What’s the best way for readers to reach you?

Either by email, using the feedback form or at vanderworld at hotmail.com, or by snail mail at POB 4248, Tallahassee, FL 32315.

Who is your agent?

For North American rights…Sally Harding at the Cooke Agency. For UK and foreign language rights…Ron Eckel at Cooke International. You can query me at vanderworld at hotmail.com and I will route your interest in book rights to the appropriate party.

Do you enjoy getting email and snail mail from readers?

Absolutely. However, because of the Festival of the Freshwater Squid, in my Ambergris books. I get way too much dried squid in the mail. I have no need for dried squid. I also don’t need T-shirts you’ve written on using your own blood. But I do love to get mail, so if you liked the books, please do contact me.

Do you make your living writing fiction?

I make part of my living writing fiction and part of it doing book reviews, teaching writing workshops, and taking on individual manuscript critique assignments. I do not have a day job.

Can aspiring writers send you their manuscript?

Because I am now 100 percent freelance, I’m afraid that for now I’m only looking at manuscripts for people taking advantage of my critique service. However, if your books is coming out from a publisher and you’re looking for a blurb, you could do worse than have your editor query me.

The client list on your services page is pretty impressive. Are your rates really high?

It depends on the project and the context. You might be surprised. Or you might not. You can but ask.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

If you really love writing, never stop. Endurance, resolve, and a commitment to put in the hard work of practice, practice, practice can carry you very far. Also, a commitment to exercise will carry you through rough patches. Some people think I’m joking when I say this, but the Greeks were on to something in their belief that you had to have healthy body to have a healthy mind.