Interview with Alexander Rassogianis

Author of Short Stories of Life, Love, and Remembrance.

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

I was born in Chicago, Illinois and reside in the suburb of Berwyn.

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

I have always lived in the Chicago area.

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

My first book was a memoir about spending the summers in Michigan with my family. This was mostly during my elementary school days. This was one of the best periods of my life and I wanted to share it with anyone who was interested in nostalgia and the times of their youth.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

They deal mostly with travel, romance, intrigue and memories of years past. I have also written a historical account of Greek immigrants who came to Chicago and started businesses of their own. I included oral history accounts of 20 individuals who came during the period 1900-1930.

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

People of all age groups. There is something for everyone.

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

I keep coming up with new ideas while I’m writing–these are things I never planned to discuss before I began a project.

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

Don’t get down on yourself. Don’t think that people will not be interested in what you have to say. Keep writing. Also, if you have an idea, regardless of where you may be at the time, write it down immediately. If you don’t the chances are you will forget it.

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

The number doesn’t matter with me. I’m interested in making the experience of reading my stories a rich one.

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

Coming up with stories that are not only interesting, but stories in which people’s lives were changed for the better because of what they experienced.

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

Write what interests you. I like to do much of my marketing and that is a challenge to me. I send my ads to Greek journals, newspapers and magazines and have great support from them. Also, I reach out to local and regional publications.

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

Getting in the mood to write. I need to be inspired, too much so.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am working on a novel based on the Greek island of Naxos. It involves conspiracy, a love affair and something that happened to two school girls long ago that changed their lives forever.

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

I am self-published.