Tuesday, December 17, 2019

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:
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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.

 


Monday, December 9, 2019

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

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



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.”