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Jasmine Farrell 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m from Brooklyn, New York and I ‘m a foodie. I love doing voice overs for poems and I love coloring or playing board games when I’m stressed. I grew up pretty sheltered so I’m a bit of a late bloomer with this whole, “Living my own life!” thing. Having a blast so far though.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I released my debut novel, Sloppy on January 11th, 2022. In 2018, after a counseling session, I decided to truthfully share and vent what I went through in black and white. When I read it back, I realized: There is a story in this that many can relate too. A fiction story about my own past was brewing and I had to get it out. However, once I dug in, the characters began to show me who they were. I let the characters fly out of my timeline and plot. What was supposed to be 80% based on a true story is now 20% based on a true story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I still write 55% of my drafts and other works by hand. I know, I know…double the work, but I can’t help it!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Yes! Zora Neale Hurston, Eric Jerome Dickey and Toni Morrison. They haven’t influenced my writing perse but they made me realize that my voice, my writing has room at the table as well.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the second installment of Sloppy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
BookBuzz.net
Amanda is dope!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to share your words! Don’t worry if it’s messy, you can clean it up. Don’t worry about the errors, you can make corrections. Write. There is an audience for you (outside of yourself).

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If the book you’re itching to read is nowhere to be found- that’s because you’re meant to write it.

What are you reading now?
Purple Flames : Inferno of Poetry by Shana A

What’s next for you as a writer?
To complete the Sloppy series (there will be 3-4 books in total).

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?
Chasing Destiny by Eric Jerome Dickey
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Sula by Toni Morrison

Author Websites and Profiles
Jasmine Farrell Website
Jasmine Farrell Amazon Profile
Jasmine Farrell Author Profile on Smashwords

Jasmine Farrell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Jason Fisk 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jason Fisk lives and writes in the suburbs of Chicago. He has worked in a psychiatric unit, labored in a cabinet factory, and mixed cement for a bricklayer. He was born in Ohio, raised in Minnesota, and has spent the last few decades in the Chicago area. He has had essays, short stories, and poems published in various online and print journals. He recently had a small collection of poetry published by Kelsay Books: Sub Urbane. He has also had a number of books and chapbooks published: Sadly Beautiful, essays, poems, and short stories published by Leaf Garden Press; Salt Creek Anthology, a collection of micro-fiction published by Chicago Center for Literature and Photography; the fierce crackle of fragile wings, a collection of poetry published by Six Gallery Press; as well as two poetry chapbooks: The Sagging: Spirits and Skin, and Decay, both published by Propaganda Press.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Craigslist Incident was inspired by a news article that I read about a young lady who took a hit out on herself through a Craigslist advertisement. I couldn’t shake the article, and I began following the situation, reading everything that I could find on the internet. It haunted me. I just knew that I had to write about it. What would drive a young lady to take a hit out on herself, and what kind of person would answer the advertisement?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unfortunately, I do not have any unusual writing habits.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a young reader, I loved Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. It’s the first book that made me cry. I also loved Mark Twain and E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web (the second book that made me cry). Other authors who have influenced me are: William Carlos Williams, John Irving, Flannery O’Connor, Toni Morrison, Miriam Toews, Sandra Cisneros, Chuck Palahniuk, and many more.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a new novel, and that’s all I’m going to say about it; I don’t want to jinx myself. I also enjoy writing poetry when I have an idea for a poem, and/or I need a break from writing the novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best method for promoting books is through word of mouth, so any social media website where I am active and able spread the word about the book is good. I really like Goodreads because it is for people who like to read books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be willing to put in the hard work. Also, read, read, and read some more.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My mom always told my sisters and I to place people over things. I know it’s not writing advice, but it is something that I have adopted as a life philosophy.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Jim Harrison’s Complete Poems. I adore him as a writer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a novel coming out from Unsolicited Press in June, The Craigslist Incident. I’m very excited about it, so I’d have to say that the novel’s release is the next thing I’m focusing on as a writer.

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 bring Miriam Toews’ All My Puny Sorrows; Jim Harrison’s Complete Poems; John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany; and, last but certainly not least, Toni Morrison’s Beloved.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jason Fisk Website
Jason Fisk Amazon Profile
Jason Fisk Author Profile on Smashwords

Jason Fisk’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marie-Claire Ross 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love reading books on human behaviour and running a business. I find it fascinating to learn new things that make us better as human beings.

I have written two books. My first book was Transform your Safety Communication. My latest book is called Trusted to Thrive: How leaders create connected and accountable teams.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Trusted to Thrive: How leaders create connected and accountable teams.

It was inspired by the research and work that I have been doing within organisations during the pandemic. I found that leaders were losing their confidence on how to lead people when they were working from home.

The pandemic has really created a need for leaders do lead differently. Unfortunately, many leaders are going back to the bad habits that sort of worked before COVID.

It’s now time to lead differently or risk career failure.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing. I get a bit obsessed by it. If I can’t sleep, I’ll just get up and write. That could mean writing at 1am in the morning or 4am. I then sleep in and start my day a bit later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love books by Dan Pink, Malcolm Gladwell, Jim Collins and Liz Wise. Business books that are heavily researched and well written. They make you look at the world differently.

What are you working on now?
I am turning my TRUSTED TO THRIVE book into a training program.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have had a blog since 2009 and while it has changed, a lot of my audience have hung on. I find writing weekly and letting people know what my new book is about generates a lot excitement.

I also ask my readers for help. My book title and cover were all tested with my readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going. Don’t stop writing. I started writing weekly in 2009, but I didn’t have the confidence to write my first book until 2013. I was more than ready. If you are writing a lot, just know that you are ready to get your book written.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ignore the little negative voice in your head. It’s only useful if it’s asking “is this of interest to my readers?’ Anything else is a distraction.

What are you reading now?
Sense-making by Christian Madsbjerg

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my latest book and getting it into the hands of as many people as possible.

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?
You can heal your life by Louise Hay
Ask and it is given by Esther Hicks
Atlas Shrugged
A new book I haven’t read.

Doesn’t seem any point to read business books when you are stranded!

Author Websites and Profiles
Marie-Claire Ross Website
Marie-Claire Ross Amazon Profile
Marie-Claire Ross Author Profile on Smashwords

Marie-Claire Ross’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Jacob Deskins 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jacob Deskins, I am a K-1 teacher in the small village of Kwigillingok, Alaska. It is a small bush town on the Kuskokwim river in Southwest, Alaska. My village has roughly 300 people in it, no roads, no way to get out other than by snow machine, boat, or bush plane. I absolutely love living here, and the people/students have changed my life and helped me pursue a passion in writing I didn’t know existed. A Trip on the Tundra Explorer is my first book in my upcoming series detailing my adventures in the village and in my classroom.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lone Survivor – just the things he had to overcome while on his mission are just very admiring, something you do not see a lot. A book of overcoming fear, and everything else he had to go through to be able to get home.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wake up at 4 A.M. and do most of my writing at this time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The 4 hour work week – this book really influenced/inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, no longer be fearful and take some risks that have been extremely rewarding.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my second book right now. It details a fishing trip Mr. Simmons, Sean, and Amau go on. It is another beautiful story and I cannot wait to share it with all of you.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have been waking up early and calling a lot of schools every single day to see if they would be interested in buying my book for their libraries. If schools buy 3 or more copies I supply them with a free coloring book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep pushing, it is difficult. Do not be afraid of failure, you can do anything you put your mind to.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You live a full day when you do these three things: Laugh, think, and cry.

What are you reading now?
I am currently trying to read as many children’s books as possible to get inspiration and see what I like.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully start a book tour and visit schools, and book stores to promote my 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?
A Trip on the Tundra Explorer, Lone Survivor, and Narnia.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jacob Deskins Website
Jacob Deskins Amazon Profile

Kimberly Sullivan 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an American living for many years in Italy, and often setting my stories in my beautiful, adoptive country. I write women’s fiction, historical fiction and short stories. I have published one contemporary women’s fiction novel, Three Coins, and have a time slip women’s fiction/romance novel, Dark Blue Waves, coming out in May 2022.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I seem to have a talent for stealing titles. My novel Three Coins takes its title from a 1954 Hollywood film entitled Three Coins in The Fountain. My novel is a retelling of that 1950s story of three American expatriate women looking to carve out lives for themselves in the Eternal City. My next, Dark Blue Waves, is a time slip novel in comtemporary and 1813 Bath, UK. The title is a line in a poem by Lord Byron – contemporary poetry in 1813. Byron’s tales of adventures as he journeys by boat to distant lands speaks to my protagonist, who is adrift and confused in her new world and uncertain how to return home.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Although I prefer a quiet space to write, I developed (of necessity, when my kids were small) the ability to write almost anywhere. You could set me up in the middle of a Three Ring Circus and I’d still hammer those words out.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to list. But favorites I keep returning to are Jane Austen and Edith Wharton.

What are you working on now?
I’m finalizing my third novel now, which is currently with my editor. It’s a dual timeline set in modern days and World War I, in the mountainous Italian region of Abruzzo. I love hiking in that beautiful region and I was struck by how every town had its war memorial, and how long the list of fallen soldiers was for the First World War. Unlike trench warfare in Belgium, France and Germany, the Italian front was along the Austrian border, fought in the mountains – where so many young boys from Italy’s mountain communities went off to fight and never returned. The losses of a whole generation of young men devastated an already poor region, and I wanted to tell that story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning, but I promote via social media and love to be invited on author blogs.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Critique groups and writers’ groups are such important resources. I’ve worked with different writers’ groups and love the feedback and critiquing others’ work. For me, the Womens Fiction Writers Association is a fabulous group – with writers meet-ups, resources, webinars and craft classes – a wealth of information. Find an association aligned with your genre to make connnections with fellow authors and to learn from their experiences.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Market your first novel with your second. Market your second novel with your third…

What are you reading now?
Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends with Us”. My first Hoover novel. I am thoroughly enjoying it. I also read a lot of ARCs over at NetGalley.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Releasing my two planned novels in 2022. Then I would like to prepare a collection of short stories – a tougher call for sales, but I absolutely love short stories.

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 Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome (since I’ve never gotten through it when NOT on a desert island). Complete collection of Jane Austen.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kimberly Sullivan Website
Kimberly Sullivan Amazon Profile

Kimberly Sullivan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Kate le Roux 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Cape Town in South Africa, a truly beautiful city! I can see Table Mountain from my kitchen window and walk on the slopes often. I used to be an English teacher and have always written bits and pieces, but began writing in earnest only three years ago. I have written 6 novels and 2 novellas, and have at least 3 ongoing projects on my Google Drive! I also enjoy writing the occasional short story for Reedsy Prompts.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest love is my fantasy series, The Kalathan Chronicles. The story began in my head when I was a teen – an epic quest involving an ordinary girl and six princes. I wrote the first book, realized it was awful, completely binned the whole thing and started again. By then I knew my characters so well that it was a pleasure to write. My aim with these books is to do something new: write a fantasy series that has no magic, creatures, spells, wizards or anything like that! The world I have created is our world with a vastly reimagined history. I know it sounds odd but so far readers have responded positively! There is so much more to the fantasy genre than magic and I am loving exploring that.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I delete a lot. Honestly I could never have written a book on paper; it would have taken me years. I love writing dialogue and can do it ten times faster than action! I start books, leave them for months and then go back to them. At the moment I have a novella 90% finished which has been stuck there for a year. I just can’t quite figure out the end yet!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I always loved Lousia May Alcott and LM Montgomery. I still read their works regularly! I think it’s the depth of the characters that resonates with me, and the wholesomeness of the stories. I also discovered Robin McKinley (The Blue Sword) as a teen and her gorgeous prose and compelling characters are truly an inspiration when it comes to my fantasy writing.

What are you working on now?
The fifth book in the Kalathan Chronicles Series, Prince of Kalathan. This one involves a journey to another country so I am brewing up an entirely new civilization which is quite a challenge!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think it’s just about plodding on putting regular time into promotion and making sure I do at least something every few weeks to keep things ticking over. My life is full of other commitments so I can’t give hours every day to it. At the moment I am giving two of my books away for free. I am still learning but I am confident there are many readers out there who will enjoy my books!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would honestly say only write what you love to write. You need passion for this and if you start doing something just for market you are less likely to write something good that you can be proud of.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever got was not to be a perfectionist. Sometimes you can edit bad writing into something wonderful, and it’s better progress than staring at a blank screen.

What are you reading now?
I’m trying The Butterfly Room by Lucinda Riley. Haven’t got into it yet though.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More Kalathan Chronicles! I have more ideas than I have time for.

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 definitely! No way I could manage without that.
Jo’s Boys by Louisa May Alcott
David Copperfield by Dickens. Completely love this story!
And maybe one of my own books, to remind me that dreams can become reality!

Author Websites and Profiles
Kate le Roux Website
Kate le Roux Amazon Profile

Kate le Roux’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Stephanie Smith 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Master Gardener who was born in Dallas, Texas, longer ago than I care to mention. I began gardening as soon as I could stick an onion start in the ground. My father taught her to grow things to eat, and that is her specialty. I am a member of the Texas Master Gardeners Association and the Dallas County Master Gardener Association. I have advanced training in growing vegetables and entomology. I was awarded 2014 Master Gardner of the Year for Hunt County, Texas.

I was first published by a national magazine in 1990 and has since been published in several periodicals. Gardening articles have appeared in Animal Wellness, 903 Magazine, and the Greenville Herald Banner, among numerous other places. Articles and technical papers in psychology make up the balance of her periodical publications.

I received a B.S. in psychology from Texas Christian University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in psychology from Texas A&M University. Currently, I reside in Dallas with her toy poodle, Jewel.

Visit my vegetable website, https://stephaniesuesansmith.com, and read my blog, view my photographs, and participate in the conversations going on there. Feel free to ask gardening questions or leave a comment on one of the blog posts. My garden content writer website is https://gardencopywriter.com.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first attempt at gardening ended up in failure. The weeds took over and squeezed the vegetables out. I was very frustrated by this waste of good seed, time, and money. I became a master gardener and spent a lot of time helping other people avoid or overcome problems in their garden. To continue helping people grow their own food, I have written Vegetable Gardening from the Ground Up.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read voraciously, so it is hard to site a single book. I enjoy reading gardening books about vegetable gardening. I also want to be a good steward of the earth, so Carson’s Silent Spring influenced me.

What are you working on now?
I continue my blog on gardening. I intend to write more books on gardening vegetables, fruit, nuts, berries and herbs.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://stephaniesuesansmith.com is my gardening blog. I also write content for gardening businesses at https://gardencopywriter.com/garden-writing

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day and write about something you are passionate about or you will not be able to finish your book before you get sick of it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day.

What are you reading now?
Gardening for Everyone Growing Vegetables, Herbs, and More at Home by Julia Watkins
Plant Grow Harvest Repeat : Grow a Bounty of Vegetables, Fruits, and Flowers by Mastering the Art of Succession Planting Meg McAndrews Cowden
Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy

What’s next for you as a writer?
Start the research on whatever book I decide to write now, and continue to write my blog.

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?
J.D. Robb’s latest In Death book
Ken Follett’s Pillar of the Earth trilogy

Author Websites and Profiles
Stephanie Smith Website
Stephanie Smith Amazon Profile

Stephanie Smith’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Daniel Farrelly 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m a late-20s science teacher, small-time game streamer and writer! I live in Queensland, Australia, with my wife and pets. So far I’ve published two books. The first one (Through the Portal, 2012) I published in high school and you shouldn’t read. The second one (The Asteroid Field) is the first part of my attempt to reboot the original story and do it right. Its only a short novella right now, but I’ll be adding to it with two more stories this year, and then more beyond.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Asteroid Field – like I said, I’m trying to go back to my first attempt and do it properly. The Asteroid Field comprises the first part of the story, where the characters find themselves in a strange new galaxy, and ends with the revelation that they will be taken home, but only if they can survive a six month wait until the portal opens again.

The asteroid field setting came as a consequence from some world-building. I wanted a semi-realistic solution to allow every planet to be habitable. I came up with the idea of an artificial atmosphere emitter which makes the planet Earth-like. The setting this book takes place in is a planet that was destroyed at some point in the past, resulting in an asteroid field encapsulated in a force field, pumped full of air. I didn’t want the characters to be in any doubt that they were in a strange new galaxy, and so this seemed to be a good fit for that.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so? Although if I need to be especially productive I’ll take my laptop to work and write there. Im naturally more productive in that setting, so sometimes I use that for evil I guess?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influence is Star Wars, obviously. My story isn’t Star Wars with the barcode filed off, or anything, but I’m sure anyone could see the influence. I love how deep and connected the universe is, and Through the Portal is my poor attempt to do something similar.

Otherwise, my biggest influence is actually comic books. The first Marvel Civil War event comic was the first comic I ever read. I knew none of the characters other than spider-man, but I loved it, and over the years collected as many Civil War tie-in comics as I could. I loved reading the same events from many different perspectives. Now, I’m trying to achieve something similar with my books. That’ll be more obvious once I’ve published a few more stories.

What are you working on now?
The next thing in my to-do list is the physical edition of The Asteroid Field. In it, I want to have a preview of the next three stories in the series – Legal Alien, Indistinguishable from Magic, and A Persistent Self. Legal Alien is a direct sequel to the Asteroid Field, and follows the main character’s new lives as literal legal aliens making a home in a new world, populated by aliens (you know, the other kind). Indistinguishable from Magic and A Persistent Self show the story from the antagonists’ perspectives.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll tell you just as soon as I’ve worked that out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Dont over-edit. Hire an editor to go over it and fix it up for you, then publish. Take advantage of the freedom of self-publishing to go nuts.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Once, when I’d lost a job or something along those lines, my mum told me that she’d lost out on what she’d wanted too, but every time she’d lost a job she was disappointed at first, but she’d eventually look back on it and be happy with the result. Things had always worked out.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading the Scott Pilgrim series, am almost finished re-reading the Fellowship of the Ring, and every so often I’ll listen to a bit more of The Invisible Hook: The Hidden Economics of Pirates on audio book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to publish two more stories this year, and then at least one in 2023. And then just keep the series going as long as it wants to. I’ve got other stories I want to write, and I’d love to one day have a short story published in a science fiction magazine like Analog.

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 mean I read on a kindle exclusively, so reinterpreting this as, if I could only read 3 or 4 books for the rest of my life…
– Path of Destruction (Darth Bane #1) by Drew Karpyshyn. I always forget how great this book is whenever I read it. Part planet-hopping adventure, part hogwarts-style fantasy school, part war story, its the best star wars story I’ve ever had hit my eyeballs, regardless of medium.
– the martian by Andy Weir. Just hilarious and engrossing like hardly any other book
– World War Z – an oral history of the zombie war by Max Brooks. Super deep and complex in a way, I feel like I could read this over and over and always come away with more understanding. I’ll be forever bitter we got the terrible world war z movie instead of a faithful mocumentary-style adaptation
– Dreadnought by April Daniels. This book just makes me happy. Also insanely jealous that she so effectively created a super hero world. Something I’d like to do but have never figured out.

Author Websites and Profiles
Daniel Farrelly Website
Daniel Farrelly Amazon Profile

Daniel Farrelly’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Cory Mortensen 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Former 9-5er, sold everything to travel and experience new experiences. My first three books are about that transformation.

Book 1, which can be found on Amazon: The Buddha and the Bee by Cory Mortensen
Book 2, also on Amazon: Unlost by Cory Mortensen
Book 3….currently in the works, shooting for an early summer launch

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Book 3, working title is: “Embracing Bewilderment”. It’s the book of the “Buddha and the Bee” trilogy. A planned trip to London where I ended up in SE Asia.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know what other writers do as far as habits, I write when the words present themselves. Forcing them to present themselves is useless.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hunter S Thompson, William Least Heat Moon, Joseph Campbell

What are you working on now?
Book 3 and making notes for Book 5. Book 4 is in a long hold pattern until I know what voice I want to use.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I did some promotion on Facebook and Instagram, now I focus on Amazon marketing. Otherwise I’m old school. With the help of Google, I make a list of independent book stores and email them one by one, introducing them to my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
A great editor is key. Don’t settle on a paragraph or chapter if you know it can be better. Don’t be afraid to delete.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Over my 50+ years I’ve heard a lot of great advice, both wanted and un-wanted.

When it comes to creating and having to delete and the frustration of starting over….I was once told, “Cory, you get paid the same for deleting the line as you do for drawing it.”

What are you reading now?
Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo – Oscar Zeta Acosta

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once Covid settles down, I’d like to tour the country and do some readings, book signings…interact with readers and hear their thoughts. Good or Bad.

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 think I would only take one, I’ve dragged this book around with me for over 20 years and only made it about 25 pages into it do to it’s rather unconvential story and layout. I figure this book alone will either finally be read by me or cause me to go insane.

House of Leaves by Mark Damnielewski

Author Websites and Profiles
Cory Mortensen Website
Cory Mortensen Amazon Profile

Cory Mortensen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Jameel Shaik 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have an undergraduate degree in Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery – BHMS) from India and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University, USA. So far, I have written three books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Teacher’s Wife and Other Fiction Nuggets – this is the second in the ‘Asian and Amercian Musings’.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I write whenever I feel like it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jeffrey Archer

What are you working on now?
Pearls of Wisdom from Islam (Quran and Sunnah)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, I haven’t exactly figured out a way yet, to be honest!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, Write, Write – then you can think of polishing, editing, or whatever! Let the emotions first flow out freely from your heart and your hands.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Live and let live

What are you reading now?
Your interview, just kidding. I haven’t had time, honestly.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write the best book ever.

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 Quran, Sahih Bukhari’s Hadith [sayings of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)], Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar): Biography of the Prophet, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources

Author Websites and Profiles
Jameel Shaik Website
Jameel Shaik Amazon Profile

Jameel Shaik’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Maggie Plummer 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This year I turned 70, and I have just released my fifth novel on Amazon. I have also written one non-fiction book. I live in western Montana with the Best Dog in the World. I have only one complaint about her: she is aging way too quickly!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new release is EAGLE IN FLIGHT: The Jessie Morgan Series, Book 3. What inspired this book, and the rest of this series, is my desire to finally write down the many outrageous, stranger-than-fiction stories I have gathered through the years. Even though the series is fiction, it is semi-autobiographical. The plot points are mostly fiction, but the travels and adventures Jessie experiences are based on my real life in the 1970s. Enjoy!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on my laptop, in my recliner. Such a lazy bones!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lots of women writers have influenced me: Harper Lee, Maya Angelou, Anne Tyler, Barbara Kingsolver, Anna Quindlen…

What are you working on now?
At the moment, I’m launching EAGLE IN FLIGHT. Once that’s done, I will begin work on the fourth and final novel in The Jessie Morgan Series. After Book 4, I might add Jessie Morgan Short Stories now and then…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like this one, of course. I spend quite a bit of time on twitter, promoting my books and other indie authors’ books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hmmm, let’s see. Take care that your work is well written and well edited. Never publish anything sloppy!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard is: “Our lives are frittered away by detail. Simplify! Simplify!” I think Thoreau said that. I try very hard to keep my life simple. For me, it makes all the difference.

What are you reading now?
I just finished a book a friend loaned me: Wallace Stegner’s ALL THE LITTLE LIVE THINGS.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Book 4 of this series is next, and then, I’m not sure. Over time, probably some Jessie Morgan short stories.

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?
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, SINS OF THE SEVENTH SISTER, A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, and THE HELP.

Author Websites and Profiles
Maggie Plummer Website
Maggie Plummer Amazon Profile

Maggie Plummer’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Lexy Ray 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a mother, makeup artist, and author from West Tennessee. I have written two books so far with many more in the works! I started writing to take all the best parts I liked about romance novels and mash them up.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Redemption The Buchanans Book 1 was published in Dec 2021 and was inspired by a lot of things. I chose an Irish mafia because my husband is Irish descent. I chose mafia romance because I liked my books with a little danger. And I chose an HEA because cliffhangers give me heartburn! It’s all the things I love about a romance novel, and none of the things I don’t.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a strict “one day on, one day off” policy. I try not to write everyday because I suffer from burnout very quickly. I spend the “off” days filming marketing videos, editing previously written chapters, or taking a break altogether. It helps me reset for the next writing day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite romance author is Jayda Marx, I’ve really enjoyed everything she’s written.

What are you working on now?
Book 2 in the Buchanan series, Avarice, is due on March 26, 2022. I’m currently working on the last third of the book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I film a lot of Tiktok videos promoting both my books and my makeup looks. That’s the best place to get in touch with me outside emails, because I am ALWAYS logged on.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t overwhelm yourself. I know it seems like there is a laundry list of things to do before your book goes live. But break it down into smaller chunks and give yourself some grace.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Thrive by Shain Rose

What’s next for you as a writer?
The Buchanans will be a four book series, but I also have a reverse harem and shifter series in the works!

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 four book “Books of Pellinor” series by Allison Croggon. I discovered the series in college at a time when I really needed a strong female character.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lexy Ray Amazon Profile

Lexy Ray’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Christopher Bailey 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, my name is Chris. I’m just beginning my journey, and have only written three children’s books about my dog Bella.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Bella Goes To The Beach. It’s a tale about my dog Bella, who loved going to the beach.
She passed away in 2021 and as way to remember her and share her story, I decided to write a book about her love of the beach.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know yet, only just learning so far haha.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
None, as of yet. But if in general? then I love The Kingkiller Chronicles and Patrick Rothfuss.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on another children’s book, about a girl and her dragon. And my first novel about a young girl and her life with love, addiction and anorexia.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, just amazon ads and instagram

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just get started. You might fall in love with it and find your calling.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just get started.

What are you reading now?
Currently nothing, just writing and drawing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep creating, make a legacy, build my empire and quit my day job haha

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 Name Of The Wind, The Wise Mans Fear, Models by Mark Manson and The Cay.

Author Websites and Profiles
Christopher Bailey Website
Christopher Bailey Amazon Profile

Christopher Bailey’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Nate Littlefield 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve enjoyed writing most of my life but Endangered Species is my first novel. Growing up on the Florida Gulf Coast, the marine and coastal environments made a deep impact on my psyche. The sense of wonder and adventure that I experience when exploring above and below the water is something that I want to convey to my readers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Endangered Species, the first in the Southern Waters Adventure Series, was inspired by my love for scuba diving and by visits to marine conservation centers that specialize in the rescue and rehabilitation of injured marine animals. One such center, in particular, was caring for an injured sea turtle at the time of our visit. This planted the seed of an idea that grew into the story for Endangered Species.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write outdoors whenever the weather permits.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Being an enthusiast of water-based activities and a scuba diver, I have always been drawn to nautical fiction and the exploits of underwater explorers, both fictional and real. The works of Patrick O’Brian, Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jacques Cousteau, and Clive Cussler rank high among my influences.

What are you working on now?
I’m hard at work on the second novel in the Southern Waters Adventure Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Patience and perseverance. As a reader myself, I know that when I purchase a book I’m also purchasing the time I think it will take to read that book. A book cover and blurb may be intriguing but it can take time for a potential reader to feel comfortable enough to pay the money and invest the time. Promote the book across several platforms and websites, consistently over a period of time. This allows readers who are considering the book to build a desire to spend money for it and the anticipation to set aside the time to read it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Being a good storyteller is a solid foundation but it doesn’t stop there. Learn the craft, do your research, pay attention to the details, and don’t shy away from the tedious aspects of writing and publishing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For writers: “A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.” – Regina Brett

What are you reading now?
Florida Sinking by David Crosby

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing, editing, publishing, and promoting the second novel in the Southern Waters Adventure Series. I also have a small collection of short stories that I would like to get together.

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, How to Thrive on a Tropical Deserted Island: A Primer For the Shipwrecked Sailor by Mike Riley, Any randomly selected book by Clive Cussler, A large book with blank pages for me to write in.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nate Littlefield Website
Nate Littlefield Amazon Profile

Nate Littlefield’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Pinterest Account