Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written three business books, but now I enjoy writing fiction that focuses on strong female and male characters in a contemporary setting. I have published three books so far: “Tess Awakening,” “Tess Valkyrie” and “Tess Valkyrie Awakening.”

My background heavily influences what I write today. I was an Army Officer, which helps me develop realistic stories about the military. As a business executive, I write credible background stories. Mostly, due to my education in Political Science and International Relations I have an intense interest in contemporary events domestically and in the International arena.

My novels are built around the characters of Tess and Jake. The first two books in the series starting with ‘Tess Awakening’ and a sequel titled ‘Tess Valkyrie.’ Based on real contemporary events, the stories reflect the challenges of international political developments in the Middle East and the issues that professional women experience in today’s world. True to life, I address many aspects of people’s lives, starting with the second Iraq War and ending in the current era. Action, intrigue, deceit, obsession, sensuality, the use of wealth to achieve one’s goals and the struggle between corruption and ethics are a constant theme.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘Tess – Valkyrie Awakening.’ This combines the previous two books into a complete story.

I have been told that Tess is one of the strongest female characters in fiction today. She starts as a military helicopter pilot, driven and relentless, who fights in Iraq believing she is on the right side of history. Gradually, she is influenced by the views of her partner Jake, a brilliant CIA agent, who experienced first-hand the effects of misguided policy and corruption. Both of the characters are distressed at how the war in Iraq and its aftermath was handled by the U. S.

As an author, perhaps I am too bold, but I sincerely believe that the U. S. was directly responsible for generating the current chaos in the Middle East. Our own military casualties are tragic enough, but the loss of life among the Iraqis has been nothing less than appalling. Furthermore, we have created conditions that spawned the emergence of radical Islamists such as ISIS. We will be paying for our missteps for years, and have generated hatred against us that will last for generations.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find myself unable to follow good advice about how to write efficiently. I don’t develop an outline beforehand. I don’t even know where I am headed, I just let the story go where it wants to go. Occasionally I get stuck, and I have to pull back until the story progresses to a logical conclusion almost organically. I don’t get up early or write into the night. I put in a good work day. Even though I am writing a series, I ensure that each book is stand-alone and of the proper length. I am very concerned with quality, and even though the stories are published in e-book format, they are actually intended for delivery as printed books.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the classics: Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Dickens, and Melville. Contemporary authors that influenced me are Stephen King; Kurt Vonnegut; Joseph Heller, the latter masterfully depicting the struggle of soldiers to maintain the sanity while trying to fulfill their duties. I read most of Tom Clancy’s books and Clive Cussler before he started to outsource writing. I like Dean Koontz, David Baldacci and Daniel Silva. I am a fan of historical books, having read most of Churchill’s works and many other works of history ranging from Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, and the world wars. I remain amazed how humanity keeps making the same mistakes.

What are you working on now?
Tess, Jake and the gang are now trying to address the worldwide problem of human trafficking and sexual slavery, from the horrific conditions in the developing world to the debauchery of the upper classes in Europe and the U. S. The subject is too large for one book, and will develop into a series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t done much to promote my books. I am still testing my waters and pay considerable attention to the reviews that my readers write. I want to meet their expectations and continue to deliver quality.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Follow your heart and get it done.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write – Now!

What are you reading now?
Daniel Silva “The English Spy,” Dean Koontz “The City,” David Baldacci “The Target,” Kip Thorne “The Science of Interstellar,” Ernle Bradford “The Great Siege of Malta.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same. With Tess and her gang, I have built a platform that is suitable for addressing many contemporary issues of interest.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Dante’s “The Divine Comedy,” Stephen King’s “The Stand,” Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind,” Umberto Eco’s “The Name of the Rose.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Andres Mann Amazon Profile

Andres Mann is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
BL Clark lives in Southern Wisconsin with her very opinionated cat, and occasionally, her college-bound daughter. In her free time, you can find her working on various story ideas, or playing with some form of technology, be it her computer, phone, tablet, or any other piece of technology she can get her hands on. I have published one book so far, To Love Again. I am currently editing my second book, Haunted by Darkness.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
To Love Again is my debut novel. A friend of mine proposed an idea for the book and it developed from there.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not a linear writer, so I tend to jump around in the book as ideas come to me and then incorporate them in.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Eliza Lentzski, Isabella, Nancy Ann Healy, MJ Duncan, Gerri Hill, and many more inspire and influence me. They are amazing authors and make me strive to become a better author.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on edits for Haunted by Darkness. It is about a woman who is haunted by the abuse both physical and emotion that she received at the hands of her parents.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media has been amazing for promoting my book. I have used Twitter and Facebook groups for writing and reading mainly.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write – if it comes into your head as an idea put it down on paper or in a file. Every idea can be expanded upon and evaluated. I’ve combined a string of random ideas in order to create works.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never force your writing. The more you try to force it to happen, the less likely it is to happen.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Nancy Ann Healy’s series for Alex & Cassidy.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing, keep trying to get exposure and published.

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?
Eliza Lentzski’s Winter Jacket series

Gerri Hill’s Pelican Bay

Author Websites and Profiles
BL Clark Website
BL Clark Author Profile on Smashwords

BL Clark’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

BL Clark is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a 21-year-old year old Indie author. I love horror even though I write a lot of thrillers. I am interested in things dark and macabre and draw my inspiration from Stephen King.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is called Dead by Morning. It was inspired by the way that desires can corrupt a person. The book shows the length that people go through to get what they want and the power that obsession can have.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to write all my stories on paper first. I draft twice on paper before I even think about moving it over to my computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King is my all time influence. I read his books when I was little and they always stuck with me.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I am working on the prequel to Dead by Morning. On the side, I have a brand new idea for a science fiction novel, currently Untitled, that I am trying out.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When it comes to promotion, Facebook seems to earn me the most results though I have used a variety of platforms to get word out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. Just because one person doesn’t like your book doesn’t mean that others won’t. You can’t please everyone so don’ t make that your focus. Make yourself happy. If you are pleased with what you have written, that means everything!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day. Even if it is not for your story, write something! Write side stories, character development pieces, anything just to keep your mind in the world you have created!

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Macbeth as well as the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to add a fifth book to my Rituals of the Night Series and from there I will take things one step at a time!

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 the Dark Half by Stephen King, Hamlet by William Shakespeare, The Hunger Games, and The Green Mile by Stephen King

Author Websites and Profiles
Kayla Krantz Website

Kayla Krantz’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Kayla Krantz is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Rolland Love is the author of short stories, novels, a best selling computer book and a playwright. His writing style is compared to Mark Twain.

He created an authoring website used extensively around the world. http://www.imastory.com. Seniors use Imastory to write their life history. While interviewing parents and grandparents students use the educational version to write the life story of their Parents and Grandparents. Stories can be printed and used as fund raisers by selling selling copies to friends and relatives. Some of what many have to say about the website. http://tinyurl.com/kfemmg5

Rolland was a re-enactor with Lewis and Clark during the bicentennial expedition and played the role of Silas Goodrich, expert fisherman. He created a workshop about the adventure which he presents to schools, libraries, retirement centers, business and civic groups. He also wrote a stage play about his character Silas and preformed the production at the Kansas City Fringe Festival.

During Love’s (30) minute interview he talks about Steve Jobs Apple Computer, his experience on the Lewis & Clark expedition, the art of writing fiction, the importance of recording Life Stories and being a fishing guide at (12) years of age. http://tinyurl.com/mfxuut8

To schedule Rolland as a speaker or present workshops please contact him @ Email: storiesrus1@gmail.com Websites: http://ozarkstories.com – http://tinyurl.com/ogxxlup Twitter: @rollandlove Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rolland.love

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was inspired to write my latest book River’s Edge after received over (500) reviews and 160,000 downloads on Blue Hole (Free) my first novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual Writing Habits are presented in “How to write a novel” posted on Imastory.com https://www.imastory.com/member/member_browse.asp One of a dozen stories I have on Imastory.com that has received 10,000 reads. Stories are found by search engines looking for key words.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Steve Jobs, Apple Computer who was responsible for a computer book I co-authored that sold over 100,000 copies.

What are you working on now?
My Memoir

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

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you don’t start you will never finish. If you write 2 pages per day, which only takes about 30 minutes, you’ll have a rough draft of a novel in 90 days.

What are you reading now?
The Power of NOW

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my Memoir

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?
All Mark Twain

Author Websites and Profiles
Rolland Love Website
Rolland Love Author Profile on Smashwords

Rolland Love’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Rolland Love is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Edna J. White has written books for kids, teens, and adults, and is published in print, ebook, and audio through Amazon Publishing. Many of her titles have spent time on the top 100 Kindle list. Her publishing story has been covered by the Mike from Maine Online Radio Show, from her community library MMSL, and so many other appearances in New York.

With a rich history in the religious sector as an Evangelist and youth community leader, comes to you from the foundation of Thomasville AL iving now on Long Island with her family and being a mother of 3 children.

Through trial, error and accomplishment she endeavored 12 years as a real estate broker owner while realizing the changes in the market she changed her careers vision to teach ESL in China.

During that time, she has written her first published children’s book “Friend Learn” that is now being considered by buyers with Toys R Us. She has further written and published 4 other books including her leading title “The Keys to the Kingdom”. Her mission in life is to access God’s gift of creativity to inspire, touch people’s mind, bodies and spirits with love and compassion to bring out their passion to excel in life and business.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book the Stuff No One Ever Told Us About Life After Sexual Abuse. This is a story that will awaken the sleeping giant of silence in sexual abuse or trauma. It gives eye opening realizations that help us all move from silence to recovery without being ashamed..

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I do. I write poetry an every now and again quirky thought provoking quotes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Marianne Williamson
Louis Hay
Maya Angelou
Toni Morrison
Angela Davis
Eldridge Cleaver

What are you working on now?
I’m working on Letters to an Empty Cell~ It is a story of a thrown together by accident and in the whirlwind they encounter mishaps, tragedies and lies. A dangerous love affair romance novel.
Emotion Notions ~our emotional energy in action in our bodies
Layers of Me~ My story and how sexual abuse impacted each part of my life and how I conquered each obstacle.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://www.facebook.com/BooksbyEdna

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, just write. Don’t compare your style to no one else, just write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Your writing gift will make room for you. No need to rush it, just write.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Click to be a Millionaire. It is a review swap.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next level is to begin motivational speaking and introducing my books to the USA.

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 Four Elements
Heal yourself
Becoming your potential

Author Websites and Profiles
Edna J. White Website
Edna J. White Amazon Profile

Edna J. White’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Edna J. White is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I penned my first book in third grade; The Day Snoopy Got Married. While it didn’t make the NY Times Best Seller List, it was an instant classic with the Nacca Valley Elementary School staff. From that moment forward, I knew I was a writer. With a zest for travel and an insatiable appetite for all things vintage and period, I use my investigative journalism background to create authentic characters to occupy the pages of my books. I have a talent for shining a light on riveting, obscure true stories from times past and generating page turners. My upcoming book series, MONTGOMERY VALE, will follow this same successful formula.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Abduction of Nelly Don.

It has been an arduous journey. When I first came across the story of Nell Donnelly back in 2013, I found her kidnapping so compelling that I knew I had to do something with it. At the time, I had no idea if it would become a book or screenplay.

As a reminder, Nell Donnelly was a self-made millionaire in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. She made her fortune by creating everyday dresses that had a bit of pizazz. At the time, the only dresses available for women were boxy, unflattering dresses for cleaning in, and glamorous dresses for a night out. She tapped into an underserved market and struck gold.

Nelly was also ahead of her time as an employer. She hired over 1000 employees, mostly women. She made sure they were paid above-average wages, had paid leave, paid vacations, paid higher education and paid childcare. In fact, when the unions tried to come in and organized in her factory, they were unsuccessful. The employees had nothing to complain about.

Her abduction came just before the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping, and after several other high-profile crimes.

But what really sparked my interest was the involvement of a US Senator who moved heaven and earth to find her; even making deals with organized crime figures.

Kidnappers, gangsters, organized crime, politics, all make for a fascinating story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. I just write; no matter what upheavals I face in my personal life. I always find time to write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rod Serling of The Twilight Zone Fame. Also Derek Haas, screenwriter and television writer extraordinaire.

What are you working on now?
A follow up to the short story, THE UNFINISHED, along with a new book series, MONTGOMERY VALE.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own website of course! Just revamped it. Very proud of it. See it at www.PatriceWilliamsMarks.com . You can see information on my books, screenplays and TV series.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let your current finances dictate whether you write or not. So what if you can’t pay the bills; still find time to write!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To not just write screenplays, but to try my hand at prose.

What are you reading now?
Open City: True Story of Kansas City Crime Family (still doing research associated with my new novel) and Deadly Percheron.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m doing a follow up to THE UNFINISHED and starting a new series, MONTGOMERY VALE.

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 (gotta have hope, right?)
Twilight Zone Manual
The Abduction of Nelly Don (my own book)

Author Websites and Profiles
Patrice Williams Marks Website
Patrice Williams Marks Amazon Profile

Patrice Williams Marks’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Patrice Williams Marks is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently have 2 books published with my 3rd coming on July 11th. Also, I have a published short story on Kindle and will have short stories published in two anthologies this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is “Follow the Screams: Book 2 of the Executioner Trilogy” that is coming July 11th this year. I draw inspiration from a lot of places so I’m not even sure anymore where the inspiration for this series came from.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think this is unusual, but I listen to music when I write. I just have to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am highly influenced by Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Laurel K. Hamilton…whom all I have been compared to in reviews for my works.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a large number of things. I am writing book 3 of the Executioner Trilogy that comes out in December this year. I am also working on a Dystopian fiction series titled The Permutation Archives as well as a fiction work based on the sex trafficking phenomena as well as a number of horror/sci-fi novels.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a tendency to market a lot on FaceBook and my website www.ksowderauthor.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read…..Reading is one of the best things you can do as a writer. Also, write for yourself. Not anyone else. If you believe in your story others will too.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the stories you want to hear. Readers will follow.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping a lot. I am not just a writer, but I own my own publishing company that is taking off very well this year.

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 The Tommyknockers by Stephen King, Pandora by Anne Rice, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and Manleigh Cheese by James Crawford.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kindra Sowder Website
Kindra Sowder Amazon Profile
Kindra Sowder Author Profile on Smashwords

Kindra Sowder’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Kindra Sowder is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Two books. Thousands of financial reports. I will never again write a financial report. That’s a promise.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Cropsy.” Inspired by life, and other miscellaneous tragedies.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Gotta have noise in the background. Seinfeld reruns are ideal, especially if they air at roughly 3 a.m. to sunrise,

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Russo, Proulx, McMurtry, Pastis (Yes, Pearls Before Swine is literature.)

What are you working on now?
Erotica to help pay the bills. Ooh la lame!

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get through the middle section at all costs.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Lay off low and outside sliders whenever possible.

What are you reading now?
These little box headings. The local paper in which a local deputy ran his cruiser into a local tree after frequenting the local tavern.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing, less marketing. Hopefully…

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 Razor’s Edge, Lonesome Dove, Empire Falls, NY Times Gigantic Crossword Book (with pencil).

Author Websites and Profiles
David Lee Veroux Amazon Profile

David Lee Veroux’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

David Lee Veroux is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Toronto with my husband. I, like most writers, am an avid reader. I have loved to read since I was about four years old. My aunt, who nurtured my love of books, used to tell me I’d be a writer one day and I never believed her. I guess you should never doubt your elders

I have written many books but so far two have been published with a third on the way soon.

When I’m not reading or writing, we love to travel. Since I write stories set in Regency era England I love to visit London, but really, I’ll travel just about anywhere. You can learn so much about yourself and others through travel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Duke Conspiracy was inspired by a title idea that popped into my head one day. I started writing the story and it kind of evolved away from the that title into the Duke Conspiracy. The other title is still waiting for its story…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think it’s unusual but my space HAS to be clean before I can get any writing done. My desk has to be tidy or if I’m writing in the armchair in my bedroom, my bed definitely has to be made.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Georgette Heyer inspired my love of Regency Romance. She is the Queen of Regency in my opinion. I reread her books whenever I get the chance and am inspired once more.

What are you working on now?
I just completed the first draft of a sequel to The Duke Conspiracy and am editing another manuscript inspired by the movie “Barefoot.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That’s an excellent question, but I’m still learning how to do promotions. So far many of my fellow writers have been very supportive by hosting me with spotlights on their blogs and websites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it. Dreams do come true

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep your behind in the chair and get the book finished. It’s so easy to get discouraged after the exhilaration of the initial idea wears off a little and you discover that writing a complete book is actually hard work. But it’s such an awesome feeling. I love writing, even if it’s tough at times. Keep at it, keep learning your craft, and keep writing.

What are you reading now?
I’m actually reading a book for research – Psychology for Dummies

What’s next for you as a writer?
I still have to write that story for my title idea. I also have a trilogy in mind set in the American West during the Pioneer days. There are actually too many ideas to keep track of…

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Only 3 or 4??? That’s painful!

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, a classic

These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, I have already read this multiple times but could read it over and over endlessly.

Author Websites and Profiles
Wendy Andrews Website
Wendy Andrews Amazon Profile

Wendy Andrews’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Wendy Andrews is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and grew up there. Then I got a job in Japan and moved…I’ve been here half my life! Married, with two children, I live in Osaka.

As for my novels, I’ve written mainly Young Adult (YA) because it presents a fresh perspective on the world. So far, I’ve had nine published and there are more to come!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is entitled Star Maps, a story about a young teen who’s into stargazing, meets the girl of his dreams, and finds out that she’s not from around where he lives…at all. He realizes that there are some secrets best kept and others best left alone. When his girlfriend gets into trouble, though, he has to make a choice to help her, one that may cost him his life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, no. I sit my butt in the chair, filter out any distractions, and write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In no particular order, Robert McCammon, N.K. Jemison, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, Ray Bradbury, and many other S/F authors.

What are you working on now?
A sequel to The Nightmare Crew, a YA Action/Comedy novel. I always told myself that I’d never write a novel with a vampire, a zombie, or a werewolf, mainly because EVERY novel out there uses those characters.

This novel has all three.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For me, using Facebook, Goodreads, and blogs like this one are the best. There are so many books and so many readers…it’s hard to reach all of them. However, this is a popular site, so a lot of people read it and like it. That gives me hope.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. At first, it may look like garbage–and it probably is–but once you refine it, it will become the work you want it to be.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
See above. (Smiles)

What are you reading now?
Rereading some of the classics…Trollope, Thackery, Dickens…I favor Victorian literature.

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

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 Illustrated Man, by Bradbury, Inferno, by Niven and Pournelle, and two of my own…just so I could see how I stack up against those two famous writers!

Author Websites and Profiles
Jesse Frankel Website
Jesse Frankel Amazon Profile

Jesse Frankel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jesse Frankel is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As I was growing up in rural Vermont (not a redundancy), when my parents and teachers asked me if I knew what I wanted to do when I finished high school, I told them with great confidence that I wanted to be a writer. They were not impressed. I bowed to their wisdom and pursued an approved career track, well, lots of career tracks with writing as an add on.

Career #1: A registered nurse with a special interest in pediatrics. During this approved career,I wrote and submitted short stories to The New Yorker magazine. For some reason they were rejected.

Career #2: Surgical nurse in a cancer hospital. As an escape from sadness associated with this career, I wrote do-it-yourself articles for Woman’s Day magazine that were rejected.

Career #3: Neurosurgical assistant. As part of my job, I co-authored medical articles. These were accepted! During this time, I also published in the field of fiction for the first time. I co-authored with my husband, a biographical novel, Legacy of Change: The Saga of a Turkish Family from Empire to Republic. This was published by ISIS Publishing an international publisher in Istanbul, Turkey.

Career #4: Graduate student in psychiatric nursing. I converted my required graduate thesis into an article. This was accepted!

Career #5 Professor of psychiatric nursing. I wrote a textbook–Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nursing: A Biopsychosocial Foundation for Practice–that was published by F. A. Davis.

Career #6. Author. I wrote three novels that were published by Soul Mate Publishing!

1) The Gift of Love (The hero is the grandson of a Father Baker Boy–one of the thousands of children sent to the orphanages built by Father Baker in Western New York)

2) Lattices of Love (An international romance about a Turkish American young woman who does not want an arranged marriage._

3) No Greater Love (An international romance about refugees including a beautiful Circassian refugee from Turkey and an intriguing Dutch psychiatrist fleeing his own demons.)

The total number of books I have written is five including the 700 page textbook.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is an international romance titled, No Greater Love. My first interest in writing the story came from my involvement with our local Turkish-American group as we began to raise money to help the refugees who had survived a terrible earthquake in eastern Turkey. I heard the stories of children orphaned by the earthquake and the conditions of the orphanages where they were being held. Gradually, the plight of other refugees–an elderly man who had been sent from his home in Leiden, Holland as the Germans began to deport Dutch-Jews and was the only member of his family to survive and the health crisis that forced a young Dutch psychiatrist to leave his practice and work part time helping child refugees. Each had been forced to leave what they held dear and all yearned to return, to go home. The title comes from the belief that there is no greater love than to give yourself to help another.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The habits don’t seem unusual to me. I get up each morning and write with many interruptions to nibble, drink coffee, and check the garden. I talk to my characters and am desolate when the story ends and my characters are no longer with me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors have influenced me. Sloan Wilson and The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit opened up a new way of seeing the world. And no one could write as rich descriptions as Beatrice Small. I read constantly–romances, mysteries, historicals–and I learn from every author.

What are you working on now?
I am working on an international romance. The theme is violence against women and the hero is the most handsome of Kurdish clansmen. Be still my beating heart!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Although I do use multiple methods to promote my books, I think that face-to-face promotion works well for me. I start with a polite request to my five children and 12 grandchildren. I carry postcards with a glossy picture of my cover and business cards with my website and books. Everyone gets one–repairmen, dentists, receptionists, car dealerships. I put the information in with every check I write to pay bills. I have no shame.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, submit, and have confidence that you will succeed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.

What are you reading now?
I just read The Samaritan by Stephen Besecker and the Unraveling by Emma Sky. I usually read 4 or books at the same time. So what I am reading is a moving target.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have two more novels planned and a non-fiction book for writers that would help them create credible backstories for their troubled characters.

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?
Assuming that I was going to be on that island for some time with nothing much to do and would have to re-read the books several times, I would take the Bible, a writer’s thesaurus, a book on administering first-aid, and, to lift my spirits, a book on how to make a million dollars.

Author Websites and Profiles
Eris Field Website

Eris Field is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written a couple books for Amazon and have a couple books for sale on my site.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is about arranged marriages and my culture and tradition inspired the book. I grew up in an arranged marriage culture and am intimately familiar with arranged marriages. I wanted to share my experiences with arranged marriage, talk about story and guide others who are considering an arranged marriage.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, particularly. I try to set a word count every day and meet that.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy reading books by Marianne Williamson, Eckhart Tolle, Neil Donald Walsch and other spiritual authors.

What are you working on now?
I am currently writing Arranged Marriage: Run to the altar or run for your life. My next book is about relationships and breakups.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a blog which has been instrumental for getting the word out about my books. The blog is called www.vishnusvirtues.com and I write about relationships, breakups and personal development there.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You can do it – just start writing. Set a very small word count daily and try to get it done. Tie your writing goals to your life dreams and you’ll get more inspired to write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have for writing is to set a word count and write. Also writing like you speak and writing in shorter sentences and using simpler words. You don’t need fancy words to impress people – you should try to make your points easily understood. The best advice I’ve received in life is to be grateful for what I have everyday.

What are you reading now?
The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to keep writing books to help people, inspire people to make changes and stand back up after challenging life experiences.

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 Power of Now, the Surrender Experiment, the Untethered Soul, and the Power of Less by Leo Babauta.

Author Websites and Profiles
Vishnu’s Virtues Website
Vishnu’s Virtues Amazon Profile

Vishnu’s Virtues’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Vishnu’s Virtues is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always been in tuned with fine arts. I love acting, singing, painting, etc., but my joy is writing. I’ve published the books so far, two are novels and one is a relationship guide.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book was the relationship guide. I have several friends that ask me for advice when it comes to matters of the heart. I figured there had to be other women or men going through the same situations and may need a little help from an unbiased opinion.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think my habits are pretty standard. I write when I am passionate about certain situations. I write when the creative juices are following which could be at any given moment.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really do enjoy Omar Tyree. I think one of his books was the first book I ever read in three days.

What are you working on now?
I will be working on Part III of the “Partially Broken Never Destroyed ” series in addition to a children’s book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have my own personal website at toptailormadebooks.com. I also enjoy amazon and smashwords.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. It may seem as though sometimes you don’t have time to finish your book or you run out of ideas, but life is full of ideas, you just have to look around you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
No one is going to make you become the person you are meant to be but you.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I mostly do research. I haven’t had time to sit down and read lately due to my schedule, but there are some novels I would like to read when I find time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to continue writing and promoting as much as I can. I don’t want to lose my edge or the audience that I’ve worked so hard to obtain.

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 probably bring anything that has do with mystery and suspense, adult romance, and a thriller.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nataisha Hill Website
Nataisha Hill Amazon Profile
Nataisha Hill Author Profile on Smashwords

Nataisha Hill’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Nataisha Hill is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 3 books. Two nonfiction and one fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last nonfiction title was The Intruder Bulletins: The Dark Side of Technology. I am constantly concerned about humanity is in more danger from technology than war. We are side stepping ethical considerations and gaining the power of God through biotechnology.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
These days I find the editing process easier because I can write on my phone, email myself and rewrite on paper and then rewrite again on the word processor. This knock out 3 rewrites before I even review again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Huxley–Brave New World, Orwell —1984, Fletcher -Situation Ethics

What are you working on now?
Book of Science Humor.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
http://markantonyrossi.jigsy.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure you really hear or feel the call for writing. Most of those close to you won’t understand. Writing is not for the timid —even in the 21st century.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be a voice; not an echo.

What are you reading now?
Huxley’s — The Human Situation

What’s next for you as a writer?
Working on getting a play produced

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?
Huxley’s –The Human Situation, The Holy Bible, History of Julius Ceasar,

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Antony Rossi Website
Mark Antony Rossi Amazon Profile

Mark Antony Rossi is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a retired psychiatric nurse and I have one novel, a psychological thriller, published and available on Amazon. I am in the final stages of finishing my second dark novel which will also be a suspenseful read.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel that I have published at the moment is called “Pretty Maidens All In A Row” It has a title pertaining to a children’s nursery rhyme, as will all my novels; my calling card, if you will. The inspiration is not based on anything specific but I had many encounters with psychologically damaged patients in my career. I simply put together a fictional story using my knowledge of mental disorders. According to the positive feedback, I think I got the message across that the human mind is capable of lots of things, good or bad.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I have many outlines running through my head and I can sit down just about any time and start typing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
By far the most influential author award has to go to Stephen King. His novel “The Stand” is his masterpiece.

What are you working on now?
I have almost finished a second psychological thriller, again with the nursery rhyme theme, called “They All Fall Down.” It will center around a little girl who has a near-death experience and survives with an ability to “see” things that ordinary people can’t.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, being self-published, I am finding Goodreads to be the most helpful. The other social media giants are not doing much for me. Amazon drives some book lovers my way but the novel is selling itself mostly. The hardest obstacle is getting readers to find it and know it’s available.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Certainly. Make sure your manuscript is polished in every way before publishing it. Have it professionally edited and proof-read. Get a cover done by an expert as well. If you put a book out there that has mistakes you won’t get far with it. Unfortunately with all the self-published books available now there are many that are not very professional because they don’t have to go through the hands of publishers or agents.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
About writing? Never give up. If you think you have something that readers will enjoy and you think it’s as good as any other novel on the market, keep trying. It’s hard work and very tiring but a positive attitude will conquer.

What are you reading now?
Actually I’m re-reading Stephen King’s Novel “The Stand.” Been two years since I read it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to feverishly keep promoting my two novels until they are household names and continue writing other thrillers.

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?
“Castaway” would be a good choice wouldn’t it, “Silence of the Lambs”, and “Along Came a Spider.”

Author Websites and Profiles
J.M. Brown Amazon Profile

J.M. Brown’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

J.M. Brown is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born way back in time and after a zillion reincarnations I think, I know who I am. I believe in having fun because life is too short to do anything else. And my motto.
LAUGH LOUD – LOVE ALWAYS – LIVE LONG
Up to now I have published one novella, Bolt Out Of The Blue, a family story with a hint of magic and an American twist. Also two collections of short stories and Drabbles have been published on Amazon. I used many different genres to entertain my readers.
But my real pasion is Medieval Fantasy and my first novel, Evil Never Dies, is due for release later this month (July 2015).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Evil Never Dies
I have always enjoyed medieval fantasy tales. Once I started, I could never put them down, often reading them into the early hours. I found myself living the characters that jumped out from the pages. I always hoped that one day I could create my own world, full of vile creatures and true heroes. And after the passing of too many seasons I finally began to remove the ideas from my head and commence writing.
It has taken nearly 18 months to produce a story that had lain dormant for so many years. Evil Never Dies is my first novel and is a classic tale of good and evil set against a backdrop of green lands, snowy mountains and dusty plains.
I show the horrors of war, as well as the loyalty and fears of all those involved. I believe that all men are flawed, and I leave it to my readers, to decide whether I have succeeded in showing their strengths and weaknesses, their compassion and cruelty. For war brings out the best and the worst in even the gentlest of men.
I have let my mind wander freely over the words, and I hope that you will enjoy your trip into the world of my imagination.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. I write as and when I want too.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R.R. Tolkein’s book, The Lord Of The Rings is the finest book that I have ever read. The man was a genius, for not only did he create a wonderful tale, he also created the world of Middle Earth and a complete language.
Issac Asimov also inspired me with his amazing sci-fi tales, whilst David Gemmel stories often buzz inside my head.

What are you working on now?
Heroes Never Fade will be the follow up to Evil Never Dies and the second in The Maxilla tales. Hopefully it can be released in a years time but first things first.
P.S. My granddaughter wants to write some fairy stories with me, so watch this space, or perhaps Amazon. As all granddaughters do, she’ll tell me when shes ready. LOL.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The Kindles Users Forum have been very supportive as have many of my friends on Facebook. I also belong to two writing groups in Southern England and their help has proved invaluable. Alas, my promotional skills are not what they should be and I will be pursuing new avenues over the next few months.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you are interested in; what you are passionate about. Only start writing when you want too. Take many breaks and if your mind goes blank – get up and do something completely different. Me! I go out into the fresh air, but whatever works for you is best.
But the best advice is HAVE FUN and enjoy yourself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Join a writing group. The support that you receive is beyond praise and the amount you can learn from others is staggering. It’s fun too.

What are you reading now?
An old David Gemmell book for the second time – Druss The Legend.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promotion – Promotion – Promotion. Then back to Heroes Never Fade as only the first two chapters (long ones) have been written.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Lord of the Rings, The Foundation Trilogy by Asimov, and Bernard Cornwell’s Azincourt. All three combine great stories with superb characters that leap from the pages. They are all thick books, so it would take me a little while to read them all, before the gorgeous mermaid, riding on the back of a dolphin, comes to my rescue. The mind boggles.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rick Haynes Website
Rick Haynes Amazon Profile
Rick Haynes Author Profile on Smashwords

Rick Haynes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Rick Haynes is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
“Tell us about yourself” is such a vague thing. My brain keeps freezing up! Let’s see . . . I’m the elder of two children, raised by a single mother until I was 10, when she remarried. I grew up in Utah, and attended school there. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, making up stories in elementary school that, admittedly, made little sense. I turned to fan fiction as a teenager, then explored creative writing and script writing in college. After college, I wrote my first novel. I currently have three books published, and I’m in the process of writing several more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “Toasted”. It’s the second in the Broom Closet Mysteries series. It picks up six months after the first book in the series, and takes place in Ireland. I was actually already in the process of plotting out the first draft when a friend mentioned that tickets to Ireland were a shocking $316 roundtrip. We jumped on the chance, and I was able to research firsthand the setting of “Toasted”, which is Dublin and its surrounding area. It explores the politics of my male lead’s family, and the events that occur when one of his sister’s bridesmaids goes missing during the wedding festivities. It’s heavily influenced by its setting and the Irish culture and history.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think any of my habits are unusual. Every writer has their little quirks and necessities when they’re writing, so it’s difficult to say what’s normal and what’s not. Do I supplicate to Cthulhu while writing? Nah.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
An awful lot of authors have influenced me over the years. I have to say that my primary influences have been Diana Gabaldon, Janet Evanovich, and Meg Cabot. But there are so many more authors whose work I admire.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a short story collection in the Broom Closet series, as well as book 3 in the main storyline. I’ve also got a couple paranormal romance novels in the works, that aren’t connected to the series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not really sure. I do most of my promoting on Facebook, followed by Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing, and don’t let bad reviews get to you. We all get them. They’re mostly for other readers, not for the author, though some may have valid points. A lot of people are just bitter and can’t say anything nice. Keep writing. Keep working on your craft. If you have a favourite author, one whose work you really admire, see if they have any writing advice. Don’t give up. And invest in an editor.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I can think of two things:

1. Don’t read your bad press.

2. Kevin J. Anderson told me once that his first book was rejected 42 times before he sold his manuscript. The key is to just keep trying and to make sure that you’re presenting the best work you can be.

What are you reading now?
At this exact moment, nothing. But I read an average of 8 books a week.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my next book, probably!

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 The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, A Rose In Winter by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, Dracula by Bram Stoker, and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

Author Websites and Profiles
Marianna Roberg Website
Marianna Roberg Amazon Profile

Marianna Roberg’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Marianna Roberg is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, i am still at university, studying, i have a mild symptoms of Agraphia. I have written two poetry books and my first novel is almost complete.

I also like to act out my character i have written or my famous character like captain Jack (Johnny depp) from time to time and see how they react.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘Dark romeo’ the reason it’s called Dark romeo because it has some very real and sincere poetry which is profound and ultimately dark.

some poems may sound profane and outrageous because it’s meant to be like that and for all the people who had some kind of love story in their life and didn’t end well

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yup, i don’t know how uncommon it is but my creativity goes wild at night some night i don’t sleep at all. from 1 am to 4, 4 :30 am.

I also have this unusual habit is that whenever my professor starts his lecture i start getting this idea and in few minutes i am lost in my words and usual i am thrown out for not paying attention. But i don’t know its comes very spontaneous and that is the main reason i attain my lectures and usual sit in last bench

What authors, or books have influenced you?
If you talk about poetry nothing comes closer to me more than Wordsworth i mean he was the pioneer. At you know when you come to a certain age when you start wondering about the clouds and horizon and you are just curious i had the privilege to know Wordsworth. I will never forget the day i read Tintern abbey.

Talking about other writer i like Jeffery archer, the very obvious Stephen king and their are many writer who you meet in your way sharing and exchanging works together. I think they all are brilliant and talented i would like to see every indie at top.

What are you working on now?
Oh! the thing i am working on or say i have been working on this story which i wrote when i was in high school. The thing i could not get over that story was that it was very innocent and sincere so i have been working on it. It will be my first novel and it’s coming very good it has some of my own perks like its little bit rebellious and off course their is intense passion little bit quirky.

but i also believe that its our job as a writer not to play safe and vomit out words influenced by market and the obvious taste. I believe that the void inside us has to come out in the form of our character

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now its very hard for me to say that because its all new to me now. and i have been doing lot of experiment that what works in internet and what not? and i have made some really wrong decisions but i happy to make them as its my learning curve. fortunately one day i will be clever enough to use the gift of internet to its full potential.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, i have and that is make mistakes please do and you are only going to make mistake when you do something. when you publish your first raw work when you are unknown to tools present in the internet and you publish. When your work is filled with silly grammar mistakes and you publish it.
I say do it because i have never seen a writer getting bigger by not doing anything.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Start using social media. Because i am very socially awkward guy and writers are usually like that but the mistake i did was arriving with my book at the door without knowing the people inside. So eventually they will reject me so i got this lesson that you have to have a strong presence in social media which also helps in growing as a personality.

What are you reading now?
Right now i am reading Wuthering heights i was procrastinating that i will do so now i am doing it. i don’t how long it will go because i am very lazy reader.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have tasted the self publishing industry now i want to have experience in the traditional way.

Author Websites and Profiles
Yarro Rai Amazon Profile
Yarro Rai Author Profile on Smashwords

Yarro Rai’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Yarro Rai is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My recently released novel “Unbound” is my second full length novel and the first in a planned series of erotic mysteries. Writing has been a passion for me all my life, be it poetry, pose, or random thoughts that will likely never see the light of day.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Unbound” is an erotic mystery that follows the life of Lieutenant Ellison Frost as she investigates the murder of a high-profile socialite. As the case pushes into the reaches of the victim’s sexually deviant lifestyle, Frost must battle exposing her own private life and the duality it has become.

The book dives into the BDSM subculture and dominant/submissive relationship in a way I feel it deserves to be portrayed. After reading some very popular books on the subject matter, I felt that the true nature of this relationship was not properly explored and set out to do so.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on the strict timeline of “when I feel like it” and luckily I enjoy the process thoroughly so those times come often. While I do spend time on initial planning and research much of my plot and character development is done while writing my initial draft. This makes for some difficult reworking as I move forward but I’ve found that it is the best way for me to get my thoughts out before really digging in and making the story what it deserves to be.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t know that I have any true influences but there are a number of authors I enjoy. My original novel was a fantasy and while I have a number of fantasy authors that I admire (Tolkien, Martin, Eddings) my own style is quite different. My novels tend to be character driven, I often struggle with action, however I find great joy in delving into a character’s motivation and pathos. While this style can often slow the pace of a book, I feel it give my readers a chance to explore the depth and complexity of the individuals I am creating.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on “Honor Bound” the second book in the “Bound” series of erotic mysteries. I am very early in the first draft but have a solid outline and hope to have the project ready for release in the Spring of 2016.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
With my newest title now on the shelves and some tepid marketing leading up to the launch it’s time to put the marketing plan into full force. A daunting process but an exciting one at the same time.

In the past, marketing has been “work” for me. Something that had to be done but never felt joyful and creative. It lacked the passion, creativity and freedom of the other publishing processes but with this latest release things have changed. I now have an extremely supportive and brilliant ‘publicist’ helping me through the process and the ideas she has provided me are not only unique but creative and fun. They put me in a much more familiar and comfortable mindset and I find myself looking forward to the implementation process.

It’s interesting how easily a slight change in process and some unique concepts can completely change one’s view-point and help to shift the mindset. As much as I’d love to be locked away pounding out the first draft of ‘Honor Bound’ (my upcoming Ellison Frost sequel), I find myself not only content but excited to step away from it for a short time and delve into the new marketing plan for ‘Unbound’.

I remind myself not to turn away from new ideas and a fresh perspective. They can bring you a new joy in tasks that have never provided it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! It’s really as simple as that first step. Don’t worry about editing, cleaning it up, or making it marketable until you’ve hit that stage of the process. Just let the story flow and get it all down. Your first draft may be a complete mess but that mess will be the perfect starting point to begin molding the words into a solid piece.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was once told that withholding the creative spirit would cause unneeded stress on the body and mind. This is exactly how I feel about writing. There is nothing as relaxing as getting the words out of the mind and onto paper.

What are you reading now?
I have just started “Twist Me” by Anna Zaires. It is a dark and disturbing piece but I am taken by how the author has owned her characters for what they are. She does not attempt to convince the readers that their actions are anything but what she portrays. Thus far, it is a wonderful and engaging read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to continue the “Bound” series as I have a few plotlines already brewing. I am also writing a series of erotic shorts for literotica which have stemmed from the series itself. The “Unbound Outtakes” will focus on scenes I was unable to add to the novel due to flow, timing and point of view. I recently posted the Prologue to Unbound on the site and have been getting fantastic feedback so this felt like the logical next step.

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 old dog-eared copy of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”, the entire “grey” series for fire-starter (the best use I can think of) and couple empty journals. With all that time on my hands I’d have plenty to publish if I ever returned.

Author Websites and Profiles
R. C. Butler Website
R. C. Butler Amazon Profile

R. C. Butler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

R. C. Butler is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Treesong. Yes, that’s my real name! I legally changed my name in 2002 after having some profound spiritual experiences in the Shawnee National Forest and elsewhere. My birth name was Justin Patrick O’Neill.

I grew up in and around Chicago. My family moved around between several apartments in the city and suburbs before eventually settling down in Brookfield.

So far, I’ve written two works of full-length fiction, one short story collection, one work of nonfiction, and several small books of poetry.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest full-length book is “Goodbye Miami: Tales of an American Climate Refugee”. I had several inspirations for writing this story.

First of all, I have a strong interest in all things related to global warming. Because of this, I’ve spent most of my professional writing career focusing on climate fiction (“cli-fi”). Second, I’ve had a lifelong interest in .

I’ve also had a lifelong appreciation for several other genres that influenced Goodbye Miami: science fiction; political fiction; dystopian fiction; post-apocalyptic fiction.

Last but certainly not least, I was thoroughly impressed by a zombie fiction series called “Living With the Dead” written by my friend and fellow author, Josh Guess. Goodbye Miami has nothing to do with zombies, but it does owe its format — a series of first-person blog entries — to LWtD. After reading LWtD, I also checked out a few other blog fiction pieces, and a thought occurred to me. What would it look like to write a climate fiction blog set in the near future when the effects of climate change have become more disastrous? The moment I had that thought, Goodbye Miami was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
What qualifies as unusual? Each author has their own unique approach to writing. I don’t have any writing habits that I consider terribly unusual, but I may not be the best judge!

I sometimes hear other authors talk about writer’s block. I rarely if ever get writer’s block. What I do get, though, is what I half-jokingly refer to as “non-writer’s block”. This is when my non-writer work interferes with the time and energy that I had intended to set aside for my writing. I wish I had a nickel for every time that I had the ideas and felt the enthusiasm but just didn’t get around to putting the words down on the page. Now that I’m a published author, this happens less often. However, it will probably keep happening semi-regularly until I transition into being a full time author. Even then, it will probably happen occasionally because life is full of interesting and unexpected twists and turns!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by too many authors to list! A few prominent ones that come to mind are Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Starhawk, Alan Moore, Robert Heinlein, Barbara Kingsolver, Margaret Atwood, Phil Brucato, and Josh Guess.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently actively working on two projects. One is a sequel to my first novel, Change. The second book in the series will be called Order. It’s actually a bit unusual in that it takes place at roughly the same time as Change and involves a few characters who were introduced in Change. However, it also introduces new characters and examines the fundamental questions and conflicts of Change from an entirely different perspective. In Change, we see how the activists are responding to climate change. In Order, we see how the insiders are responding.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That’s a good question! Honestly, I’m still figuring that out. I’ve done several free book giveaways through Amazon and one through Goodreads. My latest approach is to make one of my books (a short story collection called “Strange Beginnings”) permanently free in ebook form. The idea is that people will read my stories, enjoy them, and check out my paid books and/or sign up for my monthly newsletter. It’s still too early to tell how well this strategy will work. Wish me luck!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write. The first step is to write as much as possible. Once you have something that you feel is marketable, get some good help promoting it. If you’re self-publishing or working with a small indie publisher, the work of promotions will be 95% to 100% on you. The business end of things may not be as exciting as writing fanciful tales of adventure and excitement, but getting paid is what will enable you to keep telling those tales. Work hard at promotions, and don’t be afraid to ask friendly sources for advice and support.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
See the advice above. I didn’t come up with it on my own. Other authors gave me this advice and it helped me to get to where I am today.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading a wonderful book called “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline. I’m just now starting a short story collection called “Pump Six and Other Stories” by Paolo Bacigalupi. I’m only on the first short story, but so far it’s very interesting.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next step as a writer involves two interrelated projects: finish my next novel and improve my promotions so that I can transition into being a full time author. I feel quite proud of what I’ve accomplished so far as a part time author, but I really want to produce more volume, and that will require going full time. Given my activist tendencies, I doubt I’ll ever go 100% full time into my writing! However, it would be really nice to have this be my one and only paying job.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Ideally, I’d bring a solar charger and an ebook reader filled with thousands of books! In all seriousness, though, I wouldn’t know where to begin. Even when I love a book, I usually don’t read it again. If forced to choose, I suppose I would go with some very random and nerdy choices: Watchmen by Alan Moore; Mage: The Ascension (2nd Edition) by Phil Brucato et al; and the MaddAddam trilogy.

Author Websites and Profiles
Treesong Treesong Website
Treesong Treesong Amazon Profile
Treesong Treesong Author Profile on Smashwords

Treesong Treesong’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Treesong Treesong is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a storyteller since I was a preschooler, making up stories to go with the illustrations in my picture books. I love fairy tales, and a book isn’t worth reading for me unless it’s got a love story with a happy ending. But I like my romance to have a bit of an edge to it, so I gravitate toward characters who break social mores to be together.

I’m getting ready to publish the third book in my Second Chances series, which will eventually be eight books. They’re all erotic romance, some BDSM, some M/M, some multicultural. I’ve also got a couple of stories in anthologies from Torquere Press: “What a Man Needs” in FAMILY TIME, and “What a Man Wants” in the upcoming FIRST TIMERS. Both are multicultural M/M romance.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novella is TEMPTING JORDAN. It’s gay erotic romance, an out-for-you book about two friends who hook up at their five-year high school reunion. One is gay, the other a closeted bisexual. I suppose it was inspired by reconnecting with high school friends on Facebook in advance of my own reunion. I thought it would be fun to write a series about characters who get another chance with that high school crush who got away. Something we can all relate to, right?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve always got a story playing in my head, so I can basically write any time, anywhere. If I’m not at my computer, I’m happy to scribble on whatever scrap of paper I can find. The ideas never stop coming, and I lifetime isn’t long enough to write all the books in my head. The challenge is trying to decide which story to write next!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a Jane Austen girl, and I also love BET ME by Jennifer Crusie. Roni Loren is the one who got me hooked on erotic romance (her books are AMAZING). Some of my favorite gay romance authors are Heidi Cullinan & Marie Sexton, Racheline Maltese & Erin McRae, and Daisy Harris (her Men of Holsum College series is cracktastic).

What are you working on now?
I’ve got two more books in the Second Chances series coming out in the next few months. The first is BDSM with a twist: a female Domme and a billionaire submissive. The other is M/M romance, the third in Rick and Jordan’s story, when they’ll finally get their happily-ever-after.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a social media addict. I love Twitter, and I have to limit my Facebook time or I’d spend all day there!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Trust yourself. You’re going to hear lots of opinions from other people, whether beta readers or Goodreads reviewers, so it’s important to protect your own truth instead of letting other people sway you to theirs. Reading is a conversation between the author and the audience, and the reader’s imagination is as much a part of their reading experience as the words on the page. If someone hates your book, it may be because your main character has the same name as the bully who tormented them in third grade. There’s nothing you can do about that. Be true to your story and yourself. Develop rhino hide. That doesn’t mean you should ignore constructive criticism, just understand that most advice you get will be subjective. Listen to the advice that helps you, and ignore what doesn’t.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I love this quote from Madonna: “A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.” You have to put yourself out there if you want to achieve your dreams. Fortunately, it’s human nature to help each other. You’d be surprised at how much people are willing to do for you if you just ask. People do favors for each other as a sort of currency, and also because it genuinely feels good and gives us the chance to show off our skills and expertise. Humans are social creatures. We’re engaged by a sense of community. It makes us feel connected to something important. So speak up! Other people want to help, they really do.

What are you reading now?
I just finished THE BEST MAN by L.A. Witt, and now I’m reading TAP OUT by Cat Grant, the third book in her Bannon’s Gym series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m planning an m/m retro romance series set in the 1980s, at the height of the AIDS outbreak.

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?
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, the Complete Works of Shakespeare, the Bible, and COLLEGE BOYS by Daisy Harris.

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrea Dalling Website
Andrea Dalling Amazon Profile

Andrea Dalling’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Andrea Dalling is a post from Awesome Gang