Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Dead Girls is my debut book published by Tree District Books. I have three other completed novels and two works in progress as well as several short stories which will one day be part of a compilation. Writing is my passion and I do it every chance I get. I am a happily married father of five with many varied interests.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dead Girls was inspired by a trip I took many many years ago to the Wisconsin Dells and some of the memories that I’ve carried with me since then. There was no Cleaner, no Windigo and no murder but the setting was perfect.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write almost exclusively at night. I write from an outline. After I’ve crafted my concept I take it from beginning to end in an aoutline format with several sentences per chapter. It’s amazing how much the story changes from the original concept sometimes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite authors through the years have been Stephen King, Hemingway, Poe, Michener and Crichton. My recent favorites include Rowling & Gillian Flynn. I enjoy historical nonfiction as well.
What are you working on now?
My primary WIP is a post-apocalyptic adventure-thriller.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring all this out but for me Twitter seems to be the best place to promote. I’m hoping Awesome Gang can surpass that.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit, rewrite repeat ad infinitum until published. Oh and never give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
All those highly successful authors with tales of hundreds of rejections; those keep me going.
What are you reading now?
Just finished Stephen King’s Desperation and about to start Where the Crawdads Sing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully the publication of a second book. Would love to get to work with a good agent.
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?
The Stand, The Deathly Hallows, The Discoverers by Boorstin and hmm, For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Author Websites and Profiles
Russ Trautwig Website
Russ Trautwig Amazon Profile
Russ Trautwig’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account