Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a film school graduate with most of my background comming from action/ sci fi scipts

This is my first novel, it was written with the intention of finally introducing myself to the world as a serious American writer

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

Honestly it was a little bit of the popular game series Final Fantasy coupled with urge of wanting to do a coming of age story mixed with a good old revenge story

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes!

Weird sleeping hours, (used to chain smoke while writing until I quit permanently)

Also unless it’s raining, I can’t write if it’s too quite… For some reason?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
R.A. Savaltore “Forgotten realms”

Rekie Kawahara “Sword art online”

Robert Peck “A day no pigs would die”

George RR Martin “game of thrones”

What are you working on now?
The follow up novel…

Divine 2nd degree

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far facebook… It honestly changed my life and introduced me to publisher and my closest professional writing contacts thus far

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be original, find your voice, put some emotion in there because your audience can feed off of it, and never Be one dimensional

Also get yourself a really good editor who isn’t money hungry…

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing…. It’s as simple as that.

If your good enough to branch out to an larger audience then they can’t get enough you..

What are you reading now?
Sword art online English version

Spies vs monsters by Aaron C. Richards

Nfl news everyday (Go Tennessee Titans!)

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next is to hopefully when some hearts and minds as a new author…

I’ve entered readers favorite this year do I’m hoping to do well with that

And to complete divine book 2 sooner than later

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’d take my book without question lol

But I’d also bring two sword art online and a Game of thrones

L.C. Davis Jr is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing for several decades, because writing is cheaper than a shrink. Also, I went to the Phila. Science Fiction Writers Workshop for many years. This taught me how to ruthlessly edit my own work, so as to avoid being shredded by 12 or 15 critics. Several of my short stories were accepted by small magazines, while my previous six novels have yet to see the light of day. These novels are in a variety of genres including contemporary SF, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and historical fantasy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Tesla’s Signal. It was inspired by the biography of nearly-forgotten inventor Nikola Tesla, who developed the system of alternating current electricity which powers our world. In addition to being a super-genius, Tesla had incredible powers of visualization, and believed he had received a signal from extraterrestrials. When I read his story, I said “this is a science fiction story that practically writes itself.”

In fact, knowing how difficult it was to write and publish a novel, I tried pretty hard to resist the temptation to write this one. (I have 6 unpublished novels in my closet.) But when I learned that it was now possible to do the entire publishing process oneself, I knew I had run out of excuses.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
That depends how you define ‘unusual’. Sometimes for my pre-first draft, when I’m throwing ideas around, I’ll write in longhand while sitting in my easy chair. For some of my earlier projects, I would scribble notes at work while waiting for a print job to finish. While commuting, ideas would come to me and I’d scribble them while waiting at traffic lights. I don’t advise this: you should never mix driving and writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loved the classic SF novels about people with exceptional powers, whom society treated as outcasts. It kind of resonated with my life in high school. I also loved the novels that explored alien societies, or human ones on other worlds. My favorite SF novel of all time has to be Asimov’s Foundation series. The original Star Trek was also a favorite with me. I have modeled my life on Spock, and people even tell me I look like him.

What are you working on now?
I am working on some electronic music for an upcoming performance, but after that I’ll have no more excuses. I am brainstorming ideas for another novel about Tesla…(yeah, OK, it’s a sequel). The working title is Tesla’s Wavelength. Also, I really need to make a promo video for Tesla’s Signal. I am one of these people who have way too many projects.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Originally I was going to just promote on Facebook, but I have learned that Facebook doesn’t really approve of that, so I’m going to try some new things….starting with Awesomegang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Go to lots of workshops, or share work online, and take your hard knocks. I understand how fragile a writer’s ego is (I’ve got one too) but there is no other way to learn the craft. Someone has to kindly tell a new writer things like “you have too much description. Use one sentence instead of five.”

And here’s my #1 piece of advice: keep working on those first paragraphs until they’re the most perfect writing you’ve ever done. Get rid of the overdescription, the purple prose and the lumps of exposition. That “look inside” feature on Amazon is your most important promo.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Every word in your novel has to fight for the right to be there.”

What are you reading now?
K.A. Applegate’s Animorph series. Sometimes kids’ books are the best examples of crisp, concise storytelling out there.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Now that I’ve got the hang of self-publishing, there’s no reason why I can’t write more science fiction…not the horrifying, depressing kind, but the kind there used to be. Remember that expression “the sense of wonder”? Scientists are discovering all sorts of fascinating exoplanets that defy the “rules”. I want to imagine what kind of life might live on those planets. I don’t mean scary monsters…I want to imagine life-forms that have evolved better solutions and ways to survive than what we’ve got on Earth.

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 Foundation series. Wait, that’s 10 books. Maybe some of Sherri Tepper’s books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Woodswalker Website
Laura Woodswalker Amazon Profile

Laura Woodswalker’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Laura Woodswalker is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, to start with, I am an American TV writer and novelist currently living in Los Angeles. I was born in the wonderful city of Cincinnati, Ohio to Frank and Dorothy, third generation Italian and Ukrainian immigrants. My mother was an incredible reader. She would read a book a night, and since we lived near a local library, she would walk my brother and I up at least once a week to the library and we would load up on books and head for home. So I can thank my mother for my love for books. After graduating from high school, I went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, for four years before moving to the West Coast to pursue a career in television and film in Hollywood, where I’ve worked ever since. Though I’ve written lots of tv scripts, this is my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Starlight Wedding. Interestingly, I had planned on writing it as a movie and structured it accordingly. Different types of stories have different structures, but after completing my synopsis I thought why not make it a book instead of a movie and after leaving it sitting in a drawer for a year I finally got around to making it a book. I wish I could remember when the first inspiration hit me. In truth, I have no idea. I’m sure I’ll remember the second I send this in. I do know what inspired me throughout the book. My girlfriend, a lovely woman, is a planner like Amanda. In fact, she works planning events, and I am an artist, so to speak, like Daniel, which creates drama. Much less drama than what’s in the book, of course. But as I was coming up with the idea, I thought we could make some sparks fly between the characters by really making them polar opposites. To be clear, Amanda is not my girlfriend, and I am not Daniel. Far from it. But I would be lying if I said there isn’t a similarity between their relationship and ours.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Good question. I don’t have a routine at all. However, I wrote most of the novel on my phone and ereader. I find if I use a computer it hinders my creativity. There’s something about the permanence of seeing the perfectly spaced out sentences that makes me feel like I’ve got to get everything right the first time. Whereas on a phone, it feels like I’m just free writing. Of course, my eyes probably don’t like it, but hey, if it works, I’m all for it. I would use a pencil and paper if it didn’t mean I’d have to transcribe it later. So I’ve evolved. Just not enough to go straight to using a computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always loved Romantic stories, especially the British classics like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, etc… I was in an honors English class in high school and we had a summer reading list of I think four books we had to read. So while everyone else at the community pool was focused on sunbathing, I was trying to read a copy of Sense and Sensibility in the blinding sunlight. But I grew to love the books and the combination of humor, drama, and romance in those books stuck with me every since.

What are you working on now?
I am forcing myself not to write for one month. Then I will be adapting a World War 2 Romance I wrote as a movie a while ago into a novel. At least I think I will. I’m tempted to create a sequel for Starlight Wedding. Writing is incredibly creative and freeing but once I get into a novel, my mind is consumed until it’s done so I am enjoying the time in between books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still new to the marketing side of this, so we shall see. So far, having a few friends who are tv stars that have read the book do social marketing has caused the biggest bump in sales.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is a craft. It’s like everything else. If you don’t structure your story right you will wander through the book aimlessly and get off track. Most importantly, you’ll bore readers. I trained under a lovely woman, Jen Grisanti, who teaches the young writers at NBC, and also helps people through her website learn how to structure a story. I’d suggest anyone serious about writing that doesn’t know about structure to go to her.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As a Christian I find the best advice comes from the bible. But that’s just me. My father was a minister for most of my childhood and he paid my brother and I fifty bucks to memorize the first chapter of Proverbs, which was written by Solomon, arguably the wisest man who ever lived. I hated memorizing it at the time, but the words have stayed with me ever since. He says to seek wisdom, and you will find it. And I believe that. There’s a lot of deception in this world. And a lot of wrong choices. Wisdom helps you get through it as best you can.

What are you reading now?
I am a huge fan of Terry Goodkind. I’ve read all of his books. I am reading one of his latest, Severed Souls. As far as romance goes, I love Fern Michaels, and a little known author Cara Lynn James’s books are delightful.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a promotion coming up I’m really excited about. After that, hopefully talking with tv film people about making Starlight Wedding into a Rom Com movie.

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?
They’d have to be books that can be re-read. The bible, of course, for me, would be one. Then Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. And then hopefully one that showed me how to get off the darn island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Frank Thomas Amazon Profile

Frank Thomas’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Frank Thomas is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Beginning in 2013, I wrote books for a traditional publisher. In February 2015, I regained my creative freedom and decided to build an entity to represent my novels. I felt the representation would not only provide branding to my work, but also would raise credibility for me as an independent author. Thus, Ozwind Publishing, LLC was born. Little did I know that Ozwind would become much more.

I expanded the company to offer services to authors, focusing on empowerment as opposed to rejection. As a strength-based entity, Ozwind is an extension of my creative vision. I use my marketing expertise to help other authors, whether their work is published through Ozwind or another publisher.

I am an award-winning novelist. I am a member of the Paranormal Romance Guild and my second novel, “IDOLUM: Visions of the Undone,” was nominated by the PRG for best paranormal romantic suspense novel of 2013, securing and winning second place. My novel, THE FINE LINE, won a Reader’s Choice Award in 2013 as well.

I am also a playwright, director, radio personality, and puppeteer. I love writing paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and crime novels. However, I am branching out, exploring other genres, specifically historical romance and medieval fantasy.

I host THINGS THAT MATTER on BlogTalk Radio. Sponsored by World of Ink Network, the call-in podcast explores topics of various interest. I also use it as a marketing tool for other authors.

I am a graduate of Shawnee State University and hold a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences and psychology. I continued my quest for knowledge and completed studies in forensic psychology at the University of North Dakota where I received my Master of Arts degree.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE FINE LINE
VOICE OF THE DEAD
THROUGH GLASS DARKLY

All of the aforementioned are part of the BETWEEN WORLDS SERIES and were published in March 2015. THE FINE LINE is a 2nd edition and VOICE OF THE DEAD was formerly IDOLUM.

The inspiration for these books comes from several sources, one of those being my love for the paranormal. Secondly, I am educated in forensic psychology, so naturally, that inspired me to write mystery/thrillers that kept readers on the edge of their seats.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It takes some time for me to create a book. I get distracted a little too easily.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loved Emily Bronte’ growing up. I also enjoyed Stephen King’s novels. Terri Blackstock also captivated me with her Christian mystery novels.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a medieval fantasy geared toward Young Adults/Teens. It is actually a cathartic work taken from actual life events and formed into a world of mysticism and war. It is a new route for me, but I am loving the adventure!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You can find me several ways. The best way, nevertheless, is through my website, http://traceeford.com. The second best way is through Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/tracee.ford.author. Lastly, is my blog, http://traceeford.wordpress.com. If you Google me, I am sure to pop up.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
DON’T GIVE UP! If you have a vision, stay true to it. If you have a dream, go after it. My platform is DREAM BIG and I totally believe you have to chase your dreams, unrelenting in your journey.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
DON’T GIVE UP. Seriously, that is the best advice anyone has ever given me.

What are you reading now?
Terri Blackstock’s Cape Refuge series is what I am reading at this time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I said, I am working on a medieval fantasy. On top of that, I recently launched a brand new radio show called THINGS THAT MATTER on BlogTalk Radio, sponsored by World of Ink Network. I am also hard at work for my publishing company, Ozwind Publishing. Busy, busy, busy.

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?
WURTHERING HEIGHTS
THIS PRESENT DARKNESS
TWILIGHT

Author Websites and Profiles
Tracee Ford Website
Tracee Ford Amazon Profile
Tracee Ford Author Profile on Smashwords

Tracee Ford’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tracee Ford is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and lived most of my life in California before I picked up everything last year and moved to the wild forests of Washington to get away from it all. I was a reader long before I became a writer. I started as a comic book geek in the golden age of Marvel Comics. Then moved up to Stephen King and it’s been a succession of Horror and Thrillers ever since. To date I’ve written three full length novels and three novellas. As is my reading tastes my novels are Thrillers that are laced with deeply Horrific elements.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Environmentalist and it was inspired by my own life experiences. A lot of it has to do with my move from Central California to Washington. I grew up out in the country in California, but I found the Washington forests to be a completely different environment. To be truthful some of it was a little scary. So I took those fears and pushed them into a story. Living in California you can’t help but here the constant battle between farmers and environmentalists, so I thought it would be interesting to wrap my fears up in that battle and see where it went. So far it’s been very well received.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the dark with the music cranked loud, listening to a mixture of 90′ Brit pop and 70’s-80’s hard rock. Most of the time I’m writing to an outline so I know exactly where I’m going and have the cover I’ve designed for the book up on the screen to keep me focused.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King was powerful enough to pull me out of comic books at a young age and he pushed me forward into Peter Straub, Anne Rice, Clive Barker, and F. Paul Wilson. Lately I’ve been hanging out with a lot of self-published authors like Fiona Quinn, Libbie Hawker, Anya Monroe, G.L. Snodgrass, Kristi Rose, and Eryn Scott who’ve helped me hone my craft, understand self-publishing, and learn a lot about trying to publicize my books. Actually knowing the people who wrote the books you’re reading adds a completely different level of emotion to the experience.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working out the bugs on The Casual Critic. It’s a horror story centered on the theme that there are always going to be consequences to even the most casual of actions.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best thing I can do to promote my books is to keep writing them. But you need to do a lot more than that. Sites like this one, The Awesomegang, are great. The Fussy Librarian, Bknights at Fiver, Ebooksoda, and ENT can really help get your name out there. Having a strong launch on Amazon will pop their metrics into helping you. Facebook and Twitter will also help. But in the end there is no magic formula because different Genre Audience are going to respond in different ways and you just have to feel your way around and try a lot of different venues until you find what works for you.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Too many time people go in a gooey eyed thinking that fame and fortune will all come in a single book, but readers like authors they can sink their teeth into, and sinking teeth in requires a backlog of books. So realize that you need to write a lot of books before you can start expecting a lot of success. And that success will be built up one reader at a time, so show appreciation for each and every person you can ever come in contact with who’s taken the time to read your book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing and success will follow.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Libbie Hawker’s “Take off your pants: Outline your books for Faster, Better, Writing” which will really make you re-evaluate how you approach your writing. I’m currently reading an advanced copy of Fiona Quinn’s next book Chain Lynx, which is just awesome!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on the Casual Critic, which should take a few months to get done. Then I’m going to write a short story called The Blocks. After that I need to finish the book I wrote for NaNoWriMO called A Deviation in Direction. Before I finally move on to the next book after The Rock Series called The Hunt. So I’ll be busy for quite awhile.

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?
Peter Straub’s “Shadowland”, Chelsea Cain’s “Heartsick”, and F. Paul Wilson’s “The Keep”

Author Websites and Profiles
Rick Soper Website
Rick Soper Amazon Profile

Rick Soper’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Rick Soper is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always been a day dreamer crafting my own romances in my mind. When I decided to start putting my stories to paper it was like magic-my own personal magic! I have one book currently available and another releasing June 18th. They are part of my series Ladies and Scoundrels and are set during the Victorian era.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Scandalous Intentions is book two in my Ladies and Scoundrels series. It is available for preorder now at the sale price of $1.99. The fans inspired it with their feedback and love of book one in the series. When they asked for more ideas began exploding in my mind and I had to answer their call. Ladies and Scoundrels is now planned to be a five book series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. Most of the time I just like to be alone in a quite space. Every now and then I turn on to keep me company.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a long time fan of Johanna Lindsey and believe that her work must have influenced me on some level.

What are you working on now?
I have three projects going at the moment. I am actively working on a novella (Enchanted by the Earl) for a box set that takes place in the Regency era. I am working with some fantastic authors on the project and am very excited to be involved. I also have the first chapters completed on book three (Scandalous Redemption) in my Ladies and Scoundrels series as well as a medieval romance (Once A Lady) started. The box set will release in February, and I hope to release Scandalous Redemption early next year and Once A Lady this December.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook groups are my go to. There are tons of them and they allow for interaction with fans which I live for! I also use Twitter and have been on the radio. Book signings are great fun and I try to do them whenever I can. I also take every opportunity to be on blogs.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep working hard and learning. In the end it will all be worth it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep working hard and learning. In the end it will all be worth it… Lol

What are you reading now?
I have been on a big Meara Platt and Christi Caldwell kick lately though I am not currently reading anything. I would highly recommend both of these authors.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to keep writing and publishing! I have tons of great stories in my head and several exciting projects planned.

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?
Yikes! Can I just bring my Nook and a zillion zip chargers? There is no way I can pick just 3-4 books! I would have to have some Johanna Lindsey, Christi Caldwell, Eva Devon, Julie Johnston, Meara Platt, Jane Austin…. There are so many I adore.

Author Websites and Profiles
Amanda Mariel Website
Amanda Mariel Amazon Profile

Amanda Mariel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Amanda Mariel is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve forgotten how many books I’ve written, but 5 are available. The Witchstone was traditionally published, and amazingly enough, there are still copies around.

The Ring of the Dark Elves was published in POD. That book is way too expensive and I may make it into an ebook eventually.

The Children in Hiding series, a trilogy of dystopian thrillers, more or less young adult.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
City of Hidden Children is Book 3 of the dystopian trilogy. It was inspired by the comments on news sites: whenever the news reported a child injured or abused, people would without fail write: You should have to get a license to have a child.

I started thinking about what results that would produce, to get the government involved in permission to have children, as in China. The result was the trilogy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write when I can squeeze a few minutes in.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love thrillers, science fiction, and some fantasy: C. J. Cherryh, especially the Foreigner series, Ursula Le Guin, especially The Left Hand of Darkness and The Lathe of Heaven. C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams’ spiritual thrillers. Tolkien. Also Robert Crais’ books, such as The Monkey’s Raincoat.

What are you working on now?
A short book of short stories : Shadowcat: Tales from the Edge of Sleep. Just for fun.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not too good at that. I go into marketing mode, and mention my books everywhere I go. When my friends start avoiding me, I relax a bit.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read books about writing, read a lot of good writers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t pee on an electric fence.” Contributed by my son.

Oh, you mean for writers?

Write what makes you happy, what you would like to read.

What are you reading now?
I just finished That Hideous Strength, the third book of C.S.Lewis’ space trilogy. It’s much better than I remembered it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. I love using Createspace and KDP for both print and ebooks.

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 Bible.

Shakespeare’s collected works

Crime and Punishment

Author Websites and Profiles
Victoria Randall Website
Victoria Randall Amazon Profile

Victoria Randall is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a woman who has worn many hats. Over the years I’ve lived in five of the United States: New York, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and now Massachusetts. I’ve worked as a waitress, a hairdresser, a seamstress, and a lab technician. I’ve been married to the same wonderful man for over 36 years, and we raised three lovely children: a daughter and a set of twin sons. My daughter recently gifted me with a grandson.

My passions are reading, writing, history, and researching the unexplained. I love the exotic and unusual—my home is filled with tanks of fancy angel fish and every window is lined with orchids.

Maternal Threads is my second published book. My novel, Phantom Traces was released in February of 2015, and my next novel, Memories of You, is coming soon from Lachesis Publishing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Maternal Threads, is a memoir of discovery that began as the thesis for my MFA in creative writing from Lesley University. Yes, that’s right—I was 52 years old and still going to school. Still searching for that missing piece in my life.

To the world it looked like I had it all: my health, a loving husband, three successful adult children, a satisfying career. But I couldn’t help feeling as though there was some part of me I hadn’t yet discovered.

My daughter, who is also my best friend, grew up to be a completely different kind of woman than either myself or my mother. Where did this brassy, bold woman come from? She reminded me an awful lot of my Aunt Charlotte, my mother’s older “half-sister.” I knew little about Mom’s side of the family, as it was a subject she’d been loathe to discuss. My maternal heritage was an enigma, a conundrum. That’s when I realized what was wrong with me. I was half a tree. But by the time I had formed questions to ask, everyone who might have answered them was gone.

My quest to fill out the other half of my family tree uncovered more questions than answers, and took me back to 1920s New York, where my mother and aunt grew up. Right smack dab in the middle of the age of the flappers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Since I still work a full-time day job, most of my writing happens in the dark. I rise very early and can usually be found tapping away at the keyboard by 5 a.m. I return to my office in the evening, after the day’s duties are complete and again, usually after dark.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love” taught me how the experiences of a single woman on a quest, even one as unique as hers, can provide universal enlightenment. It gave me the courage to write my memoir with the intention to share it with others—memoirs are NOT only about you. They reveal universal truths about life we can all relate to.

What are you working on now?
I also write novels, and am presently working on a romance with a ghostly twist entitled, “Spirits of the Heart,” set on the grounds of an abandoned state mental asylum in the town where I grew up.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I cast a wide net when promoting. In addition to Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Goodreads, and LibraryThing, I like to put my stories into pictures: storyboards on Pinterest, and book trailers on Youtube. Direct email sites such as Awesomegang have been critically instrumental in helping me spread the word about my books, targeting a very specific and receptive audience.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Keep writing. Join a critique group and realize that although half of the advice you receive may be useless or worse yet, painful to hear, there will be nuggets of gold in every reader’s response to your writing. Have confidence in your own voice and your own mission, take what is helpful to your craft, and don’t let the rest of it discourage you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to audiobooks. My coworker bugged me for an entire year to try audiobooks and I balked. She finally gifted me a free audiobook and well, I had no choice but to listen. Now, I am hooked. Audiobooks have enabled me to quadruple my “reading” time, as I listen to 5+ titles a month during my daily commute—time that had been wasted before.

What are you reading now?
At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promotion, promotion, promotion! I’m scheduled for a number of signings over the next few months as well as several speaking engagements. It’s important, though, to keep on task in the writing of that next book, which my readers are already clamoring for.

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 Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley to keep my imagination fertile.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert to keep me inspired.
Anything by Kristan Higgins to keep me smiling.

Author Websites and Profiles
Frances Susanne Brown Website
Frances Susanne Brown Amazon Profile

Frances Susanne Brown’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Frances Susanne Brown is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To Date I have written two novels in the horror/supernatural genre. The first titled ” Dark Web” was published in September 2014 and my latest titled ” A Loss of Youth” was published May 2015. I am currently work on my third novel. I live in the beautiful surroundings of Killaloe, Co Clare. I have been married to Liz for the past thirty one years. We have two sons Edward and Craig. Although I have written fiction for a while. My novel Dark Web is the first of his writings I have chosen to publish.
I am an avid music fan among my favorites are the late great Rory Gallagher Irish blues guitarist, Phil Lynott, Garry Moore and the very much alive and kicking Aslan.
I also enjoy fly fishing, reading, writing and drinking beer with his friends.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Loss of youth is my latest effort in the horror/supernatural genre. My inspiration probably comes from my reading habits as a teenager. One of my earliest in influences was the writings of Denis Wheatley. A life long interest in the supernatural is where I take most of my influence from.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write in short sharp bursts, getting distracted in between.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Denis Wheatley, Stephen King, John Connolly, Edward Lee, Edgar Alan Poe. I also am a great fan of the WW2 novels of Sven Hassel. The way he made his characters larger than life and interesting always enthralled me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment it is a bit trial and error as I am very much a newcomer to the industry. However sites such as Awesomegang is a god send to new authors working sometime on a nonexcisting marketing budget.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Better by far to write than not to write……….

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself………

What are you reading now?
” Depraved” by Bryan Smith……

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am currently working on my third novel. It is again in the horror genre. I would like to think it will reflect certain short comings in religious life. Or maybe the challenges experienced by certain people as they try to minister to their flocks.

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?
“Every dead thing” by John Connolly.
” Needful things” by Stephen King.
” Duma key” by Stephen King.
” Wheels of terror” by Sven Hassel.

Author Websites and Profiles
Patrick G Moloney Amazon Profile
Patrick G Moloney Author Profile on Smashwords

Patrick G Moloney’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Patrick G Moloney is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing novels since 2010. Being a Language Arts teacher to 7th graders, and a mommy to a precocious 6 year old does take up the majority of my time! So far, I’ve written five novels… one was published in 2012, one is in the editing stage to be published in 2016, and the other three are waiting in the wings!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest novel coming out in 2016 is titled THE RISE OF STURD and it is the direct sequel to my debut THE COAL ELF. It’s a dark and twisted take on the Christmas mythology, and the series was inspired by my love of all things horror and gothic married with my love of the holidays.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual? I don’t know if I would call it that, but I am very OCD, so maybe QUIRKY is the better word. Every novel I write is outlined in a different colored leather bound notebook. I guess that’s a little odd.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Clive Barker, Stephen King, Anne Rice… they truly are the masters of horror.

What are you working on now?
I will be delving into the worlds of angels and demons this summer as I begin writing the sequel to my angel novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is great. Can’t ever go wrong with some good fan interaction there!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep. Writing. And. Never. Stop.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always be professional. This is your business and treat is as such. Whenever you get harsh criticism, you have to take it with a grain of salt. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO PLEASE EVERYONE.

What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment. When I’m in writing mode, I have to put down my reader brain.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing, promoting, searching for an agent….

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Lord of the Flies, The Complete Book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, The Hellbound Heart

Author Websites and Profiles
Maria DeVivo Website

Maria DeVivo’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Maria DeVivo is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m obsessed with writing romance fiction. I’ve been writing stories since junior high and have dozens of notebooks filled with stories about me and my crush-of-the-moment. My mom bought me a typewriter when I was eleven. That thing weighed more than I did and I loved it. It wasn’t until 2008 that I got up the nerve to submit my work for publishing. Since then, I’ve written 12 romance stories, in contemporary, paranormal, and fantasy genres. 10 of which are published, with 1 coming out in September, and 1 in November for the holidays. Getting published is a dream come true for me!

I originally hail from the Midwest, but now live in Nevada, where it’s hot and dry and there aren’t bugs the size of Frisbees flying through the air trying to suck my blood. Besides obsessively writing romance, I volunteer for the ballet, read historical romance, watch crime documentaries, tailgate for football, attempt to cook like the French while sipping on martinis, and pretend not to get teary eyed at sappy commercials.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Diamonds & Desire, book one of my series titled The Priceless Collection. The hero and heroine have been in my head for years and I finally gave them their happily ever after. I used to watch soap operas when I was little, with high-emotion, sexual tension, humor, and external conflict. I wanted to write a story that had all that and more. I love to write what I’d love to read.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For my paranormal stories, I play music like Nine Inch Nails, turn off the lights, and light a few candles to set my muse’s mood.

Once in a while when I writing my contemporary romance, I wear a favorite 40s-style dress, put on a big hat and glasses and go to an outdoor café. People look at me mysteriously as I type away. I find it fun and inspirational.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Judith McNaught. She’s my #1. I’ve loved her since the first book I read of hers. She evokes the kind of emotion out of me I want to evoke out of my readers.

What are you working on now?
Book Two of The Priceless Collection series, titled Pearls & Persuasion.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Running an ad campaign on facebook. Takes a few tries to figure that beast out, but you can tame the beast.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! No need to follow the trends. A good story is timeless and just the feeling of being published is an award in and of itself. One day you think your work stinks, and then one day you get an email from a reader who says you made them cry

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That there’s always a way. Whether it’s traditional publishing or self-publishing, you can make it happen. If it makes you happy, it’s what you’re meant to do, even if it doesn’t make you rich.

What are you reading now?
Across a Wild Sea by Sasha Lord. LOVE HER.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my Priceless Collection series through this year and next. Then I plan to start my paranormal series about vampires in the aftermath of an immortality plague.

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?
Perfect by Judith McNaught
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Dark Lover by JR Ward
The Duke by Gaelen Foley

Author Websites and Profiles
Angelita Gill Website
Angelita Gill Amazon Profile

Angelita Gill’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Angelita Gill is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a poet and a novelist. I’ve published over 33 books of prose, poetry and books for children. My books earned awards and greetings. I live in Tel Aviv, a non Stop city. Like music and films. By the way, a couple of my stories were being filmed lately.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called: Calypso. A dramatic novel, dealt with the special life of immigrants from different countries in the city of Ramla. The city became the capital of music in Israel. The novel starts in the mid 60’s and continues into the end of the 70’s. I was brought up in Ramla, that was counted by many as the music city of Israel, “The Liverpool of Israel”, and was a source of inspiration and impact on writing the book ‘Calypso’, as well as the impact of Rock-and-Roll which was an integral part of the place. Also, it can be compared to Nashville, the center of country music in the USA. And with the immigrants population that came from all over the world, with their huge impact on creating a unique atmosphere for creation and writing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve travelled to many places around the globe, any exotic place on earth. Collecting experiences, landscapes, people and sometimes they become a creative mix in my books.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some authors have an effect on my long way of creation, including: Hemmingway, Charles Bokowski,Paul Auster, Haruki Murakimi and more.

What are you working on now?
These days an adaptation for a full featured film is made for one my stories called: An Arab man in the cellar.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Any type of communication, electronic and printed press, Amazon and other kind of websites in the world, the social arena including Facebook, Youtube, Google+, and of course TV and Radio.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new writers is to work slowly but surely, not to rush into publishing their book, let it go deep into the drawers of the soul, like wine in an old barrel. Let it absorb the time, the soul, their taste and feeling and then to publish it, when it’s complete, fresh, juicy and ready.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be true to myself, to my work and not to fear of writing about things that I feel passionat about.

What are you reading now?
‘After the dark’ by Haruki Murakami.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting the novel ‘Calypso’ and translating it to different languages.

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 widow for one year’ by John Erving, ‘A wild sheep chase’ by Haruki Murakami, ‘Ulysses’ by James Joyce.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tsipi Sharoor Website
Tsipi Sharoor Amazon Profile

Tsipi Sharoor is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am writing two ongoing series: Express Yourself in Rhyme and The Bible in Rhyme. Although the series are quite different they both incorporate rhyme. My background is in religious education. I believe that rhyme is a good way to get messages across because it gets people to listen.

Express Yourself in Rhyme is meant to help people put their feelings into words for greeting cards, letters, emails, tweets, and toasts.

~Birthday Cards & Toasts covers birthdays with 111 rhymes.

~Cards & Toasts for Almost All Occasions covers anniversaries, births, birthdays, get well, holidays, invitations, thanks, travel, weddings, and more.

~Cards, Toasts, & Notes for the Office was designed to help people lighten up the atmosphere in an office with rhymes related to office meetings, birthdays, holidays, and other daily things such as asking people to clean up the kitchen area.

~The Big Book of Cards & Toasts for Almost All Occasions is a combination of the above three books.

~Cards & Toasts for Father’s Day contains 85 rhymes to be used for fathers and grandfathers on Father’s Day and other times when you want to let someone know how important they are to you.

The Bible in Rhyme series was written to help people enjoy reading the Bible. So far the series includes the following books:

~Enjoying Genesis

~Enjoying Exodus

~Enjoying the Book of Esther

~Enjoying the Book of Ruth

~Enjoying Genesis: The Bible in Rhyme Workbook contains discussion questions, creative thinking questions, and activities to get students thinking and writing about the book of Genesis.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Cards & Toasts for Father’s Day: Express Yourself in Rhyme. I was inspired by the number of people who bought either Cards & Toasts for Almost All Occasions: Express Yourself in Rhyme and The Big Book of Cards & Toasts for Almost All Occasions: Express Yourself in Rhyme for Mother’s Day. Although these books do have Father’s Day rhymes I thought that it was time to add to the collection and give people more choices to honor their fathers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
While writing The Bible in Rhyme books I have the original Bible open with a Hebrew and English text as well as a tab on the computer with many different translations.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I guess it is obvious that the Bible has influenced me. But perhaps I am also influenced by the number of people who have not read the Bible. It is full of such great literature and has influenced so many people over the centuries and yet many people won’t open the Bible to read it.

What are you working on now?
That’s a good question. I really just finished Cards & Toasts for Father’s Day so I am trying to market it right now. Next I will either go back and write the book of Leviticus in rhyme or I might write the books of Samuel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use twitter and Facebook to promote my books as well as guest posts.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Realize that it will take time for people to start buying your book in any significant numbers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Try try again.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a Jodi Picoult book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to complete at least the first five books of the Bible. But, I know that I also have to work on my marketing. I would also like to give more talks.

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 bring a Bible. For my other books I would probably pick a prayer book, an encyclopedia (not because I’m a nerd but because it is a big book with lots to read ), and a survival book.

Author Websites and Profiles
Marcia Goldlist Website
Marcia Goldlist Amazon Profile

Marcia Goldlist’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marcia Goldlist is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Having been at this a while, I’ve written well over thirty books, and I have nearly as many that I haven’t published because they’re just not like I want them…yet. I’ve also written some nonfiction books, hundreds of articles and for years, I’ve written a weekly column for the Social In Global Network. I’ll never forget the feeling of selling my first book, which I dedicated to my mother. When I put it into her hands, she burst into tears as only a lifelong book-lover would. It was one of the most memorable moments in my life and meant far more than winning awards or the times I’ve made the USA Today Bestsellers list. Moms have awesome power, don’t they?

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Her Perfect Life is the book that has my focus now. I first wrote it several years ago, but then rewrote it and made it part of the Reunited Hearts series. There are three of them–all reunion stories–but atypical reunions. In Her Perfect Life, Katie has been a POW for six years when she’s finally rescued. Dreams of getting home to her family kept her going all that time, but when she does, she discovers home isn’t there anymore. The sexy co-pilot who’d been with her just before her capture is still there. Her husband and children buried her and moved on. He’s remarried and the children love their step-mom, who’s a good woman. Katie can’t even not like her! She’s suffering PTSD, and trying to determine what’s real and what’s not, and that’s hard. So is trying to come to grips with the perfect life she’s lost. But with her co-pilot, she discovers something amazing: her perfect life hadn’t been so perfect. And so now she’s determined that her previous captors will not take any more from her. She will rebuild and create a new perfect life. Katie’s courage, her coping with loss and yet trying to do the right thing for everyone for the right reasons made writing this book irresistible to me. I laughed, I cried, I rode the roller-coaster emotions with her. And what a ride!

The inspiration for the book was a news clip I heard on TV. It was “no man left behind.” Yet there was a solider during the first Iraq war who was left behind. But he wasn’t forgotten. That’s been resolved now but it hadn’t been when I wrote the book. I wanted to remember. I didn’t want to forget him or his family. Katie came to mind and stayed. CD proved to be a wonderful hero, and I really fell in love with him. I had to write the book. Just had to know what happened to them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual? Well, I guess that depends on how you define unusual. I love writing. It’s been a lifelong love affair. My habit is to write as much as I can all the time, except for Sundays. That’s about the only true habit. I love taking risks. I love trying to mix genres and disparate things that don’t typically belong together. I love different and unusual and twists. I really love twists.

Oh, I thought of a habit. Before starting a new novel, overtime I tell myself I’m going to write a simple story. I fail a hundred-percent of the time. But that’s okay. When you love twists and the unexpected, you’re bound to cruise right past simple. I’m fine with that.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nina Coombs Pykarre probably had the greatest influence on me when it comes to writing. She edited (read that: bled red) over my first three books. No one pen could hold as much ink as showed up on my pages. I chuckle as I write that because I was mortified at the time. Today, I’m just so grateful for all her work. She made me a better writer, and she did it constructively. I’m grateful.

For years, I was a top ten bestseller junkie. If a book was in the top ten, I read it. So all of those authors influenced me. So did several others, where I read their books and skipped large chunks because they were boring me to death (I try really hard to leave out those parts in my books, and that too is influence).

What are you working on now?
A few months ago, I wrote a book called THE MARKED BRIDE, which is in the Shadow Watchers series. Right now, I’m working on the next book in that series, THE MARKED STAR and I’m researching for the third book in that series, THE MARKED GENTLEWOMAN.

I introduced the Shadow Watchers is my Crossroads Crisis Center books, and hooked up two Shadow Watchers in it. But that left three good men. I had to write their stories! So Tim’s is in Bride, I’m writing Nick’s in Star, and then Sam’s will be in Gentlewoman. My Alabama redneck is going to hook up with a Senator! What fun!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I send out a newsletter to readers who sign up for it, letting them know when I release a new book, or when books go on sale. (Everyone needs to save money these days!) I also post on my website, in the news and coming sections and there’s a spotlight also.

If I can manage it, I’ll do a chat video to share news, too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Tons and tons of it. On my website (www.vickihinze.com) there’s a section called Writers Zone. In it there are videos and podcasts, chat sessions and hundreds of articles on writing–craft, business and life.

There are many more articles that pertain to writing in the blog–My Kitchen Table, which is also on that website.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Love what you write. If you can quit, do it. If you love it, you won’t be able to quit. That love will give you the discipline and enthusiasm you need daily to give readers all you’ve got to give–and if you can’t give readers your all, don’t bother writing. They deserve your best.

What are you reading now?
I’m researching and writing so I’m not reading within my genres right now. I am taking James Patterson’s Masters Class.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I have over 50 projects in some stage on my computer to choose from at the moment. So I’m not sure. I’d thought to go for one specifically, but then I got this really amazing idea for a book that is nagging me to death because this woman finds herself in a baffling situation and has no idea how she got there, why she’s there, or who is trying to kill her for being there. I’m totally intrigued by her and her situation and I think I’m going to have to write her story to find out the answers. She can’t hardly tell me what she doesn’t know, so I guess we’re going to have to write to discover the truth together. I’m worried for her, though. Who did this stuff to her? How? Why? And how in the world is she going to find out?

I don’t have a clue–yet. You see why she’s snagged me. Yes, I think I’m going to have to write her story. Can’t just leave the poor woman hanging there!

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 Bible would be the first. If I’ve got to cope with all that, I need ammo. Definitely the Bible. If something’s happened to a human being, it’s in there. So with it, I’m covered.

Author Websites and Profiles
Vicki Hinze Website
Vicki Hinze Amazon Profile

Vicki Hinze’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Vicki Hinze is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a fairly new author. I’m currently penning YA The Growing Pains Series. The first book Kendra’s Diaries has been published. The second book is scheduled to be published late summer.

I’m in the insurance industry by day. I live in New Orleans, LA and have two wonderful sons.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Growing up is challenging. I wanted to encourage our youth that there is truly nothing new under the sun and whatever you are going through someone has gone through before and come out on the other side. I wanted to tell a story about the ups/downs, joys/sorrows and triumphs/let downs of growing up. It’s encouraging and entertaining at the same time.

A big plus which I didn’t anticipate was more “seasoned” people like myself enjoyed it too. I received many compliments while they strolled down memory lane.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I’m stuck writing a scene/chapter I go take a shower. I have no idea how/why but I usually figure out how to proceed.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve never been much of an outdoors person so tv and books kept me company growing up (they still do!). Sweet Valley High and Flowers in the Attic series were my absolute favs. I also loved Judy Blume and Mary Higgins Clark.

James Patterson and Sidney Sheldon get top honors from 18+ years of age.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the third book in The Growing Pains Series. And I’m in the embryo stage of writing a contemporary adult fiction book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love social media. I love interacting with people from everywhere. It’s really all about building relationships and most of the time it’s not about my books. We are usually chatting about our common interests. I’m a big sports and soap/drama fan. At some point I have an opportunity to share about my writing. And they get to share their dreams with me. I do love social media!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
DON’T GET BOGGED DOWN BY INFORMATION. There is so much information out there books, articles, blogs, podcasts, etc, etc. You can get so bogged down in the information you might never get around to DOING anything. Information is wonderful but more than likely you will learn the most by trial and error so just start doing and go from there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You won’t live the rest of your life without making another mistake so don’t be scared of making them.

What are you reading now?
Most of the stuff I have been reading lately is information on writing and publishing. I’m reading a short 24 page book “Using Stories to Get Great Clients” by Judy Bloom.

It’s summer and my sons are out of school. I’m hoping to have time to read lots of books (fiction). So if anyone has any suggestions let me know my preferences are; legal thrillers, mysteries and contemporary fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing. If the adult fiction book “hits”, I might turn it into a series. I’m most excited to see what other doors my writing will open for me.

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) Bible 2) Rage of Angles by Sidney Sheldon 2) Kiss The Girls by James Patterson 4) The Firm by John Grisham

Author Websites and Profiles
KP Smith Website
KP Smith Amazon Profile

KP Smith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

KP Smith is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m H. L. Randall, aka Harriet L. Randall, and Welcome to my page.

I think I’ve always been a storyteller. Right from the start, as a little girl, I would watch old Hollywood black and white movies and thought of how I would have better ended the stories. I began writing in college at the age of thirty-two; and I surprisingly found that it came easy to me. It was only after retiring from the educational system that I began seriously thinking about being an author.

I was employed at a private organization that supplied Baltimore City with long-term special education teachers and substitute teachers. For several years, I taught high school English and geometry at several Baltimore inner-city schools. A few months into retirement, I said, “Now it’s time to write that book.”

My first was an essential book (A Voice in the Mirror) that allowed me to reveal my many demons I had accumulated over the years; years which also included a very abusive childhood. It was a very therapeutic and necessary feat. The poems were a story of my life: some in rhymes, but most in free verse. After writing the book of poetry, I felt free and was ready to take on more non-serious writings. I loved fiction and so I started there with my first fiction thriller, The Glass Cat Eye; next came a series of short stories, new poems, and then a romantic novel, The Animal Doctor. In progress is Dark Covenant: Book One—The New Berwick Witches Series. I’m also considering two spiritual books, one: The Eleven Disciples and The Rise and Fall of Satan. I’ve also written short stories for RPG book (Role Playing Game) Rise of the Nordox, Last Hope Tavern, Song of the Dragon Queen, and Return from the Forbidden Island.

I am the mother of two wonderful adult sons: One being a Computer Systems Manager and author; and the other an entrepreneur. As a native of Maryland, I still live in beautiful downtown Baltimore City over-looking our famous Inner Harbor and the one of the East Coast’s magnificent centers, the Maryland Science Center.

It’s been a wonderful experience sharing myself with you. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of my books and excerpts of my writings.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Glass Cat Eye”. I’ve always loved the supernatural. Like most authors, I carry around a pen and pad. Whenever a I hear something in my head about a story or a poem, I write it down. I was watching a bio of Harry Houdini; when it got to the part where he was exposing a Seance, I thought, what if the Seance was real. But then quoting religious people, Seances are phoney if claimed to be contacting dead people, but not phoney in a sense that there are beings, not living, yet not dead on the other side. So, I got this idea of an Atheist, trying to expose a psychic as a phoney only to find out that she is a witch who is tricking people into thinking she’s contacting their dead loves ones, only to be using these contacts to summon demons from the other side. And just how could I have this whole story play out.

This is how I came up with the story for The Glass Cat Eye. An Atheist, a rebellious preacher’s daughter, a theology professor turned demon killer and a dangerous witch. Develop some minor characters and colorful demons and ta-dah! I had the first three chapters of The Glass Cat Eye.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Don’t know if they’re all that unusual, but I, somehow, always know the ending of the book I’m about to write. And that really helps me. It’s like I’m on a journey to get to the end of the book. It becomes fun when I know the ending. The beginning of the book is the hardest for me. And this may sound crazy, perhaps only another writer could agree, but the middle of the book actually writes itself. It’s the most unexplainable, and amazing part of my writing a book. I already hand the ending; I struggle to find a beginning, and the book just takes off on its own–taking me on a fantastic ride. I know that sounds crazy, but you did ask for the unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors have influenced me, the Masters like Shakespeare, Homer, Virgil, James Joyce, Zora Neale Huston; local poets such as Sharon Olds. But has influenced by like Truman Capote. I read a short story he wrote titled, Children on Their Birthdays. The first line read: “Yesterday afternoon the six-o’clock bus ran over Miss Bobbit. I was blown away. And have been a sucker for first lines of novels, short stories, poems, and even newspaper headlines ever since. He taught me how important that first line was to pull a reader in and keep her reading. I won’t lie and say I’ve mastered that technique, but I sure try my best. Once you have a great book cover that invites the reader to thumb through your book, that first line is important to keep them reading all the way up to the check out line. This includes online and at the book store.

What are you working on now?
Funny you should ask that; Smile. I’ve completed my first romance novella, The Animal Doctor. That’s ready for my editor. What I’m working on now, is another fantasy thrill titled, Dark Covenant. It’s a first book of The Berwick Witch Series. It takes place in a fictional county of Illinois. The land was founded by Covenant (good) witches who share the land, in peace, with werewolves and a religious group of people called the Dominions. There are four communities, and each occupies their own. Only forest, roads and lakes separates them. There is one dangerous group who are spell-kept behind a stone wall. A powerful sorcerer who must not ever leave from behind that wall. Of course, she does, but that’s book two. But all is not well in book one, though people try to get along, something wicked their way comes.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesomegang has been a bit of a gods send, also Amazon.com., Twitter, Facebook. But I’m just yet taking advantage so, I can answer that question with more authority once I’ve reached my goal of success.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let people intimidate you about your writing because you’re not Stephen King. Professionals like him can’t keep up with the growing demand for good novels. That’s where those of us who are not that well known come in. We out number these world-known professionals. We can meet those needs; and you don’t have to be Stephen King to do it. All you need is a well written, well edited book, a fantastic book cover and some marketing strategies. And continue to learn your craft. Don’t think you have arrived just because you get published. And find an author that you like and read her work for inspiration.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever had was, I suppose the same advice that’s given to most new writers: “If you want to be a good writer, you must read.” Read excellent writer for your chosen genre. I started writing fantasy fiction after reading so many fantasy books and watching it on cable. I’ve loved that genre since Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolfman, and the Mummy scared me nearly to death as a wee child.

What are you reading now?
I have become fascinated with reading books that have been written before I was born. I saw the movies as a kid; now as an adult, I want to read what the author wrote since Hollywood takes some many liberties with the screen play. Right now, I’m reading the original Dracula by Bram Stoker. After that, I’m reading The Shinning by Stephen King. I want to see what the movie’s missed.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have so many more novellas in my head. All I can see for the near future is more books. But I would like to right a screen play: perhaps a mini series for TV.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My Bible, The Art of the Tale: an international anthology of short stories, A book of Shakespeare’s works, and my own poetry book, A Voice in the Mirror.

Author Websites and Profiles
Harriett Randall Website
Harriett Randall Amazon Profile

Harriett Randall’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Harriett Randall is a post from Awesome Gang