Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Roy Dimond and I am the author of three published books.
The Singing Bowl, an epic story of a man’s journey around the world looking for a book that is lost to the world. Along his travels he learns of the interconnectedness of all things and how all quests are internal.
The Rubicon Effect, is a story telling of the convergence of the American election, a new Pope, and a horrific plan to deal with Global Climate Change. It deals with the basic question for humanity, who are we and what do we believe in?
Saving Our Pennys is my first work of non-fiction and is co authored with my good friend Jeff Leitch. It is about a hero’s journey to enlightenment.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Saving Our Pennys is my latest book. My co author Jeff Leitch and I worked in schools together and in that environment it is pretty easy to see heroes all around you. Somebody is always somewhere trying to help someone. So in such a place inspiration is all around. We wanted to tell the story of a student named Penny, who inspired many, while also telling the larger tale of one teacher’s journey to wisdom.
In this environment we learned that mentors are everywhere just waiting to be found. All one has to do is just open their eyes and acknowledge a need and a heroes journey can begin. Just by acknowledging the desire to change reveals a path to places unknown, where joy and insight reside.
The universe seldom takes the gentle way but if one has the energy to look, a mentor, a guide, will be revealed and ones journey will begin.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would love to see some of the answers you got for this question. I write everyday, first thing. I wear a hoody with the hood up in a rather cold basement. I am fortunate enough to live with my wife on the west coast of Canada in a log home overlooking the Pacific Ocean. When I need a break I walk around the three lakes that are near where I live and when I return I sit down, flip up my hoody and write, write, write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Aldous Huxley, Steinbeck, Mishima, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle. I have eclectic tastes, anything where the author commits to honest writing, passionate writing, and has something important to say.
What are you working on now?
I have several projects on the go. I have two books under contract. Both children’s picture books. One is called The Old Goat of Garden Bay and is about an old goat {did i give away too much in the title?} who teaches a woman named Mrs. Potts the importance of slowing down and enjoying life.
I have another book with a working title that is to be decided, where the characters encourage reading. Little stories about everyday life where the reader is encouraged to have the the listeners try a few sentences. The complexity grows till those listening are encouraged to read. My publisher is hoping to make this a series of 3-4 books.
I am also have an agent who is negotiating a deal for two books. One is called Silence and Circumstance and the other is Rendezvous in Carchemish. Stories based on Agatha Christie’s governess and their wild adventures together.
I also have a manuscript completed that I have just started shopping around to publishers called, The Philosopher’s Path. A work of fiction about the geo-political situation between China and Tibet once the Dalai Lama dies.
And one last project I am co authoring about bulling. it will be my first foray into the Young Adult genre.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Surprisingly, I have found LinkedIn helpful. Seems it is more business oriented and people are more receptive of others projects. I’ve had some great response and interactions with people there.
Including meeting my publicist Madi Preda.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yep… write. When you finish, write some more, and when you are done with that… write some more. I read that Stephen King once wrote, regarding editing, that we must, “Kill our little darlings.” And I have never read wiser advice. Once you are finished your manuscript put into the back of the closet for weeks or preferably months. Then bring it out and cut it down by 20%. Then you will be close to finding the story that you are trying to tell. And after all that… then edit, edit edit.
When you are ready to do your query letter do your homework, don’t try to be cute, be professional and spend as much time on it as you would spend on an entire chapter of your book. You may have written the next great novel but no one will know if you don’t catch someones eye with a great query.
I would also add, never hesitate to contact a writer, a publisher, an agent and ask questions. Even the icons of the industry, they will take what time they have and they will converse with you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Beside the aforementioned, “Kill your little darlings”… I would have to say my publisher telling me, “Never, never, never, never, never, give up. And trust me, he had a LOT more never’s in there.
What are you reading now?
The Sporting News 2014 Baseball Magazine. What? It’s time for Spring Training. Baseball’s back and my beloved New York Yankees are making a World Series run again this year… I hope.
I have been so busy with writing my reading time has been seriously cut. I am perusing a book by the Dalai Lama and and re reading Mishima’s, A Golden Temple. I think the writing God’s are in that man’s fingertips for sure.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Now that’s a tough question. This is my third interview of the day and being on the west coast when I wake up I have about a hundred emails from people back east that I have to deal with by ten in the morning my time. So everyday is an adventure, from my agent revealing something, to publishers asking questions, or my publicist asking for my time for another interview, and always there is one of my editors needing me… NOW!
So what’s next… I’ll know the answer to that only after finishing this and opening my email. But I can just about promise that it will be exciting.
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?
Only three or four… man that’s no easy decision! I’m assuming I’m on the island for a long time… then I would grab all the Shakespeare I could. Considering I would probably have to read them over and over and really all other books are just rip offs of the great master, yep I would grab any four of his that I could my hands on.
Author Websites and Profiles
Roy Dimond Website
Roy Dimond Amazon Profile
Roy Dimond Author Profile on Smashwords
Roy Dimond’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile