Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After winning a Canadian Authors national contest with a ghostly tale, I connected with Champagne Books of Alberta to complete “The Dark Lady” high fantasy trilogy, followed by “The Queen’s Pawn” trilogy, and my fantasy detective effort is represented by a series of seven novellas: “The Housetrap Chronicles.” My latest novel with Champagne, blending modern with Dark Age, is “Alex in Wanderland.”
I recently signed on with a second publisher, eTreasures Publishing of Florida. My first novel published there is, “We’re Not in Kansas,” a near future thriller. A what-if trilogy, “Toltec Dawn,” the first in my Toltec series, is available now, with the other two in the trilogy due in Dec 2016 and July 2017.
In my shrinking spare time I review genre novels for an on-line magazine and am a member of several writing groups.
I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with my usually understanding wife and a large demanding cat. On rare occasions I escape to my sailboat on Lake Winnipeg. I enjoy travel and photography, when I can work them in. I usually attend two or three events a year such as Comic Cons or Writers festivals.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Triggered by a headline I came across in the local paper about the treatment of our indigenous population, the latest book is “Toltec Noon,” the third in a trilogy I wrote on the idea of what might have happened if the North Americans had discovered Europe first, and arrived carrying the heavy weaponry. The first volume, “Toltec Dawn” is out now. “Toltec Kahn” will be published in December 2016 with “Toltec Noon” due out in July 2017. Are there are any more in the series, depends on reader response and the publisher. I have no shortage of material.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing style is “pantser” which means I usually write by the seat of my pants. For example, when I started writing my off-beat fantasy detective novellas, I’d first come up with a title, then sit down and write the tale based on that alone., often with no idea where I was going. Examples are “Housetrap,” “Dial M for Mudder,” and “The Hounds of Basalt Ville.”
Even when I’m writing a serious novel, my plotting tends to be sketchy, with a few notes rather than all worked out in advance.
One reason I write is to find out how the story ends.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The list is far too long. Here are a very few: Terry Pratchett, Guy Gavriel Kay, Marion Zimmer Brtadley, Douglas Adams, J.K.Rowling … the list is endless…
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the ninth novella in the Housetrap Chronicles Series. I have finished # eight and it should be out shortly as an ebook. The publisher gathers the novellas into a print volume when there are three available, so I’m working toward a third print volume by trying to complete nine of the slightly mad tales.
I also have an idea rattling around in the back of my skull for a bit of a space opera, but I’m trying to sit on that while I work to finish #9.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is the area where I fall down. I can work at table at a Comic Con or Library for the print editions, but I’m brain dead on promoting the ebooks. I’m on Goodreads, and have tried certain promotional book tour websites with little success.
Looking forward to seeing how the Awesomegange does.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Send it out. If it comes back, look it over and send it out again. That’s how I finally got my first short story published in an anthology. When you are submitting, read the submission guidelines carefully, and follow them.
Attend writer’s gatherings. That is where I had the opportunity to sit down across from a publisher and pitch my novel. Ended up selling two.
Be prepared to describe your project in a short summary and don’t be surprised by any questions a publisher will throw at you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write frequently and keep sending your material out until someone accepts it. Ad for heaven’s sake, pay attending to any feedback you may get back!
What are you reading now?
Just finished reviewing a second novel for an emerging writer. Also reading an historical account of some villainous English Kings. There is a stack of magazines in my reading pile.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on writing.
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?
How about the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and any three of Terry Practetts.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ronald Hore Website
Ronald Hore Amazon Profile
Ronald Hore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile