An Interview with D.R. Pollock: Author of Koa Kai

D.R. Pollock has been an avid sailor for over 50 years, including a crew member for one year on Elissa, the Texas Tall Ship. The years of sailing adventures and misadventures inspired several sections of Koa Kai. He is widely traveled and lived in a dozen states, including six years in Hawaii. Pollock holds a BBA from Georgia State University and an MBA from Drexel University. Koa Kai is his second book, and first novel.

Tell us about your book.

In this historical novel taking place in the 1790s, a young lad from New England, because of some adventures and misadventures, finds himself a warrior in the army of Kamehameha during the wars to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

Why did you want to write a book?

While living in Hawaii and studying their history, I was inspired to write an historical novel with a main character from the mainland to lead the reader through the story.

Why did you choose to self-publish?

I wanted to control the outcome from my efforts.

What tools or companies did you use, and what experience did you have?

Archway Publishing produced the book and its cover.

Would you self-publish again?

Yes. As I learn more about the industry, I would feel better about controlling more of the process.

What do you think are the main pitfalls for indie writers?

Writers do not like marketing and do not prepare a plan to sell their books.

What tips can you give other authors looking to self-publish?

Prepare the marketing plan before the book is published.

What was your steepest learning curve during the publishing process?

Editing!

As a writer, what is your schedule? How do you get the job done?

I spent years on the first draft. When I decided it was time to publish or scrap the project, I got serious and published in less than a year.

How do you deal with writer’s block?

I do my best work on airplanes, where you are stuck in a seat with your computer and may as well be creative.

Tell us about the genre you wrote in, and why you chose to write this sort of book.

I always liked James Michener’s books for his attempt to closely follow actual history. I wanted to do likewise, but not spend 1,200 pages doing it.

Why did you write about this particular subject?

We lived in Hawaii for six years and I came to love the people, their culture, history and most of all their Aloha.

Who are your biggest writing inspirations and why?

James Michener as explained above. The Patrick O’Brien Master & Commander series for sailing adventures. Some of the classic authors, such as Hemingway, Steinbeck and Conrad, though I can not match their perfection of the writing art.

How do your friends and family get involved with your writing? What do they think of your book?

Friends who have read Koa Kai like the story and in most cases passed the book to another reader.

What are your plans now your book is published?

Market the heck out of it, particularly in Hawaii.

What did you learn on your journey as an author?

Like most arts and crafts projects, at some point the book took on a life of its own. At that point the writer is hanging on to find out how it all comes out.

What’s next for you as an author?

I am working on a novel based on my father’s adventures in Chicago during the ’20s and ’30s.