Pump Up Your Book Chats with Historical Fiction Author Douglas W. Jacobson

Douglas W. Jacobson is an engineer, business owner and World War Two history enthusiast. Doug has traveled extensively in Europe researching stories of the courage of common people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. His debut novel, Night of Flames: A Novel of World War Two was published in 2007 by McBooks Press, and was released in paperback in 2008. Night of Flames won the “2007 Outstanding Achievement Award” from the Wisconsin Library association. Doug has also published articles on Belgium’s WW2 escape organization, the Comet Line and other European resistance organizations. Doug is finishing up his second historical novel set in Europe during WW2, focusing on one of history’s most notorious war crimes.  You can visit his blog at http://douglaswjacobson.blogspot.com or visit him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/douglaswjacob.

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

When I was in the fifth grade our teacher formed a group of us who enjoyed writing horror stories. She would read all of them and send back corrections and also tell us “how frightened she was”.

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

Standardized rejection letters after an agent or publisher has asked to see a few chapters is the most frustrating. If they ask to read something then at the very least they should provide some feedback on what you’ve written. The most rewarding for me was getting published in the first place and then all the interesting people I have met as I’ve done speaking tours and blog tours promoting the book.

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

I am married with two children and seven grandchildren and a day job. Combining the two lives means I shoehorn in the writing whenever I can find the time.

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?

My wife and I love to travel. We have family and grandchildren in Europe which provides a terrific incentive to travel there often and combine book research with leisure time. We also love spending time in Door County, Wisconsin and Longboat key, Florida.

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

Walking on the beach in Longboat key. Why, because right now its 40 degrees and raining in Wisconsin.

Who is your biggest fan?

My wife Janie. She’s a saint and has put up with me for 41 years.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I have a very cluttered office on the second floor, under skylight.

What’s your favorite library and why?

The Milwaukee public library main branch has a terrific World War Two reference and map collection.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

It was Harry W. Schwartz which had five stores in the Milwaukee area but they had to close. There is one location left, now under the name of Boswells on the east side of Milwaukee which is a very friendly place to kick off your shoes and read a bit.

Do you have any pets?

Not at the moment and we’re still going through withdrawal.

What are you reading right now?

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

I voted for Eugene McCarthy in 1968.

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

Whether they ask you something or tell you something.

Have you ever won anything?

Yes, the City Championship in the 100 yard freestyle when I was in high school, the greased pole contest in college, and the “Outstanding Achievement Award” from the Wisconsin Library Association for NIGHT OF FLAMES.

What’s on your to do list today?

Finish this interview and get back to work finishing up my next book.

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

I am a member of the Historical Novel Society and at our most recent convention many other authors were talking about doing virtual book tours.

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

You are welcome. It was my pleasure.