Author’s Bio: I'm the author of In Our Blood – the first in a series of detective thrillers featuring Jake Hawksworth. Jake isn't superhuman. He can't take on five guys at once, can't scale buildings, can't save the world from weapons of mass destruction. Jake is everyman. He's a flawed, complex character we can all relate to and want to root for.
Like Jake, I'm no superhero either. I'm more of a "word nerd," with my mind always in the "on" position. Right now, I have about a half dozen new ideas banging around in my head. When I'm not lost in my fictional world, I'm traveling the world with my wife, spending quality time with my two daughters, or rolling around on the ground with my dogs. And I do like to think that I'm their superhero.
DL: What’s the inspiration for writing your book?
WJG: For years, I’ve been creating stories in my head, and finally thought it was time to share some of these ideas with the world. My mind is always in the “on” position, with new characters and plots constantly materializing. At this moment, I have about half a dozen solid ideas for future novels banging around in my head.
DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
WJG: Throughout my school years, I read all the classics – Shakespeare, Hemingway, Steinbeck – but my guilty pleasures were crime novels by the likes of Raymond Chandler, and I devoured Stephen King novels. These days, I’m still a fan of crime fiction, but the author whose writing truly stands out to me is Dennis Lehane. His words just come to life and leave me with a sense of awe.
DL: How long did it take to write your book?
WJG: I actually started it years ago when my daughters were young. Life got in the way and the book collected dust. A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to get moving, so I dusted it off and started cranking.
DL: Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?
WJG: I usually start with an outline, but stray so much from it that I eventually toss it aside and let the characters “tell me” what’s going to happen next!
DL: Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme song for this book?
WJG: No, I’m one of those guys who needs to get completely into the zone. I can’t have music, TV, phone or people around – any distractions and I’m done.
DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
WJG: I’m always thinking about ways in which I can make my book stand out from all the competition. I hit social media platforms as much as I can, targeting audiences outside of my usual sphere. But it’s important to really key in on your target audience – their interests, their behaviors. And, of course, there’s word of mouth. Any chance I get, I tout my book and tell people to spread the word!
DL: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
WJG: Keep at it. You will get frustrated. You will get discouraged. But, in the end, when you see your book in print, you will realize all the pain was worth it!
DL: How about sharing an excerpt from In Our Blood: A Jake Hawksworth Thriller?
He scribbled down the address and padded to the bathroom. The mirror on the wall was no dream child of Walt Disney. And the muddled reflection frowning at him held no claim to The Land’s Fairest. Hell, even Dopey had him beat there.
He wasn’t handsome, never had been. Every school has that fat, homely kid who hides behind a clown mask. Back at Jefferson Heights a thousand years ago, that clown had been Jacob Francis Hawksworth.
As he entered his twenties, Jake went from flabby to what he liked to call stocky. His face took on a new shape, the absurdly wide nose that dominated it upstaged by a granite slab of a jaw that looked as if it had been Play-Doh’d on as an afterthought. Eyebrows thick enough to be moustaches topped off brooding eyes. A great look if you’re a gangster.
Or a homicide cop.
Now, more than thirty years later, he gazed sullenly at a face that looked an awful lot like that fat, awkward teenager again–with a lot less hair and plenty more wear and tear.
DL: What’s next for you?
WJG: I’m currently writing the next Jake Hawksworth mystery. It’s called Little Red Herrings and takes place at a remote writers’ retreat. Readers can expect a few plot twists and, of course, some murder and mayhem. I’m also working on a stand-alone novel called This Guy Walks Into a Bar... It’s a thriller about an Average Joe who gets mixed up with the Mafia. I still don’t know exactly where this one is headed, but it’s fun trying to figure it out!
DL: Where can readers find out more about you and your book(s)?
• Website: https://outskirtspress.com/inourblood
• Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07DP9BJ7W/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0?redirectedFromKindleDbs=true
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inourbloodbook/?modal=admin_todo_tour
• Book Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Blood-Jake-Hawksworth-Thriller/dp/1478797592/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530308200&sr=8-1&keywords=in+our+blood
It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.
Like Jake, I'm no superhero either. I'm more of a "word nerd," with my mind always in the "on" position. Right now, I have about a half dozen new ideas banging around in my head. When I'm not lost in my fictional world, I'm traveling the world with my wife, spending quality time with my two daughters, or rolling around on the ground with my dogs. And I do like to think that I'm their superhero.
DL: What’s the inspiration for writing your book?
WJG: For years, I’ve been creating stories in my head, and finally thought it was time to share some of these ideas with the world. My mind is always in the “on” position, with new characters and plots constantly materializing. At this moment, I have about half a dozen solid ideas for future novels banging around in my head.
DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
WJG: Throughout my school years, I read all the classics – Shakespeare, Hemingway, Steinbeck – but my guilty pleasures were crime novels by the likes of Raymond Chandler, and I devoured Stephen King novels. These days, I’m still a fan of crime fiction, but the author whose writing truly stands out to me is Dennis Lehane. His words just come to life and leave me with a sense of awe.
DL: How long did it take to write your book?
WJG: I actually started it years ago when my daughters were young. Life got in the way and the book collected dust. A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to get moving, so I dusted it off and started cranking.
DL: Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?
WJG: I usually start with an outline, but stray so much from it that I eventually toss it aside and let the characters “tell me” what’s going to happen next!
DL: Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme song for this book?
WJG: No, I’m one of those guys who needs to get completely into the zone. I can’t have music, TV, phone or people around – any distractions and I’m done.
DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
WJG: I’m always thinking about ways in which I can make my book stand out from all the competition. I hit social media platforms as much as I can, targeting audiences outside of my usual sphere. But it’s important to really key in on your target audience – their interests, their behaviors. And, of course, there’s word of mouth. Any chance I get, I tout my book and tell people to spread the word!
DL: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
WJG: Keep at it. You will get frustrated. You will get discouraged. But, in the end, when you see your book in print, you will realize all the pain was worth it!
DL: How about sharing an excerpt from In Our Blood: A Jake Hawksworth Thriller?
Excerpt from Chapter 1
He wasn’t handsome, never had been. Every school has that fat, homely kid who hides behind a clown mask. Back at Jefferson Heights a thousand years ago, that clown had been Jacob Francis Hawksworth.
As he entered his twenties, Jake went from flabby to what he liked to call stocky. His face took on a new shape, the absurdly wide nose that dominated it upstaged by a granite slab of a jaw that looked as if it had been Play-Doh’d on as an afterthought. Eyebrows thick enough to be moustaches topped off brooding eyes. A great look if you’re a gangster.
Or a homicide cop.
Now, more than thirty years later, he gazed sullenly at a face that looked an awful lot like that fat, awkward teenager again–with a lot less hair and plenty more wear and tear.
DL: What’s next for you?
WJG: I’m currently writing the next Jake Hawksworth mystery. It’s called Little Red Herrings and takes place at a remote writers’ retreat. Readers can expect a few plot twists and, of course, some murder and mayhem. I’m also working on a stand-alone novel called This Guy Walks Into a Bar... It’s a thriller about an Average Joe who gets mixed up with the Mafia. I still don’t know exactly where this one is headed, but it’s fun trying to figure it out!
DL: Where can readers find out more about you and your book(s)?
• Website: https://outskirtspress.com/inourblood
• Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/default/e/B07DP9BJ7W/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0?redirectedFromKindleDbs=true
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inourbloodbook/?modal=admin_todo_tour
• Book Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Blood-Jake-Hawksworth-Thriller/dp/1478797592/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1530308200&sr=8-1&keywords=in+our+blood
It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.
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