Where can I buy your books?
Ideally, from Amazon. You may sometimes have to resort to Etsy or eBay.
How much do you earn from each book I buy?
If you buy it directly from my hands, probably $3, if I didn't give you a discount because I liked your face. It seems honest.
Otherwise, it depends on from whom you bought it, but assume less than $3.
If you bought it secondhand, I receive nothing but your appreciation.
Why would you operate at a loss? Don't you like money?
I would love to get an enormous royalty check for all of my sales. However, to do that, I need a fanbase. That will only come if I get copies of my books in the hands of readers. For now, that sometimes involves spending more on gas to get to an event than I possibly could earn while there.
Do you charge for autographs?
I don't. You can actually get signed copies of my books through Etsy for about the retail price. If someone is selling a copy of one of my books for much more than that - and they do on Amazon and Etsy sometimes - you probably would do well not to buy it.
I would like to support you, but I don't have any money right now for books. May I steal them?
Thank you for not pirating my books, as that is not supportive. Instead, please ask your local library if they have a copy of my books. Usually, they can get a copy through an interlibrary loan at no cost to you. Failing that, they may be inclined to buy a copy or two to meet demand.
But isn't that the same things as pirating? I mean, you wouldn't get any extra money from me reading a library book, right?
No, but I would get that initial book purchased and any replacement books from people who damaged or did not return them. Also, I am a huge proponent of the library system, having worked in many.
I am going to pirate anyway! Information wants to be free!
I disapprove, but make sure you steal a good copy, not one full of typos that does not match the published version. They exist far more than "good" copies. If you are going to rip me off, at least don't insult me with poor translation/transcription.
If you like it, buy a legit copy.
Will you read my story/poem/novel-in-progress?
I would prefer not to. Partially, this is to protect the "purity" of my writing as a published author. If you send me your unpublished sestina about spider gods and then realize that I have the son of Anansi working at a diner in my Night's Dream series, you might want to threaten that I have infringed on your copyright. If I haven't read it, I am protected. I am sure my publishers would prefer to avoid these issues, too.
Also, I do only have so much time in the day and, if I have a few minutes, I would like to (in order) be writing my work, be editing, be reading something I enjoy, reading my friends' work to help them, or reading a published book for review.
Wait, you will read your friends' books, but you won't read mine?
Yes, because they are my friends, I can be guaranteed a certain quality and know they are not litigious. Also, I tend toward critical brutality, and I know they can take it without seeing it as a personal attack.
Will you read and review my legitimately published book (which is to say, not self-published)?
Possibly, but know that I default to being nitpicky and highly critical (read any of the reviews here if you think otherwise). I also do not like a lot in my genre.
Do you read fanfiction of your work?
Officially, no, I do not. I am aware it is out there, but I don't much feel the need.
Unofficially? It is hilarious to listen to my friends reading it in silly voices.
What about slash fiction about you?
That's not a thing, right? Let's say it isn't.
Where can I see you/get your autograph/listen to you speak?
I will do my best to keep the front page updated with my future appearances.
I would like my library/bookstore/community center/college to host a reading. How do I go about doing this?
Have the person in charge of scheduling contact me at thommquackenbush AT Gmail DOT com. I will warn you that I will be reticent if the site is too far from the Hudson Valley of New York and expenses are not paid.
I would like to interview you. How do I go about doing this?
Please write to me at the above address. I am generally accommodating when offered something more in-depth than a list of generic questions.
How many books do you intend to write in your Night's Dream series?
At present, I have notes sketched out for nine in total. Four are published, and the rest are various files and outlines.
I see that you are listed as the head writer for Parallaxis. What is this and when is it coming out?
That was a collaborative fiction project being created by Cave Drawing Ink in the spirit of Rise of the Outlanders!. My team ended up writing about two-thirds of it after another team backed out. However, despite character sketches floating around the web, the artists did not wish to illustrate the story, and it floundered.