Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I began writing in 2003. I have written one novel and two screenplays, with more ideas in development all the time. I also write a blog on my website SeanRainwater.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Hades Proper. I was inspired to write it after doing some research years ago and finding out that the Bible actually speaks of Hell as having a physical location, the center of the Earth. That sparked the question of what we would find if we could actually get down there and walk into it. What would we see? Who would we see?
What would they say if you could talk to them? How would that affect us as human beings if we could venture into the afterlife and experience it before we die?
As the story evolved I added my vision of the horrors of Hell, internal conflict in the characters, major tension between two of the main members of the team, and some cool technology and I felt I had a pretty incredible story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I haven’t developed any yet I don’t think. I’m pretty busy and try to squeeze in writing whenever I can, so a lot of my writing is on the fly. For now, I just hurry to my laptop and get in as much as I can, as often as I can. Side note: Finding out I was COVID-19 positive and having to isolate in a room for a few weeks helped me get a good amount of writing in. Guess we have to find the good in everything!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite writers are Dean Koontz and C.S. Lewis. I’ve also been inspired by Stephen King and Tolkien.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing a screenplay for a psychological thriller that is yet untitled. The story follows a psychiatrist that has a history of mental illness in his family. When a disabled man moves in next door, horrific things start to happen. Soon the main character is put through incredible trauma, and starts to lose his grip on reality. The story questions whether this man is following in the tragic footsteps of his family’s mental illness, or if there is something more to the man next door.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have an author website and I promote on Amazon. I’ve found that the best way to get the most exposure is through free promotions. Even doing discounted promotions has never gotten me even close to the numbers I get when I give it away free. So it comes down to a balance. As a writer, of course we want to make a return for our work. But if getting it out to the masses is the most important thing, and it is for me, then the free promos are the best way I’ve found to get it into readers’ hands.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! Just stick with it and hone your craft. Every re-write makes your book better. Watch films and notice what it is about the writing specifically that touches you. Read a lot and do the same with novels.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up! This is a highly subjective business. Keep going and one day it will succeed!
What are you reading now?
I just finished The Taking by Dean Koontz. Great book. Just started The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. A few pages in, so far so good!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to finish the screenplay I’m working on in the next 3 months or so. In the mean time I am continuing to promote Hades Proper. I have received some interest in Hollywood for the story and actually have a producer attached. So we will see what happens!
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 Bible, a desert island survival guide, and anything by C.S. Lewis.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sean Rainwater Website
Sean Rainwater’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate that I have known you for years, yet you were humble enough never tell me that you were an author.