Interview with Kindle Press Author Erik Therme

Kindle Press author Erik Therme has thrashed in garage bands, inadvertently harbored runaways, and met Darth Vader. When he’s not at his computer, he can be found cheering for his oldest daughter’s volleyball team, or chilling on the PlayStation 3 with his twelve-year-old. He currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa—one of only seven places in the world UNESCO has certified as a City of Literature. Visit him on Facebook or at www.eriktherme.com.

JK: I've spent some time in that literary city of Iowa, too. Please tell us about your latest book.

Erik Therme: Resthaven is about a group of kids who hold a scavenger hunt inside an abandoned retirement home . . . only to discover they’re not the only ones roaming the hallways. I wanted to write something my teenage daughters would enjoy, and I’ve always been intrigued by old, creepy buildings.

JK: What was your journey to publication?

ET: I chased literary agents and publishers for years, and after a very close call with Gillian Flynn’s agency, I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and self-publish. Shortly after the release of my first book, Mortom, I received an e-mail from Thomas & Mercer publishing, who had discovered the work and wanted to acquire it. Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled. When I finished Resthaven, I knew the story wouldn't be a right fit for T&M (they don't handle young adult), so I submitted the book to Kindle Press. Two months later it was selected for publication, and I was off and running.

JK: How has life been different since winning Kindle Scout?

ET: The best thing about winning Kindle Scout has been the opportunity to connect with the other Scout winners. It's an incredibly supportive group of talented writers, and two of my favorite reads of 2016 have come from Scout authors.

JK: I've found it to be a very talented and welcoming community, too. What inspires you to write in your genre?

ET: I believe an author should write the story they feel compelled to tell, regardless of genre. Mortom began life as a horror story before transitioning into a mystery, whereas Resthaven is more action-driven and targeted toward young adults. Part of the joy of writing is being able to follow your imagination wherever it takes you. That said, everything I write seems to gravitate toward suspense with "twinges" of horror.

JK: Who are some of your favorite authors?

ET: One of my all-time favorite books is Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger. Stephen King has always been a huge influence, and I'm a big fan of Alden Bell, who wrote the brilliant novel The Reapers Are the Angels. I'll pretty much read anything that catches my interest.

JK: What do you do when you're not writing? If such a time exists.

ET: I have a wonderful wife who loves to travel and two teenage daughters who enjoy games and movies. I stay fit by exercising three times a week, and I'm a sucker for exploring small towns (in the surrounding area) on weekends.

JK: Well, I won't keep you from that any longer. Enjoy!

Great news! The Goodreads giveaway of two softcover editions of Awash in Talent has just begun! Get your entry in before June 30 to join in the fun.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Awash in Talent

by Jessica Knauss

Giveaway ends June 30, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Debut Day for Awash in Talent with Trailer, Bookmarks, and a Giveaway

Getting ready to talk about my dear book. It's harder than you think! 

Today's the day: June 7! All those who preordered Awash in Talent will magically receive it on their devices today. Order it flat out and starting today, you'll get it instantly! This is a big deal, because Awash in Talent took six years from first idea through writing and editing to publication. If I could've made it appear instantly, I certainly would have. You can also now get your hands on the softcover edition here.

Never before have I felt my writing to be so validated. Awash in Talent is unusual, so I often wondered whether I would be able to rally enough interested people to publish traditionally. Kindle Press made that dream come true with added benefits such as a great community of authors.

There is a lot of celebrating going on today. First, I've celebrated by putting on the shirt I was wearing when I met Manolo García to film a sincere trailer in which I talk about what makes me proud about Awash in Talent. What do you think?

I've also celebrated by creating some pretty nifty bookmarks for my readers to enjoy. Contact me for yours!

And last but not least, I'm celebrating by giving you fair warning of the exciting giveaway I have planned. On Goodreads, a giveaway of two softcover editions of Awash in Talent will begin on June 12. Get ready to get your entry in before June 30 to join in the fun.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Awash in Talent

by Jessica Knauss

Giveaway ends June 30, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

The Awash in Talent Book Launch Tour is still going on. Find out all kinds of new facts and get answers to your burning questions at these great links.

“Kindle Scout Success” with Kristin Gleeson

“What If The Abolitionist Had Telekinesis?” with Kim Rendfeld

“Author Spotlight” with Teresa Roman

“Jessica Knauss: She’s Awash in Talent” with Linda Sands

Author Interview with Rachelle Paige

"Jessica Knauss—Awash in Talent" with Katherine Hayton

Social issues and the creative process with Seymour Hamilton

Learn whether you should even start writing with author Craig A. Hart

"Jessica Knauss Interview" at Today's Author with Katie O'Rourke

"Writers Reach: Jessica Knauss with Awash in Talent" with Jennifer Skutelsky

About the Kindle Scout campaign with The Crazy Mind

Awash in Talent Book Launch Blog Tour: Read All About It!

The book launch tour has begun! Click live links, or wait for publication on the stated day.

Already, historical author Kristin Gleeson lets me share the exact moments of inspiration for Awash in Talent and how I came to participate in the Kindle Scout program and become a Kindle Press author here.

Also now, read all about some of my favorite things (castles and The Princess Bride are involved) in gracious author Teresa Roman's author spotlight.

On May 31, I'm here with historical fiction author Kim Rendfeld describing the way history influenced Awash in Talent even though it's contemporary. Providence, Rhode Island, wasn't born yesterday!

On June 1 I join author Linda Sands, who's just received a nomination for the Georgia Author of the Year Awards! Congratulate her and check out the Awash in Talent action here.

June 2, I'll have a fun and creative conversation with author Rachelle Paige here.

Author Katherine Hayton hosts me, some probing questions, and an excerpt on June 6 here.

Author Seymour Hamilton and I really get into the sociocultural issues in Awash in Talent on June 7, release day, here.

Also June 7, release day, a conversation about whether anyone should start writing with Craig A. Hart here.

June 8 will see me at Today's Author conversing with fellow Kindle Press author Katie O'Rourke.

I'm at Writers Reach on June 10 with Kindle Press author Jennifer Skutelsky discussing Kindle Scout success, inspiration, and whom I would choose to lead me through the great beyond here.

I send out my sincere thanks to everyone who's hosted me!

Awash in Talent is Available for Preorder Now

The book at the top of every wish list 

Confirmation: The link we've all been waiting for has arrived! Awash in Talent is available for preorder here. Everyone who nominated it should have received a notification to download their free copy! I know I did!

Queen of the castle because I'm a published author!

If you didn't nominate it during its Kindle Scout campaign, now is your chance to get in on the Gilmore Girls-with-a-paranormal-twist action. Help it reach its potential and I will be grateful to you forever.

Even better, it already has a five-star review from someone I'm not related to.

The official release is June 7, and the softcover is coming right around then, too.

This great news means the blog tour has begun! Check back here for links to interviews, excerpts, and all kinds of Awash in Talent fun.

You May be Wondering...

While all those great interviews have been going on, you may have wondering what was going on with Awash in Talent. It's on its way! I've gone over the edits, which have helped clarify some of Emily's contorted thinking, and the manuscript is being formatted as you read.

Kindle Scout nominators will receive their free copies and Awash in Talent will be released as a preorder next week! And then the fun really starts rolling. I'll be sharing lots of interviews and guest posts and there will be a softcover giveaway involved.

Just so you don't think I've been lazy, I'd like to share my new website with you. With the help and artistry of Amygdala Design,  JessicaKnauss.com finally has just about everything I ever wanted for it. It's been a lot of work, but the fun kind of work—a labor of love. I'm putting the finishing touches on as I find a spare moment here and there. Take a browse and please tell me if you think anything is missing.

Thanks!

Today at Unusual Historicals: My Characters' Moment in Space and Time

Me and my gal, Lambra

This month, Unusual Historicals is letting us historical fiction authors go crazy on our favorite topics: the "unusual" setting and time period of our stories! Mine is about the formative history taking place during Seven Noble Knights. "My Characters Lived in... Tenth-Century Spain" has tons of information and pictures I've gathered over my many years of obsession with medieval Spain. Check it out!

Thanks for stopping by.

Branching Out as a Writer: An Interview with Armand Rosamilia

Fellow Kindle Press author Armand Rosamilia is stopping by today. For his Kindle Scout experience, he branched out from his usual writing routine.

Armand Rosamilia 

JK: What is Dirty Deeds about? Have you written many crime thrillers?

AR: Dirty Deeds is my first official foray into crime thriller fiction. It started out as a much darker idea... about a hit man who kills children. It luckily evolved into a story I wanted to make more mainstream and for more potential readers to enjoy, so it is still about a guy who is paid to kill children... but he doesn't actually do it. He saves them and gets them into better situations, although one of these supposed deaths from years ago comes back and his cover might be blown.

JK: What inspired these ideas?

AR: I think what inspired me is all of the horror fiction I read and write coupled with my wife watching Investigation Discovery every night. 

JK: Did you enjoy your Kindle Scout experience? How was it different from other publishing you’ve done?

AR: The 30 days my book was in the Kindle Scout program were nerve-wracking. It felt like forever and I hadn't been that nervous in years about a submission.

JK: I know what you mean. Mine was the longest February of my life!

AR: I'm glad I did it, though, because I learned quite a bit about marketing and engaging new readers. I felt like I'd become stagnant with the wonderful fan base I have. Complacent. With Kindle Scout and promoting a crime thriller, something I don't normally write and in a slightly different focus (no profanity, no over-the-top sex or violence) it helped me to reach new readers. I am so glad I tried because it has definitely taken me to the next level. Plus, all of my back-list has started to sell even better and I'd like to think a big chunk of that is because new readers loved Dirty Deeds and wanted to read more from me. 

JK: Podcasts seem to be the up-and-coming new platform for authors, and you have two. What topics do they cover? 

AR: I started out about four years ago on an AM station, which turned into a small FM station. Then I did internet radio. I got into podcasting because I saw it would be a definite plus for me as an author. I'd been on a few great podcasts and I saw it helped sales and getting my name out there. I started Arm Cast Podcast about two years ago and I'm coming up on my one hundredth episode soon. I interview other authors and it is very casual. Two writers having a chat about the business and the craft. I've had on musicians, filmmakers, actors and actresses as well, entertainment people. Each episode lasts about an hour and has two interviews. Every Friday you can hear it on Project iRadio. 

The second podcast I do now is Arm N Toof'sDead Time Podcast, co-hosted with author Mark Tufo. We run about an hour every Wednesday and interview one guest. We talk to quite a few film makers, actors, and actresses. We also run it very casual and leave the bloopers and screw-ups in. It is also on ProjectiRadio and I couldn't be more happy about the reach and the interaction with listeners. 

JK: We’ll be sure to tune in! Thank you for stopping by.

AR: Thanks for the interview!

Be sure to check out Dirty Deeds and find all the latest from Armand at his website: armandrosamilia.com