Beneath the Covers,Past
A Romance Column

Introducing Billy G. Horton, Author

This story is inspired by actual events, this story centers on two families: one, a family of sharecroppers who had nothing but an old car and the clothes on their backs; the other, a family of farmers in rural West Tennessee. Their lives changed forever, as they came together out of compelling needs. They became companions for life and dreams, through death and sorrow. Go back with me to the 1960's, where life had innocence and honor.

In the process of the authorship process in publishing I get to meet a bank of writers who are on the same path as I am in achieving our writing dreams and beyond. I get a chance to interact and share in their dreams as I share in my own goals. Let’s take a ride with Billy Horton.

Carol: Tell us something about yourself.

Billy: I live in west Tennessee. I have been writing seriously for 11 years. Education psychology and marketing. I'm married and have five children and two grandchildren.

Carol: What is the name of your current book?

Billy: Little Sis

Carol: What is your current book about?

Billy: Inspired by real events, this story centers on two families: one, a family of sharecroppers who had nothing but an old car and the clothes on their backs; the other family were farmers in rural west Tennessee. Their lives were changed forever as they came together out of compelling needs. They became companions for life and dreams, through death and sorrow. Go back with me to the 1960s when life had innocence and honor.

Carol: List your other books.

Billy: When the Owl Cries is set on historical southern frontier.

Carol: Tell us about your journey to publication.

Billy: Gynecology research of my ancestors leads me to write my first novel.

Carol: How long have you been writing?

Billy: All my life, but seriously for the last 11 years.

Carol: Why did you decide to write?

Billy: After a health scare 11 years ago.

Carol: Who aspires you to write?

Billy: My aunt Ruby Blankenship.

Carol: Who is your publisher?

Billy: PublishAmerica

Carol: Are you happy and satisfied with your publisher?

Billy: Yes

Carol: What do you think about self-publishing?

Billy: My first novel was self-published. It was a good experience, but I wouldn't do it again.

Carol: Would you self-publish? Why or why not?

Billy: Probably not again.

Carol: There are so many new writers publishing books. What do you think of this trend of writers?

Billy: It's a big world out there.

Carol: Who are your favorite authors?

Billy: Earnest Hemmingway, Charles Dickens, Boris Pasternak, Mikail Sholokhov, and Leo Tolstoy.

Carol: What is you favorite book?

Billy: A Christmas Carol

Carol: What do you want to accomplish with your books?

Billy: To give people something to enjoy.

Carol: How long does it take you to write a novel?

Billy: Three years on my first. One year on the second.

Carol: What successes has you current book done for you?

Billy: It has just appeared this week and won't be available for two more weeks.

Carol: What are some of the tools you use for marketing?

Billy: Direct mail to locations where I'm doing signings, telephone, and newspaper ads.

Carol: What is your next book about?

Billy: Another love story with elements of mystery and drama.

Carol: What is your website so readers can visit you?

Billy: www.freewebs.com/billyhorton

Carol: How can readers get in touch with you through email?

Billy: BillygHorton@aol.com

Carol: What are some of your favorite websites for writers?

Billy: Several of the PublishAmerica writers have good web sites.

Carol: Did you take any writing classes?

Billy: I purchased many books about how to.

Carol: What motivates you to write?

Billy: Now it's the people who wrote to me about enjoying my work.

Carol: How do you spend your writing time?

Billy: Mostly in the early mornings.

Carol: What is your favorite genre of writing?

Billy: Romance-Drama, historical or contemporary.

Carol: What is your favorite voice to write in?

Billy: First person

Carol: Where do you see yourself with your writing in five years?

Billy: I've started writing an international novel that I hope will attract a large audience.

Carol: What advice would you give for aspiring authors?

Billy: Do all the research that you can, read many books. Word usage needs to be mastered, and keep it brief.

Carol: Do you have an agent? If so, what does/don’t your agent do for you?

Billy: I don't currently have an agent. I have used two in the past, one in Hollywood that represented a screenplay that I had written based on my first novel When the Owl Cries We had an option for it, but it never got made. I had another agent for my novels and she made some submissions to 6-8 publishers and was rejected. So I didn't retain her after the 2 years were up.

Thanks Mr. Horton for granting me this interview, and our readers will look forward to reading your book, Little Sis and When the Owl Cries.

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