Name Jack King
Age 64
Where are you from Born in TN, military brat, lived in number of states including both East & West Coasts growing up, have lived in TX for 35 years.
A little about yourself, i.e., your education, Family life, etc.
Have M.A. (History) and M.B.A., former Sales & Marketing executive for Fortune 500, mid-sized, and start-up companies, married, two grown daughters, fitness fanatic, coach youth basketball and also coach-play on Men’s 50+ basketball team, Christian.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
My YA fantasy adventure novel TIME RIDER – WILDERTREK will be featured with one other YA novel for the month of April in SW Airlines inflight magazine. My sequel novel TIME RIDER – RED ATTACK will be coming out later this year by my publisher Charles River Press.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
Began as copywriter in advertising and marketing, did tons of business-oriented writing, started writing my first novel several years ago.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Upon acceptance and publication of my first novel by a royalty-based publisher.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book has themes of coming-of-age, going back to wild-n-wooly frontier days, young hero maturing as a person, strong anti-bullying message, a bit of basketball and martial arts, and first young love – all things I experienced (or daydreamed about!) growing up.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
It’s akin to a ‘campfire storyteller’, i.e., in between that of a professional historian (3rd person, telling) and traditional novelist (1st person, showing). My style is totally unique; haven’t read anyone else close to it!
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
The titles for TIME RIDER – WILDERTREK, and QUEST FOR THE MIDDLE KINGDOM came about as collaboration between my publisher Charles River Press and me. My original titles were too bland.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
In TIME RIDER, there are messages of self-reliance, developing confidence, and anti-bullying theme. In QUEST, there are messages of true love waits and commitment.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
Everything in both novels is highly realistic except for the time travel aspect in TIME RIDER. For example, several readers of QUEST originally thought it’s a true biography and not fiction.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
TIME RIDER deals with bullying and I had to fight bullies in elementary and junior high school. But everything else is unrelated.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
The Bible, Tolkien’s Trilogy, Narnian Chronicles, C. S. Lewis
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Recently reread Of Mice and Men, Narnian Chronicles, The Godfather, A Moveable Feast.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Not yet.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
Working on next book in the TIME TRAVEL series, Red Attack.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
I coach youth basketball, and several of my players read TIME RIDER in its earlier version and liked it very much.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely. I hope to be writing and making a good living full time in 2-3 years.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I read a lot of as a child and wrote a couple of amateur plays when I was in junior high.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
TJ, our young hero of TIME RIDER series, goes back in time to find his girlfriend (who innocently picks up the little green book, not knowing its powers). Then TJ’s dad, the Professor, travels back in time to search for both of them! Meanwhile, war and the Redcoats are coming!
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Writing great dialogue is more challenging than plot or characters, Author Larry McMurtry of Lonesome Dove and other great books is a master of this.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Several, really. I love Tolkien for fantasy, McMurtry for dialogue, Hemingway for brevity, Rowling for imagination, and Patterson for plot.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
No, it’s all research and imagination.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Charles River Press has a really talented cover artist, Rick, who did mine. He’s a genius.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Integrating the plot from section to section, and keeping the story moving briskly along.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Showing, not telling.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
If you have the writing itch, scratch it.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I write novels that have engaging heroes. Readers care about the main protagonist, often identify with his (her) quirks, weaknesses, and strengths.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
A book of myths, heroes, fantasies, and gods from many lands, written around 1904, found in my grandparent’s library. Read it when I was about 8.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Heart-wrenching tales of heroism, bravery under fire, sacrificial courage.
Fiona: Is there one person past or present you would meet and why?
President Teddie Roosevelt; he was such an engaging, bold, progressive figure.
Fiona: What do you want written on your headstone and why?
Not sure.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
Basketball junky, fitness fanatic.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Fox News, sports, plus classic action-adventure, detective (film noir), western, fantasy films.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music?
Pasta / blue / great rock, blues, country, folk songs of 60’s and 70’s.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
Publishing college professor.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it? www.jack-king.com
TIME RIDER – Wildertrek by JACK KING – Young Adult adventure fantasy novel – Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com
“A bad present. An unforeseen past. Somehow he’s got to survive each for any future. Life sucks and it’s about to turn worse when a fantastic secret transports TJ back in time to the year 1802 where the world is raw, wild, and filled with relentless danger!”
TO BUY: http://amzn.com/1940676061 (Click here To buy paperback on Amazon.com)
TO BUY: http://amzn.com/B00O5CG9TA (Click here To buy Kindle version on Amazon.com)
TO BUY: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/time-rider-jack-king/1120318365?ean=978194067 (Click here To buy paperback on BN.com – Barnes and Noble)
TO BUY: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/time-rider-wildertrek-jack-king/1120456003?ean=2940150491663 (Click here To buy Nook version on BN.com – Barnes and Noble)
To view TIME RIDER Book Trailer, click:
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QUEST FOR THE MIDDLE KINGDOM by JACK KING – Set in early 1900’s, Scottish Highlander and China adventure-romance novel – Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com
“Betrayal, lustful ladies and temptation galore for our handsome hero with the pure heart, nonstop danger and high adventure, higher calling; and in the end, a great love story!”
TO BUY: http://amzn.com/1940676088 (Click here To buy paperback or Kindle version on Amazon.com)
TO BUY: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/quest-for-the-middle-kingdom-jack-king/1119939626?ean=9781940676081 (Click here To buy paperback or Nook version on BN.com – Barnes and Noble)
To view exciting QUEST Book Trailer 1, click:
To view exciting QUEST Book Trailer 2, click:
To view the QUEST Sizzle Reel, click:
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