Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a literary Agent, “Book Doctor” and Publisher, I’ve been the “man behind the scenes” helping writers in all genres become Authors. The paid kind. It’s an incredibly satisfying experience working with talented writers, and guiding them through the publishing process.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kindle Success Hacks – Business Realities and Insider Secrets. You can fiçnd it here –
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6CR3DS

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The operative word here would be “unusual” – would it not? However, since I’m 10% author, and 90% literary agent, my writing “habits” would conform to my mantra: “deadlines are inspirational.”

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Everyone good. “Good”, again, like “love”, being a very subjective call.

What are you working on now?
My new training – “You Tube Ads for Authors” (not a book) which will launch in January 2017

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As I detail in “Kindle Success Hacks” the “best” method is to understand and accept that self-publishing is a business. If you learn everything you can about it, continue learning, and continue investing in it (time and money)
you’ll have the best possible chance of success.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
never, never, ever give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

What are you reading now?
Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe. (the first non-fiction novel. sorry Truman Capote – you weren’t first with “in cold blood.”)

What’s next for you as a writer?
“god only knows..god makes his plans…the informations not available to the mortal man.”

– “Slip Slidin’ Away – Paul Simon –

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?
impossible question to answer with the time I have to spare for this.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tom Morgan Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Jayne Harper Hill, a happily retired Teacher, Real Estate Broker, and House Designer. I was born and raised near Charleston, West Virginia, and graduated from West Virginia State University with a BS in Education (English and Mathematics), and the WV College of Graduate Studies (now part of Marshall University) with an MA in Gifted Education. I am a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Teacher’s Honorary, and was a Fulbright Exchange Teacher with Hampshire, England, in 2001.
From the age of five, I wanted to be a teacher. When I became one, I taught mostly Gifted and Talented classes, but spent a few years in regular classrooms. I developed a love of writing at a young age, telling myself someday I would write a book and publish it.
After retiring, my husband and I spent two and a half years on the road, traveling the USA in an RV. We saw about forty states and all the usual landmarks, such as the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park, Mount Rushmore, and Gettysburg. We wintered in Florida, and during our third stay there, we decided to make it our home.
My husband was a home builder and we moved often. We were living in Raleigh, NC, when I wrote the first draft of “The Charm Bracelet Murder.”
My idea of a fun time is shopping at thrift stores/Estate sales, swimming, genealogy, and reading. I have hundreds of books on my Kindle Fire and read for at least two hours when I go to bed at night

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Charm Bracelet Murder. My inspiration for this book was watching a Jeweler’s husband repair a charm bracelet that seemed to tell the story of the owner’s life. I occasionally filled in at their store, learning more and more about jewelry. Later, I did many months of research.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I plan the story out in my head and just start writing. I write about 70% of the day, unless I have other obligations. The Charm Bracelet Murder took about four months to finish.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
All the great mystery writers from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Edgar Allan Poe, to modern day writers. They include Michael Connelly, John Grisham, Lee Child, both Kellermans, John le Carre, Robert Ludlum, Ken Follet, Frederick Forsyth, Patricia Cornwell, J.A. Jance, Sue Grafton. and so many more. My current favorite is Jeffery Deaver’s The Burning Wire.

What are you working on now?
The sequel to The Charm Bracelet Murder, The Pearl Choker.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nothing is impossible.

What are you reading now?
I am reading the Royal Institute of Magic Series by Victor Kloss. I loved Harry Potter, so thought I would try this for a change.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have plans for a non fiction book about growing up in Vietnam during the War. My sister-in-law is half French, one quarter Chinese, and one quarter Vietnamese. She live along the Mekong river in a shack with her mother and a dozen siblings. She was the oldest.

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 Burning Wire, the last Harry Potter book, the Bible, and my Kindle for as long as the battery would hold out.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jayne Harper Hill Website
Jayne Harper Hill Amazon Profile

Jayne Harper Hill’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a fantasy and horror author. I live in Bradworthy, a
charming village in North Devon, UK.
My love of fairytales, fantasy, and horror, inspired me to write my own stories. I was always described as ‘being off with the fairies’ but I put it to
good use and incorporate my love of history into my tales, too.

I want to write novels to inspire and help young people in the same way
that fantasy books helped me. Horror is a genre that I want to bring
people back too. *’It’s such a deep genre. It’s so much more than just scaring people, it
gives them a sense of empowerment. I’m obsessed with the reality of the
human condition and the darker shades of humanity. I try to tell my stories from a different viewpoint.’*
I love writing fairytales as I want to show people what happens after
the happily ever afters and put a realistic spin on our favourite
childhood classics.

Books one and two in the Haunting Fairytales series are available on
Amazon, along with my three bestselling horror stories and latest dark
fairytale anthology, Once Upon a Cursed Time.
Unforgiven horror anthology is out on Halloween along with my latest horror, Struck Three. Book three, Into Wonderland, in the Haunting Fairytales Series and a paranormal mystery, Fantasy vs Reality, are out in February 2017.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Struck Three, a short horror based in the town of Stull, USA.
I have always loved writing horror, and find that demons can be metaphors for many things as well as literal. I loved incorporating them into this short story, which is being turned into a full-length novel.
Stull has always fascinated me, being a supposed Gateway to Hell, as well as the many occult rumours and tragedies tied to the small town.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am usually in my pyjamas when I am writing. I sit at my laptop (on my bed), put on some music and turn off my internet. Then I just write. I have many cups of tea and I stop and have little five minute breaks every hour.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I always had an interest in the written word since I was four. I used to read so much, mainly fiction. The first books I read were by Enid Blyton, but it was the Harry Potter books that spiked my interest in fantasy books. The unique storyline and otherworldliness attracted me. Since then, Stephen King’s novels made me want to write horror. The feelings after reading one of his books with different to any other feeling I got from other genres.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on book three in the Haunting Fairytales Series. We continue with Snow as the Red Queen of Wonderland after killing Peter. Alice, Wendy’s sister, finally finds the magical land, and searches for her sister, but finds out a lot more than she anticipated. Into Wonderland is due for release on February 4th, 2017.
Along with that, I am working on my Christmas horror story which will be featured in an anthology titled Christmas Nightmares, along with six other authors. Due for release on December 15th, 2016.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
What a great question. The answer varies depending on what I am trying to gain, whether it’s exposure, sales, new readers, interviews, guest posts, etc. For exposure and to help my books reach a wider audience I find that Twitter ads are excellent, along with Facebook posts and groups.
I have a newsletter and offer giveaways and exclusive peeks at upcoming works before any one, for those who sign up. I think it’s a great way to give something back to my readers and let them join in with the magic of the series while book three is being written.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. I was told my other authors when I began writing to make sure everything I did was well edited and I took my time with. My advice would be not to rush your book just because you want to get it out there. Make sure you have an amazing cover to represent your work and make sure it is edited well. We all make mistakes when we write, but it’s important to get them smoothed out before the final document is uploaded. Also, do your research on marketing websites, follow other authors and see what they are doing, and read! Reading helps inspire and helps us develop our own unique writing style.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As above, to take things slow and make sure that you put out the best book you can. To make sure that you have everything prepared beforehand.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory. Yesterday I finished reading Frostbite in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to continue to write my fairytales and horror stories. I do have some works in progress which I would like to finish by next year. I have a few books lined up for release in 2017 and I would like to make them perfect. What’s next for me as a writer is to finish the Haunting Fairytales Series and perhaps explore new genres.

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?
Is Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory
The Hunger Games by Suzzane Collins

Author Websites and Profiles
Rebecca Weeks Website
Rebecca Weeks Amazon Profile

Rebecca Weeks’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am 20 years old, and I live in Upstate, New York. This is my first book. I learned a lot from writing it with my editor helping me. I still have a lot to learn, yet. I’m even starting college soon!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Art of Death: Love and War. It’s part of what a like to call a “half anthology” series. Meaning, it is an anthology. Many different books will have different characters. But what I mean about it being half anthology is that some of the books will have a certain character’s side-story. Some will have sequels to a character’s story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I use “Literally” a lot.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, George Orwell, and Edgar Allan Poe. One of my favorite books is “The Shining,” and “1984,” and many different horror and dystopian books.

What are you working on now?
I will be working on a side story for a certain character that was in this book. It will be a novella.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I am new to the self -publishing world, I have no idea what I will use yet, but I certainly will find out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I say go ahead and do it, just start writing. It can seem overwhelming at first with trying to get published, or even self-publishing, because you have no idea how it will work out. But you’ll never know unless you try. Even if you fail, get back up and try again.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

What are you reading now?
A book by Dean Koontz, called “Odd Thomas.” It’s very interesting. I recommend it!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write the next novel. Also, me and my friends have an idea for a high fantasy 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?
“1984” by George Orwell, “The Shining”, by Stephen King, “The Stand,” by Stephen King. And hell, why not The Bible aswell?

Author Websites and Profiles
Quentin Washburn Amazon Profile

Quentin Washburn’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was nine years old. I actually completed a book when I was twelve which I would love to refurbish one day and prepare for publication. My first published book, Amelia’s Children, was released last year. I’ve just release my second book, Primogénito: The Fuentes Legacy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is called Primogénito: The Fuentes Legacy. I’m not sure I can pinpoint exactly what my inspiration was, but I do know the characters came first, then I built the story around them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I typically just sit at the computer and type. I often have a cup of coffee close by, but I think that’s a fairly common vice among writers.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a paranormal author, I’m naturally inspired by Stephen King. I also love J. K. Rowling (doesn’t everyone?).

What are you working on now?
I just started a new book, also in the paranormal genre, that involves four siblings, some family drama, and time travel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote a good bit on my Twitter page. I have a personal page on Facebook, but not an author page, so promoting there is a little more difficult. I’m very inexperienced when it comes to marketing, so I’m still discovering what works and what doesn’t.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn as much as you can. Listen to all advice people give you. You may disagree with the advice, but usually there is something there that will benefit you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice that did the most to improve my writing was to eliminate unnecessary words. I used to use “just” and “that” way too often. Cutting down on those has significantly improved the flow of my stories.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my next book. And promoting the two I’ve already published as much as I can.

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?
Oh, wow…my Spanish/English dictionary, because I love studying Spanish. The Time Traveler’s Wife. Into the Wild. Como agua para chocolate.

Author Websites and Profiles
Greta Cribbs Website
Greta Cribbs Amazon Profile

Greta Cribbs’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a lawyer with a passion for history and archaeology, I had to wait many years before I could pursue another passion – writing – in earnest. However, my love of books and storytelling started long before that. I remember as a young boy reading biographies and history books with a torch under the bed covers, and then writing stories about archaeologists and explorers the next day, instead of doing homework. While I regularly got into trouble for this, I believe we can only do well in our endeavours if we are passionate about the things we love; for me, writing has become a passion.

The best way to describe by books is to call them mysteries for the thinking reader. I have written four thrillers, namely The Forgotten Painting, The Empress Holds the Key, The Disappearance of Anna Popov and The Hidden Genes of Professor K which is about to be released. All four books are part of the Jack Rogan Mysteries series.

I was born in Budapest, and grew up in post-War Europe. After fleeing Hungary with my parents during the Revolution in 1956, I attended school in Austria before arriving in Australia as a teenager. Through my travels I have become multi-lingual and now feel ‘at home’ in different countries and diverse cultures. I hold degrees in literature and law, speak several languages and take my research and authenticity very seriously. Inquisitive by nature, I have studied Egyptology and learned to read the hieroglyphs. I travel extensively and visit all of the locations mentioned in my books. To create a seamless storyline, I try to weave fact and fiction together, blurring the boundaries between the two, so that the reader is never quite sure where one ends, and the other begins. This is of course quite deliberate as it creates the illusion of authenticity and reality in a work that is pure fiction. A successful work of fiction is a balancing act: reality must rub shoulders with imagination in a way that is both entertaining and plausible!

My home is now in the Blue Mountains in Australia, just outside Sydney, where we are surrounded by a World Heritage National Park. The beauty and solitude of this unique environment give me inspiration and the energy to weave my thoughts and ideas into stories which, I sincerely hope, will in turn entertain and inspire my readers

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book – The Hidden Genes of Professor K, a medical thriller – is book four in the Jack Rogan Mysteries series. It was inspired by the extraordinary research being carried out by scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney where I am a director. Medical research is another serious interest of mine.
Writing The Hidden Genes of Professor K was an ambitious project. For a layman like me, exploring subjects touching on cutting-edge medical research and complex science is never easy, and would not have been possible without the guiding hand and generous help of leading experts. The learning curve was steep but very rewarding. It took me two years to write the book.
There has probably never been a more exciting time to be a research scientist than right now. Progress is breathtaking, the possibilities endless, breakthroughs come almost daily, and the speed of progress is head-spinning. Advances in technology are making the unthinkable possible, and what would once have taken two scientists several years of painstaking work, can now be done by a machine overnight!
I firmly believe that we are about to open a treasure-trove of knowledge buried in our genome right here, inside us all, that will transform the future of medicine and the journey of man.

Now, let me tell you a little about the characters and the plot:

Professor K— world-renowned scientist—knows he’s close to a ground-breaking discovery. He also knows he’s dying. With his last breath he anoints Dr Alexandra Delacroix as his successor and pleads with her to carry on his work. Unwittingly, Delacroix enters a dangerous world of unbridled ambition and greed that threatens to destroy her. Desperate and alone, she turns to Jack Rogan—celebrated author and journalist—for help.

Alistair Macbeth—self-made billionaire and enigmatic founder of Blackburn Pharmaceuticals—has a murky past. He knows he must secure Professor K’s discovery for his empire, or perish. Powerful and ruthless, he will stop at nothing to achieve his dark and deep desires.
Meanwhile, when the parents of famous rock star, Isis, are brutally murdered, Jack Rogan is asked to investigate.
On a perilous journey of discovery which takes them around the globe, Jack and Lola Rodriguez—Isis’ resourceful PA—join forces with Jana Gonski, a former police officer; Dr Bettany Rosen, a tireless campaigner for the destitute and forgotten; and Tristan, a gifted boy with psychic powers. Together, they expose a complex web of fiercely guarded secrets and heinous crimes of the past that can ruin them all and change history.

Will Rogan succeed? Will the dreams of a visionary scientist with the power to change the future of medicine fall into the wrong hands, or will his genius benefit mankind and prevent untold misery and suffering for generations to come?

Intrigued? I hope so. If I’ve piqued your interest, you can read the book right now! Please visit my website to find out more.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do have quite specific writing habits, but I don’t know if they are all that unusual. Serious writing is a solitary endeavour and requires a lot of discipline and routine. I do most of my writing late at night. I begin at about 10 p.m. and go through to about 3 a.m. In the morning I review what I have written the night before. During the day, I think about the next section I will write in the evening. I go through the plot, the dialogue the settings and so on. At that stage, it’s all in my head. When the time comes to write it all down in the evening, the material has taken shape and is ready to go. I have several computer screens and usually do most of my research as I write. I always have music playing in the background.

I am definitely NOT an ‘outliner’. I have a clear concept in mind at all time as to where I want to go with the storyline and the plot, but the detail remains fluid. I believe this is essential as the flow has to appear natural and spontaneous at all times. My characters are the drivers here. I LIVE with my characters and always carefully imagine how they would react in certain situations, what they would say, and how they would say it etc. Dialogue is critical here, and I read the dialogue out aloud. To outline this in detail in advance would be like wearing shackles! My chapters are short which gives me great flexibility in dealing with my characters and the plot, build tension, and keep my readers focused. In my view, short chapters are the key to an exciting, page-turning plot.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Not surprisingly, I love reading thrillers. However, I have a degree in literature, and also like reading the classics, especially Russian, German and French classics by authors like Dostoevsky, Tolstoy and Pushkin, Goethe, Schiller, Thomas Mann and Günter Grass. French writers like Dumas, Flaubert and Balzac are favourites. Without doubt, they have all had a profound influence on my writing. As for who inspires me, well, somehow all of them do. I draw on literature generally for inspiration, and try to hone my craft by studying the work of many authors.

What are you working on now?
My next book: The Stolen Recipes of Suleiman the Magnificent which will be book 5 in the Jack Rogan Mysteries series. The book is set in Florence, Venice and Istanbul. I have visited all of these places again last year and have completed most of the research for the book. I travel for approximately two months every year and visit all of the places mention in the book I am working on at the time. I hope to release the book at the end of next year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting my books is both time consuming and complex. I am a strong believer in social media and actively use Facebook and Twitter. I am also a diligent blogger and carefully build relationships with my readers through social media and my website. I also give talks in libraries, address book clubs and participate in writers festivals. All of this not only promotes my books, but helps build my author profile, credibility and reputation.

I am a self-published author with my own publishing entity – Bear & King Publishing – which I own and operate to publish my books. To assist other authors, I have written a personal guide to self-publishing entitled: Going It Alone: Why writing your book is not enough. The book is available on Amazon and all other major platforms. More information about the book can be found on my website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, I have. The best way to answer this question meaningfully would be to refer interested authors to my personal guide to self-publishing mentioned above. It contains all the advice I can offer based on several years of experience.

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

What are you reading now?
Ghost Empire by Richard Fidler which is “ A brilliant reconstruction of the saga of power, glory, invasion and decay that is the one-thousand year story of Constantinople.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep doing what I love most: writing!

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 hard one. But here I go: Tolstoy’s War and Peace; Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird; Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, and John Steinbeck’s East of Eden

Author Websites and Profiles
Gabriel Farago Website
Gabriel Farago Amazon Profile
Gabriel Farago Author Profile on Smashwords

Gabriel Farago’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always loved to write. If if wasn’t letters or essays, it was journalling. My first attempt to write a book started two years ago, when I woke up with a story running through my head. I couldn’t get it typed quickly enough, I was afraid I would lose the thread. This is now my second book, in what I plan to be a Young Adult Fantasy adventure.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The series is called Changing Times. This Part 2 is called Lost Lands. The story has been evolving over the past year. It was never planned to move in the direction it has, and to be honest, I have a place where I want to finish, but I’m not sure yet how to get there. It really has been inspired by the places I saw on my travels. The mountain scenes are memories of my time in the Himalayas, and the storm scenes are from a day in the Tatra mountains on the Czech border. Being caught in a mountain storm can be a frightening experience.
The desert scenes are from the Sinai peninsular. I use lots of my memories.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really unusual habits. My favourite writing location looks out over a pine forest, where on windy days, I get almost hypnotised by the swaying pines. I marvel sometimes at their ability to stay upright, they bend so much. It is inspiring and therapeutic. I’ve tried to describe the forest in Part 1 of my trilogy. It’s called Shifters Alliance

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have to say Tolkien, for the sheer scale of his writing. The world he created is so vast, it’s recognisable but still so magical that I wish it were real.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a short story for an Anthology due for publication in the next few weeks. It is based around the premise of “That moment when …” something hits you, or you have that unique moment. I am so lucky to have selected to sit beside some of the top name authors in YA writing today. It really is an honour for me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
From a personal point of view it is BKnights on Fiverr.
The service gets amazing results for $5. Of course the gold standard is BookBub, but trying to get selected takes a lot of perseverance and probably luck, submitting at the right time. It’s terrible expensive though. For an Indie Writer starting out, I highly recommend BKnights.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to never delete anything. Times come when you re-read what you’ve written and suddenly feel it’s rubbish, no good at all and you’ll wipe it all and start again.
Use strike through instead. You may always use what you written somewhere else at a later date. You spent the time writing it, so keep it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A friend on Facebook (Barry Watson) once said “You can’t just drop out of the trees shouting here I am, and then expect people to support you.”
You have to work toward making social connections, helping others first before asking for help with your own projects. No one likes a taker. Let people know you and hopefully like you before you start asking for support. Give first.

What are you reading now?
The Hostile by Joy Mutter. It’s a dark fantasy novel, I would say it’s NA but that distinction is a little hard to pin down sometimes. Although the protagonist is a young girl, the subject does seem a little more adult. I really am hooked, it’s a great book which I can’t wait to get back to.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Part 3 of my Changing Times. I was planning it to be a trilogy, but where I am now and where I want to get to in one book, may not be doable.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
It’d take my Bible, a very large empty journal to capture my thoughts and a collection of Raymond Chandler short stories.

Author Websites and Profiles
Shaun Griffiths Website
Shaun Griffiths Amazon Profile

Shaun Griffiths’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I am Lev Mikulitski, a Strategic Business Expert with a clear vision firmly fixed on a bright and highly innovative future. With extensive hands-on experience transforming businesses within Advertising and Marketing Communications, International Business Development and General BU Management, I am a powerhouse of passionate expertise and real value for people!
My mind never stops questioning and embraces every failure as a stepping-stone to a constantly evolving level of success. I am a treasure trove of managerial secrets that will empower businesses and individuals to act today in a way that keeps them relevant tomorrow. I am happily married to Katya and has a 2.5 years old son, Jonathan. MIND BLAST is my first book!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MIND BLAST is my first book.
The Inspiration came from within and from people around me.
One day I realized that people around me get stuck and feel pretty much bad about their life.
I was in the same situation so I’ve decided to help them and myself as well.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do a lot of professional writing; Marketing, Business, and Growth Plans.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I learn from every single book that I read.
I deeply inspired by Robert Greene’s books.

What are you working on now?
I have two books that I am working on right now.
Both on a subject of personal growth and self-development.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try different methods… not sure for now what works best.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, speak up your voice.
The world is changing. If you have a value, share it with the world.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fight for what you believe in.

What are you reading now?
Your Strategy Needs a Strategy by Martin Reeves and Knut Haanaes.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To gain some awareness of my book and books 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?
The Bible
Alice in a wonderland
How do I get out of this Island?… for dummies…
Not sure the last exists.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lev Mikulitski Website
Lev Mikulitski Amazon Profile

Lev Mikulitski’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wrote my first national bestselling book shortly after my daughter was born. As they handed my daughter to me I thought to myself, “There must be an easier way to have a baby!”. I began to research childbirth by first running an ad in the local paper asking moms for their tips on pregnancy and childbirth. The phone began to ring off the hook as moms from around the city became curious about what I was doing. The moms offered up their tips by the hundreds and offered great encouragement to me to write and publish the book when complete. That was 21 years ago and I am still writing on this topic.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets”. I was inspired to write this book after my first book, “Pregnancy & Childbirth Tips” became a national bestseller.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I will often write starting about 11:00 pm at night and then continue until about 4:00 am. Sleep and wake up about 9:00 am. Spend time with my daughter until the afternoon. Take daughter out of house to Nanny for the afternoon. Go back home, sleep and then work until time to pick her up. Start cycle again. Did this for a solid two years to complete my first book oh so many years ago.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Very impressed with other childbirth researchers who are published. This is a very new field, especially for women. Previously we only had men telling us about childbirth.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on our Kindle edition as well as an audio version of the book. Soon to be released.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I often attend large events and speak at them. I found that media exposure is critically important as books are an impulse purchase. It is important to hire a press agent and work locally to promote your book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a press agent to promote you in your home town. Make a goal to go on TV, Radio, Newspapers and Magazines. Start with the smallest publication in your city as larger publications often pick up their stories. Your local book store also has a shelf for local artists. Use this to your advantage!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself.

What are you reading now?
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
Influence, The Psychology of Persuasion

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next up is to complete my Kindle book promotion, complete my audio version and publish and then write my second edition. So much wonderful new information out there to include.

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 take the lamsa bible. This is the bible that was directly translated from the Aramaic language that Jesus spoke in. Wonderful to experience the bible directly without anyone having to interpret it for you. You would be amazed at the difference a correct translation makes. I would probably take my book along as well as its a good read.

Author Websites and Profiles
Gail Dahl Website

Gail Dahl’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Michael John Finley and I was born in British Guyana.

I’m what you may call a late bloomer, as I only started writing a few years ago. My parents were avid readers and the house was always full of books, so it just seemed natural that I would take a liking to reading. I have read most of the classics like Jules Verne, Victor Hugo, Agatha Christie, Herman Melville, among others, and despite their wonderful stories, I always wondered what could have happened if the hero failed to complete his mission or a character had different traits than those presented by the author.

For most of my live I was a logistics manager and writing could not be farthest from my mind. I always admired those who write, but never thought of it as something for me. Life however has a curious habit of shifting things around and one day I decided to put a few short stories to paper and discovered the wonders of writing. What started as an experience in writing became something much more serious as I kept at it. Even so, until that point, I had never considered printing any of my stories. They just seemed frail, lacking something that could make them stand on their own.

The reason for this, I found out later is that the stories were actually small parts of something bigger, so one day, my daughter suggested that all the stories would make more sense if I gave the characters a common goal, a quest, and that brought everything into perspective. That was the genesis of my first book and only book thus far, Tales of Valoris – The Rune Seekers. What began as a single book soon evolved into a five book saga, most of which is still in my mind, but I’m working on getting it out.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As I said, my only book so far is Tales of Valoris – The Rune Seekers, but that is only the first one. The other four are still in the oven.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t type when creating, I have to write or I risk losing my train of thought. I spend more time with my notebook than my computer. I find that handwriting is faster and more dynamic, not to mention that I’m terrible at typing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Although I write fantasy, I have read very little from the genre. I’m more attracted to mysteries, adventure, or even the occasional horror. Thus, most of my influences come from authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Patricia Highsmith, and Dan Brown. I find it absolutely amazing how they tie complicated plots into amazing stories and memorable characters.

What are you working on now?
I’m finishing the first draft of the second volume of Tales of Valoris (still untitled), which I hope to release early next year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have yet to discover that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Throughout my short carrier, here is what I have learned:

Persevere, always. There is no shortage of people who don’t understand your work or are just itching to criticise you, so believe in yourself and plough though.

Study: Some of us are talented in many ways, even with words, however, I have learned that talent alone is not enough. Read about the craft (On Writing – Stephen King is an excellent starting point), join other authors and learn from them, the more you understand your craft, the better you will be at it.

False Gurus: Be wary of these, especially those who tell you that you should write for a certain audience, or have a certain group in mind when you write. I’m my experience, trying to do that is the equivalent of guessing the lottery numbers. Write what you want and because you enjoy it. I believe there is no such thing as a bad book, only books without readers. I have read praised books which in my opinion, were rather lacking at best, and disregarded books that turned out to be fantastic. Therefore, how can you choose an audience, just write and have fun.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always keep your critical sense sharp. No matter what people tell you, if you don’t like it, walk away, or try to find another solution. It is almost impossible to work with something you don’t like.

What are you reading now?
Dan Brown’s Deception Point.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What else? Continue writing. Finish the saga I’m working on and see what the future holds.

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 Mysterious Island – Jules Verne (Always good to have a tips)
The Lord of the Rings – Tolkien (It might be awhile until I’m rescued)
The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown (What is life without a tad of mystery?)
The Physician – Noah Gordon (Why not enjoy some more travelling?)

Author Websites and Profiles
M. J. Finley Website

M. J. Finley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an award-winning independent Science Fantasy author. I’m currently writing book two of my Rebirth Shades of Apocalypse series. The first book is set in Boise, Idaho and follows the story of Tod, a man who overcomes great adversity in the face of an apocalyptic alien invasion. Tod and his compatriots embark on a galaxy-spanning quest to defeat The Supreme Commander, rescue entire worlds from his evil tyranny and save the universe from complete destruction. I have written three books; the first was my award winning short story called Darkwing: Galaxy of Fear, which was recognized as the most engaging and exciting book in a book writing contest. My second story was The Rebirth Shades of Apocalypse, which is my first novella. It will be published onto Amazon within a week and a half. My third book is The Rebirth Future of Destruction, which is published onto Amazon right now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Rebirth Future of Destruction. After writing my novella The Rebirth Shades of Apocalypse, I wanted to write an engaging short story that was a kind of prologue to my novella. I wanted to include elements from the decade of world building and character/story R&D, and I also wanted to make it far creepier and have a lot more suspense and thrilling attributes. So I began writing and found inspiration for the protagonist Azral, while on a break from world building. I was looking through Netflix’s horror catalog and found a paranormal psychic show and it something clicked! I transformed Azral, a top performing LAPD officer into an infamous psychic investigator. From there everything flowed out creating a short story filled with a very creepy storyline and tons of suspense. I am very proud of it!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
From what I have learned, other authors write a story using a structure as a first draft, then the second draft with more defined stories and characters, then the third draft with a more polished draft, and usually it’s then either further polished or sent to an editor. For me tough, I write stories using a three system method. First I write a story with not only a structure but with fully laid out characters and an already constructed world and story. Then I edit it the best I can, and then I send it to the editors.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Star Wars books by Kevin J Anderson, Troy Denning, and Chuck Wenig have had a great influence on me. By reading them, I gained knowledge of how to structure stories well, and how to create suspenseful and compelling stories, while having a fun time perusing their books.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my second entry to The Rebirth series titled The Reborn Shades of Apocalypse.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I start by looking for websites like this one that has a large amount of traffic and a that are free and affordable. That way I can get the word out and not be compelled to break open the piggy bank with a sledgehammer. I also reach out to my ever growing audience on Twitter and Facebook. I keep people engaged with my website blog and do lots of research to become a better more successful writer.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The best advice I can give is don’t give up, be proud of every little (or large) accomplishment you have. Believe in yourself and your writing. Have fun, and most of all: Write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, write, then write some more.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. It’s a timeless classic that is an excellent read, and one I’d recommend to any science fiction reader.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The future holds many a dream, and many stories to be written. Heroes to meet; Heroes to create. Love to build; Love to cherish. Fans to entertain; Fans to inspire; People to teach and people to learn from.
And of course, to promote, promote and then promote some more, talk shows and all! As I have found, radio talk shows are pretty cool to be on, especially when you befriend the host and can return when I can. I highly enjoy reading my stories to the millions of people tuning in and from what I hear they love 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?
If I were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with me, I would bring Star Wars Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, and Star Wars Heir to the Empire Timothy Zahn.

Author Websites and Profiles
Adam Watt Website
Adam Watt Amazon Profile

Adam Watt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Between 2015 and 2016, I have written fourteen short stories and two novels with three partial novels in the works. Of that, two short stories and one novel are published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cracked But Never Broken is the first in the Laughing P family. While writing it, I was trying to find something to call my own. After writing it, I discovered it was a reflection in part of my mom’s battle with alcoholism and my perception.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not any odder than more writers. I enjoy having a glass of sweet tea in my Eevee cup and the television on for noise.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lamour’s westerns were some of the first works that I remember reading and trying to mimic as a child. I tend to read in a multitude of genres depending on my mood.

What are you working on now?
While Behind the Lens is being edited, I’m working on my Devil’s Playground fantasy novels.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you don’t believe in yourself, who’s going to believe in you?

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You are the product, remember that.

What are you reading now?
A Journey of Words, an anthology produced by Scout Media and the second in the “Of Words” series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
2017 is going to be packed. I am wanting to get Behind the Lens released, finish up the two fantasy works I’m writing, and fill in the inbetween times with 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?
Only 3 or 4? Is that possible? Lord of the Rings and Hobbit.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kari Holloway Website
Kari Holloway Amazon Profile
Kari Holloway Author Profile on Smashwords

Kari Holloway’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After winning a Canadian Authors national contest with a ghostly tale, I connected with Champagne Books of Alberta to complete “The Dark Lady” high fantasy trilogy, followed by “The Queen’s Pawn” trilogy, and my fantasy detective effort is represented by a series of seven novellas: “The Housetrap Chronicles.” My latest novel with Champagne, blending modern with Dark Age, is “Alex in Wanderland.”
I recently signed on with a second publisher, eTreasures Publishing of Florida. My first novel published there is, “We’re Not in Kansas,” a near future thriller. A what-if trilogy, “Toltec Dawn,” the first in my Toltec series, is available now, with the other two in the trilogy due in Dec 2016 and July 2017.
In my shrinking spare time I review genre novels for an on-line magazine and am a member of several writing groups.
I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with my usually understanding wife and a large demanding cat. On rare occasions I escape to my sailboat on Lake Winnipeg. I enjoy travel and photography, when I can work them in. I usually attend two or three events a year such as Comic Cons or Writers festivals.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Triggered by a headline I came across in the local paper about the treatment of our indigenous population, the latest book is “Toltec Noon,” the third in a trilogy I wrote on the idea of what might have happened if the North Americans had discovered Europe first, and arrived carrying the heavy weaponry. The first volume, “Toltec Dawn” is out now. “Toltec Kahn” will be published in December 2016 with “Toltec Noon” due out in July 2017. Are there are any more in the series, depends on reader response and the publisher. I have no shortage of material.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing style is “pantser” which means I usually write by the seat of my pants. For example, when I started writing my off-beat fantasy detective novellas, I’d first come up with a title, then sit down and write the tale based on that alone., often with no idea where I was going. Examples are “Housetrap,” “Dial M for Mudder,” and “The Hounds of Basalt Ville.”

Even when I’m writing a serious novel, my plotting tends to be sketchy, with a few notes rather than all worked out in advance.

One reason I write is to find out how the story ends.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The list is far too long. Here are a very few: Terry Pratchett, Guy Gavriel Kay, Marion Zimmer Brtadley, Douglas Adams, J.K.Rowling … the list is endless…

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the ninth novella in the Housetrap Chronicles Series. I have finished # eight and it should be out shortly as an ebook. The publisher gathers the novellas into a print volume when there are three available, so I’m working toward a third print volume by trying to complete nine of the slightly mad tales.

I also have an idea rattling around in the back of my skull for a bit of a space opera, but I’m trying to sit on that while I work to finish #9.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is the area where I fall down. I can work at table at a Comic Con or Library for the print editions, but I’m brain dead on promoting the ebooks. I’m on Goodreads, and have tried certain promotional book tour websites with little success.

Looking forward to seeing how the Awesomegange does.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Send it out. If it comes back, look it over and send it out again. That’s how I finally got my first short story published in an anthology. When you are submitting, read the submission guidelines carefully, and follow them.
Attend writer’s gatherings. That is where I had the opportunity to sit down across from a publisher and pitch my novel. Ended up selling two.
Be prepared to describe your project in a short summary and don’t be surprised by any questions a publisher will throw at you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write frequently and keep sending your material out until someone accepts it. Ad for heaven’s sake, pay attending to any feedback you may get back!

What are you reading now?
Just finished reviewing a second novel for an emerging writer. Also reading an historical account of some villainous English Kings. There is a stack of magazines in my reading pile.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on writing.

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?
How about the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and any three of Terry Practetts.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ronald Hore Website
Ronald Hore Amazon Profile

Ronald Hore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I began writing in 2004, when my 6 year old daughter, Anna, died. She was my third child to die and I felt it was time to tell my story. That story was In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me and it was published in 2008. An extension of that story, He Heard Hannah (which I wrote with 911 Dispatcher, Courtney Becker), was published in 2012.

Since then, I’ve been enjoying writing fiction. Ingrid, was my first novel. It was created with illustrations (by Abigail Kraft) and a soundtrack (by Jared Kraft). This was the beginning of New Wrinkle Publishing–which we created to publish our books in this unique format. Our newest release is Archie of Outlandish, which was released in July 2016.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Archie of Outlandish began as a children’s illustrated book about a little boy who was born in a tent and preferred spending his days underneath things (forts, tables, etc). This inspiration began to come to life in illustrative form by my daughter (and artist), Abigail Kraft.

We moved many different places with the story and eventually decided to transform it into a love story about a young man who lives in a town called Outlandish and has spent his life underneath umbrellas and lowered ceilings due to a phobia of sorts.

Archie meets Tallie, a photographer, who is drawn to him and his ever-present umbrella. She only wants to photograph him, but destiny has brought Tallie to Outlandish for much more than a photograph.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I whisper almost all of my words as I write. I can determine the flow of the words better when I say them out loud.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I wasn’t a big reader growing up and most of the books I read as an adult (before I began writing) were written by L.M. Montgomery, Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and a huge variety of children’s authors (Barbara Cooney, Beatrix Potter, Shel Silverstein, Doctor Seuss, Robert McCloskey, Margaret Wise Brown, and a gazillion more). So, I guess I would have to say I was inspired by those writers… the ones who catered to the young or young at heart and enjoyed seeing the lighter side of life alongside the complex. I have a special love for telling a story that communicates the value of good character, courage, and perseverance. I also want my readers to be inspired to look into the hearts of those around them. What’s on the outside doesn’t necessarily depict what’s on the inside.

What are you working on now?
I’m in the process of dreaming up my next world. I’m somewhere between sci-fi and fantasy… perhaps a mix up of both.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote by using KDP Book promotions and use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and newsletters to keep in touch with my readers. New Wrinkle Publishing also has a blog in the works.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’ve only published four books, so I consider myself a new(er) author. But, I have grown through every book experience and I do have a little piece of advice. Do your best work every single time. If you don’t think it’s fantastic, it’s not. Don’t publish it until you’re sure it is.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I can’t remember where I heard it, but someone said to read what you write out loud. If it reads well out loud, it will read well silently. This comes naturally to me, and it does make a tremendous difference.

What are you reading now?
I’m almost finished with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. J.K. Rowling is one of my favorite authors (and this is my favorite Harry Potter book so far).

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing and creating with my team at New Wrinkle Publishing. We have big dreams and are excited about each and every project that is 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?
The Bible (full of wisdom)
And my four books (full of memories, lessons and imaginations)

Author Websites and Profiles
Lynnette Kraft Website
Lynnette Kraft Amazon Profile

Lynnette Kraft’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hiya,
I adore writing (and reading!) curvy girl romance. I’ve written six books in the Curvy Love series, several more coming soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent release is Curvy Seduction: Circus. It’s the third installment in my Curvy Love serial.
My heroine, Angelina’s life gets flipped turned upside-down when she decides she wants to open up a BDSM club of her own. The only thing standing in her way is Gray, her way too sexy bodyguard and Dominant extraordinaire.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Ha ha ha. I’ve got one funny writing habit. I can’t write with shoes on. Even when I write at my favorite local coffee shop, I go with flip-flops or make sure I wear cute socks, because the second I open a manuscript, off go the shoes. I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t get comfortable with them on, so no shoes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read all my mom’s romances, along with almost anything else I could get my hands on. But, in college I studied English Literature, nothing written after 1900 made it onto my TBR pile. Herman Melville, anyone? Anyone? Later, when I taught English abroad, I read on one of the early ebook readers. The easiest books to get were romances, and I dived right back in. My early favorites were Suzanne Brockmann, MaryJanice Davidson, Katie MacAlister, and Sandra Hill.
I don’t get to read as much these days (because I spend as much time as possible writing) so I slip in romance as often as I can, but end of reading lots of non-fiction on writing craft, marketing, and other publishing industry. One book I’d recommend to every reader of romance, and especially those who poo-poo it is Maya Rodale’s Dangerous Books for Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained

What are you working on now?
I’m smack dab in the middle of writing the Curvy Love serial, Curvy Seduction, all about Angelina, the owner of Devils & Angels, the BDSM in the center of all the Curvy Love books. The serial follows Angelina’s relationship with Grayson Baker and how she ended up own a BDSM club all on her own. It’s been incredibly fun to write.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My favorite way of promoting my books is my newsletter. I announce my new releases, contests and giveaways, and share exclusive excerpts there first. But, I’m a big fan of all the fabulous subscription sites that share books on sale with readers. Of course, I love to connect with fans on social media and can be found spending too many minutes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book. Learn about your genre and the publishing industry, study craft like a second job, but above all else, write. Write the book, finish the book, and then write the next book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When it comes to writing the best advice I’ve heard recently was from Angie Fox on knowing your brand. I was lucky enough to go to a workshop with Angie Fox at the RWA conference last summer, and she talks about understanding your taco stand. And by taco stand, she means author brand. You can sell beef tacos, pork tacos, and even fish tacos (your different kind of books), but don’t start selling hamburgers, because your customers (readers) will be like, what the heck is this? I didn’t come to this taco stand for a hamburger, I’m not buying that.
Figuring out your brand, sticking to it, and solidly building it will really help develop your fanbase and your career.
But, when it comes to life advice… Winston Churchill via my dad told me to “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.”

What are you reading now?
I just started Helen Hardt’s Steel Brothers Saga. It’s hot and sexy and set in Colorado, my home state. Plus, I love a sexy cowboy.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to continue the Curvy Love series, but I’ve got plans for several new series, and I’m not revealing anything, and you didn’t hear it from me, but there may be dragons who love curves involved.

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?
Nooooooooo! I need a whole dang library! Can’t I take my ebook reader, a hotspot, a solar panel charger, and a cute cabana boy to bring me drinks?
Okay, If I have to get stranded, I’m bringing the collected works of Mary Roach (who writes funny non-fiction books like Gulp, Spook, and Bonk), the latest curvy girl romance, whatever it may be, Faith Vol. 1, from Valiant comics, and an island survival guide and cookbook.

Author Websites and Profiles
Aidy Award Website
Aidy Award Amazon Profile

Aidy Award’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 new author, still working at my day job, where I am a software architect for a large company. My love of quantum mechanics spawns most of my story ideas. I have written one novel, a science-fiction thriller titled Prison of Souls. I am working on another now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Prison of Souls. I’m a huge fan of serial television mysteries like the X-Files, Lost, Twin Peaks, and Wayward Pines. I wanted to write something that could keep readers guessing, wanting to keep turning pages to unravel the mystery. Most of my readers tell me I’ve accomplished that, so I’m happy. I hope people will give it a try.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh, man. I used to try so many different things to get into the zone for writing — everything from lighting incense to meditating. Over the years, I’ve discovered the best approach for me is to pick up a piece of literature and start reading, then jump directly from reading into writing. It gets my brain on the right track.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, Blake Crouch, Clive Barker.

What are you working on now?
I’m toying with the idea of the universe as a vast simulation. People automatically assume I’m talking about a Matrix style existence, but I’m more speaking of the universe as it would exist if it were an ancestor simulation programmed by our distant relatives. How would we find out it was a simulation? What science experiments could we conduct? There is real science behind this idea, and it fascinates me.

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

I sell my books directly through Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Prison-Souls-thriller-Xander-Gray-ebook/dp/B015576FGA/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try to write something everyday, even if it’s just a paragraph.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t worry about writing a book the masses will find appealing. Instead, write the story that appeals to you, and then find a market for it. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t study the craft. We all have room to improve. I’m simply saying that focusing exclusively on what others want is likely to create a lackluster story.

What are you reading now?
Slaughterhouse Five, for the umpteenth time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I really need to finish 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?
Stephen King’s IT.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Author Websites and Profiles
Xander Gray Website
Xander Gray Amazon Profile

Xander Gray’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile