Author Interview with John M. Olson

11/30/2018

Who are you?

I'm John M. Olsen. By day I'm a software manager and by night I write across multiple genres when I'm not spending time with family or using dangerous power tools in my secret lair.

Where do you live?

About 200-300 yards from your house.

via GIPHY

What’s your home life like?

Our home could really use a revolving door. We have extended family and adult children coming and going constantly. Growing up I had a relative where I never knew who was living at their house or how long they would stay. We've turned into that relative.

via GIPHY

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

My two novels (and the third to finish the trilogy) are fantasy. My short stories cover fantasy, urban fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, and horror.

The broad scope of my short stories has helped me to learn more about what I like to write, and it has broadened my skills by practicing things I'm not as familiar with.

Why did you start writing?

I write for two main reasons.

First, I love to create things. This shows with my career in computers, my wood shop (also known as the secret lair), and in other areas of my life. I like to turn something that would otherwise be scraps into something useful or beautiful.

Second, I like to inspire people with stories of ordinary people stepping up to do extraordinary things.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I make pens, decorative boxes, and even large projects like dining room tables and cabinets. Note that it's not necessarily cheaper to build furniture than to buy it. Sometimes the material costs alone far exceed what you might spend at a discount store for a finished product.

via GIPHY

I've also practiced lately the fine art of spoiling grandchildren. I have a second one on the way to make this practice easier.

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

Sometimes I peruse Amazon, but more often than not I keep an eye on emails from MyBookCave and from BookBub to see who is advertising.

But when it comes to actually buying books, I think I pick up most at events where I can get author signatures. This includes conventions as well as smaller book signings.

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

I should probably set my filters higher. There are enough good books out there (and enough in my large to-be-read stack) that I should cut my losses on the bad ones much earlier.

Quite often I will finish a not-so-great book out of curiosity, like watching a slow-motion trainwreck.

Are you independently or traditionally published?

I've done both traditional and independent, with my traditional work being not quite as traditional as some because it's through a small-but-growing local press.

The software engineer in me loves to take control of the details, and sometimes it's hard to give up that control to a publisher. There are advantages to going either way once you have a few basic skills with easily available tools.

How many books/stories have you published so far?

I've published two fantasy novels with a third on the way to finish the series. I also have something around 17 short stories either already in print or scheduled to appear soon.

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

My fantasy series consists of Crystal King, followed by Crystal Queen. The third book started with a different title, but some brainstorming and story adjustments changed the upcoming story to be Crystal Empire.

My plan was to finish up a first draft in November, but I've been rescheduled to put in laminate floor, and the day job has been in overdrive. I'll make some good progress anyway, and would like to finish it up by the end of the year so I can send it off to the publisher.

What’s the elevator pitch?

King Gavin broke the Accords on how and when to use magic while defending his people. The other kingdoms are converging to teach him the folly of his ways. He must weave a path through the coming conflict or his people and his kingdom could be destroyed.

How long have you been working on it?

I've been working on and off since spring, weaving in other projects as I go.

When will it be available to buy? Where?

The 2nd book came out in September 2018, and the third will likely be about a year after that based on the publisher's current backlog of books in the pipeline.

How can readers find you?

Anything you’d like to add?

Nope.

Thank you, John for participating in the Laughably Inane Blog and for befriending me when I moved into the neighborhood.

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