Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi all, I’m Yong Kang from Singapore. I’m also known as Nerdy Creator. “Nerdy” represents my love for details and system. “Creator” represents my love for creativity and ideas. I used to be an accountant and now I am an animator.

I’m also a blogger with two blogs. On my blog, Fearless Passion, I help creative people be successful in their lives. I present important messages on business, career and finance in a fun, creative and inspiring manner. On my personal blog, Nerdy Creator, I share lessons I had learnt in my life, from the movies and from doing animation.

I have written one book so far. It’s called Fearless Passion. It’s a book to inspire others to pursue their own passion. It’s not just a book on my career change. Fearless Passion is a book to encourage people to love themselves by doing what they love.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Fearless Passion is my latest book. My career change from being an accountant to animator inspired me to write this book. When I was writing this book, I was jobless and in an awkward transition between the two careers. Writing this book encouraged me to pursue my passion even when times were tough.

Apart from that, I would say that my friends had given me idea to write this book. Because I heard a lot of misconception and doubts about passion from my friends and others. For example:

– Some people think that they need to have a special talent before they can pursue their passion.

– Some people think that they need to find their passion before they can start pursuing their passion.

– Some people think that it’s too late for them to pursue their passion.

In my book, I present my views on passion and dispel all these myths by using my personal examples and stories from other people I have interviewed.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Good question! My best ideas come from lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling. There were countless times when I was about to sleep, I jumped out of my bed and started scribbling ideas and words in the dark. And in the morning, I had to decipher what I had written the previous night. So I always have pencil and paper near my bed.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jack Canfield is one of my favorite author. I like how he present his information in a manner that is clear and easy to absorb. And yet the information he shared are very useful. There are always great examples and inspiring stories in his books.

I love Jon Acuff’s writing style. He has a very distinct voice and reading his books make me happy. He’s super entertaining. Although my writing style is very different from him, I wanted to have a distinct voice like him.

Seth Godin is an author I respect very much. His books are always very unique and open up my perspective. His books usually focus on one big idea but that idea also is a game changer. Something that no one has written before. He’s not just an author; he’s a thought leader.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m just writing posts on my two blogs. I started a new blog series called “My Life as an Animator in Malaysia”. in my Nerdy Creator blog. It’s to share my adventures moving to another country to pursue my passion for animation.

I already have plans for a second book. But I might be writing smaller ebooks before I write my second book. Basically, I’m just taking a break now from book writing, trying to improve my craft through smaller writing assignments and focus on marketing my first book, Fearless Passion.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Please share with me because I want to know! haha…

I’m still new as an author. I’ve tried KDP Select. They have a good promotion to give your Kindle version books for free. I think that is very useful way to connect with your readers especially when you are a new author. Goodreads is a good website to connect with readers too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and enjoy the process.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write something that you are interested to read. If you don’t even enjoy what you are writing, why would anyone else enjoy it?

What are you reading now?
The Millionaire Master Plan by Roger James Hamilton. Great book! I’m loving it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to craft my distinct voice. I love to write both inspiring stuff and instructions. So hopefully, I can find a good blend between the two.

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?
Probably some books that teach me how to make fire or gather food. haha… Because I don’t know how to survive on a desert island!

1) The Millionaire Master Plan by Roger James Hamilton. Because I want to finish this book just in case I die of hunger. I don’t like to leave things incomplete.

2) The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield. Because I need to learn how to ask for help more, especially now I’m on a desert island.

3) A blank journal. So that I can document what happen to me on the desert island. That’s how much I love writing!!!

Author Websites and Profiles
Yong Kang Chan Website
Yong Kang Chan Amazon Profile

Yong Kang Chan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Yong Kang Chan is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Michael Burnside, an Independent writer from Northern Ireland. At the moment i’ve 4 novellas out and currently working on my first full length novel (Not Another Bloody Zombie Story) which should be out the first half of 2015.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book that I’m promoting this Halloween season is Broken Fawn which came out in February of this year. For the setting I was inspired my the nightmare world from the film ‘Jacobs Ladder’ and the video game series ‘Silent Hill.’

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I scribble a lot. I have a notebook which is filled with notes and drawings. Completely unreadable for anyone else who would come along and try to read it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a young child I was brought up on Enyd Blyton. Now I’m a grown up its writers like Simon Furman, Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and Robert Kirkman.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a horror/comedy story called ‘Not Another Bloody Zombie.’ This is the first time Ive written comedy into the story so hopefully I’ll be able to make it work. It’s actually proving a lot tougher to write than I thought it was going to be, however I’m still loving it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media is a big help. Things like Facebook, Twitter and message boards/forums are a great help. I found promoting my work is probably just as tough as writing it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t write a story what you think people will like, write one you would want to read. If you dont like the story you’re writing, no one else will.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

What are you reading now?
At the moment I’m rereading From Hell by Alan Moore.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve been meaning for a while to write the follow up to the Martian Journal. I’ve a few ideas brewing which I think would even make a good series. Although at the moment its NABZS I’m fully concentrating on at the moment.

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 few Where’s Wally books to help keep me sane. Or drive me mad.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Burnside Website
Michael Burnside Amazon Profile

Michael Burnside’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Michael Burnside is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spent a good portion of my childhood living on a small hill farm in Scotland. Surrounded by rugged open moors and mountains I learned that nature has a quiet intensity and daily drama that most people never notice. With this backdrop and as an avid reader of Tolkien and many fantasy themed books, my imagination was fired at an early age. So many creatures, like the curlews, might often be heard but are rarely seen. You hear stories of wild leopards living in trees right above people’s homes unnoticed and you have to wonder at their stealth and intelligence to know how to so easily evade detection. If they can, what else lurks under our noses?
In short, the natural world provides much of the inspiration for my writing. My books are all Fantasy in genre and usually feature some non-human characters, whether shifter, dragon, feline or selkie – not all of those creature’s stories have made it to publication yet! I’ve got over 20 books in various stages of completion created over the past decade. Only 4 have made it into print so far!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book in my current Wizards of White Haven series is called Natalya. I found her story quite fun to write. I liked having a strong woman with the nature of a wolf but whose power animal was a tiger. Having escaped slavery she has issues and doesn’t trust easily. She then dares to butt heads with her other rescuer, when most back down from his lion nature.
Having many different characters interacting at a school, some with animal traits, I found intriguing to write about. A wizard is going to act quite differently than a shifter.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a busy full time day job where I am the entire finance department. My creativity therefore has to wait until I get home of an evening. I write whenever I can fit it in, or at weekends.
My conservatory is my writing room and my favourite time to write tends to be late at night. After the family has gone to bed and the TV is off, the house is finally quiet and I can lose myself in my alternate world. Unfortunately working late and getting up early don’t always go hand in hand but hey, you do what you have to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon all inspired as have a huge number of others in a variety of ways. I particularly liked Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders series. Both series are richly written and encompass wide sweeping epic tales of ordinary people, swept into extraordinary places and circumstances. I found Hobb’s writing of the sea-serpents intriguing in that they were initially maligned as deadly and vicious creatures. Only in later books do you discover their intelligence and actions are based on their desperate plight for their very survival and that it rests in trusting human hands.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the 4th book in the White Haven series. When writing a series, when you’ve introduced a large cast of characters, it’s always difficult to narrow it down, since they all want to be included as their lives and dramas continue to develop.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Like many authors I’m not an extrovert and find the aspect of marketing daunting. Most people seem to think a writer can write marketing material too – not so. It is a very different task and skillset. Self-promotion just doesn’t come naturally to me. I confess I’ve been relying on Amazon’s websites making my books available worldwide. I’m now trying to reach a wider audience by advertising free promotion dates through the free websites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Don’t give up the day job until you can afford to. Not everyone can be as successful as JK Rowling.
2. Consider taking a Creative Writing course. Writing a book for yourself is easy. However, when you sell it, readers expect something set out correctly, mistake free and the language polished. Think of it like baking a cake. What you make for the family might taste good, but is not necessarily the standard you’d create to grace a shop window i.e. be seen in public.
3. Don’t rely on the spell-checker or proof-reading yourself. If you haven’t an editor, ensure you have several proof-readers go over the book before publication. Everyone misses something but it’s always helpful to get objective views on whether sentences make sense etc. too. It’s far better to take the necessary time to get it right than be embarrassed later.

Write what you want to write and enjoy it. If you’re not enjoying it, that vibe will show in your writing. Just stop and do something else for a bit – don’t try to force it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t try to please everyone – it’s impossible. Don’t be afraid to follow your heart and write what you really feel strongly about.

What are you reading now?
I’m surfing at the moment, trying a whole host of different new authors. For me, reading lots and often different genres, helps the creativity flow once more.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve been working on my Wizards of White Haven series for a couple of years now, but am also considering two different spin off series. I’ve published the first of a different series called Surviving Prophesy: The Immortals. I’m also considering a spin off, concentrating on my Clan Green Bear shifters, but none of that can happen yet. I’ve got readers asking when my White Haven book 4 will be published, so spin offs will have to wait their turn.

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 it was a luxury desert island resort I’d take my Kindle, which has several hundred books loaded and of course I’d need a solar battery charger!
Otherwise, and in no particular order, I’d prefer a Bear Grylls survival guide (if necessary), a lined notebook (empty) with biro for my next epic and then consider the difficult task of choosing what novels NOT to bring. I’m a Gena Showalter fan so perhaps her latest or a Nalini Singh book (whichever I’ve not yet read). I’m a fast reader so I’d also like to take something new and long.

Author Websites and Profiles
Frances Howitt Website
Frances Howitt Amazon Profile

Frances Howitt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Frances Howitt is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an award-winning journalist, who has written and contributed to numerous nonfiction works, including a long list of articles for Black Enterprise, Essence, Heart & Soul, School Library Journal, The Network Journal, Uptown Professional and a host of other publications. Though most known for my health book, It’s a Sistah Thing: A Guide to Understanding and Dealing with Fibroids for Black Women, I have ghostwritten a number of projects for other authors. I also have authored a series of eBooks on how to successfully write, market, and complete an eBook.

Being a supportive mom to my three beautiful children, however, is my greatest joy. That why co-writing the children’s picture book My God is Awesome! with my five-year-old daughter, Kyla was awesome! My sons Tyler (age 10) and Myles (age 8) are their little sister’s biggest supporters. Thus, My God is Awesome! is my most rewarding project yet!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My God is Awesome! is my latest book that I co-wrote with my daughter, Kyla McKenzie (who was 5 years old when it was released). She came up to me one day and said she wanted to write a children’s picture book to share her love of God with her friends and family and that’s how it all began. I then helped her with the manuscript and we contacted an illustrator via the Internet. At the time, we didn’t know that our illustrator Dr. Jan Spivey Gilchrist was world renowned and a Hall-of-Famer.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I do anything unusual. These days I use my laptop though in the early years I did write everything by hand. I need to transcribe my work as everything is getting pretty old and damaged.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
All authors who are able to rely on the money they make from their writing as their primary source of income are my inspiration. I aspire to do that as well instead of splitting my time between writing and doing what pays the bills. I want my passion to become my primary profit and am striving towards that end.

What are you working on now?
My daughter,Kyla McKenzie, has another book she is working on called My Grandmother has wings. So we look forward to that project. I am also working on christian fiction for adults so that it is pretty interesting for me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since our picture book, My God is Awesome, is Christian-based connecting with churches either online or by phone has worked well for us as they are very open to hosting us for book signings. In addition, I have hired several people from the website Fiverr (where all services are $5) and they do an awesome job with sharing the book on social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up on your dreams. For my first book, I sent out more than 100 query letters to literary agents and only received two positive responses. I only needed one positive response to get my book to a publishing house and in readers’ hands. So remember, no matter how many rejections you get, you only need one “YES” for success. And since you can self-publish now for virtually free, the “YES” can come from YOU!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just recently Steve Harvey said he only focuses on how he plans to succeed at his goal and not all of the ways that his goal will fail. That was powerful for me. I think sometimes I get caught up in the “why this can’t work” and that puts me at a standstill. As Harvey says, the naysayers will always show up but you have to be motivated to succeed anyway.

What are you reading now?
I don’t read books as much as you would think. I love to listen to books on tape. I am listening to Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting by Wayne W. Dyer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My daughter, Kyla, and I are working on our first book on tape so we are holding auditions. It is exciting.

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 on a desert island, I would take the Bible, my own writing journal and The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss. That book is absolutely loaded with valuable information not just for improving your professionals but for improving your standard of living overall. I know that would be crazy because if you’re on an island you already have achieved a 4-hour workweek or even less but it still teaches you to value your time and that’s essential no matter where you live or what stage you are in life.

Author Websites and Profiles
Monique McKenzie Website
Monique McKenzie Amazon Profile

Monique McKenzie’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Monique McKenzie is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born in 1946, I am a writer, blogger and author with a wicked sense of humor. I get my writing ideas from observing people, places and things and watching true court cases and talk shows on TV.

The books and short stories that I have written include Making Dollar$ And Cent$ Out Of Online Dating, which is a true and humorous story as to why and how I got into the dating business and the problems that I have encountered in the past while trying to keep afloat in the ever-changing world of the Internet dating business.

Shades of Deception is a collection of ten fictional short stories centering on diverse men and women, who in their speedy search for love, romance and bliss, become the targets and victims of deceit, betrayal, fraud, revenge, and scandal.

Malicious Acts an anthology of five short stories that centers on people who will stop at nothing to get what they want. If it means disguising themselves as benevolent individuals and destroying lives along the way, they are up for the thrill. They will use romance, sex, lust, greed, manipulation, and deceit as preludes to suck unsuspecting men and women out of their life’s savings.

The Man with the White Handkerchief is a digital short story, (under 600 words) which partook in the Lulu Short Story Contest in 2011. A woman is approached by a stranger asking for directions to a specific street, but she has no recollection as to what took place after that encounter.

Wicked Intent is a fictional short story about a successful businessperson who is planning to marry his self-centered fiancée, but a beautiful stranger sidetracks him. She will bring lust, desire, and eroticism into his life but will ultimately destroy his relationship with the one person who has always stood by him.

Retribution Unleashed, which ranked No. 66 on UBAWA’s (Urban Books, Authors, & Writers of America) top 100 Books of 2013, picks up where Wicked Intent left off. The story examines the lengths a mother will go to seek reprisal against her son and his wife, whom she holds responsible for stealing her vast fortune.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Deception in Plain Sight, which centers on a wealthy woman who believes she has met her true love, but she will end up living in a fool’s paradise. I really cannot tell you what inspired me to write the book. I get my story ideas from watching people, places and objects, listening in on conversations and from real TV court cases. Receiving letters and emails from people claiming to have inherited millions of dollars, and are willing to share their windfall for a fee, have been some of my greatest inspirations.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I start writing on my computer in the mornings or evenings.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many authors, but I will name just a few: Maya Angelou, Walter Mosley, James Patterson, Tananarive Due, and Terry McMillan.

What are you working on now?
I am not working on anything at the moment, but I will continue to write articles on dating, romance, relationship and topics of interest on my One World Singles Magazine Blog

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth is a great form of promoting your book, social networks, such as Facebook, Twitter. I also find submitting press releases to various sites helpful.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you have a story to tell, tell it. If a traditional publishing house turns down your manuscript, think about self-publishing. Many sites provide the necessary tools to publish your book without costing you an arm and a leg. Avoid vanity press and subsidy publishers, unless you are a trust fund baby.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was reading an article about a playwright, who said, “You will never write a perfect play.” And the same can be said for writing a book.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading “Forty Acres” by Dwayne Alexander Smith. What a page-turning thriller!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be taking a break from writing stories and will be doing what I usually do: promote and support other authors on my Blog.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The type of books that I would bring would be crime stories, political and psycological thrillers, and murder mysteries.

Author Websites and Profiles
Vivienne Diane Neal Website
Vivienne Diane Neal Amazon Profile
Vivienne Diane Neal Author Profile on Smashwords

Vivienne Diane Neal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Vivienne Diane Neal is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m married and mother to two daughters, 3 dogs, and a horse whom I have raised and trained myself. I’m also a cancer survivor, battling leukemia in 2013. I’m currently living in a small town in SE Missouri withcmy family, where I continue to write. I’m the author of three books currently available in print or e-formats: Keeping a Backyard Horse, My Butterfly Cancer, and Once Upon a Western Way. I’m working on getting these three converted to audiobook.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m working on two projects at the moment, Triple Heist, inspired by a short time when I worked for an armored truck company, and Fang and Claw, Book One of the Undead Unit series, inspired by my love of crime stories, my sense of justice, and one of my favorite TV series: Supernatural!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write in bed with my laptop. Silly maybe, but I’m still recovering from cancer and the effects of chemotherapy, so I get tired very easily. I don’t have the advantage of having a ‘home office’, so I write where I’m the most comfortable and where I can close out the noise of a busy family if I have to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb, Patricia Cornwall, Kay Hooper, and Fern Micheals, among many others.

What are you working on now?
Besides working on Triple Heist and Fang and Claw, I’m working to get my first three books converted into audiobooks. My Butterfly Cancer is currently in production and should be out by December 1, 2014. I hope to provide copies to Barnes Jewish Hospital, who took such good care of me when I was sick. Since I’m an independently-published author, I’m in charge of my own marketing as well, so I spend a lot of time time using social media to advertise, and devising new ways to market my books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, I think Twitter has become the best source for promoting books, though I also have a website, a blog, an author page on Amazon, a Facebook fan page, and use a promoting site called askDavid.com and WiseGrayOwl.co.uk (as well as submitting here!). I’m also on Smashwords, though my books are currently Kindle exclusives at the moment. And I’m a member of GoodReads, Shelfari, and Scribophile. I have also just begun using Google+ and LinkedIn.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! It’s a fickle world out there with monster publishing houses, but independent publishing is, I think, going to put them out of business eventually. Make your work as perfect as possible (spelling, grammar, even formatting), because there’s a lot of competition. And don’t lose hope if sales seem to be riding a roller coaster.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.”~Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are you reading now?
I don’t have much time for reading right now, but I am into a novel called Yesteryear, A Novel of Reincarnation by Samyann, another author I met on Twitter who bought Once Upon a Western Way and reviewed it for me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My two current works in progress and converting my books into audio format is about all I can handle at one time. But I’m planning to edit all my print versions and release second editions, as well as edit formatting for my kindle versions. Plus I’ll need to get My Butterfly Cancer formatted for Smashwords, so I can release it for Nook once its enrollment in Kindle Unlimited is over.

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?
One of the Special Crimes Unit by Kay Hooper, an In Death by J. D. Robb for sure!

Author Websites and Profiles
Marguerite Madden Website
Marguerite Madden Amazon Profile
Marguerite Madden Author Profile on Smashwords

Marguerite Madden’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marguerite Madden is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m married and mother to two daughters, 3 dogs, and a horse whom I have raised and trained myself. I’m also a cancer survivor, battling leukemia in 2013. I’m currently living in a small town in SE Missouri withcmy family, where I continue to write. I’m the author of three books currently available in print or e-formats: Keeping a Backyard Horse, My Butterfly Cancer, and Once Upon a Western Way. I’m working on getting these three converted to audiobook.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m working on two projects at the moment, Triple Heist, inspired by a short time when I worked for an armored truck company, and Fang and Claw, Book One of the Undead Unit series, inspired by my love of crime stories, my sense of justice, and one of my favorite TV series: Supernatural!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write in bed with my laptop. Silly maybe, but I’m still recovering from cancer and the effects of chemotherapy, so I get tired very easily. I don’t have the advantage of having a ‘home office’, so I write where I’m the most comfortable and where I can close out the noise of a busy family if I have to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb, Patricia Cornwall, Kay Hooper, and Fern Micheals, among many others.

What are you working on now?
Besides working on Triple Heist and Fang and Claw, I’m working to get my first three books converted into audiobooks. My Butterfly Cancer is currently in production and should be out by December 1, 2014. I hope to provide copies to Barnes Jewish Hospital, who took such good care of me when I was sick. Since I’m an independently-published author, I’m in charge of my own marketing as well, so I spend a lot of time time using social media to advertise, and devising new ways to market my books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, I think Twitter has become the best source for promoting books, though I also have a website, a blog, an author page on Amazon, a Facebook fan page, and use a promoting site called askDavid.com and WiseGrayOwl.co.uk (as well as submitting here!). I’m also on Smashwords, though my books are currently Kindle exclusives at the moment. And I’m a member of GoodReads, Shelfari, and Scribophile. I have also just begun using Google+ and LinkedIn.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! It’s a fickle world out there with monster publishing houses, but independent publishing is, I think, going to put them out of business eventually. Make your work as perfect as possible (spelling, grammar, even formatting), because there’s a lot of competition. And don’t lose hope if sales seem to be riding a roller coaster.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.”~Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are you reading now?
I don’t have much time for reading right now, but I am into a novel called Yesteryear, A Novel of Reincarnation by Samyann, another author I met on Twitter who bought Once Upon a Western Way and reviewed it for me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My two current works in progress and converting my books into audio format is about all I can handle at one time. But I’m planning to edit all my print versions and release second editions, as well as edit formatting for my kindle versions. Plus I’ll need to get My Butterfly Cancer formatted for Smashwords, so I can release it for Nook once its enrollment in Kindle Unlimited is over.

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?
One of the Special Crimes Unit by Kay Hooper, an In Death by J. D. Robb for sure!

Author Websites and Profiles
Marguerite Madden Website
Marguerite Madden Amazon Profile
Marguerite Madden Author Profile on Smashwords

Marguerite Madden’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marguerite Madden is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an artist, mvsician, and writer. I have written several books; from pictvre books, to novel length stories. I have written somewhere between 25 – 30 stories. Some have not yet been pvblished in book form… bvt soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is entitled “Five Old Wives’ Tales.” This is a small collection of poetry, inspired by old fables, proverbs, and wives’ tales, and the affect they have on the lives of so many individvals.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My habits for writing may vary from conventional to eccentric. I svppose my writing in my vndergarments in very low light, and in very late hovrs wovld probably be vnvsval writing habits to most. That is abovt as vnvsval as my writing habits get.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There have been several avthors over the years that have inflvenced my appreciation for observing things, and my environment; more so than my writing style. The avthors that first come to mind are J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Dickens, Edgar Allen Poe, D.H. Lawrence, Washington Irving, and J.K. Rowling… to name jvst a few.

What are you working on now?
My current task is “Captain Starfield & his Magical Ship.” Althovgh this is my main project at hand, there are a covple of short stories which I am developing as well.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment, I wovld have to say, the best website for promoting my books is Amazon.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new avthors wovld be – Marry yovr work, embrace yovr ideas, and believe in them wholeheartedly.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One of the simplest phrases that resonates with me as possibly the best advice I’ve ever heard is, “live each day to the fullest.”

What are you reading now?
At the moment, I am mvch too swamped to be enjoying a leisvrely read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be writing and illvstrating a short fiction. It will be fairytale-based, and a good read dvring Christmas time and the winter 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?
At the moment, I wovld take with me “Alice in Wonderland,” “Pride & Prejudice,” & “The Hobbit.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Lord Toph Website
Lord Toph Amazon Profile

Lord Toph’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Lord Toph is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Oh….I don’t like talking about myself much and I do get stumped on this question most of the time, but alright. I’m in my early 20’s and live in Las Vegas. Born and raised. My mom who is my co-author had lived in Vegas for 33 years and was born and raised in New York City. I’ve won a few writing essay awards in school and decided 2 years ago, to make writing a full-time career. I love where writing takes me, into a place where I can create anything. I believe in the saying “Always believe in that, which you can not see. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.” so in our writing, I can create that which is not seen and make it believable for the readers. My mom is an accomplished water-color artist and over the years, has won several first place blue ribbons and is into poetry, which helps alot in creating some of the spells and riddles in our story. We’ve written so far, two books with a third coming out soon. It’s part of our KEEPER OF LA TECLA (The Key) series. We hope to create more stories in the future once we give our minds a break.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The names of our latest novels are SECRETS OF RAVENSTONE book one and ON THE EVIL SCALE book two. We grew the inspiration from a dream that I had and it was so vivid and realistic that my mom suggested in creating a full story from the idea. So, after putting it all together and filling in some of the blanks, our story was created into what it is now. Book two came from ideas that just continue the story. Book three which is the last of the our series will be release some time in 2015.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh, boy. Do we ever. During the day of course, it’s very noisy with neighbors coming and going upstairs, and traffic outside so we choose when to write. Let’s say, we have actually turned into nocturnal type-creatures of habit. Staying up late after midnight and sleeping til the late afternoon. During that time, we choose to do our writing when it’s perfectly quiet. Best time ever. I like listening to music while I write, but my mom on the other hand enjoys the silence more, so we compromise.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve read a few books that I really enjoy but I don’t believe in copying anyone’s idea. Everyone should be a complete original and create your own work. But if I could truly answer this question, I’d have to say that I take a few bits and pieces of certain movies and shows and twist them around to be more realistic. But, I guess The Vampire Diaries sort of inspired us to create our vampires. And my favorite author would have to be J.K. Rowling, of course.

What are you working on now?
We’re currently piecing together ideas for our third novel of our series, BATTLE OF BLOODLINES.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter. And Facebook. But I don’t have much luck on Goodreads because some say they will help with an interview but then never come through. We currently have both books on Amazon.com as eBooks.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Don’t give up, no matter what people tell you and always persevere. Unfortunately alot of backlash and negative comments come from other authors, as well as literary agents.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pretty much as the question above, from my mom. She’s very supportive of my career choice and is a very tenacious Taurus and won’t give up.

What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment. Just doing research online. But when I do read, it’s SCIFI-FANTASY and YOUNG ADULT. My mom doesn’t read much books so I can’t speak for her.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Just to keep on writing and coming up with more story plots and ideas.

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?
Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Hobbit series. And of course, Harry Potter series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Yzavela ( pen name: Yza-Dora) Narvaez Website
Yzavela ( pen name: Yza-Dora) Narvaez Amazon Profile

Yzavela ( pen name: Yza-Dora) Narvaez’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Yzavela ( pen name: Yza-Dora) Narvaez is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a three year old author. I live in England, East midlands with my family. I have written three books and I am a write in multiple genre.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is called Witch Crystal and it was inspired from a great YA author Ruth Warburton.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write when it is dark, when everything is quiet and still. And I write pen to paper first, and then transfer to screen.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Roald Dahl, C.S Lewis. I love the Twilight books and the Harry Potter books too!

What are you working on now?
I’m working on two books. One is another paranormal romance and the other is the second book to Witch Crystal.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is great but it has it’s limits. Twitter is good but you need to know how to work it. I think blogging is a good way to promote your books, you just need to find the followers

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and never give up, no matter what!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing and never give up!

What are you reading now?
I am searching for the great book!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to do a series of books for young children with my own illustrations, and start up a blog for budding young writers.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The twilight books
The Harry Potter books
The Diary of a wimpy kid books

A title from each series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Malika Gandhii Website

Malika Gandhii is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I used to be a small-town country girl, but now I live quite happily in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada with my family. I began writing in high school, but in my twenties real life hit and time for things like creative writing just kind of fell by the wayside. About three years ago I got inspired to start again and quickly realized how much I’d missed it, and how many stories were brewing inside of me, just fighting their way to get out. So far I have only completed one novel, but I am about two-thirds of the way through the first draft of my second book, and have ideas for several others in my head.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first novel is called “Promises and Other Broken Things”. I was inspired to try to write a story about a difficult and sensitive subject – adultery – from the dual points-of-view of the people involved, and how they eventually got to the places in their lives where they made the decisions they made. So many people feel the issue is very black and white, and I wanted to show how sometimes, in certain situations, these things aren’t so cut and dried, wrong and right, and that the people involved, although they do end up making some bad choices, are not always horrible, unforgivable jerks.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have some bad writing habits, but I don’t want to detail them here in case others are inspired to do the same things! haha No, nothing really unusual. I write in fits and bursts when I’m inspired, and can often go weeks without writing anything. During those times, I go back and edit existing writing, and that often gives me the inspiration to want to work on fresh stuff again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Christopher Moore, to name just three. While all three are *very* different, not only in terms of the types of books they write, but also their voice and style, I love reading each of them for different reasons and often find myself greatly inspired by their words and the feels they evoke in me.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my second novel, which is more of a Young Adult/New Adult romance. It’s very different from “Promises and Other Broken Things”, but that’s exactly why I wanted to write it. It’s a story about a teenage girl in a small town in the mountains who anonymously writes the love advice column for the local paper. She starts a private correspondence with a bitter and depressed young man whose lover had left him for him brother, and as they get to know each other, they help one another comes to grips with, and move past, some of the things that are holding them back from getting out and living their lives.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use GoodReads, Facebook and Twitter, mostly. Of the three, so far I feel Facebook is connecting me with my readers the easiest.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let self-doubt stop you. We all experience it, it’s normal, and you just have to keep writing anyway. And then write some more. Talk to other writers, make friends, create your own support group, and ask them for feedback. My ever-so-patient writer friends are the main reason “Promises and Other Broken Things” is the book it is today.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Use an editor/proofreader. No matter how many times you look at your own writing, no matter how many errors you correct, sneaky little mistakes will still always find their way through. So it’s a really smart idea to always ask someone else with fresh eyes to read it over for you.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading “Mr. Mercedes” by Stephen King. So far I’m quite liking it!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing up my second book and then diving into the long editing process for it.

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?
“Lamb” by Christopher Moore. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. “The Thief of Time” by Terry Pratchett. “The Stand” by Stephen King.

Author Websites and Profiles
J.S. Eades Website
J.S. Eades Amazon Profile

J.S. Eades’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

J.S. Eades is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spend my days in the world of information technology, focusing on infrastructure and architecture, but evenings and weekends you’ll find me murdering and maiming. My creed? The only good character is a tortured one.

Through many years of disrupting lives and inflicting angst, I’ve written two books and published one of them.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My suspense novel is titled TOURIST TRAPPED. I had worked on another manuscript for eight years and hit a wall. I needed to rewrite the first third of the novel, but couldn’t translate the ideas onto paper.

To clear my head, I decided to tackle NaNoWriMo and play around with a new story. The members of a master class I had participated in had fallen in love with one of my secondary characters, the spunky Amanda Sloane, so I designated her as my new protagonist. Infusing a little heartburn into her life, I gave Amanda a half-sister she resented, and then guilted Amanda into hunting for the despised sister who vanished in the Yucatan.

I spent the first half of November developing the backstory for the new cast of characters, so I didn’t make my 50k word count, but I made it to 25k and fell in love with the story. At that point, I knew I had to finish TOURIST TRAPPED.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes when I have a big scene I need to write, I don’t let myself think too much about it before I sit down and begin. I want to watch the scene unfold in my head as I write it. Sort of like watching a movie–except the popcorn leaves my keyboard greasy!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many, but I’ll mention a few that come to mind. The first scenes of THE HORSE WHISPERER and THE FIXER yanked me into those books. Stieg Larsson impressed me with his ability to make me cheer for a character as hopelessly flawed as Lisbeth Salander. J. K. Rowling’s deep backstory for the Harry Potter series is beyond amazing. I like Sandra Brown’s ability to create multidimensional characters, and Dean Koontz’s vivid descriptions.

What are you working on now?
On November 1, I join writers all over the world in taking on the NaNoWriMo challenge again! I’ll begin the first draft of the second book of the Trapped trilogy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to the world of promotion, but so far I’ve found my email lists to be the most effective method to share information about my novel. The most fun experience was seeing a front page article about me in my hometown paper!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find mentors you trust. They can be in the form of critique groups, writing partners, instructors, etc. You need feedback to determine your strengths, and where you have opportunities to improve–and don’t take constructive criticism personally. Learn from it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write that first draft. You can edit later. Get the story down on paper. NOW!

What are you reading now?
I’m rereading SCENT AND SHADOW by Mercy Loomis. I’m not usually one to read vampire novels, but hers is well written and the characters are multi-dimensional. Mercy builds a complicated, tumultuous relationship between the two main characters. I love it!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a couple of short stories begging for my attention, a set of personal essays I’ve promised my editor, and, of course, books two and three of the Trapped 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?
My OXFORD DICTIONARY and THE SYNONYM FINDER because I can’t imagine writing without them. I’d also take THE BEST POEMS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, because I’d finally have the time to sit down and soak them in. Finally, I’d take the book I’ve carried with me for most of my life, my grandmother’s copy of SARA CREWE.

Author Websites and Profiles
Karlie Klemme Website
Karlie Klemme Amazon Profile

Karlie Klemme’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Karlie Klemme is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Arizona with my husband, the old, bald guy and our two teenage sons. We enjoy camping (which we call kamping) and boating. I’m a new indie author of the children’s book Moore Zombies: The Search for Gargoy, illustrated by Brian Allen.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was inspired to write Moore Zombies after playing video games with my children. The only reason I constantly lose is because there are way too many buttons on the controller, but my kids get a good laugh out of my futile attempts. Anyhow, I was thinking that zombies are mean and ugly, and felt it was time to turn the tables on humans and come up with a better looking, nice zombie family who were afraid of people. I like the contradiction and also went a step further in making contradictory characters: a baby (Baby Zom), a dirty little boy who likes to camp (Kamper), a preppy or nerd type (Broheimer), and a teenage girl fashionista who is into goth (Gothina). I also thought it would be fun to add a stay-at-home Mombie, and have the kids love tomato juice!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of – but then I don’t compare my writing habits to anyone else’s. I like to say I’m either disorganized in an organized way, or organized in a disorganized way. I write EVERYTHING down – any thought or idea, anything I think would be funny in the artwork and then start moving, organizing, rewriting, deleting and so on and so forth. I keep doing this until at some point I feel it is at its best. There are points in time where I like to take a break for a day or two so that I can come back and review the material with a fresh brain.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Hitckhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy was an easy read yet full of fun!! I grew up reading a lot of detective stories as a child and loved those – Nancy Drew, The Hardy Brothers, The Three Detectives. Also I loved Judy Blume and at some point had an autographed copy of a book from her – wish I knew whatever happened to that. From about 4th to 6th grade we had no television as my parents felt we were watching tv too much (and this was in the early 80’s!), so I read a lot!

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a second Moore Zombies book, however, I am heavily involved in marketing Moore Zombies: The Search for Gargoy. I’m sure everyone knows what that entails so I won’t bore you with the details.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best website for promoting is all of the above. I’m expanding my following on twitter, facebook pages, moorezombies.com, and youtube. I really appreciate goodreads, thebookmarketingnetwork, bookgoodies, and of course awesomegang and bookreadermagazine. I enjoy making youtube videos with my boys to help promote my moorezombies website, however finding time to do so is difficult with their busy schedules. But we do have a lot of fun when we get around to making a video!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Since I’m a new author, I believe I am in the position to accept advice more so than to give advice at this point. However, I can tell you that I think you’ll find there is more work to be done in marketing a children’s book than there is in actually writing the book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard came from my grandmother. She told me, “Don’t ever date a man you wouldn’t marry.” At the time it made no sense to me. Now it makes perfect sense; hence the old, bald guy.

What are you reading now?
I’d love to tell you about some fun books I am greatly enjoying. However, please review the part about marketing a children’s book. I read blogs, tips, techniques, how-to articles, etc.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am looking forward to sharing my book directly with children via presentations. I used to volunteer my time inside the classroom often when my children were young. I really miss how contagious the fun can be in just being silly.

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 always enjoyed Edgar Allan Poe but that might be too depressing for a deserted island. So, I’d have to say I’d take along a copy of Moore Zombies: The Search for Gargoy as in inspiration, and write the other 3 books while I was on the island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Wendy Knuth Website
Wendy Knuth Amazon Profile

Wendy Knuth’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Wendy Knuth is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! My name is Esmeralda. I’m a 28 year old, Puerto Rican, Indie Author; who’s addicted to chocolate and believes in the supernatural. I read Angel cards and can communicate with spirits. (I’m not crazy, I swear!) I married my high school sweetheart and we have three beautiful children. I’ve written one book and am half way through my second.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Wicked Love. It’s a Paranormal Romance that focuses on how far a person is willing to go for love. Life experiences inspired me to write this book. I for one have done some crazy/stupid things for love. Haven’t we all? lol I also got bored of reading the typical vampire story! When my daughters are old enough to read my book, I want them to feel empowered. My main character is a feisty Latina who stands up for what she believes in.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to wear comfy pajamas and fuzzy colorful socks. Don’t judge me!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Esmeralda Santiago, “A House On Mango Street.” That book is deep and touched on a lot of issues I faced growing up in Brooklyn, New York.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing the sequel to Wicked Love. This book goes a little more in depth on that feeling that drives us over the edge.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesomegang.com of course! *wink*

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I saw a quote the other day that rang true for me, “Don’t let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big.” Believe in yourself no matter what. Do your research! Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Put yourself out there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stop standing in your own way!

What are you reading now?
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing until my heart stops.

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, what a dirty question?! How to Survive on a Deserted Island! lol

Down a Dark Hall by Lois Duncan

The Secret Circle Series by L.J Smith

Sweep Series by Cate Tiernan

Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice

Author Websites and Profiles
Esmeralda Hernandez Amazon Profile

Esmeralda Hernandez’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Esmeralda Hernandez is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a full-time writer, first time author and life-long reader. I just published my debut science-fiction novel, Mindguard, back in September and am currently learning the business and just generally enjoying the “indie” lifestyle. I’m married to a lovely woman named Ioana and we share our home with Picky, our gorgeous Netherland dwarf bunny.

I studied Letters, pursued an American Studies MA and wrote my thesis on the music of Tom Waits. I run a jazz-themed blog called The Music and Myth, where I review records and live shows and publish interviews with the musicians. One of my greatest accomplishments in writing is getting an article published in Cracked, though it hasn’t done very well because it’s about pro-wrestling.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is called Mindguard and it was inspired by my impossible ambition to protect my loved ones from harm in every way.

My wife was upset over something one day and she was telling me about it. It was work-related, so there was really nothing I could do but try to cheer her up. But that is a process that takes time. I wished I could just instantly take make her sadness disappear or, better yet, somehow place an essence of myself between her mind and whatever was making her sad, like a bodyguard intercepting a physical threat. That’s when I came up with the concept of a Mindguard.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know about unusual but I generally prepare for highly emotional scenes by drinking lots of wine and listening to my favorite music. I often talk to myself (sometimes physically acting out the scenes – which, let me tell you, is a sight to behold) Even more often, I talk to the bunny. She doesn’t talk but I can generally get a sense of what she’s thinking from the way she wiggles her nose.

Whenever I’m stuck in a certain scene and can’t find my way out I work out to exhaustion. The solution usually pops up the second I finish the workout.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Garden of Rama by Arthur C Clarke and Gentry Lee was the first sci-fi book I ever read, so that was an enormous influence. My all-time favorite book is Frank Herbert’s Dune, which changed my life. I used to read a lot of Dean Koontz’s work. I always got a kick out of his novels and enjoyed his writing style, though I’m not crazy about the way he tends to moralize.

Robert L Stevenson’s Treasure Island was a great influence on me growing up, because of the way in which he portrayed the villain, John Silver. Hugh Howey’s Wool was a great influence because it introduced me to the concept of self-publishing. Frank Schätzing’s The Swarm made me love wine and since wine is such a great part of my writing process I guess you can say the book influenced me a lot.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a new sci-fi novel called Skyborn. I plan to release it in serial format, starting December. I’m also currently developing the sequel to Mindguard, which will be out sometime next year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s still too early to tell.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let it be just a dream. Make it a goal! Then work your ass off to attain it. Treat it like a career, not a hobby. Be in love with your characters, they are your story. Talk to them. More importantly: listen to them. They are smarter than you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You should marry that woman!” – my family.

But as far as writing is concerned, it’s something my former literature professor once said to me. It wasn’t so much a piece of advice as it was a prophetic “warning”. I had told him that I hadn’t written in over six years and had no interest in ever writing again. He said “Someday you will write again”, I said “No” and he said “Oh, yeah!”. I started writing again two years later.

What are you reading now?
A Game of Thrones, just to be in sync with the rest of the literate world. I love it, though. I also have this idea of giving a bit of a fantasy “vibe” to Skyborn, so I’m hoping to steal some trade. Thanks, George!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Success, fame and fortune. Mindguard in every airport bookstore. Mindguard, the movie, with young Edward Norton playing Sheldon Ayers. But I also have some big plans.

Nah, I’m kidding (sort of). What’s next is more writing and the hope that it will reach as many readers as possible. Every day that I’m able to keep doing this is a blessing, a cherished gift.

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?
“Ultrasimple Boat Building: 18 Plywood Boats Anyone Can Build” by Gavin Atkin

“Coconut Delights Cookbook: A Collection of Coconut Recipes” by Karen Jean Matsko Hood

“Surviving Sharks and Other Dangerous Creatures” by Allan Zullo

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrei Cherascu Website
Andrei Cherascu Amazon Profile

Andrei Cherascu’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Andrei Cherascu is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As an author, I am new to this game, having published my first book in early Oct, 2014. I’ve always enjoyed writing, even back when I was a teen, and writing assignments were always an easy “A” for me. Although Winter Fall is my first book, its early success has inspired me to keep writing, and I plan on releasing several books over the course of the next year.

I was born and raised in North Carolina, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) I then moved to Florida for approximately a dozen years, where I held a job as an urban planner before going the self-employed route as a home inspector in the early 2000’s. In 2005, I moved to Atlanta, GA, where I continue to reside.

My favorite activities include travel, photography and woodworking, as well as mountain hiking, and of course, reading and writing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Winter Fall, an apocalyptic tale of the Yellowstone Supervolcano and its aftermath. My biggest inspiration for this novel is Lucifier’s Hammer, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. I absolutely loved this novel, and I read it several times as a teen, and I’ve always wanted to write a book along those lines. Coupled with my long-held fascination with supervolcanos and their capacity to wreck destruction on our all-too-fragile civilization, the idea for Winter Fall was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in short, quick bursts, usually in the morning. I may spit out five or six thousand words in a few short hours, but once I stop, I usually have to wait until the next day to pick it up again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lots of authors, here’s just a few: Larry Niven (of course,) Steven King, Author C, Clarke, Robert Heilein, Ken Follet (particularly Pillars of the Earth, another book I’ve read several times,) Dean Koontz, Michael Chrichton – I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

What are you working on now?
My next book is titled Martian Contagion, a sci-fi thriller dealing with a deadly viral outbreak on a science base on the surface of Mars. I’ve always been fascinated with Mars, which is why my next book will be set on this fascinating world. I hope to have this released by Jan of 2015.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This site, for one. I joined a number of pertinent forums where I shared my book, as well as a multitude of facebook groups, etc. A huge part of my book promotion is face-to-face sharing of my work, and I know I’ve sold quite a few books that way. I’ve even gotten business cards with my book cover on it to hand out to people – which is something I’d encourage fellow authors to do as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, and write some more. But I’d never gotten to where I am today if it wasn’t for my willingness to listen to critical feedback and working to make my writing as good as it can be. And don’t be shy about getting your book out there once it’s been published. Sure, it’s many hours of hard work, but it does pay. Let your passion show – it really does make a difference.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Have a good “hook” for your book – if it doesn’t draw the reader in on Page 1, Paragraph 1, you’re probably not going to sell very many books.

What are you reading now?
Sector 64: Ambush, by Dean M Cole, a fellow indie author. It’s a good read so far.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more books! And to keep promoting the one(s) I’ve written, however I can.

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?
Lucifer’s Hammer, the Stand, Pillars of the Earth – not only are they my faves, they’re long enough to keep me reading for quite a bit of time.

Author Websites and Profiles
Byron Tucker Amazon Profile

Byron Tucker’s Social Media Links
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Byron Tucker is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a college student studying English, Creative Writing, and Industrial Design. I also have two minors, so I’m pretty busy. Last December I started Aviator Owl Books Inc. with a friend of mine, and that’s what I do in my free time: write and illustrate the books. Every book we sell donates half of the profits to a specific cause or charity (much to the dismay of our CPA). I have 3 current books available for purchase, with 2 more on the way in the very near future!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The one I am currently working on is called The Boy Who Played with Stars, about a boy who journeys into the night sky and interacts with constellations. I came up with this book a long time ago, in the back of one of my English lectures. I was thinking about a different story idea (that may or may not become a reality so I won’t disclose it quite yet) and I had this image of a child playing with starlight. Wouldn’t it be amazing, I thought, to be able to climb into the sky and dance with constellations? I decided it would be, so that’s what I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think my notes would drive people absolutely crazy. When I get one idea, I often get several more and all of the characters, plots, illustrations and everything else comes spilling out onto any paper surface. It can make for a difficult business meeting later when Chris (my business partner) asks me, “so what are some new ideas?” and I can only stare at the page of chicken scratch and think, “well I would love to know the same thing.”

Another somewhat bizarre trait I have is to listen to Celtic music while I write. Sometimes I listen to music to fit the mood of the book I’m writing (Christmas music for our Christmas book, etc) but often it’s Celtic.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
JK Rowling was probably the biggest influence. For children’s books I am inspired by Dr. Seuss’s writing and his liberties with what can be done. His imagination drove his work and that’s what I want to do.

What are you working on now?
Two books: The Boy Who Played with Stars and an Aviator Owl Christmas book (title unknown). The Boy Who Played with Stars was actually released a long time ago but we pulled it back in to add text because the original was published as illustration only. While I love the illustration only edition, it’s fun to write a character as he travels through the sky at night.

I’m SO excited about the Christmas book because it is my absolute favorite time of year (perhaps because I was born on Christmas…) and I finally have an excuse to do all sorts of Christmas-related things well before the season even starts. I call this “market research.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am not so good at the promotional things. I write under a pen name and for years I steadfastly refused to include a picture of myself anywhere near the books. I didn’t want people to know who I was because I wanted the work to speak for itself. I have since realized that I won’t sell any books that way, so I’ve slowly started reaching out through Goodreads, Twitter and Facebook. Those are definitely my top three websites for book promotions currently.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t ever be afraid to experiment. I found that in the beginning of my writing “career” I really struggled to do anything that I hadn’t seen before. I always thought, “well, if (enter famous author name) didn’t do that, then I can’t either or people will hate it.” Finally I learned that as long as I publish the best story I possibly can, and I’m happy with it, then it was worth the time. If no one buys it, then no one buys it, but I’m doing what makes me happy.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t ever stop dreaming. And you will never go wrong if you remember to be kind and be brave.

What are you reading now?
Water for Elephants (for fun), The Book of Unknown Americans, Beautiful Ruins and the KJV Bible (for school).

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write. I guess that answer is too easy. First, I’d like to graduate. Then I’ll continue writing in my favorite genres (kid lit, picture books, memoir, fantasy, YA fiction) and expanding Aviator Owl as a company.

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?
Is there a book about surviving on a desert island? I’d like that one. I’d also need a joke book because I’d die without something to make me laugh. And a Harry Potter book, probably The Half-Blood Prince.

Author Websites and Profiles
S. A. Porcher Website

S. A. Porcher’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

S. A. Porcher is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a new, independent author and I just released my first novel, Taken By The Huntsman, in September 2014. As for my vital statistics, I’m a thirty-something gal who has lived on both coasts of the US, but never in the middle. My “real job” (it’s not really, but don’t tell my boss. ;-)) is as a hospital drudge and I also attend graduate school.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Well, the inspiration for my first book, Taken By The Huntsman, came from a dream I had after a rather spirited debate with an online friend about the nature of consent (and some other political issues I won’t bore you with). When I woke up I thought about the dream and realized it might make an interesting story (as well as provide me with a soap box ;-)). I texted a friend and asked her if she thought the idea had merit. She said she did and so I wrote the first couple of chapters and emailed them to her asking her to read them and tell me if she was bored yet. She was kind enough to say that she wasn’t bored and that she’d like to read the rest of the story, so I wrote it. The ideas for the next few books and short stories came from characters who came to me and told me that they deserved a story too, and it was my job to write them. So I will!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmm….I don’t know if I’m the best person to evaluate what would constitute an “unusual writing habit” since I’m so new at it. My stories have, so far, pretty much presented themselves fully formed and I’ve just had to smooth out the rough bits and fill in the details. Is that unusual?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m dyslexic and I had a really hard time learning how to read when I was a kid. Timothy Zahn’s continuation of the Star Wars series is probably the reason I’m literate today. If my imagination hadn’t been captured by the characters and universe that George Lucas created and Timothy Zahn expanded on it’s possible I wouldn’t have had the motivation to expend the effort it took for me to learn to read. So thank you to both of those gentlemen. Since learning to read at the age of 8, I could usually be found with my nose stuck in Sci-Fi or Fantasy novel. My interest in romance came a bit later.

What are you working on now?
I hope to have my next book out by the beginning of 2015 (no promises). It’s the second book in the series that begins with Taken By the Huntsman and will be the story of Uaine, Fairie’s Summer Court prince, and Veronica (Roni), a human petty thief and con artist, who are united by a magical bond created by Fairie’s great mother goddess. I’ve only just started writing it, but you can read the first chapter on my Facebook page and I’ll try to post updates as I write it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I’m just starting out I haven’t developed a best method yet. If anyone would like to offer suggestions I’d love to hear them.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a new author myself, I don’t really feel qualified to give other new authors advice. I can tell you that I have spent a large portion of my life reading the work of other authors and I feel that helped immensely in writing my novel, so maybe that would help others as well.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Read what you like, write what you love.”

What are you reading now?
At the moment I’m reading textbooks. Once this school term is over I have quite a few books lined up that I’ve been waiting to read, starting with Warlord’s Honor: Krystile Warriors Series by L.W. Browning

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a short story planned for after my second novel that I intend to invite readers to help develop characters for. At some point (in the next few months, hopefully) I will post an invitation on my Facebook page for readers to contribute ideas for characters to be included in that story. At this point I don’t know how many of these characters I’ll be able to incorporate, but if I get enough suggestions I’ll ask readers to vote on each other’s ideas and use the characters with the most votes. Details about the story and the parameters I’ll need for the suggestions will be forth coming, so stay tuned!

I also have third and fourth novels in the series planned, as well as a couple of more short stories. After that? Who knows, but I bet it’ll be fun!

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 fair!! I can’t narrow it down that much, there are too many great books out there. I’d take my kindle (we’ll just pretend there’s electricity and internet access, hey, I write fantasy novels! ;-)) and that way I could keep them all!

Author Websites and Profiles
Mistral Dawn Website
Mistral Dawn Amazon Profile
Mistral Dawn Author Profile on Smashwords

Mistral Dawn’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Mistral Dawn is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born and raised in New York City, I was always a California girl at heart, obsessed with sports cars in a town with no parking. I couldn’t wait to leave. So I did.

After graduating from Vassar College where I studied Psychology and Economics, I headed to Los Angeles. Then, after a brief stint in Washington, D.C., to earn my MBA, I headed back to the beach, and became a film production accountant, working on movies you’ve probably never heard of.

I wrote my first novel at the age of six, and didn’t write another until Hollywood Princess, my debut. I’m a political news junkie and a baseball addict who loves a good love story. There are too many tragedies in the world. Why not provide an escape?

Now living in Connecticut, I’m married to a New York-based film producer. We have three children, two are not yet old enough to read Hollywood Princess, though one keeps trying to peek.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the New Adult Contemporary Romance, Hollywood Princess. I am inspired by this genre. It’s such a great age to explore. The protagonists are recently out of high school. They’re either in college or at first jobs. Everyday presents them with new challenges. Every decision impacts the life path they will ultimately find themselves on. How will they embrace their new freedoms?

More specifically, Hollywood Princess has allowed me to take fictional characters living in the industry I’ve spent my adult life in, and have them experience the joys and pitfalls of falling in love in a small college environment.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write any and all the time. I write everywhere. Unusual writing habits? You betcha. The original plots points for Hollywood Princess sprang into my head while on a Walt Disney World vacation. While riding the resort buses, and standing in ride lines, my mind freely wandered. Each night, I would go back to our hotel to jot my thoughts down on yellow pads; old-fashioned, but effective. Nothing is more portable. Later, when we returned home, I typed everything into my computer.

Composing dialogue is the best! I love when I am writing a scene, I have it mapped out in my head where I want it to go, and then my characters take over. My fingers may be flying over the keyboard, but it is their words that are coming out. Before I know it, the scene has gone in a direction far from the one I had originally imagined. That’s when I sit back and grin. I’ve nailed it! It’s totally organic. I take pride in knowing my characters so well that they can speak for themselves.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
E.L. James, though not for the obvious. I admire her research skills and attention to detail in setting up locations, as well as her not letting being over 30 stop her.
Tammara Webber whose books introduced me to the genre I now call home, New Adult, and also for her well-developed character arcs. By the time you reach the last pages of her series, Reid, Jacqueline, and Landon’s stories make perfect sense. With the Hollywood Princess series, I try to achieve similar results.
Jamie McGuire for furthering my exposure to New Adult, and introducing me to a different college experience than the one I was familiar with, and depicted in Hollywood Princess.
Stephenie Meyers; I don’t write about vampires, werewolves, or any other fantastical beings, but something about reading Twilight sparked my creativity and my writing journey began.
Finally, and this author is not in my genre but I read all his books, David Baldacci. I love the realistic banter between his characters, especially King and Maxwell. I only hope Elizabeth and Daniel sound as natural.
As a reader, I have eclectic tastes. I can be found reading New Adult romances, but I equally enjoy Steinbeck, detective/lawyer mysteries, and nonfiction, including politics, sports, and economics.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the three sequels in the Hollywood Princess series. Editing is well underway on the still untitled Book 2, slated for release in late April or early May, 2015. I am having a very difficult time coming up with a title. A good portion of Book 3 has been written, and I continue developing the story lines. Book 4 is still in its early stages, but I have formulated the major plot points.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have my website, DanaAynnLevin.com, my Dana Aynn Levin author Facebook page, and my Twitter @OfficialDLevin. I try to post at least several times each week. I have a mailing list that I have sent announcements to. I have recently begun participating in GoodReads groups, and I have been using Bookarma. It is too early to tell what will be the most effective method.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from the heart. If you’re not passionate about your project, nobody else will be.

Every author has their own methods. You have to know yourself, and do what works for YOU. Many authors swear by outlining. Conversely, I have never written an outline. Early on, my husband scolded me for not having one; he insisted that all writers had to have an outline. I knew that was not me, and I didn’t listen. Today I can be working on Chapter 3, and tomorrow I could be composing what will ultimately become Chapter 27. Whatever enters my mind is what I write. Then I go back and fill in the gaps.

Know your characters. I learned when I studied screenwriting, to write character biographies. Like real people you are meeting for the first time, your characters had lives before page one of your project. Do your prep work and first write these short biographies for your main characters. You will be amazed by how this improves your story flow, and how dialogue comes out sounding so much more natural, when you know your characters this in-depth.

Finally, now that I am marketing Hollywood Princess, I remind myself every day that this process is a marathon, not a sprint. Do a little something each day, and hopefully in the long run it will pay off with success.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hugh Howey discussing how he published seven novels before he found success as an author. This helped me focus on the big picture and develop a long-term plan.

What are you reading now?
You Were Meant for Me by Yona Zeldis McDonough. This is an excellent book about finding love in a very unusual place, and were falling in love has multiple meaning. I highly recommend it.

My library is an interesting mix of classics, detective/cop/spy intrigues, YA dystopia, and new adult romances. Next up, I will probably re-read some favorites while I wait for the latest David Baldacci novel that is due out in November.

What’s next for you as a writer?
See “What are you working on now?”

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is an incredibly difficult question because a desert island by definition means no electricity, and thus no iPad and its limitless stream of books.

So many of my favorites belong to series, but I think if I were stranded, I would want more variety. Then again, if I were stranded for more than a month, and I had to keep reading the same books over and over, I would soon catch every flaw in the stories, and my favorites might cease being my favorites.

Hmmmm. I might be over thinking this.

Ultimately, I think I would pick books from different genres to fulfill different needs, and appeal to a variety of moods. Of course, I would start with a good NA Romance, probably Easy and its sequel Breakable by Tammara Webber. Then, I would take John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, my all-time favorite – I haven’t read it in years, so not only would it’s length use up a lot of my time, it would be fresh to me. Finally, I would take a non-fiction book, An Empire of Their Own by Neal Gabler, because I love history, and found this story on the birth and growth of the movie industry to be a fascinating read.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dana Aynn Levin Website
Dana Aynn Levin Amazon Profile

Dana Aynn Levin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Dana Aynn Levin is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a South African Author of horror fiction who currently resides in Lichtenburg, North-West. I have just published my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is called “Level 14″.
I think different elements brought the story together, but in a way, what really got me writing was an article I read. I was sitting one day, reading a newspaper article when my eye caught an issue about water scarcity. Like any writer with a good imagination I started visualising a scenario with dried up underwater cave systems and the mining industry all put together. For weeks I played with the idea. I even did some research and the more I learned, the more I wanted to write the story. So after months of research I picked up my pen and started writing “Level 14″.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I do. I start writing precisely at midnight each day and I must have a HB Staedler pencil at hand at all times.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King – The Dark Half and Graham Masterton – The house that Jack build

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a story about a drifter who suddenly is dealt the responsibility of saving two kids from a psychotic killer.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I interact with readers on most platforms but I would have to say wordpress.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, believe in yourself and do a lot of research.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do research and then throw it away.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Descendant by Graham Masterton

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my current book I am working on.

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 house that Jack build-Graham Masterton
Mercy- Stephen King
Dracula-Bram Stoker
The long walk- Stephen King aka Richard Bachman

Author Websites and Profiles
Al Slippers Website
Al Slippers Amazon Profile
Al Slippers Author Profile on Smashwords

Al Slippers’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Al Slippers is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi. I am a born and raised resident of Detroit Michigan USA. The second of seven siblings. The father of three, two sons and a daughter. A retired auto worker after 30 years of service with General Motors Corp. I’m also a former active member of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC 9+ Degrees. I’ve written two books and I’m presently working on a third.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Maximum Meditation. The book was inspired by the need that I see for consciousness to be raised. Collective consciousness has sank into a delusion of material illusion and it needs to pull back a bit to keep experiences from going hellish.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. I’m left handed but that’s pretty common. I generally print when “writing”.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I AM THAT, Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. The KYBALION, Hermetic Philosophy by THREE INITIATES. Talks with Ramana Maharshi by Ramana Maharshi. The Bible, KJAV has had a certain influence on my thoughts, life and direction. An influence that was hard to kick. The list of books and authors that have influenced me is long and varied but the ones listed above are major.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book of questions and answers related to my first two books. I’ve been receiving questions from readers that have been impacted by the information they have come into in my writings and they want to know more and have clarity about issues that the information raises with them.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m a new author myself so I’ll save that advice for a little later after I’ve had a few more writing successes.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Know Thyself.

What are you reading now?
Well I’m writing right now so I’m not reading anything in particular. I may get stretched out on the writing and put it down for a while, pick up something I already have in my library and read a little to break the routine. I’m thinking about getting into the Personal Memoirs, ULYSSES S. GRANT, Caleb Carr, series editor.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Time will tell.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I AM THAT, Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. The KYBALION, Hermetic Philosophy by THREE INITIATES. Talks with Ramana Maharshi by Ramana Maharshi. Maximum Meditation by One Iam.

Author Websites and Profiles
One Iam Website
One Iam Amazon Profile

One Iam’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

One Iam is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I believe in living a passionate life – I’ve pursued dreams all my life and have enjoyed achieving many goals. Writing has been a part of my life since standing as a small child at the blackboard in school, clutching a piece of chalk in my fingers. That vast expanse, along with pen and paper and later a word processor and finally my trusty laptop opened up infinite worlds to me.

I’ve written two thrillers in a trilogy and am working on the third. After that, I’m considering a prequel.

When I’m not at my keyboard, you might find me at the shooting range with one of my three Glock pistols or in a shooting match somewhere around the country. Or I might be chatting with a sniper friend over a bottle of wine, or Secret Service Agent who loves his Starbucks coffee or my favorite counter-terrorism expert. My thrillers take a tremendous amount of research for accuracy.

Otherwise, I’m probably going to be burning up the pavement, leaving tire tracks with my 2007 Mustang convertible.

My husband and I raised two sons, one of whom has seen fit to become a happily married guy. He and his lovely wife have recently gifted us with our first granddaughter…a whole new experience in love. Our other son is happily single and successfully pursuing his career.

Our household has been managed over the years by a variety of dogs. The current queen in residence is a twelve pound Rat Terrier named Lucy. We live in eastern South Dakota, with definite plans for becoming Key West snowbirds within the next five years. We love the vast upper Midwest prairie, but well and truly despise winter.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Unholy Retribution and is the sequel to the first thriller I wrote, titled Consummate Betrayal.

These books were inspired by a variety of disparate things. During 9/11 I was working for United Airlines. While in college, I met and became friends with a number of Iranian students. In 2008 I was fortunate enough to be invited on an Alaskan cruise. For the first time in years I had uninterrupted time to think. That is when I realized that writing thrillers was a goal I was unwilling to ignore. Because of working in the airline industry, the security of our country was paramount in my mind and I kept thinking, what if this happened? And then, what if this happened? Also, I wanted to portray a Middle Eastern hero instead of a villain. Thus, the Rowan Milani Chronicles were born. My hero is an Iranian-American FBI special agent who is betrayed by the very terrorists he hunts on behalf of our country.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm…I think all writers have writing habits that are unique to their personalities. My favorite way to write is at my favorite Starbucks, back in a corner with my headphones on, listening to anything from the Rolling Stones to Loverboy, Chris Issak, Gold Frappe or maybe Third Day. Music plays a huge role in my writing. I have different songs that seem to define each book.

Other times, inspiration comes while I’m at the wheel of the Mustang, tearing up the countryside at 80+ mph.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well…many great thriller writers have inspired me – Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Tami Hoag, David Baldacci in particular…The Camel Club is one of my most favorite books. Dick Francis books have enthralled me for many years, I have collected most of them in hardback editions. From way back, Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart were among my most treasured early reads.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on the third book in the Rowan Milani Chronicles, tentatively titled Almighty Redemption.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are many venues that have been helpful to me in promoting my books. My website is especially helpful, but the online promotions via Kindle and sites like Awesomegang are great as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn from everything you encounter. Even when it’s devastating, unfair, unjust criticism, find something positive to take away. And trust that it might take awhile!

Never, ever give up or quit. Just keep moving forward and leave the past in your rearview mirror. I wrote a blog on my website about that recently.

Be true to your own voice in writing your stories. You are unique and special and it’s OK for your writing to reflect that.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
One Saturday evening I watched the show Cedar Cove. One of the characters said to another – “If you don’t believe in yourself, neither will anyone else.” That’s my paraphrase, but I think it was pretty close to that. It hit me squarely between the eyes. Don’t waste time on self-doubts, just forge ahead and pursue your goals and dreams – believe in yourself.

What are you reading now?
There are so many books on my reading list…Murder Comes in Threes; The Brotherhood, America’s Next Great Enemy; Thirteen Hours in Benghazi; My Utmost For His Highest.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My current project is the third book in the Rowan Milani Chronicles, which will complete the trilogy. It’s working title is Almighty Redemption and I’m about 25,000 words into it, after approximately 40,000 words worth of character interviews.

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?
My Utmost For His Highest, the Bible, the draft of Almighty Redemption, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series, and probably all of Brad Thor’s books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mary Yungeberg Website
Mary Yungeberg Amazon Profile

Mary Yungeberg’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Mary Yungeberg is a post from Awesome Gang