Pump Up Your Book Chats with Daren Krupa Author of Such A Nice Boy

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Such a Nice Boy Virtual Book Tour

A native of New York State Krupa grew up in Phoenix and worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, waiter and telemarketer. At least a dozen novels have presented themselves throughout his life. Such a Nice Boy is the second he wrote and the first to be published. Krupa lives in the Sonoran desert. You can visit him at his website http://www.suchaniceboy.com/

Thank you for this interview, Daren. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

A: When I was nine I wrote a diary of my family’s trip from New York State to Arizona. When I was in high school my dad had me write the newsletter for a local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (he built his own airplane). As a copyboy for The Arizona Republic I wrote a front page story 3-5 times a week for two years: the weather ear of thirty words or less. “Fair and warmer tomorrow with highs in the low 80s…” Some of my most original stuff.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A: Most frustrating: Expecting to be published through an agent/publisher. Most rewarding: going through the self-publishing process. I’m glad I learned to self-publish, and will no doubt continue to learn.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?

A: I’m single. I suppose it made writing Such a Nice Boy easier. I’ve had good support from my relatives and friends, but after a few years and no visible progress they weren’t sure. Some even suggested I get a day job. I can’t blame them. You end up as your own best source of support. That has to be. In writing Such a Nice Boy I learned how determined I am.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: Since I began writing Such a Nice Boy my life has changed in a big way. But so would anyone’s life after eleven years. For the first eight years I exercised, as I had most of my life. I hiked, swam and lifted weights. When I started having back trouble exercise ended and my world shrank. Between 51 and 62 you age big time. Also I’m a lot less “social” than I was because of my back. If you’re lucky you will allow yourself to roll with growing older. I was lucky I had a story to write. To answer your question I vacation little. A friend suggested that as a fiction writer I’m already on vacation. I vacation to see friend and relatives in Arizona and the West.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: Mountains or beach. It’s summer in Phoenix.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: Me. Every successful author has to feel that way to do the work. It’s essential. But if I step back and look at myself I can see that living solo all my life has given me a more solitary perspective. Alan the main character in Such a Nice Boy is like me in that respect.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: My office/studio. It has a window looking out on an atrium with plants and a bit of sky. The room is decorated with photographs and art that inspire me.

Do you have any pets?

A: No pets but I’m personal friends with more dogs and cats than humans.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: I was once so afraid of writing that I missed major English assignments in grade school and high school.

What’s on your to do list today?

A: I need to proofread Such a Nice Boy for an electronic publisher and call friends and relatives. I also need to update my e-mail list for forthcoming Such a Nice Boy press releases.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

A: It wouldn’t, but I like to think reading it would make him forget he was stranded.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

A: An excerpt, although I think the book cover is a grabber. An excerpt even if I looked like Matt Damon, or Clint Eastwood when he was twenty. In literature it’s about the writing.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?

A: My editors because as Stephen King once wrote, to write is human, to edit divine. Editors got me here. They’re essential to good stories. It’s a fact of life.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in July via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: The Internet/blogosphere/social networks are as essential to publishing success as editors are to a well-written story. I was referred to PUYB by a veteran editor.

Thank you for this interview, Daren. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Such-a-Nice-Boy

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach