Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio served for two decades as an Infantry Officer and later as a high school teacher. If someone were to describe me they would say I have more in common with Micky Spillane, all kidding aside. I’m not a whiner nor do I have patience with those types of people. I found out a long time ago, every life has some tough spots, just put one foot in front of the other and move the hell out. I started to write in the Marine Corp and stopped for many years. Then it hit me…I needed to write about hard-boiled noir fiction about my favorite subject…private eyes of the 1940s and 1950s. Why? because I had more in common with Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler and I got tired of rereading their books. So I started writing about my favorite guy…Gunny Mac Private Detective.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book Gunny Mac Private Detective Trouble in Chinatown is my first book in a series.
Raymond Chandler, Charlie Chan, Michael Shayne and Sam Spade inspired the hell out of me. Also those wonderful black and white films of the 1940s and the1950s. Whenever I get depressed about the current state of affairs I watch a noir black and white film and I relax.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No I just write…I spend four or five hours writing. My first book took 55 edits, 1.4 million words written to get 89,672 words.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler…also Koontz and Stephen Hunter
What are you working on now?
Gunny Mac Private Detective Trouble in Cleveland
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It takes three to four hours a day researching how to market my book…there are literally thousands of websites and companies to help an author market his or her book. On my website I have help for writers…on how to construct a Novel…Write a novel and publish a novel. When I have time I will list the scores of sites to help new authors.If someone needs help go to my website and ask…it is free help. gunnymac.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you don’t have a passion to write go do something else. If you have a passion to write…then write…no whining on the price you have to pay. Realize learning to write a novel is not brain surgery but takes dedication to learn how to write a novel. I laugh when people ask me how I felt about writing a book…I say I feel like I just mowed my five acres and the lines lines look real pretty…I feel tired but content…or how I felt after a twenty mile infamous US Marine Corps forced march with full combat gear, tired but thankful I didn’t quit. They look at me funny. I tell them writing a book is no big deal millions have done it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Napoleon Hill had a great quote from his famous book, “Think and grow Rich.” What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. We were meant to achieve and overcome.
What are you reading now?
Dean Koontz… “Devoted.”
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m writing a second of a series, Gunny Mac Private DetectiveTtrouble in Cleveland. I’m also writing short non-fiction book titled the “Blackboard Jungle.”
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 Maltese Falcon, Stephen Hunter, Pale horse coming, Dean Koontz, Odd Thomas, Childs and Prescott, a book on FBI agent Pendergast.
Author Websites and Profiles
Steven Walker Website
Steven Walker Amazon Profile
Steven Walker’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile