Interview With Author Wayne M. Bailey
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! Great to meet you. The Mars Migration is my only book so far. I decided out of the blue that I needed an outlet for all of the weird ideas rolling around in my head, so I decided to write a book. I have worked on this book for almost three years prior to publishing it.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Mars Migration was born out of just feeling the need to do something creative and new for me. I knew writing a book was the way I wanted to go, so I googled – what to write about when writing a book. I spotted a quote among the random searching, that simply said “Write what you would like to read.” This led me to Sci-fi. Looking out of my back door window, I started to think what would happen if something intelligent arrived from space? How cool would it be, if it landed behind my house in that school grounds.
The idea of a sphere came to me, then the idea of that sphere making contact with an Earthling. Then the rest just came out as soon as I started to write, as though it was already in there. It was crazy how it all came out.
I did have to re-write it three times, the first draft was awful.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say I have any unusual writing habits, as a first time writer even I don’t know what counts as unusual. I suppose the main thing was that the ideas and extra ideas would keep me up at night. I would have an idea pop into my head at midnight, or one in the morning and have to reach for my phone to make a note – Google keep is a God-send!
I also tried writing in different places, I have a comfy rocking chair in my living room which was pretty good. I also tried writing in pubs, my local Wetherspoon’s in Willenhall was one, Starbucks by Junction 10 of the M6 was another place.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Stephen King, I know a lot of people have mixed feelings, they don’t like the amount of detail that he goes into, but I really like how he makes you fully believe that a fictional town really exists and you almost feel as though you know that town, and all of the people in it.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am focused on getting the message of The Mars Migration out there.
I have barely spoken to my poor supportive wife in three years, so I need to take a break from writing. I am also feeling a little mentally exhausted to be honest.
I do have some ideas for the characters in my book, and may attempt a sequel to it, I suppose it all depends how much demand there is for it, I wouldn’t want to just rush it to get something out there, the story would need to be right.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have signed up to a few indie book promotion companies, they help me to push it on social media, mainly Twitter has been the best for book discussions for me. But I have also dabbled in Facebook ads, Tiktok ads, and obviously Amazon ads. You have to constantly use Amazon ads, which unfortunately eats into the small profits you might make on the book, but if you don’t, your book will just disappear from view.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am no expert, but I guess some of the things that I have come across that rang true with me were – Write for yourself, not to please others. – Listen and learn from any negative early feedback. – Don’t only give your book to family and friends in the early draft stages, they won’t want to offend you, no matter how honest you ask them to be, do a search for Beta readers online. – Start saving up early on, you want the best editor and cover designer that you can afford.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t try to do the cover yourself. Get the best cover designer that you can afford. Make sure that they suit your genre of book as well.
Read, read, read!
What are you reading now?
Hah! This is a funny one. And I might get slated for this, but since finishing and publishing my book only a few months ago, I felt as though I also needed to take a break from reading. I will start again though, its almost Christmas 2022, so let’s see what Santa brings me.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m taking a break now, focusing on my family, my day job and enjoying the run up to Christmas.
I am also writing to and visiting local bookshops to see if I can get The Mars Migration stocked.
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?
Okay, so I’m bringing: Cabal by Clive Barker, IT by Stephen King, The Shining by Stephen King, and Doctor Sleep by Stephen King.
Author Websites and Profiles
Wayne M. Bailey Amazon Profile
Wayne M. Bailey Author Profile on Smashwords
Wayne M. Bailey’s Social Media Links