Interview - What about books - Christian Heinke?

Leander Wattig was kind enough to interview me for his blog initiative "Ich mach was mit Büchern".

An interview by Leander Wattig with Christian Heinke

Wattig: Who are you and what do you do with books?

Heinke: My name is Christian Heinke. What do I do with books? Reading, of course! This takes up half of the time I spend with books. The other half I spend making books myself by writing them down (in the shortest possible sentences). I am an author of crime fiction.

Wattig: How are digital media and the internet changing your work?

Heinke: Production - I have to expand a little here: In 2005, on a whim, I put my first thriller »The Skin« online as an audio book podcast. Tens of thousands of downloads and a year later, I signed my first book contract with a Swiss publisher. Suddenly, people wanted to hear my opinion about new media. Newspapers started interviewing me and dubbing me ›Author 2.0‹. All because of a podcast that I (still) record in my kitchen. They released ›Die Haut‹ as a book in 2008. The publishing of the second book, entitled “The Heart,” is scheduled for this year.

Innovation - I just became the owner of an iPad. This fine piece of technology enables me not only to read books but also to write my books. In addition, the iBooks application on the iPad has given me the idea of offering my current project (an internet thriller entitled ›escape‹) as a free ePub from August 2010. And when I figure out how (HTML5 isn’t magic, but it’s close), I’d like to include the audiobook podcast of the book in this ePub.

Interaction - I received emails from a geologist who heard me in the desert and a friendly lady in Africa who shortened long journeys through the savannah with my podcast. Without the Internet, this form of communication between author and reader/listener would not be possible. The request for an interview with the newspaper magazine ‘Süddeutsche-Magazin’ reached me via Facebook. Deutsche Welle found me through a high ranking in the iTunes podcast charts. Thank you Internet. And thanks to everyone who uses this medium every day.

Wattig: What is a typical problem in your work for which you are looking for a solution?

Heinke: Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or money to work on an iPhone/iPad app. Maybe one day I’ll find a sponsor and a coding monkey via the social networks to help me. I have also noticed that many authors still have problems with and prejudices about the iPad. Therefore, I pass on my experiences and solutions and will publish a series of tips on my blog.

Wattig: Where can we find you on the Internet?

Heinke: Just google “Christian Heinke”.