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Just the FAQ's

The following is a list of questions, (including answers of course), that I have been asked more than once.  This might not necessarily qualify as "frequently asked", but the way I figure it, if more than one person has asked me the question, it may well be on someone else's mind too.  I have tried to arrange them in order of most frequently asked down to the "more than once."  Be warned, however, the answers just might not be the ones you are looking for.  This is NOT because I'm a jackass hell bent on offending you-- I'm far nicer than I look-- so please don't take any of the answers personally.

 

If you have a question that you think might belong here, it should be addressed to: mrsellars@sbcglobal.net

1)  When is the next Rowan Gant Investigation going to be available?

 

At present, the plan is to release a new Rowan Gant Investigation each year.  The release dates have been May or October of each respective year, however I cannot possibly guarantee that as the schedule for each one.  The only thing I can say with an absolute certainty is that I will continue writing the Rowan Gant series until I no longer have ideas for it, or it becomes stale.  If things continue as they have, you should be able to expect a new Rowan Gant novel approximately every 12 months.

 

 

2)  Are the Rowan Gant Investigations based on actual events?

 

No.  The events depicted in the Rowan Gant Investigations are unequivocally the product of my warped and bizarre imagination.

 

 

3)  Is Rowan Gant actually YOU?

 

No and Yes.  Rowan, as with all my characters, is an amalgam.  He is comprised of the personalities and affectations of my friends, relatives, and acquaintances.  Is there some of ME in him? Absolutely, but you will also find some of me in Ben, Deckert, Felicity, ad infinitum.  Any writer who tells you that his/her characters are not "based" on real people is lying through his/her teeth, (most likely on the advice of legal counsel.)  None of the characters in my books are patterned wholly after one single individual.  Each of them have aspects of many persons who have made an impression on me, good or bad.

 

 

4)  Do you write full time?

 

Gods, I wish!  Unfortunately, I don't make the kind of cash from writing that King, Grisham, Cornwell, etc. make.  I work a regular job as a Senior Level Field Service Technician for computers and peripherals, and do my writing on the weekends and evenings during the winter months.

 

Welllll, what you see above is actually the OLD answer. I still don't make a King/Grisham/Cornwell paycheck, but I do hold my own. These days, now that the series has gained a substantial following, I actually DO write ALMOST full time. I semi-retired from the Electronics/Computer service biz sometime around August of 2004. I now spend the majority of my time writing and touring. I do however still keep my finger in the computer biz, just in case I need something to fall back on, so I put in a couple of days per week, on a more or less "as needed - as available" basis at the company where I once worked full-time. It helps keep them caught up, helps keep my certifications up to date and my skills from rusting too much, plus it gives me a little extra pocket change with which to spoil my wife and daughter rotten.

 

 

5)  Can I get a pre-release review copy of your next novel?

 

This may sound a bit harsh, but contrary to popular misconception, Advance Review Copies (ARC's) and Advance Galleys, are NOT some manner of zero cost freebies that I have laying about my home just waiting for me to hand out on a whim.  Publishers don't give writers an unlimited supply of free books just because said writer happens to be the one that wrote it.  They cost money for me to obtain and they cost money to mail/ship.  I don't have cases of them stacked next to my desk freely available to send out to someone just because they want a free book.  That said, If you are a legitimate book reviewer working for a legitimate mainstream/literary/review/pagan website or publication, and wish to be on the advance review list,  you may contact my publicist at Firestorm Publicity Services:  S_McCoy@sbcglobal.net

 

You can certainly feel free to contact me directly about ARC's/Galley's/Review Copies, however, be warned that I will interrogate you and investigate the legitimacy of your claim to be a reviewer before I even THINK about sending you a copy.  I won't be doing it because I'm a jerk, I'll be doing it because it costs me money, and I have been burned by individuals posing as reviewers in the past.

 

 

6)  Do you have any other books out besides the Rowan Gant Investigations?

 

Not yet, but do not despair!  There are other projects in the works.

 

 

7)  Would you come to "xyz" event, and/or, would you speak to/visit with my coven/book discussion group?

 

I would love to.  Now for the other shoe.  While I don't customarily charge a speaking fee—though I certainly won't turn one down if it is offered—I am not independently wealthy, and therefore cannot bear the cost of travel, etc. to come to events all across the country.  Here is where we clear up another misconception—unless you are a big name author, your publisher doesn't pay the entire bill for sending you "on tour."  I already have a substantial out of pocket expense for traveling to and from book singings, events, and library appearances.  That's the bad news.  The good news is this—Again, I don't customarily charge a speaking fee.  What I DO ask for is the following:  Complimentary entry to the event for me, and sometimes my wife and daughter or my publicist; lodging and meals for the duration of the event-- I'm not picky.  Lodging doesn't have to be a suite at the Ritz-Carlton (Although I won't turn that down either! )  A couch and a blanket will do as long as I have a place to plug in my CPAP machine and its humidifier-- Yes, I am CPAP dependent. I've discovered that I feel much better in the morning if I acutally breathe while I'm asleep.   The same goes for meals.  Home cooking, "Fred's" Pizza—Takeout from "Wong Foo Fats"—whatever. My only real requirement on the chow is that it be relatively healthy, and I have been cutting back on carbs (successfully) for the past year. Not really "Atkins" per se, just cutting back and eating healthier. Other than that, plenty of coffee is a plus, and as long as I don't get food poisoning we are in business. I also require a complimentary "merchant" space in order to sell and sign my books. And finally, there are the transportation expenses.  You can fly me to and from the event/appearance/booksigning and my publicist can provide you with my departure airport info as well as my frequent flyer numbers for various airlines. I am willing to drive if the event is within a reasonable distance from my home.  If  I drive, I will need to be reimbursed for gas/mileage.  I DO make exceptions for some events/bookstores/etc., and I do this on a case by case basis, so don't hesitate to contact me.  I understand that many Pagan festivals have a very limited budget and I am sympathetic to that plight.  Don't be shy.  You never know what we might be able to work out. If not this go around, perhaps the next. Something to think about: sometimes stores and events, or some combination thereof, will pool resources to offset costs, brining me in for a week or so to attend an event as well as signings and workshops at the retail locations. This has been done successfully several times in the past so it works well.

 

On the subject of speaking to/visiting with an individual coven or book discussion group.  Unless you are an independently wealthy clutch of folk, I doubt you can meet the needs listed above.  However, this does NOT put you out of the running.  If I am going to be in your area attending an event, signing at a bookstore, etc., I will be happy to visit with your coven or group.  Be aware that my first responsibility will be to the organization or store that is paying my way to be there, but if time permits, I will be happy to have a visit with individual covens/groups.

 

For more info, visit the CONTACT page on this site and get in touch with my publicist. He has all the gory details regarding my needs, flight info, contract riders, etc. And,... more often than not, he knows my schedule/availability better than I do.

 

 

8)  I'm writing a book.  Will you look at my manuscript and give me a critique?

 

This is the question that tends to make a few enemies for me.  The short and simple answer is, no.  Trust me, I know how it is to be aspiring and in search of the necessary break needed to get your work into print.  Unfortunately, I simply do not have the time to read and critique everything that would be sent to me if I said yes.  I have a day job, a family, and I am writing books myself-- and if you are a writer, you know full well how much time is involved in researching and writing a novel.  I also like to find time to breathe, use the rest room, sleep, eat, and other mundane activities.  In addition, I am not a literary agent, therefore my critique of your work is A) NOT going to get you a publisher, and B) IS going to make you angry, because I wouldn't pull any punches.  Therefore, in the interest of time and avoidance of hate mail, I simply cannot critique manuscripts.

 

 

9)  Can you help me place my manuscript with your publisher?

 

This would be the second in the series of questions that makes enemies for me.  Again, the answer is, no.  I have no control whatsoever over what my or any other publisher puts into print.  Your best bet is to get an agent or submit directly to publishers that accepted un-agented works.

 

 

10)  I have an idea for a great story! I'll let you use it but you have to give me credit in the acknowledgments, okay?

 

That's GREAT!  Thank you! But, alas, I cannot take you up on your kind offer.  While I am sure that your idea is fantastic (no, I'm not being sarcastic here,) I have more ideas running around in my head than I will ever be able to use, therefore there is no reason for me to pilfer yours.  This is not to mention the enormous legal ramifications, etc.  Whenever I receive an email/snail mail purporting to contain a story idea I skip that portion of the message and/or I delete it/round file it immediately.  This is for your protection as well as mine.  I simply cannot accept story ideas.  Therefore, I strongly urge you to put pen to paper and write the story yourself! There can never be enough books and every idea deserves to see the light of day!

 

 

11)  I really like your books, BUT, I don't think Ben and Rowan should use phrases like "white man" and "kemosabe" when interacting with one another...

 

Okay.  I respect your opinion, but the simple truth is this:  I try to write as realistic a flavor as possible.  These phrases, among others, whether cliché/stereotypical or not, are a real and true part of my own interaction with good friends who are Native American.  THEY aren't offended, so there is no reason for you to be either.  However, if you ARE offended, all I can do is give you my apologies and warn you that this interaction between my characters is NOT going to change.  It's the real deal.  It's real life, like it or not.

 

 

12)  I really like your books, BUT, here is what I think you should do with the characters in the next one...

 

That's terrific!  But this pretty much ties in with the answer to question #10.  I have plenty of ideas and I also have a firm grasp on what my characters are like and where they are headed.  I certainly respect your ideas and opinions, but I can't please everyone.  I can't possibly write a book that EVERYBODY is going to love and have no problems with whatsoever.  Nobody can.  Everyone has their own ideas about what they like and what they want to see.  Even I have opinions about what should or should not happen in a John Sandford or Patricia Cornwell novel, for example.  But they are MY ideas and opinions, not those of the person responsible for creating the story.  It is not my place to tell them what they should write.  Again, if you have ideas, I strongly urge you to sit down at your computer, word processor, typewriter, or desk with a pad of paper and a pencil.  Only YOU can do your ideas justice, and as I stated in the answer to #10, there can NEVER be enough books!

 

 

13)  Do Witches really ride on brooms?

 

Yes, I actually do get this question from folks, and I'm not at all sure that some of them aren't serious. So, in that vein, the answer is this: No.  The Industrial Revolution changed all that many years ago.  We now ride on vacuum cleaners, preferably cordless with extended life batteries.

 

 

14)  Why are there two different covers for Harm None?

 

Good question.  The cover artist, Johnathan Minton, had conceptualized the cover one way in his mind and another way on paper.  When Harm None went back for a second print run, since an earlier set of grievous errors (read: horrid and rampant typos due to a mixup with the digital press files) were being fixed, Johnathan asked if he could "tweak" the cover to meet his original vision.  I had no problem with that, and I think the final result was well worth it.
 
 

Original First Printing Cover Art
Revised Second Printing Cover Art

 

NOTE: The second printing was released as of October 2001, and as of December 2004 Harm None had moved into its fifth printing. To my knowledge, the publisher no longer has any copies of the original print run available for sale.

 

 

15)  I really like your books and want to help you. What can I do?

 

No, I didn't make this up.  I get this question all the time, and please let me say that I appreciate the support from all of you.  In reality, there are three things that any give person can do to help me, but be warned, they aren't terribly glamorous, and they don't come with a paycheck.  First, keep buying my books.  Second, convince everyone you know/meet/bump into to buy my books.  And, third, post positive reviews of my books on such venues as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and listservs.

 

 

16)  How do you feel when you see a negative review of one of your books?

 

Honestly? For the most part I think they are hilarious.  Sometimes they get me down a bit, or get on my nerves, but not for long, and in general they can be pretty funny. There are a few who make interesting comments and I do give them some thought, but I don't necessarily act on them.  I've had people try to compare my work to Literary Fiction as a justification for raking me over the coals.  I've had people just say they didn't like it because it wasn't written the way they would write it.  I've even had someone go so far as to say that I "owed" the readers of the world "something better" because I hadn't portrayed my characters the way he/she wanted me to (that particular bent was announced in an anonymous review.)  Well, here's the real deal.  The big, thick, juicy slice of reality.   I'm going to write what I like to write.  I'm also going to continue to hope that some number of folks out there like the same things I like, and will therefore continue to purchase my books.  Thus far, I haven't been disappointed.  The real deal is that comparing Literary Fiction to a Paperback Suspense Thriller is like (cliché alert) comparing apples to oranges.  It just doesn't jive.  If it isn't the way YOU would write it, fine.  Write your own, nobody is stopping you.  As for "owing" anyone anything, yes, I owe readers a book.  If they don't like it, well, it happens.  I can't tell you how many books I've purchased that I've ended up not liking-- some even vehemently, but so what?  That doesn't give me the right to badmouth the author.  Fortunately, I am one of those folks who was raised to believe that when someone is badmouthing ME, it just means that they are giving someone else a rest from it.  Besides, what they don't realize is that bad reviews sell just as many books as good ones.