‘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