UNLOST: Roaming Through South America on a Spontaneous Journey received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Cory Mortensen.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
UNLOST: Roaming Through South America on a Spontaneous Journey. Published 2022
What’s the book’s first line?
Recently evicted at gun point, Gen and David didn’t seem all that bothered by the fact that they no longer had a place to live.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
UNLOST is the second book of a three part award winningtravel memoir series. Unlost takes the readers on an adventure from California to Antarctica. Filled with adventure and misadventure, it promises to entertain and educate. As I like to say, this is not a guidebook, but I hope this book guides you in some way.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I wrote my first book, The Buddha and the Bee, after telling myself I was going to write a book. Twenty years after the actual events, I finally took the time and hammered it out. The Buddha and the Bee, ended up winning over 20 independent book awards and has been an Amazon Best Seller for the better part of two years. Because of that surprise success, along with all the wonderful emails from readers asking me to write another book, I was inspired to continue the story with UNLOST. While the book is a continuation of the first book, it stands on its own and can be enjoyed even if you have not read the first book.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
From what readers have told me, they loved the book because it allowed them to travel while not leaving the comfort of their own home.If you are interested in unconventional travel, learning about South America or just want to grab your favorite drink, sit in your comfortable chair and digest an enjoyable read on how or how not to travel, this book will educate and entertain you.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I’m not sure if I wanted to be an author. Although I have written three books, I still hesitate to call myself an author. Maybe I will after the fourth book. I will say, after writing an award winning travel memoir series, I do enjoy the idea of being an author and love the emails and messages I receive.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is my second published book. First book, was The Buddha and the Bee, UNLOST is the second, and Embracing Bewilderment is the third. I am working on three more books currently.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I did have a business, which I sold, then I consulted. Now I day trade…and write.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Not enough. My guess is, like many writers, when the mind is ready the writing will commence.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Best part is full control over your works, hardest part is marketing. Introducing your work to the world.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Someone once told me making a book is like building a house. Writing is building the walls. Editing is figuring out where the doors and windows. Go and build a lot of walls, worry about the doors and windows later.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I would work with a traditional publisher. It would depend greatly on the terms, but I would want to work with one that knows how to really market. Arrange book tours, press and podcast interviews, and everything else related to marketing I have no experience with.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?).
I think there is a bit of ego that motivates me to be honest. If my books made me famous, I’d embrace that. That goes hand in hand with ego. Ultimately I enjoy creating, always have. Something I did not expect to happen was all the wonderful reviews and emails from readers who told me how much my books have motivated them or how they related to them in a positive way. That’s the best.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Hunter S Thompson.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
On the Road by Jack Kerouac.