Collecting Book

Interview: Journalist Writes Comics! and Science Fiction

Hi! I am Carolyn Howard Johnson, your trusty New Book Review blogger and author of the multi award-winning HowTo Do It Frugally Series of books for writers. This blog has heretofore been exclusive for reviews but I thought I’d do a special series of interviews after I chatted with Jeanie Loiacono, President of Loiacono Literary Agency – Where ‘can’t’ is not in our vocabulary! I thought sharing the interviews would help the many subscribers and visitors to this New Book Review blog, including authors, reviewers, and, of course, readers who just might find a new favorite author among the featured books and authors. I hope you'll submit your favorite review or interview. Guidlines are in the left column of this blog.

So, today welcome Richard Paolinelli.

Paolinelli is the author of the sci-fi novel Maelstrom (Smashwords) and two short stories: sci-fi short The Invited (Smashwords) and the mystery/thriller short Legacy of Death (Smashwords). He served as the story writer for the first two issues of the Elite Comics series, Seadragon: Seadragon #1 (Elite Comics, 1986) Seadragon #2 (Elite Comics, 1986). He is also an award-winning writer for newspapers in California and New Mexico and has written for many magazines and websites across the country. He is now working on the outlined sequels: Betrayals, Shades, and Endgames.

What is your genre? Is it fiction or nonfiction? I write mystery-thrillers as well as science fiction and sports non-fiction.

What made you want to be a writer? When I was in grade school I was always coming up with “stories” that I would write down and I haven’t ever stopped.

Of all the authors out there, who inspired you most? At first it was Edgar Allan Poe and H.G. Wells. But more recently, I would have to say Jack McDevitt.

What is your writing style? Do you outline? Linearly? By scene? Why? I like to create three dimensional characters that the readers can fully connect with, put them into a situation that really puts them to the test and hopefully take the reader on a great ride from the first page until the last. I outline because I like have each step of the story fully laid out before I begin. The one quirk I have is that I write the opening chapter first and then I write the last chapter before going back to end of the first chapter and finishing the story from there.

Do you write every day? How much? How long? I try to write every day (when life manages to stay out of the way long enough of course) and for as long as I can. (Anywhere from an hour up to a 14-hour marathon I put in during From The Fields).

Do you think reading is as important to writing for an author? Why? I do. You can learn a lot about crafting a story by reading other stories, especially those in the genre you are writing in.

What are some of the things you would like to share with budding authors? Keep writing, no matter what. It took me 15 years from the time I sat down and decided to write my first sci-fi novel until the time I had finished it and it was published. My mystery-thriller, Reservations, which was just released is the prequel to a movie script I wrote in 1998. The lesson is: Never give up on your writing, no matter how gloomy things may appear to you at the present.

Do you have any marketing and promotional advice, referrals, tips you would like to share? Be relentless and shameless. Never pass up an opportunity to post a link to your book on social media no matter how much of a stretch it may seem to be. I once posted a flyer about one of my books in a sandwich shop.

Do you think conferences are beneficial? If so, what have you learned? Which ones do you frequent? I do. You get a chance to meet potential readers face to face. Sometimes you will sell a few books. Sometimes you won’t sell a thing, but someone you met at the event will buy a copy online and hopefully tell their friends how good your book was and how cool it was that they met you.

Where can we find you, your books and when is your next event? My website is: www.richardpaolinelli.com and all of my books are on the main page. Click on the covers and the link will take you to each book’s page on Amazon.com. I have a radio appearance on Dec. 13^th but my next in-person event is the Tucson Festival of Books at the University of Arizona on March 12th & 13^th. www.richardpaolinelli.com Paolinelli Events www.facebook.com/RichardPaolinelli1964 Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency, Jeanie Loiacono http://www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com/authors/richard-paolinelli/

MORE ABOUT THE SPONSORING AGENT

Jeanie Loiacono, President, Loiacono Literary Agency

A facilitator of dreams, Jeanie Loiacono represents over eighty authors. Her forte is mystery, romance, thrillers, historical/military/southern fiction, and all quality fiction/nonfiction. Her passion is to see her authors succeed.

“There is nothing more rewarding than to hold one of my author’s books and know I helped bring it to fruition. I am so blessed and privileged to be able to work with some of the most talented writers in the world.” Jeanie.L@llallc.net www.loiaconoliteraryagency.com

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERVIEWS--TO FIND GREAT READING OR TO NETWORK WITH AUTHORS--PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG. YOU ARE A WELCOME ADDITION TO THIS FAMILY WHO LOVES BOOKS! YOU'LL FIND A WINDOW TO DO THIS AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG PAGE.

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Reviewer Tracey Quintin Calls Fiction Emotionally Provoking

Title: Bittersweet

Author: K.S. Thomas

Website: http://www.ksthomas.net

Genre: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Inspirational, Romance, Women’s Fiction,

ISBN #: B00TPBIC3M

Reviewer's Rating: 5 star

Where people can purchase the book: http://www.amazon.com/K.S.-Thomas/e/B00HQWTA10/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Reviewed by Tracey Quintin originally for Goodreads

What an OUTSTANDING EMOTIONAL, COULDN'T PUT DOWN, PAGE TURNING read. I was hooked from Chapter 1 on. I completely fell in love with Esi and Carter and was so emotionally invested in this "grab boxes of Kleenex" story.

Truly touched my heart and soul. Esi and Carter are absolute soul mates and have a love and connection like no other.

Their story didn't just tug my heart strings, I seriously fell in love with these characters. I felt everything going on and had a HUGE lump in my throat throughout most of the story until I HAD to let the tears just fall. If I wasn't in a public setting I'm sure I would have cried my eyes out...THAT'S how emotion provoking it was for me. THESE ARE MY FAVORITE TYPES OF STORIES!

So beautifully written, K.S. Thomas did an incredible job. This is the first book I've read from this author and I REALLY hope she has written more of this type. Outstanding and can't wait to read more of her work. I very highly recommend reading this. It is a story that will stay in my heart forever.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

K. S. Thomas connections:

Website: http://www.ksthomas.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friedgatortail/?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/friedgatortail

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/332809.K_S_Thomas?from_search=true&search_version=service

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/K.S.-Thomas/e/B00HQWTA10/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

Science Fiction That Sticks with You

Title: Ghost of Forgotten Empires, Volume 1

Author: Michael J. Foy

Website: www.michaeljfoy.com

Genre: Science Fiction

ISBN #: 978-1939337030

Reviewer's Rating: 5 star

Where people can purchase the book: http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-Forgotten-Empires-Vol-Adventure/dp/1939337038/ref=cm_cr_pr_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8

Sometimes You Get More Than You Asked For

Reviewed by Frank Sollie originally for Amazon

All I wanted was a good sci-fi story. Something to read in bed while trying to get sleepy. With this book you`ll never get any sleep. At least not until you`re finished reading it. Maybe not then either. This is the kind of story you keep thinking of. Reading this book was like an entire season of Star Trek (it`s far from Star Trek, but the story is equally strong). Believable characters and well written. This is the sort of book that sticks to your "memory chip" after reading it. You picture the book in your head while reading, which is not unusual, but it stays there. You keep thinking about the book, picturing scenes from the book. And when you finish reading it, you want more. As this is Volume 1, I think we`re in for more great stories by Michael J. Foy.

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael J. Foy connections:

Website: http://michaeljfoy.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaeljfoy

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-J.-Foy/e/B002UM8GQ6/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1447875639&sr=1-2-ent