An In Depth Interview with
Hunter S. Jones
Were you good at English?
According to my British husband, no--not currently, and he doesn’t think there’s much hope for my pronunciation of that specific language in the future. I’m from the American South and my accent is thick as molasses.
So, what have you written?
Historical fiction, romance, erotica, and now history. The best way to find my books and short stories is on Amazon. Thanks for asking. I’ve been nominated and won literary awards, and I’m very thankful for them.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-S.-Jones/e/B009SLNLKS
According to my British husband, no--not currently, and he doesn’t think there’s much hope for my pronunciation of that specific language in the future. I’m from the American South and my accent is thick as molasses.
So, what have you written?
Historical fiction, romance, erotica, and now history. The best way to find my books and short stories is on Amazon. Thanks for asking. I’ve been nominated and won literary awards, and I’m very thankful for them.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-S.-Jones/e/B009SLNLKS
What are you working on at the minute?
The UK launch of Sexuality and Its Impact On History: The British Stripped Bare.
What’s it about?
It’s a collection of historical essays on sexuality in Britain. A peek into the kinks of the British, so to speak, touching on the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Tudor, Stuart and Victorian Eras.
What draws you to this genre?
History is fun. People have always been colorful. It’s interesting taking a look at what they did in the past, and how they handled situations.
How much research do you do to add depth to your works?
Research is the best part when you’re writing. Finding little nuggets of information to resonate with readers and make a story believable; it brings the work to life.
The UK launch of Sexuality and Its Impact On History: The British Stripped Bare.
What’s it about?
It’s a collection of historical essays on sexuality in Britain. A peek into the kinks of the British, so to speak, touching on the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, Tudor, Stuart and Victorian Eras.
What draws you to this genre?
History is fun. People have always been colorful. It’s interesting taking a look at what they did in the past, and how they handled situations.
How much research do you do to add depth to your works?
Research is the best part when you’re writing. Finding little nuggets of information to resonate with readers and make a story believable; it brings the work to life.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
Outline, analyse, research, repeat…that’s how it works. Then it’s as if the story writes itself.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
For me? Being still and quiet long enough to develop a thought.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
The backstory of Sexuality & Its Impact On History: The British Stripped Bare is BAFTA and Oscar worthy.
What is the easiest thing about writing it?
The love of history and gleaning insight into life at another time is fascinating. You literally understand people better by studying the past.
Outline, analyse, research, repeat…that’s how it works. Then it’s as if the story writes itself.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
For me? Being still and quiet long enough to develop a thought.
What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?
The backstory of Sexuality & Its Impact On History: The British Stripped Bare is BAFTA and Oscar worthy.
What is the easiest thing about writing it?
The love of history and gleaning insight into life at another time is fascinating. You literally understand people better by studying the past.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I have never found a book I didn’t like or a format I couldn’t read.
What book/s are you reading at present?
Researching mainly... just finished Dan Jones brilliant book, The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors. Truly an inspired book by a gifted writer and historian. I’m looking forward to the new books by Charles Frazier and Jon Meacham later in April and May.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
Great question! I have a content editor, followed by a copy editor. I write like Southerners talk--in an archaic past, perfect tense. They get the words and tenses correct for me and help the story flow.
Do you let the book rest – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
No, it goes out while it’s fresh.
Did you format your own book?
No, never. I’m a writer not a formatter.
In what formats is your book available?
Ebook and paperback.
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
The publisher did the art for Sexuality & Its Impact On History: The British Stripped Bare. My go-to designer is Robin Johnson. You can reach her at http://gobookcoverdesign.com. She has an elegance that appeals to me. She, like my editors, ‘get’ me and understands my style and knows what I want to convey to readers.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Absolutely!
What is your opinion on the age-old ‘which is better?’ self-publishing vs traditionally publishing question? Pros & Cons?
The answer is probably what best suits the author. I do both and see benefits in each.
Would you or do you use a PR agency?
I’ve been approached by a few, but have taken a more indie approach to marketing.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
You get what you pay for is an old adage that rings true for book marketing. Some people believe they can do it themselves, but I like people that know how to reach an audience and partner with me. I’m a life-long marketing and sales person so I have a real understanding of how to connect with people. I look for promotors who can take my message to a larger audience.
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
Too much, according to my husband.
I have never found a book I didn’t like or a format I couldn’t read.
What book/s are you reading at present?
Researching mainly... just finished Dan Jones brilliant book, The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors. Truly an inspired book by a gifted writer and historian. I’m looking forward to the new books by Charles Frazier and Jon Meacham later in April and May.
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
Great question! I have a content editor, followed by a copy editor. I write like Southerners talk--in an archaic past, perfect tense. They get the words and tenses correct for me and help the story flow.
Do you let the book rest – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
No, it goes out while it’s fresh.
Did you format your own book?
No, never. I’m a writer not a formatter.
In what formats is your book available?
Ebook and paperback.
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
The publisher did the art for Sexuality & Its Impact On History: The British Stripped Bare. My go-to designer is Robin Johnson. You can reach her at http://gobookcoverdesign.com. She has an elegance that appeals to me. She, like my editors, ‘get’ me and understands my style and knows what I want to convey to readers.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Absolutely!
What is your opinion on the age-old ‘which is better?’ self-publishing vs traditionally publishing question? Pros & Cons?
The answer is probably what best suits the author. I do both and see benefits in each.
Would you or do you use a PR agency?
I’ve been approached by a few, but have taken a more indie approach to marketing.
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
You get what you pay for is an old adage that rings true for book marketing. Some people believe they can do it themselves, but I like people that know how to reach an audience and partner with me. I’m a life-long marketing and sales person so I have a real understanding of how to connect with people. I look for promotors who can take my message to a larger audience.
What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
Too much, according to my husband.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
William Faulkner said not to read reviews, and that’s good enough for me. I’m glad that people take the time to purchase and read my work. If they have time to review it, that’s a nice thing to do.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?
If you don’t have social media buzz, nothing sells. End of discussion.
Which social network works best for you?
Twitter is my fave, but I get more sales from Facebook.
William Faulkner said not to read reviews, and that’s good enough for me. I’m glad that people take the time to purchase and read my work. If they have time to review it, that’s a nice thing to do.
What’s your views on social media for marketing?
If you don’t have social media buzz, nothing sells. End of discussion.
Which social network works best for you?
Twitter is my fave, but I get more sales from Facebook.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
Whatever it takes.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
You must be flexible. Publishing is an ever-changing process. From what I’ve seen, most writers want to control everything, and it can’t be done. You have to let it go, and go with the flow.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Thank you so very much for including me on your fantastic site! This has been so much fun!
Whatever it takes.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
You must be flexible. Publishing is an ever-changing process. From what I’ve seen, most writers want to control everything, and it can’t be done. You have to let it go, and go with the flow.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Thank you so very much for including me on your fantastic site! This has been so much fun!
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
My Social Media & Website Links:
www.huntersjones.com
www.Twitter.com/HunterS_Jones
www.Instagram.com/HunterS.Jones
www.Facebook.com/HunterSJonesPR
www.Pinterest.com/HunterSJones
My Social Media & Website Links:
www.huntersjones.com
www.Twitter.com/HunterS_Jones
www.Instagram.com/HunterS.Jones
www.Facebook.com/HunterSJonesPR
www.Pinterest.com/HunterSJones
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of these questions! We are super excited for you and your new book and wish you every success with it, and all that you do!