Enter below for your chance to win an e-copy of SW Ellenwood’s The Janitor and the Spy!
What is the title of your book?
The first one is called The Janitor and the Spy, and the soon to be released sequel is called The Dragon and the Lumberjack.
What was the inspiration behind your book?
About four years ago I had an idea for a spy story with a particular twist at the end. It stayed as an idea for some time till I decided to try self-publishing and landed back on that idea as I wouldn’t have to do any heavy world building and it would be a shorter, easier project instead of jumping into a sci-fi epic. Imagine Dragons were also inspiring in setting the sort of mood of the books.
Which character was your favorite to write, and why?
That would be Thornhill for the first book as there is a lot my awkwardness that I placed in him from my own experiences and also developing him in the second as you slowly see him naturally change before you.
What are 3 things you can’t live without?
Jesus, Espresso—either straight or in a latte, and finally the last would be a tie between a laptop or Moleskin journal with a Pilot G-2 pen
What are 3 things you’d have to have when marooned on an island?
A fully functional bathroom, pizza, and a self-driving boat.
Who is your all-time favorite character from a book?
Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings, I could spend an hour talking about all the awesomeness and hidden truths concealed in him, but I will restrain myself.
What is currently on your nightstand?
Bible, Moleskine planner, lamp, clock, a picture of my family, and a wooden statue of Darth Vadar and Luke Skywalker clashing lightsabers with the text “You cannot escape your destiny” on it. Best dirty Santa gift ever!
What book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Mastering Amazon Ads by Brian D. Meeks and The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien.
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
Working through Friends for the first time but needing to rewatch Stranger Things in preparation for season two. I am also going through Rick and Morty with my roommates on Hulu.
Favorite Starbucks drink?
Salted Carmel Latte but if I have a choice, I will try and go to local coffee shops first. My soul is still sad that we are losing one, RIP Coffee Cup.
What does a typical day of writing look like for you?
I will pack up all my stuff and drive to a coffee shop listening to music that gets me into the feel of the projects I am writing. Once there I get my latte or cappuccino and read my Bible for a few minutes before doing the business side of self-publishing for about thirty or forty minutes for the day. Once that is done, I will then throw on my writing playlist on Spotify and take out my large Moleskin and just go at it. I usually try to get at least a page in on a weekday but Saturdays I will try and double that. I will take small breaks and read or outline another project when I start slowing. At the end of the session, I will record an estimated word count of what I wrote and then get food because I’m mostly starving by that time.
Favorite quote?
Another tie between:
“Not all those who wander are lost.”
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a marrier world.”
Samwise Gamgee’s speech to Frodo in the boat in Fellowship of the Ring.
“Never laugh at live dragons.”
All from J. R. R. Tolkien, surprise!
Current 4 favorite things:
Moleskin Journals
Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
The movie Baby Driver
Never Game Over song by Awake! Awake!
S. W. Ellenwood is thankful to have a close-knit family of two parents, a brother, and two sisters. A college graduate from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, Ellenwood loves all forms and genres of stories and was inspired to write The Janitor and the Spy, the first of many novels yet to come.
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More about The Janitor and the Spy:
Baby wipes are not the best at cleaning up blood.
Or what happened to Thornhill in Amsterdam.
They told Thornhill it would be a simple spy mission that he was more than eager to take on, but of course, it wasn’t.
Thornhill quickly found himself relying heavily on his smart, sarcastic handler, Mallory, and Jones, a former marine sniper with few words, to keep him and his mysterious older contact, Golay, from ending up in the bottom of the canal.
Fans of John Le Carre and Vince Flynn will have a thrilling blast with this page-turner!
Purchase a copy:
Paperback | Kindle
I read his first book and loved it!