A Touch of Feeling: An Interview with Olivia Godat, author of The Final Eight Seconds

I was born and raised on a cattle ranch in southern Colorado. Although I have made my home in the Pacific Northwest for many years, the unique history of the American Southwest fascinates me and have written several novels on the subject.

You can buy The Final Eight Seconds here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

It usually takes a while to find a title for any story. Then about halfway through when the theme is strong, the title comes to me.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Breathless. The artists did a perfect job on all three books.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve always had an active imagination and learned early on that if I wrote out my fantasies I could think of other things. Also I read a lot and have many favorite authors. I’m sure that Jules Vern, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jack London, and other great authors, old and contemporary, have influenced my writing.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I worked for fifty years as a bookkeeper and office manager. My readers may not know that while I have written fiction for many years, I only sent work out to a publisher a couple of years ago.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

When my first book was published, a teacher friend asked me to speak to her middle-grade library class. The students were respectful, interested, and asked meaningful questions such as “How do you write emotions?” I hope I helped in their quest to become writers.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

For The Final Eight Seconds, I think Brooks and Dunn’s The Last Rodeo would be fitting.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

Enjoyment. My perfect reader is one who reads for entertainment and finds something interesting in the story.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I have a cosy mystery that is close to ready and another story that I’m not satisfied with the ending that will take more time to finish.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Atmosphere Press is a pleasure to work with. The entire staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. I would tell a writer to submit only their best work and Atmosphere Press will make it perfect.

You can buy The Final Eight Seconds here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.