Straight from the Mouth of Brian W. Matthews, author of 'The Conveyance'

Brian W. Matthews’s latest book is The Conveyance, a horror/science fiction novel about a child therapist who uncovers a secret long kept hidden form the world. Together with his friend, police detective Frank Swinicki, he doggedly follows a trail of murder and madness, eventually exposing a sinister conspiracy that threatens the existence of the human race. The Conveyance can be purchased directly from the publisher at www.journalstone.com or from Amazon.  

Questionnaire:

Thanks for letting us interrogate you!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

For the money and the babes! Lots of babes!

No, really, people become authors because writing is in their blood—it’s what they want to do and, in many cases, what they have to do. I have characters in my head speaking to me, each clamoring for attention, each wanting his or her story told. Writing gives these special people a way to live, to love, and on occasion, to die. Until I put them on the page, they’re nothing more than annoyingly verbose thoughts in my head.

Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be?  I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

Being an author is both wonderful and terrible. It’s wonderful because you’re giving voice to characters, you’re creating whole worlds, and (most importantly) you’re entertaining others. Nothing compares to the happiness I feel when someone tells me how much he enjoyed one of my books. The downside is that writing is an extremely difficult and lonely profession. I sit for hours alone at my computer, which takes time away from my wife and children. I agonize over getting each sentence to be as short and succinct as possible. I end up putting myself out there for criticism. Those are the times when writing is not all it’s cracked up to be, but I wouldn’t stop—couldn’t stop—as long as I’m still drawing breath.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

I went the route of traditional publishing. My first novel, Forever Man, found a home at JournalStone, a publisher specializing in horror, fantasy, and science fiction. While opinions vary, I’d recommend a writer try to secure a publisher before going for self-publishing. A publisher will assign your book to an editor. A publisher will pay for the cover art. A publisher will print the book, as well as format it as an e-book. These processes consume a lot of time and money, and if you self-publish, you’ll have to do it yourself. But regardless of which route you go, be prepared to be your own marketer. Unless you’re a big name author, a publisher isn’t going to put much money into marketing your work. Climb into the trenches of social media and the Internet and generate as much chatter about your work as possible.

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

For one, my daughter and step-daughters are all in college, so the time I spend away from them isn’t really noticed; heck, for all I know, that particular gaggle of new adults relishes the time I spend in my office writing and not bugging them to do their chores. My wife, though, is a gem. She is so supportive, so caring, that she doesn’t begrudge the time required to write, polish, and publish a book. She’s actually my main cheerleader, shouting to everyone who will hear each time a book is released. Her only gripe? I haven’t dedicated a book to her yet. To that I say—soon, honey. Soon.

Do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

Gigi the Savage Kitty gets her food on time. Every time. If you’ve ever owned a cat, you know what I’m talking about.

Are your plants actually still alive?

I regularly kill indoor plants, which is why I’ve switched to outdoor plants. That way, if they die because I’m too busy writing to remember to water them, I can blame Mother Nature. She should have peed on them more often.

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

I have dedicated times for writing, which are interrupted with regularity. I’ve accepted this reality. Life happens, and you have to attend to it. That’s why I have a daily word count goal and not a time goal for my writing. If I don’t get my words completed during my scheduled hours, I simply tell the family that I need an hour or two to finish my count. They’re pretty chill with this.

What was the craziest or most insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process?

The craziest thing is that my first novel was picked up by the first publisher I sent it to. I had heard so much about authors getting multiple rejections on books that I fully expected to be hunting for years for a home for Forever Man. But within weeks of submitting the manuscript, I had a contract. It was completely crazy.

How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

Social networks can be wonderful…if people treated one another with respect or stopped trumpeting their own agendas at everyone. For an author, Facebook is pretty much a “need to have” site, and I’ve had some great experiences with fans on my Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/ForeverManStories/) I’m not much of a Twitter fan; you’re limited on characters and it seems very superficial to me. I only tweet because it’s part of an author’s marketing. I’ve recently started on Instagram, and I’m having more fun with that format.

Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

There is so much competition for attention when it comes to readers. Thousands of books are published each year, either self-published or through a traditional publisher, and a reader needs to cut through so much chaff to get to the wheat. What I writer needs to do is try to stand out. Marketing is the key. Interviews like this help a lot. So does a social media presence. But nothing will benefit a writer more than a well-written, compelling book. No amount of marketing will sell a novel that isn’t the best it can be.

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

Other than if my hair’s on fire? It’s the fact that there are so many excellent authors out there and not just the biggest names in the most popular genres. If you’re a reader of a particular genre—horror, fantasy, romance, whatever—look outside the top-seller lists. Find an author, one whose work has been well reviewed, and read his or her book. Then write a review or tell someone about it…or jump on the rooftop and scream about it. As I noted in the previous question, new writers need to stand out from the masses; they need to get a reader’s attention. Reviews and recommendations can make or break a career. Help an author eat: write a review.

Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above don’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

I smile each time someone tells me, “I read your book. It was great!” To know that I birthed a work of fiction that entertained another person, that I brought the person into a new world with new experiences and (hopefully) new understandings, is the best thing about being a published author. So much sweat is put into creating a novel. That it brought pleasure to another person is pretty cool.

Straight from the mouth of Julie Ann James, Author of 'Irish Jewel'

Julie Ann James lives in Sarasota, Florida. Her passion for words came at an early age and has inspired her to plant seeds literally all over the globe. She is the founder of the Peppertree Press book publishing company and The Pepper Tree Literary Magazine, an avid public speaker, a published children’s author and novelist. 

Questionnaire:

Thanks for letting us interrogate you!  Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author?

A writer since I was ten years old, it seemed only natural that I would continue writing as an adult. I started out like most writers submitting short stories to magazines, hoping for that byline and then venturing off into creating children’s book stories for early childhood level. After becoming a publisher, I was surrounded by amazing talented writers and challenged myself to write a novel. My first book, Haunted Echoes was a paranormal mystery and from that book forward, I was hooked. I am in the process of writing my third novel and the fourth is swirling around in my head, getting ready to put pen to paper. 

Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be?  I mean what are the perks and what are the demands?

There is nothing like turning an idea into a creative masterpiece. Yes, it is completely worth it to write, publish and promote my books. I cannot imagine not writing.  Since I sit on both sides of the desk as a writer and a publisher, I so get and understand the desires that writers want and expect. Expectations do run high at times and keeping yourself grounded in this writing experience is so important.

Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like?

I have always wanted to be a writer since I was ten years old. I didn’t actually start writing seriously until after my children were in middle school. All I really wanted is to get a byline and not necessarily be paid for it. I submitted many short stories for parenting magazines and then switched gears and started writing children’s books.  I can recall my first published piece which means that was my first byline. I received a check for $25.00 and because I was so excited, never cashed it.  I later submitted many children’s stories to what I refer to as the “Big Houses” most of their offices are in  New York, and they filled my mailbox with those dreaded rejection letters.  I later found a self-publishing company online and published two books with them.

I have learned so much in all these years, especially after self-publishing.  With that said, during this process I decided to start my own publishing company and offer the personal touch that writers so deserve. I have learned that you don’t have to be traditionally published to become a successful author as long as you love writing, work hard and get the word out, literally.  It is important to keep yourself grounded and keep your expectations in check at all times. 

Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you?

I am very fortunate that my family and friends are so supportive with my writing and the writing process. They are amazing sounding boards for when my creative juices are flowing and know when to keep quiet and exit the room when I don’t respond right away to their questions. They know I am in the writing mode and to not bother me. Since I am a night owl, I write when everything is quiet anyway so it is just me and my characters in the room. 

This is for pet lovers.  If you don’t own a pet, skip this question, but do your pets actually get their food on time or do they have to wait until you type just one more word?

My Abby Girl is a 5 year old Aussie and she herds me to the treat counter no matter what my urgency is, so with that said she rules!  I would not be able to write unless her belly is full.

In writing your book, how did you deal with the phone ringing, your family needing dinner or your boss calling you saying you’re late?

Again, since I write at night it really doesn’t  interfere with my family life or my work schedule.  When I write, the television is on softly as background noise and my fingers are flying on the keyboard. 

How about the social networks?  Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid?

Of course there are amazing blogs out there that are fun to send out messages to fellow writers and readers. There is the infamous Facebook that is great for creating events for my books. I can recall stalking my own event daily just to see how many people were going to come and get a signed copy of my book.

Book sales.  Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)?  How are you making the sales happen for you?

I have just hired an amazing book publicist (Maryglenn McCombs) and she is doing a remarkable job sending out press releases and promoting my book, Irish Jewel.

What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about?

I would love to share with the world that my press releases went out today on St. Patrick’s Day and I am extremely excited to see the results.

Okay, too much sugar for you today!  Here’s a nice cup of Chamomile tea and come on over and sit under the cabana and watch the waves roll in.  Now…can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way?

I love being creative all the times.   I suppose you can say that I wear many creative hats, and writing is my greatest love. I cannot imagine not writing on a daily basis and wish I had more time to do so..