Where were you born and where do you call home?
I was born in the wild untamed Northwest suburbs of Chicago. My father was the fire chief and when he retired at 50, decided to get out of the snow and move to Florida. I've lived here ever since. Twenty-seven years of the Florida sun has made me a little...quirky.
If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say? Help me, this author person is nuts? He keeps getting us into trouble and we're tired of getting our butts kicked.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series? It is part of a series. The second one is under contract and should be out in October. I have several other stories and things published, most notably is a steampunk series I'm writing with my 11 year old son.
What or who inspired you to write? And how long have you been writing? The last series of books I bought from a bookstore inspired me to become an author. The series looked awesome and I bought all three at once. I ran home, cracked the first one open, and read the first fifty pages. I closed the book and threw all three of them in the trash. They were horrible. I couldn't believe they had been published in the first place. I grumbled to myself, "Grumble, self, you could do better." So I decided to give it a shot. I've only been writing for about 2 years now.
Do you gift books to readers for book reviews? I don't gift them. I don't know if you'd call giving one of my books a gift or a curse! I do provide them with a copy to review though. If they're going to take the time to review it, it's not fair for them to have to pay for it.
How did you come up with the title and cover design? Okay, you might not have noticed this about me, but I mentioned I'm a little quirky. What I meant to say was WEIRD. Nine times out of ten, a title will pop in my head and I write the story around it. It's how my brain works. As for the cover design for Origins and my steampunk short, Lady Dorn, my awesomesauce publisher came up with the covers all by her lonesome. The steampunk series I wrote with my son, my co-worker, Christina Aubin, is a graphic designer and steampunk artwork aficionado. My publisher asked her if she would like to do the covers for all six novellas in the series.
Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life? No. When I write, I pick movie actors whose personalities fit the story. I keep them in my head while I write. It makes keeping track of the characters easier, too.
What books have most influenced your writing most and why? I try not to be influenced by any one or few authors. It's not fair to them and it's not fair to me. Instead, I just write. I'd like to say my voice is the voice of every author of every book I've ever read. An amalgamation of authorization.
Is there an Author that you would really like to meet? I actually have two. They were the first authors that really grabbed me as a child and gave me my love of reading. Mercedes Lackey and Anne McCaffrey. The Dragon Riders of Pern was, wow. Mercedes lackey's books all gave me my love of Magic.
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover? eBooks and Paperbacks. I have an iPad. Love to read on it. Paperbacks were my first love. But hardcovers seemed to be a waste of money, the jackets keep coming off, and while paperbacks kill trees, hardcovers slaughter them.
Where do you prefer to buy your books? eBooks I get from Amazon. I love the kindle app. My paperbacks, I buy from small bookstores when I can and Barnes & Noble when I'm forced. I like supporting the little guy. And college kids hanging out in a bookstore for free wifi, frappuccinos, and homework annoy me.
Are you a self published (Indie) Author? No to the self publishing. I can edit, but not my own works. I know the story too well. I went with a small publisher because I couldn't find an agent to even read my vampire manuscript. Twilight had pretty much killed the hype.
Have you ever read a book more than once? I don't think I own a book I haven't read at least three times. If i don't like it, I give it away. Except for the three that REALLY ticked me off.
Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version? Absolutely NOT. Every movie I've ever seen that was based on a book, I preferred the book. Sorry Hollywood and special effects studios, my imagination kicks your butt.
What book are you currently reading and in what format (electronic/paperback/
Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why? AT Russel, a soon to be published author. He has a new vampire series and werewolf series coming out. I met him in Chicago. Awesome guy, and better writer. Then, the rest of the authors at Echelon Press are some of the most talented authors I've ever read.
Do you have a book trailer? Not yet, but my graphic designer friend is working on one for me. Trying to come up with enough stock photograpy to make it interesting enough!
What are your thoughts on book trailers? TO me they are an absolute necessity for indie authors. It's very much like a movie trailer. Would you have seen half the movies you went to see if the trailer didn't grab your attention?
Do you have any advice for other writers? NEVER GIVE UP. It might take you a while to find an agent or a publisher, but if you have a story to tell, there is somebody out there who will want to read it and love it. That is the greatest reward.
What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing? Be yourself. Don't try to write like anyone else. Too many authors fall into that trap. Why read a no-name author who writes just like so-and -so when you can just buy their books?
Do you write under a pen name? Nope. I'm trying very hard to make my real name a house hold name. HEHEHE.
Cats or dogs? Both. And ducks. And sugar gliders. And fish. And Hamsters...I'm a pet guy.
Where can your readers follow you?
My blog: http://shaydenfl.wordpress.com (Not for kiddies)
My facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sean-Hayden-Author/157743597602264
My Goodreads author page:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4634239.Sean_Hayden
Twitter:@shaydenfl
Other: www.facebook.com/shaydenfl If you want to be my friend :D
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Sean-Hayden/e/B004WJEBD2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/seanhayden
Other:http://www.omnilit.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Sean+Hayden
Is your book in Print, ebook or both? Both!
Sean Hayden books
Currently Trapped in the world of Fiberoptic Engineering, Author Sean Hayden decided to branch out and start writing. It has always been a hobby of his, but he didn't pen his first full length novel until two years ago. Since then he has had a slew of stories to share and is currently being published by Echelon Press. He lives at home with his wife, two children, and an ark-full of pets.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word.
I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. Patti
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Thank you so much for the awesome interview!
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