It’s my pleasure to interview James Michaels from Chicago. Welcome to Ruff Drafts, James. How long have you been published? What titles and/or series have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.
2015- The Tannenbaum Tailors series! The Chronicles of the Order series! The Mac and Millie Mystery series, “The Viking Throne”- standalone and some non-fiction books like “Plot Your Author Path” and “Why the F Do I Need Life Insurance.” Proudly, independently published under Harrison and James Publishing. After years and years of querying and rejection I decided to do it myself and have had much success! I was watching a Walt Disney documentary and Walt never asked for anyone’s permission to accomplish his dreams. So I took that route. Ha!
A man after my own Indie publishing heart. It sounds like you’ve certainly pursued your writing dreams. Tell us a little bit about your books — if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.
I write fast, fun, engaging books with lots of heart and wonderful characters. Maybe a bit of fantastical whimsy here and there. The Mac and Milly Mystery series is my most popular series because people love a good murder mystery but I truly believe they stay for the characters and setting! Geneva, IL is the backdrop for this series and it is such a great town!
Awesome. As a cozy mystery author myself, I know how important it is to have engaging characters and an interesting setting.
Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?
My goals are to keep writing and writing and writing. Improving with each book and further developing rather honing my imagination to keep my readers entertained, engaged, and fulfilled! I love stories and am very passionate. Eventually, I would like to expand my books into other formats and mediums. Film and TV adaptations are certainly a goal of mine!
Great goals. Best of luck to you.
What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?
Give me the avid reader who wants to be entertained! I want the thinker but also the child at heart. My books are smart but also very fun with a sense of humor and frankly youthful exuberance!
I’m sure that you have a wide audience.
What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?
Hmm… this one is tough. Keep writing and writing and always improving. Don’t stop honing your craft ever. Always challenge yourself. My Mac and Millie series books are all unique. Yes there are common themes but they are different in structure and feel and this is purposeful. There are many ways to get published and you can enjoy success traditionally or independently. Sometimes both.
Whatever you do, don’t stop writing. And decide for yourself how you want to put your book out into the world. Find your audience and be generous with them too.
Excellent advice.
What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?
Oh my gosh! So many. I got so excited after my very first draft of my first book that I started querying and sending out so many letters and getting so many rejections! It was so wild. I should have relaxed a bit and regrouped. It was hard but then I realized I needed to get better so I joined a writing society, went to conferences, took classes, joined a critique group and improved myself all the while I kept writing!!
That will be inspiring to those starting on their writing journeys.
Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?
I was a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for years and the Chicago Writer’s Group. I had the same critique group for 8 years! We met once a month for 8 years. That was super helpful!
I’m sure you got a lot out of that.
What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?
Ooooh I love the Chicago Bears and Cubs! I am a huge fan of cinema! I have two Podcasts! One about movies and my books called the MisterMichaels.com Podcast and then The Magic in the Midwest Podcast about Walt Disney World!
You sure keep busy.
What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?
What I like the Most? Hmm, the finished product and engaging with my readers!
The Least: Sometimes, in the thick of it. You don’t know if your story is making any damn sense whatsoever. Not all the time but self-doubt and neurotic thinking tends to dominate. Sometimes though, you are so in the zone and so into what you are creating that all of that melts away and you are just living in your imagination! It’s one of the best feelings ever. Nothing like a great story to keep you happy and engaged!
I certainly relate to that.
What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?
There is so much fun to be had when you are the one holding all the cards! Pulling the strings! Making things happen and not happen! Setting expectations, subverting expectations, and delivering twists galore all wrapped up in a clean, cozy, place that most people find idyllic and transportive.
Nicely said.
Can you share a short excerpt from your latest title or upcoming release?
Mac O’Malley holed up in the newly renovated Atrium café. His heart beat much harder than normal, not only from moving fast down Third to The Tiny Wanderer,
but also from the fear of a situation he’d never found himself in before: the prime suspect in a murder and with the possible murder weapon in his hand. He
recounted the events in his head. He paced the floor without the use of his cane; he examined it with the flashlight from his phone. Were there any markers on
it to indicate he did strike the man in the head with the cane? There was a lot of blood. There had been a ton spewing from the side of the man’s head.
Mac remembered he’d nodded off on the train. He awoke to a man yelling for someone to wake up. He’d quickly sprung into action to help when the man who
screamed—but it turned out to be the vic’s brother. He’d accused Mac of killing his brother with a devastating blow to the side of his head, using the cane Mac
examined as the weapon. The cane was a replica of a prop in one of Mac’s favorite “lms, The Wolfman. As much as Mac trusted what he saw, and tried to will it
from his mind, the more prevalent the dark reality set. The handle of the cane resembled the head of the wolf and was covered in bloodstains. Mac had seen his
fair share of murder weapons. This cane, his cane, was used to murder a man on the Geneva Express? The pit in his stomach grew larger. Someone on the train
had grabbed his cane and then was powerful enough to use it to bludgeon a man in the head with one powerful blow and kill him. Or could something
else have happened? Maybe he hit his head earlier which caused some bleeding from his ear; maybe it got worse over time and he was too drunk to notice.
No. Someone in his party would have noticed. Mac shook his head and forced in a deep breath. The Atrium Café was dark and newly renovated. It was
refreshed to look like the original that had been ravaged by an awful storm a few months ago. It normally eased his mind but tonight it didn’t. He sat
on a wrought iron chair; he needed to gather his thoughts. He needed to just stroll back to the scene and talk to his brother, Vince, and explain exactly
what happened. Not many other plausible suspects had the luxury of having their brother on the force—and probably the responding detective on a fresh
crime scene. He could just go back and explain that he was afraid of getting beat down by a group of drunk bachelors and that he responded to a slumped man
who, upon examination, happened to be hemorrhaging blood from the side of his head.
Simple.
Mac stood in the dark Atrium Café. He activated his phone’s “ashlight once more to #nd his way out, but before leaving, he looked down at his cane once
more. The snarled snout and piercing eyes of the were‐ wolf stared back at him. A chill managed to raise the hair on the back of his neck and his arms.
“Snap out of it, Mac.” Mac drove the cane into the tile “floor and made his way forward to the Fulton Street exit.
He stopped.
He wasn’t sure if this was the right move. He needed some guidance. Sometimes, tough situations required consulting with his best partner, Millie.
“Sorry it’s so late, Millie, but I need to talk to someone about this.” He mumbled as he dialed her number.
The phone rang and rang.
“Mac. It’s 4:10 in the morning. What’s happening?
You okay?” Millie asked.
“Usually, I give a flippant answer: yes. But no. I am definitely not okay. In the next few hours—or sooner—I might be officially wanted for murder.”
Love it!
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you or your books?
My books are all page-turning romps designed to entertain, delight, keep you guessing, and hopefully positively impact you! Oh and make you think as well. Thinking is important!
People appreciate a thoughtful read.
Please list your social media links, website, blog, etc. and include some book cover graphics and author photos if possible.
facebook.com/mistermichaels
instagram.com/jbmichaelswritesbooks
instagram.com/jbmichaels11
jb@mistermichaels.com is my email address!
Thanks so much for the interview, and best wishes on your new release. I’m sharing your blog tour below.
Murder on the Geneva Express: A Mac and Millie Mystery
by JB Michaels
About Murder on the Geneva Express
Murder on the Geneva Express: A Mac and Millie Mystery
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Geneva Illinois
Independently Published (October 26, 2023)
Paperback : 164 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8865567547
Digital ASIN : B0CLW9X12L
Dead body found on Geneva Express!
In a perfect storm of misfortune, Mac O’Malley finds himself embroiled in a whodunnit that has everyone convinced HE has done it. Mac and Millie race against time, flee from authorities both municipal and magical, and attempt to clear Mac and his good reputation from absolute incarceration.
About J B Michaels
I have spent my life in the study of story from riveting novels to the slam-bang action-packed world of comics to the examination of film history, I have spent a lifetime learning and examining the elements that make a story incredible. This steadfast dedication has led me to write stories of my own.
I am married and with a son, I have a great love of family. I hope that you enjoy my bestselling books that mash genres from thrillers to science fiction to fantasy!
Author Links
Facebook www.facebook.com/mistermichaels
GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21568640.JB_Michaels
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jbmichaels11/
Purchase Links – Amazon – Apple – Kobo – B&N
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
January 8 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW
January 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
January 10 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST
January 11 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 12 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 12 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 13 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
January 14 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
January 15 – CelticLady Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 16 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 17 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
January 18 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT
January 19 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
January 20 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
January 21 – Nadaness In Motion – AUTHOR GUEST POST
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