Pump Up Your Book Chats with Historical Romance Author Greg Messel

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Greg Messel has spent much of his life in the Pacific Northwest living in Portland, Oregon and in the Seattle area since 2008. He has been married to his wife, Carol, for 40 years. Greg and Carol were high school sweethearts just like the couple in “Expiation.” He has lived in Washington, Oregon, California, Utah and Wyoming. Greg grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from high school there and also attended a year of junior college. Greg went to Brigham Young University with Carol and then began a newspaper career in rough and tumble Wyoming town of Rock Springs. Greg and Carol have three married children and nine grandchildren.

Greg has always loved writing. He worked as the news editor and sports editors of the Daily Rocket-Miner newspaper. He won a Wyoming Press Association award for his column. He also submitted and had published articles in various sports magazines. He left the newspaper business in 1981 and began a 27 year career with Pacific Power. Greg retired in 2008 and moved to Seattle.

It was there that he returned to his first love of writing. He has written two unpublished memoirs and published his first novel with Trafford in September 2009. His first novel was called “Sunbreaks.” The second novel “Expiation” was published in the spring of 2010 with Trafford. A third novel is in the works.

Currently, Greg and Carol live on the Puget Sound in Edmonds, Washington, just north of downtown Seattle. They have three adult children who are all married and have nine grandchildren. He also enjoys running, he has been in several races and half marathons.

Visit his website at www.gregmessel.com.

Connect with him at Twitter at www.twitter.com/gregmessel and Facebook at www.facebook.com/greg.messel.

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

I did write stories as a child. In fact, when my grandmother died and we were going through artifacts in her house, I found a small white bag with the name of make-believe newspaper written in crayon. My mother told me that I used to make up a newspaper and write stories. Then I would load my “newspapers” in that small white bag and deliver them by riding my bike to neighbors and relatives. As a teenager I wrote for my high school paper and was a stringer for two real daily newspapers in my hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area. I covered sports events and wrote movie reviews. I thought it was amazing to see my published stories in the newspaper.

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

As a self published author there is a constant struggle to market your book. It is so rewarding when you meet readers at a book signing or get a message on Twitter or Facebook from someone who really loved the story in your novel.

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

I’m married. I have retired recently from corporate life. I now view writing as my new career as so does my wife. I have specific blocks of time each afternoon to do writing or book related work. I feel like I’ve established “office hours” as a writer.

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?

I live by the Puget Sound in Seattle and I love spending time on the beach. I run each morning along the marina and waterfront. I really enjoy running. I love to go the Washington or Oregon coasts for vacations or time away.

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

I love San Francisco and would probably like to spend a couple of hours there anytime. I also couldn’t spend enough time in Paris. Most are magical cities and I feel renewed when I am in either place.

Who is your biggest fan?

My wife.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I have an office with a desk facing the window. I live in a condo and the window by my desk looks out on the streets of the charming beach town, Edmonds, where I live. It is where I do all of my writing.

Do you have any pets?

No

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

Hmmm. I’ve been sued for libel and among my co-defendants was “60 Minutes” and Dan Rather. We were all innocent or at least not guilty. I was eventually dropped because they quickly realized that Dan and CBS had a lot more money than I did.

What’s on your to do list today?

I’m getting ready to leave on a two week vacation. Getting away is wonderful but the day before always makes you wish you weren’t going. I am an avid list maker each day.

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?

My book won’t float so I’m not sure how he could use it to build a raft. However, my book should provide more of an escape than talking to a volleyball.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol 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?

I love my book cover and I could provide them some good excerpts. The author photo is not the strongest part of my presentation.

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?

I would say that the world is a pretty tough and harsh place sometimes. If an author can provide some hours of pleasure or entertainment to those who read my books, then it is worth it. In trying to write and writer well, it makes me really appreciate truly great writers both living and dead. My goal has been to be classified as an author.

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

It seems to be a great tool to tap into the immense world of book blogs. There are more literary blogs than stars in the sky. There are some excellent bloggers and I really respect them. It gives me a great opportunity to become part of that world, give some interviews, get some reviews and connect with potential new readers.

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

Thank you so much for the opportunity.

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Aiken Brown, SON OF A SOLDIER

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Shami Stovall, KNIGHTMARE ARCANIST

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Bacon Press Books

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Karen-Anne Stewart, ASH TO STEELE

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Lauren Carr, Best-Selling Mystery Author of Mac Faraday, and Lovers in Crime, Mysteries

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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