Here is Your Saturday Morning Awesomegang Authors Newsletter

Published: Sat, 02/04/17

AwesomeGang Authors

 

Good Morning!

Have figured out a better way for me to put words on paper. As I was driving across Texas last week I was listening to the Author Biz podcast and they had a guest on that was forced to use Dragon dictation due to injury. Scott Baker also has a book out on how to train dragon which I have purchased but have not gone through yet. 

Go listen to the podcast and maybe it will help you. I have put 4000 words on the page since starting dictation. I recorded a few thousand the other day as I drove. A new idea popped into my head and I opened my iPhone and the Voice recorder pro app that Scott mentioned on the podcast.

After recording I uploaded the mp3 to dragon since my version has transcription. It was a jumbled paragraph but 10 minutes of editing I had a first draft. I had no idea the mac version was so buggy, I thought it was just me. It looks like I will be putting getting a pc computer and the latest version of dragon dictate for it. The mac version I have now doesn't like my accent lol. 

Do any of you use speech software or record on mp3? Reply and let me know.  


Thats it for this week. Please check out the authors below and share them if you like on social media and help them out. Good karma goes a long way.


Vinny
 
Bringing You Weekly Tips From Authors
 
 

 

Awesome Author - Alfred D. Byrd

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a graduate of Michigan State University (B. S., Medical Technology, 1976) and of the University of Kentucky (M. S., Microbiology, 1983). In my day job, in which I’m nearing retirement, I work as a research analyst in plant pathology. I’ve published twenty books on Kindle as well as several others through iUniverse, Smashwords, and Lulu. My wife, Anna, is also an author, specializing in Ancient Egyptian historical fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The most recent work of fiction that I’ve published on Kindle is LAST PROPHET OF ATLANTIS 2. A Name Revealed. This is the second book in a projected four-book series of contemporary fantasy about survivors of a lost land living in hiding in the Bluegrass of Kentucky. Part of the inspiration for the series comes from a local legend of survivors of Atlantis living in caves under Lexington. The story combines three interests of mine: Plato’s account of Atlantis, secret societies, and prophecy. In this case, I’m exploring what it would be like to be a prophet, but not want to be. The third book in the series is written and being revised, and I plan to write a first draft of the final book this year during NaNoWriMo.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to write first drafts in long hand, but it’s been a while since I’ve done so. Back in 2003, during the Great Ice Storm of February here in Lexington, I wrote a substantial part of my book Through the Gate of Horn by candlelight while I was without power for five days. These days, I write first drafts either quickly during NaNoWriMo or in about five-hundred word bursts before I go to work the rest of the year. I tend to revise everything at least ten times. I suppose that what’s unusual about me is that I like revision more than composition. Some have suggested that I have a future as an editor.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read widely in Christian theology, ancient history, Civil War history, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. I suppose that, in fiction, I’d list my strongest influences as J. R. R. Tolkien, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert Heinlein, and H. P. Lovecraft. Not surprisingly, I tend to write genre-benders.

What are you working on now?
I generally like to work on several projects at once. Right now, I’m revising the third novel in the Last Prophet of Atlantis series and the first novel in a projected two-novel series on alien railroad Steampunk. I hope to have the latter novel out on Kindle before July. I’m also writing the first draft of the second novel in the Steampunk series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In promoting my fiction published on Kindle, I’ve relied heavily so far on Twitter and Facebook to promote both the Amazon page itself and blogs that I write about individual works. Now, I’m branching out to Awesomegang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Know at least one possible ending to your novel before you start to write it.

Write the first draft as quickly as you can.

Learn to use the editing features on Microsoft Word, if you use that as your word processor.

Learn to be an editor as well as a writer.

Keep in mind that your potential readers appreciate concision and clarity along with content.

Publish in haste, repent at leisure.

Learn how to do your own formatting for Kindle. It’s not hard, and you’ll both save yourself a bundle on formatting and be proud of what you turn out.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Robert A. Heinlein’s Second Rule for Writers: “Finish what you start.”

What are you reading now?
Just as I like to write several works at once, I also like to read several books at once. Just now, in fiction, I’m reading Dreams of Joy, a novel of the Chinese experience in America that my wife introduced to me, The Massive Book of Steampunk Adventures, and The Frontiersmen, a book about the settlement of Kentucky and Ohio.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to finish the second Steampunk book and then write the final Last Prophet of Atlantis book. Afterwards, I plan to make my first foray into historical fiction with a book on the life of the prophet Jeremiah set against the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians.

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 four books? You’re talking about the destruction of Atlantis here.

Author Websites and Profiles
Alfred D. Byrd Website
Alfred D. Byrd Amazon Profile
Alfred D. Byrd Author Profile on Smashwords

Alfred D. Byrd’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Carolyn Steele

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I call myself a travel writer, or I did until I accidentally produced a
novel. When my son was young we decided to have an adventure and move from
London, England to Ontario, Canada for a couple of years, just in case it
was fun. The day we took the first step towards that decision I started to
write about what happened, working on the principle that I’d want to
remember every detail anyway and I’d finally find out if I could write.
People liked the stuff, magazines took some of it, so I carried on. I now
have two travelogues written, with a third under construction. Since
independent authors are a co-operative lot, I started hanging out in a
couple of online writing communities and they encouraged me to try my hand
at fiction, so I now have a third book which should be the completion of the
Armchair Emigration trilogy but isn’t.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Queenie’s Teapot is a combination of two ideas, one that’s been rattling
around in my head for years and one that occurred to me in the queue to
check out of a grocery store. I’ve long maintained, mostly late at night
after too much to drink, that politics is self defeating in that the people
who want to run things are the last ones you should trust to do it. ‘Make it
like jury service’ I’d announce. ‘Pick people at random, they couldn’t do
any worse.’ Then I watched a lovely older lady at the checkout one day,
chatting and joking with all her customers and I wondered what would happen
to her when the machines finally took over completely. So, the story is a
‘what-if?’ about a world where democracy has been dumped for random
selection, and our protagonist is, of course, a lovely old checkout chick
who was made redundant by a machine.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to shut myself away from my usual work spots and declare a writing
space. Since I’m not always in the same place I tend to do this by lighting
candles. it’s a signal to myself that I’m off social media and going into my
head, and a signal to the family that I’m off-limits for a few hours.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bill Bryson is the obvious inspiration for the travel books. I love his
focus on the tiny incident, or a throwaway remark, that illuminates just how
different people can be while thinking they’re the same. I’ll never be Paul
Theroux, but he’s a bit too sneery for me anyway, I’m much more interested
in the miniscule language barrier double-take than anything majestic with a
sunset behind it. As far as the political satire is concerned, I was greatly
cheered by the books of Ben Elton. Turns out you can take a single idea and
build a world around it that isn’t too dissimilar to our own, phew.

What are you working on now?
Queenie’s beta-readers told me they wanted to find out what happened next,
so it looks like there will be a trilogy. Book two of the series, Floreat
Queenie, is undergoing final edits and I will shortly be lighting those
candles again and finding out what happens in book three.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wish I had an answer for that one. I’ve learned huge amounts from two
great online communities, IndiesUnlimited.com and eNovelAuthorsatWork.com;
both advice, support and continual learning communities. Between us we try
to keep tabs on marketing websites as they wax and wane, and the constant
changes to Amazon’s algorithms, but I don’t have a foolproof scheme. All I
do know is that they more books you have, the more you will gain from any
bit of marketing that does hit the spot, but marketing takes up so much
writing time that I frequently end up in a paralysis of doing neither and
feeling bad about it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take criticism prettily. Never ask anyone if they like a piece of work,
(they’ll say yes because they like you) set them up with permission to help
you with specific questions: Is this character too wooden? Too much
description? Does the plot fizzle out? Then if you get an objection that you
disagree with, work out why. It’s fine to reject some opinions but if
everyone agrees, you’re probably wrong. Learn the rules so you can break
them for good reasons.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Even God can’t please everybody.

What are you reading now?
I’m rereading Michael Dobbs’ original books that inspired the House of Cards
TV series. A bit of immersion in Westminster doings from the master.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After both incomplete trilogies are finished I have a couple of children’s
books in my head. But actually I’d like to get a bit serious and go back to
my academic roots. There’s a need for accessible, easy-to-read but non
psychobabbly books about grief and loss.

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?
Anthony Trollope’s Palliser series. I love his characters, we’ve all met,
and probably worked with, so many of his people. I’ve read the Barchester
series many times but never quite got round to the political books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Carolyn Steele Website
Carolyn Steele Amazon Profile

Carolyn Steele’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account


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Awesome Author - R. Patrick Bermel

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new author. Just having self-published my first book, I am already hard at work on the second in the series as well as a new project. I truly love the genre of Fantasy but feel that it has come to see itself too seriously. My goal is to write stories that will be fun for people to read.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book, ”Two Worlds, One Love: Greylin Wolfe – Book One”, came out at the end of December, 2016. I wanted to write a Fantasy book that was set in present day with fun pop culture references that still possessed the charm of a typical fantasy book. So, I asked myself, “What if magic is real but we (humans) abused it in the past and so we were sent to Earth, a place with no magic?” After a while, people would forget that magic had once existed and it would turn into mere fairy tale. In the mean time, somewhere out there, it was 2016 in another world where magic was still alive and well. A planet that we had been banished from long ago.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always have a notebook near me. Sometimes I get inspiration and if I don’t write it down immediately, it leaves me. Also, I really love candles so I always light a candle while I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My childhood was spent standing in line for every Harry Potter book and movie premiere in full wizarding garb so I would definitely say that J.K. Rowling is huge influence on me. My other favorite series are: The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, and Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the sequel to Two Worlds, One Love – the second in the Greylin Wolfe series as well as a separate fiction book that I am not quite ready to share with the world just yet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still experimenting with this so I am unsure, as of now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it! There are a million writers out there but it is only those of us who persevere that end up making it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just finish the book! – I am a bit ADD so encouragement not to become side tracked or put off by rejection or shiny objects was my most valuable advice.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a million great ideas for more books floating around in my head. I would love to bring as many of them to life as possible.

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?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Ready Player One, Hounded, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Author Websites and Profiles
R. Patrick Bermel Amazon Profile

R. Patrick Bermel’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile


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Awesome Author - A.J. Walsh

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
That’s a very tricky ontological subject – my “self”, and I’m really not too sure what my self actually is. I suppose that’s part of the reason I spent an inordinate amount of time, years in fact, writing a book (and sorry, I’ve only written one so far), so I could just brain dump everything I think my self gets up to, where he goes every day, what he does, what he thinks, what he’s made of, what he’s going to do next and what’s in it for me.
To tell you the truth, my self drives me nuts. I really don’t like what he does half the time. I swing between berating him for being an idiot and praising him for his unique and fascinating insights into life. Yet most the time he sort of exists, like a piece of flotsam and jetsam, washing around at high tide, never knowing whether to jump onto the beach and stay there or just keep sloshing around in some sort of Sisyphean nightmare. I really hope you enjoy what he’s written though.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called “Goodbye, Mr. Descartes”. It was really inspired by a love for philosophical writing and travel. Two fantastic things happened to me in the middle of my life. Firstly I was fortunate to travel around the world several times and secondly I discovered philosophy. I really don’t know what I was thinking before then because travel really opens yours eyes up to the sheer beauty and magnificence of planet Earth and its wonderful vistas, culture and people and the other opens your mind to an internal journey of equal magnitude. Once I’d put those two together, I was steeled by a desire to write about both of them, and that’s how “Goodbye, Mr. Descartes” was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing unsual, in so much as they are probably the habits of most writers. One day you can stare at the screen for what seems like hours and only write a sentence and the next day, thirty pages are written in a manic blur, during which you scribble out that crappy sentence you wrote the day before.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert M Pirsig – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – nothing but genius. Erich Fromm – To Have or To Be – something changed inside me after reading that. Carl Jung – Memories, Dreams, Reflections – I read it as a teenager, liked it, but it was a mystery to me. I re-read it as a thirty-something and it spoke to me like no other book has since. Bryan Magee – Confessions of a Philosopher – that book really sparked my interest in philosophy and has cost me a lot of money spent trawling through bookshops buying the classics of philosophy. He also wrote another favourite of mine – The Philosophy of Schopenhauer, which introduced me to that unbridled genius of thought. The Non-Local Universe by Nadeau and Kafatos is one of my favourites as well – it’s probably one of the most important science books ever written, but not many people have heard of it. I’m currently reading Labyrinths by Borges – an author who I’ve always wanted to read but have, shamefully, only just got around to. I should have read him first!

What are you working on now?
I’ve got another fictional book targeted at a younger audience, a movie script I’ve been working on and a six part TV show that I’ve completed the pilot for.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesomegang, of course!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write the whole thing and then proof read it, then proof read it again and again. Then spell check it, then proof read it again. Leave it for a month, then go back and proof read it again. I’m sure there’s a few dumb mistakes in my book, but the more you go through it with a fine tooth pick, the less chance of there being more than a few – because that’s one thing that will put off a reader. Believe in your work. Everybody does not like everything. Some people will hate it, some will love it. Try and promote it as much as you can so you can find the people who love it. And if you do love it, write a review – yes that’s you I’m talking to!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A novel is ultimately a work of art that is open to interpretation. There is no one answer to the meaning of the book. Let each reader discover their own meanings. Even you as the author don’t have the definitive answer to the mystery of what you’ve written. So don’t take that away from the reader.

What are you reading now?
Labyrinths by Borges

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to promote “Goodbye, Mr. Descartes” as much as I can, as I’d love to go on another big trip and write about that someday. For that I need people to buy this 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?
The Non-Local Universe by Nadeau and Kafatos
Memories, Dreams, Reflections by Carl Jung
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M Pirsig
The World as Will and Representation by Schopenhauer

 

A.J. Walsh’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile


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Awesome Author - Carrie Pulkinen

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m Carrie Pulkinen, and I’m a paranormal romance author. I’ve always been fascinated with things that go bump in the night. After all, I grew up next door to a cemetery, where the dead–and the undead–are hard to ignore. I currently have two novels out, and I have three more completed ones that are waiting to be released.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent release is titled The Rest of Forever. It’s about a guardian angel who would rather die than fall in love with a human. But he’s forced to come to terms with his tragic past when he learns his Charge is more than she seems.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get up at 5am every day–voluntarily–and write until the rest of my family wakes up. And if I don’t shut down my brain by 7pm, I’ll be awake all night plotting in my head.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Heather Graham, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Nora Roberts.

What are you working on now?
I’m editing an as-of-yet untitled paranormal romance about ghosts and psychics in New Orleans.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new at promoting, so I haven’t gotten it all figured out yet.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Learn as much as you can from other authors, and keep honing your craft. There is always room for improvement. And don’t stop writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A first draft doesn’t have to be good, it just has to be done. First drafts are like shoveling sand into a sandbox, so you can build castles later.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon

What’s next for you as a writer?
I wrote a werewolf paranormal that I’d like to make into a series. So after I finish editing my ghost story, I’m going to work on Book Two of the Crescent City Wolfpack 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?
I think I’d take the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas series. I loved those books so much, I could read them again and again.

Author Websites and Profiles
Carrie Pulkinen Website
Carrie Pulkinen Amazon Profile

Carrie Pulkinen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account


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Awesome Author - Tam May

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My background is a little funky. I was born in Israel but grew up in the United States. My family moved back to Israel in the mid-1980’s and I came back to the States on my own in the mid-1990’s and have been back ever since. Right now, I have one book out. It’s called Gnarled Bones and Other Stories and it’s a collection of five dark psychological fiction stories where characters’ pasts infiltrates their present and future in ways they couldn’t have expected and have to deal with.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As mentioned above, the title of my latest book is Gnarled Bones and Other Stories. Three of the stories, “Mother of Mischief”, “Bracelets” and “Broken Bows” were written during a difficult time in my life when I was finding out a lot about myself and my past that I had been denying for years. They were my first attempts at psychological fiction. The other two stories, “A First Saturday Outing” and “Gnarled Bones” were written later, once I had begun to establish my writing voice and style.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, not really! I have discovered that writing the first draft by hand in small notebooks and then transcribing them onto Scrivener where I do subsequent drafts and revisions works the best for me. There’s something about writing by hand that frees my creativity a little more than working directly on the computer, probably because it forces me to slow down and think about what I’m writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The book that has most influenced me is Anais Nin’s “Under a Glass Bell”. It’s a more experimental collection of short stories and character studies written in a lyrical prose style. I discovered it in a small bookstore in Israel on a small shelf with English-language books. It really opened my eyes to the possibilities of the English language and the beauty of lyrical prose, as well as the idea that you could really take a character and explode them and show who they are from the inside out.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a few projects. I’m just about done with the first round of revisions for the first book of my Waxwood series, The Order of Acateon, which I’m giving over, chapter by chapter, to my awesome critique group to help me with the second round of revisions. I’m just about to begin the first draft for the second book in the series, The Claustrophobic Heart. I’m also working on another book titled House of Masks which I started during National Novel Writing Month last year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still starting out so I’m just getting used to finding all the promotional opportunities available to indie authors. So I’m afraid I can’t really answer that question :-). One thing I’ve really loved doing is author events on Facebook. Whether it’s an author takeover or a book auction or a release party, it’s really fun to get involved with other authors and interact with readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My only advice would be to write what you love in the way that you love. It’s very tempting to follow the trends with dreams of fame and fortune, but ultimately, your authentic and sincere voice and who you are as a writer won’t come through. You won’t be fooling yourself or your readers in the end. If your true author voice and style happens to be part of a trend, that’s great, but if it isn’t, that’s great too.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This isn’t really writing-related advice, but the best advice I’ve ever heard came from my mom. Actually, it came originally from my great-grandmother, who I wasn’t fortunate enough to ever meet, but my mom adopted it. It’s “everything happens for a reason”. When things don’t go as I want them to or expected them to or I’m feeling angry or betrayed or frustrated, I remember that things don’t happen without a reason. It helps me put things into perspective.

What are you reading now?
I’m always reading several books at a time. I love classic literature, so right now, I’m finishing up Jane Bowles’ collection of works “My Sister’s Hand in Mine”. I’m actually rereading it because I discovered Bowles some years ago and read her book then. She has a very offbeat, quirky style that’s not always easy to understand but it’s very intriguing. I’m also reading an early novel by Virginia Woolf called “Night and Day”. And I”m reading a biography on Truman Capote.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Just continuing to learn more about promoting my book, Gnarled Bones and Other Stories and working like mad on The Order of Acateon. I’m really shooting for a January 2018 release date for this 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?
That’s a tough one! I think my choices would be Anais Nin’s “Under a Glass Bell” and “The Novel of the Future”, since both books helped me to find my writing voice. I would also chose Jane Bowles’ collection “My Sister’s Hand in Mine”. And I would chose something very long and a bit more conventional, like Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina”.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tam May Website
Tam May Amazon Profile

Tam May’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account


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Awesome Author - Nene –

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Nene is actually a pen name and it was giving to me by a close friend. I am a big fan of romance stories, Paranormal and christian fiction. I write romance stories with a bit of erotic scenes. I am also a big fan of chocolate, the 90’s soap opera Passions and Teen Wolf. I have written 10 books but only four are posted on Amazon and 2 on Radish.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book is Married to the Billionaire Part 2 and it is the sequel to The Billionaire’s Proposal. I would love to tell you what inspired me to write it but that would mean I am giving away spoilers lol.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Lol yes I do, before I write a sex scene I have to watch porn.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Richie Drenz an Jamaican author who writes Erotic was the first one to inspire me to write my first novel. I am also influenced by authors such as Kharma Kelley, Alan Vanmeter, Natalie Bennett and Shameek Speight.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a short novel titled My Neighbour Next Door. It will be an Erotic novel that would have you turning the pages.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Lol to be honest, I suck at promoting my works but when I do I use Facebook and Instagram as a means of promoting.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, write and write badly and never give up. Never say you can’t for you will never accomplish nothing, you can accept and learn from negative reviews but never let it break you for some persons just won’t appreciate or like your work.

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

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Come Away With Me by Kristen Proby

What’s next for you as a writer?
To just continue write and publish books and if possible to go on book tours and meet some of my awesome readers.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Definitely anything that has romance, paranormal, christian fiction and books involving crime.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nene – Amazon Profile

Nene -‘s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - S.E. Swapp

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Clevenger Gold is my debut novel! I am not your typical author by any stretch. It took me ten years to gather the information to finally get this project complete. I wrote this book from all the time spent in the outdoors searching and digging into historical archives.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Clevenger Gold, The True Story of Murder and Unfounded Treasure. The story is a local (Southern Utah/Northern Arizona) treasure hunting favorite. I have known of the basic story as long as I can remember growning up in Kanab, UT.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I have a tendency to write character profiles from people I have known and their mannerisms. I also only write when I actually believe I have a good idea….not because I have been forced into a deadline, but because it just arrives.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
None really, I have many favorites, but my influence came from dirt relics, antique documents and the real Old West….actually visiting these sometimes unknown sites and towns….often enough to feel a part of them.

What are you working on now?
:). Another book of the same type….Murder and Treasure! And the best part…it is all true as well!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still working on this, that seems to be a very hard game to understand. Amazon Ad promotions seem to be the best….word of mouth is a close second.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I is one, so spel yer werds rite and jist keep on riting….but even if u caint spel, a kwality editor can fix all that!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be careful, you can be right and dead at the same time. (Eldon Swapp….my dad)

What are you reading now?
Grading contoirs…..I am a Civil Engineer and work for a large home builder, so plans are why my eyes burn!

What’s next for you as a writer?
2nd book, have been awake at night with many of my ideas fighting to get out of my head!

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?
Bushcraft. (Graves)
How to get of a desert island volumes 1-3.

Author Websites and Profiles
S.E. Swapp Website
S.E. Swapp Amazon Profile

S.E. Swapp’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Andrew Schmarje

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a personal trainer and nutritionist. I have a BS in Health Wellness with a concentration in Nutrition. I achieved the prestigious Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Credential from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I have over a decade f experience helping others manage their weight and improve their health. I’ve taught Yoga and Tai Chi classes. I’ve conducted workshops and given presentations to very large groups and small ones alike. I just published my first book entitled Nutrition Mission: Dieting Is Not Impossible. Writing a book has been a goal of mine for a long time and I finally did it. I have plans to write more books. I have a lot of material already written, and almost ready to go. In addition I have many more ideas for other works.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The nam of my latest book is Nutrition Mission: Dieting Is Not Impossible. There are many things that inspired this book. I took multiple nutrition classes. I’m always reading about nutrition, healthy foods, and healthy cooking. I find food in and of itself very inspiring. It stimulates the senses and nourishes our bodies. It can make us feel energetic and full of life. I’m always thinking of what Hippocrates, the father of medicine said “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if this is unusual, but I like to write at random times. I don’t like to force myself, although sometimes I do. Sometimes, I can sit in front of the computer screen for hours and not write much of anything. Other times it just flows out of me and time seems to stand still. I like to tap into that energy whenever possible. I also find myself just jotting notes or phrases of paragraphs down whenever they come to me as not to lose them later. I find I often work well at night. Just when I think the day is over and I won’t be very productive, I get a second wind.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are a lot of authors who’ve influenced me. Too many to list here. To name a few, I like James Sallis. I do;’t read much fiction – I usually read nonfiction. However, I’ve read the book Drive probably seven times already and I’ll probably read it again. I also read Driven the sequel, though not as many times. I like his style of writing. His description. The strength of his characters. His direct to the point writing style. i like Daniel Coleman and his books Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence. I feel these are topics more people should read about and understand. Ironically I don’t read many diet books or books about nutrition because many of them are either redundant, yet less informative to what I’ve learned though formal education. Or, they’re total Bullsh**. There are two books I’ve read recently about food and nutrition that aren’t actually diet books. These have influenced me in writing my own book. These are “The Big Fat Surprise” by Nina Teicholz and “Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking” by Maxime Bilet and Nathan Myhrvold. These two books are quite revolutionary in the world of food and nutrition. These are the kind of books that can change the way most people perceive food and nutrition, which is what I aimed to do in my book as well. Many people simply have the wrong ideas about food and what makes up a health diet. These books do an excellent job at opening perception and uncovering truth.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a recipe nook. I have a lot of great recipes and really enjoy cooking and eating great tasting healthy foods. I have another book I’m working on and have been working on for some time. It is about the psychology of exercise and nutrition. Why exercise and diets fail and what people can do to succeed.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do the usuals I suppose – social media, my website, friends, family. I’m always testing and adapting to what I think will work best. I feel like I’m still and always learning when it comes to this element.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you have an idea in your head just put it out there. Life is too short. If you want to write something, write it and publish it. You’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment once you do. Not many people can write a book, or are willing to put themselves on the line Let go of any and all fear and do what you feel. People will respect you for that alone.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Whatever happens, you’ll work it out.

What are you reading now?
A book on Hypnotism. Not necessarily how to hypnotize someone, but how politicians, and advertising uses hypnotic techniques to persuade mass numbers of people. This is to avoid being persuaded and following the herd. Very interesting and scary.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write my newsletters, and get my next two books I’ve been working on 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?
“How to Survive and Thrive on a Desert Island”
“How to Find your Way Back to Civilization from a Desert Island” hahaha – I just made those up, but I’d find the closest things. Those would be my first choices lol
“Drive” by James Sallis
“The Hero with a Thousand Faces”
“Psycho cybernetics”
“Lord of the Flies” – for obvious reasons

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Schmarje Website
Andrew Schmarje Amazon Profile

Andrew Schmarje’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Linda Carvelli

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I worked in corporate America for over 20 years before receiving a severance package during that year’s downsizing effort. The last 10 years of my career was filled with enormous amounts of personal and emotional pain. I never anticipated receiving the greatest gift of all when I lost my job. In the year that followed, I wrote the first and second drafts of my memoir and pursued certification as a life coach. Perfectly Negative is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Perfectly Negative: How I Learned to Embrace Life’s Lemons/Lessons. The title was inspired by two people: 1. my oncologist who delivered the best results I could receive from PET scan, and 2. my own tragic life…that is, for ten tragic years of my life when I lost my mother to breast cancer, my husband to divorce, my dad to cancer, my own breasts to breast cancer, and my sister to breast cancer…all before losing my long-term boyfriend and my job. But if not for all those negative experiences, I would not have found true love and my true life’s purpose.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I only write in my journal when I’m sad, confused, or angry. Turns out, that habit served me well while writing my memoir.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz…the book that should be required reading for all humans.
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert…the first book I was able to read years after my mother passed away.

What are you working on now?
Building my coaching and retreat business and, most recently, letting the idea for my next book ferment inside me. I will definitely be non-fiction because tried fiction and I just can’t make sh*t up! I’d like to write more deeply about how writing my memoir transformed the direction for the rest of my life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book signing events, book clubs, clients and client referrals, and Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing is the easy part; invest in marketing and promotion

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You don’t have to try so hard to be yourself ~ as delivered by a Medium, from my dad.

What are you reading now?
The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood

What’s next for you as a writer?
Journal and blog consistently and scribble ideas for 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?
The Four Agreements, A Mind of Your Own, some sort of island cookbook, and maybe a photo album of loved ones

Author Websites and Profiles
Linda Carvelli Website
Linda Carvelli Amazon Profile

Linda Carvelli’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Melisa Ruscsak

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was raised in Lorain, Ohio. Graduated from the local high school and joint vocational school. Currently I live in a old farm house with my husband and daughter. We raise poultry of all kinds as pets. Plus our dogs, cat and hamster.

“Of Lite and Darke” is my first published book. However, I have written another manuscript that is yet to be completed.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Of Lite and Darke”. I was always drawn to books on fey and other fantasy style books. My daughter and husband inspired me to write one of my one after reading several of my creative writing pieces.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual? I don’t think so. Usually I open my laptop and look at the blank word document. I close my eyes and imagine the scene that I want to write. Then start typing until the chapter is done or until I get to tired to keep my eyes open any longer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Since I now read from all different genre from historical fiction to sci-fantasy I have many authors that are my go to books. Such as Anne Bishop, Catherine Asaro, and Philippa Gregory.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on the prequel to “Of Lite and Darke” As well as reworking a previously written manuscript.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Personally I promote on every book promotion site that I can find.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If there is a will there is a way. You might get twenty rejection letters but with each rejection you have the opportunity to make your work even better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up. If you want it bad enough you’ll find away to make it happen.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m not reading anything.Although I have a shelf filled of new books that just waiting for me to pick them up.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Honestly I don’t know. I hope good things such as seeing my work come to the big screen or make the best selling list. But only time will tell.

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 Black Jewels books. I don’t even have to think about it.

Author Websites and Profiles
Melisa Ruscsak Website

Melisa Ruscsak’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile


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Awesome Author - Misha Fitt

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Aussie expat currently living in the South East of England with my husband and ornery ginger cat, Lacey. When I’m is not writing, I’m attempting to visit as many countries around the world as possible. I am the original ‘crazy cat lady’ and can be bribed with (good) Red Wine.

I have one published novel available.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is called ‘Heart’ and is the first in a duology. It was inspired by a dream I had many years ago about a boy who needed to steal people’s heartbeats to stay alive.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often have to ‘act out’ certain scenes or conversations before putting them into words.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robin Benway is a big influence of mine. I’ve loved all her books and her way of writing and the characters she has created.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the final book in the ‘Heart’ duology; ‘Soul’. I am also writing a standalone new adult drama called The Sea & The Sun.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to the game so still learning but I’m pretty active on social media like Facebook and Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up!

What are you reading now?
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep going with the stories I am in in the midst of 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?
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway
The Forest of Hands & Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Author Websites and Profiles
Misha Fitt Website
Misha Fitt Author Profile on Smashwords

Misha Fitt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account


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Awesome Author - Anne Eveland

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a country girl, who has dreamt of being a writer since the age of 12. I have written a total of 5 books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Warning Women Have PTSD. I have PTSD and I know what if feels like to feel lost. I was asked by a couple of friends that I should write about my struggle to inspire others since I was able to live with little of its effects.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I watch TV or movies while typing. It helps give off ideas while I’m trying to write something.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bible. The Great Expectations-Charles Dickens. JK Rowling. Just to name a few.

What are you working on now?
I have a total of three that I’m working on. One is a Scifi Time Travel. Second is a crime dealing with art. The third is a time travel with a twist, about someone being sucked into a book that they were planning on writing.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook. I’m new when it comes to promoting books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep learning and reading.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up. It took Edison over a 1,000 ways to not make a light bulb. But he found one that worked. I see that with authors and their books. If one didn’t work well, there will be one down the road that will.

What are you reading now?
I haven’t found what I’m looking for to read yet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on making more books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, a book on survival, and book on farming.

Author Websites and Profiles
Anne Eveland Website
Anne Eveland Amazon Profile

Anne Eveland’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Connie Colon (rhymes with "alone"

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former advertising executive who decided to try a second career after becoming an at-home mom. (They say not to quit your day job if you start writing, but I already had — so what the heck!) I am a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Before moving to the Tampa, FL area, I grew up in NJ, graduated from Syracuse University (degree in Fine Arts) and lived and worked in NYC several times. I written several manuscripts, however, book #1 of the Principal Kidd series is the first to be published — YAY! I have written for several children’s publications, including a monthly feature in FACES that ran for over seven years.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My upcoming book is SCHOOL RULES, which is book #1 in the Principal Kidd chapter book series, geared toward 6 – 11 year olds.
Oliver Kidd, an 11-year-old whiz, becomes principal of Eggshell Elementary school and craziness occurs while he and his sidekick, Chelsea the chicken, run things their way.
I as inspired to write this after reading an article about Michael Sessions, who was sworn in as mayor of Hillsdale, Michigan at the age of 18, while still attending high school. (And yes, I had been a fan of Doogie Howser MD!)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure if these qualify as unusual (so I might make something up!) but I like to pick out character names first and put together visuals — from magazines, or I’ll do sketches. I also write out a log-line before beginning and I MUST have an ending in mind that I can write toward. I usually don’t outline, preferring to let my characters guide me along the journey. I know I’m “in the zone” when something seems to take over and my fingers just fly along the keyboard. Sometimes I might “channel” a character during a scene with them — such as wearing a mood ring when working on April Mae March (one of Oliver Kidd’s BFFs). Naturally, I wear a chicken suit and squawk around the house when writing scenes for Chelsea the chicken (okay, I made that part up…or did I?)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A ton of them! I love Jerry Spinelli’s books and had the unique opportunity where I was selected to work directly with him on one of my manuscripts when I attended a week-long Highlights Writers Workshop in Chautauqua, NY back in 2006. I tend to lean toward humor and love Richard Peck’s books, Dan Gutman and Louis Sachar. Lisa Yee and Kate DiCamillo are both brilliant.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the book launch and will start book #2 of the Principal Kidd series. I have another children’s concept that Foundations Books would like to consider — and my alter ego is working on a spicy romance for adults.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is TBD since this is my debut book.
Note: I’m still working on acquiring things such as an Amazon profile — all of that info will be coming soon (book is slated to release April 3, 2017)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! There is only one way to not get published and that is to give up. (And a good critique group is essential.) Best advice for writers: READ READ READ!
and COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be yourself — everyone else is taken.

What are you reading now?
Your questions, silly!
Just finished BEST STATE EVER by Dave Barry — and will start whatever my book club votes on next week.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to promote my books through school visits. I am also very interested in developing my concepts into animation. I had taken TV screenwriting classes in NYC in Alan Kingsberg’s Advanced Writers Room. I developed TV pilots for two of my kidlit concepts and had a blast! Both concepts began as animation proposals. My visual arts background helps me to think “visually” when 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?
Some blank notebooks and sketchpads — and Survival Techniques for Being Stranded on a Deserted Island!

Author Websites and Profiles
Connie Colon (rhymes with “alone” Website

Connie Colon (rhymes with “alone”‘s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Annemarie Musawale

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a long time writer, since I was in kindergarten actually, who ended up being a pharm tech. I gave it up because the long hours were incompatible with being a single mom. I started writing professionally to earn a living. But then as I wrote for other people, it came to me that I needed to write my own stories. I had a story idea bumping around in my head for months before I finally wrote it down. It just snowballed from there. Now I have seven books on sale and I’m writing two more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Erase and Rewind. I wrote it for a competition (which I didn’t win). It’s a science fiction/fantasy novel about twins. It just came out of me like all my stories do.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I actually don’t. I sit. I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Anne Rice has greatly influenced my writing when it comes to magic, witches and the supernatural.
Diana Gabaldon is my hero when it comes to writing connections between people.
I love JK Rowling because she’s a brilliant story weaver.
and finally Maria Doria Russell inspired me with her creation of new worlds.

What are you working on now?
I am working on book five of the Child of Destiny series known as Marcus Devereux and a chick lit story called Cinderella by Any Other Name.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am an equal opportunity promoter. Wherever readers are, that’s where I try to be.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Diana Gabaldon gave it to me. She said that so long as you’re writing, you’re a writer.

What are you reading now?
I am reading supernatural fan fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I aim to grow my brand and just reach more people with my 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?
Outlander series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Annemarie Musawale Website
Annemarie Musawale Amazon Profile
Annemarie Musawale Author Profile on Smashwords

Annemarie Musawale’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Dawn Denton

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a tour guide, teacher, blogger, event promoter, trainer, I have my own skin care range made with manuka honey and I am a broadcaster on community radio. I publish and promote books for others, but this is my first published book, which I am pretty excited about.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote Facebook Fan Pages – Take the Facebook Bull by the Horns after many questions and people buying me a coffee and dinner to ask about how to get started on Facebook for their business. Great for me to meet so many lovely people, but I realised so many people needed help. I have been on Facebook for 10 years now (almost as long as it has been around) and I thought a little ebook would help to get people started on this fabulously exciting Facebook for business journey.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wish I was quirkly – they would be a great story to write, but I am just a bog-standard writer – in a café or somewhere at home. I do love writing outside in the summer – gives me a real sense of the world.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am constantly finding new authors – mostly motivational and inspirational writers – Steven Covey, Robert Kiyosaki. Paolo Coelho and some one-off writers. We are living in such a wonderful age or writing and the expression of the creative arts.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a 30 day guide to getting your Facebook Fan Page up and running as well as a book about the City of London – one of my passions.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use social media and I have heard such good things about the Awesome Gang, so I decided this would be my first ‘port of call’.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write – you don’t have to write a lot, just often. Writing is not a skill – it is a passion and a muscle you can develop. Go on courses, join writers’ groups and then JUST WRITE. I like to write every morning before the day starts – even if just one page. It ‘dumps’ all my worries that I have for the day ahead and is like mediation – reflective and energising.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everything from Nelson Mandela is advice I treasure

What are you reading now?
I am studying international politics so reading is now a complete luxury for the next month.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to publish more of my blogs and share so much I learnt as a teacher.

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?

Author Websites and Profiles
Dawn Denton Amazon Profile

Dawn Denton’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - Jack Thanatos

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently live near Chicago and use the area quite frequently in my supernatural inspired stories. I have written 5 novels, all of which reside within my Djinn Universe.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last novel was “Purgatory”, which is part 3 of “The Gods of Chaos” series. I have always been inspired by the various mythologies around the world, and this entry allowed me to play around with the spirit realm, along with locations such as the hidden city of Paititi, in Peru, and Uluru, which is located in the center of the Australian Outback.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a bit of a bipolar streak, so when I write, I’m usually on the high end of it. I try to push myself as hard as I can when I’m in a particular good mood because I never know when it’ll drop off.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neil Gaiman and Richard Kadrey were two authors who showed me that you can expand beyond the limits of what literature was thought to have been allowed in traditional publishing.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a horror novel. I was inspired by a few movies such as “Insidious” and “Fallen” (the one with Denzel Washington), and I hoped that I could really pull it together to work seamlessly within my Djinn Universe.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am in the process of experimenting with all sorts of methods right now. It’s hard to say. Twitter is about the best way I can reach those I’ve been in contact with in the past.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Prepare for a long hard journey. This game isn’t for the faint of heart. There will be failure and disappointment, especially during a failed campaign that falls far short of what was expected. Experimentation is key, and listen to your readers. If you are up for a challenge, becoming a published author is definitely that.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you had a story written about yourself, would anyone read it?

What are you reading now?
Mostly reference material for my horror novel. The last story I started reading was “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on getting my digital artwork up to speed with my writing ability. I spent so much time writing over the last few years. This winter, I spent more time focusing on marketing and Photoshop. I want to be able to design anything in any genre, and I want my novels to depict that ability. I also want to learn which marketing routes work best. It seems with the way the publishing world is changing, each time I think I have a grasp on it, everything changes.

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?
“Sandman Slim” by Richard Kadrey
“Nymphos of Rocky Flats” by Mario Acevedo
“Odd Thomas” by Dean Koontz

Author Websites and Profiles
Jack Thanatos Website
Jack Thanatos Amazon Profile

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


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Awesome Author - Ngozi Edema

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Ngozi Edema. I was born in Lagos Nigeria. I moved to the UK in 2004 where I lived for over a decade. I now live in Canada. I have been writing about African food through my website www.africanfoods.co.uk since 2005. This is my first book. It would be part of a series of cookbooks to come.
I started documenting and investigating recipes from across the African continent since 2005.
My style of cooking has been influenced from my interaction with various cultures. I am married with children and enjoy travelling and trying recipes from across the globe.
I am a graduate of Architecture from the University of Jos, Nigeria and hold a certificate in project management from the open university, London

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Bringing Africa Home: A Cookbook of 52 Easy African Recipes: With easy to follow steps and most ingredients available in big grocery stores.

I just want people to be familiar with cuisines from across Africa

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have not discovered any yet. Perhaps my readers would let me know.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Camelia Punjabi, she wrote the cookbook 50 great curries of india. And Dorinda Hafner she wrote the very first African cookbook I ever read: “A taste of Africa”. I just love her style.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my website currently so I can bring the very best to my followers.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love using social media: Facebook, Twitter and Pintrest

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It is not an easy journey but the joy of just seeing your finished work is worth all the challenges you may go through. You can do it, You can succeed, never give up!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your dream

What are you reading now?
The book “Everyone Can Write” by Howard Gelman

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would start working on my next book soon.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
The booklet examining the scriptures daily
pride and prejudice

Author Websites and Profiles
Ngozi Edema Website
Ngozi Edema Amazon Profile

Ngozi Edema’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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Awesome Author - DK Herman

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Dig Deeper (A Hallie James Mystery) is my first book that I have published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dig Deeper evolved from a nightmare that I experienced last spring. I felt the need to write it down and let the story evolve. I also added comedy because I enjoy a good laugh, and a dash of romance is always fun.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve struggled with insomnia for years. So, I can be found working at my lap top at any time of the day or night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My taste in authors is very diverse. My favorites are Barbara Michaels, Janet Evanovich, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Dan Brown, Jim Butcher, Kathy Reichs, Nora Roberts, J. K. Rowling, and Bertrice Small.

What are you working on now?
Presently, I am working on, Run Faster, the second book in The Hallie James Mystery series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My authors page on Amazon. http://amazon.com/author/dkherman

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sit down and let the words flow.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Every author is different, just be yourself.

What are you reading now?
I don’t read any books while I have my own in progress. When I’m writing, I can’t concentrate on someone else’s story. The last book I read, in November, was The Rock Club by Stan Thomas.

What’s next for you as a writer?
For now, I plan on continuing Hallie’s story.

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?
Barbara Michaels’ Ammie Come Home
Stephen King’s Insomnia
Any book from the Stephanie Plum series.
Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind

Author Websites and Profiles
DK Herman Amazon Profile

DK Herman’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account


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