Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am 27 years old, from Puerto Rico and have published one novel, my first, last year. I am in the process of writing others which have not yet been released. I started writing when I was twelve, at first simple stories and then I progressed to writing novels. For reason’s I cant explain, writing has always come easy to me. Maybe it’s because I love it so much and feel passion for what I write. Apart from writing I enjoy silent and classic film’s, rock music and reading.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my novel is Windswept, it is a romance set in Edwardian Era England and I was inspired by a song called Winter from Canadian singer Tori Amos which tells of the love between a father and daughter. I have always loved to portray the relationship between father’s and daughter’s so I decided to write a novel beginning with the theme of a parent and child which then changes to that of a love between a man and woman. I was also inspired by my favorite fairytale Cinderella but it only has three element’s from that story which are the stepmother, the sister and the slavery because it is not a fairytale but a historical romance. The song of Winter brought to my mind the character’s of Charles Williams and Magdalena who are the father and child in the novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I don’t, although when I am writing, I always picture the story as if it were a movie in my head, playing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My influence comes from the great writer’s of classic novel’s such as the Bronte sisters, Charles Dickens and Betty Smith who wrote a tree grows in Brooklyn which is one of all time favorite books. I love history, other places, other times and whenever I read their work, I am transported to those worlds and strive so that my readers can be transported to my worlds which are mostly set in long ago periods.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a novel set in the 1950’s which tells the story of a young man who fall’s in love with a nightclub singer and how his eyes are opened to the dark side of that time. But my next published novel which is already written is called Ageless and it’s the sequel to Windswept.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment I promote my book’s through goodreads but I haven’t yet found the best method since I am an independent writer that started publishing just recently last year in 2014 and do not yet have the experience in that matter that other author’s have.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advise is for them to keep honing their writing craft and if becoming a famous writer is your dream, then to keep fighting for it until your determination pays off.

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

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep publishing books until hopefully I become recognized and my books become film’s or a TV series which is one of my dreams.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A tree grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, Snow Flower and the secret fan by Lisa See who is one of my favorite authors, Redeeming love by Francine Rivers and Harry Potter, the greatest fantasy series ever written. I’d probably want to take others which are too many to count.

Author Websites and Profiles
Suilyaniz Cintron Amazon Profile

Suilyaniz Cintron’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Suilyaniz Cintron is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Kathy and I live in Harrisville Mississippi with our Mother and dog Molly. We have written three children’s books. We both work in childcare, we think that is what helps keep our imagination on the go. Kathy and I mostly writes children’s books, but some day we would love to write a novel.
We also have a cookbook out titled Two Heads In The Kitchen. We love to cook, too. All the recipes are our very own. Kathy and I love to grocery shop, which people think is crazy. one day we would love to own our very own food truck. For now we will continue cooking up recipes in our own kitchen, and watching our dreams come true as each book we write is published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wiggle Worm’s Shape Adventure was inspired by our kids at work. We needed a book on shapes for our unit of the week.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, we just believe in writing everyday.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Debbie Macomber
Good Night Moon

What are you working on now?
Wiggle Worm’s Colorful Week series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook
Word Press
Twitter

Do you have any advice for new authors?
We share with everyone the advice to write everyday and to read, read, read.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Setbacks are practice for success, and to write everyday even when you don’t feel like it.

What are you reading now?
Karen is reading Sisters of Holmes County series by Wanda E, Brunstetter
Kathy is reading Buried by Elizabeth Goddard

What’s next for you as a writer?
We would love to write a novel someday!

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?
Debbie Macomber series Cedar Cove
Emily March Eternity Springs books
Good Night Moon
Pokey Little Puppy

Author Websites and Profiles
Karen And Kathy Sills Website
Karen And Kathy Sills Amazon Profile

Karen And Kathy Sills’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Karen And Kathy Sills is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a graphic designer and branding/creative consultant by day, and an author by night. I have only one book out so far, but I’ve completed the first draft to my second, and I just started writing the third, so, soon there’ll be two or three. That way they can keep each other company. Because one book is the loneliest number.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called Vegan Teenage Zombie Huntress, and it’s a girl power story! It was written in response to Hollywood media, where it seems that women and girls very rarely get a chance to be the heroes. So I turned the tables. Also, the main character is vegan and has non-violent principles, which stands out in stark contrast to the zombies and provides plenty of comedic opportunities. She is kind of based on myself, a person who has strong beliefs and is willing to fight for them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual writing habits…not sure…what exactly is normal, anyway? Because writing time is so precious to come by, I try to be comfortable writing when and where I can, even if I don’t have my laptop handy and have to use pen and paper. (I know, old school.) I do have one quirk when it comes to my writing, if you can call it a quirk— I can’t have music with lyrics on when I write. It confuses the part of my brain that’s trying to come up words. But I hate dead silence, so I use a nature sounds app on my phone that plays ocean waves. Or maybe I’ll listen to jazz. My first book was written mostly to jazz.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of my fave authors are so above and beyond me in terms of skill level, so I don’t know that I can point their work and say that I’m even remotely able to emulate them. I wish I could write like J.K. Rowling, Anne Rice, Cormac McCarthy, Margaret Atwood, or Amy Tan, among many, many others. I recently discovered the works of Douglas Adams, and his hilarious philosophical take on the world around him definitely makes him someone I admire. I wish I had an ounce of his brilliance and wit.

What are you working on now?
As I hinted at earlier, I’m editing my second book and writing the third in the same series. They’re all from the perspective of other characters in the Vegan Teenage Zombie Huntress universe. That said, I’m going to drop a hint to my fans here and say that you’ll get to spend more time with a fave character from the first book. And that’s all I’m going to say, for now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would say that just being out there in the world, either online or off, and being friendly, has its benefits. All my friends have been rallying to spread the word, and you have no idea how amazing that has been.

Also, blogging and inviting others to guest blog on my site has been helpful.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing even when you feel it’s not going well; every step is important and improves your work.

Rejection is a good thing. It helps you examine your work more closely and pushes you to do better. Plus, it forces you into introspection: what kind of writer do you want to be?

Also, keep building a supportive community. We live in a society that doesn’t value art as much as it should, and it’s tempting to give up when others around you don’t “get it” and think you’re wasting your time. But surrounding yourself with a network of other artists will give you the strength to keep going.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Anne Rice will go on her Facebook page every so often and tell fans (many of whom are also writers) about her early struggles, and how her early roadblocks were from publishing industry folks who were trying to enforce “the rules”. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but ultimately she decided to follow her own rules and just be herself. I had a lot fear around just being myself as a writer, and hearing this from Anne Rice, the Queen of Horror, really put my mind at ease. Just do your thing, and your audience will find you. Better yet, they will love you and support you no matter what.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Lightspeed magazine’s Women Destroy Science Fiction anthology. It is, hands-down, one of the best things I have ever read. I borrowed it from a friend, but I love it so much that I’m going to buy my own copy, especially for the feminist resources at the back.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I really want to push myself harder in my short story work. I’ve been slowly working on a themed collection and have been submitting to markets. I just got an acceptance letter this morning for a dark story I’ve been nursing for a few years. Even if a story is very short, it can take many rounds of revisions and several years to get it just right. One of these days, I hope to get faster at it, but for now, it is what it is. Great writing ultimately trumps fast writing.

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 don’t know if I could choose only 3 or 4. I think the best scenario, by far, would be to magically get stranded on an island with a library. Why choose just a few books when you can have all of them?

Author Websites and Profiles
G.G. Silverman Website
G.G. Silverman Amazon Profile

G.G. Silverman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

G.G. Silverman is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Five of my Traditional Historical novels have been published and I have submitted Tuesday’s Child, a follow on novel from Monday’s Child to my publisher, MuseItUp Publishing. I am now revising a mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II of England.

I set novels in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart, niece of Charles II, who ruled from 1702 to 1714, and in the ever-popular regency era and the 14th century.

I believe there is a gigantic canvas for a historical novelist to choose from. I chose the early 18th century, the early 19th century and the 14th century because each of these periods because each of them affected the course of history. If the Duke of Marlborough had not won The War of Spanish Succession and The Duke of Wellington had not defeated Napoleon at The Battle of Waterloo the history of Britain and that of Europe would have been very different, and would also had far-reaching consequences for the rest of the world. If Edward II had won the Battle of Bannockburn, Robert the Bruce would have probably been killed. It is feasible that the king would have conquered Scotland and, perhaps, as it is claimed, he would not have been murdered.
The more I read about my chosen era the more fascinated I become and the more aware I am of the gulf between those periods of history and my own. I believe those who lived in the past shared the same emotions as we do but their attitudes and way of life were in many ways quite different to ours. One of the most striking examples is the position of women and children in society in bygone ages.

I present women who are of their time, not women dressed in costume who behave like 21st century women. Of course, it is almost impossible to completely understand our ancestors but through extensive research I ensure my characters observe the social etiquette of their life and times in order not to become outcasts from society.

Research of my chosen eras spark my imagination. The seeds of my novels are sown. From them sprout the characters and events which will shape their lives.

I was born in 1940 in Sidcup Kent. As a child, when I was not making up stories, my head was ‘always in a book.’

While working in a travel agency, I met my Hindu husband. He encouraged me to continue my education at Westminster College. In 1961 I and my husband, now a barrister, moved to his birthplace, Kenya, where she lived from 1961 until 1982. After an attempted coup d’état, with four of my children I lived in an ashram in France.

Back in England, I wrote historical fiction and joined the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Historical Novel Society and Watford Writers.

Apart from writing, I enjoy classical Indian literature, reading, visiting places of historical interest, vegetarian cooking, growing organic fruit, herbs and vegetables and creative crafts.
My bookshelves are so crammed with historical non-fiction which I use to research my novels that if I buy a new book I have to consider getting rid of one.

Time spent with my five children and their families most of whom live near me is precious.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel, The Captain and The Countess, was inspired by the position of 18th century women when, apart from widows, short of murder, men had absolute power over them and marriage was a lottery.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t begin writing a novel until I know the main characters as well as, if not better than members of my family. I fill in detailed character profiles with details such as their favourite music, perfume, eccentricities and much more.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Like many other authors who write historical regency romance I read and enjoyed Georgette Heyer’s novels and still re-visit them from time to time. Today, one of my favourite authors is Elizabeth Chadwick who brings the mediaeval world of her protagonists, real and imaginary to life.

What are you working on now?
I am writing the first of a trilogy set in the reign of Edward IInd of England. Book One, in which an Anglo Saxon family, who once owned Cassio Estate given to a Norman family after William won the Battle of Hastings, find a way to take revenge.

At the same time I am planning Tuesday’s Child, a sequel to my Regency Romances, Sunday’s Child and Monday’s Child.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am active on Facebook, plus google and http://rosemarymorris.blogspot.com.

On my website visitors can read the first three chapters of False Pretences, Sunday’s Child, Tangled Love, Far Beyond Rubies and the Captain and The Countess, see the book covers and view the book trailers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Some years ago I thought I would never be published and nearly gave up writing. However, I persevered and am now proud to be a published author.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s a cliché, but I took my late mother’s advice to follow my dream.

What are you reading now?
Edward II by Katherine Warner.

Nightinggale Christmas Wish by Donna Douglas

What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish revising Book One of The Cassio Trilogy and to write Tuesday’s Child while thinking about the next follow on novel, Wedenesday’s Child.

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 Bhagavadgita As It Is by A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, The Mahabharat and The Ramayan, which rival the Greek Classics and, maybe, The Far Pavillions or Gone With the Wind.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rosemary Morris Website
Rosemary Morris Amazon Profile

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

Rosemary Morris is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a resident of South Dakota; I grew up in Oklahoma, however, and didn’t start writing seriously until 2009. I have published six books of my own, including a science fiction trilogy called The Gatespace Trilogy, and two books of essays and other short pieces. I have also edited five short story collections thus far, working with a great group of authors, about 40 at this point and growing, with plans for the anthologies to continue on a quarterly basis.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The most recent release is a science fiction short story anthology entitled PLAN 559 FROM OUTER SPACE. It’s a collection of ten stories by ten different authors, including myself.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
At times if I get an idea and I am out of pocket, I will text the story idea to my e-mail address so I’ll find it later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of my favorite authors are Stephen King, Roger Zelazny, Piers Anthony, Robert A. Heinlein, but as far as science fiction is concerned, I probably owe more to actual science writers, especially people who wrote about the universe; Carl Sagan, Steven Hawking, Philip C. Plait, and the two men I worship as gods of science, Michio Kaku and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

What are you working on now?
As usual, I have several projects that I am juggling; a brand new one just begun that is tentatively titled HERE THERE BE GIANTS, set in the Gatespace universe, that is, the same world as my trilogy; there’s a supernatural sort of ghost story thing that I’ve had in the works for several months, and then there’s two or three others… there’s always two or three others.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a whole list of promo sites that I submit to. It’s a full-time job.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read. Then write, write, write. And make sure you get an editor.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Nobody ever became a writer just by wanting to be one. If you have anything to say, anything you feel nobody has ever said before, you have got to feel it so desperately that you will find some way to say it that nobody has ever found before, so that the thing you have to say and the way of saying it blend as one matter—as indissolubly as if they were conceived together.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

What are you reading now?
I just bought “Bad Astronomy” by Philip C. Plait. I can’t wait to dive into it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I just established a new quarterly schedule for my short story anthologies. And let me say that if any of your readers are authors who would like to participate, they can reach me on Facebook.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Wow. I would just say “My Kindle,” but that would be cheating, plus the battery would die. Let’s see:

“The Stand” by Stephen King.
“The Hobbit” by Tolkien.
“The Journey of Crazy Horse” by Joseph Marshall III.
And the complete works of Shakespeare.

Author Websites and Profiles
Alan Seeger Website
Alan Seeger Amazon Profile

Alan Seeger’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Alan Seeger is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Accountant who lives on the East Kent coast in the UK.
I have ‘won’ NaNoWriMo in 2013 and 2014. I have published a collection of short stories called ‘So the feeling shows’, a novella called ‘April Fool’, which came about during the 2014 April A to Z challenge, and my 2013 NaNo winner a novel called ‘Stripper of the Yard’.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Stripper of the Yard. I have had the story in my head for a number of years. It is a cross between the James Patterson Women’s Murder Club and a nineties TV programme shown in the UK called Band of Gold. I finally managed to get it out of my head and onto paper during the 2013 NaNoWriMo. It took me a further year to edit it and turn it into a finished product which I am now very proud of.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write early in the morning and tend to get up and hour before I need to. This is probably not unusual and I would suspect most writers who still have a day job have to write either very early or very late in the day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the style of James Patterson and Jasper Fforde but I think I have been most influence by the huge number of indie authors out their proving you can do it by yourself.

What are you working on now?
I am currently editing my 2014 NaNoWriMo winner ‘ Who’s the Daddy’. It’s the story of an East End gangster and his wife, and his mistress. When the wife tells him she’s pregnant when she isn’t and the mistress gets pregnant when she doesn’t want to be things start going wrong.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still looking for an effective way to market my work as I don’t make enough money to pay for a service. I have an author’s page on Facebook and promote myself through twitter.
I am looking into advertising through amazon but think it will need a larger budget than I can afford.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure the end product is as professional as you can make it. If you can afford professional help, get it and get a cover than does your story justice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you would want to read.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Toxic by Jamie Doward. It’s the story of a murder on a derelict Kent beach and how it links into a bank set up by the CIA and an Islamist plot to bring down the banks so they can’t be saved.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to work on my memoir next. I have recently had some health issues and I am about to have a larynjectomy. It has been very cathartic to write about the process and hopefully it will be helpful for others going through the same thing.

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 Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell
1Q84 Books 1-3 by Haruki Murakami

Author Websites and Profiles
Jo Jenner Website
Jo Jenner Amazon Profile

Jo Jenner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jo Jenner is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Sanda (Mayer) Zaltzman and I was burned in Romania and came to Israel long time ago.
The only daughter of two successful parents I did everything in life to succeed and that they will be proud of me. I studied, worked and wrote books to make them proud and share my life experience with my readers worldwide.
My books “Maritime , air and forwarding future” and “Climbing with the mountain people “ are my way of expressing and analyzing the past present and predict the future of the forwarding branch and compare between climbing people and their life experience and strategies and people that succeeded in life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The way to success” published in Chinese that express my way and experience in the way to success.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like sewing, drawing, cross stitching and embroidery.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mr.Alvin Toefler – I read almost all his books and I was profoundly impressed by the way he succeeded to predict the future in his wonderful books :Future shock, The third wave, War and anti war.
Another one is Mr.Thomas Fridman in his books “The world is flat”, “Hot flat and crowded” and “Lexus versus the olive tree”.

What are you working on now?
Now I’m working on a book “The internet revolution worldwide” that analyses the past and present of the internet revolution and the internet in our everyday life and try to predict the internet future or even the worlds next technological revolution and revolution at all.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best ways of promoting my books are via Amazon, facebook, twitter and other networking promotion websites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Not at the moment…

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard is go on your way with your profound beliefs and truth and don’t you ever give up and in time people will appreciate you and your did and work.

What are you reading now?
I read books about the Internet and internet revolution and books about China .

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next book will be probably an autobiographical book “The life of Feline”

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?
As I already wrote I will bring the Mr.Alvin Toefler and Mr. Thomas Fridman books and also Ms. Lisa See books , Mr. William Manchester book “The last Lion Winston Spencer Churchill” and Ms. Suzan Polis Shutz poetry books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sanda Zaltzman Website
Sanda Zaltzman Amazon Profile

Sanda Zaltzman is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an avid shuffleboard player, YouTube junkie and a fan of all comedy. My favorite things to do are read, write and talk about myself behind my back. I studied at Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) for one semester and discovered that schooling cost too much, so I dropped out to become a full-time porter at a hospital while pursuing a career in writing. During my free time I volunteer at the local humane society caring for dogs, cats and rabbits.

I have written 2 books:
-“The 74 Most F*cked Up Book Titles: Have a Few Good Laughs, Bust Writer’s Block & Get Noticed as an Author”
-“Did You Sh*t Yourself?! Your Fartin’ Asshole Is Not a Great Way to Make Friends”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Did You Sh*t Yourself?! Your Fartin’ Asshole Is Not a Great Way to Make Friends” is a humorous book on my experiences of flatulence and primarily revolves around some self-deprecating situations I dealt with throughout life. I have shared a lot of these stories with friends and a lot of them suggested that I write it into a book. Besides, my shrink said that it’d be good “bibliotherapy” to write out all of my issues, haha.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Generally I think about what I want to do and type it out without any filter. A lot of authors are too afraid to offend people, but I’m too busy trying to just be me without having to hold back what I’m truly thinking.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love any books by George Carlin, Tucker Max and Mick Foley. The book that influenced me most was George Carlin’s “Brain Droppings”, because of his irreverent view of the world and astute observations.

What are you working on now?
My next project has been in the works for quite some time now and it revolves around stupid things that famous people say. As I was putting together my latest release, I was kind of feeling down after thinking about all the stupid things I have done in my life. Then a moment of clarity hit me when I realized that there are people far worse off than me. So, I immediately started looking for stupid things celebrities have said and BINGO! My next project is “The World’s Greatest Idiot’s Quotes…And Other Things Said By Some Stupid Ass Dummies” and should be released in the next week or so.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t had a ton of success, but so far I have found that Facebook has a lot of really great groups to share my books. Fiverr also has a ton of great services to promote books, so I used them once on my first book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m pretty new myself, so check back with me in a couple years. My advice so far is be honest and true to yourself. Never just write something for the money or to please someone. You should write because you love to do it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be Yourself. Unless Your a Unicorn. Then be a Unicorn.

What are you reading now?
Old Ziggy comic strips, that guy is hilarious!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I just take it one day at a time and try to write what I love to write and do what I love to do. My goal is to publish one books per month this year to finish out with about 10-12 books.

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?
Three to four copies “War & Peace” so I could convert it into a raft to get back to land and civilization.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dorothy Bigguns Website
Dorothy Bigguns Amazon Profile

Dorothy Bigguns’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Dorothy Bigguns is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always loved to write. At first, I wrote plays and scripts with my friends. I was about 11 when I was writing those. Later, I began to write poetry and songs. After reading some of Jorge Luis Borges’ short stories, I began to write short stories, which were definitely influenced by his style. So, I’ve written a lot, but have published two short stories and now a full length novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “The Mysterious Manuscript.” I’ve always been a fan of adventure novels and novels that deal with conspiracies and secrets. So, when I started learning about the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch, as well as alchemy, it all clicked. I began doing research and the characters all came to me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think the most unusual thing about my writing is that I write whenever I find the time. Currently, I work a full-time job, go to school full-time and I’m married with two young children.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say that Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Umberto Eco have been the authors that have influenced me the most.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a novel that is completely different from any of the other stuff that I have published. It’s a coming of age story and that’s all I can say about it at this point. Oh, that and it involves cannibals.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning the ropes, if you will. So far, Amazon’s Kindle Free Days promotion, as well as websites like this one, seem to be working.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is this: don’t give up. Learn all you can, not only about writing, but also about the business and keep going!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard was from my uncle and he told me to follow my dreams, no matter what. Even if nothing comes out of it, at least I gave it my all.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading “Paper Towns” by John Green and I just started the first book in the Game of Thrones saga.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, my next step is to continue working on my coming-of-age novel.

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:

1) The Bible
2) One Hundred Years of Solitude
3) The Aleph by Borgers

Author Websites and Profiles
Israel Sanchez Website
Israel Sanchez Amazon Profile

Israel Sanchez’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Israel Sanchez is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing books in 2009. I had so many divorced friends who were struggling to let go of the past and enjoy life. Since I had also been divorced, I decided I would write about it and perhaps it would help others. It is titled, You Lost Your Marriage Not Your Life, How to Create the Life You Want Your Way, and I am still doing radio shows about divorce. I have written five books. My second book, Dancing in Rhythm with the Universe, 10 Steps to Choreographing Your Best Life, was written to encourage readers to embrace the present moment and step out of the past. Each of these two books have a separate journal. My latest book, How to Write a Book and Tell Your Story, Easy Steps to Write, Publish, and Promote Your Book, was written to help ‘newbie writers’ get their story out their head and down on paper. So many have shared with me how they wanted to share their story but didn’t know how to go about it. This easy read provides step-by-step directions to bring their story to life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, How to Write a Book and Tell Your Story, Easy Steps to Write, Publish, and Promote Your Book, was written to help those who really want to write a book but don’t know how. I believe there is at least one book in everyone, but sadly only 2% actually write their book. Books enrich our lives and the world needs our stories that only we can present in our own words. This book lays out simple steps from choosing the subject to the actual book writing process. Writing your book is an amazing process-your book in print!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know that my writing habits are so unusual, but I do my best writing in the early morning. I also am blessed to live in sunny Naples, Florida, where I can walk to the beach. I get my greatest inspiration while sitting on the beach. Writing takes discipline and while writing my first book, I was working fulltime. I would get up at 5 am every day to write for an hour before getting ready for work. I also took my notebook to work so I could write during a break or at lunch. I suggest deciding what works best for you and sticking to it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Wayne Dyer’s book, Excuses Begone, and Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now. I am also a big fan of Mike Dooley and his Notes from the Universe.

What are you working on now?
I have just finished writing a book on accomplishing goals. I have not released it yet, but it will be out soon.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Awesomegang and the way it helps authors and readers connect. Writers need all the help they can get and this website is amazing. I also take full advantage of Fiverr gigs. Each time I have a promotional for my books, I purchase several Fiverr gigs to get the word out. I also think every author needs a website to share with fans. There are several people on Fiverr who will get your WordPress website up and running in 24 hours for five dollars, or in Fiverr words, ‘five bucks.’

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors is do not be intimidated by promoting your book. No one knows your book better than you and creating a website and blog and a Facebook fan page is an absolute must. After all, how will you create a following if you are hiding. Help people know, like, and trust you through social media channels. The internet is not going away and the sooner to get familiar with it the better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think this quote from Mark Twain says it all: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed at the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sales. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

The time will pass anyway and when the moments are gone you cannot get them back, so you had better pick up your pen and write that book!

What are you reading now?
I love Rhonda Byrne books and just reread The Secret. I purchased her book, The Magic and The Secret Gratitude Book, which is a journal to write what I am grateful for. It reminds me that whatever life deals us, there is always something to be grateful for.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am toying with the idea of writing a novel. Even though from everything I have read about staying true to your genre, I think every author should write what inspires them and now worry about what ‘they think.’

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would definitely take Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now, because if I were alone on a desert island, I certainly would need encouragement to cherish the moment. I would bring Rhonda Byrne’s book The Magic to keep me inspired that I am alive. My third choice would be Mike Dooley’s book Infinite Possibilities.

Author Websites and Profiles
Barbara Miller Website

Barbara Miller’s Social Media Links

Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Barbara Miller is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written two novellas: Kept & Kept: Book Two. The first was a disappointment because I couldn’t find the audience for interracial romance even though my publisher, eXtasy Books, released the book. Yes, that is the correct spelling for the publisher, including the capitalize X. With Kept: Book Two, this is my baby. I’m beginning to get the hang of spreading word-to-mouth although I intend to advertise and promote on different sites. Although both novellas deal with interracial romance, I’d like to reach a more mainstream audience by nudging the readers to try something new, to try something different, and to abandon their comfort zone for a quick read. Although my novella is populated by African-American characters, they have heroines, plots, character development just like the white mainstream characters. I would encourage the mainstream to spend $4 or $5 by indulging in a work outside your comfort zone. This also goes to both white and black males.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kept: Book Two is my latest novella. I was inspired to write the sequel because of the heroine. There is so much more to her flawed character. She was begging for another storyline.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, my writing habits are unusual. Every eleven weeks, we graduate students take a break in our studies. I then plot and get to know my new characters then write about them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors who have influenced me are Terry McMillan, David Baldacci, James Patterson and Christopher Reich.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on my graduate work in American history.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In no particular order, I use Awesomegang, Kindle Mojo, Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, Book Pimp, Get Down With The Awethors to name a few.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, I advise authors to start promoting months or weeks prior to your book’s release. Get those reviews. Spend a little money. Get those pre-orders. Authors should step outside their comfort zone, purchase and read an interracial or African-American or Latino-American book. Follow these authors and tweet about them. Perhaps they will return the favor. Perhaps they will read and review your book or mention the mainstream author in an article, as I did.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you don’t have a following, then you must invest in promoting and advertisements.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Ellen Carol DuBois’s Feminism & Suffrage: The Emergence of an Independent Women’s America, 1848-1869 as well as Anita Claire’s Meet Me in Silicon Valley: The Juliette Trilogy.(The Princesses of Silicon Valley Book 1)

What’s next for you as a writer?
In my next two-week break, I’m going to write Kept; Book Three as well as study the newest book marketing techniques.

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?
Meet me in Silicon Valley by Anita Claire, The Devil’s Cradle by Darcy Daniel, Imogene’s Message by Christine Sherborne, Just Friends by Delaney Diamond

Author Websites and Profiles
Tracey Lampley Website

Tracey Lampley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tracey Lampley is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
J was a Penn State Honors and Scholars student majoring in English and Communication, and a Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Creative Writing Semi-Finalist. The author has been published (under pseudonyms) in several anthologies, a small press magazine, and three newspapers. J was one of the thirty-two selected for the honor of competing in Write Club 2014. The Creative Writing Institute held a writing contest that resulted in J Lenni Dorner being published in “WRONG!: A themed anthology 2014″ (Southern Star Publications, December 2014). “Preparing to Write Settings That Feel Like Characters” was published at the end of March 2015 so that it would be available in time to coincide with J’s April A to Z Challenge blog hop theme.

When not reading or writing, J enjoys video games (such as The Sims and Sid Meier’s Civilization), finding drawings of dragons on Pinterest, and watching movies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The reference guide, Preparing to Write Settings That Feel Like Characters, is the result of a discussion about an #MSWL post. A literary agent said that on her manuscript wishlist was a book where the setting felt like it was a character in the story. Someone asked me if I knew how to do this. They said they searched online and in various ebook stores, but couldn’t find something on the subject. I looked, but there were only two articles with vague information. So, being that I do happen to know how to do this, I decided to write a book on it. It also became the theme for my blog for the April 2015 A to Z challenge blog hop.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unlike some writers, I prefer to write in silence. I have heard that most prefer music in the background, but this is not the case for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?

What are you working on now?
I’m actively working on a fantasy novel, a fantasy short story, and a young adult short story. I’m also rewriting my urban fantasy series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on figuring this out!

Do you have any advice for new authors?

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Even if you make a mistake, it’s better than making no attempt at all.”

What are you reading now?
This answer would probably change by the time it is read, so rather than list several titles, I will simply say that I have an eclectic mix of genres on my current reading pile.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep on writing.

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 JD Salinger
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling (it’s the longest one)
Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron
Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Author Websites and Profiles
J Lenni Dorner Website
J Lenni Dorner Amazon Profile
J Lenni Dorner Author Profile on Smashwords

J Lenni Dorner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

J Lenni Dorner is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written only one book Stevie Rump and the Sea Witches of Glendower and I am currently up to 70,000 words on a ghost book I am writing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Stevie Rump and the Sea Witches of Glendowwer- I had a holiday in the Caribbean. It was so beautiful I thought a children’s sea faring book about the Caribbean in the 1840’s might work.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often get up at 4a.m in the morning to write. This makes me very tired for work!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loved C.S Lewis as a child. J K Rowling seems to hit the nail on the head with her ideas. Children seem to love her books.

What are you working on now?
A ghost book set in Northumberland in current day. I had to read up on witchcraft, spells, and burst radiators! I have even included my Cat “Hodge” named after Samuel Johnson in the book. She doesn’t have a great part in it though.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I did find KDP free kindle downloads seem to get people interested. I am new to this game. I did a leaflet drop but I have to do more promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Proof read until you are blue in the face. I made a lot of errors and will make sure that never happens again on any future books.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Someone told me to write something every day – even if it was only a few words. I find that works.

What are you reading now?
I love books but I haven’t had time as I have been trying to get this ghost book finished. I like crime novels and I find Alexander McCall Smith amusing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will write a continuation of Stevie Rump after I finish the ghost book

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Book Set of Edgar Allan Poe, The Ladies Detective by Alexander McCall Smith, A Barbecue Cook Book & the longest short story book I could find.

Amber Cross is a post from Awesome Gang

About The Happy Hat:

THE HAPPY HAT is a medical thriller, crime drama and unusual love story taking place in one of the Navy’s largest stateside military hospitals. The story is based on actual events which the author relives through fictionalized characters.
An FBI agent undercover as a Navy hospital corpsman follows a patient in a total body cast from Vietnam to Queens Naval Hospital in New York. The cast contains a half-million dollars of heroin impregnated in the plaster. All branches of the military contract biodisposal of plaster casts originating from Vietnam to civilian vendors because they contain foreign bacteria. The biodisposal teams are in fact part of US organized drug cartels and ruthless killers who extract the heroin from the tainted plaster casts.
The New York cartel eliminates any internal or external threat to their business and films their torturous murders as deterrents to any ambitious cartel member. Chief Corpsman and FBI Agent Isaac Kaplan agonizes trying to filter out the who, what, where and whys of the heroin smuggling ring which endangers several lives and the one Nurse who may be the leader–the one he falls in love with.

Learn more about the author, buy the book, or follow them on social media:
Visit the Author’s Website.
Buy the Book On Amazon.
Visit the Facebook Fan Page.

Author Bio:
As a retired physician I’m devoting my time to writing novels, memoir-based fiction and short stories. My life as an author of fiction began in 2003 after a few years at Toastmasters International delivering captivating stories and speeches. I believe literature should be educational, fun, serious, full of feelings and always with a touch of fantasy and a thread of truth. Like all my novels true lifetime situations are interwoven with suspenseful and intriguing storylines. My 11 novels and short story book bear that philosophy out. Reviews of my books in Amazon.com have been 4.5-5-star. I wrote THE ADJUSTMENT CLINIC in retirement because I was too afraid to expose what was happening in major drug companies when I was working there.
I live with my wife in San Antonio near my daughter and her family with four of my grandchildren. My goal as an author is to publish several novels a year. My latest effort is my heroin smuggling thriller, THE HAPPY HAT, published March 3, 2015.

The Happy Hat is a post from Awesome Gang