Interview with Adam Holt

Author of The Conspiracy Game: The Tully Harper Series #1

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

I’m from Friendswood, Texas, and now live in Houston.

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

In 2012, I quit my perfectly good teaching job, packed up all my worldly possessions, and, since I wanted to be a writer and could write from anywhere, headed to Switzerland. I stayed there for several months, writing and traveling, before I ask myself, “Where should I go next?” It made sense to move back to Space City, aka Houston, especially since I was writing a space adventure series for young adults and had connections at NASA. And of course, Houston was close to family, too.

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

We spend so much time gazing at our cell phones and precious little at the billions of stars swirling over our heads enough. The Tully Harper Series allows readers to sneak into space along with the main characters, and hopefully it helps us all focus are minds on the endless possibilities of space exploration.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

The Conspiracy Game is about a boy who sneaks into space with his two best friends. Once there, they find something that changes the fate of the solar system. Each book in the series takes the reader, and the main character, farther into our solar system, visiting moons like Enceladus and Europa. It’s a book about learning to trust your friends, your family, and yourself in the midst of adversity.

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

Middle schoolers are my jam; however, I have some older readers that love coming of age story. A few of them are in their eighties, and I think a well-told story has a timelessness to it. I hope that’s what I’ve written.

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

That people would support me! I funded the first two books through the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform, and readers gave over $10,000 to help me achieve the book’s vision. So I learned a lot about crowdfunding that I’ve used to help other people fund their projects, from authors to painters to NASA’s Historic Mission Control.

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

Dude, please be more organized. Your notes are everywhere. Also, don’t be stressed about the dwindling bank account.

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

I don’t have a number in mind.

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

I’m not Stephen King. I write in fits and spurts rather than out of habit. Maybe one day I’ll create more sacred space for daily writing, but it’s challenging right now.

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

Fundraising.

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

As an indie, using SEO in conjunction with Amazon Ads.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am writing book four in the Tully Harper Series currently.

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

My poems are published traditionally and my novels are indie.