Our Authors Profile
Spend A Moment With:
Don Swann II
"I'm just taking notes for the voices in my head."
Don Swann II is known for writing captivating books for readers of all ages, in many genres. From gripping novels like 'Plight: Amare Dumisuni, FBI' and 'Black Monday: The White Powder Fund' to delightful children's picture books, including 'The Robot That Learned To Surf' and 'The Adventures of Antlers, Dragon and Rodent', just to name a few. His collection offers a diverse range of stories for every book lover.
As Don puts it... I'm just an old surfer, ex banker and former coach, with a public school education, whom (that's right I said whom) grew up with a Hawaiian taste for life, seeing it in subject matters and story lines, while exploring my ability to tell stories in complete sentences and ambitious enough to attempt to tell a compelling story making you want to turn the page... and that is a work in progress.
Sometimes the road to mediocrity is littered with kind words, that fail to tell the story and with your help, we'll follow the path to improvement with each new effort, most appreciative with your patience.
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Our Featured Author:
Don Swann II
aka
Donald E. Swann II
Plight: Amare Dumisuni, FBI
Explore the gripping novel Plight: Amare Dumisuni, FBI and immerse yourself in its thrilling pursuit of human traffickers' narrative.
Black Monday: The White Powder Fund
Black Monday: The White Powder Fund, a must-read for financial crime thriller enthusiasts.
The Robot That Learned To Surf
Join the adventurous journey of The Robot That Learned To Surf and experience a heartwarming tale of determination to overcome Chip's skin allergy.
Question & Answer:
With Don Swann II
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I actually grew up in Hawaii. I was very lucky to have such an experience with family, nature and friends. I am greatly influenced by island life and still see the world through those eyes, expectant of doing the right thing, for the right reasons and if I have written a story well, perhaps it resonates in the what's being told.
What's the story behind your latest book?
It's about an FBI Agent named Amare Dumisuni. It actually started in a different direction and ended up with the story of Agent Dumisuni searching for a missing girl, but uncovering a human trafficking ring. The actual story is about much more... how several people at the collapse of the Soviet Union are greatly affected by change and the obstacles they must overcome and the choices made impact others, even later, in the U.S.
How has self publishing contributed to your success?
The different channels and having it available on several websites. Much easier than trying to submit and work with multiple content providers.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I found the traditional process to be convoluted and way behind the times. I, like everyone else got a few rejection letters, others advised they wouldn't even consider it without coming from an agent and I discovered the world of self publishing and decided to explore. As I wrote more, I found it easier to publish.
When did you first start writing?
Actually, when I was a child, around seven or eight. It was just a short story about a superhero, though I don't remember much about it, but for dinner, he had to cook a pig on an open flame, or spitfire rotisserie and my parents like my creativity, but my father's only critique was how I knew a pig would be cooked in an Imu Pit. That's still funny to me, because somehow I forgot that tiny detail and it taught me the devil is in the details.
In 6th, or 7th grade, I actually started writing short stories about myself as the prince and one of the girls in my class as the princess. They were in a humorous style, kind of like the narrative style of "Rocky & Bullwinkle". Nothing special, but everyone that read it, including Sheri, seemed to enjoy it. Later it was just verbal stories that would make people laugh.
What do your fans mean to you?
Appreciation for my efforts and validating my attempt at telling a story was worth it.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
The ability to turn a few sentences into an idea and as the paragraphs flow, a story starts to develop and when it makes sense enough to entertain... that's the best part.
Who are your favorite authors?
Too many to just single out ones efforts. Next question.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The hopes of seeing progress and the thought of creating something others might enjoy.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I'm always thinking about it. No, not all the time, anyways. In the experience of life, conversation and being in the world.
What are you working on next?
The follow up to "Plight" and my other novel "Black Monday". I also am working on a few other ideas and we'll see how far they go.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Events, experience, crazy ideas.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
See my previous answer about being 7 or 8 years old.
What is your writing process?
Sometimes it's just expanding on an idea, while sometimes I'm lucky enough to have the story play out in my head while I'm writing it. Notes are a big part of my process and It's always evolving.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish,, Blue Fish... I felt like I should always be entertained and captivated with the use of words and language. Later it was reinforced by Shakespeare and the beauty of an expressive language.
How do you approach cover design?
What ever feels right to express the story it's trying to convey and that is a very difficult process.
Bonus Question:
Why do you always use the cover of "Antlers, Dragon and Rodent." as your profile picture?
Because that image best associates how and where I grew up. It's a rendering of how three friends are remembered. "The boys of summer" as depicted by that cover. Something honest and pure of heart, that even to this day continues to mean a lot.