Alan Zendell – Cindy Young-Turner

All’s Fair in Blogs and More: 2012 Blogger Book Fair: Day 4

Welcome to the last day of the All’s Fair in Blogs and More 2012 Blogger Book Fair! Today I have a special treat, interviews with some of the authors I’ve featured on my blog these past few days. And to be a good sport, I’ve answered the interview questions also. So let’s find out some more about these talented authors!

And be sure to check out all of the participating authors and bloggers on this last day of the fair and vote for your favorite book in the Reader’s Choice Awards.

Sam Bennet, author of Memoirs of a Trumpet Teacher

1. Which books/authors have most influenced you as an author and why?
James Herriot: “All Creatures Great and Small” series; Jean Shepherd: “A Christmas Story”

I enjoy their use of humor without being negative towards their characters!

2. What is your favorite part of the publishing experience so far?
MSP has been super helpful!

3. What is your least favorite?
It’s been frustrating trying to generate publicity with local outlets.

4. What advice would you give your pre-published self, knowing what you know now?
Just keep trying, don’t get discouraged!

Memoirs of a Trumpet Teacher links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Alan Zendell, author of The Portal, Wednesday’s Child, and Critical Focus

1. Which books/authors have most influenced you as an author and why?
I’ve been most influenced by two authors and their books. One group are Orson Scott Card’s books, especially those dealing with children (not necessarily the Ender series). There’s something very special in the way Card portrays a father’s love and commitment to his children. There are certain things we’re all a bit self-conscious about when we write, but reading his books made it easier for me to express similar feelings in my characters. No matter what I write about, that is always at least a significant sub-theme.

The other author is Neal Stephenson, whose amazing intellectual scope and talent enable me to turn off all those critics and advisors who would have us believe that there’s no market today for creative epic novels that force readers to think. Stephenson is the antithesis of our sound-bite, commercial best seller oriented culture. In particular, books like Anathem and Cryptonomicon are the kind of creative, intellectual fiction that a reader can become thoroughly absorbed in, and come away from feeling that he or she has grown from the experience.

2. What is your favorite part of the publishing experience so far?
The best part is the feeling of completion, of tying off an important loose end that comes from seeing a finished work in print or loaded on my Kindle. There are other rewards, of course – positive reviews, accolades from friends and family, even the occasional royalty check. Most important of those, for me, was developing a great professional relationship with the CEO of the company I worked with to get my books out there. We helped each other accomplish our goals in a totally unselfish manner, I learned a lot, and I’ve made a great friend in the bargain.

3. What is your least favorite?
That’s an easy one. I thought the hard part was going to be writing a good book. Wrong!

No one warned me that in today’s world you have to be author, agent, publisher, advertiser, and marketer all in one. I’ve found learning to adapt to the social media culture extremely difficult and unpleasant. For me, it’s like trying to function in a fog of static and background noise. I feel disoriented in that world,never sure of my place or my footing. For someone who spent his life in a quantitative world of science and logic, the soft fuzziness of social media is simply appalling.

If I wanted to be a car salesman, I’d have lived my life quite differently. Who knew?

4. What advice would you give your pre-published self, knowing what you know now?
Start earlier, for one thing, and begin cultivating contacts at the same time you begin writing. Those contacts should be other writers, professional organizations, agents, and editors. I think the worst mistake new writers make is thinking they have all the time in the world to finish what they start, which makes it far too easy to put off starting in the first place.

I would lecture my novice self about how writing is no different from any other significant activity we invest ourselves in. Know what you’re getting into, make sure you have the tools and resources to see a project through to completion, and above all, don’t allow yourself to have blinders on about those aspects you’d rather not deal with. They won’t go away.

And don’t use your family and friends for feedback. Find people who will tell you your work sucks to your face.

5. And for the bonus fluff question, what three things do you want on hand when the zombie apocalypse hits? Remember, the power grid will likely fail so that laptop and iPhone won’t be very useful.
The power grid may fail, but I’ll want my own generator with a lifetime supply of fuel and rechargeable batteries. I refuse to live in a world without light and air-conditioning. The air-conditioning would be at the top of the list if I’d expect my wife to live there with me.

I will also ensure that the same fuel that powers my generator works in my flamethrower and my laser-ray gun (this will hopefully occur in a future in which those exist). My second-greatest source of joy in that future will be burning zombies to a crisp.The third thing I’d want is an unlimited supply of the zombie antidote and some zombie-effective cholorform, so I can subdue and cure them one at a time as I see fit, and populate my new empire with people of my own choosing. Even a zombie apocalypse can lead to a brighter future if I’m in charge, which would be my first-greatest joy.

The Portal links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobobooks | Google Books | Bookbrewer

Wendesday’s Child links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobobooks | Google Books | Bookbrewer

Critical Focus links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Cindy Young-Turner, author of Thief of Hope

1. Which books/authors have most influenced you as an author and why?
This is a hard one because I have so many favorites. I’ll pick a couple. Ray Bradbury, because I think he’s a brilliant writer and I love the way he uses language. I adore his short stories, especially those collected in The October Country. Sir Thomas Malory, whose tales of King Arthur have always enchanted me and and introduced me to a world of knights, wizards, magic, chivalry, and love. And Charles Dickens, because Oliver Twist inspired me to write about a pickpocket.

2. What is your favorite part of the publishing experience so far?
Holding a copy of my book. It’s really amazing to see your words on the printed page after working so hard to get to that point.

3. What is your least favorite?
The marketing. I want to be writing, not trying to sell myself and my book. But that’s how it works these days. The ultimate dream is to do this full time and be able to hire a publicist so I can concentrate on writing.

4. What advice would you give your pre-published self, knowing what you know now?
Don’t take so long to write, just do it! And start working on marketing before the book comes out so you’re ahead of the game next time.

5. And for the bonus fluff question, what three things do you want on hand when the zombie apocalypse hits? Remember, the power grid will likely fail so that laptop and iPhone won’t be very useful.
A great zombie-killing knife from my friend Jim who makes knives, which I probably wouldn’t be able to use because I’m too squeamish.

Pen and paper so I can keep writing.

Matches, since who knows how long it will be before Overlord Alan shares his generator with us peons.

Thief of Hope links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

All’s Fair in Blogs and More: 2012 Blogger Book Fair: Day 3

Ready for Day 3 of the All’s Fair in Blogs and More 2012 Blogger Book Fair? Today I’m featuring books by Alan Zendell, whose works range from science fiction to paranormal to political thriller. You don’t want to miss these. And be sure to check out the other participating authors and bloggers. Tomorrow is the last day of the book fair!

Wednesday’s Child

Dylan Brice is living his days out of order, but it hasn’t always been that way. One Tuesday evening in July, he went to sleep expecting tomorrow to be Wednesday, but when he woke up the next morning it was Thursday instead. A frightening and confusing day ensued with Dylan trying to figure out whether he was losing his mind or the victim of some cosmic prank.

If struggling to come to terms with his new reality on his surreal Thursday wasn’t enough of an ordeal, late in the afternoon, just as his anxiety was finally beginning to subside, a voice from the past he’d hoped never to hear again added a terrifying new dimension to his situation. Dylan had once been a warrior in the battle against nuclear terrorism. A sleeper since the months following nine-eleven, he has suddenly been activated to help combat a new, deadly threat. His nerves in a shambles, he finally drops off to sleep hoping he’ll wake up to find Thursday was a dream.

When, after his harrowing Thursday, he awakens on the Wednesday morning he thought he’d missed, he doesn’t know what to believe. He cannot believe Thursday’s events were coincidental. He must be living his days out of order for a reason — some powerful, unknown entity has cast him in a role he never asked for, and everything he holds dear may be at stake. He “knows” he will continue to live Thursdays before Wednesdays until he figures out how to use the unique perspective that gives him to avert a disaster that may be global in scope.

Where to find Wednesday’s Child:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobobooks | Google Books | Bookbrewer

The Portal

Harry Middleton is born in an America staggered by a century of decline, a time of medical and technological marvels beyond the reach of most people in a shattered economy. Pessimism and despair are more common than optimism and hope, and a desperate government bets the future on space. The lunar and Martian colonies have not provided the hoped-for salvation, so despite an angry, disillusioned public, the first star mission will soon be launched.

Harry is a special child, smart, precocious, his only confidante an embittered grandfather. When the old man dies, Harry is lost, until he meets Lorrie. At thirteen, they bond, certain they’ll spend their lives together, but a year later, she disappears, and Harry is desolate.

With help from his friend Carlos, Harry begins a quest to find her, but he quickly learns how powerless he is. Even the police lack the resources to help. Harry and Carlos can only depend on themselves and each other. An unlikely duo, Harry is an academic prodigy while Carlos is a stud athlete. Realizing that school and baseball are their tickets out of the morass they’re caught in, they inspire each other to greatness in both.

Trying to move on with his life, Harry has a college sweetheart, but as long as Lorrie haunts him, he knows the relationship is doomed. He gains celebrity and wealth, but the thing Harry wants most, finding and saving Lorrie from whatever fate took her from him remains beyond his reach. And always, in the background, are the deteriorating state of the country and the coming star missions.

Where to find The Portal:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobobooks | Google Books | Bookbrewer

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Critical Focus

Jamie Williams had fought against corruption, war, and oppression all his life. A former campus radical, he published the popular newsletter, Uncommon Sense. Middle age had banked some of his fire, but not his values. And it had taught him that if he wanted his voice to be heard, it had to be reasoned and balanced.

A fragile economy exacerbated by corporate greed, unchecked militarism, terrorism, and out-of-control energy prices, had left millions of people feeling powerless and disenfranchised. Now, a new Internal Security Agency was eroding civil liberties, and there were rumors of a secret military initiative in Africa.

With a weak, indecisive President, Uncommon Sense was needed more than ever. Jamie had a loyal following, but it was growing too slowly to make a difference. Big changes were coming and Americans needed to hear his voice…if only there were a way to reach them.

Where to find Critical Focus:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble

For more Alan, check out his links:

Website
Goodreads
Blogs: Maryland Dream Weavers | Alan’s blog

All’s Fair in Blogs and More: 2012 Blogger Book Fair

I’m excited to be participating in the All’s Fair in Blogs and More 2012 Blogger Book Fair! Today is the first day and the event runs through Sunday, July 29. The Book Fair features more than 40 authors and 60 books at more than 20 blog booths, including this one! Check out these links:

Participating authors and bloggers:
http://paranormallounge.blogspot.com/p/authors-and-bloggers.html

Book Fair Catalog, featuring all of the books and links:
http://paranormallounge.blogspot.com/p/book-fair-catalog.html

Book Fair Booths: http://paranormallounge.blogspot.com/p/blogger-book-fair-booths.html

Fun entertainment and souvenirs for the Book Fair:
http://paranormallounge.blogspot.com/p/entertainment-and-souvenirs.html

I’m pleased to be hosting three authors on my blog. Sam Bennett, author of Memoirs of a Trumpet Teacher, and R. J. Burroughs, author of The Boys of ’58, have books that will make you laugh. Alan Zendell, author of The Portal,Wednesday’s Child, and Critical Focus, touches on dystopian futures, time travel twists, and political intrigue.

So please take a look at the booths and authors and their fabulous books! It’s going to be a fun four days. And special thanks to Kayla Curry for organizing the event!

Now here’s my first featured author!

Professional trumpeter and teacher Sam Bennett has written a fictionalized memoir about his more than two decades of teaching trumpet lessons house to house.

He taught the private lessons during his 20s and 30s in suburbs just outside Chicago. Only one decade later, Bennett had already accumulated enough humorous stories for a good-sized book. After years of cajoling, his wife, Ann, convinced her husband to sit down at a keyboard and write a book which simply had to be read.

Bennett, who is a band teacher during the week and performs as a professional musician on the weekends, began writing the book while he was out of school for the summer and continued writing on the weekends into fall and winter.

Print and e-versions of Memoirs of a Trumpet Teacher can be found at www.amazon.com, www.books.google.com/ebooks, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

The book can also be ordered through retail book sellers.

Information about the book and the author can also be found at the publisher’s Web site: www.martinsisterspublishing.com.

Sounds like an interesting book! I was in band all through school and have fond memories of my band teachers. I’m betting there are some great stories in this one.

What do you think of the book? Got any band stories to share?