poetry books. My main purpose at this stage in my writing is to write books that help small businesses and just causes create whole new generations of loyal fans. For this purpose we have created QuickTurtle Books®.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Golden Stallion. It is a fiction book for engaging adolescents in the dangers of opioids. Opioids and other drugs are one of the worst crisis this society and the world will have to face and answer to in this century. Drug popularity and abuse uncurbed will lead us into biochemical societies that will be unable to produce and sustain the means for their survival. Drugs are the X factor in a bad equation that will never add up.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write while the world around me is asleep. I do not enjoy the noise of anarchy and chaos created by rabid journalists with agendas. Bullshit is like quicksand and I won’t be sucked in.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many. Pablo Neruda is a master poet. Bob Dylan with his Nobel Prize in literature has made my day. Dr. Seuss, Leonard Cohen, Stephen King, Michael Connelly, Robert Parker, come to mind as just a few. It would go on and on, I love fantasy, science fiction and non fiction as well.
What are you working on now?
I am focused yet on The Golden Stallion. I am in the stage of getting feedback from community and teachers. Being I was with CreateSpace and had to move to KDP, a few monkey wrenches were thrown into the mix. KDP only allows me to get 5 proofs at one time and they put this ugly not for retail banner right across the cover. Not a good business policy. I had to publish the book before I wanted just to get Author copies to distribute for feedback. I have not had promising experiences with KDP thus far and this is one of the reasons why.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is an ongoing experiment. Community engagement and partnerships with like minded people has proven to be the most successful.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It is full of shape-changers right now. You have to be more of a self-promoter than a writer. You can’t just sit back and expect people to read what you write. Getting them to pay for it is even a bigger challenge. The Internet is a double edged sword with millions of books offered everyday for free. Many of them are very flawed. I honestly don’t know where this will culminate for writers. I just try to do the best I can. You definitely should get your books edited at the very least.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you are a writer, write.
What are you reading now?
A legal mystery.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am procuring book partnerships with small businesses to help them grow.
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?
Extravagaria by Pablo Neruda. Shogun and a few thousand page Journal for my own story.
Author Websites and Profiles
Richard Rensberry Website
Richard Rensberry Amazon Profile