I met Tony at the Kentuckiana Authors Fair last month. He likes putting characters in situations they think they will never survive, and find out if they’re right. He lives near Louisville, Kentucky with his wife, twin daughters, two female dogs, a female cat, and says the way the goldfish looks at him, he’s sure she’s female, too.
How did you decide to become an author?I come from a long line of oral story tellers. I happen to be the first in my family to write stuff down and convince people to give me money for it. I think my way works better. I got my start in 6th grade writing a poem for a girl I liked. I never gave it to her and she chose the “other guy”. (hint to others: if you write a girl a poem, give it to her)
How does your professional background help with your writing?
It doesn’t specifically. I worked as a mailman for 16 years until my twins were born early, then I became a stay-at-home dad. I’ve managed to be someone who loves to watch other people and remember what they say. Practically, I own a concierge company in addition to a small press and I’ve used many of the places I’ve traveled to in my books.
Can you tell us more about why you wrote your latest books?
My latest effort is Vengeance, A Samantha Tyler Thriller, co-written by Rachael Rawlings. This books is strictly in existence because the fans of the Victor McCain Thrillers demanded it be written. Samantha is the main female character of the main series and they’ve wanted Samantha to have her own story line for years. I hired Rachael to write them and I helped out on the action scenes and some of the plot.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE.
Those are the main things they need to do. They can also join a writer’s group, and bug the hell out of other people they know who are successful writers and ask what they are doing. I’ll give you a hint: WRITE.
What are some upcoming publishing projects you are working on?
Hydra Publications, the award winning small press I own, currently has work on the way from Bill Noel, Brick Marlin, Kenn Grimes, Lee Pennington (the former Kentucky Poet Laurette), Elizabeth Beverly (New York Times bestselling romance writer) and Richard Knaak (New York Times bestselling fantasy writer) among others. Fun times around the Hydra compound.
Andrew M. Friday 