About Mark R. Vogel:
Mark R. Vogel is a clinical psychologist and has worked in mental health since 1987. He completed his BA and MA at Montclair State University in New Jersey, and his doctorate degree at Yeshiva University in New York City.
In 2003 he graduated from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. For ten years he taught cooking classes and edited cookbooks. He now gives seminars on wine. Since 2002 he has published 400 articles on food and wine in his column “Food For Thought.”
A Ripperologist, he regularly lectures on the infamous Jack the Ripper case. Crestwood Lake is his first novel. Mark lives in New Jersey with his wife Yang.
What inspires you to write?
I need an idea in my head where I’m going with my story to get inspired. When I get writer’s block, it’s because I don’t know where to go next in my narrative. Once I have a direction, then I feel compelled to write.
Tell us about your writing process.
I have to have a rough outline of where my story is headed, including the climax. However, all of the other details are done spontaneously as I write.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t.
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep a journal with you to jot down ideas that come to you during the day. Even small details like a particular word you wish to use.
Plan quiet time to just relax, and let your thoughts flow freely. This is when I get ideas.
Join a writing group. Find a serious one, not just one that socializes.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I couldn’t find an agent for my book. Few are willing to take a chance on a horror novel from an unknown author. Although being traditionally published brings with it a degree of cachet, it also brought concerns that my work would be subject to the agent’s or publisher’s editing. Self-publishing gave me complete control of my work. No one was gong to make me eliminate one of my characters or change my story.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I see it being increasingly dominated by an all-consuming drive to only take on projects that are virtually guaranteed to be big sellers. Publishers will do less and less to promote the book, expect the author to do more of the leg work, but retain their percentages nonetheless.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: Horror and historical fiction.
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Mark R. Vogel Home Page Link
Link To Mark R. Vogel Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
