Welcome to the new series, Sunday Sessions, where you’ll get to meet authors from around the world, writing in different genres, sharing their writing tips, marketing adventures and much more.

Please welcome Russell J. Perry, Australian author of ‘The Returning’ series. A story of reincarnation and mystery set in beautiful North Queensland, Australia.

1 – Tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born in Innisfail, North Queensland, but have lived in Brisbane for over 30 years. As a young child my Mother always read to my siblings and me and as we grew older she encouraged us to read for ourselves. I became an avid reader, always in search of a good story, but it wasn’t until much later in life that I started writing my own. In 2011 I finally made the time to write my first novel, “The Returning”. Writing is now a great passion in my life and I long to be able to concentrate solely on my art, without the need to work at my day job, (Marketing). I get closer to that goal with every chapter.

2 – How did the idea for The Returning Series come about?

“The Returning” is a story about reincarnation. A few years ago I had a strange dream, which, on waking, I remembered vividly. In the dream I seemed to be someone else, in another time. I wrote it down with the purpose of perhaps using it in a future story. I finally applied the “What If?” principle to the dream and “The Returning” was born, with the dream making an appearance in the second chapter. When I finished the first novel, the characters begged to be let out for another run, so I wrote the sequel, “Murdering Point.”

3 – What sort of research did you do before you started writing?

I researched reincarnation beliefs and reported incidences, as well as work done by Dr. Ian Stevenson on the subject. Most of my sources and videos on the subject are on my website. My Mother is also a medium of sorts, practicing “Automatic Writing” for many years. I got some insights from her experiences as well.

4 – What do you love/hate most about writing or being a writer?

I can’t think of one aspect of writing or story telling I hate. I am passionate about every part of the process. Plotting, writing, editing, re-writing and marketing. I think I was born to be an indi-author; I even make my own covers. I know I should get professional help, but finances are a barrier and I’m determined to hone my skills in all aspects, until I am a professional.

5 – What is your typical writing day like?

It starts at night before I fall asleep. I go over the story line in my head, thinking of the best way to move forward, until I fall asleep. As soon as I wake I make a coffee and go to the keyboard. I read and edit the last pages I wrote, so as to get me back into the story. I then write for about two hours then stop for breakfast. Most of my best inspiration comes in those two hours. I write after breakfast until lunch, and then I will probably break for a couple of hours. I will then put in another couple of hours in the afternoon, but this is about half as productive as the morning session. I normally top and tail each day with social media and website activity.

6 – What are you currently reading?

“The Persimmon Tree” – Bryce Courtenay.

7 – If you were having a dinner party and could invite five people, living or dead, who would you invite and why?

Bryce Courtenay – For his insights into writing and marketing. (I once had dinner with him when we were both in marketing. I didn’t know he was a writer then).
Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) – To bask in his free spiritedness (I guess it’s a word, spell check seems to think so).
Steven Spielberg – To pick his brains regarding how he recognises a story worth telling.
Eddie Murphy – For his brilliant humour.
Jimmy Barnes – I will need someone to drink and sing songs with as the night wears on.

8 – What’s your view on social media marketing for authors?

Yes you need to work social media to get your message out there. It should always be used as a means to get readers to your website, to generate interest in what you are doing; you need to be inventive to stand out in your genre. You will tend to build a community of writers around you easily enough, but if someone has a way to get to the reader community, I’m all ears.

9 – Do you have any marketing tips for new authors?

Don’t buy followers or likes, it might look good, but it’s a waste of time and money. You need genuine fans to create sales and you need to genuinely interact with readers if you want them to spread the word. Don’t be afraid to work your book and your writing into the conversation at every opportunity.

10 – If your book was turned into a film, who would you like to play your main characters? The villain?

Liam Hemsworth – Jacob / Dario
Phoebe Tonkin – Gabriella / Luisa
John Jarratt – John Spait (The Villain)

11 – Do you ever get writer’s block? How do you overcome it?

Not really, but sometimes I slow up a little. I go back to an old story or start planning a new one. It can be a short story or flash fiction (I call this coffee-long fiction), something I can share on my website.

12 – Where is your favourite place to write? Why?

I would love a quiet place by the sea, the water inspires me. But my office at home is where I’m most comfortable currently. With a garden outside my window … it’s quiet.

13 – What’s next for you?

I’m currently writing the third book in “The Returning” series.

I’m plotting a Sci-Fi serial to share on my website by episode.

Please share your social media links:

Website – http://russellperry.com.au/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RussellPerryPublishing

Twitter: – https://twitter.com/russell_perry

Google+ – https://plus.google.com/+RussellPerry/posts/p/pub

Amazon: – http://bit.ly/Russell-Perry-at-Amazon

Russell, thank you so much for speaking to us!