Updated 7.20.08

 

 

Congratulations on winning the Independent Publisher award! Best of luck in the future! –John M. Simmons, Author of The Marvelous Journey Home

 

My sincerest thanks to everyone expressing their support regarding the award. Thank you.

 

 

Is an audio version of the book available? (frequent question at events)

 

Not yet, but we’ve been receiving a lot of requests for it so it’s on the list. It just kind of depends on how the planets align.

 

 

The cover has a science fiction/fantasy look to it, but you say the story is primarily a mystery. (frequent comment at events)

 

Circle of Doors has some science fiction, but it’s minor. Its underlying theme centers around the progressive change the main character undergoes in shedding cynical ideologies to consider and pursue truths he once thought impossible. The cover design represents both metaphorical and literal interpretations related to that theme.

 

The metaphorical element in the desolation of the landscape represents the personal emptiness, or perceptions of hopelessness in which we sometimes find ourselves lost for whatever reasons. The arch, or doorway in the middle of nothingness, represents the passage through which we can escape and find new hope, if we choose to do so. The earth and galaxy visible through the arch represent the infinite wonder and marvelous new discoveries that await us when we find the courage to believe that anything is possible.

 

The literal interpretations of the desolate landscape, the arch and universe are elements of the story you’ll just have to discover for yourself.

 

 

Is Circle of Doors going to be available in hardcover? (frequent question)

 

It’s possible that if the soft cover trade edition does well, we may release a limited edition hardcover at some point. Many feature novels are traditionally released in hardcover first, then go to paperback. The decision to release Circle of Doors in paperback first was due primarily to recommendations by the distributor and input from bookstores and readers. The goal with this first release is to print and distribute the book in the most efficient manner possible so the most people will have an opportunity to find the book and purchase it at a reasonable price. A few readers have even thanked me for producing it in paperback.

 

For a given publishing investment, approximately 30% more paperback books can be produced over hardcover because of the difference in manufacturing costs. However, in the interest of quality and durability, the soft cover trade edition of Circle of Doors was manufactured using a matte-film laminate on the cover that substantially increases the durability of the book. It’s also embossed and has spot-UV applied. This added notable labor, time and expense to the book’s production. But we believe it was worth it. (Trade paperback books are larger than mass-market paperbacks, but slightly smaller than typical hardcover books.)

 

 

I was wondering if the Order of the Black Sun in your novel, Circle of Doors, had any particular political significance to any current events?  –Julie

 

It depends on how you look at it. The organization I depict in the book is highly disciplined in manipulating societies in a subtle, but methodically patient manner. I see the degradation of our own societies being accomplished similarly. Pornography, substance abuse, indifference, self-importance and greed are just a few of the corrosive elements that consistently push their way a little further into our lives everyday.

 

When these destructive elements enter society suddenly, we react suddenly. But think about the decay of moral and social integrity that has occurred over time. For instance, when television programming first started, the concern over implied moral value was such that a ‘bedroom scene’ originally depicted a married couple with separate beds. Producers then pushed it a little further, and we accepted. Then a little further, and a little further. Now we have frequent, illicit sexual encounters on primetime television that leave little to the imagination, practically every sitcom reeks of crude and demoralizing humor, and commercials selling ‘male enhancement’ products boldly encourage sexual promiscuity. Incredibly graphic and violent programs and movies that desensitize the viewing public to just about every heinous crime imaginable are now “popular.” On the other side of the same compass we’re encouraged to sue the snot out of everyone who makes a mistake, and go into debt up to our eyeballs to finance everything we could ever possibly want or do.

 

The agenda of the Black Sun in Circle of Doors is obviously intended to be much more epic and specifically definitive. However, the implications of what it represents relative to the employed methodology in the battle for control in our societies is very real.

 

 

The story of how you started writing because of the dream and all sounds pretty unbelievable. Did it really happen like that?  –Amy

 

Yes, it did.

 

 

How could you really give up earning a living to write fulltime, and then keep it a secret? Didn’t people wonder what was going on?  –Anonymous

 

It sounds like there are two questions here. Yes, people were curious what projects I was working on and a few even politely inquired as to why I was spending so much time at home. I told them the truth; that I was working on a project I didn’t want to reveal until it was completed. Why was I so secretive about it? Writing a book is one of those things on many people’s list of life goals that never gets finished. Many start, but few actually complete the process once they discover just how ridiculously time-consuming and difficult it can actually be. My reasons for writing Circle of Doors were unique compared to why I believe most others write, and I didn’t want to be indoctrinated into that “still working on my novel” club. It just seemed prudent to focus on the task at hand and keep quiet to avoid unnecessary perceptions and distractions.

 

How could I really give up a living to write fulltime? It’s easier if you wake up one morning to find that a lifetime of career interest ambition has evaporated. Truthfully, what happened to me was so profound that I knew this incredible opportunity would have only been given to me along with the ability to somehow see it through. If you honestly believe in your convictions, you’ll adapt and do whatever it takes to soldier the course. But I will admit that none of this would have likely been possible without the continual support of a strong family.

 

People often judge the choices of others based on what they would or would not be willing to do themselves. But those who have been through trial know that sacrifice is where we find strength, and success is what we make it. What my family and I may have given up to take this incredible journey is inconsequential to the possibilities that lie ahead. It was a risk we were all collectively willing to take.

 

 

I just wanted to tell you that I found your story Regular Jobs very entertaining. The part about your wife’s eye twitching was hysterical. Many wives have probably been through the same thing.  --Linda

 

Thank you. That was from the article in Author’s World on this site. I would like to tell you that my dear wife looks back on the experience and laughs. But I suspect this whole writing thing has been so traumatic that she’s blocking out everything she possibly can. A few more years of this and she won’t remember anything. I profess to get my gray hair from wisdom – she gets hers from me.

 

 

The descriptions of some of the things in your book are the most vivid I’ve ever read. Did you see them in the visions you describe as inspiration?  --Cheryl

 

This question has been asked a few times before – usually in jest with a hint of sincerity. I would describe the inspiration I received as visual thoughts, or a stream of new thoughts played out in imagination. I would classify a ‘vision’ as something more like what my character Ethan experiences in Circle of Doors. If something of that nature had happened, I probably would have ended up rocking back and forth watching reruns of The Twilight Zone and muttering to myself. Writing and publishing is one of the most enjoyable, frustrating and incredible experiences of my life. I hope the powers-that-be will see fit to let me continue for a while.