Thursday 19 May 2016

BOOKS PROMOTION & AUTHOR INTERVIEW - DAVE TOMLINSON

Title: Travel Unravelled
Author: Dave Tomlinson
Release Date: 11th August 2015

BLURB from Goodreads
Travel Unravelled is the ultimate guide that takes you through travel planning, trip preparation and on amazing journeys. It's everything you need to travel better, further and for longer!


Title: Around The World In 80 Tales
Author: Dave Tomlinson
Release Date: 24th January 2016

BLURB from Goodreads
Around the World in 80 Tales is a collection of true stories from my travels through 25 countries across five continents.  It's a fascinating journey that includes the amusing, amazing and even a little crazy.  Collectively, my stories are captivating insights into travelling the world on a budget.

Goodreads Link
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Well both these titles are going on my Want To Read Wishlist. I do love a "different" read, something with a bit of humour! It's also great to hear about different places in the world. ~ Jeanz


AUTHOR INTERVIEW

What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Dave Tomlinson and I was born in the south island of New Zealand.  I now call Brisbane, Australia my home.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I’ve always enjoyed writing and describing my travels through emails and my blog.  After different people suggesting that I should write a book, that’s what I decided to do!

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
There’s a genuine feeling of accomplishment in seeing your first book completed.  The book was a natural progression from my other writing.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
It was self-published as an eBook on both my website and Amazon Kindle so it wasn’t long at all! 

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I do document control/records management work on a contract basis while also developing my Step Ahead Travel website.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
My latest book is called Around the World in 80 Tales.  A summary in less than 20 words?  80 stories, 25 countries, 5 continents, one heck of a ride!

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I’m self-publishing for now, although I may get my books printed in the future.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
How long is a piece of string?  My two books to date are very different in their length and content so have varied greatly.  I probably take longer than other authors because I strive for the best quality writing and presentation.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?
The guide book Travel Unravelled was more difficult in that it required more research.  Around the World in 80 Tales was more about expressing in words what was already in my mind.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
A good question and one that I’m pondering at the moment!  Travel is my passion so don’t be surprised with I stay with that same theme.  It offers many different options!

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
No immediate plans, but it’s possible that Around the World in 80 Tales will have a sequel.  After so much travel, there are plenty more stories to tell! 

What genre would you place your books into?
Non-fiction/travel.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?
I love adventure!  I wrote Travel Unravelled to inspire people to live their travel dreams and also show them how to do it.  Around the World in 80 Tales brings to life the wonderful highs and some gritty realities of budget travel.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
I like both my books for different reasons.  No favourites!

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
In one form or another, I’ve been writing for years.  It’s something that’s in the family because my father has written a couple of books and my grandmother was a good writer and poet.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
My books are non-fiction so I draw my inspiration from my real life experiences.  Travel and other cultures provide a rich kaleidoscope of unique experiences that I love being able to share with others.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
Not really.  I tend to write a lot at the library which offers a pleasant and generally productive environment to work in.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
Yes, I like to offer my book to a few trusted friends and family.  Mum is an excellent proof reader and I like getting honest feedback from several sources on my writing. 

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
Yes, I think is an excellent way to market a book.  Some authors are afraid of getting a poor review but if it’s honest and fair then I’m happy.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Absolutely!  I want to know what the readers think because it helps to improve my future writing.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
I’m a new author and at the time of writing this I only have one review.  But it is very positive and hopefully I’ll receive many more that are similar!

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
No.  That would destroy the credibility of the reviewer and create an unfair perception of my book.  I understand that books are a subjective experience and what one reader doesn’t like, another one will love.  We must take the good with the bad! 

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books? Who designed the Cover of your books?
The book titles and cover designs are all my own ideas.  I have since realised that there are a few other books titled Around the World in 80 Tales but still feel this is perfect for my book. 

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
Good question and in both cases it was the book that came before the title.  This was because in both cases I didn’t even realise that the various chapters would eventually be combined into a book!

How do you market/promote your books?
I think networking and being active on social media is a good place to start.  If you can get friends and page followers to share posts then it becomes a powerful tool.  Getting reviews and exposure on book blogging sites is great also.

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller?
Author reputation is the most obvious way but a best-selling book needs to have top quality content.  There’s no two ways about that!

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I can see that it could happen to fiction writers but I haven’t suffered this problem.  If I’m having trouble expressing or describing something as I’d like then it’s often best to take a break and come back to it later.  

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I enjoy walking, running and cycling but if I’m not feeling so energetic then relaxing with a movie or book can be great.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
My messages aren’t so much hidden as loud and clear!  Over the years, I’ve found myself in plenty of unique and challenging situations.  I’ve learned some lessons the hard way so my readers won’t have to!

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?
I enjoyed the writing of ‘Hap’ Cameron who wrote the book ‘Working the World’.  His style influenced me in being expressive and entertaining. 

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook, hardback, or paperback?
Call me old-fashioned but I probably prefer a book that you can hold, smell and turn the pages of.  Being a traveller, paperback usually suits me just fine.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?
Choosing a favourite book is like people getting me to choose a favourite country – it’s just too difficult!  I’ve read many great books but unfortunately life is too short to go back and read them again though.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
Some do but others don’t.  I enjoyed seeing the Da Vinci Code brought to life on the screen but the movie lost a lot of fascinating information in the book.  Jack Reacher would have been better if Tom Cruise wasn’t miscast into the lead role.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I’m reading a novel called ‘Close to Home’ by Lisa Jackson in paperback.  Rather slow going and not one of my favourites I have to admit!

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
No, I think there will always be a place for printed books, especially in the children’s genre.

Do you think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginative writing?
I’m not a parent with a child in school so it’s difficult to comment on this.

Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
We didn’t have television at home when I was growing up so I read a lot.  English was my favourite subject at high school as my love of writing began to develop.

Did you have a favourite author as a child?
Franklin W. Dixon, who wrote the Hardy Boys mystery series.  I think I worked my way through the entire series!   

Do you have a treasured book from your childhood? If yes, what is it?
Not one in particular but like nearly every other child, I just loved Dr Seuss books!

Do you have a favourite genre of book?
If I’m reading fiction, I enjoy crime/suspense with some romance thrown in.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
Not sure that I could ever attempt to read War and Peace!

Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
There aren’t any just now but being an Indie author, I am always ready to take an interest in new authors and support their work if I can

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it be?
I’ve learned that less can sometimes be more.  It’s one of the reasons why I’ve intentionally edited all the stories in my latest book to 500 words. 

What do you think about book trailers?
Trailers for books or movies are a great idea.  When done well, they offer exciting glimpses and compelling reasons why you must read or watch.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Good question!  Be expressive and descriptive; paint a colourful picture for your reader.  Write plenty while you feel inspired because the next time you sit down it may not flow quite so easily.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
No, I don’t see a need just the same as I don’t quite understand why ghost writers do what they do.  If you have a talent for writing why not receive the appropriate credit for it?

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?
Hap Cameron, because he had such an extraordinary journey working in every continent before he was 30.  Dan Brown, because his books contain such intriguing factual information.  Lee Child, because I’d love deeper insights into Jack Reacher.   

Where can readers follow you?
Blog: http://alluringadventures.blogspot.co.nz/
Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/stepaheadtravel
Goodreads author page:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15018336.Dave_Tomlinson
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/stepaheadtravel
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Wkn4ES
Other:  www.stepaheadtravel.com


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