Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a best-selling Northwest author who has forty-five short stories, novellas and full length novels in print. I write in Christmas Romance, Sweets, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Historical Romance, and Erotica.

I have hit Amazon’s top fifty authors ranking and my books have been #1 in sales.

My novel Shot in the Dark was a finalist in the Emerald City Opener, Cleveland, and Toronto RWA contests and I’ve been the president a few times of my RWA local chapter that Debbie Macomber founded.

I’m an Associate Publisher for the indie traditional publisher, Books to Go Now who resides in the Seattle area. They pride themselves in helping new authors get their foot in the door with well-edited manuscripts, professional covers, and platforms uploads.

I live in a hundred+ year old house that I grew up in. My semi-small town holds an interesting mix of resident hillbillies, yuppies and Navy Seals. And of course Seattle, only a few miles away, is the birthplace of Starbucks so coffee is always on the check list. I blow glass beads with a blow torch, (which relieves a lot of stress and people don’t bother you), and a big fan of musicals. I’ve been trying to work my way through my bucket list which in the last few years included two trips to the UK. The Paris Opera House (where the Phantom lives) was one of the things at the top of the list! Amazing!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is Love on the Airwaves. When people think of Washington State, they think of Seattle. The metropolis city that keeps getting bigger and bigger every day. But, just a hundred miles East and over the mountain pass there is desert, cowboys, and small towns with the population of a few hundred (if that).
When I had the idea for my new series, The Pancake Club, I knew I wanted to place it in one of these small towns. It’s about four single friends who meet at the Memories Diner for breakfast a few times a week. The fun thing is that the Memories Diner really does exist in Ritzville, Washington. It’s an adorable home cooked meal restaurant with tons of small town charm. I got to talk with Lori Gorman who is one of the charming owners and tickled pink to have our book series set in her diner.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I really try and write as often as possible but with my publishing company, Books to Go Now, sometimes it’s difficult to fit in. People ask me how I write so many stories, I don’t watch a lot of TV. I need a block of time and to be in the zone of hopefully uninterrupted time. I HAVE to have music on or I can’t concentrate. I also have an AWESOME critique group. If you are or want to be a writer it is imperative that you find a critique group. They will hassle me to no end if I don’t have pages or a darn good excuse as to why. This is good motivation.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Diana Gabaldon is my writing goddess. I’m a HUGE fan geek and her books have been an obsession for the last 20 years. I am over the moon happy with the amazing miniseries on TV now.

I love Christine Feehan, Julia Quinn, Tanya Webb, and local authors, Chris Karlsen, DV Berkom, Darlene Panzera, Joanne Jaytanie, and Sharon Kleve.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a lot… as always. Kind of a baby of mine that I have been working on for forever, Sleep Fall, is at the editors for a later this year release. It’s a Paranormal Suspense where when the heroine dreams she changes reality and no one remembers what it had been before.

I have 2 short story series, The Pancake Club, that Love on the Airwaves is in, and The Love List series with Love Uncorked that takes place in Washington States wine country.

I have another sexy novella, In Love with Santa, coming out in late October and then a New Adult series short story, Ten Minutes for Christmas in the Handmade for Christmas series.

And my holiday collection, Dog Tails for Christmas on audiobook.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think taking advantage of ALL the free social media sites is a MUST. Besides Facebook and Twitter, make sure your Amazon Author page is up to date. I have had good luck with the Goodreads giveaways. Blog hops. FB parties. Fan pages. Readers love stuff. Just giving away a free ebook is not going to cut it anymore. Make sure your giveaways are affordable (to you) and be careful of overseas shipping to readers. I’ve known authors who have spent $30 to ship a paperback to Europe.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t just be an writer, anyone can write, be an author. A good one. Join a critique group, take feedback and criticism. Believe me, if you don’t get it before, you will get it from the readers and reviewers who have keyboard courage.

Writing is the best. Enjoy your journey and write what you love.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get your butt in the chair and write, no excuses.

What are you reading now?
Submissions.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to continue my Places to See series I’m in when I get back from Germany next month.

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?
Outlander, Drums of Autumn, one of my books, and The Complete Works of Shakespeare.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jennifer Conner Website
Jennifer Conner Amazon Profile
Jennifer Conner Author Profile on Smashwords

Jennifer Conner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Jennifer Conner is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Writing is my passion. That is the reason I write. I think it is the same with all authors and I do not claim to be an exception. I am a researcher and have worked on the Abstraction Theory in physics. Besides that, I have also played my part in the study of the mysterious Indus Valley Script of the Indian subcontinent. I have been part of various Open Science movements for almost a decade now and also serve as the Ambassador for Open Knowledge in India. Playing with data is another thing that I love doing.

Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to have authored a good number of book, both fiction and nonfiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Blue Buccaneer’ is my latest offering. It is a murder mystery that is set against the backdrop of the antiquity of an Indian museum. I have always wanted to write something in this genre. I am happy, now that I have done it finally got the time to pen it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I cannot think about any such habit worth mentioning. I do like to have some peace and calm, while writing. It is absolutely necessary for an author to be with himself/herself, while developing his/her ideas, I believe.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always been an avid reader and I am not to picky about what I read. I usually read, what I can come across, barring a few exceptions, maybe. I feel indebted to each and every book that I have read, as I have learned something from each one of them. All of them have contributed in expanding my horizons.

What are you working on now?
While working with climate data for the Indian subcontinent for a period spanning more than a hundred years, I have witnessed a few emergent patterns. I am researching on that topic right now. Besides that, I am going. to start working on a nonfiction book shortly. Then there is also the sequel to ‘The Blue Buccaneer’ to work on.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To tell you honestly, I rarely get the time to do any promotional work for my books. That said, I do promote my writing through my blog. I think, platforms like Awesomegang are doing a great job in bringing authors and readers together.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The primary reason we write is because we need to express that honest urge that dwells deep inside us somewhere. To keep up this honesty is a great challenge in itself. Remaining connected with this inner urge is another. However, working to meet this challenge is a means to an end in itself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I would like to quote a few lines by Rabindranath Tagore here:

‘Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth…’

No creation is ever possible without this utter fearlessness and without this depth of truth.

What are you reading now?
As I am currently researching on climate change, I have started reading scientific literature on that subject.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Earning and keeping the love and respect of my readers and critics alike is always a challenge. If any part of my creations, in any little way, has ever touched even a single person and brought even a little happiness to him/her, then I can say that I have a job well done.

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?
It is highly unlikely that I shall not be able to manage sneaking in my e-reader (and with it, a large collection of books). However, if I am absolutely pressed to chose, I would go for Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver’s Travels, Gitanjali by Tagore and a volume of poetry by W.B. Yeats.

Author Websites and Profiles
Subhajit Ganguly Website
Subhajit Ganguly Amazon Profile
Subhajit Ganguly Author Profile on Smashwords

Subhajit Ganguly’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Subhajit Ganguly is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m British, living just outside of Bristol in South-West England. I come from the same village where one J k Rowling was born. I am married with 4 children ranging from 6 up to 20. I have lived in this area all of my life, aside from when I was at university in Southampton, where I studied Geology. I’m 6 foot 3, have brown hair, blue eyes…. maybe we don’t need all THAT detail! Although I do have a rune of protection from fire tattooed on my shoulder. I have been writing on and off for just over a decade, with quite a gap between the epic fantasy series I created named ‘The Tome of Law’ and my current series, which is more horror-inclined.

My completed works to date:

The Tome of Law (Epic Fantasy)

Book 1: The Focus Stone

Book 2: The Path of Dreams

The ARC Chronicles (Adventure Horror)

Book 1: Hellbounce

Book 2: Hellborne

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Hellborne – The ARC Chronicles Part 2.

The name for the book comes from the theme of Hell that I am running with, coupled with a play on words for the term ‘borne’. If one is carried, one is borne from one place to another. It also refers to the origins of the child my protagonist carries. That is all I can refer to without spoilers.

ARC is an acronym for Anges de la Résurrection des Chevaliers, or in English, ‘Angels of the Knight’s Resurrection’. In essence they are the organisation who stand against the foretold incursion to earth of Demonkind, an event that has been in the offing for thousands of years, ever since an event happened in Hell with disastrous unforeseen consequences. The tale I am telling is part of their history, but not all of it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find it hard to write in other places than my current locations. Those are at work during my lunch hour, on the bus to and from the office ( I have a google nexus with Bluetooth keyboard that comes in very handy) and the local sports centre when my kids are at swimming lessons or a party. Other than that, as long as I can block out my surroundings with music I am normally fine. There is nothing worse than knowing someone is looking over your shoulder while you are writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I absolutely love the works of Lovecraft. That man had a way of description that I have never seen in any other book I have read. If I ever produce anything that even comes close I will be a happy man. He set the bar for strange and unusual tales and it was a high bar indeed. I also feel a strange sort of kinship with the fictional author ‘Hank Moody’ (played by David Duchovny in ‘Californifcation’). A writer who produces the goods, means well, but can’t help but get himself into trouble.

Most directly, my mentor the author David Farland (www.davidfarland.com) has taught me loads over the years. My current series would not be what it is without his influence.

What are you working on now?
I have a few projects on the go; A children’s book for the ages of about 3 – 6, a potential short story, and Hellbeast.

Hellbeast – The ARC Chronicles Part 3 will tie up the current series. I am at time of writing about 16 chapters in, with probably another 20 to go. I say probably, for although I have detailed chapter notes, as any author knows, sometimes the story takes on a life of its own and you can’t help but just go along for the ride.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Personally I try to funnel everything through www.matthewharrill.com. It is my brand and as such I try to ensure I use all the same imagery on social media sites, and other outlets. There are many out there, including this one, and I am trying as many as possible. Amazon, Goodreads, Twitter etc etc. You name it, I’ll try it!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. And when you have finished, write some more. The more you write the better you get as long as you are prepared to take constructive criticism. Discard the haters that are just trying to get a reaction. If someone gives you feedback accept it with good grace, even if you don’t like what they say or how they say it. There is always a lesson to be learned.

Research. Get your facts straight. Get them straight before you even consider writing. If you research diligently, and once you have the overall story arc, plan your chapters in detail, by the time you come to write the chapters it should be so much easier for you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Being told that my chapters had to drop down to about 2500 words per chapter. My fantasy series is gargantuan in its chapter length, and The ARC Chronicles flow much smoother for having smaller chapters. I thought it would be a challenge, but it focuses the mind on what you are aiming to produce. Less really is more.

What are you reading now?
I recently read ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King, as well as a bunch of novels by other authors at my publisher in an attempt to gain an understanding of what they are in to. Most of the time though, I don’t have time to read, otherwise I don’t have time to write!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Other than the children’s book, I have a short story that I intend to write in the ARC world entitled ‘The Eyes Have No Soul’, and then a possible legacy series set in the future in the same world. There is also talk of an erotic thriller too….

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?

http://www.amazon.com/Desalinisation-Water-Resources-Board/dp/B006UEPXHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411231691&sr=8-1&keywords=desalinisation

Desalinisation – if you are going to be stuck on a desert island, might as well have some sort of inkling (however futile) on how to separate salt from water.

http://www.amazon.com/Wilderness-Survival-Dummies-Cameron-Smith-ebook/dp/B002DOSB48/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411231800&sr=8-2&keywords=desert+island+survival

Wilderness survival for dummies – lots of good tips.

http://www.amazon.com/Rod-Building-Guide-Spinning-Casting-Trolling/dp/1571882162/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411231859&sr=8-1&keywords=build+fishing+rod

How to build your own fishing rod – crucial for a place surrounded by water.

Oh and a complete printed edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica – for fires!

Author Websites and Profiles
Matthew Harrill Website
Matthew Harrill Amazon Profile

Matthew Harrill’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Matthew Harrill is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I served for 28 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, where I focused on strategic planning. I have tertiary qualifications in engineering, information science and government, and a PhD in planning for uncertainty.

I’ve had several non-fiction titles published through academic and government publishing services. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve turned to fiction.

My hobbies include playing computer games badly and developing software badly.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘Who Will Save the Planet?’.

It was inspired by a comment made by my first fiction teacher. She suggested that Young Adult fiction was a good market to strive for, and I asked what was different about stories for young adults. Her reply was that the protagonist should be a young adult who gets to save the world.

Although I didn’t say so, I thought that was pretty silly. Young people just aren’t in a position to save the world, unless you delve into fantasy. Fortunately, my subconscious wouldn’t let it go, and it nutted out a way in which a young adult could actually acquire enough influence to make a big difference to the world at large.

The other question is, ‘save the world from what?’. To my mind, the most realistic threat at the moment is climate change, and I know that many young people are quite worried about it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes: I’m an obsessive planner! (Since I have a PhD in planning, that’s perhaps not surprising.) My plans include very detailed diagrams showing the relationships between scenes, multiple spreadsheets, detailed character and setting profiles, and a thoroughly hyperlinked draft of the plot. The latter is approximately one-third of the length of the finished manuscript!

It’s a slow process, but it supports the development of fairly intricate stories and reduces the need to major rework during editing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like Tim Winton’s style and environmental themes.

McKee’s ‘Story’ taught me a lot about designing a plot.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a sequel to ‘Who Will Save the Planet?’ It’s tentatively called ‘Hot Quolls’. The first draft is finished, as well as three editing passes. I’m currently awaiting feedback from a bunch of reviewers. Hopefully it will be out there by Christmas 2014.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Don’t stop until you’ve finished.

What’s next for you as a writer?

If ‘Hot Quolls’ becomes popular, I could imagine writing a third novel using the same characters and themes. Otherwise, I might try my hand at hard science fiction.

Author Websites and Profiles

Peter McLennan Website
Peter McLennan Amazon Profile
Peter McLennan Author Profile on Smashwords

Peter McLennan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Peter McLennan is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tammy Powell was born in North Carolina and relocated to Michigan when she was five years old. She has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist. She works full time as an online educator teaching math and English. She creates and sells teaching products for other elementary teachers which she enjoys doing very much! For fun, she bowls on a league and reads every single day (otherwise she will go nuts!). Some of her favorite books include The Giver, The Handmaid’s Tale, Divergent, and Left Behind. She reads all different genres and enjoys young adult novels especially. When she’s not working or playing, she likes to spend time with her family including her husband of twenty years and her two children, one who is in college and one who is in middle school. When she’s home hanging out, she spends lots of time spoiling her dog, Coconut. Some day, she would like to travel to a warm, tropical island and do nothing but relax! For now, she is working on her second book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cover of Night: A Behind the Scenes Novel

I have wanted to write a book for a long time, so the inspiration was always there, but time was not. I finally got to a point in my life where I felt like I could take the time to devote to a book so that is what I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. I start with a chapter outline and write down what I think each chapter will be about. Once I have the main points listed, I just sit down and start writing. Sometimes, I forget details so I have found myself writing down specifics that I think I may need later on in the book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood. I read this book in college and absolutely loved it. I read my copy once every 6-8 months. Each time I read it, I discover something new about the story. I also love the book, The Giver, by Lois Lowry. I read this book so many years ago and it is also a book that I read again and again just because I love it so much. Both of these books struck a cord with me, for very different reasons obviously, but I love them both. I am currently reading the Left Behind series and I really enjoying them.

What are you working on now?
I am working, part time, on my second Behind the Scenes Novel. I have two titles chosen for this book and am waiting for the book itself to choose the title once I have more written. It is a follow up to my first book, Cover of Night, and explores one of the characters from that story, Jack Pepper. He gets his own suspense story that involves a mysterious woman with whom he is very attracted to!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For promoting my books, I compile lists of websites and try to get my book on their promotion sites. I use facebook, goodreads, amazon, and word of mouth. Because I am new to this, I will confess that promoting my book tends to be the hardest part of being a new writer.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to write a book then you should go ahead and do it! You’ll never know what the experience is like unless you give it a go!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hmm…be kind to others because you never know what is happening in their life.

What are you reading now?
Left Behind by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on completing my second book but other than that I have no idea what life has in store for me but I plan on going with the flow.

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 Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James

Any Nora Roberts book

Any Jonathan Kellerman book

Author Websites and Profiles
Tammy Powell Amazon Profile

Tammy Powell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tammy Powell is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 8 books to date. I started with a series about a young mother with supernatural powers called The Rhine Maiden Series. There are currently 5 books in that series. Then I wrote a stand-alone romantic comedy with a supernatural twist called “Food for Love.” My last two novels are in The Pernicious Princess Trilogy, sort of Grimm’s Fairytales meet The Wizard of Oz.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “The Malevolent Mirror.” It’s inspired a little by the TV shows “Once Upon a Time” and “Grimm.” In it, the heroine, Morgan, faces off against a vampire Snow White.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a stay at home, homeschooling mom with seven kids, so most people would find everything I do to be unusual! I have set myself a goal of writing 1,000 words a day. I try to get them done after lunch and I am usually blocking out all the screaming and bouncing off the walls and stopping every once and a while to change a diaper or break up a fight!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read, so there are lots of people who have influenced me. Jasper Fforde is my idol. He is brilliant, witty, and always extremely creative. I love Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Robin Hobb, Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison, and many, many others. They have all inspired me to write, and hopefully write better!

What are you working on now?
Right now I am working on the third book in The Pernicious Princess Trilogy, “The Sallow Spindle.” It will deal with Sleeping Beauty as a zombie.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am really horrible when it comes to self promotion. I love to write; I hate to advertise. Fortunately, my husband is very supportive and he handles most of my promotion. I try to stay engaged with my readers on Facebook. I have some wonderful fans who have encouraged me and kept me going when I’ve felt like quitting.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be: Keep writing! Finish that book. Don’t give up half-way through. Set yourself a goal every day and force yourself to meet it. Then rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Give it to someone fresh and have them proof it. Find some beta readers and have them read it. Then rewrite some more! Then get it out there and move on to your next book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard was from Orson Scott Cars (I think). He was talking about how you have to write the best book you can write now. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect and don’t hang on to something for years and years working on it. Move on and write something new. I used to be afraid that I would run out of ideas and that I needed to hold on to my best ideas and save them for when I was “really good.” Now I just give everything my best and trust that I’ll have something even better tomorrow.

What are you reading now?
I am reading “The Paper Magician” right now.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have an idea for a new series that I will be starting when I finish “The Sallow Spindle.” It’s going to be an urban fantasy set in the real world.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Wow. Only 3 or 4. That would be torture. Hmm …. 1. The Bible. 2. Shakespeare’s Complete Works 3.My Kindle Paperwhite with a solar charger. :o)

Author Websites and Profiles
Erin Evans Website
Erin Evans Amazon Profile

Erin Evans’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Erin Evans is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My family and I live in Arizona. I’ve been married for fifteen years and have two children; a boy, 8 and a girl, 10. My husband was born and raised in England so we have lots of relatives that we visit over there every couple of years. I’m grateful that my kids have an opportunity to travel. It certainly has broadened my horizons.

I am currently working on my fifth novel. It is the third book in my Redwood Violet mystery series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Landslide. The inspiration for this story has actually evolved over the past several years. It started out as a completely different type of story that I eventually shelved for a number of years. I took it up again in early 2014, where I gave it a good overhaul and turned it into the story it is today, a corporate/suspense novel that I am really proud of.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not particularly unusual, no. Although, I suppose I do prefer to write in the mornings. My mind is much clearer and more focused.

As for my habits after I finish for the day, I do tend to jump on the old treadmill for a half hour or so to free my mind of the story so that I can focus on tending to the kids when they come home from school. Homework, soccer, etc.. takes of the rest of my day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I can’t say I’ve read any one book that I felt was life-changing, however I do have my favorites that I felt absolutely allowed me to hone in on my own writing style. And, I can say with certainty that the single biggest influence on me as an author is Stephen King. I have been reading his novels since I was sixteen years old. I know he is the reason why I chose to write in the suspense genre. However, I do so very much admire JK Rowling. I am definitely a huge Harry Potter fan. Those books…well, they speak for themselves, don’t they?

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the third book in my Redwood Violet series, the title of which is Law of Five. I’m really excited about revisiting these characters after taking about a year off to focus on a few other stories that had been floating around in my mind.

That book should be released around mid-November 2014.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Ahh, the million dollar question. This is something I do struggle with. It is increasingly difficult to get noticed amongst the millions of other books available either online or in brick and mortar stores. I suppose I don’t promote my books insomuch as I try to develop relationships through social media to let people get to know who I am. If they like me, maybe they’ll read my work. I’m pretty active on Goodreads, which I truly enjoy. Of course, there’s Twitter, but I rarely promote my books there. Again, I try to put myself out there so people can get to know me as an author and a person. I do have a blog, which, sadly, I only post to about once a month. And of course, a Facebook fan page. It’s something that’s constantly evolving and I hope to gain a better grasp of as I publish more novels.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As I am still a relative newbie, I can only say to listen to the ones that came before us. They’ve been through it. I am a big advocate on learning from others and I would recommend that to fellow newbie authors.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have come across to date is that one should not write for others, but for one’s own self. It is tempting to want to follow fans’ suggestions or that of betareaders, etc. And while they can provide useful information, the writing must still come from the writer’s heart.

What are you reading now?
I have just begun a book called Autumn in Carthage. It is a departure from my usual crime/mystery/thriller novels that I tend towards and so far it is very good and a nice change of pace.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I am working very hard at getting my name out there. I’ll be attending some wonderful events, book signings and festivals. It’s exciting and scary at the same time, but if I want to take my career to the next level, it is something I must do. I’m an introvert by nature.

I will continue to write and hone my skills and hopefully, continue to entertain people with my stories.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Only three or four? Won’t be taking the entire Harry Potter series then. Maybe just books five and six, they’re my favorite. Then, of course, I’d have to take something by Michael Connelly and Stephen King.

Author Websites and Profiles
Robin Mahle Website
Robin Mahle Amazon Profile

Robin Mahle’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Robin Mahle is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember–after all, even in gradeschool when folks asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always said a writer. I’ve written tons of manuscripts, plenty unpublishable while I worked on my craft. An Airship Named Desire was my first novel published, by Hazardous Press in 2012. Since then, Decadent Publishing picked up two of my novellas, By the Sea, which was published earlier in the year, and Poisoned Apple which will be coming out soon. Jupiter Gardens Press picked up my novel, Snatched, earlier in the year, which will also be coming soon.

Not like I can stop there though–I’m always writing. I currently have several manuscripts and novellas in the works or mid-edit and lots of plans. When I’m not working on fiction, my articles can be found on Caffeinecrew.com, a geek news website.

Despite my love for writing, I’m a hobby dabbler and have played around with beer brewing, cupcake baking, soapmaking, and a variety of other crafts. You can usually find me vending at the East Coast convention circuit.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is By the Sea, which was inspired by my love for fae. I’ve always found the ocean incredibly romantic, and I wanted to explore the type of mythological creatures that are associated with it. Sirens tend to be used more commonly, so I decided to go with selkies–especially, because their history of visiting human women on shore sparked my imagination. For the main character, the story is as much of a love letter to the ocean as it is to Niall.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I switch on and off between handwriting and typing, which I guess could be considered unusual. Another weird quirk is that I’m a plotter and I’m not. I don’t wait for inspiration to strike when I write, with the exception of the first line. The first line has to come naturally, sometimes even before the characters or story hits me. Once I’ve got that, everything else unfolds.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a kid, I was very influenced by the Chronicles of Narnia and the Prydain Chronicles. I loved adventure stories and anything fantastical. Growing up hasn’t changed that all too much for me. Urban fantasy now dominates my sphere, including greats like Ilona Andrews and Jim Butcher. For me foremost, I fall in love with strong characters, so I tend to draw influence from stories where character arcs and transformation is at the forefront.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a rousing pirate sci-fi adventure, involving revenge, betrayal, and a whole lot of swordfighting and gunslinging.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tend to use Twitter and Facebook to promote my books, but I’ve also found that going to conventions helps a lot. I love talking writing with people in person!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Beta readers and critique partners are the best thing you can do for your work. Seriously, I love to swap manuscripts with other authors. Not only do I get a valuable outsider’s perspective, but I also learn a lot from critiquing their work. Once you see what doesn’t work in another manuscript, it’s that much easier to figure out how to pinpoint the same weaknesses in your own.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Maybe not advice, but encouragement. Being a writer is tough and even with the thickest skin, you can still sometimes get down about things. This quote always picks me back up.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

What are you reading now?
Just finished reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. Absolutely riveting.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more books, of course. I’m editing a novella and I’ve got a manuscript in editing too. I’ve also been tossing around the idea of a sequel for An Airship Named Desire as well…

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?
Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Dealing with Dragons, because both of those stories are timeless and lighthearted adventures for when I’m feeling lonely on said desert island. And probably The Fault in Our Stars, to remind me of what life’s really about.

Author Websites and Profiles
Katherine McIntyre Website
Katherine McIntyre Amazon Profile

Katherine McIntyre’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Katherine McIntyre is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two books – one cyberpunk, one fantasy. I’m into pretty much everything included in “geek culture”, with a particular focus on anime and Star Wars.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Regrets of the Fallen: Victis Honor Book One. The name “Regrets of the Fallen” is because the main character is of a race known as “Fallen”, as well as being a former knight, who also happens to be dying. I like titles to have as many meanings as possible.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to prefer writing female main characters for various reasons, one being that I think they’re underrepresented in media and not done very well when they are there. I also enjoy writing dialogue more than anything else, so my books tend to have a lot of that.

My most unusual writing habit would probably be that I write books like they’re anime in text form, including some of the tropes like the loose physics, which I think makes things more exciting.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Drew Karpyshyn more than anyone. The way he presents characters as real people with history and flaws instead of plot figures is something I aspire to do myself.

What are you working on now?
The next book in the Victis Honor series. I intend for it to be a very long series with most books focusing on different sets of characters, so I’m pretty excited to see if I can pull it off.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My only real method is “get it out there”. You can’t be picky because the more people that see it, the better off you are, so I think pursuing every avenue available is the only real option.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time. Don’t try to start or finish a book, just write whatever’s in your head and go from there – if it’s something worthwhile, it’ll come together. Also, write down every single idea you ever have; most of them will look terrible to you the next day, but some will look great, and even writing down a bad idea means it’s out of your head and won’t get into your actual story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.” – Ernest Hemingway.

The point he’s making is that you never write out everything you know into your story, but leave a bit of it open – if you empty your head onto the page, there’s nothing left in your head. But if you hold a little bit back, your mind will keep thinking it over, and more of the story will be invented.

What are you reading now?
Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels. I’d never read them before and finally got around to doing so.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully success. Does anyone answer differently? I can’t imagine what they say. “More writing”, maybe. Writers never stop writing, so that’s always next.

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 Hobbit by JRR Tolkein, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, an HP Lovecraft collection, and Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jake Taylor Website
Jake Taylor Amazon Profile
Jake Taylor Author Profile on Smashwords

Jake Taylor’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jake Taylor is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in MN. When my daughter was three-years-old, I took her and moved to HI where I lived and worked for 8 years. I worked at Kapiolani Hospital, an OB-GYN hospital and Rape Center. Then I moved to AZ where I met and married my husband. I worked in the medical field for a total of 20 years. Then I taught high school science in an inner-city school.

I have written a total of four books. Two are memoirs, one of being in the medical field, and one of being a teacher. I also wrote an e-romance called “Shelter of Love”, by Beth Blake, published by Keith Publishing. I write fiction under the name Beth Blake, and non-fiction under the name of Elizabeth Blake.

The fourth book is an e-book anthology of true stories about how real-life couples met. I wrote 2 of the stories and edited the entire e-book. “How I Met My Spouse”, 99 cents.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“CONQUERING CHALLENGES – A Working Mother’s Story” by Elizabeth Blake

There were so many interesting memories of the 20 years I worked in the medical field, that I felt compelled to write about them. Some are humorous, others poignant, and some are dramatic. By the time I began writing this memoir, I had a lot of experience writing. I think that accounts for the excellent reviews I’ve received.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I write a memoir, I read a lot of memoirs to get a sense of their style. For instance, when I wrote my memoir about working in an inner=city school, I read multiple memoirs written by teachers. When I wrote my memoir about working in the medical field for 20 years, I read multiple memoirs written by medical professionals such as doctors or nurses.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?

I’ve been e-mailing program directors of allied health schools and have received positive feedback. It’s great for students to have an idea of another medical professional’s experiences.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read “How-to” books. Join a good critique group. Keep writing in order to exercise your writing muscles.

I know you’ve heard this before, but don’t give up! It took me a long time, but I finally learned my craft and started selling.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do your best. Let God do the rest.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a suspense novel by Andrew Gross called “Everything to Lose”. I like suspense novels.

What’s next for you as a writer?
For now, I plan on sticking to writing non-fiction.

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?
“Gleanings”, “The Divine Art of Living”, and the Bible. One must stay positive in a situation like that!

Author Websites and Profiles
Elizabeth Blake Website
Elizabeth Blake Amazon Profile

Elizabeth Blake’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Elizabeth Blake is a post from Awesome Gang