Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.
Website & Social Media:
Website ➜ www.michaelokon.com
Twitter ➜ https://www.x.com/IAmMichaelOkon
Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/IAmMichaelOkon
🏰As a book bloggin’ and book luvin’ Princess, I’m always curious to find out how authors get ideas for their books. How did you come up with the idea for your book, Dragged Down Deep?
I was watching Creature from the Black Lagoon, and wondered why hasn’t there been a retelling of this incredible story. I started beating out the story for Dragged Down Deep as the credits to Black Lagoon started rolling.
🏰What was the hardest part writing your book?
Not making it too long. I like to consider my novels like movies. 200 pages, beat for beat, beginning middle and end. This was hard because I had so much story to tell. The characters didn’t want to leave me alone.
🏰How long have you been writing or when did you start?
I’ve been writing, albeit poorly, since I’m 15. I started writing screenplays in college. Fast forward, and I wrote a little self help book called Just Ask the Universe, and it took off. I figured if I can write a self help book, I can certainly write a novel. 20 novels later, and this book business became something more than part time for me.
🏰Do you hear from readers?
What do they say? My readers are amazing. They’re so loyal. I accept any criticism for my art in any way. I am very accessible on my website and through my management team. I’ve even been stopped at Disneyland to sign an autograph. Most of my readers want more of my stories. Seems like almost 20 novels just isn’t enough for them! I also get this question with every single person who I’ve ever spoken too about my books – when are they gonna get made into movies? My answer is always the same – very soon.
🏰What has been your best accomplishment as a writer?
Finishing my first book Just Ask the Universe. Literally typing THE END. After I wrote my first book, nothing was going to stop me from writing 20 more. But I had to get the first one done.
🏰How do you use social media as an author?
Social media is a great tool to connect with your fans. Instagram and X have been the two best platforms for me personally. My mom runs my Facebook page and she gets all the fan mail through there. I don’t like advertising my books. I like advertising myself more and once people find out I’m an author, they almost always buy my books.
🏰Do you have anything you'd like to say to your readers?
You are all amazing! I cannot thank you enough for the support over the years. It’s been quite a journey. Many more books (and some movies) on the horizon.
About Dragged Down Deep
As a child, he watched helplessly as his father was snatched from a fishing boat by what he swore was a mermaid. No one believed him then. No one believes him now.
Determined to prove that mythical creatures exist, Logan is drawn back to the small coastal town where his nightmares began after another mysterious disappearance stirs the waters.
Teaming up with his pragmatic colleague Elliot Sheppard and his fiercely loyal friend Penny Swanson, Logan dives headfirst into an adventure packed with danger and deception. As they dig deeper, the trio faces resistance at every turn—a secretive agency with its own agenda, a suspiciously unhelpful police force, and Logan’s old flame, who may know more than she’s letting on.
What they uncover is far darker and more terrifying than Logan ever imagined: the truth about his father, the secrets of Minatuck, and the horrifying reality of the Mermaid of the Hamptons.
Will Logan and his friends expose the lies that have haunted him for years, or will they be Dragged Down Deep into the swampy, secretive underbelly of a town that guards its mysteries with deadly intent?
Dragged Down Deep is available at Amazon.
