E. R. Yatscoff talks about The Rumrunner's Boy and Fire Dream

Welcome to E. R. Yatscoff, a fellow BWL Publishing author!

I had the pleasure of reviewing Edward's novel The Rumrunner's Boy, which was a finalist for Crime Writer's of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award...

The Rumrunner's Boy:

A great coming of age story set during the U.S. prohibition in the 1920s. The reader learns a lot of history while main character Jarrod has to deal with filling the shoes of his sick father while he grows up fast running rum on the waters of Lake Erie around Windsor and the Erie Islands. While there were spots that could have used a minor edit, I found the book to be a realistic view of what life was like for a young man in the 1920s. Lots of twists, turns, and action. I’d highly recommend for pre-teen/early teen readers.

Edward Yatscoff was born in the Niagara Peninsula and now resides Alberta, Canada.  He’s backpacked the world, visited five continents, and lived in Australia. From steelworker to assembly lines to construction work he finally settled down to a 32-year career as a firefighter. A few little gems from his life are playing drums in a Big Band, climbing the Great Wall of China, snorkeling beside a marlin, tried smuggling a Playboy into Communist Russia, egging an Aussie PM, meeting his wife on a freighter in the South China Sea, and survived the Grenada Revolution while on honeymoon.  Presently he manages a writer’s group, reads voraciously, does occasional renos, and reads profusely. He has written 11 novels YA, MG, and adult crime.  Among his notable awards are winner of the John Bilsland Non-Fiction Award and a Crime Writers of Canada Finalist.  Visit his website and read some short stories @  Yatscoffbooks.com  FB page: https://www.facebook.com/ER-Yatscoff-author-109271783903671/?modal=admin_todo_tour

What would you say are your strengths as an author?

My writers group says it’s my dialogue and action scenes.

How often do you write, and do you write using a strict routine?

I roll a chapter around in my head for some time before I commit it to the page. I usually try to write, or market, or edit a previous chapter

Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?

Instead of a Finalist in the annual Crime Writers of Canada competition I’d like to get in the win column. My next crime novel SERVICES RENDERED is looking good so far.  It has action, some pathos, suspense, and plenty of crime.

If you could offer once piece of advice to a novice writer, what would it be?

Join or start a writers group for feedback and NEVER submit a 1^st draft anywhere.  That’s two I know, but I couldn’t decide.

What would you consider to be the best compliment a reader could give your book?

Telling me how much they enjoyed a character

  

FIRE DREAM

Book links: https://books2read.com/Fire-Dream

Fire Captain Gerry Ormond is launched to national prominence and receives a Medal of Valor. A visit to his hometown after a twenty-year absence unleashes a killer—a vengeful arsonist with ties to an old murder by three fraternity teenagers looking for a treasure. Gerry was one of them. Nick Modano, ex-frat president, now a drug dealer, is the only other participant alive involved in the old crime. Nick never forgets or forgives Gerry for running out on him that fateful night. Karen, his high school sweetheart, ignites a dangerous obsession. Her husband looks good for a recent unsolved arson/murder. Samantha ‘Sam’ Markham, a crack fire investigator, hounds Gerry at every turn. The almost forgotten past has risen from the ooze and taken on a life of its own. It’s a tightrope he walks in a town where old friends are now enemies.

THE RUMRUNNER'S BOY

https://books2read.com/The-Rumrunners-Boy

Jarrod Hooker, 17, steps in for his injured father on a rum running crew in Lake Erie during U.S. Prohibition. It’s a lucrative job they cannot afford to lose. Jarrod is resented by the rumrunners and they set out to undermine him. Carving out respect for himself among rough men might take more than he has. Ill winds begin to blow across the big water when money from a liquor shipment goes missing and the U.S. Coast Guard steps up smuggling patrols. Worse yet, an American gangster, a rogue from the notorious Detroit Purple Gang, tries to seize control of the operation, putting the Canadians in grave danger.

Whatever happens on the next run will change everything for everyone. Amid sabotage and bullets flying, Jarrod must put his trust in the most dangerous man he’s ever met. Although the watery border of Canada and Pelee Island lay only a few miles distant it may as well be a world away.