Interview with Steven Manchester, author of "Twelve Months"
ABOUT STEVEN MANCHESTER
Steven Manchester is the author ofPressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy andJacob Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven Herberts. His work has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CBS’s The Early Show, CNN’s American Morning and BET’s Nightly News. Recently, three of Steven’s short stories were selected “101 Best” for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or his four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.
To learn more about Steven, visit his website at: www.stevenmanchester.com
Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, Steve. Can
you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
A: I’ve been writing since 1991. I’d just returned
home from Operation Desert Storm, and was working as a prison investigator in
Massachusetts. Needless to say, there was great negativity in my life at that
time. I decided to return to college to finish my degree in Criminal Justice.
During one of the classes, the professor talked about police work but nothing
else. I finally raised my hand and asked, “The criminal justice system is vast.
What about the courts, probation, parole – corrections?” He smiled and told me
to see him after class. I thought I’d finally done it! In his office, he
explained, “There’s no written material out there on corrections or prisons,
except from the slanted perspective of inmates.” He smiled again and dropped
the bomb. “If you’re so smart,” he said, “why don’t you write it?” Nine months
later, I dropped the first draft of 6-5; A Different Shade of Blue on
his desk. From then on, I was hooked. I was a writer.
Today, I’m the published
author of Twelve Months (my new
novel), Pressed Pennies, The Unexpected Storm: The Gulf War Legacy and Jacob
Evans, as well as several books under the pseudonym, Steven
Herberts. My work
has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early
Show, CNN’s American Morning and
BET’s Nightly News. Recently,
three of my short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When
not spending time with my beautiful wife, Paula, or my four children, I’m promoting
Twelve Months.
Visit: www.StevenManchester.com
Q: Can you please tell us about your book and why
you wrote it?
A: Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family he loves, a
comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also
thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news
that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough.
Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time
enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the
circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner
strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve
months is time enough to live a life in full. A glorious celebration of each
and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as the eternal bonds
that we all share, Twelve Months is a stirring testament to the power of
the human spirit.
I wrote this book
for my children. As far as we know, it’s only one life—so you have to make it a
great one! Many people drift through the years, but when you’re intentional
about how you spend every moment, you can’t help but to live a great life!
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you
faced writing it?
A: The most difficult part of writing
Twelve Months was finding the time. I
fell in love right away with the characters and the story that they had to
tell. But the kids and wife come first, as do the responsibilities I have to
them. When most people were sleeping, I’m pounding away at the keyboard.
Q: Do you have a press kit and what do you
include in it? Does this press kit
appear online and, if so, can you provide a link to where we can see it?
A: Yes—but my press kit varies depending on what
kind of information is requested/required. Usually, it includes a book cover
pic, author pic, brief synopsis of the book, brief author bio, links where you
can find the book, book reviews (sometimes), book excerpt (sometimes).
Q: Have you either spoken to groups of people about
your book or appeared on radio or TV?
What are your upcoming plans for doing so?
A: I’ve
presented the book to several books and have appeared on local radio and cable
television. I intend to capitalize on every opportunity I can to promote.
Q: Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind
sharing who he/is is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even
feel it’s necessary to have one?
A: I do not have an agent on this book, though I
have used them in the past.
Here are my thoughts: It’s said that the publishing industry’s ‘Catch
22’: Without an agent, you can’t
secure a publisher. And without being published, agents won’t even take a look
at you. I’ve proven both to be wrong.
The
trick is in the work you put in: Using your portfolio (Internet, magazine, anthology
published pieces, etc.), pre-publication book reviews, and a clever and
incredibly well written proposal—and PERSEVERANCE!
I’ve
also discovered that some publishers are agreeable to working directly with an
author (a little research on your part will tell you who these are). It’s a
difficult business, for sure, but it’s not an impossible one.
Q: Did you, your agent or publisher prepare a media
blitz before the book came out and would you like to tell us about it?
A: Yes—I did it in collaboration with my publisher.
We blitzed social media, as well as book bloghers and reviewers. Lots of hard
work usually means lots of good results.
Q: Do you plan subsequent books?
A: I
signed a 4-book deal with The Story Plant.
My next book is Goodnight,
Brian: A
healthy baby is poisoned with toxic soy formula, causing permanent brain
damage. When the doctors say that he’ll never develop normally, his grandmother
sets out to prove them wrong…and does. Faith and unconditional love are what
make the difference. What she doesn’t expect, however, is that her grandson
will return the favor. Goodnight, Brian is an emotional tale about the
strength of family bonds, unconditional love and the perseverance to do our
best with the challenging gifts we've been given.
After that, we’ll be releasing The Rockin’ Chair: A compassionate farmer loses his lifelong love to Alzheimer’s.
Deciding that she was cheated a lifetime of memories, he sits in his chair and
remembers for them both. Before he can join her in eternal rest, though, he
must tend to a few final chores and heal his family.
The 4th book is a Work in
Progress!
Q: Thank you for your interview, Steve. Would you like to tell my readers where they
can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?
A: Thank you
for this wonderful opportunity!
I can be reached at:
And my new book, Twelve Months, can be purchased at:
Paperback & Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Months-Steven-Manchester/dp/161188053X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343826594&sr=1-1&keywords=twelve+months+manchester
ABOUT TWELVE MONTHS
Don DiMarco has a very good life – a family
he loves, a comfortable lifestyle, passions and interests that keep him amused. He also thought he had time, but that turned out not to be the case. Faced with news that might have immediately felled most, Don now wonders if he has time enough. Time enough to show his wife the romance he didn’t always lavish on her. Time enough to live out his most ambitious fantasies. Time enough to close the circle on some of his most aching unresolved relationships. Summoning an inner strength he barely realized he possessed, Don sets off to prove that twelve months is time enough to live a life in full.
A glorious celebration of each and every moment that we’re given here on Earth, as well as the eternal bonds that we all share, Twelve Months is a stirring testament to the power of the human spirit.
I enjoyed it :)
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