Xlibris Publishing introduces Francisco Ojeda, author of The Frightful Verses.
About Your Book and Yourself:
Please briefly describe your book.
The Frightful Verses is a collection of fearful poems. They include scary rhymes of many different subjects: horror, terror, science, religion, politics, philosophy and even the humor fill these pages.
Who is the author “behind” the book?
I arrived in Miami, Florida, from Havana, Cuba, in 1968, and lived in South Florida until graduating from Miami Senior High School in 1985. I am a 27 year veteran with combined services of the United States Army and the Florida Army National Guard, retiring in 2011.
I served as a Battalion Operations Sergeant during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006 to 2007 and a contractor during Operation Enduring Freedom, while stationed in Afghanistan, from 2012 to 2013. I taught Military Sciences at Broward College in Davie Florida. I earned a Political Science degree from Miami Dade College, and a Business Management degree and Certificate of Project Management from the University of Phoenix. I still live in South Florida.
I have two published books of poetry: Adore & Lament (52 poems of love and sorrow) and The Frightful Verses (a collection of fearful poems). I recently completed a psychological thriller, The Spirits of Al Faw.
Do you have any particular literary influences that have helped you develop in your genre, subject and style?
I enjoy many different types of authors and genre; horror, terror, science fiction and psychological thriller in particular. I have read Stephen King, Dean R. Koontz, Edgar Allen Poe, Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, and have enjoyed gothic stories by Oscar Wilde, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mary Shelley, and H.P. Lovecraft. I also enjoy poetry by Rupi Kaur, Hafez, Jahan Malek Khatun, Obayd-e Zakani, and again, Edgar Allen Poe.
What inspired you to write your book, and how long did it take you to finish it?
It took about four months to arrive at a sufficient number of poems. I am a prolific writer of poems but in regards to this book, I found reading through my collections that there were some dark tones in my writings.
What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?
Anything can be scary. Fear is a perspective like any other emotion. One can be fearful of one thing that someone else may find simply interesting or even funny.
Are you working on a sequel to your book?
No. I have several other projects: an anthology of short-story psychological thrillers, a collection of erotic poems, a collection of teen/children poems, and a novel.
Are there any events, marketing ideas or promotions planned for your book? Please feel free to mention any accolades you have received.
I am concentrating on my first novel. I appreciate any and all recommendations and suggestions. I was offered a web page to promote my novel, which I will also highlight my poetry. There are local events I am looking towards. I will be applying for the Miami International Book Festival for 2018.
What was your favorite part of your publishing experience, overall and with Xlibris?
There is nothing like seeing the final version of your work come to fruition. Xlibris has always been professional and I have enjoyed every aspect of working with them. After working with Xlibris on three separate pieces, I have learned much about the process of publishing.
Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Read, everything. Make time to write – anything is better than nothing. Talk about your ideas with both friends and strangers. Practice taking criticism. Be patient –I have written poems in less than a minute and a novel in nine years. Visit all types of book stores – be open minded.
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Following up on the release of ‘The Frightful Verses’, I have join with other poets to conduct readings of scary poems for Halloween. I am attempting to set up an event for both public speaking and poets to express their work. Looking forward to funding raising for causes to help the community while promoting poetry.