Robert P. Bennett's Enabling Novels

Former social worker turned writer, Robert Bennett, focuses on the needs of society’s disenfranchised. His articles span a wide range of topics. His fiction is grounded in real world events and technologies and his own philosophical concerns. He’s spoken to physical therapy students, church members and senior citizens, and appeared on several radio programs. Contact him through www.enablingwords.com  

Welcome to the blog, Robert.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written two books in my Blind Traveler mystery series, plus a short story. Currently I am beginning to put together an outline for book 3 in the series. I’ve also written a fictionalized account (unpublished thus far) of my experiences in a physical rehabilitation hospital. It’s called Footfalls. Finally, I’ve got an (unpublished) nonfiction book about martial arts for people with disabilities.

Give a short synop of your most recently published book.

The year is 2021. Natural forces have changed our world. As the Earth's magnetic poles have shifted, pressure on the planet’s mantle layer is building. The bottom line . . . earthquakes now wreak havoc in areas they have never occurred before.

In Mexico, members of an archaeological team investigate the remains of an ancient village uncovered by a quake; racing to prove their theories about the civilization that once lived there. But, disaster strikes when the accidental destruction of an artifact unleashes a worldwide agricultural plague.

Halfway across the continent, Douglas Abledan, a blind computer technologist, embarks on a long anticipated vacation. On the plane to Chicago, he meets world-renowned agricultural pathologist Cara Cordelia. Little do either of them know she has been targeted for murder.

In this stand-alone sequel to his critically acclaimed "Blind Traveler Down a Dark River," author Robert P. Bennett continues to bring us suspense and intrigue while exploring a world of the not too distant future. While society struggles with the impact of natural changes, the advancement of new technology enables a blind man to investigate a murder.

What sets your book apart from others?

First and foremost, my protagonist is a blind man who is unpitiable. My stories show the struggles, and achievements, of a person with a disability who is just trying to have as normal a life as he can while at the same time becoming a magnet for tragic events and criminal activities that he feels driven to resolve. Throughout the stories I try to show that, though a person may have a condition which society deems a disability, his life is pretty much the same as able-bodied people.

Secondly, I use my stories as a way to discuss real environmentally/ecologically sensitive issues. Also, they are set in the not too distant future so that I can discuss some of today’s more interesting up and coming technologies.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?  The best buy link for my current book is http://tinyurl.com/rpb-btb-Omni

Both my books, and my short story, are in ebook only, available in all current electronic formats

What advice can you give other writers?

 I’ve learned there is no such thing as fiction. Everything we are, everything we do, is a part of the stories that we create. They are the lifeblood of our creativity and our ideas. I’ve also learned that the old adage “write what you know” really should be “write what you can learn about” since, in my opinion, the creative process is about exploration and education, as is all of life.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

Social media seems to be all the rage these days. I’ve gotten myself a place on as many of these networks as I can think of (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc). Also, word of mouth is very important. As my friends and family can attest, I never let an opportunity to discuss my work go by unnoticed. I leave business cards and flyers wherever I go.

Can you tell us your writing goals/projects for 2012 or beyond?

I’m currently working on book 3 of my Blind Traveler mystery series, and planning several related short stories.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

My website (www.enablingwords.com) and my blog (http://abledan.wordpress.com/).

Thanks for the interview, Robert.  

Margaret Millmore's Doppelganger Experiment revisited

Margaret A. Millmore is back to talk more about her novel, Doppelganger Experiment.

Margaret was born and raised in Southern California and moved to San Francisco in 1991. She currently resides there with her husband. She is the grandniece of Irish author Benedict Kiely and the second cousin of Irish author Sharon Owens. She’s written two flash fiction stories for Bay Area artist Kenny Mencher (The Welcome Home and Untitled-Luke N. Goode). She and her husband are avid travelers and would love to live outside of London some day.

Welcome back, Margaret. Has San Franciso affected your writing?

I’m not sure how the environment has affected my writing, but I enjoy using the city as base for my stories.

How many books have you written?

I’ve written three books in total, but only one is currently published.

Give a short synop of your published book.

Doppelganger Experiment:

After more than four weeks in a coma, Jane woke up to find several things wrong; she didn’t remember the last three years, she was married to a man she didn’t know, and frightening dreams were infiltrating her sleep. But were they dreams or memories? As she struggles to recapture a life she doesn’t remember she discovers clues that lead to flashes of memories and the discovery of horrific experiments that end in murder... and something worse than murder.  A psychological thriller based in San Francisco.

Is it available in print, ebook, and Kindle formats?

Both formats are available.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give other writers?

Nothing is more exciting than a good review, it lifts your spirits and justifies all the hard work you put into your novel. However, there are always bad reviews, and they can be devastating…if you let them…

For the first few months after Doppelganger Experiment was published, I was receiving 4 and 5 star reviews, pure heaven. But then I began to receive some ‘not so good’ reviews, needless to say, it was pretty disheartening. I think as human beings, it’s instinctual to lay blame on anyone but ourselves, after reading the reviews, I wanted to do just that. But I couldn’t, I wrote the book, I made the mistakes and they were mine, I owned them and it was up to me to fix them.

I did the only thing I could think of, I asked my publisher to pull the book, have it re-edited and then I too went through it with a fine tooth comb and made additional edits and revisions. I also published 2 star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads (2 stars as to not skew the existing review status); I did this so that the readers would know that I heard them, that I respect them and that I wanted to make it right! Is the book better now? I truly hope so. I think I’ve learned a great deal from this experience, and I hope it’s made me a better writer.

Good for you, Margaret. I applaud you.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

They can check my website and follow me on Facebook and Twitter

www.margaretmillmore.com

http://www.margaretmillmore.com/featured_authors

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002915649470                             

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/margaret-millmore/4/a6b/6a9

Margaret, thanks for coming back and sharing that story with us. Folks interested in the first interview with Margaret will find it in the archived blogs.

Buy links:
http://www.worldcastlepublishing.com/margaretmillmore.htm
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/margaret-millmore?store=book&r=1
http://www.amazon.com/Doppelganger-Experiment-Margaret-Millmore/dp/1937593207/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318857839&sr=8-1#_