Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Short Stories
Website: Roger Stelljes - Mystery Author
Author's Blog: Roger Stelljes - Mystery Author
Twitter: @rogerstelljes
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Facebook: Check Out Facebook
Pinterest: Check Out Pinterest
Author Description:
Ruthless killers...grizzly deaths...escalating stakes... A clandestine late night meeting in Kentucky, a murder in a seedy motel, a mysterious investigator operating in the shadows and dueling political masterminds all collide to provide Mac McRyan with the ultimate test in ELECTING TO MURDER.
*** Get the first 3 books - FIRST DEADLY CONSPIRACY - Beach Reads box set sale $3.99 USD ***
I'm about 25 chapters in on the next book in the McRyan Mystery Series. You can keep up to date or ask book questions by following me on Twitter @RogerStelljes or visit my website at www.RogerStelljes.com.
My author picture is in front of the historic Stillwater, MN lift bridge. This is one of the major locations in the book DEADLY STILLWATER (my gift as a free download). This bridge raises on a set schedule to allow larger boats to travel up and down the St. Croix River. Stillwater is considered the birthplace of Minnesota and it is also a frequent tourist destination with its river bluffs, amazing scenery, paddle wheel boats, and historic buildings which made it an ideal location for the book. It was at least 90 degrees the day of the photo shoot with hundreds of people milling around wondering -- why a guy would have a suit on in such hot weather…
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
First things first. Let’s start with what’s next. Rumor has it that you have another book on the horizon in the McRyan Mystery Series. Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?
I actually completed the next full length novel in the series about a month ago. I then decided to rewrite the entire book, taking it in another direction! So no tease right now because I am re-working the story.
You have a great following on twitter. How important have your social media relationships been? Do you see a carry over to your writing success?
I mostly use Twitter to talk to my fans. I really enjoy the back and forth conversations and the interesting questions they present. I wish I had more time to utilize social media but I sometimes find it hard to carve out time between working, writing books, coaching hockey, and an occasional game of golf.
Do you do book signings, interviews, speaking and personal appearances? If so, when and where is the next place where your readers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?
Years ago I used to do a lot of book signings. J. A. Konrath's stories of going from book store to book store really brought back memories from the pre-ebook days. I would always have a box or two of hardcover's from the McRyan Mystery Series in my trunk. I spent many evenings at book stores signing books. Now with an international fan base and ebooks the whole industry has changed. I do occasionally go to book clubs locally (or online if out of state) when requested. Otherwise I'm usually at home writing.
You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?
Funny you should bring that up! I've had three other book cover designers that decided to get out of the cover business. I'm looking at re-designing covers now. I usually let the designer come up with the idea. I am going to test my newest cover for First Case to see if fans like it better than the older covers. Covers are evolving in terms of style based on genre and authors are going to need to change covers every 2-4+ years or so to keep an up to date presence in the market. .
I liked your YouTube presentation for Television. I feel more writers should use this media to see themselves. KARE 11
Did this help in your overall success as a writer? Have you created a book trailer for any of your books to promote them online?
It was fun recording the TV interview. I think more people have seen the KARE 11 interview about Deadly Stillwater after the fact online. I'm not sure if it has helped in promoting my books but I suppose it is another way to connect with readers and they can get a bit more insight into the series.
What writer support groups do you belong to? Do they help with the writing, marketing and the publishing process?
I don't belong to any writer support groups - my schedule is way too crazy.
With your busy schedule, how do you have time to keep up with your followers?
Over the last year, I have had to really narrow things down and make decisions based on the limited time available. Currently I use Twitter and Facebook when I can. I am also in the process of starting an email list for new releases so hopefully that will be live on my website soon.
Has the advent of ebooks changed anything in your writing, getting the book to your readers and the relationship with your readers and fans?
Ebooks have changed everything! How much space do I have to talk about this? I could go on for hours about the changes to the book industry. In addition, ebooks and the book platforms (KOBO, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, etc.) are all quickly evolving. Ebooks have allowed me to sell my books internationally and it has been fun seeing them take off in Canada, the UK, etc.
What has been your experience in giving your books away free? Have you been involved in any other type of giveaways and how did that work out? What was your main goal in doing this? Did you run into any obstacles?
I've had a great experience giving away Deadly Stillwater for free. I've given away over 500,000 copies so far. The biggest obstacle to giving away books free for any author is that you need to be able to forgo the income potential had you charged for the book. Mentally that can be a big obstacle for any author and it may not fit with the direction all authors are headed in. I figure that if my book is on a tablet like a Kindle, KoboArc, or a Nook then a person is more likely to read it, and if they like it maybe they will want to read my other books.
What is your method of getting reviews for your novels? Do you seek professional reviews, use social media or do you rely on your reading audience to supply them?
Some of my books have been out in ebook form for a couple years. This has allowed me to build up a fairly large platform of readers waiting for the next book to come out so the reviews generally trickle in on their own. I actually read every single review on the major ebook platforms. Sometimes it gives good insight into what the reader sees in the book series and sometimes they are downright funny.
Author's Book List
Electing To Murder - Thriller
- McRyan Mystery SeriesRuthless killers...grizzly deaths...escalating stakes…
A clandestine late night meeting in Kentucky, a murder in a seedy St. Paul motel, a mysterious investigator operating in the shadows and dueling political masterminds all collide to provide Mac McRyan with the ultimate test in ELECTING TO MURDER.
Award winning author, Roger Stelljes, delivers an action packed story that is the 3rd full length novel in the McRyan Mystery Series. Stelljes' vivid characters, his gift for GRITTY and REAL DIALOGUE (slang/ jargon/behind the scenes dialog) as well as his uncanny sense of place and time, will put you in the middle of the action allowing you to feel the desperation of Mac McRyan and his fellow detectives.
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
Deadly Stillwater
- McRyan Mystery SeriesAward winning author, Roger Stelljes, delivers a mystery that is the second book in the McRyan Mystery Series (FIRST CASE - prequel novella, THE ST. PAUL CONSPIRACY - #1 McRyan Series). Stelljes' vivid characters, his gift for GRITTY and REAL DIALOGUE (slang/jargon/behind the scenes dialog), as well as his uncanny sense of place and time, will put you in the middle of the action allowing you to feel the desperation of Mac McRyan and his fellow detectives.
Vince Flynn has described Roger Stelljes as "A powerful new thriller voice." Fans of John Sandford, David Baldacci and James Patterson will enjoy this fast-moving story of murder, greed, and treason, the cast of colorful characters, and its setting in and around historic St. Paul, Minnesota.
Deadly Stillwater delivers…
GRITTY and REAL DIALOGUE… behind the scenes banter & slang of the detectives.
VIVID YET QUIRKY CHARACTERS… likeable characters faults and all.
A STORY THAT BUILDS…with clues that puts you in the middle of the action.
An abduction is just the beginning in a case of betrayal and revenge that will ultimately strike at the soul of the St. Paul Police Department.The ruggedly handsome Mac McRyan, a fourth-generation cop, is faced with a complicated brazen daytime kidnapping, a media storm surrounding the case, and political scrutiny. It is a case of betrayal and revenge that will ultimately strike at the soul of the St. Paul Police Department. From the searing streets of St. Paul to the murky waters of the St. Croix River, DEADLY STILLWATER is a book you won't be able to put down until its last gripping minute.
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Smashwords
FIRST CASE
- McRyan Mystery Series PrequelFirst Case provides an introduction and backstory to the lead character, "Mac" McRyan and his fellow detectives. Stelljes' knack for GRITTY and REAL DIALOGUE (slang/jargon/behind the scenes dialog), as well as his uncanny sense of place and time, will put you in the middle of the action allowing you to feel the desperation of Mac McRyan and his fellow detectives.
A prestigous job at a top law firm, a beautiful home, and a gorgeous wife all made for an ideal life. But then life gets in the way and changes the course you have selected. For Michael "Mac" McRyan, a family tragedy meant forgoing a lucrative legal career for one in the "family business" - the St. Paul Police Department. After four years as a cop, the ruggedly handsome Mac crosses the crime scene tape for the first time as a homicide detective. The back alley murder of a young trial lawyer from a high profile law firm doesn't add up. In an emotionally charged investigation full of unexpected twists and turns, Mac will need to follow a convoluted trail of evidence, secrets, and hidden agendas to help solve a murder mystery that is his FIRST CASE.
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Smashwords
The St. Paul Conspiracy - Thriller
- McRyan Mystery SeriesMurder... Greed... Treason... The morning after Halloween the city of St. Paul awakens to find that a serial killer terrorizing the blue-collar working women of University Avenue has struck for the fifth time. The citizens of St. Paul are on edge.
Thirty-two-year-old fourth-generation St. Paul Homicide Detective Michael "Mac" McRyan thought his day was going to be less stressful. His day would involve paper work, coffee, and maybe even an early trip to the pub. Then his cell phone tells him his day is about to change. A body has been found in a high-end condominium between Summit and Grand Avenues; and it's not just anyone.
"Your day just got worse," Mac tells his captain.
The victim is Claire Daniels, the Twin Cities' most prominent political and investigative reporter. Claire was stunningly attractive. She had blonde hair, blue eyes and a curvaceous body she worked on relentlessly. Claire was the desire of every man in town.
With the Daniels murder on top of the latest serial killer attack, the political and media pressure on the St. Paul Police Department only builds and places Mac in the middle of a dangerous and high-stakes murder investigation that will ultimately have national political and security implications.
Order the Book From: Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Smashwords
Author Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
Publisher of ebooks, writing industry blogger and the sponsor of the HBS Author's Spotlight plus the blog: eBook Author’s Corner. Check out the index of other Spotlight authors. Spotlight Index.
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