Jim Stratton and his third iU book, “Imminent Demise”

Three-time iUniverse author Jim Stratton tells us about his latest release, Imminent Demise!

Imminent Demise is a murder mystery and love story about an ordinary young man who meets and falls in love with a beautiful young woman.  Their romance is hindered by another man who happens to be a powerful man in the community.  He is blackmailing the young woman into going out with him with something he knows about her brother.

My protagonist, Elliot Timberlake is a law school graduate who decides that a simpler life with the young lady, Lily Owens is what he really desires.  He goes to work in the local Saw Mill, where Dan Felton is his supervisor and Lily’s blackmailer.

Lily’s association with Dan complicates her budding romance with Elliot.  They meet secretly and plan to find out the truth about Dan’s blackmail concerning Lily’s brother, Johnny.

Elliot is shy but falls in love with Lily and she with him.  They share adventures and there are many twists and turns that lead to a surprising but justifiable conclusion.

I was born in Hartsville, a small city in northeastern South Carolina.  After high school, I served in the U.S. Air Force as an illustrator.  I graduated Florence-Darlington Tech. College with an associate degree in Drafting and Design technology.  I was staff artist and sports editor of a local newspaper for a few years, then worked for Sonoco Products Co. for 35 years before retiring in 2009.  I received by Bachelor of Arts degree from Coker College in 1990.

I have been writing and painting in oils on canvas for over fifty years.  I published my first book, View From My Easel in 1996.  Imminent Demise is my sixth published book.

I have actually been negatively influenced in my writing more by the disintegration of our English language than by the volume of work that I love to read.  I hear and read so much that simply disregards the structure and beauty of our language that I was taught to appreciate.  Now I strive to write in a way that preserves some of the attributes of our language.  Texting and anagrammed messaging is so prevalent in our modern world that I fear one day the great writing of the past will be considered antiquated.  I believe that the styles of classic fiction are worth continuing.

I don’t believe that every story has to have a superhero, because I don’t believe there is any such thing.  Life is full of ordinary people who are placed into extraordinary situations and manage to overcome.  I am sick of heroes with super powers, flying, seeing through objects, made of metal, smarter than all others, and invincible.  Give me heroes that are real.

My overall message to readers of Imminent Demise is that we must make wise use of the short time we have on earth in whatever endeavor we pursue.  My message is also that love that is kept secret can never reach its full potential.  It must be free to flow freely so that it can spill over to others and multiply.

I am not currently working on a sequel, but will consider it if Imminent Demise is well received.

I have not marketed any of my books beyond local book signings, local newspaper releases, and a couple of magazine ads.  My first two books with IUniverse received ‘Editor’s Choice Awards”.

I have been impressed by the thorough editing of my three books with iUniverse.  This novel took almost eight months to finalize after submission, and I am hoping that the extra work will translate to good things for my book.  After all, the finished product is the main objective.

My advice to new authors is to write a lot and to write about things you know.  Do self-publish, but do not give up on traditional publishing.  Also, realize that this is not an inexpensive process.  It is great to see your work in print, but if you really want to sell your work, you must get the word out that your book exists.  Marketing is, of course, the way to do that.  Traditional publishers will do that for you after purchasing your work.  With self-publishing, marketing is an added package that you must purchase.

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