1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am an author and teacher, which is reflected in all of my writing I guess because I write to educate people, as well as to entertain them. I have a Bachelors degree in History ad English from Washington State University
http://www.wsu.edu and a Masters degree in Secondary Education from the University of Alaska in Anchorage
http://www.uaa.alaska.edu. Although I do love teaching, my real passion is writing. I chose teaching as a way to contribute to society and as a way to keep food on the table. Coming from a poor family, becoming a teacher took over ten years between the time I enlisted in the military to pay for college and the time I actually graduated with a Masters degree. By the time I started writing, I had already been out of high school for twenty years and had some incredible experiences all the way from Egypt and Israel to Panama and Oman.
All of my life, I've had very interesting things happen to me which I wanted to write about but never really had the opportunity or the desire, until my experiences in the Sultanate of Oman. I think when someone reads the book they will understand why I chose to describe that particular time in my life to begin my writing career.
2. Describe your book My Year in Oman: An American Experience in Arabia During the War On Terror (American Experiences in Arabia During the War On Terror Book 1) in 30 words or less.
The book is the true story of an American teacher who goes to Arabia during the beginning of the War on Terror to show that there is a better way.
3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Writing on my free time and teaching at the same time was very difficult. Worse than that however, was wondering if I would be able to find the right person or people that would give book its proper attention.
4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?
The Bible, The Book of Mormon the Republic by Plato, the dialogues by Plato, the lives by Plutarch, the Histories by Herodotus, the Peloponnesian war by Thucydides, Chariots of the Gods by von Daniken, the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Schirer, a Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, American Caesar by William Manchester and the Elegant Universe by Brian Green.
5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?
1) I bought ads on Google and found they brought traffic to my site but few conversions.
2) I bought ads on Facebook and had the same results, although I ended up spending a lot more money.
3) I bought a
BookBuzzr Author Pro Plus account and my traffic to my site increased immediately by ten to twenty percent and stayed at that level even after I stopped my Google and Facebook ads.
4) I maintain my own official website (
http://www.heinessight.com) In addition to my website, I make daily posts called ‘Wisdom of the Ages’ (
https://plus.google.com/u/0/106911704190992072030/posts) on various author sites like Author Database and Goodreads. I also post my ‘Wisdom of the Ages’ on social media like Twitter and Facebook and Google+. My posts are either humorous or thought provoking and they bring traffic to my website.
5) I am a regular panelist on The Week in Review with Simon Barrett. Mr. Barrett uses me as his Middle East expert as well as his expert on history and political affairs and the strategies of both US political parties.
6) I have sweatshirts and t-shirts with my heinessight company logo that both my wife and I wear in public as much as possible.
6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
7. What are you working on next?
A sci-fi thriller about Time-Travel, Bigfoot and a lot of cantankerous retirees.
In conclusion:
Every little bit helps! The best marketing I have done has been undoubtedly through purchasing
BookBuzzr Author Pro Plus widgets to put into my website, as well as their giveaways and other promotional ideas. They allow people who, for whatever reason might not purchase from Amazon, to still have a glimpse inside of my books.
I believe that allowing people to see my writing style, as well as the content of my books, thus letting me to “sell myself” has done more than anything to increase my sales. Right now, I have sales from Amazon, Kobo, Nook, ibooks and each day I get orders to ship my print editions from my home business. Everyday, I see those sales rising and it is exciting!
I hope that this information will help any future authors toward success. I also published a blog called “Nightmares in Self-publishing” for any authors out there who are experiencing trouble and think that you are all alone in your endeavors.
Best of luck,
Matthew D Heines
(I have received no compensation in any way shape or form for this post, other than a lot of support from the fine folks at Bookbuzzr.-MDH)
