Welcome, Julion.
Hi Amelia! Thank you for your kind invitation. So, what are you and your followers keen to know this morning?
About the weird rumor, naturally.
A rumor?
You know… Is it true you are coming up with SIX books this year?
Oh, that sort of gossip. Okay. Now I am tempted to say yes – just to tease you a little bit. But it wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Technically, it indeed is six volumes. However, authoring-wise, they are merely two trilogies. In other words, two books that have three parts each.
Why split 2 books into 6 pieces?
Don’t worry. Printed books will not be divided: All three parts will be bundled and produced as a single classical paper book (as seen in every bookstore). Only the electronic books are composed of three separate e-files.
For what reason?
Technical necessities in the first place. These new books are illustrated, which makes the computer / smartphone files big. Printing a huge file as a thick paper book is not a problem – a physical printout weighs the same whether illustrated or not. In contrast, older e-devices tend to have difficulties with large image-containing files. Moreover, with hundreds of pages, the scroll bar sometimes shrinks too much. Subsequently, the scrolling per se becomes difficult (not smooth; making many-page jumps even after a tiny finger movement; etc.). Rather than an authoring intent, it was mostly a production-related and editorial decision to proceed with smaller, user-friendlier e-books.
Did such complication infuriate you?
To honestly admit, partially yes. It sounded slightly annoying at the beginning. It required unplanned story re-writing (which I hated). Additional trailers and intros had to be created from scratch. But now it feels like a good decision – and ultimately a wise strategy. Very reader-friendly. Very customer-considerate. For example, the entire first book, not just a truncated excerpt, can now go to free giveaways. No need to pay a cent while being able to read the 1st part’s full e-text before deciding to buy the whole trilogy. You may oppose that fans of the charismatic mystery-solver Dr. Barton and of his former cases don’t need this. True. Regardless, new readers may appreciate a risk-free trial before being drawn into the whirl of exciting secrets and the accompanying adventures.
Speaking of these mysteries: What made you write such books?
Let me answer with a question: How many times have you discovered a key poking out of a tall old tree? Or, who of your relatives or friends have had any likewise experience?
I have never heard of a key driven into a tree…
You are not alone. I guess only a few people have faced such a brain-teasing poser in real life. That’s what made my mental charge different: As a child, I once encountered a wood-borne key ingrown in a tree.
Then you decided to become an author?
We fantasized out lots of wild theories with friends, yes. But no, this discovery did not make me a writer. Decades later, as an adult, I came across an unexpected photograph. It was a black-and-white shot taken from one of the early primitive airplanes. By the weirdest coincidence imaginable, that very same tree was captured on it from the air. A stunning ancient aerial view – exceedingly rare. It became clear that the surrounding city part we knew (as remembered by my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents) did not yet exist about a century ago when the key-bearing tree was already of considerable size.
I started digging in state archives, local museums, and map repositories. It turned out that the town’s outermost building at that time was a castle-like monastery-associated school for girls. Located at the township’s periphery, it was surrounded by a beautiful park and impressive far-spreading orchard lands. This all was later devastated by a very insensitive urban expansion. All trees were cut down, and the massive bricked monasterial fences with gates and sentinel gatehouses were demolished. The romantic castle ended up buried among “modern” architecture – some of it being ugly grey cubistic condos.
Two blocks away arose a new housing agglomeration with a square courtyard in the middle. The builders did not fell down a few remaining trees located therein – the key-hiding limetree including. What an unusual chain of serendipities preserving an inexplicable mystery across a century, two world wars including (yes, that tree remembered two ugly global military conflicts…).
Unable to fill all historical gaps, I started to imagine various possible connections. Later I acquired a few school records, pre-war documents, and wartime testimonies – and the urge to put everything on paper started to germinate somewhere in my heart and the innermost brain depths.
Did something horrible happen in that girls’ school?
Er, I’ve already gotten carried too far with the narration. Let us better not turn this interview into a spoiler. Nevertheless, it cannot hurt to reveal that the story “The Mystery of the Rammed Key” is written in a manner to be interesting for girls as well as for boys.
Is it a book for children?
Not quite. No, and yes.
Kids can read and enjoy the tale. Still, adults will definitely understand and appreciate the plot much more. Certain intriguing details are only understandable to a mature reader.
The childhood-related connections are as follows: The key-bearing tree depicted in the book was planted in a school garden. It kept blooming since the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy times. The key hidden in its crown was discovered by a child near the end of the 20th century. Thus, my original approach was to write a family reading for children and adults from the perspective of the schoolgirls witnessing certain goosebumps-causing events a long time ago. Then came the modern kids who accidentally ran into a long-abandoned tree-borne key. Excited and puzzled by their incomprehensible discovery, they started backward-tracing the forgotten mysterious incidents. Therefore, when I started writing, kids’ adventures were the prevailing subject in the pilot manuscript.
After numerous rewritings, my final authoring result has turned out somewhat different: An independent third-party evaluation report says the optimum readership is the college age and up. The expert analysis says the 12+ age category is the bottom line for understanding and enjoying the story. This roughly means that older schoolchildren mature enough to read Sherlock Holmes or J. Verne’s eventful books are the youngest audience for my novels. Anybody more mature, starting with young adults and ending with the eldest book lovers, will understand even more hints, punch lines, and humor. To say it differently: The finalized mystery thriller still remains a family reading but its focus shifted from the original 8+ target towards the teenage & up stratum.
Didn’t you mention two new books?
Correct.
Are the books connected?
Yes, they are. All my books are interconnected. They feature identical main heroes resolving various puzzling happenings.
In which order should we read them?
In any succession you wish. Should there be cross-relations to other books, such links are smoothly explained in the given episode.
You haven’t told us a word about your second new book.
Sorry.
Where to start…? This underplot is named “The Expedition to Cursed Forest”. It will become very personal for the front protagonist, Dr. Barton. At first, he thinks he is dealing with folk myths about some distant spooky woods. Supposedly, whoever gets in can never return alive or mentally sane. Then the usually calm and rational mysteriologist grows impatient and uncustomarily nervous. Why? Because no one of his assistants knew he was an orphan. Now he must openly confess. It gradually surfaces that the legends-covered woodland is the unfortunate place where Dr. Barton’s parents had unexplainably disappeared. The group of explorers swears to never enter the forest. They just wanted to observe the hills from a distance. Still, unforeseeable circumstances drag them into the thickets – including two innocent children and a four-pawed pet…
Grrrr… Now I’m getting scared.
They too. Unforeseen things start to happen there. Even the adults are not far from wetting themselves. A few lives will be changed forever. And the investigators’ understanding of some of their previously solved cases will be permanently altered. The newly unearthed historical connections and scientific explanations will be a sharp blow to their previous worldviews. Because they will unveil a tiny part of a much bigger mysteriosity dwelling over the city and the broader region where they live.
This second book about Cursed Forest will give you proper shivers. No overworries, though – there is also some laughing stuff, bravery, friendship, picturesque scenes, and countless romanticized contexts. Topped with an ultimate liberating relief from a happy ending. Umm… …except for some question marks remaining as a cliffhanger for further continuing after-stories…
Wow. How long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Years for every single storytelling.
What kind of research?
Facts verification, mainly.
Do you try more to be original or rather give readers what they want?
Both. These two goals are often mutually exclusive, but not always. I am trying to collect and/or develop very original, preferentially never-heard-about / never-written-before stories. The next step is to reshape them into a form enjoyable to readers.
What do you hope your readers take away from your books?
Hope for all those who were born ill or disabled. Light for everybody living in war zones, suffering under criminal governments, resisting dictatorship regimes, and the like. A vision of a better future for everyone. A deeper understanding of former generations – our ancestors living and working in poor conditions, who made our path easier. Tribute to our scientists and physicians sweating on the front line of new discoveries and fighting fatal or mutilating diseases. The need for progress, peace, and forgiveness – but not giving it lightly to brutal exploiters. A feeling of love and admiration for our planet and nature. And some hearty laughter on top of all that.
Surprised by this list?
Well, my readers already know that the “Mystery Thrillers with Humor and Romantism” are not only about solving enigmatic cases. Yes, you will get suspended by thrilling mysteries, historical secrets, brave adventures, hidden treasures, and shocking surprises. However, more importantly, deep and touching human fates and family sagas are also unfolding in between. Superficial readers can easily glide on the entertaining surface of my stories (funny situations, spooky incidents, humorous twists, mysterious legends, detective investigations, etc.), which is fine and wholeheartedly recommended to everyone. Nevertheless, thoughtful readers will also discover several additional dimensions – which is hoped for (and which is my profound intention).
Where can people interested in your book buy their copies?
A web browser is always one simple click away: Any search engine will give you a rich overview of current options.
You can also start from my official website. There you will find an activated order form and links to actual external repositories and retailers, supplemented with free giveaways.
At any time, there is always at least one free book for a noncommittal download and immediate reading. Sometimes two or more books are offered as free trials, along with discount coupons, quizzes with a chance to win, or other seasonal promotions. There is not a single day without the possibility to download free reading for your enjoyment at https://www.okram.fr/
Are you working on anything at present that you could share with us?
Sure. There is an exciting series continuation in the creative pipeline – so you have plenty to look forward to! Although I never unveil unfinished books, one new project is shareable immediately: The book heroes’ cooking recipes.
Cooking recipes? Seriously?! Don’t you write mystery thrillers??
My very realistic book heroes are often hosted by a caring Grandma Estela. She loves to cook delicacies. Some of her recipes are already hooked online. The displayed culinary images and web instructions are immediately downloadable in a handy PDF format for offline usage or printing. All basic booklets are free of charge, of course. Have fun replicating the book heroes’ romantic feasts at http://www.en.okram.fr/recipes.
Whooh, that was quite a ride! From monastery gardens through a jinxed forest to finally ending up in a cozy kitchen…
This was just a brief interview. Just wait where the full-text book stories will take you…!
I am running out of my patience. When?
Wrong question. The correct one is: “Why not now?”. Because the first sample chapter, followed by the whole Part 1 book, is already live online and waiting for you as free previews. The rest of this year’s workload is being finalized as we speak. All should be posted by the end of summer (or the end of the year at the latest). Check this early bird promotion room – and start reading instantly https://www.en.okram.fr/promo/g1kwselect1waDxZrP6KyT
Thanks for sharing with us.
Any time.
See you soon on 5 Misty Road, Apartment 43 – the gateway to unforgettable escapades. Oil in Grandma Estela’s pans is sizzling; Doctor Barton is lighting his philosophical pipe. Maybe someone is ringing the doorbell right now to ask for help with an unfathomable apparition or dumbfounding sighting in the neighborhood… Don’t miss any newly germinating drama: https://www.en.okram.fr/books
Great!
Well, have a splendid day.
Julion Okram Media Links
The Book Corner Chronicles 