Pump Up Your Book Chats with Martin Sharlow author of Shades of Twilight

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Shades of Twilight Virtual Book Tour

Martin Sharlow was always a storyteller. In his youth he used to play roleplaying games and usually he was the game master. That allowed him to create and modify stories and then tell them to his captive audience in the form of a game. Because of this and the many fantasy books he read, Martin went the next step and started writing fantasy novels.

Recently, however, Martin changed genres to vampire romance as he got bitten by the vampire bug. This happened after picking up one of the latest novels and finding himself hooked on it. Today Martin has written three vampire romance novels, and is in the process of writing many more. Martin currently lives in Vancouver, WA with two of his three children, who help to keep him grounded in reality.

You can visit Martin Sharlow at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Martin-Sharlow-Author/125271944164643

http://www.wix.com/targoun/martin

http://twitter.com/Targoun

http://targoun.wordpress.com/

Purchase the book at Amazon;

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

A: It actually came later in life. When I was a child, I use to create games and play them. Later I created whole worlds to play in with other people and also in my mind.

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

A: Editing is the most frustrating. Sometimes it feels like you’re going back and ruining your masterpiece, even if it has to be done. As to the most rewarding. I’d say hearing fans tell me how much they like my characters and the stories I’m telling them. I’m not sure that can be beat.

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’ve been married twice before. I like to think writing is more of a lifestyle, so I really don’t have too much trouble combining it with my home life. My daughter is an aspiring author and my son is starting to pick up the pen. So writing is home. At the moment, I’m an author, and that’s my support.

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: I like to watch movies and read when I have time. I also like to play computer games, such as MMOs. I really don’t have any place special at the moment. I like home, and I relax best there, but I do get out from time to time. Usually to go out and eat or catch a movie. Sometimes we go out to the ocean for the day, or maybe just a relaxing drive up and down the gorge or around town.

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

A: Harry Potter world. That needs to be explained? Lol, I think that being able to immerse yourself in a book in real life has got to be awesome. I went up to Forks for my birthday just to do that. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy it as I was sicker than a dog and can barely remember the trip. Just my luck I had to be the sickest I had ever been in like ten years right then.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: Lol, that’s a hard one. I have some good ones out there. In the end I’d have to say my daughter. Without her I wouldn’t be writing. She’s the one who got me to starting putting my ideas down on paper.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: In front of my computer. That’s in my private spot. Not really private, but it’s my chair and table.

Do you have any pets?

A: No, sadly my dog died last year. It was heart wrenching.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: Lol. Is there such a thing? Now if you had not said the no one else knows part… hm. Can’t think of one. As to one that not that many know, Melissa’s home and work are near mine.

What’s on your to do list today?

A: Getting to work on the sequel for Shades which is turning into another hard one to put out. Fallen Blood series just writes itself. Shades is like pulling teeth.

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: Well at the very least he would escape the island every time he read it. Other than that, maybe he could use it to start a fire with?

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: I think an excerpt from my book would do a better job at selling my book to them. I don’t think my picture would help convince them of anything, except maybe that I’m not going. Hard to say, but I think I’ll stick with my excerpt. As to why? Well the story, that’s why. How could they read it and not give it a chance? =)

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: First off, I’d thank God and my fans for making my book a bestseller. Then I’d thank my kids for spurring me on to write, and I’d thank my mother for believing in me, and of course my best friend, Tina, for helping me to get where we’re at. I’d tell them that Michael would have liked to have been there but he and Melissa had other things to do, so they were sorry for not making it. I’d thank the fans again and tell them to look forward to more of their favorite series in the future.

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

A: An online friend of mine Katie Salidas told me about it. She has used the site several times and had good experiences with it. So I decided to check Pump Up Your Books myself.

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

A: Thank you. It was a pleasure being here.

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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.

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