Shadow of the drill by Rhani D'chae

12/11/2017

Born of Circumstance, Bred for Revenge

Multi-volume author, Rhani D’Chae introduces us to Shadow of the Drill:
A Gritty and Violent Thriller.

A brutal experience transforms an unproven young tough into a ruthless killing machine.
For fifteen years he waited, building his body into an unstoppable weapon so that vengeance would be had through the strength of his will and the power of his hands.

On the bloodstained streets of a northwestern city, the enforcer known as the Drill stalks his prey. Judge, Jury, and Executioner; he seeks out those who target the weak, condemning them to the kind of justice that has made him a legend.

Amazon cover Goodreads cover

I am quite blown away by this book. There is an amazing depth of character for all the actors in this story! Rhani breaks one of my pet peeves of head-hopping, but she does it so very well. I can’t hold it against her.
This is a steamy action thriller! The milieu is faithfully captured, the mean streets have never been meaner, the strippers are never off the stage, and the action leaves me breathless! This is one of the seamier sides of society that few of us ever stare into. But Rhani has brought these people to life in a way that reveals the humanity shared by us all. We all want success, security, and acceptance.
A darkly honest and wonderful picture of the human condition, Shadow of the Drill gets 5 stars!
I have it on good authority that a sequel is in the works.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Drill-Born-Circumstance-Revenge-ebook
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Drill-Born-Circumstance-Revenge-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17823252-shadow-of-the-drill

You can follow Rhani D’Chae:
https://twitter.com/rhanidchae
https://rhanidchae.wordpress.com/

action, fiction, thriller, suspense, enforcers, strippers, mystery,

Copyright © 2017 Mark L Schultz except for the author's introduction

104 Comments

Rhani D'Chae

12/12/2017 08:51:00 pm

Hi Mark, thanks for the great review. I'm so glad you liked the book. Did I tell you that the sequal will be out soon? I'm bringing everyone back, but they won't all make it through. Who will it be? Hmmm... 🤔

Mark

12/12/2017 09:22:24 pm

Rhani, you're killing me with the suspense! Let me guess, hmm, It can't be Charlene or Rudy, they are such major characters. It is going to have to be Tawnee, she is such a pain in the butt. Don't tell me if I am right, I like surprises!

Rhani D'Chae

12/13/2017 12:31:39 am

Okay, I won't tell you. But I will tell you that there's going to be a few that don't make it through. I'm trying to keep the books fairly true to life, and there was never any guarantee that you would see the same faces on the street on Tuesday that you saw on Monday.

Mark

12/13/2017 12:40:43 am

You had mentioned to me previously that this book was based, in part, on someone you knew. Would you care to share a little more?

Rhani D'Chae

12/13/2017 02:18:32 am

Sure. When I was much younger, I lived in Decker's world. In the book, I've combined various factors from different towns that I lived in. Rudy's nightclub is drawn from the Oklahoma City, Portland, and Tacoma clubs I worked in. Decker and Rudy are a blend of two or three enforcers that I knew, and the girls that dance at the Toybox are pretty much all people that I've worked with over the years.

Mark L Schultz

12/13/2017 12:12:55 pm

No wonder you could describe everything so well. Quite amazing. What inspired you to write originally?

AJ Chastain

12/14/2017 01:08:49 am

It's cool when an author writes about things they have personal experience with. I think it helps 'em make everything more real.

Mark L Schultz

12/14/2017 10:51:54 am

I agree AJ, thanks for popping in. Are you a writer?

Rhani D'Chae

12/14/2017 12:08:35 pm

AJ, hi. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I'm guessing you like to read. Do you also write?

AJ Chastain

12/14/2017 07:14:53 pm

No, I don't write. I once thought I was a poet, but...not so much. I do like to read though.

Mark L Schultz

12/14/2017 07:21:38 pm

I am glad you stopped by, AJ. For clarity, this is my website. I love to read also, it has been a lifelong source of pleasure and entertainment. What are your favorite genres to read?
I have over 100 book reviews in many different genres including non-fiction.

AJ Chastain

12/15/2017 06:45:05 pm

Mark, great to meet you. I like thrillers & action books. Stuff like Jack Reacher.

Rhani D'Chae

12/13/2017 12:57:19 pm

I was always an avid reader, growing up. I always had paperbacks scattered around the house and I would read whichever book was in the area I was in. I think I started writing because I loved reading so much. Falling into fictional worlds was such a joy to me, and I think I just wanted to open some of those doors for other readers. I had stories to tell, and I thought that if one of my stories could reach someone the way that the books I'd read had reached me, that would be an awesome thing. I love writing, and I'm excited to finally be putting my stories out there.

Mark L Schultz

12/13/2017 03:54:42 pm

That is great! I was a big reader as a child also. But I have never had this urge to write, sometimes I wish I did. Do you have a favorite book? One that you enjoy reading over and over?

Rhani D'Chae

12/13/2017 06:37:43 pm

Oh, several! Lol Pretty much anything by steven King or John Saul. Pillars of the earth, by Ken Follett is a HUGE farorite of mine, as are the books in The Asian Saga, by James Clavell.

Mark L Schultz

12/13/2017 07:10:51 pm

I haven't read King, Saul or Follett. But I read several of Clavell's books in college and just after. Tai-Pan, King Rat, Shogun, and Noble House. I think Shogun was my favorite.
What is the next book about?

Rhani D'Chae

12/14/2017 12:15:07 am

My personal favorite was Taipan, which I think was the first one in the series. The only one I haven't finished is Gai-Jin. But I began reading it right when my sight was really starting to fail, and it was very hard to focus on what I was reading. Shogun was my next favorite.

Mark L Schultz

12/14/2017 10:53:44 am

When did you start to lose your vision?

Rhani D'Chae

12/14/2017 07:19:08 pm

About seven years ago, I think. Just a little at first, but now it's pretty bad. I get shots in my eyes that treat most of my issues. They also are standard treatment for the macular degeneration that I just found out I had. 😅

Monie link

5/18/2021 06:38:59 pm

Sorry to pop in. I loved "Shogun". Good night buddies!

Mark

5/18/2021 09:15:07 pm

Hi Monie, we are glad you popped in. You obviously have good taste.

Mark L Schultz

12/14/2017 08:04:18 pm

That really does sound pretty bad. My wife was coming down with Glaucoma, I think, and was able to get laser surgery and they put new lenses in to correct her astigmatism at the same time.
Did you do any writing in school? Did you dream of being a writer when you were in school?

Rhani D'Chae

12/14/2017 10:37:22 pm

I have glaucoma, and had cataracts also. So I also have new lenses. I did write a Star Trek story when I was 13 or so, but it was horrid! I didn't do any more writing for a lot of years. Not til I was in my early twenties.

Mark L Schultz

12/15/2017 01:33:30 am

So you tried your hand at fan fiction, that is really cool. Which version was it set in? Do you remember much about it?

Sharon Loska

12/15/2017 12:11:46 am

I've read Shadow of the drill and I thought it was a really good book. I do know the author, so I had some behind the scenes knowledge, but I really liked the book. Very intense.

Mark L Schultz

12/15/2017 01:35:31 am

Thanks for popping in Sharon, I am really glad you are here to share about SOTD. Have you known Rhani a long time? Is there a chance you might be in her book in some part?

Sharon

12/15/2017 02:56:25 pm

We met about 20 years ago. We found out that we are related through a strange twist of fate. Lol I'm pretty sure I'm not in her book, but she tends to look at everyone she knows as character fodder, so I'm sure I'll end up in one of her books sooner or later.

Mary Lu Scholl

5/24/2021 09:08:00 am

You have a good attitude about your possible presence add a character. I tell people to be careful or they may end up dead in my next book...

Mark L Schultz

12/15/2017 03:23:20 pm

That is pretty funny! A long lost relative thing. Are you a writer also? What kind of books do you write?

Sharon

12/17/2017 12:02:04 pm

I haven't written since college, but there are times I wish I'd kept up with it. I got married, started a family, and life just got in the way of art. I do like to read though.

MARK SCHULTZ

12/17/2017 03:26:56 pm

Sharon, you made the right choice. Young family always comes first. If they are grown, perhaps now is your opportunity to renew that interest.
What genre do you think you would like to start with?

Sharon

12/21/2017 12:43:09 am

I think I'd like to try scifi or maybe a mystery. I might try to write, I haven't really thought about it.

Mark Schultz

12/21/2017 11:17:14 am

If you have a book inside you crying to get out I hope you do just that. Write that book. There are never too many books! Have you thought about combining both of those genres?

Rhani D'Chae

12/21/2017 06:11:41 pm

Sharon, I've been telling you for years that you should get back into writing, and now you're hearing it from someone else. Jot down a few ideas, pick one that sounds good, and give it a try. And if that one doesn't work, pick another one. Lol

Mark Schultz

12/21/2017 06:49:59 pm

Good advice Rhani! I would add one bit more. If the thought of a book is overwhelming, then start with short stories. There are lots of competitions out there, and you could get some good advice.
Keep a notebook of all your ideas. You will never run out of things to write about after a couple of years of short stories. Many short stories are worthy of being a book.

Mark

5/24/2021 10:40:02 am

Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment, Mary. As a cozy mystery author are you thinking of writing in a different genre? I do enjoy your books and have reviewed several here on my website for full disclosure.

Mark Schultz

12/15/2017 07:25:24 pm

So AJ, I like action also, but not as much as Scifi and Fantasy, but it runs a close second. Time travel and dragons are a couple of my favorite topics.
Have you read any paranormal thrillers? I can highly recommend the books by Michael Allan Scott.
Have you seen The Last Jedi yet?

AJ Chastain

12/21/2017 02:00:17 am

I bought a copy of the book, and I've read a fair bit of it. It's pretty good and I can see why it got the reviews it did.

Mark Schultz

12/21/2017 11:15:01 am

Did you buy Shadow of the Drill? Thank you for that. I love supporting authors, buying their book and leaving a review is most encouraging to the author.
I am not one of those people who buy a book and leave a review without reading it.
Do you have a favorite all-time book?

AJ Chastain

12/21/2017 12:35:32 pm

This will sound dumb, but my favorite all-time book was a kids book called double trouble for Rupert. It was fairly short, and not particularly deep, but it was so much fun to read. Rupert and his friends got into so much stupid, kid type trouble that I laughed all the way through every time I read it. Maybe if I read it today it would just seem dumb, but back then I thought it was a great book.

Rhani D'Chae

12/21/2017 06:17:56 pm

AJ, thank you so much! I'm glad that you are enjoying what you've read so far. My boys can be a bit rambunctious, but they mean well. Lol

Mark Schultz

12/21/2017 03:10:52 pm

Nothing dumb about that AJ. A good book can be a joy for a long time. What book would you recommend to a good friend now?

AJ Chastain

12/26/2017 01:15:27 pm

I really pretty good broke a while back called The Last Soldier. I'd recommend that one to a friend.

Mark Schultz

12/26/2017 01:27:37 pm

What kind of book was that? What made it so memorable for you?

AJ Chastain

12/26/2017 05:40:04 pm

I really hate Autocorrect. I'm glad you knew what I was trying to say. The book was a futuristic story about what our world could might be if we aren't careful. I don't normally read that kind of thing, but I saw some tweets about it and it looked good. I really like the author's writing style and the book was pretty dramatic. There were a couple of parts that went a little over the top for me but I think most readers would like those parts too.

Mark Schultz

12/26/2017 06:20:14 pm

That sounds like an interesting book. I read a YA dystopian story not long ago by another PNW author, Tessa Clare; she wrote a wonderful First person POV story called "The Divinty Bureau". I really enjoyed it! Here is the link to the review: http://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/divinity-bureau-by-tessa-clare @tessaclaretdb
In the last almost 3 years, I have read so many different genres, it has really gotten me out of my box and I am glad for it.
So what do you think you will read next?

Mark

5/17/2021 06:47:15 pm

How long have you been writing fiction?
Are you in the writing business for love of writing or for money?

Rhani

5/17/2021 08:07:54 pm

I've been creating and killing people for a very long time. Lol I started writing when I was quite young and went back to it when I could over the years.
I would be lying if I said that money wasn't part of the thought process, but I write because I can't not write.

Mark

5/18/2021 06:36:18 am

I have heard many authors say they must not stop writing because the noise in their head gets too loud. The characters want to have their turn in the spotlight.
We are resuming a conversation we started about 4 1/2 years ago. During that time you have written other books and have been writing a sequel to this book. We have talked many times and the follow-up story has been very difficult to complete.
Would you like to share about that with us? What is the title of the new book?

Rhani D'Chae link

5/18/2021 01:17:17 pm

The sequel is titled Winter of the Drill, and puts my character, Rudy, in conflict with an enemy he didn't know he had.
Rudy owns an adult entertainment club that rival club owner Duncan Malone will stop at nothing to get.
This plotline is based on my experiences with club wars in the seventies and eighties, when men handled their own business, and the police were never called.

There have been many roadblocks to the completion of this book, including a time when the entire first half was eaten by a malfunctioning computer. This was before things could be saved in the cloud, so rewriting it was just a joy.

I think part of the reason for the delay is that Shadow of the Drill underwent a massive rewrite after its original publication and is now a fairly decent book. The 1st editions still float around eBay from time to time, and if you see one, I definitely advise running as fast as you can in the other direction. Lol That book is crap. It's crap with potential, but it's still crap.

The rewrite completely transformed Shadow into something that I am actually quite proud of. Readers seem to like it, and the reviews have been good.
Because of this, I think a large part of the problem with Winter is that I am afraid on some subconscious level that it won't live up to Shadow. I am constantly editing and rewriting, never satisfied with what's on the page in front of me.
I think that once it's done, and I see what kind of response it gets from readers, I will be OK with writing the future books in the series. It's just getting to that point that seems to be a bit wonky.

I was on a pretty good roll with Winter, though, until about a year ago when life interfered with art, as it so often does.
Health issues have affected both my vision and my ability to type, so I was unable to make any real progress for quite a while. I haven't opened my laptop in months, but my vision has stabilized enough that I am able to continue working on my phone.

So yes, Winter has had a hard path to completion, but I'm hoping things will be easier from here on out. 😀

Mark

5/18/2021 01:24:01 pm

Computers and technology are great when they work and absolute horrors when they don't. I bought a new laptop a few weeks ago and am still setting it up. I bought an archiving program two years ago because I wanted to be able to transfer several gigabytes of files to the new computer. That struggle has yet to be completed successfully. I have managed to get old files but none of my latest work.
New questions.
What inspired you to write this book?
Why did you choose this genre, or do you feel the genre chose you?

Rhani link

5/18/2021 04:44:41 pm

Shadow of the Drill came about because of a name. I was writing a book and I wanted a character with a one word name. Something simple that people (characters) would immediately recognize and react to. Kind of like how we all get the same mental picture when we hear the name Rambo.
I called a friend for input but I didn't like any of her suggestions. Finally, she yelled "Black and Decker" and hung up on me. Lol
Obviously, that wouldn't work, but I did like the name Decker. It occurred to me that Black and Decker makes power tools, like drills. An enforcer named Decker, who handled business quickly and efficiently and who could power through almost any person or thing that he came up against, might be nicknamed "the Drill."
The story I was working on fell by the way side, and I focused on this new character. Aside from his appearance, which is pretty much my own creation, Decker is a compilation of a few of the enforcers that I knew in my younger days.
Decker is a tough, vicious man, but he has a definite soft side. He lives by his own code, and the legal and/or generally accepted definitions of "right" and "wrong" rarely apply.

The plot was inspired by a small newspaper article that I saw many years ago. It was about a girl who had been sexually assaulted and left in an alley. I knew that it had been raining the night it happened, and I thought how miserable an experience it must have been for her. First the assault, followed by lying on cold pavement in the rain, waiting to be found.

I remembered that article while I was trying to think of a good first situation to put Decker in. The tragedy of the attack and the vulnerability of the girl seemed like exactly the sort of thing he would be drawn to.
I tweaked a couple of things, and Shadow of the Drill was born.

I didn't really choose this genre. I often say that the book wrote itself, and it pretty much did. Decker told his own story, all I did was type.

Mark

5/18/2021 05:00:04 pm

Your muse did a good job of narrating the story and you were excellent in getting it all down.
I love how you put the opening together, it worked well, establishing Decker as fully developed character.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.
This next question might seem obvious, except that I sometimes miss something the author intended. What do the elements on the cover represent?
Why is the cover on Goodreads different from Amazon?

Rhani link

5/18/2021 06:35:12 pm

4Wills Publishing did the cover. The have done a couple of my covers, and I love the one they did for One Dyke Cozy!
I think they were just trying to make it very clear with the cover that this book contains violence and is not for the faint hearted reader.

The two covers are a story in themselves. In the seventies I became acquainted with a series of books called Edge. This is a Western series, and at the time it was billed as the most violent westerns in print. Absolutely something I would read.
I loved the covers in the Edge series, each of which resembled something that could have come from an early graphic novel. They showed action scenes with lots of color, very eye catching.
It was what I wanted for the cover of Shadow, so I hired a cover designer to give me something with the same feel.
I love that cover, which is the one on Goodreads. But when I joined a specific book club, I was told my the club president that the cover looked "cartoonish" and did not invite a read. That is how the current cover came to be.

Mark

5/18/2021 09:12:09 pm

There is no mistaking the message of the Amazon cover. Not for the squeamish to be certain.
The story for the Goodreads cover is great. It is definitely a retro look. Now, cartoons ala graphic novels are big business. I think all of your books would translate well into graphic novels.
New questions.
You explained how the lead character's name was decided. How about the other characters were they hard to come up with?
Your book is available as an e-book and a paperback. Are you planning any other formats?

Rhani link

5/18/2021 10:08:51 pm

I would love to see any of my books as graphic novels and have been looking for someone to possibly do that, but I haven't found anyone yet.

The names for the other recurring characters were fairly easy. I had a friend many years ago who went by the nickname JT, which stood for Just Trouble, like it does in the book.
I see Tawnee as a blonde goddess with a gorgeous fake-n-bake tan. I think she wears shimmer powder that sparkles under the lights. It was the best name I could give her.
There was a time when I worked with a girl who always wore a white rabbit coat on stage. She danced under the name of Snowbunny, which I thought was cute.
Charlene, Davis, and Maria were just names that came to me, and they worked, so I kept them.
I don't remember where Rudy's first name came from, but I wanted his last name to be clearly Hispanic, and Valdez seemed both masculine and beautiful, like Rudy himself.
I didn't put too much thought into the names of the minor characters since they would mostly be dead by the end of the book. Lol

Mark

5/19/2021 08:14:39 am

The names are good and work well. Some authors put a lot of work into character names. The authors want the names to be authentic to the period of their story. There are websites who have lists of popular baby names for different periods and even geography at times.
New questions.
Your Amazon author page currently shows only three books: Shadow of the Drill, A Perilous Thirst, and I've Always Loved Women. I know you have written more. Any idea where the other books have gone?
What are the Amazon keywords you chose for your book?

Rhani link

5/19/2021 01:07:53 pm

My author page? I guess I forgot about it. Lol I have a very hard time doing anything online, because of my vision, or lack thereof. By the time I finish filling out the forms to get a book published on Amazon, I usually have an eye strain induced migraine. At that point, all I want is a gallon of tequila and ten or twelve bottles of aspirin. Top that off with the fact that I'm old and have a memory like a sieve, and things like my author page tend to fall through the cracks. This is why I need to find a good marketer who can handle some of this stuff for me.

I think I used keywords like Action and Revenge for Shadow, and Serial Killer for I've Always Loved Women. One Dyke Cozy probably has LGBT, and Zombie for Zombie Dawn. I am guessing I probably used Action for Megamax, but I don't remember. I am not particularly brilliant when it comes to picking keywords. 😄

Mark

5/19/2021 02:26:38 pm

I forgot about your vision issues for a moment. That makes a lot of sense. I do have a list of book promoters among the other lists of service providers on my Twitter home page. Click on the three dots under the banner picture.
More keywords might help gain more sales. Words that people use a lot to find what they want to read. One way might be to find a similar book that is selling very well and copy all of the keyword categories the book is listed in the rankings.
New questions.
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Rhani link

5/19/2021 03:22:32 pm

I will look into those suggestions you gave me about keywords. I hate doing research of any kind because of the reading involved, but I will give it a shot.
I entered several writing contests when I was still involved with the book club that shall not be named. Lol None of my books ever took 1st place, but they did score highly enough to make me happy.
I never expected any of my entries to come in first, mainly because of the subject matter I choose to write about. I am certainly not saying that a book knee-deep in blood can't win a writing contest, but it just seemed like the judges in this book club preferred the kinder, gentler stuff. And I don't write much of that. Lol

Mark

5/19/2021 03:42:28 pm

I am reminded of something lawyers are purported to say, "you can't beat a station wagon full of nuns." Everyone has inherent biases, even judges. Not many like to wade through a lot of blood and gore. There are no two ways about it. If you received good scores that is a win.
I know you don't like doing research, I wouldn't either if reading was so hard.
New questions.
You have written in several genres. One Dyke Cozy, reviewed elsewhere on my website, was a departure from most of your other genres. Are you going to write in any new genres? Perhaps a diesel-punk Jack the Ripper? ;-)
Shadow of The Drill and the soon-forthcoming Winter of The Drill are full of bloody action as well as many tender moments.
Every genre's fans have expectations about what they are going to want to read. Fans of cozy mysteries have a set of expectations that can differ greatly from the expectations of fans of hard-boiled murder mysteries.
What expectations do fans of your genre look for in a story that they want to read?

Rhani D'Chae link

5/19/2021 06:54:19 pm

Cozy was a definite departure for me. Only one death and actual humor sprinkled here and there. Lol

I've gotten great feedback on Shadow, and what people are hoping to see in Winter, and it all seems to come down to a couple of things.
1. A higher body count
2. A more detailed look at what happens in Decker's basement "work space."
3. Exploration of the Charlene/Rudy situation.

My Winter Beta readers seem happy so far with how I've addressed two of those things. Decker doesn't spend much time in the basement this time around, sad to say. But there's still plenty of fun stuff happening elsewhere.

Mark

5/19/2021 07:30:06 pm

The basement, huh? I wonder who is looking for ideas? Nobody we know, I hope. ;-) Many have a morbid curiosity about violence, people watch car wrecks and gather around fights, until the shooting starts.
New questions.
I noticed that you didn’t put your book in Kindle Unlimited. Why is that?
Have you ever gone through the query process, seeking an agent, submitting directly to traditional publishers or did you go straight to indie publishing or self-publishing, and why?

Rhani link

5/20/2021 07:40:48 am

I'm very lucky that people want to visit the dark worlds that I've created. Hopefully, that will continue. Lol

Shadow was in Kindle Unlimited a couple of times, as all my books have been. But I never noticed a difference in sales. Maybe I just don't know how to utilize it properly. At any rate, I didn't see a reason to keep the books there, and it does appear to limit what I can do with them as far as putting them on other platforms.

I tried the traditional route for years before I went into indie and then self-publishing. Shadow was originally written in 1999, so that gives you an idea of how much time I spent trying to get a traditional publisher to take the book.
Since moving Shadow to Amazon, I have not looked for an agent or tried to push any of my other books in the direction of traditional publishing. It does work very well for some people, and if I was offered a publishing contract I might think differently, but it does seem that an author loses too much control over their own work by going that route.
At this point in time, I am pretty happy being on my own.

Mark

5/20/2021 07:51:49 am

Some people do well in KU, many do not. You are right, KU demands exclusivity for several months, at least. You cannot place your book on any other platform during that time.
Amazon has turned the traditional publishing market on its head. The part of the industry has been shrinking dramatically for years. There are only 4 major publishers left and they are all struggling to stay afloat. Their profit margins are so slim they are not going to take very many chances on an unknown author or any questionable (in their eyes) manuscript. If it doesn't fit neatly into their box it won't happen.
You are right again, an author loses so much control when they sign a contract. Unless negotiated otherwise the publisher can throw out the cover, require the book to be rewritten, even delay publishing for many months.
Speaking of contracts, if an author can't afford to have an experienced lawyer go through the contract carefully, then the author can't afford the contract. It is so easy for an unscrupulous publisher to grab the intellectual property rights forever.
New questions.
Have you had contact with a vanity publisher or a company you thought might be trying to scam you?
Are there any other advantages for the independent author to self-publish?

Rhani link

5/20/2021 11:42:22 am

You are absolutely right about the contracts and the legalese. Very scary stuff! I also found out that if, for example, a publisher took Shadow, it might be in the contract that I could not write anything in any other genre under the name Rhani D'Chae. Also, any other thrillers (which seems to be how Shadow is most often categorized) that they choose not to publish could not be self published for the duration of the contract. There are so many ways for an author to get the short end of the stick.

After I rewrote Shadow, I decided that it wasn't going to make me any money sitting on my computer as a Word file. So, in ignorance of publishing, I paid Xlibris to publish it. Huge mistake!
Xlibris is part of the Author House group, and their sole reason for existence is to hustle as much money as possible from naive/uninformed authors. They gave me some copies of my book and put it on their website, but that was as far as it went. They did nothing to market it, except for blasting me with emails offering "much needed" marketing programs that cost thousands of dollars.
I stayed with them for a year, then ran like a bunny to self-publishing and never looked back.

I think that self-publishing is the absolute best route for any author who does not have a perfect publishing contract fall into their hands. The author has complete control of their work and doesn't need anyone's permission to change any part of a published book. With digital and print-on-demand publishing, changing a few words or entire sections takes only a few clicks.
Self publishing gives authors complete flexibility and control when it comes to things like genre jumping or using different pen names for different kinds of content. I write whatever comes to mind, and though there is violence in almost everything I write, the situations are very different from book to book. I love that I can bathe in blood with the Drill books (thrillers), send a zombie into the alley behind my house (horror), or dip into drama by following a vampire into a bar or peeking into the mind of a serial killer. I can even give fist-to-face action in Megamax, just because I thought it would be fun to do it.
No one tells me what to write or (thankfully) when to have it done. Two of the best things about being self-published.
Another great aspect of self-publishing is that the author keeps 100 percent of the sales income. These days, it seems that an author has to do most of their own marketing, no matter who they publish with. So if he's doing all the work, why shouldn't he keep all of the money?
I know that some people disagree about the merits of self-publishing, and there are valid points to both sides. But overall, I can't think of any reason for a new or unknown author not to give it a shot.

Mark

5/20/2021 11:54:45 am

You have made some excellent points. The lack of marketing is probably the first big shock for a first-time, traditionally-published author.
New questions.
You have published several books on Amazon. Has the experience publishing your books with Amazon changed much since you started?
Is using Twitter and other social media part of your marketing strategy? What other marketing ideas do you use?

Rhani link

5/20/2021 12:42:19 pm

I am sure that things have changed with Amazon's marketing programs, and so on. But I've never used any of that so I really wouldn't know if things have changed or not.
As far as getting my book up onto the platform, nothing has changed. I like that, actually. With my vision as bad as it is, I like knowing what boxes and fields need to be dealt with before I go into the uploading program. I don't want to have to try to read and understand new stuff every time I publish a book. Lol

I used to be very active on Twitter and fairly active on Facebook but I had to almost completely stop several months ago when life interfered.
I'm now back on Twitter, and will be doing more with Facebook. I am not very good with any other social media platform, so those are the only ones that I use with any consistency at all.
I really need to find a social media guru to help me with some of this stuff. Lol

Mark

5/20/2021 01:57:49 pm

I really dislike when a software program goes through a major update. Many things are no longer in the same place as before. I have had to change the theme on my website three times now. It has been awhile since the last change, so I am about due for another shock.
Social media takes up a lot of time. I used to be on Instagram and still have an account there, but I haven't posted anything for months. I have a business page on Facebook and on LinkedIn and do little more than make an occasional post.
Twitter is where I spend 99% of my social media time allowance. I have to limit my time so I can get proofreading and book promotion done.
I hope you find the guru you want. I think that you will be trading money for the fact that you can hardly see.
New questions.
Do you have a newsletter, you send out to fans? Why or why not?
Do you subscribe to any author newsletters?

Rhani link

5/20/2021 03:11:35 pm

I do subscribe to a few newsletters, mainly to be supportive of those authors. I take a look when the headline catches my attention, but I don't make a habit of trying to read them, for obvious reasons. Lol

I did have a newsletter for a while, while my website was on Wix. But there was a glitch of some kind and the newsletters weren't going out. I couldn't find anyone who knew enough about Wix to fix it, so I had everything transferred to the word press site.
But the friend who transferred it didn't know how to hook up an email list/newsletter, so I currently don't have a newsletter. I will be working on this in the next week or so, because I want to have one again.

Mark

5/20/2021 07:11:23 pm

I subscribe to quite a few newsletters just to see what authors are doing. I also subscribe to several graphic novel authors and they do quite a bit of crowdfunding.
I am glad you are going to revive your newsletter. Put me down for it If I am not already on the list.
New questions.
Will you have to use a separate service such as Mail Chimp or can it all be done within WordPress?
Will you have a reader magnet to get people to sign up for your newsletter?
The list of email addresses is like gold for an author.

Rhani link

5/21/2021 10:47:16 am

I used Mail Chimp with Wix, and I'll probably use it again when I get things going again.

People got the first chapter of Shadow when they joined the letter, but I may give them one of the short stories this time. I haven't decided yet which way I'll go.

Mark

5/21/2021 11:10:43 am

MailChimp is popular with a lot of authors, until the mailing list reaches a certain size, then their price goes up. Some stay with MailChimp and some switch. Writers have blogged about this topic of course.
Those are both good ideas. People love getting something for free. Make sure the freebie is not a duplicate of what they can read on the Amazon book page for free. Perhaps the first two chapters would be a nice enticement.
New questions.
Do you plan to have any contests or giveaways for your fans?
How do you think you will operate the contests? What will your fans have to do to have an above average chance of winning?

Rhani link

5/21/2021 11:46:24 am

Winter is being published and handled by Fresh Ink Group. This will be the first time that an indie publisher has taken my work, and I'm curious to see how it goes.

I will probably let FIG handle any launch giveaways for Winter. I would like to do the raffle thing, and people can get extra entries by following on Twitter, Liking my Fb page, and so on.
I am definitely willing to give away copies of the book, and I am also thinking about various types of swag. I've given away coffee cups in the past, and I am looking into T shirts and stuff like that. I have won a couple of T shirts in author giveaways, and I wear them often. People are always looking at the logos and asking me about the books, so I know that they can be a good marketing tool.

Mark

5/21/2021 12:39:20 pm

That is exciting, you are trying something new. How did you find and choose Fresh Ink Group or did they approach you?
Who supplied the coffee mugs and such in the past? Will you use them again or someone else?
T-shirts are a good marketing tool. I once saw a T-shirt that said, "All I know about life I learned from T-shirts." I laughed.
Back to you, Rhani.

Rhani link

5/21/2021 02:39:16 pm

That was a funny shirt!

The guys from FIG were members of the book club I once belonged to, and we met there. I have a great deal of respect for them both, and I was beyond thrilled when they asked for Winter!

I got the coffee mugs from a local trophy shop, but I don't think I will use them again because they were quite expensive.

Mark

5/21/2021 02:44:12 pm

That T-shirt was very funny.
The guys from Fresh Ink Group knew you were writing the new book, Winter of the Drill. They must have loved this book, Shadow of the Drill. They are definitely forever fans!
Ordering things like mugs, bookmarkers and refrigerator magnets are probably cheaper online. Let me know who you decide to go with.
New questions.
In your experience, which marketing avenues have been the most rewarding or profitable?
Speaking of marketing, why did you pick me to help promote your book?

Rhani link

5/21/2021 03:05:35 pm

Beem from Fresh Ink wrote one of my favorite Shadow reviews. I loved it! 😁

Marketing, ugh! Lol I honestly haven't found any marketing plan that has really worked for me. I know there are things that work well, but I haven't learned them yet.

I don't remember how we met, but I love your review/interview process. I think you've worked with all of my books, and I will continue to put them into your capable hands. 😀

Mark

5/21/2021 05:08:22 pm

Beem is a great guy!
Marketing is the hardest nut for almost all authors to crack. It requires taking off the creative hat and wearing the business hat. The book is merely a product that an author wants to sell. It needs to get in front of lots of people to sell a few copies. With a million books published every year, that becomes a difficult task. I recommend to authors to authors that they set aside a few hours each week to pursue marketing opportunities.
Thanks, I have the only live interview for authors on the internet, as far as I know.
New questions.
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
There are many scams in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

Rhani link

5/21/2021 09:49:31 pm

The 1st edition of Shadow really sucked. Lol But I think the rewrite is pretty good. Yes, I do think it would hold up to a book in the same genre, published by a major publisher.

There are many scams that infuriate me, but this one is at the top of my list. There are book clubs out there that do help you market your books to and get reviews from other members. I'm not saying they don't. BUT there is also a STRONG expectation that you will pay to enter writing contests, book promotions, book fairs, ect. Also, members are pushed to use author services (proofing, editing, book covers) from companies that are tightly connected to those who run the club. I know it's not a "scam," because people do sell books. But to be a "supportive" member is both expensive and expected. I have sold a good number of books through clubs like that but have not not recouped even a small percentage of what I spent.

Mark

5/22/2021 06:59:56 am

That is a new one for me. Not being a member of a book club organization I am unaware of the inner workings. I can easily imagine that the owners want members to be involved in all aspects financially.
I have been encouraged to join a couple of book clubs with a casual inducement that I might get more proofreading work. I decided that the odds didn't look good. I have hung my shingle on several entrepreneur-type websites and have never received one bit of work, so I rely on my own website and contacts through Twitter.
Investment and return is a difficult situation for most authors. It seems that most authors do not recoup their expenses for production and promoting their books. The self-publishing authors have the best chance, it seems, because their expenses are lower. For most authors, writing and publishing a book is a labor of love.
New questions.
Have you thought about offering a POD, large-print edition of your books?
Have you thought about using Kickstarter or other crowdfunding platforms to pay for publishing or production of books or special editions? Here is one example, granted, it is extreme because the author has a large number of fans: https://kriswrites.com/2020/07/22/business-musings-the-kickstarted-game-changer-part-two/ Copy and paste time again.

Rhani link

5/22/2021 01:46:27 pm

I have thought about doing POD books, but I've never considered doing them in large print. That probably sounds strange, coming from me, but I guess I just didn't think about it.
I haven't read a paperback book in years, because it's too hard to hold the book and my magnifying glass while turning pages. So physical books are not something I think much about.
When I do read a book, I read it on my kindle app so that I can make the font large enough to easily read.
But now that you have mentioned it, I think I will definitely look into doing some POD books that are in large print. Thank you for the suggestion!

Kickstarter is another thing that I have never thought of for myself, but after reading that article, I may have to look into it.

Mark

5/22/2021 01:51:51 pm

That makes sense to me that you haven't thought about a large-print book. Those are good reasons.
The Kickstarter campaigns I have backed send out a lot of email updates on the progress. That should be a requirement for your next social media maven. The process and underlying mechanics are interesting.
New questions.
Have you thought about trying to get your book into libraries? Here is a copy-and-paste link with more information: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/06/12/book-marketing-how-to-get-your-book-into-libraries
Have you thought about doing an audiobook?

Rhani link

5/22/2021 03:01:01 pm

I haven't really thought about libraries. I am not sure why, I just haven't. But I will definitely look into it, thank you for the link.

Audio books have been on my mind for quite awhile.
I have mainly focused on A Perilous Thirst because it is short and would be the easiest one to do, with only one voice. You've read it, you know what I mean.
I had hired/paid for a guy to do it who could do an amazing Eastern European accent. But something happened with him and he just...disappeared. I reached out to him several times but heard nothing back and finally had to file a claim with PayPal to get my money back.
I also spoke to FIG about doing an audio book for Thirst and they are currently looking for someone who can do the right accent. Not as easy as it sounds, apparently. Eastern European, yes. Dracula, no. 😄
There is also an app that lets a person record their own audio book right from their phone. I think I may try it at some point with one of the other books and see how it goes. Going that route would definitely be more in line with my microscopic budget. Lol

Mark

5/22/2021 05:14:33 pm

I have another link for you: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/08/07/build-your-own-audio-sound-booth
Here is one example of how to do it yourself. Perfect for the budget-conscious author.
I also have another list for you. One of the lists on my Twitter page is Narrators. 120 narrators on that list. I add more as I find them on Twitter. That might be useful.
In a previous interview with Mercedes Rochelle, about her audio book, she invited the narrator to join us and I had a bunch of questions for him. You might find that interesting, here is another copy-and-paste link: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/heir-to-a-prophecy-by-mercedes-rochelle-narrated-by-kevin-e-green
There are many videos on YouTube, blogs and lots of podcasts about that topic.
New questions.
For reading fun or pleasure, what is your favorite genre?
Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?

Rhani link

5/22/2021 05:51:26 pm

I don't have a "favorite" anything. Lol I like intense, hard-hitting fiction that holds my attention. I prefer stuff that would be rated R, if it was a film, and I'm particularly happy when main characters don't make it through the book. Ben's girlfriend in The Stand comes to mind. Life is often brutal, and people die. I'm okay with that.
In fact, by the time the last book in the Drill series is done, most of the characters you currently know will be gone.

I like many authors, but I don't think I have a favorite. I like many big-name writers, but some of the indies like Beem Weeks, Maura Beth Brennan, Ellie Douglas, and Suzanne Burke are at the top of my list.

Mark

5/22/2021 07:32:36 pm

I have another indie author you might like. Michael Allan Scott, a client BTW, has written some very brutal books. I think you will enjoy them, I have reviewed several on my website.
Now you are scaring me. I am not a fan of the characters I like dying, but it does happen.
New questions.
Do you ever read a book more than once? If so, which one?
Which of your books is your favorite, and why?

Rhani link

5/22/2021 09:33:16 pm

The 1st of my main/semi-main characters dies in Winter. Hopefully you won't be too devastated. Lol

It would be easier to list the books that I have not read more than once. No matter how many times I read a book, I always love the ending.

It would be very hard to pick a favourite out of my books. I love them all for different reasons. But, gun to my head (pun intended), I would have to pick Shadow. First off, Shadow is set in my world, so it is very familiar to me.
Secondly, because it is part of a series, I am able to develop the characters much more than I can in a one-off book.

Mark

5/23/2021 08:03:22 am

I better have some tissues close by when I read that, in case my eyes start to sweat. ;-)
A good book can be enjoyed many times. No doubt about that.
Shadow is a good choice and those are excellent reasons. I do enjoy long books for the deep character development and a twisty plot.
New questions.
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired at the end of a good writing session?
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?

Rhani link

5/23/2021 11:19:51 am

Writing can be very healing for me. I live with healrh/physical issues, and some days are much harder than others. On those days, I open up a WIP and kill someone. That always makes me feel better. 😁

The characters in our various worlds need to feel real to the readers. For that to happen, the authors need to feel what the characters feel.
In A Perilous Thirst, I worked with a vampire who has both a unique problem and the various issues that accompany such a problem.
The vampire spends the entire book in conversation with one man, whose voice is never heard. There is no action, no scenery, and no other characters to bring any depth to this story. It all comes from the heart and the words of one vampire, who has lived a very long and incredibly lonely life.
If I had not been able to tap into the emotions of my vampire, I think this story would have failed miserably.
Connecting to the characters on an emotional level is what pulls readers into the books. If an author can't tap into their characters' emotions while writing them, it will be harder for a reader to connect.

Mark

5/23/2021 12:01:26 pm

I can see Dr. Dracula writing a prescription for you, "Kill a fictional character, call me in the morning if you don't feel better."
In A Perilous Thirst is an amazing book. Severely limited, as you described, and beautifully written. The painful loneliness comes across so well.
I proofed a series of vampire books for Joyce Serrano, the first is Original Grace. I thoroughly enjoyed all three books. You might enjoy them also.
New questions.
What was your goal in writing Shadow of the Drill? Did you achieve it?
Has your life turned out differently than expected or planned?

Rhani link

5/23/2021 01:04:10 pm

Yes, I get that prescription often. Lol

When I wrote Shadow, I wanted to write a book that people would enjoy. I wanted to give them a peek into the world that I came of age in,which is one that many readers have never seen before.
The characters in Shadow were as real to me when I wrote the book as they were when I was young and running the streets with them. I hoped that readers would feel the intensity of that world, and I think I succeeded.

My life is much different than what I thought it would be at this point, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just...different. Tomorrow can move me down a completely different path, and I am always excited to see where those paths might go.

Mark

5/23/2021 03:22:41 pm

Shadow is intense and it has a very gritty, organic feeling to it. You certainly succeeded in conveying that.
We all make plans for our life, then life happens and we adjust almost daily.
New questions.
Have you ever done NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, held annually in November?
If you have, what kind of preparation did you do before NaNoWriMo started?

Rhani link

5/23/2021 04:44:17 pm

I've never done NaNoWriMo. I have friends who do it faithfully, but it's just not something I've ever been interested in.
Maybe it's because I don't know much about it. But it could also be because my vision issues prevent me from doing any long writing sessions. I can only do about 15 minutes at a time, which is probably why Winter is still not finished.
I may tackle NaNo at some point, but for now, I just don't see it happening.

Mark

5/23/2021 06:08:08 pm

Your vision limitations make sense for not doing it. 50k words in 30 days works out to less than 2,000 words a day. It only has to be a first draft, but I can see that easily taking more than 15 minutes.
Some people spend the month before planning and plotting out the novel. They develop a chapter by chapter outline, with each scene laid out in sequence and ideas for dialogue and action. some do as much research as possible also. Others just get excited and wing it! Those pansters are more likely to crash and burn because they get into a plot dead end and can't figure out a solution.
New questions.
Are you an under-writer or an over-writer?
When the first draft is done, do you need to add more to flesh it out or do you have to cut material because there is too much?

Rhani link

5/23/2021 06:22:36 pm

I always have to cut stuff. I am definitely an overwriter because I want my characters and situations to be as fully formed as possible.
I don't really write a first draft. I start writing and then I keep going back to the beginning and checking over what I've already done before I move on to the next section. By the time I finish a project, I have gone over it dozens of times. This method probably wouldn't work for most writers, but it's my style and I'm stickin' to it. 😄

Mark

5/23/2021 07:57:22 pm

A lot of of writers are like you. They wind up cutting stuff to meet a word count.
Quite a few writers don't have multiple drafts also, they keep massaging the project as they go along. One writer told me, he would outline a chapter extensively, after he had written it. The outline made it easier to find things as he went back and forth. It seems like a good idea for someone who isn't a plotter.
New questions.
What type of material is that most often, action, description or dialogue?
When working through the excess writing, are you talking about sentences, paragraphs or a chapter that didn't survive the final cut?
Do you save the parts that didn't make it into the final version?

Rhani link

5/23/2021 08:30:01 pm

When I am cutting stuff, I can't whatever I have to so that the bookcan be where I want it to be. I usually chop a little of everything so that it reads smoother and is not as long.

I usually cut or rewrite paragraphs. I don't think I have ever cut an entire chapter.

Yes, I definitely keep the stuff that I cut. Eventually, it will probably make its way into another book, and I like knowing that I have that stuff available, should I need it.

Mark

5/24/2021 07:53:35 am

That makes sense, every word has to earn its place on the page. If it doesn't move the story in the right direction it needs to go away for now.
Some authors don't save the stuff they cut. I agree with you, the cut material is worth saving.
New questions.
Do you prefer dialogue tags or action beats in your books?
What do you do to flesh out the characters for your stories? How do you give them depth?

Rhani link

5/24/2021 11:09:01 am

I definitely prefer action beats. For me, they are a natural part of helping my readers fall into what is happening on the page.
In my current writing mode, I tried to avoid dialogue tags as much as possible. I do use them, and probably more than I should, but I definitely try to find other ways to identify a speaker.
I recently read a book from an author that I had never heard of before. The book was recommended to me by someone who praised the skill of the author and the intensity of the content. I dove into it with great expectations.
It was probably a good story, but I will never know. Every time, and I do mean EVERY time that dialog appeared on the page, it was followed by "Joe said" or "yelled Sue," and so on. I found myself praying for a good ole action beat like "I think it's raining." Joe turned to the window. "Yep, it is."
Instead, I got page after page of "I think it's raining," Joe said. He turned to the window. "Yep, it is," he remarked.
Stuff like that. It kept throwing me out of the book so...I never finished the book.
I probably used more dialogue tags than necessary in my earlier work, but I am definitely trying to cut down on them now. I don't think they're always necessary and too many are distracting, rather than helpful.

I try to flesh out my main characters by giving them little personality quirks that are unique to them.
In the Drill series, for example, Rudy says "Let's get the road on the show." I am not sure why he chooses to misspeak the phrase, but he does.
Decker has a more formal speech pattern than the others, unless he's "working," Then, without realizing it, he falls back into the voice of his youth, heavy on contractions and dropped Gs.
The vampire in A Perilous Thirst also spoke formally, never using contractions. I think it helped create the image of an ancient soul who had lived waaay past his time.
I also like going into the heads of my characters. As a reader, knowing what a character is thinking or feeling helps me to visualize them as a complete person.

Mark

5/24/2021 11:33:31 am

I prefer action beats also. Dialogue tags have their place. They can be used to slow the pace or just to solidify a moment. They are greatly overused by many authors. I actually prefer to see an author use said for most of the tags, rather than the author breaking out the thesaurus to liven things up. Too much of that forces me out of the story and I start examining their word choices. The proofreading hat never comes all the way off.
Personality quirks are great, altering speech patterns are an excellent way to achieve character differentiation. When al the characters sound and talk the same the author loses some credibility.
Last questions.
There is a journey that a hero/protagonist must complete in a story. How did you frame the quest or challenge for your protagonist in this book?
What do you use to cause problems for the hero in this book?

Rhani link

5/24/2021 12:15:41 pm

Shadow introduces Decker to readers and explains that the assault of a girl who holds an important place in his heart set him on the path to becoming the Drill.
The incident happened 15 years prior to the events in Shadow, giving young Decker plenty of time to mature and prepare himself for the confrontation with the rapists.
Shadow revolves around the news that the three men have finally returned, giving Decker the opportunity to put the issue to rest in a very permanent way.

There are a few things that slow Decker down. Trying to find 3 men who do not want to be found is a bit worky. Lol Physical injury to both Decker and fellow enforcer Rudy Valdez doesn't help the situation either.
Add in a wide-eyed "trainee" with a bad case of hero worship, a former girlfriend who moved out of Decker's house but still lives over his garage, and a materialistic stripper who sees both Decker and Rudy as her ticket off the stage, and the holdups just keep coming.

Mark

5/24/2021 01:05:59 pm

That covers it pretty well. You didn't give away any spoilers also. Well done.
It is time to bring this interview to an end. We will resume it in the promotion for Winter of The Drill, which is coming out in a few weeks, hopefully.
You have been a wonderful guest answering all of my questions. I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversation.
Until next time, keep on writing.

Rhani link

5/24/2021 06:13:35 pm

I can't believe it's closing time already, the time went so fast!
I had a blast with you, as always, and I'm looking forward to meeting over Winter of the Drill. I hope you enjoy that one as much as you did Shadow.
Thanks again for giving me this wonderful opportunity to talk about my work.
See you next time around. 😁

Shadow of the drill by Rhani D'chae

Born of Circumstance, Bred for Revenge

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