Pump Up Your Book Chats with Sean Vogel author of Celtic Run

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Celtic Run Book Tour

About Sean Vogel

Growing up in a small town in Michigan during the 1980s, Sean was provided with an excellent garden for cultivating his writing career. With only a few simplistic video games and three television channels, he became an accomplished daydreamer and a creative outside adventurer.

A son of a garbage truck driver, Sean often received “gently used” items from his father’s route. With a bit of imagination and a little tinkering, these items were reborn as tools for battles against backyard bandits. These childhood experiences would later serve as the foundation and inspiration for Jake McGreevy’s gadgetry expertise.

Seeking his own adventures, Sean joined the Army via an ROTC scholarship at Colorado State University. Living in Germany for several years gave him the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe. During his time in the Army, he served in the Field Artillery and Signal Corp, rising to the rank of Captain and receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq.

Sean started drafting novels out of boredom during long deployments in the military; a pen is easier to carry than a guitar. But he soon fell in love with the satisfying yet frustrating science called writing and has been hard at work ever since.

When he’s not helping Jake get out of tangles, Sean is a department manager for a large aerospace company. He lives in Denver with his wife, daughter, and their two dachshunds.

www.seanvogel.com

www.facebook.com/seanvogelauthor

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

A: I did some writing as a child. I remember writing a short story that was published in our church’s magazine. I recall how proud I was to receive the check for fifteen dollars. However, I never really planned to or thought I would become a writer. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I attempted writing with any serious effort.

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

A: Like many authors, I find the agent/publisher query process frustrating. Books are art, and art is subjective, so there is no set formula to follow to guarantee success. As a result, there is an element of luck in finding the right person who’s interested in your story at the same time that there is a market for it.

The most rewarding experience has been the editing and re-writing process. My publisher, Margie Blumberg, and editor, Emma Walton Hamilton, have been terrific to work with. They provide feedback on issues with scenes and we discuss and implement different approaches.

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

A: I am married with a newborn daughter, which is testing my ability to multi-task. I write either in the evening or while traveling. I have terrific support from my wife, who, even before I was published, supported my writing. I think a key is establishing a rhythm where you have a set writing time. Even just thirty minutes a day can keep the momentum and help you meet deadlines.

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 walk on the trails behind our house or get my hands dirty with home improvement projects. My wife and I like to vacation in a variety of places. We lived in Europe for three years and enjoyed every opportunity to see the sights. The Jake McGreevy series will always include some rich and interesting locations. Spurring readers’ imaginations through the exploration of our world is the foundation of my writing. As for personal favorites, Paris is at the top of our list, but even small day trips into the mountains of Colorado are a great distraction to life’s daily pressures.

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

A: I would be sitting on the bank of the River Seine in Paris eating a croquet-monsieur and drinking a soda. I have many fond memories of trips to the City of Light. My wife and I especially love art and architecture. The Musée d’Orsay, Versailles, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower—everywhere we go in Paris, there’s something special to do and learn.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: That’s a tough question. I would have to say my wire-haired dachshund, Maggie. She’s my writing partner; she comes and sits on my foot as I type away. However, she doesn’t help much when I need to talk through a scene, so my wife, Sara, is also a fan and a helpful critic.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: I have a desk in our guest bedroom where I normally work. Eventually, I’d like to set up a man cave in our unfinished basement, but I’ll need to sell a few more books before that becomes a reality.

Do you have any pets?

A: We have two dogs: The aforementioned wire-haired dachshund and a miniature short-haired dachshund.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: My taste in music is quite eclectic. I enjoy everything from chants to ‘70s disco to heavy metal.

What’s on your to do list today?

A: Changing diapers, household chores, writing book two, and researching book three. And did I mention changing diapers?

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: In the book, Jake uses everyday household items and toys to create gadgets and weapons to assist him in the hunt for the treasure and to battle the crooks. Reading how Jake takes objects and finds a different purpose for them could help spur Tom’s imagination to turn the miscellaneous gear he has into a speedboat.

You just got word that your book has received the 2012 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 whom would you thank?

A: I think I would talk about never giving up on your dreams and having the passion to make something beautiful in life. The list of those to thank would be longer than the time allotted to award winners, but it would start with my wife, parents, critique group, publisher, and editor.

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

A: Having witnessed the evolution of the Internet, I understand the ability and the power it possesses. Library readings and school visits are still vitally important, but the bloggers and the social media outlets can reach thousands as compared to the dozens I can reach in person.

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

A: Many thanks for this opportunity! It’s been a pleasure.

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Karen-Anne Stewart, ASH TO STEELE

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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