Interview with Author Jason Walcutt

Hello All- I'm still recovering from the big conference Malice Domestic. I'll have a big writeup with pictures and links later.

Today, though (May the Fourth be with you), we have an interview with Jason Walcutt: 

who has released Gaia Reborn, the second in his series. 

Q. Tell us about your writing and publishing journey since your first book.

A. After the exhilaration of publishing my debut book, I was motivated to continue writing the subsequent books in the series. But then I had some kids . . . who would ever thunk that writing a novel while also working full-time and taking care of two kids would be challenging?

Needless to say, things got delayed a bit. I actually finished Gaia Reborn two years ago, but decided that because of certain global pandemics, it was best to hold off on releasing it.

Q. How did Covid affect your writing?

A. Strange as it may sound, Covid had a positive effect on my writing. Amidst the overwhelming stream of negative news, immersing myself in fictional worlds through writing provided a much-needed escape. Additionally, the pandemic provided me with the opportunity to join a writers' group and dedicate ample time towards finishing Gaia Reborn during the lockdown.

Q. Was the second one harder or easier than the first? You did like 17 drafts of the first.

A. Gaia Reborn was WAAYYYYY harder to write than Gaia Hunted. It’s structured very differently than the first book, and it took me a long time to figure out what the story was actually about. But ultimately, with the help and feedback of a lot of smart people, I was able to pull it all together. And, it took me only 13 drafts to complete, so I’m seeing a positive progression.

Q. Have your editors changed? Are they pointing out different things than they used to, so has your writing evolved?

A. The editors were the same, but I had some new beta-readers who really helped to fix some tricky parts. I hope that my writing is constantly evolving. Like any art, I think there is a natural change and evolution the longer you do it.

Q. So how did this sequel come to be? Was it envisioned from the start, or did it evolve organically out of the first book? Please tell us a bit about the origin.

A. After the first book, I knew Mattie (the main character) had to somehow learn to control her powers. It seemed logical that going to some type of school was the next step for her. I have always yearned to write a book based in an academic environment. Perhaps, this desire stemmed from my admiration for the Harry Potter series.

Q. Did you start with the germ of an idea and start writing to see where it went, or did you map a good deal out in your head (or even outline) before crafting?

A. For me, if I don’t outline then I get lost in the woods. Like, I will literally lose my mind and get lost in the woods. My original outline was about five pages long. Although it underwent modifications throughout the writing process, the core essence of the story remains intact.

Q. What do you feel is the main theme(s)? Is it the same as in the first book?

A. Forgiveness, the importance of friendship, resilience in the face of adversity, empathy, and probably a whole lot of other good stuff.  

Q. Why do you feel this is important, and what would you want a reader to take away from reading this book?

A. At the end of the book, I want the reader to have enjoyed the experience. If they take away any important messages, that’s just hot fudge sauce on the sundae.

Q. What makes a good book or engaging story?

A. When you mix well-crafted characters, natural prose, mystery and unknown, a solid plot, well, that right there is a recipe for a great story.

Q. Is storytelling mostly entertainment, or does it serve other functions? Do you have particular goals other than telling a good story?

A. Indeed, storytelling is a form of entertainment, yet each story conveys a message. Stories possess the capacity to instruct, caution, and transform us, even without our conscious awareness. Personally, I love reading Caps for Sale to my children. Is it merely a tale about a peddler who dozes off and loses his caps? Or does it serve as a parable warning against idleness? Perhaps, it's an allegory centered on the conflict between humankind and nature? One thing we can confidently conclude is that those damn monkeys can never be trusted.

Q. Have your goals changed?

A. I just try to stay consistent. Write as much as I can each day and try to get better.

Q. If a writer came to you for advice, how would you help?

A. Tell them to consider a different art form. And if I fail at that, tell them to write and read as much as they can.

Q. You had audio done for the first- will you get the same narrator?

A. Of course!

Q. What's the next step in your writing world?

A. The third book in the Ascended Prophecies series, GAIA LOST, is scheduled to be released in 2024. The adventure continues!

Q. Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

A. I’ve turned my front yard into an orchard. So far, I’ve planted fifteen fruit trees including apples, pears, plums, peaches, cherries and figs.

Q. Any other information you'd like to impart?

A. I have a free novelette available when you sign up for my newsletter. You can get it here. https://www.jasonwalcutt.com/contact.html

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Web page: http://www.jrwalcutt.com/

Where to buy: https://books2read.com/gaiareborn

More busy, new stuff

 Hello Campers, hope you're all doing well.

We're in a super-busy time of year here.

First, we've got two books in production for audio, both with terrific narrators:

And another helpful book in the works (coming soon):

And we've had great discussions with other authors. First was The Writer's Bar with Baron Birtcher. 

Facebook  

YouTube   

Then we moderated a chat with author Gabriel Valjan for the Tewksbury Writer's Night Out.

Our April guest will be Baron Birtcher. 

And we had a fun panel of Making a Mystery for the Hudson, NH Rodgers Library. 

One upcoming event to be at:

Writers Read with David Daniel at Lala books in Lowell.

Sat, 04/15/2023 - 2:00pm to 3:30pm

And I'm having an online chat with Kim Shapiro for an event:

How to be an Indie Author 

Sunday, April 16, 3 until 4

And at the end of the month, I'm off to my first Malice Domestic conference.

Phew! Now if I can just make time to write more...

Sisters in Crime panel- Making a Mystery

We had a killer panel discussion recently, courtesy of the Rodgers Library in Hudson NH, and the Sisters in Crime Speaker's Bureau. 

The panel (L to R): 

Sharon Daynard, Me, Sharon Healy-Yang, and Elaine Isaak

Thanks to Rebecca, pictured here, giving us the intro, and to the library staff for getting us set up. 

Sharon gives instructions...

We had a terrific audience, who helped out with fun ideas, twisted lot that they were! 

The subject was Making a Mystery, where we took audience suggestions, and the four panel writers put it together to assemble a mystery on the spot. 

We'd write the ideas onto the whiteboard, and see what it sparked in our evil brains and imagination.

And like all good mysteries, we soon had plenty of ways to go!

Fun night for all, and maybe 106-year-old Miss Pearl "The Possum," will make an appearance in print at some point! 

Busy Time

 Hello All,

Coming to you from a Nor'easter! Wet, heavy snow, high winds due, so we may lose power. Ugh.

So much going on recently- first, here's the ebook of my tenth novel:

Print and audio coming soon! 

And if you didn't yet pick up a copy of the very recent Crime Time, tales of crime and mystery:

Audiobook of this is in production, with the talented narrator Anne Valliere.

I was guest on the show The Writer's Bar with host Baron Birtcher:

Facebook:  

YouTube:   

And was moderator for a panel of Western Mysteries for the Upper Hudson chapter of Sisters in Crime for their Murderous March days.

Upcoming- a chat with author Gabriel Valjan on the Tewksbury Library Writer's Night Out:

MONDAY, MARCH 27  7:00—8:30 PM

And on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, From 6:00pm - 7:00pm, we're doing a Sisters in Crime panel on Mystery Making for the Hudson, NH library.

How's that for a busy month! 

Latest News

Well, it's the day after Groundhog's Day, and it's all new. The first month of the new year has already gone by!

Lots of news, as this year looks to be rather busy.

First is that my latest book is out- Crime Time.

Here are eleven tales of crime and mystery. Tales of people of all ages making desperate choices, calculated choices, and survival choices. Everything from killers and junkies on the run to innocents caught in a web of danger. Darkness and fear rule, and surprises occur when some think they're safe at last. It's Crime Time, and it's a black, cold street at night here...

You can have the ebook for the price of a coffee! (Print and audio coming soon)

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Barnes and Noble

Buy on Kobo

Buy on Smashwords

***

My 10th novel, a mystery featuring Cole Hampton, Desert Heat, is at the editor and will be released this month.

***

We’ve had some great guests on Tewksbury Writer’s Night Out.
This month will be mystery author Leslie Wheeler on Monday, Feb. 27th. 7:00—8:30 PM

Contact Robert Hayes at the library for recordings.

***

I’ll be moderating a panel on Western mysteries on March 11th, as part of Murderous March. With some pretty special guests!

***

And I’m a guest of Baron Birtcher on The Writer’s Bar on March 7th.

***

I’ll be on a panel for Making a Mystery for the Hudson, NH library, courtesy of the Sisters in Crime Speaker’s bureau on March 29th.

***

Three of my articles are out in Mystery Reader’s Journal. One on Maine Mystery Writers and another on why I write about Maine. The most recent one is about the art connection in my mystery writing. 

Interview with Author Matt Cost

Happy New Year, Everyone! Hope you're doing well.

A week in to the New Year... already so much to do.

To kick off this year, we have an interview with Maine author Matt Cost. He publishes with Encircle Publications. 

Matt Cost was a history major at Trinity College. He owned a mystery bookstore, a video store, and a gym, before serving a ten-year sentence as a junior high school teacher. In 2014 he was released and began writing. And that’s what he does. He writes histories and mysteries.

Cost has published four books in the Mainely Mystery series, with the fifth, Mainely Wicked, due out in August of 2023. He has just published the fourth book in his Clay Wolfe Trap series, Cosmic Trap.

For historical novels, Cost has published At Every Hazard and its sequel, Love in a Time of Hate, as well as I am Cuba. In April of 2023, Cost will combine his love of histories and mysteries into a historical PI mystery set in 1923 Brooklyn, Velma Gone Awry.

Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.

Q. So how did this novel come to be? Was it envisioned from the start as a bigger canvas, or did it expand organically out of an idea? Please tell us a bit about the origin.

A. Cosmic Trap, the fourth book in the Clay Wolfe Trap series just published on December 21st of 2022. The fact that there have already been three books in the series means that the setting and half of the characters had already been established. What was left to spring to life was two main things: a plot, and some baddies. The plot of Cosmic Trap came from the news, which is not uncommon for me. In August of 2020, there was an article about a task force created by Congress to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena, or UAPs. The sightings were so common and numerous with no set answer as to what they were that it was determined necessary to form this body of mostly former military personnel. Their mission was to try to get to the bottom of what is flying around in the sky above. The idea percolated with me for almost a year until it emerged on the pages. More recently, this task force has reported back that there is definitely something up there, but they don’t know what. 

Q. Did you start with the germ of an idea and start writing to see where it went, or did you map a good deal out in your head (or even outline) before crafting?

A. I sometimes see the end of a book when I begin writing, and sometimes that end even stays the same as the original idea. This ending is often the creation of my characters, plots, and setting, as is the middle of the book, or the journey. In the case of Cosmic Trap, it was really only the germ of the idea that set my fingers to dancing on the keyboard and the rest followed. The premise is that two members of the Congress appointed UAP task force come to Port Essex to investigate unidentified sightings in the sky, and they hire Clay Wolfe and Baylee Baker to be their local liaisons. I had no idea of what they were going to discover and was forced to follow their investigation to find out.  On another book, Mainely Wicked, coming in August of 2023, I didn’t know who the baddie was until almost the end and then they introduced themself to me. 

Q. What do you feel is the main theme(s)?

A. Clay Wolfe and Baylee Baker are hired to investigate UAPs in the skies of Port Essex as well as a missing wife. These two things will intersect. There is also an ongoing theme in the book of sexual tension between Clay and Baylee as they dig their way further into the case. 

Q. Why do you feel this is important, and what would you want a reader to take away from reading this book? AND What makes a good book or engaging story?

A.  A mystery/thriller to me is an entertaining story that moves quickly, with entanglements and complications along the way, and causes the reader to weave their way through the novel, along with a colorful cast of characters as they attempt to solve what is going on, in this case, UAPs in the skies of Port Essex. Russians? Chinese? Aliens? Americans? Or something else? I engage in something that I find fascinating and share facts along the way about that topic and hope that the reader feels likewise. The idea that our government has appointed a task force to research UAPs is mind boggling to me and something I wanted, and still want, to learn more about. 

Q. Are there writers with similar themes to yours? Who are your influences (can be writers, or even artists, musicians, or others) and what is it about their work that attracts you?

A. I grew up reading The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Great Brain, and Encyclopedia Brown. There was a short detour into every western written by Louis L’Amour, which is quite a few, and then onto such legends as Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, Robert Parker, Walter Mosely, Elmore Leonard, and Carl Hiaasen. 

(Editor note: Yup, every one of these- same!)

Q. Is storytelling mostly entertainment, or does it serve other functions? Do you have particular goals other than telling a good story?

A. There is always an ulterior goal in my writing. Whether it be my historical fiction, my mystery/thrillers, or my combination of the two, I hope to learn something. If I’m going to spend a block of time with these people and this plot, I’m hoping to expand my own horizons in the effort. Thus, I’ve learned about nuclear power, powerful lobbyists, private mercenary groups, the dangers of fentanyl and heroin, cults, genome editing, UAPs, Fidel Castro, Joshua Chamberlain, and Reconstruction in New Orleans. Upcoming books will feature the Eugenics movement, modern day witches,  lost treasure, and sex dolls. 

Q. Any other goals you've set for yourself, professionally or personally?

A. I’d like to sell more books and stay out of prison.

Q. Some writers write fast and claim not to rewrite much. Do you do this, or painstakingly revise? When you send the book off to the publisher, are you happy with it, or just tired of it? AND: Do you have good editors, and if so, how do they help you? Do they look for particular things? Do you have different people for different editing levels?

A. I write fast and furious. But I do painstakingly revise. I’ve fallen into a pattern where I’m writing one book, editing a second book, and promoting a third book. They all take approximately four months to accomplish, even if promotion continues on at a lower scale for life. My editing process involves sticking each finished chapter into the daily newspaper and throwing it up on the deck of my father who lives above my garage. He makes general comments as we progress through the first draft that allows me to tweak things as I move forward. Upon completion of the first draft, I will then do three separate edits by myself. Then I have a paid for editor that I’ve worked with on all of my books who will do three passes. A global development edit, a line edit, and a spit shine. Then it goes to the publisher for two more rounds of edits.  

Q. If a writer came to you for advice, how would you help?

A. Suggest therapy? No, seriously, the most important thing is you have to write because you love to write. The second thing would be that if you are going to do it, the only way to write is to sit down and write. Not talk about it. Not get bogged down in research. Write. And then to understand that whatever small sales success that you have is a job. A grind. You have to work for it. Promote. Find reviewers. Advertise. Grind each and every day to market your book. Not everybody can be as gifted and successful as Dale T. Phillips. Most of us have to work for it. 

(Editors note:   :-)  )

Q. Stories can be told by using a different medium. Can you see your book as a film, audio, etc.? How would that alter the telling?

A. Cosmic Trap is under contract to become an audio book in March. The narrator will be the same one as who has completed the first book in the series, Wolfe Trap, and is working on Mind Trap, with Mouse Trap, and Cosmic Trap to follow. He is a straightforward narrator who has an excellent voice for Clay Wolfe but doesn’t stretch his dialect and accent too far, which is perfect for this series. I have a separate narrator for my upcoming Velma Gone Awry, set in 1920’s Brooklyn, and he is outstanding in creating all the different voices in that diverse setting. 

Q. What's the next step in your writing world?

A. My Brooklyn 8 Ballo series will debut in April with Velma Gone Awry, about a PI in 1923 Brooklyn who is hired to find a missing lady and things get very complicated, very fast. The fifth book in my Mainely Mystery series, Mainely Wicked, about witches, Wiccans, and wendigos is due out in August. And the fifth book in the Clay Wolfe Trap series, Pirate Trap, is slated for a December release. I am just about done the first draft of the second Brooklyn 8 Ballo historical PI mystery, City Gone Askew, due out in April of 2024. I also have audible contracts for my second Mainely Mystery, Mainely Fear, all of my Clay Wolfe Trap books, and At Every Hazard. Hopefully, I will also get the rest of my books into audible this upcoming year. 

Q. Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

A. I used to own a mystery bookshop in the town of Brunswick, Maine. It was called The Coffee Dog Bookstore. Although the shop was only open a few years in the 1990’s, it lives on in the pages. The protagonist for my Mainely Mystery series is a PI, as well as the owner of The Coffee Dog Bookstore. 

Q. Any other information you'd like to impart?

A. Write on.

Where to buy:

Amazon author page: 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Matt-Cost/author/B08L3XFQWT?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Encircle Publications author page: 

https://encirclepub.com/encircle-author/matt-cost/

And of course, if possible, buy local. 

Holiday Natick Farmer's Market

Had a great time selling and signing books at the Holiday Natick Farmer's Market. 

Was there with another excellent writer, Tilia Klebenov-Jacobs.

(To see an interview with Tilia, click here.)

Set up my full table and awaited the crowd.

Friends Dave and Joan stopped by after their chilly morning run!

We had a good crowd, with interested fans and buyers. Lots of cool vendors.

A nice time. Now to catch up on things...