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I am so excited to have with me today the very talented debut author, S.A. Check for virtual coffee. 🙂
S.A. Check is a Science Fiction and Fantasy author. As a kid, he grew up on comic books, heroes and villains, conflict and cliffhangers. He read which-way books, science fiction and fantasy series, and classic horror fiction. While earning his degree in English / Writing from Penn State University, he was exposed to poetry and prose, Shakespeare and Albee, anthologies and world lit.
Today he lives with his E.R. nurse wife and tween daughter in Southwestern Pennsylvania and enjoys all the small dramas that come down the path. He’s active on several internet writing sites, an active member of Pennwriters author group, and contributed articles to local newspapers. His short story, Tangled Lines, appeared in the charity anthology, Hazard Yet Forward
, and he achieved his first published novel, Welcome to GreenGrass
with Bedlam Press, an imprint for Necro Publications, the first of what he hopes are many tall tales of his to be told.
, and he achieved his first published novel, Welcome to GreenGrasswith Bedlam Press, an imprint for Necro Publications, the first of what he hopes are many tall tales of his to be told.
Welcome to Njkinny’s World of Books, S.A.!
Lets start the interview. 🙂
Q1. Tell us something about
yourself.
yourself.
I’m a pretty simple guy. I had a great childhood, raised in a small
coal mining “patch” town. We explored in
the woods and cut down trees, fished in mining ponds, climbed light towers,
rode our bikes down ash dumps(the scars of which are still embedded in my
forearm), had Christmas tree bonfires in abandoned coked ovens and generally
goofed off. Somewhere around the age 11,
I discovered comic books. My friend and
I would go to local flea markets every Sunday and scour boxes, looking for
treasures in the two for a quarter bins.
I moved on to science fiction and fantasy novels, worlds beyond our own,
stand-alone books and series. I created
characters and storylines of my own and played out scenes while watching the
world go by from the backseat of the family car. College at Penn State University opened up new
worlds of wonder, expanding my literary horizon and challenging me creatively to
produce work outside my comfort zone.
Now, with my own family at my side, I create those same worlds that
fascinated me as a kid but from a perspective of how they affected me back when
I first read them, in hopes of bottling some of that same magic and capturing
new readers the same way those tales did me.
coal mining “patch” town. We explored in
the woods and cut down trees, fished in mining ponds, climbed light towers,
rode our bikes down ash dumps(the scars of which are still embedded in my
forearm), had Christmas tree bonfires in abandoned coked ovens and generally
goofed off. Somewhere around the age 11,
I discovered comic books. My friend and
I would go to local flea markets every Sunday and scour boxes, looking for
treasures in the two for a quarter bins.
I moved on to science fiction and fantasy novels, worlds beyond our own,
stand-alone books and series. I created
characters and storylines of my own and played out scenes while watching the
world go by from the backseat of the family car. College at Penn State University opened up new
worlds of wonder, expanding my literary horizon and challenging me creatively to
produce work outside my comfort zone.
Now, with my own family at my side, I create those same worlds that
fascinated me as a kid but from a perspective of how they affected me back when
I first read them, in hopes of bottling some of that same magic and capturing
new readers the same way those tales did me.
It’s a story about family, andacceptance, and being grateful for what you have now before you blink and it’s
all gone and staying true to yourself.
Q3. What inspired you to write this book?
There are so many literary influences
that helped to shape Welcome to GreenGrass.
It really is a hodgepodge of sources that played into the shaping of
this book. A pinch of hero here, a bit
of dialogue from there, a character trait that I’d seen played out twenty years
ago, and drawing upon some of my own life experiences. Basically, I tried to write a book that I’d
want to sit down and read myself. It doesn’t take itself too serious but touches on a lot of issues that we face on
a day to day basis. When I was done, I
felt I’d accomplished what I set out to do, produce a book that someone could
lose themselves in for a few hours and hopefully turn the last page with a
smile.
that helped to shape Welcome to GreenGrass.
It really is a hodgepodge of sources that played into the shaping of
this book. A pinch of hero here, a bit
of dialogue from there, a character trait that I’d seen played out twenty years
ago, and drawing upon some of my own life experiences. Basically, I tried to write a book that I’d
want to sit down and read myself. It doesn’t take itself too serious but touches on a lot of issues that we face on
a day to day basis. When I was done, I
felt I’d accomplished what I set out to do, produce a book that someone could
lose themselves in for a few hours and hopefully turn the last page with a
smile.
Q4. What has been the biggest surprise or
learning experience you’ve seen through the process of seeing your book get
published?
learning experience you’ve seen through the process of seeing your book get
published?
Nobody told me it would be this much
work! Really, if it’s not something that
you truly enjoy doing and I mean from first idea to final edit, than it’s a
tough road to travel. And the work doesn’t stop after the last period, it just morphs into marketing, and media
platforms, and press releases on top of the writing, because isn’t that why we
started the process in the first place?
Every day I try to learn something new, whether it’s a baby step or a
leap, knowing that I’ve moved forward that much more.
work! Really, if it’s not something that
you truly enjoy doing and I mean from first idea to final edit, than it’s a
tough road to travel. And the work doesn’t stop after the last period, it just morphs into marketing, and media
platforms, and press releases on top of the writing, because isn’t that why we
started the process in the first place?
Every day I try to learn something new, whether it’s a baby step or a
leap, knowing that I’ve moved forward that much more.
The first time I pitched the book was at a
writing conference and I had my ten minutes to shine in front of a publishing
house representative. I practiced and
pruned and had it all down pat. Sixty
seconds into the meeting, it all came crashing down and I was completely thrown
off script when the rep said they don’t publish my particular sub-genre and I
winged the next five minutes, even trying to pitch another story. They were extremely nice and turned me down
but I learned two things, that publishing books is a business, coming with
successes and failures, and that you have to have fun with it all and realize
that everyone goes through the same processes.
writing conference and I had my ten minutes to shine in front of a publishing
house representative. I practiced and
pruned and had it all down pat. Sixty
seconds into the meeting, it all came crashing down and I was completely thrown
off script when the rep said they don’t publish my particular sub-genre and I
winged the next five minutes, even trying to pitch another story. They were extremely nice and turned me down
but I learned two things, that publishing books is a business, coming with
successes and failures, and that you have to have fun with it all and realize
that everyone goes through the same processes.
That’s like picking a favorite kid
because they each hold special places for me, the heroes AND the villains as
long as they’re compelling and bring something special to the page.
because they each hold special places for me, the heroes AND the villains as
long as they’re compelling and bring something special to the page.
John Traveller, my main character, brings
so many of the traits from different influences I’ve experienced over the years
to life. He’s a good guy stuck in some
extraordinary circumstances and forced to make some hard choices along the way. He does the best he can and is a natural leader
even though he doesn’t go looking for it.
He also chooses to use the word “thundering” or a variation thereof
instead of more common curse words and it’s just a lot of fun. I won’t say it’s crept into my own vocabulary
but I won’t say it thunderin’ hasn’t.
Try and work it into one of your conversations tomorrow, it’s addictive.
so many of the traits from different influences I’ve experienced over the years
to life. He’s a good guy stuck in some
extraordinary circumstances and forced to make some hard choices along the way. He does the best he can and is a natural leader
even though he doesn’t go looking for it.
He also chooses to use the word “thundering” or a variation thereof
instead of more common curse words and it’s just a lot of fun. I won’t say it’s crept into my own vocabulary
but I won’t say it thunderin’ hasn’t.
Try and work it into one of your conversations tomorrow, it’s addictive.
Q7. What is the one thing that you hope
readers take away after reading your book?
readers take away after reading your book?
I hope they turn the last page and
realize we’re all in this together. We
all have preconceived notions regarding race, religion, and gender but there
are universal truths out there that bring us together. Whether its giant grasshoppers, enchanters,
toad merchants, men made of rock, or ghosts little more than air, everyone
matters and we’re driven by a core of principles that cross all boundaries.
realize we’re all in this together. We
all have preconceived notions regarding race, religion, and gender but there
are universal truths out there that bring us together. Whether its giant grasshoppers, enchanters,
toad merchants, men made of rock, or ghosts little more than air, everyone
matters and we’re driven by a core of principles that cross all boundaries.
Q8. What kind of research did you do for
this book? Did you travel for conducting the research?
this book? Did you travel for conducting the research?
I read a lot, and I mean A LOT, of comic
books. And some other stuff too. Welcome to GreenGrass
really is an
amalgamation of so many of the literary influences that I’ve read over the
years.
books. And some other stuff too. Welcome to GreenGrass
really is an
amalgamation of so many of the literary influences that I’ve read over the
years.
Q9. What is the best thing you have done in your life?
That’s the easiest question of the
day. My daughter is and will always be
the greatest accomplishment of this letter peddler. My family is my core and when my daughter,
who’s ten, looks at me and says, “Dad, you wrote a book. You’re kinda famous.” Well, then that’s just all kinds of cool and
I know I have the only fan I’ll ever need.
day. My daughter is and will always be
the greatest accomplishment of this letter peddler. My family is my core and when my daughter,
who’s ten, looks at me and says, “Dad, you wrote a book. You’re kinda famous.” Well, then that’s just all kinds of cool and
I know I have the only fan I’ll ever need.
Q10. What are your favorite hobbies?
I dabble with
art, though most of it now consists of sketches of manga eyed dolls for my
daughter or animated square sponges. I
think my love of comics lends heavily into my desire to create characters in
both words and visually and is probably the reason so many of my doll sketches,
much to my daughter’s chagrin, come out looking like they’re on steroids. Sketching and doodling are just another extension
of the creative process and I’ve made designs for most of the characters in
GreenGrass. For me, it helps to round
out the creative process.
art, though most of it now consists of sketches of manga eyed dolls for my
daughter or animated square sponges. I
think my love of comics lends heavily into my desire to create characters in
both words and visually and is probably the reason so many of my doll sketches,
much to my daughter’s chagrin, come out looking like they’re on steroids. Sketching and doodling are just another extension
of the creative process and I’ve made designs for most of the characters in
GreenGrass. For me, it helps to round
out the creative process.
Q11.
If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
If you had to describe yourself using three words, it would be…
Read, write, repeat
Q12. What’s the one thing, you can’t live
without?
without?
I love technology. I’m a geek, okay, there I said it. I love gadgets and gizmos and things that go
beep in the night. I wrote a whole chapter
for one of my books on me cell phone and have played around with voice to text
technology. I’m old enough that I can
remember still pounding out work on an electronic typewriter and I’m fascinated
by the advances we’ve made and I’m excited where we’re going. Ebooks are a wondrous thing and being able to
download books to my devices whenever and wherever I want really has changed
the face of modern publishing.
beep in the night. I wrote a whole chapter
for one of my books on me cell phone and have played around with voice to text
technology. I’m old enough that I can
remember still pounding out work on an electronic typewriter and I’m fascinated
by the advances we’ve made and I’m excited where we’re going. Ebooks are a wondrous thing and being able to
download books to my devices whenever and wherever I want really has changed
the face of modern publishing.
Q13. What steps did you take to get your
work published?
work published?
I made my rounds and have my own
collection of rejections but you just have to keep trying. Produce something that you’re proud of and
refine and polish it. Edit a few dozen
times and don’t rush the process. You
also have to know when to let go of a project and find that balance. Find people that you’d want to work with and
that you feel will represent you and your work.
When Bedlam Press / Necro Publications agreed to publish Welcome to GreenGrass, there’s a sense of accomplishment and relief that someone out there
believes in your work. My favorite
saying all throughout the writing / publishing / marketing process is simply
that you can never fail if you never quit and it’s done well for me so far.
collection of rejections but you just have to keep trying. Produce something that you’re proud of and
refine and polish it. Edit a few dozen
times and don’t rush the process. You
also have to know when to let go of a project and find that balance. Find people that you’d want to work with and
that you feel will represent you and your work.
When Bedlam Press / Necro Publications agreed to publish Welcome to GreenGrass
, there’s a sense of accomplishment and relief that someone out therebelieves in your work. My favorite
saying all throughout the writing / publishing / marketing process is simply
that you can never fail if you never quit and it’s done well for me so far.
Q14. Where can people find you on the
Internet?
Internet?
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | My Publisher | My Blog | Book Trailer | Smashwords | Goodreads | Twitter
Q15. What’s next up for you,
writing-wise?
writing-wise?
I’m hoping to have another novel out this
summer. It deals with a lot of the same
issues that fans of Welcome to GreenGrass
enjoyed and another trip through a
fantastical world but this time on the cyber/techno side. The book is all wrapped up and I’m just
waiting for a hopeful green light on the project. I’d love to put out a sequel to GreenGrass
and I have story lines for the next two already mapped out and finally I’m
working on my first middle grade novel that should see completion in the next
few months.
summer. It deals with a lot of the same
issues that fans of Welcome to GreenGrass
enjoyed and another trip through a
fantastical world but this time on the cyber/techno side. The book is all wrapped up and I’m just
waiting for a hopeful green light on the project. I’d love to put out a sequel to GreenGrass
and I have story lines for the next two already mapped out and finally I’m
working on my first middle grade novel that should see completion in the next
few months.
Q16. How about an excerpt from your book
to intrigue and tantalize us?
to intrigue and tantalize us?
The quick set up here is that Traveller
and his friends have been called to the castle of GreenGrass’ premier enchanter
to look into a high profile murder and the group is leaving after striking a
deal with the mage.
and his friends have been called to the castle of GreenGrass’ premier enchanter
to look into a high profile murder and the group is leaving after striking a
deal with the mage.
Something smashed into Traveller’s legs, snapping him back
to reality. He was standing in the middle of the factory. A young boy was
sprawled on the ground at his feet. About ten years old and a mess of brown
hair were all Traveller could make out of the boy’s face.
to reality. He was standing in the middle of the factory. A young boy was
sprawled on the ground at his feet. About ten years old and a mess of brown
hair were all Traveller could make out of the boy’s face.
One of the creatures manning the pronged spears marched
toward them. A shirtless potbelly hung over a pair of rough-cut trousers.
toward them. A shirtless potbelly hung over a pair of rough-cut trousers.
“You don’t fall down on job. Fodder teach you better than
that. Fodder give you another lesson.” Blue sparks shot from both points of the
spear as the he approached. “Fodder the boss. Fodder tell you when you can fall
down. Get up, worm. Go back to the line.”
that. Fodder give you another lesson.” Blue sparks shot from both points of the
spear as the he approached. “Fodder the boss. Fodder tell you when you can fall
down. Get up, worm. Go back to the line.”
The boy shivered at the mass lumbering toward him and
grabbed one of Traveller’s legs. Peeking up at him, the boy’s face was a mix of
fear and exhaustion. Traveller met the washed blue eyes staring at him, dressed
in a dirty potato sack. He pointed his shotgun at the advancing brute.
grabbed one of Traveller’s legs. Peeking up at him, the boy’s face was a mix of
fear and exhaustion. Traveller met the washed blue eyes staring at him, dressed
in a dirty potato sack. He pointed his shotgun at the advancing brute.
“Load. Stun. Back off the boy, ugly. I think he needs some
medical attention.”
medical attention.”
“Fodder give the whelp attention. Plenty of attention.None
of your business, human. Leave the boy to Fodder. Fodder fix him good.”
of your business, human. Leave the boy to Fodder. Fodder fix him good.”
A red flash of energy flared from Traveller’s shotgun, hitting
Fodder square in the chest and sending him reeling back to the factory floor.
Fodder square in the chest and sending him reeling back to the factory floor.
“Not while I’m standing here.” Traveller reached down for
the boy, whose attention remained on his glowing line boss. “It’s okay, kid.
Take my hand.”
the boy, whose attention remained on his glowing line boss. “It’s okay, kid.
Take my hand.”
Traveller pulled him to his feet. “You all right?”
The boy nodded.
Fodder scrambled up from the floor, rubbing his sizzling
chest hair.
chest hair.
“Human, you have no right. Boy is Fodder’s property. Not
your business. Leave now.”
your business. Leave now.”
Sil
touched Traveller’s shoulder. “John?”
touched Traveller’s shoulder. “John?”
“Yeah,
I know. We’re leaving all right, but the boy is coming with us. Tell your boss,
Diandelia, that he just became part of the deal. You feel the need to say
anything else and the next shot you won’t get up from.”
I know. We’re leaving all right, but the boy is coming with us. Tell your boss,
Diandelia, that he just became part of the deal. You feel the need to say
anything else and the next shot you won’t get up from.”
Traveller
kept the gun trained on the brute.
kept the gun trained on the brute.
“But
you can’t. Fodder get in trouble.”
you can’t. Fodder get in trouble.”
“Aw,
too thunderin’ bad for you. Maybe someone will use one of those electro-prods
on your fat butt. Get out of my way.” Traveller pulled the boy along behind
him.
too thunderin’ bad for you. Maybe someone will use one of those electro-prods
on your fat butt. Get out of my way.” Traveller pulled the boy along behind
him.
Bonz
took a defensive stance with his staff. Sil followed in behind them, scanning
the factory.
took a defensive stance with his staff. Sil followed in behind them, scanning
the factory.
Talyn
bared his fangs and snarled at the smoking green guard. “I would do what the
man says, friend, he does not like to repeat himself.”
bared his fangs and snarled at the smoking green guard. “I would do what the
man says, friend, he does not like to repeat himself.”
Fodder
looked around. All eyes were focused on him, the other line bosses and workers
alike. He spoke loud enough for the whole factory to hear.
looked around. All eyes were focused on him, the other line bosses and workers
alike. He spoke loud enough for the whole factory to hear.
“All
right, all right. Get back to work. Fodder don’t have time for games. Fodder
want to see red bottles moving or Fodder teach you all lesson.”
right, all right. Get back to work. Fodder don’t have time for games. Fodder
want to see red bottles moving or Fodder teach you all lesson.”
Thanks for talking to Njkinny’s World of Books, S.A! 🙂
I wish to read more from you in the future and wish you all the very best.. 🙂
Checkout his works by following the below links and don’t forget to show him your love and support by visiting his many internet hangouts. 🙂
I wish to read more from you in the future and wish you all the very best.. 🙂
Checkout his works by following the below links and don’t forget to show him your love and support by visiting his many internet hangouts. 🙂
Buy S.A. Checks Books:
Amazon: Kindle Edition
Amazon: Kindle Edition
