Yep -I have a target audience- me. There are a lot of different types of readers out there, looking for their special genre or subgenre. I write what I like to read and believe there are many others who like a similar type of book. 

Nick Vellis – 13 November 2014

The Back Flap

During World War II, OSS commando, Lt. John Pantheras, stumbles onto a horrific plot in war torn Greece. The Nazis are collecting a ransom from every Jewish Greek but they plan a double cross. They are going to deport the Jewish community despite their promises. Lt. Pantheras, a Greek resistance leader, and a rabbi turn the Nazi plot on its head when they steal the accumulated ransom. Things go well until the Nazis counterattack and John disappears with the bulk of the loot.

Nearly seventy years after WWII, while investigating his father’s murder, AJ Pantheras meets Ceres Savas. The elderly Greek shares a story reaching back to WWII Greece involving AJ’s grandfather, an immense stolen fortune, and the key to AJ’s father’s death. AJ’s grandfather, Lt John Pantheras helped Greek Jews escape the Nazis but disappeared with an immense fortune. Ceres and AJ seek this missing fortune for vastly different reasons. While AJ confronts his fears and greed, he is pulled into a decades old mystery and a duel with a pair of hired killers. With the help of the old Greek and a smart, shapely Italian PI, he tries to stay one-step ahead of death and the shadowy former Nazi officer who may be behind it all.

About the book

What is the book about?

Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor is about doing the right thing when faced with tough choices.

When did you start writing the book?

The idea for the book came up in late 2008. I made research notes for about two years then a basic outline in 2010.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took about three years to write Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor.

Where did you get the idea from?

I was researching my father’s WWII experiences when I discovered he served behind German lines in Greece in 1944. My father passed away when I was little and the family had no idea what he had done in the war. Energized, I dove into the research. Parallel to my research I kept finding references to the Greek Holocaust, a German plan to let the Jewish community pay a tax or ransom to avoid deportation and how after this ransom was collected, the German officer n charge apparently stole the fortune. This huge fortune, estimated today in the billions of dollars, is still missing.

The idea for the book came from combining a fictionalized version of what my father’s experience could have been in 1944 Greece with a modern day treasure hunt. There had to be plot twists and turns of course, a solid villain, lots of action and real people struggling to find their way and to discern what to do.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I began the project unable to write believable dialogue. For me dialogue helps to tell the story without long sections of narrative that tell rather than show. I struggled for a while, but writing every day, getting good feedback and doing lots of edits improved the dialogue and I think in the end it comes off as believable and authentic.

What came easily?

Believe it or not, character development came easily. I had a good sense early on who the main characters would be. I did detailed character sketches and did an analysis of their emotions and motivation as the story progressed. I constantly added to theses character sketches and built up a detailed picture of the people in the book. I know these people well and the reader will come to know and understand them too.

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

My characters are a little of both- real world and entirely fictional. In doing character sketches when I would hit a roadblock on how the character would react, I would try to recall someone who reacted in the way I wanted or said something a certain way. I would then incorporate that mannerism into the character.

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?

Alistair Maclean is my favorite author. He began writing short stories, as did I. His characters are strong, cynical men trying to get an important job accomplished while struggling with their own nature and shortcomings. I enjoy watching a character develop as these struggles take place and made crisis of character central to Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor’s three main characters, Lt. John Pantheras, AJ Pantheras and Ceres Savas.

I also like a good mystery in a dramatic setting. Unpredictable plot twists are what I enjoy reading so I put quite a few into my debut novel. The story is set in a variety of places, some of which I’ve never visited. Despite this handicap, I strove for authenticity and a strong sense of place as Maclean did so very well.

Finally, I like action. Plot and characters are essential elements but action keeps me on the hook. Maclean  didn’t let anything hold up the action because that’s what keeps the pages turning.

Do you have a target reader?

That’s an easy one. Yep -I have a target audience- me. There are a lot of different types of readers out there, looking for their special genre or subgenre. I write what I like to read and believe there are many others who like a similar type of book. The mystery thriller, action adventure yarn, the suspense novel, I believe, will continue to be popular. That’s what I like, so that’s what I will continue to write. My new project is a PI novel with action and suspense.

About Writing

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

My process is to begin with a page or so of narrative setting out the main plot points. For Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor I knew how things would progress, how the characters would change and how the story would end. The conclusion was the hard part. I knew what would happen but not how it would be accomplished. By thinking about how the characters had changed, I was able to puzzle out an ending that is complex and believable.

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

Initially, I outlined extensively, planning each scene, examples of dialogue, a hook for each chapter and working out the lead in to the next. I abandoned that quickly as too time consuming. I was spending hours outlining that I could be actually writing. I went to a system using a spreadsheet. I listed the chapter’s point of view, a sentence or two about what happens and who was involved. I also listed the number of scenes, word count and location. The spreadsheet allowed me to monitor daily word count goals and track my total word count for the project.

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

I did an edit as you go system. I would read and edit what I had done the previous day as a lead in to what new work I planned for the next day. At the end of a section, I went back and edited for names, places and time frame as well as insuring character development was progressing.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I used a professional editor but engaged her too early in the process. I used beta readers, many of whom got into editing as well. I also worked with a critique group for much of the time I was writing Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor. These people were equally divided between what I call my angels, who were very helpful, and the grammar/punctuation trolls who could not get past a missing comma or a poorly structured sentence. I learned a great deal from both these vastly different people. In the future, I will go to the beta readers and critique group with the finished manuscript then submit to the professional editor.

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

I listen to classical piano music while I write. It helps my focus. I get perhaps 25% more done listening to music compared to writing in silence. Music with lyrics distracts me as I find myself listening to the words.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I subscribed to an online database of agents and publishers. I submitted proposals to agents for six months prior to completing the book. I received a handful of requests for sample chapters but no offers. When I finished the book, I submitted another round. Again, I received requests for sample chapters, one even asked for the entire manuscript. None of the agents or publishers offered to represent the book. I have been to a handful of conferences and made fact to face pitches but alas, no takers.

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

I knew my book was good. I got great comments from my critique group and beta readers and my editor even liked it. I’ve been married over thirty years. I can trust my wife to give me the unvarnished truth. She loved it. The rejections while the book was in progress I discounted as, hopefully,  that the work wasn’t finished. I decided I would give it six months after it was finished and if it hadn’t been picked up by an agent or publisher I would self publish. I self published through CreateSpace in January 2014.

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

I tried to put a cover together myself but it was awful. I hired a local graphic designer who read the book summary, asked a lot of questions and told me to find book covers on the internet I liked. We worked together for about six weeks and I am thrilled with the result.

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

I started out winging it because; since I had such a great book, I was sure it would sell. Not! Now I am posting on social media a couple times a week, have a blog, pitching top reviewers, using paid but inexpensive advertizing on ebook reader’s sites and doing some speaking to book clubs, libraries and writer’s groups.

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

There is so much to say. I’ve learned so much. First, write what you love. Be passionate about your writing and write every day. Your writing will improve if you work at it. Grow a thick skin. Not everyone is going to like what you write and some of the criticism will hurt, particularly when it gets personal. Read the criticism, see if there is something to be learned and move on. Become involved with a writers group. You can gain insight, improve your writing and get great advice on everything from marketing to writing style- yes even if you should use the Oxford comma. Develop a marketing plan early if going indie. Develop your pitch, practice it over and over and use it on agents, publishers, the mailman, your Auntie Mildred- anyone you can find and refine what you say when asked, “What’s your book about?”. It is all about growth, the more you grow as a person in this field the better writer you will become.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Pittsburgh, PA but we moved to South Florida when my father passed away. I was about six. Growing up within walking distance from the beach gives you a unique perspective on life. Read my next book to find out what that might be.

Where do you live now?

I live in Gainesville, FL a college town in North Central Florida.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’ve always loved to read especially a good mystery, PI story or thriller. Reading led to writing filling my spare time as a kid. After a thirty-year law enforcement career where I served as an investigator, and crime scene analyst, I retired as a Captain. I spent several years pitching cutting edge Intelligence analysis software to law enforcement. I was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in South Florida. I married my college sweetheart. As a twice retired cop and salesman I spend time with my family in Florida and burn the midnight oil writing mysteries, thrillers and detective stories, the stories I love.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a mystery thriller about a PI in Orlando, Fl. He gets caught up in a case involving murder, investment fraud and the threat of nuclear terrorism.

End of Interview:

For more, visit Nick’s website.

Get your copy of Dig Two Graves: Revenge or Honor from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).