Today I’d like to welcome Malcolm Wells to the blog. Malcolm is here, as part of his current blog tour, to introduce us to his latest book. Welcome, Malcolm, and over to you!
1. Give us the details – title, publisher, illustrator, release date.
The title is ‘The Spires of Kurrong’ and it is published by Morris Publishing Australia. The book was released on 21st January 2015. The cover illustrator is Kevin Burgemeestre.
2. Why did you write the book?
I have always had an interest in the sci-fi / fantasy genres; as well as horror and ghost stories. For a number of years I had been writing short stories in these genres and this was one of them. When I won a competition in the CQ Literary Festival last year with the story at novella length, Elaine Ouston from Morris Publishing suggested I extend it to novel length.
3. How long from idea to publication?
The story was originally about 20,000 word and I extended it to approximately 60,000. From the time it was suggested I extend the story, to the publishing date was 7 months.
4. What was the hardest thing about writing it?
Starting to expand on the original theme was the toughest part. However once I began to write the ideas began to flow freely.
5. Coolest thing about your book?
I had previously had non-fiction articles, short stories and poetry published, but this is my first published novel. That is pretty cool.
6. Something you learnt through writing the book?
Writing the book was fun; it is the proof-reading and editing that are the hard parts.
7. What did you do to celebrate the release?
I just published the news on my Facebook and blog sites and emailed my friends. Then I sat back with my wife and celebrated the launch with a bottle of wine.
8. And how will you promote the book?
I have put all of the links to the book on my Facebook, blog and Linkedin sites. I will also be talking to my local newspaper The Morning Bulletin, for whom I write a weekly column. I am also hoping to get some air time on ABC Capricornia where a number of my 500 word stories have been read over the past 18 months.
9. What are you working on next?
I am currently working on a novel about an alien who crash lands in the Dorset countryside in southern England. It is a comic novel set in the quaint village of Lesser Codswallop. It is a light read but with an underlying message about racism.
10. Where we can find out more about you and your book?
The book is currently available through Morris Publishing, Amazon and Smashwords.
http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/the-spires-of-kurrong.html
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/512253
Thanks, Malcolm. Good luck with the book!