Book Publishing Secrets with David Schaub, Co-Author of SPIRITS OF THE WESTERN WILD

David Schaub is a writer and Academy Award ® nominated Animation Supervisor working in the film industry for more than 25 years. In 2019 he produced and directed the audio adaptation of SPIRITS OF THE WESTERN WILD.  He also developed STORY COMPASS® smartphone app for screenwriters (www.moviemethods.com) in 2017.

Schaub received Oscar nomination for animation in Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Disney), along with nominations for BAFTA Award, Saturn Award and Critic’s Choice Award, and won the Golden Satellite Award for Best Visual Effects for his team’s work on the film.

HEAD ANIMATION on Sony Picture’s SURFS UP – recognized with two Annie Awards among its ten nominations including Academy Award nomination and four Visual Effects Society (VES) award nominations.

ANIMATION DIRECTOR on AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2 (2014), CHRONICLES OF NARNIA (Disney), I AM LEGEND (Warner Bros.) and LEAD ANIMATOR on STUART LITTLE 1 & 2, EVOLUTION, CAST AWAY, GODZILLA, PATCH ADAMS and more.

ANIMATION DIRECTOR – Universal’s award-winning JURASSIC WORLD EXPEDITION (2019) VR EXPERIENCE. Exploring cinematic potential of virtual reality.

Website → https://www.dschaub2.com/

https://www.dschaub2.com/other-projects

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/dschaub2writer

Goodreads → https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19662596.David_Schaub

Book Info:

This mystical adventure follows a young adventure-seeker named Luther McCleron on a westward journey to learn more about his Grandfather. A series of fateful missteps take Luther far from his destination to a disheveled little town under the tyranny of a crooked sheriff named Big Willie. It’s here that Luther comes face-to-face with the legendary ghost of Monty: a curmudgeonly ghost who refuses to believe he’s dead. Luther just wants to get back to his quest, but Monty thwarts his plans by using Luther to take out his vengeance on Big Willie.

Through a catastrophic string of events, Luther and Monty find themselves hopelessly entangled in a combative partnership that escalates to the breaking point. Only by reconciling their differences are they able to uncover the profound connections that weave their fates together.

A mysterious book of premonitions, an ominous crow, and ancient Indian drive the mystical tone of this world; conjuring spiritual forces to help steer Luther on his journey through this western “twilight zone.”

All the loose ends resolve in a satisfying story of redemption, loyalty and ascension while exploring the mysterious nature of fate and destiny. Was all of this a coincidence? Or are we guided by ancient “spirits on the wind” that nudge and steer us along our path to assure that we arrive safely at our intended destination in the end?

5 out of 5 stars

 A fantastic and Immersive adventure for everyone. 

What a wonderful audio book and what a pleasure it was to be on this journey. Not only the adventure was captivating but also everything around it. The sounds effect and voices really bring it all together, you almost feel like you are right there witnessing all this first hand. The production quality is something I have never heard before. Very well done and I highly recommend it.

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2qsxtKC

Audible → https://adbl.co/2OjjleM

 Interview:

Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

Schaub:  SPIRITS OF THE WESTERN WILD was written as a screenplay for an animated feature. It was Roger [Vizard], my story partner who originally pitched me the idea for a buddy film with a young cowboy and a crotchety old ghost who refused to believe he was dead.  It was mostly a character premise with some great drawings and situational gags. We kicked ideas around between ourselves about where the story could go, and ultimately decided to join forces to see if we could shape it into a fully executed screenplay that would sustain itself as an animated feature.  It was the characters that inspired us, and that’s what drove everything down the story path.
I guess you can say the drawings were the catalyst that sparked the ideas we needed to shape the story, which evolved over several years.  Keep in mind that both of us are still active in production, so this is a pet project that we worked on during our rare bursts of downtime.

Is this your first book?

Schaub:  Yes – our first rodeo – in this medium.

With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?

Schaub:  The official release of this project is an audio drama (Audible), together with an illustrated Kindle release (Amazon), all self-published. Traditional publishing was not an option for us since our ultimate goal is to make the film - and of course, we need to retain the rights to do so.

As a screenplay, this title was destined to make its rounds through the Hollywood studio circuit, as is customary for these things. The audio drama is just a new angle for us to get this out to a real audience and collect organic reviews.  Basically, we are pursuing our own groundswell that will work in our favor when circling back through the studio system later. It’s a non-traditional approach for sure, but proving to be well worth the effort.

Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  

Schaub:  Once the screenplay was complete, we found ourselves sitting on a precious pound-of-paper (1.25 lbs to be exact).  Having drudged through hundreds of screenplays myself over the years, I fully acknowledge what a chore it can be for anyone to commit to actually READING these things (without it becoming a huge favor by the designated reader to do so…).

When Roger moved onto another animation gig, I decided to keep chipping away at the next steps toward production.  I had the wacky idea of producing it as an audiobook to make it super-easy for studio execs to absorb on their commute.  No reading required -- just straight-up entertainment for the listener. 

Self-funding the film wasn’t an option, but since I was looking for something to direct, I figured I could certainly produce an audio drama!  It was also an opportunity to demonstrate my directing chops with actors, bringing it to life in a way that the written page alone could never achieve.  Call it a “movie for your ears.”  The task was more than I bargained for, but I’m happy to say that the movie is all there… minus the visuals  ;-)

After the audio was complete, I was informed by Amazon that a print (or Kindle) version had to be released before the audio version could be approved.  So that put me into another tailspin…

Unfortunately, Kindle doesn’t offer a solution to display screenplays in their native format, which is a strict standard by industry definition.  But after many trials and tribulations, I came up with a formatting solution that seems to work pretty well. 

Now that the Kindle version is out there, I’m happy that it is.  Not only can you follow along with the audio version, but you also get a first-hand account of how the audio adaptation evolved from the written screenplay.  It’s also a convenient way to share artwork that Roger and I have collaborated on throughout this process.

With the audiobook available now, the film should play out clearly and precisely between your ears - as intended - from our brains to yours.  And hopefully, it’s a much tastier alternative to digesting a pound of paper!

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?

Schaub:  We launched into this project under the premise that content is king, and the fact that studios are ravenously hungry for content. That notion was a motivating force, in addition to our desire to create a project that we could shepherd through to the end.

But with all the self-publishing going on these days, I was a little surprised at how much content is actually out there!  I wasn’t following the eBook and audiobook industry and just coming at this from a screenwriting perspective. But now that we are entering that market – it’s a little overwhelming how deep the water is out there! 

That’s why it’s great to be on the PUYB Virtual Book Tour.  I’m enjoying the process of contributing to the various blogs and doing interviews like these.  It’s been a cathartic experience, reflecting on the process, and sharing lessons learned along the way.  It’s definitely a great way to get the word out through different sources to raise awareness – rather than having the script sit unread on a gatekeeper’s desk somewhere.

Since we decided to go the publishing route late in the game, we really hadn’t planned for an appropriate marketing strategy tailored to this industry. And as you can imagine – to be effective - those efforts should be started much earlier.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Schaub:  It is a little too soon to tell.  It is definitely a strategy I haven’t seen before; that is, an audio adaptation of a screenplay designed to circumvent the traditional route through the Hollywood system.  The response has been great so far, so we’ll see how this all plays out. Reviews are coming in, and we’d love to keep them coming!

** With that in mind ** we still have promo codes available (US & UK) for anyone interested in a free copy in exchange for an honest review on Audible.com  ;-)

Feel free to reach me directly here, while codes are still available:  dschaub2@gmail.com

Here are the reviews so far:  https://tinyurl.com/audible-us

We’d love to have new listeners chime in, and get behind us on this journey!

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Schaub:  I’d say it’s a good idea to take a step back and make sure your expectations are realistic.  As noted earlier, we really didn’t know what to expect, going in. If you think writing is a challenge, wait until you get to the marketing part!

I think that social media offers enormous opportunities for authors, and I realize we should have jumped on the social media bandwagon much sooner.  You certainly don’t need to wait until your book is done to start your promotional push. If you can build anticipation for an upcoming release, then it is a simple matter of unleashing your finished product onto your loyal band of followers. They will happily devour what they have been eagerly anticipating.

In our case, we are catching up now.  I started an Instagram feed to document the journey from writing to recording… and kicking the can down the road toward our goal of producing the animated feature at some point:
https://www.instagram.com/moviemethods/

I thought it would be entertaining to post the twists, turns, and writing inspiration as we go. I’m sure there will be lots of discoveries, insights, and takeaways on the bumpy road ahead.   So please FOLLOW, and share the adventure with us. It’ll be a fun ride, for sure!

 

Book Publishing Secrets with Simon Dillon Author of PHANTOM AUDITION

The spirit of Simon Dillon took human form in 1975, in accordance with The Prophecy. He kept a low profile during his formative years, living the first twenty or so of them in Oxford, before attending University in Southampton, and shortly afterwards hiding undercover in a television job. In the intervening years, he honed his writing skills and has now been unleashed on the world, deploying various short stories and novels to deliberately and ruthlessly entertain his readers. He presently lives in the South-West of England with his wife and two children, busily brainwashing the latter with the books he loved growing up.

Website:

https://simondillonbooks.wordpress.com/

Blog:

https://simondillonbooks.wordpress.com/

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/UncleFlynn

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/simondillonbooks/

Book Info:

Small-time actress Mia Yardley, recently widowed wife of renowned actor Steven Yardley, discovers

her late husband’s secret acting diary. The diary details appointments made with a psychic medium, who advised Steven on which roles to take. It also raises questions about his mysterious and inexplicable suicide. Seeking answers, Mia speaks to the medium, but in doing so is drawn into an ever- deepening mystery about what happened to her husband during the final days of his life. Eventually, she is forced to ask the terrible question: was Steven Yardley murdered by a vengeful evil from beyond the grave?

Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1689624302/ 

Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

Simon Dillon: Why I decided to be an author is lost in the mists of time. I’ve written stories for as long as I can remember, and never stopped just because I left full-time education. I’ve written short stories, screenplays (shorts and features), and eventually settled on novels as my preferred form of writing.

As for this novel, there were two main sources of inspiration for Phantom Audition. Firstly, the idea of an actor taking advice on roles from a medium comes from the late, great Peter Sellers, who did exactly that in real life. In the novel, protagonist Mia Yardley’s late husband Steven, a famous actor, took a film role playing famous abstract artist Edward Bingley, who like Steven committed suicide in mysterious circumstances. When Mia discovers Steven took this role on the advice of a medium, she comes to suspect her husband may have buried himself in the role a little too much, to the point where supernatural forces were involved.

The second source of inspiration for Phantom Audition is A Fantastic Woman. This Chilean film, which won Best Foreign Film at the 2018 Oscars, might at first appear an odd choice as an influence on Phantom Audition. Nonetheless, it actually provided the initial spark that launched the idea for the novel. The story concerns a transgender woman dealing with the death of her partner, finding herself isolated and ostracised by his family. The film has a dreamlike, magical realist quality to it, and even at times becomes a bit like a thriller (there’s a mysterious key which her partner left, for example). Moreover, there is something of a descent into the underworld/death and rebirth metaphor in the film, a story arc which is very much echoed in my novel. One image particularly leapt out at me – that of a ghostly vision of the dead partner staring out at her from a crowded nightclub dance floor amid strobe lights. It’s an image I actually nicked, sorry, “paid homage” to.

Is this your first book?

Simon Dillon: No, I’ve written several other novels, including four others in the gothic mystery thriller/horror genre.

With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?

Simon Dillon: This novel was published by Dragon Soul Press, which traditionally published my previous two novels Spectre of Springwell Forest and The Irresistible Summons. It seemed natural for them to publish this one too, as it was in the same genre.

Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?

Simon Dillon: I have tried many times to get a mainstream publishing contract. I have had three agents and three near misses, and then out of frustration self-published a number of my works - including six children’s adventure novels, and a couple of other gothic mysteries. I had varying degrees of relative success with this. In retrospect, I really should have had a better editorial eye on some of that work. Always hire an editor.

Dragon Soul Press came across my path when they were looking for short story contributors, and after that one thing led to another, and Spectre of Springwell Forest became one of the first novels they published. Having an editor has made a huge difference, and I’ve loved the covers they’ve prepared for my work. The right cover is extremely important.

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?

Simon Dillon: I may know a thing or two about telling a story, but I know very little about marketing. It’s a fiendishly difficult art which I find difficult to get right. Marketing is particularly vital if you are with a small independent publisher, and authors need to be prepared to do a lot of it on their own initiative. It’s an uphill struggle but I’m gradually learning.

As for the publishing industry as a whole, it’s harder than ever to get noticed, so aspiring authors have to develop a thick skin and just keep at it.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Simon Dillon: First prize is always a mainstream publishing contract but going with independents has benefits too. I was pleased with the speed at which my last three novels have been released - all in less than a year! I’m not sure that would have happened with a mainstream publisher.

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Simon Dillon: Find a great ending and work backwards from that point. Don’t waste your time on anything less than an ending that you personally are absolutely blown away by.

Be aware of genre conventions and master them. Don’t break an honoured convention unless for this reason: to replace it with something better. Working within a formula is fine, but don’t be predictable. Agatha Christie worked within a formula, with consistently unpredictable results. Give the reader what they want, but not the way they expect it.

Develop a very thick skin and be prepared to keep learning over a very long period of time. The first three novels I wrote will (rightly) never see the light of day. After that, books I thought were brilliant when I first wrote them, I now see as considerably less impressive.

Also, just because you have a good idea, doesn’t mean there isn’t an even better, great idea waiting in the wings. Tunnel to find those few gems. Ninety percent of your ideas will range from mediocre to rubbish, so it’s worth sketching out multiple versions of scenes, characters, outlines, and so on. In the end, you’ll hit gold, but you have to keep at it.

Try not to grind an axe by being overly concerned with the “message” of your novel. You are an author, not a preacher, politician, or activist. Instead, simply concentrate on telling a good story with no other agenda. Whatever is important to you will then be inherent in the text. What’s more, your beliefs will come over far less finger-waggingly and far more convincingly.

Finally, writing is 1 percent talent, 99 percent hard work. If you are serious, you have to be prepared to sacrifice a lot of time and be ruthlessly disciplined. But success is possible, if you keep at it.

 

Book Publishing Secrets with Dr. Richard, Co-Author TETRASTATUM

Dr. Richard has been involved in the field of Photonics for over 30 years. He received his BA in physics (honors) from the University of California Fullerton. He was in a full scholarship PhD program in physics at the University of California Irvine and a PhD program in philosophy at Claremont Graduate School. Dr. Richard completed his two dissertations (involving human interpretations of laser and electro-optical images) while under top secret clearance. He also has an advanced placement teaching credential, an advanced certification (from the University of Wisconsin) in laser and optical design; and other advanced certifications in fiber optics, computer programming, technology business development, financial products, dance, anatomy and physiology.

website & social links

WEBSITE → https://www.tetrastatum.com

TWITTER → https://twitter.com/DrRichard_ISTAR

FACEBOOK → https://www.facebook.com/istarsfx

Book Info:

In their debut novel TETRASTATUM, authors Dr. Richard and Tim Smith combine heady concepts about the universe with a thrilling science fiction story about the search for a new kind of time travel.

The result is a stunning mixture of dense cosmology and old-fashioned storytelling that will appeal to a wide readership, from science professionals to lay fans of science fiction.

“Dr. Richard” and “Tim Smith” are the pseudonyms of Dr. Richard Connor and Marcus Rodriguez, respectively.

“TETRASTATUM (‘the fourth state’) is the culmination of my 30 years working in the field of photonics,” Dr. Richard says. “I am an avid reader of sci-fi, and I wanted to create a new type of work that is both educational and entertaining in the genre. TETRASTATUM gives the reader a unique understanding of the existing laws of physics and extends them to provoke further thought from novice readers as well as advanced experts in the field.”

Kirkus Reviews notes that “authors Dr. Richard and Smith … tell their cerebral story with a heady mix of dense theory and absurdist humor.”

The Independent Review of Books declares:  “TETRASTATUM is like nothing you have ever read before. This is an impressive work of science fiction …”

The San Francisco Book Review adds that, “These recurring themes of characterization and distortion feed into the concern that is being voiced over the current state of our political climate…The layering of these themes is ultimately what gives TETRASTATUM a relevance that will keep readers turning pages and asking questions.”

“The book ultimately explains how human perceptions alter the future and puts forth a model based on quantum physics to explain ‘reality’,” Dr. Richard continues.  He calls science fiction “the perfect genre to explore socio-political ideas within the context of futuristic technologies and scientific theories.”

Dr. Richard and Smith are currently working with Norith Soth on adapting TETRASTATUM into a screenplay. Mr. Soth has penned work for Justin Lin (“Fast and Furious”), Stephen Chin (“War Dogs”), and Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”).

order your copy below

Amazon → https://tinyurl.com/y6tlmpbj

Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

Dr. Richard: I had the opportunity to present my work as a PhD candidate to Richard Feynman and interact socially with Stephen Hawking. Both of these titans were my inspirational teachers and provided the motivation to write the novel. As such, I dedicated the work to them. They were and are my inspiration in the exploration of the natural world. I am an avid reader of Sci-Fi and wanted to create a new type of work that is both educational and entertaining in the genre to stimulate thought.

Is this your first book?

Dr. Richard: I have written other books limited to internal distribution in organizations where I worked.  This is the first book I decided to make public and publish. 

With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?

Dr. Richard: After sending out numerous query letters and endless discussions with literary agents, I decided to self-publish for the flexibility and freedom to shape the work as I originally intended as well as the economics vs traditional publishing.

Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?

Dr. Richard: Publishing a book is definitely a labor of love.  Surround yourself with the right people (you will need a lot of them before it is over, illustrator, publicist, editor, social media guru, SEO specialist, web developer, video team) and expect nothing more than the opportunity to present your ideas to those who may appreciate your work. Fully expect for everyone who likes it there is someone who hates it (cosmic duality).  

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?

Dr. Richard: Self-Publishing is the way to go, if you are trying to put something out that is truly unique and groundbreaking and don’t want to lose control of your project and artistic vision.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

Dr. Richard: Absolutely, but be forewarned it is a full time job that offers no benefits and little to no reward other than seeing your vision materialize and knowing your ideas are out there for others to enjoy and ponder.

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Dr. Richard: Take your time, don’t give up and see your vision become a reality. Promote, promote and promote!

 

 

Book Publishing Secrets with Mystery Author Mike Martin

Mike Martin was born in Newfoundland on the East Coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. The Walker on the Cape was his first full fiction book and the premiere of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series. Other books in the series include The Body on the T, Beneath the Surface, A Twist of Fortune and A Long Ways from Home, which was shortlisted for the Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award as the best light mystery of the year. A Tangled Web was released in 2017 and the newest book in the series.is Darkest Before the Dawn which won the Bony Blithe Award in 2019. A new book in the series, Fire, Fog and Water is being released in October.

Mike is currently Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers.

Website → www.sgtwindflowermysteries.com

Twitter Link: → http://ww.twitter.com/mike54martin

Facebook→https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore/

Book Info:

From the author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mysteries comes “Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries,” a welcome addition to the Sgt. Windflower family of

books.

Christmas in Newfoundland is a special time. In the depths of long winter nights memories are made and stories are told. Of Christmas by candlelight and horse and buggy rides to church. Of shopping on Water Street in St. John’s before malls and the Internet.

In later years, Sgt. Windflower came to work and then to stay in the quiet town of Grand Bank by the Atlantic Ocean where the salt air froze in the wind and the Mounties were welcomed to warm themselves by every fire.

Come and warm yourself by the fire and hear their stories. Some memories and some mysteries. Enjoy some holiday time with Sgt. Windflower and all the familiar characters that you’d come to know and love. Good food, good friends and always another chair at the table.

Amazon → https://amzn.to/32hC9zY

Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

I have always been a writer and am the author of 8 books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. This is a collection of short stories, some light mysteries and some Christmas memories.

Is this your first book? 

No

With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?

I have always been an indie author. I don’t oppose traditional publishing. I just don’t have the patience to work on their timelines.

Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?

It’s been difficult to publish independently and a lot more work. But it’s gotten easier over time. And I have the bruises to show for it!!

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?

I am okay with my journey and have learned a lot. I think what’s really important is to create a great product with solid editing and proofreading.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

I would suggest trying to get a traditional publisher for any new author. They can help introduce you to the publishing world and then you can make your best decision about the route you want to follow in the future.

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

If you’re struggling, keep on struggling. If you are a writer, keep on writing. And remember what Stephen King says about writing “The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

 

Book Publishing Secrets with James D. Bell, Author of 'Maximilian's Treasure'

Name: James D. Bell

Book Title: Maximilian’s Treasure 

Genre: Legal Thriller, Adventure, Romance      

Publisher: Sartoris Literary Group

Website: www.maximilianstreasure.com

Find out more: www.judgebell.com; www.maximilianstreasure.com; www.vampiredefense.com

Thank you for your time in answering our questions about getting published.  Let’s begin by having you explain to us why you decided to become an author and pen this book?

James:  I fell in love with the quest for justice the moment I first stepped into a courtroom. I lived real life drama hundreds of times in interview rooms, in the field investigating cases, and in courtrooms.  I had a passion to write about my experiences, but for decades I lacked the proper motivation.  Every book and every movie used to have a purpose, a “moral to the story.”  I feel that we have lost that purpose with some of today’s entertainment.  I am motivated to bring back the moral to the story.  That is why I write.  Maximilian’s Treasure is packed with hidden treasures for the reader to discover.  I drew upon my actual experiences to bring life to Maximilian’s Treasure.  I participated in many of the conversations, I dove the reefs, crossed the river, travelled the roads, climbed the cliffs, hung by my fingernails over the precipice, entered the cave behind the waterfall, just as described in the book. Ultimately, I found my Maximilian’s Treasure.  If you persevere, you will too.

Is this your first book?

James:  Maximilian’s Treasure is my second novel.  The characters were introduced in my first novel, Vampire Defense.  Both books are stand-alone novels.  The legal team that handled the murder trial of a man who claimed the person he killed was a vampire steps immediately into their next great adventure involving arson, kidnapping, murder and a legendary treasure.

With this particular book, how did you publish – traditional, small press, Indie, etc. – and why did you choose this method?

James:  I used a small press, Sartoris Literary Group.  I took a course at Millsaps College on “How to Sell What You Write.”  The class was taught by a publisher, James Dickerson, who presented a structured plan designed to increase the odds of 1) creating a sellable work, and 2) selling the work in an ultra-competitive market.  I followed the plan.  The publisher who taught the class offered to publish my first book!  He later told me that Vampire Defense became his best-selling novel.

Can you tell us a little about your publishing journey?  The pros and cons?

James:  I covered high school sports for the local daily newspaper when I was a teenager.  I wanted to be an author, so I wrote a couple of short stories and sent them to magazines, but I only received rejections.  I had a couple of professional works published, a law review in the 80’s and the Circuit Judges Bench Book, published in the 90’s.  My wife and I write our yearly goals on New Year’s Eve.  She pointed out that I had been talking about writing a legal thriller for years, and she urged me to put it on the list.  With her encouragement, I finished the first novel that year.  The next New Year’s Eve she urged me to put selling the book on our list of goals.  We were able to get it published within the year.  That was followed by a short story, The Adventures of Sherlock Hound, published in Dog Stories for the Soul alongside stories from Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Willie Morris, and others.

What lessons do you feel you learned about your particular publishing journey and about the publishing industry as a whole?

James:  There must be a million books published every year.  You’ve got to find a way to make your book stand out.  You pour tremendous effort into giving birth to your story, but just like raising a child, your work is not done when the book is finished.  The real work is just beginning.  You’ve got to sell your story and you must sell yourself to the publisher.  The publisher wants assurance that you will invest as much time and effort as necessary to create interest in your work.

Would you recommend this method of publishing to other authors?

James:  No one way is best for everyone.  I developed a relationship with my publisher.  He is loyal to me and I am loyal to him.  We want to succeed together.  I can recommend that to anyone.

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

James:  You have stories in your mind that need to be told.  Pick one that could be a best seller.  Don’t be intimidated by a blank page or blank computer screen.  Be intentional.  Set aside time to write and follow through.  Don’t quit.  Finish the story and start the next one.  Dream great dreams and do great deeds.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Genre: Romantic Adventure 

Author: James D. Bell

Website: http://maximilianstreasure.com/

Find out more on Amazon       

About the Book:

Rumors of a legendary treasure fuel a battle over possession of a Choctaw family farm.  Two young lawyers, John Brooks and Jackson Bradley, agree to help the family keep their farm.  Early legal success prompts the drive-by murder of the patriarch of the family.  The grandson chases the suspects whose bodies are found on the farm, scalped.  At the same time clues to a vast treasure are found on the farm.  Jackson, pursued by fortune seekers, adventurers, an exotic beauty and a homicidal maniac, follows the clues from a Caribbean reef to the Chiapas jungle.  John stays behind to defend the grandson and continue the fight for the farm.  His efforts are complicated by arson, murder, race riots, and the realization that he lost his one true love.  Though there is great distance between them, their adventures are intertwined as they rush toward a triple climax that could shake the world.  Join the adventure and discover your Maximilian’s Treasure.

About the Author:

James D. Bell is an award-winning author and retired Judge who received the highest bar association approval ratings ever given to a Mississippi Circuit or County Judge. He is listed in Preeminent Lawyers, Outstanding Lawyers of America and Top 100 Attorneys of North America.  He is the author of two novels, Vampire Defense and Maximilian’s Treasure.  His short story, The Adventures of Sherlock Hound, was published in Mardi Allen’s collection, Dog Stories for the Soul, alongside stories from Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Willie Morris and others.  The son of a Choctaw mother and a Mississippi businessman, Judge Bell is devoted to his wife, Joanne.  They live near Jackson, Mississippi and have four children.  Judge Bell returned to law practice but is frequently called back to the bench by the Mississippi Supreme Court for short term assignments.

Find out more: 

http://maximilianstreasure.com/

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