A Perfect 10 (Bonus Edition) with Andrew Joyce

In this bonus edition of A Perfect 10, I have the pleasure of featuring Author Andrew Joyce.

Please enjoy this special installment of A Perfect 10

If you want to check out past interviews, you can find them in the following links:

A.C. Flory, Steve Boseley, Kayla Matt, Mae Clair, Jill Sammut, Deanna Kahler, Dawn Reno Langley, John Howell, Elaine Cougler, Jan Sikes, Nancy Bell, Nick Davis, Kathleen Lopez, Susan Thatcher, Charles Yallowitz, Armand Rosamilia, Tracey Pagana, Anna Dobritt, Karen Oberlaender, Deby Fredericks, Teri Polen, Darlene Foster, Robert Rayner, C.C. Naughton, Sherry Rentshler, Linda Bradley, Luna St. Clair, Joan Hall, Staci Troilo, Allan Hudson, Robert Eggleton, Paul Scott Bates, P.C. Zick, Joy Lennick, Patrick Roland, Mary Carlomagno, Kathleen Jowitt, Michele Jones, J. Bliss, Maline Carroll, Alethea Kehas, Angelique Conger, Colin Guest, Rebekkah Ford

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

I would have to say neither. I like to write, but it’s just something I do so I won’t go crazy.

Do you ever write under a pseudonym? If not have you considered it? Why or why not?

I’m writing under a pseudonym now. As to why, well, that’s easy … it makes it harder for the cops to find me.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers? Why or why not?

I don’t know about a big ego. I haven’t one even though my writing surpasses Shakespeare, Steinbeck, and Hemingway’s combined.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Bookbub. I sold well over 3,300 copies of one of my books in one day using them. And the second time I used them (for the same book), it was 3,500 in one day.

What does writing success look like to you? Have you achieved it?

Writing success (for me) is if most of the people who read my stuff, like my stuff. And yes, I have achieved it.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? What sources do you use?

Okay, this is gonna be a long answer because I take my research seriously. I write mostly historical novels and the research has to be spot-on. First, I’ll read as many books as I can lay my hands on concerning my subject matter … both fiction and nonfiction. Then I’ll search out old newspaper articles that reported on the events I’m interested in. I also seek out dairies written by people who participated in those events. It’s not easy finding some of that stuff, but it’s gotta be done.

As to a time frame … I’ll spend maybe a month or two doing my research before I start writing. But that is not the end of it. As I’m writing, I’m continuously researching as the book progresses.

I was recently interviewed on YouTube concerning my research. For anyone who might be interested on the finer details of how to do research for a book, here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kxkHCZMQI&feature=youtu.be

How do you select the names of your characters? Have you ever regretted choosing a particular name? Why?

When I’m reading and come across an interesting name, I’ll write it down for future reference. I never use the full name. I’ll combine a first and last name from two I have on my list. The names are always real. When writing historical novels, one has to be sure to use names that were prevalent in that time frame.

What is the hardest type of scene to write?

I have never thought about that. But I would have to say it would be a scene that you know nothing about.

If you could have dinner with four people, living or dead, who would they be and what would you want to ask them?

Jesus – Were you married? Did you have children? Was the resurrection for real?
Jack London – I’d ask him about his addiction to drugs and how it affected his writing.
JFK – From your present vantage point, can you tell me who killed you? And what was the deal with Jack Ruby?
My great-grandfather, Andrew Joyce. Please tell me all you know about our family history.

What platform has brought you the most success in marketing your books?

Bookbub. They are expensive and I was accepted only because my big-time agent put in the request. Since my agent and I have parted ways, they have not accepted numerous requests to promote my books. They work mostly with big publishers. Next to them, I would have to say that eReader News Today gives you the most bang for the buck.

Andrew’s Book:

About Andrew:

Andrew Joyce left high school at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until years later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written five books. His first novel, Redemption: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, was awarded the Editors’ Choice Award for Best Western of 2013. A subsequent novel, Yellow Hair, received the Book of the Year award from Just Reviews and Best Historical Fiction of 2016 from Colleen’s Book Reviews.

Joyce now lives aboard a boat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his dog, Danny, where he is busy working on his next book, tentatively entitled, Mahoney: An American Story.