Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write speculative fiction (in my case , that means science fiction, fantasy, and light horror.) I’ve only written one novel (Swordsmaster), but I’ve also written over ninety pieces of short fiction, including two series (Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire, and Detective Jimmy Delaney.)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The most recent story I’ve put out there is Copy Cat – the eleventh of my Herc Tom, Champion of the Empire Series. It would probably be more interesting to know why I started the series to begin with.
I really hadn’t intended to write a series. The story that became the first Herc Tom Story wasn’t even supposed to be about cats – I just had this line pop up of a space fighter pilot saying “I hate uncontrolled reentry”, and I had to find out who this was and what kind of a fix he’d gotten himself into. He became Herc Tom, and more feline as I wrote until Purr Mission was complete.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a discovery writer, or what’s known impolitely as a pantser. we don’t generally plan what we’re writing – words just spill out of our minds (or wherever they’re coming from) until there’s a complete story there (or at least a rough version of one.) I don’t think I do anything unusual – although some people might find it strange that where my stories go can surprise me as much as it does my readers.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Edgar Alan Poe, Orson Scott Card, Tolkien. I should also credit Rod Serling and the original Twilight Zone (I often see my stories as though they’re on a TV screen.)
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the 7th of my Detective Jimmy Delaney stories – another series that I never intended to write. Of all the characters I’ve written, Jimmy seems the closest to being… me.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book promotion is one of my weak points as an indie writer. All I know to do is write my stories and but them out to online retailers, and then use my WordPress blog to help drive traffic to them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and write what you love. But mostly, stop wanting to be a writer and JUST WRITE.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t let your internal editor (I call him my Infernal Editor) touch your story until you’ve finished the rough draft.
What are you reading now?
Michael J. Sullivan’s A Theft of Swords (the audiobook – it’s hard for me to make myself read if I have time to sit and could be writing instead. I can listen to books in all those times that I can’t write.)
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working through my 7th, 8th, and 9th Detective Jimmy Delaney stories, then I’m committed to write another five pieces of short fiction before I return to the sequel to my Swordsmaster novel.
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?
I’ll cheat and call a book series one book:
Harry Potter
The Lord of the Rings
The Wheel of Time
Patrick Rothfus’ King Killer Chronicles (I’d have chosen A Song of Ice and Fire, but I’m more certain that Rothfus will finish his third book than that George R.R. Martin will ever finish his last two.)
Author Websites and Profiles
William Mangieri Website
William Mangieri Amazon Profile
William Mangieri Author Profile on Smashwords
William Mangieri’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
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