Welcome to the Piedmont Grille today, Alex, it's so great to finally have you here.
I’m happy to be here!
Let's get right to the interview, shall we? First off, I want to know what you eat for breakfast, because as we all know, you are EVERYWHERE on the blogs. I see you leaving comments, and I think to myself, "Man, that guy gets around." How do you do it? Really? Is there a trick we don't know about? You blog, comment, guest post, I know you're getting ready for the CassaFire launch, not to mention write your next book, how do you do it all?
Ninja skills! Seriously though, one advantage I have is that I can blog from work. (Does my job rock or what?) I have so many amazing blogger buddies - how could I not keep up with them? And yes, I log between four and six hours a day online. Weekends are much less - I do get out and live a little!
Because you're so busy, do you actually have time to do anything else? I guess my question really is, how do you relax?
Hey, I’m a guy - I know how to chill! I play my guitar every night, which is the ultimate relaxation. I also play PC games and watch a lot of movies.
What would you say is the hardest part about writing a book for you? First draft? Revisions? Editing? Any or all of these or is it something else?
First Draft! It is so difficult for me to get my vision down on paper. I neither write nor type fast, and I’m always analyzing as I write, so it’s a long process.
I know you chose a small publisher and are very happy with Dancing Lemur Press. Did you query CassaStar to agents or decide to go with a small pub right from the go? And why?
I never queried agents. I started with a list of science fiction publishers and sent queries to them. After many rejections, I broadened my search and tried other publishers. Dancing Lemur Press offered a contract and I said yes!
What piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers? What do you wish someone had told you, or that you had learned early on to make the journey to publication less difficult?
Think outside the box is so overused, but it fits. Query everyone! Think of what other genres might describe your book as well.
Thanks so much for being here today.
CassaFire comes out on February 28 in print and eBook!
Preorders are currently available through Barnes and Noble.
CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh
CassaStar was just the beginning…
The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.
The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities.
To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…
Available February 28, 2012
Science fiction - space opera/adventure
Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages
EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, EBook available in all formats
CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:
“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal
You can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/ Book trailer available at http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6VINRGtyE.
61 comments:
Great interview. 6 hours a day blogging. That's pretty hardcore. But then again, he did build a ninja army that way. So not only is that hardcore, it's reminiscent of that time Data traveled to 19th century San Francisco in an episode of Star Trek. He was running the place within a couple of days. In the same way, Alex is almost running the Internet now.
Thinking outside of the box is cliche but so true! In all areas, especially our writing!
Thanks again, Anne!
Rusty, that made me laugh! Crap, if I'm running the Internet, I need to do a better job.
Laura, it is!
Fun interview! My hubby is teaching himself guitar every night. He told me he has a newfound respect for guitar players now. :)
Looking forward to CassaFire, Alex!
Nice interview. Good plan re going direct to publishers and bypassing agents (can work better that way if the agent search isn't going well.)
Thanks for giving us an inkling on how you do it all each day!
Aloha Anne,
Thanks for having Alex on. It was a great interview and I look forward to more of your posts. You have a new follower:)
PS. Alex... Elmo's role was a small one in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly... Clint Eastwood tickled him in the beginning:)
Thanks for coming by everyone. Alex is great and his new book is awesome!!! Put it on pre-order. You won't be disappointed.
Alex -- 6 hours is just crazy, but I bet if I added up all my time it might be 6 as well.
Tagging onto Rusty's comment...Resistance to Alex is futile! :)
Great interview Anne!
Great interview! And a comparison to Robert Heinlein by Library Journal? Cool! You're going to be a wonderfully successful writer, Alex--you obviously have the drive and the talent. :)
Jennifer, there are so many great guitarists that blow me away.
Elizabeth, there are always other options.
Mark, I will watch for that then!
Thanks, Anne. And it does add up.
DL, that made me laugh!
Linda, thanks - I have something alright.
Great interview and I agree with thinking outside the box!
I'm beginning to see more and more the value of thinking outside the box. Great interview and good luck with the book.
First drafts are hard! I mean getting everything down in a way that makes sense.
Super interview! I love your query everyone approach. I'm going to start thinking in those terms.
I'm jealous you can blog at work. LOL Can't wait for CassaFire. :)
i blog at work as well. Not that my work knows this... *shifty eyes*
Holly, my sentiments exactly!
Sarah, I won't tell anyone...
Thanks Anne and Alex. I have the same problem with first drafts, Alex, I think it's called the perfectionist syndrome.
IMO - Alex has class, he's respectful, thoughtful and takes the time to add a comment so we know the Ninja captain has been by. He promotes other bloggers. That works on many levels.
Also, I like reading his movie reviews. He's one of my first blog reads in the morning.
Great interview. Now, to blog from work does answer some of those questions but still it is amazing how much you accomplish Alex. Good luck with the sale of your new book. I look forward to reading it and the first one too.
Nancy
BTW am now following, Anne. I like the look of your site.
Hi Anne, great interview with Alex!
4-6 hours a day! Wow, I try to limit myself to 2 hours of social networking (but sometimes i get carried away cause it's so fun!)
You are amazing, Alex. I could never log 4-6 hours a day online. I try to keep up with everyone but have nowhere near the followers you do.
Wow, it's getting close to release day - very exciting!
DG, thank you so much for the kind words!! And thanks for following Anne - she's awesome.
Thanks, Nancy!
Johanna, I'm taking my book's release day off because I know I'll be online ALL DAY!
Cate, yes it is!
Thanks for all the following new people. I'll be sure to be around soon. (Have got my own announcement coming up perhaps on Monday....let's hope.)
Six hours a day? From work yet. Sadly, blogging while driving rare blood all over would get me killed. I admire your boss! Great interview, Anne. Only the highest sales for both of your books! Roland
Great interview. Thinking outside the box is absolutely essential for writers.
Hi, Anne!
Good advice, as always, Alex...oh, and you too, Anne! :)
...Oh, and I just love how Regency Romance teams up with Sci-Fi--there's got to be a story in there some where...The question is, which of you will write it?!
Came over to holler at both of you. Good review on Alex's book. Have a wonderful weekend, guys!
Roland, we don't want any accidents now!
JB, maybe we should write one together?
You prove persistence and hard work pay off. I wish I had an extra few hours a day. Especially this weekend. I need that time cloak!
Since many days I must spend more hours on the computer than you do, I sense you have awesome organization. I don't know how to begin to organize. If you offer a class on organization, I want to take it. I suspect it will fill up in a flash!!!
Monti
Yes, Alex! You and Anne should definitely team up! Regency Space Odyssey!
Anne, I'm so glad you interviewed Alex! (And I still want to know what he eats for breakfast.) He seems to make it to half the blogs in the Interwebz and still keep up a great blog himself.
Very interesting that you didn't choose the agent route, Alex. I queried agents for years before I decided to go the small press route. But you never wanted to go there: is there a story behind that?
And I totally want to read the Regency Space Odyssey! Kind of like Firefly, but with Jane Austen outfits and dukes. Wouldn't that be awesome?
Thanks for the interview, Anne. As for Alex's blogging: And I thought I blogged excessively when I got the contract for my first book! Like Alex, I chill with movies - and reading, lately, some classic books. Looking forward to CassaFire. I'm glad there's a woman in it this time!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
p.s. A Regency Space Odyssey would be awesome. You guys should do it!!
Wow Alex, they're calling for a Regency Space Odyssey. I wouldn't even know where to begin.
I'll tell you what, you write the narrative, I'll write the dialogue. We'll meet somewhere in the middle. But wouldn't that be called steampunk? lol
Mary, we must find it!!!
Monti, something to think about...
JC - a whole new genre!
Anne, I just didn't think I was good enough. First manuscript, no experience...
Ann, I hope you're not disappointed.
Anne, I don't do steampunk. We'd have to figure out a way to set it in outer space...
i am doing too much blogging and visit other people's blogs...
this is the first time i am visiting a blog of this class...
may be, i was treading a different path...
anyway, this path is interesting...
Wow, that's a lot of internet time.
It might be used often, but it's true--you have to think outside of the standard form.
Great interview!
Great interview. Not long to go until release date. :)
Awesome interview! Alex rocks. Nuf said! Have a great weekend, Anne!
Golden, it is true!
Shelley, just three weeks.
Thanks, Nicole.
Thanks to both of you for a great interview! Appreciate Alex's advice. Good stuff!
I wish I could blog from work :)
I'm a slow writer too. I much prefer editing to first draft.
Congratulation on the 2nd release Alex. I've already got my launch party post scheduled.
Have a great weekend Anne.
.......dhole
Six hours a day blogging?? Wow. I'm actually genuflecting. That's serious commitment!
Glad I read this interview. The book looks good enough for me to budget in a pre-order.
Not much longer 'til the release! Can't wait, Alex. Is your adrenaline pumping yet???
Hello Anne!! Oh I am FAINTING for having such a surprise visiting your blog to say Hi There and finding the good Cap'n Ninja himself here being so chilled out and cool!!!! SWOON!!
:-)
Take care
x
Donna, thanks! And nice to know I'm not the only one who dreads that first draft.
Rick, I do what I need to!
Shock, thank you!
Angela, adrenaline or nerves? Can't tell!
Kitty, you always make my day!
Those ninja powers of yours, Alex...awesome. I sometimes think you are everywhere at the same time!
Great interview. Six hours a day, that is impressive. So now I know how Alex built his amazing ninja army. I a looking forward to the release of his book.
Great interview!
Alex is one of my blogging heros. Not only a great and prolific blogger in his own right, he is one of the most supportive folks out there. I'm so happy to have met him! Good job to both of you...
This has been really wonderful having you all stop by. I'm really excited for Alex's book. Only a few more weeks. YAY!
Great interview-thanks!
Good luck with the book Alex!
Go, Alex! A sequel already! That's so beast!
Bish, only a Ninja illusion...
Pat, thank you!
Thanks again Anne and everyone!
Awesome questions, Anne. I love that you and Alex are crit partners because you write in totally different genres so I imagine that helps to make your stories well rounded (Plus you're both totally cool. ;)).
Thanks for being such a cooperative interviewee, Alex, and giving it to us straight.
Fabulous ninja interview. That's a lot of blogging time. Cool you can do it from work.
Nicki, Anne is the BEST critique partner! And straight is the only way I know to give it.
Lynda, I couldn't do it otherwise.
I know I'm late getting here but I just wanted to say thank you for interviewing Alex. He really is an inspiration. Not just in how many blogs he reads - we read as many or as few as we can - but in his demeanour, and all round 'nice guyness' :-)
Sarah, thank you! Glad I checked back.
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