Author, Publisher, Speaker, Creative, Motivator.  That’s sums up my guest today, #1 Amazon Kindle Bestelling Author Aaron Patterson.

His Mark Appleton Thriller series has been on many different bestselling lists on Amazon for three years or so. He also writes YA Paranormal and Airel is the first in a planned series of five. Aaron is the founder of StoneHouse Ink, a publishing house with 40 authors and about 60 titles. Aaron also speaks on the subject of eBooks, writing and the changing publishing world. He enjoys helping writers in their journey though the land of publishing. He lives in Boise, Idaho with his family, Soleil, Kale and Klayton.

How did the Mark Appleton Thriller series come about?

I was a little fed up with our country and I thought about what was going to happen or could happen if we kept on as we are. I created this story as a way of coping in a way. In the end it turned out so very different though…

What is your character Mark Appleton like and how did he develop?

He is me. Some authors try to say that the main is not them but he is me. Lol, I used people I knew as a base for all my characters. But every person in the book is a part of myself.

Tell us your secret on how you became a #1 Amazon Kindle bestseller.

Market, market, market. I am active on social media and I look and feel like New York. So many authors come to the game with bad covers or they think they are the best writer the world has ever seen. I guess it is about being real, even if that real you has flaws.

What inspired you to cross over from writing adult thrillers to writing young adult paranormal novels?

I had a ton of teens reading my thrillers and I always wanted to write a YA novel, so I decided to give  it a go.

In your new Airel series co-authored with Chris White, you write from the point of view of a teenage girl. How challenging was this to do?

I am supposed to say, “It was SO hard, OMG, you girls are so confusing!” But in truth, it was not that hard. I grew up with girls as my best friends and tend to pay attention. I see a girl as a boy but without ego and willing to say anything at any time.

How do you create your characters?

I try to use a base to start, like someone I know or have seen in a movie. That way I can fall back on them. Airel is the first one I did not do this with, she was all her own from the start.

You founded your own publishing house StoneHouse artsandhealth.ie/accutane/ Ink. How did this come about and what’s the experience been like?

I did it in the beginning to help a friend publish her novel and one thing led to another. I love working with authors, not all authors as we are a weird bunch, but the ones I work with are very cool people. I never wanted to be a publisher and so I try to remember that I am just an author helping another author.

Your work crosses genres moving from thriller to paranormal and even into science fiction all in one book. Is it challenging to break the boundaries or something that comes naturally for you?

I love different books. Ted Dekker is a good example of someone who does this well. It is just how I write and even though it is “Against the rules” I find that most people like something fresh and new. So many books are dull because they are all fit into one box, I like to live and write my own work as it comes to me.

You grew up home-schooled out West. Did this have any influence on what you write today?

I think so, I have seen many places and was forced to adapt and meet new people all the time. And I loved to read. Books were my friends when I did not have any real live ones.

How did your former career in construction lead to a career as an author?

I have no idea, but I do run my publishing house like a construction company. I use sub contractors and in a way it has made it work really well for me. Again, I did not know I was not supposed to run a publishing house like I do, but it works so why stop now?

What marketing tip would you share with a new author?

Learn Social Media. Blogging, Facebook and Twitter.

Are the experiences you write about based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Not really, just made up crap…LOL. Yes I make up crap for a living!

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Hmmmm, I like Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion, it is so refreshing and different. I am not a big Zombie guy, and he sparked my interest in the subject.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Read, play with my kids, see movies, and I used to snowboard and hike a lot but have been so busy that I have been out of the loop on that.

Which is your favorite of the books you have written?

Airel

Share with us your newest project.

Next is Michael book two in the Airel Saga and a new legal thriller called Breaking Steele.

Meet up with Aaron here:
StoneHouse Ink
www.StoneHouseInk.net
www.StoneGateInk.com

Twitter: @Mstersmith
Blog: The Worst Book Ever!