Dieter Luske’s latest novel, *The Breakfast Murder*, begins with a murder and quickly immerses readers in an unsettling storyline. This thriller combines an expanding conspiracy with dark humor, marking a new direction for Luske, who has previously written self-help books and speculative fiction. His decision to self-publish allows him creative control over his work. "I like to do everything," he explains. "Self-publishing gives me the freedom to choose who I work with, so I can keep creative control and decide how my books reach readers."
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Luske lives with his wife, Giselle, in Canungra, located in the Gold Coast hinterland. Their home showcases a mix of creative endeavors, including artwork from Giselle, and they run Gallery Giselle from their residence. When they arrived in Australia from Germany in 1974, they intended to travel but quickly found themselves drawn to the country. After a brief return to Germany, they married in 1977 and came back to Australia, eager to establish their own home.
They purchased a rundown property, which lacked basic amenities, saying, "We bought it on the spot."
Luske's writing career started with *Do You Believe in You?* in 1993, a self-help book derived from years of consulting and seminars. He has expertise in medical hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, and various forms of alternative medicine. Unfamiliar with the publishing industry initially, he researched extensively and spoke to writing groups, realizing the challenges of obtaining a traditional publishing deal. He turned to self-publishing, using platforms like Amazon and IngramSpark for distribution and sales.
"There’s a lot more to self-publishing than the creative side," Luske remarks, emphasizing the necessity of effective marketing in a competitive environment.
Luske’s venture into fiction has granted him new creative freedoms. In *Certified Human* and *The Breakfast Murder*, he examines themes of technological deception and a figure known as The Zookeeper, addressing issues of control and the future. These works can be read separately but share a protagonist and a broader fictional context.
He describes his writing process as spontaneous, stating, "I'm a pantser. I discover the story as I go... I like to see where the story takes me. I love the writing. There is no stress behind it."
This relaxed approach influences his publishing philosophy; Luske does not regard writing as a high-pressure endeavor. Instead, he views success as a matter of continual learning and exploration.
Luske offers valuable insights for aspiring self-publishers, noting that independence requires patience, research, and resilience against unsolicited marketing offers.
His journey illustrates a commitment to following curiosity and creating in his distinctive manner. *The Breakfast Murder* is available for $29.95 at dieterluske.com.