Long's books deal with a variety of subjects. Title subjects include everything from chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons to health manuals to gun books.

     Long even has a manual in print that explains the ins and outs of becoming a freelance writer. He also wrote the nine-book action/adventure Night Stalkers series(published by HarperCollins) as well as the SF novel, Anti-Grav Unlimited (with Avon Books). Long's Spider Worlds SF triology was marketed by Harper Paperbacks.

     "Sometimes I talk to other technical writers who tell me they could never write fiction," Long says. "Others say they could never do technical work. Personally, I find that being able to write in both forms (and maybe even create the illustrations for them) makes it possible to create a 'story' atmosphere in the nonfiction and a more realistic, hard edge to the fiction."

      "It takes a lot of organization and 'plotting' to keep on schedule," Long says. "But I enjoy the challenge. It's like preparing a major battle or mounting an expedition -- without the blood. But everything has to be planned carefully if you're to meet the deadlines and see success."

When Long isn’t writing, he’s usually drawing or watching movies. He has illustrated many of his non-fiction books and also regularly creates pictures for other authors short stories and book covers as well as artwork appearing at a number of sites on the Internet. "There are even a few rock CDs with Duncan Long-drawn covers, " the author admits, somewhat sheepishly.

Asked when he started writing, the author gives a funny look and then says, "As long as I can remember. I got a pencil and started drawing stick figures shooting at each other. When my mom told me how to spell two key words, ‘ouch’ and ‘pop,’ I was set to add the dialogue and sound effects for the shoot out. Hopefully my technique has improved a bit since then - - though I have critics who might maintain otherwise," he adds without cracking a smile.

About his book, Make $$$ As a Non-Fiction Writer (available from Loompanics Unlimited), Long says, "I think if you followed my suggestions in the book and have a bit of talent and inclination, you could make a good living at writing. It isn't easy (which is why I can give away my secrets without too much fear that I will be pushed out by competitors). But the non-fiction market is exploding right now, and with most people failing to learn how to write clearly in school (yea, even think clearly in too many cases), I can only see the trend continuing to grow.

"My case is probably a good example. I majored in music (meaning I was destined to teach forever or starve) and started up writing a small manual to make some extra money on the side while I taught school. I gradually started writing for other publishers and quickly abandoned the mail order business so I could write full time. Discovering, often the hard way, how to make money, research quickly, and get jobs instead of standing around waiting for work. Finally I ended up where I am today, making a very good living at writing.

"It isn't easy to do this in the writing business. A lot of people flounder because they don’t get good advice about how to do things — which is where my book comes in. People reading it can ‘cut to the chase’ and avoid making the mistakes I and most others make when they start out writing.

"One of the many neat things about writing is that you can do it from almost anywhere in the world and at about any time in your life. It tends to be something people get good at later in life, unlike many professions where it seems the youngsters have better potential than the oldsters and once you hit 30 you’re a has-been. Writing is something that, once you get the knack, you can continue until they carry you out feet first or you no longer know who you are during the Springtime of your senility."