Interview with J.A. Hunsinger, Author of Axe of Iron: The Settlers

J. A. Hunsinger lives in Colorado, USA, with his wife Phyllis. The first novel of his character-driven, historical fiction series, Axe of Iron: The Settlers, represents his first serious effort to craft the story of a lifelong interest in the Viking Age—especially as it pertains to Norse exploration west of Iceland—and extensive research and archaeological site visitations as an amateur historian. He has tied the discovery of many of the Norse artifacts found on this continent to places and events portrayed in his novels.

Much of his adult life has been associated with commercial aviation, both in and out of the cockpit. As an Engineering Technical Writer for Honeywell Commercial Flight Systems Group, Phoenix, AZ, he authored two comprehensive pilots´ manuals on aircraft computer guidance systems and several supplemental aircraft radar manuals. His manuals were published and distributed worldwide to airline operators by Honeywell Engineering, Phoenix, AZ. He also published an article, Flight Into Danger, in Flying Magazine, (August 2002).

We interviewed Jerry to find out more about his new book, Axe of Iron: The Settlers and his life as a published author.

Thank you for this interview, Jerry. Can you tell us briefly what your latest book, Axe of Iron: The Settlers, is all about?

Axe of Iron: The Settlers is my first novel. It is a character-driven, historical fiction book. My characters tell the story and the reader sees the events through their eyes. I have had a lifelong interest in the medieval Norse people. That interest is focused on the five hundred year history of the Norse Greenland settlements. The mystery surrounding the abandonment of the two known settlements and the disappearance of every single person living therein has captured my imagination. Years of research has led me to believe that they did not disappear, rather they assimilated with the natives of North America. My series of books tell a plausible tale in support of that contention. No other author has ever treated the subject the way I have.

Can you tell us who or what was the inspiration behind your book?

My Swedish/German heritage provided inspiration initially—the need to know who my ancestors were—and my parochial education. The Nuns, Brothers, and Priests who educated me gave me an excellent basis for further study. I think the Germanic mythology taught in grade school and high school provided the spark.

Is this your first published book and if so, can you tell us your experiences in finding a publisher for it?

Yes, this is my first novel. I wasted a year trying to find a literary agent. My name is unknown, I am not a famous personage, and historical fiction is not a contentious genre so, as I stated, I wasted a year trying to conform to the status quo of publishing, e.g. literary agent, publisher, book.

How has Vinland Publishing, LLC been to work with?

Excellent. I formed my own publishing company and I work closely with BookMasters and AtlasBooks to produce and market books.

Do you have an agent?

Absolutely not, agents are costly and unnecessary for my purposes.

Can you tell us how long it took you to write your book and also how long it took from the time Vinland Publishing, LLC sent the contract and the time it was released?

This first book took three-years to write and eleven months from my initial contact with BookMasters until the publication date of 1 August2008. Pre-release orders were filled from my distributor, AtlasBooks, eight-months after the manuscript and graphics were received at BookMasters.

Do you have any words of inspiration from other writers who would like to be wearing your shoes?

The road to publication has been a nightmare because of the time and money wasted while I learned the business. I wish I could say that there is lots of help out there for the newbie´s, but actually, the reverse is true. You are prey swimming in the shark´s pool—take heed. Do your homework, believe nobody, and get everything in writing, research, research, and research. Even then, you will have picked the worst time in the world´s economy to enter the business. Research each company´s submission guidelines before any query. All will have their own guidelines; adhere to them absolutely. Do not ever send a manuscript unless it is requested. Hire professional editors to edit everything that another person will read, especially the final draft of your manuscript. An English teacher is not an editor and you cannot edit your own work, so hire someone. Your professionalism will determine whether you ever make the grade. A shabby cover letter on your submission packet will guarantee its demise. Agents and publishers are busy people and they have no time to waste on people who do not follow the submission guidelines.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in March and April 2009 via a virtual book tour. Yes, that is correct. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

The Internet is key. Traditional book signings, road shows, and print ads will produce minimal sales when you factor in the cost, and you must do that. The Internet is cheap by comparison, the exposure is mind-boggling, and the results will eventually show it to be the best way to market any product. I have gotten my name out there in every way possible for me to do personally and the effort is vital to success. Google my byline, J. A. Hunsinger, or the name of my book, Axe of Iron: The Settlers and the first five or six windows that pop up will all be different sites who are advertising my book. I am proud of that, but one can always do more. Amazon is very important, sign up for everything that they have for authors. I also have a website (vital to success) http://www.vinlandpublishing.com/.

And a blog http://www.vinlandpublishing.blogspot.com/.

What´s next for you?

There will be at least six books in my continuing Axe of Iron series. Each subsequent book will begin where the previous book ended. And there are many more, of differing subjects, that I want to write given the time.

Thank you for this interview, Jerry. Can you tell us how we can find out more about you and your new book?

E-mail: jahunsinger@vinlandpublishing.com

Website: http://www.vinlandpublishing.com/

Book Order Link (Distr): http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/02175.htm

Book Order Link (Website): http://www.vinlandpublishing.com/index.php?page_id=278. From the website, there are options for both print and e-Books from several different vendors, including Amazon, B & N, etc.