Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Literature has been forefront in my life. My college years and career have centered on literature. I have also worked as an executive recruiter and assistant editor. Currently, I enjoy sports and travelling as much as possible. At this point in my writing career, I have written two novels and a collection of poetry–The Last Seminarian, Three Things I Have to Tell You My Friend, and Random Musings of a Baby Boomer, a poetry collection.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Three Things I have to Tell You My Friend is my latest novel. My experiences in the field of education and interactions with other educators, along with the support teams at secondary and college institutions, inspired the story and the characters in the novel. Also, the field of education is rapidly changing with the new influx of technology and assessments. No one in the field can predict the outcome for education is in a confused state. The professionals and politicians are initiating changes through trail and error.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I enjoy writing crossover fiction, mixing the science fiction and dystopian genres. I naturally embrace crossing genres, enjoying the complexity and challenge. I believe future fiction will reflect the crossing of genres and the eventual evolution of new genres, as it has done so in the past. Isn’t science fiction a crossover, too?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The class epic stories, like the Odyssey, have influenced me. I enjoy heroic adventures. Also, Gilgamesh is a great influence which is the first great work of literature and, in my opinion, the first science fiction tale. From a modern perspective, as a teenager, I became enamored with Harry Harrison’s Death World Series and Stainless Steel Rat Series. I relished his anti-hero protagonists.
What are you working on now?
I am now working on a fantasy story about a retired veteran who has one last chance to have a meaningful relationship with a woman before it is too late. He has avoided commitments through out his life and hopes to find the right mate before it’s to late.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Authors Den and Bookbuzzr great sites for posting announcements and events. Also, I have had good luck with Goodreads (book giveaways), Book Gorilla, Fuzzy Librarian, and Book Bub for promoting my books. Twitter had been a good extra along with KDP Select.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write–always write. Then, market! Then write again. Don’t forget to fill the well–read often.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There is no great writing, only great rewriting.
– Justice Brandeis
What are you reading now?
Girl with Pearl Earrings by Tracy Chevalier
What’s next for you as a writer?
Too continue writing–I have no idea beyond what I’m working on at the moment. Several outlines wait on the shelf for me to give them life.
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?
Robinson Crusoe (no surprise?)
The Odyssey
Any book by George Carlin.
Author Websites and Profiles
Robert DAmato Website
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