Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born in the year of the first moon-landing, I later became a journalist and worked five years for several news-agencies and national newspapers in Germany, before I changed over to the “dark side”, i.e. signing up as copywriter and concept-designer at international ad-agencies. Several consecutive two-year stunts later I started my own copywriter & consulting business for ad-agencies and international companies active in Germany and Western Europe. Today, I divide my time between my main-job and book-writing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“TRUMPING THE TRUMPISTS – Everything you need to know about the trumpist mind and how to trump it!” was, unsurprisingly, inspired by Trump’s rise to power. The question of why so many Americans not only voted for Don the Con, but also continue to support him despite overwhelming evidence to the man’s criminal conduct kept on badgering me, until I decided to drill down on the matter. Two years and some extensive research and constant close observations of the Trumpministration and Trumpists later, the book now contains a broad array of answers to the pestering “Why?!”-question, from psychological to political and propaganda-related reasons.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write best at night. (Unfortunately, since my average sleeping time has considerably diminished in the last two years …)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In this particular case I wasn’t so much inspired by other authors but by the hosts of the late night shows on TV, among them Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, and Jimmy Kimmel. This small group of people has taken on the job that was once thought to belong to journalists, i.e. to point out that the Emperor is not only naked, but also an obese, lecherous, immoral, criminal and narcissistic septuagenarian who belongs in jail instead of in the White House.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the second book in the “Trumping the Trumpists”-series, which will focus stronger on political satire, e.g. a country-mouse – city-mouse allegory, a look into an American future after a second Civil War, and others.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still gathering experience on this one.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m a new author myself, so again, I’m in no position to give advice yet.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Right now I guess it’s: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”, by Edmund Burke
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the second book in the “Trumping the Trumpists”-series.
Author Websites and Profiles
SJ Brede Website