All Hope of Becoming Human received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Lonnie Busch.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
All Hope of Becoming Human was published May 14, 2023
What’s the book’s first line?
Dissonance.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”
The world is rocked by earthquakes, revealing huge buried metallic objects which may hold answers to the roots of humanity… and the worst curse to ever plague the planet.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
In the midst of the pandemic, I woke up one night in a cold sweat unable to get back to sleep, my mind ravaged by the ever-rising death toll, not only from the virus sweeping the world, but also the brutal murders of Black Americans by law enforcement, the protests and riots, the senseless mass shootings by lone gunmen, rampant terrorism and the rise of hate groups, the threat of using the US military against its own citizens, not to mention the constant genocide, warring and unrest across the planet. It was all unimaginable and overwhelming to me. So I got out of bed, brought up my computer and hammered out a three-page single-spaced stream of consciousness that would over the next few years become “All Hope of Becoming Human.”
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
For the shear fun and excitement of it! Think “Raiders of the Lost Ark” meets “Predator” meets “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” “All Hope of Becoming Human” is not without depth, though, delving philosophically into issues we face today, but mostly, it’s just a fast-paced thrill ride with a mind-boggling twist.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Assistant Archaeologist, Rebecca Duccati, who is on site in Arizona studying the subterranean burial grounds, as well as the huge metallic object, is an intrepid young explorer who isn’t afraid to break with scientific protocols, and even the rule of law, when they stand in the way of desperately needed answers. I guess she reminds me of anyone, fictional or not, willing to step out of their comfort zone to navigate the unknown!
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best and the hardest part of being an indie are oddly two sides of the same thing… promotion! My first two books, Turnback Creek and The Cabin on Souder Hill, were traditionally published. At the time I imagined working with an agent and publisher would be an exciting collaborative effort, but it wasn’t. During so much of the process I was in the dark. Now I have full control of the entire process, from editorial say to cover design, as well as being more in direct contact with readers.
Having a publisher, though, did make me appreciate all that’s involved, like ISBN and Library of Congress numbers, formatting for multiple editions, audio books, scheduling promotions, creating ads, running ad campaigns, getting reviews, setting up book tours, on and on. Huge headache, and yet, I love designing my own book covers (I spent over four decades as a professional freelance illustrator and designer), creating video book trailers (using my skills in CG art and video editing), running book sales whenever I want, and actually seeing success in my ad campaigns through revenues.
With all that said, I now realize that big publishers have access to numerous promotional sources that are either professionally or financially out of my reach. But I do like the freedom of publishing the stories I love and not being second-guessed by an editor. So yeah, there are going to be readers who don’t like what I put out there, but I have learned that no editor or agency, no matter how large and prestigious, has all the answers to book success. And like my character Rebecca Duccati, I’m not afraid to step out of my comfort zone to navigate the unknown! I’ve done it my whole life, having been self-employed for over forty years.