Author Joe B. Stallings, Jr. is taking his latest Book, Tales from the Joe Zone: Sixteen Entertaining Stories on tour – a Virtual Book Tour, that is, with Outskirts Press! Technology has created a wide variety of ways to reach audiences all over the world. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box, and nowadays you can market a self-published book in a variety of affordable and impactful ways. Virtual book tours, for example, are a great way to connect with readers from all corners of the globe, all from the comfort of your own home. Join Joe B. Stallings, Jr. and Tales from the Joe Zone: Sixteen Entertaining Stories as they appear in features and interviews (such as the one below) in the weeks and months ahead!

Luckily for us, Joe B. Stallings, Jr. was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of Tales from the Joe Zone: Sixteen Entertaining Stories.

OP: Tell us a little bit about Tales from the Joe Zone: Sixteen Entertaining Stories. What is it about?

Joe: This book is a collection of short stories. The stories are quite varied: someone being blackmailed, someone working at the Department of Agriculture, a teen girl tunneling into a bank, a young boy who’s in elementary school getting on the wrong bus to go home, a man who wins the lottery, a man and his wife discussing tattoos, and much more.

OP: Why did you decide to write this story?

Joe: After I retired, I started writing stories for fun. When I began, I had no plans to publish a book. I have two college degrees, but I don’t remember being taught grammar in school. About ten years ago, I got very interested in grammar. I wrote the stories partly to understand grammar better and use my imagination . . . and it turned out to be so much fun!

OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
Joe: People who have a sense of humor and who like being surprised will be interested in my book. That’s my best guess, but who knows . . .

OP: What is special about your book?  

Joe: Special—I don’t think you’ll get bored or have read anything like them. Uniquely personal—I like to throw facts into the stories in a fun way.

OP: Have you published any other books? Do you plan to publish more?

Joe: No, I have not. I think I will publish more. I may publish another collection of short stories and maybe a novella.

OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?

Joe: For five or six years, I subscribed to fifteen or so literary journals so I could read a variety of short stories. And I bought other journals in bookstores. Also, I subscribed to several magazines, such as The New Yorker. I probably read at least a thousand short stories—and found almost all of them dull. So I kept track and rated them. My stories are fast-paced, keep you interested, and almost always surprise you.

OP: How can someone learn more about your book or purchase it?

Joe: Learn more—I don’t know, as I’m not on social media and don’t want to be. My books can be purchased at most online bookstores.

OP: Thanks for your time, Joe! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I’ve lived a normal life except perhaps in my youth during the 1960s and 1970s, when I lived in both Spain and Germany as an Air Force brat. My career as an accountant and financial planner required little if any imagination, creativity, or knowledge of grammar. Reading was of no interest to me until I reached the eleventh grade. Grammar was of no interest until a few years ago, when I asked my wife, “When should I use affect, and when should I use effect?” I didn’t understand how effect could be a noun. Wasn’t a noun supposed to be a person, place, or thing? I’ve been reading grammar books, diagramming sentences, trying to learn new words, and writing ever since. Dictionaries are my constant companions, and I have nine close at hand, one copyrighted in the 1930s. I’ve never had so much fun!

www.outskirtspress.com/talesfromthejoezone

This author purchased the Media Marketing Blitz marketing option, which allows self-publishing authors to connect with bloggers and harness the power of the blogosphere by taking their book on the “virtual road.” Learn more about this service by visiting your Publishing Center and reviewing the available marketing options.

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