Interview with author Paul Rimmasch

Fingerprints and Phantoms: True Tales of Law Enforcement Encounters with the Paranormal and the Strange

PAUL RIMMASCH graduated from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and a minor in photography. He has worked as a crime scene investigator for Weber-Metro CSI since 1997 and is a three-time recipient of the Weber County Sheriff’s Office Medal of Merit. Paul has certifications through the International Association for Investigations in latent fingerprint examination and forensic photography. The author of previous works The Lost Stones and The Lost Mine, Paul has also published articles in The Journal of Forensic Identification and Ancient American magazine. He is an adjunct professor at Weber State University and is active in the training of police officers and crime scene investigators. Paul is a lifelong devotee of campfire stories. See https://www.facebook.com/Fingerprints-and-Phantoms-157714161767186/

1. What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and conveying it into a book?  The absolute love of stories and storytelling inspired me to write this book. Ever since I was a child sitting around the campfire, I have loved the intimacy of one person telling a story to another person or small group of people. In my line of work, as a crime scene investigator, there is a lot of down time and the story telling culture is a way to kill (pun intended) the time. The strange and ghostly stories that fellow officers tell have always been my favorite and so I wanted to get some of them on paper. I wanted to share them with the rest of the world.

           

2. What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader? This book is a collection of creepy or strange stories that have happened to myself or other law enforcement professionals. The book is an anthology and each chapter is its own world. The chapters also include a healthy dose of law enforcement insider talk. The target audience is anyone who enjoys a good ghost story or is fascinated with forensic science, crime, and police work, which I suppose is almost everyone.

3. What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book? What should remain with them long after putting it down? I hope readers of this book come away with a sense of wonder and mystery that remains for a long time. I feel that in our ever increasingly technological world we are losing our sense of wonder. One of the things that makes childhood so fun is having a sense of wonder. One of the things that makes “adulting” so bleak at times is not having mystery in one’s life. Believe me, there are things in this world that cannot be explained. Embrace and enjoy this fact.

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Just go for it. Never listen to the haters, especially the one in your own head.

5. What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book publishing industry is

heading? It has been noted by some observers that the “millennial” generation is more interested in the quality of an experience over the quantity of their possessions. Since there are few more quality experiences than having a good print copy of a book in your hand, I think the publishing business is here to stay and will thrive. The resurgence of the small independent books store nationally is a testament to this.

6. What great challenges did you have in writing your book? My biggest challenge writing this book was maintaining the dignity and anonymity of the victims of crimes or incidents I mention. This is not a “true crime” type of book and does not include names, places or endless gory details. I had to walk the tightrope of including enough details in the text so the narrative made sense, while at the same time allowing victims to rest in peace.

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours? Fingerprints and Phantoms is the ideal summer read. The anthology format makes it perfect for quick literary snacks between dips at the pool. The chilling stories therein will give the reader great fodder for campfire yarns.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America and participated in a PR panel at the Sarah Lawrence College Writers Institute Conference.