Friday, January 20, 2012

Interview with Matthew Horn and Book Giveaway!!

Today I have an interview with an author I had previously never heard of. Matthew Horn is the author of a new book, The Good Fight. This book sounds very interesting and like an exciting fast paced book:) And guess what? Matthew has generously offered to give one copy of his book to one of my readers!! You won't want to miss this one. Read through the interview(there is some exciting news in there!) and then get your entries in for the giveaway.

INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW HORN
Thank you for being with us today, Matthew!!! How long have you known you wanted to be an author?
Growing up my mother, an English Master, taught me to write but I never thought I would use it this way. I first tried writing my own work in college. I remember I was reading Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy. In a completely unguided fashion I wrote two paragraphs about a super spy before quitting. I reached a part where I wanted to write a description of my hero's gun and realized I didn't know anything about guns. I ended up deleting the project alltogether. About four years later I found myself reading The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. I remember again filling up with the desire to write. This time however, I wrote a 5 page outline about my character and his life before starting the work. Three months later I had a 600+ epic fantasy novel. I guess it had been stored up inside of me for a long time and when I finally let it come out it poured out with a torrent.


Can you tell me a little bit about your new book?
The Good Fight
is a thriller/suspense novel set in modern day Chicago. The prologue begins with a young homeless boy named Jeff searching for food in an alley when he gets wrapped up in a fight between some common thugs and a vigilante. The vigilante saves Jeff's life and Jeff uses the power of that event to turn his life around. Sixteen years later Jeff is on the verge of graduating from a small community college in Chicago when he is given the chance to return the favor to the vigilante by saving his life. Jeff ends up learning the vigilante's identity and becoming his reluctant protege. Jeff quickly learns however, that the life of a vigilante can often be more grey than he anticipated.


When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?
I want readers to ask themselves whether or not the vigilante Jeff works with was a bad guy or a good guy? It seems a simple question as the book progresses, but by the end the question becomes ambiguous due to the plot development. How would the reader respond in a similar situation? Would you walk a straight line or would you care what line you walk as long as you produced positive results? I hope readers gain a real sense of self by answering questions proposed in this book.


Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?
I love history and when it comes to life it is even better. I would love to visit some of our nations historic sea faring towns. My wife and I visited Nantucket in May and it was amazing. I would love to see other places maybe even including some of the more famous sea faring spots in Europe as well.



If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
George Washington and Sam Adams. I think it would be amazing to meet with the man who truly led the political side of our independance along with the man who led the military side. The stories of their struggles and perseverance could easily fill a dinner. Someone would probably have to remind me to eat.

What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?
I would absolutely love to have been a part of the Continental Congress in 1776 as they debated the topic of Independance from England. These men debated one of the most controversial topics in the history of mankind and gave birth to the greatest nation our world has ever seen. Just to have been a fly on the wall and hear men like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson speak would be more valuable to a man's experience and edification than anything our current political system has to offer.


Do you have a favorite hobby?
Hands down my favorite hobby is reading. I do however, love to be active. I grew up on a lake and love to swim, ski, tube, wakeboard, etc. I also love sport and play a lot of basketball and tennis. In the winter we travel to Michigan once or twice for snow skiing but almost no matter what I do I take a book with me.

Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?
My family and friends will know this, but the public would not know that my wife is currently pregnant with our first child and is due January 25th. I have taken time out from writing in the last 3 or 4 months to remodel one of our bedrooms as the nursery and help my wife to purchase and organize all of our stuff. Oh boy do we have a lot of stuff now.

Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?
First and foremost assume that you have no idea how writing or the publishing industry works. The biggest mistakes I've made have come from the fact that I thought I knew what I was doing. Find professionals who are willing to talk with you, answer questions, and help guide you. There are literally thousands of writers trying to get published and nearly all of them are just like you. Get social, join clubs for book lovers and authors, and find someone who will talk with you and give you honest opinons of your work and how to publish it.

Any last thoughts for your readers?
I hope that anyone that reads my works (hopefully there will be lots more) simply enjoy them. My goal is not to write something that sells but rather to write something that tells its own story. I love writing and will probably do it for the rest of my life whether any of them ever get published again. Thanks for taking the time to read this interview and thanks for taking the time to read The Good Fight.

And how can they connect with you?
If anyone wants to get in touch with me they can visit my website www.matthewrhorn.com or email me at matthew_horn@hotmail.com. Also I can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Anobii, Bebo, and Goodreads. I am also a member of several yahoo book groups including BooksAMonth, CafeLibri, and ACFWbookclub.

So readers, you interested yet? And what about that awesome news for Matthew and his wife? A big congratulations are in order, Matthew!

Check out the book trailer for The Good Fight!!

Now, for the giveaway one blog reader will win a copy of The Good Fight. Follow the directions below and you will be entered. Don't want to miss this one! And if you can't wait to find out if you win the giveaway, The Good Fight can be purchased through Amazon.

This giveaway will end 2/2. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winnner will be chosen.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

37 comments:

debbie said...

I would keep it and read it.

debbie said...

He mentions tom clancy.

Linda said...

Probably keep it as it pertains to homelessness and could use it as a resource.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would read it myself first, then lend it to friends

Anonymous said...

Terry Brooks

avalonne83 said...

I think I'd keep the book for me: it seems great!

Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I would keep the book for me as I like this storyline.

Wendy Rozema said...

I would keep this book

Teresa Young said...

I'd keep it - I have stuck with the same authors for years & decidede 2012 was my yer to branch out in my reading authors & genres.

Teresa Young said...

Tom Clancy

bn100 said...

I would keep this book because it sounds very interesting to read.

bn100 said...

Terry Brooks

rubynreba said...

I would keep the book for myself.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Jessica Peeling said...

I would read it and then share it with someone!

Anonymous said...

I would read it then share it with others
robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Tom Clancy
robinlscott4 at hotmail dot com

♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ said...

I would read it myself first of course and then pass it along

♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ said...

another author mentioned is Terry Brooks

corey1971 said...

I would keep it for myself. (Corey Olomon)(olomon@hotmail.com)

Nancy said...

I'd give it to my husband!

nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Nancy said...

He mentions Tom Clancy.

nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

Diana said...

I would keep it
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Emily said...

I would give this book to my husband.
lovemuffin_em@hotmail.com

Emily said...

Tom Clancy

Mercedes said...

Oh, it would be mine. Mine mine mine!

Mercedes said...

He mentioned Tom Clancy.

Char W said...

I would read it first and then pass it on :)

Char W said...

Terry Brooks

Giant Sis said...

I'd read it and then pass it on! I don't like to keep many books after I've read them!

Giant Sis said...

Tom Clancy

Barbara said...

I would keep it for myself & then share it with my mother.
bae725@gmail.com

Barbara said...

tom clancy
bae725@gmail.com

Candie L said...

I would read it and then pass it on. Thank you

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

Candie L said...

He mentions Terry Brooks. Thank you

candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

Robin Blankenship said...

I would like to read it

jadavis said...

I would keep it and then pass it along!
Jadavis42@students.tntech.edu

jadavis said...

Tom Clancy
Jadavis42@students.tntech.edu

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