Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a lifelong writer with a fascination for fantasy and magic, I use a light, fun and casual style of writing to create my gallery of charming magical characters who not only entertain, but speak to some of life’s concerns, including surviving—and succeeding—in a world where magic can, hopefully, be embraced and accepted.
Books I’ve written? Several, including The Weaver, a book of short stories told by a magical narrator to a group of children…one of whom is destined to become the Weaver’s successor. As well as the screenplay, “Bewitched” Meets “I Dream of Jeannie,” a love letter of sorts to my two most favorite magical women. Books that have been published? My first self-published project was “The Rainbow in the Room,” available through Amazon, about a man who can make anything he says in rhyme come true, and is called before a Senate subcommittee to defend why he didn’t do more to help out during 9/11.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest contribution to the fantasy world is “Love Happens,” a magical fantasy romantic comedy. Ramses El Djinn is a genie who falls in love with his master. But when he tells his bride what he is, he’s surprised to find out that she’s a witch. Neither of their fathers is happy with this mixed marriage. Can their love survive? Can wishes make things better…or worse? I think of this as an original take on my Bewitched/Jeannie crossover, albeit with fresh characters and a romantic twist. These characters have all of the family-friendly charm and humor of their inspiration, with the added complication of a Romeo/Juliet conflict.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always start with an outline, meticulously listing and describing all of the main characters, their attributes, motivations and any quotes that come to mind that work with my mapped-out plot. Once I get to what I think is the end of this process, I go back to page one and fill out all of the notes with detail. I sort of think of it as “layered writing” — adding elements until I’ve got a workable first draft.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My ultimate influence has got to be the 1930s and 1940s fantasy humorist Thorne Smith, who’s most famous creation would undoubtedly be the novel “Topper,” about a repressed banker who learns to embrace life with the help of a George and Marion Kirby, two fun-loving ghosts. Smith also penned stories about men changing into animals, bringing stone statues to life and swimming in the fountain of youth: all of them told with humor and a clear tongue-in-cheek attitude. His books are funny, sexy and charming, and if I could achieve a modicum of his success in the industry I’d consider myself truly blessed.
What are you working on now?
At the moment I’m in between working on finding an agent for the screenplay version of “Love Happens” and penning the sequel novel, with some surprises I can’t give yet give away but with a subplot that finds our genie hero accidentally in the hands of a new master, leaving his witch-wife to figure out how to get him back
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, promotion without an agent behind you is the hardest thing to do…especially with limited funds, but I find Facebook a great start, as well as any other media outlet you can find online…anywhere to get the word out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never be unwilling to compromise when it comes to dealing with agents, publishers, managers if they feel you should be going in a different way. The bottom line for any writer is to get their work out there and hopefully cash in on its popularity, so if an agent or publisher finds a better way to get that maximum result, don’t fight it. You may wind up regretting that decision.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not to be vulgar about it, but the best advice I’ve ever gotten was from my tell-it-like-it-is father who once said while I was sending out resumes left and right, “the more crap you throw against the wall, the more of a chance some will stick.” I find this is true for submissions as well, you can’t stop at a dozen or so tries, you have to keep getting your ideas out there to anyone and everyone who’s willing to take a look at them.
What are you reading now?
At the moment I’m reading and reviewing some books from my publisher’s web site, Synergebooks to help advance some of my fellow writers on that site. I also enjoy classic authors, such as Ian Fleming, whose entire collection I’ve devoured.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promotion, promotion, promotion, getting the word out there about what I’ve already done, as I lay the foundation for the sequels and stories left in me to come.
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. Topper – Thorne Smith
2. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service – Ian Fleming
3. A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving
4. The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde
5. Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
(Hopefully they’ll let me smuggle all five in!)
Author Websites and Profiles
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