Interview with Author James Stephenson

 

 

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

It was an office bet.

 

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

It’s about a guy called Wilbur who does the dirty work for his employer (Hem Strumshell). Only, things start going wrong, and he thinks his employer is behind it. The turning point is where he starts to bite back. Not just that, but Hem’s wife (Sondra Strumshell) casts her spell on him.  The story is written for people with life experience who appreciate a bit of excitement.

 

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

Thrills, spills and enjoyment. As my publisher put it: your story is a real page turner.

 

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

The title came to me. I wanted a single word that stands on its own. The cover was an idea I had. The artwork came courtesy of my publishers – Austin Macauley, and I am really pleased with their design.

 

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

Believe in yourself and commit to your way of writing. Never be afraid to learn, and don’t take critics seriously – their job is easier than yours!

 

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

I see local book stores playing a greater role in book sales. The big companies – such as Waterstones tend to hone in on big publishers and famous authors. They do not give lesser known writers a chance. I see the future drifting towards Kindle and other online publishing formats. I say this because, the youth of today are driven by social media and smartphones.

 

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

Yes – I’ve been through a lot.

 

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

My writing style is developing. This is my first commercial piece of writing and I want to improve. I deliberately keep my standard of English easy to read. I do not want to overcomplicate my text by using elongated words. I’d rather immerse you in the story and discover what unfolds. My writing is similar to Paul R. Starling (thriller writer), although my new story would fit nicely alongside a piece of Philip K Dick’s science fiction work.  

 

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

My biggest problem was learning how to write clearly. I often have a good idea for a book, and I can easily develop a plot. I just need to chill a bit more, relax and enjoy myself…

 

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

Because it’s fun.

 

Author Bio: I am educated to degree level and I am a good learner. I qualified as an accountant in the 90’s and joined the civil service soon after. Unfortunately, my role developed into such a stressful position that I took medical advice to leave: now I concentrate on writing. I have one book published and a new one nearing completion. Aside from diabetes, I am fit and healthy and able to devote my time to writing better and better stories. For more info, please see:             http://jamesstephenson.ampbk.com/

 

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Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

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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.