Simon Duringer's Blog, page 36

Martin Fletcher – Author

Earlier this evening, nay mid-evening yesterday, I informed my next guest that the preview for his upcoming Simons 10 Q Interview would be live on the blog early, as I was bound for an early night… Confidence was running high!

Some 20 drafts later and it was closing in on 4.30am; the introduction to my next guest had been completely vexing me. But nonetheless, remaining undeterred and with breakfast fast approaching, I eventually cobbled something together…

It is my honour and sincere privilege to announce the upcoming guest on Simons 10 Q Interviews, none other than the incredible Martin Fletcher. NBC News International Bureau Chief, War correspondent and Award winning author.

The career achievements of this one British born man are so vast and significant within media circles (and beyond) that I simply found myself unable to do them justice in such a confined space. Each time I began a new attempt I felt as I did when I first started writing Stray Bullet; like a man possessed at my qwerty, simply unable to stop writing…

That ladies and gentlemen, that is why I urge each and every one of you to read Martin’s Biography, released in 2008. Breaking News. For I cannot possibly do justice to a man in so few words that another highly competent author struggled to fit into an entire novel!

Breaking News is the story of one man’s career, a man Anderson Cooper describes as “The gold standard of television war correspondents”. A man whose career peeked and held for 15 years as NBC News Bureau Chief and international correspondent, such is the impact of his work.

Since retiring Martin has written three award winning bestsellers; Walking Israel: A Personal Search for the Soul of a Nation, The List, and most recently the award winning Jacob’s Oath: A Novel. We shall most definitely be talking to Martin about his three award winning novels during the upcoming interview.

He is none other than the Martin Fletcher ladies and gentlemen and he has won almost every award in TV journalism, including;

The du Pont, known as the TV Pulitzer, Five Overseas Press Club awards, Several Edward R. Murrow awards for excellence, Five Emmy awards; For his coverage of Kosovo, Rwanda, The first Palestinian uprising, The second Palestinian uprising, and his coverage of Israel’s war with Lebanon in 2006.

…and many more.

Martin Fletcher, is one of the most incredible and fascinating people to run the gauntlet of Simons 10 Q Interviews. I am certain to have some fun with our 10 questions, I will dig deep and ask what has not been asked previously in an attempt to discover what this icon of journalism has learned from his incredible and often harrowing travelling adventures.

Return soon to see Martin’s full interview, but for now ladies and gentlemen, from the North of the U.K. I bid you all Farewell, Good night & God bless!

If you cannot wait for the interview and would like to purchase any of Martin’s recent novels you can do so by following the relevant link below;

Jacob’s Oath: A Novel

The List

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet is available to buy on Amazon at;

The Martin Fletcher interview is due to take place during October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.

John Putnam – Author and Historian

If you are a fan of Social Media, you will know this man. If you have any interest in the Californian Gold Rush, you should know this man!

Metaphorically speaking John is waiting at work for me every time I clock on, for he is always one of the first cheery faces to appear on the timeline of the Book Lovers Group where I attempt, often in vain, to keep watch over the flock of 10,000+ members. So used to his face appearing am I that I even recall, before properly making his acquaintance, a change to his personal profile picture. It was like seeing an old friend shortly after a barbers visit, having taking on board a short back and sides. Retaining those familiar features but appearing with a new guise. But there was no mistaking that silver beard and that cheery smile, he could easily make it as a character from one of his books, he has that timeless and knowledgeable look about him.

John runs a website and blog aimed at those interested in the subject he is passionate and highly knowledgeable about; The Gold Rush, and on their own merits both are well worthy of a read, for John’s writing blends truths reported with historical precision, with fictional storylines, and he presents them like an artist. A passion he surely inherited from his father who was one of the last great calligraphers.

Currently doing the rounds with the release of his third novel, Into the face of the Devil, John Putnam has previously published; Tales from the Promised Land and Hangtown Creek and I am delighted that he will be joining me soon to run the gauntlet of Simons 10 Q Interviews.

If you can’t wait to read John’s tales during Simons 10 Q interview, then why not visit his website or blog or get down to amazon and pick up a copy of one of his books;

John Putnam Website

John Putnam Blog

Amazon Author Page

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet can be purchased at;

Stray Bullet – US Purchases

Stray Bullet – UK Purchases

The John Putnam interview is due to take place in October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.

Alex Cord – Actor, Author, Screen Writer

A mere sample of his acting credits include; Airwolf, Mission Impossible, The Brotherhood and Stagecoach…For his acting roles in Westerns he has been awarded a Golden Boot and he has also received a nomination for the coveted Golden Laurel award.

He has acted alongside Bing Crosby, Edmund O’Brien, Red Buttons, Van Heflin, Roy Scheider, Ernest Borgnine, Kirk Douglas, Telly Savalas and more, and is the envy of most men having shared on set embraces with Britt Ekland, Ann Margret, Diana Muldaur, Shirley Eaton and Mariette Hartley to name but a few. To this day Alex Cord still retains the presence and charm that has been making fans swoon for decades.

There have been video games based on his characters; Lego models immortalize him as does his place on the Western Walk of Fame in Newhall, California.

He is one of Hollywood’s most respected horsemen and has been a regular competitor in the Ben Johnson Pro-Celebrity Rodeos raising money for children’s charities. He is also one of the founders of the Chukkers for Charity Celebrity Polo Team which has raised more than $3 million for worthy causes.

Alex Cord has also become a master of the pen and as an author currently resides within the Timber Creek Press stable. He has published Novels including; Sandsong, Days of the Harbinger and A Feather in the Rain, which is shortly to be created into a movie and already boasts the endorsements of Sylvester Stallone and Harrison Ford.

Ladies and gentlemen come back shortly as I will be talking to living legend Alex Cord who I am honoured to announce will be joining me on Simons 10 Q Interviews.

If you would like to go immediately to buy Alex’s book or learn more about his many achievements, you can do so by visiting either of the links below;

Timber Creek Press

Alex Cord Amazon Page

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet can be purchased at;

Stray Bullet – US Purchases

Stray Bullet – UK Purchases

The Alex Cord interview is due to take place in October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.

Dani Weiser – Hollywood Make Up Artist

So, what happens when your Novel finally makes it to the Big Screen and success has those Hollywood Directors chasing you down? Well, for a start your lead characters are likely to bump into this guest who could be at the front line transforming their appearances into;

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

I am delighted that I will soon be welcoming Dani Weiser; professional Hollywood make up artist, lecturer and abstract painter to Simons 10 Q Interviews.

Starting her career at the age of 15 Dani worked as an extra on the movie set of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin. It was then, having watched Steve Martin’s make up artists at work, that she discovered her calling and set about learning the craft of a professional make up artist, in time developing a particular passion towards the world of special effects.

One of her early commissions was to work on the set of Paula Abdul’s first music video Straight Up after which she quickly moved on to establish an enviable reputation within Hollywood.

Amongst Dani’s television credits are; Beverly hills 90210, The Bold and the Beautiful, Ghost Hunters and various shows on the Discovery Channel. She has also been the make up artist for music artists UB40 and KISS, and worked on the film set of Shadow Hours starring Peter Weller.

Previously a teacher at the Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles, Dani has lectured at R.I.T (Rochester Institute of Technology) in New York and has been interviewed several times by New York television. She has also been asked to write the foreword to a British makeup book called Stage and Screen Makeup written by Kit Spencer.

I am delighted that Dani has agreed to join me on Simons 10 Q Interviews to talk about her work, her art and the busy life of working within Hollywood…

If you can’t wait to read Dani’s response in Simons 10 Q interview, then why not visit her websites and learn more about the services she offers to her Hollywood clientele and her passion for creating fantasy and abstract oil paintings.

www.hollywoodmakeupartist.net

http://daniweiserartist.com/

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet can be purchased at;

Stray Bullet – US Purchases

Stray Bullet – UK Purchases

The Dani Weiser interview is due to take place in October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.

Rene Schultz – Author

Rene Schultz has spent much of the past 30 years in a world where courting big business is second nature and a single conversation over a corporate lunch could likely spawn several bestselling concepts.

But, it was not until she withdrew permanently to the tranquillity of a mountainside retreat that she penned her first Novel; Searching4MrRight.com. A tongue in cheek look at internet dating; her novel had mass appeal and was snapped up by Barnes and Noble back in 2008. But, despite penning a Bestseller, Rene did not enjoy the experience of traditional publishing and quickly withdrew, taking the rights to her book with her…. She retired from the pen for over 5 years.

It was only the intervention of her son that eventually lured her back to the QWERTY; a place where she certainly appears most comfortable and her talents truly shine. Agreeing, somewhat hastily, to decide the future of her writing career by the toss of a coin, fate landed on the side of the reader and she was sent spiralling back into the word game. Earlier in 2013 Rene Schultz delivered an excellent piece of contemporary fiction Bishop Street which sported one of my favourite covers of the year.

Rene’s diverse writing skills have proven to be prominent in the genre of contemporary fiction, where they might tragically have lay dormant and undiscovered had it not been for the influence of her son and the subsequent release of Bishop Street. The thought provoking storyline in this latest novel has quickly gained mass praise throughout dozens of 5* reviews.

But the story by no means ends there and I have been amongst the privileged few to catch a preview of the cover of Rene’s third novel Done Deal, which is currently in final editing and has the potential to deliver an instant hit, already tantalising those fortunate enough to gain a preview.

Rene Schultz’s wealth of experience in the why’s and wherefores’ of the corporate world has certainly done her no harm in developing a talent for expressing; true to life, heart wrenching and hard hitting storylines filled with moral and ethical dilemmas, and I am delighted that she has agreed to run the gauntlet of Simons 10 Q Interview….

“I’ve never jumped out of a plane, climbed Mt. Everest, or seen the Northern Lights of Alaska. But, I have danced in the rain, sent a message in a bottle, and I’ve rode my motorcycle down The Pacific Coast Highway on sunny California days!” Rene Schultz 2013.

Stand by to embrace the world of Rene Schultz…. Good Morning Rene….

SD Q1: Your first book; Searching 4 MrRight.com was picked up by B&N and gained you some acclaim. A highly entertaining novel based upon your own experience of internet dating. What is the profile of your ideal man?

RS A1: I’m laughing at your question! Is there such a thing as an ideal man, or was that concept simply a figment of my imagination? When I started on my journey to find Mr. Right. after leaving a long marriage, never in my wildest dreams had I considered dating. I hadn’t dated in twenty-five years. Then one day, my girlfriends started pushing me toward the new wave of technology called; ‘Internet dating’. I wasn’t looking for a perfect ‘Prince Charming’ – just someone who had good communication skills (able to converse with more than one-syllable answers); a great sense of humour (but not a quirky comedian); close to my age (experienced in life-but not looking like my grandfather); financially stable (not living under a freeway underpass); and someone who on occasion likes to live on the edge (but, doesn’t jump off!). Not an exemplary list of qualities but all a ‘must’ in my book! After years of dating and stories that brought my friends to fits of laughter, I decided to chronicle my hilarious experiences in Searching4MrRight.com.

SD Q2: In promoting Looking 4 MrRight.com, you embarked upon a 100 store signing tour. That must have been somewhat of a logistical nightmare. Which store and cities hold the fondest and worst memories for you during the tour and why?

RS A2:

Best Memory: Six years ago, the online dating scene was just beginning to explode. Lucky for me, I was right in the middle of this booming new industry of matching-up singles! With this new concept of dating, and my entertaining sense of humour, I was asked by the corporate offices of Barnes and Noble and Borders to schedule book signings where ever I wanted. I love to travel and meet new people; so the book signings were just an excuse to take another road trip! I live thirty miles north of Los Angeles, nestled in the hills of Malibu. Los Angeles is the largest arena for all kinds of major, media blitz. Located in the heart of L.A. is The Grove. It’s an upbeat, upscale shopping area that is centred around a large grassy knoll, water fountains that shoot straight-up and paired with music, and an old-fashion cable car that goes from end to end. It’s also considered a major hub for the Who’s Who in Beverley Hills and frenzy for celebrity sightings. In the middle of the shopping centre is a Barnes and Noble bookstore. A month before the book signing, they showcased a (6’ by 6’) poster of me in the storefront window. There I was, in all my glory, sitting on my motorcycle wearing a big smile. That was a very surreal feeling looking at my poster in the window at – The Grove. Especially when the poster next to mine was Ray Bradbury! That night a very large crowd of family, friends and bystanders showed up and it turned into a typical ‘Hollywood Shindig’.

Worst Memory: I can honestly say I didn’t have a worst. I thought they were all unique and different. Each city had their own idiosyncratic clientele from within their area.

SD Q3: You took some time out from writing before coming back with a vengeance delivering an extremely well written and presented novel; Bishops Street. Had it not been for your initial success, would Bishop Street still be locked away in the memory banks or was it always on the cards?

RS A3: Six years ago, I was working on Done Deal when I slipped in a non-fiction book, Searching4MrRight.com. I signed a 3-year contract for S4MR with a ‘traditional’ publisher. It was a smaller publishing house and fairly new on the scene. When Searching4MrRight.com came out it was very successful and the publisher used the revenue of my book to publish 16 other books. When they couldn’t pay my royalties, things got complicated, and I sued for my ‘copyrights’ back. It was a big fiasco, and one I did not wish to repeat—ever again. So, I quietly slipped into a reclusive state of mind, and continued to write. As I was writing Done Deal, I began thinking about Maggie, my main character in Bishop Street and outlining the storyline in my head. Sounds crazy, but I don’t document outlines or take notes whilst working on my stories. I just sit at a computer and let my characters dictate the plot. After a year or so, I had finished my two novels and I found myself writing three screenplays; High Stakes, Left Behind, and Bishop Street.

Three months ago, my son, who is a major player in the field of technology, convinced me to self-publish. With technology taking over the world and paperbacks on the verge of becoming obsolete, I thought it was a great time to test the waters with Bishop Street. Being a newcomer to the world of self-publishing, I joined the field of ‘Indie’ authors, and absorbed all the knowledge I could find about self-promotions. I wandered through Facebook pages and found two amazing reviewers (Sue Ward and Philomena Callan – ’2 Friends’ – FB page) from the UK. They asked to review Bishop Street, so reluctantly I sent them a copy. To an author, it’s like handing your baby over to strangers, and hoping they will give it back – without destroying your dreams. They read it that night and within hours my email box was full. Every since, they have become my biggest fans. After Bishop Street they coerced me into letting them Beta read, Done Deal. They loved that too and are anxiously awaiting its release. But, it was the acceptance of Bishop Street by both reviewers and readers that has finally made me feel comfortable wearing my ‘author shoes’!

SD Q4: The cover of Bishops Street is what initially turned my eye to your work, indeed it might be something I would have hanging, framed, on a wall. Where did the inspiration for the cover come from and what importance did you place on presentation when deciding upon the appearance of the cover?

RS A4: It is very important to an author to have a eye-catching cover. I wanted one that could easily relate to the storyline. For months, I searched through thousands of pictures looking for a perfect image for the book. I searched all kinds of websites, including photography sites like ‘Flickr.’ One day, I went into ‘The Library of Congress’ and rummaged through their old pictures of orphanages in the 1950’s. I knew that exact moment, when the picture popped onto the screen, I had finally found my cover. Those little children in that picture is exactly what I visualized in my dreams while I was writing Bishop Street. It wasn’t until later, that I found the second picture. I sent it off to Michael Price and his artistic talent with double-exposure, ultimately created my perfect cover.

SD Q5: Bishop Street is based around the main character Maggie and her struggle in coming to terms with being physically abused as a child. What inspired you to write about such an emotionally draining subject and what effect did your research have on you personally?

RS A5: I think that most authors draw from the different areas of their lives and lifetime experiences when writing. I did do research for some parts of the book, but most areas I relied on my innermost feelings from childhood. I had a very dysfunctional childhood that was surrounded by abuse. As a child, I would fantasize of what it would be like to be part of a ‘normal’ family. So I would watch television shows like: Ozzie & Harriet; Leave It to Beaver; Father Knows Best. Those shows were always a constant reminder of what I was missing. As I grew up, I realized that life is not perfect and it’s all about, what you make of it. I never dwell on my past, I always think of today and how lucky I am. I think every character in Bishop Street is a small part of who I am. Maggie the successful author who struggles with life; Elizabeth the mother who finally finds happiness through her family; Randolph the recluse; and Lucy brings out that emptiness I sometimes revert back to. I mention this as an acknowledgement in the book. As a survivor, this was a very cathartic book for me.

SD Q6: Your new novel A Done Deal is currently in final edit. Is there any set date that we can expect it to become widely available and as a self published author this time around, how will you be promoting it?

RS A6: I’m hoping to get it out by the end of November. It’s in the editing stage right now. Editing is such an important part of a successful author. But finding a seasoned editor who relates to your style and voice is sometimes difficult.

Unfortunately, technology has closed the doors of a lot of bookstores, and paperbacks will soon be a thing of the past. Electronics of all varieties have become the wave of the future for the new generations of readers. The Internet has a resourceful community for ‘Indie’ authors and gives us a variety of places to promote our books. It exposes us to great supporters like; reviewers, readers, bloggers and other authors. Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, Twitter, and online bookstores are another form of communicating with others and gives us the ability to target the readers. If you’re technology challenged like me, it not easy! But that is where you will find me, on a daily basis!

SD Q7: You have given a graphics student the opportunity to design your latest cover and use it within their portfolio. An admirable gesture indeed. What level of importance do you put on giving something back to the community and is this a precedent that you envisage following on all of your future Novels?

RS A7: Actually, I found Michael Price by pure accident. I found a unique picture on ‘Flickr’ of an old orphanage in Galveston. I wrote the photographer and he wrote me back. He was a student of Art/Design in Texas who loved to take pictures. I didn’t use his picture, but he offered to help me with my book cover. In return, he used it in one of his classes and tucked it into his future portfolio. When I found my picture in the Library of Congress, I set them to him. He did an amazing job with the first picture; then I threw him a curveball. A week later, I found the bottom picture of the older, ruffian type children and sent it to him. We collaborated and came up with a unique and artistic cover for Bishop Street. Months later, I shot him off an email to see if he had the time and wanted to team-up again for Done Deal. He was excited, so I sent him a vision of what I was looking for. A week later, I knew he had captured exactly what I had pictured.

I believe that everyone needs a break. I was given a break when I first started writing. A known author took my first three chapters of Done Deal and critiqued it. She shredded it down, from 16 pages to 4. Her helpful advice was—“get rid of the backstory and make the first chapter your hanging ‘hook’.” Along with—“make sure each sentence has value and moves the story along, or get rid of it.” Her critique made me work harder at becoming a better author. I still hear those words when I sit down and write. And for that I am thankful. Now, over the past few years I have mentored a few young talented authors myself. I think it’s important in life to ‘pay it forward’. I’m a big believer in giving back and helping each other.

On my Facebook-Author page (Rene-D-Schultz-Author) everyday, I post an inspirational quote from famous people and then I give my own spin on it.

SD Q8: You’ve spent almost 30 years surrounded by bankers; knowing of your artistic talent and themselves completely out of ideas on how to get the economy moving, a group of bankers lure you into one of their vaults. It’s full to the rafters with every design of twenty, fifty and hundred dollar bill ever produced…. they refuse to release you until you come up with three new faces to inspire the American nation and be printed on the obverse side of a new set of the dollar denominations described. With carte blanche on artistic licence, which three people (or characters) would you come up with and why?

RS A8:

$20 Bill $20 - I’m going to take it one step further and instead of people or characters, I think with all the upheaval that is surrounding our government this past few months, symbols would be appropriate. As the world is facing unrest in many countries and others are simply trying to survive, my focus is for peace, humanity, and feeding all those hungry children. So if I had carte blanche on an artistic license, an abstract picture representing all of those elements would be my choice.

$50 Bill $50 – Statue of Liberty – The Statue of Liberty represents friendship between nations and freedom from oppression.

$100 Bill $100 – The American Flag – Representing a nation undivided. It is the symbol of life, strength, resolve and perseverance of the American people.

SD Q9: Your new novel a Done Deal is based upon another subject that will tug at the heartstrings of many; three books, three very different but widely appealing subject matters. What will book four be about and what will you do to ensure it has the same level of appeal?

RS A9: With the new age of technology, hackers become a reality and new Robin Hoods’ emerge…

Done Deal is about an ordinary woman, who leaves an unbelievable, but extraordinary ‘legacy.’ Single-handedly, she forfeits her integrity and financially takes down major pharmaceuticals and insurance companies— leaving the government desperately searching for answers. With the rising costs of medications, costly clinical studies, and insurance companies unwilling to pay for expensive drugs to save the lives of patients… a hero steps forward! My next book is going to have a ‘moral to the story’ type feel to it. It’s about a very bright twenty-eight year old young woman who learns one of the biggest lessons in her life — ‘Beauty is only skin deep…’

SD Q10: You have been a City dweller and a Country lady. Which has brought you more joy and why?

RS A10: I was raised in California. I got married when I was young and had two sons. My ex-husband worked in Beverly Hills during our marriage, and continues to work there as a Private Banker. I have met many rich and famous people. I have socialized in circles, many would be envious of. But when it came to raising my two sons, I chose to move to a safe, small rural community, nestled in the hills just outside of Los Angeles. I wanted them to experience a much calmer, and quieter pace of life. I’m a very private lady who enjoys listening to the birds singing in the morning on my patio, shopping at our local farmer’s market and volunteering in the community.

SD Comment: Rene, it has been an absolute pleasure. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with me and I wish you all the best with your new book Done Deal when it is released in the near future.

If you are simply itching to get your hands on a copy of either of Rene Schultz’s novels then why not visit her amazon sites below;

Searching4MrRight.com

Bishop Street

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet can be purchased at;

The Rene Schultz interview took place on 18 October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.

Novel Ideas

For those who don’t recognise the name, you should…. Novel Reads by Novel Ideas is the Bestselling E-Zine run by Britain’s very own PR and Promotions expert to the Indie world of publishing; The Very Expert Nick Wale.

With a handsome list of clientele extending across the seven seas, Nick is quickly becoming a fixture in Indie Publishing that cannot be ignored. His talent for catching an interview opportunity and following up on leads for his clients is remarkable. Working across several time zones he endures endless hours in pursuit of promotional excellence for his clients.

In the Indie world we all know the importance and impact of those who review our work, so let’s not take my word for it but soak up the contents of this 5* review of Nick’s work by one of his very prominent clients;

“He soaks up information like a sponge and can take a new idea further in a day than anyone I’ve met in years. You would be very fortunate to have Mr Wale working for you”.~ Terry Irving- Emmy-award winning TV news producer and author of “Courier”.

Ladies and gentlemen, take several deep breaths and prepare to be windswept… The whirlwind that is Nick Wale is in the house…

Today Nick Wale has joined me on Simons 10 Q Interviews; whilst I may have been asking the questions, I can’t help but feel that Nick Wale has been controlling the pace. His enthusiasm is unquestionable and he fired back answers like roadrunner on speed. His motivation towards his clients is viral and addictive and his pitch is deadly…. Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen as before the end of this interview you could find his frank, open and honest answers enthusing you to march down Pall Mall bearing placards stating “Nick Wale for Prime Minister” and… I think he’d get my vote!

Welcome Nick Wale….

SD Q1: You entered publishing in the midst of a revolution and effectively created your own niche promoting the work of others; Already the creator of multiple Indie Bestsellers on behalf of your clients, what has been your proudest moment so far and why?

NW A1: My proudest moment? I think that must have been when Cliff Roberts broke into the top ten with three consecutive books. It was a lot of hard work that paid off. The first two Reprisal books sold several thousand copies during their first couple of weeks of release. That was a thrill– then to win sales awards, win the attention of other authors and be copied by them? To have my PR style borrowed by authors all over the world? To tell the foreman where to stick it and become my own boss? All proud moments… I’ve been blessed, and that in itself may be my proudest moment. I really hit the cosmic jackpot with my career. From unemployed dude, to interviewer, to PR guy to….what’s next? It took a year of graft to get this far. Just think where it’ll be in a few years? It excites me just thinking about it. That may be my proudest moment–just there–thinking about the journey I have undertaken and what is yet to come.

SD Q2: How many books do you estimate you have read over the years and what is your preferred genre both as reader and promoter?

NW A2: I’ve read probably more than I’ve promoted! Seriously, I have spent years reading and that’s no lie. I’ve read until I’ve gone cross-eyed. My preferred genre? Hell, kid! I can make anything sell, so I don’t go for book racism. If it’s good I want it. I have had success with thrillers, mystery, horror, self-help… The list goes on! Nobody thought Tommy Ufert would hit the top spot… He did… twice!

SD Q3: The stable of authors you promote is already impressive, how many more can you handle on your own before reaching capacity and have you already got prospects to fill those gaps in your sights?

NW A3: I just signed a guy called Bruce Bennett who will become one of the biggest things I’ve ever handled. How many more can I handle? As many as I want. I believe in using to-do lists as much as possible. I work with a Chinese plate philosophy. Make one hit book and spin it–move onto the next–move onto the next–keep them all spinning, and when one fades, replace it with another hit. Right now, Cliff is selling, Mike Trahan is selling, RJ Smith is selling, etc… Bruce Bennett and Rosanne Dingli are going to start spinning soon. It’s a crazy world, and I love it. Who do I want next? I want anyone who has a great book! I’m young, brash, cocky and arrogant AND very good at making hits happen very quickly, so whilst I can keep the clients happy and their hits rolling I won’t be setting limits.

SD Q4: The Indie world is reputed to be pumping out 1,000,000 new titles each year and in turn this, as with most new and expanding market places, has attracted the less than scrupulous into the business looking for that quick buck. How would you advise those who are looking for assistance in getting published, to ensure that they do not overpay for publishing services or end up with a poor quality product for their money?

NW A4: Write great product, hire a good editor, like mine! Save yourself the heartbreak of begging for a big publishing contract and self-publish. Then read what other bestsellers are doing and recreate the formula. Look at the way they list their books, the way they are pushing their product. Make great use of keywords and similar titles. Do not believe they have the edge. You have the edge. In this industry, you can DO ANYTHING you want! Want to be a big star? Do it! Now, I want to stress that you should not pay for anything you don’t have to. Don’t sign contracts with small publishing houses who want you to pay for your own returns. Don’t pay twenty-thousand dollars for editing five pages. If it smells bad, it’s bad, and steer away from it. If you’re an author and you want to succeed, you have to be prepared to spend some money, but let’s keep it serious, folks. If you don’t feel comfortable with a price you are given, shop around. There are con artists in this industry, and I have dealt with a fair few of them. Sometimes you will find that a small publisher wants to sign you just so you can pay him/her to edit your book. Sometimes a small publisher wants you to cover the cost of printing books. If they ask you to do that, return the contract in pieces. As an author you are required to pay for nothing for the actual publishing of your book. However, If you want a PR guy like me, you will have to shell out; if you want to have the book professionally edited (a must, as far as I’m concerned), you will need to shell out. Just don’t go paying the bills of no-value services, small-publishing outfits promising the world, and Tweeting services with three followers, kids. Certain people will try to make you do that, and you just have to keep your wits about you.

SD Q5: You regularly communicate with all your clients whom are located across all corners of the globe. Indeed working within the same time zone as you I have been astonished that sending emails on to you at the crack of sparrows more often than not generates an instant response, even on weekends! How does an ‘average’ day pan out for you?

NW A5: I wake up around 10am UK time and start my day by catching the news, always the news. Then I check my email from my nice, comfy bed. I make sure to spin a few records in the morning and answer urgent mail. URGENT usually comes from Cliff Roberts who wants to know when his next royalty check is going to arrive. I then have some breakfast, catch a few smokes and stumble into my office. My laptop is usually waiting for me and it’s off to work. First thing– make sure FB pages are updated and check FB messages; then onto Twitter, nickwale.org, and so it goes. I then start pushing books, and it doesn’t stop. I can be on the phone with Hollywood one second and Skyping with Mr R Briggs from Australia the next. Once I am in front of my laptop working, there’s no set anything. I work until I drop, and then I wake up the next day and do the whole thing over again. Emmy-winner Terry Irving, one of my first major clients, once asked, “Does Nick ever sleep?”

Always! You’d never know it though.

SD Q6: You agree to spend the rest of your days sealed within the British Library. Noting your passion for books, those incarcerating you decide you will be provided with everything you need to live out your days wanting for nothing. Your final granted concession is to choose within which departments to build the final four areas of your accommodation, though you will have to live amongst the literature held there. One area per department of your choice; Where would you choose to put; your living room, kitchen, bedroom and lavatory and why?

NW A6:

Living Room The smoking section.

Kitchen Hmm… Magazine section so I can check out the latest Playboy issue whilst I cook.

Bedroom Near the exit so I can sneak out for a few burgers.

Lavatory Thriller section so I can read in comfort.

SD Q7: For those who remain undecided between self publishing and traditional publishing, what in your opinion are the key pros and cons for each side of the argument?

NW A7: Traditional publishing? Long waits to hear from agents, disinterested publishing companies and a lack of support from them when you do get signed. Low sales, high returns and a slapstick style of promotion. Have you checked out the book posters they come up with? A chimp could do better. In fact… I hear Arrow use trained monkeys to do their promotional posters instead of paying for artists. If they had any brains they would be hiring the George Vegas of the world.

Self-publishing? Crap shoot– but a crap shoot YOU control! You can do whatever you want with it, and if you fail, you fail because you failed. If you succeed, you become a well-read, respected author with a bunch of money in your pocket. Isn’t that fairer? A chance to make it big without paying for the board meetings of Harper Collins.

SD Q8: I must congratulate you on your own publication Novel Reads which became an instant hit with top rankings on amazon. For the benefit of those considering a promoter for an existing or new publication, can you tell them what the final download number was for ‘Novel Reads’, what ranking it received and how quickly it got there?

NW A8: Novel Reads By Novel Ideas went to #1 in the U.S within a few hours and hit the UK #1 spot a few hours later. We moved several thousand copies within the first five days. We had a 50% increase in readership this month and next month will see another climb. The whole premise of the magazine is to put the spotlight right on top of independent books. The industry, Simon, is changing and you need visibility. E-zines are as essential to writers as Rolling Stone was to recording artists in the ’70s. If you want to be read, you need to be seen.

SD Q9: What is your favourite book and if different, your favourite author of all time and why?

NW A9: My favourite book is the Bible. I have always been fascinated by religious texts and the Bible is every single type of book all rolled into one easy to read package. Want adventure? Want inspiration? Put Deepak Chopra down and get yourself a copy of the Bible, the greatest text of all.

SD Q10: In your opinion, what does the future hold for the publishing industry and will traditional publishing survive within this on-going revolution?

NW A10: I get asked this a lot and my reply is as follows. The traditional publishing industry is about as relevant now as two cans with string would be to the British Telecom of today. There is NO future for the traditional publishing industry as stands. It’s a dying monster that refused to change with the times. I have heard it said that Neanderthal man still exists in the minds of the men and women running Harper Collins. Backward thinking, backward focused dinosaurs– the lot of them. It will be a pleasure to see these bigoted, small-minded companies falter and self-published authors take over the industry. If it was up to these conglomerates of evil we would lose hundreds of thousands of great manuscripts every year. We would be force-fed celebrity biographies until illiteracy ran rampant. Their slide has been a long time coming and good riddance. Let celebrity biographies become self-published and save us from the frankly boring and irresponsible lectures of self-help analysts with 1 million dollar contracts in their pockets. Additionally, when traditional publishing companies DO release a book worthy of reading, they dump promotional duties back on the author. What’s the point? Why give these companies your royalties when they do nothing for you? Self-publish, join the revolution and become part of the future. That’s what I have to say to authors– become the future and forget the past.

Website: http://nickwale.org/

Novel Reads: http://www.amazon.com/Novel-Reads-By-Ideas-ebook/dp/B00F0XL5UQ

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet can be purchased at;

Stray Bullet – US Purchases

Stray Bullet – UK Purchases

The Nick Wale interview took place on 13 October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.

Ken Farmer & Buck Stienke Interview

Ken Farmer and Buck Stienke's first meeting was driven by fate; a small purchase at a gun store, a casual conversation with its owner about a screenplay. The rest as they say is history....

The Ken Farmer & Buck Stienke interview is NOW LIVE. Don't miss this incredible insight into the minds of the Bestselling authors and owners of the Timber Creek Publishing & Production Companies.

http://simonduringer.com/latest-news/...

Laura Taylor – Author

If I were to talk about romance awards, I might start with the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement nominations, or maybe the Reviewers Choice awards. Perhaps I would attempt to list a number of specialist awards such as; the Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) MAGGIE awards or larger still, hazard a guess at the names of some of the most prestigious of national awards run by Romance Writers of America (RWA) – They have Golden Hearts, Golden Roses and RITA awards.

However, the next interviewee that I am honoured to have on Simons 10 Q Interview could probably name all of the above and more, though I imagine this demure International and Bestselling Romance Novelist may project a modest glow on hearing the names of those awards named above. As she; that is Laura Taylor, has at some stage in her writing career either won or been a finalist in each and every one of them.

Laura Taylor, International Bestselling Romance Novelist is also a highly respected consultant and Workshop Leader at writers’ conferences throughout the U.S. In her career to date she has sold a staggering 1,000,000+ paperbacks. Additionally, 500,000+ copies of her novels have been downloaded by eBook readers.

She is a permanent faculty member of the Southern California Writers’ Conference, a member of International Thriller Writers (ITW), and one of the original Founding Members, previously serving on the Board of Directors of Novelists, Inc.

….and Ladies and Gentlemen, today Laura Taylor has been running the gauntlet of

Simons 10 Q Interview.

SD Q1: You are an incredible novelist, role model to many and veteran of the publishing industry. At what age did you first become interested in writing and who or what finally inspired you to make the transition from reader to professional writer?

LT A1: My grandmother was responsible for inspiring my childhood dream of becoming a writer. I was a painfully shy child, and she saw a need for me to become more communicative and to have a greater understanding of myself and my thoughts. She called the first journal she gave to me at age 6 my Book of Dreams.

Although my academic pursuits, as well as my Bachelor of Science Degree, focused on law enforcement, that world proved quite harrowing at times. I had been journaling since childhood, and I was also an avid reader – both journaling and reading served as significant stress relievers. I think I walked a natural seeker’s path to my writing career, which I undertook at age 30 when my interest in criminology waned.

I never thought I could do a better job than already published writers, but the more I read, the more I longed to be a part of that creative community. And so, I took the plunge and began my first novel at age 30 after a life threatening bout with cancer. Becoming ill taught me to establish my priorities and to focus on them. Writing and the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle remain dual priorities all these years later.

SD Q2: You appear to have grasped electronic publishing firmly and with both hands achieving 500,000 downloads to date in addition to the incredible 1 million paperbacks you have sold. What is your impression of the publishing industry today and what does the future hold for the next generation of authors?

LT A2: My impression of publishing today is that the paradigm is shifting dramatically, and the possibilities for future generations of writers are limitless. That’s the good news. The tougher news, at least from my perspective as both a veteran writer and editor, is establishing the highest possible standards for our books.

When a writer takes on the Author-Publisher role, that writer is replacing more than a few dozen people and a corporate structure from the traditional publishing world. The onus is now on the writer to be realistic and pragmatic when establishing a viable book production team.

I would never presume to do this work alone. I am not fully qualified, despite having spent 30 years in this industry. I work with a brilliant artist, a young woman who grasps my vision for the faces of my books, a formatter who is also a skilled writer, and another very successful writer who acts as my social media consultant. Like all writers, my goal is to reach readers and to entertain them – that happens one reader at a time, one book at a time. That is one of the few things that has not changed during the preceding 30 years.

SD Q3: Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement nominations, Reviewers Choice awards, Georgia Romance Writers (GRW) MAGGIE awards, Romance Writers of America (RWA) – Golden Heart, Golden Roses and RITA awards… You’ve won or been nominated for each and every one. In your career to date, which award are you most proud of winning and why?

LT A3: Although I am deeply appreciative that my industry has honoured me with numerous book review and peer awards, the most meaningful award is that which is expressed to me through the loyalty of my readers. Romance readers are truly unique. They are the readers who open their hearts and make vulnerable their own emotions as they read my books. Their letters, their praise, their laughter and their tears – those are the true awards of my writing life; those are the awards that reside in my heart, inspire me to continue to write, and nurture me when life becomes particularly challenging. I am in the midst of an endless love affair with my readers.

SD Q4: With 1.5 million sales, that’s a huge fan base and sending each reader a Christmas card might be a big ask! Do you receive much by way of fan mail and if so how do you keep up with responses?

LT A4: Many readers routinely reach out to me, and I am often challenged to keep up with the flow of correspondence. Technology being what it is, most are now willing to check my Twitter and Facebook accounts for updates. And for that blessing, I am truly grateful.

SD Comment: Just in case anyone would like to friend or to follow Laura on Twitter of Facebook, here are the links;

Facebook: LauraTaylorRomanceWriter

Twitter: AuthorLTaylor

SD Q5: Which of your books did you get most pleasure from writing and why?

LT A5: Moment by Moment comes to mind as a personal favourite – I was able to situate a very sensual love story, which is what I invariably write, at my favourite local beach, as well as reflect creatively on a component of law enforcement within the larger framework of a tumultuous romance. It’s been particularly well received by readers since its release last month as an eBook.

I must confess, romance readers in this digital age are utterly remarkable. This year, I have re-released updated eBook editions of some of my backlist books – Desert Rose, Midnight Storm, Heartbreaker, More than Friends, Fallen Angel, Wilder’s Woman & Moment by Moment – and the reception has been nothing short of astounding. I am absolutely thrilled by the response! I’m also delighted to share with everyone the fact that I will re-release many more eBooks in 2014.

SD Q6: You are whisked away to a more romantic era and find yourself at a themed ‘time-warp’ ball. You must provide a completed dance card to the ushers in order to exit and return home. Given that you can choose anybody from any era in time to dance with, which three individuals would top your list and why?

LT A6:

Dance 1: My lover, because I adore being in his arms.

Dance 2: My late father, because he taught me to waltz when I was just 14, and I treasure that memory.

Dance 3: And you, Simon, because you asked the question!

SD Comment: Me? I am honoured, but must prepare…your second dance was the Waltz, so which should we dance, and what music should we glide to?

LT Answer: I love the mystery of the waltz – it speaks to shared conversation and private laughter – and it would be my dance of choice with everyone on my list. And my music of choice would be a subtle version of Tchaikovsky’s classic waltz from Act II of Swan Lake. Alas, I have a romantic heart!

SD Q7: You are a founder member of Novels, Inc. What motivated you to be a part of this organisation and what does it offer to authors, how/where can one sign up?

LT A7: I am very proud of my participation as one of the Original 25 Founding Members of Novelists, Inc. (NINC). The organization functions as an advocate for multi-published member writers who reside across the globe. There are plenty of opportunities for those interested in exploring NINC membership opportunities:

Another organization that I highly recommend is based in the UK. It’s The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and it is headed by my talented colleague, Orna Ross.

SD Q8: You have written a large number of Romantic novels since the 90′s, what actually is the total and do you think there is a limited amount an author can continue to deliver at such a high standard before becoming complacent or adhering to a predictable formula?

LT A8: I honestly cannot imagine becoming complacent when I write a love story. It doesn’t matter how many books I write in the future or have written in the past. What matters is the joy and passion that I am able to bring to each novel. I treat each and every book, from the first moments of conceptualization to the final execution of that concept, with the respect and love that my hero and heroine offer to each other. I make a promise to the readers each time I begin a novel. In a nutshell, I take a vow to give them my very best effort with every single word that I write. A lesser standard does both writer and reader a disservice.

SD Q9: A lot of talented authors seem to give up on their dreams as the negative responses come back from publishers. What advice would you give to those wishing to enter the literary world today and do you think it is becoming too crowded a place for talented authors to break through the mire?

LT A9: Talent is like cream. It rises to the top.

In my view, traditional publishing fails everyone when it neglects to contract the books of midlist writers. That is where the stars of the future once got their start. That is the pool of talent that must be allowed to emerge and find its legs with every generation of writers. In that talent pool we once discovered the stars of an entire generation.

Currently, traditional publishing appears to be dropping the ball. Fewer and fewer debut novels are being purchased, and fewer and fewer writers are being groomed by traditional publishing. Incredibly talented people are being ignored or rejected at every turn by traditional publishing. Personally, I am appalled that they don’t seem able to adapt their business model to the digital age.

Fortunately, however, talented writers are finding their way to the ranks of the Independent Author-Publisher. Their attention to detail and their willingness to write and produce their own books gives me optimism that those luminous talents will successfully forge a path through the mire in order to be acknowledged for their creative skill. Readers will discover and validate them. My caution to all of these writers would be as follows: be scrupulous, pay attention to the details, don’t get in a hurry, and never forget that a great book concept does not guarantee a skilled execution. The latter takes time, patience, editing, and then more editing!

SD Q10: Hypothetically, if you were to host Simons 10 Q Interviews, who would be your first guest and why?

LT A10: My first guest would be a dedicated romance reader, simply because romance readers fascinate me. I love listening to them speak about what attracts them to certain types of book, especially romance novels.

SD Comment: Laura, thank you very much for your time, your answers have been both open and informative, now I should tale my leave and venture out to get my feet into shape for our Waltz!

A run down of titles relisted and review snippets to Laura’s credit are listed below;

(Click on the title to purchase from the UK. For US, DE, CA & US use links at the end of the post)

Desert Rose: “If you like patriotic, tough as nails military guys with a sensitive side, read this!”

Midnight Storm: “It’s got everything – love, lust, action, suspense, and great characters!”

Heartbreaker: “Storytelling at its all-time best!”

More than Friends: “Another superb romance from Laura Taylor … I could not stop reading this book!”

Fallen Angel: “Excellence continues!”

Wilder’s Woman: “Romance at its finest!”

Moment by Moment: “Captivating, exquisitely written, and heart-warming.”

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet can be purchased at;

The Laura Taylor interview took place on 18 October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.

MOMENT BY MOMENT: “Laura Taylor explores the risks of love with sensitive precision. A chance meeting on a California beach between a soul-weary documentary filmmaker and a beautiful former cop leads first to friendship and then to something much deeper. But can these two people overcome bitter lessons of the past to build a lasting relationship? Ms. Taylor’s superb characterization and haunting ambiance will leave a lasting impression on your heart.” ROMANTIC TIMES Book Reviews

Amazon US link

Amazon DE link

Amazon CA link

WILDER’S WOMAN: Former federal prosecutor, now ex-con, Craig Wilder once symbolized the very best of the justice system, until a vengeful man and a faithless wife transformed his world into a living hell. No one knows the true extent of the damage done to Victim Advocate Tasha Lockridge – not even ex-husband Craig Wilder. Tasha’s fierce determination fuels her now that she’s found the evidence to vindicate Craig. She vows to fight for him, for the restoration of his reputation, for a reversal of his conviction, and for the rescue of his soul. Convincing Craig that she is his best ally is just the first battle in their seductive war of wills. This is a war Tasha intends to win. Only then will Craig Wilder realize that Tasha Lockridge has always been and will always be … WILDER’S WOMAN.

Amazon US link

Amazon DE link

Amazon CA link

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FALLEN ANGEL: “In Fallen Angel a lovely explosives expert retires to life as a specialty shop owner in Northern Nevada and falls in love with a high-powered lawyer. But can he accept who and what she has been? Multiple Award-Winning Romance Writer Laura Taylor touches our hearts with her sensitive perception of two wary lovers who find renewal in each other’s arms.” ROMANTIC TIMES Book Reviews

AMAZON US link

AMAZON DE link

AMAZON CA link

Garrard Hayes Interview

Garrard Hayes is currently enjoying the Number 1 position for his debut novel Bourbon and Blood. He kindly agreed to come blogging with me and take on ‘Simons 10 Q Interview’. The results were enjoyable, entertaining and some might say slightly controversial. It’s an interview not to be missed and is posted live now;

http://simonduringer.com/latest-news/...

Cliff Roberts – Author

Salesman, Businessman. Police commissioner, Politician, Author….

If Mensa were furnished with all those as variables, given Cliff Roberts as a teaser and asked to convert the data set into a mathematical equation to find the one constant across that series, I wonder if their analysis would lead them to the same conclusion as me?

SD Conclusion: Successful.

Cliff Roberts is a native of Detroit-who now lives in Sevierville, TN. He rarely gives interviews; they say he is a reformed politician who now prefers to spend the majority of his time at the QWERTY…and there is no reason to suggest otherwise as Cliff has released several novels of which his most recent Reprisal: The Eagle Rises became an Amazon Number 1 Bestseller.

Should it really come as any surprise that a man who has been forced into reinventing himself on so many occasions would not have the imagination and wherewithal to create an Amazon Number 1 Bestseller?

Let’s attempt to find out what led him down this interesting career path as Cliff runs the gauntlet of Simons 10 Q Interviews; The author and man who lives by the statement “The most successful people in life are those who make the best of plan B,”

Let’s see which plan Cliff Roberts sets in motion…

SD Q1: You have had a varied career leading up to becoming a Bestselling Author. Do you feel that the interpersonal skills developed working within these front line roles has given you an edge over other authors when writing about people and human behaviour?

CR A1: Absolutely, as a writer you need to know how people behave. Every job I ‘ve ever had required that I interact with the public and that education, “in people”, has helped me tremendously. I strongly believe if you’re going to be a writer, you also need to be a people watcher.

SD Q2: Throughout your sales career what is the most challenging thing you have had to sell and how did you overcome the difficulties you were confronted with in selling it?

CR A2: As I am sure most sales people will say it was ovecoming the price objection. Price is a big deal. For many years I struggled to convince myself that the products I represented were worth the price. What I really needed to do was convince the buyer the product was worth the price. I finally found a way to do both by changing my sales tactic. I stopped trying to sell things and started trying to help people. It was Zig Ziglar that said, this is probably a paraphrase,: “Help enough people get what they want and you will get what you want”. In the case of a professional salesman, you want more sales, and once I turned the corner in mind-set from selling to helping, I never encountered trouble making sales again. That was just one of the many situations I found myself confronting in life. It was a challenge I had to overcome. It is that stick- to- it -ness that has helped me develop my writing style and the story lines that have struck a nerve with readers, thus making me successful as a writer.

SD Q3: Salesman, Businessman, Police Commissioner? Perhaps these things work differently in the States, but for the benefit of my UK readers; How did the role of Police Commissioner come about and what was the most interesting or memorable case during your time in office?

CR A3: It was more the Safety Director than a Police Commissioner, though one of the departments I oversaw was the Police Department. I also oversaw the Fire Department and the Emergency Medical Service. The postion came about by default really because as the first outsider ever elected to a Township Supervisors position I was continually challenged by the old guard regarding my proposed changes to how the community was governed. When I started asking questions about issues in the Police Department, the safety board members, all the old guard clique, thought they’d put all the heavy work on me and I’d give up and let them tell me what to do. Nah, I liked being in charge despite the whiners who never had any ideas to help make anything better, but simply preferred to whine about not liking ‘this or that’.

Now, the communtiy I lived in was a rural communtiy outside Detroit, MI about sixty miles. We didn’t have violent crime, other than the occassional fight or domestic distrubance. The position of Safety Director was a field position so the most action I saw was riding along a couple of times and doing a few traffic stops and on one occasion I got to tour the morgue; that was setup to embarrass me. The Police Chief was hoping I’d pass out while watching an autopsy. No such luck. I’d spent plenty of time on the farm growing up and had helped take cattle to the slaughter house a few times, so an autopsy was no big deal.

SD Q4: It is said that you are now a recovering politician; who is your favourite politician ‘yet to recover’ and what do you feel he/she has achieved to make them stand out from others?

CR A4: It’s not so much that I am recovering. I like to think I’ve reformed. Just don’t let me get a hold of the microphone or get on stage. I tend to talk a bit and I can usually talk about anything to anyone at anytime. That’s a hold over from politics and sales together.

At the moment I don’t have a favorite politician. In our country there really aren’t many of them I’d give you tinkers damn for! In America, the politics of the moment seem to be; let’s make a deal and see how much money they can stick in each others pockets at the taxpayers expense. Our founding Father’s were hoping for Citizen Statesmen to lead the nation. Unfortunately, there isn’t anyone in Washington who thinks about the country before they think about what’s in it for them. I am a strong proponent of term limits, forcing the politicians to work the average wage of the community they represent and the poiticians not recieving a pension or any perks at all. They need to serve the Public. I doubt that will ever happen, but I am hopeful.

SD Q5: When were you first inspired to write a novel, what was the trigger that set you in motion, and as an ex salesman/businessman did you set yourself SMART targets to ensure it got finished within a set timescale or was it an ‘as and when’ project?

CR A5: I first started writing a novel back in the eighties. I had no goals for its completion and really no idea whether or not I’d even finish it. I’d thought about writing after High School and while in college, I took several creative writing classes and performed quite well in them, but life was just far too busy to stop and take the time to write a book. The desire to write finally returned after I was forced to retire and I quickly ran through the books at the library I enjoyed reading. I wasn’t much for watching TV or re-runs of the movies I’d seen a dozen times before. So, I did as one fo my fellow authors recommends, “If there is a story that interests you write you’re own”. So I did. Unlike before I now wanted to finish it and I wanted to write something that would have commerical value. First, because I thought it would be nice to leave a legacy to the family but then it occured to me that I might actually be able to make few dollars at it.

I write pretty much by the seat of my pants. I do use outlines, I use a story summary of sorts. I don’t tell myself to write so many works each day or set a deadline for completing the story. I write and I write until I’m happy with the story. Some stories take a month some have taken a few years.

SD Q6: I read a quote of yours suggesting along the lines of “when plan ‘a’ doesn’t work, always be prepared to use plan ‘b’, and then ‘c’, then ‘d’ etc….” Is this a kick back from contingency & disaster management when you were a Police Commissioner and can you give an example of a time you have stretched your way down that alphabet?

CR A6: I’ve always been someone who was looking for alternatives. Better ways to get things done. I had to literally live by that quote several times in my life but the first major change of plans happened when I was eighteen and suffered a work injury that nearly put me in a wheel chair for the rest of my life. So I didn’t learn it as Politician or a Safety Director, I’d already had to practice it several times in my life. In fact running for election was one of those times when I had to change my plans to deal with my life’s circumstances. I am hoping that God or life doesn’t have anymore big shakeups for me to deal with. I like being a writer and hope to be one for the rest of my life.

SD Q7: You recently took on the PR man Nick Wale who assisted your rise to Bestselling status. Would you recommend first time authors go down this ‘outsourcing’ route for their PR efforts and if so, why?

CR A7: I don’t think of my hiring Nick Wale as an outsourcing. He’s part of my team. Let’s face it despite having thirty years of experience in selling and promotion, I’m a bit older now and I don’t have the energy or the expertise on the computer or internet to get the job done. I would absolutely recommend that any one who is looking to build their writing career hire someone like Nick to promote them. But I also need to stress that promotion isn’t a one time thing. It’s an always thing. You have to let the public know you’re here and you have books they should read. Even the current greats or popular authors -James Patterson- for example, advertises everywhere. He’s at the top of the authors charts and the only way he’ll remain there is to keep his name in front of the public. Even if you’re a first time author, in fact because you are a first time author, you need to get your name out in front of the public. Now, I understand the issues because… well, I’m retired on disability and have a limited income, and most first time authors probably don’t have a pile of cash they can invest in their books. But, notice I said invest. If you’re going to be a known author, you will have to advertise/promote yourself and your books. Traditional publishers for the most part require you to sell a certain amount of books before they will spend any money advertising you and your books. Now they won’t give you years to sell five thousand copies so you’ll have to promote yourself before they will promote you. Many publishers require that every new author have a promotion package in place before they will offer a contract to them. That is of course, assuming you’re not a celebrity or a political figure. If you’re going to be an author and not write as a hobby you had better figure out who you’d like to work with and then hire them. Nick Wale will work with you if you have the drive and the willingness to obligate yourself to a budgeted monthly amount for his services. As the budget increases Nick’s services increase. But I have to say, I didn’t have that big a budget and he really made a huge difference in my sales.

SD Q8: When can we expect to see your next novel on the shelves, what is the subject matter and what will you be doing to top your recent successes with; Reprisal! The Eagle Rises?

CR A8: Yeah that’s always the case isn’t it. What are you going to do to make the book bigger and better than the last one? It’s hard to know how to answer that. Of course, I’ll be doing my best to write a book every bit as good or better than the last one I put out, but its no guarantee that the public will think it’s as good, even if I think it is! The next book, “The Motor Home,” will be out for the holiday season, its a short true story book about an old motor home that helped me find God in my life. Not exactly Reprisal material but fear not, in the early part of next year, The third book in the Reprisal Series will be released, “Reprisal! The Sorrow”. It’s written from a different perspective on the whole terror genre. It is still filled with lots of action, adventure, suspense, thrills, and chills but the story is probably not anything close to what the Reprisal readers might be expecting. Plus, I have two stand alone novels working through editing right now and they will be out as soon as they are done. So they might make Christmas, they might not.

SD Q9: Cliff Roberts; Salesman, Businessman, Police Commissioner, Politician, Author…. What comes next?

CR A9: I am hoping that author is the last title I’ll have. I really enjoy writing and I can see me doing this right up to the time God calls me home.

SD Q10: You are told that you will be sent forward in time, destination and era unknown. What three things would you be sure to take with you and why?

CR A10: First of all I wouldn’t take any technolgy. Anything we have will be hopelessly outdated and antiquated even if the future is only a year or two away. So I’d be taking one of my Reprisal books, to make sure they know who I am. I’d also take a large bottle of antibiotics-strong ones, because the WHO and CDC in Atlanta both are saying there will be new bugs in the future and hopefully the antibiotics will help protect me from them until I get acclimatised. And the last item would be a great recipe for pizza. A guys got to eat, right?

If you would like to purchase Cliff’s latest novel, you can do so by visiting the following Amazon link;

Interviewer Simon Duringer’s 5* Amazon rated thriller Stray Bullet can be purchased at;

Stray Bullet – US Purchases

Stray Bullet – UK Purchases

The Cliff Roberts interview took place on 16 October 2013

Simon Duringer © 2013.