Interview with Stan Crader

Author of Paperboy

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

Missouri/Missouri
Grew up in Marble Hill, a very small town of 500; moved 30 years ago to a nearby town of 15,000…

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

Live 20 miles from where I was born

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

Rural America as I knew it, is disappearing. I felt the need to share rural America of the 50’s and 60’s with people who didn’t experience that era. And, wanted to created a story for those who did, and provoke their pleasant memories. My goal is for readers to identify with characters and shout out loud, “ I knew someone just like that,” or “that happened to me, too.” Additionally for the younger generation to with they’d come of age during that time.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My novels are the story of rural America when responsibility ruled the day.

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

Baby boomers

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

Having written several articles of industry publication, I learned that an article is akin to a hundred yard dash, while a book is akin to a marathon, which requires a difference discipline. Publication is a brutal process and not for the faint of heart.

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

Starting a book is easy; finishing will be one of the most challenging endeavors of your life. Start making notes and keeping a journal as seen as you learn to write. The notes will become invaluable.

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

Millions…why not?

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

Sales could always be better, but sales of my books has exceeded my expectations, so I consider the entire process a delight, challenges and all. I experience a bit of frustration when I see a movie based on rural America and consider my stories better.

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

I’m a story teller, always have been, and have a good memory and sense of imagination. My dream would be to write and let others carry the publishing and marketing responsibility. However, I very much enjoy speaking and being interviewed about my books and the writing process.

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

Time! Writing, good writing takes a lot of time. It’s difficult for me to allocate long blocks of time necessary for writing.

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

I’ve written four books, three novels and one non-fiction. I’m making notes for a fourth novel…and plan to get started within the next year. The fourth novel will be the fourth in the Colby series.

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

I was able to get an agent and contract with publishers on my first book…but my agent passed away and the publisher said I’d need to find a new agent. In the meantime, I’d attended a writing symposium and learned about some ‘hybrid’ publishers. Wheatmark published my first novel and the sales were such that I earned enough credit to publishers the next books…Wheatmark has been a very good fit for me.