Interview with Ash Lingam

Author of Yuma Prison (A Western Adventure) Marshal Black Jack #6.

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

I was born on a small farm in Southern Ohio just a short distance from the Ohio River. Then as a young man I moved to Florida where I resided until I was 24. At that time there was a recession in the USA so I took a job overseas. I have lived in eleven countries and worked in or traveled through another 46. I spent 15 years working for Disney Consumer Products out of Paris, France. I currently live in the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

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

I finally ended up living in Spain as I married a woman from Barcelona where we resided for over thirty years. The Canary Islands are part of Spain.

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

I had always dreamed of being a writer and over a period of seven years I made several attempts to write my first book but with little success. It was a fiction novel based on my extensive travels. But I eventually finished and followed that first novel with another seven books but none of them sold until I found my niche, Western Fiction. Now I have published nearly 40 novels to date with the last nine reaching the Amazon Best Sellers list.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Fast paced Western Fiction with a historical base. My books are action packed with raw edges and the characters portrayed have the human flaws we find in everyday life. My readers say my style is unusual for today’s western as I try to think outside the box and come up with new ideas for Old West tales.

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

Anyone who grew up watching westerns like I did in American. I have many fans that are actual cowboys and ranchers. But men and women alike of all ages seem to enjoy my novels.

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

The fact that I was actually an author. I wanted to be a writer but didn’t know that I had the talent hidden in me. When it emerged it was one of the biggest surprises of my life.

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

Don’t expect anything from your work. If you want to get serious with your writing you must have tremendous patience as it is a difficult path. But don’t give up. We never know how far we can go unless we risk going too far. That and as soon as you can afford it get the best editor you can.

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

Millions, of course.

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

I learned to write, self-publish and market my books on my own with no assistance at all, which was a monumental struggle for the first year. There is so much to learn. Also learning to have thick skin was a challenge. Critics are not always kind and you have to learn to take the punches along with the prizes.

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

According to my reader’s reviews it is the fact that my books are usually different than the standard, run of the mill westerns. I have studied writers like Tarrantino, the Cohen Brothers, Larry McMurtry and Stephen King and I draw from their story structures. My imagination is my biggest strength when it comes to writing. As far as publishing and marketing I have now learned enough that I am forming my own publishing company as we speak. It is called Lawless Waters Publishing Co. I worked as an executive with Disney Consumer Products in Paris for fifteen years so my marketing skills were learned from the best in the business.

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

I suppose it would be time. Writing in today’s environment demands you produce a book every two months because of Amazon’s algorithm. This constant pressure to produce is at times a struggle although I have never suffered from “White Page Syndrome.” Publishing is now easy but the marketing part takes up too much of my writing time.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

I am just polishing up my latest book, Texas Ranger #3 and will start on Texas Ranger #4 next week when I send my latest work to my editor.

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

All my work to date has been self-published although my future woks will be published under the name of Lawless Waters Publishing Co, my own company.