Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was raised in Brooklyn and spent most of my adult life in Chicago. I really never thought I could get a book written but I always knew I had one or two in me. Growing up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Brooklyn I saw the raw side if society. Looking back it was an education in how not to wind up in prison or dead as I had seen so many go that way. After moving to Chicago in the early seventies, I built my life working and learning the Machine Tool business becoming an expert at my trade. After twenty five years I was burning out in the corporate world. In 2000 I moved to Florida took a huge pay cut and got job with the County. Using my skills I excelled and did the best I could do to stay focused on retiring.
I started Salty and the Serpent in the early mornings before I went to work. I had put it down for a few years when I got back in touch with an old friend. She encouraged me to get back in and finish it. It took another few years but I finally had a viable book.
When the editor did not say “this is childish dribble, don’t quit your day job” I thought hey maybe I’m not the only one that thinks this is a great book. The editor actually laid praise on my style and realism.
I based my characters on people and things that I grew up around and my flair for the dramatic. Too many TV cop shows left me scratching my head as they rambled through crimes having the wrong guy then the right guy and then the wrong guy again. The predictability was mind boggling. I wanted my novel to show how crimes are really solved with good old police work, not luck. Salty and the Serpent has a few good twists and turns that I hope surprises the reader.
Salty and the Serpent is my first book, I have started the sequel and have written a short story “The Billy Goat Caper”
that I recently published as an e-book on Kindle. I am now working on another short story. I also have written a few poems. A few of them have won some praise, I am most proud of that.
I am the proud father of a fifteen year Marine Corp veteran and have two beautiful grand children. I like to say I am living the dream.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is of course my breakout novel Salty and the Serpent. I was inspired by the lack of realism in movies and on TV. I never lived in a vanilla world, I have seen evil and realize that not everything is black and white. I took bits and pieces of reality and added a lot of fiction. Some books struggle to tell the reader what kind of day it is or how the sunlight reflects off the water. I am more interested in what is sprawled out under the creepy yellow tarp. I have seen this first hand, someone laying under a tarp as Detectives milled around trying to piece together what happened. I made my characters as real as I could. No angry cops standing around, being yelled at by their superiors. Trained professionals doing what they can to keep us safe, and if tragedy happens to befall one of us they will speak for us and try to make it right.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the early mornings. It’s quiet and no distractions. My dog sleeps behind me and lets me know when it’s time for me to take a break. Ok she begs to go for her walk but I have a feeling she knows when I need to get out of overdrive. Trying to think two or three chapters ahead of my self can be challenging.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite author of all time is Elmore Leonard, books like Get Shorty and Glitz bring us some really unforgettable characters.
What are you working on now?
Working on the sequel to Salty and the Serpent and another short story. Finding time to write is difficult now that I am retired.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try to promote anyplace and everyplace I can. Facebook, Twitter etc.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research! Know that the product you are putting out albeit fiction still has to show the reader you know what you’re talking about. The daughter of a NYPD Patrolman said if she didn’t know me all of my life she could swear I was a cop. My research of police procedures fit well into my novel
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t worry about things like proper punctuation or grammar that’s why they made editors.
What are you reading now?
Just finished When Danger Calls by Terry Odell, reading a short story called The Meat Market. It is out there science fiction, not really my Genre but I promised the author I would read and review it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Waiting for Marty Scorsese to call and say “Bobby baby come to New York let’s make a movie”
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?
Great Expectations
The Sunday New York Times
Surviving on a desert island for dummies
Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Saltzman Website
Robert Saltzman Amazon Profile
Robert Saltzman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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