A great cover draws the reader in. A great blurb makes them want to read more. A well written book sells. It’s as simple as that.

Joe Hart – 11 April 2013

The Back Flap

BCA Special Agent Sullivan Shale has seen his share of violence and death. He’s become weathered and haunted by the harsh reality of his career yet continues on despite a crippling personal loss. But when one of the largest penitentiaries in Minnesota calls requesting an investigation into an inmate’s brutal death, even his expertise is pushed to the limit.

Singleton Penitentiary, located in the middle of an inhospitable swamp, has become an island amidst a torrential flood. The prisoners are silent, the staff is belligerent, and the murder committed in one of the solitary confinement cells is unimaginable.

Cut off from the outside world and faced with insurmountable odds, Shale must uncover a secret stretching back half a century and race against time to save himself and perhaps all of humanity from an insidious threat, that may not be human.

About the book

What is the book about?

It’s about a troubled BCA Agent who is called to investigate a horrible murder at a prison that is cut off by a flood.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing the book about six months ago.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me about four months writing at night and on weekends.

Where did you get the idea from?

The idea came to me after the area I live in had a terrible rainstorm and the subsequent flooding surrounded a nearby town. I asked myself, what if it wasn’t a town surrounded by water, but a prison? The rest came easily.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Not really. The story really flowed well and the characters came to life without much prodding. All in all it was a really fun story to tell.

What came easily?

Like I said above, the characters came along really well on their own. The friendship between the main character and his partner was easy to write.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are fictitious but I did do quite a bit of research into the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the death investigation procedures. I tried to stay close to reality but of course with a horror novel you have to take some fictional liberties!

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Stephen King is my greatest influence. He is the master of not only horror, but also of storytelling in general. He can pull you into a character’s world so easily you don’t even realize it. I’ve tried to learn from him in the way of characterization and world building.

Blake Crouch is another author that’s really influenced me. His writing style is powerful, brief and fast paced. In that sense, less is more.

Kealan Patrick Burke is another of my favorite authors. His overall mood is very enthralling when reading one of his stories.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader is anyone who enjoys a scary tale. Fans of King, Koontz, and McCammon would all enjoy my books.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I normally start with an image or a powerful quandary and go from there. The characters come next and then I design some spectacles that I’d like to read about.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I typically outline a little. It’s brief and general but it helps keep me on track for the most part.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I edit very little as I go, typically just the last few sentences I wrote the day before so I can get immersed in the ideas again.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Absolutely. I think this is one, if not the, most important thing an independent author can do. Readers expect quality work when they buy a book and if there are errors or major plot holes, they’re going to be disappointed and feel cheated. A professional editor can help turn an okay manuscript into a great one, and help you become a better writer in the process.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Not while I’m writing typically but I do when I’m editing or revising. I love lots of hard rock- Metallica, Godsmack, Seether, Chevelle. But I also have really been digging Mumford and Sons.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I didn’t. I looked into the process and it seemed like a crapshoot that might go well and might not.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It was basically the Kindle Direct Publishing that opened the door for me. I saw that the process was set up to be as painless as possible and that I could get my work out in front of millions of readers without waiting for someone to tell me my work was good enough. Now I let the readers decide that.  

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I got it professionally done. This is another point that can’t be chinced on. A great cover draws the reader in. A great blurb makes them want to read more. A well written book sells. It’s as simple as that.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I do a marketing plan with each of my books that include local word of mouth from friends and family, flyers around town, and radio interviews, as well as book signings at my local bookstore. I also use Twitter and Facebook quite a bit and they’ve both been invaluable. I normally do different sales at price points and at times free giveaways. I blog as much as I can and try to bring pertinent information to others. All of this combined has worked fairly well.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Write as much as you can. It’s all about the craft. Better yourself through practice and by reading great books. The story is the center of your world. If you have a well written book with a great plot and characters, the rest will come.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in northern Minnesota.

Where do you live now?

Northern Minnesota.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’d like readers to know that I’m going to be writing for a long time and that they can expect several books a year from me. If they enjoy a scary story then they’ll be happy with my work.

What are you working on now?

Currently I’m sorting out my next project. I’m in the afterglow of Singularity so I’m taking a few days to figure out where I’m headed and then I’ll be back in front of the keyboard.

End of Interview:

For more visit Joe’s blog, follow him on twitter, or like his page on facebook.

Get your copy of Singularity from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).