AJ Anthony Interview Published on: 25, Apr 2023
What hobby do you miss most from your childhood? Why?
Making Hot Wheels & Matchbox cities and playing with the cars or just playing baseball in a park or football on our neighborhood street until it got dark. Do kids even do that anymore? It was such an innocent and carefree time.
Were you an avid reader as a child? Do you still read books?I read my fair share. I liked comic books, sci-fi, and a lot of encyclopedias, believe it or not.
I don’t read as much as I would like these days, but I do get to quite a few in the course of being an audiobook narrator.
What inspired you to become a writer? At what age did you write your first book? Did it get published?I had accumulated over 15 years of experiences in bartending in a variety of establishments, and I felt they would be interesting to share and incorporate into a semi-fictional novel. I started late at 61, and was published at 62. This should be a sign to anyone that it’s never too late to start.
How did your career in graphic design begin?I was in the bar business at the time doing promotions and it was a natural progression from marketing especially with advent of the personal computer. I jumped right on board.
What made you publish the novel, Relatos de un Bar - La Historia de un Cantinero Vol. 1 in Spanish?The Spanish market is a huge and a market that should never be ignored. All of my future works will also be available in Spanish. FYI, there is also a Spanish version of Bar Tales for Audible.
What was your strategy while writing your book, Bar Tales?It started as a TV pilot. I entered it into several contests, but the judges were having a hard time getting the full concept, so I decided to expand it into a complete story. My ultimate goal is still to have it made into a series or movie.
How important are the data of your book sales for you? Are you using any services for book sales tracking?The data is obviously important as it guides your future marketing strategies. I don’t use any particular service for tracking.
Which is more critical, mastering sales or having a billion-dollar idea?I’m an idea man, but ideas seldom see fruition without effective marketing. It’s a lot easier said then done.
Do you have any kind of weird or unusual habit or talent that only those close to you know about?I am a very good mimic. I can do a lot of funny sounds and impersonations. I put that talent into my voice over work.
What was your reaction when you received your first book review from a reader?There is a special feeling of accomplishment. It tugs right at the heart. They’re like crack for authors.
Who are the people that have influenced you as an author? Are you inspired by any other author specifically?Michael Crichton was probably the biggest influence to me as an author. I appreciated the varied types of stories he manufactured, the research that was put into each work and the unexpected twists and turns he always seemed to come up with.
How did your life change when you launched your first book?It really didn’t change that much. I was a bit of a minor celebrity to my circle of friends and family.
What strategic advice do you have for someone before he/she begins writing a book?There are no shortcuts, I don’t believe that structured schedules work for everyone, including me. It takes time to do it right, with a lot of revisions and editing. I like to start with outlining the broad strokes into chapters and fill in the body later.
What are you currently working on? When can we expect a new book?My current WIP is Bar Tales – A Bartenders Story Volume 2 and I’m hoping to have it out the last quarter of 2023. Preorder soon!
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?It’s been great. I appreciate the forum and connections with other authors.
