Interview with Cliff Ball

Published 2013-08-21.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing when I was around ten years old. I thought up wacky interview questions for classmates, asking them to make up what planet they were born on, what fake person they would vote for President of the United States, what was their favorite time traveling vehicle, stuff like that. I also wrote short stories, and I managed to get one published in high school in the early '90's through my Creative Writing class. I won a whole $35 for being third for this particular contest the short story was entered in. My mom took that and framed the check stub, a newspaper article she placed in our newspaper, and my senior class photo.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Times of Turmoil, my latest novel, is a prequel to my End Times novels, Times of Trouble and Times of Trial. I had reviews and readers who wanted the story to be fleshed out more, so I went back nearly a hundred years (the other novels are set 20+ years from now) to World War II. I explored how the Evans family gets the money and power to influence events in the United States and make it their mission to destroy Christian influence in the United States. I was inspired by some of the current happenings involving the United States government.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I actually always wanted to be independently published. I did a lot of research in high school about getting published, and seeing that I had to write query letters and send in manuscripts, only to be rejected, didn't appeal to me, so I decided to wait until the opportunity to publish my own works myself appeared. I wanted to be in control and figured doing it myself was the best way to do it. I got my chance in 2008 with the appearance of the Kindle and its publishing platform, so off I went.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has contributed to my success by letting me get published to Apple, Sony, and even into libraries when I wouldn't be able to do it myself. Smashwords also gives me the ability to offer my novels for free when doing free promotions, and then I'm able to reach readers who probably wouldn't normally give me a chance.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I think the greatest joy for me is being able to create my books my own way without anyone looking over my shoulder telling me I'm doing it wrong or telling me I have to put in a lot of filler that I don't want just to get over a certain word count.
What are you working on next?
The next novel I'm working on is called Timothy Phillips. It's set in the same universe as my End Times Saga. It's about a Christian young man who sings and is discovered by a record producer, he gets to compete on a national talent show, and then he wins the portion of the show he's on. We follow his highs and lows as he goes through his career while the End Times rapidly approach.
Who are your favorite authors?
I have a few favorite authors. Of the traditional variety, I enjoy reading Tom Clancy, Harry Turtledove, S.M. Stirling, and a couple of the Star Trek writers. As for indies, I've read and enjoyed Seb Kirby, J.C. Phelps, Richard Stephenson, K.C. May, just to name a few.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I spend my time promoting my novels all over the internet and occasionally in person.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I've discovered them through Kindleboards, Facebook, Twitter, and some other sites as far as indie books go.
What do you read for pleasure?
I read a lot of different genres for pleasure, even nonfiction. For fiction, I read alternate history/speculative fiction, political thrillers, End Times fiction, time travel, science fiction, and sometimes fantasy.

For non-fiction, I read a lot of biographies and historical books about the United States.
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Latest books by This Author

The Perilous Times Box Set: A Christian Fiction Series (Books 1 - 3)
Price: $12.99 USD. Words: 126,630. Language: English. Published: December 5, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic
The Perilous Times box set is a Christian fiction series consisting of the three novels in the series: The Falling Away, The Great Deception, and The Great Tribulation.
The Long Journey (Christian Historical Fiction)
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 48,320. Language: English. Published: March 20, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Historical, Fiction » Christian » Romance
A Cherokee finds himself forced from his home during the Trail of Tears. His adventures find him getting married, going west, and getting involved in historical events of the 1840's and 1850's.
The End Times Saga Box Set: A Christian Fiction Series (Books 1 - 7)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series. Price: $20.99 USD. Words: 347,300. Language: English. Published: October 23, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Christian » General
The End Times Saga Box Set is a Christian fiction series consisting of the seven novels in The End Times Saga. The seven novels are: Times of Turmoil, Times of Trouble, Times of Trial, Times of Rebellion, Times of Destruction, Times of Judgment, and Times of Tribulation.
Times of Tribulation: Christian End Times Thriller (Book 7)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series, Book 7. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 51,980. Language: English. Published: September 30, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic
The seventh and final novel in The End Times Saga spans the entire Tribulation as various characters try to survive the entire seven years.
Times of Judgment: A Christian End Times Thriller (Book 6)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series, Book 6. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 35,180. Language: English. Published: May 30, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Science fiction » Apocalyptic
The sixth novel in The End Times Saga goes through the last three and a half years of the seven year Tribulation Period. The world leader gets "assassinated" and Lucifer teams up with him after he's "resurrected" to become the Anti-Christ. They persecute Tribulation believers while trying to survive the Bowl Judgments as they inch closer to Armageddon.
Times of Destruction: A Christian End Times Thriller (Book 5)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series, Book 5. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 49,590. Language: English. Published: February 7, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
The fifth novel in The End Times Saga goes through the first three and a half years of the seven year Tribulation. The new world leader and his religious leader deal with biblical sized disasters, two Jewish witnesses who preach the gospel and annoy the world's sinners, and the leaders' attempts at bringing the world under his control.
Times of Rebellion: A Christian Novel (Book 4)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series, Book 4. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 51,830. Language: English. Published: January 3, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Christian » General
Book 4 of The End Times Saga. Can a nineteen year old stay true to his Christian faith he was brought up on when he's under the spotlight? Timothy Phillips becomes a famous singer shortly before the end times and discovers that fame isn't all that it's cracked up to be as the novel follows his ups and downs in the music industry.
Times of Turmoil: Christian End Times Thriller (Book 1)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 60,090. Language: English. Published: July 6, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Historical, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
(3.00 from 1 review)
The Evans family make it their mission to destroy Christian influence in the United States through wars, protests, and government tyranny in this first novel of seven in The End Times Saga. Book 1 of The End Times Saga.
Times of Trial: Christian End Times Thriller (Book 3)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 56,630. Language: English. Published: May 10, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Science fiction » Utopias & dystopias
(2.67 from 3 reviews)
Book three of The End Times Saga. Three Christian families suffer from persecution as the President declares himself dictator, implements something called Order 21, and begins targeting his political and spiritual enemies. Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and Iran intensifies as the end times approach. Book 3 of the End Times Saga.
Times of Trouble: A Christian End Times Thriller (Book 2)
Series: The End Times Saga: A Christian Fiction Series. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 44,440. Language: English. Published: February 3, 2012 . Categories: Fiction » Christian » Futuristic, Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
(3.00 from 2 reviews)
Book 2 of The End Times Saga. Brian Atwood works for the FBI. His work involves potential cases of terrorism. Recruited to become personal bodyguard for the President. His faith as a Christian is tested daily working for the President who has no morals from what Brian can see. We follow Brian as the U.S. slowly disintegrates around hm. Book 2 of the End Times Saga.
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