Interview with Kim Vogler

Author of Home before Dark & Home before Dark Volume Two

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

I was born and raised in Fort Dodge, Iowa and we currently live in Port Orchard, WA.

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

There are numerous stories that reflect the many places that have taken us far and wide. I include many of those locations in my writings.

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

For most of my professional career I have written articles and stories about other businesses that I have promoted through the advertising agency that I established in 1979. Several years ago I was forced to discontinue that venture when one of my clients decided to take the business model and “re invent” my program, which resulted in a financial disaster. Rather that file a law suit (at 80 years young I was not going to waste valuable time) and that’s when I decided to write about my true experiences. What began as “a book” was well received and now I am about to publish Volume Two of Home Before Dark,the beginning of a series.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My writing reflects real life experiences that have taken place throughout my life. Each chapter is a complete story, which makes it an “easy read”, and the subject matter runs the gamut from the humorous, to the informational and educational and also the tragic – just like “real life”.

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

Just about everyone regardless of age, gender or educational background and with a wide variety of interests.

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

After my first book was published rather than launching a marketing program I chose about 40 good friends to determine the level of interest among the group. They ranged from teenagers to senior citizens and from all walks of life. I was amazed when the majority of then wanted to know “what happened after Chapter ? This was the beginning of my current efforts to turn this into a series.

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

For many years I always had it in the back of my mind to write about my life’s experiences. I only wish that I had followed that desire sooner!

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

Many readers from all walks of life, of all ages and backgrounds. That translates to “many” individuals!

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

The biggest challenge of my entire life began just a little over a year ago, when our oldest son was diagnosed with brain cancer. At 51 we were facing a situation that is every parents worst nightmare. The prognosis of this is grim. Perhaps a year or maybe two. I began extensive research on alternative treatments since I know what happens if conventional treatment is the only option. My son has just passed his first anniversary, and is stable – for the time being. Just two months after his diagnosis my husband was diagnosed with stage four cancer of the esophagus. Fortunately I had found some tremendous options on cancer treatments while doing research on my son, and as a result we traveled down to Tijuana and began treatment from this clinic – which has an 80% success rate on all kinds of  cancer. They have been curing cancer since the early 1940’s but is not well known due to the bias against alternative treatments. It’s all about the money and I now have a passion about getting the word out about what is being kept from main stream media. The treatments are working and now even his oncologist is convinced that the wall needs to come down between conventional and alternative medicine. Just a few months ago I didn’t know if Heiko, my husband of 40 years, would survive. Next month we will celebrate our 40th Anniversary. Praise God! As of two months ago I was diagnosed with skin cancer on my left leg. I am treating it with the ointments provided by the clinic in Tijuana, and am confident that “this too shall pass”. For the past ten months,beginning with my son’s diagnosis, I found it impossible to continue with my writing. But thanks to our family and friends – and the countless people that we don’t even know, the prayers have been answered, and yes, we take “one day at a time” but that is really all that any of us have, and so I am once again working on the final chapters of Volume Two.

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

Staying focused and committed to what you are writing about and the benefits that others may appreciate from your experiences. Commitment means keeping the course even when you would rather not!

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

Taking advantage of social media and other options that are still foreign to me – growing up without computers and all of the other “bells and whistles” that are now available.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I am currently in the process of completing Volume Two of Home Before Dark.

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

I self published through Xulon Press.

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Website: author-kim-vogler.blogspot.com