TR: It’s my pleasure. So, let’s get started, shall we? How old were you when you wrote your first piece?
GF: In high school, Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot blew me away, and his Night Shift short stories prompted me to write my own shorts to entertain family and friends.
TR: What were they, and in what genre?
GF: The stuff I wrote in high school were all thrillers, but after I returned from studying abroad in Italy during college, I sent my short stories and feature articles (on travel mostly) out to the rest of the world.
TR: What made you start writing to publish?
GF: After I had seen the world a bit, and experienced life, I realized that I had novels clamoring to get out too.
TR: Voices that can’t remain unanswered, eh? So, what was the inspiration for “The Race?”
GF: The main inspiration is the city of Rome, Italy. I lived and studied there, and I return often to explore–it’s always changing, yet it always stays the same. Rome is fast-paced, exhilarating, sometimes frightening, other times warm and inviting, but always thrilling and full of intrigue. The city inspired characters so caught up in a suspenseful plot that I just had to share it!
TR: It sounds like a fascinating setting for a story. Tell us a little more about it, and where it’s available.
GF: In The Race, Formula One champion Devlin “Lucky” Lucchesi’s life is torn apart in a terror attack. Devlin vows revenge against Ishmael Zaid, a villain from his past, whose “Race” of followers have set a dozen bombs to wipe Rome off the map. When Ishmael abducts Devlin’s son and violates the sanctity of the Vatican, Devlin and his covert HELL Ranger crew must race against time to beat Ishmael at his own game.
It’s available from Steepo Press in eBook now, on Amazon and Kobo, and it will be released a few weeks later in Trade Paperback at indie booksellers and at Amazon.
TR: Very nice. Exciting, isn’t it? Now, is there a particular place or setting where you get your writing ideas?
GF: Dreams; headlines; twists on history; what-if extrapolations on real life; my husband’s genius spin on something he learned. Of course, every trip to Italy uncovers a bunch of new ideas for me.
TR: Nice to have a hubby to help you come up with story lines 🙂 Okay, so you are published traditionally. What made you choose traditional publishing?
GF: I believe both methods offer strengths and weaknesses. That’s why a hybrid of both likely presents the best alternative for any writer. For me, it’s about choice, and how an author chooses to allocate his or her publishing rights.
TR: Good thought. It is all about freedom and choice, isn’t it? Now, if you had to choose the most important element in an author’s platform, what would it be?
GF: While every element is important, I believe that human connection is vital. So, whether it’s meeting in person at a signing or event, or else chatting and sharing information across states or continents via Facebook, the goal of any author’s platform is genuine connection and these two methods work best for me.
TR: Well said! What mistakes have you made in regards to publishing and marketing your work, and what will you do differently in the future?
GF: I believe that I underestimated the amount of time and organization required in putting it all together (ie the editing phase, the promotion phase, etc.) Going forward, I’ll utilize many of the great apps and programs available to authors in producing, promoting, and managing my books. For example, Scrivener for writing the manuscript, Grammerly.com for editing, Goodreads for connecting with readers–all of these were great options that I picked up along the way. Now, that I know about them, I’m spreading the word to new writers!
TR: It can be an achingly long process, can’t it? Do you have an idea for your next book?
GF: My next book, The Sculptor, is a suspense thriller, akin to the mystery stories of Harlan Coben, Lisa Gardner, Dan Brown, and Daniel Silva. It’s about a graduate student, Mara Silvestri, who discovers that she’s targeted by Rome’s serial killer, dubbed The Sculptor. After uncovering family secrets that draws him to her, Mara must turn the table on him, before she winds up the prized masterpiece in The Sculptor’s collection of plastered victims. Due out in 2014, there’s an excerpt of the novel on my website that I hope your readers will enjoy reading it.
TR: I hope so, too. Gina, I want to thank you again for stopping by. The very best of luck with “The Race”, and your future writing, as well.
GF: Thanks so much, Thomas. I had fun 🙂
Folks, that’s a wrap. “The Race” sounds great – and centered in exotic Rome, too boot. It’s out there. What are you waiting for?
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A little background on Gina:
A University of Buffalo graduate, Gina Fava holds a WNEC law degree and has studied at the American University of Rome. But, it’s her first-hand experience with bomb scares, car chases, over-eager carabinieri, and dodging gunfire while living in Rome during the Persian Gulf War that spurred her extensive research in counter-terrorism. She’s an avid auto racing fan, and she frequently travels Italy to hunt down her characters’ favorite wines. She is the author of award-winning short stories, and is a member of International Thriller Writers. A Buffalo, New York native, Gina Fava resides with her family in New England. Her second novel, The Sculptor, is due for release in 2014. The Race is available in eBook and in trade paperback on Amazon.com.
And if you’d like to get in touch:
Website: www.GinaFava.com
Blog: www.GinaFava.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Gina.Fava.Author
Twitter: @GinaFava
GoodReads: www.Goodreads.com/GinaFava