Marsha: Well, ladies and gentleman, let's get started. My guest author tonight is Dusty Rhodes, author of "Man Hunter," which won a major award, the EPPIE for best Western e-Novel of the year.

Carol: >>>>>>>applause<<<<<<<<<<

Marsha: He is also the Chairman of the EPIC PR committee.

betnaz: Yahooooo. clapping. whistling

Dusty: Thank you...thank you

Marsha: How long have you been writing, Dusty?

Dusty: ha ha...well...I suppose in my head...most of my life...I always loved reading...and reading led to writing....I've written poetry and songs and short stories most of my adult life. I always dreamed of one day writing a novel and had many stories gathering dust on the shelves of my mind.... Finally, after I retired, I began taking them down, dusting them off, and putting them on paper.

Marsha: Dream Walker, you have a comment?

Dream Walker: Yes. Dusty, Your first book reads like a Louis L'Amour novel. Congrats.

Marsha: Thank you. Back to the interview. We will have a Q&A period later. What did you do before you started writing seriously, Dusty?

Dusty: I was fortunate enough to have several careers. . .I was an executive for General Electric and Whirlpool most of my working career...I owned and oeprated a music show in Branson, Missouri for several years.

Marsha: What led you to write for publication?

Dusty: When I retired I knew I needed a hobby. I don't hunt or fish...so I did what I'd dreamed of doing all my life and began writing historical western novels.

Marsha: Two questions you can answer in any order: Why did you choose Westerns, and why did you choose the e-book format over traditional publishing, independent publishing, or providers such as iUniverse or 1stBooks?

Dusty: Okay...first one first. I grew up in eastern Oklahoma...formerly the Indian Territory. My home was only a few miles from Younger Bend...where the lady outlaw, Belle Starr, lived. As a youngster I heard many stories of lawmen and outlaws, and I suppose it stuck in my mind. I always loved to read Louis L'Amour and Zane Gray.

Marsha: Good reasons for going Western. What about the e-book format choice?

Dusty: As to the e-publishing choice, I looked closely at both venues. I truly belive e-publishing is the wave of the future and I felt I had an opportunity to get in early.

Marsha: Your publisher is Booklocker?

Dusty: No....Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience with my first publisher, Crossroads. I lodged my book at Booklocker temporarily. My publisher is an Arizona lady, Lee Emore at Treble Heart Publishing.

Marsha: So Booklocker is your distributor? Do I have it right yet?

Dusty: ha ha...Yes...until November 1 only...Treble Heart is introducing a new line of Westerns and using three of my books as the new imprint.

Marsha: That's terrific! I know your book, Man Hunter, won the EPPIE for best Western e-novel of the year. Is this your first book?

Dusty: Yes...I feel very honored to have my first book named best Western of the year...especially since all the judges are fellow authors.

Marsha: That is a real coup. Congratulations again. Can you tell us what Man Hunter is about?

Dusty: ha ha...glad you asked. . .Man Hunter is about a farmer that set out on a, seemingly, impossible quest after a gang of ruthless killers, that raped and murdered his wife and slit his small son's throat. Their trail led him halfway across the country and deep into Old Mexico. One by one he tracked them down and brought them to justice--sometimes at the end of a short rope--more often in front of his fast guns. His relentless pursuit earned him a name that was whispered around every outlaw campfire across the west. . .Man Hunter.

Marsha: Do you have other books in the works, besides the three for Treble Heart?

Dusty: ha ha...Oh yes...Two brand new ones--Shiloh, and Jedidiah Boone--will be published in November by Treble Heart along with Man Hunter. I'm working on one now called "Death Rides A Pale Horse," that's almost finished.

Marsha: Dusty, you're very involved in EPIC. Tell us a little about the organization and the pr committee's work.

Dusty: Sure. Epic is a professional organization of published authors that come together to help promote the e-publishing industry and each other. I happen to be chairman of the Promotions and Public Relations committee for Epic. My job is to help our members promote their work.

Marsha: What are some of the methods the committee and/or authors can use for promoting their books?

Dusty: Well...for example....I will be manning a booth at the Texas Book Festival (the one the First Lady started) in Austin Texas Nov. 14-17. We will be displaying and promoting all of our member's books and the Epic org. I could go on all night about promotion...that's my second love, ha ha.

Marsha: That sounds like fun, as well as work. But very worthy work. What are some other ways you promote your own books?

Dusty: I do at least two or three booksignings every month...I hold numerous "How To Get Published" seminars. . .I have several fan clubs...I publish a free monthly newsletter. I hold lectures at school assembly programs. . .and distribute my brochure everywhere I go.

Marsha: My last question is, What advice would you offer for someone just starting out as a writer?

Dusty: That's easy... Find yourself a good Critique group and become a part of it....if you can't find one...start your own.

Marsha: Good advice. We're open to questions.

betnaz: ? & !

Dream Walker: !

Lorene Poe: ?

Marsha: Bett, go ahead.

betnaz: Do you know where Artist Point is, Dusty? I was up at their tourist place and they have a little museum with a sign and it says, "60 miles to Fort Smith and the gates of hell." It is a road sign.

Dusty: ha ha....Oh yes...Been there many times...Dream Walker lives near there.

Marsha: Dream Walker, ga.

Dream Walker: Dusty knows me as Alan. If all his books read like "Man Hunter," he will hold his own with all the greats.

Marsha: Lorene, ga.

Lorene Poe: What is the average words length of your books?

Dusty: Good question Lorene... Man Hunter is 165,000.

Marsha: ?

betnaz: ?

Marsha: Bett, ga.

betnaz: Who can join the EPIC group? Just e books? That would be someone like Carol?

Dusty: No...anyone with a published book...either printed or e-book is eligible to join Epic.

Marsha: MARSHA GA.

Marsha: How does one get nominated for an EPPIE?

betnaz: ?

Dusty: The author enters his or her work. . .a panel of judges goes through all entries, and they select the best five as finalists. Then the final five go to a completely different panel of judges who select the winner...all judges are published authors.

Lorene Poe: ?

Marsha: Bett, ga.

betnaz: There is going to be something held in Prescott, Arizona in July next year? What is that and who can attend? I saw something on your web page.

Dream Walker: ?

Marsha: That question was for Dusty, right?

betnaz: yes

Marsha: Ga, Dusty

Dusty: Yes....it's going to be a gathering of western authors and writers in Prescott in August of next year...if you are interested contact me later and we'll give you the details.

betnaz: ok.

Marsha: Okay, Lorene, ga.

Lorene Poe: I'm sorry I didn't get to see the ans. to? I asked. Word length.

Marsha: 165,000. DW ga.

Dream Walker: Dusty, I thought I signed up for your newsletter, but haven't gotten it. Can you help me out there?

Dusty: Sure can ....I'll look into it tomorrow.

Dream Walker: !

Marsha: DW ga.

Dream Walker: Much thanks Amigo. Keep writing the good stuff.

Dusty: Thanks!

Marsha: Other questions? I have one. Who are your favorite Western authors, Dusty?

Dusty: ha ha...besides Dusty Rhodes.....there's Louis L'Amour and Fredric Bean.

Marsha: Thanks. Any other questions or comments?

Dream Walker: !

Marsha: DW ga.

Dream Walker: Anyone who can should attend one of Dusty's seminars. They're very helpful.

betnaz: Online or off?

Dream Walker: Whichever he gives.

Dusty: Off. . .I usually hold them in Libraries.

Marsha: Thanks, Dream Walker. Can you tell us a bit of your coming schedule, Dusty? Is your schedule on your web site?

Dusty: No...because it varies so much...but it's in my FREE newsletter called the "Pony Express" LOL.

betnaz: LOL. I will be in Ark. in May or June.

Dream Walker: I have one book that has been sent to a publisher and hope to have three more ready in six months.

Marsha: That's great, DW!

Dream Walker: !

Marsha: Dream Walker.

Dream Walker: Dusty, let me know when you'll be around again. Lots to talk about.

Dusty: Will do partner.

Carol: Gotta go, folks. Thanks for an interesting chat, Dusty and Marsha. Nite.

Dusty: Bye Carol.

Marsha: I want to thank my gracious guest, Dusty Rhodes, author of Man Hunter. Good nite, Carol.

Dusty: It was my pleasure, Marsha.

Marsha: Be sure to check my web site, marshaward.com, for the chat index where the transcript will be posted in a few days.

betnaz: Very informative, Dusty.

Dusty: Thanks all. . ..Goodnight.

Dream Walker: Thanks to all.

Marsha: Goodnight, Dusty. Vaya con Dios. Good night everyone. Thanks for coming.

END OF CHAT