July 1 question - Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

Yes. I wish I could go back to the days before Ai was invented. I liked the fact that I didn't have to question whether or not a book was written by a real human or not. I don't like that people's writing was stolen without their permission to train these large language models. I also don't like that the art is getting to be such high quality that it's making it difficult for real artists to find work. It takes years and years and years of learning and practice to paint a human face and get it just right, and Ai just does it in fifteen seconds. That doesn't seem fair at all. So yeah...I'm anti-Ai. 

Anyway, thanks for visiting.

Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

My story ideas come from one place: character development. I create a character which is usually more involved than most as I play D&D. I imagine stat points for the characters. I imagine abilities and skills, and then I think, why would they have these abilities? A story inevitably grows out of all that, and then I sometimes write it up. But not always these days.

I'll be honest: the fact that Ai is everywhere now has made me want to just stop drawing and writing. Why work for weeks on something when another person can just churn something out in a few hours? Now, I don't mean to be negative if writing is your dream. Lots of people still find success. Look at Alex Cavanaugh (who started the IWSG). He's an example of doing it right without Ai. But getting noticed in 2026 is probably harder than it ever has been before, and I wouldn't fault you for throwing in the towel. If you're someone who takes six months to write a book, then I'm proud of you. In that time though there are several "authors" (I use the word lightly) who have churned out a book a day with Ai. And even though people say they can tell what is Ai and what isn't, I'm gonna call B.S. on that because it's getting harder and harder for me to tell. I just assume everything is Ai now, and leave it up to someone to prove that it isn't. Anyway, thanks for visiting and happy Pride month.

If you have a playlist (or could put one together) that either gets you in the groove to write or fits with one of your books, what is it? What type of music or what songs?

For me, that's easy. Lots of classical scores plus some Bear McCreary thrown in like "Wandering Day" and "Old Tom Bombadil." I'd want Daft Punk's "Outland" and maybe "Heartland" from Riverdance. I'd want "The Moldau" and some of my favorites from Gustav Holtz ("St Paul's Suite") or some old school tunes like "Bones in the Ocean" or "Jolly Sailor Bold." Give me John Williams too. I'd take the Jurassic Park suite and Duel of the Fates from the movie Phantom Menace. Bach's "Brandenburg Concertos" are always a winner for me. Don't leave out "the Bacchanale" from Samson and Delilah and "Queen of the Night" from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. I'd think I'd want the entire Indiana Jones soundtracks and the Lord of the Rings soundtracks. I'd probably listen to the modern Dune soundtrack as well. That one with Timothee Chalamet in it is a fascinating thing to listen to. Anyway, there you have it. Thanks for visiting.

March 4 question - What elements do you include in your book launch? Or what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or what advice do you have to offer to others planning to launch a book?

I haven't actually done a book launch. However, I've been to a bunch. The thing that seems to strike me as common among them all is a dedicated launch team for promotion and a mix of digital and physical engagement. There should be a social media campaign, a book trailer (easier and easier to do with Ai), a media kit, email marketing, and Advanced Reader Copies (ARC's). If you're against using Ai then the book trailer is probably going to be more difficult to do. However, I would urge you not to take that position. Ai slop is everywhere and if you aren't on board, then you're more likely behind because of your choices. Ai needs full regulation to curb its usage. People just choosing to "opt out" because of "integrity" are winning the high ground. But that's all you're winning. It would be the same as people volunteering to throw money at the national debt. It does nothing. Either we are all forced to or it doesn't work.

Anyway, that's all the advice I have to give. Thanks for visiting.