Michael Crane-- In Decline

Michael Crane is an indie author and scribbler of inane babble that can sometimes end up as stories. He went to Columbia College Chicago where he earned a BA in Fiction Writing. He is currently the author of two short story collections, and he also might've written two books while he was in high school, but he refuses to own up to them. He lives in Illinois and is always trying to work on something new, unless he's battling stupid writer's block.

Product description:  IN DECLINE is a short story collection about people trying to get by, for better or worse. Gossip, bizarre love, peer pressure, addiction, heartbreak and loss are only a few of the topics covered in these nine stories where characters are faced with tough choices and ugly truths about life, the world and within themselves.

Q: What will e-readers like about your book?

I hope readers will enjoy the stories because I’ve done my best to make my characters seem realistic.  They’re not always pleasant or good, but I still try to give them that realistic touch where people can read a story and feel like they know that people like that exist.  I also think people will enjoy the diversity of the stories.

Q: Why did you go indie?

After years and years of submitting to literary magazines, I just grew tired.  It was really disheartening not to find proper homes for my work.  Sometimes you just have to go out there and do it yourself.  Life’s too short to play the waiting game.  More people have been exposed to my writing than ever before.  I’m still unknown, but I’m doing what I can to get the name out there.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?

As far as short stories go, Raymond Carver and Richard Yates.  Carver was the big one for me.  He showed me that you can write stories about everyday people and still have them be interesting.  You didn’t have to have overcomplicated plots.

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/In-Decline-stories-ebook/dp/B003VD1FXY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1278938747&sr=8-1

Smashwords Page:  http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/michaelcrane

Blog:  http://authormichaelcrane.blogspot.com