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Above The Fold - April 26, 2010
TOM GAUTHIER
Modern-Day Master
Of Action And Adventure
Tom Gauthier has written nearly every form of communication, published on various subjects in newspapers and national and international journals, and has authored, produced, and directed four plays. His first novel, Code Name: ORION’S EYE, was released in 2008 and has become something of a cult favorite with World War II veterans and their families – especially those who fought in the South Pacific.Tom’s second novel, A VOYAGE BEYOND REASON, has received a “Notable Award for Literary Fiction” in the 17th Annual International Writer’s Digest Book Award competition (2009). Tom was introduced on national television during the finale of the CBS TV series, Survivor-Tocantins by the subject of his book, Benjamin Wade – a star (“coach”) of the TV show.
Tom was born in 1940 in California, and grew up after the war in Santa Barbara. As he writes, “Growing up in the 40’s and 50’s in Santa Barbara was a real life episode of Happy Days.” He is the oldest of five children of Donovan and Velma Gauthier. After high school, Tom served first in the US Army as a combat intelligence analyst, and later in the Air Force Reserve as a Load Master on a C-119, “Flying Boxcar”. Tom married young, and by his middle twenties had three children. In 1966 he finished his military career and began a civilian career that took him to every corner of the U.S. and Canada, and 20 countries. In the middle seventies he divorced, remarried, and added a fourth child to the mix. Tom also decided to catch up on the education he’d never started. In the ensuing years he completed a Bachelor of Science in Management, an M.B.A., and a Master of Science and Doctorate in Psychology. He is a member of Delta Epsilon Tau, an international honors society.
In retirement, he is busier than ever. Besides making novel writing a primary focus, Tom serves on the local Airport Commission, the local hospital Foundation Board of Directors, and the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He also continues to consult with companies and government on organizational and communications issues. Tom is a private pilot, a member of the Elks Lodge, and the American Legion.
Tom and his wife of over thirty-five years, Marlene, have built their dream home on a small ranch in the eastern High Sierras of Northern California and enjoy the visits of thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
www.tomgauthier.com
BOOK VIDEO TRAILER:
Code Name: Orion's Eye
(Tom Gauthier)
Code Name: Orion's Eye
(Tom Gauthier)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Tom Gauthier (Code Name: Orion's Eye)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Tom. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
What was the inspiration for this quite compelling historical thriller?
Tom Gauthier: The core event was the Nov 11, 1943, sinking of the troopship SS Cape San Juan by the Japanese Imperial Nay Submarine I-28. I had talked with soldiers who survived the event and was informed about the secret radar they were taking to war. Correllating that with my knowledge of the situation the Nazis faced in Europe with a desperate need for such radar technology, the story emerged. What if the Nazi hierarchy decided to steal Orion's Eye?
AR: Did you perform considerable research prior to putting the tale together?
TG: I did, primarily through the research material gathered by the historian of the 1st Fighter Control Squadron. Also, records from Europe regarding German radar technology and the political situation between Goering and Himmler in 1943. The story's detail in Mexico and South America, and the details of German submarines operating in the Pacific came from research.
AR: Precisely how much of the story is fact, and how much is fiction?
TG: That info is actually provided in extensive detail in the back of the book.
AR: Was it difficult for you to maintain the suspense of the tale until the very end?
TG: I was aided by the true accounts of the rescue of the soldiers - high suspense in its own right. Placing protagonist Amos Mead on the rescue aircraft, and having him find antagonist Otto Hauptmann fit nicely. (I needed both for future books!) Also, the locating of BJ's husband in hospital (all described as it was) brought closure quickly enough.
AR: Why do you think stories about World War II never seem to go out of style?
TG: I believe part of the answer is that there are so many stories; different locations, different people, different circumstances. Also, it is by nature heroic - not techie. It's man to man with a sharp blade - right up until we said "enough" and dropped the bomb.
AR: What kinds of responses have you gotten to the book thus far?
TG: The most amazing thing has happened. I've been contacted by the families of men who were on the ship, and by the actual veterans themselves. I've been able to share my research with them, and they've provided me with photos, letters, and more stories of the heroism of that day. One day I plan to go back and rewrite the book with all of the richer detail! (The beauty of self-publishing!) WWII veterans and their families have been the most vocal fans.
AR: Please share more with us about your publisher, Outskirts Press.
TG: I have published three novels with OP so far. Their technical expertise and attention to detail, professional formatting, etc., have produced high quality books for me. In addition, the marketing support is professional and helpful. I've not tried others - because I've been so impressed with OP. Let me add that with self-pub it is the author's attention to detail up front - editing and good writing - that makes for a professional outcome.
AR: Code Name: Orion's Eye is the debut in what promises to be a stellar literary series. What can we look forward to in future installments?
TG: The next book with Amos Mead is out. MEAD'S TREK (Outskirts Press, December 2009) takes the protagonist back to southeast Asia - a little known theatre of WWII - and immerses him in the intrigues of politics, war, crime and the reality of the era. It has heavy, graphic war action, and a glimpse into the genesis in 1944 of the Vietnam War to come in the future. The common review reaction so far has been, "Wow, I didn't know this all happened!" The third in the series is being written. DIE LISTE: Revenge on the Black Sun takes Amos Mead into murder and government intrigue after the war.
AR: Please share more with us about your other writings, including the award-winning A Voyage Beyond Reason.
TG: In addition to what's been mentioned, I'm working on the very poignant story of a family's tragedy in the San Diego fires of 2002 and the heroic rebuilding of their lives. In a few terrifying moments the family lost their home, their youngest daughter - and another daughter lost her hands - all within 500 feet of the fire station. There are arsonists to blame, but the core of the story is the mother, unwilling to let the event dictate the rest of their lives. Amazing resilience, strength, and belief in herself. This is the toughest chore I've taken on, feeling the need so deeply to do the story justice.
In addition to being an author, you're also a private pilot and government consultant. Please share more with our readers about your endeavors in those fields.
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
TG: www.tomgauthier.com
AR: Also, how can they contact you directly?
TG: tomgauthier@gotsky.com
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
TG: Authors...learn your marketing skills. Whether published by a major NY house or your computer printer at home - it is 10% writing and 90% marketing if you want to leave your mark!
AR: Thanks again, Tom, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Tom. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book and other efforts with our readers.
What was the inspiration for this quite compelling historical thriller?
Tom Gauthier: The core event was the Nov 11, 1943, sinking of the troopship SS Cape San Juan by the Japanese Imperial Nay Submarine I-28. I had talked with soldiers who survived the event and was informed about the secret radar they were taking to war. Correllating that with my knowledge of the situation the Nazis faced in Europe with a desperate need for such radar technology, the story emerged. What if the Nazi hierarchy decided to steal Orion's Eye?
AR: Did you perform considerable research prior to putting the tale together?
TG: I did, primarily through the research material gathered by the historian of the 1st Fighter Control Squadron. Also, records from Europe regarding German radar technology and the political situation between Goering and Himmler in 1943. The story's detail in Mexico and South America, and the details of German submarines operating in the Pacific came from research.
AR: Precisely how much of the story is fact, and how much is fiction?
TG: That info is actually provided in extensive detail in the back of the book.
AR: Was it difficult for you to maintain the suspense of the tale until the very end?
TG: I was aided by the true accounts of the rescue of the soldiers - high suspense in its own right. Placing protagonist Amos Mead on the rescue aircraft, and having him find antagonist Otto Hauptmann fit nicely. (I needed both for future books!) Also, the locating of BJ's husband in hospital (all described as it was) brought closure quickly enough.
AR: Why do you think stories about World War II never seem to go out of style?
TG: I believe part of the answer is that there are so many stories; different locations, different people, different circumstances. Also, it is by nature heroic - not techie. It's man to man with a sharp blade - right up until we said "enough" and dropped the bomb.
AR: What kinds of responses have you gotten to the book thus far?
TG: The most amazing thing has happened. I've been contacted by the families of men who were on the ship, and by the actual veterans themselves. I've been able to share my research with them, and they've provided me with photos, letters, and more stories of the heroism of that day. One day I plan to go back and rewrite the book with all of the richer detail! (The beauty of self-publishing!) WWII veterans and their families have been the most vocal fans.
AR: Please share more with us about your publisher, Outskirts Press.
TG: I have published three novels with OP so far. Their technical expertise and attention to detail, professional formatting, etc., have produced high quality books for me. In addition, the marketing support is professional and helpful. I've not tried others - because I've been so impressed with OP. Let me add that with self-pub it is the author's attention to detail up front - editing and good writing - that makes for a professional outcome.
AR: Code Name: Orion's Eye is the debut in what promises to be a stellar literary series. What can we look forward to in future installments?
TG: The next book with Amos Mead is out. MEAD'S TREK (Outskirts Press, December 2009) takes the protagonist back to southeast Asia - a little known theatre of WWII - and immerses him in the intrigues of politics, war, crime and the reality of the era. It has heavy, graphic war action, and a glimpse into the genesis in 1944 of the Vietnam War to come in the future. The common review reaction so far has been, "Wow, I didn't know this all happened!" The third in the series is being written. DIE LISTE: Revenge on the Black Sun takes Amos Mead into murder and government intrigue after the war.
AR: Please share more with us about your other writings, including the award-winning A Voyage Beyond Reason.
TG: In addition to what's been mentioned, I'm working on the very poignant story of a family's tragedy in the San Diego fires of 2002 and the heroic rebuilding of their lives. In a few terrifying moments the family lost their home, their youngest daughter - and another daughter lost her hands - all within 500 feet of the fire station. There are arsonists to blame, but the core of the story is the mother, unwilling to let the event dictate the rest of their lives. Amazing resilience, strength, and belief in herself. This is the toughest chore I've taken on, feeling the need so deeply to do the story justice.
In addition to being an author, you're also a private pilot and government consultant. Please share more with our readers about your endeavors in those fields.
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
TG: www.tomgauthier.com
AR: Also, how can they contact you directly?
TG: tomgauthier@gotsky.com
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
TG: Authors...learn your marketing skills. Whether published by a major NY house or your computer printer at home - it is 10% writing and 90% marketing if you want to leave your mark!
AR: Thanks again, Tom, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!