One Year of Publishing, and My Upcoming Projects
One year ago, November 24, 2016, I became a published author with my first book, ‘Unreconstructed- A Story of the Old West’. This was after 8 years of writing most of my first 8 books, and going through the submission and query letter process with literary agents in New York and elsewhere. Having received several polite rejection letters, stating that my Post Civil War Westerns and Cold War Spy Thrillers ‘weren’t what they were looking for’ (this was in the age of sparkling vampires and something about the color gray that had nothing to do with the Confederacy, after all) I decided to go the self-publishing route on amazon kindle. My wife had encouraged me to do this for some time, and I’m glad I finally had the good sense to take her advice. She also encouraged me to get out there on social media to promote the books. Before a year ago, I wasn’t even on Facebook! Now, if you Google CG Faulkner, you can find me very easily.
My only prior published works were a few letters to the editor in the newspaper, and a couple of movie reviews in company newsletters. Having my books, that I spent so many years dreaming up, writing and revising, finally out there for the world to read has been very satisfying. I’d like to say a sincere ‘Thank You’ to all that have read them so far. Having people enjoy your work is a great reward for your efforts. And if you haven’t read them yet, what are you waiting for? Even if you think Westerns and Spy Thrillers aren’t your genre, you might find that you like them if you give them a chance. Historical fiction is really just a setting in a past time period, with historical accuracy surrounding the story to make it more believable. All of the classic elements of most any good book: drama, suspense, action and adventure, and even some romance and humor, are all there; and I guarantee you, in the case of my books, you won’t ever be bored. I try to write with the great Western and Crime novelist Elmore Leonard’s maxim in mind, ‘Leave out the parts that readers tend to skip’. I think I have done that pretty well.
Now, one year in, I look to the future of my writing, and I have several irons in the fire. One of the first things I would like to do is have my books available not only as e-books, but in a physical format. Amazon has this option, to have paperbacks printed as ordered, in an on-demand basis. The only reason I haven’t done this already is one of time. Formatting the manuscripts for e-books is relatively easy. Having them re-formatted for paperback printing is somewhat more complicated, tedious, and time consuming, but I will get it done. Unfortunately, writing isn’t my full time job…yet, and having time available is an issue.
As for future books in ‘The Fortner Family Saga’, I have so far completed the bookends of it, the Tom Fortner Trilogy that began with the 1860s, and the Jeff Fortner Trilogy that ended with the 1970s. I have a lot of ground to cover with the three in-between generations (Jeb, Andrew and Ethan) and lots of historical eras and events will be the backdrops, including a Gold Rush, three Wars and The Great Depression. I have completed outlines and summaries for all nine of these stories, which is a start, but the hard work begins with really fleshing out the plots. I look forward to it!
I also have some ideas for another children’s book, as a sequel to ‘The Home for Supper Kids’, and even more suspenseful short stories to be presented by ‘Calum G’ Fearing’.
If I only I had as much time as I have ideas and plans!
For me, the writing and creating, for myself and to entertain my family, has been its own reward. Now, being able to share my stories with everyone else to enjoy has been great! Once again, thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more C.G. Faulkner Books to be released by Falcons’ Rest Farm Publishing.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
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(The first draft of most everything I have written began on a steno pad like this one.)
