Interview With Author S.I. Almanza
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a debut author who has just published his first book and is working on the second. I am a senior support worker in a homeless hostel and a former prison officer, bouncer and security professional. I find the intense experiences from my professional life aids me greatly in crafting realistic, dark, gritty stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Rusted Hearts: An Anthology. It was inspired by my lifelong desire to write a book. Fictional stories containing all the concepts and characters I wanted to share. Lessons and ideas conveyed through an entertaining and fictional medium.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I work on more than one story at the same time. If I get bored or hit a bit of a slump, I’ll work on a different story for a bit, then come back to the one I’m working on. I also can’t write for more than a couple of hours at a time. I need to get up and do something physical. Can’t sit for long.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s a long list. To mention a few, Stephen King, Lee Child, Richard Matheson, Chuck Palahniuk.
What are you working on now?
Rusted Hearts: Volume 2
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook, word of mouth, friends and family, goodreads. I don’t have a huge online presence. I don’t have Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter etc. So I am working on building a larger online presence.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you’re passionate about whether fiction or non-fiction. Do not be discouraged with failure. Keep going. Nobody wins everyday. You might lose a thousand times before you get the one big win that changes your life.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve heard a lot of good advice, so it’s hard to pick a single piece. But one that comes to mind would be, the best view comes after the hardest climb. So don’t stop climbing no matter how steep it gets.
What are you reading now?
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Complete and publish my second book, Rusted Hearts: Volume 2
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?
I am Legend, Fight Club, Quran, and “How to survive on a desert island.”
Author Websites and Profiles
S.I. Almanza’s Social Media Links