Welcome to the Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature that shines the light on Indie and Debut authors. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:
DEREK WILLIAMS
~Author of The Disillusioned~
Hi Derek, welcome to the blog, please tell us about yourself.
I was born and raised in Hong Kong until I was fifteen and then moved back to Los Angeles. I guess you could say I've been a city boy all my life. I'm a basketball junky. I love to read. I love the creative process. I've been happily married for 22 years to my best friend. I worked in the music business for many years and then transitioned into producing and directing television. I have had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world as I've produced and directed various projects. I guess the mix of all of this has influenced my desire to write. I'm now exhausted after reliving the last forty-something years of my life!
If you could pick a song to encapsulate the mood of your book what would it be and why?
I'm not sure I could pick one song, but I would say that I listened to the Gladiator soundtrack quite a bit during the writing process. In The Disillusioned I wanted the pace to be relentless and I found that Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard created a score in Gladiator that pushed me to keep the story on the edge with moments that paused just enough to let the reader catch their breath.
Can you recommend three great indie books, or three books that mean the most to you?
I would have to say Treasure Island, Lincoln Lawyer, and The Testament. First, Treasure Island because it was the first book I read at eight years old cover to cover. My imagination was ignited as the story and characters became alive to me. I couldn't stop until I turned the last page.
Second, Lincoln Lawyer, mainly because I enjoy all of Michael Connelly's books. I remember finishing Lincoln Lawyer and wondering if I had what it took to write my own novel.
Third, The Testament because Grisham took me to a place I had not been to at the time. It wasn't until a few years later that I found myself on a boat drifting down the Amazon river thinking about how Grisham's novel was coming alive right before my eyes. In The Disillusioned I wanted to try for the trifecta -- a story and characters that consumed you, a story that was constantly on the edge, and one that took you to a place that became alive to readers. I hope I have been able to achieve that. I guess it will be up to readers to decide.
What do you want readers to walk away with after reading your book?
First and foremost I want readers to walk away feeling like they've been taken on an adventure.
Second, I hope through the characters they find themselves asking questions about the life they are living and those around them who are in need. It's clear from the back cover that the story involves one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in modern day history. Child slavery generates billions per year as millions of children are forever lost. My hope is that readers will feel compelled to find a way to get involved with stopping this injustice. It's one reason why I have committed to donate a portion of the sales from The Disillusioned to organizations who are in the fight.
What's on the horizon, or future projects you can share?
I have a 4-book series that has been shopped around over the last year and is still trying to find a home. I'm going to shelve it for now because there is a story I've been researching over the last three years. I think I'm finally ready to write it. It's filled with rich characters from the 1920's and present day whose lives collide. My hope is it will keep readers guessing, leaving them on the edge of their seats, trying to figure out how these two eras will unfold in the story. With The Disillusioned ready to hit the shelves I'm finding myself once again standing on the edge ready to jump back into the deep end. Wish me luck!
What do you want readers to walk away with after reading your book?
First and foremost I want readers to walk away feeling like they've been taken on an adventure.
Second, I hope through the characters they find themselves asking questions about the life they are living and those around them who are in need. It's clear from the back cover that the story involves one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in modern day history. Child slavery generates billions per year as millions of children are forever lost. My hope is that readers will feel compelled to find a way to get involved with stopping this injustice. It's one reason why I have committed to donate a portion of the sales from The Disillusioned to organizations who are in the fight.
What's on the horizon, or future projects you can share?
I have a 4-book series that has been shopped around over the last year and is still trying to find a home. I'm going to shelve it for now because there is a story I've been researching over the last three years. I think I'm finally ready to write it. It's filled with rich characters from the 1920's and present day whose lives collide. My hope is it will keep readers guessing, leaving them on the edge of their seats, trying to figure out how these two eras will unfold in the story. With The Disillusioned ready to hit the shelves I'm finding myself once again standing on the edge ready to jump back into the deep end. Wish me luck!
For the past fifteen years Derek Williams has worked in the non-profit and entertainment industry. He has produced media projects that have raised awareness to help those in need. With the DNA of a world traveler, Williams was born in Hong Kong, has ventured into the jungles of the Amazon, the bush of Africa, and the slums of the Far East, to share stories of those who are overcoming incredible odds. Writing credits include Restoration Road with Mitch Kruse (Credo House, Fall 2009), as well as ghostwriting for other fiction authors. His novel,Disillusioned, releases in May 2013.
Williams has produced and directed over 140 television episodes syndicated on NBC, ABC, FOX and various cable networks worldwide.
Giveaway
Today Derek is giving away one signed copy of his book The Disillusioned to one lucky US winner. To enter please fill in the copter, thanks and good-luck!~
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Carol Armstrong is a woman who battled a life-altering illness that left her broken by a dark secret that threatens to tarnish the family legacy. When she commits suicide this secret is unlocked and her sons find themselves searching for a surprise heir, a woman who's been missing for years deep in the bush of Zambia. Both brothers must choose to leave their worlds behind and travel separate journeys towards a place where adventure becomes their road to healing, where death is one breath away, and where the woman they are searching for is on the hunt for revenge. When their paths cross, this woman is only days away from killing a man known to the Zambians as Duiwell, the Devil. In the end, they must fight to redeem what has been lost and save those who have been forgotten by the world.
Derek, thanks for being on the spotlight today, I loved reading your answers and commend you for trying to make readers aware of such a terrible thing going on in the world. Wishing you all the best in the success of The Disillusioned.
Find out more info about this author at:
Find out more info about this author at:
Goodreads~Web
Wonder what the secret is
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a wonderful read! I really would love to read this book. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful read. The fact that the brothers travel to Zambia makes it very interesting. I would really enjoy reading this one. Thanks for having the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteExcited to read this book. Sounds very interesting. I knew Derek when he was a little boy. Great to see how far he's come!
ReplyDelete