Here Is Your Awesomegang Authors Newsletter
Published: Tue, 04/26/22
Please check out the authors below and share them if you like on social media and help them out.
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Dr Deborah J Smith
Interview With Author Dr Deborah J Smith
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an educational consultant, teaching and mentoring parents and teachers in child education for the past 25 years. Apart from my academic thesis, I have authored 3 books. I have compiled many presentations and training material in the past.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Name of book: Potty Ready Toddler.
What inspired me?
I have heard so many stories of how parents want to start potty training just because their friends have started. Other disastrous stories of how unsuccessful the potty training was and that caused feelings of insecurity, demotivation and feelings of being an incompetent parent (all untrue statements, but the perception remain true in the eyes of the parent). Thus the Potty Ready Toddler.Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sit with my 4 children and my husband around a table. All get sticky notes. All have to write at least 5 concepts/ words/ pictures about the theme.
And so concept board is created!What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert Kiyosaki.
Tony Robbins
Sophie HowardWhat are you working on now?
Baby log bookWhat is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
AmazonDo you have any advice for new authors?
If they say it is impossible, it is impossible for them, not for you!What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can do it….What are you reading now?
I home school my children and we follow a literature rich curriculum. That means that I have to read aloud to my children each and every day and they have to read at least a book a week. Johnny Tremain, Carry on mr. Bowditch, George Washington, and my favorite: the witch of Black Bird Pond.What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to serve my audience, parents and teachers, more specifically. I want to write books that will solve their problems.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?
Witch of Black Bird Pond
Kringe in ‘n Bos
Research papers!!!Author Websites and Profiles
Dr Deborah J Smith Amazon Profile
Dr Deborah J Smith’s Social Media Links
Lona Matshingana
Interview With Author Lona Matshingana
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book where I think I really did my best. However, I have previously tried publishing but it wasn’t good.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Unknown: Secrets from above, it’s inspired by a true story in my own life, which happened before I wrote the book or as I was writing the book.Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like eating. I eat more when I write.What authors, or books have influenced you?
The books which I love to read are mystery books and crime detective books and at times Christian non fiction.What are you working on now?
My next bookWhat is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think website promotion is best because there’s already people who love reading.Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, don’t be afraid, of making mistakes, because they’re normal.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There’s no perfect time to start doing something productive with your life, now is the perfect time not tomorrow or when life isn’t too difficult anymore. Life will always be difficult in someway.What are you reading now?
I want to read a Christian non-fiction book about pain.What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to write another book because I have more stories to tell.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?
1. My bible
2. Dictionary
3. Quest of the sapphire
4. The ShackLona Matshingana’s Social Media Links
Emily Ryan
Interview With Author Emily Ryan
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Emily Ryan, I am 30 years old, from Cleveland, Ohio, and this is the first book I have published (Punk Rock & Mental Illness Vol. 1 A Love Story More Stable Than We Are ).What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my book is:Punk Rock and Mental Illness Vol. 1 A Love Story More Stable Than We Are
It is a collection of unpublished writings and photographs I have taken. Features poetry, song lyrics, journal entries, rants, and more. This beginning of a short series was inspired by my own personal struggles, mainly in my early twenties, with depression, anxiety, drinking, love, sex, growing up, traveling, etc.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can only write at night. And only when I am home alone. Not sure why, but that’s when my creativity seems to creep out.What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hunter S. Thompson, David Wong, Ernest Hemmingway, Stephen King, Brian K. Vaughan, Robert W. Service, the punk band CHANNEL 3What are you working on now?
I am working on:Punk Rock & Mental Illness Vol. 2 My Subconscious Can’t Swim
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to do a lot of the work myself and use Facebook, Instagram, Google, Amazon, and a few more, but in today’s world, I could use some help navigating how to promote more effectively online now that it seems to be the primary place to publish these days.Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep trying, keep submitting, and if a publisher won’t pick you up, then screw them. Self-publish and make your name known. Get your words out into the world. If there is a will, there is a way. I am no different than anyone. I might not even be a good writer, but I don’t stop trying.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My father once said to me, and I’m not sure if it is something he came up with or not, but,“It’s not about what everyone else does, it’s about what you do.”
What are you reading now?
This Book is Full of Spiders by David WongWhat’s next for you as a writer?
Right now I just need to keep writing and build a name for myself since I am a newly published 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?
Y The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan
John Dies at The End by David Wong
Everything’s Eventual by Stephen KingAuthor Websites and Profiles
Emily Ryan’s Social Media Links
Teresa Keefer
Interview With Author Teresa Keefer
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As an indie author, I have written 23 books and contributed to 7 anthologies. I live in rural Indiana with a menagerie of animals, enjoy barefoot gardening, study herbs, spiritualism and other interesting topics.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Deadly Vision was inspired by all the tales of missing persons across the nation and speculation of what might have happened to them.Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not realkyWhat authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts, Jayne Krentz, James Patterson, Heather Graham just to mention a few.What are you working on now?
I’m working on a rom com Christmas story for an anthology which will release in the fall.What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Getting a PA to help me with marketing has been my best investment.Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do it your way and don’t give up.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you want to write…just sit down and write.What are you reading now?
The Night Before by Lisa JacksonWhat’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing stories and traveling.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?
That’s not a fair question! One can never have too many books!Author Websites and Profiles
Teresa Keefer’s Social Media Links
Peter Hall
Interview With Author Peter Hall
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was 63 before I plucked up the courage to make writing my full-time job. Until then I’d spent over forty years doing a variety of mainly office-based jobs. In 2015 when I was a hypnotherapist I published a self-help book called ‘Build A Better You With Self-Hyponsis’.
I’m just about to publish the third book in my post-apocalyptic Yellow Death series.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Yellow Death: Atonement. It brings the first three books in my Yellow Death Chronicles series to a satisfying conclusion although I plan more novels in the series. The series has been inspired by a couple of ideas. The first is how would somebody with autism who doesn’t fit in our modern society adapt after the end of civilisation? Also could a small group of people fight against a much larger force given the right training and weapons (the Robin Hood effect).Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Most of my writing is done between four a.m. and seven a.m. Against all advice from other authors, I not only do the writing but all the editing and proofreading. That wouldn’t work for most people but, like the main character in my books, I have Asperger’s syndrome which seems to give me a superpower at reviewing my own work.What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite book of all time is Dune and I reread it every few years. I love epic and complex stories such as Peter F Hamilton’s Reality Dysfunction series. I also enjoy good post-apocalyptic fiction although, sadly, most of it is not well written.What are you working on now?
Right now I am focusing on my Yellow Death series and wondering how to take it forward. I have several ideas and need to choose the best one.What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is something I am still finding out. Ask me again in a couple of years.Do you have any advice for new authors?
Since we can all write there is an assumption we can all write well from day one. Writing is like learning a musical instrument. Everyone can strum a guitar, but it takes hundreds of hours before it is possible to play a good tune. Writing is like that. Treat all writing as practice and don’t even think of publishing until you have several hundred thousand words behind you. There are massive amounts of free advice on sites like Reedsy and YouTube so make the most of them.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When faced with two options always favour the boldest. (If I’d followed that advice I would have been an author 40 years ago)What are you reading now?
I’m reading as much post-apoc fiction as possible for comparison with my own novels.What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to write a complex time travel series with many time paradoxes. At some point, I intend to write a novel based on the life of a real historical figure who was an unsung hero and nobody has heard about-I daren’t give away the name in case somebody else decides to get in before 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?
SAS Survival Handbook
Dune
The Holy Bible
Cloud AtlasAuthor Websites and Profiles
Peter Hall’s Social Media Links
Karam Pal
Interview With Author Karam Pal
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a software engineer by profession and potentialpreneur by heart. I have influenced more than 2000 students and professionals with my keynote speeches in schools, colleges, and corporations. “Unlock Your Dream Potential” is my second book. I love to read books, ride and enjoy movies.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is “Unlock Your Dream Potential.” I failed multiple times in multiples areas of life. But I never thoughts of quitting. I thought, one thing is not working, let me try a different thing. I always wanted to explore things profoundly and learn “How things work .”I read books, took courses, and applied them whatever sort of time I got. It was challenging, but I continued despite challenges like not having money, family responsibilities, not having a growth environment, and taking time and writing with a software job.It was often challenging to continue with the job because you had to put extra effort into learning and learning about new things for passion.
I wanted to succeed anyhow because failure was not for me. I learned that “If you fail 1000 times, make an attempt to 1001 and succeed”.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I have unusual writing habits. One of them is writing when I am working in the office. In the office, I have to do office work but whenever I get some time during lunch or after my work is finished, I start writing.When I started learning writing, I used to go office one or two hours before and write for some time because I was living in a one-room set with family. So kids used to disturb me again and again.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many books that influenced me like “Tribe of mentors”, “4 Hour work week”, “Obstacle is the way” and many others.Author Tim Ferriss has influenced me the most.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my next book, “Reprogram Your Mindset for Success”. Unless we reprogram our mindset, it is tough to do anything meaningful.I had seen when I was procrastinating a lot, not believing in myself, not making enough money, not thinking about the future, and many other things which blocked my progress.
I am also seeing where I started believing in myself, changed my attitude, built resilience, and did things that looked difficult or impossible.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am learning sales and marketing. I am doing webinars and which is working for me.Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learning fast is the key. We have to learn multiple skills simultaneously. If we can plan our learning in advance and keep taking small-2 steps, we can reach our goals.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have received is “Don’t be perfect”. It is so true. Initially, we waste a lot of time to be perfect instead of finishing the work and continuing.What are you reading now?
I am reading “The compound effect” book. It is awesome book.What’s next for you as a writer?
I am focusing on writing my next book and learning all the required skills to make it a best seller and reach to wider audience.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 will have three books with me, “As a man thinketh”, “The Psychology of Money” and “The Storyteller’s Secret”.Author Websites and Profiles
Karam Pal’s Social Media Links
Rosanna Festa
Interview With Author Rosanna Festa
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an expert of philosophy of Science and I have written more than ten books about it.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last book is “I significati di Cartesio”, in Italian language, talking about Descartes and the Phenomenology limits as it was spoken by Pascal.Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am very linear and I follow the main contexts of a text, summarizing and remaining also for long time on it.What authors, or books have influenced you?
Karl Popper and Bertrand Russell.What are you working on now?
A periodic essay in many synthesis as a Critique on Calameo and editing the contemporary philosophers on Calameo.What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://www.rodannafedtafilosofia.wordpress.com/Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t forget the History.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
New algorithms that change also contemporary literature.What are you reading now?
History of English Literature.What’s next for you as a writer?
Expertise in philosophy of Science and Computational theory.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 should bring only one, my textbook I filosofi e le idee, published by Mondadori, in which the extracts of originale philosophy makes to think.
Helen Blazer
Interview With Author Helen Blazer
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book. I was a teacher, but circumstances meant I needed to change my career.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is called ‘Change to a Life You Love’. I had a difficult personal journey for a few years, experiencing post-natal depression and burnout, and I have found my way out of it. I wanted to share some of my experience and learning with others in the hope that they would be able to use the information if they found themselves in a similar position.Do you have any unusual writing habits?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
This is difficult as there are so many and I have wanted to write since I was a child, so there’s a lot of books there that have all contributed!
I love fantasy writers such as Brandon Sanderson, Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan. For non-fiction I would say ‘The Productivity Revolution’ by Marc Reklau and ‘The Four Hour Work Week’ by Timothy Ferriss.What are you working on now?
I am working on publishing some workbooks to support my book, so people can begin using the techniques I suggest in ‘Change to a Life You Love’.What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think reaching out to communities through groups such as Awesome Gang is brilliant because you can promote and receive promotions and so it is a real sharing processDo you have any advice for new authors?
Be resilient. It’s a big learning process, but don’t let it daunt you. You can do it and be successful.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Proceed as if success is inevitable.What are you reading now?
‘Rhythm of War’ by Brandon Sanderson and ‘The A-Z of Therapeutic Parenting’ by Sarah Naish.What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to continue to support people and have some training in mental health and coaching, so I will probably continue with another self help project. I do want to write a novel in the next few years though. I’ve wanted to since I was 10 years old and now it is a very real possibility, I can’t let the chance go by!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?
That’s a really difficult question for a woman who’s hand luggage on planes was literally just full of books as a teenager! I think:
‘Guards! Guards!’ by Terry Pratchett – I love Vimes.
‘Elantris’ by Brandon Sanderson, unless you’d let me take the whole Stormlight series?
‘The Art of Letting Go’ by Damon Zahariades.Author Websites and Profiles
Brindi Quinn
Interview With Author Brindi Quinn
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a fangirling fantasy author from Minnesota specializing in world-building and romance. Since 2011, I’ve released 18 young adult and new adult novels beginning with my debut epic fantasy series, Heart of Farellah. My works often blur the lines between paranormal romance, science fiction, and fantasy, and I like to think my ingredients for a good read are sparkle, spice, and SWOON. Currently, I’m published through Never & Ever Publishing and Midnight Tide Publishing.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Come True: A Bomb-Ass Genie Romance is the romantic, fantastic second-coming-of-age story of two flawed twenty-somethings from different realms battling their inner demons, and each other, one wish at a time. I wrote this book as a reflection of a personal experience I went through that tarnished my image and made me question my identity. I hope readers who have gone through something similar will find comfort in Dolly’s journey and acceptance of herself and all her flaws. We’re only human.Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My habits are pretty typical to those of other writers, I suspect. Ambiance is everything. Tea, music, romantic lighting. I do wake up constantly in the middle of the night to frantically write down ideas that hit me before they’re lost forever.What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest writing influence is the storytelling found in video games, specifically those of big, sweeping JRPGs. Some of them have incredible world-building and character development, and I’ve absorbed their strategies over the years. In terms of identity, I’m as big a gamer as I am a writer.What are you working on now?
I’m currently deep into Granted: A Bomb-Ass Genie Sequel, which is the second book in my Come True (genie romance) series. I think (hope, pray) fans are really going to love it!What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I spend most of my social media time on Instagram and have connected with more readers and other authors through that platform than any other.Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn how to handle critical feedback and negative reviews. I used to get totally bent out of shape when receiving less than sparkly reviews, but I’ve learned to ignore the sting and use them to better myself. We all think and perceive differently, and taking in the opinions of others has helped me learn to diversify my writing and think objectively during the editing stages.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t be an asshole.” Simple yet effective. I try to treat other authors, my readers, friends, and family with genuine interest and care. I try to authentically care about people, be excited for people, and advocate for people. I wasn’t always this way, but a heart feels so much warmer when it’s beating for the sake of others.What are you reading now?
I don’t think I can disclose the title, but I’m beta reading for another author at my publisher, Midnight Tide Publishing. We frequently swap books for early feedback, and it’s great, as it allows me to read books not typically within my preferred genre, and it allows us all to get diverse feedback before ever getting our books into the hands of our reader base.What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve got my first audiobook coming out this summer (2022), for which I’m beyond excited. I’m also going to continue ticking away at my WIP, and I have about a hundred other stories swirling around in my head waiting to be put onto paper. I’m always ready and looking for new opportunities and collaborations, so here’s to a great end to an already great 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?
The first would be Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, as it’s my all-time favorite book. The others would have to be something practical, like “How to Survive on a Deserted Island,” or something along those lines. Not very exciting, but I’d need pointers.Author Websites and Profiles
Brindi Quinn’s Social Media Links
Fil Reid
Interview With Author Fil Reid
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live on a canal boat in the south of England with my husband and our Romanian rescue dog, Bella, and our elderly cat. We’ve been on the boat for ten years now and before that we lived in France where I learnt to speak fluent French pretty quickly.
I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (High Functioning Autism) after two of my now grownup sons were, and that explained a lot to me, especially my life long love of horses and my obsession with all things Arthurian.
I began writing at age 5 when my parents gave me a Petite Children’s Typewriter, and with a few breaks for children and working, I’ve written ever since. My third book is about to come out, published by Dragonblade Publishing, and I have some children’s and YA books with my agent at the moment.What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have a series out at the moment with the main title being Guinevere. Books one and two, The Dragon Ring and The Bear’s Heart are already out, and book three, The Sword, is out on May 31st. They’re set in the Arthurian Dark Ages, with a Time Travel twist.
The inspiration for these books came to me about 20 years ago.
My husband and I had gone to visit Glastonbury Tor (thought by some to be the entrance to Avalon) and at the foot he took four photos on motordrive using infrared film (he didn’t have digital back then). Back home he developed the film and had a look at the negatives. In the first photo the ruined church tower on top of the Tor is visible clearly, in the second photo it’s fading, in the third it’s vanished, in the fourth it’s back.
No explanation. has been found, even though specialists have looked at the negatives. I was left wondering if we’d had a momentary vision of what the Tor looked back in the past before the church tower was built, which led to me wondering what would have happened if we’d been inside the tower when that happened.
I’d wanted to write the story of King Arthur as seen through the eyes of his wife for a long time. And so Guinevere: The Dragon Ring was born.Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, I’m a total pantser. I never plot out my stories but just sit down and write and they unfold before me as I go. Of course, I often have a vague idea in my head where I would like them to end up, but that doesn’t always work out.
I shut out the world with noise cancelling headphones while I write, but I’d think a lot of writers might do that.What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think when I first began writing in earnest with the idea of being published, and began my MG novels that I’d like to get published now, my biggest influence was probably Alan Garner and his wonderful children’s stories about Alderley Edge in Cheshire.
As an adult I suppose it might be Philippa Gregory and her well-researched historical novels.What are you working on now?
I’ve got all six books finished for my Guinevere series, so have time to think about something else right now.
At the moment I’m in the research stage for a historical romance based on a true story set in medieval Wales. It began as a one off, but the more I’ve researched it the more I’ve found and I think it might end up as several books, as my research has led me to discover someone I didn’t even know existed who would make at least one other book.What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is something I’m not that good at!
I belong to a lot of facebook groups and I think that helps, and I’ve advertised on amazon, but you’re asking a total novice here. I’m hoping this will help!Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s really hard to get anyone to take any notice of your books even if they’re good. I must have submitted to about a hundred or more agents and publishers and entered quite a few competitions. It’s worth it in the end. Keep at it. Never give up. One day it will happen for you.What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get your book professionally edited by a reputable editor not just someone who thinks they can edit. It’s worth every penny.What are you reading now?
I’m part way through Terra Incognita by Ruth Downie – it’s about a Roman army doctor posted to Britannia in the early second century, during the reign of Hadrian. It’s a detective story with a difference and she’s an excellent writer whose attention to detail is amazing. I’m very much enjoying it.What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I’d like to get my children’s and YA books published if I can. And I’m working on a new historical novel set in medieval Wales. Just at the research stage with this one right now.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’d take three really long ones!
So maybe Gone with the Wind, that I’ve loved from a teenager, even though it’s not considered PC nowadays.
The Bible might be uplifting in that situation.
A book of poetry – my favourite as a child was The Song of Hiawatha which my aunt gave me for my 8th birthday and I loved.
Can I have the Complete Works of Shakespeare? I’m pretty sure that’s available in one book. I love Shakespeare and that would keep me going for a long time. I could just start again once I reached the end!Author Websites and Profiles
Fil Reid’s Social Media Links
