Michael Sova

Biography

My path to literary stardom, identified here as struggling independently-published author, is really the same ol’story. I graduated with honors from a state university, dropped out of grad school at a different state university because I hated it, and suddenly found myself working the control board and speaking into a microphone at a country radio station. I should point out here that I had virtually no broadcasting experience and even less knowledge of country music. I still made it work, quickly climbing several rungs up the corporate ladder and even meeting the love of my life to whom I’ve now been married for over a quarter century. Our union set the stage for yet another role for which I hadn’t planned and had no experience. I traded in my headphones for a Diaper Genie and became a stay-at-home dad. Then, because professional therapy is expensive and creative outlets are not, I launched my writing career. It was either that or a long-term reservation in a room with rubber wallpaper.

My first novel, an auto racing-themed thriller titled “A Shot at Redemption,” took an embarrassingly long time to complete. I’ve since published the suspense novels “Parlor City Paradise” and “Parlor City Payback,” another thriller titled “Blind Switch,” and I poured decades of torment, frustration, and hopelessness as a fan of the Minnesota Vikings into a labor of love cookbook I called “21 Sundays of Fantastic Football Food: Celebrating the Foods & Follies of Professional Football.” I can state with confidence that it’s one of the funnier and more entertaining cookbooks you’re likely to come across. I think the recipes are pretty good too. A follow-up to that culinary and comical adventure is certainly not out of the question. My latest project, scheduled for publication in the fall of 2023, is a rather chilling psychological thriller titled “She Loves Me Not.” That, too, took a long time to complete, but I am quite proud of it.

Smashwords Interview

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
My first memory of reading was from a second grade text book called "Rewards.' As I recall, the book was a collection of short stories. My favorite classroom activity was reading aloud. Second grade was when my eyesight went from normal to what's known as "legally blind." All of a sudden, I could no longer read and I think that bothered me more than the eyesight problem itself.
What is your writing process?
I am very much a discovery writer or what's often called a "pantser." Although I have tried outlining, anything I've planned generally goes to hell as soon as I begin the actual writing. I realize the story needs to go somewhere other than where I'd originally intended. At that point, I'm pretty much just along for the ride. That writing style admittedly presents some problems but can be surprisingly, exciting and rewarding as well. ad
Read more of this interview.

Videos

Interview with thriller/suspense author Michael Sova
Michael Sova discusses why he began writing, a personal connection with the "Blind Switch" protagonist, the inspiration behind his "21 Sundays of Fantastic Football Food cookbook, and lots more.

Series

Skid Row and Bullfrog
Novels that feature Skid Row and Bullfrog, two characters wwho first appeared in "Parlor City Paradise."

Books

Parlor City Payback: A Skid Row and Bullfrog Novel
Series: Skid Row and Bullfrog. Price: $6.99 USD. Words: 142,880. Language: English. Published: October 23, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
Skid Row and Bullfrog, two world-weary down-and-outs, are doing their best to defy the odds and make something of their generally pathetic lives. As always, the deck is seemingly stacked against them. Carl, their unlikely benefactor, is missing in action, and Ricky Fixx, an old nemesis and near-constant source of fear and torment, is intent on revenge and will stop at nothing to get it. Meanwhile,
Blind Switch
Price: $6.49 USD. Words: 148,660. Language: English. Published: July 26, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
Imagine the terror of being pursued by someone you know you’ll never see coming. Author of "A Shot at Redemption" and "Parlor City Paradise," Michael Sova returns with his most intriguing, most suspenseful, and most surprising work to date. From the Caribbean to the Big Apple and back again, "Blind Switch" is a triumph of non-stop action in which very little is as it first appears.
21 Sundays of Fantastic Football Food: Celebrating the Foods and Follies of Professional Football
Price: $6.99 USD. Language: American English. Published: January 23, 2018 . Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » American / General, Nonfiction » Sports & outdoor recreation » Football & rugby » American football
Professional football players, coaches, owners, general managers and officials have, over the years, done some truly remarkable things. Author, foodie and professed football fanatic Michael Sova takes a look back at some of their more memorable, entertaining and often comical exploits. He serves up some pretty amazing grub too: perfect for any tailgate party, game day gathering, or lazy Sunday in
Parlor City Paradise
Series: Skid Row and Bullfrog. Price: $5.49 USD. Language: English. Published: June 3, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Reminiscent of the widely popular Carl Hiaasen novels,Parlor City Paradise takes seedycharacters and even seedier situations and gives them a clever, often humorousand always entertaining twist.
A Shot at Redemption
Price: $5.49 USD. Words: 166,490. Language: English. Published: April 18, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense
"A Shot at Redemption" is a fast-paced thriller full of intrigue, suspense and high octane action.