Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

 
AVAILABILITY FAQs
TOME OF BILL / BILL OF THE DEAD FAQs
BIGFOOT HUNTERS FAQs
CARA VANCE FAQs
SHINGLES FAQs
MISC FAQs
 


 
AVAILABILITY FAQs

Q: Where should a new reader start with your books?
A: An excellent question! I have multiple series across different genres. However, I most often recommend the following series starters:

Bill The Vampire (The Tome of Bill 1) – a foul-mouthed horror/comedy about geeky vampire Bill Ryder – perfect for readers looking for chills, thrills, and tons of laughs.

Get Bent! (The Hybrid of High Moon 1) – an action-packed urban fantasy adventure. Not only is Tamara Bentley half-witch and half-werewolf, she’s stuck in the middle of a supernatural cold war. The only thing both sides can agree on – she’s an abomination who needs to be destroyed.

Bigfoot Hunters (Tales of the Crypto-Hunter 1) – a gory, blood-soaked adventure for fans of survival horror. Trapped in the woods, far from any help, mankind is about to become the endangered species!

All that said, I’m proud of each and every book I write. Personally, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. Of course, I might be a bit biased.

Q: Where are your books sold?
A: The lazy answer is lots of places. My books are produced as eBooks, audiobooks, and print across multiple online platforms – including my own. I try to keep this website as up to date as possible with regards to links to the major resellers. To that end, please check each individual book’s page on this website for a list of purchase links.

Q: Can I I Buy Direct?
A: Indeed you can. shop.rickgualtieri.com is my online web shop, where I can sell to you direct. There’s no middleman, no need to buy credits, be a part of any programs, or help finance some billionaire’s next yacht. Buying direct is the absolute best way to support me and those who help bring my books to life. Not all books in my catalog are currently available via this channel, but my goal is to offer as many as possible.

Q: What if I’m looking for a specific format in a specific store and can’t find it?
A: Worse case, reach out to me and ask. I’m happy to help you find what you need.

Q: I found your books for sale at XYZ.com. Is this legit?
A: If it’s one of the stores I’ve linked to from this website then it’s almost certainly legit. Even if not, it might still be okay depending on the format and distributor. That said, if a website looks dodgy, it probably is dodgy. There is no doubt that book piracy is a thing and some even seek to profit from their ill-gotten book gains. When in doubt, you can always contact me and ask.

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TOME OF BILL UNIVERSE FAQs

Q: What is the Tome of Bill Universe?
A: The Tome of Bill Universe encompasses all books and/or book series that take place in the same world as Bill The Vampire (The Tome of Bill – 1). This currently includes: The Tome of Bill series, Bill of the Dead, False Icons, Bill of the Dead Adventures, and the upcoming Howling Mad Monsters.

Q: I’m confused as to the Tome of Bill series vs Bill of the Dead. Are these new Bill stories?
A: Yes. Bill of the Dead is a sequel / continuation series set 5 years after the end of The Last Coven (The Tome of Bill 8). See the infographic below.

Tome of Bill to Bill of the Dead

Q: In what order should The Tome of Bill, and Bill of the Dead books be read?
A: In whatever order you want really. I try to make each story stand on its own. That being said, characters do evolve (or die), so for the purists out there please check out the Tome of Bill Universe Reading Order page:

Q: How many books are there in the Tome of Bill series?
A: There are 8 numbered books (told from Bill’s point of view) as well as additional “series companion” books like Sunset Strip (told from Sally’s point of view). I, of course, reserve the right to be inspired by another of the characters in the series thus making this whole question pretty much moot. As for Bill of the Dead and False Icons, they are still ongoing.

Q: Do I need to read Night Stalker, Sunset Strip, or Shining Fury to follow the books that come after them?
A: It definitely wouldn’t hurt, but the side stories are exactly that – side stories meant to expand upon this world. That said, they are canon, did happen, and might be referenced in subsequent books.

Q: Who is your personal favorite character?
A: I’d call it neck and neck between Sally and Gan. Sally is awesome to write because looking through her eyes, it feels like there are no mountains that can’t be scaled, no enemy that can’t be told off, no blood that can’t be spilled … err anyway. Gan, well she’s just so much fun to write it almost feels like a crime.

Q: I think that Bill’s a misogynist/homophobe/racist/puppy stomper/flag burner/potato hater etc. What do you say to that?
A: For some, this series is going to be offensive no matter which way you look at it. I make no apologies that this is foul-mouthed, jackass-level humor. That out of the way, I don’t consider Bill to be any of those things. He’s a bit of an immature jerk, sure, but above all else he’s a regular, imperfect guy just trying to make his way through life (and death). You, the reader, just so happen to have full access to what goes on inside his head – including all of his unfiltered thoughts, both good and bad. If you’re seeking the perfect hero, infallible in his quest for justice, perhaps look elsewhere. If you’re looking for good, clean family fun with no naughty words or snarky banter … well, how did you even end up on this website to begin with???

Q: I notice that Bill said “XYZ”. No true geek would ever say that.
A: First of all, geeks come in all flavors. I didn’t realize there was a handbook. Secondly, I will admit that occasionally I’ll add extra context so as to not completely alienate readers who aren’t up on, say, the latest issue of Deadpool.

Q: Who does Bill wind up with romantically in the end?
A: Um … finish the story and find out. Oh wait, there’s a sequel series, too. Guess you’ll have to keep reading. 🙂

Q: You do realize that maple trees don’t grow in the arctic circle, right?
A: They don’t?! Next thing you know, you’ll be telling me that they’re not guarded by a race of giant slobbering monsters either.

Q: Oh, and while I’m at it, it’s a magazine not a clip, stupid.
A: Relax. I know that and you know that, but Bill doesn’t, at least early in the series. This is a guy whose only experience with guns is from the movies and the story is told from his POV.

Q: I was on Bill’s Facebook Page and there are all sorts of references that have never been in the books, characters who should be dead, etc. What gives?
A: Bill’s Facebook Page is its own self-contained entity which may or may not follow the events in the books. It is run by “Bill Ryder” and contains day to day accounts of his ongoing life, as told from his personal point of view. According to Bill his “author monkey” often gets the details wrong in the books and as a result he spends most of his time pissed off about it. His page is meant purely for entertainment purposes. When in doubt, the books are to be considered official canon.

Q: When does Bill Of The Dead take place compared to The Tome of Bill?
A: Strange Days, book 1 of Bill of the Dead, picks up roughly 5 years after The Last Coven (Tome of Bill 8).

Q: What is the False Icons series and when does it take place?
A: False Icons is a spinoff book series I’m currently publishing with RE Carr that takes place within The Tome of Bill Universe. Second String Savior (book 1) happens roughly concurrently with the events of The Mourning Woods (ToB 3). However, subsequent books will not necessarily be in lockstep with the rest of the Tome of Bill series. Stay tuned…

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TALES OF THE CRYPTO-HUNTER FAQs

Q: So … does the Crypto-Hunter have anything to do with cryptocurrency?
A: *sigh* Oddly enough, no. However, I had the misfortune of naming the series before cryptocurrency was part of our everyday vernacular. Curse me for being ahead of the curve but thinking cryptids instead of bitcoin. And yes, before you ask, I am too damned stubborn to just rename it.

Q: Any other plans for the Crypto-Hunter and his crew?
A: The trilogy is officially complete. That said, who knows when and where they might pop up again?

Q: In Bigfoot Hunters / Devil Hunters / Kraken Hunters, why did you kill so-and-so?
A: No spoilers on this page. I will say, if you’ve read the book then I am more than happy to discuss it with you and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to Contact Me at any time.

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CARA VANCE FAQs

Q: Wait a second, isn’t paranormal romance just a nice way of saying freaky smut?
A: You say potato… The reality is, if you call something erotica then some people automatically hide the kids and pull out the pitchforks. You keep all the sex, but call it romance instead and suddenly it’s A-okay. I don’t pretend to understand it. Whatever the case, paranormal romance runs the gamut from clean to eye-meltingly hot. Cara makes it a point to put heat warnings on her stuff so as to not offend anyone’s bookish sensibilities.

Q: So are you and she the same person?
A: Well, we’ve never been photographed together in the same room. So I can’t say for certain either way.

Q: Why steamy paranormal smut?
A: There’s that S word again. Why not? Seriously, it started off as a writing exercise to create stories in a genre that I was initially not comfortable with. However, the core of any writer should be to write the best story they can and I’m no different. Therefore “Cara” strives to make each story the best it can be.

Q: I seem to recall some dude named Cole…
A: Poor Cole Vance sadly passed away as a result of a horrific wheat combine accident in early 2015. His loving sister Cara decided to continue his legacy of freaky smut. Damn it! Now you’ve got me doing it, too.

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SHINGLES FAQs

Q: Hold on! Shingles looks kinda like Goos…?
A: I’ll stop you right there. Shingles is a horror/comedy series written by the authors behind Authors & Dragons. Unlike other … err … skin conditions, it is primarily an adult affliction, meant to be “enjoyed” by those over 18. Sorry, kiddies, go get your own diseases. This one is ours.

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MISC FAQs

Q: How come some books have Rick Gualtieri on the cover but others have R. Gualtieri?
A: Call it a branding exercise. Being that I write cross-genre, as well as the fact that some of my books are intended to be humorous while others are not, I’m trying to use that to differentiate them a bit. Books, such as the Tome of Bill series, in which comedy is a major focus will continue to have Rick Gualtieri listed on the cover. R. Gualtieri, on the other hand, is reserved for stories where the focus is more on action, horror, or fantasy. The goal is to give you an upfront visual cue as to the potential tone of a story (in addition to the cover imagery and blurb). Note: this is a cover only thing. You’ll still be able to find everything on my website, author page, and by searching my full name.

Q: What are the Tome of Bill Universe and the Bent-verse respectively?
A: These are the two main universes the majority of my stories take place in.

The Tome of Bill Universe is currently comprised of: The Tome of Bill series, Bill of the Dead, Bill of the Dead Adventures, and False Icons.
The Bent-verse currently contains: The Hybrid of High Moon series, Tales of the Crypto-Hunter, and Midnite’s Daughter.

Q: Who does your covers?
A: I work with multiple talented cover artists. That said, I make it a point to give credit where credit is due at the start of each and every book, including links to their website(s). So, if you’re curious and/or want to hire any of them, you can either ask me or take a look at the preview feature your favorite book seller offers. Either way, I’m happy to send them the business.

Q: What the ever-living frig is Team Twat-Waffle?
A: Team Twat-Waffle is the name of my book group over on Facebook. For those wondering, it’s a reference to an occurrence from The Last Coven (the Tome of Bill 8), and I shall say no more to avoid spoilers. Come check us out if you’re interested. There’s a lot of fun to be had, not just me droning on about my shit while crickets play in the background. Oh, and we even have t-shirts too.

Q: What are your thoughts on fanfiction?
A: I’m all for it. There are few things more flattering than creating a world that other people want to build upon in their own way. Just please don’t try to sell it (at least not without changing it enough for the copyright gods to be appeased). Oh, and be forewarned. I’m usually pretty busy and almost always *way* behind on my reading, so I probably won’t have time to check out your Turd / Colin slash fiction, no matter how good it is.

Q: What’s more beneficial to you: Kindle Unlimited, paperback, audio, etc?
A: My preference is that you read (and enjoy) my books via whatever medium you prefer. Nobody forces me to be in programs such as Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading. It’s a choice on my part. So, as much as I appreciate the concern, don’t worry about it. Enjoy my books however you prefer. It’s all good to me.

Q: Will you be on my podcast / let me interview you / come to XYZ convention?
A: I can’t give a universal yes because my schedule tends to be in flux from one minute to the next, but I’m very open to these things. Reach out to me via my contact page and we’ll see how things work out. Typically, the only reasons I might outright say no are logistical in nature. Sadly, I can’t be in multiple places at once … yet.

Q: If we ever meet up, can I buy you a beer?
A: The short answer is maybe, but probably not. I’m not trying to be rude or elitist. The simple truth is I’m not much of a beer guy. I just don’t like the stuff. Also, a lot depends on whether I’m driving. That said, hard ciders, lemonades, seltzers are A-okay in my book. And, on the off chance I can’t indulge, I will almost certainly accept a soda or iced tea instead.

Q: What are your thoughts on AI writing or narration?
A: Until such time as the datasets that power the big AI engines aren’t full of stolen materials (including my books), I can’t in good conscience support the use of AI at all. That said, even if ethical AI becomes a thing, I don’t see myself using it for anything other than perhaps a limited support tool. I have zero interest in replacing people when it comes to art – whether it’s cover design, narration, or writing. All facets of every book on this website – from the words, to the imagery, to the narration, have been created through the efforts of actual people. You won’t find any robots here (other than Transformers).

Q: What’s up with Sasquatch showing up in so much of your stuff?
A: You got me. I’m a (not-so) closet cryptid nerd. I just find the whole concept fascinating … which means it tends to leak into my stories. I got 99 problems, but a Bigfoot ain’t one.

Q: One of your characters said or thought “XYZ”. Does that mean you believe it’s okay to (whatever they said)?
A: I’m first and foremost a fiction writer, emphasis on fiction. I write strictly to entertain, nothing more. I try to include a wide range of characters in my books and not all of them are wonderful people. Heck, some of them are downright terrible human beings. However, please know that none of them (not even the awesome ones) are me or are meant to represent what I believe. If you’re curious as to what I really think about an issue, please feel free to reach out to me. In almost all cases, though, the only agenda I’m trying to push in my books is making sure you’re entertained enough to keep turning the page.

Q: What can I expect from your books?

A: Grab a seat. This might take a few. There’s no doubt some readers want their book heroes to be paragons of virtue – the moral equivalent of Superman or Goku. And I don’t begrudge them that. Fiction is fantasy, and if your fantasy is to escape to a world where the heroes are never morally ambiguous then that’s perfectly fine.

Fair warning, though. My books are not those worlds. My goal is to make my characters realistic. And yes, I know there’s some irony saying this when they’re facing off against talking Sasquatches and otherworldly gods. But regardless I do, and to me realism = flaws aplenty.

It’s even more so since the majority of my books are told from first person POV. That’s where it gets potentially messy because the person we are to the world at large vs. the person we are within the safety of our own minds can at times be quite different. All those unsavory thoughts we don’t give voice to are on display when you step into the head of one of my characters.

There’s little doubt that can be off-putting to some because it’s a difficult thing to acknowledge. Many of us try to do the right thing in real life while also pretending to forget the sometimes-monstrous thoughts we might momentarily have when someone steals our parking spot, refuses to get out of the way in the grocery aisle, or bumps into us without excusing themselves. For a split second, all the niceness in the world is pushed to the side and we become beings of pure wrath … in our heads anyway (and hopefully nowhere else).

Personally, I find that disparity fascinating. As such, I try to always take it into account when I’m writing my characters. And that’s the kicker right there. Those uncensored thoughts might make characters like Bill Ryder and Tamara Bentley relatable, but it doesn’t always make them likable. Why? Because I have a feeling that sometimes when we look in the mirror, we don’t necessarily like the person staring back at us.

In short, I write to entertain, but that doesn’t mean it won’t occasionally be a bumpy ride.

Q: What kind content can I expect to find on your various social media accounts, so I can decide where best to follow you?
A: A fair question.
– My newsletter: Book news, updates on writing, and the occasional shoutout to other authors I enjoy.
– FB Author page: Mostly book news and fun stuff, with the occasional rare rant on various subjects.
– FB group: book news, fun stuff, sometimes deeper discussions (blatant politics not allowed).
– Twitter: whatever pops into my head, book stuff, pretty frequent ramblings and rants on world news and politics.
– TikTok: Book and author related videos – some informational, some goofy.
– Instagram: Pet photos, book photos, and any other photo I find interesting.
– Discord: A little bit of everything.
– Amazon & Bookbub: Book release info only.
– Personal FB page: whatever the hell I feel like talking about since it’s my personal page.

Q: Why is does?
A: Why not does is? And no, I’m not explaining further.

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