Interview With Author John Somerset

 

 

1. What inspired you to write this book? 

Many readers of my first Cascade Smith novel CASCADE SMITH - The Making Of A Spy fell in love with Cascade and demanded a second novcl. I fell in love with her too, so I wrote one.  

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

It is a thriller starring Cascade Smith, a female James Bond who differs from James in that she displays female vulnerabilities, and a conscience. 

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

A hard to put down adventure. 

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

Cascade has a number of attributes, captured in the book cover design. She is beautiful, has startling green eyes, and can shoot equally well with either hand. Hydra is the Chinese code name for a super computer linked to 8 satellites, a similar threat to the world as the Hydra of ancient Greek mythology.  

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

Read Stephen King's book 'On Writing: a Memoir of the Craft.' Twice. 

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

AI is an increasing threat to both creativity and scams targeting new authors.  

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

First love, last love, a career in advertising and a love of the great outdoors.  

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

A bit of Ian Fleming, Lee Child, Tom Clancy and Vince Vaughan.  

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

My own poor editing, thankfully rescued by my wife. 

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

Every female who has read CASCADE SMITH wants to be her and every male wants to 'buy her a drink,'

 

About The Author: John Somerset was born in Melbourne, Australia and educated at Geelong Grammar and Melbourne University. He spent his working life international marketing and advertising and is an Australian winner of the Hoover award for marketing. He is a keen surfer and PADI qualified scuba diver and lives and writes in Anglesea, Victoria attended by his wife and ageing, one-eyed kelpie. For more information, please see: johnsomerset.ampbk.com.  

 Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

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About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 5,400,000 page views. With 5,500+ posts over the past 14 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.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity 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.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

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. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum