Friday, February 17, 2012

TBR welcomes Alex J. Cavanaugh

TBR: Welcome to TBR, Alex. Will you share a little bit about yourself?
Alex: I’m Alex J. Cavanaugh! I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and work in web design, graphics, and technical editing. A fan of all things science fiction, my interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online I'm NinjaCaptain Alex and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

TBR: Tell us about CassaFire and where it's available.
Alex: CassaFire comes out on February 28 – less than two weeks! Preorders are available through Barnes and Noble

TBR: Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
Alex: CassaStar was only the beginning…
Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. Keeping a promise to his fallen mentor, he now serves on an exploration vessel. The detection of alien ruins sends them to the distant planet of Tgren. Are the ruins a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassans. To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers. Forced to train Athee and further develop her flying aptitude, Byron’s patience is strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

TBR: Are you a plotter or pantser?
Alex: Plotter! If I didn’t have a detailed outline, my story would wander out into the desert and never return.

TBR: Did any music inspire your book? Do you have a playlist?
Alex: I’ve never made a playlist, although I usually listen to music when I write - In Flames, Shadows Fall, Nightwish, Dream Theater. Just about anything prog rock with a hard beat!



TBR: Which of your characters would you most/least like to invite to dinner, and why?
Alex: Of course I’d want to have dinner with Athee! I mean, who wouldn’t? She’s beautiful, sharp, witty… Not sure I’d want Mevine over for dinner, though. He’d probably break half the dishes.

TBR: While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?
Alex: That I really could write more than one!

TBR: What's next for you?
Alex: I’m working on the third and final book, tentatively called CassaStorm.

TBR: What’s the most interesting comment you have received about your books?
Alex: I think overall it’s the comments I’ve received from people who’ve never read a science fiction book but enjoyed mine. I appreciate that they took a leap of faith and read my book!

TBR: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Alex: My favorite authors are Preston & Child, Terry Brooks, and Timothy Zahn. I’ve been reading books written by my blogger buddies lately so not sure whose book I’ll be reading by the time this is posted.

TBR: Where can readers find you on the web?
Alex:  Ninja Captain Alex is everywhere! Well, maybe just here:

TBR: Thanks so much for visiting TBR, Alex. All the best to you!

36 comments:

  1. I've read CassaStar and I'm sooo looking forward to CassaFire.

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  2. I love the titles and how they tie together. Good for a series. Keep going after CassaStorm, okay?

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  3. Welcome Alex! Congrats on your almost-release day! :)
    Cate

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  4. Guess I'd bum everyone if I said CassaStorm was it...

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  5. Alex is awesome, which goes without more explanation. As a matter of fact, I just hopped over here from his site. This is a great idea for a blog. I'm excited to see where you go with it. :)

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  6. OOoohh is this a coup?! The name of your third book in the series? CassaStorm?!?!!? Or am I the last one to know of this (as always!!! Oh but fashionably so!! Yay!)!!

    Hello Cap'n Ninja, hello TBR!! Take care
    x

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  7. I haven't read any of Timothy Zahn books. I'll check him out on Amazon. And good luck with Feb 28th! its right around the corner.

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  8. You must be so excited with the nearing release Alex! Congratulations!

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  9. I'm reading CassaStar now - and I can't wait to read CassaFire, too!

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  10. If I listened to that music you mentioned while writing, I'd probably be pounding away so hard at my keyboard that I'd break it.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog
    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

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  11. Good interview. Congratulations on your approaching release date!

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  12. Didn't realize you were writing a 3rd! That's great news, Alex. :)

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  13. Very exciting stuff--release date February 28. CassaStorm?? What?

    I'll get my book ordered of CassaFire-not storm. :)

    T

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  14. Great interview Alex...and you're writing a third! Do you think it will feel like a relief when you've finished? I'm only on the second book in my writing trilogy and sometimes I feel hemmed in, like I want to start a new project but can't until I finish up the trilogy.

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  15. How wonderful, Alex. All this Cassa-wonderfulness has me very excited for the big day for CassaFire. I was hoping you'd do a third book so I'm glad you are.

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  16. Please consider going on after CassaStorm, Alex. But you must go where your instincts lead you -- they will seldom steer you wrong as they are your unconscious mind pointing out something your conscious mind has missed. Great interview as always, Roland

    Like you, Alex, I am not a fan of this new word verification. It makes my eyes water. Everyone must follow what they feel is right for their blog, of course. Roland

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  17. Can't wait to get my hands on CassaFire. Great interview!

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  18. Great interview, Alex and Cate! Nice to learn a third book will follow. I like the idea of finding old ruins in space, and then trying to determine the source.

    Alex's blog is a nice place to hang out and never seems crowded. A genial host will always have lots of visitors.

    BTW TBR, I'm now following. Didn't know about you before, but I like what I see.

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  19. It's great learning more about Alex. Thanks to both of you for sharing this. Have a great weekend!

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  20. Shari, thanks!

    Kitty, you are not the last.

    Carol, thanks.

    Lee, haven't broken mine yet.

    Johanna, yes, a relief!

    Roland, we'll see what happens.

    DG, thank you,

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  21. Great interview you two! Next perhaps a book on how to manage and succeed using Social Media, a Ninja's view! ;D I would buy it~ oooooh, CassaStorm, I love the title!

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  22. I like the title, Cassastorm. I think it's great when series have titles that fit together.
    Only two weeks until you new book. Yippee.

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  23. Always enjoy learning more about you Alex. Great news about book 3. Best of luck and looking forward to the Feb. 28th release date of CassaFire.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  24. Ella, not sure I'm a master, I just try hard.

    Susan, I know!

    Thanks, Mason.

    And thanks again, Cate.

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  25. Great interview!!! Loved the character who might break the dishes part . . .

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  26. fab interview! we're practically ticking off the days on the calendar till cassafire arrives... I'm one of those oddities who had never read a sci-fi book before cassastar.

    Fantastic site by the way - thank you alex for the introduction!
    Laura x

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  27. Thanks for the excellent interview Alex and Cate! Looking forward to CassaFire, and add me to the list of people who have never read a science fiction book for pleasure before! Julie

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  28. Wow, super interesting. I love Timothy Zahn's writing... looks like I might have to actually READ Alex's material after all.
    Thank you for the interview!

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  29. Tyrean, you'll meet him soon!

    Laura and Julie, I really, really appreciate that you read mine!

    Heather, I'd be honored.

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  30. Great interview, Cate and Alex. It's hared to believe the Fire's just weeks away.

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  31. Enjoyed learning more about you, Alex - and also enjoyed watching your book trailer.

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  32. Have been reading Cassa Star and I am finding it a refreshing read as it has been a while since I have read any si-fi, although I watch it all the time. Alex and Cate congrats on a great interview! Looking forward to the Cassa Fire launch!

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  33. Robyn, don't scare me like that!

    Thank you, Julia/

    CM, thank you and so honored you are reading it.

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  34. Great interview! SO excited to hear that there will be a third. You did say maybe...but if CassaFire is as good as CassaStar, there will probably be some sort of Blogicarn uprising that can only be defeated if you write the final book in your trilogy! My post for CatchFire is almost done.

    Tina @ Life is Good

    Co-Host of the April 2012 Blogging from A to Z Challenge

    Twitter:
    @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

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