Hey Everyone!! :-)
Khaled Talib is joining us today. Khaled, cand you us about yourself and how many books you have written?
Khaled: I was born and raised in Singapore. I began my career as a magazine journalist before switching to public relations. However, I’ve always wanted to write novels, which is truly my first interest. I’ve written three novels so far, all thrillers.
Me: That's awesome that you're getting to explore your passion! :-) What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Khaled: Gun Kiss was inspired by many themes, including the Hollywood scene, racism and political relations between countries. The novel tells the story of the Deringer that shot Abraham Lincoln being stolen at the Ford’s Museum in Washington D.C. Later, a blonde Hollywood actress gets kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord. The plot connects to the story, and has been described as “whip smart thriller” by Jon Land, USA bestselling author of The Rising. In fact, Gun Kiss even received blurbs from Gayle Lynd’s, New York Times bestselling author of The Assassins and K.J. Howe, author of The Freedom Broker. With a dash of romance, Gun Kiss will be released by Imajin Books shortly.
Me: Congrats on all the endorsements! :-) What are you working on now?
Khaled: I’m presently working on a bio-tech thriller set in South Australia, which primarily takes place at a vineyard. I used to manage the South Australian tourism public relations account, and part of my job required me to accompany journalists to the State on a familiarization trip. As such, I’m familiar with the region.
Me: Wonderful! It's always handy when real life experience can be used in our creative works. :-) What authors, or books, have influenced you?
Khaled: Oh, too many. I read all kinds of books from classics to crime to thrillers. If I were to list down every author and book, it’d be longer than the Mahabharata. But let us start with a few — Robert Ludlum, Dan Brown, John Grisham, Jon McGoran, Keith Thomson, Lisa Scottoline, Ruth Harris, Paulo Coelho. I could go on.
Me: Some great authors there. What are you reading now?
Khaled: I have loads of new books on my Kindle, but I haven’t gotten around to read any yet. Goodreads keeps reminding me that I must complete my book challenge in a year.
Me: I can sympathize with the never-ending To Be Read pile. ;-) For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?
Khaled: Readers can expect to feel like they’re in a theater, at least that’s what I’ve been told about the way I write. It has that 3-D effect or best described as being vivid. I don’t drag the pages, so it’s intense and fast with lots of twist.
Me: Sounds like fun! What is your favorite part of being an author?
Khaled: The part when someone leaves a nice review or sends me an email saying how much they enjoyed reading the story.
Me: I agree, that's a great feeling. :-) Do you have a day job as well?
Khaled: I run my own public relations agency.
Me: Lucky you! :-) What are the hardest and easiest parts about being a writer?
Khaled: When you reach the final page and type “The End” that’s not really the end of it, but the beginning for the writer to rework the entire manuscript. You do it over and over until it’s ready to go. You may not see your mistake, so you’ll have to work with editor. Hopefully your mistakes are minimal, but if the editor thinks some things cannot work, expect to spend more time restructuring the story. It can get boring reading the manuscript repeatedly. But you don’t have a choice. And then there’s the part trying to get it published. Trying to find a publisher isn’t easy. Even if you choose to self-publish, it’s not going to be an easy road; you must market the book yourself, and it takes time and effort. Writing pitch emails to reviewers and bloggers is a non-stop affair.
Me: Amen, my brother! What genre do you place your book in?
Khaled: I write thrillers and suspense. All that adrenaline gets me going! But who knows? I might dabble in other areas in future. Never say never, right?
Me: Absolutely! :-) Is there anything else you'd like to tell your readers?
Khaled: Happy reading.
Me: Definitely! For us all. ;-) And so these fine folks can find your work, are there any links you'd like me to post?
Khaled:
Khaled: Gun Kiss was inspired by many themes, including the Hollywood scene, racism and political relations between countries. The novel tells the story of the Deringer that shot Abraham Lincoln being stolen at the Ford’s Museum in Washington D.C. Later, a blonde Hollywood actress gets kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord. The plot connects to the story, and has been described as “whip smart thriller” by Jon Land, USA bestselling author of The Rising. In fact, Gun Kiss even received blurbs from Gayle Lynd’s, New York Times bestselling author of The Assassins and K.J. Howe, author of The Freedom Broker. With a dash of romance, Gun Kiss will be released by Imajin Books shortly.
Me: Congrats on all the endorsements! :-) What are you working on now?
Khaled: I’m presently working on a bio-tech thriller set in South Australia, which primarily takes place at a vineyard. I used to manage the South Australian tourism public relations account, and part of my job required me to accompany journalists to the State on a familiarization trip. As such, I’m familiar with the region.
Me: Wonderful! It's always handy when real life experience can be used in our creative works. :-) What authors, or books, have influenced you?
Khaled: Oh, too many. I read all kinds of books from classics to crime to thrillers. If I were to list down every author and book, it’d be longer than the Mahabharata. But let us start with a few — Robert Ludlum, Dan Brown, John Grisham, Jon McGoran, Keith Thomson, Lisa Scottoline, Ruth Harris, Paulo Coelho. I could go on.
Me: Some great authors there. What are you reading now?
Khaled: I have loads of new books on my Kindle, but I haven’t gotten around to read any yet. Goodreads keeps reminding me that I must complete my book challenge in a year.
Me: I can sympathize with the never-ending To Be Read pile. ;-) For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?
Khaled: Readers can expect to feel like they’re in a theater, at least that’s what I’ve been told about the way I write. It has that 3-D effect or best described as being vivid. I don’t drag the pages, so it’s intense and fast with lots of twist.
Me: Sounds like fun! What is your favorite part of being an author?
Khaled: The part when someone leaves a nice review or sends me an email saying how much they enjoyed reading the story.
Me: I agree, that's a great feeling. :-) Do you have a day job as well?
Khaled: I run my own public relations agency.
Me: Lucky you! :-) What are the hardest and easiest parts about being a writer?
Khaled: When you reach the final page and type “The End” that’s not really the end of it, but the beginning for the writer to rework the entire manuscript. You do it over and over until it’s ready to go. You may not see your mistake, so you’ll have to work with editor. Hopefully your mistakes are minimal, but if the editor thinks some things cannot work, expect to spend more time restructuring the story. It can get boring reading the manuscript repeatedly. But you don’t have a choice. And then there’s the part trying to get it published. Trying to find a publisher isn’t easy. Even if you choose to self-publish, it’s not going to be an easy road; you must market the book yourself, and it takes time and effort. Writing pitch emails to reviewers and bloggers is a non-stop affair.
Me: Amen, my brother! What genre do you place your book in?
Khaled: I write thrillers and suspense. All that adrenaline gets me going! But who knows? I might dabble in other areas in future. Never say never, right?
Me: Absolutely! :-) Is there anything else you'd like to tell your readers?
Khaled: Happy reading.
Me: Definitely! For us all. ;-) And so these fine folks can find your work, are there any links you'd like me to post?
Khaled:
Me: Perfect! Thank you so much for being here, today, Khaled. And thank you to the rest of you for stopping by, as well. Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the latest in Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)
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