Monday, September 9, 2013

What Cats Are Asking Alex J. Cavanaugh About CassaStorm

For the first time we decided to flip the tables. Instead of polling cats for their opinion, we decided to let them ask the questions. This time they wanted to interview Alex J. Cavanaugh about the final book in his trilogy, CassaStorm.


'Sir Reginald Plumperdink'


SRP: You're just about to see your third book, 'CassaStorm' published, is your excitement as great or greater than with your first book's release?

Alex: It’s a different kind of excitement, filled with relief that I actually managed to write three books. It was exciting with CassaStar because it was the first book and I didn't know what to expect. (That was probably a good thing.) This one is exciting because I’m wrapping up the series and hope to send it out with a bang. (If it whimpers, I’m in trouble.)


SRP: Are you going to eat that? [Points at keyboard]

Alex: No, but neither are you. Want some Hot Tamales instead?


'Mrs. Kisses'


MK: How long do you let a story build in your mind before starting to write?

Alex: Usually a month or two. Then I spend a month or two on the outline. Sometimes longer! CassaStorm took almost five months to plan and only four to write and revise.


MK: I'm thinking of penning my own book, 'Angry: An Autobiography'. Any advice for a first time writer?

Alex: Yes, remember that the keyboard is not to be eaten.



'The Duchess Gary Cooper'


GC: You've said you're stopping for a while, focusing more on music. If you should get the hankering to pen more books down the line, do you think you'd want to continue within the same universe or would you start with a blank slate?


Alex: I’d start with something new. (Byron’s already saved the galaxy – what more is there? I think he needs a vacation.) I do have a story in mind should I choose to continue writing and it’s in a very different universe.


GC: This isn't so much a question as a request. Whatever Melvin should happen to ask you on the second question, do me a favor and just say 'yes'.

Alex: What if I say maybe? Is that close enough?



'Melvin'


Melvin: What will you miss most now that the trilogy is complete?

Alex: The long hours laboring over the first draft, the deadlines, the pressure to produce and promote… oh wait, I won’t miss those. However, I will miss the excitement of edits bringing a manuscript to life and seeing my book covers and trailers.



Melvin: Is it true that if you stop writing I won't exist anymore?


Alex: Maybe!




Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Website: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh
Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh


CassaStorm
By Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

CassaStorM is a touching and mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse
"Cavanaugh makes world building on the galactic scale look easy. The stakes affect the entire known universe and yet Cavanaugh makes it intensely personal for our hero. The final installment of this series will break your heart and put it back together." - Charity Bradford, science fantasy author of The Magic Wakes

Available September 17, 2013
$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera
Print ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019
$4.99 EBook available in all formats







28 comments:

  1. Poor Melvin. Don't worry, kitty. Alex's writing lives on forever, and so does your helmet. Fun interview, guys.



    xoRobyn

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  2. Great Interview Cats!
    You did good to Alex! ;)

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  3. Thanks TS!


    Thank you, David.


    Robyn, as long as Melvin has his melon head, he'll be all right.

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  4. CassaStorm sounds like an exciting read. Good reviews too.

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  5. A solid outline is the best part of a book, so it sounds like you have that nailed Alex. Great interview TS.

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  6. Mrs. Kisses, I love the title of your autobiography. Great interview with Alex!

    http://julieflanders.blogspot.com/

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  7. Congrats, Alex! And keyboards definitely should not be eaten. Chewed upon, maybe, but not eaten. ;)

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  8. Thanks, Joy!


    Maurice, as long as it takes me to make an outline, it should be good.


    Cherie, like a pencil?

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  9. Now you've got the bug! You're gonna write more novels. Unless you pull a J.D.Salinger.

    Lee

    Wrote By Rote

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  10. Those cats had great questions. My cat likes to sit on my keyboard.

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  11. You wrote CassaStorm in only four months? I am so impressed.


    Melvin is not a happy-looking kitty.

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  12. great advice about the keyboard, Alex! I must remember that... ;)

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  13. That's an important lesson. Keyboards are not to be eaten...

    Congratulations, Alex! :)

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  14. Lee, you'll just have to wait and see...


    Mary, at least he doesn't eat it.


    Helena, that's because the outline took longer.


    Carrie and Lynda, no chewing on keyboards...

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  15. This was fun to read and these cats had
    great questions! *waves to kitty cats* And congratulations, Alex. Publishing a successful trilogy is a
    great accomplishment. (:

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  16. Loved the cats and their excellent questioning. Congrats on the third book, Alex!!

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  17. Sad to see the Cassa series come to an end. Also loved the cats :)

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  18. What a fun interview! And who better to answer the questions than Alex? Well done, kitties.

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  19. Patricia and Siv, the cats were great!


    Thanks, Cathrina.


    Appreciate it, Elise!

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  20. One more week, Alex! Hope the bang of CassaStorm's release echoes through the universe. :)

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  21. Aw, Melvin, don't worry---Alex will continue to write...I've got a feeling about that.

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  22. I'm not sure I'm ready to have my heart broken and put back together...but I'm sure ready to read CassaStorm!

    Tina
    @ Life
    is Good

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  23. Thanks, Cate!


    Nicki, maybe Melvin should worry...

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  24. The cats were awesome. Poor Melvin. Also if Mrs. Kisses ever writes a book I will read it. Good luck Alex.

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  25. Keyboards are DEFINITELY NOT to be eaten.
    In my world, a keyboard is also meant to be played... *runs off to play a tune on piano*

    Great interview. Plumperdink? I had a good chuckle... the name reminded me of a certain Mr. Humperdinck...

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  26. Michelle, I thought of that name as well!

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  27. You didn't get shredded by those kitties!

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