Today I am asking Chris Petersen some questions about writing and being an indie author.
This is part 2 of his interview. If you would like to read part 1 click here.
Why did you decide to self-publish?
A few years ago, after writing a couple books, I read about the plight of the “traditionally” published author. The information absolutely sickened me. The Big 6 publishers and their agents had a stranglehold over the common writer and I wanted NO part of that. It wasn’t until my mom pushed me toward epublishing that I even thought about independent publishing. Once I investigated the process, I found that it was easy and potentially as lucrative as going the traditional route. The decision after that was a no-brainer.
Funny thing… I do have an agent that is working with me on my book “Tear in Time”, but frankly, I haven’t been pursuing that angle like I did when I first signed with her. She sent me back my manuscript with edits to complete and I haven’t done them yet. With each passing month, I’m realizing I really don’t need her or the Big 6 and would rather not have my record tarnished with their association.
“Tarnished?” you say… “Yes, tarnished,” I respond. To succeed as an Idie is quite an accomplishment, especially if you’ve succeeded in spite of the Big 6. So, I currently don’t want them on my record. I want to succeed on my own. It’s a personal thing (for now, anyway).
What advice do you have for fellow writers?
The most important advice would have to be to “Stop checking sales on KDP”. That way lies madness. I’d have to say the second important piece of advice would have to be “Keep Writing”. Over and over, that mantra is repeated and for good reason: the more you write, the better you get at it.
Do you have any other projects in the works?
I have several things I’m working on. My main focus is on an action/adventure type novel that I’ve been developing for over a year now. The plot is basically this: a man flies his plane into the middle of the ocean and finds an ancient artifact. The discovery unlocks the secrets to an ancient civilization that eventually challenges and rewrites the history of mankind. The ending has a very interesting twist. It’s one of those “Whoa” type climaxes.
I also have two sequels I’m developing after many requests from readers. Those are proving to be quite challenging. I don’t want to simply throw together rubbish just for the sake of satisfying the reader’s request. I want these sequels to be as unique and fresh as the originals… very hard to do. I do have some ideas, but nothing I’m ready to start writing with at the moment.
I also have about 2-3 dozen other stories that I have outlined and ready to start, but none of them interest me enough to start writing them. Funny thing happened to me the other night, though. I’m not a horror novelist, but I do have a horror/supernatural story that just came to me in a dream. It’s REALLY scary. My wife, a horror aficionado, told me the storyline freaked her out after I let her read my crib notes, so I might even attempt to write that one too (I don’t like horror… I like happy endings, but I might make an exception).
With my new discovery in self-publishing, I have become focused and more determined to produce far greater works. Further adventure/suspense novels are soon to be released. For long excerpts of my work, please visit me at my website: http://christopherdavidpetersen.wordpress.com/bookstore/
Here are the direct links to my books on Amazon:
Tear in Time: epic time travel/medical thriller
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LZ55C8
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004LZ55C8
What in Hell is up with Heaven?: religious satire (warning, very irreverent)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OYTF4A
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004OYTF4A
Endless Summer: paranormal romance – a family on vacation experience the supernatural
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MME3LY
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004MME3LY
