Interview with Glenn Langohr, Author of "Underdog"

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Glenn Langohr Interview

 

 

 

 

Tell us about you.

 

I’m a child of God who is saved by grace.

 

 

You have had some tough times, but have managed to persevere. Do you think without those experiences you would have still become and author?

 

I don’t think so. As a kid I was all about daydreaming about baseball, riding bikes and even flying. I have ADHD. I ran away from a broken home at 12 years old and got into hustling pot pretty early. At 17 I was living in a pot smuggler’s garage sleeping next to trash cans full of weed from Mexico. I saw an immediate opportunity to capitalize and went to the border of Mexico to find an even bigger smuggler to become my live-ins dealer. It was just weed, right? Well within a year I put together over $20,000 in cash and found a two-bedroom house to rent on the beach. The O.C. Narcotic task force interrupted my flow and took my brother and me to jail. My brother was 16 and I was 18. They kept my brother in juvenile hall and let me out as an adult to take the case to court. Minus my wad of cash, I faced a 5-day notice to vacate our new house.

 

Lost and alone, I met a speed dealer across the street at my new live in house. For the first time I tried the drug and it seemed like the answer to my ADHD. I could see things so clearly. At the time, I saw how to make my money back before my jail time. I went above my new speed dealer friend to his connection who cooked some of the best speed in San Bernardino. I did make the money back, but the Narcotic Task force seized it again and it was prison time.

 

I was stuck for 10 more years of chasing money and sitting in prison. At one point I started a limo business I named “Prestigious Transport”, bought a condo and held a waiter job at an Italian Restaurant, but gave in to my addictions after 9/11 knocked my business to the curb. Prestigious Transport turned into Ghetto Transport quick. Sitting in a cell again, broken completely, I cried out to God for forgiveness. He filled me up with purpose and I started writing my first novel Roll Call.

 

 

What first prompted you to write a book?

 

I had to make sense of my life and find purpose.

 

What has the reaction been like from those who have read your book so far? Have friends and family been supportive?

 

I had Kirkus Discoveries Nielson Media review my novel Roll Call and they said,

“A harrowing, down-and-dirty depiction--sometimes reminiscent of Steven Soderbergh's Traffic--of America's war on drugs, by former dealer and California artist Langohr. Locked up for a decade on drugs charges and immersed in both philosophical tomes and modern pulp thrillers, Langohr penned Roll Call. A vivid, clamorous account of the war on drugs.”

 

My wife’s father is John South from American Media and he told me to focus on the prison stuff so I wrote a series of novellas about prison life: Race Riot, Lock Up Diaries, Gladiator, Underdog and Prison Riot.  Underdog is the one you reviewed and gave me the opportunity to speak at UC Irvine to 100 Students as a guest Lecturer about prison conditions and solitary confinement.

 

My family has also been great.

 

 

What is your writing process like? Do you follow a rigid schedule or is it more relaxed?

 

As mentioned, I have ADHD and I don’t medicate. I have to block everything out. In prison I woke up at 4 a.m. to write to get it started before survival took over most of the concentration. I’ve been out of prison for almost 5 years and I still do the same thing.

 

There are some colorful characters in your writing, are they based on real people?

 

Yes. I paint with the true colors of life and at times construct a fictional landscape by changing names and places in prison to protect the innocent and the not so innocent. At other times it’s pure reality.

 

 

What have you learned about marketing/publishing since the release of your first book?

 

It takes a lot of visibility. Interviews, book reviews, speaking opportunities, book signings, press releases and more, and they all have to be blasted through social media sites worldwide. It’s fun but time consuming.

 

At one point as I was getting the hang of it, I went to far and it consumed me and I’m pretty sure I turned into a spammer! At that point I stopped marketing completely and went on a writing spree with the mentality that newer and better books would do my marketing for me.

 

 

What advice would you give others who have faced adversity but want to put it behind them?

 

To make what you have been through turn into a blessing. No matter what you have been through, don’t let the resentments hold you in it. Find a way to bless others because of what you’ve been through. If you have been raped, help other people who have been raped. If you have been abandoned, beaten and abused, help others in that position. If you were addicted to something, help others get out of addiction. Go to church and sing praises. Pray without ceasing.

 

 

What are your plans for the future? Any other books on the horizon?

 

I’m always writing now and I love it. After the ninth prison book, Caught In The Crossfire: Life in Lockdown, I decided to write, Powerful Prayers of Gratitude. I have played around with other books and now put all of them in audio book myself. Narrating your own writing is a very good way to improve.

 

I’m ready to go finish the Life in Lockdown series.

 

Tell us a bit about your goal with your books and what you feel people should be aware of.

 

My selfish goals with my prison books are to get them adapted into movies or a TV series. On a less selfish note I want to open the eyes of the public that this drug war is only breeding a bigger problem by locking up so many low level drug offenders, where in prison, that addiction is bred into an affliction much harder to escape. In California the prisons are so overcrowded that it’s a violent, gang-breeding machine. I’ve seen soccer moms lose their sons to a drug addiction and watched their sons get blasted with ink to fit in and come home skin heads. It’s the same thing with all the other races.

 

Any additional things you would like to say as well as links/promo items you would like to have included. 

 

Thanks for the review of Underdog and for confirming that my book covers didn’t fit the redemptive, human side to my writing. I have changed them.

 

 

Underdog Synopsis:

 

Another one of Glenn Langohr’s stunning memoirs–a brave, unflinching account of life in prison~ Prison Killers Book 4

 

The California Prison System houses a mixture of Mexican cartel members, Mexican mafia, Bloods, Crips, and thousands of other street gangs fighting for control and the author turns this story into a pulp thriller of true crime. The author of Underdog, Glenn Langohr, takes you on a journey back into prison as he remembers a prison riot days before his release date where he left his friend on the way to Pelican Bay. The story follows the author years later as he visits his friend in Pelican Bay during a prisoner developed hunger strike against sadistic and cruel guards who get off on their isolation and enjoy adding violence to their torture. A spotlight on the flaws at how Pelican Bay determines gang validation and solitary confinement.

Author Bio:

 

Glenn Langohr ran away from a broken home with a death wish and entered the drug war with abandon. Business with the Mexican Mafia and Hell’s Angels became a way of life until the Criminal Justice system interrupted him with Organized Crime charges.

In prison he was involved in riots and spent years in the hole. From solitary confinement he started writing and hasn’t stopped since. Now, he is an usher at his church and loves to reach out to other prisoners to help them turn their lives around. He speaks as a guest Lecturer at Criminal Justice colleges and writes articles for newspapers. “I want to show the world and the students and leaders of tomorrow, that we are only building bigger criminals by locking up low level offenders, where in prison, an addiction is bred into an affliction much harder to escape.”

The author will gift his books FREE from the Kindle store to those who can’t afford it.

 

Glenn Langohr’s audio books for a free sample

http://amzn.to/10qom6H

 

Glenn Langohr’s complete list on Amazon in the U.S. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00571NY5A 

 

In the U.K.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00571NY5A 

 

My websites

http://www.audiobookprisonstories.com

http://www.lockdownpublishing.com

 

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/glennlangohrcalifornia

 

 

Interview with Anthony Price

Hi Anthony! Thanks so much for being a part of The Cavanaugh Connection! It’s so good to have you! :)

        Please, tell the readers a little more about yourself and how you knew you wanted to be a writer!

My full name is Anthony James Price, but my friends call me Ant.  I do get the occasional Tony thrown my way too.  I’m 28 years old and I live in Canterbury, Kent in the South-east of England.  I think I’ve always wanted to be a writer.  It’s something that I just did when I was younger to pass the time. My Grandfather was a cleaner at a local High School and used to bring home spare notebooks.  I would go around their house and we’d play cards for a while, then I’d dive in to the notebooks and scribble away.  I filled them all with stories and poetry. 

         So you knew you wanted to write, but what was the catalyst that made you decide to actually do it? 

      I know a lot of people who have the passion, but not the drive, or the self-doubt is too great.

When I finished my second undergraduate degree, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, but I always knew I wanted to get a Masters Degree under my belt.  When I found that I could study Creative Writing at that level, I jumped at the chance.  It reignited my passion for writing.  I think self-doubt was probably in me somewhere, but when I set out to do something, I give it my all. I just had to take the bull by the horns so to speak.

  What has been your greatest obstacle to overcome?

I think that my biggest obstacle to overcome has been myself.  I’m one of life’s many procrastinators.  I never thought that I would have the discipline and the drive it takes to succeed as a writer.  But as I said, I just had to knuckle down and get to it.

  I'm a big procrastinator too! How did you overcome it?

I managed to knuckle down and gave myself a big kick up the bottom.  Doing my Masters degree in Creative Writing really helped me focus my writing and got me in to a good working routine that by and large, I’ve stuck to.  It was a case of wanting it not being enough.  I had to apply myself to the task.  Thankfully, I did it.

  If your life were a movie, who would you want to play you?

Ooo, that’s a tough one.  There are so many great actors out there.  I did see James McAvoy play a character with a similar disability to myself.  He really did the role justice, so I’d be honored for him to play me.  Plus, he’s a great Professor Xavier.

  Haha. Yeah, he is great. Can you tell me a little bit about the first project you ever completed?

Funnily enough, The House of Wood is actually the first novel I’ve ever completed.  Up until that point, I’d only written short stories and poetry.  It was an amazing feeling getting to the end.

   Getting to the end has always been a challenge for me! Until recently, it never happened... Do you have any projects that have been put on the back burner for a while, sort of forgotten about? If so, do you think any of them will ever see the light of day?

I always tend to have several projects going on at the same time and quite often, a few of them get put on the back burner.  Ideas seem to just come to me out of the blue and I’m the type of writer that has to start work on them immediately until it’s out of my system.  I get very excited by the ideas.  Hopefully though, everything that has been put on the back burner will see the light of day at some point, whether it be a novel, T.V show, or film.  They all still hold a place in my heart.

         I think a lot of writers feel that way. I currently have like 6 started projects! What happens, during the writing process, for you to decide to push a book away and not continue to write it?

It’s purely down to the fact that I get this burning desire to work on a new idea as soon as it comes to me.  Nothing ever gets forgotten and it all goes in my notebook for a later date.  I am getting better at working on one project at a time though!

            

             Now what about The House of Wood, where did you get the inspiration for this?

The House of Wood started out as a small exercise on my Creative Writing Masters.  I was originally going to write it as a short story, but there were so many things that I could add to it and ideas just kept coming to me, that I couldn’t do it justice in a few words.  It had to be a novel.

        Can you describe The House of Wood in 10 words or less?

A chilling portrayal of one girl’s attempt to escape her past…Ooops, that was eleven!  We won’t count the “a”.

       I know this is your debut novel. How’s it seem to be going so far?

It’s been going great.  There’s been some amazing feedback with regards to reviews on Amazon.  I’ve been very humbled by the support and enthusiasm from my readers.  It’s been amazing. 

        Where can readers go in order to get their very own copy?

The House of Wood can be found at a lot of places online.  Readers can pick up a copy at…

Amazon UK (Paperback and Kindle)

Crooked Cat Publishing (All digital formats)

Amazon US (Paperback and Kindle)

It'll also be available at iBooks, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords!

        How long did it take you to write it? Would you say it was in the average of how long it takes you to finish a book?

It took me a very long time to write The House of Wood.  Around about three years!  It kept getting put to one side due to university commitments and short stories that I was writing to get my name out there.  But if I was to put all of my writing sessions together, I would say it took around about two, maybe three months to finish at an acceptable level to send off to publishers.  Then I spent another month polishing it off after it had been picked up by Crooked Cat Publishing.

   What’s your favorite thing you’ve written?

In all honesty, I think my favourite thing is actually The House of Wood.  It started off as something so small and has grown in to something so big.  I always believed in the story and its ability to entertain and enthrall people.  I really enjoyed writing it and bringing the characters to life.  So much so, I’m writing a spin-off for it.

        Oooh! That sounds fun!  What are you working on now? Or is it top secret?

I’m actually working on a spin-off novel from The House of Wood.  I can’t say too much, as it’ll give away some of the plot twists in The House of Wood.  Let’s just say, I’m upping the scare stakes!

        Sounds awesome! If you could go back and change one thing you did in your writing career what would it be?

Well, my writing career has only just begun, but if I could change anything it would be to go back and start thinking about writing as a professional career much earlier and not spend so much time playing computer games.  Focus is the key.

   I hear you! I feel the same way. If you could have lunch with any famous person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
 

That’s a very good question.  I think as an alive person, I’d have to say Stephen King.  I’ve been a massive fan of his work since I was a teenager and if I become half the writer he is, I’ll be a very happy man.  I couldn’t pick a dead person, as they’re far too many people I admire.

  Stephen King is pretty awesome! As a writer, I’m sure you’re also a reader! What is your favorite genre to read? 

My favourite genre is definitely horror.  I’m a big fan of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert and Clive Barker.  But I’m also a history graduate, so I do enjoy a good historical novel, mainly Bernard Cornwell.  His Sharpe series is excellent.

   Who are some of your favorite authors?

As I said, my favourites have to be Stephen King and James Herbert.  James Herbert was the first horror writer I read with his Rats series and Stephen King single handedly saved the horror genre from obscurity by giving it a fresh, new take with Carrie.  I admire them both very much.

   Have you made any connections yet through one form of social media or another, where you got to have even a quick exchange with an author who you look up to or have inspired you? 

I haven’t been able to find Stephen King on Twitter and sadly, after his passing, I won’t get a chance to connect with James Herbert.  But, I have made a lot of connections with other authors from all over the globe.  They’re a fantastic bunch and I’ve made a lot of friends, particularly with the authors at Crooked Cat Publishing.  They’re always there with advice and support when needed.

   Thanks again so much for being here Anthony! Is there anything else you want to add before we say goodbye? 

Thank you for having me.  It’s been great chatting with you.  Thank you also has to go to anyone that buys a copy of The House of Wood.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Look out for future updates on me and my writing.

   Where can readers keep up with you? (You can include links to blogs, websites, twitter, FB profile, FB fan page, Goodreads, etc.)

I seem to be all over the internet these days.  Anyone that is interested in following me and my writing can find me at…

Facebook

Twitter - @anthonyprice84

About.Me

I’m also on Goodreads, but I haven’t quite worked out how to use it properly yet.  Watch this space!

Interview with the Author of "Falling Into Paradise" - Kamy Chetty!

First, I want to thank all of you for spending the time to drop by to get to know Kamy a little, as well as her book, Falling Into Paradise!

Also, a huge thanks to Kamy for taking the time out of her busy schedule to sit down and answer a few questions! :)

So, without further adou, here are the answers to your questions!

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am a nurse who has always been a bit of a drama queen, hence the current status of published author. I am married to my best friend and soul mate and I have two children.

 

Sounds like you've been busy! When did you begin writing?

I have been writing all my life. I started in primary school and by middle school I was writing my first love story, so that was a clue that romance was my genre.

 

That must have been wonderful to find your niche so early. I wish that was always the case! :) Have you ever been discouraged in regard to your writing ability and if so, how did you get past it and move forward?

Yes- I have. With my debut book I had a full request as a result of having won a pitch contest and when I sent it in, the editor of that publishing house wrote back and said, she didn’t like it and it was wrong for them. I got down at first, as you do and then I thought- well, so what? That was one editor in one Publishing house, so I got on my computer and sent it out to an entire list of publishers. I had three offers to publish. The lesson I learnt was to never give up and always believe in myself.

 

Good for you! I know how much our fragile egos hate the rejection and the nay-sayers, but let me tell you, your fans are happy you didn't give up! So, now that you've gotten through that rough patch, what's your favorite thing about writing?

The characters and worlds and places they take me. It’s the emotional journey that I find the most satisfying and even though you might think that I am the writer so I can do what I want in the scenes, it doesn’t always work that way. This book was fun and different to write but I totally enjoyed it.

 

I know everyone has a process, and it's always different. What is your writing style? Do you like to outline or just write as you go?

I used to always think that being a plotter would cramp my style but I now realize that I have to be a little bit of a plotter and a pantser. So I am an organic writer. I will know where I want to go and I know my character arcs and the what I want to achieve but how I get there is sometimes a surprise.

 

Haha. Been there and done that! Personally, I hate outlines, so kudos to you for having the discipline to be more organized than me! LOL. So, you have the planning done and now it's time to sit down and write the next great best seller! Do you have a favorite spot where you like to write?

Yes. Because of the deadlines and having to write the way I do, I have an office and my own space. I have story boards and candles, salt lamps, music and everything that I think I might need- even a view. And of course a definite must is the poster of the hot guy on the wall- for inspirationJ

 

Jealous! I wish I had even a small space to carve out in my tiny apartment that I could call my own! Maybe someday. What makes me doubly jealous is you have kids as well and can manage! Now, I know we all have those stories in us, that take us forever to write and are like our children. But no matter how much love we pour into them, it's just not right. What is something you've written that will never see the light of day?

You’re seriously going to ask that? Okay I have written some really bad poetry when I was in high school. I mean really tacky, soppy stuff that I don’t even have because I wanted it gone. If my daughter reads this- I am dead- but I even wrote some lyrics once- and I tried to sing it- it was so uncool. My girl plays guitar really well- so she will be mortified if she finds out!

 

Hehe. Yeah, I've been there too.... So moving on... What is your writer food?

Coffee, coffee and more coffee. I made- yes you got that right- I made my family get me an esspresso machine for mother’s day and now I’m addicted.

 

Coffee makes me hyper and unable to concentrate, but I do love me a frozen mocha or frozen cappachino from Starbucks! What's the hardest thing about writing for you?

Editing. To be honest writing the book is not too bad. I find the editing really hard. You go through it like you’re looking at every bit of writing and making sure it works and the language is just right and you’re layering and doing all these neat tricks. It’s not easy. It’s hard work and by the end of it, you don’t even want to look at the book. But then months later you pick it up and have a read and think- wow- did I write that?

 

Ugh... YES! Editing is the bane of my existance! I know it's a necessary evil. Now, don't get me wrong - I lvoe editing, just not MY own things! I can chop and be objective as the next person when it comes to other people. But with my stuff, it's like chopping off my own arm to delete and re-write things. But, writing is re-writing... And to get to the level of those we admire, we go to great lengths, I suppose! So what, or who, inspires you to write?

I get ideas from everywhere but if I need to get in the mood to write then I need my music, I need my space and to get in the zone. Inspiration is all around us all we need to do is listen.

 

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

I would have written about six books by now. Two accepted for publishing, one sitting with a publisher. My favourite is the one coming out in June. It’s a medical set in the USA about an ex marine. I love men in uniform. The best thing customs NZ could have done was put their men in uniform- I could look at my man for hours! But Breathe Again is highly emotional and I absolutely loved it.

 

We will have to keep readers updated on it's status and release date! What are some of your favorite books?

I absolutely love Nalini Singh’s Psy Changeling series, I’m reading one of the books now. I like medical romance, so Mills and Boon, Desire, I like Romance Fiction, Paranormal. Actually anything with a great plot will grab my attention.

 

Seems like we have some of the same tastes! What authors do you like to read? I love Nalini Singh, Maya Banks, Amy Andrews. I just read Karen Robards and really liked her. Kim Harrison, Stepenie Meyer, Jodi Piccoult, Brenda Novak, Carla Cassidy

 

Ooo! I really like some of those you named! What inspired you to write Falling Into Paradise?

I had quit my full time job to pursue my writing career and I had given myself a goal to get published before my birthday. Then I entered a pitch contest and they were asking for Christmas themed stories so I entered and won. That’s how it came to be. I won the pitch contest and in a mad rush to submit the book to the publisher finished it in three weeks. It started out as a medical and turned into a thriller.

 

Wow, that was gutsy! I wish I could quit my day job to focus on writing. Maybe someday! If you could choose a dream cast for Falling Into Paradise, who would you pick?

Ian Somerhalder is Damon Watson and Katherine Heigl is Sophie

 

Lordy, I love Ian and Katherine! Would you say you relate to any of your characters? If so, which one and why?

I’m not sure I do, but if I had to then I would be as strong as Sophie. I see her as a strong character who has had a lot to deal with and she has overcome it all and to me kudus for that. I’d like to think I could be like that.

 

 

This or That Questions...

Sweet or Salty? Depends on my mood- sometimes sweet and most times salty

Naughty or nice? Always naughty- I am known for never behaving myself and that’s the way I like it

Cats or dogs? Dogs for sure- I have two- Zoe is a Jack Russel and JayJay is a Fox Terrier with ADHD- I try and slip him some of my Prozac when I remember to fill my prescription(just kidding) but he does have ADHD

Vanilla or chocolate?  Chocolate all the way!

 

If you were deserted on an island, which author would you want to be stranded with?

Do I only get one? Then it would have to be...mmm.. well Stephen King. He’d have to protect me, right? Well the man is brilliant so I’d love to know how he does it!

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Falling Into Paradise

Dr Death in Paradise Falls. Sophie Richmond claims innocence, but evidence states otherwise. Does the expunged juvenile record tell the truth...’

 

Damon Watson was happy to let the hospital investigators deal with the case of ‘Dr Death’, he didn’t need reminders of the past. The mother of the Montgomery baby was his first love. So he was not on their most-liked list. So when the tabloids see fit to crucify Sophie Richmond, Damon intervenes.

Deeply hurt by the past Sophie trusts no one and keeps to herself. Unfortunately her solitude makes people suspect her of malevolence, forcing her to flee and prove her innocence.

With nowhere to go and no one to trust she is forced to put her faith in Damon, the sheriff of Paradise Falls (fictional town). A man she always thought was too cute for his own damn good and too flippant to be useful. Their attraction burns hotter than the heat wave sweeping the State of Georgia, and they’re both forced into situations testing them in the most arduous way.

Despite having his own agenda, Damon continues to help Sophie hoping to reveal a few skeletons in the Montgomery’s cupboards. The time he spends with Sophie makes him realise the past doesn’t seem as important anymore but if Sophie knows the whole truth about his relationship with the prominent Georgia family, she will never trust him. When Sophie gets her chance to prove her innocence in a sting operation, she learns to trust again falling for Damon. Together they find their happily ever after.

 

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Check out Kamy Chetty's website at www.kamychetty.com and her Facebook author page at http://www.facebook.com/KamyChettyAuthorPage 

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