Please Welcome my New Friend, Thomas Blubaugh

His book cover looks fantastic! Check it out, and be sure to leave your comment and email address for a chance to win a copy!


How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

I started writing poetry when I was about 14. I wasn’t a Christian then so there was no call as such. My intent was to have my poems converted to lyrics for rock & roll songs, but that never materialized. I didn’t do any serious writing until I was 30.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I write for YA’s. For years I’ve written a simple style of writing. I’ve worked a lot with children. I think because I wrote puppet skits for children’s church I write for the YA’s. I learned to write like I talk during my twenty-five years as a financial planner. I kept everything simple.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I don’t write every day. In fact, it was my intent to take the summer off because I missed last summer trying to finish my novel. This year I want to be outside a lot. However, having said that, I recently purchased the Snowflake software program. I made the mistake of going through it and brought my current project into the template. That motivated me to write. So I guess I’ll be taking my laptop outside on the patio and sit on the swing and write.

It took me five years to write Night of the Cossack. When I first started, I was writing for myself. It grew from there to writing for my kids and grandkids. Then I was told that it had merit so I started writing to possibly be published. There was a tremendous amount of research necessary to make it a historical fiction.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

The Night of the Cossack is a novel about my maternal grandfather who died before I was born. In fact, both of my grandfathers passed away before I showed up. I always felt the loss of not having a grandfather so eventually I created one in my mind.

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

It’s a spiritual book about loss, disruption, fear, love, faith, betrayal, adventure and relationships. There are a lot of decisions regarding morals. I hope my readers will make a connection with Jesus Christ if they don’t have one and that they’ll spend time with their elders finding out their heritage before it’s too late.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

I’ve never felt like giving up writing, but developing my name so the book will sell has tested me. Writing the novel was actually the easy part. I’m tremendous excited about the book, but it’s hard work getting it to the public. It’s strange in a way, I’ve been marketing most of my adult life—selling products, but developing my name is a whole ‘nother thing.

Who’s inspired you the most?

I’m a self motivated person and I’ve been pretty much a loner due to things that happened in my childhood. I’ve met thousands of people, but I’ve developed very few close relationships. I suppose Michelle Buckman, a published writer I met online in a Yahoo Christian writing group. She’s the first one, other than my wife, who saw any of my writing. She encouraged me to get in a local critique group. That was extremely beneficial.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

I was chosen by Dennis and Polly Vance, owners of Bound by Faith Publishing. I was helping Dennis develop a website for an independent publishing company he and Polly were starting. I showed him my site which had the first chapter of my novel on it. Without me knowing, they made note of it, went home and read the chapter. Then they asked to read the rest of the manuscript. They then asked if they could publish it.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I like cooking brunch for my family—wife, six kids, and fourteen grandkids.
I dislike people saying they’ll do something and then not following through.
I enjoy reading, macro photography, horseshoes, and Bocce Ball.
I would love to go to Georgia on the Black Sea where my grandfather was born and trace his steps to America.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

My blog (Please follow)  http://tomblubaugh.blogspot.com/

My website (A signed copy of my book can be purchased here—free shipping) http://nightofthecossack.com/

My Facebook page (I would appreciate more people liking it) https://www.facebook.com/nightofthecossack

ebook is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Cossack-Tom-Blubaugh/dp/0982902921/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-the-cossack-tom-blubaugh/1030885621?ean=2940012421685&itm=1&usri=night%2bof%2bthe%2bcossack


Reviews on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Cossack-Tom-Blubaugh/product-reviews/0982902921/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1



Thanks for joining us this week, Tom, and wishes for many more successful books!
Readers, don't leave without posting a comment and email address!

Blessings!