Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Candy Rayne and I was born April 28th 1981. I am married and have two daughters and a step son. I grew up as a Navy brat and have lived in California, Illinois, and Virginia. I currently live in Mississippi and work for Huntington Ingalls shipyard. I have written two urban fiction novels called Tangled Web and Concrete Rose.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is called Concrete Rose. It was inspired by my desire to write about another culture. The novel is about an African teenage girl who moves to the United States with her family. In her culture marriages are arranged by the parents and the boy she is betrothed to marry also moves to the United States with his family. She gets a dose of culture shock when she is introduced to the ways and customs of the United States. She is then forced to choose what she wants to do with her life. The book is full of action and suspense that will leave you wondering what will happen next!!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t really like to plan my writing from beginning to end. I like to give my characters room to do some of the things that they want to do throughout the story. I sort of try to plan the beginning and the end and then just sort of let the rest fall in to place. It works better that way for the characters and me, as they begin to take over after a while anyway!!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was influenced by urban fiction authors Eric Jerome Dickey, Naleighnia Kai, Zane, and Omar Tyree. Of course there are several dozen others that I have learned of as I have been writing. I am really influenced by all writers because I believe that everyone has their own unique gift that they bring to the table.

What are you working on now?
I am currently completing a three part book that I really feel will be somewhat of a gift to my readers. It is a little different from what I normally write, but I really don’t like to be stuck in a box though! I also have a Facebook page I am working on called Friends Against Verbal Abuse and I would really appreciate if you all would go check it out.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I definitely use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I also have a web page called Candy Khotedd. I also love to go to book festivals to promote my books and I hope I will be able to do two this year!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I could give a new author first of all is to get your book completed!! Second of all don’t be afraid of rejection, what one person doesn’t like another person will love. Your creativity is yours. Don’t ever back down!!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard is not to get settled in to promoting myself in one way. Although social media is a great way to get yourself known, you also need to get out and do book signings. You need to see your fans and they need to see you.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Freshman Fifteen by Jasmine Sheffield. I just started it but it seems like it is going to be a really good book. It is in the urban fiction genre.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am of course going to continue writing novels and next year I plan to work on a screenplay. I have an idea that I really want to see on the big screen, so hopefully God blesses me with that talent!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. Chasing Destiny by Eric Jerome Dickey

2. Tangled Web by Candy Rayne

3. Every Woman Needs A Wife by Naleighnia Kai

4. Blue’s Treasure by Tamyara Brown

Author Websites and Profiles
Candy Rayne Website
Candy Rayne Amazon Profile

Candy Rayne’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Candy Rayne is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I work in what is (to me) a very exciting field – Predictive Analytics. That takes a lot of my energy and creativity.

As to books I’ve written, let’s see… Published one (Superfacial) with another (Prodigal Star) due for release in April. They’re Parts I and II of the Purgatory Field series. I’ve written Parts III and IV as well.

I started out as a Research Physicist so a lot of the scientific background for my writing comes from that.

I’m a ‘technology optimist’ – I love the fast pace of change and the ever widening scope of human endeavor, even as it makes writing Sci-Fi that lasts all the more challenging. Still, William Gibson did it so it can be done.

I live in South Australia with my wife, step-daughter, two cats and a labradoodle.

Oh, and I trained as a poisonous snake handler, so there’s that to fall back on if the whole writing / analytics thing doesn’t work out.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Superfacial

Purgatory Field Part I

A Dystopian Sci Fi Romance

My inspiration tends to be visual. I get a strong image in my mind – like an internal movie – and I write that.

As for Superfacial, I saw a picture (part of a writers group exercise) and got this internal imagery thing going – the darkness, rain, the way the water reflected small points of light. That became the climactic scene in the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m new to this so I’m not sure what is usual. But here goes.

Sometimes when I am deep in the imagery of a scene I may zone out. If I am walking then phone poles and other obstacles become a potential issue.

I often write from the end or middle. Its the scene that I write first and then expand into a full narrative.

I start out as a pantser with no plan. Then I go into planning (normally still with pants but not always). Timelines, continuity and the physics behind what I have imagined. So the spreadsheets come out and I start to research all the aspects of whatever ‘future’ I’ve built. I try to avoid a lot of exposition but readers can be sure I have thought about the how and why. In Superfacial the Citadel has buildings seven miles high. So how do they handle the thin atmosphere? What powers the place?

Is any of that unusual? No idea. Maybe I should cultivate some more weird behaviors?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My most recent influences (in order of impact) are

Fiona McIntosh (Awesome Masterclass)

William Gibson (timeless and visionary)

Iain M Banks (the scope)

Max Barry (Lexicon – how to rip into the action on page 1)

Michael Moorcock

Philip K Dick

Ray Bradbury

J K Rowling

and the list goes on and on

What are you working on now?
Mainly, I’m editing the rest of the Purgatory Field series. Part II comes out in April so time to check those last details.

I have the beginning of another series ‘The Machinists’ and one more concept work centered on cloning that is looking very promising.

When I saw that Graeme Simsion had successfully combined his technical and fiction writing that was a catalyst. So now I’m also working on a ‘How To Guide’ for implementing Predictive Analytics in the Energy Industry.

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

But I’m just starting out so I really have no idea what is going to work better. It’s a big learning experience. I’m sure that in another few months I’ll be able to answer that one hopefully with a ‘Awesomegang got my book to lots of people who enjoyed it’. Sounds good to me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hmm. I’m barely a writer myself so this is an awkward question. I don’t feel qualified is what I am saying.

But okay…some of the things that helped me were as follows.

Go through an remove any ‘ly’ words. If you need them it means you are telling not showing.That’s not absolute – especially where dialogue is concerned but it is a useful technique.

Get into the action from page 1 if you can. As I mentioned, Lexicon by Max Barry is a great example of that.

If you are doing Sci Fi then try to get outside yourself and the current world. Iain M Banks and William Gibson are the best I know at that. I was reading a book recently. It was written in the 80’s. But I had a problem with it that I couldn’t pin down. Then I realized, the far future protagonists were facing challenges finding information. But I could do what was causing them all sorts of problems, right there on my phone. So it lost me. It had space ships and blasters, but the vision hadn’t extended the rest of the world to match – it was still the 80’s, with aliens.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Find a way to paint the scene in the readers imagination. Make them feel it, taste it an especially smell it. Smell has a deep connection to emotion and that’s where you want to be as a writer.

What are you reading now?
Just started Pattern Recognition by William Gibson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Fiction-wise. Finishing the Purgatory Field Series. Then onto the next. I have them already, a few thousands words here and there, just waiting their turn. The Machinists is the one I have the most completed for, but the ‘clone’ series is peaking my interest.

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?
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time – not sure which one out of the series.

Neuromancer

Neal Stephenson – The Diamond Age or Matter by Iain M Banks

Harry Potter (again not sure which one)

Author Websites and Profiles
Nuah Belleton Amazon Profile

Nuah Belleton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Nuah Belleton is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born on March 14th of 1985, in Rosario, Argentina. At the age of 10 I wrote my first fairy tale as a way to deal with a very painful earache. I found writing comforting and distracting. After that day, I continued writing every time I felt the need of leaving realty behind.
By the age of 18 I had around 120 pieces written, between fairy tales, poems, life’s reflections and other stories. I always wanted to publish my stories but never had the confidence to do it. After my son was born, my husband and my best friend gave me the confidence that I needed to start writing my first book.
At the moment I have only one book finished and published, Chronicles of the Nocturnal Forest (Stories of the fairy of my dreams #1). I already started the second book of the series, The diary of Amanda, which I hope to publish this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Chronicles of the Nocturnal Forest, is my first and latest published book. When I was about 12 years old I started putting some of my stories together and connecting them to create a novel. When I decided to really write my book, I translated them to English and added Melanie, who wasn’t a character of the stories but it is the glue to connect them all.
The main inspiration I had was the books and movies of my childhood and the need to bring that kind of stories back. As I say on my blog and twitter, my main purpose is to bring the fantasy back, the old fashioned fairy-tale kind of fantasy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a 15 months old son, I am a stay at home mom, without a nanny or a maid or any family close to me to help, so I dont have the chance to make myself a writing routine, I just use whatever free time I can find, and I stay awake at night if its needed. Sometimes I dream or have ideas coming to my mind and I cant sleep until I write them down, so when I am working on a book, I have a lot of sleepless nights. I am very grateful for always having coffee in my house.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite book of all times is “Alice in Wonderland”, by Lewis Carrol. I read it about 30 times and never get bored of it. I always loved the lack of logic on the story, the crazy characters and they clever conversations.
A book that marked me for ever, was “The never ending story”, by Michael Ende. I always dreamt of being pulled into one of my books and be the hero of the story, I read it countless times with the hope of hearing the voice of the Childlike Empress calling for my help. It never happened, but it was the main influence to my writing.

What are you working on now?
I have 3 writing projects at the moment:
– I am putting stories together for my second book, “The diary of Amanda” which is also the second on “The fairy of my dreams” series. I have the prologue and the story-line ready.
– I am writing and illustrating few children’s book, for very young children, that I am planning to offer for free on the kindle store.
– My husband and I are co-writing a YA fantasy book. I will not give many details yet but I really like it so far.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads is the best source I have to promote myself, to find great books, to meet fellow authors and to be in touch with readers.
Next to goodreads there is twitter, facebook and my blog.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing, dont stop to fix the details and format, just keep going, if you have an idea in the middle of the night, have your phone handy to take notes, and most important, write a book that you would love to read!

What are you reading now?

I am reading two books that were given to me to review, “Chances Are” by Mysti Parker and “Exodus” by Drew Avera. I am also reading two books for my pleasure, “The Certainty of Violet & Luke” (The Coincidence, #5) by Jessica Sorensen and “Pretty Little Liars” (Pretty Little Liars, #1) by Sara Shepard.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to finish “The diary of Amanda” as soon as possible, and keep working on my other projects.

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 Never Ending Story” by Michael Ende, because I dont know how long I will be on the island and I cant picture a life without reading it again.
– “Toda Mafalda” by Quino, because I will need to laugh sometimes, it is a huge book, but, again, I cant picture a life without reading it again.
– “Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S.Lewis, I would take the box set with the complete series, if it not considered like cheating, I only read 3 of them and I would like to finish it and read it all again.

Don’t be surprised that I won’t be taking “Alice in wonderland” with me, since it is my favorite book, I already know the story and dont need the book to travel to Wonderland

Author Websites and Profiles
Vanessa Kings Amazon Profile

Vanessa Kings’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Vanessa Kings is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new author. My first book , in my future five part series, The Orchid Keeper was published in July 2014.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Orchid Keeper was inspired by the nations battle against addiction and my live of fantasy settings.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if they are unusual but I have the habit of listening to music while I write and I stop every so often and read what I’ve written out loud.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am very eclectic in my tastes however, I love Anthony Pierce, Diana Gabaldon, J.K. Rawlings, Steven King, Saul, Cook and Koontz.

What are you working on now?
I am working weekly on my writers blog, which includes talent spotlights. I am also submitting chapters for a collabrative piece. Also, I am working in book 2, The Fading Light…which is another Osipian story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Blogging, twitter, GiidReads, and AskDavid.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never be put off by bad reviews or rejections. Just keep writing and keep submitting.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up!

What are you reading now?
A Cleopatra biography. And several other books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish The Osipian Stories series.

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 by Richard Bach

My book, lol, of course

And any of the Harry Potter series

Author Websites and Profiles
jennifer deese Website
jennifer deese Amazon Profile

jennifer deese’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

jennifer deese is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m originally from upstate New York, but ended up being transplanted in North Carolina for the past several years. I’m living in Connecticut at the moment, but this winter has convinced me to head back south sooner rather than later! I write primarily novels with paranormal elements. I’ve had one full length novel, a novella, and two short stories previously published. The novel and novella (a romance, which now also full length, bow-chicka-wow-wow!) are being re-released this year with new companies!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wintertide: The King’s Mortal was based off an old manuscript I penned back when I was about fifteen. The story evolved and matured with me, and ended up being a far cry from the original story. As a vampire novel it, of course, stars Vlad Dracula. But I wanted to portray an aspect of him from his life: a man who would do anything, no matter the cost, to prevail over those he considered enemies.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write best in places I shouldn’t. I always get an amazing amount of writing done at work if given the opportunity. I also have a weird urge to put on Hell’s Kitchen while I’m writing. Something about Gordon Ramsay screaming “WHERE’S THE LAMB SAUCE” soothes the soul.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Everyone with a mild interest in writing something nerve-wracking says this, but Stephen King is an all-time favorite. He has this really basic language style that’s still visual, and his suspense is off the charts. Some of my early favorites are the Den of Shadows quartet, Jane Yolen’s Rokk Pit books, and the Hannibal Lecter novels. I recently read Salem’s Lot though, and it raised the bar for vampires.

What are you working on now?
I’m actually re-writing the original manuscript that The King’s Mortal was based on. As I said, it’s a far cry from what’s about to be released. I think readers might enjoy being able to see the subtle connections and how they transitioned from one book to another.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I recently fell in love with Twitter. It posts automatically to my Facebook, and most of the time the character limit is strangely liberating!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Let the characters do their thing. If you fight them, they’ll make your life a living hell.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My mentor, Doris Flynn Taylor, told me at our first meeting (I was about twelve at the time and was interviewing her for a school project) “Ten chapters, ten pages each.”

What are you reading now?
I most recently had been working my way through Mr. Mercedes.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, The King’s Mortal is available 03.06.15, and as I said, my romance novella is now a full length novel. “When the Gloves Come Off” will be out in May, and is a sport romance that has lots of physical contact of all styles – as well as the mafia. I’m working on sequels to both novels.

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 Shining, Red Dragon, Heidi, and probably some sort of survival guide, lol

Author Websites and Profiles
Armada West Website
Armada West Amazon Profile

Armada West’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Armada West is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a full-time detective in Louisiana. I just released my first novel, The Bold and the Free. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time because I always loved writing. When I was younger and before I became a police officer, I felt I lacked the life experience to come up with good enough ideas. But much like running a marathon or climbing a mountain, I set a goal and met that goal.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Bold and the Free is a modern police story inspired by my experiences as a police officer, current events and a number of people who have touched my life in some way. I truly love the work I do because I get to make a difference in the lives of others. I’m lucky in that I get to work with a lot of great men and women who feel the same way. I got tired of reading books featuring morally corrupt police characters and felt it was time to tell a positive story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve only written one book so it’s hard for me to answer. I wouldn’t consider any of my writing habits to be unusual. I write a lot of notes and made a storyboard for my first book. That helped tremendously in terms of plot and structure. I think I would have been lost without it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dean Koontz, Elmore Leonard, Joseph Wambaugh.

What are you working on now?
I’m in the very early stages with my second book. It’s going to be another police-related novel but beyond that I only have a few rough ideas. I’m doing a lot of brainstorming and writing down a bunch of ideas, which is one of my favorite parts of the writing process.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found this part to be difficult. I’m new to this and unsure of what to do beyond telling everyone I know about the book. I’ve reached out to a bunch of other writers asking that very question!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
When I started writing, I had no idea what to do first. So I started and stopped a bunch of times. I learned all I could about the writing process and how most writers approach it. Planning became essential for me. My entire novel ended up in bullet points on index cards on a storyboard. Writing sessions became elaborating on what was already there. That made things much easier for me.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day. It sounds simple but you can’t move forward without putting words on the page. It’s kind of like exercise in that you have to get out there and put in the work. No one is going to do it for you.

What are you reading now?
Touch by Elmore Leonard.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I learned a lot with my first book and no doubt made some mistakes. My goal is to learn and get better. I would love to be able to write more but it’s hard with a family and a full-time job.

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 the Bible and a bunch of motivational books to keep me from going insane like Tom Hanks in Castaway.

Author Websites and Profiles
D.L. Bishop Amazon Profile

D.L. Bishop is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Yorkshire, UK with my husband, two teenagers and a cat that alternates between being obsessively affectionate and viciously psychotic (antiseptic cream is always close at hand). When I’m not working or writing, I love to read, enjoy a good coffee in a quiet bookshop, and appreciate the company of family and close friends.

I write contemporary romance with old-fashioned heart. I firmly believe there will always be a place for romantic fiction, no matter how fast-paced and cynical the world becomes.

Warm Hearts in Winter is my first published romance, but I have more on my computer waiting in the wings! My second romance, Holding Back, will be out later this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Warm Hearts in Winter is set near Haworth (home of the Bronte sisters). When I was young, my family visited the village every year near Christmas. On the drive, I would watch the passing scenery and wonder who lived in those old stone houses looking out over the beautifully wild landscape. That childhood imagination eventually came up with Jack, a widowed novelist who uses his old stone house as a retreat for solitude, writing, and nursing his broken heart – until temporary personal assistant Abby comes along …

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Any habit at all would be good! I snatch time as and when I can, but writing has been taking a back seat recently as I learn more about marketing, social media and all the other stuff that goes with having a book published.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
For tone and phrasing – P.G. Wodehouse.

For romance – Mary Stewart’s books are charmingly old-fashioned now but I love the feisty heroines, mystery and evocative descriptions. More contemporary, of course, Nora Roberts is hard to beat for pure romance and a good helping of sizzle!

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on edits for Holding Back, my next romance to be published.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still quite new to all this so I’ve been tackling things one at a time. I have my own website and blog, and have guested on fellow authors’ blogs. Then there are Goodreads, Facebook, and lately Tsu and now Twitter, plus a few other promo sites. It’s hard to know at this stage which will be best.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in your work – but be honest with yourself about where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Also, be aware that getting published doesn’t end with writing your book. There’s a whole world of marketing, social media, blogging etc. that goes with it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Develop a thick skin!

What are you reading now?
I’m currently re-reading A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Informative and funny – what more could I ask for?

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be starting my next romance, but I haven’t yet settled on one of the many plots I have floating around in my head!

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 Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger

Notes from a Big Country by Bill Bryson

Aunts Aren’t Gentlemen by P G Wodehouse

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Author Websites and Profiles
Helen Pollard Website
Helen Pollard Amazon Profile
Helen Pollard Author Profile on Smashwords

Helen Pollard’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Helen Pollard is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Anglo/American author and my debut novel ‘Southern Gothic’ has just come out on Kindle. It’s an erotic fiction novel and my first venture into the genre.- I have written for over a decade in a completely different style of fiction under my own name- hence the lack of a headshot . I have a strong interest in the deep South and that’s reflected in my writing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Southern Gothic’. The inspiration was a mixture of fantasy and personal experience. I had read the ‘Fifty Shades’ and ‘Crossfire’ trilogy and I wanted to see how far I could push the boundaries. Ethan (the male protagonist in ‘Southern Gothic’) is a perfect Southern gentleman on one hand, yet very dark beneath the surface. I wanted to find out if my readers would accept that, and love him just the same! I really like the way the genre has changed over the last few years, obviously since ‘Fifty Shades’ became so popular. I think it’s very empowering to have erotic fiction written by women for women.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write whilst listening to heavy rock music- that’s as unusual as it goes!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It would be foolish to start out in this genre these days and not admit to having read ‘Fifty Shades’ or ‘Crossfire’. However, in terms of erotic fiction I would have to say ‘Comfort Food’ by Kitty Thomas was probably my personal favourite. Outside the genre, I enjoy old Gothic stuff, classics like Dickens and Hardy, nd horror writers Dean Koontz and Stephen King.

What are you working on now?
There is a sequel to ‘Southern Gothic’ in the pipeline as it is meant as part of a trilogy, but that very much depends on it’s success! In the meantime I am working on paranormal erotic romance novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m very active on social media, and I’ve taken advantage of Kindle promotions. Come back in twelve months and I’ll let you know how it went!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you enjoy, not to please others or fulfil a prescription for what you think will sell. You have to believe in what you are doing. Oh, and read, read and read some more,as widely as possible!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The above- write what you enjoy- given to me personally by a very successful writer and I took his advice from that moment on.

What are you reading now?
A collection of old Gothic short stories- filled with stuff like Bram Stoker.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue promotion of ‘Southern Gothic’. It’s hard work but ultimately rewarding, and working on my new project helps keep me motivated.

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?
Definitely ‘Comfort Food’ by Kitty Thomas, Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy, and The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

Author Websites and Profiles
Anna Morris Website
Anna Morris Amazon Profile

Anna Morris’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Anna Morris is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! My name is Shakuita Johnson. I’m 30 years old. I spent 8 years in the United States Air Force. I’ve been writing since I was in middle school. It started off just poetry. I didn’t write my first short story until my senior year of high school during a creative writing class. I’m an avid reader of mostly paranormal and I LOVE the M/M stuff. I have many authors I read and 9 times out of 10 if it’s paranormal, urban fantasy, or sci-fi, I’ll read it. I also enjoy some non-fiction and mystery novels. I love a range of different genres of music except for rap. I’m not a big fan but do enjoy a few songs here and there. I’ve written one song a few years ago and hope to record it one day. I didn’t attempt to write my first book until around Sept. 2012 and I ended up publishing it in Dec. 2014 and it’s been all downhill every since ☺. Of course it’s a paranormal book that turned into a paranormal series. Currently I have 3 of the books from the series published, two small collections of poems, and a dark romance. I am an independent author.

My love for paranormal and supernatural started with R.L. Stine Goosebumps books and TV shows, Anne Rice Vampire Chronicles, and Christopher Pike books. I have over 200 books on her bookshelf and 1000 plus on her iPad. I also loved to watch Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer with my mom. I have at least 30 blank notebooks that I usually just let sit on my shelf because I’m something of a hoarder when it comes to certain things. I have slight OCD when it comes to my books and any notes I do take. I love making lists but I rarely stick with them. I have an AA in Logistics from my time in the military. I have a BA in Psychology and I’m working on my Master’s in Public Admin and hope to make it a dual degree by adding Mental Health Counseling. I recently moved to Mass and so far I’m loving it.

I started a blog about 2 years ago that I use to ramble, post reviews, participate in blog tours and other random things.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is named And So She Waited…it was inspired by countless relationship rejects and the rollercoaster of emotions that come along with loving someone who doesn’t love you the same way that you love them. It’s about how love can take you to dark places, especially if you were already circling the shadows. It was a book I fought to write…I didn’t really want to write it but it wouldn’t let me go until it was done. It’s the book that’s closest to my heart besides the poems I’ve written because it has some much of myself in it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Possibly. I like to have complete silence 9 times out of 10. I rarely outline or plot anything out. I just write and see where the story takes me. I space out for days at a time and then spend hours in front of the computer typing up parts of the story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many to name really…I’m a big paranormal/urban fantasy/dark romance fan. I also enjoy M/M and if it’s in the genres I like to read even better. I’m a huge Anne Rice, Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, JR Ward, Ilona Andrews, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Shelly Laurenston, Lisa Gardner, James Patterson, Kresley Cole, Amber Kell, Stormy Glenn, Bailey Bradford and many more Paranormal and Urban Fantasy writers. I love series books and reading about the same characters over and over again. I could name authors and books for days. I’m really big into mythology as well and I love when authors come up with their own mythology to a series they’re working on that isn’t the normal legends we’ve seen or heard before.

What are you working on now?
So many things. My brain is always thinking of something but I’m trying to focus it on my next book in my Dark Indiscretions Series, Dark Indiscretions: Seer Destined. We get some background on some earlier characters and then we pick right back up where Dark Indiscretions: Monster Unleashed ended. I’m working on my first Dark Thriller/Suspense entitled We All Fall Down about a fashion family and the secrets that family holds and what happens when those secrets are exposed by one of their own. I also have another Dark Romance Thriller/Suspense about a serial killer called Looking For Love – A Red Moon Killer Novel and I have another series that’s more geared towards Sci-Fi and Urban Fantasy that will be all M/M and magic and it will be 6 books at the moment. I’m especially looking forward to it. I also have a spin off series for my Dark Indiscretions Series that will be known as the Dark Indiscretions Chronicles Series…as of now I only have 4 books planned for characters that wouldn’t let me go. I also have a 17 author, including myself, anthology of paranormal twists that I we hope to have out in May that will be called Untamed and Unleashed Paranormal Twists. We hope to bring a new level of paranormal and creepy together. I also have a short called The Willing Witness that I hope will be out soon that is inside another anthology. So many ideas but only one me

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m really bad at the whole promoting thing. I’m old school about how I purchase books which usually consists of it I stumbled on something and read the synopsis and like it I buy it. I have my PA post about my books for me. I guess the best method would be just to talk about your books in a newsletter and build up that fan base and eventually others will start talking about your books and that’s how most of the promotion will happen.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write a book that you want to read and chances are someone else will want to read it too. Trust your instincts and stand by your work. You are your biggest fan and as long as you’re satisfied with the efforts you’ve put into your work that’s all that matters.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write…no matter if it makes sense. Just write and worry about the rest afterwards. Also to read a lot of what everyone else is writing. Writing like any other talent has to be honed and the only way to do that is to write and to read all the time.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been rereading The Otherworld Series by Kelley Armstrong and Night Broken by Patricia Briggs. I’m also reading Soft Shatter by Dany Rae Miller for review on my blog.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To improve as much as I can and to challenge myself with things I thought I couldn’t do. I want to push the envelope and step outside my paranormal comfort zone and try on a few dark thriller/suspense books. I’d also like to attend a few more author signings as an author as well as a reader.

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 wow this a hard one…I am a book hoarder so I’m not really sure but IF I had to choose I’d say…

1. Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice

2. A Rip In Heaven by Jeanine Cummins

3. Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

4. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Author Websites and Profiles
Shakuita Johnson Website
Shakuita Johnson Amazon Profile
Shakuita Johnson Author Profile on Smashwords

Shakuita Johnson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Shakuita Johnson is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello. My name is Loreal Harris. My pen name is known as Miss Lore. I am currently in college studying Early Childhood Education. Along with writing, my goal is to be a Pre-Kindergarten teacher because I love children, and helping them learn. I have written The Kindergarten Detectives series since I was 13. I have written 7 stories about the main cast, and they are in the rewriting stage.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest story is called The Kindergarten Detectives and the Missing Snacks. I have found inspiration from the first time I created the characters as well as the stories themselves. While I was cleaning one day, I found my old notebook with most of my drawings in it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well…I wouldn’t say unusual. I usually would listen to musical pieces from my favorite animes, such as Sailor Moon, Tokyo Mew Mew, etc. Whenever I listen to those pieces, I would imagine my characters in action scenes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
If anyone, I would have to say Naoko Takeuchi. Her Sailor Moon comics. as well as the television show, were a childhood influence. I learned my drawing style from her characters as well as various cartoon characters.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on The Kindergarten Detectives book two.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If anything, I would have to say asking your friends to help spread the word about your book as well as posting pictures of your book on the website yourself.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You must never give up on your stories. Promotion takes time…A LOT of time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
With God, all things are possible IF you believe. If it haven’t been for the Lord, my Kindergarten Detectives would never exist.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading A Series of Unfortunate Events Book 6: The Ersatz Elevator. I have to hand it to Lemony Snicket, he and his characters in that story are geniuses!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a drawing pad full of new characters from the past two years, and I’m currently writing stories about them alongside my Kindergarten Detectives series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring Matilda, Treasure Island, Anne of Green Gables, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Author Websites and Profiles
Loreal Harris Amazon Profile

Loreal Harris’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Loreal Harris is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written two compact books. My secret passion is writing eerie fiction at night, and I recently crossed the finish line on NANOWRIMO, but my dark literary pursuits have yet to emerge as a tome.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
All Marketing is Dead was inspired by my love of zombies and my devotion to helping businesses avoid deadly marketing mistakes.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes write and watch movies at the same time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King… Why, are there other authors? Are they also Stephen King?

What are you working on now?
I’m working on multiple stories about how the world ends, and several non-fiction books about hacking the heck out of marketing and growing a business.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, it’s been word of mouth. If you have a good concept that hits the empathy button with where people have pain and gain, you’re going to get some readers. Of course, I’d love an avalanche of readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. It’s cliche’, but it’s more effective than any writing advice I’ve read. Writing advice is like marriage advice – it always seems to apply to someone else’s life better than your own. Avoid advice, introspection, and all other distractions. Sit down and belt out your worst, then edit it while watching TV and eating popcorn, so you can stand that process. Then put it out there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take risks, shock people, and at least you won’t be boring.

What are you reading now?
Stephen King, of course. Nightmares and Dreamscapes, because I lost my copy of The Regulators.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a couple of other non-fiction books to get out of my system, before I can cough up a scary-ass novel. But the latter is ultimately my goal. Part of what’s got me clogged up with marketing books is 1. I like marketing, from a philosophical standpoint, and I want to put tools in the hands of clients, colleagues, and friends that will empower them, and 2. I’m trying to figure out what monsters and marketing have to do with each other, besides the obvious.

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?
Not fair. OK, Robinson Crusoe, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Foxfire Book (because I’m going to eat well, stay strong, and build my way off that island), and a nice thick blank book, because I’ve got my own stuff to tell.

Author Websites and Profiles
Daniel DiGriz Website
Daniel DiGriz Amazon Profile

Daniel DiGriz’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Daniel DiGriz is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing all of my life and writing romance since the early 1990’s. I sold my first book – a medieval romance – in 1992, and it was published under my pseudonym, Claire Delacroix. Since then, I’ve published over 50 romances, the historicals as Claire and the contemporary romances (mostly paranormals featuring dragon shape shifter heroes) as myself, Deborah Cooke. I’ve also written a Young Adult paranormal trilogy, which was a spin-off from Dragonfire, called The Dragon Diaries.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent release is The Warrior’s Prize by Claire Delacroix.

http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/the-true-love-brides/the-warriors-prize/

This is the final medieval Scottish romance in my True Love Brides series, which is linked to my Jewels of Kinfairlie series. Once upon a time, I created a family with eight kids, and have been telling their stories ever since. The Warrior’s Prize is the seventh directly linked book, although these books are also more loosely linked with my Rogues of Ravensmuir trilogy.

I’m taking a little break from Kinfairlie this year, but will return to a fictional holding introduced in The Warrior called Inverfyre to tell the eighth sibling’s story – as well as a few from the Inverfyre clan!

I love writing linked books, because they let me explore the continuing relationships of my characters. Readers can get updates on the characters’ evolving lives and relationships, and it also allows me to deepen our view of the world the characters occupy. Their lives feel more “real” to me as a result of my not needing to resolve every detail in 100,000 words. Some story elements can trail along longer or color other relationships and events. I really enjoy that.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write in my office and drink tea while I do it. That’s not very unusual at all.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was a very avid reader as a kid, and read pretty much everything I could get my hands on. You could find me in the library most of the time. I read a lot of fairy tales (and re-interpretations of them, particularly the Andrew Lang compilations) as well as high fantasy novels (like The Lord of the Rings), romantic suspense and gothic romances (authors like Phyllis. A. Whitney) and historical romances, too. Even when I read now, I look for books that will take me to another world, either a fictional one or another time and place, and usually a setting in which many things are possible – and not all are readily explained. I like history and some fantasy in my books. I also enjoy magical realism, which includes authors like Robertson Davies and Salmon Rushdie.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m finishing the final novel in my Dragonfire series. Firestorm Forever by Deborah Cooke will be published in March, and it’s the 11th book in that series of paranormal romances featuring dragon shape shifter heroes.

http://deborahcooke.com/deborah-cooke-books/dragonfire/firestorm-forever/

As much as I like writing linked series, keeping track of all the details does become a bit of a challenge when there are this many linked books. I’m planning for some shorter ones (three or four books in total) after this! There’s also a Dragonfire Companion in the works, which will be published later this year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I keep in touch with my established audience on my website (which includes a blog), on Facebook and in my monthly newsletter. I look to expand my audience with special offers, like digital boxed sets that will introduce new readers to my work at a special price, and advertise those.

One of the challenges for me in finding new readers is that I already have a lot of audience in non-US markets (Australia, UK and Canada) who often have devices other than Kindles. I know there will be more readers there for my books, but it’s less easy to find sites that target those markets.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s most important to write the stories that you love – as opposed to writing what you think will sell best. If your heart isn’t in your work, it’s tough to carry on through the inevitable challenges. If you love what you do, though, nothing will ever set you back for long.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Follow your bliss” from Joseph Campbell.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a rather disappointing Apocalyptic story, so I won’t tell you the title.

I thought the premise was good and had high hopes but am finding it a bit of a slog. I’m reading a bit more before I abandon it (I doubt I’ll finish it) to see if I can learn anything from this (famous) writer’s choices.

Sometimes it’s equally instructive to analyze something you don’t like as something that you do. (It might even be easier to do, since your enthusiasm isn’t affecting the view.)

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books, more stories and more writing! I love what I do, and I love the opportunities that digital portals have created for writers.

In terms of the work itself, I have a new medieval romance series in the works called the Champions of St. Euphemia, with starts with The Crusader’s Bride in May.

http://deborahcooke.com/claire-delacroix-books/champions-of-st-euphemia/

I will be going back to Inverfyre in medieval Scotland, as mentioned above, and I’m also plotting out a trilogy of medieval romances featuring my dragon shape shifter heroes.

As a publisher, I’m in the midst of having audiobooks created from some of my historicals, which is a wonderful new adventure, too. It’s really exciting to hear my own work being performed.

http://deborahcooke.com/audio/

And I’ve been exploring more social media, to find the balance that’s right for me. It’s awesome that social media have created the chance for writers and readers to connect so readily. I really like hearing back from my readers and finding new ways to connect with them.

One of the things I’m trying this year is making free downloads of first chapters of upcoming books available through my online store. Readers seem to be enjoying those a lot.

https://deborahcooke.selz.com/

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hmm. That would be tough. The Lord of the Rings, definitely, because I just can’t read it enough times (and it’s long!) A collection of short stories by Neil Gaiman. I’ve read Smoke and Mirrors and love it, but it would be best to take one I hadn’t read before. I think he writes brilliant short stories. I’d take my biggest dictionary, because that would give me lots to read and I do like reading dictionaries.

Then I’d be torn between grabbing another work of fiction from my TBR or a work of non-fiction from my medieval history survey volumes. Or maybe the latest from Minette Walters. I like her mysteries a lot because I can never solve them before the protagonist does.

Can I take six books? Or maybe a fully-loaded e-reader? Please?

Author Websites and Profiles
Claire Delacroix Website
Claire Delacroix Amazon Profile
Claire Delacroix Author Profile on Smashwords

Claire Delacroix’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Claire Delacroix is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Rebekah Mitchell Wagner and I am 21 from Thomasville NC. I love to read, write, sing and paint. Im short and dont mind and I have a big heart with a wonderful family. I love to meet new people and to make fans happy. With that being said I have written three books. Two of which is in a series called The Night Warriors Saga. Book one is titled The Everlasting Love: The Beginning and book two is titled Vengence.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Vengence and it is the second one to my series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes I come up with my characters in a weird way especially in my non-fiction

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The author who inspired me is my all time favorite Stephen King. His work is one of a kind.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a new series called The Blood series Book one is to be called Blood Count and I am really excited about it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote alot through my fan page on facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND DONT BE SCARED!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That if its meant to be it will happen

What are you reading now?
Text books

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write more and hopefully inspire new people.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Stephen King’s The Shinning

A camp fire cook book

The Bible

A journal

Author Websites and Profiles
Rebekah Mitchell-Wagner Website
Rebekah Mitchell-Wagner Amazon Profile

Rebekah Mitchell-Wagner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Rebekah Mitchell-Wagner is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a British author, living in the south east of the UK, and I’m in my early thirties. I’ve recently published my début novel, ‘The Anatomy of Desire’, but have spent several years ghostwriting, and I’ve published a few short stories and a novella under a pseudonym.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Anatomy of Desire’ is a historical erotic/romance set in Victorian London. The idea came about during a discussion with a friend about the label “female hysteria”, which was so readily bandied about in that era. I started to think about psychological and sexual issues that were misunderstood, dismissed and “treated” in ways that we would now think of as positively medieval. And a story began to unfold.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I do. I am a bit of a stickler for needing absolute quiet to work – if there’s a lot of noise in the house, I find it really off-putting, but I don’t suppose that’s unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The leaning I have for historical fiction comes from reading the likes of Wilkie Collins, the Brontes and Jane Austen. I recently also read ‘The Scarlet Letter’ for the first time, and I think facets of that tightly-bound, frustrated world found their way into my writing.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on two ideas, both of them contemporary novels. One is a real break from the norm for me, because it’s being narrated in the first person from the male protagonist’s point of view. It’s always a lot of fun to get inside any character’s head, but it’s particularly enjoyable to see the women of the story through a man’s eyes.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m very new to the world of self-promotion and marketing, so I don’t claim to have any pearls of wisdom. But I’m finding blogging and social media great fun. And Goodreads, of course, is great. I get the feeling the most important thing is to have fun with it and not overtly try to sell your stuff. But I may change my tune in six to twelve months time!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would say, if you have a story you want to tell, then go for it. Don’t let insecurity stop you, just take the plunge.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nora Roberts is quoted as having said, “You can fix anything but a blank page.” I think that’s great advice for all writers. There are times when nothing’s coming out the way you want it to and, in those frustrating moments, I try to cling to that phrase.

What are you reading now?
I started reading ‘Frankenstein’ at university, but never finished it, so I’m trying to do Mary Shelley the courtesy of making it all the way through this time. Similarly, I made a dent in Stephen King’s ‘Under the Dome’, and should really get back into that.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I guess only time will tell. I hope to have another novel ready for publishing by the summer and, after that, who knows?

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 Complete Works of Shakespeare

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Crime and Punishment (I’ve never read it, but I think something long to while away the hours would be a good thing)

The Woman in White

Author Websites and Profiles
Ayana Prende Website
Ayana Prende Amazon Profile
Ayana Prende Author Profile on Smashwords

Ayana Prende’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Ayana Prende is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi I’m C.K Thornehill I was a fan of reading since I was seven , like all people who take a liking to a certain craft I delved into the world of great fiction story telling. While growing up my father had a hobby that used to fascinate me. He was so good at card magic and the illusions they did at casinos. All this provided me with a lot of content for the Omen Swift series I wrote. There are six books I have written. Four in the Omen Swift Series. I am now working on two more books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Reminiscing Evan is the next book I am writing . I am working on making it a bit longer than it should be. The book again is about cult religion and its political effect it can have on people. The society before the illuminati and how far will desperate people that have no resources and the financial stability go to find the success and wealth every one wants in life. What inspired it was the love I have for history. I heard in places like India and Africa there are people who only wish they could go to school. Some of them resort to a poverty stricken life. It’s old news. Nothing much is done about it. Charity is offered but there is still war and famine happening. I sat down once and thought about everything a disadvantaged person could want. I came to the conclusion that everyone in life , regardless of race or their background wants and needs the same things. The question that sparked the novel to run in its volume of pages.. was how far will a desperate human go to live the life they never had?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, none at all, what is an unusual writing habit? lol I have not came across that. I know for the first time in ten years of practicing the art of fiction writing as a hobby, ( And only in 2010 it became a job after I landed myself an agent) I had a very vivid dream that showed me the entire plot of the new book I would write. Riding Wolf. A spin off to the Red Riding Hood story.
Of course there’s many spin offs to old fairy tales. Its fun for authors to do that now.
But mine is darker.. seriously.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many writers that I have been a fan of, surprisingly anyone that comes up with an amazing idea and is able to take the world by storm by the figment of their imagination is what I consider an influence. So for me all the writers have done it.
The influences.. J.K Rowling, Roald Dhal, R.L Stine.. Lee Child. and even Micheal Jackson as a song writer. All of them have left no room for simplicity in their story telling.. In a very good way. That was what I aimed to do with the Omen Swift series. With the writers I mentioned it was all about amazing explosive ideas coming across the pages to form plots and scenes that would entertain readers

What are you working on now?
My Next few books in the Omen Swift Series and a few more to come.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is always Ebook Booster, You Tube and Twitter. All of them for different reasons. You tube, Because I am a new author and I need as many readers. The video trailer depicts the content I have created in the books. To give readers a sense of understanding of what the series is about. Twitter. The readers are there, you just click on the Harry Potter following and just like that you got over three million possible people that could read the same genre you are writing. Ebook Booster helps with the broader advertising.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes , every writer is a reader, but not every reader is a writer. By no means am I trying to sound wise but writing is a task that anyone can learn. There are schools that teach you how to write well, but none of them will teach you how to write a best seller . That is left to the imagination of the writer. My advice to authors is try to come up with some thing as different and unique as possible. The market is already flooded. Publishers are looking for new inventive ideas that will sell. During the writing process focus on the scene inside your head before worrying about how the words will sound when put to paper. The mistake every writer makes is stressing about the way they write rather than what they have in their heads to form the story. Just remember its the imagination you need as a writer to tell the world a story. Not
the way you write. Every thing else comes after the images you create in your head.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice has to be from my agent. Jean Gaiser. She told me. “No one is going to look at you if you do not go on Amazon Kindle. “So go, you don’t need me I am just the middle man, cut me out and make your own money .. but when you get a contract with the houses please let me know” This woman has done everything she could as an agent to guide me through the writing process. I also strongly advise that if writers pick up an agent , they should stick with them even if they do not land a publishing deal. Because agents know the right people and sources to get you into contact with to help build your career as a writer.

What are you reading now?
A few fiction books by Lee Child and my own books over and over again because I have to edit them. But when I’m bored I do read .. mainly to improve my own writing. The best few reads so far was Saving Max and We Need To Talk About Kevin. They were dark and gloomy .. the usual teenage angst of violence and corruption in the school place and home. I loved it. They were both very similar. Mothers coping with children they did not know outside their own home.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to write more novels. There is something rewarding about finishing a five hundred page book and going on to write four more within the series and knowing it came from your head. You just look at a massive stack of papers piled high. And feel the heavy weight of it when you carry your work to your literary agents house. And you think , Okay I created all this inside my head.

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?
Saving Max and We Need To Talk About Kevin. for the moodiness, And Diary of a Wimpy Kid for the laughter and light heart humor of youthfulness.

Author Websites and Profiles
C.K Thornehill Website
C.K Thornehill Amazon Profile
C.K Thornehill Author Profile on Smashwords

C.K Thornehill’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

C.K Thornehill is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mahalo – young jedi checking in. Somewhat listless, I reached the conclusion aged 22 that writing was the only viable course of action and vocation I could take. It was the only thing I felt passionately about and could do reasonably well. Left England, moved to Spain, chose Ibiza.

While in Spain I wrote a screenplay in a rural villa with a cockney called Steve, who was twice my age. Ibiza is a beautiful island, but while the Ibicencan lifestyle catered to my taste for excess, I knew I had to see more of the world and had a vague suspicion my health would begin to fail me if I stuck around the Balearic isles much longer, so I promptly bounced in the middle of winter to Thailand. The intention was to write a documentary being filmed on a Muay Thai camp in Phuket, but the videographer in question who’d invited me had to leave due to family troubles on my sixth day. Southeast Asia was cheap and exotic after Latin Europe, and far cheaper than Ibiza, and besides, I needed a break from narcotic hedonism for a while so I purposely missed my return flight from Bangkok, deciding to stay on in Thailand.

Scraping by on freelance copywriting, I also worked as a martial arts reporter across SeA and then a year-and-a-half after moving there, heard that Steve, with whom I’d completely lost touch, had died. I remembered our old film script, which I’d neglected. The realisation I was wasting my (admittedly sun-kissed and tropical) life hit hard, not to mention failing to live up to the ‘writer’ moniker I’d completely unjustifiably given myself in Spain at 22, so I novelised our old screenplay into the alternate history epic “Jackboot Britain”. I spoke to some interested agencies about publishing it but grew impatient, and self-published with Amazon (e-book) & Createspace (paperback). In only six months or so, it has sold thousands of copies, with fifteen hundred free promotional downloads. I’ve been lucky.

Since then I moved to Bali, Indonesia with three of my friends, who’ve set a successful Mixed Martial Arts gym up, and I have written two more novels. Like Jackboot, they’re self-published. Unlike Jackboot, they haven’t sold. But, every mistake is a lesson. Peaks and troughs, as the old cliché goes! Even Charles Dickens and George Orwell weren’t celebrated in this field until posthumously. At 26 I’ve got four full decades left to leave a mark, provided I don’t die an unexpected and presumably horrible death in my 20s or 30s. Either way, I’ll Keep The Aspidistra Flying.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last one out was “The Acid Diary: LSD, Thailand & The Heart of a Heartless World”. As is probably self-evident, it deals with spirituality and existentialism in the form of a novelised (fictional) account of a holiday a friend and I took in a secluded hippy enclave in Ko Pha Ngan.

My latest is a return to the first; “Jackboot Russia”, a sequel to the alternate history “Jackboot Britain”.

“Jackboot Spain” is also in the works, along with a handful of other novels and novellas I’ve got on the back-burner.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My second and third novels (of three currently published) were written on one single Microsoft Word document. Just with basically a notes page or two, then that skeleton fleshed out, and before long I was just typing away in long sessions. “Kings of the Jungle” and “The Acid Diary” were thus a rather quick exercise in speed typing. Regarding the latter though, it’s gotten good reports from the few who’ve read it! And I do mean “the few”.

For serious topical matter though – Jackboot Britain, Jackboot Russia, Jackboot Spain – and anything with multiple concurrent storylines, I tend to treat it a bit more methodically / cerebrally. You can’t treat genocide, scientific racism and military occupation with the same ebb and flow as when novelising acid trips in a Thailand hippy community.

I *did* write a book whilst tripping on LSD, if that counts as unusual? Hardly an endorsement of the lysergic acids though, as it sold less than ten.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
George Orwell and Aldous Huxley for their insight and wisdom into the human condition circa the first half of the 20th century, and their understanding and enunciation of the nature of power, influence and dictatorship and those who seek it. Huxley’s understanding of the world continues to bear relevance now, half a century after his death, not to mention his pioneering writing on psychedelic drugs. Orwell was a habitual truth-seeker who experienced imperialist/capitalist, fascist and communist tyranny first-hand in his remarkable life, and it made him the literary titan that he was; that, and a great deal of personal fortitude and courage.

Beyond them, William Shakespeare enunciated the key truths of our human condition and provided moral and ethical comment of a nature that no cult, creed or religion ever could. A special and one of a kind writer, the likes of which we’ll possibly/probably never see again.

Orwell, Huxley and Shakespeare are special to me, but there’s tons of others whose work I appreciate. Charles Dickens, Seb Faulks, William Blake, Tolkien, J.K Rowling, Alan Moore… too many to name.

What are you working on now?
“Jackboot Russia” – a sequel to my alternate history epic and debut novel “Jackboot Britain”.

It will be followed up with a prequel, “Jackboot Spain”.

My third novel “The Acid Diary” will get a prequel of sorts with “The Mescaline Diary”, due this year. Goody gumdrops.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As of now, AwesomeGang, of course.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Use criticism or failure to drive you. Enunciate what is important to you; tell the stories your soul wants to share. Don’t just phone it in, or do it for money. Do it for love. Shine on.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t quit”

“Be a writer”

“You can do it”

“Be an energiser not an energy sapper”

“Never give in to astonishment”

“Act like it’s natural”

Too much to list. Most of the above either came from my mother, from my godfather Simon Clifford or from my brother-from-another-mother Andrew Leone.

What are you reading now?
“On The Road” by Kerouac. Charming old tale of cross-country travel in the States. Makes me thankful to have spent years in Latin Europe and Southeast Asia while still in my early twenties. Too many young people don’t get out in time to truly live. There’s nothing worse than the death of hope.

Also re-reading Beevor’s “Stalingrad”, Preston’s “The Spanish Holocaust” and some Hitchens polemics.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A skyrocketing supersonic supernova of a career? Ropes parting, doors opening, handshakes proffered? Joining *The 27 Club* next year? Posthumous fame á la Dickens and Orwell? Tomorrow never knows, does it.

For the time being, “Jackboot Russia”, back to Bali, “Jackboot Spain” and thence on to lighter topic matter. Travel and transcendence, psychedelia and the stuff of the sun-kissed.

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?
*Orwell’s “Homage to Catalonia”, to remind me of the human condition, of war and of Nietzschean values and betrayal even in the midst of an egalitarian and just movement of the people.

*Orwell’s “Keep the Aspidistra Flying” (Animal Farm and 1984 would be unnecessary on a desert island, and besides, Homage to Catalonia has those bases covered to a certain extent. Huxley’s “Island” misses out too)

*Faulks’ “Birdsong”. Always loved that one.

*Tolstoy’s “War & Peace”, just because I’ll be on a desert island and I need something weighty. That, and the fact he’s brilliant.

Just a shame I can’t read him in his own language, much like Cervantes’ Don Quixote. Oh, or that. Getting there with castellano too, I’ll take a Spanish edition.

If it were top ten, Don Quixote, Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and the first, fourth and seventh “Harry Potter” books by J.K. Rowling would go with me, and any one of Huxley’s. “Lord of the Flies” would be funny in that situation. But no way I’m getting stranded on a desert island without at least a few thousand books, a lifetime’s supply of tabs and a Peruvian Torch cactus. It’s inconceivable. Not happening.

Author Websites and Profiles
Daniel S. Fletcher Website
Daniel S. Fletcher Amazon Profile

Daniel S. Fletcher’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Daniel S. Fletcher is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I have written seven books, 6 main books in a series entitled the Dragon Hunters and one guidebook, though i think the guidebook will be redone again down the road as the series continues and evolves.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Blood Monarch. It releases 1/26/15. This is my version of Dracula, though I use his first name, Vlad. Most of us that love vampires have an idea of Dracula. I wanted to show my version of him, to fit in with my series. I see him as a sensual being, someone with an inhuman appeal innate to all that cross him. I also see him as the most deadly of vampires.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unusual, at least not to me. I’m the type of author that gets an idea, spends a few minutes coming up with a general plan, and then I start writing. The most unusual habit I have is that most of my writing is done at work or school, not at home in my free time. The editing is done at home.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My two biggest author influences are Anne Rice and Sherilyn Kenyon. I became a fan of Anne back in eighth grade and she will forever be my favorite author. Her style is unique, she’s not afraid of any sexuality, and I use that philosophy in my own works. Likewise, Sherilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series is seemingly never ending. That was the inspiration for my series, which I plan to be quite long as I have a large number of characters in my mind.

What are you working on now?
The next book in the Dragon Hunter’s series, tentatively titled the Dragon’s Secrets. Also, a new series called the Coven, and a joint project with fellow indie author Lily Mac Rhine that hasn’t been titled yet, but will be another interpretation of vampires. Also, I have another book that will be a pure fantasy one, less romance, and I’m thinking of a romance based on the pro wrestling world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads used to be quite helpful, not so much anymore. Facebook and twitter are my go to’s, but honestly, bloggers are the biggest help for authors today.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be sensitive. Not everyone will love your book. Many will hate it. That comes with the territory. If you’re going to publish your work, you have to be able to accept criticism. Learn what’s useful and what’s hateful. Ignore the hateful, learn from the useful.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The same advice I just gave above. Three years in and it holds true.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been reading a lot of novellas that I found for free on Smashwords and Amazon. One was quite awful, so I won’t mention it, but the others are interesting enough. I don’t take long to read a good book, so honestly I can’t tell you a specific one I’m reading since it will have changed by the time you read this.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More publishing. I have so many ideas, some standalone, some series. I want to do a collection of short stories too, and I continue to write poetry when the mood strikes. Like all indie authors, I’m searching for that elusive publishing contract, but I’m very content publishing my works personally.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The first four books of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles: Interview with the Vampire, the Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, and Tale of the Body Thief. My all time favorite series, which is really quite a bit longer and steadily growing, so I am naturally excited.

Author Websites and Profiles
Drako Carroll Website
Drako Carroll Amazon Profile
Drako Carroll Author Profile on Smashwords

Drako Carroll’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Drako Carroll is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Basically I grew up in Miami (all hail the 305 ) and moved back to my birth country back in 2011 because I knew that I needed to make a major change. I used to write fiction years ago and through a series of events decided to give it a shot. I shared it with Sable Hunter, who is the founder of Beau Coup and well, she liked it. So the Baxter Family Saga was born in Dec 2013 and in January I published my fourth book with Beau Coup, Eyubea Girls, the first in a new series called Growing Wild. There’s more to come!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Eyubea Girls is my first foray into historical fiction. It was inspired by the 2014 World Cup (Go Netherlands) and I just got this idea for a young woman teaching girls her passion for football in Africa at the beginning of the 20th century. The outline was simple enough and then I started writing and researching and well, that’s when the REAL story revealed itself.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Honestly, i don’t think I do. I just write how I feel I need to write a story. Everyone has their own way…

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lot’s of authors and books. I would have to say the classics like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Their Eyes Were Watching God as well as contemporary books by authors like Anne Rice, Ken Follett, Barbara Taylor Bradford. The list is long…

What are you working on now?
Right at this moment, I am taking a break as Eyubea Girls took me a bit to write AND I had a special writing project that I’ll reveal to my fans/followers on my page when it’s time. So I’m reading right now which I don’t get enough time to do but I’m so glad when I can. I will be starting a NEW series (hopefully) by Feb/March so that will be my next project. I’m excited about it and look forward to introducing some new characters and stories

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I’m still discovering that. I’m working on finding out what works and what doesn’t. I’m a Twitter-lover so I’m a staple on there for sure. I do some Facebook and am slowly wading into Google + a bit more. I have a list of avenues I’ve bookmarked for different promotions so as I investigate those methods, I’ll come up with a streamlined plan of action for promotion

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t expect that your first book will be the book to end all books. This is a marathon and if you’re in it for fame and money from the start…you’ll just make yourself miserable. If you LOVE writing, can’t help it and just love to tell a good story. Keep writing. Work to get better and do your research.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Basically to just keep writing anyway. You may think it stinks but keep writing no matter what and also keep reading. The two go hand in hand

What are you reading now?
I am reading North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. It’s a period piece that takes place in England. LOVED the movie so I decided to check out the book. So far so good.

What’s next for you as a writer?
2015 is the year that I introduce at least 2 new series and tie off the main Baxter Family series. I have one more book there and that will introduce a couple of characters that have been rolling in my head for about 2 years. It feels intense and I’m looking forward to diving into that story for sure

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?
Believe it or not, the Bible would be one. I’m not religious but I respect the stories in there. A compilation of Greek and Roman myths and legends, if such a tome exists. A book about paranormal stories. I had it and forgot the name but I know the cover and would love to have that. And and a dictionary with Thesaurus because I really need it.

Author Websites and Profiles
Palessa D Website
Palessa D Amazon Profile

Palessa D’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Palessa D is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am 59 and winding down from the day job. This collection of seven ghostly and supernatural tales is the first collection to involve Samuel Prite, an old man who is more than he appears. One of the stories won a short story prize (The Door) and the book has been pretty well received.

I followed up with ‘Mystery and Misadventure – An Old Acquaintance,’ which contains thirteen slightly longer stories. ‘Old Acquaintance’ was chosen as the ‘October (2014) Book of the Month’ by Donovan’s Bookshelf. One of the stories (The Receptionist) is also a prizewinning story – the stories that can be put forward in competitions are limited to those where Samuel’s appearance does not leave hanging questions. In January, the book was listed as a finalist entry in the ‘Prize Writer 2015 Competition (bookbzz).

Ten stories for the third collection ‘Mystery and Misadventure – A Reunion’ are sketched out, with three completed. One of the completed stories involves two men across 1,800 years. One of them is a man in his mid forties revisiting the city of York, where he was an undergraduate twenty five years earlier. The other is a Roman tribune who commands a regiment of auxiliaries stationed outside Eboracum (York) at a time when the emperor, Septimus Severus, had moved the capital of the empire to York. My brother-in-law enjoyed the story and particularly loved the Roman Britain element. That gave me an idea: I am sketching a novel involving the life of the tribune set amongst real events … I’m pretty excited about it.

I am also completing the second volume in a science fiction trilogy. That book is called ‘The Omega Shift’.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book was ‘Mystery and Misadventure – An Old Acquaintance,’ and the stories there are inspired by ordinary events that turn sour. Everyday people finding themselves in situations that cannot comprehend, and when they do, it is too late.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think I have fruit fly and goldfish genes, because until I get into the zone I am easily distracted. I sometimes, but only rarely, use in-ear phones to help me concentrate – even when there is no noticeable ambient sound.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
That is a tough one. I love certain authors but never all their work. M.R. James and Roald Dahl should not come as too much of a surprise. As a teenager, I enjoyed Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, but I could never get away with his Brigadier Gerard stories – I’m sure that says more about me than him.

In science fiction, I was influenced by A.E. Van Vogt, Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov.

Crossing the two genres is Ray Bradbury, both science fiction and horror tinged with mystery.

In fantasy: Tolkien ‘Lord of the Rings.’

What are you working on now?
My latest book ‘Omega Shift’ is the second in a science fiction trilogy involving three races of humans spread across our local (an understatement if ever there was one) galactic arm. There are other races that remain infuriatingly inscrutable, are they a force for good or evil? Are good and evil concepts that remotely concern them?

In this book, I also explore gaining and losing humanity. I hope it works out because I love the concept.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is where I fall flat. I am useless when it comes to social media and promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If my books were best sellers maybe, just maybe I would be able to distil what it was that launched my books into the stratosphere. It seems that to have a best seller, one has to give the audience what it wants – which is usually based on what they usually enjoy – hence the proliferation of romantic books. Occasionally, a book will appear that strikes a new chord, or reawakens and refreshes a very old one. I, like many others, am hoping to achieve that.

If my books break through, I will revisit this interview and give you whatever secret I have uncovered.

In the meantime, the only advice I can give is to write what you want, not what you think will appeal to others. Eventually, if we are very lucky and someone with immense influence in the industry comes across the book, loves it and pushes it, we may attain Nirvana.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I am not sure if it is the best advice, but it certainly hit home: “Tell your story, not someone else’s.”

What are you reading now?
Patrick O’Brian’s unfinished novel. I go to it now and again to look at his corrected prose (some self-corrected, some editorial) to remind myself that even he needed help and made mistakes.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After ‘Omega’ is published, I will complete the third ‘Mystery and Misadventure’ collection: ‘A Reunion.’

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.

The entire O’Brian Aubrey collection (I know, I’m cheating)

The complete M.R. James collection (I’m on a roll)

‘2001’.

Author Websites and Profiles
M.D. Hall Amazon Profile

M.D. Hall’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

M.D. Hall is a post from Awesome Gang