Have you ever wanted to ask a celebrity author a question? Like, I dunno, maybe the author of Short Drop – the #1 bestseller OVERALL on Kindle Store? Do you wonder how his debut novel hit big time in the oversaturated fiction market?
Well, believe it or not – you can! Unexpectedly, Matthew stumbled across our heated discussions over the reviews of his yet to be released book – which turned out to be available via Kindle First. Matthew was kind enough to post several comments and so we already know that he was picked up by Amazon’s own publishing house through an agent, and that indeed Short Drop was available via Kindle First during the entire November and that’s how it now has 1,352 reviews. Short Drop will be released to the general public on 1 December and is set to make waves, with a sequel already in the works.
That in itself was pretty amazing – I’m personally blown away that he is engaging with readers directly and not via a publicist. I was so encouraged, that I boldly asked if he would be interested in an interview on my blog. You, know, all casual and the like. Whatevs.
He replied and said he would be “delighted” to do an interview! This is when I thought of you – my dear readers and followers – you, who keep pushing my site traffic to record numbers almost every day. Without you, who would’ve noticed this blog? Certainly not a bestselling author! So it’s only fair that you get to interview him, in a way.
So here’s the plan: post your questions in the comments below, I will collate them until midnight on Tuesday, try to combine any repetitive/similar ones, and will come up with a list of 6-8 or so. I’ll get the ball rolling with these:
- What is the one most surprising thing you’ve learned about the traditional publishing industry?
- What marketing strategies are in place for Short Drop, once it goes live?
- Is it hard to concentrate on writing the sequel with so much going on at the moment?
Post away! You have about 24 hours to come up with a perfect question! Don’t miss this opportunity!
Ana Spoke, author 
I hope talks more about his experiences with Amazon publishing. I’ve heard mixed reviews from other people, but it’s always comments from the outside.
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What negative things have you heard, specifically?
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Reblogged this on Annette Rochelle Aben and commented:
Here is your chance to ask a most successful author a question about becoming a SUCCESS! Read this blog, post a specific question and then read the interview that will ensue! Thank you Ana Spoke, for this opportunity.
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Thank you, Annette, for sharing!
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You are so very welcome. Thank YOU for this opportunity.
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What was his journey like finding an agent to represent him?
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Thank you! How many submissions before getting the agent, how did he decide which agents to approach?
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Sounds good – more specific. Thanks!
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Who are your favorite authors?
Who are your favorite contemporary authors?
Do you read broadly, or do you confine your reading to certain genres?
Do you knit?
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Hahaha! I’m not so sure about the last one, but who knows? Creative people are often creative in more than just one field…
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Do you have a military background?
Is red better than blue?
What’s the easiest thing about writing. What’s the hardest?
Would you say The Short Drop is more plot driven or character driven.
What kind of writing routine do you have?
Where did you get the idea for the book?
How many questions can you answer?
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Hahaha! This will require some editing 🙂
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This is pretty amazing! I can’t wait to see the finished interview and Matthew’s answers.
My questions:
1) What was your reaction when you saw how popular your book was?
2) When did you start to seriously write?
3) Do you have any advice for aspiring writers and authors?
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Whilst Amazon have opened the publishing door to millions of otherwise ‘wannabee’ writers, the internet itself presents other problems. Thes include the need for an on-line profile, blog, social network feeds and, of course, the writing itself. How do you face these, juggle them, be creative and stay sane?
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I see it as a game 🙂 I also see them not as problems, but as opportunities – how else would you find an audience? None of my friends liked my book, yet hundreds of strangers already have!
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Good point. Look for the positives. I’m hoping hundreds of strangers like mine (The Door to Caellfyon) in a few weeks. :-\
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Hope – yes. Advertising with Book Gorilla – double yes!
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Good luck Steve… will keep my eye out for it. I’m
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1) What was the “a-ha” moment when you realized the book was taking off?
2) Did you use early/advanced readers for Short Drop? If so, how did they affect the book?
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Thank you, Jim!
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Here are a few suggestions, Ana. Brilliant blogging by you, incidentally.
Even more specific – who is your agent?
Also, to add to the question ‘how easy was it to find an agent, etc’ – did you ever consider self-publishing?
How many other publishers made offers for the book, who were they? (if not too intrusive) and why did you choose Thomas & Mercer rather than the others?
Is this a 1 book deal or have they guaranteed to publish book 2? How far have you got with that?
What are you going to do now with the book that was rejected, 10 years ago?
Have you given up the day job or are you still teaching?
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Thank you, Tim – I may rephrase a bit, if you don’t mind. Don’t want to make him feel pressured.
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Yeah, I was confused in the previous post when he said Thomas and Mercer bought the rights to his book. Had he been self-publishing it prior to that or was he shopping the manuscript around or did he have an agent shopping it?
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He got an agent for this one, but I will ask him to shed a bit more light on the whole journey.
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I would love to know what emotions hit him when he finally realised that he had a best seller on his hands; how did he feel?
Thank you for giving us this opportunity too!
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You’re welcome 🙂 will add that one!
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Thank you – I like to live avariciously through others!
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