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Book: The Forgotten Gun

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Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

My name is John Reid, born in Scotland more years ago than I care to remember (73 years young) and am currently enjoying retirement with my wife of over 50 years Liz splitting our time between Scotland and Portugal. Now that I am finally retired, and both children grown up, I have had time to concentrate on writing and bringing the ideas that I have carried around for years to life!!!

My early years were spent in the army serving in the Royal Corps of Transport on a Short a Service a Commission, serving in both Northern Ireland and the Middle East. My working career began in management trainee positions and ended in CEO positions working in venture capital and fund management. I was fortunate to travel widely before the world became so accessible, seeing different cultures first-hand and learning as you go – there was no Trip Advisor in those days!! I’m still not sure of the origins of several meals to this day, but slow flights and hotels in deserts gave me plenty of time to read!!

I’m also delighted that I can use writing to benefit Sense, a, a great charity that supports anyone living with complex disabilities. For anyone who is deafblind. Sense helps people communicate and experience the world. The believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential, just as I do.

My only regret is that I waited this long to start writing, it has become a real passion. There are times when I wish I could type with more than finger though!!!

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘The Forgotten Gun’ book?

Starting. I had a blank piece of paper and an idea for a story that I had thought about for a lot of years, but once I got that first paragraph down it immediately started to flow, with a sense of excitement at finally getting the nuances and subtleties of the story down on paper. Each book has been referred to as a ‘screenplay’, and that is exactly how I write.

The central plot for “The Forgotten Gun” is based on something that I had often thought about and intrigued me as an idea – The idea that someone can be killed, it looks like a shooting, but there is no bullet or any obvious firing point. Woven around this central story is an introduction to the main character in the series – DCI Steve Burt. A decorated but disgraced officer with a final chance to save his career, hindered by an impossible case to solve a newly formed team of misfits to manage.

The success of every story is getting the characters right. I wanted to create characters most people could identify with. Real people doing a real job, but to never become boring, predictable or disappear as in some books. Every character has a story, and I try to make the reader struggle to predict their next moves.

I also wanted to show a working policeman doing his job 24 hours a day with no padding out of the story line with statements such as “the following week etc. etc. ” Real policemen work their cases each day and my readers follow their time-line.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I’m an avid reader and have a wide and varied reading history. I wouldn’t say that any author in particular has influenced my writing style, but there are many authors that I admire, and I respect every single author who has had the courage and commitment to get their words into print. I have a style all of my own and deliberately do not follow any formula or other authors works – it keeps it fresh, orginal and a pleasure to write.

There are a number of incredible series from the likes of Lee Childs and Ian Rankin, and my guilty pleasure of Rumpole from the Bailey by John Mortimer, and I hope that the DCI Steve Burt series can emulate these fine bodies of work.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

My wife and I live in both Scotland and Portugal. In Scotland our favourite spot is Loch Ness. The scenery is spectacular and you can still find places unspoiled by tourism and as nature intended. Finding lovely local bars, cafes and restaurants off the beaten track is one of our favourite hobbies!!

When in Portugal on the Algarve we enjoy walking the cliff tops and taking in the outstanding rugged, natural scenery with views out to sea. The choice of restaurants in the Algarve is incredible and my wife and I together with other friends enjoy eating out and trying different restaurants, all in the name of research obviously.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

I think I am lucky in that I have a very productive imagination.

In all seven books to date, with the exception of “The Forgotten Gun”, I have started with only a vague idea for a plot and have allowed the characters to write their own script. So in answer to your question – no. There’s not a lot to do. I find if I give the characters the outline of a plot they then take over and I follow. I know it sounds weird but that’s how I write.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘The Forgotten Gun’ book?

I had the idea for “The Forgotten Gun” for decades in my head. I was lucky in that my way of writing was instant. As I said I allow the characters to run the story. “The Forgotten Gun” took me six weeks to write and my wife another six weeks to proof-read.

On each subsequent book I always have a vague idea for a plot-line, and once I sit down and weave in a series of sub-plots, characters and intrigue the stories flow naturally, growing and evolving with the characters.

I find it really enjoyable, quite absorbing, and a relatively quick process. The stories keep getting better and better too, although my publisher might just be saying that!!!

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘The Forgotten Gun’ book to buy?

I confess that today’s communication technology is beyond me so I am grateful for my in house support. I am reliably informed that ‘The Forgotten Gun’ is available on Amazon and the Austin Macauley website as the main channels. Other bookstores are available.

We also have a dedicated website for the series – http://www.steve-burt.com – and profiles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram if anybody wants to take a look.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Forgotten Gun’ ?

The book cover was started by our publisher and as a family we discussed it and came up with a few suggestions that were taken onboard. We wanted to create a mystery and not design a book cover that gave too much away. As to the title, as the story line evolves we could see only one title. The Forgotten Gun. The novel is after all about a gun that was forgotten.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

The simple answer is I don’t know. I devise plots with multiple layers of intrigue and find making notes surrounding the characters activity help me keep abreast of the action. Because the characters set their own agenda I feel the stories are always fresh. If I as the author don’t know what an individual character is going to do next, then the reader cannot possibly guess. It is always fresh and unpredictable.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

I am sure there are but giving too much away in the blurb would spoil it for the reader. All I can say is that the identity of the killer, the reason he has selected his victims and his means of killing all become clear towards the final chapters of the novel. DCI Steve Burt and his misfit team uncover a web of events the reader could never imagine. I have been told it is a real page turner.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

The Forgotten Gun

Book: Cape Henry House

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Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

My name is Jolly Walker Bittick. I am named after my father and grandfather, but we each have different middle names. I was born in Denver, Colorado, but raised in rural western Washington. I served a term in the Navy as a helicopter mechanic, but have worked in numerous fields since, most recently as a communications editor for the Federal Government. I love to write and I also keep a daily journal to log the details of my day. As I entered my 30’s I realized that my life experiences are unique since I have traveled so much and lived in so many different places, so I decided to begin writing about the experiences and people I have met over the years.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Cape Henry House’ book?

The book is officially fiction, but based so much on true events that I had to make sure to protect the identities of people and certain locations showcased in the book. As this was my first publication, I was unsure how much detail I could include as it pertained to brands. Ultimately, I kept details as vague as I could in that realm, and tried to do so without taking away from the overall story. I did some general research and determined that protecting the military elements of the story was most important, and ultimately a few of the locations were real places but as they are no longer in existence I was safe to name them as they were in real life. Professional sports teams are mentioned in the story, but vaguely enough that there is no legal issue.
Second, the creation of the chapters was challenging. I originally wrote the entire story without any chapters and then decided that chapters would help readers, particularly those who would not read the book in one sitting. I feel like the chapters are aptly named and well placed, but the initial challenge of creating and placing them seemed formidable.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

First and foremost, Ernest Hemingway in general. I decided when I wrote this book that I wanted it to be written for those who do not read. Short, sharp sentences and raw details were heavily incorporated into the work to keep readers interested and compelled.
I also like author Harry Combs, and his western novel ‘Brules’ in particular. The opening to ‘Brules’ inspired the opening to Cape Henry House, and I also intend to use similar formatting in future publications (in fiction).

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

Olympic National Park and National Forest. I am from the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington but I find it to be a place I prefer to visit as opposed to a place I call home full time. Anyone that has visited the peninsula is taken aback by its natural beauty and grand geography. It remains a wild place, and that by itself makes itspecial.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

There can be. A writer must have a purpose in writing a book, and at least a vague idea of what they want the story to be about. I have written material in the past that ended up with meaning different than what I was intending, and sometimes that is okay, but only if the writer can shape the work into something they can finish and produce for an audience. I take after Stephen King, who is known to sit down and start writing something without any outline beforehand of what the story will be about. I find my work is better when I write and get into the story myself, because it takes me on a journey as well.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Cape Henry House’ book?

Cape Henry House was written in six weeks. I contacted a few old Navy friends and discussed the story with them, and then I went about writing it. I had fun with it, so much so, that before I knew it, the story was completed.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Cape Henry House’ book to buy?

All major platforms, and most brick and mortar stores. The book is also available via box retailers like Walmart and Target. In particular:
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Google Books, Apple Books, Kobo, Books A Million, to name a few.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Cape Henry House’?

As the story is based on true events, it was an easy process to name the book as it is about a house on Cape Henry Avenue, a real street. My Navy friends and I have referred to the actual house as Cape Henry House over the years, the name was a natural fit for the book.
I went through a cover design service and was provided with five cover designs based on specifications I provided. Ultimately, the cover of the book was the image selected. It was far and away the best of the bunch.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Focusing on the plot of the story and using as few words as possible to describe the characters and events while ensuring that the word choice is sharp, this gives a jolt to the reader which naturally keeps them compelled to read on. For me as a writer, it is important that I enjoy writing the story. I had fun writing Cape Henry House, because as I wrote it, I was brought back to the real-life memories that form the basis of the book.
In other works, I follow the same blueprint. I make sure to apply my feelings and imagination to the writing so that it remains raw, raw in the sense that the person reading it can sense, smell, taste, feel, and apply themselves as so they are in the story as well.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Two things:
Every character in the book is based (some more than others) on actual people from the days of the late 2000’s. In some cases, there is one character that represents more than one actual person, or multiple
characters that are extensions of someone I remember from the actual party days of the real-life house on Cape Henry Avenue.
The other thing: Nearly all of the wildest parts of the story are true. In some cases, it would be hard to imagine someone writing about such things without having seen or experienced it!

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Cape Henry House

Book: Scars of a Magician

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Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

Author of three books, Scars of a Magician, a fantasy novel, Josh and his Superhero Booger Friends, and The Adventures of Olivia and Molly also a children’s book. I started writing short stories in a writer club in high school. I wrote in my yearbook that I wanted to be a writer one day, who knew sixteen years later I would publish my first book.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing Scars of a Magician’s book?

Keeping my manuscript in order with the storyline and names.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

I don’t have a book or author that influences me. I wanted to write a novel, so while I sat on a school bus waiting on a school chapter to be done. I started writing my story, but I eventually rewrote it. I’m glad I did.

Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I live in the U.S. I don’t have one yet, but I hope to have one soon.

Q5. Are there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

Yes, because I had to plan out the events step by step.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Josh and his Superhero Bogger Friends’ book?

It took me about three months to finish the first draft.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?

Amazon and my website: robertherringjr.com but I soon will have it on kindle and more.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?

I imagine what I want and then try to sketch it out then send it to my artist to draw. My title comes from my character having issues with his family and reality, also being a street magician.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I have a big imagination that helps plus I do research and act my story out.

Author’s Profile

Book Is Available On Amazon

Scars of a Magician

Book: Grief

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Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

My name is Taea Edwards, I’m a full-time student at the University of Central Florida with a passion in writing and politicals. I dream of doing book-signings for my novels, strive to connect with readers so they feel less isolated in this crazy world, and aim to one day travel all over the world for my writing and humanitarian aid work!

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Grief’ book?

The biggest challenge I faced was poor organization. I started at a very young age (8th grade) and because I was evolving so much over the years I had to entirely redo the novel over four times, which stretched out the process by six years. I wouldn’t ever change the oitcome, however it proved quite challenging to fix and alter.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

I would absolutely say Sarah J Maas was one of the greatest influences on my writing. I looked up to her for so long, and going to her book signing was one of the greatest turning points in my writing, because I knew immediately all I wanted was to be on the other side of that stage and signing table.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

I have not been to enough places consistently to have a favorite! I have always moved around and never spend more than a few years in any one place, so a lot of areas are nostalgic to me, but none is a consistent favorite as I haven’t been back to enough places! But any beach is always a safe haven for me!

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

I would say there is quite a bit to do before diving in, however there can be times when I will spontaneously add a new exceprt as well. For example, on the novels I have yet to write, first I need an idea (which comes quite easy for me), than a base plan for characters (they usually evolve on their own eventually, but a solid idea is still needed to start), and some decent plot lines/development plans for characters and plot. With those few things in mind, I generally let the idea sit for a minute as well, because I know over a few months’ time (whilw focusing on other novels), dozens of new ideas will come to me, which I can match to a certain novel, and build on it in that way beforehand so there is less revisions later on.

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Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Grief’ book?

It took me (as previously mentioned) six years to finish Grief. This was because the final version and the original are pretty kuch entirely different concepts. I’d say to write the most recent concept took about 2 years max, however as I was younger I never wrote very consistently.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Grief’ book to buy?

Currently, it is not published yet, though once I do publish it the novel will be accessible on Kindle/Amazon, Audible, my personal website, and IngramSpark for sure, though I’m still looking for other places to add it to as well.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Grief’ ?

I have had the book cover for Grief in mind for years, as well as the next two novels. I am currently looking for an artist who cen help bring that image to life. As the trilogy centers around Amara and her development, I always wanted her to be a direct part of it, which is why I always wanted a half-face realistic drawing of her along the edge, each cover will have her primary emotion of the novel to show visual progress, and will have her magic slowly growing around her, as symbolism again for her progress throughout the novels. The title came to me as I was about halfway through writing the book. I’ve had it set for years, I can’t quite remember how it hit me, but I believe I had just finished writing the climax for one of the very early versions and the sheer agony and grief that would tie the readers to the pace was just so heavy, I knew nothing else would fit the description more.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I would say I keep things fresh by truly knowing the ins and outs of my own novel. By knowing every little detail of lore, backstory, history, charavter, in and out, it always leaves something else to pepper in or add that will for sure add to the story, so even if it is just a simple chapter of the characters having fun and takinf a break from the stress of their situations, they are leaving something with the readers. At least, that is what I hope to accomplish.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Not quite secrets, but as all of mh novels take place in the same universe, there is a lot of different opportunities for crossovers, so readers should keep their eyes peeled for character descriptions, sayings, or visuals that may seem out of place… They might come up later in the series, or even in another world.

Grief