Interview with Ted Galdi

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was a kid, I loved watching movies (still do). I started coming up with short stories back then and drawing them out on paper, storyboard style. Since then, I knew I loved the idea of telling a story.

When I was a teenager, I took a shot at writing my first screenplay. As you might expect from a high-school kid, it was not made into a movie. But I really liked building a feature-length story.

A few years later, I wrote my first novel in my twenties.

How do you schedule your life when you’re writing?

I start writing in the morning, right after breakfast. Being a writer tends to involve quite a bit more than just writing. For instance, to get the word out about your books, you should be at least somewhat active on social media and regularly send messages to your email list.

I like to host book giveaways and do cross-promos with other thriller authors. I’ll send my email list a link to a free book the other author is offering, and the other writer will do the same for me. 

The promo stuff I tend to do later in the day.

How did you get your book published?

My latest novel, Black Quiet, is a thriller about an ex-Special Forces commando who goes out for revenge after a gang puts his brother in a coma. It came out a bit over a month ago, on May 23. It was published by Aethon.

They’ve put out a lot of science-fiction books and recently started a thriller imprint, Aethon Thrills. I was fortunate to be a part of the first group of authors on the imprint. The Aethon team has been great.  

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I recently started an online-education platform for writers. I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on that. I have a free intro course that teaches key concepts in character development, plot building, and more. Anyone can take it here: www.writegrippingstories.com

As mentioned, I love watching movies. Reading too. As you might imagine, I read/watch a good amount of thrillers. But I like a lot of other genres too, ex, comedy, literary fiction, and documentaries.

Traveling is something I really enjoy. I like to ski and try to get to a couple beach cities every year. Going out to restaurants is a good time as well.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

Cole Maddox, the main character in my latest release, Black Quiet, is a former elite Special Forces soldier. I did a good amount of research on Special Forces teams.

Plenty of the facts I learned were surprising. For example, thousands of very skilled soldiers can try out for an elite unit every year, with less than one percent getting selected. I figured maybe ten percent were picked, but it’s way less than that.

Book Description: Black Quiet

Cole Maddox just moved back to his hometown in Montana after leaving the Army’s most elite unit because his superiors lied to him. But his town has changed. A ruthless gang of bikers has flooded it with fentanyl, and when Cole’s brother defies them, they put him in a coma.

Big mistake.

Cole unleashes his arsenal of Special Forces skills to take them down. However, he soon learns the gang is only the bottom layer of a criminal network much larger and deadlier than he imagined.

Can Cole get justice for his brother while keeping himself and those closest to him alive? Find out in this fast-paced, adrenaline-surging thrill ride.

Author Bio

​Ted Galdi writes suspenseful, smart crime thrillers. His goal is to get your blood and brain pumping when you read his novels and short stories.

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​He’s a winner of a Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award and a Silver Medal in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards. His titles have hit #1 on Amazon bestseller charts.

Ted has been featured in interviews by ABC and FOX television, iHeart Radio, and other media outlets. 

 
In addition to writing, he teaches online courses to help other writers improve their skills.

For a free book, visit his website, www.tedgaldi.com.