1. Where are you from originally?

Nassau, Bahamas

2. Do you have a history of writers or authors in your family?

I do have several authors and writers in my family. My wife, one of our sons, an aunt, and an uncle are all published authors of various books, we also have a son who is a great writer but he has not yet published.

3. Did you excel in writing while in school?

I was an average writer in school.

4. How important is reading to you? Does it affect your writing?

Reading has expanded my knowledge about subject matters that are of interest to me and has helped develop my ability to write.

5. What works have you written?

I have authored the following books:

• America - A Destiny Unveiled
• The Lucayan Sea: Birthplace of the Modern Americas
• The Lucayan Story

I have also co-authored the following books:

• Book: Trapped on Kooky Island (with Teri M. Bethel)

Additionally, I have authored or co-authored the following national security articles:

• Article: Caribbean Narcotics Trafficking: What is to be Done?
• Article: Crisis Response When the Status Quo is A Crisis (with Dr. Ian Ralby)
• Article: Storm Surges and Crime Waves: Law Enforcement During Natural Disasters (with Dr. Ian Ralby)

6. Are you currently writing another book now?

. I have recently completed three manuscripts that are awaiting publishing.

7. How long have you been writing books?

I have been writing since 2002.

8. What are your ambitions for your writing career?

My writing career ambition is to share knowledge and insights that are unique to the founding of the early Americas as related to The Bahamas and the Turks Caicos Islands. I hope that these insights would help shape national identity, a vision, values, and a purpose for the people of these Islands that can help make the world a better place.

9. Why do you write?

I write to inform, inspire, and effect transformation in the lives of others.

10. Did you always want to be a writer, or did you stumble upon this path?

Being a writer was something I never dreamt about being until I was in my late 30s.

11. Did you self-publish your book, or did you land a publishing contract?

My books were self-published, initially with several well-known international companies, but I have recently published and republished with Inspire Publishing (Bahamas). The articles were accepted for publishing by an international journal and a magazine.

12. Do you have a daily writing regimen?

When I have a writing project I write during the evenings and into the wee hours of the morning.

13. Do you consider yourself a full-time or part-time writer?

I am a part-time writer. But becoming a full-time writer when I'm in my 60s is foreseeable.

14. For your reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hardback books?

A digital book is excellent for convenience, but I am known to stockpile paperback books as well.

15. How did you begin writing? Did you intend to become an author, or do you have a specific reason or reasons for writing each book?

I didn't intend to become a writer. However, my job as a naval officer with the Chief of Defence Staff required me to write extensively. I eventually realized that I had the ability to write a book. Because of prior research over the years, I became interested in how my country influenced the unfolding of the modern Americas and wanted to write about it

16. How many hours daily to you devote to writing? Do you write a draft on paper, at a keyboard, or from an audio recording of yourself?

When I am engaged in a writing project, I write during the evenings into the early hours of the morning. I write directly from thought to keyboard.

17. What is your profession?

I spent most of my career as a Naval Officer in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. I later became the Commander of the Defence Force. This year I was appointed the Standards Inspector of Security Forces within the Security Forces Inspectorate of the Bahamas' Ministry of National Security.

18. Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Writing only exhausts me if it is a subject that does not interest me.

19. How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?

Interestingly, my writing begins with unconscious research and note-taking whenever I come across information of interest. This may take several years before I become interested in writing. By this time, I would have a clear objective of what I would be writing about and, interestingly enough, the information I had gathered becomes a part of the book. Deciding to write and completing the writing could take anywhere from 6 to 9 months.

20. What genre are your books?

My books are generally historical in content.

21. What draws you to this/these genre(s)?

I like to try and make sense out of history by helping people learn from past mistakes and how to improve on positive accomplishments made to create success stories of their own. This helps define what I believe to be a country's purpose, which I enjoy writing about.

22. How much research do you do when you’re about to write a book?

I engage in note-taking over several years, but I intentionally do concentrated research for 3 to 6 months.

23. Have you written any books in collaboration with other writers?

Yes. My wife and I have co-authored a children's book. And I have co-authored several internationally published articles.

24. Why did you decide to collaborate, and did that affect your sales?

The collaboration was an exercise of blending both authors' knowledge and experiences for a more balanced book and article.

25. If your book were to make it to the big screen, which actor/actress would you like to have as your main character?

I would like to have Rudy Youngblood, the actor who starred in Mel Gibson's Apocalypse. He would be the main character to show what the Native Americans experienced at the beginning of the founding of the Americas just before European arrival and immediately following the arrival of Christopher Columbus

26. What are common traps for aspiring writers?

A common trap for writers is procrastination--waiting for the right time to get started. Another trap is trying to write a large book, which is overwhelming when one thinks of how much writing is ahead, especially if you have not written before. Why not start with an article. Then write a comic-book. One success leads to another.

27. How important is it for you to receive book reviews?

Book reviews add credibility to your writing, especially for online traffic.

28. How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?

I've not given any effort into seeking book reviews and need to do better in this area.

29. Do you have a strategy for finding people to review your books?

My strategy is to submit a request for reviews to review agents and encourage the people who tell me verbally that they enjoyed the books to write a review.

30. Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?

Yes, speaking directly with groups interested in the subject matter and ensuring search engines can find me. That’s why BooksByBethel.com is necessary and helpful.

31. Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?

Be prepared to speak about your book's contents with others. You should try to have your name circulated online to get Google and other search engines familiar with your name and book titles.

32. Why do you think that other well-written books just don’t sell?

Lack of public awareness through public speaking and marketing/advertising.

33. What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

Eat the meat and spit out the bones. Be open to constructive criticism and adjust.

34. Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

No.

35. Do you try to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Originality is my style.

36. What is your take on the importance of a good cover and title?

Make it appealing to the eyes and the emotions.

37. Have you ever designed your book cover?

No.

38. Do you believe a book cover plays an important role in the selling process?

It does. Presentation matters.

39. What is the secret to becoming a successful author?

Good content and good public awareness of that content.

40. How do you feel when people recognize you in public and appreciate your work?

Encouraged.

41. If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

Take advantage of every opportunity to read and learn more.

42. Where can we buy or see your books?

Amazon or local bookstores in Nassau and Governor’s Harbor, Eleuthera.

43. How easy/difficult has it been getting your books on local store shelves?

Not difficult. Bookstores want to know that they are providing quality content to their customers.

44. What advice would you give aspiring authors on publishing and marketing their books?

Write on a topic that interests you and could help others who read your books to be a better person.

45. How can interested persons contact you?

Tellis A. Bethel, P.O. Box CB 11990, Nassau, Bahamas