Interview with Historical Fiction Author J.A. Hunsinger

J. A. Hunsinger lives in Colorado, USA, with his wife Phyllis. The first novel of his character-driven, historical fiction series, Axe of Iron: The Settlers, represents his first serious effort to craft the story of a lifelong interest in the Viking Age—especially as it pertains to Norse exploration west of Iceland—and extensive research and archaeological site visitations as an amateur historian. He has tied the discovery of many of the Norse artifacts found on this continent to places and events portrayed in his novels. Much of his adult life has been associated with commercial aviation, both in and out of the cockpit. As an Engineering Technical Writer for Honeywell Commercial Flight Systems Group, Phoenix, AZ, he authored two comprehensive pilots’ manuals on aircraft computer guidance systems and several supplemental aircraft radar manuals. His manuals were published and distributed worldwide to airline operators by Honeywell Engineering, Phoenix, AZ. He also published an article, Flight Into Danger, in Flying Magazine, (August 2002). Historical Novel Society, American Institute of Archaeology, Canadian Archaeology Association, and IBPA-Independent Book Publishers Association, are among the fraternal and trade organizations in which he holds membership. You can visit his website at http://www.vinlandpublishing.com and his blog at http://www.vinlandpublishing.blogspot.com.

Welcome to Pump Up Your Online Book Promotion, Jerry. Can we begin by having you tell us what Axe of Iron: The Settlers is about?

Axe of Iron: The Settlers is a character-driven historical fiction.

Why did you choose historical fiction?

The Vikings have been a lifelong interest and any novel about them will be historical fiction.

Did you choose it or did it choose you?

A little of both I think. My heritage is Swedish/German and I believe writing these books is my destiny.

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

I have both a website: http://www.vinlandpublishing.com/ and a blog: http://www.vinlandpublishing.blogspot.com/. I have also signed up for several social networking sites for writers, Google Book Search, and everything that Amazon has for writers of books.

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

I do not know at this point, the book was published August 2008 and the jury is still out on what is the most effective. I believe that the internet is rapidly replacing all other advertising methods because of cost and the amazing level of exposure.

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 journey?

Absolutely! As I said I believe max internet exposure is the key in this business. A case in point: Google J. A. Hunsinger, or the book’s title and see what happens. I am pretty happy about that level of exposure.

If you were in the middle of Manhattan (or any busy thoroughfare) and you wanted to call attention to your book, what would you do and what would you say?

I would say that I am telling a continuing story in a series of books about medieval Vikings and their struggle to settle and eventually assimilate with the native people in North America. It is a story of strife, hate, love, sex, warfare, and every other element that one would expect from a novel taking place one thosand years ago in a primitive new land.

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

I do not want to trade places with any other author, but I would certainly welcome a beer or coffee with Mel Gibson because I have written his kind of book.

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

I want the word out there so people will ask for it, read it, and like the experience enough to tell others that they just read this great book .

Thank you for coming, Jerry! Can you tell us where everyone can pick up a copy of Axe of Iron: The Settlers?

The book is availalble from my distributor, AtlasBooks from my website and nationwide at major

booksellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Book-A-Million, etc.