Thursday, May 25, 2023

Interview With Author Dennis A. Feece

 


 


 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

My “inspiration” was less compulsion than it was consideration. I have been a life-long reader with varying tastes in material as the years have passed, but mysteries have persisted since childhood. When the pandemic hit, writing a second novel seemed like a good way to focus my time, and writing a mystery just seemed right and proper.

 

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?

“Love, Pride & Murder” is a murder mystery set in New Hampshire. The main character, and the narrator, is a private detective. He is not the usual sort, however, and his approach is unlike any other P.I. familiar to most readers. The target audience is, loosely, readers of interesting and unique variations on the genre, mysteries. It also has a developing romance, which provides both a second plot thread and a fun way to get to know the characters.

 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

In a word: entertainment. The pace is fast but not frantic. Characters are developed rather than shallow. The plot is deceptively drawn with an ending that is satisfying while at the same time leaves a tickle of uncertainty. And, some of my personal interests are explored: baseball, wine, philosophy/theology, sports cars and more. Finally, it is the first of a series- the 2nd installment is being written already.

 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

The title becomes understandable after reading the book. The cover is based upon a scene in the novel, the two leading characters on the shore of Lake Sunapee. My daughter, an artist, painted it.

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

Be patient with your writing and be honest with yourself along the way.

 

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

Social media has compressed everything- from the longevity of subject matter to the promotion of books and finally to the book’s shelf life. Fewer people read books. Contrary to my own inclinations, digital renderings seem to have found a place in the book world. Print runs, in this country anyway, are shorter and more likely to be ‘on demand’. Since fewer books are read and the process is generally more expensive (print, that is), publishing is less speculative and more based on certainty, i.e., well known authors, fashionable topics, etc. Another unknown is about to raise its head: AI, Chat GPT. If someone wanted to resurrect Robert B. Parker, it seems likely that it could easily be done. Just one fairly benign example.

 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? 

I was an operations manager at various levels for years. T.B. Stone, my main character, plies his trade very much the way a middle manager might. And the relationships, though fictional, are expressions of a lifetime of observation and experience. And, last, I personally start my day with coffee and frequently end it with wine. My characters have picked up my habits.

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

My style? Not sure. Maybe ‘descriptive with a flourish’? My favorite mystery writers include: Raymond Chandler, Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Robert B. Parker, Tony Hillerman. My two favorite general fiction writers are: Ernest Hemingway and John Fowles. I also have a masters in theology, so Thomas Aquinas is just the bee’s knees. And Karl Rahner ain’t bad either!

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

Impatience.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

It is a great read! If you like a good mystery, this is it. And if you aren’t a mystery fan, this one will make you one. And, important point here, it is the first in a well-written series. It will be like finding a family you never knew you had!     

For more information, please consult: https://covenantbooks.com/books/?book=love-pride-and-murder

 

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.3 million pageviews. With 4,400+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.  

 

 

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