Self-Published Only Club discussion

I find the character interview technique of self-promotion a break from the banal buy my book by its blurb approach, in that potential buyers might be enticed after they get to know your character (whether major, minor, protagonist, or antagonist) in a bit of a laid back atmosphere.

It’s sort of a version of the old Steve Allen show “Meeting of Minds,” where the entertainer interviewed often deceased historical figures over tea.

Anyone can participate. I'll lead off with ...

GET TO KNOW LUNA NIGHTCROW OF The K-Frost Caper and The Diamond Head Deception.

Interviewer: Today, I'm thrilled to talk with Luna Nightcrow, an independent insurance investigator. Luna Nightcrow, that's an interesting name. Are you Native American, by chance, Ms. Nightcrow?

Luna: Please, call me Luna.

Interviewer: Okay.., Luna.

Luna: Yes, I'm Cherokee. Born and raised in Oklahoma.

Interviewer: Please tell us more about yourself.

Luna: Sure. I'm in my early 40's, with raven-colored hair, dark brown eyes, and skin that's the shade of cinnamon. I should have been named Luna Clotheshorse because I like dressing to the nines (in skirt suits, pantsuits and short, red silk robes). The red silk is for when I type up my deductions and reports at the end of a long day. Charming, huh?

Interviewer: So if you begin deducing, we might see a wardrobe change into the red silk robe now?

Luna: (grins) Nice try. That’s for “the end of a long day.” But I don’t anticipate our little talk becoming a soirée.

Interviewer: Touché. How did you become an insurance investigator, Luna?

Luna: I spent 6 years adjusting all types of insurance claims, and learned the ins-and-outs of the business that way. But being mostly in an office all day got to me. So, I left and began to investigate frauds on a freelance basis. After 4 years of legwork, I'm a free-thinking, sports car-driving, jumbo jet-flying player in the often complicated insurance game.

Interviewer: Wow! Sounds like you're what many women want to be, Luna: Smart, sexy, confident, independent...

Luna: But, still single.

Interviewer: That's not necessarily a bad thing, Luna. Or is it for you?

Luna: (sighs) Only on Valentine's Day. Oh, I can still bring a man to his knees...if only with my [[ASIN:B00AW0GAYS Yellow Jacket iPhone 4 Stun Gun Case Black]]. But, hey: You can't have everything, right? I'm pretty well-off. As a freelance gun-for-hire, so to speak, I set my own rates (which can be rather steep). Because owning a sports car and living in a downtown Oklahoma City loft ain't cheap!

Interviewer: Prospective clients may want to know why they should hire you.

Luna: Let’s not forget prospective readers who may want to read my adventures too.

Interviewer: Right. So, what are your sleuthing strengths, Luna?

Luna: A considerable strength is that I'm a woman. I know that sounds sexist, but I've found that being a female investigator has many advantages. People often find it easier to talk to me--the whole nurturing thing, I guess. Second, suspects usually tend to take me lightly, when it comes to being a physical threat. Sure, I'm pretty tall (for a woman)--about 5 foot 8 or 9. But, I'm still just a woman to the average guy: Someone they can take down in a fight or ignore outright. So, I'm great at surveillance...as long as I remember not to peep from my sports car! Insurers, big and small, call. So most importantly, "my smartphone NEVER sleeps!"

Interviewer: Sounds like you never sleep, Luna!

Luna: And, alas, there is a weakness for you, dear.

Interviewer: Wow! You are sharp! That was my next question.

Luna: Yeah, day or night I'm yours, if the price is right. And in my personal life, that tends to attract the wrong type of lovers. Which explains why I'm still single, I guess.

Interviewer: You mentioned carrying a stun gun in your smartphone case...

Luna: ...and sometimes, a .38 caliber handgun in my [[ASIN:B00H374W3O Flashbang Bra Holster By Looper Law Enforcement]].

Interviewer: My goodness, Luna! Is being an insurance investigator that dangerous?

Luna: It can be. After all, my specialty is looking into fraud cases. These are desperate times, with people looking for any way to make more money. And when you come after it, they tend to get defensive. I know of three insurance investigators who were brutally murdered when they tried to uncover insurance scams.

I finished a case some years back that put my life in danger over a stolen Cherokee talisman that was insured for well over a quarter of a million dollars. It lead to another that involved identity theft in South Florida and even required me to work with the Miami PD. and a debonair detective named Tiago Toussaint.

Interviewer: Well, on a lighter note, readers always want to know what guests do for fun. So, Luna, share with us what you do in your free-time.

Luna: (takes a swig of iced tea) and reclines) What little "free-time" I have, you mean? Well, I love swimming--used to even swim competitively in high school. I like smooth jazz, steamy espresso, and I'm a history buff. When I'm travelling from one case to another, I'm usually reading stuff: Everything from Sun-Tzu's The Art of War to the poetry of Chief Dan George.

Interviewer: Here's a question from out-of-the-blue. If we were to look under your bed, we would find...?

Luna: (laughs) No one's boots but mine, a size 10 wide.

Interviewer: Clever. You mentioned one of your cases that involved a Cherokee artifact and what sounded like a dashing police sidekick…

Luna: The K-Frost Caper.

Interviewer: Right. Are there other interesting or exciting cases that you've handled?

Luna: Several.

Interviewer: Care to illuminate, Luna?

Luna: Funny. I'm sworn to secrecy on some. But, there was this case in …(smartphone rings) sorry. (After a few mintutes) Well, looks like I have an interesting offer. My author wants me to fly all the way from Iowa to Hawaiii!

Interviewer: On vacation?

Luna: Probably on a case, since he mentioned something about involving The Diamond Head Deception. Well, gotta go see what witty banter, sexy sidekick, and wardrobe James Blakley has picked out for me.

Interviewer: I guess that does it for Luna Nightcrow. Thanks for stopping by. Time certainly does fly.

Luna: And with a name like Nightcrow, so do I. Bye.

I love this concept, however, it would be interesting if someone could post questions for other author's characters to answer. It doesn't matter what the question is, the character will answer in character.

The reason I say this is I tried doing it myself and hated trying to come up with questions that didn't sound like I was trying to navigate around a plot point in the book.

I tried having ChatGPT write questions, but they were underwhelming or felt like throwaway questions about their favorite things, or biographical details that aren't even important to the story, let alone to readers.

David wrote: "I love this concept, however, it would be interesting if someone could post questions for other author's characters to answer. It doesn't matter what the question is, the character will answer in c..."

Greetings, David.

Luna says she’s game for whatever questions you have, as long as they don’t ask her to spoil the ending or denouement.