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Interview with Karl Beckstrand

Published 2014-04-25.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was raised in San Jose, CA. My parents were also raised in California (which, being interpreted in my mind, means "paradise" --okay, any west-coast locale is paradise!)
When did you first start writing?
As a child I hated to read and to write. Then I got the measles in the third grade. My grandmother bought me Bicycles North: A Mystery on Wheels by Rita Ritchie. I learned that books don't have to be dull. They can transport and exhilarate. In college (when I should have been doing my homework) I began to be ambushed by story ideas--more than I've had time to develop--and, well ...
What's the story behind your latest book?
It expresses my wonderment with the night sky. I've always been intrigued by the limitlessness of the starry heavens. I hope Bright Star, Night Star sparks those feelings in others.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
Frankly, my experience with poorly-run publishing houses.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords is a great one-stop shop. My one criticism is that, for all the rigidity in format requirements, their philosophy on protecting content from piracy seems lackadaisical.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Getting the story into the hands of readers.
What do your fans mean to you?
Readers are what writing is all about. They are the reason I write.
What are you working on next?
Non-fiction biographies of immigrant children, a political science text on the Middle East, and more Spanish-English picture books.
Who are your favorite authors?
David McCullough, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Shel Silverstein, Harper Lee, Joseph Smith
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Completing the many stories that haunt me.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Volleyball, family time, kayaking (when I can), and a chance to hear/see a good story!
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Mostly, they are recommended/given by authors I know.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I think so, but the publisher won't allow me to discuss it;)
What is your writing process?
My process is to get the words down on paper as quickly as my hands can follow my speed-demon mind.
How do you approach cover design?
I try to create covers with colors and text that grab attention. I was fortunate to have some art and design training (I'm told that this should typically be left to the pros).
What do you read for pleasure?
I'm a history and biography junkie. If the TV show or book isn't true, it's hard to keep my attention. Fiction has to be believable, non-fiction is beyond belief.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
My laptop.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Bloggers and press releases.
Describe your desk
It is a miniature landfill of scraps of paper.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

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(Arctic Humor, Spanish) "Charming wordless story...full of...polish and physical comedy" - Publisher's Weekly. Un oso polar va a la Antártica. Él nunca ha visto a un pingüino. A él se ven como algo divertido con el cual jugar. Para niños de 2 - 6 años; 30 ilustraciones (Cuentos sin palabras serie). Kids love to tell or write the story.
De la silla de Ivan salió: Un misterio (with pronunciation guide in English) by &
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