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Glenna Dawn 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Glenna I live in Arizona with my two adorable dogs. I’ve written a series of seven children’s books. They are all cute short stories great for bedtime or anytime. Each one rhymes each one has its own original story and it’s a fun read for all !

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Grizzly”. The Grizzly bear-oh what a stare!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My unusual writing habits are rhyming. I think my verbiage is really fresh and fun to read and I think that’s what makes me uniquely me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr. Seuss.

What are you working on now?
Publishing my five other books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think word of mouth and Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just stay original to who you are and try to follow your vision.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not to sweat the small stuff.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Since I illustrate all of my own books I would like to learn more about 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?
The holy Bible
Joel Osteen

 

Glenna Dawn 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Glenna I live in Arizona with my two adorable dogs. I’ve written a series of seven children’s books. They are all cute short stories great for bedtime or anytime. Each one rhymes each one has its own original story and it’s a fun read for all !

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Grizzly”. The Grizzly bear-oh what a stare!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My unusual writing habits are rhyming. I think my verbiage is really fresh and fun to read and I think that’s what makes me uniquely me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr. Seuss.

What are you working on now?
Publishing my five other books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think word of mouth and Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just stay original to who you are and try to follow your vision.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not to sweat the small stuff.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Since I illustrate all of my own books I would like to learn more about 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?
The holy Bible
Joel Osteen

 

Jen Willett 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jen Willett. This is my first book, I’m very fortunate, I have always wanted to write children’s book, even as a child. I recently was going through some of my Grandma’s old records and stuck between some of her albums there some papers tucked in between and to my surprise, shock even. These papers had story ideas and drawings of Meatball the mouse. I guess Meatball has always been apart of me. I don’t even remember doing them. It was pretty amazing to see them

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is a children’s book called Meatball’s Snow Day. When my kids were small, I always read to them and then there were times that they would ask me to make up a story, on the fly for them. And I would make up these silly stories about this mouse named Meatball. My daughter one day told that I should write my stories about Meatball and publish them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I still prefer using a note book and pen to do my writing, I love the feeling of a pen in my hand. My note book, has notes and arrows in all the the margins, it doesn’t look like much, but it’s everything to me, lol, once I have all my thoughts and notes done, that’s when I go to my laptop and type it all out.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a kid I loved the Berenstain Bear Books by Jan and Stan Berenstain as well as The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, all his book are great, it’ was the books, that made me giggle, feel good that I loved and that’s what I want my books to be.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on another Meatball story, this one is about an imaginary trip to space. And actually I am working on another children’s book about a boy named Zach

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I am still new to this writing books and promoting my books, I am still learning about what’s all involved in the process. I’m always online researching what is the next step, who do I talk to, how do I promote my book. It’s all a learning curve for me, lol, it’s extremely exciting and a little bit scary

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The only advise I can give is to always believe in yourself. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed. Enjoy every second of it, you worked hard for it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My Grandma, was Irish, so there where times I heard some old Irish sayings, some of them even stuck with me like “Life is like a cup of tea, it’s all in how you make it!”

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, it’s a great and interesting read

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am just going to keep on writing, writing stories about Meatball and anything else that inspires me.

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?
There are so many books that I love, to take only 3 or 4, lol, that’s hard. I think Eat, Pray, Love would be one, The Lost Symbol, Wizard of Oz,

 

Lotte Jean Elliott 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Lotte Jean Elliott and I have written two fiction novels aimed at the YA audience and a poetry book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book is titled THE MONSTERS CLUB and it’s a deep look into youth psychopathy and feeling the need to conform to society.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend not to outline. I always feel constrained when doing so and have yet to be able to outline successfully!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The author that got me into both reading and writing was a paranormal writer called L. J. Smith. Her books truly inspired my as a child to pick up a pen and write up my own universes!

What are you working on now?
I’m working on another YA thriller based on a Shakespeare play called the Taming of the Shrew.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To always keep writing. As generic as that statement is it truly is the most important thing to grow as a writer!

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to continue to grow, try out new genres and always expand my abilities by trying different things, scenes and characters.

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?
Night World by L. J. Smith

Author Websites and Profiles
Lotte Jean Elliott Website

Lotte Jean Elliott’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Eva Sandor 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Eva Sandor— longtime illustrator… attacker of DIY projects… lover of sensory experiences including, but not limited to: wolfing down delicious food, smelling aromas, basking in music and ever so gently crrrrushing the pets of the world in my loving grip… I enjoy communing with horses, running far on shady trails, visiting new nooks of the globe… oh, and I wrote two novels. You probably want to hear about the novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest one is Power’s Play and it’s the sequel to Fool’s Proof. It was inspired by people asking: “So? When’s the next one?”, and me realizing that I did indeed have plenty more in me.
I like to call the world my characters inhabit “mildly magical”. Yes, it’s a fantasy, but not because I wanted it to be full of prithee-thou and Ancient Prophecieees. I just wanted the opportunity to really mix and mash, and to indulge in the kind of luscious, intricate, heavily detailed language I myself so enjoy reading. So I built an alternative version of our own early Renaissance, filled with halfway recognizable pastiches of real-world locations, glimmers of advanced technology powered by an unknown natural force, animal life that’s almost, but not quite, similar to our own and a cast of characters ranging from lovable to repellent.
My main character, Malfred Murd, is somewhere in the middle of that range and continues to paddle clumsily toward the “hero” end of the pool. In Power’s Play he’s achieved a kind of semi-comfortable repose, but of course you know it can’t end there— Fred just has to get tangled up in some new foolishness. This time, it’s going undercover to help take down a criminal empire. Uh-oh. What could possibly go wrong?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, unusual for me is that, since 2020, I’ve had a complete reset of my inner clock. I became aware of what I like to call “Night 2.0″— the wee morning hours, the time Sky Masterson sang about in Guys And Dolls.
Now that’s my time of day, too. If I wake up and it’s after 4 am… then it’s time to brew up that Cafe Bustelo, flap open the MacBook and get cranking. Plus, if the weather is appropriate I’m probably out on my back deck. The sun comes up, the chapters get written, the rest of the day spreads out ahead, including time to draw. This is my new habit and I feel like it’s a well-kept secret. Shhhh! All the cool people are switching to Night 2.0.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Everything has, to some extent. I take writing I like as an example, and what I dislike as a warning. But to be specific, in the case of my two novels, my major influence was Patrick O’Brian.
I’m one of those fans who’s “circumnavigated”— read all 20 of his Aubrey-Maturin novels, and more than once. There’s a terrific Facebook group out there for us, and after sharing a few humorous spoof chapters I wrote in imitation of POB’s unmistakable voice, I just… felt like going further. I wanted to offer something brand-new and all-me to those readers who enjoy the POB style of intertwining turns of phrase, studded here and there with gleaming Baroque words, piled neatly into dense stacks that unfold and unfold when you tug on ’em. But I wanted it to be comedy, because dammit, I just like humor.

What are you working on now?
Why, the third book, of course!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found that Facebook ads are my best bang for the buck: they let me zero right in on the readers who are pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down. And the Facebook groups I’ve joined as part of the research for my books are full of wonderful fans who have become online friends. They spread the word.
BookFunnel is another great resource, letting me share sample chapters to get people hooked on that sweet, sweet Evamagination. Samples have gained me readers halfway around the world… literally! I recently made some woodblock prints of a monster from the books, and offered them to readers just for fun. I ended up sending quite a few from Chicago to New Zealand.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I do indeed. Writing is just like art: you’ve got to make a certain number of things (drawings, poems, stories) before you start getting good at it, and during that time there is no requirement whatever that other people see those things. In fact, don’t even keep them— or at least, not all of them. It’s the making process, and not the finished products, that turns you into a writer or artist. Do like art students everywhere: use cheap paper, stuff ’em all into the Dumpster after class, and make 100 more tomorrow.
I’m constantly turning up stuff I forgot I did. In my basement I have literal shopping bags full of brochures I wrote and laid out, and those are just the ones I thought might be worth keeping for my “portfolio”. Doing the thing teaches the skill, and then at some point you’ll feel completely at ease letting the world see your creative output because… it’s you, as you as your face, and you’re just walking down the street of creativity with everyone else who makes stuff. You have every bit as much right to be there as the others do.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Well, that’s a big question but I’ll try and keep it pithy!
I once read a wonderful quotation that was attributed to Audrey Hepburn— although as with many internet quotations, it’s anyone’s guess whether she really said it. Doesn’t matter. It went: “We are not loved because we are beautiful. We are beautiful because we are loved.”
So many people are out there flailing and struggling to make strangers see them as amazing, thinking that’s what will bring them love. They have it absolutely backwards. If we make ourselves worthy of being loved, even if it’s just to one friend or one reader, then we’ll be beautiful to them— though the delightful irony is, of course, that we won’t care about that anymore. The beauty will be beside the point. The love is the point.

What are you reading now?
Classic spy lit. For example, I just finished re-reading The Eye of the Needle. Why this genre? Oh, no reason… (whistling, looking off into the distance)

What’s next for you as a writer?
Audiobooks! I just finished recording the audio version of Fool’s Proof and I hope to have it for sale in November, in time for Christmas gifting. And then of course, I’ll want to record Power’s Play as well. Ach Mensch, I could do a whole interview just on the incredible experience I had taking on the role of narrator— it was a crash course in voice acting and so much more.

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?
Blank ones (and something to write with, of course)! The world outside the island is full of completed books— bringing them along to read would entertain me, but it would add nothing new to the world. Whereas if I were writing, my time on the island wouldn’t be wasted… and to be honest, I’d find it more fun. I get way more satisfaction out of creating than consuming.

Author Websites and Profiles
Eva Sandor Website
Eva Sandor Amazon Profile

Eva Sandor’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Iris Pross 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Eva Sandor— longtime illustrator… attacker of DIY projects… lover of sensory experiences including, but not limited to: wolfing down delicious food, smelling aromas, basking in music and ever so gently crrrrushing the pets of the world in my loving grip… I enjoy communing with horses, running far on shady trails, visiting new nooks of the globe… oh, and I wrote two novels. You probably want to hear about the novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest one is Power’s Play and it’s the sequel to Fool’s Proof. It was inspired by people asking: “So? When’s the next one?”, and me realizing that I did indeed have plenty more in me.
I like to call the world my characters inhabit “mildly magical”. Yes, it’s a fantasy, but not because I wanted it to be full of prithee-thou and Ancient Prophecieees. I just wanted the opportunity to really mix and mash, and to indulge in the kind of luscious, intricate, heavily detailed language I myself so enjoy reading. So I built an alternative version of our own early Renaissance, filled with halfway recognizable pastiches of real-world locations, glimmers of advanced technology powered by an unknown natural force, animal life that’s almost, but not quite, similar to our own and a cast of characters ranging from lovable to repellent.
My main character, Malfred Murd, is somewhere in the middle of that range and continues to paddle clumsily toward the “hero” end of the pool. In Power’s Play he’s achieved a kind of semi-comfortable repose, but of course you know it can’t end there— Fred just has to get tangled up in some new foolishness. This time, it’s going undercover to help take down a criminal empire. Uh-oh. What could possibly go wrong?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, unusual for me is that, since 2020, I’ve had a complete reset of my inner clock. I became aware of what I like to call “Night 2.0″— the wee morning hours, the time Sky Masterson sang about in Guys And Dolls.
Now that’s my time of day, too. If I wake up and it’s after 4 am… then it’s time to brew up that Cafe Bustelo, flap open the MacBook and get cranking. Plus, if the weather is appropriate I’m probably out on my back deck. The sun comes up, the chapters get written, the rest of the day spreads out ahead, including time to draw. This is my new habit and I feel like it’s a well-kept secret. Shhhh! All the cool people are switching to Night 2.0.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Everything has, to some extent. I take writing I like as an example, and what I dislike as a warning. But to be specific, in the case of my two novels, my major influence was Patrick O’Brian.
I’m one of those fans who’s “circumnavigated”— read all 20 of his Aubrey-Maturin novels, and more than once. There’s a terrific Facebook group out there for us, and after sharing a few humorous spoof chapters I wrote in imitation of POB’s unmistakable voice, I just… felt like going further. I wanted to offer something brand-new and all-me to those readers who enjoy the POB style of intertwining turns of phrase, studded here and there with gleaming Baroque words, piled neatly into dense stacks that unfold and unfold when you tug on ’em. But I wanted it to be comedy, because dammit, I just like humor.

What are you working on now?
Why, the third book, of course!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found that Facebook ads are my best bang for the buck: they let me zero right in on the readers who are pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down. And the Facebook groups I’ve joined as part of the research for my books are full of wonderful fans who have become online friends. They spread the word.
BookFunnel is another great resource, letting me share sample chapters to get people hooked on that sweet, sweet Evamagination. Samples have gained me readers halfway around the world… literally! I recently made some woodblock prints of a monster from the books, and offered them to readers just for fun. I ended up sending quite a few from Chicago to New Zealand.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I do indeed. Writing is just like art: you’ve got to make a certain number of things (drawings, poems, stories) before you start getting good at it, and during that time there is no requirement whatever that other people see those things. In fact, don’t even keep them— or at least, not all of them. It’s the making process, and not the finished products, that turns you into a writer or artist. Do like art students everywhere: use cheap paper, stuff ’em all into the Dumpster after class, and make 100 more tomorrow.
I’m constantly turning up stuff I forgot I did. In my basement I have literal shopping bags full of brochures I wrote and laid out, and those are just the ones I thought might be worth keeping for my “portfolio”. Doing the thing teaches the skill, and then at some point you’ll feel completely at ease letting the world see your creative output because… it’s you, as you as your face, and you’re just walking down the street of creativity with everyone else who makes stuff. You have every bit as much right to be there as the others do.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Well, that’s a big question but I’ll try and keep it pithy!
I once read a wonderful quotation that was attributed to Audrey Hepburn— although as with many internet quotations, it’s anyone’s guess whether she really said it. Doesn’t matter. It went: “We are not loved because we are beautiful. We are beautiful because we are loved.”
So many people are out there flailing and struggling to make strangers see them as amazing, thinking that’s what will bring them love. They have it absolutely backwards. If we make ourselves worthy of being loved, even if it’s just to one friend or one reader, then we’ll be beautiful to them— though the delightful irony is, of course, that we won’t care about that anymore. The beauty will be beside the point. The love is the point.

What are you reading now?
Classic spy lit. For example, I just finished re-reading The Eye of the Needle. Why this genre? Oh, no reason… (whistling, looking off into the distance)

What’s next for you as a writer?
Audiobooks! I just finished recording the audio version of Fool’s Proof and I hope to have it for sale in November, in time for Christmas gifting. And then of course, I’ll want to record Power’s Play as well. Ach Mensch, I could do a whole interview just on the incredible experience I had taking on the role of narrator— it was a crash course in voice acting and so much more.

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?
Blank ones (and something to write with, of course)! The world outside the island is full of completed books— bringing them along to read would entertain me, but it would add nothing new to the world. Whereas if I were writing, my time on the island wouldn’t be wasted… and to be honest, I’d find it more fun. I get way more satisfaction out of creating than consuming.

Author Websites and Profiles
Iris Pross Website
Iris Pross Amazon Profile

Iris Pross’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Naomi Brickel 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I recently self-published my first book. It is a creative nonfiction narrative about the loss of my son and associated lessons and insights. And yet, it’s not about death at all, but rather life: transcending these anxious times we live in and the simplicity of happiness. I’m a much happier person today than when I first started writing.

I’m a mom first. I have six kids (including my son in Heaven), and I live in New Rochelle, NY. Professionally, my expertise is in youth and family engagement especially and I’ve presented to thousands in workshops and at state and national conferences. I’ve worked with young adults to promote their self-determination and empowerment, helped families in the practical and emotional aspects of navigating disability service systems across the lifespan, and worked with professionals to build capacity for more inclusive communities.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Title: “Not to Spoil the Ending… but everything is going to be ok
Subtitle: Insights from teenager in Heaven about happiness here
I think that when I first started writing, I was motivated mostly by a desperate mom’s need to preserve any piece of my son’s life I could cling to. When I started, I was just trying to get as much as I could into one place – memories kids had shared with me of his life, experiences after that emanated his presence, dreams, etc. I did not start with them, but what percolated out as I wrote were very powerful messages about peace and joy, and making this world more hopeful and heavenly. Most amazing was how simple and yet life changing it all was. I’m moved by how much of an impact it’s had on those who’ve read it. I’ve gotten letters and emails, and have literally been stopped on the street on numerous occasions by people I knew barely, or not at all, just to tell me how much reading it changed their life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing too odd, though while I was writing over the summer of 2020 I got regular massages to tease out the knots and aches that came with writing. There was a lot of emotion that accompanied the words from my head and heart onto the page. I have a busy life between my work and family, so I literally write snippets between meetings, kids appointments, and the space after the end of my work day and the beginning of dinner prep.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In my heart and soul I’ve been most influenced by Brene Brown, Eckhart Tolle, and Fr. Richard Rohr. I think my book, even if it’s not fiction, is similar to “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young.

What are you working on now?
Raising kids and keeping my head afloat. I also have a blog called “Finding Adamsworld: connecting to what’s real under the noise.” And I’m working on my second book, and of course still trying to get this one out there!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still trying to find it. Kindlepreneur has been a huge resource.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Nope. I’m too new to offer advice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be still and know that I am here.

What are you reading now?
“A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully the “big time.”

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?
The Bible – no need to explain
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – to keep me grounded
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky – to keep me occupied, it’s long and powerful
Not to Spoil the Ending… by me – to keep a piece of my family close

Author Websites and Profiles
Naomi Brickel Website

Naomi Brickel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Gwyneth Lesley 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I knew I wanted to be a writer from the time I was eight, when I wrote a poem called ‘Seasons’ and a story about a giant named Maisie on the motorway. That was followed by an award-winning story about a doughnut-eating horse when I was twelve, numerous speech competitions and acting gigs … and almost failing my final year of English in high school.

I then went and got my journalism diplomas, and worked in all manner of publishing, writing and editing jobs from the age of seventeen, while writing novels on the side.

The first novels I produced (a young adult, science fiction collection) had a good premise, but were poorly executed in terms of editing and marketing. I was an impatient upstart and self-published author who didn’t yet know the nuances of the industry!

After about five books (one of which was an Amazon bestseller for a week in satire comedy fiction, my first foray away from science fiction) I stepped away from the writing world.

Now I’m back with my first book, under a new pen name and series, Prometheus’ Priestess.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Prometheus’ Priestess was inspired by a lot of things.

First and foremost, by a meditation in August of 2020, when Prometheus walked fully into my head, sat down and had a conversation with me.

But prior to that, in the time I had stepped away from the writing industry, I’d worked as a waitress, a massage therapist and a trauma support specialist. All jobs I now credit with teaching me a lot more about the human condition. So I’m not surprised in the slightest that it was Prometheus’ story I felt called to tell first. After all, he did create the humans according to the myth.

I wanted to share that knowledge of the human condition, in a love story (because Prometheus loved the humans) and retell his myth in a way that made more sense.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know about unusual. I tend to draw pretty heavily from my life, and from meditations. I’m often caught talking to myself. Occasionally, if I’m particularly stuck on a section, I go and float in the ocean until the scene reveals itself to me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up in the era of Harry Potter, so I can’t say those books didn’t influence me. But I’m also a huge Malorie Blackman fan – particularly her Noughts and Crosses series forthe way it addresses relevant social issues in society. Nalini Singh for supernatural romance told in a contemporary way. Patricia Cornwell for crime and bringing realistic elements to her books. Lee Child, because Jack Reacher was the first book boyfriend I ever had.

What are you working on now?
Book two is called; A lifetime kind of love, and follows the myth of Persephone and Hades when they both roamed the earth (before he took her to the underworld and made her his wife as the myth goes.) It’s a book of poetry that is due out in May 2022.

Book three, which I’m currently working on the first draft of, is called Madonna’s Whore and will follow Medusa’s myth to an extent.

The entire series; Femme Fatale (seven books) will do seven myth retellings with seven different archetypes of women (priestess, lover, whore). By the end it’s my hope that the reader would have experienced every archetype a woman embodies on her journey to find herself here on Earth.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You can find everything you need on: www.outspokeninkpress.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You can’t f*ck it up even if you tried, it doesn’t matter how quickly or how slowly you write. But share it with others, friends and family who will support you when the going gets tough. Get a professional edit. Just, trust me, you WILL miss things yourself. Trust the process. And, more importantly, enjoy it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you were living your dream life, and it all suddenly crumbled, what would you do? Would you go back to living the life you are now? So why then, are you currently living a plan B life?

What are you reading now?
The Consolations of Philosophy by Alain de Botton.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting book two out into the world in May and finishing the first draft of book three, Madonna’s Whore.

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?
Oooh that’s a cruel question. Hmmm, let’s see.
1. Is it terribly egotistical to say my own? I love re-reading Prometheus’ Priestess.
2. Angel’s Blood by Nalini Singh (it’s my feel-good book)
3. Homer’s Odyssey (because it would take a lifetime to get through that)
4. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (my favourite autobiography to date)

Author Websites and Profiles
Gwyneth Lesley Website
Gwyneth Lesley Amazon Profile

Gwyneth Lesley’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

J. Stewart Dixon 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Spirituality for Badasses is my second book. The first was written ten years ago. I’ve had multiple false starts on a second book over the years. I’d write a chapter or two and then resign it to the dust bin. Spirituality for Badasses came about after a frustrating attempt to make a more conventional version of my work fly. It didn’t fly. It flopped. So, in frustration, I said fuck it, and wrote the first few chapters of Spirituality for Badasses in one sitting. I gave those chapters away for free and it immediately flew.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Spirituality for Badasses is a non-religious approach to discovering the spectrum of awareness, told through the POV of the author while accompanying you, the reader through a series of adventure travel destinations and experiences. There are numerous how-to exercises. There is cursing. There is humor. There are sobering opinions offered about honesty, shadow, ego, mind, depression and many of the typical obstacles that prevent us from discovering our genuine, unique “spiritual badass” natures.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. I’ve always had a good handle on creativity. I don’t need a “special time or place” I can pretty much summons the muse on command. I do usually at my desk in my office from 9-5.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mark Manson, the international best-selling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a FUCK.
Jed McKenna, the underground, niche best-selling author of Enlightenment- The Damnedest Thing.

What are you working on now?
A prompted journal filled with pithy, fun, humorous and wise quotes and some of my original artwork.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
facebook ads- no other social media to date has worked as reliably

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Ever see one of the info-graphics divided into 3 parts- skill, passion and market? …They meet and combine in the center and that’s where your purpose or destiny lies ? If you wish to be a successful non-fiction author, you’d sure as hell need to exactly on-target with your purpose or- you will fail.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“It’ll all work out in the end.”- my Mom

What are you reading now?
The Emerald Mile

What’s next for you as a writer?
Guest on The Joe Rogan Experience. (I hope. My agent has them interested)

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?
Lord of The Rings Trilogy
All of Jed McKenna’s books
Playboy- complete 1987 series.

Author Websites and Profiles
J. Stewart Dixon Website
J. Stewart Dixon Amazon Profile

J. Stewart Dixon’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Nur Akman 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Sr. computer programmer and system analyst. I think life is too short to have only one hobby for life. So I change my hobbies time to time to discover more. I enjoy growing heirloom veggies in my backyard. I like to discover new cooking technics and ingredient combinations. I also enjoy reading must-have spiritual books. Because of the virus, my social and night life got a big toll. I watch quality programs, movies and series on Amazon prime, Gaia and youtube. Of course, music from old Irish songs to Aerosmith. Currently, I’m working on my new website. I published one book, 2 short stories will be published soon, I’m working my 2nd book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My recently published book is named “So where are we with the reality now?”. About God, creation, Earth, the Universe and beyond. I had enough material to write by visions, downloads, one quantum hypnosis session and some drawings. It was time to share this knowledge.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write based on what information I receive. It can be anytime, anywhere. Maybe a video, maybe a download, maybe a formula. So, I get enough paper and a writing pen with me when I leave home. I take notes and I draw what I see. For my first book, I wrote the chapter names, then I put related information under them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ashayana Deane’s Voyager series, Dolores Cannon’s books, although I still didn’t read all of them yet, RA material series, although I only read the first 2.

What are you working on now?
Editing my 1st short story “Titanic’s unknown passenger” is almost done. I’ll publish it soon. It’s about what I saw, felt and heard like a video when I accidently hypnotized myself at age 9. After it’s published, I’ll send my 2nd short story for editing. It is about where I went after I died in Titanic. It’s based on a dream that I was keep seeing from as early as I could remember to about 6 years old. It was in between lives place. I’m also working on my 2nd book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new. But what I learned that Publisher Rocket from Kindlepreneur helped for Amazon keyword optimization. I also used awesomegang and bookgoodies. I’m not sure how much helped since Amazon doesn’t show how many books I sold, but I’m sure they helped. I’m very thankful awesomegang that I could apply almost in the last moment. I didn’t know so many promotion websites require the application many days even weeks ago, plus certain number of reviews with high star numbers, etc.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Me as an accidental writer, has a book which moved up to number 1 at Amazon in Top 100 free books in different categories, then number 1 in bestseller hot new release list, even in Canada! I had no pre-order stage, no reviews, no family/friend support except my love, no social media followers, no my own website and not many promotions’ website support. So, I think I can say few words for this question if it helps anybody. First, there are million books on the market, and many million more books are coming. But there is only one You, nobody can write in the way you write and what you write. If you want to write, then do it, feel it, enjoy it, see it as a new excitement in your life. Sometimes pages, sometimes just notes, whatever is naturally comes to you, do it that way. Be yourself. What I did is, when my first draft is completed, I read for few times. Then I stopped for about 4 days. I didn’t touch it, I didn’t think about it. My life is already hectic anyway. Then, I read it again with a fresh mind. Giving a break was very helpful. I think too much zoom in makes us blind. Meanwhile I inserted the drawings. It was time to ask professional help. I found reedsy.com and an amazing copy writer. She said this book may benefit a developmental editor. So, I hired one at reedsy.com. I added more info for clarifications. Then, back to the copy editor. Meanwhile I hired a book cover designer at reedsy.com. As you can imagine they are booked already, very busy. So, it took some time for them to work on my book. While they were working, I made some research on the internet to involve to the process more, what the next steps were. I created an excel chart. My tabs are : terminology, info, to-do list, where my book is, my keywords, my categories, publishing, marketing, promoting, my giveaways, commission sheet. I put whatever I learned to this excel. Basically, getting a crash course. I read articles and watched videos at creativeindie.com, kindelpreneur.com, reedsy.com and davidgaughran.com. I’m sure there are other very good websites that I didn’t discover yet. Reedsy.com doesn’t have any marketer for new age/spirituality field, so I have done by myself. Reedsy.com also have book format converter that I used. I have to admit that in some point I overwhelmed and felt lost. But I said to myself, I wouldn’t spread myself too thin and I wouldn’t make things too much complicated. So, I decided just to publish on Amazon. When I saw Amazon’s international market just one click away, I clicked it. Every step takes about 48-72 hours from seeing ranking to be able to use author page. I waited to my book settle on Amazon for few days. Meanwhile on my excel, under category tab, I entered for each category how many books and how many new released books for each category there are, where is my book kind a information. Then I put my book to Amazon KDP Select Program. After it settled there, I did 3 day free book promotion. Then it quickly went to number 1 in few categories, for the rest, moved to top 10, later top 5. When the promotion is over, it was number one on bestseller hot new release list.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you REALLY want, there is no such a thing called impossible

What are you reading now?
The freedom path by Robert Detzler for the 2nd time. I just don’t want to miss anything.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll keep writing when I cumulate enough information for a book.

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 would get a really good survival book, a really good and pretty thick Japanese brain game book not to lose my mind, a best seller hot juicy romance book not to feel alone and a really good self hypnosis book to remind myself in desperate conditions that there is more in life.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nur Akman Website
Nur Akman Amazon Profile

Nur Akman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Robert Bass 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am 70 years old and I’ve had Type 2 diabetes for over twelve years. After finally realizing the seriousness of my condition I started making changes in my lifestyle, including nutrition and exercise. Before that, I was sick with serious diabetic symptoms.

For the last seven years, I’ve managed my illness with diet, natural supplements, and exercise, using no medications. During this period I dedicated myself to learning as much as possible about managing diabetes by using natural methods. My motivation is very simple – I want to stay as healthy as possible for as long as I can. I am happy to say that I’ve made substantial progress in this area.

My study of medicinal herbs began in 1975 after recovering from a serious illness by using herbal remedies. After graduating from college, I was employed as a Rehabilitation Therapist at a state hospital. I worked with patients suffering from chronic mental illness. I have also worked with adolescents, acutely ill, alcohol and drug rehab patients, and intensive care mental health units.

I worked with a youth ministry in the Dominican Republic in a Culture Shock program helping American teenagers with behavioral problems. After returning to the States I worked with teens in mental health facilities here.

My career in the mental health field and related areas continued for over 25 years. Much of my time was involved with patient education. In addition to my time working in hospitals, I ran support groups for depression as well as for widows and widowers making the transition back to everyday life after the death of their spouses.

As I took a greater interest in nutrition, I managed health food stores and continued my private study in the areas of nutrition and natural methods of healing during that time. More recently I ran a nutrition education and support group for senior citizens diagnosed with diabetes.

I’ve always enjoyed sharing what I have learned with others and I hope that you will benefit greatly from your participation in this program.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Hippocrates Method: Lose Weight, Change Your Eating Habits and Create A New Healthy Lifestyle: For Type 2 Diabetic, Pre-diabetic, and Overweight Individuals. My struggle and eventual full reversal from the illness inspired my writing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The only thing I can think of is that I wanted to be finished before the book was truly complete and in its best form. The current version is so much better than the previous versions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jethro Kloss, Back to Eden was my first inspiration.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a second book for healthy lifestyle development.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think my profile on LinkedIn is the best. https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-hippocrates-method/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time, don’t try to rush the creative process. It will all come together when the time is right. Artificial timelines for writing and deadlines can be counterproductive.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust your gut instincts.

What are you reading now?
I’m doing research for my next book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A short break. I need to rest a bit after the flurry of finishing my last book.

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?
Well, what can I say? I’m more inclined to watch YouTube videos on topics that interest me the most.

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Bass Website
Robert Bass Amazon Profile

Robert Bass’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

William Attaway 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Leadership Coach and a lead pastor in northern Virginia. I’ve been married to my wife for 24 years, and we have two teenage daughters. I’ve written two books: Lead: Leadership Principles from the (Not So) Minor Prophets (March, 2014) and Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys To Becoming An Intentional Leader Who Makes A Difference (January, 2022).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys To Becoming An Intentional Leader Who Makes A Difference is my latest book, and I wrote it to capture learnings from my first three decades of personal leadership experience and what I’ve learned coaching leaders in a variety of different fields and organizational sizes.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write with music playing (no words – usually something classical, or by John Williams)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s a long list! So many – from Andy Stanley and Jim Collins, to Patrick Lencioni and Malcolm Gladwell; and don’t forget C.S. Lewis, Simon Sinek, Mark Miller, and Jon Acuff.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second volume of Lead, and on a book capturing our journey through our older daughter’s unexpected cancer diagnosis and treatment.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m using a book launch team for my newest book, and that’s been a very positive experience so far. I’m researching and learning from sites like Awesome Gang and how they help too!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day, whether you “feel like it” or not. My goal is 500 words a day, regardless. Sometimes I look at it later and it’s not great, but I write every day. Don’t try to edit and write at the same time; just write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Experience doesn’t make you better; evaluated experience makes you better.

What are you reading now?
Smart Leadership by Mark Miller; The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit; and Bloodlines by James Rollins.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have six books that are in various stages of writing, and more to come!

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?
The Bible
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Hobbit

Author Websites and Profiles
William Attaway Website
William Attaway Amazon Profile

William Attaway’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marie Anders 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me.
I am a native Austrian living near Salzburg. I grew up multilingual in an international environment and have lived, studied, and worked in the United States, Serbia, Russia, France and Germany. I only recently returned to Austria to live and work here as a small scale entrepreneur.
My books are cosy crime novels situated in Salzburg, Austria.
So far, four German and two English crime novels have been published.
You can find more information on my website.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
So far, four German and two English crime novels have been published.

My books are cosy crime novels situated in Salzburg, Austria. The “native Salzburgers” have a reputation for being reserved, cold tempered, aloof, and sometimes arrogant. Malicious tongues even claim this could be due to the weather since it rains so often. Well, sometimes even I think there might be something to it.
My protagonists are the exact opposite of the described “native Salzburgers”. They are warm-hearted, help each other, and above all, they have a sense of humour. Although they have rough edges and flaws, they are all likeable and empathetic people with whom you would like to be friends.

The idea for my first book DEATH BY TRUFFLES came from a classical concert that unfortunately didn’t touch me at all. During the interval, among other delicacies, chocolates were offered and to cheer myself up, I treated myself to one.

During a somewhat lengthy lecture at a seminar, a participant was actually knitting socks, and when I asked her about it, she said she could concentrate better that way. I thought that was great, and that’s how I got the idea for the crime novel “THE FINNISH SOCK”.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I never outline my novels. You see, writing is similar to painting. You start off, and then it develops as you go. Nothing happens on command. Sometimes whole chapters flow in no time, and sometimes I get up after half a page and call it a day. There is no set time to finish a novel, but as a rule, I take time every day, preferably at night when everyone is asleep, to write something down – even if it is just some notes. When everyone is asleep, I’m at the peak of my creativity. Writing is hard work, and if you don’t keep a certain discipline and rhythm, you will never finish a novel. Of course my laptop, scribbles and pocketbooks are my constant companions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
This is a difficult question to answer. Every writer has their own style and voice. There are so many wonderful writers. Each of them has touched readers and set milestones in their own distinctive way. I read a lot, and of course, I too have my favourites. In my childhood they were Astrid Lindgren, Erich Kästner and Enyd Blyton. Later, Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, L.N. Tolstoy, Victor Hugo, Agatha Christie, Albert Camus and many more.

What are you working on now?
The fifth German crime novel is on the way. The third English Neuner is being translated, and I am writing a family saga.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In my opinion there is no “best” method. It isn’t easy to build an author platform from scratch. Finding your target audience is one thing, but getting potential readers to see and buy your book is another.
However, once you are established, it gets a lot easier.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to other writers is never to give up. You will always face some difficulties. Learn from them, grow, and continue. When I face rejection, I take it very seriously and closely look at what went wrong. I take it as a challenge, learn from it and try to improve it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take rejection as a challenge, learn from it, try to improve and make it better.

What are you reading now?
All Those Things We Never Said from Marc Levy (the French edition)

What’s next for you as a writer?
Neuner three and four shall be published in English by the end of 2022.
A fifth Neuner is expected to be published in spring/summer 2022 in German and
I am writing a family saga which should be out by the end of the year.

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?
How to Thrive on a Tropical Deserted Island: A Primer For the Shipwrecked Sailor by Mike Riley
The collection of all of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories (thickest book ever ; ) )
A la recherche du temps perdu by Marcel Proust

Author Websites and Profiles
Marie Anders Website
Marie Anders Amazon Profile

Marie Anders’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

VS GRIFFIN 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Houston native. I was a full-time professional musician for over 20 years, and I retired in 2018 to pursue my writing career. I have always been an avid reader. I have written two books; the second will be released on January 25, 2022.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is entitled “Gin on the Rox” and it’s a motivational memoir. I wanted to share my personal life story so that people can know that just because you hit rock bottom, you don’t have to give up. There is always hope.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Absolutely! I write both fiction and non-fiction. I follow my heart and I don’t write by the “rules”.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
James Patterson, Eric Jerome Dickey, Denise Wheatley, Johanna Lindsey, Sister Souljah are a few of my writing influences.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a western themed fiction novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website http://vsgriffin.com/shop

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t allow distractions to get in your way. Don’t focus on the formatting and editing… Just write. Write until you believe you’re finished, take a break and then consider the edits.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t focus on the rules, just focus on following your heart.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Blindside by James Patterson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I just want to focus on sharing my talent with the world.

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?
My bible (KJV)
Self-Care Checkup Journal by VS GRIFFIN
The Other Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey
Texas Ranger by James Patterson

Author Websites and Profiles
VS GRIFFIN Website
VS GRIFFIN Amazon Profile

VS GRIFFIN’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Lifeline by Michelle Heard 

Lifeline by Michelle Heard

I was her partner.
Her ride or die.
She was my lifeline.
My sanity.
Until I did the unspeakable.

The unforgivable.

I thought I was strong enough, but I was wrong.
I became the monster I was sent to take down.

Losing my lifeline… there’s no surviving without her.

A Standalone Undercover FBI Dark Romance.

Buy the book, and follow the author on social media:

Get This Romance Book From Amazon.

Author Bio:

Michelle Heard is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Top 20 bestselling romance author. She writes emotional heart-shattering stories with romance that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. Every book has an unexpected twist that will show the strength of the characters who have to fight for their HEA.