Author Interview: Don Miles, Author of Cinco de Mayo

Don Miles has been News Director for radio stations in New York City, (WPAT,) Connecticut, Florida, Nebraska and finally Texas. He has won “Best Newscast” award from the Nebraska A.P. Broadcasters and his news teams in Florida and Nebraska have won numerous statewide awards. Don has served on the Board of Directors for Florida’s AP Broadcasters and has judged broadcast news contests for UPI Rhode Island. Don has taught at the Universities of Florida and Nebraska, at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and at elementary schools in New York, Connecticut, and Texas.

He is the author of two books in the field of broadcast news, (Broadcast News Handbook and Broadcast Newswriting Stylebook.) He has a Bachelors in Education from State University of New York and a Masters in Journalism and Communications from the University of Florida.

Don’s inspiration for the book came mainly from his late wife, Dr. Minerva González-Angulo Miles. Minerva grew up in the neighborhood at the base of Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City, where the Emperor Maximilian’s castle still stands. She would often visit the castle and view the portrait of the emperor and empress whose story is featured in this book.

Don and Minerva traveled extensively throughout Mexico, and over the past few years visited many libraries and bookstores there in the research for this book. They also spent many hours in the stacks at the Benson Latin American Library at the University of Texas in Austin, which is widely recognized as the premier source for information on this topic. They also paid several visits to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. to photocopy various U.S. government documents pertaining to the Mexican situation during the 1860’s.

Don wrote and produced plays and slide shows about Cinco de Mayo for elementary students, teachers and parents.

You can visit his website at http://www.donmiles.com/.

Welcome to Pump Up Your Online Book Promotion, Don. Can we begin by having you tell us what Cinco de Mayo: What is Everybody Celebrating? is about and why you wrote it?

I wrote it to dispel misconceptions about the real meaning of Cinco de Mayo, which is its subject matter.

Cinco de Mayo is nonfiction. Why did you choose this genre to write?

Because the novel manuscript did not sell in NYC.

Did you choose it or did it choose you?

I chose it.

In regards to promotion, what have you been doing to promote your book online?

My website is updated frequently since I don't yet have a blog. My url is linked to the Artist Sala in San Miguel de Allende, and the book does well in Mexico. My publicist and I post to my page at BookTour.com.

Of all the promotional items (bookmarks, press kits, etc...) you have used to promote your book, which one was used most effectively?

I am the most effective tool for marketing my book - my physical presence and enthusiasm.

Do you feel that the Internet has opened doors for authors who never dreamed they'd ever see a publishing contract and how has it influenced you in regards to your own publishing company?

I wouldn't be published if it weren't for the Internet, which is where I found my publisher.

If you were on the street in the middle of Manhattan and you wanted to call attention to your book, what would you do and what would you say?

I would say something in Spanish and see who it drew in.

If you could trade places with any author just for a day, who would it be and why?

Perhaps Dagoberto Gilb. I have heard him speak.

Lastly, how do you determine your book's success?

By how many people I meet who are interested in the material.

Thank you for coming, Don. Can you tell us where everyone can pick up a copy of Cinco de Mayo: What is Everybody Celebrating?

www.donmiles.com