Interview with Mitchell DePriest

Author of My Dad’s Hero

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born and raised in Redding California. I live near Sacramento California now.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I initially moved to Sacramento for many reasons but particularly for my then girlfriend.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I was driven to write for a way to simply escape. I manage my feelings of anxiety best when I write and it helps me still to this day. I decided to publish my first book after years of developments involving the characters and overall universe they resided. I spoke to few about these stories and those, including family, pushed me to publish. I wrote “My Dad’s Hero” for my son, whom is my ultimate inspiration overall.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

The earlier books are a saga of correlating fictional stories, however “My Dad’s Hero” is solely a children’s book. One that I hope parents would also connect with, as much as I did while writing. It holds a special place for me.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

I hope most would connect with the stories of all my books in a relatable way. I put a little of myself in each of the characters, tossing them into situations that would be identifiable as something they might experience and take away from. I want people to feel something when they read my books, without over burdening them with wordy exposition.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

The process of publishing and the routes available for beginner or amateur writers is surprisingly simple. I used Amazon publishing, who is also linked to Kindle. The website is easy to navigate and simple to manage.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

I didn’t hire an editor and did all of my own editing. I would have likely told myself to spend more time doing this, being more thorough overall. Thankfully I am able to edit my manuscript easily on my publishing site.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

I would love for as many people as possible. I feel like my stories, while simple, are approachable and fun if given a chance. They fit into a genre that is popular still today. My childrens book, “My Dad’s Hero”, is one I believe could be a bedtime story for any child. I designed it for my own son and he asks for it every time. There is no better feeling than that.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Editing. By far the most tedious but far worth every moment.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Writing. I been told since I was a boy, by my mother, that my imagination is one that she always got a laugh from. I used to tell her stories all the time and I think she knew one day I would be writing them down. Stories about a one armed friend that rode a motorcycle to school, was one that my mother still tells me about.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Marketing is by far the hardest without the presents of a literary agent, which I don’t have. The methods available through Amazon relies on my own money for advertising, to which is hard to do with what little funds I make with my normal job.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am currently writing the tertiary novel to my “Umbra Saga”. I am aiming for release this winter.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

From the start I have used Amazon publishing or KDP for all my books. The last one published being “My Dad’s Hero”.