(The Big Disrupt) Interview: The Carnage Report talks to @Bob_Mayer

Hi Bob. It's been a long time since we last talked, what's happened since then? 

I’ve launched my Time Patrol series and it’s doing very well. 

What's your view on the publishing industry? 

We’ve come almost full circle. Things have leveled out to an extent, but it’s not going to stay static. The big names are doing well, as always. I think the crunch is on the midlist. A midlist writer who is only traditionally published is facing a hard time ahead. 

After writing so many books over the years, what inspires you to write (besides paying the bills of course)? 

It’s the best job ever. I really enjoy the topics I write about and my character. 

Being a Westpoint graduate and former member of the green berets, What has, if anything, helped you from those days as a writer? 

I employ Special Operations characters in all my books. The Time Patrol are almost all former Special Operations people who were recruited into an earlier series, Nightstalkers, and now are the Time Patrol. So I can use my experience to make the characters realistic along with their experiences. 

There has been a number of great writers from Joseph Heller to George Orwell who have fought or served in wars including yourself. Why do you think so many former service men have become writers?  

A desire to express what they’ve experienced. I think the opposite is a problem these days: too many thriller writers with no military experience who write unrealistic scenarios and characters; especially when they’re also pushing their political agenda. 

Most people can say what's great about writing, is there anything you don't like about writing? 

The hardest part about being a writer, is the actual writing. It’s easy to get distracted with so many other things going on and running a business. But butt-in-chair, undistracted time is the hardest. 

What, in your opinion, makes a good or great writer?

I think that’s relative for everyone. I think the ability to make people feel and think. That’s key. 

Do you have a writing process? 

It’s evolved over the years. I let it flow more now. After having written over 70 books, I trust my instincts. It will come if I let it, so I try to worry less and also outline less. I let it come naturally.

Being both a publisher and author must leave a lot on your plate, how do you manage to succeed in two demanding roles? 

I work pretty much all the time. But I enjoy it so that’s all right. 

Having experienced both sides of industry as a publisher and writer, what, in your opinion, is the tougher role?  

Both are hard and inter-connected. I think that’s why being a hybrid author is good. You know both sides of the industry. I think knowing only the author part puts one at a disadvantage in today’s marketplace. 

What would you say has played a key role in your success so far? 

Willingness to change. To do things differently. The #1 key to success is setting a long term goal and be willing to do whatever it takes to get there. If something doesn’t work, change.  

The last time we talked I asked you about Amazon's effect on publishing industry and you were quite positive about it. What's your position on Amazon now?    

I think Amazon is great for authors and for publishers. So far. That isn’t to say things can’t change. I know people feel eBooks have leveled off and bookstores are fine, but sadly, that isn’t true. The eBook is taking more and more of the market share. The only company that can possibly challenge Amazon in that market is Apple and their online store leaves a lot to be desired although it is getting better. 

At Cool Gus we’re looking for just one or two bestselling traditionally published authors who want to try being hybrid. Not so much for the money, although royalty rates are so much better, but for creative control. 

Do you see the increased interest and budgets expended on video based storytelling as a threat to book publishing? 

No. It’s a different medium. We do a lot of video now for marketing, but mainly to expand our metadata presence. 

Final Question: What do you think is the future of the written word? 

I think story-telling in a variety of modes will always be around. The written word will always be around.  

Connect with on twitter @Bob_Mayer or pay a visit to Cool Gus Publishing here.

  

(The Big Disrupt) Interview: The Carnage Report Talks to Author Derek Haines

What, in your opinion, makes a good or great writer? 

Readers! At the end of the day, readers decide who is a good or great writer. William Golding wrote a lot of books, won the Booker Prize and the Nobel Prize, but for most readers, he only wrote one great book – The Lord of the Flies. Then again, Dostoyevsky, another great writer, sends most readers to sleep. For me, a great writer is one whose words grab, and keep my attention. Jasper Fforde springs to mind.  

What do you love most about writing? 

I always learn something new when I write. Either about myself, other people or how to use a semi-colon.  

What got you interested in writing novels? 

Like most new writers, I wrote my first novel from a need to get something off my chest. In that respect, it was quite therapeutic, but the story was awful because I was writing for myself and not for readers. I see a lot of debut authors falling into this same trap. 

Do you see more and more artists using visual mediums to tell stories as a threat to book publishing? 

No. Books and movies have lived together quite happily for a hundred years. The real threat to book publishing is attention. The Internet is dramatically reducing people’s attention span. This is one reason why short ebooks are starting to sell so well. People don’t have, or take the time to read. 

Who would you say is the best writer you've ever read? 

It is always the same answer. Douglas Adams. But James Clavell comes a close second. 

What advice would you give to a young first time author chipping away at his first book? 

Become a plumber! It pay is much better; the hours are shorter, and no one criticizes you. But if someone is determined to become a writer, be prepared for long late nights, hard work and little reward. The other piece of advice I would give, is to learn very early that writing is for readers, and not for writers. New writers who learn this fast are more likely to achieve some success. 

What would you say is the worst thing about being a writer? 

It all takes so long. I can write a novel in two months, if I set my mind to it. However, after that is done, it takes months and months, if not longer, to get a manuscript up to a decent standard. I doubt that there is any other art form that has this time-consuming quality control problem. 

Of all the books, essays and poems you've written, which one did you like the best? 

My favourite book is The Adventures of HAL, but readers hate it. It is my absolute worst selling book, but I have no idea why. Such is life as a writer.  

In our last interview you talked about loving to write about flawed and anti-hero characters. Why do you like writing about them? 

Imperfection has more facets to write about and for an anti-hero, the only way is up. Maybe it’s the Australian in me that likes to try to turn a loser into a winner, or at least give them a chance. 

Everybody has an opinion on Amazon's effect on the publishing industry, what's your position? 

Amazon has earned their dominant market share, particularly in ebooks, by being innovative and aggressive. Not that this is healthy for the publishing industry, though. My take on this is that it is easy to blame Amazon, but few criticize Amazon’s competitors. Barnes & Noble has made so many stupid blunders with ebooks, and Apple has only been half-heartedly in the ebook business. Google Play Books has been a complete disaster. Amazon is not the problem. The problem is the lack of any real competition.  

Do you have any rules or philosophy when it comes to writing novels, poems etc? 

Not really, but I don’t like to use vulgar language. Sure, the odd expletive is necessary, but I try to keep them to a minimum. If I have a philosophy, it is to construct characters that are believable.  

Have you ever thought of applying your storytelling skills to a more visual medium? 

No, I haven’t. Maybe I’m a purist, or lazy. 

Final Question: What's your take on the future of the written word?  

The written word will survive because it is one of only two forms of communication - the written word and the spoken word. Any debate about the future of books is currently clouded by the ebook and Amazon effect, but I believe this will only be a short-term issue as natural market forces apply in the end. The book and ebook market will settle down in the next few years. The market will stabilize when new and more committed competitors start to take market share, and then the debate will fall away into history.  

You can connect with Derek via his website or social media here: 

Website: http://derekhaines.ch 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DerekHaines.Vandal 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Derek_Haines