Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an inspirational author. My romantic fiction books always have a splash of mystery or suspense entwined.

I live in North Carolina. My novels published with Prism Book Group include, Escape to Big Fork Lake, Stone of Destiny and Redemption in Big Fork Lake.

I have a novella titled, Postmark Ever After, published by Lovely Christian Romance.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest novel is Postmarked Ever After. The inspiration for it came from ideas of how the Lord can guide believers to a better life, even after they have suffered.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I must write in order. I cannot sketch out individual chapters and piece them together.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy Nichols Sparks

What are you working on now?
I have two works for the future. Christmas at Angel Ranch and Sparks of Love.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think Awesome Gang is great. This is one good way to promote, there are other such as Good Reads. Face Book also has genre groups that authors can join.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and don’t give up. Submit to many publishers and one will notice, if you put an effort in it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always strive for better.

What are you reading now?
Sheriff Bride- The inside Man by Stephanie Guerrero

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on Sparks of Love with thoughts of seeking out an agent.

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 KJV Bible -another copy of the Bible (just in case something happened to the first)

A copy of How to survive in the Wilderness.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mary L. Ball Website
Mary L. Ball Amazon Profile
Mary L. Ball Author Profile on Smashwords

Mary L. Ball’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Mary L. Ball is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the “newbie” of the bunch! I just released my very first book, a romantic suspense called “Trick Play”, and seeing my name on it has been an amazing adrenaline rush. I’ve dreamed of being a fiction writer for more years than I can count, so I keep pinching myself to see if this is actually happening. Luckily, it is!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called “Trick Play”, and the main character — Rebecca — isn’t too different from me. She’s got a dream she’s willing to work hard for, so she moves to a tiny town in Texas to work as a sports reporter at a local TV station. I’ve always loved writing AND sports, so coming up with Rebecca felt like the perfect combination.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Does writing with my cat on the desk count?! Seriously, though, I’ve done some great brainstorming out by the pool and on the beach. How cool is it that you can actually work in a spot that most people only get to see on vacation?!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always gobbled up Nora Roberts’ and Danielle Steel’s books. To me, those two have achieved what we all want — they create stories that you literally cannot put down.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m coming up with plot lines for my second book. It will take place in Curtinville, too, just like “Trick Play” did. You’ll see a couple of familiar characters in it, along with some new faces. And, of course, it would’t be Curtinville without tons of drama!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I”m still trying to figure that out! So far, I’ve seen a great response from my followers on Twitter. I actually started Tweeting right when I started working on “Trick Play”. I thought it would be fun to bring people into the writer’s world so that they could experience all of the emotions right along with me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Right now, I’m in their shoes! But the biggest thing I have learned from all of this is to move forward with your dreams. As great as the mental picture may be, working hard and actually achieving a life-long dream is even better!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing. There’s no shortage of stories to be told or characters to create. As long as you tell great stories, people will gobble them up. It sounds so simple, but it’s so true. There will always be a demand for great books!

What are you reading now?
I’m reading “I AM”, which couldn’t be more different from “Trick Play”! It’s actually an amazing book that focuses on discovering more about yourself and learning about the power you possess to make your life extraordinary.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing! My dream wasn’t just to publish one novel and call it a day. Instead, I want to be known for creating a steady stream of great stories. There are a bunch of ideas rattling around in my head, and I can’t wait to dive into all of them!

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?
Wow, that’s tough! I would definitely take “I AM”, since I’d probably need an emotional boost while I was stranded! I’d also take “Zim” by the late, great Don Zimmer, because it’s chock full of funny stories that span his entire baseball career. And I’d take “Trick Play”, because I would want a constant reminder that dreams really do come true.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jessica Kelly Amazon Profile

Jessica Kelly’s Social Media Links

Twitter Account

Jessica Kelly is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Marc A. DiGiacomo is the Multi-Award Winning author of In A Small Town. Mr. DiGiacomo is a retired and highly decorated police detective who worked for a small town in the State of New York. During his police career, Mr. DiGiacomo has worked with numerous police agencies including the F.B.I., D.E.A., U.S. Secret Service, New York State Police, NYPD, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and many other law enforcement agencies. He currently resides in New York with his wife and three children.

On September 12, 2013, “In A Small Town,” won the Best Thriller award at the 2013 Orangeberry Book Expo Hall of Fame.

On July 15, 2014, “In A Small Town,” was named a Thriller Finalist in the 2014 International Readers’ Favorite Awards Contest.

On June 10, 2014, the much anticipated sequel, Back In Town was released.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Back In Town” was released in June 2014. It is the follow-up sequel to “In A Small Town.” The inspiration for all of my books comes from my love of law enforcement. Having been a police detective for most of my career, I wanted to spotlight how much crime actually happens in a small town.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to write during the day but I always keep a pad and pen handy. Something can pop into my head at any time and a writer needs to be prepared to copy these thoughts down.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a big Patterson fan since I was a kid.

What are you working on now?
The third installment in A Small Town series titled “Last In Town.” I’m also looking into adapting my books into a screenplay and preparing audio-books as well.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub.com has been the single best advertising website for me. Since, November 2013, “In A Small Town,” has been downloaded over 100,000 times for free. Now, it’s time to make some pennies.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, listen to the voices in your head, they’re telling you something. Oh, and you’re not crazy if you do hear them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Marketing a book is harder work than writing it. This is so true, especially for an indie author.

What are you reading now?
Actually, nothing at the moment, What do you recommend?

What’s next for you as a writer?
Releasing “Last In Town,” screenplay adaptations, audio-books and I just started a new thriller called Scratch-Out.

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) “The Godfather.”
2) “Bad Monkey.”
3) My books of course.

Author Websites and Profiles
Marc DiGiacomo Website
Marc DiGiacomo Amazon Profile

Marc DiGiacomo’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marc DiGiacomo is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Oh, jeez. I’ve been writing for 25 years. I’ve written (and rewritten) 15 books. However, I’ve written three books since I changed my genre from adult romance to YA romance and YA paranormal, so I’ll leave it at three. INNOCENT and STUDENT BODYGUARD FOR HIRE are both upper young adult romance books. Both are contemporary and quite different.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My current/latest project is one I wrote years ago. DEATHRIGHT is the first of a YA paranormal trilogy. I intend to publish all three books in 2015. The initial idea for DEATHRIGHT was inspired by a co-worker who insisted she wanted to be turned into a diamond when she died. Of course, I had to ask, which then led me to research a company that turns animal and/or human remains (ashes) into diamonds. The company then makes jewelry out of it. Naturally I saw a story there and realized the best audience for that unique premise would be young adult. That’s when I decided to try writing for teens. I had so much fun I never went back.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I’m very uninteresting, unless you consider OCD and an insatiable editing neurosis interesting.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t know that specific authors inspire or influence me. I’d say all authors inspire and influence me. This is a tough business and most non-writers seem to think authors hammer out words easily, quickly, and that we all make mounds of money and don’t need or have a day job. I know it sounds strange but I hear this all the time. Unfortunately, it’s rarely true. To keep writing often takes serious grit.

Specific books do inspire me. Anything that really hits home, I guess. Very often what hits home for me isn’t the big seller. These are a few exceptions (some old, some new): Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett, Forever by Judy Blume, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare, Divergent by Veronica Roth …among the most recent. There are just too many to count. My tastes are eclectic, which makes it difficult to keep up. So many good stories. So little time.

What are you working on now?
I’ve been working on my young adult paranormal, DEATHRIGHT. I finished it years ago, but for the last several months I’ve wanted to do a complete rewrite, so I’m doing that now, along with starting books two and three of the trilogy, which I intend to publish in 2015.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I made my first book, STUDENT BODYGUARD FOR HIRE, “free” for a few days, which I think is important to do with your first book if you’re self-published and don’t have several thousand to put into a massive marketing campaign to reach new readers. I made #1 on the teen non-paid list for a couple of days. I think I made #2 for multicultural. That was a lovely experience. Much of what I think works best is just getting another really good book out as soon as you can. But don’t rush.

With the second book, INNOCENT, I will be doing a Kindle Countdown on the week of 8/25/14. I’m announcing it in different forums, such as Awesomegang, Kindle Sponsorship, Riffle, ENT, eBooklister and quite a few others (many free). If an author has the book in print, holding a Goodreads Giveaway is a great way to get exposure and costs very little. I’m doing that as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
#1 piece of advice: WRITE FOR YOU AND WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE.

Don’t give up when the biz gets hard or reviewers get mean. Keep learning and honing your craft. And above all else, keep writing. With every book, you will get better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you can quit writing, do it. If you can’t, you know you’re a writer.

What are you reading now?
Ink by Amanda Sun.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish the current trilogy.

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?
Oh no way. I’m not stopping at 3-4. I know exactly what I’d bring–the entire Dresden series by Jim Butcher. I’m waiting for him to finish so I can marathon read the entire arc. He has enough characters that I kept forgetting between books, so I stopped reading after the first three books and decided to wait until he finished the series. I know. Crazy.

Meanwhile, my husband has been avidly collecting the series and likes to flaunt his time to read them as I write my next book.

Being a writer is so fun.

Author Websites and Profiles
Callie James Website
Callie James Amazon Profile

Callie James’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Callie James is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written three books thus far. I live in Southeast Texas with a dog and a cat, who do not understand the ramblings of their human as I walk and talk my scenes. My neighbors might be a wee bit freaked by that as well.

I am traditionally published through Dead Bound Publishing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled: Love’s Bitter Harvest. As far as what inspired it?

I was in the medical care field for years long ago. And one of the most enriching times of my life was working in the rehabilitation area. I was fascinated by the couples that went through tragedies and how it impacted their marriages. Some would thrive and grow stronger while other crumbled and fell. I wanted to write a book to show how much those couples taught me that if love is true, it will survive, even when we fight it to do so.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really other than I have dreamed every one of my books. I dream them in living color and stereo sound. From beginning to end. When I wake, I immediately note them down and walla, a book is born.

The only other habit I have is this: since I saw the books as movies in my sleep and in my head, I close my eyes when I write. I type away and then stop to read what I have written, for I have no idea before that point. It’s strange, but it works for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ken Follett– All his books. They are amazing how he takes historical facts, usually dry reading, and transforms it to such real and vivid characters and stories.

As far as life changing book? Velveteen Rabbit. So simple yet so emotional.

What are you working on now?
I have a new novella coming out that is a companion work for my very popular Shadow-Keepers series. It’s the story of BOUNCE, which is the main god in the series. It’s very twisted, but the fans have been wanting to know more about the character, so it’s time they learn what and who he is.

And what his purpose in the war the GRID faces.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m torn on social media, though I do have the usual– Facebook, Twitter, etc. I do have a PA that assists with those, but it seems such a heavily saturated venue to stand out.

But honestly? Word of mouth still is the best way. If you can use social media to make that happen, so be it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
WRITE. Don’t worry about how much, how little or how good it might be. Just commit yourself to do it every day. The making it “pretty” comes after it’s done. Don’t worry about all that. That’s what editing is for. Just get it DONE.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stephen King told me: Garbage.

Every first draft is garbage. Just make it completed garbage. Make it nice later. Just be able to say–it’s finished. Now lets make it the best it can be. Finishing is a huge confidence maker. And it takes the pressure off if you know its not the best, but once you can take the heat of finishing off, the rest just flows.

What are you reading now?
An excellent book by an upcoming novelist by the name of R.J. Loom. She’s also a DBP author and her debut novel is: Ilia Stone. I have the pleasure of doing a peer review for it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write another book!

But I would love to see one of my books become a screenplay and then on to the screen. I’ve been approached for that process to start. I just need to make sure it’s the right time.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Survival for Dummies

A Idiots Guide to Poisonous Plants

R. L. Stein books (and choose a different choice each time–that equals like what? Six books?)

And a book with blank pages, so I can write.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jas T. Ward Website
Jas T. Ward Amazon Profile

Jas T. Ward’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jas T. Ward is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing since I was in seventh grade when I wrote a story about a girl who had the longest fingernail in the world. It wasn’t disabling because it was retractable. She enjoyed tapping people on the head with it when they were walking a block ahead of her. My teacher made no comment, but my classmates seem to enjoy it.

That was about forty-five years ago and I am still writing strange tales. My Husband’s Toes is a short memoir written about my relationship with my husband’s toes when, one day, tiny faces emerged from the nail beds and began speaking with me.

In Nicky Chase: Man in a Fish Oil Pill, my husband and I discover a tiny man trapped inside a fish oil pill. After carefully extracting him from the supplement’s casing, we learn of the astonishing events that lead to his encapsulation, his experience of involuntary teleportation and time travel, and the dream that kept him alive. Together, we embark on a journey to return him to his rightful size and place in the world, but not before Nikita Khrushchev shows up in our bedroom and Raoul Wallenberg returns from the past.

My book of essays, Slouching Towards My Weltanschauung (available Fall 2014), was written over the course of a few years when I was studying World War II and also watching a lot of reality TV. It covers a strange mix of subjects, including Leni Riefenstahl, Simone Weil, Judge Judy, The Biggest Loser, ghosts and ghost hunters, my Red Ball Jets, and much more.

I worked in bookstores for many years before developing a career marketing design firms. I live with my husband in downtown Chicago.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Nicky Chase: Man in a Fish Oil Pill was inspired by my experiences over the years in following my dream and also by my experience of PTSD. Of course, there would be no story at all if I had never met Nicky Chase, the tiny man in the fish oil pill!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My stories are kind of bizarre, but my writing habits are in no way extraordinary. I write late at night (I am an insomniac) on my laptop without music, TV or any distraction.

I visited Hemingway’s house in Key West once. If I could live there and write overlooking the pool with the balmy breezes and six-toed cats and swaying palm trees, I would get up early each morning and write standing up like he did. But as it is, I sit on the couch from midnight to dawn typing away, often with poor posture.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

All books by Primo Levi

What are you working on now?
I am writing a short piece about how reading Primo Levi changed my life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Up to this point, I have only used BKnight’s FIverr for promotion. And now Awesomegang!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you want to read. (I first read that advice in an interview with Toni Morrison.)

And don’t stop. Mine that vein!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never, ever, ever give up. Winston Churchill

What are you reading now?
Worldly Philosopher by Jeremy Adelman
(A Biography of Albert O. Hirschman)

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on several things.

Calcium Deposits on Parade, which is about reducing my husband’s arthritis by sending the calcium deposits to the Riviera.

A piece on Primo Levi and me referenced above.

And I am contemplating a follow-up memoir to My Husband’s Toes called My Talking Toes.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Jane Eyre, Just Kids, and Les Miserables.

Lori A. O’Connell is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Young Adult Fantasy writer with eight books published and counting. I write primarily in the high fantasy genre but dabble in urban fantasy as well.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is BLADES OF ILLUSION and it was inspired by the perennial need for more awesome kick-ass heroines for young adult readers to enjoy and devour.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing in the daytime with natural light and always listen to music while I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many but a few to list are: Tamora Pierce, Mercedes Lackey, Michelle Sagara, Cinda William Chima

What are you working on now?
The sixth book in the Courtlight series – SWORN TO ASCENSION, which is about a young woman’s fight to save her empire.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think the best method to promote a book is to make it free or discount it which is why three of my titles are always one of the above.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up and keep writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write for 80% of your time. Market for 20%.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Cast In Flame by Michelle Sagara.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books. Watch my website for details – teedun.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?
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; The Black Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey, and the Ultimate Survival Guide by whoever

Author Websites and Profiles
Terah Edun Website
Terah Edun Amazon Profile

Terah Edun’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Terah Edun is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Quanda R. Graves better known by my pseudonym Until. I am a journalist and literary columnist for the California Crusaders Newspaper and contributing writer to the online Brutha Magazine. Youth Director for the Los Angeles Black Book Expo and much more. I have recently just completed my childhood dream by self-publishing my very first poetry edition entitled, I Just Want to Write! So far, this is my first book but it won’t be my last.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my very first poetry edition is called I Just Want to Write! What inspired it is my life as a writer, other writers and poetry. My dream of wanting write a book every since I was six years old. But not just a book, a poetry book to leave my trademark in the world by words.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of, I know I can write anywhere but love writing on my desk and I have favorite pens for different writing projects.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bank Street Reader Group, Terry O’Neal, Walt Whitman, Dudley Randall, Shel Silverstein, and more.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my very first children’s book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method/website I use when it comes to promoting my book? My website, www.untilnomore.net.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Follow your heart. Make your dreams a reality. You do so with a well thought out plan, research and action. Write down all you need, want and price it. Create a binder of what you’ve done, so you’ll have your own guide to go by.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice that I’ve ever heard was; Be you because everybody is already taken. I like that.

What are you reading now?
Promote Yourself by Dan Schawbel

What’s next for you as a writer?
A Children’s book and a couple of surprises that I can’t share just yet. *smile*

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?
If I were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 to 4 books with me, they would be the following:

*The Bible by God

*Round the Corner by Bank Street Reader Group

*The Poet Speaks in Black by Terry O’Neal

*I Just Want to Write! by Until…

Author Websites and Profiles
Quanda Graves Website
Quanda Graves Amazon Profile

Quanda Graves’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Quanda Graves is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I graduated from university in 1968 with a degree in Politics, Economics and Economic History, taught Economics and Economic History for ten years, including a spell in Papua New Guinea, got bored and returned to PNG as a trainer and operational police officer. I remained there with my family, still keeping up my interest in Economic History – including Australasia – then worked contracts in the Middle East until my wife’s ill-health and eventual death meant setting up a family base in the UK. History, and collecting Victorian glass, my sole hobbies, apart from looking after three St Bernards.

Published in late 2013, The Privateersman was my first published novel. Since then I have written several more books in this series with more planned for publication. The Duty and Destiny Series of books were written earlier, but because of the big interest in the, ‘A Poor Man at the Gate Series,’ my publisher urged me to revise the series for publication.

To date I have written ten books. Here’s the current list:

A POOR MAN AT THE GATE SERIES
Book One: The Privateersman (free) Average 4.7 star rating from 23 reviews.
Book Two: Nouveau Riche (discounted)
Book Three: Born To Privilege
Book Four: The Pain Of Privilege
Book Five: Privilege Preserved
Book Six: Illusions Of Change
Book Seven will be published later this year (2014).

THE DUTY AND DESTINY SERIES
Book One: The Friendly Sea
Book Two: The Bitter Sea
Book Three: The Fuzzy-Wuzzy Man
Book Four: Britannia’s Son

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My next book is still in the process of being written and I don’t yet have a title for it. But as long as people continue to read my books, I will continue to write about history – a subject close to my heart.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I’m aware of!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Frederick Marryat, C.S. Forester and many more.

What are you working on now?
Book Seven of the first series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a brilliant publishing company who do most of the promoting. This allows me to remain focused on my writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Unless you are one of those rare people who can spot every error and/or inconsistency, get yourself a good editor. The best editors are the ones who tell you what you should hear, not what you want to hear…

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t write down to the lowest common denominator unless you want bland results. If you try to please everyone, you’ll end up pleasing no one!

What are you reading now?
Piles of historical research books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Another book and a new keyboard!

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?
Four blank books so I could continue to write!

Andrew Wareham is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Harry- a hipster, spiritual, beatnik kind of guy. I’ve been in this body for thirty eight years, I’m English, and I experience this weird 11:11 Phenomenon thingy.
My debut book Route Number 11: Argentina, Angels & Alcohol is already out there, and my second book is due to be published shortly.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Route Number 11: Argentina, Angels & Alcohol was a book I never intended writing. Living it had been hard enough!
It’s my true story of being called to backpack around Argentina as a newly broken hearted and headed man. So many stories to tell. So many glimpses to show. So many people I met who could easily become clichéd characters in a book- the womanising Neil Skywalker, the mad for it Sean, the gorgeous and cheeky Rosa, the soul mate friend Jack and a cast of many others. A mind, body, spirit, travel book with sex, drugs and reggeaton!
I couldn’t not write this book. It simply wanted to be written.
The way of writing, however, was inspired by those brilliant Beats of bebop days.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes- many! Just read the first page of Route Number 11 to see! I guess the writing sits somewhere in between Ginsberg and Kerouac attempting to write a Richard Bach book, but actually I don’t try to be anything. My writing mostly pours itself out of me. I suppose you could say it’s Kerouac automative writing that’s highly cut and edited!
My debut book is also cut up in time frames, with snippets and snapshots taking presidence over usual narrative prose.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m sure I’ve been subconsciously influenced by many, but the most noticeable are the beat generation: particularly Kerouac, Ginsberg and Burroughs, as well as Paulo Coelho and Richard Bach. And Luke Rhinehart’s gotta be in there somewhere too.

What are you working on now?
The finishing touches to my new book The Road To Purification: Hustlers, Hassles & Hash. A post-modern, pot smoking Egyptian pilgrimage. What can I say? It’s better than Route 11!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to all this online malarkey, and I’m still trying to survive without Facebook! (Perhaps I’m the only author in the world without FB?) I find it simpler to stick to one site, and Goodreads is the community place I like interacting with the most.
My own website is pretty new, but keep checking out for updates.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Most importantly- just go for it. I put off self publishing for years, hoping I’d be accepted for more than the odd article here and there, but there’s so many ways of promoting your book these days, just get stuck in. Join groups. Make friends. Discuss. Share.
Oh, and try and get the proofing and editing write. Right?

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Get outta the way of that truck!”

What are you reading now?
I just today finished reading a punk rock crime novel by Andy Seven- ‘Every Bitch For Himself.’ What’s not to like? It’s a punk crime book!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Ever upwards, onwards and inwards!

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?
Man, I find it hard to answer questions like this. Lets’ see. I guess it would have to be books I can read again and again, in which case I’ll plump for: Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Illusions and The Dice Man.

Author Websites and Profiles
Harry Whitewolf Website
Harry Whitewolf Amazon Profile

Harry Whitewolf’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Harry Whitewolf is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have lived in Kent, England for my whole life and initially chose to study horticulture. I managed to get a Diploma, at which point I realised there was virtually no work to be had in my chosen field.

So, I turned to landscaping for a living, which might sound like a good job but more often involved cutting grass, cutting grass and cutting grass. I trimmed the occasional hedge and planted thousands of trees over the ten years I was a landscaper.

The mind-numbing boredom which driving a tractor with a mower attached brings was only relieved by being able to use my imagination. I created scenes, characters, plot- and story-lines, all to the droning buzz of a petrol brush-cutter/hedge-cutter/lawn mower/chain saw.

Eventually my work dried up with the economic downturn and I needed to find a new career. I’d always loved reading and wanted to become a writer since being a teenager, but never believed I was good enough. I enrolled on an Open University English Degree course and started writing.

So far I’ve written one novelette which has been published, I’m about halfway through the sequel to that and have another book on a website called Newbbay.com, titled Carjin’s Revegne. My biggest project at the moment is a novel which I’ve been working on, in various forms (including hand written!) for about twenty years and it’s still not finished.

I have written two serial stories for Serealities.com, the first twenty part series is also the basis for my novelette and the second twenty parter will be the bones for my second.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called The Spaces In Between, and was based on the twenty part serial story of the same name which can be found at Serealtiies.com.

Inspiration wise, it could be said the readers provide much of the inspiration. Serealities works by offering readers the option to vote on a number of choices at the end of each episode. Once all votes are in, I write the next episode based on the option they have chosen. Technically I suppose each author comes up with the actual choices so it’s still down to the writer how things go in their particular story.

Inspiration, for me, comes from any number of sources. Often if I’m reading something my mind will wander off and begin to wonder “What if something like this happened?” From that point I can come up with a range of responses characters might have, or what the knock on effects might be.

Other times things come to me from that place between being awake and asleep. I’ll just be dozing off and a dream like scene will start to play in my mind, usually I wake up and remember them later. I don’t have a notebook or anything by the bed though. Maybe I should!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to come up with scenes first. So the pivotal or most emotionally charged sections construct themselves and I then have to go back and invent a way for character A to reach and deal with scene J, whether that’s in time, space or both.

Another possibly quirky thing about me is I don’t really plan much. I have a (really) basic idea of beginning, middle and end, plus a scattering of scenes which have just appeared from nowhere which I work into the tale. I’m sure there a re people reading this who are screaming at the words I’ve just written, but it works for me.

With The Spaces In Between, I had the twenty part serial to work from and it was mainly a case of expanding the story, characters and scenes. Serealities has a five hundred word limit per episode, so I have to keep to the story without much embellishment or background info until it comes to the novelette when I can have a little more expression and add a few more characters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I clearly recall reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when I was around ten or twelve, both of which led me into a thousand different realities and worlds. I would read and play those Fighting Fantasy books like Deathtrap Dungeon or Wizard of Firetop Mountain, over and over again until I eventually won through.

In my teens I migrated to David Gemell books, every one of which I love. from the Drenai stories with Druss and Waylander to the Troy series which was published posthumously. From then on I’ve read as many fantasy stories as I can, David Eddings’ Belgariad and Malloreon anthologies are particular favouries of mine as are the Incarnations of Immortality series by Piers Anthony.

I’m also an avid fan of horror, being most entertained by Stephen King, Richard Laymon, Dean Koontz and Shaun Hutson.

I also enjoy a wide range of sci-fi tales along with the odd romance too!

What are you working on now?
The follow up novelette to The Spaces In Between, called The Plight of Lavash. I’m just about to pen the final installment on Serealities.com and the book will follow. I’m about to submit a new idea to Serealities for another episodic story, so I’ll be working on that too. Plus if Carjin’s Revenge, on newbbay.com becomes a hit, I’ll be expanding the twenty-four chapters I’ve got on there too!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
With this being my first published book, I’m on Amazon for sales and Goodreads at the moment (which is where I found this interview). Apart from these, I’m still in the process of marketing where I can find places.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never doubt yourself like I did. I put off trying properly for years before I took the plunge properly and now I’m a published author!

You might be absolutely awful, BUT, let other people tell you that. If you never put anything out there to be read, how do you know you are/aren’t any good?

Plus you might have a unique tale or idea as I did with The Spaces In Between, where the main character can ‘see’ negative space. Unless you allow somebody else to read and criticise your work, how can you grow and learn?

Get people you trust to be truthful with you to read your work, these tend to be friends and family, (although none of mine have ever read anything I’ve written) although professional editing services should tell you what’s right and wrong.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write something every day. It’s about the only advice I’ve ever had and it was on a generic writing site I can’t even remember now.

Even if you read it back and, of ten pages, only three sentences make any sense, you can use those three sentences to build upon.

Writing is fun and I love it but it’s also, sometimes a pain in the proverbial, hard work and a thorough slog. Anyone who tells you differently is either some kind of savant or slightly bizarre.

What are you reading now?
The Girl In The Box Set by Robert J. Crane. I’ve just begun Alone and I’m hooked already!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be finishing The Plight of Lavash serial before developing it into a novelette for Serealities. Hopefully they’ll accept my next idea and I’ll be working on a ten or twenty part series for the site too.

After that I’ll be starting on a level three module for the Open University and working on the clunky, massive novel I’ve been trying with for twenty years!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
In no particular order

1) The Stand by Stephen King. His best ever, in my opinion.

2) The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. For the reason below.

3) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Because I’d have a lot of time

4) Anything by Bear Grylls which could teach me how to live by eating sand and how to construct a home from my bodily excretions.

Gavin Ough’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile

Gavin Ough is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far I have only written 1 book which I am very proud of. I have had this cookbook in my head for over 10 years. This book, Jacqueline’s Cuisines: A Jamaican Twist On Your American Dish, is exactly how I wanted to start off my writing career. If my first book is well received by my audience, that will give me motivation to create my next book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jacqueline’s Cuisines: A Jamaican Twist On Your American Dish is my first and latest book. The inspiration was a combination of two factors: 1. My love for cooking and hospitality as a whole and 2. Constant requests from my daughter to put all of my recipes down on paper for her to use. Making a cookbook to share my cooking with the world is just always been a dream come true. I would really love to open a restaurant one day as well.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I just go with the flow mostly. I love easy to read, step by step cookbooks that actually make you feel as if the cook was right there with you. I wrote Jacqueline’s Cuisines with this in mind.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a fan of anything cooking.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am exploring the option of releasing a Part 2 to Jacqueline’s Cuisines. This version would have the videos to accompany the recipes. This will make the experience even more interactive for my readers.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I submit to free promotion sites. At the moment, I use Amazon’s KDP program to promote my books. I plan to explore Facebook and other social media outlets to get my book out more.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. It’s an amazing feeling once you have completed something that has been on your goal list for years!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This too shall pass. Meaning nothing lasts forever. Whatever you may be going through, just know it will pass and you will get through it.

What are you reading now?
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

What’s next for you as a writer?
To listen to the feedback from my current readers and just keep improving. I would like to explore building the “Jacqueline’s Cuisine’s” brand to include more than books. Also, to keep going and be ready for what comes my way next.

Author Websites and Profiles

Jacqueline Gordon Amazon Profile

Jacqueline Gordon is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m just an ordinary workin’ shmoe who likes to retreat into my imagination us much as possible to avoid common everyday existential anguish. I’ve written ten novels and two collections. Only the collections and one novel are currently obtainable. The others are still in the aging process, getting nice and yellow, curling at the corners, the writing growing clumsier and more anachronistic (do people still say “groovy” and smoke banana peels?). The obtainable books are called (in no particular order) The Membranous Lounge, Bleak Holiday and Conservatory of Death. I was also born at some point and enjoy scrimshaw and thinking about Tovah Feldshuh.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is often called Bleak Holiday and it isn’t particularly inspired. Most of the ideas came to me as I was watching television, specifically shows like The Love Boat, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, The Banana Splits, Davey and Goliath and The White Shadow. Oh, and that show about that guy with the mustache.

The stories in Bleak Holiday are glandular, effervescent and kind of chalky (if you know what I mean).

Here’s an excerpt: And then she

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. It involves a lot of WD-40 and teriyaki skewers.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
If you’re only influenced by other writers you are a sap and deserve to be pointed at in public. I am influenced by many things, including: badminton scores, breakfast menus, The Butthole Surfers (the early Touch & Go stuff). Anything scary, funny, stupid, smart, punk and psychedelic; a combination to strive for in any endeavor. I’ve also been influenced by movies like Taxi Driver, Eraserhead, The Gruesome Twosome, Careful, and Saturday Night Beaver. Bookwise, I am inspired by the postmodernists (Coover, Barth, Pynchon, Brautigan, Carver, Barthelme, etc) hard-boiled crime writers (Leonard, Cain, Hammett, Willeford, Himes) and horror authors (King, Straub, Barker, Judy Blume), Also Surrealism, Dada and various fruits and vegetables.

I do want to point out that I’m not comparing myself to anyone or thing on this list. For I am mediocre and following my own path toward further mediocrity.

What are you working on now?
I just finished a horror novel called Razor Wire Kiss (about teenage vampires) and started another one tentatively titled Anosognosia. It’s about an alcoholic recluse who is diagnosed with testicular cancer and lives next door to a schizophrenic woman who seems to be trying to communicate with him using carefully-placed teabags and chicken nuggets. You know the drill; trials and tribulations and a rain of glaucous inchworms. It’s sort of a memoir. Of sorts.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use various social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and so forth. And a blog called Crumbling Asphalt (formerly Pepperoni and Cardboard). I also slip plugs into porn chat rooms.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Devote yourself to the WORD.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Steal as much as you can get away with. It’s all grist for the mill. Omit adverbs. Put butter on it.

What are you reading now?
I usually have several books going at once. Right now I’m reading Pinocchio in Venice by Robert Coover, Snow White by Donald Barthelme, Owsley and Me: My LSD Family by Rhoney Gissen Stanley, Here Comes Harry Reems by Harry Reems and Joyland by Stephen King.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the novel. I also plan to write a short ghost story about a haunted spatula. I’d like to be a guest on The Dick Cavett Show circa 1973.

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?
Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of film by Michael Weldon
The Poor Man’s James Bond by Kurt Saxon (1st 4 Volumes)
Larry, the Stooge in the Middle by Morris “Moe” Feinberg

Author Websites and Profiles
Hank Kirton Website
Hank Kirton Amazon Profile

Hank Kirton’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Hank Kirton is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Married with 2 beautiful children. I’ve written 2 thriller novels and just released both Aug. 11th, 2014; entitled Tropical Trauma and Framer. I absolutely love entertaining through words and pulling the reader away with me on my ‘magical carpet ride in the sky’. Both of my books were released simultaneously (I know crazy), and I’m extremely excited and proud of both.

My books are intense, violent, lightly sprinkled with romance and sex, filled with hip/edgy dialogue, big on relationships, and usually set around various world locations. My goal when I started out writing was to be the best writer any of my readers have ever read….and it still is to this day. I’m not big on wasting peoples time; so when someone sits down to read any of my content, I want them to finish the book saying, “Damn, that was a wild ride!”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Framer. It was inspired by all of the missing children every year that are forgotten or set aside by society. That concept, in and of itself, breaks my heart every time I think of it; and the youth that are subjected to abduction and trafficking are as unique and as special as any. Of course the way Framer’s main character (Colt) and the kids generate a connection, is quite astounding altogether.

Let’s just say that when I was done writing Framer, I literally missed writing on it so much that it was almost like missing a person or something. That’s the free flow I want with all my subsequent books as the raw/unedited version was done between Mar. 18th ’14 to May 16th ’14. Of course the editing is a whole other story altogether!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I love listening to a playlist I put together on youtube before I resumed my writing career back in late ’13. I change it up a bit now and then with new songs, but the energy that I pull from these tunes is nothing short of incredible!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Silent Witness by Richard North Patterson and The outsiders by S.E. Hinton. However, I’ll be honest from the outset, I’m not much on reading; I’m huge on writing!

What are you working on now?
Getting the word out about Framer and Tropical Trauma and hoping people see what I saw when I wrote both.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far facebook, twitter, my website….but things are ever evolving and new sites and methods pop up everyday.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going! I know right now in the beginning it’s going to be bumpy; that’s just part of the game. I also know that regardless of the success of my first two titles, I’m going to resume with my third, fourth etc.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself….my Mom has told me that countless times as a kid and as an adult. Not many people will tell you this and mean it….but do it! You are your number one advocate and know yourself better than anyone else can. Be your number one fan first and let the dust settle thereafter.

What are you reading now?
Nothing, I don’t have the time….sorry.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promotion for Framer and Tropical Trauma until Halloween. Thereafter I would like to resume writing on my third book that will be set out of Chicago.

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?
Clear and Present Danger, The Outsiders, and Silent Witness.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ben Abix Website
Ben Abix Amazon Profile

Ben Abix’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Ben Abix is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a British-Maltese author, currently living in Surrey, UK. I moved to the UK about 5 years ago to go to University where I studied English Literature and English Language. Last year I obtained my teaching qualification and am now an English teacher in Secondary Schools. I also run creative writing workshops and will be running a writer’s workshop online via my website from September to help all writers improve their skills and techniques.

I’ve written and published one book so far. I have a few others book length tales I’ve written but I don’t feel they’re ready to be published yet.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Blood Roses and it started out really simply with this idea of imaginary friends. My friend told me about her childhood imaginary friend and he sounded really ominous and creepy to me. At the time she tried so hard to convince her family he was real, as kids do, saying he watched over her in her sleep and he scared her and so on. I scare easily so I started to think ‘what if it was a ghost? Or it was someone really there?’ and from there the idea really took off as I imagined that fear of trying to tell everyone something was real when they simply wouldn’t believe you. As a child, it’s one thing, you’re expected to have imaginary friends, but as you get older, it becomes something else entirely, and people start looking for explanations surrounding mental illness, chemical imbalances and so on. Though it started out as a simple musing, it was an idea that wouldn’t leave me alone, so I knew I had to write it down.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Perhaps not unusual but I find the best way to write is to the sound of the rain so if it’s a hot summer’s day outside I have to pull all my blinds down and put on some rain music otherwise it’s just too stilted. I also write better late at night but I think that seems to be a common thing among the writers I’ve spoken to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influences have been Stephen King and J.K. Rowling. These were authors I adored as a teenager when I first started focusing on my writing and seeing it as a serious commitment of mine therefore they were my biggest inspirations. I love their writing styles and the way in which they transcend out of their genres, appealing to more people through their successful ability to pull in from many genres and story ideas.

What are you working on now?
I’m diving myself between the sequel to Blood Roses and setting up my writer’s workshop. The school year is fast approaching so I’m preparing for my return to the classroom so my time is pretty hectic but I’m thriving in it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know if I’ve found a ‘best’ one as they’ve all got their own merits. I’m a big fan of using social media mostly because that’s something millions of people have and is something I’m confident using in my day to day life, can access easily from my phone and keep up to date quickly. My own website has been invaluable as it’s almost expected now for a brand to have it’s own port of call. Using goodreads to connect with readers and any groups focused on promoting indie authors to potential readers and reviewers have been incredibly helpful as well as reviews are the lifeblood of any success story.

Possibly the best method I’ve found is to network. Meet as many other indie authors, promoter, readers, reviewers as possible and get the word of your book out there. Fantastic websites such as awesomegang.com offer a myriad of ways to help indie authors promote their books so utilize these but, more than this, offer something back as well. A kind word, a bit of promotion in return, a review. It’s easy to get too focused on take, take, take but remember places like here and the reviewers and groups on goodreads are offering an invaluable service so be polite, be courteous and be helpful whenever you can.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it and don’t give up. It’s easy to let yourself get disheartened by how hard everything can be, and how many barriers you may face but keep trying to knock through them. At the same time, make sure the book you are trying to push is flawless – the cover needs to be perfect, the blurb needs to be gripping and, most importantly, the writing itself needs to be edited and as error-free as possible. It’s really important you show your work in the best light possible and this should always be your main goal – your readers expect it and so should you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You’ll get a bad review. If you’re a successful author you’ll get quite a few. But if you’re a great author, you’ll take the comments in those bad reviews, understand what you can from them and forget the parts not constructive to your improvement.

If all you’re getting is bad reviews, you need to take a closer look at your product!

What are you reading now?
Dracula – I’ve read it before and absolutely adore it, but I’m teaching it this semester so making sure I know it back to front and have all my notes prepared

What’s next for you as a writer?
The sequel to Blood Roses! This needs to be written and I’ve set myself a timeline of 18 months for writing, editing and publication. No small feat!

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?
Hard choice! I love so many books, I can’t imagine which ones to choose:

Bear Grylls Outdoor Survival Manual – I’ve got to make sure I can stay alive while I’m there!
The Maze Runner by James Dashner – excellent book with such a fantastic plot but also easy to engage with
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – This is the best in the series, I feel, plus it is my mother’s favourite so a nice connection to home.
The Book Thief by Mark Zusak – An excellent story and every time I read it, it feels like the first time all over again.

Author Websites and Profiles
Chloe Testa Website
Chloe Testa Amazon Profile

Chloe Testa’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Chloe Testa is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Though my current novel, AFTER THE SUCKER PUNCH, is the first official book I’ve had on the marketplace (published on May 1, 2014), I’ve been a professional writer for most of my adult life. I started with screenplays as a youngster during the wild and wooly 80s, and in the early 90s had one which I co-wrote produced by a film company out of Seattle. The film, To Cross the Rubicon, involved some wonderful people (J.D. Souther, David Crosby, Billy Burke, etc.) and had a modest, if successful run: it won awards on the festival circuit, garnered some great reviews and, for me personally, opened a lot of doors.

From there I continued with screenwriting — two of my projects were put into development; two others won awards. — as well as stage plays, several of which were produced on various Los Angeles stages. Concurrent with all this writing, and, actually, throughout my life since the age of 15, I’d also been immersed in music (songwriting, performing, recording, etc.), and, in 2005, co-wrote and recorded my first original CD, Somewhere On the Way. Interestingly, one of the songs from that album has become part of my novel, standing in as a song “written by” the main protagonist and offered as a free download in the epilogue… it’s been a fun bonus for readers and a unique way to bring a plot point right off the page.

In more recent years as a writer, I’ve worked additionally in journalistic/essay mode as a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and other online news sources, which I continue along with my non-fiction writing.

Beyond AFTER THE SUCKER PUNCH, I now have a short story up in ebook at Amazon as well, She Tumbled Down, a narrative that follows the ripple effects of a hit-and-run accident.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is titled AFTER THE SUCKER PUNCH; it’s the story of Tessa Curzio — thirty-six, emerging writer, ex-rocker, lapsed Catholic, defected Scientologist, and fourth in a family of eight complicated people – who finds her father’s journals on the night of his funeral and discovers he thought she was a failure. The narrative then follows Tessa from that one existentially shattering moment through the next tumultuous year of her life, in which she’s obligated to reorder the cells of her memory and, in a way, completely reinvent herself, a task accomplished with the help of an eclectic cast of characters.

The story, as with so many novels, was inspired by a real life incident:

My real father wrote journals and, many years after his death, one was brought to my attention that was particularly focused on me in a somewhat, shall we say, critical way. I had my understandable reaction, but since I’d had a fairly distant relationship with my father throughout my adult life, his retrospective critique, while hurtful, was not, for me, particularly life shattering. It was only when I brought it up in a women’s group I was in at the time that I realized just how provocatively the incident translated to others:

The women in the group were collectively horrified; the variety and intensity of their responses was fascinating, most exclaiming that such an indictment from their father, particularly posthumously, would have left them devastated. My curiosity was piqued, so I then took the prompt – “how would you feel if you found your father’s journal and he said you were a failure?” – to a number of others, both men and women, and accrued a panoply of replies on all sides of the spectrum (most of which made their way into the lives of the various characters in the book). In doing that research, I came to the conclusion that most adults, regardless of age, gender or familial politics, are attached in inextricable ways — good or bad — to the perceptions of their parents. From there I knew I had a story…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Frankly, I think I’m rather uninteresting when it comes to writing habits… no essential music or items need be nearby, I have no specific rituals I must implement in order to write well; if anything, I’d say my ability to sit in a room full of noisy people and be able to create even in chaos is the closest thing I’ve got to “unusual.” I work on a laptop, so that allows me to work anywhere… and I do.

I create a sort of creative/meditative state, an aura, a “bubble” around me, in which I can open whatever those creative channels are that allow inspiration to flow. It sounds a tad airy-fairy, that’s the space in which ideas, dialogue, wonderful prose and compelling sentences seem to best come to me and I’ve learned to honor it unquestionably. It’s always served me well and led me to, I believe, the best possible versions of whatever I write.

Not sure that’s unusual, but it’s closest I’ve got!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Literary fiction is my wheelhouse, both as a writer and a reader, so the authors and books that have most influenced me are generally in that genre. For me, the criteria is emotion — was any sparked and was I left FEELING something that made the experience cathartic, provocative, humorous, devastating, etc.? I can read a book and acknowledge it was well-written, professionally rendered; an excellent literary exercise, but if it leaves me dry, so to speak; leaves me feeling little or nothing and is a story I drift away from almost forgetting I’d read it within hours, it’s not a special one to me.

Writers of literary fiction whose select books really impacted me on that creative and emotional level are Pat Conroy (Prince of Tides was so well-written I almost felt there was no point in my bothering to write!:), Richard Russo (Straight Man made me laugh harder than any book I’ve ever read), Rebecca Wells (Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood was, to me, one of the best books I’d ever read); Dave Eggers (LOVED Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which is actually a memoir but read like literary fiction), Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird will always be my favorite book), William Styron (Sophie’s Choice), John Irving (Owen Meany), Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451), and many, many more.

What are you working on now?
As mentioned above, I’m currently working on a compilation of my most popular essays and articles written for the Huffington Post and other sites and will be putting together that collection in book form to publish later this year. Once I’m done with that — or concurrently, if I feel a need to wrap myself in my fiction writing while I’m doing it! — I’ll be working on my next novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I start with my blogs — RockPaperMusic.com and AfterTheSuckerPunch.com (which link to my Goodreads page and my Author Page at Amazon) — then the usual line-up: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Contently (where I repost any blog pieces I may have written on the book), AboutMe, etc. Obviously Facebook and Twitter are the big guns, but I am fairly relentless in getting the word out in any and every way I can. Like contacting writers I know, reviewers who might take a look at my book; even this interview forum here!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To start with, and this is a big one, be very clear about your voice, what it is, what it wants to say, what it tells you, what your gut tells you, and then LISTEN TO THAT. Learn to trust it, humbly and with a willingness to take and implement good critique and wise input, but trust what you know is your voice. Don’t let anyone dissuade you from expressing yourself, tell you all the reasons why you should do something else, why you should say something else; knock you down with their “honesty.” There’s a lot of arbitrary “advice” people will offer and it’s essential to be clear what’s useful and what’s just… arbitrary advice.

Which leads to the second part (and this may sound contradictory, but it’s true): while and as you get clear on your own voice, be very aware of the value of what others have to share with you. Some of it will be good, essential even, and the trick is to sort out what critique, insights, suggestions to take and which to discard. It can be very challenging at times. But ultimately your work has to be YOU, and if you believe in it, have the courage of those convictions to stand by it. Even if you don’t sell a million (or whatever your goal), you’ll know your work is out there in the world exactly as you intended it. A creative legacy can be a very soulful thing!

And lastly, lose arrogance, self-importance and market-stupidity. What I mean by that is, realize publishing is a business that requires certain “cost of business” expenditures, like learning the craft, however that’s done (classes, school, tutoring, etc.), getting professional editing, hiring pro cover designers, etc. I’ve seen too many in the field decide they don’t need to bother with those items and subsequently, the self-publishing market is filled with “lesser” books. Every writer should aspire to be an a par with the best… that only happens if you hold yourself and your work to the highest standards possible.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pick three or four people you completely trust to read your work and give you sound, candid, productive critique and allow them, and only them, to guide you in your writing.

This was told to me at the beginning of my career by a successful writer and it’s held me in good stead throughout my entire career. As writers, we are so bombarded — particularly now in the internet age — with sites, writers, “consultants,” feedback groups, etc., that are there to offer opinion, and with this onslaught of input, we can easily be overwhelmed with the sheer variety and contradiction of what OTHERS think our work should be.

I’ve learned the hard way that if you give 20 people something of yours to read, you will likely get 20 very different opinions, many of which will fly in the face of what you believe the book IS or should be, and this can lead you down detours and confusions that veer you so sharply off your path you might never get anything done.

Instead; find your four. Take time to really assess who’s best equipped in terms of experience, knowledge, talent, insight, ability to translate critique, general industry wisdom, etc., and trust your work to them. And then really take what they have to say to heart! After that, after the book’s done, then let those thousands of others have at it!

What are you reading now?
Just finished reading Liane Moriarity’s What Alice Forgot, which I very much enjoyed, and have had The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich on my bed stand for weeks now, reading bits and pieces when my reading brain is set to take in something so dense and didactic! I’m determined to get through it, though. Too important a part of history to never get it accomplished!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Beyond the essay collection I’m working on, I’ve been encouraged to adapt a few of my screenplays into novel form and I’m deciding if I want to do that and, if so, which one, or if I want to run with a story idea that is completely new. More to come on that!

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?
Hmmm…. that’s a good one: To Kill a Mockingbird, Ya Ya Sisterhood, Sophie’s Choice, Prayer for Owen Meany… the next great book…

Author Websites and Profiles
Lorraine Devon Wilke Website
Lorraine Devon Wilke Amazon Profile

Lorraine Devon Wilke’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Lorraine Devon Wilke is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I retired from my lifelong career of twenty three years to pursue my dream of becoming a full time author. I realize that this is a common dream of many to write full time. I was lucky enough to find myself in a position to give it a try.

This is my first novel and I have many ideas that I am attempting to get down on paper.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is titled, “The Airship Artemis”. I have always loved good adventure books, and I wanted to take readers on an adventure with airships, and pirates. I have always had a love of airships, and the wanting to travel the globe aboard one. How great would it be to float along the currents like a cloud?

I combined the longing and the sense of travel aboard the airships, and the always popular villains “pirates” for a tense action thriller set in the near future.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Massive amounts of coffee, and 2am writing sessions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always been a huge fan of the Patrick O’Brian – Aubrey Series. These are amazing stories of adventure and intrigue during the Napoleonic wars on the high seas.

I also have found the adventures of Jules Verne and Rudyard Kipling influencing much of what I read and write about.

What are you working on now?
I currently have several novels started and it’s a race to see who makes it to the finish line first. I have a novel of short stories, A steampunk adventure, an adventure tale from 1925 in the California Desert, and maybe a zombie or two.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
AwesomeGang.com. Word of mouth has been very beneficial, as people tell their friends on Facebook, and in person. I am also in talks with several publicists to help promote my novel.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Many people are overwhelmed by the enormity that is involved in writing a novel. Break it down in chunks, and write one chapter at a time.

Many people feel that they don’t have time to write. I suggest taking time to write (1) single page a day. If you can devote enough time to write one page a day, then in the course of one year from when you started, you would have a 365 page rough draft.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, and write, and keep reading.

Writing regularly will keep your mind and habits where they need to be to do serious writing. Write anything, and regularly to keep you in the zone.

Read often, this will help you see how others approach the genre you’re writing in. This is also a great way to escape and relax.

Before long you will find yourself narrating your own life with that inner voice, as you run errands.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading several books;

The Mysterious Island, by Jules Verne

Slaughter House Five, by Kurt Vonnegut

Richard Temple, by Patrick O’Brian

The Reaches, by David Drake

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am still writing, but I am launching the beginning of my promo campaign for my new novel, “The Airship Artemis.”

The scheduling of appearances and book signings to get the word out for the holiday buying season.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Well I think they should be carefully considered.

Perhaps: 101 ways to prepare coconuts,

50 ways to build a boat with limited supplies

Fire and How to be friends

and of course:

The John Carter of Mars collection, by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Wake Of The Red Witch, by Garland Roarke

anything by Choral Pepper…

Author Websites and Profiles
Chester Quinn Website
Chester Quinn Amazon Profile

Chester Quinn’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Chester Quinn is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love to create interesting fun character and strong romantic heroes. I’ve been a big fan of romance since I was a teenager. Now I love hot steamy romances. I try to create these stories with characters that are real, fun and sexy.

I’ve written two contemporary romance books. I recently published Desire. Desire is part of the Desire Series. I am also ready to release my new romantic series Starstruck.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Desire. I was inspired by a friend who connected with her middle school crush who ended up being her soulmate! I believe in love at first sight. Nothing can be better than a romance that stands the test of time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

I really enjoy reading the work of Deborah Bladon. Her Pulse series is my favorite. I enjoy the strong characters that she creates and the strong erotic romances between them. I also love Laurelin Page with her very hot Fixed Trilogy. I really enjoy Catherine Bybee and her Weekday Bride Series!

What are you working on now?
I am working on Desire Part 2, the second part of the Desire Series. It is a love story between Jaime’s best friend Maddy and her new boss Whit. Look for this book in the next couple of weeks.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am a fan of Facebook! It’s part of my daily life and a great way to meet new readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and have fun! Tell the story that you love to read.

What are you reading now?

I just finished reading the Intern Volume 1 by Brooke Cumberland. Love the hot romance between high school student masquerading as a college intern CeCe and her boss Bentley. I also just finished Vain Part 2 by Deborah Bladon. Noah is hot! I am so waiting for Vain 3 so I can find out what happens with Noah and Alexa. I am reading Taken by Tuesday by Catherine Bybee. It’s light and fun. Still waiting to see the romance develop between Judy and her bodyguard Rick!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?

I would bring a classic like Gone with the Wind. I would also bring a hot romance like Crazy for Her by Sandra Owens. I am waiting for that release.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ava Alexia Website

Ava Alexia is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the Canadian author of The God of My Art. It is a psychological novel about an artist coming into her own. I am working on a second novel, which is a literary thriller about a doppelganger, her original, and the madness of salsa dancing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The God of My Art: A Novel is about a young woman from a small northern town in British Columbia who can’t decide what she wants most: to escape poverty or be an artist. She ran away as a teenager to Vancouver, and she has since managed to finish high school and get into university. That is when the trouble begins for her, however: she feels like a fake and an outsider amongst the more privileged middle-class kids. And then she meets Matthew…

Another word for the artist’s muse is the goddess of art: the eternal feminine who inspires the enamored male artist to great works of art. Helene’s muse is a man, however. So the title makes reference to Matthew, the male source of her inspiration.

I was inspired to write this book by questions regarding where the balance lies between freedom and responsibility and between necessity, fate, and a lack of choice. I was particularly interested in how class, gender, terrible childhoods, other people’s decisions, and random accidents could influence my characters’ choices and limit their freedom to decide their lives.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None in particular.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to list here. My reading tastes are eclectic, but I particularly like tragic dystopian stories about finding courage despite the loss of innocence and a lack of choice. I was beguiled by the Russian author Vladimir Nabokov’s use of the English language to manipulate the reader in Lolita. I was awed by the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s depictions of everyday tragedy in Half of a Yellow Sun. I lived vicariously through the Chinese author Wei Hui’s frank depictions of a young woman’s coming of age in the banned novel Shanghai Baby. I was terrified by the British author George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four’s depiction of Big Brother and the Thought Police. I was swept away by the British author Caryl Phillips’s fictionalized depiction of Bert Williams’s life in Dancing in the Dark. And so on…

What are you working on now?
A literary Gothic thriller about a doppelganger, her original, and the madness of salsa dancing.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use my website http://www.sarahlanebooks.com to connect with readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you’re curious about, not what you already know. Write for an audience, not yourself. Master the rules before you break them. Read constantly. Finish what you start.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing advice? Murder your darlings.

Life advice? Take responsibility for your life and future.

What are you reading now?
Lots of dystopian fiction to get a better feel for that genre as I’d like to write in it someday.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Completing the literary Gothic thriller about salsa dancing and a doppelganger that I’m working on, then starting a dystopian trilogy.

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?
Stranded-on-a-desert-island survival guides.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sarah Lane Website
Sarah Lane Amazon Profile

Sarah Lane’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Sarah Lane is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To date I have written seven titles, and just re-released one of my previous titles. I am also working on re-releasing 1 more title as well as writing two more titles within that series (Copper Cauldron series and all the books are titled ‘Magick for the___Witch’ and a subsequent topic such as homesteading, kitchen, or elemental. I am also going to release a short story title this fall called “Retorta Mundis: Twisted Worlds.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Magick for the Elemental Witch, and it is a 2nd edition. I wrote it in 2009-2010 and it was published in 2010 originally, this is a re-release. I was studying the elements (earth, air, fire, water) on my own as part of my pagan/metaphysical studies and that is what prompted me to write a book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Only that I can (and will) write anywhere. I have been known to write story ideas on my hand, on cocktail napkins, and anywhere else I can find a decent surface.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King was my idol growing up as was VC Andrews and Ruby Jean Jenson. For metaphysical titles it would be Scott Cunningham, Selena Fox, Patricia Telesco, Ellen Dugan.

What are you working on now?
Now that I have re-released the elemental book I will finish my short story collection “Retorta Mundis: Twisted Worlds” and looking forward to creating the unique opportunity that every short story will be available individually in Kindle, or you can buy the full anthology in print.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amaon, Goodreads, and my own personal wesbite.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep trying…don’t ever give up and you can always consider self-publishing as an option, but make sure its your best work when you publish it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not to listen to bad reviews. They happen, even to the number one best selling authors. And don’t post comments to bad reviews, when you do it looks like arguing and it petty.

What are you reading now?
A historical romance titled “A Little Scandal.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully a lot more book signings and publishing more titles.

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?
Obviously a survival guide But also I would take the Sylph series with my by L.J. McDonald and my fave historical romance “The Secret” bu Julie Garwood.

Author Websites and Profiles
Deanna Anderson Website
Deanna Anderson Amazon Profile

Deanna Anderson’s Social Media Links

Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Deanna Anderson is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Many years ago, when I was in my early twenties, I wrote science fiction short stories and had a few published. But I didn’t have time for all my interests. I wasn’t about to give up girls and I was and still am a devout adrenaline junkie. So in the end, I let my writing taper off to nothing, till I eventually retired, at 50. My background has been varied. I ran very large IT departments for some years and later ran several of my own companies (i.e. import/export, printing, copywriting).

In recent years I have written on a variety of non-fiction subjects. However, most of those books had to do with timely issues and all but two have been taken off the market, to prevent them from becoming completely irrelevant. I am now focused primarily on politics and economics (also timely issues – will I never learn?). That said, I have a science fiction book on the back burner, which is about a quarter complete.

My most recent book is “The Rich Don’t Pay Tax! …Or Do They?” http://TheRichDontPayTax.com/

The book that I’m working on now will be a critical evaluation of various types of tax reform proposals.

When that book is published, I plan to dedicate my time to completing my science fiction book. The few people who have read the short story version of that book have told me that they were awed by the ending.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Rich Don’t Pay Tax! …Or Do They?” http://TheRichDontPayTax.com/

As an international traveler, who has actually lived offshore and met many expats, I became aware that our current tax system is driving away our most prolific taxpayers and job creators. Upon doing a little research into this issue, I realized that as more wealthy U.S. citizens renounce their citizenship and therefore legally cease paying U.S. taxes, those of us who remain, will have to pick up that tax load – a load that we cannot afford to bear. It also means that the jobs that those wealthy expats used to create in the USA will now be created and maintained elsewhere.

I wrote that book in the hope of making enough people aware of this threat to our economy, that we could make political changes that would reverse this terrible trend, before I’m forced to follow those who have already left.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have no unusual writing habits, when writing non-fiction, unless you consider it unusual to cite massive amounts of reliable and credible sources for the facts stated in the book. Personally, I think that is somewhat unusual.

In science fiction, I tend to aim for a dynamic ending – one that will leave the reader thinking, “Wow!”

Also in science fiction, I tend (though not always) to open a chapter in the middle of the action.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Non-Fiction:
Bill O’Reilly – his writing style.
Rush Limbaugh – his ability to make the complex easy to understand.

Fiction:
E.E. Doc Smith – his ability to almost unendingly expand on a theme (The Lensman Series)
Arthur C. Clarke – his ability to craft a powerful ending (Rendezvous With Rama)
Robert A. Heinlein – his ability to apply psychology to his characters (Sixth Column)

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a book that will undertake a critical look at a variety of popular tax reform proposals, so as to give the reader a better understanding of each tax reform plan and therefore allow them to decide for themselves what is the best plan.

This book will use a methodology commonly used by large corporations, to make decisions about their business. Board members of large technology, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing companies seldom know all about their product. But they know a method that will simplify their decisions and make it unnecessary for them to have a complete knowledge of the process. I have simply re-tasked this method to the purpose of simplifying tax reform.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use a combination of blogging on my own book site, http://TheRichDontPayTax.com/blog and using social media to drive traffic to my site, where there are calls-to-action and “Buy” buttons for each format of book and ebook. I also write for Examiner.com. One of my articles on Examiner.com has been tweeted more than 1,000 times; mostly by others.

I’m also a public speaker and I cite so many sources in my presentation that I get lots of purchases at the end of the presentation.

I’ve also appeared as a featured guest on numerous radio shows and I always offer listeners a limited time discount code for my print book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start now. Don’t put it off. It takes a long time to write a good book. Every day that you put it off, is another day longer before your book is published. Once you get started, you’ll probably find that writing is habit forming.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Start now.

What are you reading now?
“The Weed Agency”, by Jim Geraghty

“Promoting Decline: Obama vs. America”, by Scott Wheeler

Just finished re-reading “The Stainless Steel Rat Gets Drafted”, by Harry Harrison

What’s next for you as a writer?
When I reach writer’s block on my current non-fiction book, I turn my attention to a science fiction book that will be next on my plate. The short story version of this book has only been read by a very few close friends. But to a man, they all said that the ending was one of the best that they ever read. Without knowing that Rama contained one of my favorite endings ever, one of those people compared my ending to that of Rama. I just hope that I can maintain that impact in the book version. I’m shooting for about 400 pages on that one.

I have the general outline of a second science fiction book written down, but all that I have written of the story is the first and last chapter.

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?
Sixth Column, by Robert A. Heinlein
The Lensman Series, by E.E. Doc Smith
Dune (The original trilogy – not all the later stuff), by Frank Herbert
The Lord of the Rings series (including The Hobbit), by J.R.R. Tolkien

Author Websites and Profiles
John Gaver Website
John Gaver Amazon Profile

John Gaver’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

John Gaver is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
F. N. Scott is a pen name for James Young, former military medic, current healthcare practitioner, and aspiring full-time sci-fi/fantasy novelist. Video game enthusiast and avid reader, F. N. Scott continues to find the time to continue his dream of writing. Currently, he has written and recently published his first novel, Bane of Evil: Book I of the Scourge of Saventia Trilogy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Bane of Evil: Book I of the Scourge of Saventia Trilogy is F. N. Scott’s first and latest novel. It is an epic fantasy novel involving magic, swordplay, and chronicles the journey two brothers must take in order to stop a growing evil threatening all life in the land of Saventia. Inspiration for this novel comes from many forms: Dungeons & Dragons, Legend of Zelda, and fantasy novels such as the Dragonsbane and Elvenbane series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say that my habit is unusual, but it is a bit quirky. On my ideal days of writing, I prefer to wake up early, enjoy a cup of coffee, exercise, shower, and then write until I can’t write any longer. I always jokingly say that I know I have written enough when my mental fatigue is so high that my internal thesaurus begins to break down. Once I have trouble finding the correct words or synonyms, it is time for a break.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Elvenbane by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey, Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambley, Gaunt’s Ghosts by Dan Abnett, and Ciaphas Cain by Sandy Mitchell are series I have thoroughly enjoyed. The earlier books of the Horus Heresy (Warhammer 40k), such as Horus Rising, False Gods, and Galaxy in Flames, created a wonderful blend of character development and action sequences that I drew influence from. Also, the classics, such as the Illiad and Odyssey by Homer and the Divine Comedy by Dante Allighieri, influenced my decision to want to be a writer. To tell such fascinating and epic tales is definitely a pursuit of mine because of the classic stories.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on the sequel to Bane of Evil.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still new at this, so the best method for me is to reach out to readers on social media sites that I think may find my novel. It is time consuming this way, but I know that my work will speak for itself, and, if these individuals enjoy the novel, word-of-mouth will be soon to follow.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Pursue your dream. Make no excuses as to why you cannot write or cannot publish. Do not let your own critical self hold you back.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard is to stop taking every piece of advice from other authors. There can be so many contradicting tidbits of advice if you were to listen to every author.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading the Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey. I always have a soft spot for post-apocalyptic literature and video games.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next for me as a writer is marketing for Bane of Evil, as well as continuing to find balance between writing, working, and living.

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 three books I would take with me on a desert island are Worst Case Scenario: Survival Handbook (shows my practical side, and this series is quite entertaining), The Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer (for its quotes and stories of inspiration and motivation), and my own novel, Bane of Evil (I have read, re-read, edited, and re-edited this book so many times I know its ins and outs like no other, so I would not feel too terrible if I needed to use it for firewood in the event of an emergency).

Author Websites and Profiles
F. N. Scott Website
F. N. Scott Amazon Profile

F. N. Scott’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

F. N. Scott is a post from Awesome Gang