Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an international speaker, author, and blogger. I have spent last five years meeting hundreds of business leaders in multiple industries around the world, helping them to use the emerging disruptive technologies for automation and for their business growth.

Regardless of the industry, country, technology, individual’s role, age, or gender, one simple fact stood out: Automation is eliminating jobs like never before, but also opening up some rare career opportunities, again like never before.

Based on my own personal success story in finding his dream job, and hundreds of interactions and dozens of recent books and studies, I wrote The Race for Work to provide others with a real-world guide to escape automation, transform their careers, and thrive in the second machine age.

I have published articles on leading international media such as The Huffington Post, The Guardian, The Times, and over 20 other leading platforms across the world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘The Race for Work: Escape Automation, Transform Your Career and Thrive in the Second Machine Age’.

I manage high technology business for a global IT company. As part of my job, I provide technology solutions that automate existing works and eliminate thousands of jobs. Based on my experience and dozens of books I read and hundreds of interactions with industry leaders, I wrote this book to help people save their jobs.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write in the mornings. I write at least for 15 minutes every day so that my writing habit is maintained all the time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tim Ferris, Derek Sivers, Tony Robbins, Ramit Sethi, Nassim Taleb, Steven Pressfield, Seneca, Sean Carroll, Daniel Kahneman, Marc Goodman, Jeremy Rifkin, and Peter H. Diamandis, to name just a few.

What are you working on now?
I manage advanced technology business for a global IT company. I actively blog, speak at internal business conferences and also write on career transformation.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think having interviews on leading online platforms and podcasts is a great way to promote my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Build an expertise in the area you love and share your story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What you do is infinitely more important than how you do each thing.

What are you reading now?
I am reading The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly

What’s next for you as a writer?
For the next 6 months, I want to listen to my audience, take feedback on my latest book and get ideas for my next book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I take time tested books such as
1. A Guide to Good Life by William B Irvine
2. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
3. The Big Picture by Sean Carroll
4. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Author Websites and Profiles
Bhoopathi Rapolu Website
Bhoopathi Rapolu Amazon Profile

Bhoopathi Rapolu’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Surrey, B.C. Canada and served in the military as a Morse code operator, paratrooper and UN peace keeper (former Yugoslavia 1993). I hold a Bachelor of Human Ecology (Nutrition). I have competed in kick-boxing in Canada and Hong Kong and at age 40, won a welter weight championship. I have worked as a crime reporter, wrote over 100 articles and six books, including Reduce Your Alcohol Craving, One Less Victim: a crime prevention manual, Train Her Confident: Women’s Kick-Boxing, Stomach Flattening and Selo (award winning fiction novel).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Simple Secrets to Handle Your Alcohol Better: Student’s Edition. I was inspired to publish my research about drinking in college so that people can enjoy their alcohol without addiction or the side effects. During the writing of Reduce Your Alcohol Craving, my own sister died of alcohol poisoning. It was at this point, I pushed my doubt as a writer aside and just kept writing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I set up a schedule to write at least a page at a time and then pay myself a dollar an hour or a dollar a page. On the weekend I spend the money on something fun, like a movie, a trip up Grouse Mountain or an exotic meal.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors who have influenced me have been Andrew H. Vachss, Louis L’Amour, David Liss and Stephen King.
The most influential books: Strega by Andrew Vachss, Breaking Writer’s Block Now! by Jerry Mundis, On Writing by Stephen King, Will by G. Gordon Liddy.

What are you working on now?
Fitness/Body Shaping book for women based on 1920 to 1970 actresses and models. It is the return of the hourglass shape that was so popular in the Miss America and Playboy models in the early 20th century.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Public speaking and word of mouth have been the most successful methods. Otherwise articles linking to my website are also effective.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Write what people are interested in.
2. Write like you are working, exercising or studying. Put aside the time, but do not over do it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep training and working towards something. You are going to get old anyway.

What are you reading now?
No Angel: My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hell’s Angels

by Jay Dobyns

What’s next for you as a writer?
How-to videos

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 Lives of Great Men by Plutarch
The Bible
The Koran

Author Websites and Profiles
Doug Setter Website
Doug Setter Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a wrier and reader, and I also do book reviews on my website. Love Connection is my first book series and the first two books of the series are released and are live on amazon. Currently I am working on two more books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Love Reconnection which is the sequel to Love Connection. My thirst for an unconventional story with characters that are flawed and yet likeable is what inspired the series

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find it hard to just stick to one book at a time. I prefer writing two books at a time which refreshes my mind and makes it a more interesting process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Mia Asher book, but my top fav series is The addicted to you/ Calloway sister series. I got inspired to weave my story after reading these books.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on a book called Promises Of a Wish. It is a second chance ‘angsty’ romance.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Definitely Awesomegang and few of the blogging websites that not only support well established best selling authors but also self published authors

Do you have any advice for new authors?
They should just write from their heart without worrying too much about how critics or the readers will perceive or judge it. Something written from out heart and something that makes us proud will definitely resonate with the hearts of like minded readers. Writing should mainly be about self satisfaction.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There is always a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow;) we should always hope the best and keep trying.

What are you reading now?
Currently I am reading Punk and Author Anonymous.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing and to be get better and better. It is a learning journey and I want to improve with every new book I write.

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?
Carnage, thoughtless series, Arsen and of course my own books;)

Author Websites and Profiles
Meghana Sarathy Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A reformed middle and high school teacher I left the profession after 15 years and settled into being more available to my two teenagers and pursuing my dreams of publishing. I live in Northern New Hampshire in the home I grew up in, and that my mother was raised in, but have nightly dreams of a little bungalow on a warm sandy beach.
I fell in love with reading in high school and once I found Pride and Prejudice, well it might be cliche’, but there was no turning back. I am a firm believer that a reader finds a piece of who they are or learns something about the world with every book they read. I want my readers to be empowered and to have a refreshed belief in the goodness of people and the power of love after reading my work.

I currently have my debut novel coming out on January 31, 2017, but that isn’t to say that I don’t have at least one novel shoved under my bed, and several in the works. I plan to publish the second book in the “Improper Wives for Proper Lords” series in the summer of 2017.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dealing with the Viscount. To tell you the truth I have had this in my “ideas” folder long enough that the original inspiration escapes me, but I do remember having a scene that I eventually had to take out coming to me fully formed. A scene where my heroine barges in on my hero and suggests they get married, from there it was history.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmm. Well the only thing I can think of is that a few years ago when I was having a bugger of a time getting words on paper, I fired my muse. I decided if I was going to wait for her to be “ready” then I would never again write, so I simple sit down and dive in. It has worked so far. I will also write for cake, if anyone wants to bring some over.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Obviously, Jane Austen would be top on the list, but then modern day authors like Karen Hawkins, Eloisa James, Julia Quinn in my genre have helped me with the essence of a Regency Romance. Then there are my personal writing peeps, Susan Ann Wall, Cheri Allan, Christyne Butler, Peggy Jaeger and too many to list here that show me all the time that perseverance, and determination are the hallmarks to a successful writing career. I love many authors for specific things they do well, so the list would be very long if I continued.

What are you working on now?
I am working on An Heiress by Midnight. It is the second book in the Improper Wives for Proper Lords series and I am having so much fun! Clive, my hero, is introduced in Dealing with the Viscount. He could have easily taken over that story, so it was not a tough decision to give him his own story. He needed a special kind of heroine thought, one that would test him and push him to become the man was capable of being and who better than the local Highway”man” Lady Louissa. It is so much fun watching these two fall in love! I can’t wait to share their story with the world!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still new to a lot of this, but I love Facebook! It is a great place to connect with people and really feel like you know them. I think it is great when readers welcome me into their lives and allow me to share bits of my own crazy world with them, while I get to know who they are. I also belong to several author promo groups on Facebook that have tons of information.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn as much as you can about ALL aspects of publishing, because you are going to have to know it and be able to do it. It isn’t just about the writing anymore. Having the best book you can write is just the beginning of a looong journey.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t get discouraged and learn how to accept criticism for what it is. It is not a personal attack on you and your work, but an honest assessment of where your story is right now. No piece of writing is perfect and you can always improve upon what you have. If you believe in it that much and are willing to put in the time you can get a usable story out of anything.

What are you reading now?
Right now, I am Daring Greatly by Brene’ Brown. It is a self-help/self-improvement book. I love them because I usually learn something I can use in my own life, but also in my characters lives. Other than that, I am in pre-release mode and end of story mode, so that doesn’t leave loads of reading time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on getting established as a solid author with a readership and following. I have a huge file of story ideas, some even branch out to Scottish Highland and I have a distopia YA idea as well, but I don’t think I will ever go too far from my Regency’s.

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?
Survival for dummies (not sure if this exists, but it should)
Confessions of a Scoundrel by Karen Hawkins
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
and one I haven’t read yet to change it up a bit.

Author Websites and Profiles
Clair Brett Website
Clair Brett Amazon Profile

Clair Brett’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love reading, always have, and in particular I enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, and fantasy. I write a blend of all three. I currently have published only one novel – Murder In Absentia. However I am working on the second novel now, and have published several short stories with the same protagonist.

I call my work Storied of Togas, Daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Detective Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy – as they draw on elements from all these genres.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Quite simply, Murder In Absentia is the story I always wanted to read. I loved historical fiction about ancient Rome since the first time I read Asterix. I’ve read a lot of classic sci-fi and fantasy in my youth, as well as classic detectives. Lately I’ve read a lot Roman detective mysteries, like those of Steven Saylor and Lindsey Davis. So when it came time to write, I knew exactly what I wanted.

The story itself is a classic noir detective. A young man dies, his powerful family wants to know why. Felix goes after the people responsible, and gets drawn into a little circle of nasty people. What makes this story unique – besides the very surprising plot twists – is the setting. The melding of Ancient Roman culture (I’ve done hours and hours of research into every aspect) together with the high-fantasy magical world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have met many authors, so I would be hesitant to call any habit unusual. We authors are a weird bunch.

That said, I have cackled in evil glee as I was writing a few scenes in my novels…
Also, cats. I like it when they come sit with me when I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! On the Roman historical fiction side, probably Colleen McCullough, Steven Saylor and Ruth Downie stand out. The last two also cover historical mystery novels, and I will only add the amazing Boris Akunin for his incredible Erast Fandorin series.

On the fantasy side too many to mention, from classics like JRR Tolkein and Fritz Leiber, to modern authors like Neil Gaiman and Terry Prachett.

There are other historical fantasy detectives out there too… I’ll just mention Barry Hughart, with Bridge of Birds. One of my all-time favourite books!

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the second full-length Felix mystery, titled In Numina. It is a tale of haunted housed and household gods – Felix is hired to deal with some highly unusual events, afflicting a rich landowner’s apartment blocks.

It will be published in 2017.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a first time indie author, my primary focus is on reviews. These for the basis of everything else, from Amazon and Goodreads recommendations, to selection into premium programs.

To get the initial reviews was a very personal and intensive process. Reaching out and connecting with potential readers, handing out review copies and following up. My book’s Amazon reviews and ranking are doing really well, so I am starting to ease up on this and hand it over to the more automated processes like BookBub. This in turn frees me to have more time to write the next novel – and having further novels is a key to long term success.

That said, I am always up for more reviews – If anyone is interested in my works, they can reach out to me through Twitter and Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Perseverance.
It just takes a lot of perseverance to finish the first draft. And then to edit it. And then edit again. And then publish. And then market. Just stick to it, do a little bit every day, and eventually good things happen.
I’ve also written an article for Lifehacker with some other tips, about how to write, edit, publish and market books (when going through the self-publishing route). While I have learned and grew since publishing that article, the essence remains the same:
• Writing: Just do it. A little bit, but every day. Keep at it, until you finish that draft.
• Publishing: Never skimp on a good editor and a professional cover art. The difference they make is huge.
• Marketing: Start with reviews, build up to automated processes as you grow. It’s a job for the long haul, not overnight fame.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing.
Don’t skimp on cover and a good editor.
And keep writing more.

What are you reading now?
Alternating between Ruth Downie’s Medicus series (an unlikely detective set in Roman Britain of the 2nd century CE), and the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher (because so many files said that Felix reminds them of Harry Dresden in a Toga, I figured I should get around to checking it out).

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write more books!
It’s really that simple. I enjoy the process, I write the stories I want to read, so I write more.

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 assume you don’t mean “desert island survival guide for dummies” and “how to build a viable aircraft from coconut fronds”, because otherwise those should top the list.

Assuming you mean what three books I would take with me to while away the time on that island – I would be at a loss. So many books I’ve read and enjoyed over the years. So many books still on my to-read list.

Some of the very top (and they are series)
– Barry Hughart’s Bridge of Birds and the rest of the series
– Asterix (it’s my comfort reading for the soul)
– Cambridge Ancient History (will take a few years to get through it all – might as well learn something new)

Author Websites and Profiles
Assaph Mehr Website
Assaph Mehr Amazon Profile

Assaph Mehr’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
It’s difficult for me to write and talk in English, because it’s not my native language, but I’ll try. )))
I was born and raised in Russia. I am the journalist and the editor.
I have always been interested in two genres – historical books and children’s books.
I’m not going to talk about the books that were written in Russian. Only one of them has been translated into English several months ago.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Our latest book – “In The Land of Broken Time: The Incredible Journey”. I wrote, “our”, because we created this book with my wife. Her name is Mary Evan. She is not only a writer but also a great illustrator.
It’s a story about the time travel and about the journey of the boy, the girl and the dog in a fairyland, about the different ways of measuring time and about friendship. In this book there are many facts about how to construct different clock: not only mechanical, but also sundials, water clocks, hourglasses, aromatic clocks… Readers will learn how the human eye responds to light and about the animals that never get old…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write when I have some free time. This happens even between releases of news on TV, where I work. You have some free time – you can spend it usefully. Time is a nonrenewable resource. I do not like to write when I’m on vacation or on weekends.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many writers who have had and continue to have a huge influence on me. But the first book I read as a child, was a novel by Jules Verne ”The Mysterious Island”. It seems to me that this book changed my life.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working in parallel on a new children’s book. And I’m writing a new historical novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It difficult to answer this question, as the market of English literature for me – a new and mysterious place. )

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read more nonfiction literature about the subject on which you are going to write. Learn all about it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“A journey of a thousand miles started with a first step”. These words of the сhinese monist philosopher Laozi.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading the book about the journey of a group of Norwegians headed by Éric de Bisschop on a raft across the Pacific Ocean. In fact – this travel diary. Everyone knows Norwegian Thor Heyerdahl. But few people know about his great compatriot Éric de Bisschop.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to study, study and study again.

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’ll take the British encyclopedia. It would be enough. )

Author Websites and Profiles
Max Evan Website
Max Evan Amazon Profile

Max Evan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
It’s hard to believe I’ve published seven novels, and four novellas since 2011. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey! When I started this adventure to learn the craft of writing back in 2007, I had no idea it would have led me to where I am.

When I’m not writing, I work my day job as a massage therapist, personal trainer, and yoga instructor–all things I love to do! In my spare time*snort* I like to kayak the lakes and ponds in the Berkshires, hike the 6,000 acres of woods behind my house, or hang out with my little granddaughter who keeps me hopping and fills my heart to overflowing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just completed the second book in my Savage Cinderella Novella Series, entitled LOST BOYS. Since my main character, Brinn Hathaway was kidnapped as a child, held captive for two years, and then left for dead in the high country of North Georgia, she has a compulsion to help others avoid her fate.
In the original novel, SAVAGE CINDERELLA, we learn that Brinn has survived living in the mountains for eight years before she is discovered by nature photographer, Justin Spencer. Convinced she must return to the world or live a life of loneliness and isolation forever, she comes out of hiding, only to bring her kidnapper out after her.
I won’t tell you the end, but there was much more to tell of Brinn’s story after she faces down her enemy. Wattpad readers begged for a sequel and Brinn wouldn’t leave me alone.
FINDING HOPE, the first novella in the series picks up a year later when Brinn is asked by her friend Cody to help solve a kidnapping case with the FBI. Brinn’s personal experience gives her a unique perspective and her special abilities prove to be invaluable. Taking on another kidnapper and being led into a human trafficking ring was way more than she bargained for, but Brinn, Cody, Justin, and a their new friend Deputy Daniella Hernandez, are up to the task.

Keeping with the human trafficking theme, LOST BOYS picks up with Cody going missing in Colombia, South America and Brinn is determined to fly to his rescue…even if it strains her relationship with Justin (yes, there is a Team Cody/Team Justin element to the series). But when rumors of missing boys from the local village surface, Brinn’s mission is clear. She must free the boys, find her friend, and take down a cartel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m obsessed with checking my word count. It’s very motivating to set goals and meet them…or at least see the progress toward meeting them. It spurs me on!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon was so enthralling. The writing is beautiful, the characters so rich and vivid, and the story epic!

What are you working on now?
I’ll be jumping into the third novella in my Savage Cinderella series. I think this one is going to take Brinn and friends up to the pacific northwest. I don’t have a title yet, but the story is beginning to take shape in my imagination, which is really the most exciting part of the process for me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Oh, man…you had to ask. I’m kind of lame at promoting my books. I’d much rather spend my time writing. I use Facebook and twitter pretty regularly, and a few sites I use when I advertise, but I don’t have much money for paid promo, so I do things like Goodreads giveaways and multi-author events.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Develop a relationship with readers. Be friendly and welcoming, and build a network with other writers of your genre. Be patient with the process. There is a huge learning curve that is constantly moving in new directions and it’s easy to become overwhelmed with “to-dos”. Do what you can, do what you love, and enjoy the journey.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing!

What are you reading now?
Jody Piccoult’s SECOND GLANCE

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have so many projects on the table right now. I’ll continue working on novellas for my series, but I’d also like to write a new full length novel again.
Of course, I also have some ideas for the health and fitness side of my life. Including an OVERCOME YOUR SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE workbook and 30-day challenge to accompany my non-fiction title of the same name. It’s going to be a busy 2017!

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?
Outlander
Boy Scout Handbook
Edible plants of the tropics

Author Websites and Profiles
PJ Sharon Website
PJ Sharon Amazon Profile
PJ Sharon Author Profile on Smashwords

PJ Sharon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Having worked in the technology field for over 25 years, I made a huge career change and came to Colorado Springs to go to a Bible school. Having also worked in their prayer line for 8 years, I then felt led to focus entirely on writing. I begin to use the written Word as my example and when your subject is also your interest writing becomes pretty natural. I believe you will not only enjoy my writings, but that they will also be beneficial to you.
Paul Halbeck

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The first book I have written is called, “Journey to Healing and Wholeness.” I started the book simply as my way of writing down the revealed truth of God’s Word, while I was working on a prayer line. I have since left the prayer line and am now working on two other books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None that I view as unusual

What are you working on now?
Working on two other books, currently, they are: “Parables, Riddles & Dark Sayings” and “Right Thinking.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have done a few Kindle Free Promotions.

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?
One would have to be the Bible, God’s Word.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Halbeck Website
Paul Halbeck Amazon Profile
Paul Halbeck Author Profile on Smashwords

Paul Halbeck’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have recently self-published my debut novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is called The Pearl and the Carnelian. I must confess, I have always been interested in the unsung women in history, in the roles they got to play in all the great processes. The influential leaders, the quiet workers behind the scenes, the morally dubious schemers. All the good, the bad, and the ugly.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say, Ellen Kushner, with her engrossing plots and fabulous queer characters. Also, Sofia Samatar, with her unparalleled world building and mesmerizing writing.

What are you working on now?
I am still in the research stage, and, of course, it is a little early to discuss anything particular. I can only say three things for sure: it is going to be a fantasy with a minimum amount of magic, if any at all; it is not going to be set in pseudo-medieval-kinda-Europe; it will definitely involve lesbian romantic subplots.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am definitely a great proponent of careful planning. It makes the actual writing process much smoother, and, I might even say, helps to avoid the writer’s block.

What are you reading now?
Dorothy Dunnett, the House of Niccolo series. When it comes to historical fiction, she is in a league of her own.

Author Websites and Profiles
Annabel Fielding Website
Annabel Fielding Amazon Profile

Annabel Fielding’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Restless is my first book, based on more than ten years of traveling around Asia with my (ex) husband and two young children. We moved to Japan when my son was only nine months old, with two backpacks and a baby carrier, no knowledge of the language, no job to go to and nowhere to live. We ended up staying there for over eight years. During that time, we continued to take long breaks and see more of Asia, returning many times to trek in our beloved Nepalese Himalaya – with the kids.

I adventurous and incorrigible. If I put my mind to something, I cannot be deterred. And I will go to extraordinary lengths to prove I can do it, no matter what anyone else thinks.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is called Restless – Memoir of an Incurable Traveller. It was inspired by all the times we took off with little to no plans, a couple of packs, two young kids and a spirit of adventure.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Some days I want loud, loud music and some days I want silence. But I always want COFFEE in long tall glasses. I also talk to myself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Demian – by Herman Hesse
The Surprising Asians and People of Shiva – by Frances Letters
Full Tilt – by Dervla Murphy
Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg

What are you working on now?
Currently working on the sequel to Restless, to be titled Gaijin Live Next Door. It tells about all the fateful and hilarious encounters with the Japanese and their amazing country during the eight years we lived there.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Lots of social media posting – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and generally telling everyone who’ll listen about my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going. Sometimes its hard to do that, and sometimes its very lonely. Just write every day and you will get to the end. The first draft doesn’t matter. The writing will be bad. That’s what the editing phase is for. It’s a process.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Only the ideas we live have any value – Herman Hesse

What are you reading now?
Memoirs by anyone, travel stories of Tony James Slater, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, and about 100 more waiting on my Kindle account.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. It helps me process life.
Keep traveling. It gives me something to write 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?
The Kitchen God’s Wife – Amy Tan
Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts
Shogun – James Clavell
How to prepare coconut 365 different ways – by whoever writes it

Author Websites and Profiles
Heather Hackett Website
Heather Hackett Amazon Profile

Heather Hackett’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a residential architect for many years. Awhile ago I started writing a mystery series about a female architect working in Cambridge, Ma. and dating the neighborhood chef.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Facade, is the second in my Iris Reid series. It was inspired by the fascination I’d see at Harvard about visiting guest starchitects.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m still practicing full-time so I have to squeeze my writing in where I can. My monthly writing group makes sure that I don’t slack off.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Val McDermid, Louise Penny, Martha Grimes—all authors who create well-rounded characters, non-cookie-cutter plots, and wry humor.

What are you working on now?
Book 3 in the series. No title yet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My books are getting a good word-of-mouth following that is steadily growing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure that your book is well-edited and keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Having a series of books to offer a reader creates a synergy.

What are you reading now?
Trespasser, by Tana French

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll continue writing the Iris Reid series for as long as I can come up with twisty, atypical plots.

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 Anodyne Necklace, by Martha Grimes
the latest Robert Galbraith book and
The Wire in the Blood by Val McDermid

Author Websites and Profiles
Susan Cory Website
Susan Cory Amazon Profile

Susan Cory’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have loved reading ever since I was a kid, so much so that I liked to make up my own stories. I enjoy writing romance, science fiction, suspense, horror, and even poetry. My first story, Wolf’s Challenge is a romance, with some sci-fi, paranormal, and suspense elements. My style is more gritty than sweet and I look forward to writing many more stories with strong heroines and imperfect but determined characters.
When I’m not writing, I like to spend time with my family. I enjoy reading, hiking, running, swimming, and exploring new places.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wolf’s Challenge is the first book in the Stranger Creatures series. In this book, I wanted to show that life can be messy, full of pain and grief but also full of love and possibilities.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to do most of my writing and revising by longhand. I don’t type anything up until I have to. I also like to sit outside to write (not in winter). A lot of ideas come to me while I’m on a walk or run, in the shower, or just out driving.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read The Outsiders when I was 12, and I loved the way Hinton created tough but vulnerable characters. The story was about so much more than just action. What I love about author Dean Koontz is that though the stories have scary, horror elements but for the most part, the ending are hopeful and positive. For my romance novels, I wanted to be able to show the reader that a tragedy or terrible experience doesn’t have to mark the end of a person’s happiness. I felt compelled to create heroes and heroines who aren’t perfect but find love in spite of their mistakes and flaws.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the second story in the Stranger Creatures series. The second book will feature two new characters: a strong, smart heroine and a sexy, rough around the edges hero. The strong, silent types are usually burning with intensity and the hero of my next story will be no exception.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have seen results when I used my facebook author site to promote Wolf’s Challenge. Making sure I had an author site on Amazon and Goodreads was helpful too. Reaching out to book blog sites and reviewers has helped increase my visibility as well. I also recently joined some online forums and networking groups for authors and it has helped to see what resources are available to writers for promotion. Spending some money on advertising really can pay off!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Wolf’s Challenge is my first book, so I’m really new to the whole process. I’m still learning how to market an ebook. Persistence, in all aspects of writing, pays off though. If you get a rejection letter, think about revising and sending your book out again. Keep sending it to as many publishing companies as you can. Many authors tell of receiving hundreds of rejection letters before their first book is published. Be aware that getting your book published is only the first step. Promote the release of your book and keep promoting! There’s always a blog site or readers group out whose members could be looking for a book just like yours.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Share and don’t be a jerk” -words to live by.

What are you reading now?
I recently finished Kite Runner and Never Cry Wolf.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to work on a suspense/science fiction type story idea that’s been stuck in my head and also continue working on book number two of the Stranger Creatures series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Night Circus, Gift from the Sea, Him, Fahrenheit 451, but there’s so many more I wish I could bring!

Author Websites and Profiles
Christina Lynn Lambert Website
Christina Lynn Lambert Amazon Profile

Christina Lynn Lambert’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I became fascinated by the brain as a kid and secretly wanted to be a brain surgeon. I read everything I could get my hands on about it, including some large heavy medical books my mother had lying around the house.

My interests, however, instantly changed to the less physical route during my first high school biology dissection class! We were supposed to dissect an eyeball and there was no way I was going to do that!

So I found myself reading books about how people think and what drives their behavior and found I loved that more than the gory surgery stuff. I started studying beliefs and how to change them in 2004 while I was a chiropractor because I found that some of my patients put limits (that always came true) on their recovery time that slowed their recoveries, while others just got better….

So in 2006 I trained in Neuro-Linguistics and I’ve been studying the mind and how it works ever since.

I’ve written 3 books so far and have a long list of others I want to write, plus, I want to learn how to write fiction too.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called 47 Mind Hacks for Writers. I fell in love with writing when I wrote my first book in 2013, with my husband Steve, even though I’d struggled horribly with blogging before. So I decided to work out why I loved writing books, yet really hated writing blog posts. I ended up disappearing down the rabbit hole of beliefs around writing. After asking over 100 other authors what they struggled with, this book became the culmination of everything I learned on my journey and I even found solved my problems around blogging, and now enjoy that too

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
While I can happily write anywhere, anytime, my favorite place to write is at the beach. So you’ll often see me sitting in my chair scribbling away in my notebook. Some of the more unusual places I’ve ended up having some inspiration and having to write it down before I forget include, a packed commuter train into London UK, the middle of a rock concert and numerous car rides (when Steve was driving!)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The biggest influence was The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. It’s still my #1 favorite nonfiction book of all time. Mindset by Carol Dweck is another one, which has become my #2 favorite.

What are you working on now?
I’m actually working on creating The Book Marketing Summit at the moment to get that ready for release in 2017. I’m interviewing some amazing authors about how they market their books and learning an absolute ton! So I’m putting that info to use for this launch to see what results I get. After that, I have a list of about 5 books I want to write, just have to work out which one comes next.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My list, hands down and I’m working on growing that. After that, this will be the first time I’ve done some paid promos, so can’t wait to see the results of this and other sites. I’m also doing some guest podcast interviews and I’ll be looking at doing some guest posts a bit later on. Plus, I’ll be looking into Amazon ads once the book reaches its regular price.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going! It snowballs, so don’t get discouraged if the results from your first book aren’t what you want. Get out there and promote, then get writing again.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Gather reader emails and grow your list.

What are you reading now?
I always read a fiction and a nonfiction at the same. At the moment, the fiction book is Dragon Marked by Jaymin Eve (I’m a sucker for all things magical, especially if it contains dragons). The nonfiction book is Writing Active Setting by Mary Buckham.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Probably a book around reader engagement, but we’ll see… Once the summit goes live I’ll have a much better idea of where we want to go next and in the meantime I’m learning a lot about book marketing

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?
One of Ednah Walter’s Rune series books (read them about 3 times so far), Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (yes the English book 1), The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle a huge blank book so I had something to write in

Author Websites and Profiles
Karen Dimmick Website
Karen Dimmick Amazon Profile

Karen Dimmick’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a moviepreneur! It’s the next best thing next to reading for me! I’m also a self-made photographer which is easy living in Arkansas. I’m a proud mom of three beautiful and talented children. My daughter is an artist, and my two sons are ex-military and very talented writers. Their preferred genres are sci-fi and fantasy. Currently, I have one book, Willow Lake, published in both ebook and paperback formats.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book Willow Lake is a suspense novel. I think what inspired Willow Lake is the strong women I encountered in my life and the obstacles they faced. It’s witty, a slight bit humorous, somewhat poetic with a little romance.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I do. Write, pace, make coffee, write more and repeat!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Several have and to pull one single book or author out of influence would be difficult.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on Journey Beyond The Moon. It’s a historical fiction based around the mid-1800s. Again, my lead character is a strong female role. She’s feisty, stubborn, determined and quite different from Sage, my lead character in Willow Lake. Heart -breaking circumstances puts her on a quest that’s literally out of this world!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Currently, I’m on Amazon. My paperback is through Createspace. I’m still narrowing down a combination that works best for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take an account of what inspires you. Whether it is music, reading, or movies. Myself, I use all three and read as often as possible but don’t lose your own style of writing. Research before you publish your book and find what platform works best for you. Study your keywords and categories. These I found are very important.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My father, who was an English major once told me. Write in a way your readers can see it in their mind’s eye. Let them feel what your characters are feeling bring the pages to life and just simply, keep writing!

What are you reading now?
Currently, I scan the new and upcoming author’s work. There are a lot a good, talented writers out there. When I’m not doing that I refer back to my library of Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown and others.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting my next (three) books published.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would have to bring John Grisham’s A Time To Kill, Stephen King’s Carrie and maybe something by Nora Roberts.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Umland Website
Michelle Umland Amazon Profile

Michelle Umland’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Oh, I’ve written a TON of books, but am finally publishing my first one. It took me a long time to find my courage.

My day job is working as a veterinary pharmacist. I spend my free time writing, reading, and planning my next vacation. Northern Wisconsin is home for me, my husband, and two kids, so we’re always looking to escape the long winters on a vacation to somewhere warm.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Love, Lies & Clones is the first book I’ve gone far enough with to publish. It was inspired by my love for science and the thought of what considers someone “human”.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get up at 3:30AM everyday to write. This way, my house is quiet and I can get a few hours in before the chaos starts.

What are you working on now?
I have another novel I’m polishing about an Angel and a Vampire. It’s a romancy-mystery Urban Fantasy. (Did I just make up my own genre?)

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day — whether you have inspiration or not. Keep going.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m in love with writing novels. I’ll be finishing up some of the ones I have pending. Stay tuned.

Author Websites and Profiles
Joynell Schultz Website
Joynell Schultz Amazon Profile

Joynell Schultz’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an indie author from Boston Massachussettes. I write Romance, Urban fiction and thriller novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Other Side is the name of my new release.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I write every day, regardless of where I am. If I don’t have my tablet or laptop with me, I always scribble on paper. I like to use my phone as an outlet too. Downloading Microsoft word on my phone helped a lot too.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many authors to choose from and so many books to choose from. Reading in general helped me.

What are you working on now?
It’s a secret.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use everything. Keeping my options open, is what helps me know what people truly want to read.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! Never Stop! Don’t give up!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice that I have ever gotten was, never let fear stop you from doing what you love.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading a lot of self help books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to write novels for the rest of my life.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring “how to survive on an island by yourself for dummies” if that’s a real book. I don’t think so, but that would definitely be needed.

Paige Love- Rose’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Durban, South Africa to two wonderful loving parents and a sister. I married my soulmate, Sunil and we have a beautiful daughter together, Tashiana.

I published my first Romance Novel, Second Chances Soulmate (Now, Forever & Always #1) in April 2016.

I’m currently working on my Psychological Thriller, Awakening Alexa (Reality of Dreams #1).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’m currently working on my Psychological Thriller, Awakening Alexa (Reality of Dreams #1).

I love psychological horrors, suspense and thrillers. I get drawn into the characters’ world and try solving the mystery myself. Any book that keeps me intrigued from the prologue, becomes my favorite.

What inspired me hmmm – I guess it’s the nail-biting, heart pulsating, jittery goosebumps that I get when watching / reading anything in the Genre. If others can do this to me then my dream is to make them feel the same when reading something I’ve written.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes! I think every Author does.

I believe that you can sleep when you’re dead. In the quietness of the night, in between being awake and half-asleep, that is when the best ideas hit you. In that case, I roll off the bed and start writing down my thoughts. I feel that it’s the best time for my inspiration because my mind is serene.

I have to have chocolate at my desk when writing. If not, a glass of wine will suffice

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters), Penny Jordan (Mills & Boons), Jojo Moyes (Me Before You), Jodi E. Malpas (This Man Trilogy), E. L. James (Fifty Shades of Grey), Nora Roberts (Romance Galore). I have so many more – I’m afraid that this page is not enough to list them

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my Psychological Thriller, Awakening Alexa (Reality of Dreams #1).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook Page – Goodreads – just about any site that will have me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! The struggle becomes real after you press that little “publish” button. Have faith in yourself – remember that great Authors started off just like you. You can do it too!!!

My favourite saying is – write something worth reading or think of something original worth writing.

Lots of Authors copy others style of writing – remember you are born to be original (not a carbon copy).

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There’s no time like the present to make a difference to someone’s life. Smiling never hurt anyone. Be a sunshine to a lonely soul.

What are you reading now?
Honestly, between working and writing, I cannot find the time. I have downloaded a couple books onto my Kindle and as soon as I publish, I have a date with each and every one of them

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully a self-made millionaire – hahaha – I want to open up a franchise (like a coffee shop) so others can relax with a good book and just unwind from the stress of reality.

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?
Hmmm – Game of Thrones – at least it will help me with my survival

Author Websites and Profiles
Racheal Lachman Amazon Profile

Racheal Lachman’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Indie author and write fast-moving adventure stories for adults and children.

I live in two locations – a small market town in Britain called Romsey and a tiny rural farming town in south west France. I love to travel and experience life through different lenses – as a result many international locations feature in my books.

My partner is an ex interpol detective and has a stack of anecdotes that I love to weave into my stories. Whether it’s a steamy romance or suspense novel, a short story, or my middle-grade chapter books aimed at younger readers.

I have three series available across a range of outlets, incorporating 11 titles. The ‘Passion Patrol Series’ is my adult suspense, police thriller romance series with two books and a third due in 2017 – oh there’s a companion cookbook to the series as well! ‘Love in a Hopeless Place’ is a series of 5 gritty short stories and novellas, available individually or as a boxed set. ‘Once Upon a NOW’ is the name of my children’s modern illustrated fairy story series. There are three books in the collection ‘Alf The Workshop Dog,’ ‘Isabella’s Pink Bicycle’ and ‘Kool Kid Kruncha and the High Trapeze’.

I have also written a short story, ‘Champions,’ for a charity anthology called ‘Let’s Hear it For the Boys,’ in aid of the men’s health ‘Movember Foundation’

All my books are available in e-book and print and the short stories and children’s books are also out in audio book format (some read by me and some by my partner).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a novelette, ‘Champions,’ which I wrote specifically for the Movember Foundation anthology ‘Let’s Hear it For the Boys’.

The tag-line for the collection is ‘in praise of our men.’ Mine tells a story from the late 1950’s – the recent past – an era in which my own father grew up. The start of the baby-boomer teenage revolution. A time of breaking out from tradition and rebellion. I love this era with its energy, its music, its clothing – a time of innocence just prior to the excesses of the sixties. A time when youth culture thinks it knows everything and for the first time tries to assert itself.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Until recently, all my stories were written in pen (cheapest ball-points from Walmart-style outlets) in exercise books. I would only write on one side of the page – and then when I re-read, I would make notes/changes on the blank side. After this I’d transfer to type – in the old days on a typewriter – but now a computer. I went on a writing course once where they advised never to write straight to print – otherwise it would look finished. Back in those days, typing a manuscript was an expensive task and there’s a limit to the amount of Tippex a page can survive. However with word processors this is no longer an issue. My old method was very thorough and it encouraged me to review and modify my work. But, it took so long….. and these days I’m told I need to put books out in less time. So, I’m currently writing my next suspense novel directly via the keyboard. It is faster for sure…. time will tell if it will produce a work I’m happy with.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite authors cover many different genres – from the romantic classics of Thomas Hardy to the futuristic Aldus Huxley and George Orwell. The Social Realism movement from the likes of Stan Barstow, John Braine, Alan Sillitoe, Shelagh Delaney and John Osborne, to wonderful French authors like Francoise Sagan and Emile Zola.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the third police/suspense/romance story in the ‘Passion Patrol Series.’ This one is set in London, Paris and…. my home region of Charente Maritime in south west France. I’m introducing a new police officer who is the heroine of the story – but watch out for old police friends from the previous two books. Be prepared also for some gorgeous Chateaux, royal connections and action and adventure at the top of the political food chain across Europe.

It’s due to be released in early 2017 alongside a companion historical novella that plays a key role in the story of the main book. The book within a book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, I have to say that Bookbub has always got fantastic results for me… the biggest problem is convincing them to feature my books! I was able to get regular spots a few years back but since the trad publishers have started using them I’ve not had a look in.

More recently I have been building a mailing list and trying to provide value to my subscribers by sharing news about my promos, as well as promos by other authors in similar genres.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write and write – but make them stories that you would want to read.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always use a bathroom if you come across one – you never know when the next opportunity will arise.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a French book called “Les Vieilles” (The old ladies) by Pascale Gaultier. It’s an hilarious story of life in a tiny French town in the middle of nowhere, mostly inhabited by retired old ladies who have outlived their husbands. The book is brutal in its descriptions of their habits, their boredom, their interactions and their confusions in dealing with the modern world. It’s cruel and funny at the same time, but I can’t help wondering which of the characters I will end up becoming…. ouch.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping that my next book will be a raving success and then my bank manager might consider letting me carry on writing so I can add further books to the Passion Patrol Series.

I’m in the process of having the first two books translated into Mandarin and as my French friends don’t speak English, they’re pressing me to get all my books out in French. The only problem would then be that they might recognise their own characters.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hmm difficult – I don’t like re-reading stories, so the books would have to be some that I’ve not tried or that have some timeless quality. Something to get my teeth into.

I think a good challenge would be the unabridged novel of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – in French of course. It’s one of the longest books ever written having some 365 chapters and over 1900 pages. I love the musical of ‘Les Mis’ and I know it’s very much condensed. I’d like to read it in full and get the whole story.

Alongside that it goes without saying I’d need a really good French-English dictionary as there are sure to be many words I don’t recognise. I guess after the Victor Hugo is finished it could be used for me to improve my French grammar and learn the words for all the objects on the island.

For my third book I’d have to relax and have some poetry. It’s a way of recreating places and situation and of reliving moments in life that maybe would never come again on a desert island. A way to reminisce and to remind me of the ‘old world’. The best poet I know is my partner Oscar Sparrow – I know I’m biased – but nothing would please me more than taking one of his collections, particularly as some of them were written for me. I’m an old romantic at heart!

Author Websites and Profiles
Emma Calin Website
Emma Calin Amazon Profile
Emma Calin Author Profile on Smashwords

Emma Calin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer-artist-musician-singer. As a journalist, I have done interviews with many famous names from the arts and written profiles, essays and reviews for such publications as Starlog, Guitar World, Guitar and Prevue, as well as my hometown newspapers. Although I’ve written three books, this is the first one made available so far.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jim Shorts. It’s a collection of my stories, poems and drawings compiled over several decades. The pieces were inspired by surrealism and the silly, erratic, delusional and obsessive behaviors of humans.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I never wear a habit–unusual or otherwise–when writing. Or any other time, for that matter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I always credit the masters of wordplay–Lewis Carroll, James Joyce, Edward Lear and John Lennon–for influencing my work, but it is, nonetheless, my own style. When I first began writing the pieces many years ago, I sent a few to the renowned Lewis Carroll scholar Donald Rackin, he wrote back, “Thanks for the copies of your work—which were delightful. Your debts to Carroll and Joyce and Lear and Lennon were evident, but your work is nevertheless your own and an accomplishment to be proud of. I congratulate you.”

What are you working on now?
Although I’m trying to promote Jim Shorts, I am always writing or jotting down ideas. I just finished a poem today entitled “Little Johnny Jump-Up”
about a boy who can’t sit down.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve gone into detail about my book and done a self-interview in a couple blogs which can be read at: http://byjimgeorge.wordpress.com/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No. Since I could be considered a new author, and I’m taking an unconventional approach in publishing as a PDF, I’m in no position to give advice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t bump into anything.

What are you reading now?
Tarantula by Bob Dylan.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More stories, poems and drawings. My next big project will be a collection of interview/profiles I’ve done with many famous people from the arts, including such legends as Gore Vidal, Muddy Waters, Steve Allen, Jean Shepherd, Carl Perkins, Dick Cavett, Tony Bennett, Willie Dixon and others.

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 Collected Works of Lewis Carroll, Finnegans Wake by James Joyce, In His Own Write/A Spaniard in the Works by John Lennon and A Book of Nonsense by Edward Lear.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jim George Website

Jim George’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile