Interview with Mackenzie Brown

Interview with Mackenzie Brown

Author of Prince of the City

Interviewed by Author Roy Murry

A little about myself:

I was born and raised in Liverpool, UK, and these days live just outside the City with my wife, two daughters and pet cat. 

My inspiration for writing was borne out of wartime stories shared with me by my grandfather and personal hero, Angus Mackenzie Brown, a character featured in a book I hope to release in 2014.

I have many interests including running that helps me keep mind and body together. Literature is my passion though and I love to read and write.

I've published four novels to date and I’m soon hoping to release part two of the Prince of the City series – Nine Lives, after the process of proof reading and editing has been completed.

I feel genuinely humbled by the help and support afforded to me by fellow authors and feel part of a global writing community.

Do I remember the first story I wrote?

The first proper story I wrote was called ‘The Bearded Man’ and it charted a particular story my grandmother shared with me. It was a traumatic incident from her childhood and features in a book about my grandparents due for release in 2014.

Was I inspired by something or someone?

As stated above I was inspired to try and write after hearing my grandfather’s wartime stories. Previously I’d favored sketching as a pastime and was told I was rather good at it.

What do I like about writing?

I think I’m an improving story teller and I love a challenge. But my favorite part of the process is reading and editing the first draft. A rough first draft means I have a raw material to work with and I enjoy trying to improve upon it.

Can I tell you about my book?

Prince of the City is a homage to the works of Raymond Chandler and the like.  It’s a nior thriller with a nod to the United States, but set firmly in the City of my birth, Liverpool. Vic Prince is the great grandson of a man brought to Liverpool on the last ever slave ship and he lives in the black community during wartime 1940. 

Unable to enlist because of flat feet and asthma, Prince works as a private investigator and becomes embroiled in case that involves national security.  Five books are planned in the series, the second to be released in early 2014, but this book introduces 

Prince and a variety of characters featured in forthcoming releases. Prince is a man of high moral standards, who often finds himself dealing with those who do not always follow the same code. I’m pleased with the finished article and early reviews have been very good.

What genre fits best for the book?

Pulp fiction, detective story, crime thriller series, historical fiction, hard boiled thriller.

Am I working on something new at the moment?

Once Prince of the City #2 – Nine Lives is released, I plan to rewrite a book charting the early lives of my grandparents. The Book is called Annie’s War and takes place between 1914 and 1945. Then I plan to write part three in The Prince of the City series.

Do I have any tips for aspiring writers?

If you start something, particularly a first draft, complete it, even if you’re unhappy with the results. Once the first draft is completed, then the real work starts, honing and improving your raw material.

Get someone you trust to give you an honest review before you release it and take criticism on the chin, trust me it will make you a better writer in the long run.

Get your work proof read, edited and formatted before release. If you want somebody to pay for your work, they’ll expect all the three mentioned as a minimum, and even then they still might not like your work.

Where can people go to read my work?

Go to my website http://mackbrown.weebly.com/ where there are links to my books. Alternatively all of my books are available for Kindle at the following worldwide links;

Prince of the City #1 – The Cat’s Whiskers viewBook.at/CatsWhiskers-B00FJ6MT3G

Lost Boys (The Black Knight Series #1) viewBook.at/B00BUVICVW

The Shifting  viewBook.at/TheShiftingTheShiftingTrilogy

The Book of Souls (An Imelda Stone Adventure #1) viewBook.at/TheBookOfSoulsAnImeldaStoneAdventure

 They’re all available in paperback format at Amazon. US links for the USA are as follows;

Prince of the City #1 – The Cat’s Whiskers http://www.amazon.com/Prince-City-1-Cats-Whiskers/dp/1491285397/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381082204&sr=1-2&keywords=prince+of+the+city

Lost Boys (The Black Knight Series #1)  http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Boys-Knight-Mackenzie-Brown/dp/1482754940/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374442399&sr=1-1&keywords=lost+boys+mackenzie+brown

The Shifting  http://www.amazon.com/Shifting-1-Mackenzie-Brown/dp/1466496746/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374442313&sr=1-2

The Book of Souls (An Imelda Stone Adventure #1) http://www.amazon.com/Book-Souls-Imelda-Stone-Adventure/dp/1477641157/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374443010&sr=1-7

And Finally;

I’d just like to thank Roy Murry, a fabulous author and reviewer for this opportunity to showcase my work. His support is always gratefully appreciated and reciprocated as often as possible.

My social networking sites;

*Twitter: @mackbrownbooks

*Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6434456.Mackenzie_Brown

 *Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MackBrownBooks

*Mackenzie’s website is: http://mackbrown.weebly.com/

*Mackenzie’s Blog: http://mackenzie-brown.tumblr.com/

*LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mackenzie-brown/48/579/72b

*Klout  http://klout.com/#/mackbrownbooks

*Pinterest http://pinterest.com/mackbrownbooks/

Review of Subtraction

Review of SUBTRACTION   

Written by Andrew Peters

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

I don’t give books stars as my readers know. But I give this novel a thumbs up.

The Professor, the main character, in Mr. Peters’ novel Subtraction does some deductions to arrive at solutions to what seems to be a single death case.This one death case multiples into many.

Oh, the Professor is a math teacher and a non-detective who deduces. In his charming way, he performs services by helping clients who have a problem they don’t desire the police to get involved in. So Mr. Paris, the Professor, cleans up a problem for a client – somewhat of a sticky wicket that mushrooms into a continuous headache.

This is where the fun begins and its fast pace. With wit, but some consider terse and satiric, Mr. Paris tells this story of love, hate, and murder. Also, the reader gets a little taste of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and its organised crime world.

Mr. Peters’ writing is smooth and comical - quick moving paragraphs spaced and flowing into each other with ease. When Mr. Paris says something you won’t get lost in euphemisms, you’ll get the well constructed point.

It’s a quick and enjoyable read for a snowed in or rainy weekend.

Andrew Peter’s links are in his interview:  http://bit.ly/1bpHyTD

Interview with Andrew Peters

Interview with Andrew Peters  

Author of Subtraction

Questions: R. Murry      

Hello, Roy...thanks for inviting me back. I see you've decorated since I was last here...hope you restocked the fridge. Ah....nice...no, no slice of lime.

Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Well, as you know, I’m a man of few words, most of them plagiarized. Since we last met, I've written another three novels, lost twenty pounds and bought two new suits. Sadly I then put on twenty-five pounds, so the suits don’t fit. I've become much less successful at writing and much less attractive to women. My cats still love me.

Can you tell us about your book?

This one is called “Subtraction” and its set in Las Vegas in the sixties. It features Mark Paris, who makes a living gambling small and assisting people who don’t know where else to go for help. He has quite an interesting back-story, but I’d prefer that people found that out for themselves. The book is as much about him as about the mystery.  story starts when he gets called up one morning by a vague acquaintance who’s woken up in bed next to a gorgeous blonde...who sadly appears to be dead.

I’ll leave the synopsis there, as I really do like readers to find out the story as it unfolds. .

Most authors complain about 1* reviews...me I just assume that that guy bought the wrong book, or is too stupid to appreciate my brilliance. The ones I dislike most are the 5* reviews that insist on telling the reader everything that happens in the first hundred pages.

What genre best fits for the book?
I think this one’s as near as I’m likely to get to a straight crime story. Wry rather than funny, gris foncé rather than noir.

Are you working on something new at the moment?

No, I wrote ten books and three Kindle-only novellas between June 2012 and August 2013, and I think I might be done now, In my opinion the last three were the best, and I’d hate to drop the standard. Maybe I’ll think about writing something else once Amazon sell out of the existing ones

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
You should really have listened in your English classes at school and read a lot of very good books from different centuries twenty years ago. It’s probably too late for you now. Find a different hobby.

If you decide to persist, discard all advice that quotes Stephen King, Elmore Leonard or Ernest Hemingway and especially ignore all advice from American “editors” about removing adverbs and only using “strong” verbs. If everyone did what they advised, every book would read the same - Bland.

Where can people go to read your work?
I have about ten things available now, short story collections, novellas and novels and they can all be found on my Amazon author page.

http://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Peters/e/B008PDVKBM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AndrewPeters/e/B008PDVKBM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1 

Do you have anything to add?
Merely to thank you once again for inviting me back...and to point out that my glass is empty.

Review of Hot Property

Review of Hot Property

Written by Susanne O’Leary

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Life in Dublin is not rosy for Megan when she comes into an inheritance that a distance relative left her – a house on a beautiful country property. This hot property is not in livable shape, but many desire it.

Here the real story starts, moves into relationships that moles Megan’s character for the better, and leads her into a new career. There are road blocks to overcome; and Megan moves on with her new life in Kerry country.

Ms. O’Leary presents a well written story of the Irish country-side that leads the reader into the quiet world that goes on there. It is a life without the day to day craziness of the city. The pastures and ocean described are presented beautifully in her Irish prose.

The reader will get involved in Megan’s plight, cheer her on, feel her pain when she is let down, and relish in her accomplishments. Also, there is a surprising ending where she finds out who is her true lover.    

This is a read that will move you, make you happy, and sad at times. It is a complete read that flows along comfortably.  

Where can people go to read her work? Mostly on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=susanne+o%27leary&sprefix=susanne+o  

      

Interview with Susanne O'Leary

Interview 
with Susanne O'Leary, 
Author of 
Hot Property

Questions: R. Murry

Can you tell me a little about yourself?  I was born in Sweden and live in Ireland (married to an Irishman). I started my writing career by writing non-fiction and wrote two books about health and fitness (I am a trained fitness teacher). While writing these books, I discovered how much I loved the actual writing process.

My then editor gave me the idea to write a fun novel based on my experiences as a diplomat’s wife. This became my debut novel, ‘Diplomatic Incidents’ (the e-book version is called ‘Duty Free’), published in 2001.

I wrote three further novels, ‘European Affairs’ (now as an e-book with the title ‘Villa Caramel’), ‘Fresh Powder’ (2006) and ‘Finding Margo’(2007). The latter two were published by New Island Books in Dublin.

In 2010, when the publishing industry started to decline, I broke away from both publisher and agent and e-published my back list, along with two novels that were with my agent for submission. Since then I have written and e-published five further novels and, as a result, now have twelve books out there in the e-book market worldwide.

I write mainly in the women’s fiction genre, some chick-lit, some contemporary romance, with two historical novels and two detective stories thrown into the mix. I enjoyed writing those but my first love is romantic fiction with a lot of humor and heart.

Do you remember the first story you wrote?  I wrote my very first story when I was twelve. I didn’t actually remember it, until I came across the wrinkly pages stuck into a book in mother’s apartment in Sweden recently. It was a little story about a schoolgirl. But my first adult story was Diplomatic Incidents that became my very first published novel in 2000.

Were you inspired by someone or something?   When I started my first novel, I thought it would be fun to write about my experiences as the wife of a diplomat and make it into a novel. And it was hugely enjoyable to poke fun at all those politicians and diplomats to whom I had to be oh-so-polite…I used fictional names, of course. Now, I’m mostly inspired by Ireland, its stunning landscape and people.

What do you like about writing a story?   It’s mostly the escape element. While I’m writing, I go into another world, where I mix with the characters I have invented. It’s also very much the setting in beautiful, magic places.

Can you tell us about your book?   Hot Property is about a woman who inherits and old house in County Kerry. At first, daunted by the huge and costly prospect of doing it up, she decides to sell it. But an unearthed old family scandal — and unexpected passion with a handsome solicitor — may keep her there just a little longer…

What genre best fits for the book?  It’s a Romantic comedy.

Are you working on something new at the moment?  Yes. I have just published the follow-up to Hot Property. Not exactly a sequel, more like a follow-on with some of the same characters but a new heroine and new people center-stage. 

This one is called Hot Gossip and it’s getting a lot of excellent reviews already. And now I’m working on number three in this series, which will be published in the late spring of next year.

Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?   Write from your heart in the genre you enjoy. Go slowly. Enjoy the writing and don’t worry too much about sales. Get your work read, edited and proofread. Polish, polish, polish. Don’t be in a hurry to publish. And, above all, find true joy in your writing. That is what makes it shine in the end.

Where can people go to read your work? Mostly on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=susanne+o%27leary&sprefix=susanne+o  

And my website: http://susanne-oleary.com/links.html

Do you have anything to add?  I discussed my writing recently with a friend who told me my writing should be more commercial and that I had to plug into the ‘zeitgeist’ out there in order to sell more books. But I didn’t agree, that’s not why I write.

I feel I have to be true to myself and not glance sideways or upwards and then write to suit the market, whatever that is. I have to stay true to those who read my books and love them. If that’s a small circle, so be it.

I write from my heart and my experiences -  My observation of people and my surroundings. Little things spark ideas. Landscapes, light, nature, sounds, smells, fun dialogue, funny one-liners and quirky characters. All of that make up the rich fabric of my stories.

Review of Conversations with the Golf God

Review of Conversations with

The Golf God written by

Robert K. Swisher Jr.

Reviewed by Author Roy Murry

Being an avid golfer since the age of fourteen, I found Conversations right on the mark when it comes to golf, golfers, and golfing. Conversations between a golfer called Shanks, which in golf terminology meaning someone who hits the little white ball all over the place, and the Golf God are absolutely funny.

Robert does a fine job in making the face to face meeting entertaining enough that a non-golfer would enjoy the Golf God’s game pontificating while drinking a can of beer. He tells his disciple Shanks how one is to conduct the business of playing golf in a hilarious way.

The true rules of the game are given, because the Golf God believes that there are too many rules now than there were in the beginning. That history is also given to Shanks along with a glossary laid down for all to read. There is no commandment other than, “Always rake the sand trap,” which is three of HIS 14 rules of golf.

This was an easy read for me because I know golf. But I assure you, it is a funny read for anyone who plays any individual sport. 

His links are in interview: http://bit.ly/1h0pgxz

Interview with Robert K. Swisher Jr.

Interview with Robert K. Swisher Jr.,

Author of Conversations with

The Golf God

Questions from Author Roy Murry

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

I started writing in 1967 when I got out of Vietnam.  No, I was not an officer.  I was a radio operator in the infantry.  From then until now I have had about 2,579 odd jobs ranging from cowboy, mountain guide, bartender - a good one was dressing up as Uncle Sam in front of an income tax office.  During all of this I have written full time - sorry to say my college career was short. I have placed 14 traditional novels ranging from historical fiction, to contemporary, to young adult.  Several of these books were reviewed by Publishers Weekly, Best Sellers, Midwest Book Review and others.  Two were optioned but the movie deal did not go through but, I do not write format or slot fiction.  It makes the writing game harder but I write what pops into my head.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST STORY YOU WROTE?

It was called Ned and was published in THE LONG STORY.  I also placed a lot of outdoor articles to magazines - mostly fishing.  I placed over 500 poems to literary magazines and many other short stories.  I no longer write short stories, articles, or poetry.  The muse is gone.  I am stuck on novels and relish reading rejection letters.  They seem to inspire me.  My first novel, THE LAND, was rejected 400 times before it found a home - it is still in print.  Go figure.

WHERE YOU INSPIRED BY SOMEONE?

My high school English teacher that informed me after I told her I wanted to be a writer that my chances of being a published writer were slim and none - maybe not being able to spell, hating semi-colons, and flunking English had something to do with it.  I will not divulge her name but I did send her my first published novel that received great reviews.  Not nice I know but I have mellowed with age.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WRITING A BOOK?

I have a love hate relationship with my books.  One day I love the process and the next I hate it, but even hating it I still hit the keys.  I have worked on books for a year and then erased them.  I have burnt some.  The ones I like I keep.  Besides the five books I have indie published I have six that keep begging me to send them out.  Once a year I take a few weeks and go through the process of contacting agents and publishers.  After that I don't mess with it.  The story from agents and publishers has not changed - everyone should read the book ROTTON REJECTIONS - it's funny and true.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BOOK?

I have been the head greens keeper at three golf courses around the country.  Golf helped pay for a lot of stamps to send out manuscripts.  I started playing when I was six years old.  Now at 66 I have a 4 handicap - not from the senior tees either.  I wrote CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOLF GOD because I wanted to be serious and also funny. I had just finished a novel that left my brain dripping put of my right ear and I needed a break.  GOLF GOD is slightly political with some great tips about life and golf and a lot of absurdity - bit golf is absurd - think about it.  Trying to hit a round object straight with a club that is set at an angle and then getting angry when it doesn't ---- please?  It is almost as bad as trying to make a living as a writer.

ARE YOU WORKING ON SOMETHING NEW?

At the moment a lady is editing a novel called HOPE - the story of a group of elderly people that learn how to fly.  I recently finished a novel titled THE LONELY COWBOY.  I am going over a novel I finished last year - HOW BRIDGE MCCOY LEARNED HOW TO SAY I LOVE YOU - story of a man who walks two steps forward and one backward who has fallen in love but when he tries to tell the lady he loves her all he can say is I, I, I, Lo, Lo, and then he starts to choke -something about trust in this modern world. And I am half way through a novel titled VENT- where it is going I have no idea but I am enjoying it.  The six novels in my closet I am ignoring.  They started complaining they didn't like the tense they are written in so I am letting them stew for a while and get over it.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR ASPIRING WRITERS?

I taught a class at a university called THE REALITIES OF WRITING, go figure; I flunked out of college, but back to the point.  ADVICE - don't listen to too much advice.  I have seen books that show and don't tell.  I have seen books with little punctuation and some with so much they should have been a textbook.  I have seen books that use just, had, very and all that no-no stuff.  I have heard a zillion times write what you know.  QUESTION?  If you wrote what you didn't know it would be a blank page.  To write put your rear in a chair and write.  They invented editors to figure out all the other stuff.  JUST DO IT.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE READ YOUR WORK?

Libraries, Amazon and other sites, ordered through book stores.  The 5 books I indeed I did through kindle select.  It's free and they have the biggest market share and if you get lucky and a mainstream publisher wants to pick up your book all you have to do is unpublished.  I will say I made a lot of mistakes when I first jumped into indie but I am learning.  I have also made some good sales but that is from many years of writing - I have a mailing list.  I like the indie process but one must control the promo and keep writing.  My indie books have received from 5 to 2 stars - don't let bad reviews get you down - no big deal - if we were all the same we would be in a cult. I sell my indie books from $2.99 to $3.99 although I feel they should really go for about $8,000 each.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

A lot of getting published is luck and hard work.  Don't give up.  Here is my author page, if you have any questions feel free to message me....

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-K-Swisher-Jr/296768763702474?ref=hl  ....also leave a like...this face book is a funny thing.  The best to all of you.  Enjoy the journey - nothing in life is easy.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, if one of you will buy 85,000 copies of one of my books I will put you in my will and you can visit once a year after I have moved to the big island.

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