An Interview With Drug War And Prison Author Glenn Langohr
What’s the worst nightmare you’ve ever had? —-I am blessed with the ability to fly in my dreams. The act rarely happens, but when it does, it is so awesome and vivid, like I really can fly. When I am able to fly in my dreams, it happens night after night, but eventually, I stop being able to. When that happens I have bad dreams of impending doom where I’m being chased and have to remember how to fly. 
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? —-I trust God and love Jesus. Before I started writing I ran away from a broken home at 13 years old. I got into some reckless behavior and experimented with drugs. That turned into selling them and 10 years later that turned into organized crime charges. I spent 10 years in prison with 4 years in solitary confinement. From a cell, I started writing drug war and prison books. I was released from prison in 2008 and started a publishing company, http://www.lockdownpublishing.com , and published my first novel, Roll Call, A True Crime Prison Story of Corruption and Redemption. Since then I published Upon Release From Prison, Race Riot, Lock Up Diaries, Gladiator, Underdog and Prison Riot. I married my dream girl, Sanette, who plays Annette in one of my novels. Most recently, I learned how to narrate my own books and started http://www.audiobookprisonstories.com I believe what Jesus said in the Bible, that when you are helping the least fortunate, you are doing God’s work.
What do you do when you are not writing? —–Part of my publishing company’s mission is to help other prisoners turn their lives around through writing and art. I write a lot of prisoners and have received some amazing stories and art work. I also had the opportunity to speak to 100 students at the University of California Irvine in a Criminal Justice class about prison life and how solitary confinement is cruel and unusual punishment as it intersects with the 8th Amendment. 
Do you have a day job as well? —-I work part time in a restaurant.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book? —-I started writing from a prison cell in solitary confinement in 2002. It took me 7 years to perfect my drug war novel Roll Call. 
How did you choose the genre you write in? —–The genre chose me. The drug war and prison life are gritty, true life entertainment. Plus the spiritual aspects of good versus evil in characters on both sides of the law make for a great plot line. 
Where do you get your ideas? —-Almost all of my ideas are based on life experiences. In some cases, I paint with the true colors of life on a fictional landscape.
Do you ever experience writer’s block, if so, how do you deal with it? ——I do experience writers block at times. Usually during sections of the book that are in a transition from one scene to another. When that happens, I stress out and pace back and forth. It really helps! I start seeing the scene come to life in my imagination and run back to the computer.
Do you work with an outline, or just write? —--I just write. But I always keep in mind that a story has a beginning, middle and end.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? —–First and foremost, the Bible. The stories have the perfect balance of God over evil and how He uses imperfect characters. A lot of other authors have shaped my writing style. My books are similar to James Patterson’s in that I have fast moving scenes and short chapters. 
How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?—— Marketing is an art I would rather have someone else do for me! I found that getting big name reviews are a great selling tool. I went after Nielson Media’s review service, Kirkus Discoveries for my first novel Roll Call and got, “A harrowing, down-and-dirty depiction–sometimes reminiscent of Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic–of America’s war on drugs, by former dealer and California artist Langohr. Locked up for a decade on drugs charges and immersed in both philosophical tomes and modern pulp thrillers, Langohr penned Roll Call. A vivid, clamorous account of the war on drugs. –Kirkus Discoveries, Nielsen Business Media, 770 Broadway, N.Y Yk For my book Underdog I went after John South from American Media to get- “In his latest novel, “Underdog,” Glenn Langohr takes B.J. back into the dreaded Supermax at Pelican Bay, California’s toughest prison. At first he’s just fighting to survive, hopelessly outnumbered by Mexican and black gang members, but then he goes back to try and help his friend, still inside, ferociously battling to change the penal system.
And ex-con Langohr can describe the hell of life inside better than any other writer. His vivid passages on just surviving in prison describe a nightmare we’d rather not know about.
He compares the plight of abandoned dogs, locked and horribly mistreated in rows of cages in animal shelters, to California prison inmates, locked and abused in the same cages.
Not a book for the faint of heart. We who sleep peacefully in our beds at night, unaware of the savagery going on behind prison walls, can only thankfully say: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” 
For Race Riot I went after TV Producer and author Phillip Doran to get, ”A raw, breathless descent through the inner circle of the California Penal Hell. Fraught with detail that only someone who’s been there could know.” I use all the social media sites and produce a lot videos and pictures. I document things like radio interviews or speaking at the University, to build credibility. I use prison art to represent the culture and flavor.
Can you tell us about your upcoming book?——– During my prison sentence, I really battled with giving my life completely to God, and surviving in prison through brute force and my own will power. I’m waiting for God to show me how to write it.
What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?—– I have gotten a few bad reviews from ex prison guards but I’ve also gotten some good reviews from law enforcement as well. I love getting great reviews from lawyers and Professors.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? Do it because you love it. Don’t do it for money, it’s a lot of work!
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans? I would like to thank all my fans and readers for the reviews and feedback! A special shout out to my U.K. readers for making Race Riot number 1 in three categories for 3 months!
Glenn Langohr’s books are available in print, kindle and audio book and are on sale and Free for prime members. Amazon author page in the U.S. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00571NY5A Author page in the U.K. http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B00571NY5A Link to all of Glenn Langohr’s audio books- http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=glenn+langohr%27s+audio+books
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/glennlangohrcalifornia Facebook pics- Facebook pics Fan page https://www.facebook.com/lockdownpublishingdotcom?ref=hl
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