Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was in second grade when my teacher called my parents in for a conference because the ghost story I’d written had her a little concerned. By the time I was fourteen years old I was reading every Stephen King book I could find in the public library. I was hooked – I knew I had to be a writer.

Since then I’ve had several stories published and I’ve had four screenplays optioned by producers in Hollywood, one of which is being considered for production at a major studio. I’ve written three books so far and one collection of short stories (Ancient Enemy, The Summoning, Descendants of Magic, and A Dark Collection: 12 Scary Stories). Ancient Enemy was a bestseller on Amazon/Kindle. I’m a member of the Horror Writers Association.

I grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida but after many travels and adventures I settled down in Tampa, Florida with my wonderful and supportive wife, my son, and a stray cat we adopted.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a collection of short stories (A Dark Collection: 12 Scary Stories). I’ve always loved short stories, short story collections, and anthologies. Short stories have always been a way for me to discover new writers. Some of the stories in my collection were published previously, but most are new.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if this is unusual, but I outline a lot. Also, (and I know this is contrary to most advice writers might hear) I don’t write every day. There are days when I just let my mind wander, maybe jotting down notes here and there. But then the days I do sit down to write, I can accomplish a lot. I don’t really have a set schedule and I don’t put pressure on myself in that way, but I still get a lot done.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite authors through the years:
Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Larry McMurtry, Michael Crichton, Louis L’Amour, Ann Rice, Lee Child, Robert McCammon, Sue Grafton, Michael Marshall, Preston and Child, Shirley Jackson, Peter Straub, Clive Barker, Dan Brown, Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, Nancy Kress, and too many more to name.

What are you working on now?
I’ve got two books coming out on Amazon/Kindle within the next few weeks.

Night Terrors is a supernatural thriller about a woman with psychic abilities being pursued by a serial killer with psychic powers of his own.

Ghost Town is a novella about six strangers who wake up in a ghost town where someone begins picking them off one by one, but they need to figure out the rules of the “game” if any of them are going to survive.

I’m also just beginning the first book in a post-apocalyptic series called Blackout.

I’m always working on several projects at a time in varying stages of completion.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting books is one of the toughest things I’ve had to do since becoming an author, and I’m still in the learning stages.

I’ve found that Twitter works well, especially services that will tweet your book to their followers during a promotion. I’ve also frequented websites (like this one) to get the word out.

One thing I haven’t done yet is build a website or start a blog, but I plan on getting to that very soon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
One of my biggest pieces of advice is: I don’t believe writers should put too much pressure on themselves to write every day. Sometimes it just doesn’t work, and you can do other things such as promoting, jotting down notes, daydreaming, outlining, editing and re-reading your work, designing covers, etc.

Don’t be afraid to just write out the whole first draft, even if it isn’t coming out exactly like you want it to. You can always go back and edit and change things, but you can’t do anything unless the first draft is written down.

On Kindle, I believe it’s important to have a great description of your book and a great title and cover. And with Kindle, you can always change these at any time if you don’t think they’re working.

Like Stephen King said, and I still think it’s the best advice ever (probably should’ve been at the top of this page), read a lot and write a lot.

And to go along with reading, I would advise reading as many books on selling and marketing your book on Amazon/Kindle as you can. I read three books before putting my first book on Kindle and they helped me a lot.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From Stephen King’s On Writing: Read a lot and write a lot.

What are you reading now?
Several books:

Boy’s Life by Robert McCammon (paperback)
Crossing the Darkness by William Massa (Kindle)
The Final Winter by Iain Rob Wright (Kindle)

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working with two producers on two different scripts right now.

As for the books: I’ve got Night Terrors and Ghost Town coming out very soon. I’m in the middle of a book called Devil’s Island. And I’m just beginning Blackout and The Superhuman Gene.

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’d bring a book called: How to get off a desert island.

Just kidding.

I guess I’d bring the only two fiction books I’ve read more than once: Christine by Stephen King and Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Lukens Amazon Profile

Mark Lukens’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Mark Lukens is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author and illustrator. I have illustrated two children books’, Pick Me Pick Me and Monte’s Lost Colony. I have written two dark fantasy novels Wicked Tides and Wrathful Echoes.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My lastest book is called Wicked Tides. After reading and watching countless typical fantasy stories I decided to write something that brought fantasy to reality.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write a lot of gory actions scenes to bands like Backstreet Boys and One Direction.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Crichton was my largest positive influence.

What are you working on now?
I am currently in the publishing process of the sequel to Wicked Tides entitled Wrathful Echoes

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s hasn’t been a single one. It takes everything you can find to promote your work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Finish that book you’re writing. Ideas are a dime a dozen, but a finished work is far more rare.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ideas are a dime a dozen. Everyone has ideas, so very few people actually bring them to life.

What are you reading now?
Plato’s The Republic

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on beginning my next fictional novel in just a couple of weeks.

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?
Island survival guide books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sean Kinsley Website

Sean Kinsley’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Sean Kinsley is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a coffeeholic and a cat-lover. I live in a fun and beautiful ocean-side town in Maine that is an endless provider of inspiration. I’m the author of three books. My first two (“Vox” and “Aequitas”) are from my horror/mystery/thriller series “The Monstrum Chronicles” and the third is an indie travel comedy titled “Night Time, Dotted Line”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My upcoming novel, “Memento Mori”, due out in December, is the third book in my Monstrum Chronicles series. This was a book that I had started writing about six years ago. The entire plot revolves around a mysterious house on the outskirts of the city and a room in its basement with no doors. All of the characters are propelled, for various reasons, to get into the room and the book follows their efforts and interactions to do so. I was inspired by many different things while writing it, most notably music. I listen to anything and everything, particularly lots of instrumental ambient, in order to fully immerse myself in the story. Other notable influences have been H.P. Lovecraft, Silent Hill, Mark Danielewski’s “House of Leaves”, and Jeff Lindsay’s “Dexter” series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When working on a scene, I’ll usually listen to the same song on repeat for a long time. While writing “Vox”, I listened to “Il Dolce Suono” for 11 hours straight one day (don’t judge me!). For one scene in “Memento Mori”, I listened to Gyorgy Ligeti’s “Requiem” for several hours at a time while writing it. It’s a very unsettling piece of music and it helped me really feel immersed in the scene and the terror that the character was feeling.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Crichton is probably my biggest influence and my favorite author. I’d also count Richard Matheson, Anne Rice, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, Anthony Bourdain, Joss Whedon, and Arthur Conan Doyle into that mix.

What are you working on now?
I’ve got a couple of books in play right now, namely the sequel to “Night Time, Dotted Line” which will hopefully be done by next summer. I’m also working on an apocalyptic thriller novel called “Cold Walls”, which is about an ex-cop dealing with a miscarriage who has to survive a catastrophe with the help of her ex-partner’s ghost. And to top it all off, I’ll begin work on Book 4 of the Monstrum Chronicles as well.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve personally found that my blog is one of the best places to post things. Twitter and Facebook can be helpful in certain situations but where my blog doesn’t have specific targeting and doesn’t limit who can see specific posts, it reaches a broader audience and has more of a chance of being seen.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is cathartic. It’s something that is always there and something you can do no matter how turbulent things are in your life. Writing can be as much of an escape and a release as it can be work. It’s good to stay busy and have fun doing it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Make it dark, make it grim, make it tough, but then, for the love of God, tell a joke.” -Joss Whedon

What are you reading now?
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy
The Call of Cthulu and Other Stories by H.P. Lovecraft
Monster of God by David Quammen

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m really working on broadening my events schedule. I’ve done a lot of readings and signings in my home state and I’d like to stretch that a little more. I have several out of state events this fall that I’m really looking forward to. I’m also keeping my mind open when it comes to new ways to market and write (in terms of style). I don’t ever want to stop learning from the successes of other writers.

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?
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Demon In My View by Amelia Atwater Rhodes
Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter by Josh Gates
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Author Websites and Profiles
Katherine Silva Website
Katherine Silva Amazon Profile
Katherine Silva Author Profile on Smashwords

Katherine Silva’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Katherine Silva is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, thanks for the chance to speak with you. I am a professional journalist, working as sports editor at “Bulgaria Today” daily newspaper. My first article was written in 2000. Until then the duties send me around the world to cover some of the most interesting sports events. I’ve got a chance to be at the last two Summer Olympics and to feel something very special there.

My first book “The white prisoner: Galabin Boevski’s secret story” was published in Bulgaria in December 2013. The English edition was released on Amazon as e-book and on CreateSpace as print on 30 May 2014.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The white prisoner: Galabin Boevski’s secret story” is a real life non fiction novel. The events in the book happened during the amazing life of the main character, who was Olympic, World and European weightlifting champion. He was considered as one of the best in the history of the sport, but in 2011 was sentenced for nice years in Brazil prison for cocaine traffic.

All of a sudden, one day in October 2013, Galabin Boevski landed in Sofia airport. Nobody knows how he was able to get out of the prison just two years after he was put in.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to write at the evening after the end of my work. When the silence started to rule around me I’ve got a chance to enter into my book’s world. As my novel is non fiction the research was connected with a lot of interviews. So first i need to script down the interviews and then to organize how the book will look.

I may write for hours, but when my eyes start to hurt I stop.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Karl May and Emilio Salgari were my favorites when I was a kid. Then I found the world of fantasy authors like Raymond Feist, George Martin, Guy Gavriel Kay. From the crime genre Michael Connelly is the person who makes me feel great pleasure when reading. I am big fan of history books, because of my University specialty – Archaeology.

What are you working on now?
I am trying to do the best possible marketing for my book. For now it gives nice results, but I am learning a lot every day. For every indie author it’s very important to find the right way to introduce his book the the readers and always to respect them.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am spending a lot of my time updating the facebook page of the book (https://www.facebook.com/galabin.boevsky) with some nice stories and pictures. Recently I find as well twitter to be very nice way to show the audience your book. Goodreads is great place for finding some new friends and to receive any kind of help or advice as author or reader!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am new author as well, so my impressions are quite fresh. The most important thing is to follow their own style and not to become slaves of well written guide “How to become best-selling author”. Yeah, you may receive some hints, considering the writing, editing and marketing, but it’s up to you to do the best possible to prepare the next big hit in literature.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To consider myself publishing my book on English. The language is not my strong part. This was the reason that I used professional translator, English editor and a strong army of test readers.

What are you reading now?
Sergey Lukyanenko’s Night watch series. He is very good writer. I love the way he developed his ideas.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I started to make the research and pre-marketing of my next book. It will be a real life story for two of the most successful sportsmen in the world. Their careers changed in very interesting way after they clashed in Atlanta Olympics.

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?
For sure it will be books that I never read and they will be big ones. Probably the only one that I would take from those that were read will be Theodor Momsen’s Roman history. This is a peace of brilliance. It’s so reach, that you may build your very own world in such a desert island. Mika Waltari and his Sinuhe The Egyptian will also be in my list. Probably the other two will be the last John Grisham novel and the latest sports biography that is on the market.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ognian Georgiev Website
Ognian Georgiev Amazon Profile

Ognian Georgiev’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Ognian Georgiev is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Not sure if it was out of boredom growing up or the fact that I live in Stephen King country, but I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of storytelling. I often spent my days and nights immersed in someone else’s story and I grew up on watching daytime soap operas. I swear I was hooked on ANOTHER WORLD while I was still in the womb. I enjoyed my little escape each weekday to a different town, hanging out with different “friends”, and following everyone else’s drama. This helped me to forget about my own.
I have always wanted to right my own fictional “Bay City” and be the director of its citizen’s lives. Finally, after reaching the age of forty, I have decided to just do it and self-publish my own continuing novel series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MILLIKEN MILLS: BATTLE LINES DRAWN is my latest novel and is the third installment of my MILLIKEN MILLS series set on the Maine coast. It centers around the powerful newspaper publishing family, The Nolans as they battle a dying newspaper industry as well as themselves.
I often refer to the series as my “DALLAS in a book”.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say I have unusual habits. I do tend to write in quick, ferocious sessions at times and then it can be months before I write another word. I think a lot of writers do that. I wish I were disciplined enough to write a certain number of pages each day. My “real job” requires me to look at a computer screen all day so usually the last thing I want to do in the evening is look at a computer screen even more.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It is hard not to be influenced by Stephen King when you grow up in the shadow of his hometown. I do enjoy John Saul and Harlan Coben. For my MILLIKEN MILLS series though, I was more inspired by television shows: MELROSE PLACE, DALLAS, and these days SCANDAL.

What are you working on now?
I am now working on a full-length horror novel set in Millinocket, Maine. I am hoping to have it self-published with a release in the fall. The book will be titled, THE LAST SUNRISE.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used as many “free services” as I can with online sources to promote my books. I have a website, a Facebook Author’s page, and I even use Twitter though I have yet to get a lot of followers. As I am self-publishing it can be hard to get attention but one just needs to keep spreading the word about their works in as many places as they can.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I know it sounds cliche but the main thing is to write and have manuscripts ready. The goal and hope of every writer is to get “discovered” and the last thing that you want is for that to happen without any quality material ready to go when your chance is upon you. Keep writing, editing, and improving your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in your own voice. Always write the story the way that you intend for it to be written. If you start changing your work to please others than you won’t be pleased with yourself at the end. This doesn’t mean to ignore all advice about sentence structure or pacing etc., but don’t change the heart of the story just to please someone else.

What are you reading now?
I have started reading Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. I know, I’m so late to the game! But I’ve never been one to read/watch the latest fad just because it IS a fad.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have started the hard process of looking for an agent but until then I will keep self-publishing, spreading the word online about my works. I hope to work on another installment or two of MILLIKEN MILLS to have out next 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?
Jack Kerouac’s ON THE ROAD not only because I enjoy the simplicity of the book but also because I would wish that I could be hitchhiking somewhere off of the island. I’m not a hot weather, beach person so something to take my mind off of that like Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air or Dean Koontz’s Icebound. Hey, I’m from Maine!

Author Websites and Profiles
Bruce A. Fleming Website

Bruce A. Fleming’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Bruce A. Fleming is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a wife to the best husband in the world, and a mom of three children who somehow have become adults in just a few short years! I have been an avid reader for most of my life, and have written off and on for most of my life. I only began publishing my work in the past few years. I have written 12 books and am working on my next one now. My first book, God’s Peace Pact, has received several 5 star reviews. My second book, Tracks of my Father, is based on the stories my dad used to tell us about his childhood. The new one, Clayton Girls: Laura Ann, is my debut into romance/suspense. It is based in Southern United States, in 1955. I have also written nine condensed genealogy books, that resulted from a lifetime of genealogy research on my family.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Clayton Girls: Laura Ann is the name of my work in progress. It is the first one in a series of three. It was inspired by my own childhood, being the youngest of three daughters, and growing up in the Southern U.S. I wanted to write, not so much about my own childhood, but, growing up in the South, during a more innocent era.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so, but, my family might disagree!!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Laura Ingalls Wilder, she was one of the first authors that I read as a child. Janette Oke, Max Lucado, there are many more.

What are you working on now?
My debut into romance/suspense. Several stories are always playing in my chaotic mind, but, I try to just concentrate on one at a time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t found the best one, yet. I use Facebook, and Christian Indie Authors there. They are a wonderful support group. I also use Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Never let others discourage you. Follow your dream, even while being realistic. Mountains were never climbed, nor cities built, in one day. Just never give up!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To never be afraid to go around the next corner. If you stay where you are, you may miss the best part of your life.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading some friends’ new books. Catching up on my Kindle reads.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, within the next few months, all of my books will be available at a small N.E. Arkansas library. That may be small steps, but, it’s exciting for me!! Writing, and publishing my next 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?
The Bible, because I would sure be praying!!!!

Author Websites and Profiles
Wanda Austin Nelson Website
Wanda Austin Nelson Amazon Profile

Wanda Austin Nelson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Wanda Austin Nelson is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a professional writer for 30 years and the editor of The MOON magazine since December 2012. “Animal Intelligence” is the second book of excerpts I’ve published from The MOON; the first was “Overcoming Death.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I saw photographs of Charlie Russell walking and fishing with wild grizzly companions and immediately wanted to interview him. I’ve studied shamanism with Native American elders and learned how much I needed to “unlearn” to free my mind and see the world as it really is. I thought it would be wonderful to go “one step closer to the Source and learn directly from wild animals, from nature. The intermediate step was to talk to people who learned directly from animals.

That was the initial inspiration—and then I rounded out the issue by identifying and contacting other people who’ve done remarkable work with animals: Toni Frohoff, who studies wild dolphins and whales; Rupert Sheldrake, a biologist whose work I love. And then, the great thing about editing The MOON is that I announce a topic and people from all over the world send me articles–essays, memoirs, short stories, and poetry–about it. It’s quite a wonderful education. So, for example, I received an essay from a lifelong aquarist about the surprising “intellectual” abilities of fish. And the memoir from Petra Keese, who communicates with animals.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I guess I’m unusual in that I’m not “driven” to write. I write and read every day–but it’s more

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A great many authors and books have influenced me over time. As a teenager, Herman Hesse and Kurt Vonnegut; as a young adult, spiritual and religious books–”Zen Dawn in the West”; Bo Lozoff’s “We’re All Doing Time” and his other titles, plus I went through a Hemingway period. I’ve always loved Barbara Kingsolver–”Animal Dreams” and “The Poisonwood Bible” are two of my favorites. I love books about people making a difference: “Mountains Beyond Mountains” about Paul Farmer; “My Path Leads to Tibet” by Sabriye Tenberken; Julia Butterfly Hill’s “The Legacy of Luna.” Other, more recent books I’ve loved include “Orange Is the New Black,” “The Glass Castle,” and “Shantaram.”

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a Kindle version of “The Wonder of Boys” and another called “Talk is Deep: Interviews from The MOON.” And of course, every month a new issue of The MOON comes out, so I’m always thinking about that.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wish I knew what websites and social media outlets generated the most traffic and sales. At present, I promote my books through as many free promotion sites as possible when they’re free, with the strategy being to drive them to the first page of an Amazon search for the keywords–and then to let organic search do the rest. I’m hugely grateful to sites like Awesome Gang for helping promote independent authors and publishers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, live, and write as much as you can–not necessarily in that order! Allow time for yourself because creativity takes down time to germinate and blossom. But also try to discipline yourself to write–or at least, sit at your desk and think about writing!–every day. The Muse honors faithful lovers…those who show up consistently.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to your conscience over all other voices.

What are you reading now?
“The Reinvention of Work,” “The Coming of the Cosmic Christ,” and “Occupy Spirituality,” all by Matthew Fox.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on a Kindle version of “The Wonder of Boys” and another called “Talk is Deep: Interviews from The MOON.”

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?
Bo Lozoff’s “We’re All Doing Time” (for sure!), “The Life of Pi,” “Shantaram,” and…something about wilderness survival!

Author Websites and Profiles
Leslee Goodman Website
Leslee Goodman Amazon Profile

Leslee Goodman’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Leslee Goodman is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a retired teacher. I taught AP English, world history, US government & politics and AP US government & politics in a Memphis high school. I was born in Indiana and raised in Illinois. I now live in Tennessee. I’ve written two books and am working on two more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Drop Dead Killers: A David Graham Thriller.” Before becoming a teacher, I worked for lawyers for over twenty years. Some are seriously obnoxious with limited people skills. When they made me really angry, I’d go home after work and write scenes killing them off. Eventually some of these scenes turned into the most recent book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure what you consider unusual. I sometimes write and outline at the same time. That helps if I get stuck on something and don’t know what comes next. I also let ideas float around in my head until I can start to see them like movies. Sometimes that causes a problem because when I start writing I forget the reader can’t see the movie in my head and I forget to add some of the details.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like authors like Lee Child, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Grisham and Michael Connelly. I started writing short stories in grade school, so I’m not sure exactly what influenced me. I think I get a little influence and inspiration from every book I read.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a sequel to Drop Dead Killers. I’m also working on a fantasy in which a teacher acquired the ability to make the students in her class behave themselves by using just a word or a light touch on the shoulder. I think a lot of teachers would like to have that ability. And it’s a fantasy because it’s never going to happen.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not sure. I’m still trying out different things.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Two things: First, read everything you can get your hands on and pay attention to how the other guy does it. Second, own it. Don’t be afraid to let people know you have a book. You spend a lot of time and effort writing the book. Be proud of it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, write and write some more. The more you write, the better you get at it. Write everyday.

What are you reading now?
I just finished “Never Go Back” by Lee Child. I love Jack Reacher. I’m reading “Mr. Mercedes” by Stephen King and “Among Friends” by Jim Sichko. I rarely read only one book at a time. I’m always reading two and sometimes three books at a time. Depends on what I’m in the mood for.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to generate enough sales for “Drop Dead Killers” to get some sort of following so the promotion won’t be so time consuming when the next David Graham is ready to be published. I want to finish the two books I’m working on and then maybe write a non-fiction book about education in this country. Our educational system is totally screwed up and the politicians are only making it worse.

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 hard one. I’d like to take them all. That’s the really great thing about Kindle — you can take them all. I think it would have to be “The Stand” by Stephen King and “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell. Then maybe Tolstoy or Mark Twain. Or maybe a biography of one of the kings and Queens of England — probably Henry VIII.

Janet Martinez is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a management consultant gone writer and publisher
I found out i like to write, it helps me galvanize my ideas and work through them.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book was – six secrets of powerful teams – it has a lot to do with Gestalt and NLP in teams and how to increase your impact to better lead and manage the team. I am a true believer of Gestalt therapy approach and have witnessed its blessings in many situations.
I noticed a lot of issues, challenges and problems business teams; this motivated me to capture my experiences and understandings from consulting engagements into a book. I did that to assist people who were struggling with the daily grind and being unable to see the big picture of what they’re doing. I received many thank yous from people who had read that thes book, saying that it literarily opened their eyes. For me that was the greatest feedback and sense of accomplishment.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really…wait a minute – do you mean that singing and dancing as i am writing is unusual

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lots of popular science books have influenced me. I have read ‘stumbling upon happiness’ by Daniel Gilbert 3 times…
Otherwise i read many different Genres and I guess have been influenced by all

What are you working on now?
A new book – naturally it is new
D – side
Complex decisions – a practical business guide
A humoristic practical approach to understanding why decisions are so difficult and what can be done about it

In this book I describe complex problems and how it impacts are decisions, yielding less then optimal results. These problems, on top of being difficult are actually unsolvable in a reasonable amount of time. Many times we take shortcuts to handle them. Often these shortcuts provide adequate results…other times they don’t.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
No one best, I use many. For sure the most impacting is keynoting and presenting at various conferences – the books are mostly easily sold before during and after

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write on what is close to your heart, on topics in the region of your field of expertise, on things that you care about, on issues that upset you and that you like to mend and correct. Make a plan, accept that the plan changes and usually does. It seems that there is not much to invent in many Genres, rather innovative and contemporary writing is all about being able to synthesize data in a distinctive approach and present information clearly and in a structured manner to your readers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

I just love this advise, and quote it in my book silent influencing.

What are you reading now?
All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior

I find myself rolling laughing and crying as well reading the situations of parenting described in the book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Another book up ahead

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?
Really really long ones
One would be:
Sophie’s World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy
Another
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks (that is only considered as one – doesn’t it?)
Last would be
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage – to keep me sane on the island and show how men endure

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Nir Website
Michael Nir Amazon Profile
Michael Nir Author Profile on Smashwords

Michael Nir’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Michael Nir is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a wife to the best husband in the world, and a mom of three children who somehow have become adults in just a few short years! I have been an avid reader for most of my life, and have written off and on for most of my life. I only began publishing my work in the past few years. I have written 12 books and am working on my next one now. My first book, God’s Peace Pact, has received several 5 star reviews. My second book, Tracks of my Father, is based on the stories my dad used to tell us about his childhood. The new one, Clayton Girls: Laura Ann, is my debut into romance/suspense. It is based in Southern United States, in 1955. I have also written nine condensed genealogy books, that resulted from a lifetime of genealogy research on my family.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Clayton Girls: Laura Ann is the name of my work in progress. It is the first one in a series of three. It was inspired by my own childhood, being the youngest of three daughters, and growing up in the Southern U.S. I wanted to write, not so much about my own childhood, but, growing up in the South, during a more innocent era.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so, but, my family might disagree!!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Laura Ingalls Wilder, she was one of the first authors that I read as a child. Janette Oke, Max Lucado, there are many more.

What are you working on now?
My debut into romance/suspense. Several stories are always playing in my chaotic mind, but, I try to just concentrate on one at a time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t found the best one, yet. I use Facebook, and Christian Indie Authors there. They are a wonderful support group. I also use Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Never let others discourage you. Follow your dream, even while being realistic. Mountains were never climbed, nor cities built, in one day. Just never give up!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To never be afraid to go around the next corner. If you stay where you are, you may miss the best part of your life.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading some friends’ new books. Catching up on my Kindle reads.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, within the next few months, all of my books will be available at a small N.E. Arkansas library. That may be small steps, but, it’s exciting for me!! Writing, and publishing my next 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?
The Bible, because I would sure be praying!!!!

Author Websites and Profiles
Wanda Austin Nelson Website
Wanda Austin Nelson Amazon Profile

Wanda Austin Nelson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Wanda Austin Nelson is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the author of over 35 published books (and a few more that will never be published.) I’ve written two series: Rocky Bluff P.D. mysteries set in a small beach community in Southern California, and the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries, written under the name Marilyn Meredith, set in the Southern Sierra. I’m married, have five grown children and many grand and great-grandkids. I’m also on the board of the Public Safety Writers Association, and belong to Mystery Writers of America and three chapters of Sisters in Crime.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book in the Rocky Bluff P.D. series is Murder in the Worst Degree. A friend gave me the title and I was nearly finished with the book before I knew how the title was going to fit. In all the books in the series, my goal has been to show how what happens in the family affects the job (being a law enforcement officer) and how what happens on the job affects the family. Having family members in law enforcement as well as many friends who in some form of LE has given me many incentives to write in this genre.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get up really early and do all my writing in the early morning hours. And I’ll probably be drinking a cup of Chai latte. Though I do write notes about the book in progress, I don’t do a formal outline.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, so very many. I started out reading Nancy Drew when I was a kid and progressed to all the famous mystery writers from Robert Parker to Mary Higgins Clark. I’m still an avid mystery fan and always have a large TBR pile.

What are you working on now?
The next Rocky Bluff P.D. I’m just now gathering my notes, figuring out who will be a victim and the suspects, what other crimes the members of the RBPD will face, and what crises they will face in their private lives.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve probably tried everything, but I’m fond of blog tours. They are a lot of work, but I enjoy doing them. My website has a lot of information about me and all my books. http://fictionforyou.com/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read the kind of books that you want to write. Learn as much as you can about the craft of writing. Go to writers conferences. And if you can, join a critique group. Always have someone edit your work before you publish yourself or send your manuscript off to a publisher.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, write, write and don’t ever give up.

What are you reading now?
Trickster’s Point by William Kent Krueger.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Working on my next book, planning promotion both online and in-person.

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 and any really thick books I haven’t read yet. Probably the latest Stephen King. Or better yet, a loaded Kindle as long as there was a way to recharge it.

Author Websites and Profiles
F. M. Meredith Website
F. M. Meredith Amazon Profile

F. M. Meredith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

F. M. Meredith is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I trained as a scientist, worked at Johnson Space Center in Houston. While studying the Moon, I found evidence that the speed of light is slowing down. I am also a stage actress and member of Screen Actors Guild. THE SPEED OF LIGHT is my first science book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE SPEED OF LIGHT started with the prediction that all things slow with time, even light. From there it turned into a book of light, starting with a baby’s eyes first opening and ending with our biggest discoveries about the size and shape of the universe.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing on holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. The home is so peaceful when one doesn’t have to hurry to work. There is still plenty of time for family in the evening!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Science fiction writers who also mastered science, like Clarke or Asimov, were an early inspiration.

What are you working on now?
I have written many scripts and am presently turning my attention to plays.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My blog “GM=tc^3″ is rated one of the Top 50 science blogs! http://riofriospacetime.blogspot.com. The crowdfunding campaign for THE SPEED OF light attracted many smart readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write write write!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t panic!

What are you reading now?
Barbara Tuchman’s “The Guns of August” about 1914 and the beginning of the First World War. Very timely!

What’s next for you as a writer?
An even more controversial science book, A HOLE IN THE EARTH.

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?
Complete Works of Shakespeare, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, History of the World

Author Websites and Profiles
Louise Riofrio Website

Louise Riofrio’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Louise Riofrio is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Since I was young I’ve always wanted to write. Somehow, I ended up fixing trucks in the middle of the Australian desert instead. From there I switched to my current career as a marine engineer. This obviously requires spending extended periods away from home and that’s where I began to follow my dream. During the weeks away I studied creative writing and completed several distance learning courses. My novel was started during one of these courses. So far, it is the only one I have completed. I’m hoping I won’t be able to say that by the end of this month.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘King of the Mekong’ was written after a trip to Vietnam in 2011. Over the years I’ve spent quite a lot of time studying the Vietnam War and while there I visited a few places of historical significance. I never got to go on any chopper rides into the jungle but that’s where the story was born. As soon as I returned home and went back to work, that was how I spent my nights. Back in Vietnam but this time via a keyboard.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I’m aware of. I do seem to be distracted easily and find it best if I can work in silence. With no internet connection. If I’m stuck for any reason I’ll throw in a random drama, just to see where the story goes. I’m unsure whether or not others have used this technique but I find it works well. Usually a lot of editing follows but at least things are moving again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Matthew Reilly, Clive Cussler and Andy McDermott are my favourites with Tony Park closing in fast. I love action, adventure and a cracking pace. Every time I head away to work, I get a new book to read on the flight. A few years ago I bought Andy McDermott’s ‘The Secret Of Excalibur’ and read the entire novel in two sittings. As soon as I put it down, I started writing ‘King of the Mekong’. I have no idea why as the two are entirely different. I think it was the fast pace and excitement that left me hungry for more. I didn’t own a Kindle then and had no other books, so I wrote my own.

What are you working on now?
I have two projects at the moment. One is just an outline and won’t be getting touched for a while. I had an idea and didn’t want to lose it so I spent a few days putting the basics on paper. It will require a lot more research and I’d already started writing my other project. This one will be a trilogy with book one nearing completion. I hope to write and release all three over the next eighteen months. Then I’ll go back to my outline!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning in that area but there’s a lot of information out there and it’s hard to know where to start. I think Goodreads could work well. I have a website which I’m trying to rank for certain keywords plus the Facebook & Twitter thing. And obviously awesomegang.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop writing. After my first book was finished, I stopped writing. I really, really wish I hadn’t. I would’ve had my entire next series finished by now but I was so nervous that nobody would like my book that I just stopped writing. Only two weeks after the release, I had my first review and it was five stars. Since then I’ve had a few more five star reviews and it’s given me back the confidence I had no reason to lose in the first place. It is a scary experience at first but very rewarding. Be proud of your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing. Turn off your internal editor and just get it out and onto paper. You can edit later, it’s only a rough draft. I lost count of my rewrites. When you think you’ve finished, get a professional editor. I thought my manuscript was ready but thankfully I listened and hired an editor. It wasn’t ready at all.

What are you reading now?
‘The Camelot Code’ by Sam Christer on paperback and ‘New Order Apocalypse’ by R. Mac Wheeler on Kindle.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Completing my series is the next major for me. I’ve had it mapped out in my head for years and it will be great to see it all come together on paper. After that, there are many more ideas floating around. I’m part way through an Editing & Proofreading course which I’d also like to get finished.

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’d take the latest release at the time from my top three favourite authors & a book on survival at sea…

Author Websites and Profiles
Damian Magnay Website
Damian Magnay Amazon Profile
Damian Magnay Author Profile on Smashwords

Damian Magnay’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Damian Magnay is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far I have written two books in the “First Phase”: Anstractor, which is a 318 page SciFi novel about the rise of a hero during a terrible time in another galaxy; Lady Hellgate, tells the story of another hero who influenced the events in Anstractor – this book is only 134 pages long.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book was Anstractor, it was inspired by a number of short stories that I had written in the past and wanted to tell the full story of that world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m an avid bathroom blogger… I also keep a hand-recorder in the car with me on my daily commute, so that I can speak out the ideas and situations that come to me when I’m there. It’s funny how ideas seem to pop up and the most inopportune times, so I keep the hand recorder so that I am not texting while driving, and with one button press, I can record my thoughts immediately.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King is a huge influence, as well as Terry Brooks, and Robert Beck. Beck’s book: Pimp: The Story of My Life, showed me a form of writing that made me want to tell stories as beautifully as he did. I am an avid reader, so there are plenty of influences. The ones I’ve listed are the ones that stick out the most right now.

What are you working on now?
I am working on two books currently. The first book is a true sequel to Anstractor and the second is a historical fiction about a black gang in the Tampa Bay area. I am well into the sequel for Anstractor so that may be out first, I am having a blast with the gang book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media (especially Twitter) has bee a blessing. I have found that through my blogging and random, crazy tweets, I have developed a following that likes my writing and are beyond helpful in checking out my books, if not buying them. I do a lot of online marketing as well, which is tough to pull metrics from, but social media is king, as far as my reality has seen.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not take advice from one, or two, or even three sources. There is so much misinformation, and the blind leading the blind on forums and on blogs. You are going to be upset if you don’t do a lot of research. If you want to read something that will help you prepare then buy the book A.P.E. (author, publisher, entrepreneur) by Guy Kawasaki. It will put you in the right mind state to be a book marketer as well as writer.

If you have a budget (and you should), spend the money on a great book cover and editing. If you are not an expert in graphic design or editing, do not try to become one at the last minute. I spent the majority of the money I put aside for my books on a professional editor and it gave me the peace of mind that my readers will get a solid product. I didn’t hire a graphics person for my cover because I have a graphics background and could do it myself (I am very proud of Lady Hellgate’s look). DO NOT try to be a graphic designer if you aren’t, and do not get “a friend” to edit your book. Do it right, and market the hell out of it once it’s out there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ignore reviews, ignore critics, keep on writing, put out more books, and improve as a writer.

What are you reading now?
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley… I’m loving it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing, and finding ways to improve my marketing skills so that each book has a better chance at reaching people.

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?
1984, Pimp: The Story of My Life, a book on learning Japanese, and a dictionary.

Author Websites and Profiles
Greg Dragon Website
Greg Dragon Amazon Profile

Greg Dragon’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Greg Dragon is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former stealth and Predator pilot who now has four novels in print/audio—two from Berkley Books at Penguin and those books plus an additional two from Brilliance Audio. Though my career sort of pegs me as a military/espionage thriller guy, my favorite project was PIRATES: The Midnight Passage, a short novel now available from Brilliance Audio.

I earned my bachelors in Middle Eastern Studies from the US Air Force Academy. During my career, which is ongoing as a reserve Lieutenant Colonel, I flew the A-10 Warthog, the MQ-1 Predator, and the top secret B-2 Stealth Bomber, spending most of my time as a pilot liaison to the intelligence side of the house. I have been shot at, locked up with a surface to air missile and aided the capture of High Value Targets. Because of my experience and my clearances, everything I write about drones or stealth must get checked by the appropriate program security office before publication.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Shadow Maker came out on 3 June 2014. This is my opus, so to speak—the reason I started the Nick Baron series in the first place. I knew that this story would be a great challenge, and an even greater challenge to get published, so I held it back, waiting to build the characters and build my own capabilities before tackling it. I hope that my patience will now pay off for the reader.

The challenge I laid out in Shadow Maker was threefold:
1. Follow the trail of dominoes triggered by collateral damage from a CIA drone strike, no matter where it lead me. What I found was that trail leading me back to the source of the strike, with some pretty ugly consequences.
2. Incorporate not one, but four escalating attacks, each of a different type (conventional, cyber, etc.). That is a broad scope and a lot of action for one book. I worked hard to bring it all together.
3. Wrap all of this into a chess match—a figurative game as well as an actual, no kidding game of chess—between the villain and the hero. In this chess match, the villain plays at such a level of genius that the hero cannot win, and knows it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I walk. I cannot create while sitting in front of a computer, so I will take my phone (with its voice recording app) and walk for miles and miles. I will even walk in the rain, but when it is storming so much that I can’t, I’ll wander aimlessly about the house like a zombie. My children call this “think-walking” and know that if they speak to me, I will only mindlessly nod in response. The youngest takes advantage of this to acquire cookies—”I asked Dad. He said I could have one!”

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The blunt, yet biting wit of Mark Twain had an early influence on me with Tom and Huck and the Connecticut Yankee. Then I drifted into fantasy with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, never really drifting out again. I read both series from start to finish every summer during my late elementary years, and have returned to them many times since. In middle-school I became enamored with Tom Clancy—like many in the mid ’80′s. I loved his descriptions of the tech. I loved the Cold War intrigue. The Air Force Academy, with its heavy engineering course load, sucked away all of my pleasure reading time, but after graduation, I discovered Clive Cussler. I can’t imagine a better dynamic between two characters than that between Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino. For me, Clive Cussler revealed that an adventure doesn’t have to take itself to seriously.

What are you working on now?
That’s highly classified. I will say that one project is a completely new series and another is a Christian discipleship program. That brings to mind something I failed to mention about my writing. It is clean. The Nick Baron series is secular, covert ops fiction, but it is free of foul language and sex. I want my sons to be able to read my work, and I want my work—even my secular work—to be a ministry that brings glory to God.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t think I have one. We all had Facebook, but it is rapidly going down the tubes. 3% of my fans see my posts as a baseline. If I get some likes and shares, that number bumps up, but not by much—maybe 10%. It is nothing like the good old days (aka less than two years ago). It used to be that you could run a photo contest or other promotion on Facebook and the natural traffic would boost your fan base and awareness of your book. Not anymore. You’ve got to pay for visibility no matter what, and even then my recent experience has shown that paid visibility goes to “like farms” despite demographic targeting to avoid them.

I am shifting hope, financing, and effort to the free Stealth Ops App. This is an app with great graphics that carries bonus stories that extend the books, character back-story, tech specs, mission maps, videos, etc. I want to give fans free content to expand the world of Nick Baron that I can’t give them in the books themselves. We’ll see what kind of response I get.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Keep seeking critiques from objective sources. Listen to them—even that extremely brutal review from a reader on Amazon or Goodreads. We can always, ALWAYS be better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

We spend so much time in pursuit of what we want, rather than what we need.

What are you reading now?
The Mistborn series by Brian Sanderson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep reading, keep writing. With Shadow Maker I completed a journey that I started more than a decade ago. Now it’s time to start a new journey, placing one foot in front of the other. Tolkien said it best: “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

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 ask the impossible. I would rather wait for such an event to occur and then play the cards I was dealt than choose at this moment. I absolutely MUST see a series through to completion and there are too many trilogies I love to choose from.
Wait… What about just one solar-powered Kindle?

Author Websites and Profiles
James Hannibal Website
James Hannibal Amazon Profile

James Hannibal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

James Hannibal is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mark A. Lack is the Founder and CEO of The Peak Performance Club which is The Nations Preeminent Coaching Company for Young Adults and Entrepreneurs. Mark is an entrepreneur, author, speaker and peak-performance coach who specializes in helping young adults and entrepreneurs recognize and overcome their limiting beliefs, fears and sabotaging patterns holding them back from making their life and or business a masterpiece.

Having invested over $500,000 in his own personal and professional growth learning from the best experts in the world, today Mark shares his knowledge, strategies and proven success process to help young adults and entrepreneurs achieve their full potential and create extraordinary results in both their personal and professional life.

Mark is the author of the book SHORTEN THE GAP- Shortcuts To Success And Happiness, which has been endorsed by world renowned experts in the personal development industry.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is titled, SHORTEN THE GAP Short Cuts To Success and Happiness.

I was inspired to write my book because after investing so much in my personal and professional growth, I felt responsible to share with my generation all of the valuable information I had invested in learning. I want to make a major impact on the world and my book is one of many devices that will allow me to do that.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I am aware of. However, what is unusual to me, may not be unusual to someone else.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tony Robbins – all of his materials.

John Assaraf – Having It All, The Answer

Napoleon Hill – Think and Grow Rich

Darren Hardy – The Compound Effect

…many others!

What are you working on now?
Growing our business and expanding our product and service line so that we may impact more people’s lives.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Our website is www.ThePeakPerformanceClub.com

We use a variety of tactics when we do book promos. I do not have analytics on which method has been the most effective because of the tactics we have used. Certain things can’t be tracked. We are transitioning into more measurable promotional tactics as we begin to put more capital behind our promos.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t worry about publishing right off the bat. That part comes later. Focus on creating extraordinary content, that is different and unique. Then focus on how to market it effectively, and get lots of high ranked reviews on Amazon where most people buy books these days.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is especially tough for me to answer because I live in the world of acquiring great advice. But since if I had to choose one piece of advice that has guided my life, it would be – “Always find ways to have constant and never-ending improvement in every area of your life.”

What are you reading now?
INFLUENCE by Dr. Robert Cialdini

AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN by Tony Robbins

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on getting major national exposure this year with my manager who managed Mike Tyson, George Forman, Sylvester Stallone and many others.

I am working on developing and creating more products – books, audio programs, gamified education and workbooks.

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 definitely bring:

1.) AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN by Tony Robbins

2.) Higher Self by Deepak Chopra

3.) The E-myth Michael Gerber

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Lack Website
Mark Lack Amazon Profile

Mark Lack’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Mark Lack is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My pen name is unusual because I didn’t know if my “out there” hardboiled stories would be accepted. I have 4 published books and two more books accepted by publishers and in production.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
JUST SO YOU KNOW I’M NOT DEAD is a sampler of short stories put out so fans wouldn’t forget me while waiting for the next novel ddue for release this September by Blasted Heath.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write over 15-hour days for weeks at a time. That’s the only way I get them finished.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tim Dorsey, T. Jefferson Parker, John Kennedy Toole, Tom Robbins, Tom Wolfe

What are you working on now?
Book three in the HARD BITE series about a paraplegic turned vigilante who tracks down hit-and-run drivers in Los Angeles with the help of a deadly helper-monkey.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
BookBub and Twitter are helpful.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be careful who you take criticism from and always make sure the person is a fan of the genre you are writing. Romance readers give lousy advice on crime novels and vice versa.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t bother with what the other guys are doing and where they’re at. Run your own race. Your only competition is yourself.

What are you reading now?
The calorie count of mouthwash. I’m on a strict diet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Long hours in a chair thinking up crazy stuff. Hopefully followed by lunch.

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?
FADE TO BLONDE Max Phillips

PINEAPPLE GRENADE Tim Dorsey

LOOKING OUT FOR #1 Robert J. Ringer

LA OUTLAWS T. Jefferson Parker

Author Websites and Profiles
Anonymous-9 Anonymous-9 Website
Anonymous-9 Anonymous-9 Amazon Profile

Anonymous-9 Anonymous-9′s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Anonymous-9 Anonymous-9 is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a lifelong writer, working in spurts, and have written two complete novels, one of which is published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Blue Hydrangeas,” an Alzheimer’s love story. I didn’t plan to write a book about Alzheimer’s, it just happened. I was working as a hospital nurse case manager when I met the couple who would become my characters Jack and Sara. What captivated me about them is that while she was definitely middle to beginning of late stage Alzheimer’s and quite confused (but also lovely and endearing), he appeared to be physically frail, and the two of them had just driven up from Florida to New York by themselves. I found it amazing they were able to complete this journey without any mishap. Unfortunately, when they got home she somehow fell and fractured her pelvis and was about to go to a nursing home/rehab. My job was to make sure these plans went smoothly, and I discussed this with them in the presence of their son, who said, “Please do not let my parents leave here without me. I plan to assist them in the admission process.” When I left for home later that day, I could not stop thinking about them and wondering: What would happen if somehow they left the hospital without their son? Where would they go? What would they do? My wild imagination took off and “Blue Hydrangeas” resulted. I do not have any personal experience with Alzheimer’s other than working as a nurse and nursing assistant in the hospital and in nursing homes. I had three aunts who succumbed to the disease, all beautiful and brilliant women. I dedicated the book to them, and to my husband’s grandmother, who also had Alzheimer’s and whom I never met.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I developed repetitive strain injuries from an inappropriate computer workstation at my job, so I have a pretty unorthodox writing style. I don’t (can’t) write everyday, a practice recommended by many authors. I have to respect my limitations or suffer pain and loss of function for days. So I work in spurts, constantly prioritizing my tasks, doing as much as I can to finish the novel I’m working on and promoting “Blue Hydrangeas.” I use a number of devices to assist me: iPhone, tablet, Dragon Dictation, laptop, PC, pen and paper, whatever it takes. It’s frustrating, but I’m managing to pull it off.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Elizabeth Berg motivated me to stop dreaming about writing and WRITE back in 2002. I was at the gym, laboring on the treadmill and reading the latest Good Housekeeping. I found an excerpt from her newest novel, “True to Form.” I loved it, and thought, “now that’s how I want to write.” I started “Blue Hydrangeas” shortly thereafter. I’ve since read all of Berg’s books; she has quite a backlist. I don’t know if my writing lives up to hers, but she’s a great role model. Anne Tyler is also a favorite of mine. I did my senior honors thesis on her work while a student at UMass Boston. I’m an eclectic reader. I’ll read anything. I might not finish it but I’ll give it a shot. I also read indies, because they need support. A lot of great writers go undiscovered, which is a loss for everyone.

What are you working on now?
My current work-in-progress is “Swim Season.” It’s a huge switch from “Blue Hydrangeas,” because my heroine is a high school senior, Aerin Keane, the new girl in school and a champion swimmer who challenges a long-standing school record. The story is about more than swimming, however, as Aerin also tackles issues related to her parents’ divorce, a pregnant stepmother, two stepsisters she doesn’t want, and her Army nurse mother’s PTSD and drug addiction following two tours of duty in the Middle East. Oh, and then there’s her best friend’s cute twin brother. My daughter was a high school varsity swimmer for six years and I always wanted to write a story about the girls and how their season unfolds. All of the special elements in this story serve to heighten the drama and the tension and it’s truly a blast to write.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
EReader News Today helps sell a lot of books. I also love Twitter for getting the word out and meeting other authors. It’s also helped me connect with people concerned about Alzheimer’s. I used it to meet some swimmers who allowed me to interview them for “Swim Season.” Facebook is not as useful; I find it hard to keep up with its constant changes. Other promotional websites I’ve used are Clean Indie Reads, Book Divas, IndieReader, Goodreads, and BookWorks. The Fussy Librarian and Story Cartel are also great for getting reader reviews.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. This is a long-term commitment; you will most likely not be an overnight success. If you’re going to do this you must be in it for the long haul. Utilize all resources for promoting your book, including social media and the internet, but also local resources such as your public library and independent bookstore. Spend your marketing dollars wisely. Figure out how you define success: sales? reviews? awards? and use that as a barometer to see how you’re doing. Don’t let others determine whether you’re successful or not. I offer additional advice in my blog post “Happy Birthday Indie Author! 7 Things I Learned My First Year.” http://mariannesciucco.blogspot.com/2014/04/happy-birthday-indie-author-7-things-i.html

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.

What are you reading now?
I just started “Father Joe” by Tony Hendra. My library’s doing a book talk on it. I’m also reading Ruth Reichl’s “Delicious,” which is yummy. I just finished “You Changed My Life,” by Abdel Sellou, the man who inspired the French film “The Intouchables.” Loved both. And I recently discovered Ann E. Burg’s novels in verse, “Serafina’s Promise,” and “All the Broken Pieces.” I said I was an eclectic reader.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I write family dramas with real medical issues and tend to juggle projects. In addition to “Swim Season” I’ve got one complete but unrevised novel on my desk, “Perfect Match”, the story of 14-year-old Jamie Diana who meets the father she never knew for the first time when he comes looking for a bone marrow donor for his daughter who has leukemia. I started the project in 2004 and it’s been waiting for its chance at publication for years. Now that I’ve had success with indie publishing it may make it. I plan to launch it sometime in early 2015. Still in creation phase is a special project, a fundraiser for the HEART School in Haiti, called “Akisse and Gaspard Go to School,” a day in the life of two schoolchildren, one in the US and one in Haiti. A good friend, Maria Blon, who is a strong supporter of this school, asked me to write this book and it’s been both a learning experience and a mission. The children are wonderful. I have actually met Akisse who lives nearby and know Gaspard through interviews, photos and videos. We will run a crowd funding campaign to raise the needed money to publish this book (written in English and Creole) and will need to find artists and formatters willing to collaborate with us for little to no payment. Interested parties can contact me at mariannesciucco@gmail.com.

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’ve got a big, fat edition of “The Complete Novels of Jane Austen.” I’d like to get the same kind of thing for Jan Karon’s Mitford series. Anything Anne Tyler or Elizabeth Berg. And of course my Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
Marianne Sciucco Website
Marianne Sciucco Amazon Profile

Marianne Sciucco’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marianne Sciucco is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Ashley Chunell and I’ve published four books; “Masterpiece,” a romance novel; “A Melody in Harmony,” “New Melody, Same Harmony” and “A Miracle Melody” – also known as the Noah and Ronan Series – of the GLBT genre.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “A Miracle Melody.” It is the third book in my Noah and Ronan Series. It all started back in November 2013, I was working on proofreading “New Melody, Same Harmony” and once again, I just couldn’t stop writing these characters. The first book, “A Melody in Harmony,” focused on Noah and Ronan becoming boyfriends, falling in love and fighting for equality in their bigoted town. The second book, “New Melody, Same Harmony,” focused on marriage equality as Noah and Ronan prepared to wed. So, it was no question that the next book in the series would be about Noah and Ronan having a baby and becoming fathers. I’ve made it a point with my Noah and Ronan Series to focus on the major steps in a couple’s life and shed light on the challenges those of the LGBT community face. In “A Miracle Melody,” Noah and Ronan deal with dilemmas and challenges on their quest to fatherhood and of course, I put a lot of real-life situations into this book, much like the first two books in my series.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

Lately, Chris Colfer. I love how he adds so much real life into his writing – not so much in his books, but in his movie. He’s been such an inspiration that I actually named a character after him in “A Miracle Melody”!

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m just working on promoting “A Miracle Melody.” I’m also always working on Noah and Ronan drabbles that you can find on my website!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Definitely Twitter. Us Indie authors have each other’s backs on Twitter! haha

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always write what you believe in and never write anything you don’t want to. Don’t write to please others, write to tell the story you want to tell.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate.”

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?

Author Websites and Profiles
Ashley Chunell Website
Ashley Chunell Amazon Profile

Ashley Chunell’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Ashley Chunell is a post from Awesome Gang