Showing posts with label Author Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Author Interviews. Show all posts

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea' Richard I. Levine⭐ #interview

 

 

Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast-to-coast wanderlust trip, This one-time auxiliary police officer, volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor.

A twenty-five-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts. In 2006 he wrote, produced, and was on-air personality of The Dr. Rich Levine Show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five-year chiropractic practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop at the end of 2016 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O.

While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”

While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii.

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.

Website & Social Media:

Website http://www.docrichlevine.com  

X https://www.twitter.com/Your_In8_Power 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardLevineAuthor/ 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rilevinedc 



Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea offers romance, contemporary fiction, trauma, strength and growth. Which of these traits were the hardest to write about?

To be perfectly honest, none of those things were hard because when I write, I am writing and creating it is a form of personal entertainment that comes from life experiences and heartfelt expression—be that in the form of character development, which is always taken from people I have known, or from events that I’ve actually experienced, personally witnessed, or learned about from eyewitness accounts. Of course, I do take creative license to embellish if it fits the situation and/or to protect the innocent. But when I’m writing and I’m in the zone, the story’s path or the character’s arc almost always comes organically.  

Which of the characters from Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea do you most closely identify with and why?

That is something I haven’t given a lot of thought to. I consider myself an observer who is standing on the sidelines watching the world pass by. As such, all of my characters are made up of composites of people that I’ve met throughout my life. Some of those characters are additionally infused with some of my own personality traits that allows me, as the creator, to enhance or denigrate that character as I see fit.  

What do you think sets Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea apart from other books of the same genre?

Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Grant Leishman sums this up perfectly in the review he posted just recently. Here is a very short excerpt from his commentary: 

“Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a powerful, emotional rollercoaster that captures readers from the beginning and takes them on a journey of love, loss, and redemption...Levine has a remarkable talent for evoking story arcs and emotional dramas that will tug at readers’ heartstrings. The character development is superb. I am a sucker for a good romance and all the elements were present but there was so much more depth, conflict, and suffering than you would normally find in a romance. This lifts the story well above others in the genre. The descriptive prose is wonderfully rich and complex...”

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away? 

Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is more than just a love story between Mitch Brody and Jess Ramirez, and with all sincerity, I did not set out to weave a tale with hidden messages. But those hidden messages are there throughout the book and it will be interesting and fun to see if readers can find them.

Who is your favorite romance author? 

I’m sorry to say that I do not have one.

Do you think writing a romance is more complex than writing books of other genres?

I certainly cannot speak for other authors, but generally, I don’t think so. It comes down to what you know of human nature and what it is you’re trying to accomplish. If your experience writing fiction, in any genre, only comes from what you’ve read in other fiction books, or if it only comes from watching a movie, then I suspect you’ll have a hard time trying to create a story. I believe crafting a quality narrative should come from a combination of reading the works of others, watching a screenplay unfold before your eyes, reading non-fiction accounts of human events, and your own desires; all of which are combined with a fertile imagination and life experiences which should include personal triumphs as well as heartaches. Fantasy, desire, and personal experiences that are too uncomfortable to openly talk about with others can be carefully woven into each of your characters without revealing which of those are actually you. It’s quite therapeutic. As with anything else that deserves your best effort however, it’s important to take your time, never force the process but have fun with it, and write for an audience of one which is yourself. You are the writer, the creator, the producer, director, the primary talent, the background actor etc.

What’s next for you?

I will say that there is a new adventure that I’ll be embarking on very soon. It may or may not wind up being incorporated into my next novel. But for now, that next adventure shall remain a mystery. 


Inside the Book

Title: Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea

Author: Richard I. Levine

Publisher: KDP

Publication Date: June 1, 2025

Pages: 396

Genre: Romance

When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable…until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is available at Amazon.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea!

“It isn’t easy to edit when you’re crying, let me tell you! But I’m not complaining! This was so beautiful and emotional. It really struck a deep chord in me. It’s an impressive book, and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity (to have been your editor)”

– Bryn Donovan, Amazon









PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Jury Duty is Murder' Kate Damon⭐ #interview

 

 

When Kate Damon is not writing, she and her husband enjoy RVing, spending time with family and friends, raising Monarch butterflies, and playing a wicked game of bridge.

Writing as Margaret Brownley, she has published more than 40 novels and is a New York Times bestselling author. Known for her memorable characters and humor, she is a two-time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist.

Not counting the book she wrote in sixth grade, and the puzzle of the missing socks, this is her first mystery.

Website http://margaret-brownley.com/

Twitter https://www.x.com/katejuryduty

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MargaretBrownleyAuthor/ and https://www.facebook.com/p/Kate-Damon-61565155275435/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katedamonbooks

BookBubhttps://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-damon

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4072660.Kate_Damon and https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/163681.Margaret_Brownley






Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself to write it? 

I normally write romance novels under the name of Margaret Brownley, so when I started jotting down ideas for the book, I thought it was going to be another romance. For that reason, I didn’t think any research was needed.  However, when the story took an unexpected turn and became a mystery, things changed in that regard.  For example, one of characters—CeeCee—is a pole dancer, and I knew nothing about that.

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

I queried the publishers of my romance novels, but none were interested in having me change genres. For that reason, I put the book aside for a while.  But then someone suggested I try The Wild Rose Press.  I was so delighted when they chose to publish it.

How did you choose your cover?

My publisher asked me for cover ideas, which was a bit of a challenge.  I’m used to having an embracing couple on my books, but I knew that wouldn’t do. I considered showing a jury, but since the book takes place after the trial, I knew that wouldn’t work.  I finally settled on the gavel, and Lady of Justice.  Some mysteries have really dark covers.  Since my book is filled with humor, I specifically asked that the cover not be dark.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

This is a complex issue. Offering free copies of books can potentially stimulate interest and boost sales for subsequent titles in an author's series. However, the effectiveness of this strategy may be limited. The market is saturated with free books, which diminishes their impact compared to previous years.  Today, I mostly just give away books to bloggers who graciously host me or agree to write a review. 

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

It’s important to draw up a marketing plan. I try to come up with ways to build reader anticipation before the book comes out. For example, you can do a cover reveal and post a countdown.  It also helps to get some early reviews and post them on social media.  Also, if you’re new to publishing, I would suggest you join a writer’s group, preferably in your genre. I found writer groups to be a big help in keeping me informed about promotional opportunities, writing contests and so much more.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

Keep promoting.  I try to do at least one thing a day to promote my book. Almost every organization is open to speakers, so it’s a good idea to contact as many as you can. Also, check out local book clubs. 

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

I just want to thank my readers for supporting me through the years. In regards to my book, Jury Duty is Murder, I’m delighted to say that it has received many positive reviews. Kirkus Reviews describes it as "a clever and entertaining whodunit that blends suspense, humor, and heart". The book has also been praised for its unique mix of courtroom drama and post-trial mystery, as well as its subtle romance elements. So whether you’ve read my previous books or not, I hope you give this one a try. 


Inside the Book

Title: Jury Duty is Murder

Author: Kate Damon

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Genre: Cozy Mystery

A young civilization is turning the corner into the future, but first they must face a terrible enemy from their deepest past – THE VORM.

The main characters are a young man named Harl’ut and his lifelong companion Vispushin – who is a perIanth, a kind of telepathic pegasus. Join them on this epic adventure as they lead a group of young warriors into the heart of the Vorm Hive.

Book One: Battle In The Sky is the first of five books which comprise the opening series of this epic tale. Here, Harl’ut and Vispushin and The Princess Bryn’lynn, engage in desperate battle over the southern plain with savage Vorm warriors. You will be uplifted by the passionate and thrilling conclusion of the first installment of this fantasy adventure. 

In Book Two: Descent Into The Abyss, Harl’ut recovers from his harrowing adventure from Book One: Battle In The Sky. He walks through the streets of The Ocean City, visits the Sculpture Garden and his friend, Elá, the bard, and engages in exciting training games with warrior/mentor, Calanctus. Then the story takes you down the throat of the vast volcano, Pla’than’taa, once worshipped as a god, where Harl’ut enacts a deadly initiation ritual, confronts the barbaric past of his people and battles a terrifying monster. 

Pick up your copies at https://kaufmantales.com/







PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'How Soon Is Now?' Paul Carnahan⭐ #HowSoonIsNow #interview

  

Paul Carnahan was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up in the new town of Cumbernauld. After studying journalism in Edinburgh, he began a decades-long career in local and national newspapers.

‘How Soon Is Now?’ is his first novel. The second, the Britpop-era romance ‘End of a Century’, will be released early in 2025, and a third is currently a work in progress.

Website & Social Media:

Website www.paulcarnahan.com 

Twitter https://twitter.com/pacarnahan  

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/paulcarnahan6/ 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211423352-how-soon-is-now





 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself to write it? 

‘How Soon Is Now?’ features characters from many different backgrounds, so the book required a lot of research on a wide variety of topics – everything from the civil war in Syria to the Clydebank Blitz of World War Two, and from persistent vegetative states to perfumery. Lots of reading was required – first-hand accounts, wherever possible! ‘How Soon Is Now?’ may be a time travel story, but it’s about people, first and foremost, so the research all had to serve the characters.

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

I decided to self-publish. ‘How Soon Is Now?’ attracted praise and interest from literary agents, but it’s a hard book to categorise, and the publishing business is increasingly conservative and risk-averse. So I decided to go ahead and do it myself, my way.

If self-published, did you hire someone to format the ebook version for you or did you do it yourself?  Can you tell us what that was like?

I handled the formatting myself, using Vellum, which was a very easy piece of software to use. My background is in print journalism, so I’m used to error-correcting and page design. The whole process was a pleasure – and gave me a chance to give the book a final polish.

If self-published, how did you determine the price?

I’m using Amazon’s print on demand service for the hardback and paperback editions, and both of those are priced as keenly as possible to make them attractive to readers while still bringing in a tiny amount of payment for the starving artist (ie me!). The e-book offers a little more wiggle room, as far as author royalty goes, but it was still a balancing act between competitive pricing and a realistic price tag that reflects the quality and size of the work.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

In this case, I did not – I set the date for as soon as I could get everything finalised and arrange promotional material etc. My next book, the Britpop-era romantic comedy ‘End of a Century’, however, will be released on Valentine’s Day, 2025.

How did you choose your cover?

Luckily for me, my daughter Hannah Nystrom is a very talented artist. I had a few design ideas of my own (I wanted to echo the colours of The Smiths’ album ‘Hatful of Hollow’ and borrow some stylistic cues from Saul Bass’s movie title work), and Hannah was able to incorporate those ideas with a cover concept of her own which brilliantly and wittily encapsulates the themes of the book. I couldn’t be happier with the finished product – it’s a thing of beauty.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went along? 

A bit of both. I tended to tidy up the previous day’s writing before starting each day, and continued that way until the end … then went right back to the start and did it again. And again. And again.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

Rewrite and rewrite again, until the book is as good as it can be. Listen to the advice and opinions of trusted readers, and be nice to as many authors, readers, reviewers and bloggers as you possibly can, once you’re sure you have a book you can be proud of sharing.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

Be alert and open to any and every promotional opportunity. Be polite, positive and kind in all public-facing professional situations, and be grateful to every reader. And, of course, get right back on the horse and get on with the next book.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

Only to continue to do everything possible to get it into the hands of readers who would appreciate it. As well as being full of big ideas, cliffhangers, twists and surprises, ‘How Soon Is Now?’ is a complex, thoughtful novel. I just want to see it find a home among readers who are ready for a book like that. And it would make an incredible Netflix series...

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

I’ve been blown away by the response so far, and it’s been an absolute joy to talk to readers with strong opinions and responses to the characters and themes of the book. The people who get it REALLY get it, and that’s the best thing any author could hope for. Thank you!

Inside the Book



Title: How Soon Is Now?

Author: Paul Carnahan

Publication Date: June 10, 2024

Pages: 462

Genre: Contemporary Fantasy/Time Travel

A troubled ex-journalist launches a perilous mission into his own past after being recruited by a mysterious group of time travelers.

Luke Seymour uncovers the secrets of the eccentric Nostalgia Club as he battles to solve the riddle of their missing leader, honing his newly discovered – and dangerously addictive – talent for time travel and plunging ever deeper into his own time stream … where the terrible mistake that scarred his life is waiting.

Set in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the 1980s, 1990s and near-present, ‘How Soon Is Now?’ is a gripping new novel loaded with unforgettable characters, intricate storytelling, dark humour and a unique twist on the mechanics of time travel – all moving towards a powerful and emotional climax.

Available at:

Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/How-Soon-Now-powerful-travel-ebook/dp/B0D1RG2GL5 

Amazon U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Soon-Now-powerful-travel-ebook/dp/B0D1RG2GL5 

 


PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Nurse Florence for Beginning Readers Coloring Book: Why Is Chicken Healthy To Eat?' Michael Dow⭐ #interview



Michael Stephen Dow is married to Perla in Arizona and has 3 kids.  Michael was on a path to attend medical school and then the events of September 11, 2001 occurred.  Michael became angry at the terrorists and decided to join the US Air Force.  He went through Officer Training School and then graduated specialized Navigator training to become an Electronic Warfare Officer.  Michael deployed 6 times for the Global War on Terror between 2005 and 2009 with the EC-130H Compass Call mission.  Michael medically retired in 2010 and then became an US Army contractor serving Wounded Warriors and ensuring they received all of their entitled benefits for 8 years.  Michael always had a love for science and the human body so he then used his GI bill to go through nursing school and graduated in August 2020.  Michael now works as a Registered Nurse at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.  Michael’s education is as follows: B.A. in Psychology from Auburn University in 1999, B.S. in Biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2001, M.S. in Management from Troy University in 2010, Masters in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2017, and M.S. from the University of Arizona in 2020 through its 15 month accelerated Masters Entry to the Profession of Nursing program.  Michael is the Founder and Manager of Dow Creative Enterprises, LLC.  His books have garnered the Silver Nautilus Book award in 2020 (Nurse Florence, Help I’m Bleeding) and an Award-Winning Finalist in the Religion category for the 2021 International Book Awards (A Prayer to Our Father in the Heavens: Possibly the Greatest Jewish Prayer of All Time).  Michael believes we will need the best of science and religion to successfully navigate ourselves, our civilization, through the future obstacles we will face.  More information can be found at www.DowCreativeEnterprises.com and www.NurseFlorence.org.  Nurse Florence® is a federally registered trademark by Dow Creative Enterprises.  The Nurse Florence® series seeks to promote science and health among children and to help increase the health literacy levels of our society.  With teamwork, inclusion, faith and perseverance, we can bravely face our problems and help each other reach our better selves as well as our best collective good.

Author Links 

 Website | Facebook  





 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself to write it? 

I reviewed the literature and found a peer-reviewed journal article from Food Nutrition Research.

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

Self-publishing.  The whole Nurse Florence® series is published through Lulu.

If self-published, how did you determine the price?

I set the royalties for about $1.80 a book which helps determine the final price.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

No.  We publish a new Nurse Florence® book about every 5-10 days and it was time for this one to be created.

How did you choose your cover?

My illustrator decided on the image and we used a standardized format for all Nurse Florence® books.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went along? 

Write, ordered a proof, then revised.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

Research different ways to promote a book and do many things.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

After promoting the book to the best of their ability, they should prepare to write their next book.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

Nurse Florence® is sparking a movement to improve health literacy levels around the world for not just children, but families so this book will be evergreen.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

Enjoy and check out www.nurseflorence.org for updates about the series.

Inside the Book



Title: Nurse Florence for Beginning Readers Coloring Book: Why is Chicken Healthy to Eat?

Author: Michael Dow

Publication Date: May 6, 2024

Pages: 43

Genre: Children/Coloring Book

Jean, Condi, and Sonia see Nurse Florence in the cafeteria and ask if they can sit with her so they can learn something new.  The nurse is eating chicken, and the girls ask her why it is healthy to eat.  Nurse Florence discusses the types of nutrients inside like vitamins, minerals, and protein.  The nurse mentions that research shows eating chicken with lots of vegetables is very healthy for you.  The girls are amazed at how the body works and how chicken can help them have a healthy lifestyle.  They can’t wait to see Nurse Florence again and keep learning new things about the body.
 
You can purchase your copy at Lulu.

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'The Flying Barons of Negriponte' James Calbraith⭐ #interview



James Calbraith is a Poland-born Scottish writer of history-adjacent novels, coffee drinker, Steely Dan fan and avid traveller.

Growing up in communist Poland on a diet of powdered milk, “Lord of the Rings” and soviet science-fiction, he had his first story published at the ripe age of eight. After years of bouncing around Polish universities, he moved to London in 2007 and started writing in English. Now lives in Edinburgh, hoping for an independent Scotland.

His debut historical fantasy novel, “The Shadow of Black Wings“, has reached Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award semi-finals in 2012. “The Year of the Dragon” saga sold over 30,000 copies worldwide.

His new historical fiction saga, “The Song of Ash” has been on top of Amazon’s Bestseller lists in UK for months. 

Connect with James:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Bookbub | Wattpad | Quora

 





 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself to write it? 

 I bought several books on the subject of the Crusades and Venice in the Middle Ages. I went to Greece, to see the locations for myself. I use wikipedia a lot, but always check the primary sources if there's any doubt.

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

 I always self-pub. I like the control it gives me.

If self-published, did you hire someone to format the ebook version for you or did you do it yourself?  Can you tell us what that was like?

 I use Amazon's Kindle Create for ebook formatting. Now that it can also export to epubs it replaced Calibre as my go-to tool for ebook creation.

If self-published, how did you determine the price?

 From experience - this is my 18th published novel. I change the prices often, for promotions and to keep up with the changing trends.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

 I write in consecutive drafts, revising the whole thing all over again every time. These days I'm done after about 4-5 drafts.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

One thing I steer clear of is paying for reviews on blogs. That just feels like throwing money down the drain, especially if you're not a well-known author. I'd much rather focus on building genuine connections and letting the quality of my work speak for itself.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

 This is book one of a trilogy - I'm hoping to release the second book before the end of this year, and the third one next year.

Inside the Book



Title: The Flying Barons of Negriponte (The Aether Empire Book 1)

Author: James Calbraith

Publication Date: September 20, 2023

Pages: 134

Genre: Historical Fantasy/Candlepunk

They killed her father. They took her ship. But nothing will stop Ikaria's vengeance.

Forty years since Constantinople fell to the Venetian flying citadels, high-altitude Aether racing is the favoured pastime of bored, wealthy Latin nobles. Ikaria, proud daughter of a legendary Aether engineer and one of the best racing pilots in the Aegean, is determined to uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious disappearance at the end of the last Grande Regatta of Negriponte.

Driven by the thirst of vengeance and pursuit of engineering excellence in equal measures, Ikaria vows to win the next Regatta herself - and to find out what really happened to her father. But there's a catch: a new Imperial edict bars her, and anyone not of noble blood, from taking part in Aether races. To her rescue comes Sire Mikhael of Chiarenza - an enigmatic handsome young Greek turncoat in the service of new Latin masters. His motivations unclear, the source of his funds and supplies a secret, Ikaria nonetheless agrees to accept his help: together, they set out to challenge the supremacy of the six Hexarchs, the infamous Flying Barons of Negriponte.

Pick up your copy of The Flying Barons of Negriponte at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJKXXQB1 .



 

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Tropical Scandal' David Myles Robinson⭐ #Tropical Scandal #interview

 



David Myles Robinson has always had a passion for writing. During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, while in college, Robinson worked as a freelance writer for several magazines and was a staff writer for a weekly minority newspaper in Pasadena, California. Upon graduating from San Francisco State University, he attended the University of San Francisco School of Law. It was there that he met his wife, Marcia Waldorf. In 1975 the two moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and began practicing law. Robinson became a trial lawyer and Waldorf eventually became a Circuit Court judge.   

Upon retiring in 2010, Robinson completed his first novel, Unplayable Lie. He has since published eight more novels. 

Website: www.davidmylesrobinson.com    

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DMRobinsonWrite   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMylesRobinson  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmylesrobinson
 


 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?

There really wasn’t any special research needed. I was a trial attorney in Honolulu for 40 years so I had the necessary experience and resources to write legal thrillers. The idea for Tropical Scandal came from a real-life scandal that rocked the Hawaii judiciary. I took the basic premise of the scandal and let my imagination run with it.


Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?

I used a small traditional publisher out of Florida which has published several of my other novels

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

The publication date was totally up to the publisher.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

I will sometimes revise as I go, especially if I find that I’ve written myself into a corner (I don’t use outlines). Usually, however, I revise after a first draft has been completed.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book?

For me, marketing is the hardest part of being an author. I’m not interested in spending my life trying to get other people to read my novels, so I try to get a number of good reviews to use on the sites that sell my books and I will do some marketing on Facebook, Instagram, and the former Twitter. I also do a mass email to my “contacts.”

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

I do it and believe in it.

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

Make sure it is properly edited and that those who have read the book at my request think it is well written and a good story. 

What are some of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

Mostly things I don’t really do, which is to market, market, market.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?

Just some Facebook advance promos.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

Is hope a long term plan? If so, I hope enough people read the book and are motivated to buy more of my work.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

Most of all I thank everyone who has taken the time to read my book and especially those who have liked it (or prior ones) enough to read more of my work. I now have nine published novels, five of which are legal thrillers set in Honolulu. All are stand-alone stories, although there are recurring characters in all of the legal thrillers. Please enjoy and take a few moments to post a review (no matter how short) on whichever site you purchased the book and/or on Goodreads. Independent authors live and die by reviews.

 

Inside the Book

Title: Tropical Scandal
Author: David Myles Robinson
Publisher: Bluewater Press, LLC
Pages: 291
Genre: Legal Thriller/Suspense/Mystery

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When Pancho McMartin, Honolulu’s top criminal defense attorney, takes on the case of Dayton Kalama, a young drug dealer accused of murdering his grandmother (tutu), Pancho is faced with a daunting amount of evidence pointing squarely at Dayton. But as Pancho, together with his private investigator, Drew Tulafono, gradually pull back the layers of deceit, they begin to uncover hints at what is beginning to look like the biggest scandal ever to hit Hawaii’s legal community. This book is pure fiction, but is inspired by true, scandalous events which shook Honolulu’s legal community to its core. 

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/3p8vwcvf