Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Currently, I am co-writing a second book with a great friend, Mark Rodger. We have published one book titled ‘History’s Greatest Deceptions And Confidence Scams.’
Currently, we are working on 5 books simultaneously including a historical collection of stories of failed battles throughout human history and a Historical Fiction involving time travel in the Ancien Regime era of France.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Where Are They?’ was born of our fascination with the Fermi Paradox.
The subject matter explores several different reasons why scientists think we have not yet made contact with extraterrestrial intelligent alien life. From the Rare Earth hypothesis, where scientists believe we are unique in the entire universe to the Trancension Hypothesis, where it is believed intelligent life Transcended the existing reality to break through into another dimension, we discuss several different ideas as to why we still have not found intelligent alien life.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
STEVEN: I like to write in the dark, with the TV on to distract me. I also like to work on several projects at the same time. Its a slower process, however, it gives me a chance to think about the story I’m trying to tell and get back to it after a proper break, while at the same time moving another project ahead.
MARK: To echo Steven, writer’s block is the common enemy of writers. This strategy allows us to shelve a project and reflect on it, while we move ahead on another one. It’s a process that works. Couple this with the fact that there are two of us in the creative process, we can bounce ideas off each other. It really is a collaborative process.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are too many to list here, but a typical cornucopia of writers include, Asimov, Hebert, Anthony, C.S. Lewis, Huxley, Hunter S. Thomson, PJ O’Rourke and many others.
Piers Anthony’s ‘Incarnations of Immortality’ inspired us both in our young adult years.
What are you working on now?
We are working on a collection of short stories of great failures during key battles in human history, and a Historical Fiction involving time travel back to the Ancien Regime period of France.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Without a doubt, all manners of social media. It’s the new town square of the modern times.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start young and early. Don’t give up. Share your work with people you trust and get their feedback. If you can strike gold, find a friend that shares your passion and bounce ideas off each other often. Communicate frequently and openly with each other without rancor or bias.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get a great cover artist, pay for a proper editing job and learn the nuts and bolts of Marketing. Books don’t sell themselves.
What are you reading now?
STEVEN: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
MARK: I am in the final stretch of my ‘Battle’s’ book and don’t have any time to read at the moment.
What’s next for you as a writer?
We want to keep writing, well into our golden years.
We have several ideas involving ancient history and a mixture of Historical Fiction/Science Fiction stories on the backburner.
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?
How to survive on a Deserted Island by Tim O’Shei, The Fisherman’s Ocean: How Marine Science Can Help You Find and Catch More Fish by Ross David, Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Classic Guide to Building Wilderness Shelters by D.C. Beard.
We are nothing, if not practical guys.
Author Websites and Profiles
Steven Lazaroff Website
Steven Lazaroff Amazon Profile
Steven Lazaroff Author Profile on Smashwords
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