I just sent $19.95 to the Idea Factory in Camden, NJ and they sent me a whole packet of ideas. This was the best one.
Tony DiGerolamo – 12 March 2020
The Back Flap
From the creator of the Jersey Devil comic book comes a story about four cousins cursed by their ancestors, brought together by destiny and trying to keep South Jersey from going to Hell.
In 1732, Mother Leeds gave birth to the infamous Jersey Devil, which has roamed the Pine Barrens ever since.
Or so the story goes…
The truth is, Mother Leeds was a witch and opened the portals to Hell unleashing hundreds of devils into woods. But the villagers next door in Abe’s Hat noticed and formed a secret hunting society to track down the fiends and send them back to the Abyss. Their descendants continue the Hunt in secret to this day.
So grab your pork roll, put on your Piney Power hat and join the hunt, because the Galloway cousins are coming to save you whether you like it or not.
About the book
What is the book about?
The Pineys is about the real legend of the Jersey Devil. Legend has it, Mother Leeds gave birth to a horrible monster in the 1730’s, cursed it and it became a devil that’s been haunting the South Jersey Pine Barrens ever since. What actually happened was that Mother Leeds was a witch and she opened the portals of Hell flooding the Pine Barrens with hundreds of Hellish minions.
This did not go unnoticed by the villagers in nearby Abe’s Hat. They formed a secret society to hunt down the devils and send them back to Hell. In present day, the descendents continue the Hunt from their Hunting Lodge. The extended Galloway family have kept the hunt going for over 250 years.
When did you start writing the book?
For a while. Sometime in 2018, I guess.
How long did it take you to write it?
Generally, a book this size takes me about two to four months depending on how distracted I am.
Where did you get the idea from?
I just sent $19.95 to the Idea Factory in Camden, NJ and they sent me a whole packet of ideas. This was the best one.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
My only struggle is money and time. Never enough of either for me.
What came easily?
The topic was easy because it takes place in South Jersey, where I live and have lived most of my life.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I modeled some of the mental states (at least initially) after some of the relatives in my extended family. They quickly changed over time though, although my extended family is a great inspiration for the books.
Do you have a target reader?
Anyone that likes a good story that’s funny and entertaining. I guess if I had to nail it down, I would say that I want The Pineys to be in every household in South Jersey.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I drink a lot of iced tea. Eventually, I’m vibrating too fast to type, but before that I get a lot done.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Yeah. I like to come up with an ending and then do a rough outline. I’m not married to it though. It often changes.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I usually get about 2/3 of the way through, then figure out how I’m going to work in the ending, then go back and do a more polished pass of the beginning and bang it out until the end.
Did you hire a professional editor?
No. Grammarly works just fine.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I do. It depends on the project. For the Pineys, it’s Sabotage by the Beastie Boys.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Not anymore. Agents are more for writers that have so much work, they need someone to sort through the offers.
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’ve written books and all sorts of things professionally. The royalties are tame and the publishers often drop the ball on promotion. Since I’m doing all the work myself (including promotion) I’d rather just self-publish. With Amazon’s current deal, I make out better on the royalties.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
Since I work with a ton of comic book artists, I was able to get some top-notch art. And since I publish comics and webcomics, putting together the layout in Photoshop is no big deal for me.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I mainly promote the Pineys in South Jersey where I live and online.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Write a good book. Don’t publish it unless it’s good.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Lindenwold, NJ
Where do you live now?
Laurel Springs, NJ
What would you like readers to know about you?
Honestly, I want the readers to know that I work very hard on my books and that I put myself in them. Harlan Ellison once described the creative process as “Just open a vein.” and it’s true. You have to dig deep. I’m digging readers and I need your help. I need you to buy my books and review them online. Talk about them and tell your friends.
Also, visit me online:
Super Frat (my other webcomic)
What are you working on now?
Book 6 of The Pineys, which is about a notorious historical figure coming back to life. Also, a sequeal to my political satire, Wokeistan: A Novel, which I co-wrote with Christian Beranek. That’s available here and I just finished the audio book, which should be approved soon.
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Book 1 of the Pineys, My Cousin, The Piney, from Amazon US or Amazon UK.