ellen - Barracuda is a big fish story away from your days as a cop! Tell us your background and if it flows into this, how did the idea for Barracuda start?

Mike - I was born and raised in the Bronx and am a third generation cop. My two passions in life are police investigations and scuba diving so it was only natural that I would write my first novel incorporating both my passions.

ellen - Can you tell the folks about Barracuda?

Mike - The book jacket (photo of a barracuda in the water) explains the book pretty good. Recovering from a gunshot wound he'd received while in the line of duty, NYPD Detective Mick O'Shaughnessy is in need of some relaxing time away from the big city. A vacation in the peaceful, scenic Bikini Atoll, a scuba diver's paradise, could be the panacea to heal his wounded leg as well as his shattered nerves. Then again, maybe it isn't. The Majestic Resort Hotel, unfortunately, does not turn out to be the bastion of tranquility Mick had hoped to enjoy. Immediately upon arrival, Mick inadvertently finds himself dropped in the middle of an international money laundering operation, a territorial feud between the island natives and the resort developers, and an impending mob war between the Russian Mafia and the Japanese Yakuza. If that weren't nerve-wracking enough, the many years of nuclear testing that had taken place in Bikini Atoll after World War II have had an unusual effect on the sea life in the lagoon - and the freakishly large mutant barracuda who dwells there perceives all the scuba-diving tourists as lunch meat.

ellen - You are a Divemaster- tell us about that passioned - always loved the water?

Mike - I have always been a big fan  of Jacques Cousteau. I've read all his books and watched his movies. I finally worked with a detective who shared my desire to become a certified scuba diver and we took classes together and never looked back. I have totaled over 1,000 dives all around the globe. Recently, I met a few writers who share this passion and we are planning a dive trip to Cozumel in November. The fun just keeps on coming! (smiles)

ellen - What is the biggest fish you've encountered in the water? Any interesting situations?

Mike - I love scuba diving with sharks. The adrenaline rush is incredible. The creatures are completely misunderstood by the general public. I have almost a hundred pictures of sharks that I shot at various locations. I have yet to dive with a whale or whale shark. but that could change soon. My website, www.mikemonahanbooks.com/ has a link to my photo album. There you can see me interact with sharks, stingrays, and barracuda.

ellen - Have you been to the Bikini Atoll, where most of the action of Barracuda happens? The historical ties to that area?

Mike - I have not been to Bikini Atoll yet, but I have a standing offer from the US Liaison to the Marshall Islands to visit. I did do extensive research of the region to add a bit of historical credibility to my story.

ellen - Has writing always been a passion?

Mike - It's funny that you ask this question. Writing has only become a passion in my latter years. I guess it's because I have slowed down a tad and my fertile imagination runs wild. As an NYPD Homicide Detective, I had to write many reports so I guess I was actually grooming myself for a career as a writer.

ellen - Can you tell the reader what it takes - the process - you had from idea to writing to publishing of Barracuda?

Mike - The photograph on the book cover was the inspiration for the story. It's funny, but the story came onto paper in a mere three months. It was easy to mix a blend of scuba and murder fiction, not so easy to edit and publish. Writing is a glorious hobby, while publishing is a nightmare. Don't get me started on the marketing process. (smile) Luckily, I have found a group of like minded authors on a forum titled, Amazon.com Shameless Self Promotion by Authors. We are listed in the Thriller category and share our triumphs and misfortunes. I have found this group to be exceptional and I am proud to call them my friends. (ellen's note - I whole heartedly concur with Mike on this)

ellen - How hard is it to get published in current markets? Can you talk to self-publishing - that concept has changed, hasn't it?

Mike - Unfortunately, in today's market, there is little or no interest in new authors and fiction books in particular. Most publishing houses will not accept manuscripts unless it's submitted by an agent. Most agents will not represent new authors so it's a circle of frustrating rejections. Thank goodness for self-publishing. There are many good outfits out there and I believe that they are the future for all writers. Once we receive the recognition that we deserve I think our books will be carried by all the major bookstores and outlets. There are numerous stories about well known authors who floundered in obscurity for years before they became famous. I think that self-publishing will break that barrier in the near future. E-books and Kindle are starting to flood the market as well.

ellen - What is the author's responsibility to the reader - or do you think they have any?

Mike - All authors have the responsibility to produce a product as close to perfect as they can. Self-published authors in particular if we wish to be recognized as marketable. It is a heavy burden for self-published authors to pay for proof readers, editors and comprehensive line editors, but we do owe it to our readers. This is a widely discussed subject on our forum. Sometimes self-published authors have no control over the price of their book, so the book had better be worth $12-$15.

ellen - What advice do you have for anyone who has a story in them and are thinking about putting pen to paper?

Mike - My advice is to do it. If you get a sense of pleasure from reading your own words, then do it. I believe that everyone has the potential to write several books, but few do. It takes a great deal of determination. A writer must be focused, spend lots of time writing and rewriting, and have the ability to encourage constructive criticism. Writing is a continual learning experience and there are many books on the market that can help. There are too many to list, but a simple internet search will provide a new writer with a wealth of information. There is nothing like the high you get when you see your published book in someone's hands and they tell you how much they enjoyed it.

ellen - Back to Barracuda for a second, Mike - This would be a great movie - Any bites from anyone in the business who thinks so too?

Mike - Ellen, I agree, this would make a great movie that would have mass appeal judging from the success of Jaws and other aquatic horror movies. Barracuda is a newly released book, so Steven Spielberg hasn't called me yet. (smile) I am optimistic that this novel can grow and the word will spread until I reach a higher level of success. Right now I am steaming full speed ahead on promoting Barracuda and then I will take time out to write Barracuda II, the return. No Hollywood bites yet, but they will.

ellen - Where can folks contact you? Website, etc?

Mike - I can be reached at tarzan82.optonline.net and my website is www.mikemonahanbooks.com/ I hope people will drop by to visit my website and view my photo album link. Cool scuba diving pictures with large sharks and other big pelagic fish. Barracuda is available at Amazon.com and people who can also view my profile on Amazon and read the 22 reviews on Barracuda that are listed on the Barracuda page there.

ellen - What's next for Mike Monahan?

Mike - As I mentioned, Barracuda II, the Return is in the works and I have outlines for several detective novels in place. My hero (Micko), Mick O'Shaughnessy will be the protagonist in all Mike Monahan novels. I'm very excited about all my future writing projects. I'm hoping that Micko will become a household name someday! (smile)

ellen - Mike, where do you see yourself 5 years down the line?

Mike - I see myself being a successful writer with a large publishing house. I will take scuba diving vacations around the world while writing murder mysteries based on my extensive experience on the subject matter.

ellen - Mike, any parting comments to the readers?

Mike - I would like to thank all the readers who have the foresight to give new self-published authors a chance. We may not be famous yet, but we do write some exciting books. We absolutely love our books and take a great deal of pleasure in hearing from readers who enjoyed our pride and joy.

ellen - Mike, many thanks for your time, and writing such an exciting book!

Mike - Thanks so much for giving me this opportunity to reach out to the reading public.

Appreciate Mike's interview - Mike Monahan is featured on AuthorsDen and I have a review of Barracuda on my AD reviews.

ellen george

Mike Monahan, author of Barracuda Interview.