Preston Howard has retired from his rewarding profession as a labor lawyer, where he represented law enforcement officers not only in Texas but across the country. As a renowned expert, he spoke at meetings and conferences about topical labor law issues not only in the United States, but in other countries as well. He now lives in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he spends his time writing novels.
His first book, “The Sheltering Palms,” was highly praised. One reviewer said, “…had me hooked right from the start.” Another person wrote, “…storytelling at its best.”
His latest effort, “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” tracks his struggles with retirement: a divorce from his wife, alcoholism, and thoughts of murder either of the president or three corrupt police offices he represented ten years before. As he wrestles with these concerns, he also dips his foot into the dating scene, meeting an attractive senior lady. As in his first novel, Preston Howard’s observations about the human condition are hilarious and on point.
★ WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS: ★
Website → https://prestonhowardauthor.com
Facebook → https://tinyurl.com/y4qhror8
BOOK BLURB:
Retired attorney Preston Howard obsesses about the newly elected, bombastic and narcissistic president, and three corrupt Austin police officers whom he represented and saved from capital murder charges and execution ten years before. After his wife divorces him and his drinking reaches gargantuan proportions, Howard’s thoughts turn to murderous impulses as the only way he can stamp out one, or both of his fixations. Howard and his co-author, daughter Anne Howard, tell the story, often with hilarious observations, of compulsion, addiction, love, and in the end, the search for justice.
Praise:
“I thought Preston Howard’s first book was terrific, but Justice Delayed is Justice Denied is a home run! One of the best books I’ve read in years.” – John P. Davis, Knoxville, Tennessee
“Preston Howard’s writing and insights into politics and the legal system keep getting better and better. Justice Delayed is hilarious and on point!” – Amy Margulies, Austin, Texas
★★★★★ORDER YOUR COPY★★★★★
Amazon → https://amzn.to/2oPsovi
Interview:
Would you call yourself a born writer?
I am not sure anyone is a born writer, even Steven King (sorry, Stevo). My view is that you need the foundation of reading as a child and adult, have a love of books, and finally, a passion for writing. And I mean writing, writing, writing. Anytime I am not writing (or going to movies, another passion), I spend reading all genres: biographies, crime and spy thrillers, serious novels (just finished Fowles’ The Magus…damn that guy uses so many words I have to look up!), or as Sarah Palin says, “I read everything.’ LOL
But what, there’s more! With the exception of Steven King, who churns ghoulish stuff out of his brain with little or no effort, and maybe a few other writers, life experiences are important as well. I have a reservoir of events and moments over the course of my many years that show up in my novels. It’s so easy to transpose something that happened to me into a scene in my book, making the story funnier, emotional, etc.
What was your inspiration behind your book?
My inspiration for Justice Delayed is Justice Denied was November 8, 2016, the day when Donald Trump was elected. After the topsy turvy Republican campaign and his election, I knew that he was fodder for a book; I just didn’t realize how much of a target he would be for insult and comical relief. Then, I thought it might be a clever idea to juxtapose the possibility of assassinating the president or instead, three corrupt Austin TX police detectives who my alter ego, Presto Howard, saved from a capital murder charge ten years before.
What themes do you like to explore in your writing?
In my first novel, The Sheltering Palms, the absurdities of religion, politics, and history were explored at length. In my current novel, these themes are discussed and even expanded, such as the Episcopalian priest who left the Catholic church so he could marry, oddball political figures like Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert, and the hypocritical commentators who cover the news and only preach to their own choirs.
How long did it take you to complete the novel?
This one took only eighteen months. I was pretty driven to finish it, primarily because I wanted to complete it before the end of President Trump’s term, or maybe even impeachment and conviction. I had many things to say about the president and the current state of our politics and our country, much of which is not in any way complimentary. Our country is at the precipice of serious trouble; and the divide between people whose views tend toward the right or left exacerbate my concern.
Are you disciplined? Describe a typical writing day.
I am reasonably disciplined, but not to the extreme. I normally work out in the morning and then write in the afternoons, sitting on the deck of my condo overlooking scenic Hamilton Lake in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The location is quiet—just a bunch of older, retired people, sorta like me—–and it is easy to achieve solitude and think without a bunch of interruptions.
What did you find most challenging about writing this book?
Just doing it! As I have said before, discipline is the key to writing, and without it, the end result will take forever, if at all.
What do you love most about being an author?
I enjoy most the solitude, of being totally isolated from the world (other than my lovely wife interrupting me from time-to-time wondering when the hell I will get off the porch!). I enjoy getting inside my head and figuring out the right ideas, words, phrases, and so on.
Did you go with a traditional publisher, small press, or did you self publish? What was the process like and are you happy with your decision?
I have self-published both novels. A local colleague and author tried a publisher and found the experience frustrating, basically losing control over the final product. So far, I have been satisfied with this approach.
Where can we find you on the web?
I am on Facebook at Preston Howard author, on the web and blog at prestonhowardauthor.com and authorprestonhoward@gmail.com
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