Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

 

I am the founder of Community Based Economic Strategies (cbeds.org) an organization that helps local community groups form into non-profits and obtain funding for low income housing, job training, education, crime prevention, parks and recreation.   I spend a lot of time working in communities around the country and get to meet a lot of wonderful, interesting people.   My life changed two years ago when early in the morning, I was driving on a crowded freeway to a job and was hit by a truck.   Miraculously, I walked away from the wreck.   After coming so close to death or serious injury, I vowed to give equal time to my writing and music.  I now mix my CBEDS efforts with at least an equal amount of artistic endeavors.

Describe your book ‘12 A Novel About The End of the Maya Calendar’ in 30 words or less.

 

When ancient Meso-American gods return to destroy the modern world, sixteen-year-old Du only has days to save or destroy the Age of Man.

 

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

 

The back story.   There is so much to explain about the gods and the mythology that it was hard to keep the pace of the book up and still give the reader enough information to know what was happening.

 

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

 

Fantasy and adventure books have always appealed to me going back to Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tolkien, and up to Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games). 

 

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

 

I do a lot of social networking.   I put the whole book up on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/Du2012)   Since I'm also a musician and there is a companion music CD to the book (A Pocketful), I'm also active on MYSPACE.  (http://www.myspace.com/a_pocketful)

 

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

 

Community organizing and music.

 

What are you working on next?

 

The sequel to "12" "And We Shall Perish"  should be out soon.