An outdoorsman with a love of writing and publishing.
Please, introduce yourself. Tell us about your personal life, family, education.
My name is Michael Poeltl, pronounced ‘Purtle’ – yes, it’s been a hurdle. That’s the first time I’ve written that. It actually wasn’t my intention to make a rhyme. Moving on… I love writing and have been doing so since I was a child when I would also illustrate and bind my books with staples, and tape. My first published book arrived in 2009. This spawned a series, and I haven’t stopped writing and publishing since.
I write in multiple genres, so it’s a little harder to create a dedicated audience, but I can’t pigeonhole myself to one genre. It’s just not who I am. I write what I want to read (which I think is important), and I read a lot of different genres.
I went to college to study art and illustration but then returned to writing to satisfy my artistic musings. I’m glad I did, and sometimes, a book materializes that requires illustrations, and I satisfy two artistic cravings.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
I have a full-time career as a marketing manager but do manage to find some spare time to pursue other interests. I love to travel. I enjoy mountain biking, kayaking, downhill skiing, building snow sculptures during the winter months, and stints at the gym.
Ultimate Writing Goal
What is your ultimate writing goal as you see it today?
Ultimately, I’d love to secure a traditional publishing contract to understand how much more visibility a book in that position might receive than those I’ve self-published. Then, if much more successful, would those readers discover my backlist of books? I have 15 in total as of this interview.
What inspired you to write your first book?
My first published book involves a story I’d conceived one summer day sitting on the roof of the building where I had my studio. At the time, I was pursuing visual arts mainly. My art always leaned toward the dark side. The book, The Judas Syndrome is about an apocalyptic event. It was realized in 1999 and only published ten years later after proper editing. It became a self-published success, and I saw good sales without much marketing behind it. Ebooks were new then, and self-published authors even more so. This book became a trilogy.
How do you decide on the title of a book?
The title arose from the story’s premise. It could have been named a lot of things, but the overlying plot suggested the name, and I’m glad it did.
Artist and Illustrator
If you could not write, how would you express what you wish to convey through any stories?
Being trained in visual arts and an interpretive illustrator, there is no doubt I would tell stories through these means if I could not write worth a lick. I’ve done work as a storyboard artist in the past as well, and so I know a bit about telling a story through pictures. I also created an entire comic book universe when I was younger. So I’m good. LOL
When you see new authors struggling, what single piece of advice could you give them on a moment’s notice?
A struggling author is writing the wrong thing. It shouldn’t be a struggle to write your story if it’s the right story for you to be telling. I always say write what you want to read. Writing should be joyful. It should be something you do for yourself. If others want to read it great, just make sure it’s been edited properly. The biggest mistake we make as self-published authors is not having our manuscripts beta-read and edited by a pro.
Do you have a blog or website viewers can visit for updates, events and special offers? Include HTML links to any and all of your sites.
Website: www.mikepoeltl.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Michael.Poeltl.author/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-Poeltl/author/B00477PRGE
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/search?query=michael%20poeltl
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2972105.Michael_Poeltl
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/mpoeltlauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/michael-poeltl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpoeltl.author/
