Interview with Hawk MacKinney, INANNA PHANTOM

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book?

Inanna Phantom, Vol III of the Cairns of Sainctuarie Science Fiction Series

Jupiterr Base has expanded, as archeological discoveries on other Lantaraan orbital bodies in the Solaris system had documented the fourth planet from its Solaris star to be a sterile wasteland. Except it was not. Since then Terato and Eorthe formed the confederated United Terran League under the nominal figurehead of League High Judikarr Eklam a’Qoc. Civil unrest in the League involves the League High Judikarr a’Qoc as mediator. As he is pushed to marshal the League with their Murian allies to prepare for possible confrontations with an unknown ancient enemy, internal tensions on Myr and Eorthe confront Murians and Teratoans with clandestine political discord, seeking power at any cost.

Is it part of a series?

Yes. Inanna Phantom, Vol-III in The Cairns of Sainctuarie Science Fiction Series. It follows Vol-I, The Bleikovat Event, and Vol-II, The Missing Planet.

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one?

Yes

Did that change the direction of the novel at all?

Not the direction, but it expanded the plot.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?

I self-published the first book I ever wrote many years ago primarily because I wanted to learn as much as I could about the business of publishing. After that I found an agent who has successfully placed all of my work with a traditional, royalty-paying publisher.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract?

Decades

Was it for your first novel?

No, but “first novel” doesn’t make sense with this writer with at least two manuscripts & sometimes 4 or more going at the same time. Let it rest. Edit something. Come back fresh.

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish?

I am working strictly with a traditional publisher, and he has first option to publish all of my future books. This works well for me because it frees up my time to do what I enjoy most – WRITE!

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover? 

Designer – yes. Involved – very little, although I can make suggestions. The designer is the expert and I have never been disappointed.

What is your writing process?

Early, way before 5 am. Do you listen to music or do you like silence? Silence

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

Both, but a very specific ‘both’. I make a lot of notes as I am fleshing out the story and characters.

Besides Amazon, are there any other sites where your books are for sale?

All of my books are available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, my publisher’s web site, eBook, and some of the European markets.

What kinds of marketing [twitter, facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for promoting your books?

Social media platforms that target readers of the type of books I write (primarily mystery/suspense and science fiction), radio, announcements to libraries and bookstores, book tours and author events.

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?

No, I budget time for both.

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

Yes - libraries & all the doors they open.

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer:

dogs or cats?                        dogs

Chocolate or vanilla?            French vanilla with Southern Comfort crème

Coffee or Tea?                        a.m. -coffee/p.m. - tea

Talk or Text?                        text

Day or Night?                        Sundown to dusk

What’s next for you?

Rough editing the next sci-fi title is already underway as well as the final edit on Book 5 in the Moccasin Hollow Mystery Series I am writing.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Hawk has authored several works of fiction including a historical romance Moccasin Trace which was nominated for both the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction and the Writers Notes Book Award. His Cairns of Sainctuarie Science Fiction Series and his Moccasin Hollow Mystery Series have received national and international attention.

With postgraduate degrees and faculty positions in several medical universities, Hawk MacKinney has taught graduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem. His professional writing includes articles on chordate neuroembryology, and aerospace research on muscle metabolic behavior in multi-orbital environments.

www.hawkmackinney.net

Book Video: https://youtu.be/MUnhN8U0Zp0

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ HawkMacKinney

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/698008.Hawk_MacKinney

Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Inanna-Phantom-Cairns-Sainctuarie-Book-ebook/dp/B07Y2DQRT3/ref=sr_1_1

Barnes&Noble.com: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/inanna-phantom-hawk-mackinney/1133914447?ean=9781732918252

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

Hawk MacKinney will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway