Pump Up Your Book Chats with Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony (MA) seemed destined to serve from the day he was born. The youngest of seven children, Michael has four brothers and two sisters, all but one of whom joined the military. His father and two grandfathers were also in the Military.

After graduating high school, he joined the Army Reserves, went through basic training, and then went through job training to become an Operating Room Medic. One year later he returned home and enrolled in college to begin his first semester. Almost immediately upon finishing his first semester he was shipped off to Wisconsin to train for four months before he would leave and spend his next year in Iraq. Michael is now back in the States and working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in creative writing.

You can visit his website at www.masscasualties.com

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

Michael: As a child, I always wanted to be a writer, but I never actually thought I could be a writer. I spent my teenage years writing books and screenplays and it wasn’t until five years later when I was 21, where I actually decided to buckle down and focus on my dream of becoming a writer. My first published piece is my book: Mass Casualties: A Young Medic: True Story of Death, Deception, and Dishonor in Iraq. It is a memoir of my time in Iraq, and what it’s really like.

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

Michael: The most frustrating part is promoting the book. Once you become published you think its clear sailing from there, but it’s not. You’ve got to get out there and work tirelessly to promote the book.

Mass Casualties (click on cover to purchase for gift giving!)

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

A: I have a girlfriend and she is very supportive. Other girls I had dated and I’ll tell them I wanted to be a writer and they’ll be like: Oh great, but what are you REALLY going to do or What are you going to do when that doesn’t work out?  My girlfriend now was the first one that just said great, let’s do it. Get to work then!  She is just a supportive machine.

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?

Michael: For fun I like to just take it slow and hang out with friends and family. I enjoy playing basketball, and just hanging out watching reruns of Seinfeld. I don’t really vacation; the beach maybe is my favorite spot.

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

Michael: Hollywood, so I could try and sell a script for Mass Casualties.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

Michael: On the computer in my brother’s bedroom. I’ve only got a laptop and he’s got a desktop, so I enjoy typing on his better.

Do you have any pets?

Michael: My brother rescued a dog from a shelter and he works a lot, whereas I stay at home and write, so I look after it most of the time, so I guess that makes it my dog. She’ll a Chow, and her name is Foxy.

What are you reading right now?

A: Nothing. I can’t read something when I’m working on a writing project of my own. I recently read however a book about the initial invasion of Iraq.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

Michael: When I was in basic training for the Army, I once went seven days without going to the bathroom (number 2).

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

Michael: Their clothes.

Have you ever won anything?

Michael: I won a football trophy in 4th grade.

What’s on your to do list today?

Michael: Dinner at my parent’s house. Reply to emails. Do this book interview. Dinner with the girlfriend. Do homework for school.

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

Michael: I’ve got to promote the book everywhere and spread the word, which includes in real life and virtual life.

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

Michael: Thank you, and please, anyone interested in finding more out about what it’s like to be in a war, please go to my website: www.MassCasualties.com

If you’d like to visit Michael’s official tour page, click here.