1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I got into writing by reading. I was a bit of a troublemaker as a child and I often skipped school. The way I got my education, for the most part, was by reading. I first fell in love with science fiction in my early teens. I read Asimov, Heinlein, Silverberg and, particularly, Ray Bradbury, whose lyrical, descriptive style influenced my own. Later on I fell in love with John Steinbeck whose East of Eden is quite possibly my favorite non-mystery. When it comes to mysteries and thrillers I have many favorites: Harlan Coben, Lee Child, C.J. Box, John Sandford among them.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
Because I write full time, I do my best to write in such a way as to both write what I love—which is mystery-thrillers—and maximize my readership. To that end I write series. Dora Ellison is at present a six-book (five novels and a short prequel) series. My hope is that folks will read one, like what they’ve read, and continue on to read the whole series. In this book I wrote about people with special needs, which is one of several issues I choose to focus on. Who will care for these people when their families are gone? The state? If so, will they do a good job? I have a niece, Zoe, who is 24 and has never spoken nor walked. She is an inspiration!
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Well, I hope they enjoy the ride the books take them on. Beyond that, Dora cannot tolerate bullies—those who prey on people who are weaker or less fortunate. That’s an important issue for me.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I love reading this genre. Lee and Andrew Child’s Jack Reacher books have been a heavy influence. Dora has qualities in common with Jack Reacher, though my books are very different from Mr. Child’s.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
I would ask Dora whether she is ever content. She is a driven woman who reflects the fact that, even at 66, I am a driven man!
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
Facebook. I am in many Facebook readers/writers groups and have benefited both by gaining readers and by learning from more experienced authors.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Write, write, write. Every day. It’s a muscle. If you work it, it will strengthen. Then read your own work, then reread. Seek feedback and pay attention to it.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
I am nearing completion of Dora Ellison Book 6—A Divisive Storm. I am also working on a standalone novel called Percival, that is a fictionalized account of my father’s life. My dad had polio at age 2 and lost nearly all the use of his left leg and some of the use of his right leg. And yet he was an accomplished musician; he taught a variety of forms of cooking. And, of course, he married and raised a family. He was an amazing man!
About the Author
David E. Feldman has written seven books of his own and has ghostwritten many others. He has made three films, won 2 film awards and won a playwriting contest. He has an MLS degree in Library & Information Science.
You can find his books on Amazon.com and elsewhere, under his name, David E. Feldman.
They include:
The Neighborhood. (A standalone novel, about 4 fictitious families living in Valley Stream in 1973, one of whom is the first Black family in the neighborhood which was the author’s at that time.)
The Dora Ellison Mystery Series:
Storm Warnings, A Dora Ellison Short Story Prequel
Not Today, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 1 (a finalist for the Killer Nashville Claymore Best Mystery Award, 2022)
A Gathering Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 2
A Sickening Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 3
A Biological Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 4
A Special Storm, Dora Ellison Mystery Book 5 (due out Feb. 21, 2023)
Percival (A standalone novel about a musician who contracts polio at the age of two and transcends his handicap and various mistreatments by an often cruel society, and finds joy and love. Based on the life of the author’s father.)
Pilgrimage from Darkness Nuremberg to Jerusalem
Bad Blood, a Long Island Mystery
Born of War: Based on a Story of American Chinese Friendship
How to Be Happy in Your Marriage – A Roadmap
His author website:
https://www.davidefeldman.com/books.shtml
His ghostwriting website:
https://longislandnyghostwriter.com/
His film, Everyone Deserves a Decent Life (directed, produced) won the Alfred Fortunoff Humanitarian Film Award at the Long Island Film Expo, 2014. His film, Let Me Out! (Written, directed, produced) won Best Psychological Thriller at the 2009 New York International Film Festival. His play, Love Lives On, was a winner of the inaugural Artists In Partnership Inaugural Playwriting Contest, and was produced in Long Beach, NY in Sept.-Oct. of 2022.
He has also been the owner of eFace Media (eface.com) since 1989, where he writes marketing and branding copy.
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