As an author in this economy, you have to come up with creative ways to market a self-published book. While book tours are a great way to connect with your readers, they aren’t the most affordable method of promotion. However, technology has made it possible for an alternative.
Take note from self-publishing Outskirts Press author, D. Andrew McChesney, who is taking his latest book, Sailing Dangerous Waters, on tour – a virtual book tour, that is. He will be featured on several blogs over the weeks and months ahead so keep your eyes peeled to learn more about him and his book.
Luckily for us, D. Andrew was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Sailing Dangerous Waters.
OP: Tell us a little bit about Sailing Dangerous Waters. What is it about?
DAM: The Stone Island Sea Stories combine Age of Sail/Naval Adventure with a slight Science Fiction/Alternate World touch. In this, the second book of the series, Master and Commander Edward Pierce and his shipmates have discovered a long lost legendary island that exists in a different, somewhat parallel world. Previously detained by that world’s equivalent of Great Britain, they are set at liberty. Pierce and his fellows return to Stone Island and then undertake a long journey home to this world and early 19th century England.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
DAM: The original story had been percolating in my mind since high school. A few years ago I revived it and began anew. Being somewhat of an organic or seat of the pants type I had enough for a full length novel before I reached the end. It was inevitable that the first book be followed by this, the second, and that additional ones follow.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
DAM: I believe those who devour traditional Age of Sail/Naval Adventure stories, such as the Hornblower books and the Master and Commander series will enjoy this and the other Stone Island Sea Stories. Others might find my book interesting if they have an interest in the historical aspect, the relationship to the Napoleonic Wars, and the technology of the early 19th century. Additionally, readers of science fiction who enjoy a subtle alternate world twist should find it interesting.
OP: What is special about your book? What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
DAM: I don’t know if anyone has ever combined genres in quite the same way I do. Hopefully I have blended an Age of Sail tale with Science Fiction in a way that is believable and compelling.
OP: Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?
DAM: I published Beyond the Ocean’s Edge: A Stone Island Sea Story a little over a year and a half ago. Currently I am (supposed to be) working on Darnahsian Pirates, which will be the third Stone Island Sea Story. I have bits and pieces of ideas for further stories in this series and ideas for stories set in the distant past, the present, and the far future of Stone Island.
OP: Thanks for your time, D. Andrew! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
About the Author Long fascinated with the age of sail and the great sailing navies, D. Andrew McChesney served in the modern US Navy as an aviation electronics technician. After completing a 22-year career, he revived and revised a story first written in high school. Beyond the Ocean’s Edge: A Stone Island Sea Story was published in May 2012. Sailing Dangerous Waters placed second in the Author! Author! Great First Pages Contest. McChesney is the secretary and webmaster for Spokane Authors and Self-Publishers (SASP), a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA), and recently joined the Historical Novel Society (HNS). He lives in Spokane, Washington with his wife Eva, daughter Jessica, a Quaker parrot named He-lo, and a corn snake called Teako. Visit the author at http://www.stoneislandseastories.com.
.
.
For more information or to contact the author, visit www.outskirtspress.com/sailingdangerouswaters
This author purchased the Virtual Book Tour marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road”. Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.
Are you an author looking for help to market your self-published book?
