As a recently published author and victim of an elaborate scam, I’m attempting “Plan B” to avoid the avalanche of scammers posing as readers, authors, agents, and even publishers who appear to troll virtually every author networking site. This post is intended to promote second-level, two-way discovery with a legitimate agent or marketing expert without the time-wasting routine of doing the Q&A dance on messenger apps.
The following list should answer most preliminary discovery questions.
- Are you an author?
Yes, I’m an unsupervised, occasionally undisciplined, free-range Writer of Things and am currently crushing the ranking in the category of Unknown Author…so far…
- Are you published?
Yes, self-published. One non-fiction, six fiction, and one anthology of short stories. A new book #5, “Untethered,” of the Dreamscape Conspiracy series is in development for later in Spring 2025. Question #10 lists all the book links, video trailers, and reviews to date. My Author Page on Amazon is located here: https://amzn.to/3uuONzj
- Why are the number of reviews so low?
I have not been successful in reaching an audience, but note that the few reviews are positive. Other reviews shared in question #10 are positive, telling me the stories I write are good quality, but readers are missing. I’ve intentionally avoided scams to get hundreds of reader reviews from mysterious sources who will never read anything beyond the back cover abstracts.
- What are you doing to market and promote your books?
Good question. In March of 2024, I fell victim to a false Agent and Publisher scam and am still recovering my losses. Because of the fraud, I am currently without upfront financials to outsource. I need help from, and ultimately, I want to write, not run a marketing business. That fact points me toward an Agent relationship since previous marketing “experts” have only delivered false promises to date. We should connect if you are a legit agent interested in building a relationship with a new author.
- What Genre of books do you write?
TransGenre...a description I use to describe a hybrid of suspense, mystery, sci-fi, paranormal, technological, and psychological action thrillers. I told an interviewer recently that TransGenre was my genre of choice; she snorted and, I believe, may have peed a little. Personally, I don’t care how my writing is labeled as long as it delivers an engaging storyline. That’s the genre, and it can present in different ways to different readers and still be an engaging story…hence, it’s TransGenre.
- How long have you been writing?
I’ve spent over 35+ years writing professionally in the corporate world and have been blogging since 2009, sharing short stories, posts about the perils of corporate chaos, and other random thoughts. My first nonfiction book, “Confessions of a Performance Ninja,” was published in 2022, and I have since written six fiction books, with more in development.
- What are your greatest challenges as a new author?
I want to distinguish legitimate service providers and potential agents from the avalanche of scammers I mentioned earlier. I also want to reach and be available to readers who want to know more about the journey and the stories I write.
- Where do you get your story ideas?
I have a Relentless Wench Muse in my head who manages to remain just out of reach. It is an absolute rush when She is on; I listen to Her whispers and write. Sometimes, we argue over a storyline’s direction or a choice of words, but She is rarely wrong. Maybe I’m just a sucker for Her Western Australian accent; regardless, it’s a blessing to have Her in my head.
- What authors influence you?
I’m a fan of storylines by Jonathan Maberry, John Sandford, Lee Child, Greg Hurwitz, Mark Greaney, and others who are master storytellers. They all use 3rd person POV with robust dialogue among their characters. As such, none of the authors I follow ever tell a good story; instead, they enable their characters to show a good story by what is said, done, or thought about…or not said, not done, or never considered. They all write their stories from within their character’s heads and hearts. I aspire to be that kind of storyteller.
- Do you have a website?
Yes, my primary web presence is FREE – Learning by Living
https://www.learningbyliving.blog
Author Email – gdogwise@live.com
- Do you have a book link you are willing to share?
Sure, here they are, including video trailers and most recent reviews…
Book #1 – “Dreamscape Conspiracy” – https://bit.ly/3qjKNjd
Video Trailer for Book #1 – https://learningbyliving.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Video-2024-03-13-Dream-1.mp4
Jill Rey Review of Dreamscape Conspiracy | Goodreads
Book #2 – “Beyond Dreamscape Conspiracy” – https://amzn.to/3NjyVqn
Video Trailer for Book #2 – https://learningbyliving.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Video-2024-03-13-Beyond.mp4
Jill Rey Review of Beyond Dreamscape Conspiracy | Goodreads
Book #3 – “Fear the Jump” – https://amzn.to/44GECEq
Video Trailer for Book #3 – https://learningbyliving.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Video-2024-03-13-Fear.mp4
Jill Rey Review of Fear the Jump: When AI Shifts to Aggressive Intelligence | Goodreads
Book #4 – “Dead Thoughts” – https://bit.ly/3swU6xI
Video Trailer for Book #4 – https://learningbyliving.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Video-2024-03-13-Dead.mp4
Jill Rey Review of Dead Thoughts | Goodreads & Jill’s review of Dead Thoughts | Goodreads
The first novel – “Mirror Mirror Halloween Party of the Century” – https://bit.ly/3C4qWqK
Jill Rey Review of “Mirror Mirror:” https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordpress.com/2024/08/22/5-5-%e2%ad%90-mirror-mirror-halloween-party-of-the-century-by-gary-g-wise/
First Non-Fiction – “Confessions of a Performance Ninja” https://amzn.to/3RH25C8
- Are you on social media?
Yes. I wanted places to build a following and communicate with readers efficiently and effectively.
Author Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/Gdogwise
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gdogwise/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/garywiseprofilemyca/
Bookshelf on Quora – https://garywisesbookshelf.quora.com/
Dreamscape Conspiracy Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557152147000
- Do you have an Agent or a Publisher?
Not yet, but I am very interested in establishing a legitimate Agent relationship. I want to write, not run a business. I know there are more knowledgeable professionals than myself, and I seek to make a connection.
- Where do you live?
I’m planted between corn and soybean in the rolling hills of southeastern Indiana, where the Relentless Wench Muse, who manages to remain just out of reach, hurls me into storylines. I often become temporarily uprooted when She pulls that stunt and replants me into our characters’ heads and hearts. Did I mention She was relentless?
Peace! G.
