Author Interview over at Falafel Jones' place

Recently I brought you an interview with mystery writer, Falafel Jones. Jones' was kind enough to repay the favor, and by that he put me through the ringer with his go to guy, PI Extraordinaire, Max Fried.

Hope you enjoy it: http://falafeljones.net/2014/03/19/author-interview-andrew-g-nelson/

Countdown to Queen’s Gambit book release

Well, the countdown to the release of Queen’s Gambit has officially begun. We are in the final stages of editing, formatting and jacket design and expect to be done before the end of the month. We are anticipating the e-book launch on, or around, March 25th, with the print version out shortly thereafter.

It is a very exciting time and I wanted to share some of the updates with all of you. So we are giving you a glimpse of the book cover and the jacket introduction.

If you haven’t read Perfect Pawn, this is a great opportunity for you to do so. There is a lot of background story that won’t be repeated in Queen’s Gambit. So if you really want to immerse yourself in the story, then now is the best time to get caught up.

Queen’s Gambit

Hunting Keith Banning was like trying to catch a ghost.

In the six months since the two men had first battled to a stalemate, James Maguire has spent countless days chasing down leads and sightings of the elusive killer, only to watch them fade away at the very last moment.

When Maguire’s old friend, Richard Stargold, is appointed as the new NYPD police commissioner, he offers him the opportunity to return to the department he loves.

While the specter of Banning remains ever present, now an even greater danger looms just ahead on the horizon, a threat which will put more lives at risk.

In a game driven by revenge, how much will be sacrificed to win?

The clock is ticking.

Author Interview: Robert K. Lewis (Critical Damage)

I recently had the opportunity to sit down (in a virtual sort of way) with Robert K. Lewis, author of UNTOLD DAMAGE and, the soon to be released sequel, CRITICAL DAMAGE.  

Me: Describe your debut novel, Untold Damage, for the readers in 25 words or less.

Robert K. Lewis (RLK): A recovering heroin addict, ex-undercover cop, goes after the murderer of his best friend.

Me: How on earth did you ever get dragged into the seedy world of being a professional writer?

RLK: I’m a born masochist, I guess. I was a painter for a long time, and hit the wall with that. Then, like a child who moves from pictures to words, I turned to writing screenplays, then after a tough bunch of years, started writing fiction. Took me about ten years of writing before I got published. I love a challenge, and writing (and not sucking) is one of the huge challenges out there.

Me: More often than not, today's writers seem drawn to the “good guy with the white hat” protagonist.  Your main character, Mark Mallen, is quite the opposite. What made you go against the grain and choose a very flawed individual?

RLK: I’m flawed. We’re all flawed. It’s what we all know, if not on a conscious level, then on an unconscious one. Beyond that, flawed characters are just more fascinating. Who wants to read a character that doesn’t need to be fixed? Overcoming ourselves is one of our great challenges in this life.

Me: I agree. The reality is that people do have issues. I think flawed characters are not only interesting to write, but interesting for readers. Almost like rooting for the underdog. Which brings me to another question: Mystery writers are an odd bunch. Alcoholic beverages aside, what, or who, would you say has influenced your work the most?

RLK: Well… this could be a long list. There are lot of guys who DIDN’T, or DON’T write mysteries on it. However, sticking to mystery writers, I would say “the old crew”: Chandler, Hammett, Frank Kane, Henry Kane, Ed McBain, Ross Macdonald… to name a few.

Me: In that respect you are like me. My influences span the literary spectrum, from Frank Herbert (Dune) to Frederick Forsyth (Day of the Jackal). I think it helps to have a variety of influences. Most people pick up a book and don’t realize just how much WORK actually goes into writing. What would you say was the hardest part in writing Untold Damage?

RLK: Writing it in a vacuum. I don’t have a writers group. I don’t have readers. By the time I wrote what was to become this book, I’d had been writing screenplays and mystery fiction for over ten years. I go with with my gut when I write, and that is ALWAYS very risky and very hard. (I would NEVER recommend this way of doing it to anyone, at anytime, by the way). 

Me: Did you have any inside help, from professional cops, when you were creating the background story of Mark Mallen?

RLK: No, I didn’t. I did need their help though on understanding procedures, etc, and called the Tenderloin station a bit to confirm procedure, but that was about it. Whenever I called, the officer on the other end of the phone was always helpful, and patient. 

Me: When I was writing my first novel, I had this vision of ‘and they lived happily ever after’ playing out in my mind. That didn’t work out quite so well. Did your original idea for the ending actually survive until the end or did you alter it along the way?

RLK: It survived. It was a very important, organic, aspect of the entire story, and it had to happen the way it happened.

Me: I know your fans are anticipating the release of the sequel, Critical Damage, which comes out in April. Can you tell us what the premise of this novel is going to be?

RLK: Ha! I HOPE people out there are anticipating the sequel. All I can really say about Critical Damage is this: It’s like what “The Empire Strikes Back” was to “Star Wars”.

Me: It’s funny you say that. I remember walking out of the movie theater, after seeing TESB, and thinking what the hell just happened. It was so unexpected that it drew out some emotions I didn’t expect to have. As much as I think readers like to know where a story is going, they appreciate the unexpected. Maybe not at first, but after it sinks in they go ‘wow, never saw that coming….’ So, I would think that you must have a plan for a third book? Hopefully without any Ewoks (That’s a Star Wars joke for those not into the Sci-Fi genre).

RLK: I just turned it over to my editor. It will be out April 2015.

Me: That should keep them chomping at the bit. Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers?

RLK: Well, I say this all the time, however, I feel strongly that it’s true: you have to prepare for the long haul, and work hard if you want to be published. I’ve never been one to say, “Well, I only write when I’m inspired.” Um… no. You write all the time, inspired or not. This is work. And once you get a publishing contract, it becomes a job. A hard job. There are revisions to deal with, ideas for the next book, promotion, appearances, your family (if you have one), your day job (you probably have one). The list goes on and on. You have to love it, or you won’t make it. It’s really that simple. And if you DO love it, and DON’T make it? That’s ok, too, because you’re spending your time doing something you love, and that is a very rare gift.

Me: Truer words were never spoken. I think that good writing is a double edged sword. The reader never sees the nights of writer’s block, when you are struggling to make that critical transition from one part of the book to another, or the endless revisions and edits to make the finished product feel as polished as possible. The better the writing, the more effortless it appears to the reader. It really is something you have to be passionate about because, for the majority of writers, it is the most underpaying ‘job’ there is.  We all dream about being the next James Patterson, but you have better luck playing the Powerball.

Robert I want to thank you for taking the time to share some insight about you and your novels. I wish you much success and hopefully you WILL be the next James Patterson and I can say I knew you when. Just for the record, if that happens, the drinks are on you!!

Pick-up his book, UNTOLD DAMAGE, available now in both print and e-book.

For those of you fortunate to live in the bay area of California, you can check out Robert’s appearance schedule on his website (under the news category):

http://www.robertklewis.com/

If you want more information on the author you can check out these great sites:

http://needlecity.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @robertklewis

Perfect Pawn (Book) - Goodreads Contest - Round Two

As a lead up to the upcoming release of Queen's Gambit, I have decided to host another giveaway for a free print copy of Perfect Pawn over at Goodreads.

The contest runs until March 17th (maybe a little luck of the Irish will be with you !) and the winner is selected by the fine folks at Goodreads.

To enter, click on the link below. This contest is open to Goodreads members, but it is free to join and is an excellent community for those who love to read.

 
 

    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   

       
   

   

     

          Perfect Pawn
     
     

          by Andrew G. Nelson
     

     

         
            Giveaway ends March 17, 2014.
         
         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         
     
   
   

      Enter to win

Author Interview: Falafel Jones

I thought I would have some fun today and do something a bit different. I recently had the opportunity to interview my good friend, Falafel Jones. Okay, we aren’t really ‘good’ friends, but I lost a bet over a bottle of tequila and some questionable humus, and, well, a bet’s a bet.

So, without further ado, I present the transcript of The Falafel Jones Interview: The Lost Tapes.

Me: Okay Falafel, we know your brother Sweet Pickles Jones has a legitimate ‘paying’ career in construction so, as an ‘author,’ are you considered the black sheep of the family?

Falafel: I'm the black sheep in a family of black sheep. What's that called?

Me: My Cousin, I think.

Me: You’re quite a prolific writer now with three books (Kewpie Killer, Life’s a BeachThen You Die, Payback’s a Beach, and Press One For Yes) under your belt. Has the fame and fortune gone to your head?

Falafel: Actually, that's four but if fame and fortune ever arrive, I'll let you know.

Me: Who’s says that public school educations are worthless?

Me: Mystery writers are an odd bunch. Mediterranean food aside, what, or who, would you say influenced your work the most?

Falafel: My biggest influence is my desire to be productive while sitting at home in my pajamas. Well, they're not really pajamas but I understand that this is a family blog. I actually have a Florida state issued private investigator's license but I'm too lazy to work so I make up stories about what could happen if I wasn't spending all of my time on the beach.

Me: In my learned opinion, work is highly overrated.

Me: Most people pick up a book and don’t realize just how much work goes into writing. What would you say is the hardest part?

Falafel: punctuation; And speling

Me: Huked on fonics werked fer mee two.

Me: I imagine you are hard at work on your next tome, care to give the audience any clue as to what we can expect?

Falafel: Things can change but right now, I just started work on Max Fried Mystery #3. It's a locked room murder tentatively titled "Son of a Beach." Here's a summary. 

It's a warm, sunny morning when Cabana Chuck parks his windowless, concession trailer on the beach. As he attempts to set up shop on the sand, he's surprised to find the trailer locked from the inside. His mood improves when a nearby Beach Patrol officer finesses it open for him but neither Chuck nor the cop like what they find inside. Dead in the trailer is Chuck's competitor, Bungalow Bill. Someone shot Bill and he’s got a head wound too but there aren’t any weapons in sight. As Chuck's sunny day gets cloudy, he turns to P.I. Max Fried to keep his hope for freedom from sinking with the tide.

Me: I like the way you lighten up a serious subject. Why let something like murder upset an otherwise lovely day at the beach.

Me: Anything else you’d like to share with the readers?

Falafel: Yes, thank you. Things are buzzing in Falafeland.

Me: Uhm, that’s usually a good indication that it’s trash day Falafel.

Falafel: Now that you mention it, wait, I digress. I just meant that Life's a Beach Then you Die is coming out soon in a Spanish language edition titled Playa de Arenas Movedizas and that Audible.com has given me some codes for free copies of the audiobook edition of Payback's a Beach.

I'm giving them away for the asking or until I run out. Instructions for claiming a free code are at http://falafeljones.net/2014/02/19/free-audio-books/

Me: Well, there you have it. If you’re looking for some fun, slightly irreverent, reading then look no further than Falafel Jones’ books.

For more information on the author, and a few leads to collect the bounty, visit:

http://falafeljones.net/

https://www.facebook.com/FalafelJonesAuthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7045451.Falafel_Jones

NYPD Sergeants Assoc. Article

Perfect Pawn got a nice mention in the current issue of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) magazine. Thought I would share it !!

The Importance of Reviews

As an author, you are always looking for feedback from your readers. But equally important to an author are reviews. The reason for this is that reviews drive interest and that interest translates into increased visibility on sites like Amazon.

Ever get the "you might also be interested in" suggestions? This is how Amazon links products and the chance of becoming one of those suggestions is driven by your popularity.

So remember, if you read a book and like it, take a moment to give the author a review.