Kenna McKinnon Author: bestseller

My new book of short stories is on Amazon right now and I believe it's available on Amazon Prime.

I'm looking for reviews for Short Circuit and Other Geek Stories. I'll send you a free eBook in exchange for a fair and honest review on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Short-Circuit-Other-Geek-Stories-ebook/dp/B00MHE1880/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1407912631&sr=1-1&keywords=kenna+mckinnon

This book was written in honor and memory of my son, who passed away two years ago this September on the last day of summer 2012.

I will give any of my own proceeds from the sale of this book to the Humane Society of Edmonton, a charity close to Steve's heart. It was published through Authors for a Cause, which funds literacy for children with their share.

If you like sci-fi, fantasy with a twist and a bit of humor, and a bit of everything else thrown in for good measure, you'll love this book of short stories.

Let's help make it a best seller! I'll keep you posted on Twitter and Facebook as to the progress of Short Circuit.

Right now it stands at 735,442 paid in Amazon. It's not available yet in print.

If I get enough interest in the eBook I'll publish this fantastic book of tales in print.

I'll keep you all appraised.


Roy Huff

I'm delighted to be interviewing the multitalented and charismatic author, world traveler, and research scientist, Roy Huff, today on my blog. Thank you for joining us today, Roy.

Roy Huff is the best selling author of Amazon/Kindle's bestseller #2 epic fantasy and #3 young adult teen fantasy novel Everville: The First Pillar, installment #1 in the Everville saga series. He has many interests including science, traveling, movies, and the outdoors. He holds five degrees in four separate fields including liberal arts, history, secondary science education, and geoscience. Roy Huff has backgrounds in art, history, education, business, real-estate, economics, geoscience, and satellite meteorology. He was born on the East Coast but has spent more than half his life in Hawaii.

Tell us a bit about EVERVILLE: THE FIRST PILLAR, please, Roy.

A: Owen Sage is the emblematic college freshman at Easton Falls University. With all the worries about his first year in college, he was not prepared for what would happen next.

His way of life was flipped upside down when he mysteriously crossed into another dimension, into the beautiful land of Everville. His excitement was abruptly halted when he discovered that there was a darkness forged against both the natural world, which he knew well, and the new land which he discovered, Everville.

He must devise a plan to save both worlds while joining forces with the race of Fron and The Keepers, whom both harbor hidden secrets he must learn in order to gain power over the evil that dwells in The Other In Between.

With a race against time to save both worlds, his short time at Easton Falls did not quite prepare him for the evil, dark forces he must fight in order to conquer The Other In Between.

Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re based, and how you came to be a writer.

A: I have a varied background and a love for science and futurism. I’ve always had creative aspirations that ranged from fine art, dance, singing, and writing that supplemented my love of science. I received a lot of my technical writing skills in my various degrees. The idea for a novel had been more of a fantasy than a desire, but a creative paper for one of my English classes gave me the impetus to move forward with actually seeing that fantasy to fruition.

What genre do you generally write and have you considered other genres?

A: I am partial to sci-fi fantasy and young adult. I can also see action, dystopian, science non-fiction, and economics as potential sources of material in the future.

What have you had published to-date? Do you write under a pseudonym?

A: Only my first novel Everville: The First Pillar has been published to date, and I don’t use any pen names.

Have you had any rejections? If so, how do you deal with them?

A: I’ve never actually pitched my novel, though I am planning on pitching my next series and have had some discussions on the general idea with a few publishing houses. I expect a formal pitch for a sci-fi series in July or August, and I will see how that goes.

Have you won or been shortlisted in any competitions?

A: Not in writing.

Do you have an agent? Do you think they’re vital to an author’s success?

A: Not as of yet, but with the response of my first novel I have started thinking about finding one. I’m sure a good agent can be very beneficial, especially in navigating what’s best of the author.

Are your books available as eBooks? Were you involved in that process at all? Do you read eBooks or is it paper all the way?

A: Yes. Everville: The First Pillar is in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover formats. An audio book is on the way. I have read both formats, though I do prefer print.

How much of the marketing do you do for your published works or indeed for yourself as a ‘brand’?

A: I do a tremendous amount of marketing, at least 20 hours per week. That is mainly interacting with fans and social media promotion. I’ve also done a limited amount of paid Internet and radio advertising.

Do you have a favorite of your books or characters? If any of your books were made into films, who would you have as the leading actor/s?

A: I like The Lord of the Rings, Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Dr. Who, Star Trek, the most recent Batman series, and numerous other sci-fi, fantasy, dystopian works. I have too many characters I like to mention, but I would love to see Peter Jackson direct my films.

Did you have any say in the titles / covers of your book(s)? How important do you think they are?

A: I had complete control. The cover is nearly equal in importance to the actual story and editing.

What are you working on at the moment / next?

A: I'm working on the second book in the Everville series, which I’m hoping to have done sometime this Summer. I’m also starting to work on different series on time travel.

Do you manage to write every day? Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

A: I don’t write everyday due to my schedule, but I’ve been fortunate not to have writers block when I do find the time to write.

Do you plot your stories or do you just get an idea and run with it?

A: I get an idea and run with it. The plot develops on its own, though I have a general direction where I usually want to move.

Do you have a method for creating your characters, their names and what do you think makes them believable?

A: I do a little research on the meaning of names, beyond that, I just pick names I think sound appropriate or interesting.

Do you write any non-fiction, poetry or short stories?

A: I write all of the above, but nothing that has been published.

Do you do a lot of editing or do you find that as time goes on your writing is more fully-formed?

A: I do both.

Do you have to do much research?

A: I write from experience and generally only research names and to a lesser degree basic facts and certain locations or items that are introduced in the story.

What point of view do you find most to your liking: first person or third person? Have you ever tried second person?

A: The first story was in first person, but I have found it’s easier to transition when writing in third, so I expect to use third person more frequently moving forward.

Do you have pieces of work that you think will never see light of day?

A: I will find a way to publish all of my finished works, whether it’s a traditional publishing house or not.

What’s your favorite / least favorite aspect of your writing life? Has anything surprised you?

A: The least favorite is worrying about critics and reviewers. So far, I’m pleased most of the critics have been generally positive.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

A: Get a good editor. Get in the habit of writing as part of a regular routine, and seek advice from others. Don't give up, but also learn to accept constructive criticism. Don’t be afraid to show your work.

If you could invite three people from any era to dinner, who would you choose and what would you cook (or hide the takeaway)?

A: That’s a tough question. I think Jesus, Muhammad, and Steve Jobs would make for interesting dinner conversation. I would make falafels and Greek salad.

Is there a word, phrase or quote you like?

A: The only limits we are have are the limits we place on ourselves.

Are you involved in anything else writing-related other than actual writing or marketing of your writing?

A: I’ve done research related reports for various positions I’ve held as a research scientist.

What do you do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies or party tricks? :)

A: I love movies, hiking, traveling, as well as good food and conversation.

Are there any writing-related websites and/or books that you find useful?

A: I’ve read articles, but I don’t spend too much time learning about the writing process other than from experience. I don’t like to be put in a box.

What do you think the future holds for a writer?

A: I think I will get additional works published and I hope to see some turned into screenplays for film and television.

Where can we find out about you and your work?

A: You can visit my website , Goodreads or my Amazon bio page

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

A: I’ve found the writing community and independent authors to be very supportive. I also think it’s important to try and connect with as many readers as possible.

Buy it now!

Thank you again for taking part in this blog interview, Roy. I’m very grateful that you took time out from your writing to answer these questions.

I wish you all the best with your future projects.

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INTERVIEW WITH ROY HUFF, AUTHOR OF EVERVILLE: THE FIRST PILLAR