Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an avid baseball fan who also has a deep interest in history, particularly World War II. I started writing in 1979 when an op-ed iece on the Orioles was published by the Baltimore Sun, and I haven’t been able to shake the writing bug since.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Boys We Knew, a coming of age novel set during World War II is the second in The Secret of Their Midnight Tears series. It was inspired by the recognition of what it must have been like for my parents when they were young.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t believe it’s unusual, but I am not an outliner! I like to create characters, put them in situations, and then see what they do.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My first–and current–favorite author is Mark Twain, who had the best command of the language as anyone who has ever written.
What are you working on now?
The as-yet-to-be-named third installment of The Secret of Their Midnight Tears. This will follow the protagonists from D-Day through the end of the war and beyond.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a best method; I try to use them all! Promotional sites, blogs, tweets, FB posts, e-mails, and I like to do personal appearances whenever possible. Don’t overlook the local service clubs who are always looking for speakers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Know why it is you are writing. If it is because you have a story for which the Universe has for some reason made you the story-teller, then write. If you’re doing it to sell books or be famous, just stop now and save yourself much grief. Look after the story and not yourself.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write it all down, then go back and cut out the boring parts.
What are you reading now?
Just finished David McCullough’s bio of Truman. Great book about a great President, who was also a regular-old great guy.
What’s next for you as a writer?
That is a good question! The honest answer is that I’m not sure beyond Book#3 in The Secret of Their Midnight Tears series.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Huckleberry Finn and Patriots by A. J. Langguth, which is an account of the American Revolution
Author Websites and Profiles
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