Spotlight Interview with author Garry E. Lewis

Q1: Thanks for participating in our Authors.com Spotlight Interview series, Garry! Please introduce yourself and your book to help our readers get to know you.

A: My name is Garry E. Lewis. I am a fiction Author. I write Mystery/Suspense and fictional Horror books. I have seven published at this time on Amazon.com.

Q2: Please explain how you came to be a writer, what inspired you to write your book(s) and how long it took. 

A: I guess my writing actually started back when my kids were small. I began writing short stories to share with my kids. As I got older I started writing fictional stories as a hobby, then I decided to look into having them published.

Q3: What did you enjoy most about creating this book? 

 
A. The Rileyville Mystery was my first, a labor of love you might say. Living in small towns most of my life, I came upon the idea to write a mystery taking place in a small town. It took off from there. The characters I wanted to bring to life regarding their personalities, quirks etc. From there the story was born.

Q4: What facets of your life, both personal and professional, are woven into your book, if any?  

A. You meet a lot of different people throughout your life. I reflected on many of those people I’d known through the years, their personalities, quirks, etc., as well as some of my own. The characters have to be realistic to, I feel, make the story enjoyable.

Q5. How did you get published?

A. I first got involved with a shady publisher; learned my lesson quickly from that, had my rights reverted back, self published from there on. Having attempted to draw the interest of different agents, I quickly found being a new author your chances are not good. So I looked into self publishing and found some great ones out there.

Q6: Did you have any surprises or hiccups along the way during the book writing and/or publishing process?

A. Once I got connected with Createspace and Lulu publishing, the hiccups soon disappeared. They make the process very easy and affordable, and in today’s economy that is a big plus!

Q7: What one thing did you wish you'd known before you started this project? 

A.  To avoid the first Publisher I’d hooked up with from the start. I’m sure most authors out there know the one I’m referring to, without mentioning their name.

Q8: You're a fly on the wall when readers are discussing your book.  What would you hope to hear them say about it?

 
A. It was very enjoyable, they loved the characters, and they would most certainly tell a friend about me and to check out my fictional books.

Q9: Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know or would surprise them. 

A. I’d like to think I’m just your average guy, nothing special about me. I’ve always had a vivid imagination growing up as a child. I now put that to good use in my writing.

Q10: What single piece of advice would you give new authors?

 
A. Never give up your dream, if you believe in yourself. And when you are dedicated to those beliefs, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Q11: Share a short summary of a typical day in your life with us please. 

A. Well I sleep during the day, as I have a night shift at a local hospital. So I primarily work on my manuscripts in the evening hours before going to work. Otherwise I’m married to the love of my life, Sandra, who helps me with editing and designing my book covers. I have five wonderful grown children and eight grandchildren. More on the way I’m sure.

Q12:  Describe where you do most of your writing. What would I see if I was sitting beside you?

A. Probably me sitting with my laptop typing away at my desk, or in my easy chair, while my wife reads or makes baby blankets for the grandchildren.

Q13: What's your motto or favorite quote you like to live by?

A. Believe in yourself, and anything is possible.

Q14: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us in closing such as your website, an imminent book launch or what you're working on presently? 

A. I’ve just completed my eighth book entitled Father Patrick in When The Devil Comes knocking. It’s a new series I’ve started, mystery/suspense category, which is in the editing stages now. Hopefully to be released this Fall 2011.

You can find my books at Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Garry-E.-Lewis/e/B003MRI0NC

My Authors.com profile: http://www.authors.com/profile/GarryEdwardLewis

Thanks for your time Garry! Please share this Authors.com Spotlight Interview with friends and fans by linking to it, Tweeting it, Digging it, sharing it on Facebook and generally shouting about it anywhere you can.

Fellow members, please support Garry by doing the same. Comments and Likes are also most welcome.