Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, my name is Tony M. Smith. I am a third year California State college student studying English literature. I love to create stories from scratch. I have written eleven books so far but I have only published one due to the fact that editing is the best part of writing. Every time I edit one of my stories, it gets better and I have to eventually force myself to set a date to publish.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is titled “The Sinful Nature of Sheep.” The inspiration came from not having a concrete plan for my future. The main character in the story is like a lot of us in many ways. Sometimes we don’t know where to go or what to do, so we end up following others. Because I am a big fan of action movies, this book does have that fast paced element that will keep the readers engaged.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t tend to stress about my writing habits. When I write, I write. When I don’t, I don’t. I tend to focus on editing a lot though. A story is usually written fairly quickly, the editing takes the longest. But, I like it! I want to give the readers something they can enjoy over and over.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m influenced by a bunch of different authors. I’m a fan of Ernest Hemingway, Tom Clancy, Mary Wollstonecraft, Stephen King, and many others. I remember reading “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” when I was about 7 years old. I wanted to write like Shel Silverstein, but I didn’t have anything to write about at such a young age. I had no experience and all I could do was copy at that point in my life. Another book that influenced me a lot was “Catcher in the Rye.” It is still one of my favorite books and I like to read it every 2 years or so just so I forget that small details.
What are you working on now?
I am currently editing the next story that will be published at the beginning of summer 2016. I don’t want to give away anything too soon so I’ll try to be as covert as possible.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best website when it comes to promoting my book has been AwesomeGang.com!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Edit! Edit! Edit! That is the best advice I can give. Readers don’t want to spend money on a book with too many typos and mistakes. Try to give your audience the best story they have ever read in their lives. That is the goal.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard was, “Shut up and just listen.”
What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading “Private Berlin” by James Patterson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me as a writer is to keep writing. I want the readers to be able to track my progress as I continue to write and publish stories.
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?
1. “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” by Ernest Hemingway.
2. “Without Remorse,” by Tom Clancy.
3. “The Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger.
4. “The Sinful Nature of Sheep,” by Tony M. Smith.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tony M. Smith Amazon Profile