Fletcher Best is an American author of humorous fiction and science fiction. He is the author of the Stranded In Time series of science fiction novels, including Pirates of the Storm, The Corpornation, and the upcoming third installment, Timeless. His humorous works include Sniffing Out Stink Ape, The Great Chupacabra Kerfuffle, and The Eight Fingered Fiend of Lake Porker.
In addition to his novels, Fletcher Best also writes short stories that are published exclusively for the enjoyment of visitors to his website, FletcherBest.com. These include the popular, Manatee Vengeance - Blood at the Boat Launch, Alien Invasion of the Zombie Apocalypse, Operation Black Friday, and A Fabulous Business Opportunity.
Born in Miami, Florida, Fletcher has lived in Texas since 1988. He (or more correctly, his real-life alter-ego George Best) attended Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas before beginning a chiropractic practice in San Antonio in 1992. He has resided in San Antonio ever since and now lives in sin with his girlfriend and their 4 cats (the sin being strictly with the girlfriend, not the cats).
Readers are invited to connect with Fletcher through his website at http://www.FletcherBest.com.
Connect & Socialize with Fletcher!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Fletcher Best is a pen name composed of my real middle name and my real last name, which I think provides a demonstration of my incredible creativity. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida and lived there until age 20 when I went to chiropractic school in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from chiropractic school, I moved to San Antonio to start my practice, and I’ve lived there ever since. I currently maintain a part-time chiropractic practice in addition to administering a website that assists people suffering from sciatica, and of course I write and have published a science fiction series as well as a growing number of humorous fiction books.
Where did you grow up?
I did not grow up.
What is your fondest childhood memory?
Various times boating, fishing, and snorkeling in the Florida Keys.
When did you begin writing?
I believe it was in kindergarten when I first learned to write the letters of the alphabet. It was much later in life when I first started writing books. I’ve written fiction for my own enjoyment off and on from my teen years on, but I have only started publishing my work in the past couple of years.
Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?
I usually write during the day, but I have been known to write at night, sometimes into the early morning hours.
What is this book about?
About 200 pages. Kidding… it’s only 194 pages. Actually, The Eight Fingered Fiend of Lake Porker is about the good, the bad, and the ugly people and happenings of a small town inTexas. The title refers to Octavio, a giant freshwater octopus that was secretly bred by Dr. Helga Braun, who runs the local fish breeding facility. Dr. Braun is a brilliant but desperately lonely woman who, through accident more than intent, has taken Octavio as her lover and trained him in the ways of pleasure. The amorous octopus becomes a problem when he periodically escapes into the lake and unleashes his ample sexual skills on unsuspecting swimmers. The reports of the lake monster attract the attention of not only local law enforcement, but also a pair of documentary filmmakers out to make their next hit cable television special. But Octavio is but a thread that winds through the tapestry of secrets that is Lake Porker. There’s illicit affairs, astral projection, methamphetamine distribution, election fraud, a recreational sex dungeon, violence, and even the occasional murder - so there’s something for everyone in The Eight Fingered Fiend of Lake Porker!
What inspired you to write it?
My favorite books to read are absurd works of humorous fiction with outlandish characters and events, such as those of Christopher Moore. I wanted to write something fun and outrageous for people to hopefully enjoy as much as I’ve enjoyed his work.
Who is your biggest supporter?
Probably my father, although my girlfriend has been very supportive as well.
Are you a member of a critique group? If no, who provides feedback on your work?
I am not yet a member of a critique group, but it is something I’ve considered. I get some feedback from friends and family, but to be honest, I actually get most of my feedback from actual readers by doing “soft” releases of my books made available for free on Smashwords and utilizing the free promo periods on KDP select. I know that’s not the recommended way of doing things, but I think getting feedback from strangers is more reliable than getting it from people who know me.
Who is your favorite author?
I mentioned Christopher Moore previously and he’s probably my favorite. Close in the running would be Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry.
Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?
I do not have an agent and I haven’t really given any thought to getting one so far.
Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?
I am self-published, so the actual act of publishing was pretty easy (although getting the ebook files to pass all of the Smashwords formatting checks drove me even crazier than I already was!). What has not been easy is getting discovered by readers and learning the ins and outs of marketing and publicity methods that are within my means at this time.
If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?
Probably not. I started publishing my work with a long-term view of things. I’m gradually being discovered and each new book is an opportunity to grow both in terms of improving my writing and in terms of building a fan base.
Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
It’s currently available in print from Amazon and other online retailers. It is scheduled for release on Kindle, Nook, and all other major ebook formats on March 26, 2014 and those formats can be pre-ordered from Smashwords and other large ebook distributors .
What is the best investment you have made in promoting your book?
The best investment has probably been writing a couple of prequel books (Sniffing Out Stink Ape and The Great Chupacabra Kerfuffle) and distributing them as free/inexpensive lead-ins to get people familiar with my work and interested in The Eight Fingered Fiend. I did some Facebook Ads directing people to the prequels when they were on the promo periods for KDP Select so that when the new book comes out, Amazon will supposedly send out email advertisements to everyone who downloaded the prequel books. I’m not sure what the end result will be, but I’ve had a good number of downloads of the prequel books and have received some very favorable reviews, so I’m hoping for a good turnout when The Eight Fingered Fiend of Lake Porker is released on Kindle.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?
Do the best work you can and when you have done the best work you can, take the next step and get it published. Don’t sit on it and wonder if it’s good enough. Get it out there and let the readers decide – they’ll let you know if it’s good or not!
What is up next for you?
I’m nearing completion of a book tentatively titled, Timeless, which is the third book in my science fiction series, Stranded in Time. It should be ready to be released sometime the middle of this year. I’m also putting together ideas for another humor fiction book that will be a new story, but loosely tied to The Eight Fingered Fiend of Lake Porker. Since I have more fun writing the humorous stuff, I’ll probably stick with that more from here on out, but I’ll probably do the occasional sci-fi as well.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I’d just like to say thank you for the opportunity to expose myself to your readers. I’m going to go put my pants back on now.
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