Ask the Author: Jim Vuksic
Answered Questions (19)
Jim Vuksic
I looked in the mirror and was horrified to see a very old face staring back. I was even more horrified when I remembered that it was the actual reflection of my own face.
Jim Vuksic
I would visit the alternative world created by author Kazuo Ishiguro in his best-selling novel Never Let Me Go.
The society during the 1990's in which human cloning has been perfected since the 1950's is a fascinating study of human behavior when forced to face the moral dilemma of having an opportunity to enjoy health and vigor for more than a century at the expense of the human clones created exclusively to provide vital organs for the use of their sponsor.
The society during the 1990's in which human cloning has been perfected since the 1950's is a fascinating study of human behavior when forced to face the moral dilemma of having an opportunity to enjoy health and vigor for more than a century at the expense of the human clones created exclusively to provide vital organs for the use of their sponsor.
Jim Vuksic
The final, polished manuscript for
Levels
contained 126,000 words. The copy and conceptual editing process reduced the published novel to 111,000 words. It was released in paperback and e-book formats Aug. 9, 2011.
The publisher's standard requirement for producing the audio format of a first-time, unknown author required that it not exceed 8 hours listening time. I had to review the print format and then create an abridged version that made sense and flowed smoothly. This required deleting entire sentences and occasionally a paragraph and then re-writing the scene so that continuity would be flawlessly sustained and the listener would not notice any perceptible break or disruption. The abridged work contains 85,000 words.
The publisher then provided brief audio samples of three professional narrators' previous works for me to evaluate and choose one whose style I felt was best suited to narrate Levels . I chose Stephen Rozzell and have never regretted it. If you ever listen to the audio book, you will understand why.
Throughout the work-in-progress, I had to listen to each chapter and point out errors or dialogue which I felt did not express the emotion intended. The narrator had to return to the studio to re-record that particular part. After three weeks of this, production of the 9-disc audio book was underway and I was sent a complimentary copy by the publisher. It was released commercially on Aug. 14, 2011.
The publisher's standard requirement for producing the audio format of a first-time, unknown author required that it not exceed 8 hours listening time. I had to review the print format and then create an abridged version that made sense and flowed smoothly. This required deleting entire sentences and occasionally a paragraph and then re-writing the scene so that continuity would be flawlessly sustained and the listener would not notice any perceptible break or disruption. The abridged work contains 85,000 words.
The publisher then provided brief audio samples of three professional narrators' previous works for me to evaluate and choose one whose style I felt was best suited to narrate Levels . I chose Stephen Rozzell and have never regretted it. If you ever listen to the audio book, you will understand why.
Throughout the work-in-progress, I had to listen to each chapter and point out errors or dialogue which I felt did not express the emotion intended. The narrator had to return to the studio to re-record that particular part. After three weeks of this, production of the 9-disc audio book was underway and I was sent a complimentary copy by the publisher. It was released commercially on Aug. 14, 2011.
Jim Vuksic
Since my social life and road trips increase exponentially with the pleasant summer weather, I spend less time reading than during the winter months. However, I am in the process of re-reading George R.R. Martin's 5-book A Song of Ice and Fire series. Hopefully, by the time I finish, Mr. Martin will finally finish writing and release the final two books that readers like me have been very patiently awaiting.
Jim Vuksic
During my basic training at boot camp, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, during the mid-1960's, throughout the twelve-week period, occasionally we recruits would awake and discover that one of the racks (bunk beds) was empty. The sheets, blankets and former occupant had disappeared during the night.
In Reality, the missing recruit was a "washout" who had been removed because, for some reason, they were determined to have been unfit for further training. However, it would be interesting to create a mystery novel about a more nefarious plot for these sudden disappearances.
In Reality, the missing recruit was a "washout" who had been removed because, for some reason, they were determined to have been unfit for further training. However, it would be interesting to create a mystery novel about a more nefarious plot for these sudden disappearances.
Jim Vuksic
My personal favorite fictional couple to-date is Kathy H. and Tommy, two of the main characters in Kazuo Ishiguro's novel "Never Let Me Go".
It is the story of a fictional past in which cloning was perfected by the 1960's and is routinely utilized to provide living beings whose sole purpose for existing is to eventually donate their organs to preserve and extend the life of human recipients. It is told in the first-person by Kathy H., who is now 31-years old and reminisces about her childhood, teen years, and early adulthood.
Kathy H. and Tommy are students at a restrictive boarding school, the sole purpose of which is to care for clones until adulthood and to train and prepare them for their eventual role of organ donor.
For two decades, Kathy and Tommy are in love. The problem is, neither is aware of the other's true feelings. Immaturity, constant misunderstandings, and a jealous, scheming, sometimes friend/sometimes foe, Ruth, constantly distract and confuse Kathy and Tommy to keep them apart and unable to express and share their mutual feelings for each other.
This love story is enlightening, inspirational, and sad - all at the same time, throughout the narrative.
It is the story of a fictional past in which cloning was perfected by the 1960's and is routinely utilized to provide living beings whose sole purpose for existing is to eventually donate their organs to preserve and extend the life of human recipients. It is told in the first-person by Kathy H., who is now 31-years old and reminisces about her childhood, teen years, and early adulthood.
Kathy H. and Tommy are students at a restrictive boarding school, the sole purpose of which is to care for clones until adulthood and to train and prepare them for their eventual role of organ donor.
For two decades, Kathy and Tommy are in love. The problem is, neither is aware of the other's true feelings. Immaturity, constant misunderstandings, and a jealous, scheming, sometimes friend/sometimes foe, Ruth, constantly distract and confuse Kathy and Tommy to keep them apart and unable to express and share their mutual feelings for each other.
This love story is enlightening, inspirational, and sad - all at the same time, throughout the narrative.
Jim Vuksic
Richard,
The technical problem with the communication page link of the website has been resolved by the publisher's IT department. It is now functioning properly.
Thank you for notifying me of the issue.. I seldom access the site.
Jim Vuksic
The technical problem with the communication page link of the website has been resolved by the publisher's IT department. It is now functioning properly.
Thank you for notifying me of the issue.. I seldom access the site.
Jim Vuksic
Jim Vuksic
Richard,
Thank you for informing me of the issue with the communication page of the website. I contacted the publisher. A corrective action request has been submitted to their IT department. Hopefully, the problem will be resolved in a timely fashion.
I would be glad to provide a guest post on your blog expanding my original post regarding proper self-promotion by authors. What is the preferred method or procedure you would like for me to follow? Have you any specific questions in mind for me to address? Feel free to contact me via private message if you prefer.
Jim Vuksic
Thank you for informing me of the issue with the communication page of the website. I contacted the publisher. A corrective action request has been submitted to their IT department. Hopefully, the problem will be resolved in a timely fashion.
I would be glad to provide a guest post on your blog expanding my original post regarding proper self-promotion by authors. What is the preferred method or procedure you would like for me to follow? Have you any specific questions in mind for me to address? Feel free to contact me via private message if you prefer.
Jim Vuksic
Jim Vuksic
Ken,
I can only share my personal opinion in regards to reviews.
The vast majority of readers never post ratings or reviews. Their opinions and recommendations are limited to those shared verbally with acquaintances. Those readers that choose to post ratings and reviews do so to share their personal opinion of a book with other readers, not the author.
Since reviews are just personal opinions, they are subjective. Few readers base their reading choices upon reviews, good or bad. Do not confuse consumer reviews with endorsements and evaluations by professional reviewers that are employed by or sub-contracted to well-established, reputable newspapers and periodicals. They are two different things.
My advice: don't worry about reviews. Focus upon continuously improving your writing skills, produce quality work, be patient, and the reviews will eventually appear. Whether they matter or not is another question entirely.
I wish you success.
I can only share my personal opinion in regards to reviews.
The vast majority of readers never post ratings or reviews. Their opinions and recommendations are limited to those shared verbally with acquaintances. Those readers that choose to post ratings and reviews do so to share their personal opinion of a book with other readers, not the author.
Since reviews are just personal opinions, they are subjective. Few readers base their reading choices upon reviews, good or bad. Do not confuse consumer reviews with endorsements and evaluations by professional reviewers that are employed by or sub-contracted to well-established, reputable newspapers and periodicals. They are two different things.
My advice: don't worry about reviews. Focus upon continuously improving your writing skills, produce quality work, be patient, and the reviews will eventually appear. Whether they matter or not is another question entirely.
I wish you success.
Jim Vuksic
Lorena,
I do not intend to write another book unless the first novel "Levels" becomes a commercial success. As of now, it has only sold 917 units. If "Levels" were to eventually become successful, a sequel will be published. The first sixteen pages of the manuscript for the sequel are already on-file with the publisher. The title of the proposed book is "The Changed Ones - Book II of "Levels".
Thank you for taking the time to post your question. I appreciate it.
JIm
I do not intend to write another book unless the first novel "Levels" becomes a commercial success. As of now, it has only sold 917 units. If "Levels" were to eventually become successful, a sequel will be published. The first sixteen pages of the manuscript for the sequel are already on-file with the publisher. The title of the proposed book is "The Changed Ones - Book II of "Levels".
Thank you for taking the time to post your question. I appreciate it.
JIm
Jim Vuksic
Ms. Zigler,
My favorite author of all time is Samuel Langhorne Clemens aka Mark Twain. I particularly admire his writing style which he so subtly adapted to attract readers' changing attitudes and genre preference from the mid-19th. century through the dawn of the 20th. century.
My favorite book is "Aztec" by Gary Jennings, published by Forge in 1980. Mr. Jennings depicts the rise and fall of the ancient Aztec empire in what is now Mexico in such a realistic and entertaining fashion that the reader cannot help but become enraptured by and sympathetic to the main character, who narrates the bulk of the story in the first-person.
My favorite author of all time is Samuel Langhorne Clemens aka Mark Twain. I particularly admire his writing style which he so subtly adapted to attract readers' changing attitudes and genre preference from the mid-19th. century through the dawn of the 20th. century.
My favorite book is "Aztec" by Gary Jennings, published by Forge in 1980. Mr. Jennings depicts the rise and fall of the ancient Aztec empire in what is now Mexico in such a realistic and entertaining fashion that the reader cannot help but become enraptured by and sympathetic to the main character, who narrates the bulk of the story in the first-person.
Jim Vuksic
Ms. Zigler,
The three would be Socrates, William Shakespeare, and Mary Ann
Evans.
I would let Socrates know how much I admire the sense of honor and courage that inspired him to choose a mandatory sentence of death by suicide rather than compromise his principles.
I would ask William Shakespeare which works, attributed to him today, were not actually written by him, and if granted the opportunity, would he come forward and set the record straight, even if it would diminish his standing somewhat within the literary community.
I would ask Mary Ann Evans how much it bothered her to have to write under the pseudonym George Eliot due to the prejudice against female authors during the 19th century, and how many of her close friends knew at the time that George Eliot was actually she.
The three would be Socrates, William Shakespeare, and Mary Ann
Evans.
I would let Socrates know how much I admire the sense of honor and courage that inspired him to choose a mandatory sentence of death by suicide rather than compromise his principles.
I would ask William Shakespeare which works, attributed to him today, were not actually written by him, and if granted the opportunity, would he come forward and set the record straight, even if it would diminish his standing somewhat within the literary community.
I would ask Mary Ann Evans how much it bothered her to have to write under the pseudonym George Eliot due to the prejudice against female authors during the 19th century, and how many of her close friends knew at the time that George Eliot was actually she.
Jim Vuksic
Susan,
"After the Rain" is Mr. Facinelli's first attempt at writing a novel. I believe that he may have chosen the YA genre because he has a built-in fan base, due to his co-starring role in the successful "Twilight" movies.
As soon as his book is released next year, I'll remind you, as requested.
Jim
"After the Rain" is Mr. Facinelli's first attempt at writing a novel. I believe that he may have chosen the YA genre because he has a built-in fan base, due to his co-starring role in the successful "Twilight" movies.
As soon as his book is released next year, I'll remind you, as requested.
Jim
Jim Vuksic
With the exception of the self-promotion opportunities afforded by the Goodreads literary website, I leave marketing to those assigned by the publisher to do so. They include a marketing representative, a publicist, and the IT group that created and maintains the website, custom-designed to promote my novel Levels.
I demonstrate my appreciation for the time and effort these professionals expend on my behalf by following up on all leads; ready to deliver a polished, well-rehearsed presentation.
I believe that engagement in social websites such as Facebook and Twitter are the least effective promotional tools. Marketing is most effective when left to the professionals, trained and experienced in the process.
I demonstrate my appreciation for the time and effort these professionals expend on my behalf by following up on all leads; ready to deliver a polished, well-rehearsed presentation.
I believe that engagement in social websites such as Facebook and Twitter are the least effective promotional tools. Marketing is most effective when left to the professionals, trained and experienced in the process.
Jim Vuksic
Nothing allows you to express your innermost feelings as effectively as writing.
It is impossible to adequately describe the feeling of satisfaction and euphoria experienced upon seeing a book that you wrote sitting on a bookstore or library shelf and being offered for sale by several different commercial vendors for others to read. The quarterly sales report and royalty check are an additional bonus.
It is impossible to adequately describe the feeling of satisfaction and euphoria experienced upon seeing a book that you wrote sitting on a bookstore or library shelf and being offered for sale by several different commercial vendors for others to read. The quarterly sales report and royalty check are an additional bonus.
Jim Vuksic
Most aspiring authors hope to one day become commercially successful, so that writing may be their sole career and provide for a reasonably comfortable lifestyle. This is a worthy goal. Don't let anyone dissuade you from nurturing your dream.
The dreams that come true are usually those that include hard work, study, practice, patience, perseverance, and the occasional reality check. By all means, follow your dream; it may come true. However, keep your options open; just in case it doesn't.
Another dream may be just waiting for you to acknowledge its presence, recognize its potential, and be willing to perform the hard work, study, and the occasional reality check to make it come true.
The dreams that come true are usually those that include hard work, study, practice, patience, perseverance, and the occasional reality check. By all means, follow your dream; it may come true. However, keep your options open; just in case it doesn't.
Another dream may be just waiting for you to acknowledge its presence, recognize its potential, and be willing to perform the hard work, study, and the occasional reality check to make it come true.
Jim Vuksic
Writing a novel was actually just one of several goals established for a bucket list that my late wife insisted that I create when I retired, after a 33-year management career with the H.J. Heinz Company, in 2001.
I am now working on accomplishing the final goal of that list - visiting all 50 states by car (43 down - 7 to go!). Between that, keeping in close contact with my four adult children and four grandchildren, and enjoying a fairly active social life, I doubt if I will ever find time to write another book.
I am now working on accomplishing the final goal of that list - visiting all 50 states by car (43 down - 7 to go!). Between that, keeping in close contact with my four adult children and four grandchildren, and enjoying a fairly active social life, I doubt if I will ever find time to write another book.
Jim Vuksic
I initially decided to write a book just to see if I could and had no intention of seeking publication. I figured it would be a constructive and interesting way to pass the time for three or four months.
It took me fourteen months to produce a completed, polished manuscript. I made a copy for each of my four adult children. Two of them insisted that I at least make an effort to have it published.
Four of five query letters, sent to five mainline publishers, received polite rejection responses. One resulted in a publishing contract.
It took me fourteen months to produce a completed, polished manuscript. I made a copy for each of my four adult children. Two of them insisted that I at least make an effort to have it published.
Four of five query letters, sent to five mainline publishers, received polite rejection responses. One resulted in a publishing contract.
Jim Vuksic
I often wondered what it would take to create and maintain a perfect social structure; one in which everyone, without exception, would have access to the exact same quantity and quality of food, clothing, housing, formal education and social advancement opportunities - a world in which being different would not just be accepted or tolerated, but would be considered admirable. Could such a society realistically exist? Thus, the world of "Levels" was born.
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