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Ghost Lady 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I finally put my creepy and disturbing mind to good use and began writing horror fiction. My fascination with all things scary began at a young age by watching many, many horror themed films. Unfortunately, my husband has often been a victim of my horror entertainment by my scary pranks. So now, instead of crawling on the ground with my hair over my face while my husband returns from his 2 AM bathroom break, I am putting those thoughts onto paper for your amusement.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Waterstreet Button Factory, and it was inspired by my own experience living in a creepy house along with my fascination with old industrial buildings.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write at night to help set the horror mood.

What are you working on now?
I have three other projects in the works. The main one is about a woman being haunted my her husband’s late wife. Then I have a crime/mystery thriller. Finally, I have ideas for a series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still trying to determine the best avenues.

What are you reading now?
I am actually reading Harry Potter right now.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue pushing out new books and to learn as much about the self-publishing business as i can!

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Ghost Lady Amazon Profile

Ghost Lady’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Michelle Thornhill 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written dozens of books. But I have only published the top 5, all picture books for children.

I have written and illustrated more books than I can count, but I published 5 picture books for children.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Whole Alphabet is Having a Contest!” is a sequel to my most popular book “The Whole Alphabet is Totally Embarrassed.”
It was inspired by my daily observation of children at play. I noticed that much of their play was centered on contests: which stuffy has the best tail, which Lego tower is the tallest, etc. I also noticed that young children naturally want to pair large and small items together and pretend they are mother and child. When I gave the children toy letters to sort through, they wanted to reunite big and small. But the fact that some uppercase and lowercase combinations don’t look the same was confusing to them. I had the idea to hold a look-alike contest for letter pairs with the toy letters, which evolved into a book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I compose, memorize and edit the whole story in my head before I write it down. Usually while pacing. Then I complete all the illustrations before I make any edits, because the images affect the story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite author/illustrators are Elise Gravel, Mike Lowery, Stephanie Blake, and Matty Long. My favorite humorists are BJ Novak, Aaron Blabey, David Walliams, and Mo Willems. Probably the book that most inspired me to illustrate was N’importe Quoi by Elise Gravel.

What are you working on now?
This interview! There’s a lot of boxes to fill in here. This will be longer than most of my books by the time I’m done.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had a lot of success from Fussy Librarian. But I get the most sales from being a guest speaker in schools.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research, and find out what the market is looking for before you write your book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make interesting content to build your email list.

What are you reading now?
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. It’s an ambitious story that braids past present and future together with a common thread of a Greek allegory.
But I’m a kids book author, so I should mention that also today I have read “Go Dog Go,” “Super Frozen Magic Forest,” and a handful of Piggie and Gerald books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to continue my Whole Alphabet series. I have drafts done up for books called “All the Vowels are Scared of Spiders,” and “Win a Date with the Letter H.” I also have a draft called “I’m a Baby and I Do What I Want!” and I’m playing around with a book for Canadian kids called “Why Do I Have to Do French Immersion?”

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I probably wouldn’t pre-plan for a stranding. But for argument’s sake, if I had to pack knowing I’d be stranded, I’d probably bring a book about building a seaworthy escape vessel. And maybe 4 large print editions of Anna Karenina, which are big enough to be papier-mâchéd into a boat.
Also, “Galapogos” by Kurt Vonnegut. To read on my paper boat on my way to getting rescued.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Thornhill Website
Michelle Thornhill Amazon Profile

Michelle Thornhill’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Paul Haedo 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written over twenty books in different subjects. As for who I am, it depends on the day.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Star Rising, and it was inspired by the previous two books of my Peacekeeper series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in bursts of inspiration. They are random, and I can find myself writing at the crack of dawn, the middle of the day, or late at night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest inspiration is Isaac Asimov.

What are you working on now?
My first clean romance book, I will be finished with it soon.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Not worrying about it and writing the next book. Marketing is a big trap if you let it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is the only career that you can’t ever be fired in. The only person who can stop you from writing is you, never forget that.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The world is built by those who want to see it differently.

What are you reading now?
There Will be War: Volume Two by J.E Pournelle

What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t know. But I’m looking forward to it!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
None. I’d scratch new ones in the rocks.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Haedo Amazon Profile

A.P Beswick 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Adam and I go by the pen name A.P Beswick. I am a mental health nurse and author with 2 soon to be 3 books published with a fourth due early 2022.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is A Forest Of Vanity And Valour, it is a dark fantasy retelling inspired by British folklore. This story was born through my frustration at how bad the latest Robin Hood movie was. I had a rant to my wife and said to her ‘I could write better than this’ to which she replied ‘Well why don’t you?’

Before I knew it I had so many ideas for a new fantasy retelling series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am obsessive, I need it to be quiet but I will write whenever I get the opportunity. My best writing is first thing in the morning before work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Harry Potter series, His Dark Materials, Ben Galley has been a huge influence.

What are you working on now?
Another fantasy retelling. This one is inspired by Father Christmas, except my version is a monster hunting badass with a broadsword! Ive finished the first draft of the sequel to A Forest Of Vanity And Valour and have another couple of books planned to follow on from this too.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Paid lists, offering free promotions and discounts through sites such as freebooksy, fussy librarian and book sends. I am still at the stage of growing my audience.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Its hard, follow the process and be consistent. Understand that it can take years of dedication to publish a book and even longer to develop a series.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘The best way to immortalise bad ideas is to write it down’ Stephen King. If it is a good idea it will stick in your mind, if you don’t remember it, was it that good in the first place.

What are you reading now?
Advanced amazon ads – It’s a thrilling read as you can imagine!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep getting my stories out, I am planning on running another kickstarter campaign for the next book in this series A Sea Of Sorrow And Scorn. This is inspired by Blackbeard and The Pendle Witches.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bear Grills, How to survive on a desert island, and a cook book!

Author Websites and Profiles
A.P Beswick Website
A.P Beswick Amazon Profile

A.P Beswick’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

W.D. Kilpack III 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach, aside from being an internationally published and awarded author. I am happily married to my high-school sweetheart and father to five children, as well as helping to raise five stepchildren. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in West Jordan, Utah, where I continue to live, coach and teach.

I’m a pretty good cook and have two claims that few can match: cooking nearly every type of food on a grill; and nearly being knocked flat when my grill exploded.

I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Westminster College of Salt Lake City. As an undergrad, I double-majored in communication and philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, I earned a master of professional communication with a writing emphasis. I was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling.

I received my first publication credit at the age of nine, when I wrote an award-winning poem. As an adult, I have received special recognition from L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest for my novella, Pale Face. Crown Prince, book one of the New Blood Saga, recently won the Firebird Book Award and was runner-up in OnlineBookClub.org’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book of the Year competition in 2020. This past April, the podcast Sinister Soup named me Author of the Month for my work on Crown Prince.

I was first hired as a professional writer for a sports publication when I was 15. Since then, I have been editor and/or publisher of nineteen news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000.

I have published three novels and a novella. The novels are part of an epic fantasy series called the New Blood Saga, currently consisting of Crown Prince, Order of Light, and Demon Seed (just released!). My novella, Pale Face, was also recently released!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Both Demon Seed and Pale Face were released last month.

My most recent novel is Demon Seed, book three of the New Blood Saga. It continues the story of Natharr, who is Guardian of Maarihk, one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr’s is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be, adhering to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa.

Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. Spending decades planning, even for saving the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne in the land where Mankind was created.

In Demon Seed, despite growing power of the forces of chaos, there is a glimmer of hope as Natharr realizes that there are also forces of order in play. It is made plain when he and his comrades escape the faceless realm and Natharr’s Sight is released. It reveals just how strongly the world needs the Guardian of Maarihk and the return of the legendary Knights of Ril to the land where Mankind was created. Racing for home unwittingly leads to unearthing an ancient force created by the Olde Gods, believed lost aeons past.

Meanwhile, Darshelle and the crown prince struggle to make the most of their lives without Natharr’s protection. Forced to make their own way, the fruit of Quiet One’s efforts (in Order of Light) comes fully to bear, as Nathan and his summoned companion reawaken the animus of the ancient wood. The ramifications are horrible and far-reaching, changing their world forever.

As far as what inspired the New Blood Saga, for months, I was having a recurring dream that would have me in tears when I woke. It persisted for months, and I finally realized that I needed to write it. Pretty quickly, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to achieve the same level of emotional impact in one book, so I thought I would write a trilogy. However, even then, in building to the point in the dream, creating the gravitas that would really give it some punch, I hadn’t even gotten to the dream in those three books, so I thought it would be six. As I continued writing, it became an eight-book saga.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not write out outlines, but I always have a plan for major milestones in the storyline. I like to wing it more on the steps between those milestones. I feel like, if it surprises me, it will certainly surprise a reader.

Also, my wife, Alison, loves her bedtime stories. I write every day that, that night, I read to her. She tells me when she thinks I’ve gone too far or if she thinks a character wouldn’t say or do something. It also allows me to get a wave of editing in while reading it out loud.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love science fiction and fantasy. My influences include Homer, J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Brooks, Stephen R. Donaldson, George R.R. Martin, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Piers Anthony, Robert Holdstock, Robert Adams, John Norman, Melanie Rawn, Shakespeare, Aristotle and Robert Frost. The most inspirational writers would be Homer, Tolken, Martin and Artistotle. People always balk on the last one and I have one response: Aristotle was writing around 350 BCE and people are still reading his work and it’s still absolutely applicable; that’s absolutely humbling.

What are you working on now?
I am polishing up Rilari: Book Four of New Blood and working on cover art for it. I am also starting some of the same type of work on the first of a sci-fi trilogy that I think will be coming later in 2022.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best thing is my website, www.Kilpack.net, which has turned into the communication hub of my hopes and dreams. It has information about the books and links to purchase them directly on Amazon, for NOOK or on Kobo. The site also has information about me (if anyone cares); links to interviews; photos sent to me by readers holding my books; videos of people who joined the Knights of Ril (which you can also do on the site), then videoed themselves reciting the vows of a Knight of Ril and sent them to me; links to my author pages on Amazon and Goodreads, and other information. It’s been pretty amazing, and certainly unanticipated, to have people sending me those kinds of responses.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I have is write, write, write. You see a movie and a line of dialogue has you going down another path, write it down. You hear a song and a lyric strikes you, write it down. The best advice for someone wanting to be a writer is just that: start.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” ― Abraham Lincoln

What are you reading now?
I am rereading Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy for the sixth or seventh time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to promote Demon Seed before publishing the next books in the series. I’m also writing another series where the culture of the main characters is based on Viking culture.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I love Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey; Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy (I have a single-volume collection); and Shakespeare’s MacBeth.

Author Websites and Profiles
W.D. Kilpack III Website
W.D. Kilpack III Amazon Profile

W.D. Kilpack III’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Joseph Di Lella 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A lifelong learner, a Ph.D. holder, and a book lover, I have recently published four books on Kindle over the past 6 months. I have also published over 125 short stories and poems over the past ten years.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my latest book is: Star Trek Storytelling: From The Original Series to Star Trek: Picard – Do You Have What it Takes to Write in the Roddenberry Universe? This book is based on a series of articles published over 15 years ago. The series was first published on www.trektoday.com as a way of reaching Trekkers and encouraging them to be active creators and writers in the Roddenberry world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really – I try my best to write at least for 45 minutes to three hours a day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ray Bradbury, Jules Verne, and Stephen King are among my favorite authors and have shown me how to create fantasy and fiction for readers of all ages.

What are you working on now?
I am currently halfway through a how-to-complete graduate school guidebook.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Using email lists, Facebook friend lists, and book sites like your to promote my books!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up your dream! Work hard, edit, re-write, and imagine.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“There’s always a way!” – a phrase used by my father for years.

What are you reading now?
Julia Cameron’s, The Right to Write.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To create a ‘brand,’ besides writing, to expand my career reach beyond the world of Indie writing – perhaps as a writing teacher – a craft I have developed as a university teacher over the years.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Around the World in 80 Days (Verne), The Right to Write (Cameron), and any Bradbury book!

 

Marcella Hernandez 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have worked in the disability field for over 25 years, having a disability myself. I am using my skills and talents in writing, art and design, and digital/media outreach to further the cause of independence (independent living) for persons with disabilities. I have written three books this past year, telling of my life experiences with a disability and how my faith brought me through the difficulties; my love for animals and the unusual experiences that tied this love to my faith; and a Devotional of scriptures from the Bible; plus thoughts/experiences which may help others with their own challenges.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Mommy, Do Animals Go To Heaven?” It was inspired by my love for animals and this question that has plagued me my whole life. What happens to our pets who die? Are they lost forever? The book is based upon the true-life story of my cat, Gracie, who as a kitten was near death. The story of her encounter with Jesus is amazing. The book also offers truth from the Holy Scriptures of the Bible that animals are a part of Heaven. It offers hope and comfort to grieving animal lovers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My only unusual writing habits would be that I rely upon inspiration and help from the Lord in writing my books.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy Christian book authors, such as Jonathan Cahn, Hal Lindsay, Greg Laurie, Merlin Carothers and others. I have read James Patterson’s “Zoo,” and as a child enjoyed “The Secret Garden.”

What are you working on now?
I am not currently writing a book, but busy with my job, promoting my already written books, Alpha Prayer Ministry International and it’s website, and occasional art commissions. I only write when I feel the Lord leading me to.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now, I am only utilizing Amazon and my own website (Alpha Prayer International).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Don’t become discouraged. There are a lot of books out there, competing for people’s interest. Keep going and believing in yourself. Don’t give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be patient.

What are you reading now?
“Rivers Wanted” by Rivers Teski

What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t really have any plans. As I mentioned, I rely upon the leading of the Lord.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Of course, the Holy Bible would be number one! I would like my 3 books that I have written. The pictures, stories, and scriptures would offer me much comfort and joy.

Author Websites and Profiles
Marcella Hernandez Website
Marcella Hernandez Amazon Profile

Marcella Hernandez’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Laura M. Drake 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve published ten books and am currently working on my eleventh. I love writing and hearing from people who enjoy my work. I’ve always loved reading and I wanted to share that feeling of excitement with others, and being able to do it with my own creations is the best feeling.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Till Life Do Us Part – I got the idea from a dream where a girl was stuck in this realm between life and death trying to recover enough of her memories so she could get back home again. You’ll be able to see when I publish in mid 2022 how much of that made it into the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One unusual writing habit is that I do it too much (like all the time.) I’m currently trying to be stricter about imposing a schedule on myself so I have a life outside of work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love authors like Shannon Hale, Tamora Pierce, Gail Carson Levine, Brandon Sanderson, and Karen Lynch.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the book I mentioned above: Till Life Do Us Part.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring out the best way to promote my books. I’m trying to grow my FB group and interact on there, but I also like to add free scenes from my series to entice readers to sign up for my mailing list.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t ever stop reading and writing. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. Also, don’t be afraid to share your work. It’s worth the risk and embarrassment when you see how much it can improve.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid to fail.

What are you reading now?
The Power of Now (not my usual genre but I thought I’d give it a try)

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I finish this standalone novel I’m working on, I’m hoping to go back to my magic series and write a fourth book and possibly revisit the world of Japanese Hauntings and do a fifth book of that for Halloween. Those are my 2022 goals anyway.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Warrior by Karen Lynch
The Book of Mormon
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (as a reminder for what an idea can turn into)

Author Websites and Profiles
Laura M. Drake Website
Laura M. Drake Amazon Profile

Laura M. Drake’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account