IndieView with David C. Mahood, author of Kings of a Lonely Kingdom

Protecting the environment and the balance of species necessary for a healthy habitat covers a lot of territory, which I address in a range of ways including original poetry and the prior noted essays. 

David Mahood – 15 December 2021

The Back Flap

In his latest book, Kings of a Lonely Kingdom, author David C. Mahood shares his passion for preserving nature, biodiversity, and for combating climate change, through ten years of Earth Day essays, original poetry, and related sentiments.  Throughout the book he shares compelling examples of a world in need of greater care in order to bring attention to the unfavorable, long-term consequences of climate change, and the loss of biodiversity.  The plights of penguins and pachyderms, whales and wolves, minks and monarchs, and the struggle for clean energy and environmental justice are topics woven into Kings of a Lonely Kingdom. Mahood reflects on the origin and success of the first Earth Day as well as the status of its fiftieth anniversary, which also contains excerpts from a 1972 Earth Day booklet that the author wrote as a nine-year-old, fourth-grade student. The purpose of Earth Day is also expressed by members of today’s youth, from ages nine to thirty-two.  Kings of a Lonely Kingdom is a combination of wit and concern and personal stories, a unique appeal for a healthy habitat for all species, and for all times.

About the book

When did you start writing the book?

Because the book includes ten years of Earth Day essays, it really began in 2010. But the book was organized by the winter of 2017.  Some of the original poems date back close to twenty years. I refer also to a booklet that I wrote in 1972 so the book has been in my mind for most of my life.

How long did it take you to write it?

Yes, again, it started with the first Earth Day essay in 2010 so it has been a long time in coming but the bulk of it was written from 2017 to 2020.

Where did you get the idea from?

I realized that after ten years of essays on the environment, a compilation of them with modern perspective made for fascinating chapter material. Protecting the environment and the balance of species necessary for a healthy habitat covers a lot of territory, which I address in a range of ways including original poetry and the prior noted essays.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Writing it was a struggle for me because of my love of the poetic tongue.  Words become a challenge hence sentences didn’t come easily throughout. I tend to want to hear the sound of a sentence, which clearly is not a path I would recommend. My father passed away during the writing of the book so I wanted to include his influence on my life and my passions, which clearly affected the book’s outcome.

What came easily?

The passion to write about species and loss of biodiversity is deep within me so the theme of the book never left me.  Reflecting on the various topics came fairly easily.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you

know?

Since this book is in the nonfiction- nature and ecology genre, this question may not apply.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that

have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

There are too many writers who have influenced me to list all of them. A few environment writers specifically helpful to my work include Bill McKibben, E.O. Wilson, Paul Hawken, Michael Mann, Jane Goodall, Carl Safina, Elizabeth Kolbert, to name a few. I am enamored with the book, World of Wonders, by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, as are many others.  All of these writers have such a grip on writing about the environment, which can be challenging.

Do you have a target reader?

Nature and ecology subjects are fairly broad so the book is intended for a general audience. Some of my readers have said this book would be helpful to high school students learning about Earth Day or the history of the modern environment movement. Anyone who is concerned about climate change or the loss of biodiversity would benefit from most chapters within the book. It is a science-based book, but not densely so, and the breadth of topics within the twelve chapters would appeal to a general reader.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I write when the fire is hot, so to speak, but I did learn from my first book to keep writing regardless.  If the thought is there but not the words, it is still important to write it down. The words will come. The pandemic threw many of us off schedules, which made deadlines a different type of challenge and impacted us authors in bringing a book to market.  I need focus more than many other writers so quietness is very critical to my success.  Find a comfortable place to write and remove some of the daily distractions.  I often find a walk or exercise opens the mind.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I do not outline but I rely on chapter headings and subheadings. I write a little haphazardly so I can’t say that outlines wouldn’t be helpful to me. Having a good first reader was of great benefit to me.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I learned my lesson about editing as you write. I don’t approve of it especially if you have a comfort level with an editor, which I am fortunate to have.  I would not recommend anyone editing material the same day as writing it. We are too critical of our own work and as a result we over edit and get bogged down.  There is always time to edit before submissions.  And I suggest that review and editing before submission is almost as important as putting it down on paper the first time.  All that said, some minor edits are necessary during the writing process.  If you don’t see it immediately, keep on going.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I have worked with a professional editor for both of my books.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I only listen to music when rereading or reviewing, not in the writing process.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did work with an agent for my first book, which was not a productive experience. If you are not in a mutually helpful relationship with an agent, then I would steer clear. I did not seek an agent for this book.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher?

Once you learn the process, it is easy and it puts the author in control, where I want to be.  I like the Ingram program I chose, and most bookstores appreciate it also. It may not work for others but it is perfect for me.

Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

A painful gradual process.  I don’t want to work on someone else’s timetable ever again.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I contracted a very talented book designer for both of my books. She did a lovely job on my recent book.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a marketing program and have a consistent marketing approach all the way through Earth Day of 2022.  There are many very valuable tools to indie authors that we can take advantage of, which I am doing now. I have a social media presence at my website, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you love writing, you are going to do it anyway so publish and share your passion and thoughts. It isn’t as daunting as it seems. Just write for yourself and take pride in that.  No one has ever written the perfect book but it may be the perfect book for you.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Western New York. Small college town called Geneseo.

Where do you live now?

We live in Beverly, Massachusetts.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I don’t look like a writer.

What are you working on now?

Organizing my thirty years of poetry.

End of Interview:

Mr Mahood says that while the book is available from Amazon that he prefers readers buy the book via his website or through Indiebound.