Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently work as a software developer, however, have been writing off and on in various genres since I was in the 3rd grade. Since that time, I have primarily written short stories and works of poetry, with various other story ideas in various stages of progress. My latest completed work, AWAKENING, is my first full length novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest work is SO GOES LOVE, a short story companion to my recently published science fiction adventure novel AWAKENING and available to read for free at https://jacobcallcut.com/so-goes-love. As with many of my works, both of these pieces were inspired by family and friends, in particular my daughter at a time when she was exploring the many opportunities before her and starting down that path of discovering who she really wanted to be as a person. I found her boldness refreshing, and her persistence at achieving her goals admirable. I wrote AWAKENING as way to capture that spirit and inspire others to be their true selves.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
There are many prescribed writing methods, but I have found that I am most productive, and imaginative, when I abandon rigidness and let the piece take me where it needs to go. This, on the surface, is perhaps not so “unusual”, except that it is counter to many of the other aspects of my life where I prefer to have a (at least, somewhat) structured plan and course of action. As such, I can sometimes find this writing approach frustrating. For example, at times this free style results in my characters being painted into corners that I’ll struggle for days, weeks, sometimes months trying to figure out how to work them out of (in a believable way). Resolving such dilemmas, however, a not only personally satisfying, but have resulted in higher quality prose and stories for my readers.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have had the pleasure of reading many artful authors over the years and look forward to many more in the future. Three of my most favorite and greatest inspirations have long been Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, and Arthur C. Clark. Reading any of these three in my youth, my mother would often have to come into my room and demand my attention after having fruitlessly called me for dinner multiple times or remind me to turn out my light and “get to bed”, for school would be coming early in the morning. All these years later, a good author can still draw me so far in that the world around me gives way to the world they’ve created.
What are you working on now?
Amongst various short stories and side-projects, I am busy writing my second full length novel, TGoGF. The story is a magical fantasy about a brother and sister who are on converging paths that will force each to find new strengths within and make choices they never thought possible of themselves. Most critical of all, they will need to decide what is each willing to sacrifice for the life of the other, and for the very existence of all of world-kind. Mor information about this and all my latest works and updates can be found at www.jacobcallcut.com.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have not found any one site that stands out as the “best”, but Goodreads (www.goodreads.com) has been a good site for general exposure. The most comprehensive exposure, however, comes through the use of multiple sites and outlets concurrently as each has its own strength and weaknesses.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The most significant advice I offer new authors is to make sure you write for the right reason, whatever that reason is for you, or you will be quickly disappointed by the realities of the modern digital/self-publishing world.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To read and apply the guidance given in LOOKING OUT FOR #1 by Robert Ringer.
What are you reading now?
I recently finished REBECCA by Daphne du Maurier and expect to read PAST TENSE (A Jack Reacher Novel) by Lee Child next.
What’s next for you as a writer?
In the near term, to focus on completing my second novel, TGoGF. Thereafter, I intend to work on additional short story and a novel-length follow-ups to AWAKENING.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL by Robert Heinlein. I cannot say exactly why, as many consider this novel one of Heinlein’s lesser quality stories, but at the time I first read this story, it connected with me in a way that has stuck many, many years later.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jacob Callcut Website
Jacob Callcut Amazon Profile
Jacob Callcut’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile