Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing when my job at the BBC came to an end and an academic I knew suggested that I should enrol for a PhD. I didn’t take him seriously, but with hindsight I’m very grateful to him. Trying to puzzle out a complete stranger’s life suits me – this is what I did for my PhD. With the help of arhival material I put together an Estonian diplomat’s biography. So that was my first book (The Last Ambassador: August Torma, Soldier, Diplomat, Spy).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the biography of a British intelligence officer, Brian Giffey (Portrait of a Secret Agent). He knew the diplomat I had been working on and it all seemed intriguing. At first I had very little material but then I traced a living relative of his wife’s who had his papers. This meant travelling to Sweden, but it set the ball rolling – all a big mystery because so much of the intelligence world is secret.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write best when I am at home, in my living room, with my husband across the room working on his writing. He writes about Mongolian politics. Occasional eye contact somehow helps.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been much impressed by Lionel Davidson – he has this magnificent geographical sweep while writing adventure stories. I am delighted to see that his “Kolymsky Heights” is back in print. I also very much admire Richard Flanagan’s “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” – he can almost freeze time.

What are you working on now?
I have nearly completed my manuscript on an Estonian who in a way betrayed his nation and became a Soviet intelligence officer – another biography. The fascinating thing is that the 1917 October revolution in Russia affected Estonia greatly – the nation split into nationalists and communists well before independence was gained the following year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Publishing is a restless world and I am learning all the time. I have had to learn. I have a website and social media accounts, but greatest enjoyment has come from the talks that I have given, mostly in libraries, particularly when people have questions.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Spare some thought to marketing while you are writing. The earlier you identify your target audience, the easier it will be to promote your book. You can devise your marketing strategy well ahead of publication.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Spend time on editing and proofreading and choose the title of your book carefully.

What are you reading now?
“The First Circle” by Alexander Solzhenitsyn. It has got me gripped from the start – something I didn’t expect.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to write a good thriller. Something international but involving Estonia where I was born. If it is successful, it would help put Estonia on the map.

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 guess it would be something fat, like “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy that I could read again and again (is it in two volumes?). It would not matter that another book would be thin: “The Cat” by Georges Simenon – such an excellent study of a relationship. And the third would be a collection of short stories by Somerset Maugham, just to dip in and marvel.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tina Tamman Website
Tina Tamman Amazon Profile

Tina Tamman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a relatively new author, but I’ve written ten books. The content has varied over several niches. Since I served for years as a full-time pastor, I have written FREE INDEED and THE MEANING OF THE CROSS for those who need some insight into these areas. I’ve also written two books having to do with healthy weight loss. More recently, I’ve been writing about self-publishing, trying help other new authors learn from my own efforts.

Writing is like a hobby because I love doing it. Since I’m retired, I spend a great deal of time reading and writing. I also stay in contact with dozens of other authors who try to help one another. I advise that for anyone who is seeking to become an author.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book is called BOOK REVIEWS THAT SELL: DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF GETTING A BOATLOAD OF GREAT REVIEWS!

My first several books still have very few reviews. Only recently have I come to realize how very important it is to have more than the minimum of five to ten reviews before trying to promote the book’s sales I needed to better understand the process. Most readers have never written a review. Very few understand how much reviews mean to an author – both as encouragement and as a way to help others see what the book has to offer. Authors need to become more proactive in seeking reviews, but Amazon has become very strict about them. In fact, they have removed thousands of reviews over the past year. The reason is simple. Many reviews are fakes. Some authors buy them from sites that sell reviews. Other authors do “review swaps.” Many other methods of getting reviews are also violations of the Amazon Terms of Service. That’s why I present a simple approach to get good quality reviews that will be accepted by Amazon and other online sites. It is simple, but not easy. It does take work, but I do give clear instructions about this approach.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in short bursts. I use Scrivener authoring software. It allows me to research and organize material over time. I do try to write about 1000 words per day in addition to writing lots of reviews and helping other authors.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The most influential have been Steve Scott and Ian Stables. If you read their books, you’ll see how very different they are, but both are easy to read and understand. That is my goal. I want to provide good information, but I want readers to be able to apply it right away.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on three books at the moment. One is BOOK DESCRIPTIONS THAT SELL. It will help authors create effective book descriptions for use in Amazon and on the back covers of paperbacks.
The next book is INTERMITTENT FASTING, a book about the benefits and techniques of this approach to fasting. Many widely recognized studies have been done to demonstrate the science behind it. I will include some of that to convince readers to give it a try. Although it does help with weight loss, it has many other advantages including brain health, aging, and overcoming several diseases.
The third book is called QUICK EBOOKS: WRITING A SIMPLE NONFICTION BOOK IN SEVEN DAYS! This will teach how to go through an organized process to write short, profitable books. I will be giving step-by-step guidance about what to do each of the seven days. Someone who wants to write longer books could adapt it easily by spending a week for each step instead of a day. For those who are really busy with kids, career, and other responsibilities, they could even stretch it to one month for each step. Although I hope to keep the book short, it will be like a condensed writing course. Unlike my other books about self-publishing, I will not include lots of links to videos and other resources within the text of the book. I will give those as a separate, downloadable report.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used social media like Facebook and Twitter a great deal. I’m just now expanding to use sites like Awesomegang, Buck Books, and others. I have also been developing a newsletter to help other authors sell their books, but that also helps me promote some of my own.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start writing every day. Pick a subject area that interests you. Create a blog on wordpress.com. Then, read from several sources about that subject every day. Then, write! Write at least 250 words each day. Try to make that grow to 1,000 words per day. You will learn about your subject, but you’ll also improve your writing abilities.

What are you reading now?
Oh, my! I am reading several books at once. They are all about writing and self-publishing. One is Nine Day Novel-Self-Editing: Self Editing For Fiction Writers by Steve Windsor and Lise Cartwright. I hope to write my first novel later this year, so I’m reading some about it.
The next book is How to Make a Living with Your Writing by Joanna Penn. Let’s face it, you can’t have best-sellers without learning how to sell more and more.
The last one is

What’s next for you as a writer?
I really would love to perfect skills more so that I could become a coach and trainer for authors, even those with some experience. I suspect that it will take some time to reach that goal, but it would be very satisfying.

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?
Obviously, I would want to take my Bible.
I would also want a good survival book, but I’ve never read one.
I would also want a blank book to write in.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dr. Gary Webb Website
Dr. Gary Webb Amazon Profile

Dr. Gary Webb’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I hail from the Pacific Northwest, where I spend a lot of time outdoors. I’m kind of a closet nerd, meaning I’ve learned to hide it well :). I love science and space. Hence my love for science fiction.

I went to school and graduated with a degree I have done absolutely nothing with. Upon graduating, I realized that spending a life climbing the corporate ladder terrified me more than anything. As in petrified. It forced me to look at myself and find what would truly make me happy, what really mattered.

Turns out I’d known all along. Writing. I’d been an avid reader my whole life, especially in my youth, and in fact, I’d always known I’d write eventually. I just needed a push to sit down and pour out my thoughts into a full story.

So I quit my job and began writing and painting…something I’d dabbled in, yet never really realized until that moment.

So far, I just have the one book, The Rise of Ares: Mortal Sins. But it’s a trilogy, so I’ll have at least three under my belt when all is said and done!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last, and only, book is The Rise of Ares: Mortal Sins. In all reality, I think it was born from my frustrations attending college. But not only that, it was a combination of school and contemplating society in general, and seeing how the world is set up in a way that’s nothing more than a hamster wheel. Likely, now that I think about it, the saga is exactly those frustrations played out in a space opera; only bigger and more exotic.

I found school challenging (even though that was my own fault for not entering the sciences), and the structure uninteresting. Worse, it pissed me off that I paid a small fortune for something so pointless. And I think I poured that frustration into the main character. Who is left to deal with a similar situation, except in a future much more complex and devious than ours.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if this is unusual or not, but this is the only way I finished this book.

I’ve been writing short stories for ever. Because I just couldn’t sit there writing a whole book knowing where it would lead. To me, it was like watching the same movie over and over again and then writing a report about it. Just no interest once I knew the story.

The way I circumvented that was by introducing elements into the story at the very beginning, without knowing where they would lead. In fact, the whole book was mostly written in that fashion. Surprisingly, things started knitting together in ways I would have never even imagined! And turned into a fun, fun experience!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Mars Trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson was one of the most influential trilogies I’ve ever read. I was only in my young teens, and her universe burned into my brain. The fact that science fiction can be extremely believable was a new concept to me.

A little later, Robert Reed’s Marrow was another groundbreaking one, for me anyways. It really played with my imagination.

Other than that, all the greats of course!

What are you working on now?
The second installment of The Rise of Ares.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m completely new to the field. So far it’s been few and far in between hehe. I’m only beginning to build an online presence. But I have profiles on a few prominent sites…. and of course facebook, and my personal site; sergealexandr.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Well, as a new author, I would say spend the time to research every step of the process if you’re self publishing. I did, and I’ve learned so much in the last year and half, it’s ridiculous. It’s a great way to learn the industry; learning about every step and how to make sure you produce a polished product. And it’s knowledge that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Also, success is like walking. As a child, you fall and fall until one day you walk. You don’t even think of giving up, because giving up isn’t even a thought you entertain. Think about it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
-Find what you love to do, then find a way to support yourself doing it. There is always a way.

What are you reading now?
The computer screen.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, now that my first book is out, I need to market as much as is possible, while working on the second installment.

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 Encyclopedia (of everything in it’s full entirety, as far as I’m concerned, its one book )

-A dictionary in a language I don’t speak

-The biggest anthology of sci-fi shorts I could get my hands on.

Author Websites and Profiles
Serge Alexandr Website
Serge Alexandr Amazon Profile

Serge Alexandr’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 2 books – ‘Inside a Males Mind’ and ‘All my Single Ladies’.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘All my Single Ladies’. I wrote it because my best friend said I should offer my knowledge to as many women as possible. So the best way to reach lots of people was to write a book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hah, I love my coffee and chocolate while I am writing my chapter for the day. When I write I try to hit the local cafe and type with a coffee within arms reach.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The power of the pussy, act like a lady think like a man, how to win friends and influence people, why men love bitches.

What are you working on now?
No books at the moment. I am just concentrating on marketing my existing books and changing my website and re-branding my business.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I have purchased many fiverr gigs. My free book promotions went well. eBookstage was great for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Practice marketing. Writing is only half of the equation. Make sure you create a quality product also.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Offer value and create something you believe in

What are you reading now?
Marketing books

What’s next for you as a writer?
I may write a book for men. Men need some clues too.

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?
Think and grow rich, The four hour work week, givers and takers and the power of seduction.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Lalia! Lalia Isabella Amadore. What a mouthful, eh? My husband often calls me “Bella” but most people just call me Lalia or Lia. I’m generally an upbeat person who tries to see the brighter side of life while injecting a little humour into it.

How many books have I written? Two, actually. I had a manuscript of poems I’d written over the years that heart-breakingly got lost in a move years ago. More recently though, I have self-published my first book, a self-help book on Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of this latest book is “They Called Her Jezebel: A Cult Survivor’s Self-Help Memoir”. It is based on the events of my life from many years ago. That period of my life was incredibly painful, but there were many lessons learned during it, and much healing found after I left that church. When people think of cults, the dramatized ones from the news often come to mind, but they actually exist in small towns as well as big cities. There could be one just down the road from you and you might not even suspect it! The people who manage to leave a cult are often demoralized and confused. I wanted to share my experiences and subsequent healing process in order to help others who might be in a similar situation that I once was in. There isn’t a lot of available help out there from people who have a clue to what you may have experienced. They need to know they are not alone, and it wasn’t their fault.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write in my pajamas, coffee mug beside me and a cat on the back of my chair!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was a child, my mother had a collection of the works of Mark Twain, and those books are the ones I remember when my love for reading began to grow. She had a lot of classics on her bookshelves, so I was exposed to the likes of Little Women, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. I think the books that have in recent years had the most influence on my were ‘The Shack’ by William P. Young and ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. Both books see the protagonist on a journey to self discovery.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on outlines for two more books. One is a how-to book and the other is hopefully going to be an inspirational one.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I’m quite new to all this, I can’t really tell you a ‘best’ method. Right now I’m using social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ and looking into websites such as this one to promote my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author so I’m still navigating the waters here. I guess I would say, good job! Writing a book takes a time commitment many people make excuses not to find. Believe in yourself, encourage yourself and don’t give up! Being an indie author isn’t always easy but it is incredibly rewarding.
Most of all, be professional about it. That means paying for editing, formatting and book covers if you are not highly skilled in these areas.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t take life too seriously. No one gets out alive, anyway.

What are you reading now?
My small town’s independent newspaper while I write this and drink my morning coffee.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A whirlwind North American book tour, an interview with Oprah and a European cruise? Actually, I write two blogs under another name so I will keep that up while I continue to work on the books I mentioned earlier. Beyond that, who knows? My expectation is that the best is yet to come!

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?
Can I just bring my Kindle? If not, I’d have to say, The Boy Scout Handbook, The Complete Coconut Cookbook and War and Peace. They says it’s a huge book and it looks like I might be on the island for a while….

Author Websites and Profiles
Lalia Amadore Website
Lalia Amadore Amazon Profile

Lalia Amadore’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is David-Matthew Barnes. I’m a novelist, playwright, poet, screenwriter, and television writer. When I’m not writing, I teach college courses in writing, literature, and the arts. I’ve written twelve novels and several stage plays.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a novella titled ‘Patience is Waiting.’ The book started out as a short story many years ago. I was really inspired by the William Congreve quote “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I probably have too many too count, but a few are: I must have a title before starting a big project; I always create an unofficial soundtrack for my novels that I listen to constantly while creating; I don’t read other books or scripts while working on a project.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really love the classics. I find myself constantly going back to books like ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘Northanger Abbey’ and authors like Edgar Allen Poe and Shakespeare and Tennessee Williams to study the brilliant architecture of how and what they wrote. There’s so much to learn from them. In terms of contemporary literature I really admire the works of Hubert Selby, Jr. and Jo Ann Beard.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently finishing the final draft of my next young adult novel, ‘The Marijuana Mermaids.’

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In addition to social media, most of my work is marketed by word of mouth. Someone discovers something I’ve written and they enjoy it and then tell others about it. I’m always amazed when I meet readers and they tell me great stories about how they stumbled upon my books or plays.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The teacher in me says to study your craft. You owe it to your writing and your readers to know about technique and style. It is very important to write as often as possible. Frequency not only makes you a stronger writer, but it can help you strengthen your voice and lead you to discoveries about your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Laurie Lawlor, who’s a very successful young adult author, is a former professor of mine. She once advised me that in order to have a successful writing career, I needed to think of projects like an airplane: to have something boarding, departing, and landing at all times. I have also followed that advice through out my career.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir. Growing up, she was my muse. Cyndi Lauper showed the world it was okay to be different, that creativity should be valued and respected and revered. I adore her. To this day, I’m greatly inspired by her commitment to be her and no one else. In the book she talks about one of her favorite personal sayings: “In the darkest place, shed the brightest light.” I take those words to heart. They are words to write and live by.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on two new young adult novels.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would definitely have to pick ‘Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man’ by Fannie Flagg. It’s hilarious, poignant, and beautifully written. I first read the novel when I was ten years old. By the end of the first page I knew I wanted to be a writer. I’d also take ‘The Boys of My Youth’ by Jo Ann Beard, a collection of stage plays by Tennessee Williams, and anything by Judy Blume.

Author Websites and Profiles
David-Matthew Barnes Website
David-Matthew Barnes Amazon Profile

David-Matthew Barnes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently have nine books out, eight of them free. Formerly I worked in a variety of industries and live in Scotland. I am also an artist.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Mandatory Equality is the tale of an investment banker. His world is changed when the Mandatory Equality Law is passed, in far reaching and extensive ways.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write at night, when my mother is keeping me awake.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Voltaire. My current muse is David Wolfe, health guru

What are you working on now?
A series of short stories, to continue throughout this year and a third in the Best…Ever series.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going, and don’t count the words

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do it now.

What are you reading now?
I am working very hard at the moment, and I only read non-fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a full year ahead, between designing a game, keeping up with the artwork, and a heavy schedule of short stories.

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?
Wool, cloth and gold, by John Munro
War and Peace
Any survival guide
A compendium of philosophy

Author Websites and Profiles
Ina Disguise Website
Ina Disguise Author Profile on Smashwords

Ina Disguise’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an amateur competing bodybuilder and nutrition/training expert. Over the years I’ve obtained a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge about the various methods of getting and staying in shape. Now I felt it was time to share that knowledge with others.

I have written two books to date, “Lose Weight Without Dieting” and “Flexible Dieting Handbook”. The former talks more about various lifestyle changes and habits that can help a person lose weight, not having to worry much about dieting. While the latter book focuses on providing information about the most reasonable and flexible method of dieting.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Flexible Dieting Handbook and it was inspired by my own personal experience of getting into the best shape of my life, despite eating anything I wanted.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a writer who relies heavily on inspiration and motivation. I can go weeks without writing a single word and I can have days where I crank out 10,000 words without issue.

I usually keep several browser windows open at all times during writing so that I can do research on the side, making sure I don’t make factual mistakes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Alan Aragon and Lyle McDonald are both excellent authors and specialists on the topics of nutrition or training. Both have multiple books released which are all worth reading.

On a more general note, I grew up reading a lot of Jules Verne.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on several books with undecided titles. I still have some nutritional aspects to write about, as well as talk about training.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I feel no one site or method guarantees the best results. The best way is to make sure your book gets exposure from multiple sources – promotional sites, social media, word of mouth, online communities and guest posting.

It’s the whole package that generates the most sustainable results.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to ask and even pay for help when it comes to things like editing, proofing, advertising and so forth.

Most authors are only good at one thing – and that’s writing. Trying to learn all the other aspects of the publishing business is a very difficult process that may take a while to get a hang of. And chances are that people who specialize on a specific aspect will always be better at it than you. By all means – try to learn everything, but it’s best to pay for help early on, or your first book may never get properly launched.

I also recommend against signing up with Publishing companies. Publishing companies take too many freedoms away from the author, as well as ask for too much of the profits, while never being able to guarantee success.

I find it much more reasonable for the author to directly hire individual professionals to handle the various aspects of publishing that they are not proficient in themselves. That way the author keeps full control over the book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never be afraid to fail. It’s the failures that pave the way to success.

What are you reading now?
Currently nothing due to being busy with my own books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more books. Lots of topics to cover.

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?
Books on how to survive being stranded, how to navigate using the stars and the sun, how to traverse the water with minimal assistance and other books of such nature.

Being stranded on a Desert Island definitely seems like a death sentence, but I’d rather die trying to figure out how to survive, rather than reading a novel as I die of thirst or something.

Author Websites and Profiles
James Mayfield Website
James Mayfield Amazon Profile

James Mayfield’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Louisiana, right outside of New Orleans, and have been in the state all my life. So, I’m used to good food and that kind of shows up in my writing. Otherwise, I’ve spent considerable time overseas in war zones, both Iraq and Afghanistan, and I’ve been to several other interesting places.

As of right now, I have a book of short stories, and three books in The Remote Series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest completed book is “Artist” in which Cassie sets out on a chase to stop a serial killer. It was inspired by my desire to have Cassie move out into the real world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m either working on writing from dawn to dusk or never setting eyes on the keyboard.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Man, that’s a long list. Harper Lee, Stephen King, Lee Child, John Sandford, Larry McMurtry, and too many others to remember.

What are you working on now?
The current project is tentatively called “Hell is Empty” and features Cassie on another murder investigation that strikes a little closer to home.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t do a ton of promotion but BookGorrilla has given me good results.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, write, then read and write some more. Expect criticism, listen to it, evaluate it, then move on. The thicker your skin the better off you will be but don’t ignore valid criticism.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, then write more. Put it away for a while, then re-write.

What are you reading now?
John Sandford

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish up “Hell is Empty” then start the next one.

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?
To Kill a Mockingbird, Lonesome Dove, The Stand, and Winter Prey.

Author Websites and Profiles
Eric Drouant Amazon Profile

Eric Drouant’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My first work of fiction, Mottak: An African tale of Immigration and Asylum was published last year through DAP NY. The translated Norwegian version appeared earlier through Z forlag. Amid the Chaos is my second novel released on Jan. 9 through amazon kdp.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Amid the Chaos is my latest work of fiction. I felt like it was my duty to be the voice of a young Eritrean generation that has become the poster figure for mass migration in Europe over the last decade. The restless silent mass migration epitomises a continental African experience which I feel has been misinterpretted. Watching the news coverage of the over packed boats landing in tatters in Lampedusa and the Greek Islands, the polarising narrations fail to capture the deep rooted issues of a continental dilemma. I felt the urge to tell the story behind the headline from the angle of the very generation in turmoil. Having lived 2/3 of mylife in several African countries amid the chaos and the rest in Europe, enriches the material and the angle I could twick in my imagiantion to suit the plot.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to capture moments of inspiration on any device, my phone when I am on the metro or at work, my diary when I am in a cafe or my PC at home. But since I write in English, Amharic and Tigrigna it becomes a chaotic jigsaw puzzle every time I try to piece a story together in one particular language.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It would be difficult and unjust to name few writers that had influenced my style of writing, in different phases of my life in just one short list. But my utmost gratitude goes out to Fyodor Dostoyevsk, Vladimir Nabokov, Richard Wright, Sebhat Gebregzabher and Knut Hamsun who had a profound effect on my career.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my third novel depicting the intricate world of a writer. The art behind the artistry, the monologues and idiosyncracies of a 40 something-year-old recluse writer juggling his word wizardry to fit in the real world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instead of volume promotion, I prefer contacting a couple of sites that directly appeal to my target audience. A couple of dedicated readers are enough to spread the word among their circle as long as the product is worthy. Of course, if one is fortunate to have an Awesomegang where awesome readers meet awesome writers, it would be awesome!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. You might not become an overnight success but at least, you are doing what you love most. The longer the suffering for the breakthrough, the sweeter is the reward in the end.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Expect and accept my eccentricities for gods sake, I am a writer on duty 24-7” reminded me a seasoned writer in never to switch off the artist within regardless…

What are you reading now?
The Autobiography of W. E. B. Du Bois

What’s next for you as a writer?
The writing career is an indefinite apprenticeship to which I shall make the best of in becoming a better person and 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?
Letum Aynegalign by Sebhat Gebregzihabher, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Lawd Today by Richard Wright, Cemetery of Mind by Dambudzo Marechera

Author Websites and Profiles
Nathan H. Mogos Amazon Profile

Nathan H. Mogos’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a performer and writer who frequently appears in local theatre in addition to teaching creative writing classes in a Federal Prison.

While I have had a number of short stories published in magazines and anthologies, my first book is the short story collection A Consternation of Monsters.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Consternation of Monsters was inspired by the fact that I tend to write modern fantasy stories with a minor horror edge. Those, in turn, tend to contain monsters or at least the monstrous. I decided to name the collection after the collective noun for monsters, only to discover that no one could agree on one, or on whether or not there should even be one. As the semi-fictional radio host Rik Winston explains in the intro: “While monsters may come in many different forms and even different species (a few of which may yet prove to be real, living, breathing, formerly-legendary animals someday), the base idea of the monster—the unknown thing in the darkness—is one of the most powerful concepts in history, and one found across all cultures. Monsters, in this way, have been with us from the dawn of time, have accompanied our species on its journey across the ages, and even now lurk in the darkened corners of the allegedly enlightened world of the 21st century. The archetype monster alone deserves a collective noun.”

In these tales, a creature of make-believe proves difficult to disbelieve, a trickster-god takes an unkindly interest in witnesses, eldritch horrors can be summoned using a quilt, frustrated wolves face dangerous prey, the angel of death wears a plaid sport coat, wise old women are to be feared and heeded, the corpses of legends can be perilous to have around, Elvis remains the once and future king of rock & roll, and where one of the most powerful and potentially destructive objects in the world is a fork.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not especially. I wanted to say that I frequently only get writing done when faced with a deadline, but that’s not unusual for writers.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Douglas Adams, Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman, Rod Serling, J. Michael Straczynski, Lee Maynard, Belinda Anderson, Alan Moore, Warren Ellis, Jonathan Hickman, Brian Talbott, Archie Goodwin, James Robinson.

What are you working on now?
A Second Consternation

Do you have any advice for new authors?
At all times be supportive of your fellow writers and the writers of your region. When marketing through social media, spend a third of your time on your own works, a third on promoting the work of your fellow writers, and a third just being yourself and talking about anything other than promotion. Be silly.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never wear brown pants with white shoes.

What are you reading now?
Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Being a former broadcaster in a past career, and having used those skills to do quite a bit of podcasting over the past seven years, I have at last stepped into the field of audio book narration. My first book to narrate is The Black Star of Kingston, by S.D. Smith. (http://amzn.to/1TOikGF)

I’m currently finishing the edits and mastering on the audio book version of A Consternation of Monsters, to be released in the first quarter of 2016.

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?
Best of Ray Bradbury. Good Omens. Robinson Crusoe.

Author Websites and Profiles
Eric Fritzius Website
Eric Fritzius Amazon Profile

Eric Fritzius’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of Project Jennifer, For Better or Worse, and the new suspense fiction series, The Fixer. The first book in the series is The Fixer: The Naked Man.

I’ve attended a lot of colleges and changed my major many times. I even went to one college twice! I finally graduated and received my Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Burlington College in Vermont. Both experiences were wonderful. I studied Writing and Literature.

I am a huge reader and I love movies (all kinds, all genres, EXCEPT horror movies. Because I get scared!). My first love was screenwriting and then eventually I tried novel writing. It was very intimidating at first! But I soon fell in love with the process.

I was born and raised on Long Island but I love to visit New York City as often as I can.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the first in a new fiction suspense series. It’s called The Fixer: The Naked Man. I came about the idea for this book at the end of a very bad bout of writer’s block! I spent a few years starting many ideas for books but I couldn’t get attached to them.

I had friends and family who helped me get over this and encouraged me to re-discover writing for the pure joy of the process.

One day I had an idea of a man and a woman playing a cat and mouse game. She needed information from this man and she was negotiating to try and get that information. The more questions I asked, the more attached I became to the idea. Who was this woman? What did she want? Why did she want this information? I had heard of the term “fixer” and did some research. I found that there are people who make their living solving problems for the wealthy and powerful. Since there are television shows about fixers (Scandal, Ray Donovan), I decided the series would be an origin story, to show how and why this character entered this line of work.

And that’s how it began!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes! I write my stories longhand first and for some reason I can only write the “Fixer” stories in journal books (don’t ask, I have no idea why). Also, I don’t snack or eat when I write, but I think that’s only because I REALLY want to. I would probably eat out an entire bag of Twizzlers or chocolate covered cashews if I got started so I don’t eat or have snacks out when I’m writing or typing up my stories.

I used to never have music on when I wrote or typed because I couldn’t concentrate but now, music seems to help so on some days I will have music playing when I work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many. I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. I’ve read all of the books and I think they’re terrific. Also, I’m a huge fan of Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon spy series. His books are fantastic and I look forward to the new one every year.

There are many more, too many to name!

What are you working on now?
I’m in the editing stage of Book 2 of The Fixer series: The Killing Kind. It’s on schedule to be published later this year. I’m writing Book 3 of the series: The Last Romanov.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m discovering new websites all the time that offer great services to connect writers and readers. I do like connecting with readers on Facebook and Twitter as well. I don’t know that I’ve discovered a best method yet. Marketing is a learning process for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would suggest for new authors to keep reading and keep writing. I find that reading inspires creativity and helps make a better writer. Not sure how that happens, but it does.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The William Faulkner quote, “in writing you must kill all your darlings.” It’s a hard truth. I think the writer has to be willing to take a hard look at the writing and be willing to make edits and admit that it needs work. It’s a process I’ve had to learn.

What are you reading now?
I just finished Daniel Silva’s latest, The English Spy. Amazing!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve been so lucky to have this “Fixer” idea take shape and take off. I’ve fallen in love with these characters. If I get lucky, I hope to be at work on this series for a quite 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?
Wow! Tough question. I would definitely take a collection of Shakespeare’s plays, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and probably a collection of essays by Nora Ephron and Joan Didion.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jill Amy Rosenblatt Website
Jill Amy Rosenblatt Amazon Profile

Jill Amy Rosenblatt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Kiwi girl, who’s travelled lots (but not nearly enough) who settled in sunny Australia.
I am married to the best hubby ever and have a wonderful, bubbly girl and a dog who drops his hair all over my house! Mortgage Free is my first book but it certainly won’t be my last. Keep your eyes peeled for the next book-you won’t want to miss it!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Mortgage Free: How to pay off your home loan in under 10 years- without becoming a drug dealer.
My husband and I are on track to do just this-only 2 years left!! We constantly get comments about how awesome it is but how ‘I could never do that’ ‘I’ll have a mortgage till I die’.
I wanted people to know that it is possible and it is achievable. You just have to be pointed in the right direction.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write early before anyone else wakes up-sometimes at 3 or 4 in the morning. Usually I’m curled up on the sofa with my laptop and my border collie lounging next to me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always read-classics, fantasy, sci-fi I love them all. Almost every memory I have of my childhood has books involved somewhere! They have all influenced me to a certain degree.
Recently, Matt Stone who wrote eat for heat and diet recovery and who founded 180 degree health blows my mind. He worked for years on all the health related stuff then packed it all in, wrote kill your blog and set up quitN6. Proves you don’t just need to stick at one thing and that everything that comes before in life is not a failure but just a foundation.

What are you working on now?
Another finance book but this time I’m aiming it at 15-25 year olds. It’s the book I wish I’d had at that age!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Definitely Amazon at the moment. Everyone knows to go there for books-it’s the biggest marketplace so makes sense!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it! Yes it’s the Nike slogan I know but it is so true. Don’t let anything hold you back, slow you down or divert you. Just get it done. Don’t stop to edit and don’t let your fears get in the way. Edit last and then publish it. Done is better than perfect- if you’re anything like me, it will never be perfect anyway! Damn OCD..

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nothing stops you from fulfilling your dreams but yourself. Live your life the way you want it to be-don’t wait for tomorrow.

What are you reading now?
The dragonsblood series by Robin Hobb and a range of awesome non-fiction books

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to be able to earn enough from my book (s) to get my husbands back fixed so this is my goal.

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?
Anne of green gables
Anne McCafferey- Freedom or pretty much any other book of hers
Narnia series
A clive cussler novel

Author Websites and Profiles
Heidi Farrelly Website
Heidi Farrelly Amazon Profile

Heidi Farrelly’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one novel and one non-fiction book about yoga. I spent many years working as a freelance editor in the publishing industry and decided I had dedicated enough time to improving the writing of others, it was time to do my own!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is called Letting Go of Love: A World War I Love Story. It was inspired by the true stories of my grandparents and my obsession with family history. After researching the war experience of my grandfather and helping my mother to write her memoirs, I was ready to start my first work of fiction.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to jot ideas down on post-it notes, which are subsequently found all over the house!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book that you read influences you in some way, but for this novel specifically I would say Pat Barker’s Regeneration trilogy, as well as My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a kind of sequel to Letting Go. It is set in the 1920s in Blackburn, Lancashire and will draw on my husband’s experiences of growing up in that mill town.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I write a regular blog, which feeds into a local magazine as well as my social media pages

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Its a long haul, don’t be tempted to cut corners. Instead, make everything you do as good as it can possibly be.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
try, try and try again

What are you reading now?
Frog by Mo Yan

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully I will have the opportunity to continue to write, whatever form that takes

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?
God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
The Grand Meaulnes by Alain Fournier
Birdsong by Sebastian Foulkes
Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse

Author Websites and Profiles
MJ Keevil Website
MJ Keevil Amazon Profile

MJ Keevil’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Lexington, Kentucky, moved to New Jersey as a small boy, and met my wife in college in Pennsylvania. I taught English in Bristol, Virginia, and since 2003 I have taught English in Central Virginia, where I live with my wife and sons. I have published one novel, and I have just finished a first draft of a second novel. I have also published a short story, several poems, several songs, and several articles on works of literature by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, and Jorge Luis Borges.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is Fire in the Bones. What inspired me to write it—that’s pretty cool, actually. My son had been doing NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month—for a year or two, where you try to draft a novel of 50,000 words in a month. One November I decided to do it too. We went to a little café in a bookstore for the first “write-in,” and I had a song in my mind—I’ve always loved popular music, and I’m an auditory person, so music is often floating around in my head—anyway, I had in my mind this song about fire and how it can actually clean or purify things, make them better. And I started to picture a scene I vaguely remembered about a little boy sitting in a little country church, fanning himself with one of those rectangular picture-fans on a stick that little country churches in the South used to have (maybe they still do). And the words started to come. That turned into the first scene/chapter in the book. The next three or four chapters of the book I based on other early memories or early stories I had heard. Then as the plot and the characters started to take shape and develop, it became clearer and clearer where to go with the story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A better question for me might be, Do you have any normal writing habits? Not many. I’m not a morning person, and often I’m at work during the day. So I tend to write in the evenings, though I know a lot of writers work better in the morning. I also can’t write for long blocks of time. I definitely write better in short blocks—an hour at most, at a time. I will start by writing a bit, and then go back and revise a bit of something I wrote yesterday, and then write a little more new material. It also helps me to stop writing while I still know where I’m going with the scene—that leaves me something to start with the next day, so I don’t have to start cold.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Faulkner’s books, his style, has definitely influenced me. Probably Hawthorne’s too. And some more recent literature—Welty, Borges, Beattie, McCorkle. Music influences my writing a lot too, classic rock from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s—the Beatles, for example, play a significant role in my novel Fire in the Bones.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a second novel, which is a sequel to Fire in the Bones. My working title for the second novel is We Are Not Consumed. It follows the first novel’s main character, Luke, through his high school years, age 14-18. Like the first novel, it includes a lot of popular music and other pop culture, and Luke continues his quest for meaning in life and his search for the right girl.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Good question. I’m fairly new at this, so I’m not sure what the best method is yet, but here’s what I’ve done so far: I have a Facebook author page, an author page on Amazon Author Central, a YouTube channel, a Twitter page, interviews on A Writer For Life, Bookgoodies, and Book Reader Magazine. My book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, Nook, Smashwords, and in my local Barnes and Noble store. Working on getting it in a national chain of bookstores. And I’m doing a book signing February 13 from 10-12 at the Barnes and Noble on Liberty University campus in Lynchburg, VA.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Write about something that you deeply care about and are truly interested in—not what sells the most or what is most popular. That way, no matter what the final outcome for your book, you can still feel good about it, knowing it is honest and true to you and genuine. And that genuineness should also come across to readers, reflecting in the quality of the writing. If you don’t deeply care about what you’re writing, it’s never going to be your best.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Well, in terms of writing advice, it would probably be don’t give up. Keep trying.

What are you reading now?
I just read a story by Flannery O’Connor, “Good Country People.” And I just started a book called 7 Men, by Eric Metaxas. I’m also reading up on postmodern literature for a class I’m going to be teaching soon.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finding more ways to get the word out about Fire in the Bones. And revising the second novel now that I’ve completed the first draft. Revision is so important! I revise a lot. You think something is pretty good the first time, then you go back with fresh eyes and realize Hmmm. This isn’t quite as good as I thought. So you re-work it, re-see it, polish 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?
The Bible, first of all. Can’t live without it.
Second, probably a book on how to hunt, and a book on how to construct a shelter made from plants or trees. And lastly, maybe a book about how to get off of a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark R. Harris Website
Mark R. Harris Amazon Profile
Mark R. Harris Author Profile on Smashwords

Mark R. Harris’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview. I have been writing for several years and this is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Title: Death: An Exploration

Subtitle: Learning to Embrace Life’s Most Feared Mystery

I was inspired by the death of some important people in my life and those around me who are coping with losses as well. I have long had many of the ideas in this book, but I did not have the time to commit them all to one piece until I began working on this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write as frequently as my schedule allows. I try to write under any circumstances including: while I am sick, when I am waiting for a bus, when the TV is on, etc. The reason that I do this is so writing feels natural to me in any setting, no matter what is going on in my life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Off the top of my head: Christopher Hitchens, Noam Chomsky, Joseph Campbell, and Daniel Pichbeck.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a multi-genre book that is my life’s work. I have been working seriously on it for about seven years and hope to have it finished by the end of this year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am starting to really enjoy the Awesomegang. But in all honesty, I am new to this process.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and don’t be afraid to take chances.

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

What are you reading now?
The Know it All by A.J. Jacobs. I have wanted to read this for years and it has been worth the wait.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to revisit a novel I have had on the back burner for too long.

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?
Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond
Ulyssess by James Joyce
The Noam Chomsky Reader
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick

Author Websites and Profiles
Loren Mayshark Website
Loren Mayshark Amazon Profile

Loren Mayshark’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Since I was ten I’ve wanted to write. In fifth grade the teacher told us write a poem about Spring. I can’t say exactly how I knew it was legitimate not to rhyme but I did. My poem was very different from the other students and was published on the first page of school book. I was thrilled.

It wasn’t long after I found a huge Underwood typewriter in my parent’s basement. I carried it up to my room and started right in. I didn’t need any instruction. It was a most natural thing. My first narrative style was modeled on Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. Technically, I knew what I was doing but my plots were really terrible. My surprise endings considerably lacked punch.

In high school I fell in love with literature, poetry, and painting. I went on to study them in college. The idea of being an artist was always there but when I got out into the real world I found I was not very well equipped to support myself on a teacher’s salary living in New York City. On a girlfriend’s advice I studied computer programmer and switched careers. Suddenly I was the author of COBOL programs and technical documents rather than poems.

Through it all I always read, wrote, and painted. After a while I learned to play the tenor saxophone. Playing music has to have been my greatest joy. Practicing, trying to improve every day, was very much like Zen teachings. The end was not important, only the road. I played so much I damaged my ears and had to quit. I’ve got bad case of tinnitus!

After music there was a void for a while but then I started to get interested in French. I gave up reading English and only read Conversational French and Grammar books for three months. At the end I read Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince and now love reading Emile Zola and many others in the original.

It was then I discovered Ruth Rendell. Her work inspired me to start writing fiction seriously.
I have now published four books. Two novels, a book of three novellas, and one of twenty-one short stories. There’s nothing like being deeply involved in writing a novel. At night I don’t know if I am asleep dreaming of my plot or if I’m really awake. All I know is that when the creative process is really going well it is indeed like a muse has taken you over.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is the novel, Maid of Honor. It’s been well received and got over 7000 Kindle downloads and was number three in suspense at one point. There were a few events that inspired it. It’s hard to talk about without giving away the plot, but I love stories where I find that what I thought was so wasn’t quite right. That’s all I’ll say on that count.

As far as the narrative style I can say, that without realizing it, I was influenced by John Fowles’ narrator in The Magus. He is a cad and so is my protagonist. Some readers have complained he is unlikable because he is an opportunist and an adulterer while others have realized that’s what makes the story work. I’ve always appreciated honesty, even in unreliable narrators. That sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? I guess you’ll have to read to see what I mean.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When writing dialogue I talk to myself and act it out in my chair. When rewriting I always read aloud. This helps me hear the flow of my prose. Reading silently can make me think it flows when it really doesn’t.

I wouldn’t call this unusual but I always have a notebook nearby to write ideas in. They can come while I’m reading or even in a dream. It’s amazing how fleeting they can be. If I don’t write them down immediately they’ll be lost.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have read many authors and was first inspired to write in grade school. But the author who has inspired me most to want to write is Ruth Rendell. Like Joseph Conrad, Rendell is always good regardless of what she is writing: novels, novellas, or short stories.
Though she wrote in the Mystery Suspense genre I found that the quality of her work transcended it. While reading her short stories I experienced an epiphany. A simple suspense story published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine was at the level of high literature. Yet it could be appreciated by anyone.

Reading Rendell made me get much more serious about my own work. Sorry to say she died last year. I miss her.

What are you working on now?
I’ve been writing some short stories while searching for an plot for a novel. Short stories help to get the juices flowing. And a short story could even turn into a novel. With my first two novels I was lucky enough to know the basic plot, the beginning and end, before I started writing. That was boon. Right now I struggling with some important details regards to novel plots, so I’m writing short stories to help sort things out.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think it’s very important to have Kindle free giveaways to get my book out there. They help generate sales and reviews. I use Twitter and Facebook, but the best way is submitting it to a site like Awesomegang who may include it in their newsletter where it will reach countless readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read everything you can. The great authors and the not so great to learn the craft. Be inclusive and read international writers. Do not confine yourself to reading only the type of things you wish to write. If you want to write fiction you should still read non-fiction for education and ideas. Some of our greatest writers like Kurt Vonnegut and Saul Bellow studied anthropology.

Also, read as much as possible about the craft of writing. You will be surprised how much you don’t know.

Learn a foreign language. It will help you understand your native language better. I’ve learned much about English by studying French.

And simply try to write every day. When revising your work come up with certain standards for yourself and adhere to them so as not to confuse the reader. By this I mean mundane things like how you express time. Don’t write 1:00 p.m. on one page and one o’clock on another. Or O.K. followed by Okay. Having standards will keep the reader in the fictive dream you are trying to create for them.

Finally, remember you are writing because you want to be read. Be friendly to the reader. Make him want to read the next word, sentence, and paragraph. Make him want to turn the page.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When you can’t write, sit down and write. Don’t make excuses to avoid it. When working on a first draft do not be very critical of what you get down. Writing is all about rewriting.

What are you reading now?
Ruth Rendell’s One Across, Two Down, Peter DeVries’ Reuben, Reuben, and Emile Zola’s L’Assommoir.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve got a lot of things in progress. A book of short stories, a novel, and also some literary essays on two of my favorite books, John Fowles’ The Magus and Alberto Moravia’s Contempt. I’ve published the essay on Contempt on my blog which follows.

http://john-king.wix.com/author#!The-Unspoken-in-Alberto-Moravia’s-Contempt-Why-does-Emilia-Despise-her-Husband/c1q8z/55784dbb0cf219f17734b0f6

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?
John Fowles’ The Magus, Dostoyevsky’s Devils, Alberto Moravia’s Contempt, and Keigo Higashima’s Naoko. Tolstoy’s War and Peace would be nice too.

Author Websites and Profiles
John King Website
John King Amazon Profile

John King’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A lifelong resident of Virginia, I grew up in the rural southeastern part of the state with a large extended family. I majored in Religious Studies and minored in Creative Writing-fiction at Virginia Commonwealth University. I now live in a rural area near Richmond where five year old beagle, Leah, and her new companion beagle, Sage, have room to run. I spend my free time with my favorite activity, gardening, participate in Midlothian Wordsmith’s Workshop, and read and write as often as possible. At university, I was fortunate to have many incredible writing teachers, the most recent being authors Clint McGown, and Sheri Reynolds, bestselling author of “Rapture of Canaan”, among others. I learned from Clint McGown that prose can be as beautiful as poetry and I gained a love of southern fiction from Sheri Reynolds.
In 2012 I began writing stories about a boy growing up in the south in the 1960’s. Those stories became the collection “The Adventures of Roland McCray”. All three volumes are also in print and audiobook. Some of my books are available in or can be requested at many Public libraries and paperback versions can be ordered from several major offline book retailers.
I also have a new book that is a radical change from the “Roland McCray” series- “Falling Water: Stories & Poetry” a well-received collection of unusual short stories & poetry that is also available in print and audiobook (narrated by Charles Kahlenberg). Among other projects, I’m currently working on a science fiction novel that I hope to complete in 2016.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Falling Water: Stories & Poetry
I had a lot of journals I’d kept for years and never before published, highly emotional and inspirational short stories and poems that I wanted to share with my readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I actually write better in the evening and also record short vocal notes for my stories on my phone’s voice recorder. After doing that, I rarely need to listen to them because I tend to remember what I recorded. I think speaking aloud the story notes and plot outlines helps tremendously when I sit don to actually write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, the Bible, and The Book of Tao, (of course- I majored in Religious Studies) are old favorites. I also have a fondness southern writing, especially the boos by Sheri Reynolds.

What are you working on now?
A science fiction novel set in a dystopian future America.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As Stephen King, and many others have said: Read, read and read! I read often and study what I read closely. It helps me learn how other authors create great characters, plot lines, etc. So, read just as much as possible- your writing will improve dramatically.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read everything you can. It’s the best way to improve your own skills.

What are you reading now?
No single book that I can name- I read an average of one novel a week, but right now I’m taking a break and reading short story collections of science fiction- and gaining ideas for my novel-in-progress from nearly every story.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Complete my novel in progress and, hopefully, begin a sequel to 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?
That’s a tough one: probably my Scholar’s Bible, The Book of Tao (I learn new things from those two with every reading. And probably a science fiction novel and T.S. Eliot’s work.

Author Websites and Profiles
Blaine Coleman Website
Blaine Coleman Amazon Profile
Blaine Coleman Author Profile on Smashwords

Blaine Coleman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A native of Kentucky, I currently reside there with my wonderful and supportive husband of twenty-five years, two sons (one who loves me unconditionally, and one who loves me only when we’re not in public), and a menagerie of animals. I write edgy, women’s fiction & mystery. My novels deal with such topics as infidelity, mental illness, abuse, and alcoholism. The titles are After All Is Said And Done: A Novel of Infidelity, Healing, & Forgiveness, The Monster of Silver Creek, Seasons of Darkness, and Tragedy at Silver Creek.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tragedy at Silver Creek was released in September and is a stand-alone sequel to The Monster of Silver Creek. After I’d published Monster, I found myself unable to let the characters go and realized that there was a whole new story just waiting to be written. Tragedy at Silver Creek is a story about a small town in Montana struggling to deal with the aftermath of a serial killer’s reign of terror.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say my writing habits are unusual, but I am extremely picky. If I write a scene, I find that I absolutely cannot move on to the next one until every sentence in it is perfect. I also have an annoying habit of thinking about my book (when I’m working on one) ALL THE TIME. I usually go to sleep agonizing over a particular scene or chapter, and if I happen to wake up in the middle of the night, I find that those thoughts are still there and, unfortunately, my brain picks up right where I left off.

On a typical day, you can find me in my office staring at the computer screen scrutinizing my work with my cat in my lap and a can of Mt. Dew beside me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think one of the first books I read that gave me inspiration to write was The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. To read something that good, and to be written by someone so young, fueled my own desire to become an author.

I am also a big fan of Danielle Steel. Her characters are so colorful, I find myself wanting to take them home for dinner.

What are you working on now?
I’m about to begin working on a new mystery about a woman who married out of necessity but eventually learns that her husband isn’t all that she thought he would be.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As vague as it sounds, I go the usual social media routes; however, as far as websites, there are a couple that really stand out. One of them is Indies Unlimited. There, you can search any topic you might have a questions about and chances are it has already been addressed. I have found a wealth of great promotion sites through them. The other is Chris The Story Reading Ape’s Blog, which also provides excellent advice on selling/promoting/writing your book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Never give up. If you like writing, keep doing it.
2. Join author support groups and learn all you can about the craft of self-publishing, marketing, promoting, and, of course, writing.
3. Write for yourself and not what you think others want you to write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t agonize over days that haven’t been given to you yet.

What are you reading now?
I just downloaded The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner, and am looking forward to reading it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My goal for this year is to work on my new book. Aside from that, I’ll be doing some extensive research for another project I hope to start later in the year. It’s a daring story that I hope will come to fruition!

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…probably anything written by Les Stroud (although I must say that I’d rather eat my own finger than a spider), my Bible, and a book on sand art.

Author Websites and Profiles
Belinda G. Buchanan Website
Belinda G. Buchanan Amazon Profile
Belinda G. Buchanan Author Profile on Smashwords

Belinda G. Buchanan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a quarter-of-a-century old and have been telling stories since I could talk. When I was five, I wrote one down for the first time, and haven’t been able to stop since. I have self-published five books to date, as well as a number of poems and short stories. When not writing I love reading good books of all genres, painting my nails, and doing pretty much anything with family and friends.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Implant, is a time-travel dystopia about a nineteen-year-old boy with leukemia who gets pulled into a future where everyone is controlled by means of a cure-all mdical implant. Naturally, it rests on him to save the world. It was mainly inspired by the idea of a relationship between two men who appear to hate each others’ guts, but deep down are true friends. It was also inspired by thinking about the dangers of giving up complete control of your health to an outside entity.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No writing session is complete without a bout of freewriting to help me plan things out and fill in plot holes. I open a separate document, write out whatever thoughts I have (including “um”s and “I don’t know”s) until I feel like I have a grasp on what direction to go. Most of my writing habits are, however, normal (that is, normal for a writer). Wait, is consuming unhealthy amounts of Jr. Mints normal?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to count, but a few of the top contenders would be Frank Peretti (in particular his books Monster and The Oath), Daniel Schwabauer, and C. S. Lewis (mainly his Chronicles of Narnia series). I grew ingesting Lewis via abridged audiobooks on cassette tape almost daily, I finished my first novel after reading a Peretti book at age eighteen, and Schwabauer’s One Year Adventure Novel course has revolutionized the way I tell stories.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m finishing up the fifth book in my young adult science-fiction series–Firmament: Gestern. I wrote the bulk of it during this last NaNoWriMo and am hoping to put in the last 5000 words or so this month so I can get on to publishing the fourth book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I’m not incredibly good at the whole marketing thing as of yet, but so far the most effective thing I’ve tried has been well-timed sales (Black Friday sales, holiday sales, summer reading sales, etc.) in conjunction with other writers. Those always provide a nice boost, plus, it’s just plain wonderful when authors band together!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My main advice is basically to just do it. So many people talk about and dream of writing, but so few will actually get their behinds in their chairs and do it. Or if they do, they write a few pages and get tired of it (me until I was eighteen). Just write. And when you don’t feel inspired, keep writing. When what you’re turning out is junk, keep writing. Writing is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent fingers-on-keyboard (or pen or pencil, if that’s your thing).

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You can edit anything but a blank page.” I don’t remember who said it, but it gives me the little push I need to keep writing by remembering no mater how bad it is, I can always edit it later.

What are you reading now?
Let’s Get Visible by David Gaughran. It’s a marketing book for indie ebook publishers.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Like I said, I am planning to publish the fourth book in my series, Firmament: Reversal Zone, soon. In addition, I am hoping to submit more short stories and poetry to magazines this year. I may also do my own ebook of poetry and essays. We’ll see.

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?
This is a cruel and unusual question! I’m going to assume the Bible doesn’t count, and say Me, Myself, & Bob by Phil Vischer, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott, and The Oath by Frank Peretti. Quite a mishmash. (did I mention I like to read in all genres?)

Author Websites and Profiles
J. Grace Pennington Website
J. Grace Pennington Amazon Profile

J. Grace Pennington’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
DeLonso Pleasant is a passionate Videographer and Audio Technician who loves to share his experience with others. As of 2016 he has published two books – HOW TO FILM A WEDDING and HOW TO BUILD A RECORDING STUDIO FOR LESS THAN $200.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Latest Book – How To Film A Wedding.
“By publishing books about subjects I love, it forces me to fill the gaps in knowledge I may have in my craft.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
“While coffee may not be an unusual writing habit for most, it is an unusual habit for me. The only time I drink coffee is while writing. Any other time it makes me feel uncomfortable.”

What authors, or books have influenced you?
“Blaine Brown is an awesome Cinematographer who I have learned a lot from. He took my understanding of film to a new level which has fueled my passion to create more.”

What are you working on now?
“Currently I am working on more books on video production. The more I learn, the more I will share.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
“Amazon has promoted my books. I have yet to discover the other sites that cater to authors but I am working on it.”

Do you have any advice for new authors?
“Cut the fluff. The books I enjoy the most are the ones that get to the point. The average attention span is decreasing across the globe. Add value with a tad bit of personality but don’t saturate your book with words just to add length.”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Just Do It” – NIKE

What are you reading now?
“I read a different book daily. 99% of the time I’m reading a Non-Fiction. Science, Cinematography, Off-Grid Living, Philosophy, Health,… ”

What’s next for you as a writer?
“Expansion!”

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?
“2 or 3 island survival books, The Holy Bible, and a photo book of family.

Author Websites and Profiles
DeLonso Pleasant Website
DeLonso Pleasant Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Elmira, New York and studied Science and History in the Elmira Heights School District. I earned an A.S. degree at Corning Community College in Corning, NY. I received a B.S. degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY. I currently works in retail management. This is my first published book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is titled “Tadd Tyler” It is based on Tom Sawyer. The name was intended to denote a diminutive teenager. The subtitle , “Love, Murder, and Runaways in New York”, was created on the advice of a book publishing web site to give the shopper an idea what the book was about.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in quiet large spaces because I find it unleashes my creativity. A significant portion of “Tadd Tyler” was written on a legal pad on a bench in front of the Neiman Marcus at the Natick Mall in Natick, MA!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
This book is based on Tom Sawyer but I’ve also been inspired by Science and Science Fiction writers like Isaac Asimov and Robert A. Heinlein.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently kicking around ideas for a sequel to “Tadd Tyler” named “Running Water”, named after the primary female character in “Tadd Tyler”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment “awesomegang.com” holds that position. I’ve also done some publicity on a Facebook page named after “Tadd Tyler”.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book because you feel inspired too. Don’t worry about whether you can publish it or make money off it. The work is its own reward.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you know and enjoy!

What are you reading now?
“The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The hardest part of writing anything is getting started. I am not a writer by profession so my next goal must be to get started!!!

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?
4 random volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica!

Author Websites and Profiles
Joseph Kacoyannakis Amazon Profile

Joseph Kacoyannakis’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota when I was sixteen, and have lived there ever since. And after 45 years I can testify, one does not get used to the cold.

Reading has always been one of my passions and my oldest wish has been to be a writer. It took me a long time to achieve my dream. It wasn’t until the 1990s that I got serious about writing. I started with a novel, then turned to poetry. I returned to writing fiction in 2012 and since then have written 12 novels and a couple dozen short stories.

Aside from writing, I enjoy music, cooking, tea, and nature. My dream is to fly on an airship and sail on a a square-rigger.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is By Leaps and Bounds. It is the fifth in The Rocheport Saga, which is a post-apocalyptic series. The saga, over 2200 manuscript pages, began with the sentence “Today I killed a man and a woman.” And where that sentence came from, I have no idea!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In this day and age, I’d say writing my stories with pencil or pen on paper is just a wee bit unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert E Howard, H P Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Kazuo Ishiguro, Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Saki’s short story “Sredni Vashtar”, Conrad Aiken’s short story “Silent Snow, Secret Snow”, Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”, Eric Frank Russell’s “Men, Martians, and Machines”, Geroge R Stewart’s “Earth Abides”, and T E D Klein’s “The Events at Poroth Farm” and “The Ceremonies”.

What are you working on now?
Right now I have several works in progress: the fourth and fifth books in my Justinia Wright, PI series, the sixth book in The Rocheport Saga, and the third book in my Lady Dru Drummond dieselpunk adventure series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Marketing is something I’ve not focused on up to this point. Being an author/publisher, I’ve followed the dictum to have lots of product available and to produce it quickly. Now that I’m reaching the point where I have several books in each series, I’m turning my attention to marketing. Sites such as Awesomegang are on my list to investigate. I’m also looking at using press releases, scheduling book signings and talks. And, of course, nothing beats simply telling people about your books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I can give a new author is to read “Letters to a Young Poet” by Rainer Maria Rilke. It is the best advice ever written, especially the first letter. After that, follow Heinlein’s Five Rules of Writing: you must write, you must finish what you start, you must refrain from rewriting, you must put your story on the market, and you must keep it on the market until sold.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from Marcus Aurelius in his “Meditations”: Life is what you make it.

What are you reading now?
After London Or, Wild England by Richard Jefferies

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next? Why writing, of course!

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?
Seneca’s Letters to Lucillus, the Sonnets of Edna St Vincent Millay, Basho’s haiku, and Saigyo’s tanka

Author Websites and Profiles
CW Hawes Website
CW Hawes Amazon Profile

CW Hawes’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an entrepreneur, author and inspirational speaker that has written two books. I also write professional publications for other business media outlets in addition to my previous journalism roles.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Covered was inspired by my life journey. As a young, African-American woman, there is so much awareness as to how challenging it is to be a Black woman when it comes to love, life and happiness. Additionally, there is a lot of frustration within the African-American community when it comes to maintaining healthy relationships. Thus, I wanted to share my story with other women, to advise them through practical life stories how to identify forms of emotional abuse in their relationships and how to avoid them while in pursuit of happiness.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I just go.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Iyanla Vanzant

What are you working on now?
I am currently touring the country to inspire women to be transparent, to be fearless and to be resilient.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Please, do your research. There are so many tools and tips to help make you successful. Knowledge is key.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
All things are possible if you believe.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to conduct 72 speaking engagements this year and to continue to promote emotional abuse across the globe.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
The Secret
A Lady in Waiting

Author Websites and Profiles
Alexis Nicole White Website
Alexis Nicole White Amazon Profile

Alexis Nicole White’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the middle child of a large family… maybe that’s all you need to know! My careers and life experiences have been many. I’ve worked as an architectural technician, designer, and run a vintage clothing shop in Cornwall with the man I finally married, after a variety of fairly unsucessful relationships (although one resulted in two beautiful sons, so no regrets there). These days I spend the majority of my time writing humorous novels and short stories.
I have written two books. My debut novel is Hungary For Adventure which in Ebook format and available to download on Amazon and my second novel is titled SHOWING OFF and is also available to download from Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
SHOWING OFF
The inspiration for writting this book about putting on a fashion show derives from my own experience organising a number of fund raising shows when I owned a vintage clothing boutique.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, I just write whenever I can. If I have a wave of sudden inspiration I might get up and write at three in the morning, as that’s when I tend to suddenly come up with new ideas and my next chapter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Laurie Graham and P.G.Wodehouse, to name but two.

What are you working on now?
Short stories and ideas for a third book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hard to say, although offering free days on Amazon really boosted downloads. Then I guess it’s best to try connecting with as many websites as possible and my blog has been a help.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always go over and over what you believe to be your finished novel for typos and mistakes. Don’t rush into sending it out to an agent or publishing your own Ebook until you are absolutely sure it is the best it can be and mistake free. I read this advice somewhere and then ignored it, more fool me! I ended up uploading my Ebooks far too soon and then had to keep re-uploading them as I noticed more and more errors! What I should have done was put the books aside for a few weeks and then re-read them. You can end up rewriting so many times as you build your book that after a while you become weary and typo blind. I also found that even when I felt sure the book was as I wanted it to be, when I returned to it weeks later there were always sentences that I could improve, and some which I deleted.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t rush to get your book into print or sent to an agent. Wait a month and re-read it This distance from the euphoria you might feel when you believe it to be finally finished is vital.

What are you reading now?
I’m not reading anything right now as I am trying to come up with a new book idea. The last fictional book I read was a few months ago, Another Country by James Baldwin, which was excellent. I have also been reading How Not to Write a Novel by Sandra Newman & Howard Mittelmark, 200 mistakes to avoid at all costs if you ever want to get published. I’ts very funny and you will learn from it. However, in my two books I have quite deliberately flouted some of the rules as the humour depends on it. I hope that people will laugh when they read my books. If you want to be a ‘serious’ writer then abide by every rule.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Another book and some real success with the two I have now written I hope!

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?
Sorry, I find this question too difficult.

Author Websites and Profiles
Louise T W Lucas Website
Louise T W Lucas Amazon Profile

Louise T W Lucas’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
USA Today Bestselling and Award Winning Author of almost 20 unusually unusual historical romances that have been known to include scarred heroes, feisty heroines, marriage-producing scandals, far too much scheming, naughty literature and always a sweet happily-ever-after.

When not escaping to another world via reading or writing a book, she spends her time chasing two young boys around the house, being hunted by wild animals, or sitting on the swing in the backyard where she has to use her arms as shields to deflect projectiles AKA: balls, water balloons, sticks, pinecones, and anything else one of them picks up to hurl at his brother who just happens to be hiding behind her.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book was part of a 50-book series with the cooperation of 45 authors! My book was Jessie: Bride of South Carolina and it’s about a young couple who grew up as friends, but due to family social status their childhood friendship came to a screeching halt, replaced instead with a severe dislike for one another. Jessie has decided to become a mail-order-bride (the common theme of the series) but the problem is she needs to find someone to take her to Charleston to catch the train…

This is only my fourth “western” book, the majority of mine have been Regencies or Georgian era novels.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Of course! I have a play list that consists of about 4-6 songs and that’s all I listen to over and over and over while writing that specific book. I also keep a document of all the good lines or partial scenes that didn’t make it into the book. Also, as part of my editing process, my husband usually reads my book to give me a man’s perspective and I will publish his comments on my blog. Always (well, almost) fun!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influence in many ways has been Ruth Ann Nordin. She has to be one of my greatest friends in the industry–plus, her books rock!

What are you working on now?
Passions of a Gentleman–the third and final installment in my Regency series Gentleman of honor. These two have an…er…interesting first meeting and it only gets better from there!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Books sell more books. No matter what advertising sites and strategies I’ve tried, what it always comes down to is having books available will help sell more books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
First and foremost, write for yourself! Don’t write for the critics. Don’t write for fame and fortune. Write because you love the characters and want to experience their story in a way no one else will be able to do!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t miss your life.

I wish I had listened when I first heard it, but after a few hard knocks I learned what they meant and how to embrace it!

What are you reading now?
A little bit of everything. I have about six non-fiction books I’m somewhere in the middle of. One of them that’s my favorite so far is Bleed, Blister and Purge. It goes into pioneer medicine techniques or in other words the medicinal home remedies the colonists and pioneers used.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books!! In 2014 I had a life-chaning event and didn’t write for the second half of the year and only dabbled in writing in 2015 (3 novellas as opposed to my 3-5 full length books per year in previous years) . This year, I plan to find a middle ground of 2 full length novels and 2 novellas. We shall see!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. The Dictionary so I have plenty of kindling.
2. Pioneer Woman’s Cookbook so I have plenty of pictures to salivate over while I slowly die.
3. Bleed Blister and Purge so I can try to make my dying (hey, I’m stranded here) a little more tolerable!
and for fun..
Ruth Ann Nordin’s His Redeeming Bride

Author Websites and Profiles
Rose GOrdon Website
Rose GOrdon Amazon Profile
Rose GOrdon Author Profile on Smashwords

Rose GOrdon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a first time author with my well reviewed memoir, MS Madness! A “Giggle More, Cry Less” Story of Multiple Sclerosis. I’ve also been published in the anthologies Something on Our Minds Volumes 1-3 and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding My Faith. My children’s Christian play, The Best Birthday Ever, has been performed in six different countries and been translated into Spanish. Pretty exciting since I didn’t start writing seriously until five years ago when MS forced me to leave my job.

What I’ve discovered is that I’m actually a humorist. I make fun of the crazy in life with my blog at yvonnedesousa.com Making fun of the insanity keeps me from going insane.

I’m single and blessed to live in Cape Cod, MA near one of Dr. Beaches top 10 beaches in the country. When I’m not writing or laughing I’m usually reading or resting.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MS Madness! A “Giggle More, Cry Less” Story of Multiple Sclerosis

The inspiration for this one was easy. My little brother and I were leaving the hospital after I had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he turned to me and said. “You know, you could totally get one of those handicapped parking plates now. Even if you don’t want to use it right away you could let me borrow it.”

What was so striking about his comment was that he was a 21 year old semi pro dirt bike rider who drove a huge Ford F150 with two dirt bikes in the bed. I pictured him and his monstrosity of a vehicle backing into a handicapped parking spot and I doubled over with laughter. And I felt better. The laughing didn’t take away the fear or the pain but it sure helped.

In the days that followed MS brought so many crazy circumstances into my life that I realized that chronic illness was going to so insane that I would go insane if I didn’t learn to laugh at it. And MS Madness! was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to do my best writing in the shower. I little TMI I know but it’s the truth. I wrote my entire Christian play in the shower. It was a long shower with hair conditioning and leg shaving (way too much TMI) but it was complete. I jumped out soaking wet, threw on a robe and started typing. And the play was done. I wrote that so quickly that I give total credit to God for sending it to my brain but there is definitely something to the shower. If I’m working on a particular thought or chapter I try to think about just before I get ready to shower and it usually helps.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Growing up I loved to read and my favorite authors were Lois Duncan, Judy Blume and S.E. Hinton. Their art of storytelling in itself influenced me and made me admire their talent. Now I tend to go for suspense authors such as Gillian Flynn, Harlan Coben, and Lisa Unger. But for the humor component I’ve recently discovered Dave Barry and am in love! I can’t believe I had never read his work before and have a lot to catch up on.

What are you working on now?
Recently I’ve felt compelled to write about my first love, a wonderfully kind man with a gentle soul, gorgeous looks and an addiction to crack cocaine. It’s definitely not a humor book. But growing up in the small coastal town that we did provides a setting all it’s own and it is becoming an important coming of age story. And I feel that it’s a story I need to tell, no matter whether I decide to publish it or not. But to keep my world and writing lighthearted I also still write for my chronic illness humor blog.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It may be passe’ at this point but I still love Facebook. With so many various groups I’ve had a lot of luck posting reviews, contests, appearances and other news on FB. It’s dangerous though- it can be such a time suck if you let it and I have to admit, I do let it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Listen to everything everyone tells you and but know when to ignore everything everyone tells you. You are going to get a lot of advice on this journey and it’s important to truly hear it, process it and accept it even if you don’t like it. At the same time, what works for some doesn’t always work for others and you know yourself and your work best. It’s a difficult balance but it’s crucial to listen to your heart while making sure you are not just dismissing what’s being suggested because you don’t like it. We all have a lot to learn but if something doesn’t feel right it may not be for you. The tricky part is knowing the difference.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe

I’m not sure when I was first given that advice and don’t think I can expand on it much. But I will say that to have belief in God, yourself, your dreams is to have a purpose, a reason for being.

If we don’t believe in something what do we have?

What are you reading now?
I’m slow to catch up on the latest best reads so I only just finished The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and I loved it. I’m starting Precious Thing by Colette McBeth.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m on an emotional road with my current writing and want to keep at it. Then I will have to decide if I want to pursue publication. I also have an idea for a preteen book based on Cape Cod history that I keep thinking about.

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?
First and foremost, the Bible. I will never be done reading that. Plus it’s a big one so it would keep me busy and inspired for a long, long time.

Life by Keith Richards also because it’s long and inspiring but in a completely different way than the Bible. And because it would keep great music in my soul if I didn’t have a way to hear great music. And a couple of Dave Barry books to keep me laughing.

Author Websites and Profiles
Yvonne deSousa Website
Yvonne deSousa Amazon Profile

Yvonne deSousa’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an M.A. English candidate at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. I have written four books–three novels and a work of non-fiction. I am also a screenwriter and dream of making movies and/or plays one day.

*Please do not include ‘The Final Chase,’ published in 2005, in anything involving this interview. I got my rights back, rewrote it, and re-released it as ‘Dream Chase.’ I also rewrote an earlier version of ‘Postmarked Baltimore.’ I would prefer neither of the old books to be mentioned.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
’51: Opening Acts’ is Book I of a nostalgic, coming-of-age series inspired by my older brother and I’s relationship and our experience in social circles and in sports at Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin, LA.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing at CCs coffee shop.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
‘The Fountainhead’ by Ayn Rand, ‘Open’ by Andre Agassi, ‘The Screwtape Letters’ by C.S. Lewis, all Edgar Allan Poe, ‘The Scarlet Letter’ by Nathaniel Hawthorne, ‘The Things They Carried’ by Tim O’Brien

What are you working on now?
‘Among the Cane Stalks,’ a story about my father’s life and escape from a murder attempt by his best friend

‘Andy,’ a YA novel

‘Jerry,’ a novel and potential play

Book II of ’51’

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Johnny Depp once said, “One day the people that didn’t believe in you will tell everyone how they met you.” The message? No matter what happens or what reaction you get to your work, just keep writing and producing. It really boils down to how much good you can add to your little corner of the world with your gift.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” -Jim Valvano

What are you reading now?
‘And One Stayed Home’ by Janice and Ripley Roane

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will seek placement for my play ‘By Jerry’ and write ‘Among the Cane Stalks.’

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?
‘War and Peace,’ ‘The Fountainhead,’ ‘Atlas Shrugged,’ and ‘The Stand’ because those are the longest books I know of.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jeff LeJeune Website
Jeff LeJeune Amazon Profile

Jeff LeJeune’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Ohio and have written 2 books so far. My background is in education and I currently hold a part time tutoring position.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Recently I lost 100 pounds which gave me the inspiration to write my books. My most recent book is I Lost 100 Pounds And You Can Too! Healthy Recipes For Weight Loss: Quick & Easy, Most are 5 Ingredients or Less

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not Really, I carry around a notebook at all times to jot down ideas and other things that come to my head.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr Phil’s Weight Loss books as well as Richard Simmons too.
My friend Dale Roberts books too.

What are you working on now?
Journals for Weight Loss and Also A book about Gratitude.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still in process. Contacting websites directly.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep trying. Don’t give up! You can do it! Get support from other authors.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Become involved in writers groups!

What are you reading now?
Dr Phil’s 20/20 Diet book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing up the journals and gratitude books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Ugly Duckling that my parents gave me.
Dr Seuss Green Eggs and Ham
One of Tony Robbins books
Your Motivation & Your Purpose by Dale L Roberts

Author Websites and Profiles
Carol Langkamp Website
Carol Langkamp Amazon Profile

Carol Langkamp’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account