Welcome to Bookends, a podcast about the books, chapters, and pages of our lives and the writers behind the stories we love. In this episode, we will get to know indie author Hiram Foster. If you want to get in on the fun by doing an author interview, email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com. Now on with the show.

Welcome back, bookworms. I'm your host WriterKat. I am doing a Q&A with aspiring author Hiram Foster. Hiram lives in Toledo, Ohio, with his wife and eight children! Hiram says while he likes dogs, he doesn’t think he can manage any additional responsibility! Hiram also plays the guitar and enjoys furniture building. Listen in as we get to know Hiram Foster. Welcome to Bookends, Hiram. Why do you write?

Thanks. At first, I just wanted to be a part of the club! Most of my friends looked up to sports stars, but I always was drawn to authors. I wanted to be a part of that group. But on a deeper level, writing helps me make sense of the world. Some topics are difficult to get at directly, but I find if I bury the underlying questions and themes within a fictional situation, I’m able to think about it differently.

What books have you written?

My first novel, released in October 2022, is All That Is Common To Man. My whole process took a little over two years. It’s a supernatural mystery about a recent widower that has to make funeral arrangements with his late wife’s family. Through that process, he learns her death wasn’t what it appears on the surface, and he becomes obsessed with finding the truth. I’m currently working through the third draft of a new novel. It’s a completely new idea from the last one.

Do you have a newsletter or blog?

Yes, I do! I have a substack called Letters to my Brother. My real-life brother always encouraged me to write, so I started this with him in mind. Each one is a sort of small letter to him. You can find it at hiramfoster.substack.com

What is the latest book you read that made an impact on you?

Right now, it’s To Kill A Mockingbird. I think about these young kids and how they have to deal with such heavy topics. I would have read it growing up, but now that I’m a dad, I feel differently about it. You feel differently about things as you age. You get a new perspective that you bring with you into the reading.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

The process is the point. Aim to get better, and do so continually. All we can control is that we show up and do the work. Success is that you become better than you were before and that you made something you are personally happy with.

Show up and do the work! That's good advice, Hiram. I also like your definition of success.

Where can we find you?

Email hiramfosterbooks@gmail.com, or you can find me on social media @hiramwrites.

What is your favorite author event?

I’m not sure! I haven’t actually participated in one, but I would like to. I think a book fair would be a fun event to participate in.

If you don’t mind driving a couple of hours, you are welcome to join us at the Hoosier Indie Authors Book Fair! You can get the details at hoosierindieauthors.com Is there anything else you want to share?

I appreciate the work you do for indie authors! Thank you!

Thank YOU for the appreciation, Hiram. You are most welcome. I enjoy using my writing, marketing, and tech gifts to help aspiring authors with the business side of writing. Thank you also for sharing your writing journey with us. And thank you, listeners, for tuning in. Check out Hiram Foster’s book, All That Is Common To Man, and show this first-time author some bookworm love. If you enjoy the story behind the story, like I do, check out his newsletter at hiramfoster.substack.com

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Writers! If you want to hone your skills and network with authors, editors, publishers, and other cool cats in the writer world, join me at the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference on July 28th and 29th, 2023, in Upland, Indiana. You can sign up at Taylor professional writers conference.weebly.com

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Well, that's a wrap for this episode of the Bookends Podcast. Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed getting to know Hiram Foster. Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. We'll be back soon with more great conversations about books and authors. In the meantime, we hope you continue to enjoy those special moments between the bookends of your life. Until next time, happy reading!