Author Interview with Steve King
The Shrinking Sea book cover
Introducing Steve King
A lot of the authors who request interviews from me come from Goodreads. It's important for authors to support each other, especially in the self-publishing world, and as you will see in the interview below, authors, such as Steve King, rely on sites like Goodreads to gain exposure, give and receive feedback, and even find encouragement to keep at it.
Writing can be a very solitary activity. Luckily, author sites help writers to see the day to day struggles to write, promote, and sell books, struggles that all self-published authors go through.
Below author Steve King answers my 10 questions about his books, writing methods, and career. Be sure to check out his book, The Shrinking Sea.
Steve King
"The Shrinking Sea" Synopsis from Amazon
"...Due to Celeste's having been raised in the Los Angeles lifestyle, she doesn't put a premium on family until she goes through a series of circumstances including a traumatic break up with a popular boy, a car accident resulting in a broken leg, a lengthy rehabilitation, an acute depressive episode, and a bout with alcoholism. A therapeutic intervention sets Celeste on the path towards her trans-Pacific journey to connect with Molly."
The interview
1. How many books have you written and where can you buy them?
I have written three books: The Shrinking Sea, You Can Go Home Again, and Ben and Dave.
2. What famous books can you compare to your own?
The Shrinking Sea compares to The Joy Luck Club and the screenplay, The Namesake. Ben and Dave compares to the screenplay Her. You Can Go Home Again compares to Lassie Come Home.
3. Why do you write for this particular age group?
I really like a good children's story but have only written one so far--I love the imaginations and humor of children. Regarding the ages 18-21, I feel very attuned to this age group because my own experience being those ages were so profound and sensitive for me---as I am sure they are for a lot of people.
4. How autobiographical are your books?
The Shrinking Sea is autobiographical in the sense that I did grow up in the South Bay region of Los Angeles (surfer country) and have now lived in the Philippines for going on three years. Ben and Dave is autobiographical in the sense that I also think my work computer (and home computer) are my enemy sometimes---LOL. You Can Go Home Again is autobiographical in that I once owned some pet mice.
5. What’s the best compliment that you’ve ever received about your writing?
From Barbara Smart: "Enjoyed your book, Steve. I think it would benefit our middle school and high school people (especially females) to read this book. I found this book to be memory and thought provoking, while also being entertaining."
6. What has been your greatest moment as a writer so far?
Receiving compliments from my works on Goodreads---but I think my greatest moments are still coming up.
7. Where do you get your covers?
One, I paid an illustrator to create. Two others, my friends found online.
8. What is a subject/character/setting you would like to tackle?
I have a sequel in mind for The Shrinking Sea but right now, all my energies are consumed with getting my three current works off the ground!
9. What is next for you?
As said in Question #8, I am very busy trying to promote my current works. I am also trying to market a screenplay based on the novel, The Shrinking Sea. I am trying to fix a screenplay for Ben and Dave---right not, it has lots of flaws.
10. Provide a quote from one of your books.
Quote from The Shrinking Sea:
“I see. And more importantly, what makes you think that if you had sex with Scott, that would preclude him from coming on to or having sex with another girl?”
