Monster Hunters of America - Unleashed by D. A. Wysong

9/29/2024

Multi-genre, multi-volume author, DA Wysong introduces us to the second volume in the Monster Hunters of America series, “Unleashed”:
Deanna Schloss flees from the atrocities from Nazi Germany to find refuge in the United States. She is commissioned by the OSS, where she investigates UFOS, and other covert cases. Soon she realizes the Supernatural Horrors are everywhere.

I am fascinated by this book! It includes famous people in famous and infamous situations! There are presidents, generals, internationally known writers, and others too numerous to mention.
Events with cataclysmic proportions are mentioned including WW2, the holocaust, Roswell, and the continuing UFO invasion.
People calling demons into the earthly plane with devastating consequences.
There are so many crossovers, you may want to keep your seatbelt buckled at all times.
I loved this story!
I am picky about certain things so 4.5 stars from me.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/MONSTER-HUNTERS-AMERICA-UNLEASHED-Wysong-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-monster-hunters-of-america---unleashed
This is available in Kindle Unlimited also.

I reviewed the third book in this series:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/mhoa-hunting-for-ufos-alaska

You can follow the author:
https://x.com/DAWysongWrites
https://www.facebook.com/D. A. Wysong
https://www.instagram.com/dawysong
https://www.youtube.com/@MonsterHunters22

Copyright © 2024 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction.

72 Comments

D A Wysong

9/29/2024 02:04:00 pm

Look amazing!

Mark

9/29/2024 04:46:57 pm

Welcome to the Word Refiner channel, Debbie. I am honored to help you promote your book. I loved reading it. What a wild ride! You were connecting dots I would never have thought of doing.

First question.

Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

D A Wysong link

9/29/2024 06:52:10 pm

Well as far back as I can remember I have always been a storyteller and writer. I can remember writing my first Halloween poem at age 8. Halloween is my favorite time of the year, I love everything paranormal and fringe!

D A Wysong link

9/29/2024 06:49:34 pm

Great Review thanks

Mark

9/30/2024 08:09:38 am

As a child, I loved Halloween also, especially all of the candy. The scary stuff was fun also because I knew it wasn't real. That is where I drew the line.

I used to read horror stories, but I shied away from the real bloody stories with graphic violence. I still do that today.

New questions.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer?

What kind of work do you do if you are a part-time writer? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.

D A Wysomg

9/30/2024 08:37:38 am

I love the supernatural and psychological component to the stories I write. I especially love going down the rabbit hole so to speak on monsters. I am a full time writer today.

Mark

10/1/2024 08:16:06 am

The supernatural and psychological components can affect us powerfully. I remember when I saw Jaws I was afraid to go in the water for a couple of weeks. After seeing Jaws and the Poseidon Adventure my wife still refuses to go on a cruise.

Monsters might be real in some part considering the worldwide reports of cryptids. I remember being fascinated by them as a boy. Nessie garnered lots of attention and Bigfoot has been seen by a lot of people in the Pacific Northwest of America. Some of the cryptids seem cruel and merciless, it makes me think they might have supernatural or demonic origins.

New questions.

What are your three favorite genres to read for pleasure?

Has writing changed the pleasure of reading for you?

D A Wysong

10/1/2024 08:31:22 am

I started out writing Children’s books, and actually will be publishing one in December.
I still enjoy reading humorous children’s books out loud to my youngest grandchildren.
I also enjoy reading books on the paranormal ghost stories, and psychological thrillers. I am fascinated with what makes someone a monster both human or not.
I also love murder mysteries.

Craig Crawford

10/2/2024 03:23:30 pm

The paranormal is always fascinating to me. Did you have an experience that launched you into the paranormal or did you just have a natural inclination toward it?

D A Wysong

10/2/2024 04:17:14 pm

This answer is for Craig there really wasn’t any one specific experience I encountered that inspired me to write. I would say it was and is more of an accumulation of paranormal phenomena that inspired my eagerness to write about the supernatural components in everyday life.

Mark

10/1/2024 10:15:38 am

Children's books can be a lot of fun. I love humor of all kinds. I also love cozy mysteries. We have some similar reading tastes.

New questions.

Why do you write?

How has writing changed your life?

D. A. Wysong

10/1/2024 12:40:13 pm

I have a tendency to find humor in everything. For many years I jotted down ideas, titles & characters in dozens of journals. I was busy raising my children and even homeschooled for a few years.
Years later, I had my youngest son teacher express interest in my writing. I volunteered to read with children and eventually taught the third-grade class the process of writing a book. This was both fun and rewarding!
I published my first book in 2019 when I was 60 years old. Since then, I have written 34 books. Now I am constantly writing and researching for an upcoming book.
I constantly have ideas coming to me and if I don’t write I physically and mentally feel as though I will explode!

Mark

10/1/2024 12:50:11 pm

You are one of the smart ones, keeping an idea journal! Never lose an idea. I have recommended that to many writers. One author told me that her best ideas always appeared when she was in the shower. She lamented how she couldn't retain the idea long enough to write it down after getting out of the shower. I suggested she get a Fisher Space Pen and a waterproof journal to use in the shower. Those things do exist, the pen will even write underwater.

That experience with your son's class must have been wonderful! What a great age to learn the basics of writing a book. In years to come, I bet many of those kids will consider you their inspiration for literary success.

Thirty-four books published since 2019 is fabulous output.

More than one author has made a similar comment. They must write to quiet the voices in their head if for no other reason.

New questions.

Does your work, past or present, have any influence on your writing?

Who was the first person to inspire you to write?

D A Wysong

10/1/2024 01:18:13 pm

Over my lifetime of beliefs that have evolved along with personal experiences have definitely influenced my writing. My first 11 children’s books were actually my memories of things that stayed in my mind regarding both my children and grandchildren.
My Creeper Ceepers series are a collection of urban legends, ghost stories and cautionary tales that I was intrigued with growing up. I placed some of my own experiences within the stories.
The Monster Hunters of America series is of course historical fiction. However I question whether this work of historical fiction is really closer to reality.
I have books lined up that will address further paranormal phenomena which I look forward to writing.
Perhaps my first attempt at writing a novel which is a Coming of age novel may be my last, it’s very personal.
Also I have a memoir of motherhood which will be very revealing and personal.

Mark

10/1/2024 04:34:58 pm

There are many things that can cause a person to change or evolve their beliefs, not the least of which is personal experiences.

I love how you have many books yet to write.

New questions.

What inspired you to write this book?

Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

D A Wysong

10/1/2024 04:49:41 pm

I would like to answer a previous question on who inspired me to write. Growing up I loved Ray Bradbury & Edgar Alan Poe. I never had anyone really encourage me to write until later in life. My adult children have encouraged me to write and very supportive.
The Monster Hunters Of America series came to me a few years ago when I started researching Cryptids & UFOS. Unleashed is the second book of the series. I found myself writing about a historical timeline in which I have always wanted to know “the truth” about our history as a nation and a world.
I find it fascinating how history is written into our text books and taught a certain timeline. I often wonder what truths have been suppressed over the course of humanity.
As a child I was always quite precocious and curious in nature. Some things never change I suppose.
Writing historical fiction has been absolutely captivating. I hope that when finished reading one of my books as well as others it plants a seed to question what is true and what has been hidden. I hope in some small way I am encouraging others to become free thinkers.

Mark

10/1/2024 06:48:48 pm

I discovered early on that I loved reading science fiction and sought for all the books in the genre in our small-town library and small school library. I read Bradbury, Poul, Asimov, Herbert and others. Until the eighth or ninth grade when I was given a set of the Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. I fell in love with fantasy without forsaking sci-fi. I read the LOTR series three times before graduating from high school and I read The Hobbit once or twice also.

Conspiracy theories have abounded for a long time. The first one I went deep on was the JFK assassination. That had me wound up for a long time. It is an enduring story recently given exposure by Robert Kennedy Jr.

History is fascinating! It attracts us both not only by what is written but also by what is not written. I would never have known about the connection between Parsons and Hubbard if I had not read your book.

The truth is out there. To quote a semi-famous philosopher.

New questions.

Have you ever seen a UFO or UAP, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena?

How many drafts did your book go through before publishing?

D A Wysong

10/1/2024 07:22:06 pm

Ahhh I too loved Lord of The Rings as a teenager in the 70s. I read LOTR & The Hobbit several times as well. I was always reading and I found refuge at the libraries.
I personally have never seen a UFO before but I know others personally that have and I believe them. The question for me is not if they exist but rather what are they. There is a term called the Hitchhiker effect which is basically a hypothesis. It is when experiencing any type of phenomena such as Hauntings, UFO encounters or crossing path with Cryptids it opens the door to the rest of the phenomena.
Most of my life I have experienced several paranormal encounters. I am not sure I would want to meet an alien they are quite nefarious I hear.

My writing process varies depending on what I am writing. One thing that is constant is my idea comes through as a title & a clear visual. This leads me to immediately design the cover and then I tuck it away until I am ready to write the book.
By the time I sit down to write the characters are screaming and the words pour out onto the pages. I do much research first on many subjects before ever writing. Recently the current book I am writing I had the first draft completed in less than a week. Usually it takes about ten drafts and I am obsessive when writing. By the end of 2024 I will have published seven books.

Mark

10/2/2024 08:08:09 am

What are they is such an important question! The evidence of their visits includes gruesome mutilation of farm animals, that doesn't bode well for human contact.

My sisters have told me that we saw a UFO when we were children. I have no memory of that event.

That is cool! You get a title and a cover right off the bat! Many authors get a concept first, a what-if. The title and cover come later.

Publishing seven books this year is a prodigious output. Congratulations.

New questions.

Besides the title and cover, is there anything unconventional or different about your writing technique?

Why is that?

D A Wysong

10/2/2024 09:01:57 am

My writing process is quite unconventional in several aspects. I never use an outline, it just formulates in my head when I am living in the mundane. I also never get hung up on a daily word count or sitting at my desk regularly at specific times. I do have my happy place where I prefer to write with my big desk and bookcases, etc. Depending on my mood and weather I find myself writing at the kitchen table near the window with a great view. I also curl up and write outside on back porch, sometimes on the front porch at the table.
When I started out writing I had to have complete silence and at my desk, somewhat along the way that evolved.
Now I can write through just about anything, including a two year old and five year old playing in the room.
I have also been known to wake-up and write in middle of the night. My Muses seem to enjoy waking me up at 3am, I wake up often (my birth time). Once I wrote a complete book (The Doll Maker) in twelve hours straight. It’s one of my favorite Ceeper Ceepers!

Mark

10/2/2024 09:54:44 am

Many authors have told me they write to find out how the story ends. Some have told me the characters refuse to cooperate until the writer goes in a different direction or brings a secondary character to the center stage.

Not being a writer, it is hard for me to understand but I do accept that every author develops a different method or procedure for writing. Knowing myself, I would start with a rough outline and go from there, if I was writing a book.

I can read anywhere and anytime. Long ago I learned to block out my environment and noise when reading a book. I had to adjust that when I got married because my new wife didn't like being ignored.

You are not the only author with a muse operating from a different time zone. More than one author keeps a notepad and a pen on the nightstand. They feel quite lucky when they can read their notes the next morning.

A complete book in 12 hours! Wow! that is amazing!

New question.

At first glance, the cover seems obvious, but I frequently miss a detail or two. What do the elements on the cover represent?

D A Wysong

10/2/2024 10:22:44 am

I can understand tuning out your environment 💯!
As I previously mentioned the titles come to me as well as the visual. When I began to write this particular book it was not until I finished Rise of The Cryptids that I knew this book would exist. The first four books are about the origins of Monster Hunters Of America and Deanna Robertson’s life. The introverted triangle represents female empowered, by the end of UNLEASHED Deanna has suffered tremendous loss and she rises up more determined than ever to uncover the truth.
A side note here is as with all the visuals they just come to me. It wasn’t until I researched what the triangle represented did I realize the significance!

Mark

10/2/2024 12:34:09 pm

That is pretty cool. I love the lightning on the cover, there was quite a bit of lightning in the part of the book with Parsons and Hubbard. Pretty interesting about the triangle also.

New questions.

Was it hard to come up with the title?

What was the process?

D A Wysong

10/2/2024 12:45:43 pm

Thank you, the lightening definitely symbolizes the nefarious nature of what is being unleashed.
I never have to think hard on the titles. This one in particular came out of the blue and immediately I had the illustrator create the cover. Even the colors popped out immediately it was destined.

Mark

10/2/2024 02:43:03 pm

Lucky you! So many authors talk about how hard it is to come up with a good title. A title is very important because it's the first or second thing a reader sees when shopping for a new read. The title has to be relevant to the story, fit the genre and be memorable in some way. Sometimes a title is so obvious and perfect more than one author uses it.

You have quite an illustrator. Do you want to share a link or their Twitter handle so other authors might want to use them?

New questions.

Beside the famous names, were the other character names difficult to develop?

How did you choose them?

D. A. Wysong

10/2/2024 03:44:57 pm

Jorge Iractera from Mexico is my favorite illustrator. It's like he reads my mind and he really gets me! Just like the titles the names just seem to come to me. It’s comparable to a soft whisper in my ear. I honestly have no idea who they are until I start writing, then the reveal themselves. One of the best parts of writing without an outline is I never really know who what or where we are going. Usually, the protagonist makes themself known first. Both in the Doll Maker & Soul Catchers though, it was the antagonist that showed up first.

Mark

10/2/2024 05:09:01 pm

This part of the writing process is quite spooky for me and I am very intrigued by it also. You start writing and characters show up to populate the story. The muse works in mysterious ways.

New questions.

Have you ever done NaNoWriMo, National November Writing Month?

If you have, what kind of preparation do you do before it starts?

D A Wysong

10/2/2024 05:21:30 pm

No I have not and I haven’t heard if it before.

Mark

10/2/2024 07:33:31 pm

NaNoWriMo is a national writing competition. The goal is to write 50,000 words of a first draft story in the month of November. November has 30 days, 1667 words per day. You register on the website and report your word count. If you win, write 50,000 words, you can download a winner sticker for your website.

Many writers join together for mutual encouragement and support. They make a party of it. I think some authors need the motivation, others want the camaraderie. My guess is you might enjoy the latter and probably don't need the former.

New questions.

Have you written and published any short stories before writing any of your books?

If so, how long had you been writing before the first short story was published?

D A Wysong

10/2/2024 07:42:06 pm

Once I finish writing my current book MHOA Hunting For DogMan -Kentucky I will be writing and publishing my collection of ideas over the years of short stories. Currently there are several I am comfortable writing. The Anthology of Madness. I am quite pleased with both cover and title. I am planning on exploring short story contests as well.

Mark

10/3/2024 09:27:24 am

I am certain your fans will be happy to know more reading is in their future.

I have recommended to writers that short story writing contests, especially those that provide feedback from the judges, can help a writer improve their writing skills. I do have a warning, there are a lot of shady contests out there. Some want to extract as much as they can from your wallet, others want to steal your intellectual property. Here is a copy-and-paste link about those things: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags. https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests. You can also use the search box below to find the link. There are other blogs I have links for on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.

New questions.

Have you done any ghostwriting?

Have you ever written any fan fiction? If so, what storyline were you mimicking?

D A Wysong

10/3/2024 10:04:45 am

I have never participated in any ghost writing, perhaps in the afterlife, joking of course.
I have never mimicked an fan fiction as you put it.

Mark

10/3/2024 12:42:25 pm

That is a cute joke, it didn't cross my mind, surprisingly enough. It can be a way for a writer to make some money. A lot of people have a story, but they don't want to learn how to write well.

Here is another copy-and-paste link with more information or hit the search box below: https://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/creative-writing-careers

Some writers learn how to write by mimicking other writers. Some very popular story lines have generated a lot of fan content. It's all fine until someone tries to publish what they wrote then there are possible copyright issues to deal with.

New questions.

What do you think of the current controversy regarding AI, Artificial Intelligence?

Did you use AI in any of your writing or planning for your books? I am not including research in this question because most of the major browsers have embedded AI in the browser.

D A Wysong

10/3/2024 01:33:47 pm

Ghost Writing sounds lucrative I may have to reconsider. As for AI I have never used it in my writing or my cover art.
I see AI as an instant gratification of sorts regarding pictures that are generated. I am also a screenwriter and do not approve of content creators being able to use another's image, voice, or persona. This feels like a great infringement and just wrong on so many levels.
I recently had an offer of generating my Creeper Ceepers series into an AI short movie comparable to a short movie. I saw the first page of the first book Haunting of Grey Cliff Manor & was extremely excited!
In this case because it is my own work I think it is perfectly fine. It would be no different than if I were to independently produce and convert my book into a film myself.
I think as with everything there is a danger in not compromising. The trick is having the wisdom to know when to stand by your convictions.

Mark

10/3/2024 04:49:51 pm

I think you found a good use for AI in turning one of your books into a video. That sounds interesting. Not being a writer or a screenwriter, I am not sure how it is possible, but I bet you can figure it out.

I know that AI depends on instructions or prompts to create something. Create may not be the correct word, gather information and mold it into a specific form to respond to the prompts. I understand that the prompts may require a lot of finetuning to achieve the desired results. It doesn't help that sometimes AI provides an irrelevant response also known as hallucinating or lying.

The real problem is that the people who have created AI apparently don't know how it actually works. That raises red flags for me because these people are trying to create something that may be beyond human control. Thankfully, some very smart people are worried about this also. That still leaves bad actors that will not submit to any oversight.

Many are racing to create versions of AI tailored for specific purposes that may or may not make AI more reliable.

The landscape is shifting rapidly.

New questions.

Have you encountered a troll reviewing one of your books?

How did you handle it?

D A Wysong

10/3/2024 05:51:47 pm

I agree Mark in the world shifting rapidly both with AI as with the world around us.
When it comes to trolls I recently came across one in particular with one of books over the summer. It was my one and only bad review on over thirty books. I suspect he was a troll because when I checked his other reviews on different books they were all derogatory. Could be a coincidence I suppose but I don’t believe in coincidences.

Mark

10/3/2024 08:00:29 pm

I don't believe much in coincidences also. You certainly found a troll, no doubt.

Many authors get into a serious lather about a bad review of any kind but especially an undeserved bad review. Some of the reviews trolls leave show that they didn't even read the book. I have told many authors that a bad review validates the good reviews. It proves that the good reviews were not just friends and family saying nice things. I also tell the authors not to talk with the troll, they want attention and revel in an author's misery.

New question.

What was the first paying job you worked as a kid and how old were you?

D A Wysong

10/3/2024 08:37:59 pm

I was the oldest of four girls so early on I was designated the role of babysitter. When I was thirteen I landed a job outside of my family on Friday nights. I was paid $35 to babysit five kids for a barmaid at the local bowling alley from 9pm to 3am. Saturday nights I was a salad girl at the Watermill Inn, an upscale restaurant. Think minimum wage was $2.00 hr or less.

Mark

10/4/2024 08:59:44 am

I was the oldest of four also. I babysat for a neighbor a quarter mile down our driveway. She paid me to clean her kitchen floor also a couple of times. After that it was picking strawberries in June and beans in July.

We walked a third of a mile to get to the bus stop for school. It was rolling land on the side of a mountain. I tell my kids I walked uphill both ways.

New questions.

Have you done any public speaking?

If so, will you be doing more in the future?

D A Wysong

10/4/2024 09:09:33 am

I grew up in middle class suburbia, and walked 2 miles each way to schools beginning in Kindergarten. Rain or shine all by myself. Kids these days have no idea how easy they have it.
The closest I have come to speaking publicly is going live on YouTube with Bigfoot Michigan Rob. October 14, will be my next show. I did one podcast on X with Nikki and Craig which was fun. I have declined other shows and decided to keep BMR exclusive. It’s really about time for me, it takes a lot of energy and preparation to be in public. I Have also down a book signing for the first time last year. I plan on getting more active in the community and with that I will be more in the public eye.

Craig Crawford

10/4/2024 12:07:07 pm

The podcast was fun! Have you ever considered selling books at a convention? I tried that for the first time last month and I had a good experience. I know Kentucky has at least one if not more horror themed conventions and aside from table costs and setting up your books it doesn't seem like a lot of work--you know, after the first one.

Mark

10/4/2024 12:17:23 pm

Time is a crucial factor for all of us. Time waits for no one.

Glad you are doing a book signing. They can be a lot of fun and people love meeting authors. There is the occasional smartass that asks a question about some obscure detail from an early book. Don't let it throw you off beat. Just tell them with so many books not every detail sticks as well as the most recent.

Some authors are afraid to appear in public under any circumstance. They are missing opportunities to build a fan base and sell more books. Public speaking is the number one or two fear for a lot of people. It is also easy to overcome. An author needs to keep in mind that no one knows their book as well as they do. The author is the expert on the book. The audience wants the inside scoop about the book. It makes the readers feel special. Feeling nervous is natural; by keeping focus on the facts the nervous feeling can help an author to speak with more passion and energy. The audience will eat it up.

I speak from experience. I developed a stammer as a little boy and could barely talk if I was nervous. Speech therapy didn't help. What did help was taking a Dale Carnegie course in public speaking. I shared the biggest secret above. I love speaking in public now but only about stuff I know a lot about.

New questions.

Among present or past family members and friends how many are or have been writers or authors?

Is there anyone you know who might claim you as their inspiration for writing?

D A Wysong

10/4/2024 12:34:56 pm

I agree public speaking can induce panic and fear on many levels. Thanks for your vote of confidence!
In my circle of family and friends I am the only writer. Though I am surrounded by a lovely group of people with their own talents.
I can see my 5 year old granddaughter who writes on her play laptop becoming an author one day. We tell stories often as well as read together. She spends a lot of time with me and claims she is writing books like me! Who happens to be the character of two of my children’s books aka Princess Pickle Puss & Holding Zaylei .

D A Wysong

10/4/2024 01:34:55 pm

Craig yes it was fun & 2025 is going to be the year when I start making public appearances. I have some goals & look forward to marketing my books in the public arena. A convention sounds like a great opportunity!

Mark

10/4/2024 03:31:30 pm

Grandkids love their grandparents unreservedly! That is such a wonderful thing. Mrs. Word Refiner and I have 5 grandkids total, three in our area and two in South Carolina.

One of my favorite blogs is about pursuing the local author angle. How to be a marketing star right where you live. Another copy-and-paste link or search the title in the box below: https://annerallen.com/2019/08/hometown-book-marketing/
I would add a few tips, seek out literature teachers at the high school and college level to share in their class and there might be a club in the school. Local newspapers are a good resource for an interview as well as local cable access. There might also be a broadcast arts curriculum and/or a club at the high school and college level. Have some questions ready to hand the interviewer if they seem uncertain.

Senior centers are another good possibility and they usually welcome any sort of activity like that. Contact the events director.

If there are tourist destinations try and place your books with the local author angle. Museums, gift stores, motels, hotels, tourist attractions are all possibilities. Keep a box of books in your trunk. Get a counter-top holder for a few books, paste a picture of the cover on the holder behind the books and put re-ordering information on the back of the holder.

Consider renting a table at a comic convention, county fair, farmer's market or a flea market. Have free swag to hand out such as a bookmark and sell mugs or posters. There are so many ways to be the 'local author' I doubt I have exhausted the list of possibilities.

New questions.

I noticed that your book is in Kindle Unlimited. How is that working out for you?

Why did you choose that exclusive venue?

D A Wysong

10/4/2024 03:59:01 pm

Mark thanks for all the great tips and insights for local venues. I do have my books in several local bookstores as well as a gift shop and restaurant.
I chose kindle unlimited to get my name out there. I think there’s a good chance of someone buying a second or third book if they like the first one. At this point I think getting your name is part of the process of being an author. A friend of mine who is a screenwriter suggested a few years ago that I market myself including my name. He also suggested my authors name on my books should be as big as the title. My name isn’t quite the big on the book but bigger than when I first started writing.

I have sixteen grandchildren and a third great grandchild on the way in February. I adore my grandchildren, each and everyone of them.

Mark

10/4/2024 05:52:58 pm

You are welcome. You are already doing some of those things, that is great!

That is a good use for Kindle Unlimited. Putting the first volume in a series should attract more buyers on the other side of Amazon. I will add that some authors have placed all of their books in KU and make a decent amount of money. Not enough to live on solely, but pay a bill or two.

You are so right. Getting your name out there and exposure for your books, is a life-long process. While promoting the new book the back list needs to be showcased also. Remind the readers about all of your books. I like the idea of the author's name being as big as the title. It makes a lot of sense.

So many grandkids and great-grandkids, you are a wealthy woman!

New question.

What is your favorite food and beverage?

D A Wysong

10/4/2024 06:03:19 pm

I dearly love rich Italian food, also seafood. Believe it or not if I had to pick one drink it would be water. I have been known to especially love a good cup of coffee.

Mark

10/4/2024 08:18:43 pm

Water is my beverage of choice also. I drink it cold. Unless I am restricted from coffee then my first cup is hot.

Coffee is necessary also. But I am quite particular about my coffee. I cold brew my coffee at home. One package of regular ground coffee into the bucket with a little more than two quarts of water. It sits on my counter for three days, room temperature. This brewing process eliminates most of the acids and oils in the already-cooked coffee grounds. I drink it black at home. Almost 1:1 coffee concentrate and boiling water. It is easy to adjust for personal taste. Anywhere else it needs a little doctoring, some flavored creamer and perhaps a packet of sugar.

Yes, Starbucks sells cold-brewed coffee and it is nice except I like my coffee hot. I am particular. Starbucks won't heat the CB coffee in the microwave for me. Their CB equipment is made by the same company that I bought for my use at home. I think they only allow it to soak for 24 hours.

Food. I love Italian food. I love almost all food and am an adventurous eater. I like trying new foods from anywhere.

New questions.

Have you ever gone through the query process?

Were you seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers and why did you choose that path?

D A Wysong

10/4/2024 08:48:17 pm

Back in the 90s I did go through two years of querying for an agent. Looking back I see the error of my ways, i had only written bone children’s books and to be honest I am glad I quit querying for an agent.
Many years later it all just seemed to click one day. Clear as day I needed to find an illustrator for my book. I stumbled across Fivver and found an illustrator. It was a cha ching moment and immediately the next book came and another it was exhilarating!
I quickly learned all the many facets of being an Independent publisher aka 22 Muses Publishing. Honestly it would take a large royalty check in order for me to go with a traditional publishing house. I didn’t realize that I would love the creative control of my own books. Ps I would love to be able to hire a PR for marketing… it’s the least favorite part of being an author.

Mark

10/5/2024 09:05:23 am

Two years, that is a lot of banging your head on a wall. Fortunately, you wised up and followed an alternate path. You have lots of company also. Some famous, traditionally published authors have elected to publish some of their new material independently. They discovered what you learned a long time ago, having complete control of your book is very worthwhile artistically and financially.

Publishers are not giving out large advance checks unless your last name is King or Rowling or Sanderson. An advance has to be repaid by book sales, so it delays any royalties to the author.

Brandon Sanderson is a pretty big name in fantasy circles. He found a loophole in his contract with his publisher and created a special, deluxe edition of one his books. He used crowdfunding to pay for it and made a ton of money. Here is a copy-and-paste link about it: https://kriswrites.com/2020/07/22/business-musings-the-kickstarted-game-changer-part-two/

New questions.

After rejecting traditional publishing, did you consider an independent or hybrid publisher?

Did you use an indie publisher for this book or did you start your own imprint or press?

D A Wysong

10/5/2024 09:15:17 am

I chose to publish with Amazon to publish and created 22 Muses Publishing. I recorded Amazon because it is so user friendly. If I can publish anyone can publish, they publish your book on demand. I still need to use their marketing strategies more, remember marketing is my least favorite part of the writing industry.

Mark

10/5/2024 02:30:06 pm

Many authors struggle with marketing. It can take a lot of time away from writing. It is akin to an ultra-marathon instead of a sprint. An author needs to schedule an hour or two every week or two and stick to the schedule so they can keep writing.

There are lots of marketing opportunities in the Amazon system. The author page is one and some authors utilize it to their advantage. They post their blogs there or maybe it links to their blog or website. Amazon ads are rather tricky. Amazon requires bidding, against other authors it seems, for ad placement and the number of clicks you are willing to pay for. Dave Chesson and David Gaughran have posted extensively about what works and doesn't work. That landscape changes frequently because Amazon is always adjusting the algorithms, apparently.

Beware of anyone selling courses to master Amazon ads. What worked a week ago doesn't mean it will work next week.

New questions.

How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?

Have you ever seen a ghost or had some other type of supernatural experience?

D A Wysong

10/5/2024 04:31:16 pm

The major obstacle for many Independent Authors is making sure your material has been edited. A publishing house has several proofreaders as well as an editor. It is hard to edit your own work to the final draft. As an Author, I want my book to be perfect, and for myself that requires another set of eyes on my manuscript. A successful writer, as with all things, requires oneself to take constructive criticism, this includes editing.
Yes, and I consider myself to be an experiencer of paranormal encounters. Over my lifetime I have had my share of ghostly encounters as others around me have. Some of them were downright terrifying.

Mark

10/5/2024 04:42:38 pm

Writing the first draft is a very solitary experience. No one else can get the story out of your head. After that, more eyes, fresh eyes are needed. After a round or two of rewriting, beta readers are a good step, more fresh eyes. Another round or two of self-editing and rewriting leads at least to a critique partner or an editor, better yet; fresh eyes again. One or two rounds with an editor should bring a manuscript to almost ready to publish. One more set of fresh eyes are found in a competent proofreader.

You may find the latest blog on my "Words For Thought" page to be useful. The best tips I have found for self-editing, tricking your brain into thinking it is seeing new material. Seeing material for the first time makes it easier to spot errors.

I have not had a serious ghostly encounter.

New question.

There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

D A Wysong

10/5/2024 06:37:23 pm

I saw a movie called Brand New Cherry Red, it was about a budding screenwriter that had her screenplay stolen. She of course seeks revenge on the Director that stole her script and called it his own.
I have a few friends that are Independent screenwriters and later became Directors for this very reasons after escaping from Hollywood
I think that most Creatives have this primal fear to have their (baby) stolen with no recognition. Imagine seeing someone else receiving credit for your own work. Luckily the few friends I had this happen to later had several movies independently filmed and doing well and was able to move past this grave injustice.

Mark

10/5/2024 08:21:36 pm

Having your intellectual property stolen is terrible! Especially since the copyright on books lasts for 75 years after the author's death.

Hollywood chews so many aspiring performers, writers and directors up and spits them out. There are those who have no compunction about stealing the work of others not just in Hollywood but in all artistic endeavors including writing and publishing.

It's good to be wary, listen to your gut. If it seems too good to be true it probably is.

New questions.

Is there a book that causes strong emotions to come up no matter how many times you read it?

Do you ever read a book more than once?

If so, which one?

D A Wysong

10/5/2024 08:37:50 pm

When I was younger I did read The Hobbit several times as well as stories written by Poe & Lovecraft. Because I am immersed in writing my own books I very seldom read a book more than once.
I am very much a collector of books and from time to time I will pull a book off the shelf and read an excerpt fondly.

Mark

10/6/2024 07:41:55 am

I have read The Hobbit twice and the LOTR three times. Tolkien was my introduction to high fantasy. I have also read several books by CS Lewis including Narnia. Lewis wrote a science fiction trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet. He patterned the protagonist after Tolkien. I binged on Lovecraft once. I find I cannot read him anymore. I overdid it.

New questions.

Has a book ever changed your mind about any particular topic?

Did you have a favorite book as a child?

D A Wysong

10/6/2024 11:02:55 am

My favorite books growing up was Where The Wild Things Are and I especially loved when my mother would read to us a book of nursery rhymes. When I was a bit older I was hooked on Nancy Drew Books. Eventually i had the entire series one of my prized possessions.

Mark

10/6/2024 01:28:45 pm

Lovely memories! Do you still have the Nancy Drew books? What a treasure.

I had a series of books called The Happy Hollisters. A family of brothers and sisters who solved mysteries in their neighborhood. I loved those stories growing up.

New questions.

Can you read a book for the pleasure of reading, or do you find yourself analyzing everything you read now?

Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

D A Wysong

10/6/2024 01:42:37 pm

I definitely can read for pleasure, Eat Pray Love & The Notebook are treasured examples. These types of books are not my usual forte but I gravitate towards them from time to time. I have actually thought about writing a screenplay for the Hallmark channel perhaps a heartwarming Christmas story.
Quantum Bigfoot is a current favorite written by Ron Moorehead. Another favorite for study and research is A Separate Reality written by Carlos Castaneda is on top if my list. I have a nice variety of books Hammer of the Gods about Led Zeppelin is a book I treasure.

Mark

10/6/2024 03:43:11 pm

You are lucky. Many authors have told me that they can't stop from analyzing books as they read and their reading pleasure has been reduced because of that.

Hallmark does specialize in that type of stories. My wife enjoys watching them and so do I.

New questions.

What about your own books, do any of them make you emotional?

If you could ask every person, who has read one of your books, only one question what would you ask them?

D A Wysong

10/6/2024 06:21:07 pm

My books stir different emotions. My twelve children’s books invoke love and sweet memories of joy and laughter. These books are sparked from childhood memories of both my children and grandchildren.
My Creeper Ceepers stir in me a remembrance of why I love the paranormal, all pointing to cautionary tales of urban legends.
My Monster Hunters series invoke a deep truth within me. Though it is written as historical fiction and entertainment purposes of course, I know that truth is stranger than fiction. The lingering question being is the historical account of past events really accurate. After all truth is objective or is it subjective depending on the narrative we are taught.

Mark

10/6/2024 06:29:58 pm

Memories of children and grandchildren are sweet and worthy of being treasured.

One just came to my mind. Our youngest daughter was four, she was instructed by mommy to give the gloves to daddy (me). When she handed them to me, she said, "Here, Daddy, here are your hands."

You certainly connect some far-flung dots in the Monster Hunters series. It certainly ties together well in this book, Unleashed.

Truth is supposed to be objective, it should be true regardless of the circumstance. A philosopher, Francis Schaeffer, called it true truth. A lot of truth is colored by emotions, circumstances and sometimes lies. History, as the pundits say, is written by the victor.

New question.

Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?

D A Wysong

10/6/2024 06:59:17 pm

Yes the creative process is where human and divinity connects. It’s where the spark ignites and gives birth to an entirely new entity. For me the creatives process is esoteric in nature. It is mysterious and mystical and to meet one’s Muse is quite divine. To be the creator of something that never existed is quite spiritual.

D A Wysong

10/6/2024 07:31:00 pm

Ps the answer to your last question is I always feel invigorated after I write. If I write through the night or for long hours on end I may feel physically exhausted but at the same time I am invigorated mentally and spiritually. I am in pure bliss during the creative process.

Mark

10/7/2024 08:34:19 am

Many authors have related similar experiences to me. They can be quite tired after writing for hours, but the deep sense of satisfaction fills them so well. Pure bliss is a good way to describe a muse-led writing session.

New question.

Since a copyright in America lasts for 75 years after the author's passing, do you have a plan for all of your books and the royalties in your will?

D A Wysong

10/7/2024 08:39:21 am

Yes I actually have thought about adding my many books to my will. Specific books were inspired by specific children and grandchildren and they would be written accordingly. The other books written otherwise will be divided equally. Hope it’s a lucrative legacy.

Mark

10/7/2024 12:11:51 pm

Good for you! Some authors have never considered these things. One never knows what will become popular in the future.

Last question.

Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

D A Wysong

10/7/2024 12:29:40 pm

I think the key to developing timeless characters is tapping into what your Muses whispers in your ears. We as creatives must yield to what our characters want to convey. When we do this it breathes life into memorable characters and ultimately timeless tales that linger for years to come.

Mark

10/7/2024 01:33:41 pm

I think you nailed that one. Flat characters are unrelatable, and those stories are frequently closed without being finished.

Thank you for allowing me to help promote your book. I enjoyed the story quite a bit.

This conversation has been a lot of fun, but I have another promotion starting tomorrow so our time on the Word Refiner channel must come to an end.

Until next time, keep on writing.

Monster Hunters of America - Unleashed by D. A. Wysong

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