The interview series with authors in my Twitter community continues with Micheal Rivers. Enjoy!



Website: michealrivers.com
Blog: michealrivers.com/blog
 Twitter: @Micheal_Rivers
 Facebook: Author Page
Book Trailers: The Black Witch, Moonlight on the Nantahala

Q: What is your genre? Why did you choose it?

MR: My genre is mystery/thriller in actuality. Some of the publications do not have that particular slot and list my work under Sci/Fi because of the paranormal aspects of it. Others classify my work as Horror or just paranormal. It is all in who you speak with it would seem. I really can’t say it was a matter of choice rather than walking into what you already live on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s like shaking hands with the dead and having them take a seat to copy their memoirs.

Q: How many books have you published? Legacy published, self-published, or a combination?

MR: I am a hybrid, I have a brick and mortar publisher; Schiffer Publishing Ltd; as well as being an Indie. I publish some of my work as e books through Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble and others. I have tried to cover every format I could so nobody gets left out if they want to read one of my books. My books Ghosts of the North Carolina Shores and soon to be released in spring Appalachian Mountain Folklore are through Schiffer. I have five for now with more to come.

    

Q: Tell us more about investigating and collecting stories of the paranormal! How has your work in this field influenced your novels?

MR: I began collecting stories from an early age due to events that were happening around me. My life has always been anything but mundane. You might say all of it became a second nature. The more I traveled the more stories I collected because people wanted to share the events with me. As a young man and through the years I tried to unravel the mysteries and see what was causing the hauntings. There are different types and various degrees of haunting. The equipment has gotten a lot better and a lot more reliable. I am lead investigator for a team called the Smokey Mountain Ghost Trackers. We investigate areas where hauntings are reputedly happening and we try to debunk or find proof of an actual haunt. My wife was a great skeptic until she married me. With my books; even though the story line may be fictional; adding bits and pieces of actual hauntings; or paranormal activity give a story a life of its own.
 
Q: Do you sell copies of your novel, or other works, directly from your website?

MR: In my website there are URL’s that will take you to Amazon and others to buy my books. Sometimes I have those who would like an autographed copy. When this is desirable all they have to do is visit my site and leave me a message.

Q: How much time do you spend on Twitter each week? Do you have a Facebook Fan Page?

MR: Time on Twitter; Lord, yes there is a lot of time spent there I really couldn’t count the hours. I do have a fan page on Facebook and welcome everybody who would like to stop by and say hello or just stay awhile see what happens.

Q: Do you blog? How often? Strictly professional or a blend of all things?

MR: Blogging is something I do but I don’t get to do on a regular basis. I try to blog as often as possible and I have Author interviews as well as a few tips here and there on my site. I also write some articles for a magazine called Supporting writers one book at a time by Eri Nelson. There are some guest blogs also that I do for others. It is a blend and you will find some very good Authors there.

Q: Do you have a motto or favorite quote you turn to on tough writing days?

MR: Yes, I do “Where are the words I have gifted thee, have you seen them and know them not?”  Who wrote that? I did in a fit of panic just after midnight while writing a novel called “Scratch” in 1996.( This novel has not been released) The words came to me and I wrote them on the wall of my office with the closet pen available. Just my luck it was a sharpie.

Q: Have you outsourced editing, cover design, formatting, web design, marketing, etc?

MR: Yes, I think everyone has to outsource parts of their work. I collaborate as much as possible so I am able to assure the quality I am looking for. Items like my website etc. I feel should be dealt with by professionals in their field.

Q: Do you work with a writing group?

MR: No, I do not work with a writer’s group personally. 

Q: When you did you first decide to self-publish? How much time did it take to get from an idea to an ebook on Amazon?

MR: I spoke with a writer in the late 90’s at a writer’s conference in Colorado and he suggested I look into self publishing because the industry was heading that way. Ideas hit me like a streak of light and then the journey begins. The time from conception to an eBook or printed version can take as much as a year or more depending on the work.

Q: Have you published any of your work for free? Why or why not?

MR: I don’t feel quality work from any Author should be given away freely. A great amount of time and a slice of self is lain before the public to consume. I have only introduced my stories or books for free on promotions or to book reviewers.

Q: What tips or advice would you offer to writers who are about to join the self-published community?

MR: The list is long and many writers will have more to add than just these few. However the ones I will give you here are not to be taken lightly for your future. Your cover is just as important as what is written on your pages. The cover will have a great influence on a lot of buyer’s choice, it tells who you are. Edit, Edit, Edit, and then edit until its’ perfect. Nothing will turn away a reader faster than a boat load of mistakes. Many good stories are totally destroyed by poor editing. Believe me the word will get to others much faster about a bad book than a really good one.

Q: Is there another writer (or two) in the Twitterverse that you would recommend newbies follow?

MR: Yes there are a handful of new writers I am following, but the top of the list is Mr. Glenn Starkey. I like his style and I believe he will go far.

Q: What is coming up for you in the next few months?

MR: Very exciting!!!! I have my latest by Schiffer Publishing Ltd in the spring coming to my readers. I am half way to releasing Verliege another paranormal thriller and I have six more manuscripts in the works including (due to readers demand) the sequel to the Black Witch.

Q: Do you have (or are planning) any audio books?

MR: I was approached about making some of my stories in the audio platform, but I have made no decision concerning it at this time.

Q: Have you done a blog tour? Any advice or cautions?

MR: Prepare to dedicate a lot of time for a blog tour, its’ not for the faint of heart. This is a great opportunity to connect with fans as well as new readers.

Q: Do you create an outline before beginning a new book?

MR: My outlines are not the usual outlines you will find anywhere. They make no sense to anyone except me. I rely on my story board as much or more than I do an actual outline. Sudden outbreaks of insanity send the story in another direction at times and have to be followed.

Q: Do you work on more than one manuscript at a time?

MR: Currently I am working on six. I run aground on one and turn to the others until what I need comes to me and then I return to the original manuscript I was working on. Makes for many sleepless nights; Tahitian music helps.

Q: Do you use specialty software?

MR: Shhhhh my secret. Yes I do; two types actually. Final draft is one of them. I also have three different types of software I use for book trailers.

Q: Tell us about some of the hurdles you've cleared on the path to becoming an author. Did you have any idea at the start what the process really entailed?

MR: Unless you are already in the business you are in for a treat. I didn’t have the slightest idea I would have to become high tech and agreeable. LOL Hurdles come by the dozen when you are trying to learn the wonderful world of writing. The publishers all want something different from you and I had to learn how to get them what they want in a timely manner while juggling life. You learn something new every day because the industry changes like a soldier with wet socks. I have learned more about marketing than I ever wanted to know. It is mandatory or you’ll be struggling without a life jacket; so I learned and still have the changes headed my way to contradict what I already had to practice. Thank goodness my wife is a very patient woman.

Q: What is the best comment/compliment you have received about your work?

MR: I love all the comments I have received from my readers. The kindest words that let me know I have succeeded in entertaining them are the words; “I couldn’t put it down.”

Q: Let's flip things around for a moment. As a reader, which of the following do you take into consideration when deciding whether or not to purchase a book?

MR: Reader reviews: Knowing the industry you have to gather more
         information on the author than just the reviews.

         Number of books already sold: I totally disregard.

         Book cover: If the cover is bad I won’t even bother to pick the book up.

         Word-of-mouth: This will make me take a second look and possibly
         buy the book.

         Book summary: This has a lot of impact it tells me this writers style and
         whether his story is something I would read.

         Author's blog: I will read the blogs for the sake of seeing what he writes
         when he is not in a formal setting.

         Author's Facebook, Twitter, and other social media: This is always a way
         to learn more about the Author and his books. He may have another book I
         prefer over the one that is being advertised.

         Book price: If I like the book the price is not a factor.

Q: Thank you, Micheal, for sharing your publishing experiences with us. We wish you continued success, and hope you'll come back and share updates with us in the spring!

MR: Thank you for having me here. I would love to come back and visit with you and your readers. “Be the host to your ghost”