Rick Chesler: Wired Kingdom

This contest is closed. The winners are:

Carol M
Margie

If you didn't win, you can always pick up a copy of Wired Kingdom at your local bookstore or online at the Official Number One Novels Amazon Bookstore.

Here's how to enter this week's contest for a chance to win one of two autographed copies of Rick Chesler's debut novel, Wired Kingdom:

1. Leave a comment after the interview. (+1)
2. Follow the blog and let me know in the comments after the interview. If you're already a follower, please remind me. (+1)
3. Post about NON (mentioning "Number One Novels") on your own blog and leave me the link. (+1)
4. Tweet about this interview and contest (mentioning "Number One Novels") and leave me the link. (+1)
5. Purchase something from the Official Number One Novels Amazon Bookstore* and let me know the date and name of your purchase. (+10 per purchase!)

* The Number One Novels Amazon Bookstore has two main tabs: "NON Original Titles" contains all the debut novels of authors interviewed on this site; "NON-Recommended Sequels, eBooks, and Audio Books" contains all the works of authors interviewed on NON, including subsequent novels published after their debut novel as well as audio and eBook versions.

With all comments, be sure to leave me an email address at which I can contact you. The winner will be selected randomly and notified next Monday. This contest is open in the United States ends at midnight on Sunday, August 22.



Title: Wired Kingdom

Author: Rick Chesler
Publisher: Variance Publishing / Deviation Books
Mass Market Paperback: 429 pages
ISBN: 1935142070
eBook ISBN: ASIN: B003NSBSHU

Number One Novels: Congratulations on the publication of your first book! Tell me a little about it—what's your pitch?


Rick Chesler: Thank you very much, and thanks for having me on the blog! Wired Kingdom is a thriller about a whale tagged with a webcam that broadcasts a murder at sea.

“When a murder at sea is caught on camera, the hunt begins.”

NON: How did you get the idea for your novel?

RC: I have a degree in marine biology and have always been fascinated by the ocean. I wanted to combine that interest with Web 2.0 and reality TV to come up with a high-tech, whodunit murder mystery for the Internet era.

NON: No two authors seem to take the same route to publication, but almost every author has an interesting story about their journey. How did you get published? Did you use an agent? How did you find out that your book had sold?

RC: I sold Wired Kingdom directly to small press Variance Publishing (for publication on their paperback imprint, Deviation Books) after being referred to them from Meg and Grim Reaper author Steve Alten. I found out it sold when I received an e-mail from the publisher stating they wanted to buy it and that a contract was on the way in the mail.

NON: I think that names say a lot about a person, especially a fictional person. How did you decide on your protagonist’s full name? Did you have any other names that were in the running?

RC: FBI Special Agent Tara Shores….her title is self-explanatory, and since she has a fear of water, so is her last name. I also just liked the sound of the name, and I didn’t want a very long one since I knew I’d have to type it a lot! I don’t think I ever had any other serious contenders for that name.

NON: Do you have another book in the works?

RC: A second Tara Shores thriller is now in the works. I can’t say much more than that at this time, except that it is not a sequel to Wired Kingdom, although is the second book in a series.

NON: What's your writing routine? Do you write in the mornings, nights, daily, or when the mood strikes you?

RC: Nighttime is the right time. When I’m writing a first draft, I write every night. I work during the day at my regular job, so night is the best time for me; I also like it because it’s quiet and free of distractions. If I’m not actually writing a manuscript, I try to come up with potential new story ideas, concepts and hooks every night.

NON: What’s your favorite way to procrastinate?

RC: Going to the beach! I also play a bit of ukulele.

NON: What’s your favorite non-essential item on your desk?

RC: The scrimshaw sperm whale’s tooth I got in Lahaina, Maui.

NON: What are you currently reading?

RC: Eurostorm by Payne Harrison.