Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Terra Nova Books (June 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1948749009
ISBN-13: 978-1948749008
ASIN: B07HFJ4WKY
Son of Saigon is now available to purchase on Amazon as an e-book and print, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound.
Book Giveaway Contest!
To win a copy of the book Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson, please enter via Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on November 19th at 12 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author:
David Myles Robinson grew up in Pasadena, CA. He holds degrees from San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco School of Law. After practicing law for thirty-eight years in Honolulu, Hawaii, he retired with his wife, former Honolulu judge Marcia Waldorf, to Taos, NM. Robinson is the author of three previous novels: legal thrillers Tropical Lies and Tropical Judgments, and Unplayable Lie, a golf-related suspense novel.
Find David Online:
Website: www.davidmylesrobinson.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7027829.David_Myles_Robinson
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DMRobinsonWrite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidMylesRobinson/
Interview by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
WOW: David, I have enjoyed so many of your books. Let me begin by thanking your for choosing WOW! to help promote and spread the word about Son of Saigon! It's a pleasure working with you. I'm sure I asked this same question about your other books as well - I always find myself wondering: What sparked you to write this particular story with such sensitive themes?
David: I’m getting up there in years. I had just become eligible for Medicare and like my protagonist, Hank, I had begun to think more and more about mortality. At the same time, living in Taos, NM, I regularly ski and golf with friends who are well into their 70s. I decided to write a book about a couple of old guys. Assuming you have your health, you can either drift from day to day, overly aware of your age, as Hank and Norm were doing at the start of the novel, or you can decide to kick ass and keep on living. That’s what Hank and Norm ultimately chose to do. Because Vietnam had been a part of everyone’s life who is my age, it was a natural fit to include it in the story line. Basically, I refer to SON OF SAIGON as my middle finger salute to getting old.
WOW: That's awesome! I'm hoping to be a healthy old lady someday and really laughed quite a bit at the dialogue between Hank and Norm. This was a very enjoyable read.
How does social media play info your author marketing plan?
David: I think social media is critical for an unknown author with an independent publisher. I do have people who help me with marketing as I’d prefer to spend my time writing or otherwise having fun, but at their urging I try to post new blogs on my website on a fairly regular basis. I have a separate Facebook page for my writing. Blogs like this are a big help.
WOW: I love that social media even played a part in Son of Saigon - I kept thinking how hip and smart Hank and Norm are! How is retirement? Where was your most recent trip and what spurred you to go there?
David: Retirement is even better than I’d ever envisioned it would be. My wife and I are lucky in that we have enough money to do the things we love to do. This last year we travelled to Botswana (our twelfth trip to Sub-Saharan Africa), did a road trip to the west coast, went to Hawaii where I played in an annual charity golf event on Maui, and then did a river cruise in Europe. After living 40 years in Hawaii, I love road trips, and the road trip Hank and Norm set out on in the Sprinter RV was me living vicariously through them.
WOW: I'm seriously living vicariously through YOU right now - I can't wait to be retired! Sounds like you are still finding time for one fun activity each day (or more than one apparently). Any recent new found hobbies or loves as a result of your daily fun?
David: Probably too much fun. Taos is a wonderful outdoor lifestyle. In the winter I try to ski every other day and the rest of the year I golf, play pickle ball, hike, or travel. That is, when writing doesn’t get in the way.
WOW: Did you do anything differently this time as far as writing or publishing goes? What advice can you pass along?
David: I write because I love to write, and I would do it even if I wasn’t getting published. But it’s nice to have an audience and to watch the readership grow, which is why I invest in marketing people. I tend to write in spurts. If I can get engrossed in my story I will write for hours at a time, to the exclusion of all the other fun stuff I do. The hardest part is when I have the basic story written and it is time to roll up my sleeves and begin the long and sometimes onerous process of rewriting. The best advice I can pass along is far from original with me: write for yourself, not for others. Hopefully at some point what you have written out of love of writing will resonate with others.
"Write for yourself, not for others. Hopefully at some point what you have written out of love of writing will resonate with others."
WOW: I can see how you get engrossed in writing - I get engrossed in reading your work. I appreciate all your writing and re-writing, your books have always been very polished which makes them a joy to read! I hope you're working on the next book?
David: I have two novels currently in progress, which is unusual for me. I think it’s because I haven’t yet fully committed to either one. After all the traveling I’ve done this year, I need to reread the drafts to decide which one I should focus on. I also have a completed book of travel stories I’m trying to sell. I may decide to self-publish it.
WOW: I'm looking forward to reading your next book - regardless of how it is published, so instead of saying good bye, how about we say so long...for now? I have a feeling we will be hearing from you in the new year (if not sooner - hint hint)! Thank you for your time and for sharing with us today.
----------Blog Tour Dates
Monday, November 12th (TODAY) @ The Muffin
Author Interview & Giveaway
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/
Tuesday, November 13th @ Cathy Stucker’s Selling Books
Cathy Stucker interviews retired lawyer and successful author David Myles Robinson about his latest novel Son of Saigon.
https://www.sellingbooks.com/
Wednesday, November 14th @ Bring on Lemons with Crystal Otto
Crystal Otto shares her thoughts on the latest novel by David Myles Robinson – is it a lemon or sweet lemonade? Readers can’t wait to find out!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 20th @ Coffee with Lacey
Lacey reviews Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson and shares her thoughts with readers at Coffee with Lacey. Don’t miss an opportunity to learn more about this page turning novel!
https://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, November 21st @ Bring on Lemons with Cathy Hansen
Wisconsin educator, mother, and business owner Cathy Hansen collaborates with her teenage daughter as they review and discuss the latest novel by David Myles Robinson. See what these ladies have to say about Son of Saigon.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
Thursday, November 22nd @ Lisa Haselton
Lisa Haselton interviews David Myles Robinson about his latest work – Son of Saigon.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
Friday, November 23rd @ Author Anthony Avina
Fellow author Anthony Avina pens his fascinating review of David Myles Robinson’s latest novel Son of Saigon.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
Tuesday, November 27th @ Beverley A. Baird
Beverley A Baird reviews Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson. Readers won’t want to miss an opportunity to learn more about this interesting novel.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, December 4th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole Pyles delights readers at World of My Imagination as she reviews the latest page turner by David Myles Robinson. You won't want to miss Nicole's thoughts about Son of Saigon.
https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, December 5th @ Bella Donna’s Books with Dawn Thomas
Dawn Thomas reads and reviews the latest novel by David Myles Robinson - stop by Bella Donna's Books to learn more about Son of Saigon.
http://belladonnasbooks.com/
Thursday, December 6th @ Choices with Madeline Sharples
Fellow author Madeline Sharples reviews Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson. Don’t miss her thoughts about this latest novel.
http://madelinesharples.com/
Thursday, December 6th @ A Day in the Life of Mom
Ashley Bass reviews David Myles Robinson's latest page turner, Son of Saigon.
Don't miss her insight and thoughts on this exciting new book!
https://adayinthelifeofmom.com/
Thursday, December 6th @ Cheekypee Reads and Reviews
Don't miss Cheekypee's review of David Myles Robinson's latest Son of Saigon.
http://cheekypeereadsandreviews.blogspot.com/
Friday, December 7th @ To Write or Not to Write
Sreevarsha Sreejith reviews Son of Saigon. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Sreevarsha and visit To Write or Not to Write.
http://sreevarshasreejith.blogspot.co.at/
*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****
To win a copy of the book Son of Saigon by David Myles Robinson, please enter via Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on November 19th at 12 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
4 comments:
Great interview!
David, I love the advice you gave about writing for yourself, not others. So often we hear we have to write for our audience, and while that's a great thing to keep in mind, it kind of takes all the fun out of the writing process. I think it's possible to do both, but maybe in drafts further down the line. I'm on the first draft of my memoir, and at this point, I can only write for myself...because if I think about my audience, or even think others will be reading it, then I will never get the entire truth out! And that's the worse thing a memoir writer can do.
Good luck on your tour! You are so prolific! This is your second novel published this year, right? Son of Saigon sounds fascinating. I love the plot synopsis and that the book is a "middle finger salute to getting old." Lol!
Angela - good luck with your memoir.
Crystal - thank you so much for the interview and the chance to connect with your readers
I'm always interested to read thrillers because of how authors so masterfully pace the plot and what is revealed when. I've never tried something like this with my fiction writing. Maybe I would start with a short story. Anyway, congratulations to you with your book!
It sounds like a very interesting read. I would love to read it.
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