Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I started my career in television marketing, working on shows such as 24, American Idol, Friends, etc. and recently, for the past seven years, I’ve been ghostwriting nonfiction books for NBA players, business leaders and even a few interesting criminals. I’m currently based in New York City with my wife, who is also a writer. She sits right next to me everyday…
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What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DARK SKY is my first novel and something I never thought I’d have the time to write. I’ve been working for clients nonstop for the past few years and, to tell you the truth, I was actually feeling a little burnt out on all the nonstop typing. A few months ago, a friend introduced me to someone who was self-publishing his novels and this guy talked nonstop about how great the experience had been. My wife was enthralled – but I didn’t care. Then I got home and suddenly got the whole idea for a mystery-thriller right then and there – something based on the old Raymond Chandler books, but with a more contemporary, funny and human narrative. It was written and finished within three months, which is still shocking to me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Frequently, when I had little to no idea of what I was going to write next in DARK SKY, I would wake up in the middle of the night with the concept for the next chapter. Then I would stay awake for a couple of hours working it out on my head. I lost a lot of sleep, but I’m not going to knock that kind of ongoing inspiration.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I noted, Raymond Chandler was a big influence on this book – as he is to so many mystery writers. Joseph Heller is another guy who really spoke to me, especially in CATCH-22 and SOMETHING HAPPENED, both of which are among my favorite books.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m back on a couple of client books, but then I hope to write the next entry in the series I started with DARK SKY, if I can carve out the time (and if sales of the book give me some hope). I really enjoyed the character of Max Bowman I created in DARK SKY and I have many more adventures in mind for him.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am new at this, so I’ve been following advice from friends in terms of giving away a whole lot of ebooks to generate interest and reviews. I’m using Kindle Select promotions and also some exterior service. I don’t want to recommend anything specific yet, because this is my first time and I want to make sure results are good before I pass any of them on here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
WRITE EVERY DAY.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Go against the grain. If you’re doing a genre book, do it in a way that meets the expectations of the genre but does it in a completely unexpected way. In my case, my hero is far from the usual mystery-thriller norm. He’s a brain without the traditional physical skills we expect to see – he has to see what he’s capable of at the same time the reader does.

What are you reading now?
A lot of nonfiction – that’s mostly what I read. Specifically, KEEPERS by Richard Schickel, an overview of his most memorable movie experiences over his 50 years as a movie critic and a biography of Bob and Ray, a legendary comedy team.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now, I have to pay the bills with some more ghostwriting , my wife and I are waiting for notes on the first draft of a Hallmark romance movie we’re writing for that channel, and there is another screenplay opportunity on the horizon. Also, again, hopefully will be writing a DARK SKY sequel, maybe around the end of the 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?
Well, they would have to be books I’d like to read over and over…so probably SINATRA: THE SONG IS YOU, Chandler’s THE LONG GOODBYE, Heller’s CATCH-22 and maybe DARK SKY, so I can catch any remaining typos that are lurking in there.

Author Websites and Profiles
Joel Canfield Website
Joel Canfield Amazon Profile

Joel Canfield’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Joel Canfield is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an IT manager for my family business. I have been an avid reader since I was young and always wanted to try my hand at writing. I have spent years writing technical documents, but there isn’t much fun in that. So I sat down nearly seven years ago to see if I could do it, and several months later I had a complete manuscript in my hands. Life always got in the way of the final rewrites and editing, but that’s what makes writing better in the long run. Without a little pain and failure, an author is going to be cold and stale. Finally I published my novel, The Freezer, on Jan 1, 2015. Since then I have learned how much work it is to market your own product. I split my time between my family (3 kids, mostly grown up now), my hobbies (too many to name), my work, and writing. I currently have two books published, my novel The Freezer, and a short novella called Paradox Cycle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Paradox Cycle is my latest book and it was an exercise in writing that turned out good enough to publish. I wrote it, edited and rewrote, and designed a cover for it, all in the span of a week. Like my first novel, I did it to see if I could. The inspiration came from being disappointed over and over with stories and movies about time travel and paradox. I woke up with an idea in my head and later that night had most of the story figured out. It’s a fun short read that could be the start to a full series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The only thing unusual about my writing is that I do it all in my head and all sequentially. I don’t take notes or draw up a timeline or an outline. I just start telling the story as if I were telling it to a group of friends. I also don’t verbalize while writing – it goes straight from my brain to my fingertips and I get to read it for the first time as it appears on the screen. This played against me this summer as I had a surgery that prevented me from typing for a couple months. I couldn’t use speech to text software as I just couldn’t put things into words without a keyboard in front of me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Pretty much every author I have read has influenced me in some way. Notably, Niven gave me a lot of ideas on futuristic technology (some I even borrowed for my own writing). Epic fantasy authors like Jordan, Martin, and Goodkind inspired me to want my stories to be epic, not just one event, but one major event with subplots and a believable world. Stuart Woods made me love a hero who everyone wants to like (and who always gets the girl). Finally, John Sandford showed me how much I like a well developed character, one you can believe exists, even if he killed them off right away. I don’t like when I need a body with a name, I prefer to develop some depth first, but you can’t always spend time on character development. Most feedback I get has to do with the character depth, which makes me happy.

What are you working on now?
I am about 75% finished with my second full novel, a second book in the Genesis Endeavor series. In “The Freezer”, I built the world and established some characters. In “Immortal” (the title of the next book), I get to explore that world, flesh out more characters, and develop the overall story further.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found that promoting takes a combination of many factors to be successful. I don’t have a surefire method yet, but I have had some success with regular discount promotions that are advertised with several sites (preferably through newsletters) like Awesomegang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My best advice is to write and then write some more. I didn’t do much for nearly five years with my first book, and when I finally got it finished and published, I realized I would be WAY ahead if I had written two or three novels in those years. If you are just getting started, don’t stop unless you don’t want to be an author. Once you publish and start to gain a following, you need to feed those readers as often as possible. The most surefire way to increase sales is to write more.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My physics teacher in high school had a son who wanted to be an artist. He told his son he had two choices: he could either go to an art school and spend his life choosing between buying a canvas and buying the paint to put on the canvas, or he could go to a business school and learn about business, get a good job, and afford all the paints, brushes, and canvases he could ever want.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading “Memory Man” by David Baldacci. I am taking a break from reading because I find it difficult to work on my own book when reading someone else’s.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully my next book will be finished before Winter and I can start on the next one. I won’t ever quit my day job, but I enjoy writing, I enjoy knowing people are reading my work, and I enjoy a little extra income that might lead to an earlier retirement.

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?
When it comes to “top ten” type lists I always flounder. I can’t even point to my favorite of ANYTHING. That being said, Lucifer’s Hammer would be at the top of my list. I love that book and it inspired me to write in the Post-Apocalyptic genre. I’m not a religious man per se, but I would probably want a copy of the Bible. While there are dozens of books I regard as the best I have read, I would want to choose something really long because I would likely have a LOT of time on my hands.

Author Websites and Profiles
David Kersten Website
David Kersten Amazon Profile

David Kersten’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

David Kersten is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer, speaker and consultant living in the Chicago area. I”m also a former stand-up comedian and corporate drone who now runs a successful consulting business and writes fiction to save his sanity. Needless to say, I’m a history geek, whose motto is “those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Those who remember can’t do anything about it, but get to smile smugly and say ‘told you so’.”
In addition to my first novel, “The Count of the Sahara,” I’ve written 7 non-fiction books with riveting titles such as “6 Weeks to a Great Webinar,” and “Meet Like You Mean It- a Leader’s Guide to Painless and Productive Virtual Meetings,” and speak at conferences around the world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new novel is “The Count of the Sahara.” For years, I’ve been fascinated with the lead character, Count Byron de Prorok (google it, it’s worth the trip.) I’m sure a psychologist could tell you why I’m so fascinated with historical figures who have all the tools for greatness, and manage to screw everything up but I won’t dwell on it. I came across Byron’s books some years ago, and the story of his rise and fall has haunted me ever since.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write in white hot sessions, cranking out a lot of pages at a time. My favorite thing is to write the chapter or scene in my head while doing something mundane like mowing the lawn or doing dishes, then when it’s all there dash to the computer to crank it out. I also do that by taking naps. Often my wife will find me laying down with my eyes closed, and I have to explain that I’m not napping… I’m getting Willy away from the Pinkertons. She looks at me like you just did.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book I was obsessed with was The Three Musketeers, then Kim and Treasure Island. When I read Hunter S Thompson in High School, though, it was all over.

What are you working on now?
Besides schlepping the new book, I’m working on an adventure story set during the second Crusade. If you know your history you can guess it doesn’t work out well for my characters.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If I knew that, I’m sure I’d be doing it instead of talking to you! I have found Goodreads is a fine place to start, and Facebook allows me to cross-promote to my nonfiction audience.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just finish the first draft. Too many people have things half-started. I wrote The Count of the Sahara in 90 days or so…..well, the first draft anyway. Rewriting for me is way easier when you have a complete first draft to work from, otherwise you’re just reworking the same pages over and over again and not making progress.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My old man taught me that 3 rights make a left too. Sometimes the obvious way isn’t the only way to get where you’re going. That’s true of writing as well. Does that sound sage enough?

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Galloglass part 1 by Seamus O’Griffin. Is that the coolest author name ever or what?

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to blog and write in the business arena on Management-Issues.com and other places, and trying to finish my next novel.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Wow…. The Three Musketeers by Dumas, Kim by Rudyard Kipling, The Great White Shark Hunt by Hunter Thompson, and Infinite Jest, in case I need to club something to eat.

Author Websites and Profiles
Wayne Turmel Website
Wayne Turmel Amazon Profile

Wayne Turmel’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Wayne Turmel is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written four children’s books and one novella, which was written under the pen name Ruby Blaylock. The novella is a cozy mystery, a genre I love but had previously never tackled. I adore writing for kids and young adults, so that will be my next venture!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Dead Before the Wedding,” under my pen name, Ruby Blaylock. I have always loved cozy mysteries, and I wanted to write one that was infused with the characters I grew up with living in a small, southern town.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No unusual habits, but I do have a toddler and a cat who like to “help” with my writing. It results in quite a few edits, I can assure you!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am an avid YA reader, love Neil Gaiman, adore Stephen King, and am currently enthralled by Sandra Dallas. I really have the widest palate possible when it comes to my taste in reading…

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my second cozy mystery in the Carly Keene Cozy Mystery series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning the ropes when it comes to promotion, but I think interacting with readers and offering great books at fair prices really helps! I’m investigating using Periscope to do book readings, and I also plan on going into schools to promote my children’s books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. And, don’t give up your day job, at least not at first. It can take a long time for success to really happen, and you don’t need the added stress of wondering how you’ll pay your bills while you’re trying to make your book a success.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read what you love, write what you love, and understand that success comes from persistence and passion.

What are you reading now?
“Prayers for Sale” by Sandra Dallas, and I just finished “Grimly Jane,” by fellow indie author Elle Alexander.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on the second cozy novel, and then I have two YA fantasy books I need to outline. I think I have plenty of work to keep me busy for a while.

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 Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman, “The Stand” by Stephen King, and the Inkheart trilogy, by Cornelia Funke, if I’m allowed!

Author Websites and Profiles
Jessica Woods Website

Jessica Woods’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jessica Woods is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in England but have lived a good portion of my life in Australia and North America. Now I call a small town south of Vancouver home. I love to travel, especially on cruise ships which is why eight of my books are in the Cruising to Love Series. I’ve started the Flavor of the Month Series, also contemporary romance, and being a contrarian, the first book in that series is HIS DECEMBER BLONDE and the second, THE JANUARY GIRL.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE JANUARY GIRL goes live tomorrow (August 20th, 2015) and it’s about a strong woman who gets dealt a low blow, how she deals with it, and the man she falls in love with. The central character was inspired by a friend of mine of the same name, Linda Wilson, who has had a very amazing life — she was one of the first female race drivers in North America and went on to create a very successful company promoting major corporations. That’s where the similarities end. The Linda Wilson in my book is pure fiction!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
These days, I seem to start in the evening and work through the wee small hours.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I admire so many writers, it’s hard to list them all. Robert Ruark had quite an impact on me when I was in my twenties and so did Robert Heinlein and Isaac Azimov, but more lately, such contemporary romance icons as Bella Andre, Melissa Foster and E L James have impressed me. It’s popular to put Ms James down but I think she’s an amazing storyteller, and obviously so do millions of other readers. Critics be damned! It’s the number of books you sell in the end that tell the world how much readers like you.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing the third book in the new series, FLAVOR OF THE MONTH. This is one is called Her February Fling, and like the first two books, features a strong, intelligent woman who isn’t dependent on a man for her success, although she certainly appreciates his support and love.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still finding my way, but sites like the Awesomegang.com and The Masquerade Crew are invaluable in book promotion. I also used Facebook groups, but that’s a fairly new thing and I’m not sure how effective it is. I’ve had a lot of success with Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
First word of advice: Write
Second word of advice: Edit, edit, edit
Third word of advice: get it out there on KDP

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be your own person. You can’t fail at being yourself.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m too busy to be reading anything. I have a deadline to finish HER FEBRUARY FLING, but I will admit to sneaking a few pages of GREY by E L James every night before I go to sleep…it’s interesting to see the same plot from another character’s eyes. I hope she does that with the rest of the trilogy.

What’s next for you as a writer?

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?
It would have to be four anthologies, the bigger the better, because I’m a very fast reader.

Author Websites and Profiles
EDWINA J. WHITE Website
EDWINA J. WHITE Amazon Profile

EDWINA J. WHITE’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

EDWINA J. WHITE is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of at 5 books, 5 novellas and 16 short stories. I love exploring different aspects of life, so I write in many different genres. I’m a lover of animals and I adore reading.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Amanda’s Love. I was inspired by a scene in another book. It wasn’t a big scene, but it got me thinking, what if an AI fell in love with a biological person? How exactly would that work? And then, what would happen if the person already had someone in their life, romantically.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to bounce around genres. One book may be a fantasy, then the next one is a horror book. I never know what the next book will bring.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a mystery in which the main character’s neighbor has disappeared. She is desperate to find him, but what she discovers instead is more than she ever could have imagined.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep trying. If you never try, you will never succeed.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Warhammer 40k books. They are so real, but emotional that I get attached to the characters very easily.

Author Websites and Profiles
Trisha M. Wilson Website
Trisha M. Wilson Amazon Profile
Trisha M. Wilson Author Profile on Smashwords

Trisha M. Wilson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Trisha M. Wilson is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
MissBlackChurch is my pen name.

But I can say little bit about me:

I’M NO WRITER, JUST A STORY TELLER.
I love music, art, write, photograph and I love photoshop.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Dear Family” is a mini ebook about what I went through my childhood; it is a call of atenttion to parents that there actions can have an affect on their children. I wrote it as a thereapy, to let out the things I had inside.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
for soem reason I like writing in the dark.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love reading Anne Rice

What are you working on now?
Now I’m working on young adult ebooks, the rest is a secret.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
A friend of mine recommended me awesomegang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m also a new author, does anyone has an advice for me?

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

What are you reading now?
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

What’s next for you as a writer?
Make my books a bestseller in Amazon.

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?
Lestat the Vampire by Anne Rice
Carrie by Stephen King
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Author Websites and Profiles
MissBlackChurch Loveless Website
MissBlackChurch Loveless Amazon Profile

MissBlackChurch Loveless is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Patrick M Cunningham and I am 40 years old. I have written seven books, three poetry books the Darkness of the Soul trilogy, and two New Adult Fiction novels The Devil and the Awesome Four. I have been a full time writer since 2008 but my writing began at the young age of nine and it’s been a passion of mine ever since.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am working on the final book in the Awesome Four trilogy, and the style I write in although original, seems to have little hints of Stephen King, Alfred Hitchcock, James Herbert and Shaun Hudson mixed in. When I first began writing, I did try to emulate my heroes in my earlier attempts and maybe it’s how my own style finally shone through, but to have people compare your writing to your heroes is amazing, and it did feel a little strange at first as I thought I was being completely original.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I’m writing, my day starts at three in the morning, as I feel at my most creative upon waking, but I will not strike a single key on my laptop until I have at least two cups of strong coffee to help get me in the zone I need to be in to reach my daily word quota which could range from one thousand to five or eight thousand words in a single sitting. Once I’m in the zone and the words are flowing I won’t quit until either my eyes pop out of their sockets from tiredness or the words dry up. Only then will I hit save and call it a day. Being a writer takes commitment and awful amount of patience and perseverance. Some days the words just seem to fly out, and other days you struggle to even write a single page or paragraph and believe me those days really suck and you feel like saying screw this I can’t do it. I always find when writers block sets in, I will either head to the gym and hit the weight room for a while, or get the gloves on and pummel the punch bag or I just go for a long walk. It usually works

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There’s no denying I absolutely love Stephen King, and Salem’s Lot was a major influence for me to begin writing all those years ago, and along with that was Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigator series that I read for much of my teenage years and that inspired me to create my own characters that would eventually become the Awesome Four. People are under the illusion that I wrote these books in my late thirties. Not true. All the stories that form the backbone of my series were written when I was between the ages of ten and sixteen, by that time I had accumulated close to seven hundred stories featuring these four characters and I wanted to keep that kind of teenage vibe when I decided to publish them 2011 and 2014. I was never really happy with the results so only a few weeks ago I decided to get the books re-edited and the book covers re-designed and I now believe that they are ready for the public at long last.

What are you working on now?
I am almost finished the final book of the Awesome Four trilogy which should be ready for print sometime in 2016.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best advice I ever got came from two books I received as gifts. John Kremer 1001 ways to market your books which is one I really recommend to all writers self published or traditionally there’s something in this mammoth book for everyone. Next to that The Complete Guide to Self Publishing by Tom and Marilyn Ross again a huge reference for me when I’m trying to figure out which direction I want to take my marketing efforts. Also I use VistaPrint for all my marketing materials such as business cards, flyers etcetera. One more book I want to mention is Guerrilla Marketing for writers by Jay Conrad Levinson which is again designed to help you the author do most of the marketing work yourself.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a fairly new author myself, I feel it would be hypocritical of me to try and offer advice to new authors when I am still learning the ropes myself. If I could give just one bit of encouragement it would be, never give up, just believe in yourself, because at the end of the day, most of the marketing for your books is going to come from you, so you really have to believe in what you write and most of all you definitely have to believe in yourself, because eventually you will have to become a salesman next to being an author and if you don’t believe in what you are selling then nobody else is going to believe in you either. So write the best books you can possibly write and make sure the book is something you are proud of because when you show pride in your work, when it comes to telling others about it, then that enthusiasm will shine through and then people will be interested in what you have to offer.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
People are always offering advice, be it good or bad. I have learned the hard way to keep doing what I love the way that I’m doing it and make my own luck and choices along the way. That way if things go wrong I can’t blame anyone but myself for making the wrong choice, as opposed to following the advice a friend or someone else, have it go wrong then turning around and saying “You told me to do it, I followed your advice its your fault,” so that’s why I choose not to listen to anyone but the pros that I listed earlier on.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading part six of James Patterson’s The Women’s Murder Club. I got the first book of the series as a gift from my wife, and I was a little sceptical at first, but when I began reading, the story just hooked me right from the start and after that I just had to have the entire collection. I love James Patterson’s style, fast paced with twists and turns galore. N.Y.P.D. Red 3 I cant wait to read either, having read the previous two novels another brilliant collaboration with Marshall Karp.
I am looking forward to Stephen King’s latest offering Finders Keepers the second of the Mr. Mercedes trilogy.

What’s next for you as a writer?
When I have completed the final instalment of my Awesome Four series, I have another series of New Adult books that I can’t wait to start work on. At the moment I have a few ideas banging around and finding it hard to settle on just one, but I’m sure that by the time Awesome Four Vol. III comes out I should have settled upon a concept for the new series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
They would definitely have to be, Kill me if you can by James Patterson, Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot and Dan Brown The Lost Symbol. These are the most gripping, addictive books I have ever read. Once you pick them up it’s impossible to put them back down. I love a great story where the pages just seem to turn themselves.

Author Websites and Profiles
Patrick M Cunningham Website
Patrick M Cunningham Amazon Profile

Patrick M Cunningham’s Social Media Links
Pinterest Account

Patrick M Cunningham is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up and still live in New England with my husband, three children, and two cats. I am a self-proclaimed history buff. While History wasn’t my major during college, I took many history electives just to feed by passion for it. I enjoy weaving tidbits of history into my fictional stories; it’s a fun way to explore the past through the eyes of your characters.

I began writing while working part-time with young children at home, scribbling down ideas and chapters in notebooks whenever I had a free moment. After the several years it took me to complete my first book, “Pompeii Days,” my husband suggested self-publishing on Kindle. It’s been a wonderful experience. The book received some good reviews in the US and the UK — it’s a great feeling to know someone enjoyed reading a novel that I so enjoyed writing. The children are getting older now and I am finding more time to write. I am happy to say I am putting the finishing touches on my second novel and have just begun composing my third novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, soon to be released on Kindle, is “Wentworth House.” It’s about the Wentworth family in England, who are trying to retain ownership of the mansion and property that has been in their family for four hundred years. The Wentworths are finding it more and more difficult to hold onto the property due to the spiraling costs of upkeep and taxes. A young American woman who had been living and studying in England is hired to create a revenue-generating museum within the mansion.

This novel was inspired by a visit to Blenheim Palace, one of the largest and grandest mansions in England. I had also read in British History magazine about a family in England who finally had to sell their estate after it had been in their family for nearly a thousand years. It made me reflect how would I feel if I were the one forced to sell this invaluable family possession after being in the family for so long. I began to research what some wealthy families were creatively doing to keep up with the rising cost of ownership.

The lead character possesses some attributes of my oldest daughter, who recently received her master’s degree in museum studies and now works in a museum. The idea of a museum within the estate adds a great element to the story with, of course, an added romantic angle…I couldn’t have my American heroine in England without some romance!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually find a reasonably quiet spot in my home where I can set up my laptop for a couple of hours. I love writing and, as I begin to write, can hear the characters voices in my head and experience what they see and feel. It’s a bit like being in an improvisational acting class– I become that character and say or do what he or she would do. By becoming the character in my mind, I feel they react more authentically.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Victoria Holt, a Gothic novelist, is certainly an influence, especially for my novel, “Wentworth House.” Her books always involve a strong, gutsy heroine, a family saga, a mysterious incident, a mansion in England, and a good romantic storyline. I have always admired Marc Twain and his ability to create strong characters, and also weave humor and interesting observations about human nature into his work.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my third novel, “Angels in the Mist.” My heroine, Elena, is laid off from her well paying Accounting job in New York and returns to her parents house in a small town in Massachusetts. She has to deal with the emotions of losing her job and coming to live with her parents after being away for three years. Until she gets a better job, she decides to work as an assistant for Victoria, a wealthy, widowed woman who owns a beautiful home along a river. The townsfolk question whether the woman is sane because she insists she see angels over the water at night and they even talk to her. Elena becomes a defender of the woman and begins to believe that the woman is really seeing them. Elena also runs into Neil, someone she barely knew in high school who is now the owner of a successful garden and landscaping business. She sees his tall, tanned body working in Victoria’s gardens and will have to decide whether this handsome guy is someone she shouldn’t have overlooked in high school. Elena will also have to decide if home and family are where she wants be, or will another big city draw her away.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is don’t be afraid to self-publish on Kindle, but make sure the work is the best it can be. Also, don’t be afraid to promote your novel in the avenues that are available. No one will ever know this great book is out there if you don’t promote it on great sites like Awesomegang. When you get a good Internet following and increasing sales, you never know what might happen next.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard was from my husband, who suggested that I put my book on Kindle.

What are you reading now?
I am reading the “Autobiography of Mark Twain, Volume I,” a compilation of dictations that Twain did about his life from 1906, forward. It was published in 2010, one hundred years after his death, per his instructions. He felt he could speak and say whatever interested him because he would be long dead when it came out. It’s wonderful to hear about his life and how he wove that into his stories and characters.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve begun work on my third novel and I’m aiming to have it be all that I believe the story can be. Also, I’m always thinking ahead, developing interesting story lines and characters that can form the basis of my next novel.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring “The Secret Woman” by Victoria Holt, “Clan of the Cave Bear” by Jean M. Auel, “Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell, and “Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway.

Author Websites and Profiles
Gail Amaral Website
Gail Amaral Amazon Profile

Gail Amaral’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Gail Amaral is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My seventh book, Unintended, just came out on August 17th. I’m an author and a publisher of escapism fiction. I started out writing science fiction and fantasy YA and now I write mainly fantasy romance. You can learn more about me at my website: http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Unintended is a Shakespearian-style romantic comedy. I was inspired by the blend of comedy, romance and fantasy in The Princess Bride and also the mix of dramatic romance and light-hearted comedy found in Shakespeare. The setting is a fantasy version of medieval England, Scotland and France.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write with my sister and we like to argue, so the arguments in the book are real and the dialogue reads very naturally. We try to write every night while working on a book, which means locking ourselves in our office with a pot of tea and a couple of office cats.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite author is Anne Bishop. I love her style of dark fantasy, but I also enjoy epic fantasies like those of Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson and more historically -based fantasies like Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. I think my more recent work falls somewhere in the middle of those three genres.

What are you working on now?
A super secret project which may or may not be a sequel to an earlier work, but I won’t tell you which one yet. With regards to publishing, we’re nearing the end of our Summer of New Releases, so it’s been a hectic few months preparing for all the book launch events!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We use Facebook a lot. Our facebook page is very active and we also host launch parties there and advertise for our local launch events through there. Second to that would be our blog which acts like a hub for everything we do, directing people to our website, facebook page, or store as needed.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Every. Day.
Stopping or taking long breaks makes it harder to keep your head in the game. Just keep going.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Create a fan base. It’s important to have an author platform, but more importantly you want to provide content that people want to read and interact with. If they like what you do, they’ll be more willing to invest in you as an author.

What are you reading now?
The Legend of Ghost Dog Island by Rita Monette. Her middle grade adventure book about life in the Bayou for 10-year-old Nikki Landry and her dog Snooper, launches September 1st through Mirror World Publishing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Growing my publishing company as a brand and producing some really great books. I want to make Mirror World Publishing a known place to come for great books that take you away to other worlds.

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 Crimson Winter Trilogy. I wrote that set of novels for me to remember a great story told to me by someone else. I love to re-read it from time to time just to immerse myself in that world.

Author Websites and Profiles
Justine Dowsett Website
Justine Dowsett Amazon Profile

Justine Dowsett’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Justine Dowsett is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Lesley Tither and I write under a number of different pen-names for different genre. I’m a former journalist and freelance copywriter, a former court reporter, and a former case tracker with the Crown Prosecution Service.

I am now retired from full-time work, just concentrating on my writing. I live in rural France and hold dual British/French nationality.

For crime, I write as L M Krier, and have three books out so far in the DI Ted Darling series, with another scheduled for release later in 2015.

For travel memoirs, I use the name Tottie Limejuice, the origin of which is explained fully in the first book in the Sell the Pig series of four books.

I am just embarking on children’s books, using the pen-name L M Kay.

Also as Tottie Limejuice, I have written a little self-help book on writing Press Releases to get free publicity through the media. It comes with personal help and advice from me as part of the very reasonable cover price.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
When I’m Old and Grey (release date September 2015) is the third book in the DI Ted Darling series of crime mysteries. It was largely inspired by public demand. The readers have taken Ted to heart and keep wanting to read more about him, and especially more about his private life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in my head as I walk my dogs. Luckily they are always busy sniffing around so I can march along working out scenes mentally as we go along. Then as soon as we get back to the house, I bash them all out on the keyboard before I forget them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m an avid reader of everything from Tolkien to Harlan Coben. I was very lucky to meet the children’s author Alan Garner on many occasions as a child.

What are you working on now?
My fourth detective novel, fourth travel memoir and second children’s novel, all at the same time. What could possibly go wrong?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Anything which links to social media, which is very much where it’s at these days. This one is great, with its links on Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For goodness sake get your work edited and proofread by someone who can actually spell! And make sure they can spell in your version of English, whether it be British, American, Australian, or whatever.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you hear galloping hooves and you’re not on the plains of Africa, it’s more likely to be horses than zebra.

In other words sometimes the most obvious solution to a problem is actually the correct one.

What are you reading now?
It’s a French book, Completement Cramé by Gilles Legardinier

What’s next for you as a writer?
More crime, definitely! It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages, writing that.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Definitely Lord of the Rings, I never tire of reading that. Also my Collins-Robert French dictionary to expand my French vocabulary for when I’m rescued and can get back to my beloved Auvergne. I think I’d probably have to take 50 Shades as I can’t see me choosing to read it otherwise, and it would be good for starting fires and other, er, practical purposes!

Author Websites and Profiles
Lesley Tither Website
Lesley Tither Amazon Profile

Lesley Tither’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Lesley Tither is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author, musician and song writer. I have played in several bands, performing live and recording music. I have a degree in Learning Disability nursing and a post graduate diploma in autism. I live in Dunfermline, Fife, with my wife, teenage daughter, older son and golden retriever.
The Homecoming is my first novel. It has taken many forms, and as my writing improved, over the years I revisited the novel and redrafted it about 5 times until I felt it was ready to be unleashed in the published form.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The homecoming. It was inspired by a love of all things Greek, her islands, people, landscapes, sea, light and ambience, all of which are important themes and symbols in my writing. At its basic level it is a love story, most of us are products of love stories, our parents love story, without which we wouldn’t be here.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like listening to classical music when I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Most of Anita Shreve’s books, Sabastian Faulks and William Boyd.

What are you working on now?
I am writing my second novel and hoping it won’t take as long as The Homecoming.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used social media and other author’s advice. This is my first book so I am still learning.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, Read, Read, and then write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Happiness is not getting what you want but wanting what you have got.

What are you reading now?
Midnight in St Petersburg by Vernora Bennett.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write my second book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks.
Fortunes Rock by Anita Shreve
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Author Websites and Profiles
Dougie McHale Amazon Profile

Dougie McHale’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Dougie McHale is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have actually written dozens of novels, but so far I have only published my first one. “Next Stop: Nina” is my debut novel, and I’m really excited by how well it has been received so far. I’m very thankful.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Next Stop: Nina” is the name of my latest novel. It was inspired by the doubts that always swirled in my head about my dad’s suicide. He killed himself on the first day of my fourth grade summer, and I always wondered if there was something I could have done to stop him. That desire to go back in time originally gave me the idea for the book, then I was inspired by many other things along the way for other aspects of the story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am an insomniac, so oftentimes I write in the middle of the night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors and books have meant a lot to me. With non-fiction, I adore Quinn Cummings. With fiction, I’ve been really influenced by “The Virgin Suicides” by Jeffrey Eugenides, many books by Alice Hoffman, and Michelle Richmond. Stephen King created two of my favorite female fictional characters, Carrie White and Selena St. George.

What are you working on now?
I am finishing up my next novel, and my first children’s book, which is a holiday tale, is scheduled to be published this winter.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am not sure yet. I’m still discovering and learning so much about book promotion. I prefer writing, but I know that promoting one’s books is necessary. So I set aside time each day to try different things to help readers find my books. I have yet to determine the best method.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Commit to writing each day. Even if you only write 500 words, it’s a good idea to not go long without writing. When you need to take a break, that’s fine, but, on an ordinary, weekly basis, commit to writing every day.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Before you speak, think -Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it kind? Will it hurt anyone? Will it improve on the silence?”

What are you reading now?
“Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter” by Randy L. Schmidt and “Small Things” by Joe DeRouen

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on a few projects at the moment, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

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?
Good question. That would be “Pet Sounds” by Quinn Cummings, “The Virgin Suicides” by Jeffrey Eugenides, “The Story Sisters” by Alice Hoffman, and “Carrie” by Stephen King.

Author Websites and Profiles
Robin Raven Website
Robin Raven Amazon Profile

Robin Raven’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Robin Raven is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Indonesia in 1980.

I was educated at the local state school until graduation in 1998 and continued to study in Hospitality University. I was then employed by a financial company in Jakarta, where I began to receive many awards related with customer satisfaction. Having been working the same routine for years, I started to write a novel to kill the time. Finally, my first novel “Etzhara” was published by the biggest traditional publisher in Indonesia and made me one of the best young writers under thirty at Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2009. Feeling confident with the writing skill I have, I published the second novel in the same year by another traditional publisher in Jakarta. I then began to receive many invitations to attend book signings, talk shows, radio interviews, and other literature activities. This second novel made me an overnight success.

Feeling secured in terms of financial and social life, I felt something was missing. The turning over point of his life had occurred when someone handed me a novel by Paulo Coelho “The Alchemist” and a motivational book by Rhonda Byrne “The Secret”. Those books really changed my perspective about life, and that was when I decided to let go of the glamorous life of Jakarta and hit the road. I was 30 at the time. That year, I self-published a collection of poetry in the United Kingdom. This poetry collection was made during the most troublesome moments of my last 10 years of life, when dark clouds enveloped me. Anger, anxiety, emptiness, guilt and lost love coalesced into a single, unbearable emotion.

With all the savings I got from the previous job and book royalties, I traveled to Bali and worked for a timeshare company. Three months was all I needed to understand that it was not what I wanted. I then changed course to a publishing company as an Editor in Chief. As much as I loved dealing with words, my passion to see the world kept haunting me. Finally, I decided to travel to Australia and Thailand for 8 months. It was between 2011 and 2012 when I tried to fit in with a new life; working from farm to farm, hitchhiking from place to place, and volunteering from school to school. I went all around Australia and returned to Bali with tons of stories to tell.

During my journey in Australia, I had written two other novels and got rejected from several publishers in Indonesia because the content was not sellable. Therefore, I translated to English and self-published them with a USA publisher. This huge change made me an international author. However, this achievement did not stop me from pursuing my literature obsessively. I am now working freelance as a ghostwriter, copywriter and scriptwriter.

I am based in no place, as I am still in search for a place called “home”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Unseen Face. The book was inspired by someone’s testimony who experienced such tragedy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write at night because it’s quieter and easier to get inspiration.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Paulo Coelho “The Alchemist” and a motivational book by Rhonda Byrne “The Secret”

What are you working on now?
I just finished reedit my last novel The Unseen Face, and now I’m focusing to find way to take my book into a movie screen.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media, do doubt, has a big role in promoting my books. And I think it’s quite an effective way to communicate with the readers worldwide.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. I mean use your own writing style, and don’t be afraid to speak up your mind.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life is short, so take the most of it!

What are you reading now?
Travel magazines

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to be a well known, international writer. And my ultimate goal as a writer is to see my works play in a movie screen.

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 my journal to keep track everything. And then, a dictionary of multiple languages, and a bible (not that I am a religious person but there’s quite a lot to read in there).

Author Websites and Profiles
Joannes Rhino Website
Joannes Rhino Amazon Profile
Joannes Rhino Author Profile on Smashwords

Joannes Rhino’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Joannes Rhino is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I reside in the suburbs of Connecticut with my husband and three sons. I am the only woman in a house of men! During any given evening you can find me reading while the men in my house scream at the game (Basketball, Baseball or Football) on TV.
I am an only child who never wished for a sibling and I openly admit to being a spoiled brat. I am the daughter of an avid reader, the “real” Kitty Berry. I decided to write under the pen name, Kitty Berry, in honor of my late mother who passed away in 1998 from breast cancer. It was my late mother’s desire of becoming a writer that prompted me to create the characters that I place in worlds of wealth, power, seduction, dominance and submission.
My love for reading and discussing literature didn’t come to me until my late twenties. Angst-ridden romances (from the moment a man meets a woman and they fall into an unstoppable infatuation with each other) always mesmerized me and fast-paced entertaining mysteries as well as witty “chick lit” contributed to my desire to not only be a reader but also a writer. I recently found myself at a time in my life when the busy balance of career and family made me crave an escape into the world of romance with an erotic twist. Multidimensional characters such as powerful, dominant, alpha-males spurred on my creative spark to write about seduction.
I love dark chocolate, music inspires my writing and I am obsessed with the Zumba fitness craze. I plan on enjoying life to its fullest as soon as I’m done driving carpools, attending youth basketball games and coordinating the events of my three adolescent children who have way better social lives than I do.
I have written and self published 7 books in a woman’s contemporary romance series: Sliding, Stoned, Siblings, Second Chances, Stealing Home, Screen Play, and Surrender. I am currently working on my 8th book, Starting Over.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am currently working on the 8th book in The Stone Series called Starting Over. I was inspired by the characters as they have grown throughout my series and felt that their story needed to be told. Music also inspires my writing and I’m in the middle of a minor (no stalking involved) Sam Hunt obsession even though country music has never been my thing. His songs are the inspiration for Starting Over.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I’m completely normal! I find I write my best early in the morning before I go to my real job. Everyone else has left the house and there’s complete silence for an hour. I drink coffee while I write then head off to work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was that student who always hated to read. My mother was an avid reader and tried to talk me into falling in love with reading when I was a child but I wouldn’t listen. It wasn’t until my twenties that I found my love for books. Once I did, female authors such Anita Shreve, Marian Keyes and Kristen Hannah became my fast favorites. Their angst-ridden romances filled with an emotional sensitivity caught and mesmerized me. Following their novels, I continued to seek out “Chick Lit” for a number of years until my more recent discovery of E.L. James and the genre of erotic romance. This discovery came to me at a time in my life, when work, children and life in general made me crave an escape into the fantasy world of seduction and romance. Sylvia Day, J. Kenner, M. Leighton, and my favorite, Shayla Black spurred on my creative spark. Their stories gave me the motivation to see to fruition characters of my own creation.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Starting Over. If I go by my outline and the voices in my head (like I said before…totally normal!) here’s what might happen…
Bailey and Nix are finally settling into their happily ever after and now it’s their turn to help out their loved ones. Arizona is struggling with her past, her addictions and her relationship with the sexy and commanding Hunter King. She decides the best place to deal with her turmoil is back across the pond in London. Bailey and Nix join them and turn the trip into an opportunity to scope out locations for their next film. While back in London, Arizona isn’t the only Doyle who will come face to face with her past. Nix will be forced to deal with the challenge of owning up to his sins and offering his apologies to the one woman he never planned to see again. Can he keep his promise to Bailey and steer clear of the London underground sex clubs or will the old temptations bring his darkest desires back to the surface?
Asher McBride is on the run from his feelings. Unfortunately, he’s brought the woman causing those feelings along for the ride. Harper is his best friend’s widow and hiding secrets of her own. As Asher nurses her psyche back to health, she’ll reveal things about her relationship and her dead husband Asher never could have predicted. Will the information make him want her more or will Asher miss out on love again?
Hunter King thought he had his hands filled with helping Arizona through this difficult time but when his brother and fellow Special Agent, Graham King disappears on a mission and returns wounded; his strength will be tested like never before. Graham heads to recover in London by his brother’s side but his injuries are more than skin deep and he’s nursing more than physical wounds. Juliet, his partner and submissive left him forcing Graham to question his Dominant lifestyle.

That’s the plan for Starting Over, my friends but you never know how far off course I may veer so stay tuned…

A look ahead…
Because so many readers have expressed a sweet spot for Damian Stone, Survivor: A Stone Novella (The Stone Series Book 9) will chronicle the events in the billionaire’s life from that fateful day when he walked into Professor Blake’s class until the day Sydney Cooper fell at his feet. I miss Alex Smith and have been thinking about telling his and Parker’s story since Stoned. That being said, this novella might turn into a full novel and tell Alex’s story from the time Damian Stone walked into his life till the present.
The wheels are turning…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Yeah, here’s the thing…I don’t have one! It’s a huge problem because I think my books are pretty damn okay and more people should read them. I’m just not sure how to get them onto people’s Kindles without them knowing I exist. I have used a few sites for honest reviews, I keep a Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter account along with my website but without mass exposure it’s not really doing the trick.
It seems like the key to success in this self publishing era is to pay lots of money for promotion with no guarantee of ever getting it back. Or in the genre of Romance, pay hot guys to pose half naked on your book cover!
That’s why when I came across AwesomeGang.com I squealed with delight. A place to showcase my book for free? And post an author interview for free? YAY! Sign me up.
I do have to give props to a few special ladies out there that have been fans since Sliding and post to their Facebook pages and other social media sites. They read my material and give feedback before I release it to the general public and they always leave honest reviews…Sirenda, Angelina, Chloe, Tina, and Mirian. I don’t know what I’d do without these book loving ladies.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Buy a lot of tissues for when the agent, editor and publishing house rejections come in. Chocolate and wine help too.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m not really sure that I’ve been given the best advice of my life yet.

What are you reading now?
I am currently working to revise my 4th book, “Second Chances” to reflect a change in plot so I’m reading that. For enjoyment, I’m about to begin Kate White’s latest novel, The Wrong Man.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to continue writing books in my series, sending out queries to agents in the hope of finding one to take me on, and reading…I will never stop reading.

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? Come on, that’s not fair. If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d have my Kindle full of books with me. But okay, I’ll play along. Four books though, no way I can do only 3. Here goes…1. Anita Shreve’s The Pilot’s Wife, 2. Shayla Black’s Wicked Ties, 3. Marian Keyes’ Watermelon, and 4. E. L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kitty Berry Website
Kitty Berry Amazon Profile

Kitty Berry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Kitty Berry is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in 1980 in Durban South Africa, and grew up on the south coast of England. When I was 18, I moved to rural Wales to study Maths at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth before qualifying as a teacher in 2004. Since then, I have been gainfully occupied trying to convince teenagers that maths isn’t evil and failing to back to the real world.
I now live in a cottage by a river and write novels and blog articles, in the spare time I create by not sleeping properly. I have two cats – Ocean and Terminal Curiosity – who like to help. They aren’t very good at it.

I write fantasy and fiction books, and to date I have completed seven novels – five of which are from the Black River Chronicles and available on Kindle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Winter That Follows’ was the last book in the Black River Chronicles to be released. It is the story of a group of people who have survived a time known as ‘The Summer of Fire’ and are forced to pick up the pieces of their lives after losing friends, family and in some cases everything else. It bridges the gap between two of the other chronicles Summer of Fire and The Freetown Bridge which are tales of heroic daring and world saving. The Winter That Follows is a chance to follow some of the characters including Iona Pringle, widowed during the war, who discovers she is pregnant even though motherhood had never been part of the plan; a pair of con-artists Tollie & Sylas, who join an army for a quiet life and a band of greenskins who go shopping for a homeland.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in my PJs, (I don’t know if this is unusual) and I have specific playlists of music for when I’m writing – they tend to combine fantastical celtic type music such as Heather Dale and Gaelic Storm, with gentle evocative tracks and songs that tell stories. I write on my laptop mostly – and when I can I use a website called writtenkitten.net that tracks your word count and rewards every hundred words with a picture of a kitten.

I have a few of tricks for getting over writer’s block. Eating a whole bag of marshmallows is the first one. House work is another. Taking a shower is often a fool proof method for havinga anew idea but if all else fails, I go for a walk and refuse to let myself come home until I have an idea of what to write next.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a child, I was influenced to become a writer by the book Little Women by Louisa May Allcott. As a writer, I have an odd collection of influences. Richmal Compton, the author of the Just William taught me how to create sympathetic characters through voices as well as description. Sir Terry Pratchett and Ben Aaronvitch have both shown me that it is possible to create a fantastical world and then write about it as though it were completely normal. Conversely, reading Stella Rimmington’s novels have taught me that you can just as well fictionalise real-life experience.
On a completely different level, Scepticism Inc by Bo Fowler, Lambs of God by Marele Day & The River Midnight by Lilian Nattel have inspired me to take my stories and run with them wherever they lead.

What are you working on now?
I’m am currently working on a novel called ‘Ratatatat’, part of my Black River Series. It is the story of a con-man who recruits four street kids to help him with what he hopes will be the scheme of a life time. They put together an impressive deception that takes them to the heart of the city’s rich and powerful. They start accruing a fair fortune and it seems that they might just pull it off – then it starts pulling back.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tweet ALOT and that seems to work. Other than that I tend to go for free social media – Facebook, Tumblr, WordPress for example, but then I’m not a master of promotion and being a cheap stake do it all myself.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t write to be popular, write because you can’t stop yourself. Be original but don’t try too hard to be clever, relax and enjoy yourself. Make your characters real, and in someway sympathetic – even the bad guys. Everybody has good and bad qualities, and unless you’re writing a story for very young children, all your character should have this as well.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Iris Murdoch once said ‘Don’t start writing until you can’t believe your luck’. She’s absolutely right. Your best writing will grab you and shake you and force you to put it down in words, you’ll read it back and think to yourself ‘did I really write that?’

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading ‘Brother Cadfael’s Penance’ which is the last in a series of twenty historical detective novels, set in the twelfth century during the English Civil War. The main character Br. Cadfael is a very unusual Benedictine Monk with a talent for solving mysteries. I love the way that Ellis Peters, the writer, has incorporated the language of the times into her writing without making it incongruous or difficult to read. It makes it really evocative and absorbing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m currently working to collect enough votes to get Ratatatat published through a company called ‘Something Or Other Publishing’ – which asks authors to gain 1000 votes for their story.

Cheeky promo link: http://soopllc.com/blog/book-ideas/ratatatat-lilian-surgeson/?doing_wp_cron=1438803904.3990669250488281250000

No doubt, once I’ve finished the manuscript for Ratatatat and edited to within an inch of it’s life, I’ll go back to working on ‘The Fireborn Road’ – another Black River tale that is currently half told and waiting for further enthusiasm.

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 Hat Full of Sky – Terry Pratchett
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – JK Rowling
Little Women – Louisa May Allcott
Scepticism Inc – Bo Fowler

Author Websites and Profiles
LG Surgeson Website
LG Surgeson Amazon Profile

LG Surgeson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

LG Surgeson is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, my name is Vincent Lab. I enjoy working out, playing at the beach and writing. At the moment I have only published one book. While I enjoy spending time with friends and family, I also treasure the times when I can be by myself. This is the time where I can quiet my mind and really focus on how best to tackle my goals. Thank you so much for reading my books. I hope they’ve added some positivity to your day!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
NEW START AND NEW CAREER: Make More Money At Work Right Now By Taking Simple Steps Most People Have Forgotten About! I have seen so many people make a great living for themselves by using the things they have at their disposal, and if more of us did that we’d be in much better shape.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I usually get great ideas in the car while I’m driving, and so I often have a clipboard and notebook at the ready while trying to drive carefully.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The books that always inspire me are the ones that have something to teach. It’s so wonderful that we can learn from the mistakes others have made and benefit from the triumphs they’ve had by reading the self-help books they written.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book about how misunderstood atheists are. People need to understand that atheists are not the be feared or hated. They have exactly the same fears, hopes, dreams and values as people who are religious.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like Facebook and Twitter. I also like promoting on free websites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Keep writing! It takes practice and you will get better the more you do it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everybody you meet has something to teach you.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading The Sword Of Shannara series. I fell in love with the stories 15 years ago and I’m delighted to finally be reading the books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue writing and publishing books to increase my streams of income.

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 bring a huge book on Do It Yourself projects for building with wood, cooking delicious natural meals, how to grow your own farm and how to hunt island critters.

Author Websites and Profiles
Vincent Lab Amazon Profile

Vincent Lab is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author, Twitter-er, and Slayer of Vampires (only the ones that sparkle). I’ve written 7 books. My novel ‘Arena Mode’ is Kickstarter’s most-funded science-fiction series of all time, and has received personal endorsements by some of the most influential writers in comic book history. In addition to writing novels, I’m a regular contributor to Comic Book Resources, Verily Magazine and CBS Man Cave. Recently I’ve also become an ambassador at Millarworld, the comic book company responsible for ‘Kick-Ass’, ‘Wanted’, ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’, and other upcoming comic/movie crossovers. My editorials can be seen in the back of new Millarworld titles each month. I live in the Toronto area where I spend most of my free time reading, napping and attempting to stay warm!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent novel FINAL EMPIRE is the conclusion to the Arena Mode Saga. I was inspired to write the ending of the trilogy after receiving so much positive feedback and support from my Kickstarter campaign. The story is filled with action and adventure, and I believe serves a satisfying conclusion to the characters journeys through all 3 novels.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I paste sticky notes on my walls sometimes when I’m mapping out a story arc. Also I stay up WAY too late and have become a night owl, lurking at my computer till the wee hours of the morning. I don’t know why, but I seem to get my best ideas at 2am.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by so many types of writing, anything from comics, short stories, novels to movie scripts. This probably accounts for why so many people have told me the action in my novels jumps off the page, like they are watching a movie in their head. That is the biggest compliment. Some authors who really influence my style are Stephen King, Joss Whedon, Neil Gaiman, Michael Crichton and Mark Millar.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a new series, one with a teenage female protagonist. It will be more of a fantasy/adventure story and have some mystical elements. I’m excited for everyone to see what it’s all about! It is a new challenge for me to be moving to another genre, and I’m excited to dive into this new project.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had a lot of success on Kickstarter as a platform to launch my books. As of now Arena Mode is the #1 most funded science fiction books series in Kickstarter’s history. I am also very active in social media, so I’m interacting daily with people across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my own website. I also have connected with a lot of new readers on Goodreads and enjoy that website as well!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write. Every single day!! There are so many obstacles in an Author’s path, you must find time to sit down and focus, no matter WHAT. There will always be knocks at the door, dogs barking, phone calls from your Mother……but when it comes to writing your next book there’s no room for excuses – just sit down and write!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing is tough, its a job. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it! I try to remember that and keep at it, even on days when I’m not feeling up for it.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading “The Magicians” by Lev Grossman right now. Its very interesting. I’m also reading “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” by Laini Taylor which I’m really enjoying.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m excited to have FINAL EMPIRE launch. Its thrilling to see the conclusion to the Arena Mode trilogy emerge, and find out what the reaction is to end of story for the characters. Up next I will be starting my new series, and will be shifting gears a little bit while moving into another genre, and having a female protagonist.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hmm…this is a tough question! I would probably bring different genres of books to keep me entertained. Definitely I’d bring “1984” by George Orwell, “Game of Thrones” by George RR Martin, and the graphic novel “Kingdom Come” by Mark Waid. Also “Jurassic Park” by Michael Chrichton and maybe Stephen King’s book “On Writing”.

Author Websites and Profiles
Blake Northcott Website
Blake Northcott Amazon Profile

Blake Northcott’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Blake Northcott is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Elizabeth J. M. Walker has always loved books and writing. She Dreamed of Dragons is her first novel. She currently lives in Ontario, Canada with her other half and their two cats.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is She Dreamed of Dragons. It was inspired by TV talent competitions! But the book the also about accepting others’ differences and is set in a fun fantasy world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unfortunately no…I wish I had something more interesting to write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a teen the first YA fantasy I fell in love with was the Song of the Lioness Quartet and The Immortals Quartet by Tamora Pierce. I think Pierce has influenced a lot of current authors who write about strong female heroines in fantasy settings. Some of my other favourite YA/MG authors that I find inspiring are Kristin Cashore, Maureen Johnson, Sarah J. Maas, Rainbow Rowell, Eoin Colfer, and J. K. Rowling.

What are you working on now?
Many things! I’m working on a teen vampire comedy, a contemporary/dance story, a contemporary teen story about zines and other things, and several more fantasy stories too. I should probably get off the internet and go work on those now…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I guess I use Facebook the most.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot. Write what you want to write and not what you think you should write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I went to a Tamora Pierce reading and it’s where I got some of the above advice and have always thought it was one of the best writing tips I had heard. I’m paraphrasing because this was over ten years ago now….But she said you should write what you want to write, to write what you love to write – because you’re going to be the first person who reads it and you’re going to be the person who spends the most time with it – so make sure it’s something you actually love and not just something you think you should be writing.

I was definitely struggling with that at the time, so it really stuck with me.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Fangirl by Rainbow Rowel and loved it.

Now I’m reading:
Warhorse by Michael Morpurgo
Songs for the Lost by Alexander Zelenyj

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully more books finding homes.

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 complete collection of Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales. And…I can’t decide what else to bring. There are too many favourites to choose from! Oh no wait, the smarty-pants answer: a book about how to survive on a desert island and another one about boat building with limited supplies. In between my hunting and foraging for edible food and boat building I will take breaks to read fairy tales.

Author Websites and Profiles
Elizabeth J. M. Walker Website

Elizabeth J. M. Walker’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Elizabeth J. M. Walker is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My journey to publication started in the mid-90s. One evening while I was reading, I thought how simple the structure and dialogue was in this particular novel. You can write, you can do this, a voice urged inside my head. Let me tell you, I almost fell off my chair. But the words rang true for me. So, I decided to act on this truth, and took a writing course—Writing your Novel—where I met a great couple of like-minded would-be writer gals. Together we started a writing support group, and I wrote my first novel—a paranormal romance. This manuscript caught the eye of an agent, but I was hardly ready, and I see that now. What I needed to do was to hone my craft and get better and better with the process of writing. And that takes making lots of mistakes at the expense of your ego. In other words: lots of rejection, rejection, rejection! Ouch!

Perseverance paid off in the end because I finally got published in 2012, and since then have had two young adult books published – The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and Legend of the Timekeepers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Legend of the Timekeepers is the prequel to my young adult time travel series, The Last Timekeepers. Originally, I had planned to write the prequel as a novella and give it away for free on my website, but I soon realized that my characters had far too much to say! So I decided to take a page out of George Lucas’s book and flesh out enough background information to create a solid foundation for my series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to light a stick of incense before I sat down to write, but somehow got out of doing it. I want to get back into this habit/ritual again. I found that it set the tone for the day and kept me on a schedule, plus it was a way to be grateful for the time I had to write. Gratitude is everything in this business!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Loved Stephen King’s memoir/craft book called ‘On Writing’, as well as ‘The Emotion Thesaurus’ series by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.

What are you working on now?
I’m diligently working on the second book in The Last Timekeepers time travel series tentatively called, The Last Timekeepers and the Dark Secret, and I’m over half-way through the first draft. I’ve planned for a total of ten books, plus the prequel for the whole series. Yeah. I know. Big plans. I’m sweating bullets.
I’m also signed on with literary agency, Walden House (Books & Stuff) to represent another young adult series I’ve created about teens with psychic abilities entitled, Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls. Recently, they have contracted me for an adult novel—a paranormal romance with a Beauty and the Beast undertone to it, so I’m guessing I’ll be one sweaty and busy gal!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The jury is still out on that one! Promotion is one of the hardest things for an author these days, so the best thing ANY author can do is use the know-like-trust principle. People buy from people they know, like, and trust. You have to get out there whether through social media sites, blogging or reviewing other author’s books and engage with people. In the end, it’s all about cultivating human relationships and how you make people feel.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never stop investing in yourself. Invest in the best. That’s in yourself, and in your readers. Your readers deserve the best of what you have to offer them. Surround yourself with the best possible team. Never stop learning. As you grow, so will your readers, so be prepared for this. Oh yeah, and never give up. That’s a given and should be part of any author’s credo.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Buck up, Sharon.” I’m not kidding. This is my kick in the pants when I’ve lost my writing mojo or life gets me down.

What are you reading now?
Disenchanted by Leigh Goff, published through Mirror World Publishing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting back in the writing saddle after a roller coaster of a summer. I’ve had two re-releases of my books since my original publishing company closed up shop last February. Talk about frustrating! I’ve also had a lot of family issues this year, so I’m looking forward to spending some time with my characters. Sigh. I’ve missed them terribly!

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?
Since I’ve read only the first four of the Outlander series written by Diana Gabaldon (they’re so thick!) I’d probably take the next four in the series! The books are so meaty, the plots divine, and the characters are fantastic!

Author Websites and Profiles
Sharon Ledwith Website
Sharon Ledwith Amazon Profile

Sharon Ledwith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Sharon Ledwith is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always been passionate about helping others both personally and professionally. This has translated into assisting others in many ways through my business ventures as well as from charitable work with Rotary International and other organizations over the years.

My current passion involves helping others through martial arts and self-defense training. Not only do people benefit from the obvious physical skills they acquire, but other skills that can help in their daily lives. Skills that are honed and developed include improved concentration and focus, fortitude, confidence, persistence, awareness, and respect – both for themselves and others. Martial arts training can reduce your stress and provide you with a more secure, happier and greater level of personal safety that allows you to enjoy a better quality of life.

Teaching children is of special importance to me, since I firmly believe that kids need to be happy and stress-free, and that comes from their having a greater sense of personal safety that comes directly from their training. The measurable progression inherent in martial arts training is important for everyone, but especially children in terms of building their self-esteem and confidence so that they are unafraid to try new things and tackle projects.

I currently have been studying the martial arts for over 20 years, and in that time have trained hundreds of men, women and children of all ages in self-defense. I teach regular classes in the Korean martial arts of Hapkido and Taekwondo 3 days a week to both children and adults. In addition, I conduct self-defense seminars for small groups, perform consulting and speaking engagements on various topics including school safety bullying. I am currently working on my next book geared towards college student safety.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Self-Defense Survival Guide was influenced by a seminar that I gave to a group of local realtors a couple of years ago. They approached me during Realtor Safety Month and asked me if I would do a self-defense seminar for them. It seems that more realtors have been getting attacked and robbed/raped/killed when showing homes to prospective home buyers that were not near other homes. I created a simple syllabus to teach them the basics of self-defense including the necessary mindset, their body’s natural weapons, target to strike on their attacker as well as discussed the physical situations they could find themselves in. Of course, there were very specific techniques taught as well such as how to escape from grabs and chokes, defend against punches and kicks and other relevant material.

After the seminar I realized that the course that I created was perfect for an introductory course on self-defense, so I decided to use that as a starting point, and proceeded to expand on the information contained within the course to create a book with over 200 detailed color photographs and a companion web site with videos of the techniques in the book being performed. That way, anyone who buys the book also essentially buys me in the form of video training that can be accessed anytime, anywhere there is an Internet connection so that the material can be reviewed as many times as needed to become comfortable with it or whenever you need a “refresher!”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually do my best writing late at night, but as long as it’s quiet and I’ve got a keyboard the words just flow out…must be because my mom was a librarian! I read so much as a child and that got me started on a love of the written word. I probably read 1000 books before I hit high school!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have a few favorite authors including Robert Heinlein, Clive Cussler and Robin Cook. However, any author that makes me stay up late to keep reading is what I like – just keep me turning the pages. My favorites are Science Fiction and Action/Adventure books.

What are you working on now?
My latest book that I am currently in the midst of writing is called “Staying Safe At College And On Campus” and is geared primarily towards college students. With the increasing number of attacks and violence on college campuses across the country, I felt the time was right to write a book geared specifically to the college student and others who find themselves on large campuses.

The book is applicable to anyone that works or spends time on large complexes such as medical campuses, large airports and office campuses, or any other complex spread out over a large area with multiple buildings.

The book touches on a wide variety of topics that are essential to helping you stay safe while on these types of complexes, again – primarily college campuses. Topics include bullying and cyber-bullying, basic self-defense, women’s safety concerns, personal safety, alcohol responsibility, dorm room security, sexual and physical harassment, ATM safety and much more.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I’m a fairly new author, I’m still working on figuring out what works the best. I would say that you must rely on some consistent, paid promotion in order to keep your book in the public eye in order to keep the sales coming in. Author Marketing Club is an excellent source of information for authors, as well as AwesomeGang.com!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing…you can always go back and edit what you write, but if you never put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, you won’t have anything to work with. It doesn’t matter if you write stuff that you don’t like – edit it until you do, or hire someone else to edit it and make it sound better. Admit you aren’t perfect – and that’s OK! Just keep writing…or typing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice is that you must never give up when pursuing your dreams. My personal motto is “Persistence is the key” because if you persist in your endeavors, you will eventually achieve them. Learn from your mistakes, adjust and keep moving forward. Eventually you will reach your goal provided you have a clear vision for what your end result looks like. If you don’t, figure it out now before another day goes by so that you know when you achieve it!

What are you reading now?
ebooks – “The Inner Circle”, “Interception”, and “The New Space Race” trilogy by Kevin George – excellent! I’m almost done…

printed book – “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz, MD, FICS

printed book – ‘Beach Money” by Jordan Adler

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue writing books in my “Survival Guide Series.” I have ideas for several more and will keep churning them out and marketing them in the coming months and years ahead. I may take a stab at fiction and write a science fiction or action-adventure book. I have ready so many that I think I could put out something good…I just need the inspiration/idea for it!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“Opening The Energy Gates Of Your Body” by B.K. Frantzis
“Kuk Sool Won Vol 1” & “Kuk Sool Won Vol 2” by Suh, In Hyuk
“The Dead Sea Scrolls” by Millar Burrows
“Fingerprints of the Gods” by Graham Hancock

Author Websites and Profiles
Pete Canavan Website
Pete Canavan Amazon Profile
Pete Canavan Author Profile on Smashwords

Pete Canavan’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Pete Canavan is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
When I stop to think about this question I believe it is because, like most writers, I am conceited enough to think that my opinions and observations about people and events may be interesting enough to write about in a book. I want it to be interesting enough for others to read and enjoy, or to hate; but interesting enough even for my readers to consider and form their own opinion about something that may not have occurred to them previously. Once I have chosen the main topic and major characters then I think about the beginning and the end of the book. Along the way I will stick in obstacles and situations to provide characters with problems that must be resolved before the final conclusion and, wherever I can, I try to add an “ambush twist” to keep readers guessing or surprised.
When I’m writing a new story I always check over the work of the previous day/week first of all.

To date I have written four books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
So What Do I Do? is my latest book. It is the third book in my So What! series and is the result of the second book, So What’s Next!, having a character in it called Hereward Grimes. He is a local civil servant who has devious intentions about selling some of the school’s playing field area. The third book is a lot more sinister than the more gentle second book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write near a window where I can see the sky and a large ash tree, which usually has several birds singing in it. I have a bottle of fresh water available on my desk and classical music playing in the background.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Just a few: George Orwell, Charles Dickens, H G Wells, George Eliot, D H Lawrence, Thomas Hardy, Tolstoy, John Wyndham, Brian Aldiss, Ray Bradbury, Frank Herbert; and more recently Vera Brittain and Margaret Atwood.

Books: 1984, Coming Up For Air, Animal Farm, The Road To Wigan Pier, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, The War of The Worlds, The History of Mr Polly, The Mill on the Floss, Silas Marner, The Mayor of Casterbridge, Day of The Triffids, Fahrenheit 451 … I’ll stop there!

What are you working on now?
A science fiction book for children aged about 8 to 12.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still looking for a winning method I suppose. My least favourite part of “producing” a book is all the marketing/promotion side of things, gaining reviews, blog tours, author interviews, freebies and so on. What I really want is for my books to do the talking for me and leave it at that. But it’s a real world out there, so… I have had a few free promotions that resulted in hundreds of downloads, which gets an authors name “out there” of course. My books seem to attract a lot more positive reviews than negative ones so I feel I am doing something right. It all takes time I suppose – unless you’re a celebrity from TV, movies, sport etc.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to aspiring writers? Well I suppose first of all make sure that you read lots of other authors’ books, and not necessarily in the genre in which you write. You can often be inspired by other topics or styles that way but remain aware of not to copying another author’s way of telling a story. It’s important to find your own “voice” for the tale you have to tell. I think it is also important to keep on writing, writing, writing – something every day if possible. Even if it seems like you’ve written rubbish or it feels unsatisfactory because you can always brush it up, edit it later, discard it entirely for something better you’ve thought of; this useful exercise often gets the inspirational juices flowing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As above keep on writing (and reading) trying to find your own style.

What are you reading now?
I recently finished Frederick Forsyth’s “The Odessa File” and have just started reading Ian Rankin’s “Knots and Crosses”. I love their clear, no nonsense style which is so full of hidden meaning.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m doing lots of book reviews through Goodreads and re-writes of “Ants in Space”.

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 two Charles Dickens’ from above plus War and Peace and Proust because I still have not got round to it!

Author Websites and Profiles
G J Griffiths Website
G J Griffiths Amazon Profile

G J Griffiths’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

G J Griffiths is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
J. Kent Messum is an author & speaker who always bets on the underdog. He lives in Toronto with his wife, dog, and trio of cats. His first novel Bait (August 2013, Penguin Books) won the 2014 Arthur Ellis Award for ‘Best First Novel.’ His second novel Husk (July 2015, Penguin Books) was recently optioned for an international TV show by Warp Films in the UK.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is called HUSK, a story about the near future where the world’s wealthiest 1% can cheat death by uploading their consciousness on to computer servers and become immortal. This digital ‘afterlife’ leaves a lot to be desired and they yearn to live again naturally. As a result, they hire ‘Husks’, beautiful people they can rent, using their bodies for periods up to three days.

Inspiration for the novel came from ideas surrounding transhumanism and the increasing wealth gap in society.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a night owl and a binge writer. I don’t adhere to any particular schedule when writing, though I always seem to create fiction after sundown.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a big Cormac McCarthy fan. Other influential authors include Thom Jones, Denis Johnson, Dennis Lehane, Chuck Palahnuik, and Craig Davidson. Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’ was a major influence on me to pursue writing as a career.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on two new novels and a few additional ideas for future novels.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find word of mouth tends to be the most reliable. People really listen to the recommendations of their friends and trusted peers when it comes to books. I also find Twitter and Facebook quite good for promotion and connecting with your audience.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
When pursuing your goals, there are three things I believe writers need to remember above all else: Patience, perseverance, and maintaining your sense of purpose.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t write linearly. A story is meant to be read from front to back, but not necessarily created that way.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading ‘Griftopia’ by Matt Taibbi. A fantastic and frightening read about the greed and gluttony of America’s financial institutions.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My aim is to keep churning out novels, hopefully at least one every couple of years. I have no shortage of ideas or inspiration for stories at the moment.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
For a desert island I’d bring ‘Any Human Heart’ by William Boyd, ‘Blood Meridian’ by Cormac McCarthy, and probably ‘Emergency’ by Neil Strauss

Author Websites and Profiles
J. Kent Messum Website
J. Kent Messum Amazon Profile

J. Kent Messum’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

J. Kent Messum is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in northeast Ohio where I write sci-fi, fantasy and suspense novels, and a few short stories. Mostly I write stories I think I’d like to read with characters that are interesting enough that readers want to find out what happens to them. I also spend time teaching and training at the karate dojo my wife and I founded, building a Japanese garden in the back yard, and taking walks in the woods with our dog I have three novels in print, a collection of short stories, and a co-authored children’s book. I continue to work on my next book and seem to always have several stories in various stages of completion.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Foxworth Terminus. I decided to look at what might happen to a secret government attempt to increase someone’s paranormal powers if that experiment was more successful than anyone imagined. This has been a common theme in science fiction. My unique twist was that the experimental subject would become so powerful that he was viewed as a threat by his own government. More important to the main character was what effects his sudden change had on his friends and girlfriend. Not all of it was pleasant.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to have a few too many ideas floating around at once and take notes so the ideas don’t get lost but try very much to stick to a single work until it is done and then set it aside to ferment while I work on another idea. After sometime I dig into that story again and revise and improve it. This goes through numerous revisions until I think I’ve got it ready to see print. Not sure if this is all that unusual but it’s what I do.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Louise Penny when it comes to mysteries.
Robert Heinlein and Gregg Bear for science fiction.
J.R.R. Tolkien for fantasy.

What are you working on now?
I recently began a draft of a sequel to War Party and got that to a point where it needed a rest. Since a number of readers have requested a sequel to Shepherds, that is nearly ready to begin.
In the meantime, while those ideas ferment, I’m doing a revision on my epic fantasy novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I’ve found twitter and FaceBook work pretty well. There are a number of other sites that produce some results but not always at a profit for indie authors.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write.
And then rewrite until you’ve go the best book you can do. Get beta readers and have them nitpick your work until it is free from typos and grammar errors. Then publish.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Heinlein’s 5 rules for being a writer.

What are you reading now?
The Murder Prospect, recommended by a friend.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the fantasy novel and get going on the sequel to Shepherds.

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 Rings
Stranger in a Strange Land
How the Light Gets In

Author Websites and Profiles
J Drew Brumbaugh Website
J Drew Brumbaugh Amazon Profile

J Drew Brumbaugh’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

J Drew Brumbaugh is a post from Awesome Gang

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For most of my life I was a struggling actor. I am currently working out of my home, on commission, for a newsletter publishing company. I have been married twice. My first, which ended in divorce gave me my beautiful daughter Shannon. I lost my second wife of ten years to cancer in 2012. Now 63, I currently reside in Northern California with my Yorkie-Poo Toby.

this is my only book. It was originally a script that came out of a drama workshop I attended in Hollywood in the late ’70s.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Inside Out- One Actors Nightmarish Journey of Incarceration
As an actor I was part of an experiment where I had an opportunity to teach an acting workshop to the inmates of a Federal prison. My book came out of the thought of what would happen to someone in that same situation that six months later ends up back inside as an inmate. Where he now has both friends and unforgiving enemies.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Anything that I have ever written, including I have always formulated the basic story line in my head, before writing a word. The original script that my book is based on, as well as the book itself, was written in about a month. Once I start, I find that it writes itself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a bit old school when it comes to writers.As an actor I have read my share of plays so Shakespeare,Tennessee Williams,and Arthur Miller are my favorites. As for book authors I loved
Philip Roth, Kurt Vonnegut and Stephen King.I loved “Carrie” and was hooked ever since.

What are you working on now?
I am busy marketing inside Out, but have a great idea that I’m still mulling over. It concerns the “Moral Majority” and their connection with the “aids” breakout in the ’80s.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea. This is all new to me. I have learned a lot since my book appeared on Amazon for the first time. I did just start on Twitter however, and already have over 800 followers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Dreamers rarely rule the world but they can change it. At 63 I can only say never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Love thy neighbor as thy self

What are you reading now?
Zoo. I got into the TV show and decided to go to the source.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I stated I am ruminating an idea that concerns the “Moral Majority” and their connection with the “aids” breakout in the ’80s. i never did think it had anything to do with monkeys.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The complete works of Shakespeare.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jack Kearney Amazon Profile
Jack Kearney Author Profile on Smashwords

Jack Kearney’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jack Kearney is a post from Awesome Gang