Author Spotlight: Craig E. Higgins

Hello, readers! I’m excited to announce my new Author Spotlight series. I thought I’d introduce some variety into my newsletter by profiling Las Vegas-area writers, their books, and their creative journeys. Please join me for the inaugural Author Spotlight featuring Craig E. Higgins.

Craig, who grew up in New Orleans, is the author of Artichoke Stars and Chicken Fried Shark—one of the coolest titles I’ve ever heard! Here’s a bit about the book:

A nerdy outcast who hears voices, fifteen-year-old Mickey Finley discovers a shiny purple artichoke sticking out of the sand along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Digging it free only opens him up to the insane events that follow. For an ageless menace is prowling the waters of the Gulf, ready to claim the Earth as its own. And Mickey, a kid with a party in his head, has no choice but to confront the creature who holds him captive in the cross hairs of its double fins.

You can buy the paperback and eBook versions of Artichoke Stars and Chicken Fried Shark on Amazon. Check out this fantastic cover:

Welcome to Reaching for the Moon, Craig! I’d like to get to know you and your book a little better. Can you tell us about your journey to publication?

My book Artichoke Stars began as a snippet or idea of a story I wrote in December 2020. The original piece was about a boy who goes to the beach on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and finds this artichoke-like organism that, when he brings it home, turns into a girl. It was a dumb idea for a story, but it got me thinking as to what I could do with it.

From there, I cranked out a first (very) rough draft in about four months. Much critique assistance was provided by both Henderson Writers Group and Sin City Writers Group. After that, I shopped the book to a few agents, getting a full read from one who eventually took a pass. This led to a second draft, which went through further scrutiny, including an edit by Diana Fedorak (thank you, Diana).

After, I was able to score a deal with Mystic Publishers Inc., which led to further edits and a brilliant book cover by the talented Stephanie Anduro. With Mystic’s support, the finished volume reached the marketplace. 

Congratulations on your publication! Would you tell us about your writing routine, if you have one?

I’m a middle school teacher by day, so my actual routine as such varies. I try to follow what I call the “Stephen King rule” of two thousand words a day, which by itself isn’t all that big a deal. Sometimes I make the cut, sometimes I don’t. One thing I adopted early on while working on Artichoke is the use of what I call “Brainstorming” files which, as the name implies, are mostly stream-of-consciousness riffing on whatever project it is I’m working on. By having a space where I can entertain all kinds of crazy ideas, I can pinpoint what I think will work, then set about putting those into the actual draft in progress. 

I love the idea of a “Brainstorming” file. It sounds like the perfect place to collect odds and ends of ideas, which may end up becoming gems in my next manuscript.

Finally, what piece of advice would you like to share with new authors?

Write it. Get it out in front of other people for critique. And keep working, because if there’s one thing I’ve found as a late-blooming author, the journey ultimately is what matters—that, and the connection you can form for readers with the characters and worlds you create. 

That is incredibly valuable advice. As a fellow member of Sin City Writers Group, I can attest to the importance of getting my work out to others for critique. And the importance of enjoying the journey of developing your craft.

Thank you so much for joining us today, Craig! And thank you to my lovely readers for your support. Have a happy and safe Labor Day!

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My first novel Aveline is available for pre-order on Amazon!