Luke Murphy author of the newly release Rock-a-Bye Baby kindly offered some insight into his life as an author.

• What is the first book that made you cry?

My grade 9 History textbook.

• What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Scammers – agents and publishers who want money in advance to work with you. Money runs to/through the author, always!

• What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Thinking you’re going to become rich after publishing your first book. You need many books and you need to promote, promote, promote.

• Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

Hurt. Accept criticism, accept rejection, move on and grow from it.

• What is your writing Kryptonite?

Time – as a fulltime teacher, husband, dad, part time tutor and hockey ref, I just can’t find enough of it.

• Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

No. I’m proud of my work and want people to know it.

• Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I write for readers.

• Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

I hate the term sequel, because that means you need to read them in order. I like the term series featuring reoccurring characters, because they can be stand-alone novels.

• If you could tell your younger writing-self anything, what would it be?

Start writing earlier in your life.

• What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Hiring an editor. He taught me a lot about writing, technique, plotting, and the industry.

• What did you do with your first advance?

Bought a cup of coffee.

Check out Luke’s website

of visit him at Amazon.

Thanks, Luke.