Interview with George Sirois
The Blog Ring of Power Presents...
An Interview with Author George Sirois
Today we have an interview with fantasy author George Sirois via Blog Ring of Power member T. W. Fendley. George is here to tell us a bit about his science fiction novel, Excelsior, and to share some words of wisdom with aspiring writers. When you're finished here, hop on over to the BRoP sites to read the rest of George's interview.
BRoP: Tell us about your route to success –how did you land your agent/publisher?
George: I had originally self-published “Excelsior” so that I could maintain some control over the character. But after being out for a couple of years, I realized that I had hit the proverbial wall with it. It needed a new support system, and as luck would have it, I came across Rocking Horse Publishing – based out of Creve Coeur, MO – and took a chance with submitting it. After a few weeks of waiting, Robin Tidwell contacted me and said she would love to release this book under the RHP banner in November of 2013. I signed my contract just a couple days later and I took this opportunity to give my book one last once-over and I fixed any glaring issues I may have had over the past couple of years. Now, it’s just the way I want it and I promise that there won’t be any more additions to it.
BRoP: What tools are must-haves for writers?
George: More than anything, patience. If you rush your way through writing a book, it’s going to show and not in a good way. And you also need a solid support system. You need an editor, at least two beta readers, a proofreader, a cover designer, and a devil’s advocate that will take off your rose-colored glasses and bring you down to reality.
BRoP: Do you have any advice for other writers?
George: The main thing I learned during this journey is that you can’t re-write from nothing. Writing is re-writing and the first draft is nothing more than the foundation that the house is built on. Everything that comes after comes from the re-writes. Once you accept that what first comes out of your mind and onto the paper won’t be seen by anyone except you, then you have nowhere to go but up.
BRoP: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
George: Mainly, I’d like to say thank you for your support and wanting to take this little trip into the world that’s been sitting in my head for so long.
BRoP: What are your current / future project(s)?
George: I have two major projects in progress. One is the rewriting of my 2002 novel “From Parts Unknown” and turning it into a five-part serial. The other is the first of two “Excelsior” sequels – “Ever Upward: Part Two of The Excelsior Journey.”
What format is your book(s) available in (print, e-book, audio book, etc.)?
Both
Where can readers can stalk you:
Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Official Newsletter
GEORGE SIROIS self-published his first novel From Parts Unknown in November of 2002, which he is re-working as a five-part eBook serial and paperback release. When he self-published his young adult/science-fiction novel Excelsior in July of 2010, it was named “Top Pick” by Night Owl Reviews and a quarter-finalist in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. George’s writing has also been seen on 411Mania.com and Booktrib.com as a featured columnist. After living in New York City for most of his life, George and his wife and their two dogs now happily call St. Louis, MO their home. In his spare time, George is an avid cinephile, a collector of film scores, a lifelong fan of the New York Giants, and enjoys West Coast Swing dancing.
EXCELSIOR: Created by high school senior Matthew Peters, Excelsior – savior of faraway planet Denab IV – is becoming an Internet sensation as the main character of a popular online comic strip. But before Matthew can enjoy his burgeoning success, a beautiful older woman arrives at his school and tells him that not only is she from the planet Denab IV, but that Excelsior's lifeforce lives within him. Now, with Excelsior's old enemies regaining strength, Matthew realizes he is the key to Earth's survival and Denab IV's salvation, and he has an opportunity that he never thought possible, to become his greatest creation. . .
GET IT NOW:
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
This is part five of a five-part interview. Be sure to check out the other BRoP sites for the rest of the interview:
Part 1 @ T.W. Fendley
Part 2 @ Emily LaBonte
Part 3 @ Sandra Ulbrich Almazon
Part 4 @ Vicki Lemp Weavil
The Blog Ring of Power (BRoP) is a consortium of five speculative fiction writers who have banded together to bring you highlights from the current speculative fiction market--news, reviews, and interviews with speculative fiction authors--with an emphasis on small-press and self-published authors. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, and relax. Have we got a story for you...