Introducing Author Bob Welch

Bob Welch’s debut novel, Into the Dax, tackles themes of climate change, political and religious oppression, technological progress, and ​disinformation. I was excited to read an advance copy, and Bob agreed to an interview!

Born and raised in Western New York, Bob Welch is an author, game designer, and producer. Bob designed best-selling games like Bop It and oversaw the creative development and production of global video game hits including Civilization, RollerCoaster Tycoon, and Act of War. Building on a game career that focused on creating immersive, emotionally engaging experiences and worlds, Bob now brings that same depth of storytelling and worldbuilding to fiction.

So, Into the Dax is your first novel! Congratulations! What was your reaction seeing it in print for the first time?

Good question. My first reaction was to feel the weight of it, physically. Then, feel the weight of it mentally. Also, happy to have captured a lot of thoughts and feelings on those pages, I was eager to hear what readers thought the book was about! I mean, I know I wrote it, and I know what the story is, but I am interested in reader feedback -- entertainment-wise -- and what deeper thoughts, questions, or insights they might have taken away from it.

I hear you’ve been working on this novel for some time. What was the most challenging part in writing it?

This is my third novel (first published), so I felt confident in the craft of writing. The biggest challenge was finding an editor I could vibe with. I worked with three different ones over the course of writing the book, and they all bring their own points of view, so staying true to what I wanted to say, and my writer’s voice was important. I had to distill what I thought was vital in their feedback but know when to push back on certain suggestions. When I decided to self-publish, writer friends (including you) were extremely helpful in offering their time and suggestions on book layout tools, cover art resources, publishing and distribution partners, marketing channels, etc. But the amount of work in being your own publisher is not to be underestimated!

You tackle some big topics. Where did the ideas for Into the Dax come from?

The initial spark happened in 2016. Suddenly, lifelong friends began filling their social media feeds with the language of a rising movement that used religion as a cudgel, casting anyone who disagreed with them (like me) as enemies. The idea that people with different opinions or political points of view were not just opponents anymore, but enemies, was striking. I couldn’t make sense of it. We had all grown up together and shared the same values—or so I thought. Values that were also being crushed by an American culture that had morphed into Wolf of Wall Street thinking: that greed and self-interest are good.

This made me reflect on my Catholic upbringing and Western thought in general, and how we’ve lost a sense of community and reciprocity, not just with each other but with all living things on the earth. So I began to write as a way to make sense of what we’re living through. I also read. I read books by philosophers, naturalists, indigenous leaders, comparative mythologists, religious thinkers, and scientists. These were all topics I was interested in from a lifetime of experience and being curious. I was raised in an area where I was exposed to and became interested in Iroquois/Haudenosaunee/Native American culture. I was raised a Catholic and, through many scandals and hypocrisies, became disappointed by Catholic and Protestant leadership. I explored world religions, awakened to the intelligence of nature by a book called The Hidden Life of Trees, and learned to be concerned that our culture of unbridled capitalism and exploitation is stripping the Earth of its health and diversity. And last but not least, having worked in technology, I’m fully aware of future-tech, science-tech, and their pros and cons. So, the topics in the book are my brain --made story.

All of your characters are very well developed. Who is your favorite? Why?

Geesh. You’re asking me to choose my favorite child? What I find interesting and satisfying is that when I ask this question to readers, they all have a different character they love. For me, Kiley is my hero, so I love her. But if I do say so myself, the cast of characters is a great ensemble. They all bring something different.

Your descriptions of your settings are very vivid. How were you able to make that happen?

I’m a visual person, so when I write I see the movie in my head and I describe it. I also use settings I know about, so I’m recalling places, experiences, emotions, smells, and tastes that I know. I have the ability to be completely ‘gone’ when I’m writing and to have my mind fully and completely in the place I am writing about. I also think it helps that I created video games because creating worlds is part of the craft, as is conjuring future-tech and action scenes.

Where will Into the Dax be available?

At launch, June 30th, it’ll be exclusively available on Amazon. Later in the year I’ll expand retail, but that’s TBD.

So, what’s next? Any new projects on the horizon?

First, I’m ripping up more of my lawn and planting wildflower pollinator gardens, which is something I’ve been doing over the last few summers. I have ideas for a Dax prequel and a sequel. I vacillate between which to do. I also have two middle-grade books that I should go back to and self-publish. One is a coming-of-age summer camp story set in the Adirondacks. The other is about a high school inventor, a brilliant but socially awkward student who is thrust into an adventurous high-stakes rescue! So, we’ll see. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss all things Dax. Wyun, and Blue is The Eye.

For more on Into the Dax and its author Bob Welch, visit bobwelchauthor.com

Periphery is Available!

My newest novel, The Battle for Periphery, is now available on Amazon! A hearty cheer for the
creator of my cover art, Erin Ruffino, and the cover designer, Aaron La Porta! They've done an amazing job at bringing Emerson's adventures to life!

Here is the description:

Emerson wears the cloak of an Amaranth, the garment of a much-revered warrior clan. Since he was a boy, he has been content wandering the realm, but now he is having second thoughts. The idea of settling down in a home of his own is growing on him, and he feels called to build a home in the forest. It's all working, until a princess points a loaded bow to his head.

This Amaranth has shown up just when she needs him the most: a war rages. The palace, the royal family, the very kingdom of Periphery is in danger, and she is determined to make him abide by his Amaranth creed. Their chance meeting leads Emerson on a quest to save a kingdom and a home, but it will also unveil secrets that will change everything he knows about his past and the futures of those he has grown to care for.

Powerful forces are in motion. A mystical tree calls to him, a prophecy plagues his dreams, and a shadowy figure has released a vital spark of light into the night sky.

What will the kingdom's deepest secrets reveal? And can Emerson face the secrets within himself?

I hope you enjoy it! Remember to leave a review! They really do help us Indie authors!

  

     

Speaker Fun

Recently, I had a wonderful experience as the featured author invited to kick off the Spring
season for the Thursday Book Club at the 20th Century Club of Buffalo, NY. The ladies told me I could talk about anything I wanted to talk about -- ah, so many directions to choose from!

So, I chose to talk about what I learned from writing my first novel. I actually learned so much from that first experience, that I had to whittle it down to just three lessons learned, the results of which have served me well through the creation of my second and third novels.

I also need to mention the setting for the presentation, the 20th Century Club, which, according to the ladies, is the oldest woman's club in the country. It was founded in 1894 by Charlotte Mulligan. The "club house" was designed by E.B. Greene and is magnificent. And for those of you who read my books, you know how important setting is to me!  

What a super gathering of women. Such good conversation about books, careers, children! I was only sorry that I didn't get to speak with everyone! Thank you so much for the opportunity! 

And if you bought a book, or buy one in the future, don't forget to write a review for Amazon! Good or bad or somewhere in the middle, all reviews help Indie authors!

Publishing Series: #13 Prepping the Manuscript

So, you've decided to indie publish. Good for you, but remember, some hard work lies ahead.

First, you must commit to being a detail person. You want the best version of your work out there for public consumption. Your author reputation is on the line.

Second, decide on the publishing platform you will use and become familiar with it. For instance, I found that if using Kindle Direct Publishing, my manuscript transferred easily if it was written in Word rather than in a Google doc. 

Third, prepare the entire book document before you transfer it. This means preparing what is called the front and back matter as well. What do I mean by this? Pull some books off your bookshelf, and look at what is written on the pages before the story actually starts -- this is the front matter. There are blank pages, a copy right page, a dedication, extra title pages, sometimes a table of contents. If you want your book to appear professional, you need all these "extra" pages. These pages appear in a certain order. Model the appearance, type font, and order and your work will appear professionally published.

Look at the back matter in these books as well. Back matter is anything that comes after the book is finished. You'll need an "about the author" page. Read some professionally done examples and model yours after theirs. Will you need author notes? Look at several examples of what other authors do.

Then you'll need to finalize the actual text. This involves inserting either a heading or a footing for page numbers. Again, look at several professional examples and decide which basic design will work for you. Word offers you several options that can be tailored to fit your needs.

This is also the time to finalize other details. What font do you want the body of your text to appear in? Take out spaces between paragraphs, unless it is used as a device to indicate a change in setting. Make sure that paragraph indents are only about 3 spaces, not the typical 5. Don't indent the first paragraph of each chapter. (Don't believe me on this one? Check out some professionally published works!) Do you want an oversized letter at the start of each chapter? Play around with that. What font and size should your chapter headings be? Should they be centered? Flush to the right or left margin? Should they have titles? If they have titles, you'll definitely need that table of contents.

As you can see, there are a lot of decisions to be made and a lot of work to be done. Take your time, and do it right. Now is not the time to rush. Remember, you want your work to look its best out there in the world!

Attending Conferences

Lately, my blogs have been highlighting how to go about writing and getting published. This week, I'm taking a small break from that topic, and yet, I'm not.

In between all of the writing, revising, and editing that leads to a published story, you have to search out additional ways to answer your questions. No one has all the answers. No one's journey is the same as anyone else's, and you can get tips you never knew you needed by talking with other authors and people in the book business.

Saturday, I attended the Indie Author Day at the Buffalo and Erie County Central Library. It's a great mini-conference -- only a half day. This year there were four speakers on the agenda, and I learned something from every one of them. I must say one of my favorites was Susan Bottaccio, the librarian from the rare book room. She detailed all of the resources available in the space and, knowing how important research can be when writing, I was amazed! Frankly, I want to move in and never leave!

Another speaker, Susan Solomon, was very informative. Among other things, she stressed the importance of reviews and writer's groups. She even gave me some personal advice that I won't reveal here, but I am in the process of implementing!

When I attend these events, I always search for at least one take-away from each speaker. Even if you don't find something new, there's the affirmation aspect of such an event. I could sit in the audience on Saturday and repeatedly say, "Yup. I do that," and that feels good.

Just Got the News!

I am excited to hear that Indie Author Day will again be held November 5 at the Buffalo and Erie County Central Library in downtown Buffalo! 

It's always an informative convention-style event that is free for independent authors and offers a way to connect to the library and the writing community. This year it will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the library's auditorium. Registration is necessary and closes the day before the event.

Last year there were some great speakers -- a publisher and a writer who talked about historical research. Those are the two I remember the most, although I think there were a couple more.

If you are a writer or an aspiring writer, I highly encourage you to attend!

Book Signing

This weekend I will be signing books and talking to readers about my craft at the Audubon Library in Amherst, NY. It will be my first book signing for Eye of the Peacock, which is really exciting.

Audubon is a fabulous public library with an extensive book collection. I think it is great that they are opening their doors to local writers as a venue to sell their books. What a marvelous chance it will be to catch some great new reads.

Take advantage of the opportunity – Sunday, Nov. 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. Come out and see me as well as the other authors who will be on site!

Local Author Fair

I’m very excited to announce that I will be offering signed copies of both Eye of the Peacock and Relic at the Local Author Fair. I will be joining authors from around the area from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 17, at the Audubon Library on John James Audubon Parkway in Amherst, NY.

A major thank you to my neighbor Martin for slipping the announcement for the event in my mailbox! I love events like this. One of the best parts of writing is meeting people who are eager to read your work.

I mean, really, ultimately, it’s why we should be writing – to share our work. Otherwise, writing is a terribly lonely endeavor. So put it on your calendars! Come out and chat with me on the 17^th!