Interview With Author Robert Udulutch

The Spot and Smudge series (Books 1-4)

Think a small town boy from Wisconsin whose first job was pumping poo out of RVs while reading everything he could get his smelly hands on, puts himself through school bartending and after thirty years in tech management at Sony and Microsoft leaves to travel a lot and pen his experiences with rescued littermate pups and Scottish in-laws. The result is the Spot and Smudge series; Horror/Thriller/Genetic Engineering Sci-fi that one reviewer called “A deliciously twisted, darkly humorous tail.” See for more info: www.Spotandsmudge.com

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 one-two punch of raising my rescued littermate mutt pups, the incorrigible titular Spot and Smudge, and living with my nutty (in a good way) Scottish in-laws left me with far too many stories to ignore. I had to get them out, and then I added the speculative fiction bits to put a fresh spin on the “What if my dog was really smart?” genre.

2. What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader?

A loving but odd family rescues a pair of orphan mutt puppies...the pups get smart through a genetic accident…and then all hell(hound) breaks loose. The series are often picked up by readers who enjoy a fun spec fiction read with a bit of an edge…think fans of Dean Koontz, Stephen King, James Herbert…and of course anyone with a dog.

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?

To answer this one I’ll quote a reviewer (Thomas Ryan): “Now that I know Spot and Smudge I'll not be able to look at our pets in the same way.”

4. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers?

Take time to engage, engage, engage…reach out, say hello, ask for help, shake a hand…be gregarious…I’ve learned my back story (and that of my dogs) is often as interesting to people (potential customers) as my stories.

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

I found the recent UBS Evidence Lab report regarding the high levels of Instagram user engagement vs. other social platforms fascinating, although I’m finding converting that into a viable marketing plan for a self-published author a challenge…I’ll look to experts such as yourself to advise me on that Brian!

6. What great challenges did you have in writing your book?

Trimming the fat!...I have trouble staying under 300,000 words (Book Four came in at 258k…after losing 30k of rambling verbosity…had to cut it down to make the 828 page createspace limit!)

7. If people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours?

I’ll let a kindle reviewer answer this one: “…Little bit of horror, little bit of sci fi, mystery, murder, and mayhem, but mostly a wonderful story about family, love, and loyalty. I have always loved stories about animals, and this one is at the top of my list. This series is wonderfully out there, and yet feels so believable...maybe just wishful thinking believable! But this terrific story will find a place in your heart, and have you thinking deep thoughts...”

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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.