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Sgt. Rush looked around the room,
then at the exit hood, then back at me.“I’m ready,” he said.“Yeah?”“Yes.”“Is there any music you want to
hear, or something you want me to read aloud while you are, you know, going
under?”“No. Let’s just keep things
simple.”“You’re the boss.”“Thank you again, Eli. You have
no idea how much this means to me. You just have to promise me you won’t let
your conscience torture you on this. You are a good man, doing a noble thing.”“I appreciate that, but don’t
worry about me. I’m honored to assist.”I wanted to say more. I wanted to
tell Sgt. Rush how I admired him for having lived a purposeful and honest life.
For having raised a happy daughter. For having endured his wife’s illness and
death with courage and poise. And for having been such a good friend to my
father for so many years. I realized, however, that expressing such sentiments
would have been more for my benefit than for his. Sgt. Rush didn’t need me to
deliver a living tribute or eulogy. He didn’t need to be reassured that he had
been liked and loved and respected by the people he encountered on this planet.
He felt no existential despair. He needed no soft words to send him home. He
simply wanted to leave.I checked to see that the long
plastic tubing was securely hooked up to the release valve of the tank, and
picked up the plastic bag.“Remember, there won’t be any
helium in the bag when I first slip it over your head. You will be able to
breathe freely. Once I insert the tube into the hole and turn the valve, just
continue to breathe slowly and deeply. It will be just like you are breathing
oxygen, and you’ll drift off before you know it. Is that clear?”“Perfectly.”“Good. Are you ready to begin?”“Yes.”Sgt. Rush scooted back in his bed
and propped himself up on a couple of pillows. I carried the connected tank and
the bag to the side of the bed, close enough for the tubing to reach Sgt.
Rush’s soon-to-be hooded head.Here’s where I had earlier
thought one of us might crumble. This is the point at which I had half-expected
to suddenly come to my senses, or for Sgt. Rush to suddenly come to his. But it
turned out to be the easiest part of the whole plan. A dream sequence. Distance
and detachment, yet each of us locked into our respective role – doubtless that
what we were doing was right. Beyond right. Bordering on obligatory.Me: Focused and methodical as I
slipped the bag over his head and attached the straps, tube and tape.Him: Unwavering in his response
to my final “Ready?”No tension at the turning of the
valve. No coughing as oxygen was ousted. No struggle as helium stole the show.No panic as the number of living
people in the room was cut in half.Sgt. Rush, or, more precisely,
the body he had borrowed for 62 years, lay slumped awkwardly on the bed, his
head tilted to the left at a sharp angle, his torso leaning heavy in the same
direction yet still supported partially by the pillows. After I removed the
plastic bag and packed all the hood pieces into my duffel bag, I carefully
un-stacked the pillows and guided the body into a position more in line with
that of a man who had been napping rather than one who had been sitting up in
bed to watch a program on a non-existent TV set.On my way out of the room I snatched
the envelope Sgt. Rush had left on the dresser and slid it into my duffel bag.
Just like that, I had been transformed from a rank amateur to a highly paid
professional – nearly doubling what I had earned the entire year before in a
matter of minutes.I turned to look once more at the
body. I would miss the man who had exited it, yet I felt no remorse. On the
contrary – I was overwhelmed by a strong sense of achievement. An impenetrable
sense of… there was that simple word again…Purpose.
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Add The Exit Man to your Goodreads |
Having spent much of his life weaving intricate tales to
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“This novel was a poignant, riveting, thought provoking read that had
me entranced from page one until the very end. In simple speak, I
literally could not put it down.” – 5 Star Review, Griffin’s Honey Blog
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Jennifer Chase
Award Winning Author and Criminologist |
Interview with Jennifer Chase:
and Dead Game
where Emily Stone takes it on herself to track down paedophiles and killers, has received fantastic reviews. Will there be any more from Emily Stone?
Was Compulsion your first fiction book, or have you many unpublished novels tucked away somewhere?
Do Compulsion and Dead Games stand alone as individual stories?
You also write screenplays, and have a non-fiction book out called, very aptly, How To Write A Screenplay.
Have you written a screenplay and seen it played out on stage?
SPYDER is published by L and L Dreamspell, a small independent and POD publisher. Fingerman appeared on my blog introducing his collection of chilling shorts called Edging Past Reality, and a novel that was on the verge of being released called Silent Kill.
David Fingerman very kindly wrote a guest post about self-publishing. Something I’ve been blogging about recently. Check out the post: Here.
Let’s speak to David Fingerman!
Hi Louise ~ thank you so much for letting me appear on your blog.
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=wiswor0a-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1935097075&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrYou’re very welcome. Tell us how are Edging Past Reality and Silent Kill doing?
Edging Past Reality is still doing pretty good, especially in downloads. Downloads are way outselling hard copy which tells me that’s where the future is. With Silent Kill I’m really not sure – I’ll know more when I get my next quarterly statement from the publisher. Going strictly by Amazon rankings, I’m a little disappointed that it’s not doing better. I’ll keep marketing that at the same time as Sypyder.
So, who or what inspired you to write Spyder?
Oh, this is embarrassing. There used to be this persnickety old woman who attended the same writers’ group I did. She drove me nuts. When it came http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=wiswor0a-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1603182306&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrtime to critique she would interrupt and go on and on about how it wasn’t anything compared to her life. No matter what the person wrote, she could somehow twist it into how her life was so much better, worse, etc. It got to the point where we’d run out of time before everyone got a chance to read even though the moderator would explain we were here to critique the writing. It didn’t matter ~ to her it was a social gathering.
My goal was to write something so insulting that she’d be speechless and Spyder was born. It was a short story (now chapter one in the book) and it worked. For the first time since I’d started going to the group, she had nothing to say. I thought that was the end of Spyder, but no. One day I was researching guidelines and found a small press in England that was looking for raunchy inner-city stories. I sent it in and the editor loved it. He asked that if I had any more Spyder stories, I should send them. With that encouragement I wrote another and sent it in. I got a letter back saying that he liked that one even better than the first, but unfortunately the magazine was going under. By that point I was having way too much fun writing Spyder stories.
What is it about?
Spyder is a streetwise punk with a very warped sense of humor. As he gets older and the streets become more dangerous, he comes to the conclusion it’s time to clean up his act and try mainstream society. But because of his self-destructive behavior . . . well, I don’t want to give too much away. It’s marketed as mainstream but I like to think of it as an urban adventure.
Was there a character you struggled with in Spyder?
This was the only novel where I can honestly say that I had no trouble with the characters. I had a blast writing each and every one.
How many unpublished books do you have lurking under your bed?
Yikes. I don’t dare look under the bed to see what’s lurking (I’m guessing killer dust bunnies). However, I do have a couple of unfinished novels hiding in the deep recesses of my computer. I started them years ago and one day I might pull them out again. If I still like the story line I’ll rewrite and complete them.
You’re still with L and L Dreamspell how did you find them, and are you still happy with them? Would you still recommend them?
Whenever I see a new book that looks interesting, and also looks like the type of thing I write, I always see who the publisher is. I can’t recall what the book was that I checked, but the publisher was L & L Dreamspell. I checked out their website and decided to give them a try. Wonderful for me, they liked my work. They’re a small, independent, POD publisher and I couldn’t be happier. They treat their authors almost like family. I highly recommend them ~ but read their guidelines before submitting!
In your original interview with me you said that you had a plan to self-publishing primarily to get your name out to the masses, and then I would try the traditional route . Have you not tried with Spyder?
I did self-publish Edging Past reality in hopes of getting a wider name recognition. Whether it had anything to do with my signing on to L&L Dreamspell I highly doubt. L&L Dreamspell is a small independent POD publisher, and I definitely found a wonderful home with them. L&L published bother Silent Kill and Spyder, but I’m pretty sure they hadn’t heart of me prior to sending my writing to them. Still, I think it was a smart business plan and I learned a lot about the publishing world by going the self-publishing route first.
What’s the best/worst part of being a writer?
The best part is I’m doing what I love to do. I’m in the enviable position where I can write full time. The worst part is marketing. Although it’s getting a little easier, I’m still way out of my comfort zone. Being an introvert, I much prefer sitting alone in my office and typing away.
What is the most productive time of the day for you to write?
I try to treat my writing like a job and write during the day (otherwise my wife will make me go out and find a ‘real’ job). I normally start at around 9 a.m. and go until about 4 (taking an occasional break). On those rare occasions when all the stars are in alignment and the creativity is flowing, I’ll keep going well into the night. I’ve also been known to wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning and feel creative. (Like I’ve mentioned earlier ~ I love what I do.)
Do you start your projects writing with paper and pen or is it all on the computer
The only time I use pen and paper is when I don’t have access to my computer.
What/who do you draw inspiration from?
Anything and everything. I just put a “What if . . .” in front of the thought and set my imagination free.
Do you set yourself goals when you sit down to write such as word count?
I’ve found that it’s self-defeating setting goals for myself. I know that it works for a lot of writers but not me. I do try to spend at least 6 hours per day writing, but that includes research and editing (and when my new books come out ~ marketing). As long as I’m productive, I’m happy.
What are you working on now that you can talk about?
At present I’m working on a horror novel. I shall say no more. : )
How do/did you deal with rejection letters?
I actually led a seminar at a writers’ conference on dealing with rejection letters. Doing research I found a number rejects some great writers had received ~ I’m in good company. I also learned of how many rejects some classic novels received. I always wonder what happened to the people who rejected J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (over a dozen rejections) or Stephen King’s “Carrie.” (30 rejections)
For the most part rejects don’t bother me unless it’s one where I really thought I had a perfect fit – those sting a little bit. Fortunately for me, I’ve had enough acceptances that I’m secure (some call it egotistical) enough to feel that it’s them and not my talent.
Do you have a critique partner?
I belong to two writers’ groups – each one has an average attendance of about 12-15 people. People will read pieces of their work and get critiqued. So, I don’t have a specific critique partner, but I do have a couple dozen.
And to whet readers’ appetite for Spyder, here is a snippet:
When Sal opened his eyes he looked shocked, as if the coffee appeared by magic. I poured us each a cup and waited for him to start.
“I wanted to visit my ma, let her know I was okay. She had this big bruise on her face, and her arms were all black and blue. I could tell that she was happy to see me, but she kinda whispered that maybe it would be best for me to leave. Then the ass-hole came to the door. He was drunk as hell and the first thing he does is start dissing me. I politely told him not to call me those names.”I could imagine how he made those “polite” comments.
“It was self defense. He took a swing at me and I guess I went kinda crazy.”
“But you didn’t kill him.”
“No. He didn’t die ‘til later.”
I choked on my mouthful of coffee. “So how did he die?”
“After I showed him who was boss, he ran out of the house. I chased after him and told him never to hit my ma again. I caught up to him and he just collapsed. I didn’t touch him.”
I didn’t think now might not be the time to tell him that the courts would most definitely disagree on his theory of murder and self defense.
“So what do you want from me?” I asked.
He stammered a bit. “Well, a lot of the neighbors came out to see what all the noise was. I was wondering if you could, ya know, kinda set ‘em straight on what really went down. Tell ‘em it was self defense.”
“You want me to go door-to-door, and tell all your neighbors that they really didn’t see what they thought they saw?”
“And I was wondering,” he continued. “Well, I know you’ve got a roof now. I was wondering if you’d let me crash there for a while ‘til the cops quit looking for me.”
It was like he reverted to a giant mound of stupid. I silently pulled out my knife and hugged it next to my leg. I knew he wasn’t going to like my next words and wanted to be ready.
The Target turns the tables on the nuclear terrorism genre as a group of average Americans become the perpetrators.Barbara from Berkeley, an intellectual liberal blogger, provides a third perspective on the unfolding story.
The Target reflects Bowen’s concern about the combination of terrorism and nuclear weapons and the missing element of deterrence in that equation. It is his hope that the leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and other countries will understand the danger of uncontrolled proliferation.
Bill Bowen holds degrees in foreign affairs from the United States Air Force Academy and Georgetown University. He has served in military intelligence and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs … at the intersection of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the President’s National Security Advisor. Contacts: http://outskirtspress.com/thetarget
Sophisticated crime syndicate parasites invade the normally solid foundation of Midwestern banking and generations of established manufacturing. Executives and management usually in control suddenly find they are masterfully manipulated into a web of irreconcilable personal and financial seduction.
From the traumatic discovery at the river’s edge to the eventual confrontational conclusion Said The Spider seduces greedy, gullible and unsuspecting prey into a deadly and graphic whirlwind of corporate disaster leading to murder, suicide and revenge.
The early exploits of the juvenile crime spree by a youthful mastermind who cleverly manipulates his prey leads the reader to the ruthless genius manipulating the city. This drama of cause and effect with no escape from the temptations of lust, greed, and ignorance has been cleverly baited.
The corporate investigative agency and police sources enter almost too late to stop this whirlpool of turbulence as the bank Vice President’s realize their own failure and the investors and corporation officers panic and retreat from the coming Armageddon.
As murder, suicide and monumental financial losses are exposed, the crime syndicate learns of an investigation which might interrupt their lucrative operation. Crime bosses will stop at nothing to successfully complete their artistic looting of a major bank and manufacturing complex.
Time is running out. Investigators are pulling pieces of the puzzle together. Corrupt and greedy bank executives are running for their lives. The syndicate is charging ahead in their goal of complete domination and eventual departure culminating in a surprise and conclusive end to fraud and murder.
How many unpublished books do you have lurking under your bed?
I’ve completed two more in this series that continue on from Said The Spider, Gumshoe Diary-The Month of May, and Point of Connection. I’ve also written numerous short stories and children’s stories.
How did you find the publisher/agent? What was the journey like? Ever feel like giving up?
I chose Outskirts Press through research and frustration with locating an agent or other source. It has been an interesting experience, frustrating at times also, but one that I’m happy to have taken.
How do your juggle a writing schedule with real-life work, or are you a full time writer?
I retired in 1998 from my work as President of the company I founded, Corporate Information LTD, an investigative agency that specialized in white collar and undercover investigations. My freedom to write is much improved and my writing continues as the pace of my life allows it.
What’s the best/worst part of being a writer?
The writing is the easy part. The worst part is my anticipation and frustration with this part of the process. I am impatient!
Do you start your projects writing with paper and pen or is it all on the computer? -It all starts in my mind and then translates totally to the keyboard.
What/who do you draw inspiration from?
My inspiration is my wife.
Do you set yourself goals when you sit down to write such as word count?
None, I set no goal and frequently have no idea where the story is going. Sometimes I even surprise myself. I do tend to totally lose track of time.
Are you a published or a self-published author and how do you come up with your cover art?
Said the Spider is published through Outskirts Press and the cover art was a cooperative effort by both myself and Outskirts Press.
What are you working on now that you can talk about?
I have completed (both unpublished) Gumshoe Diary-The Month of May, and Point of Connection. They are related to the original book (Said The Spider) with many of the same characters, but new adventures.
How do/did you deal with rejection letters?
They can’t be taken personally. Most agents or publishers I’ve corresponded with reject without bothering to read (if at all) anything more than a few lines. I know this because they have not been furnished more than that limited request. At this time in my life I have no need for a resume and write for my own pleasure.
What’s your advice about getting an agent?
Not having agent, my advice would be useless. I can only say that if that’s your goal then proceed with it and be persistent.
Do you have a critique partner?
My wife reads and re-reads my work as do 2 or 3 close friends who are kind enough to assist in grammar, punctuation and story content. I’ve chosen those critique sources I trust who will be honest, candid and precise in their evaluation of my work.
Joyce Yarrow was born in the SE Bronx, escaped to Manhattan as a teenager and now lives in Seattle with her husband and son. Along the way to becoming a full-time author, Joyce has worked as a screenwriter, singer-songwriter, multimedia performance artist and most recently, a member of the world music vocal ensemble, Abráce.
What age group is you book geared towards?
Adults.
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=wiswor0a-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1594148872&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrInto which genre would you say your book falls?
Mystery/suspense
Tell us a little about your book?
THE LAST MATRYOSHKA is the second book in the Jo Epstein series, following ASK THE DEAD. Jo is a performance poet who works as a private investigator out of Scandal’s lounge in New York City.
Roped into helping her socially inept, émigré stepfather Nikolai escape the clutches of a blackmailer, Jo must enter a world where criminals enforce a nineteenth-century code of honor, threats arrive inside not-so-traditional Matryoshka (nesting) dolls, and fashion models adorn themselves with lewd prison tattoos. And even as she helps Nikolai—who claims to have been framed—to evade the police, Jo can’t help wondering if her client is as innocent as he claims.
From Vladimir Central Prison to the brooding Russian forest, from Moscow Criminal Police headquarters to the monasteries of Suzdal, Jo Epstein investigates the world of the vory—a criminal subculture as brutal as it is romanticized—while racing against the clock to solve crimes committed on two continents.
What is your favourite scene in your book? Can we have a snippet?
Some of my favorite scenes from THE LAST MATRYOSHKA are told from the antagonist’s point of view. Here is a sample:
Excerpt from THE LAST MATRYOSHKA, © 2010 Joyce Yarrow
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=wiswor0a-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0976540916&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifrHave your characters or writing been inspired by friends/ family or by real-life experiences?
The core idea for THE LAST MATRYOSHKA came to me while visiting my mother in Brooklyn. I listened to her neighbors chattering in Russian in the elevator and admired the Russian fashionistas shopping in high heels on Kings Highway. The mystery writer in me got to wondering: what if a Russian émigré’s past in Russia caught up with him and created havoc in his new life. I started with that premise and never looked back.
Can you sum the book up in one sentence?
In this fast-paced, suspenseful novel, performance poet and private investigator Jo Epstein uses her New York street smarts to outmaneuver a master Russian criminal on his own turf.
Who is your favourite character in your book and why?
I would have to say Jo Epstein. Her character combines the insight and sensitivity of the poet with the tough smarts of a tenacious private investigator at the top of her form.
Which comes first for you – characters or plot?
For me it is always the character who comes first, because it is from knowing each character’s core needs and reactions to conflict that the plot evolves.
Who is your publisher and where are your books available? Are there e-books and hard copies available?
ASK THE DEAD is published by Martin Brown and Ampichellis Ebooks and is available on Amazon as both a trade paperback and an ebook at http://amzn.to/dfYQbE It is also available for the Nook on Barnes & Noble at http://draft.blogger.com/goog_532781583
THE LAST MATRYOSHKA is published by Five Star/Cengage and is available in hardcover at http://amzn.to/945LF6
Contacts:
http://www.joyceyarrow.com/
http://joyceyarrow.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @joyceyarrow
Andrew saw what happened. Eddie saw what happened. But their severe learning disabilities prevent them from communicating what they have seen.The novel took me ten years to write and I want to give it to you, free of charge…
Attached is a FREE e-book, Tasting the Wind.
So why am I giving it away?
There are 3 reasons:
1) We are living in difficult economic times. I want to give you a free read. If you want to check out what it’s about and if it’s any good, click on the link above.
2) Because we live in difficult economic times the powers that be will be looking to cut essential services. ‘Tasting the Wind’ is partly set in a 1980s institution for people with learning disabilities. I want to raise awareness of what life could be like for people with learning disabilities if funding cuts force them to return to institutional styles of living.
3) The profits from the paperback go to Derian House children’s Hospice. If you keep your copy of the e-book I would ask you to give a donation (as much or as little as you like, if you give £1/ $1 and pass this on it could make a million!) to Derian House. You are under no obligation, but if you wish to do so go to: http://www.derianhouse.co.uk/donate.html
Please forward this on to your friends and contacts.
Other links for ‘Tasting the Wind’ :
My blog- http://allanmayer.wordpress.com/
Tasting the Wind Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=56190762166
Do you use Kindle or another electronic reader? Download your free copy of ‘Tasting the Wind’ here:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/5061
And finally: although I do not wish to make money from this book, I do have an ego. Please add reviews on Amazon, and join my Facebook page.
Let me know what you think, and how far round the world this has travelled.
Tasting the Wind is a tale of the lives of a group of mental patients who move out of their institution into “care in the community”. You class it as a thriller, can you tell us a little more about its genre?
With ‘Tasting the Wind’ I have perhaps committed the cardinal sin for a new author of writing in mixed genre. It certainly is a thriller, because the whole premise is what happens when two people who can’t communicate what they have seen witness a ‘murder’ and the person responsible is the manager of their care facility?
But it does cross genres. Originally I wrote a novel which aimed to show the reality of the lives of people with learning disabilities and give a realistic account of moving from a long stay hospital into the community.
I soon realised that it had been done before, for instance in the novel ‘Walter’ which was dramatised on the opening night of channel 4.
I decided that I wanted to entertain as well as inform people about a fascinating period of history. I wanted humour in there as the lives of people with learning disabilities, like the lives of everyone else, are a mixture of tragedy and comedy.
Originally the death came half way through and the nurse’s culpability was never discovered. What would happen, I thought, if I moved the death to the prologue?
Life is mixed genre. I believe that fiction should represent that and feel that publishers’ preference for single genre, although it is understandable because that is what the customer wants, is inhibiting.
What gave you the incentive to write this book?
Two reasons. Firstly, I felt that in working in long stay Mental Handicap hospitals in the 1980s I had had a unique experience. I had witnessed things that the majority of the population would never see. If you want to know what I’m talking about have a look at a documentary called ‘The Silent Minority’ which can be seen on ‘YouTube.’
Secondly, ‘Tasting the Wind’ came to me when I had been diagnosed with depression- a diagnosis which later changed to Seasonal Affective Disorder- I needed a longterm project, something to get me through the dark days.
It’s commendable that 50% of your royalties are going to Derian House Children’s Hospice. What is your connection to the hospice?
I’ve never been asked that, but when I think about it there are several. The first is that It’s local, and it gives dying children quality of life. How important is that? But there is more to my connection.
I first heard about Derian in the early 1990s, when it was being set up, at the same time that I was setting up a day service for adults with profound learning disabilities. My service was visited by some very well spoken ladies from the local council who, in a conversation with our Director of Finance, spoke disparagingly of how Derian house had been set up without government funding and would never survive.
I was brought up a socialist, and although professionallity prevented me from speaking, I seethed at their superior and glib attitude. This was about dying children, and why didn’t the government that they so obviously supported (you can fill in the gaps) fund such an essential service?
So since that day I have given to Derian House. I used to do amateur dramatics, and when I had to have my beard shaved off to play an ugly sister I had it sponsored for Derian House.
And guess what? Twenty years on Derian House is still providing an excellent service. Another connection is that Derian doesn’t only provide services for children in their last days. Sometimes children with profound disabilities stay there for respite, and some of those children now use the service I manage as adults.
You can find out more about Derian House at http://www.derianhouse.co.uk/
Have your characters or writing been inspired by friends/ family or by real-life experiences?
The whole of ‘Tasting the Wind’ is inspired by the work I did in the mid eighties in what we used to a ‘Mental Handicap Hospital.’ Most of my characters are a combination of up to four people I have known, but are unique in that the old adage is true- they take on life of their own. Once a character had formed I would put them in a situation and their reactions wrote themselves.
One character who is not a combination is Jamie, who is based on David Heffer, a superb care worker who worked with people with learning disabilities and had so much to offer to the future development of services. The IRA decided that he wouldn’t get to make this contribution when they planted a bomb in a Covent Garden pub.
One of the best outcomes of publishing ‘Tasting the Wind’ was that it led to David’s family contacting me. We spent a lovely weekend together, which I have recorded in my blog.
What is your favourite scene in your book? Can we have a snippet?
That’s a difficult one. Because of the mixture of genres one passage may give the impression that it is a miserable tragedy, another would say ‘slapstick comedy.’ So I’ve chosen the scene where the ‘patients’ finally leave the hospital which has been their home for decades.
By way of explanation: Eddie has coped with his years of institutionalisation by inventing imaginary characters and pets, such as Pansy the dog. Don Maguire is the Hospital Bully. Frankie is a patient that Eddie witnessed being murdered by a nurse ten years previously. Got that? God- here we go:
Eddie’s leave-taking was that of a celebrity: kissing the reception staff, waving to all and sundry and swinging his carrier bag as he passed through a corridor of patients, all chanting ‘nee-naw nee naw.’ Behind him came Jamie, uncharacteristically red-faced, carrying a large blue suitcase with a red balloon tied to the handle.‘Come on, Pansy, come on boy, we’re escaping.’
‘Eddie,’ Jamie called as he approached the bus, ‘I thought you’d agreed to leave Pansy behind?’Eddie looked down, his eyes glazing. Then with a beam and a flicker of white tipped tooth he said ‘Yes, Pansy, stay here boy, off you go,’ as he pretended to throw an invisible stick and watch the dog race back into the hospital.
‘Bye Pansy. Be a good dog.’
Eddie squeezed into his seat he held his carrier bag to his chest and, staring at the hospital, muttered, ‘mustn’t forget Frankie. Must take Frankie with us.’‘But there isn’t a Frankie,’ said Ruth, ‘or are you thinking about Billy?’
Eddie shook his head, as if she was misunderstanding what he was saying and there was no way that he could ever explain.
As Rita and Oscar started to cheer, signifying that the bus was setting off, Eddie stepped for a moment out of his private world and joined in, waving his bag as if it were a flag. With the other hand he was patting the air and talking out of the corner of his mouth: ‘Hush boy,’ he whispered, ‘need you where I’m going, but bark like that and the screws will hear you.’
At the main gate, Don Maguire was leaning against the post. For once he was not wearing his green jacket. Instead he wore jeans and a T-shirt, and was pretending that he was too much of a man to feel the chill of the early spring breeze. Rita turned from him, rubbing her eye.
‘‘E no ma boyfren no more,’ said Rita.
Colin stopped as a tractor went past, giving Oscar a chance to slide open a small window and give the Don his parting message:‘Bye Don. Will you miss me?’
‘Fuck off.’
‘Hey Don, when I was in the office I saw your records. They say you’ve got the biggest brain in the mental hospital…’Don’s chest puffed out as he shrugged as if to say ‘isn’t that obvious?’
‘…And the smallest cock they’ve ever seen.’As the bus started to pull out of the grounds, Oscar reached into the black bin bag at his feet and held up a green jacket, which he waved like a victor’s banner. A study in rage, Don Maguire shouted obscenities and waved his fists; but there may as well have been an invisible field across the entrance, because he never once stepped out of the grounds. As Don’s rage receded into silence, Colin looked in his mirror, watching the hospital grow smaller and smaller, until it disappeared.
They had left.
This is an amazing offer by Allen:
The novel attached to this e-mail took me ten years to write and I want to give it to you, free of charge…
Please forward this to everyone you know.
You should have received this e-mail from me or someone you know. If not, please delete it.
Attached is a FREE e-book, Tasting the wind.
The paperback would cost you £8.99 on Amazon. Click HERE to see it and to read some excellent reviews.
So why am I giving it away?
There are 3 reasons:
1) We are living in difficult economic times. I want to give you a free read. If you want to check out what it’s about and if it’s any good, click on the link above.
2) Because we live in difficult economic times the powers that be will be looking to cut essential services. ‘Tasting the Wind’ is partly set in a 1980s institution for people with learning disabilities. I want to raise awareness of what life could be like for people with learning disabilities if funding cuts force them to return to institutional styles of living.
3) The profits from the paperback go to Derian House children’s Hospice. If you keep your copy of the e-book I would ask you to give a donation (as much or as little as you like, if you give £1/ $1 and pass this on it could make a million!) to Derian House. You are under no obligation, but if you wish to do so go to: http://www.derianhouse.co.uk/donate.html
Please forward this on to your friends and contacts.
Other links for ‘Tasting the Wind’ :
My blog- http://allanmayer.wordpress.com/
Tasting the Wind Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=56190762166
Do you use Kindle or another electronic reader? Download your free copy of ‘Tasting the Wind’ here:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/5061
And finally: although I do not wish to make money from this book, I do have an ego. Please add reviews on Amazon, and join my Facebook page.
Let me know what you think, and how far round the world this has travelled,
Thanks,
Allan Mayer
Do you have an agent, or have you gone alone?
Now I had a problem. I was a new writer, but didn’t believe that Tasting the Wind could be properly presented in a single genre. So I decided to do it myself. I talked to friends who had self-published, but that seemed to be too expensive and too involved. Then someone informed me that YouWriteOn were offering a cheap Print on Demand service.
Did you send Koontz a copy of Tasting the Wind?
No, but it did cross my mind. It was just that his letter said how his brief had advised him never to comment on stuff that was sent to him- you can imagine it can’t you- ‘Why aren’t you publishing my book- Koontz said it was good.’ It is well worth writing to him- you get a really thick package back. I got his standard letter, which says that he is busy writing, but the signature is genuine (well worth having I thought.)
Then… there was a messager in ink at the bottom of the page which said: see other letter….
and there was another letter which advised me as a new writer to go for a high concept novel. Thing was, it didn’t answer any of my specific questions, so I guess his team have a stock of letters, some for fans and others for writers asking for advice. Nevertheless, I am pleased to have a couple of signatures and feel very happy with the response. He’s also got an excellent website, don’t know if you’ve seen it:
http://www.deankoontz.com/
Tasting the Wind is published with a POD company YouWriteOn. Were you happy with their service?
There was a lot of criticism of YWO in the early days of their POD service. They had claimed that they could publish 5000 novels in the three months before Christmas 2008. That was never going to happen. Critics from the publishing world claimed that the quality of their publications could not be assured and compared it to vanity press.
For my part, I could accept the shortcomings of the service, but have never had reason to call it a scam. The books are of good quality- admittedly they lack the benefit of professional proof reading- but they don’t fall apart like some of the earlier POD books apparently did. These days, anyone who asks me about the wisdom of using a POD publisher I would direct to my reviews on Amazon UK. The critics say that POD books are only bought by friends and relations. Only two of my reviews come from friends, and most of them are five star. These days we have the internet, and if you learn a few marketing skills you should be able to sell your book beyond your immediate circle.
My only criticism of YWO as a service is that books ordered direct took ages to come- I now order books exclusively from Amazon.uk and use their free delivery option.
Would you do it again?
It would depend. Tasting the Wind was a one off which wouldn’t fit into a category. If I wrote another book I would still go through the traditional route of submitting to agents and publishers. If that failed then yes I would use a POD publisher again. I would rather get my work out to an audience- however small- than leave it sitting on my hard drive.
What marketing have you been doing to help sales?
What marketing haven’t I done? Well not TV and radio yet- although I did wake up one morning to find that an American internet radio station had featured me. I’ve done local papers and magazines, and saturated the internet. (just Google Allan Mayer Tasting the Wind and you’ll see what I mean.)
I spent most of 2009 exploring every avenue of marketing. Take a look at my blog to see the whole list. Some worked, some didn’t.
The most important lesson that I could pass on about marketing of a self-published or POD book is to find your niche audience. I finally found it this year when I did some readings at the Open University. There is a group there which studies the Social History of Learning Disabilities. I so enjoyed doing the readings and afterwards people queued for me to sign copies- a small taste of fame which I will never forget.
(The reading was recorded and will soon be added to the OU website at: http://www.open.ac.uk/hsc/ldsite/conferences_v2.html )
Through the conference I also made some useful contacts in the academic world. Tasting the Wind will be being reviewed in the Briutish Journal of Learning Disabilities in December (one of the biggest journals in the field) and is on reading lists at Manchester University and at Lancashire Adult Learning.
Having said that, I would hope that Tasting the Wind is of interest not only to people in the field of Learning Disability. What I set out to do was open a window into a world that few have seen firsthand.
How long does it take you to write a book?
Tasting the Wind took ten years. Part of that was the need to get it right. It was a labour of love, and a very difficult balancing act . I wanted to present realistic characters with learning disabilities without being patronising or stereotypical. I wanted to get over a ‘message’ without preaching. I also wanted to include humour and was very conscious that handled wrongly it could have looked like I was poking fun or laughing at rather than laughing with the characters.
Which comes first for you – characters or plot?
I can’t think of a simple answer to this one. The original kernel of inspiration was my own experience, therefore at that stage characters and happenings were intertwined. Then I would combine characters and add my own original tweaks until they took on a life of their own. The plot then developed in ways I had not anticipated once these new creations started to interact. So I suppose that the characters do have some sort of primacy, although the relationship between character and plot is probably best described as symbiotic.
The best example of the book ‘writing itself’ is to do with the demise of the villain of the piece. She is based on a real person (who for obvious legal reasons cannot be named.) The real ‘Della’ abused people with learning disabilities, and when this was found out was not punished but ‘promoted out’ of the situation. This was my original ending, but when my wife complained that it was not sufficient (although sadly realistic) I looked at an alternative ending. One leaped out, based on what had gone before, and I can promise you that it is dramatic, appropriate and satisfying.
How did you get into writing? Did you always want to become a writer?
Yes. As a child I would write stories and poems. In my teens I had poetry published in local anthologies and used to contribute to readings. A bit scary when you’re fifteen, but it was good experience. I always wanted to write a novel but it was a long time until I felt that I had the right subject. My favourite reading genre was Science Fiction, and I was waiting for a Sci- Fi story to come along. It never did.
Are you working on another book? Possible to have a preview snippet or blurb of that?
I have completed the first draft of a thriller. I have degrees in theology, so have decided to put them to good use in writing a Dan Brown style thriller packed with biblical clues and cultish conspiracy.
For one reason or another I haven’t had time to do much to it recently. I’m hoping to return to it eventually, and the gap will hopefully help me to view it more critically so that I can be merciless in my editing.
I have never been able to show anything to anyone while I’m still working on it. I had been writing Tasting the Wind for many years before my wife even got a glimpse of it. It’s a personal thing.
What I can say is that it involves a theology lecturer (Jack Ellison) who gets involved in a local fundamentalist church where a young girl claims to be demon possessed. Soon he finds himself in life-threatening situations, as do others who are close to him, and each time a biblical clue is left. Are the clues related to the ‘demoniac’ or are they linked to Jack’s former life where he rescued youngsters from cults? It’s a million miles away from ‘Tasting the Wind’ but in my new novel (working title ‘Legion’s Daughter’ I am still writing about ‘what I know.’
What mistakes do you see new writers make?
To me one of the most serious mistakes is not paying enough attention to editing. Once a first draft is complete you may have to slash it by half, completely cutting scenes which you may really like but which do not take the story forward. This takes a lot of honesty, discipline, and understanding of form.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Go in with your eyes open and know why you are writing. Be your own greatest critic- why give someone else the pleasure?
As well as mastering the craft of writing, learn about the world of publishing and book marketing. Get hold of a copy of the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, and visit web resources such as the excellent ‘How Publishing Really Works’ and ‘Absolute Write.’
Another piece of advice which I got from a confidence coach, was to identify your model of excellence. Choose a writer you admire, study their style, find out their beliefs about writing, write to them- meet them if you can (without becoming a nuisance or a stalker!) They did it- so can you.
Above all, enjoy your writing and enjoy the world of writing. Few of us will make a living from it, but all of us can enjoy many of its rewards.
Tell us about A Touch of Deceit in a few sentences.
The novel is about a Sicilian FBI agent, Nick Bracco, who heads the counterterrorism division of the Baltimore Field Office. When his family becomes the target of a Kurdish terrorist, he recruits his mafia cousin Tommy to help track down the terrorist. Yes, it gets messy rather fast.
How did you come to write this particular book?
Believe it or not I started this book back in 1999. I was almost halfway through the novel when September 11th happened. I’m from New York originally, so it definitely affected me. Since one of the plot-points of my novel involved a terrorist attempting to blow up the White House I didn’t write a single word for close to a year. I just didn’t have the stomach for it.
Where and when is your novel set and why did you make these specific choices?
The novel is set in Baltimore for the first part, then finishes up in Payson, Arizona. I’d say the novel is pretty much present day, but with technology changing as fast as it does, I was careful not to use too many trendy references.
I believe I chose Baltimore because I had just finished reading David Simon’s book, “Homicide,” which was based in Baltimore. A terrific read. It gave me the flavor I was looking for. Plus New York seemed like such a cliché to me. Everything’s based in New York, so why not Baltimore.
How long did it take to write your book?
Well as I said I began in 1999, but all together it took a good seven years from start to finish.
How much revision of your MS did you do before you sent it off?
Tons. And then tons more. I’d published many short stories and was even nominated for a Pushcart Prize for two of them, but this was my first novel. I worked with a critique group who line-edited every sentence, then I’d revise again and again. When I was done I gave the finished product to five different people to read. They were all avid readers who knew nothing about this book. They all came back to me and said they loved it once the story got going, but the first couple of chapters were a little slow.
Well, of course, as a first time novelist you have to grab the reader from the first sentence. So I blew up the first seventy-five pages and started all over again. That process took another year. I’d say this novel is really my third novel, because that’s how much I’d changed it.
You’ve awards for A Touch of Deceit. Tell readers about them.
Yes, “A Touch of Deceit,” won the 2009 Southwest Writers Award, Thriller category. It was a thrill. It came with a $250 first prize and a nice plaque. The Pushcart Prize nominations were great, but winning that award really gave me confidence.
How did you find your literary agent?
The judge for the Southwest Writers Award was Robert Brown from Wylie Merrick Literary Agency. Once I was chosen the winner, I contacted Robert and asked if he’d represent me and he not only agreed, he became my number one cheerleader. I can’t say enough about him, he’s a great person.
What qualities make a successful writer?
At first I think you need to be an avid reader, but after that probably perseverance.
Do you think writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
With the really good writers I’d say seventy-five percent is innate ability. The other twenty-five percent is probably hard work and some luck. Having said that, there are exceptions to every rule. Never count out the ability of human spirit to achieve.
To what extent are grammar and spelling important to a writer?
It’s important for sure, but those sorts of things are repairable. That’s where a good critique group can be so helpful.
What single piece of advice would you give to writers still hoping to be published?
It’s a great time to be a writer. Don’t give up. Keep learning from your past work and keep reading other peoples’ work. Believe it or not reading poor fiction can actually be helpful. Sometimes you can recognize your own tendencies in other works of fiction. I know I have. And if you see yourself heading down a familiar path, don’t. Make sure whatever scene you’re writing is fresh and absent of anything we may have read or seen on TV before.
Are you involved in other projects?
Right now I’m furiously working on the sequel to “A Touch of Deceit.” I’ve also written a psychological thriller based on one of my short stories, but have put that on hold to finish up the sequel. The working title is, “The Agenda.”
Where can “A Touch of Deceit” be purchased?
I was offered a book deal a few months back from a small hardcover publisher who was going to sell my novel for $27.95. In the digital age I just couldn’t get myself to sign that deal. How many books was I going to sell at that price? Not many. It’s risky, but I opted to publish it as an E-book for just $1.99 instead. I really wanted readers over anything else. Readers become fans and fans buy more of your work. Since “A Touch of Deceit” is the first in a series I’m looking for the future. And since the future is certainly digital, I’ve recently agreed to make the Nick Bracco series an Amazon E-book Exclusive.
Do you have a website or a blog readers can visit?
My website is www.garyponzo.com and my blog is www.strongscenes.com. As you know I run a monthly writing contest on my blog where I hope to give some lesser-known writers a chance to have their work seen by agents, editors and publishers. I never charge a fee to enter the contest and the winner receives a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. I’d love nothing better than to help other writers gain some exposure.
@louise_wise and T. E Kessler 