Author Interview: Tony Bertauski

4/13/2018

Who are you?

My parents named me Tony Bertauski. I still go with that.

I’m a father, although my kids are 23 and 20, so my duties have been reduced. I’m a husband for almost 26 years, happily working on one of the best vehicles to spiritual growth called marriage (Raising children is the second best.) I’m a college teacher learning as much as my students every day. I’m a writer, too. Because it’s challenging. Fun, too.

Where do you live?

Charleston, SC. Grew up in the Midwest but happy to have called the South my home for the past 20 years. I do not like the cold.

What’s your home life like?

Mostly quiet. Our son is making his own living. Daughter is at school most of the year. My wife and I have settled in with two boxers and a box full of bees in the backyard. We drink beer on weekends. I watch a movie after she’s asleep. I don’t have to wait long.

What genre(s) to you like to write? To read?

Science fiction, mostly. Some of it lends itself to a young adult audience like Hunger Games or Maze Runner. Currently I’m writing my only urban fantasy tale. I read mostly science fiction.

Why did you start writing?

I started mostly as technical writer, penning two textbooks and a newspaper column. I stumbled into fiction when I started a project with my son. In an effort to get him reading more, we started writing a story together. It was only a chapter a week. It didn’t last long. By the time I threw in the towel, my first character was stuck in my head and I had to get him out. His name was Socket Greeny.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Writing is my full time hobby. My real job pays the bills. I dig my family and my dogs. If we’re not hanging out, I’m writing.

Where do you like to go when looking for a new book to read?

Bookbub is a great source. I read that email every single day. Most of my favorite finds came from there.

At what point do you call it quits when reading a new book?

Solid question. I give up easily. I’m particular about a writer’s voice and usually have a good feel for it by the time I finish the first chapter, if not before. Not a knock against the writer, there’s just a style I jibe with, something easy-flowing and conversational. Exceptional use of metaphor is a bonus. If I get to the third chapter, I’m usually in for the end.

Are you independently or traditionally published?

Indie.

How many books/stories have you published so far?

15ish. Mostly novels.

What book/story are you currently promoting or working on?

Will be publishing my minor foray into urban fantasy this summer after postponing it six months for rewrites--The Roots of Drayton. One more pass through the draft and then it’s off the editor to clean. The Chronicles of Drayton is a collection of short stories. Roots will be the first novel.

What’s the elevator pitch?

The true evolution of a vampire.

How long have you been working on it?

Over a year. ARC readers had great feedback and I decided not to rush the story out.

When will it be available to buy? Where?

June is the target. Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Apple, and Google.

How can readers find you?

Anything you’d like to add?

Writing without readers isn’t that much fun.

Thank you, Tony, for taking the time to participate in this interview. I've greatly enjoyed Half-Skin and look forward to more of your work in the future.

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