Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing my first novel late, in my late 30s: The Silent Partner. I won a few book awards for it and gave away as many copies as were sold. Critical Habitat is novel number two and I’m currently working to help it find its audience. Or help its audience find Critical Habitat. Really is a crazy process.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Critical Habitat. It started with my fascination with honey bees and what would happen if the world lost them. I love action-adventure stories, and I suppose both good ones and bad ones inspired me to write this one. Books and movies. Franchises, too. It was supposed to be one book but the story became bigger and honestly, out of hand. So as of now Critical Habitat is a three-book series and I’m elated Book 1 is finally, after six years, being published.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I’ll dig into a scene after a workout where–whether during a run or a weightlifting set, I discovered a new sequence or solution to a story problem. While still sweating in gym clothes. Is that unusual, I don’t know. Gotta do what ya gotta do.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole. Brilliant top to bottom. Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, due to its dark poetry. Jeff VanderMeer’s Borne, which is underrated and beautiful.
What are you working on now?
Critical Habitat Books 2 & 3. Am about to do 2’s sixth draft. I’m doing the work and there’s much more to do. It’s cheaper than therapy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Am still figuring that out! Evaluating options itself is a chore and takes away precious writing time. But I’d start with where the readers are.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be authentic to yourself and resilient. Don’t follow trends, create your own path but know the rules. Then you can bend them, break them, whatever you wanna do.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just sit in the chair and write. It’s very easy for aspiring writers and semi-aspiring writers to talk about what they’re gonna do, and many never dig in. This was great advice.
What are you reading now?
Three Assassins by Kotaro Isaka. I heartily recommend if you are into the genre.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Polishing the Critical Habitat Book 2 manuscript and getting back to writing Book 3. There are a lot of details to keep straight, too many notes to keep straight. I’ve got to ensure the stakes are raised and there is something new in subsequent volumes. The reveals and escalation of the story’s scale are both challenging and fun.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Absolutely, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. The only book I’ve read more than three times, that inspired me to write, provided me the audacity to write. Critical Habitat would not exist without it.
Author Websites and Profiles
Terrence King Website
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