Bookpleasures.com once again welcomes as our guest Michael J. Merry, author of The Education of Santiago O'Grady and Other Short Stories, The Golden Altar and The Reluctant Colonel and his latest collection of short stories, “Guten Tag, Mr Chruchill” and Other Tales.

Michael was educated at the Royal Liberty School, England. Transferred to Panama in 1959, he worked as a Telecommunications Instructor. When the Panama National Guard staged their coup in 1968, he drove the escape vehicle carrying the President, Dr. Arnulfo Arias and several Ministers, through the military blockade to safety in the Panama Canal Zone. In 1987 he became Division Vice President of a major U.S. news operation in Latin America. He was in Argentina when the Army revolted later that year and Venezuela during the attempted coup by Lt. Colonel (later President) Hugo Chávez in 1992.

Norm: Good day Michael and thanks again for participating in our interview.

What would you say is the best reason to recommend someone to read
“Guten Tag, Mr Chruchill” and Other Tales?

Michael: The wide variety of subjects for a start and the alternative outcomes of a few of them. 

Norm: What were your goals and intentions when you wrote “Guten Tag, Mr Chruchill” and Other Tales, and how well do you feel you achieved them?

Michael: "Guten tag" was something I had wanted to write about for some time. I was born in 1940 and have memories of the conflict even from a very young age.

Norm: How much research did you do before writing Guten Tag, Mr Chruchill” and Other Tales?

Michael: A great deal! You have to get things correct because people will pick up errors. The research takes longer than the writing.

Norm: Which one of the stores in the book is your favorite and why?

Michael: I like "Jack" but that's just a personal opinion.

Norm: What do you want your work to do? Amuse people? Provoke thinking?

Michael: I want people to open their minds. To see situations that that they would never normally encounter.

Norm: What do you think most characterizes your writing?


Michael: My research is very thorough. If I mention a street name for instance you an be sure it's where I say it is.  I also have the advantage of having travelled widely and that helps me write authentically.

Norm: Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?

Michael: Frederick Forsythe. He is so detail orientated. 

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and your work?

Michael: I have a page on Amazon. Everything can be found there.

Norm: What is next for Michael Merry?

Michael: I intend starting another book in the second half of 2016.

Norm: What would you like to say to writers who are reading this interview and wondering if they can keep creating, if they are good enough, if their voices and visions matter enough to share?

Michael: You can do it! Dreams are probably a good source of stories and everyday events can be built upon to make an interesting tale.

Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of "Gutten Tag, Churchill" and Other Tales