Anthony by author Harold J Fischel Guest Post
Anthony by author Harold J Fischel Guest Post
I am so happy to have author Harold Fischel’s guest post on my blog today. Below his guest post, you can find the information on how to get your hands on his book.
Welcome author, Harold J Fischel to What U Talking Bout Willis?
When I retired, I started writing for my own enjoyment. My wife Jan read the first few chapters and loved my main character, Anthony. She encouraged me to continue with the story and became my beta reader. The story actually developed itself. I truly did not know what would happen from one chapter to the next. I love dogs, so it was natural for Anthony to have a dog as his trusted pal. I had also been reading about bullying, so it is clear where that part came from, but the rest of the story must have been hanging around in my unconscious because at no time did I experience writer’s block. The manuscript was actually completed in a few weeks.
After the manuscript was completed, we decided it might be fun to have it published. I bought a book listing literary agents and their specialties. After selecting a dozen, I researched their requirements. I quickly learned that the process of submitting a manuscript to a literary agent is quite regimented. The query letter has to be just right. I bought several books to learn the correct process and even followed a webinar explaining the ins and outs of getting an agent. After receiving several rejections, I decided that this was not for me. I really enjoyed writing my book but did not want to start a full-time job trying to get it published.
Then I read an article about self-publishing and decided to give it a try. The experience has been great. First, there was my interaction with a professional editor. I have been lucky enough to have a wonderful editor who not only put the professional touches on my manuscript but got involved in the story. She put notes in the margin when an episode made her tear-up, but also admonished me when my dialogue was too stilted or unsuited for the character speaking.
For Anthony, my first novel, I let the self-publishing company help with the cover. For my second book, I found a graphic artist who quickly understood exactly what I wanted. We never met face to face, all the work was done by the internet, but by the time the cover was finished I considered him a friend.
It gave me a great feeling of accomplishment when I received the final proof from the self-publishing company. To hold the actual book in my hands made the whole project real, no longer a silly hobby of self-indulgence. When friends and acquaintances read my novel I received a lot of compliments. This encouraged me to seek some professional reviews. After my book received four five star reviews, I was hooked; I wanted to be a writer.
I have since written two more novels. All three of my novels contain unexpected twists and turns in the lives of the protagonists. This follows the pattern of my own life. Rather than follow the safe path and accept the cozy career in law which was handed to me on a silver platter when I finished law school, I chose to see what the rest of the world had to offer. After a tour in the US Army, I lived in Europe for over twenty years. During that time I got to travel to many different countries. I saw what life was like behind the iron curtain and learned to appreciate the customs and traditions in Japan. When I returned home to the USA I worked for a Chinese company and traveled extensively throughout mainland China. I can truly say there was hardly ever a dull moment. That is reflected in the fictional stories I write.
About Harold J Fischel:
Harold J. Fischel, a graduate of Washington & Lee University and the NYU School of Law, has lived and worked on four different continents. His family fled the Netherlands shortly after the Nazi invasion, moving to Curacao and Aruba before settling in the United States in 1952.
After law school, Fischel served the US Army in Germany, later retiring as a captain. Since then, he again lived in the Netherlands, before returning to the United States to work for the US subsidiary of a Chinese company.
Fischel is now retired and living in Michigan with his wife, Jan, and their beloved Labrador retriever. He has two daughters, five wonderful grandchildren, and two great sons-in-law. Since retiring, he has published two novels and is working on a third.
Buy Anthony by Harold J Fischel:
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I hope you enjoyed this Harold J Fischel Guest Post.
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