Hello. Thank you for visiting my blog today. I'm Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter). I have a new author interview. His name is Daniel Q. Steele (QSteele1 on Twitter). He has been very kind to write detailed answers to my questions and I love what he has to say!

Scarberryfields: Can you tell us a little about your nationality?

Dan: English and Italian. English going back to the second ship after the Mayflower, for which offense the stinking Brits confiscated our estates and homes and forced my relatives to work for their living in the New Country. (Actually, I like the English, everything but their food, but depriving me of estates and a solid middle class country gentleman birthright has always seemed a little anal on their part for the crime of wanting to worship God as my ancestors pleased.) I’m Italian going back to Rome and Naples from whence my mother came. I’ve been back three times, the last as part of a continent crawl. I love the people of Italy, the four-hour meals, the mozzarella di bufala cheese, you can buy in the countryside between Rome and Naples, the Iodine-smell of the Neapolitan harbor, the plunging mountain roads of coastal Italy, and not least the fact that the bustiest women on earth throng the cities and towns of Italy. That is a fact. Has to be something in the water.

Scarberryfields: When you finish a novel, do you miss the characters?

Dan: Oddly enough, no. Until you asked that question, I’d never thought about it. I’ve written five novels, prior to completing the pair I’m selling on Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and Amazon right now. I can enjoy re-reading them and I like meeting the old characters again, but I don’t miss them. Probably because they’ve never gone anywhere. They’re all still In my head. There are worse things than saying goodbye. One of the saddest little existential dramas I ever saw was a long forgotten horror schlockfest of a movie called “Seven Keys to Baldpate” about a writer locking himself in a scary old mansion to finish a novel on deadline. The viewer thinks that all the murders and mayhem are really happening when they’re all in the writer’s mind. Including a winsome young woman who the writer falls for-in his story. And you’re left pondering the question of whether a writer can fall in love with a figment of his imagination. Or maybe just realize that he needs to fall in love with somebody. It was much too good a concept for the movie.

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation or grammar, where do you turn?

Dan: I was a newspaper reporter, editor, and high school English teacher and that stuff is so ingrained I seldom look it up. And if I make mistakes, I should sweat them, but honestly, I don’t.

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them?

Dan: They’re fairly supportive, but I’ve been doing this for a long time. Sometimes it causes friction. I used a line from my wife, who is still married to me, in my novel about a spectacular marital disaster and a wife who left her workaholic husband. The wife in the story says about her husband, a prosecutor, “even when he’s here, he’s not here.” And my wife used those exact same words to me.

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how?

Dan: Let me count the ways. Like breathing. I literally wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I did not write. I’ve written for fun, for money, for women. Above and beyond all of those, when you’re writing (if you’re lucky) you enter a different world, a different realm of being. In those moments, you’re literally transported in your mind into a different skin, a different life. We all know we’re mortal and we’re going to die, but when you’re in that other place you’re godlike and you forgot those realities for a little while.

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks?

Dan: In the act of writing, I shut out everything. You can’t stay under forever, but in my younger years, I could shut out the world for a long time. Today, I’m going to be on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn when I’m not writing, eating, or doing something with my wife. And the great thing is I can tell her that ‘I’m doing this to sell my books,” and that’s a strong argument.

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel?

Dan: No. My wife is one of those people that will read anything medical, but doesn’t read fiction.

Scarberryfields: Do you feel social networking is a beneficial marketing tool for books?

Dan: It’s the best tool I’ve ever found. My last two books started out as an internet serial that grew like crazy from an avocation – I just had some ideas I wanted to write down – to a never ending demand from readers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, England, France, Germany to POST MORE OF THE STORY – FASTER. When I reworked them into currently two novels, I used social media to let the readers who’d followed the story know through Facebook and a website and then Twitter that the re-done books were available for sale. And I’ve used the same resources to try to keep reader interest up and hopefully bring in new readers.

Scarberryfields: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Have any hobbies?

Dan: Travel, the beach, movies, comic books. I’ve always been a gypsy. If my wife said, “let’s go” we’d be out the door. Most of the time, I never knew when I walked back in our house after work where I’d be that night. And really didn’t care. If not for kids, there is no way on earth to know where we might have wound up. We’ve slept on picnic benches at the beach when there were no rooms. We wound up spending nearly six months a year at a North Florida camping resort, rubbing elbows with Snowbirds. We’ve cruised the Caribbean and took the slow route from Los Angeles to Hawaii on a cruise ship, and watched the whales mating off Maui. We’ve driven through a snowstorm in the Alps when there wasn’t supposed to be one and I came the closest to dying, or I wanted to anyway, of any time in my life when I received food poisoning from Paella cooked in insufficiently sterilized local water in the coastal resort of La Manga in Spain.

Closer to home, I’ve always loved the beaches of Northeast Florida, particularly St. Augustine, and that’s why that area plays such a large part in the courthouse/crime/adult ­love story being told in “When We Were Married.” I’ve always been a movie buff and did as much movie reviewing as I could while working for the Florida Times-Union and other newspapers in Northeast Florida. And, I had read and collected comic books since I was a kid and still love them. I’ve even written a few scripts for comics that got published.

Scarberryfields: Where can readers go to find your books?

 

 

Dan: You can find WHEN WE WERE MARRIED - ­ VOLUME ONE – THE LONG FALL

AT:

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YPL9R6 OR

SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115234OR

BARNES AND NOBEL: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-were-married-volume-1-the-long-fall-daniel-quentin-steele/1112570691?ean=2940013654587

AND you can find WHEN WE WERE MARRIED – VOLUME TWO – SECOND ACTS

AT:

AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091FOWWC OR

SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/124503 OR

BARNES AND NOBEL: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-were-married-2-second-acts-daniel-steele/1108241609?ean=2940013760448

http://www.dqsteele.com/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003294967464

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-were-married-volume-1-the-long-fall-daniel-steele/1106754384?ean=2940013654587&itm=1&usri=when+we+were+married

Hello. I'm Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter). Thank you for visiting my blog today. I have interviewed author, Tracy Kauffman and you're going to enjoy getting to know her better. She is KauffmanTracy on Twitter.

Scarberryfields: When you finish a novel, do you miss the characters? 

Tracy Kauffman: Not since, Kay from Southern Adventures is an image of me. 

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation, grammar, etc., where do you turn? 

Tracy Kauffman: I use my Thesaurus mainly for help with changing the same word to something different.  Then I have hired a proofreader to check some of my grammar and punctuation problems such as commas.  Commas are my biggest downfall.  I can never figure out where to put them.  I know to use them in some places, but lost in other places. 

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them? 

Tracy Kauffman: Since I write in my son’s old room, I am always available if they need me.  If they want to go somewhere, then I take a break.  I feel it is always good to take a break from writing.  Your mind gets weary when you try to focus too hard on something and it takes twice as long to finish, what you need to do. 

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how? 

Tracy Kauffman: I started writing when my son left home for the Air Force.  I felt like writing helped comfort me and allowed me to express my feelings about him leaving home, so yes writing gave me the benefit of calming my fears and help me with the grieving process.  I never knew how hard it would be to have a child leave home after eighteen years, but it is very difficult and I still have to keep my mind busy so I will not worry about him.  He is in Japan and it makes it even more difficult, since I cannot travel to see him so easily. 

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks? 

Tracy Kauffman: As I’m writing, my internet is turned off.  I don’t like a lot of distractions, because the quiet helps me think.

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel? 

Tracy Kauffman: I had my daughter read “Southern Adventures” to tell me if it was interesting.  I had my husband read it to tell me if I used good grammar, since I use a lot of slang words in everyday life, and he is from Indiana. 

Scarberryfields: Do you feel social networking as a marketing tool, is beneficial? 

Tracy Kauffman: I feel any way you market yourself can be beneficial if you do it consistently.  Since I am a new author, I have not reaped the rewards yet, but I know they have to be paying off, eventually. 

Scarberryfields: What is the last book called that you completed and published?

Tracy Kauffman: Southern Adventures was the first book I wrote, and it is the one that is currently being published.  It will be released by next month. It is a coming of age book about a woman recalling her life growing up in the south.  Even though, she endured some hardships along with some very memorable experiences, she is thankful that she had a chance to learn from her mistakes.  She knew that the bad times in her life, make the good times even better.

 

Scarberryfields: Where can readers go to find your books? 

Tracy Kauffman: On my website I have links that people are able to click to take them to where they can purchase my books. 

My website: http://tracykauffman.yolasite.com

My blog:  http://tracykauffman.blogspot.com 

Amazon/Kindle buy link:  http://www.amazon.com/Gwendolyns-Wish-Tracy-Kauffman/dp/1462672078/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347914665&sr=1-1&keywords=gwendolyn%27s+wish 

Kobo e book buy link: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=gwendolyn%27s+wish

Barnes and Noble/Nook buy link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/gwendolyn-s-wish?keyword=gwendolyn%27s+wish&store=book

Hello. I'm Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter). Thank you for visiting my blog today. I have another author interview for you. I have interviewed author, Massimo Marino (Massim0Marin0 on Twitter). I'm certain you will enjoy getting to know this talented author as much as I have.

Scarberryfields: Can you tell us a little about your nationality?

Massimo: Nationality is the easy part: Italian. What is more complex is the influence of various cultures. My first work was abroad, in Switzerland, and I never spoke Italian at work: either English or French. I lived in Switzerland, France and the US. I adapt and enjoy people and discover traditions, way of life, culture. I felt at home wherever I lived.

Scarberryfields: When you finish a novel, do you miss the characters?

Massimo: Totally. Amazing, isn’t it? With me, characters take up their own life and they act independently too. I kind of sit and watch what happens to them and how they react to situations. Sometimes I struggle to write down all that happens and everything they say so much it goes fast. Maybe you need a bit of insanity to write a novel.

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation, grammar, etc., where do you turn?

Massimo: Luckily, I found, after a good deal of research and previous attempts, to a great editor and fellow-writer: Rebecca Stroud. She is an established author and praised for her impeccable editing. I am in debt with her for how much effort she has put into Daimones. Then I also have the plethora of written tools, dictionaries, physical and online, Webster, the Internet and Google, and The Elements of Style. I wish I could swallow it and learn by osmosis.

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them?

Massimo: I tell myself I am on a forced sabbatical, so I can write a lot. Luckily, it does not interfere at all with family life…often ;-) Anyway, they are very supportive and waited patiently for a revised second draft to be ready before I let them read the novel.

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how?

Massimo: In a sense, writing is entering a different world, a separate dimension. Sometimes you find yourself in a trance-like state and the real world becomes veiled and obfuscated. It is a dreamed moment. I do not need to find other means of evasion from the asperity of life, when I’m writing.

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks?

Massimo: Sometimes. It does not disturb me. I always had a multi-tasking mind so I can write and reply to the occasional tweet or email without losing track. Or maybe I have latent schizophrenia.

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel?

Massimo: No. At all. I used critters, an online community who provides peer-to-peer beta-reading, a couple American friends, and two British. They claimed my English was better than that of a few of their neighbors. They suggested I get an editor, too. So you see, they are good friends, they know how to say things without hurting your feelings ;-)

Scarberryfields: Do you feel social networking as a marketing tool, is beneficial?

Massimo: I hope so. It is something I have to discover yet. I can’t see why or how it couldn’t though. For sure, it will allow me to connect with readers, actual and potential ones.  On twitter I found a large community of writers. As an example, see what happened with Paulo Coelho and his latest work. He made a tremendous use of social network and the results have been incredibly positive. He tweets a lot, by the way.

Scarberryfields: What is the last book called that you completed and published?

Massimo: “Daimones” is my debut novel, and the first volume of a planned trilogy. Elsewhere, I have been published a lot for academic reasons. I won’t mention the title of the paper—as they are called—here because we are here to discuss fiction, not reality ;-)

Scarberryfields: Where can readers go to find your books? 

Massimo: Primarily on Amazon and Smashwords. Am now on their Premium Catalogue also, so Daimones—and the sequels—is available on Kobo, B&N, Lulu, Nook, and others. It is also going to be on Italian e-retailers soon.  Here are the most direct links: 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083IHV5I 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/daimones/id526356367?mt=11 

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/162885 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15811231-daimones

 

As closing remarks, Becky, I want to thank you dearly and your readers for the opportunity to present myself and my novel. I wrote it for myself and because I couldn’t hold Daimones inside any longer: It erupted. But I also wrote it for every single reader, whenever it will happen, with the goal to share emotions and feelings, and hopefully good reading time. To evade together with me, as I do when I write. I hope to be a good host and of good company.

Scarberryfields: You don't need to thank me, Massimo. Everybody knows how much I enjoy featuring and supporting talented authors like you. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I have enjoyed learning more about you.

Hello. I am author, Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter). Thank you for visiting my blog today. I have another interview below. This interview is with author, John F. Hanley (jf_hanley on Twitter). I’m certain you’re going to enjoy getting to know John just as much as I have.  

Scarberryfields: Can you tell us a little about your nationality?

John: I was born in Jersey in the Channel Islands, which is twelve miles from France but over 100 from England. It may be closer to the French but it has been British for over 800 years. The French have tried to conquer it on several occasions and the island still has fortifications to resist them if they try again.

Therefore, I am proud to be British. It is self-governing under UK protection though that didn’t count for much when Nazi Germany invaded in 1940. They occupied the island for five years and strengthened the fortifications beyond all reasonable military necessity. One of the reasons they lost after D-Day was because they had so many troops sitting on their bottoms in the Channel Islands, which were by-passed by the Allies.

My novels are written against the background of the 2^nd World War and follow a group of friends as they develop under the stress and danger of that period. The action in each book is focused into a short period and written from the perspective of Jack Renouf who is nearly nineteen when the stories start in 1939.

As I was born after the war and grew up surrounded by the artifacts of German occupation I’ve always been fascinated by what my parents’ generation had to endure. This prompted me to write about what it might have been like if I had been nineteen in 1939, rather than 1965 and off to war and not drama school in London. The main character is not my alter ego but we do share many of the same experiences and the principle setting for Against the Tide is where we both spent a huge chunk of our youth.

Scarberryfields: When you finish a novel, do you miss the characters?

John: As I have embarked on a ten book series and completed three already, I’d say the characters are with me all the time. I’m in love with two of them! This will sound very soppy but when I read about some of the things that happen to them and listen to their words, I become quite emotional. This is patently absurd and probably shows an unhealthy obsession with them but it is nevertheless, true!

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation, grammar, etc., where do you turn?

John: I was an English and Drama teacher for thirty-eight years so I have seen every variation of spelling, punctuation and grammar that can possibly be imagined. My brain has become so confused by this that proof reading by someone else is vital.

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them?

John: I’m retired now and though we have two little grandsons to look after during the working week, my wife doesn’t complain too much. My mother used to always accuse me of having my nose stuck in a book but she soon realised that was a better place for it than leaning over the sink and breaking plates. I do my best but I am a slave to my imagination and the keyboard.

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how?

John: I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer and never feel bored with life as I find it so easy to disappear into another reality. I often write chapters in my head while I am exercising especially when I am swimming which I try to do every day. Sometimes I lose count of the laps I’ve completed because one of my characters has done something I didn’t expect. I don’t expect to make any money out of writing but it gives me a focus and is immensely satisfying.

Like so many writers, I decided to enter into a partnership arrangement with a publisher to get my book into print. Agents are not interested in new authors unless they already have made either a good or bad name for themselves. I can understand why as publishing is not cheap and why risk money on unknowns. Therefore, I have risked my own but by choosing a well-known commercial publisher I have experienced exactly the same process as selected authors but retained more control over production design and values. Marketing is largely down to me though my publisher has an active department which has provided several opportunities I wouldn’t have been able to acquire on my own.

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks?

John: I’ve only just started social networking and I now understand how distracting it can be. Because my first novel has only just been published, I find most of my time is taken up with promotion, sales and organising others. My website designer suggested I use twitter to discover potential readers. I’ve gone from four followers to nearly 800 in two weeks. It’s been great fun and I’ve met some fascinating people, though I doubt very many of them will buy my book. I’ve bought several of theirs though!

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel?

John: One of my daughters is a teacher with a degree in English but she is too busy coping with the insane demands the educational establishment makes on her to have the time to help. My wife will proof read though she has about 400 hundred other things she rather do.

Scarberryfields: Do you feel social networking as a marketing tool, is beneficial?

John: It creates awareness but, from my limited experience, I would suspect that there are far more sellers than buyers using it.

Scarberryfields: What is the last book called that you completed and published?

John: Against the Tide is my debut novel. It is the first in a series of ten. The second, The Last Boat, is ready for production but I want to see the reaction to ATT before I press the button. I’ve also written the last in the series. I’ll be sixty-six this month and I wouldn’t want to pop my clogs and leave any readers, who chose to follow me, without closure! 

Scarberryfields: Where can readers go to find your books?   

John: My website is the first stop: www.johnfhanley.co.uk

This has links to all the major outlets worldwide, including my publishers.

It also contains information about the series along with background detail and many photographs.   

Post Jersey Launch Report (September 15, 2012)

Superb weather for the launch at the swimming pool. Picture taken by a friend, while press photographer captured me with game in progress behind.)

 

It was so warm for September that I had a swim in the pool after the book signing – not so warm about 17c but very refreshing.

I was interviewed for an hour by a features reporter for the local daily newspaper and an article will appear this Saturday along with a photo taken at the book launch.

Later that day I was interviewed live on BBC Radio Jersey for fifteen minutes. The presenter was very skilled and ensured I got all the relevant information out on air. Although I have experience of live radio, it’s important that someone keeps me on track, as it is so tempting to shoot off in so many different directions.

Waterstones, the national book chain, have signed copies of my book on sale in their Jersey branch. I thought they might just tuck it in alongside Jack Higgins (real name Harry Patterson) who lives on the island but, to my delight, I found they had placed it in a very prominent position with a large poster and author information.

 

Against The Tide is now on sale in a range of outlets on the island as well as worldwide through the distribution network. 

Scarberryfields: Thank you, John for taking the time to answer my questions. Congratulations on the launch and I see the book is already getting rave reviews.    

Hello. I am Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter). Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. I have interviewed author, Gary C. King (Gary_C_King on Twitter). You will love learning more about him, as I have.

Scarberryfields: Can you tell us a little about your nationality/ancestry?

Gary: I was born in the U.S., but my ancestry is German. My great-great grandfather, Ambrose Koenig, came to the U.S. either just before or just after the American Civil War, and changed his name to King. He came from Bavaria, specifically Baden-Baden, the Black Forest area of Germany.

Scarberryfields: Please tell us about everything you have written (published and unpublished).

Gary: I began writing professionally when I was about 25, when I took over Ann Rule’s spot as Pacific Northwest stringer for True Detective magazine and its affiliated Portrait of a Serial Sex Killer; DRIVEN TO KILL; WEB OF DECEIT; BLIND RAGE; SAVAGE VENGEANCE; AN EARLY GRAVE; THE TEXAS 7; MURDER IN HOLLYWOOD; ANGELS OF DEATH; STOLEN IN THE NIGHT; LOVE, LIES, AND MURDER; AN ALMOST PERFECT MURDER; BUTCHER; RAGE; THE MURDER OF MEREDITH KERCHER; and DEAD OF NIGHT. I’ve since gone independent, as many authors have done and are doing, and republished some of my earlier titles to which I hold electronic rights, and I am currently putting together a compilation of some of my earlier stories from my days at True Detective, stories about cases that most people haven’t heard about. I also write occasionally for Crime Library, and have provided online content for Investigation Discovery’s website, and for other Discovery Channel sites. I am currently contemplating making the transition from nonfiction to fiction, but also considering other true crime cases for a new stand-alone nonfiction book. BLOOD LUST has been translated into German and Portuguese publications. During my tenure there, I wrote about 400 stories, all true cases based on research and interviews. I’ve traditionally published 16 books, including BLOOD LUST.

Scarberryfields: Once you finish writing a poem or fiction, do you miss the characters you’ve written about?

Gary: So far, missing characters hasn’t applied to me since I write nonfiction. But I do often wonder what has happened to some of the people I’ve written about, particularly family members of victims. I can appreciate, however, that a fiction writer becomes attached to his or her characters and is reluctant to let them simply ride into the sunset.

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation, grammar, etc., where do you turn?

Gary: Usually a dictionary will suffice, but I sometimes consult grammar books if there is something I’m unsure about, though not often. Writing has always been natural to me, but I’m not sure why. Perhaps it comes naturally because I read a lot as a child and teenager. Or perhaps I was a writer in another life!

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them?

Gary: Both. Now that I’m working as an independent, there isn’t nearly as much complaining because the only deadlines I have are those that are self-imposed. But my family has always understood that writing is what I do, and that I need the time alone to complete my work. They’ve always been supportive of me.

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how?

Gary: Writing has made me more grateful for what I have, and has helped me appreciate life more. I’m a very lucky guy, and I never forget that aspect of my life or where I’ve come from. Writing true crime and meeting with victims’ families has taught me the difference between sympathy and empathy, an important distinction that we all need to know and practice. When you can place yourself inside someone else’s shoes, feel what they feel and cry right along with them over their loss, it changes you—for the better. You become a person who no longer thinks only of himself, and other people—even strangers—become important to you, in varying degrees, of course. Writing, especially now that I’ve gone indie, has freed up considerable time to allow for things that I love, like travel and spending time with my family, and reading.

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks?

Gary: No, I haven’t been able to do that yet, and I no longer even try. I attempt to limit the time spent on social networks when I’m writing, but I allow time for that part of my life several times each day, whether writing or not. I’d be lost without social networking. I’ve made a lot of good friends, such as yourself, through social networking, and many people I know online have become important to me, much as close personal friends are important to me. Social networking is a great outlet for many different reasons, not just marketing (though marketing is important).

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel?

Gary: Yes, but for only one of my books, my first, BLOOD LUST. My wife read it first, loved it, but she hasn’t picked up another since. She found it very compelling reading, but it also disturbed her greatly in that she was not aware of the evil that exists in the world prior to reading BLOOD LUST. I’ve never pressured her further. My daughters have read some of my books after publication, and loved them!

Scarberryfields: Do you read ebooks? If you do, and write reviews, do you have any special process you use to write a review?

Gary: Oh, yes! I resisted eBooks for years, but finally broke down and found out what I was missing. I love eBooks now, and am always adding a new title to my iPad, often from new writers I discover through social networking. There are some real gems out there, just waiting to be discovered. I still love the look and feel of paper and ink books, but I’m now much more selective about those I purchase—usually collectibles of some sort, signed books, etc. I don’t write many reviews, but I do write a few and usually for Amazon.com. I never slam another author’s work, though. If I can’t write at least a somewhat positive review, I won’t write a review at all. Others can fill that void adequately without me! J

Scarberryfields: What is the last book called that you completed and published? Also, where can we find this book?

Gary: RAGE was my last published book. It can be found at Barnes and Noble, both in their brick and mortar stores and online, and at Amazon.com. I don’t believe it has yet been published as an eBook. As for eBooks, BLOOD LUST, DRIVEN TO KILL, TO DIE FOR (previously published as Blind Rage), and MURDER IN ROOM 305 (previously published as Web of Deceit), were all republished by me last year and have consistently been on Amazon.com bestseller lists. Those books can also be found at BN.com.

Scarberryfields: Where can readers go to find your books?

Gary: With the demise of Borders and other brick and mortar bookstores, many of my traditionally-published books can be found through independent bookstores and Barnes and Noble. The easiest way to obtain my books, both eBooks and traditionally-published, is on Amazon.com and BN.com, and other online retailers. Readers can find descriptions and excerpts from my books on my website, www.garycking.com, which also provides purchase links.

Scarberryfields: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Gary.

Hello. Thank you for visiting my blog today. I'm Rebecca Scarberry (Scarberryfields on Twitter). I have another treat for you. I have interviewed author, Stewart Spaull (StewartSpaull on Twitter). Enjoy!

Scarberryfields: Can you tell us a little about your nationality?

Stewart: I’m British. I’m an Englishman with quite a lot of Irish blood on my mother’s side and a bit of Scottish from my father’s side. A Celtic Englishman, you might say. I’ve been looking into my family history on my dad’s side. I’ve managed to trace it back to the late 1700s so far and hope to continue finding out more about my ancestors.

Scarberryfields: When you finished your debut novel, did you miss the characters?

Stewart: Yes and no. No, in the sense of knowing that they will appear again, because Steps In The Shadows is the first of a quartet; yes, in the sense of not being able to wait until I can write the next book and develop the characters further.

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation, grammar, etc., where do you turn?

Stewart: I’m pretty lucky because I’m already a spelling, punctuation and grammar obsessive. I agonize over every phrase. My family are similar – so I turn to them for advice, especially my wife. The other day, we had a discussion on whether a comma should go before a closing speech mark or after – a cross-cultural discussion, since the American and British styles differ! She’s American and I’m British. I wonder how many other couples discuss punctuation over dinner.

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them?

Stewart: My wife is unwaveringly supportive, as I am of her. She is an artist and an academic, and, when I was writing my novel, she was engaged in her own intensive work. We still manage to live a relatively normal life – for example, we went out for pizza last night!

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how?

Stewart: It benefits me immensely. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since childhood and I’m finally realizing my ambition. It gives me inner peace. I had to take time off work a couple of months back due to exhaustion, and the writing gave me some purpose and structure in my day.

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks?

Stewart: Not entirely. I’m a sociable person and I now know, more than ever, the value of switching off for a few hours, meeting friends, having dinner and a few drinks. I also use Facebook and Twitter extensively, especially Twitter – it’s great for the writing community.

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel?

Stewart: All of my immediate family. My dad was the first and quickest. He’s a retired schoolteacher so he rattled through it in one sitting and pointed out some typos and stylistic idiosyncracies. Then my mum, an avid reader of crime fiction, read it for pleasure, taking a bit more time over it, and picked up a few errors my dad had missed out. My wife has also read it and my sister is currently reading it. Finally, my oldest friend since childhood read it. It’s a detective novel and, since he’s a police officer, his input was invaluable. I’m indebted to them all for their feedback and support. They all enjoyed the book, which is the main thing.

Scarberryfields: Do you have a job or any hobbies?

Stewart: My wife and I are in the process of relocating because of her work. Her job offer came recently, so I gave notice to my employer and decided I would go freelance as a writer and editor.  As for hobbies, I enjoy reading – every writer needs to read avidly – as well as running, cooking, and listening to jazz. I co-presented a jazz radio show for three years and I pick up the guitar occasionally – I like to dabble with playing the blues and a bit of jazz fusion.

Scarberryfields: Do you plan to write any other books?

Stewart: Yes. I originally set out to write just one, but as I wrote, the ideas flowed and I ended up with enough material for four individual stories – so I decided to write a further three books and link the stories by way of an arc that encompasses all four. I’ve called it the Northern Quartet, named after the area of central Manchester in which the stories take place. Before the second book in the quartet is released, I am going to publish a stand-alone book – a darkly comic novel that has nothing to do with the crime fiction genre. This book will go out in December, and the second in the Northern Quartet is scheduled for April 2013. After the quartet, there will be more novels featuring Detective Inspector Molyneux and other characters from the Quartet – in fact, the other day, I outlined the plot for one of these books – but I would also like to write true crime and a book about my favourite band.

Scarberryfields: Where and when can readers find your book?

 

Stewart:  I’ve gone down the self-publishing route and I decided to publish it via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, so it can be found on Amazon http://t.co/XjPoWSC &  http://t.co/sd3sZaQ  – If you haven’t got a Kindle, you can download a free application from the website so you can read it on a PC, laptop or phone.

Scarberryfields: Thank you so much, Stew for taking time out from your busy day to answer my questions. I have enjoyed getting to know you better and wish you nothing but the best.

Hello. I am author, Rebecca Scarberry—Scarberryfields on Twitter. Thank you for visiting my blog today. I have interviewed author, Dixon Rice. You’re going to love his humor!

 

Scarberryfields: Can you tell us a little about your nationality?

Dixon Rice:  My mother’s ancestors (the Shannons) were Protestant Irish (Orangemen is the term, I think). My father came from a mixture of half Irish along with some English and Scottish.  So I’m about three-quarters Mick, which helps explain the red hair and lousy complexion.  The Irish are said to be prolific storytellers and terrible drunks. I’ve been white-knuckle sober for over 20 years, but haven’t been able to conquer my addiction to writing.

Scarberryfields: When you finished your debut novel, did you miss the characters?

Dixon Rice:  Um, without giving away too much of the plot, quite a few of the characters didn’t make it through to the end. However, I grew fond of some characters – both major and minor – and there seems to be interest in a sequel, so it appears THE ASSASSINS CLUB will continue to expand its membership.

Scarberryfields: While writing, if you need help with punctuation, grammar, etc., where do you turn?

Dixon Rice:  About ten years ago, fellow novelist Jake How and I looked around northwest Montana for a critique group with some open spots, and couldn’t find one.  Of course, it might have been that bad breath and dandruff thing.  Anyway, we decided to start our own.  The group has been tremendous at unearthing grammar, spelling and plot problems.  Jake was recently honored with first place in the PNWA historical fiction category, and I’m on my way to inflicting my second novel on an unwary world.

Scarberryfields: With the number of hours spent writing, do family members support you or complain about the time spent away from them?

Dixon Rice:  I’m fortunate to have great support from my wife, Mitzi.  She seems to believe I’ll eventually make money off my affliction, and buy her a new stove.  My four, mostly-grown kids (Baby Boy is a senior in college)  have been wonderful, except when I ask their opinion on a chapter containing a sex scene.  Then, the unanimous reaction is “Ewww, Dad!”

Scarberryfields: Does writing benefit you in any way and if so, how?

Dixon Rice:  I find writing very rewarding, both mentally and emotionally.  Financially – not so much.  Yet.

Scarberryfields: When you’re writing, do you shut-off all social networks?

Dixon Rice:  Never turn them on while writing.  I spend about an hour on email and social networks in the morning, and another hour in the evening.  My computer doesn’t beep when I get a message, and I don’t own a smart phone.  I am hopelessly old-fashioned.

Scarberryfields: Did you use any family members as Beta readers for your debut novel?

Dixon Rice:  No.  My wife’s main interests lie in historical and women’s fiction, whereas my protagonist either kills or has sex with somebody in every chapter (sometimes both).  As for my children, see “Ewww” above.

Scarberryfields: Do you feel social networking as a marketing tool, is beneficial?

Dixon Rice:  I’ve got nearly 5,000 Facebook friends, a couple thousand on Goodreads, and *mumble* on Twitter.  (Facebook link is http://tinyurl.com/7atd5g2  and look for @MTDixonRice on Twitter.)   Most are writers or other publishing professionals.  I wouldn’t  trade their support and suggestions for anything, but those numbers haven’t translated into lots of paid sales.  If there is a method for finding numerous readers online, it has escaped me so far.

Scarberryfields: What is the last book called that you completed and published?

Dixon Rice:  Since the economy went into the toilet a few years back, it’s been pretty hard to get published by the Big Six unless you’re already a successful author, or your name happens to rhyme with “mopra.”  I got close to a contract a few times, and gathered a nice collection of “positive rejections,” but ended up self-publishing my thriller, THE ASSASSINS CLUB, last Christmas.  I’ve been selling roughly one copy per day.  That’s not anything to make John Grisham break into a nervous sweat, but I’m pretty thrilled to get my characters out of my head and out into the world.

Scarberryfields: Where can readers go to find your books?

Dixon Rice:  It’s an e-book on Kindle at the moment, but I’m exploring a CreateSpace trade paperback version as well.  I’m the only “Dixon Rice” on amazon.com and I recently received a nice check from amazon.uk so I shouldn’t be too hard to find anywhere within the Amazon Evil Empire.  The amazon.com link for THE ASSASSINS CLUB is http://tinyurl.com/7fav44l

Scarberryfields:  You’re a blogger as well, right? 

Dixon Rice:  That’s right, Becky.  My Wredheaded Writer blog aims for a posting every day of the week, but life sometimes intrudes.  I often host a “Tip O’Day” from guest authors on the craft of writing or how to get published.  Other days there are quirky literary quotations.  Every once in a while, I throw in an original thought of my own. 

The Wredheaded Writer blog has had the pleasure of guest posts from the talented Rebecca Scarberry on two or three occasions, and I look forward to more.  The link to my blog is  http://wredhead.blogspot.com/

Scarberryfields: Thank you so much for taking time out from your busy schedule to answer my questions. I have enjoyed your humor, love your blog, and hope to read your books one day---you know, after I finish reading those I promised to read eight months ago.