Here is Your Saturday Morning Awesomegang Authors Newsletter

Published: Sat, 03/04/17

AwesomeGang Authors

Good Morning!

Happy Saturday Authors!

If you want to learn about social media you have to try new things and see what works.

I see a lot of authors lately using social media to sell books. When you submit an interview to our sites I ask the question at the end of the email about how did you find out about us and what your biggest strugle.

Many of the questions I get are about social media.

A lot of the authors don't know what to tweet or put out on social media. They don't feel like marketing books because they'd rather write one and that makes total sense to me. I think the struggle that most authors have is they think that they have to go on social media and keep putting up “buy my book! buy my book! buy my book!!!!”

It's the opposite that is actually true, authors can sell books on social media but should never ever go the route I just explained above.

Social media is about being social. You wouldn't walk into a crowded room and yell at the top of your lungs buy my book buy my book buy my book! Of course not nobody would ever buy your book. If you suddenly walk up to a table and introduce yourself and said that you are a writer somebody would ask you “Hey what type of books you write?

Eventually it would lead to a conversation and then you can tell them if you want to check out the books and then tell them the website they can buy them. They end up telling other people about your book, if they like it of course and you end up with more people from one conversation. It's the same in social media a little interaction 5 to 10 minutes a day.

I manage a lot of social media accounts as you can imagine with all the book sites. I have some prescheduled tweets and Facebook post to go out every day. I have one set up the morning, one for the afternoon, and one or two for the evening. It will ask general evergreen questions for example if it's Monday I will ask something like how was your weekend did anybody do anything exciting?

This will end up getting two or three responses where I can then talk back and forth with the person and get to know them a little better. It can be a complete stranger or it could be somebody new who just happened to be follow my profile. Just opening up the lines of communication is important.

Since I had this question asked a lot I should set up some sort of a spreadsheet for excel or Google sheets. What things to tweet and to schedule for Facebook post.

I use HootSuite which is a program that allows you to upload both tweets and bulk Facebook messaging.

When you see me put out an author interview in the social media odds are it was either HootSuite or a program called Shareist which automates a lot of my social media also.

This leads me to another thing. What exactly to Tweet out or schedule Facebook post on social media. If you have a YouTube trailer you can put that out. If you have done an author interview on a website you can put them out. If you have done a podcast you can schedule that out.

The best thing to do is open up a spreadsheet with a Google Docs or an Excel spreadsheet and make a list of places where you have been interviewed all with links to like your Amazon book page YouTube trailer page. You can also mix in a few evergreen tweets like “I’m writing this afternoon what are you doing?”

After you have the sheet set up once you can use it over and over again. People are online at different times and odds are that they can’t remember the same tweet that you tweeted seven days ago. The only person that will know is you.

One of the main reasons why we do the author interview series on almost all of our sites is so that authors have something that they can put out on social media. Most of the smarter authors take their author interviews and end up putting it out on scheduled posts on Facebook or on Twitter.

I do it like once every 30 days on every 90 days an I will post something like “Hey I was just interviewed and featured on Awesome gang” and then provide a link to that interview. I'm sure that if you are an author and you been around for a while you have plenty of places that you've been interviewed that you can use for a social media blast.

When an author does an interview with us on any of our sites we put the post live and we send out the social media. After that it'll rotate every 30 to 60 days and go out at the social media again. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten email from an author that did an interview a year ago thanking us. They had a few more book sales and the only thing they can trace those sales back to is the year old social media blast from an interview. It is a great feeling of those emails.

After you've done one or two interviews you have a whole bunch of stuff to put out on social media. Let's just say you do in author interview for instance. You could then write a series of five posts and put it into an Excel spreadsheet or Google sheet. You can drop it in your Google sheet the URL into five different boxes and write five different things for instance the first one could say. Let’s use Facebook is an example since those post can be longer.

1 - I had a great time being interviewed on awesomegang! Some of the questions were really revealing and then add the link to that.

2 - Awesome gang just interviewed me and the questions were tough but I got through it. If you want to learn a lot more about me and my books go here and read it and of course you add the link.

3 - Man those guys over at Awesomegang know what they are doing. They interviewed me and asked some of the best questions I've ever been asked. And insert the link.

4 - I spent a few minutes with awesomegang doing an interview where I told my deepest dark secrets. And add the link.

5 - Want to know more about me and the books that I write here is an interview I did with Awesomegang and insert the link.

I think you get the hang of this now. Now let's just say you did an author interview on all of our sites Awesomegang, Pretty-hot.com Bookreadermagazine.com, and Awesomebookpromotion.com that would give you four links if you created five different paragraphs to social media and included each one of the links you would have about 20 social media post that you can make today. It would probably take you about 15 minutes.

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and get social. If you follow any writers and you find yourself engaged with them say to yourself hey what are they doing that makes me engage with them. They might be doing the same system I just explained.

If you haven't done author interview with us in the past I encourage you to because not only will you spread the social media links we will spread them for you every 30 to 60 days.

Update from last week!

The Audio book site is almost ready for prime time. I need to add all the book submission links and privacy policy stuff. I just grabbed a bunch of books from AwesomeBookPromotion site and brought them over so I wouldn't have an empty site. Some are not audio books and I know a few images are not showing right but hey Rome wasn't built in a day. Wanna check out the site it is http://awesomeaudiobook.com If you really want to help us out you can go like and share the Facebook page. Thanks in advance.

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. If you belong to a Author group help spread the word about our free author interview series.

Vinny

Bringing You Weekly Tips From Authors

Awesome Author - Ahmed Seif

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Physician, avid fitness enthusiast, dog lover, and bookworm. Dr. Seif grew up with fascination about the works of the mind. It is his belief that it is our duty to continuously evolve. This belief fed his curiosity to break free from obesity without dieting.

Transforming himself to a fitter more resourceful person, he made it his mission to deepen his knowledge about the subject by looking into various branches of medicine, seeking a post graduate in clinical nutrition from the American University in Cairo and passing on his knowledge to people.

Currently he completes triathlons, promotes the sport in his home country and works as a sports nutritionist.

You can find him on Instagram, Twitter and of course here on Amazon. Alternatively, you can email him at ahmed.seifallah@gmail.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My personal struggle eating disorders and breaking free inspired me to pursue a career in clinical nutrition and now I wanted to share what I know with the world. “The Fat Kid Within: How to Ditch Dieting, Celebrate Your Body and Feel Like a Million Bucks” is my articulation of the mindset necessary to acquire the desired body image and fitness goals without dieting.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Think and grow Rich, Inner Bonding, Spark, The Power of Now among many others.

What are you working on now?
Becoming the First Egyptian Non Fiction Author to claim Amazon’s Bestselling Status!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Organic through Amazon and building my email list.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up on your dreams. Always find your pace and don’t rush outcome. Slow and steady wins the race!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

What are you reading now?
Deep Work

What’s next for you as a writer?
I live in the moment. I welcome whatever life brings my way. Right now I’m working on promoting my recently self-published 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 Holy Koran, Think and Grow Rich, The Prophet and the Alchemist.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ahmed Seif Amazon Profile

Ahmed Seif’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Dale E. Manolakas

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To date I have written seven books and published four of them. After writing two cozy mysteries, I settled on legal thrillers as my genre.

After a lifetime of writing poetry, books, nonfiction, and legal documents, it was author Ray Bradbury’s friendship and encouragement that finally inspired me to pursue writing as a career. I earned my B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles, and M.A., M.S., Ph.D. and J.D. degrees from the University of Southern California. I am a member of the California Bar, had the privilege of clerking for The Honorable Arthur L. Alarcón at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, was a litigator in two major Los Angeles law firms, and a senior appellate attorney at the California Court of Appeals, as well as an Administrative Law Judge.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest publication is The Gun Trial. It was inspired by a real real California appellate case Jacoves v. United Merchandising Corp. (1992) 9 Cal. App.4th 88, 11 Cal. Rptr.2d 468. It is the second in my Sophia Christopoulos Series. In The Gun Trial, Sophia fights for justice against gun sellers after a Yale student’s tragic death. Through vivid, fully developed characters, it deals at a visceral level with the Second Amendment right to bear arms which is at issue today in America. Media wars, violence, corruption, scandal, demonstrations, murders, and a corrupt media all lead to a legally pivotal trial against gun sellers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Probably not unusual in the sense of exciting or interesting. I simply write every day for hours without fail. Then I do the business of writing every day for hours without fail.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
On a personal level, I had the privilege of knowing Ray Bradbury, a brilliant and disciplined person. He loved the theatre as I do. He was an inspiration. On an academic level, any writer who left me with a character or scene I couldn’t forget. Tennessee Williams has done that, John Steinbeck, and so many other of the greats.

What are you working on now?
The Rogue Entertainment Lawyer is the legal thriller I am drafting now. It is set in the entertainment industry in Hollywood and its central character is a premier entertainment lawyer who controls access to the top talent in the industry—the young, the arrogant, and the emotionally stunted, and the egotistical aging “legends.” He doesn’t touch any subpar talent, but does touch any ingénue any way he wants any time he wants—if charm doesn’t work, drugs do. It is the second in the series that began with The Rogue Divorce Lawyer which is soon to be published. As all my legal thrillers, it is inspired by real incidences that I fictionalize and dramatize. I find life will not stop leading me to the interesting, the unbelievable, and the bazaar.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Awesome Gang, of course. Promoting your own books takes a broad stroke and I use every avenue I can. Lately, I have been very interested in metadata and how it affects your internet and social media presence.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want readers, you must not only master the craft of writing, but also the business of writing. Also, you must get a good editor. It is a requirement and it is hard to find one. Even after they have done their job, there will be typos and errors. It is best to learn formatting to facilitate the process.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There are only two kinds of books. One that is finished and one that isn’t.

What are you reading now?
I am reading National Geographic, as well as reading anything I can on the craft of writing and the marketing, branding, and selling of fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to publish two legal thrillers a year. There is so much to say that I wish I could write three. But, an adherence to quality prevents that.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The complete works of Shakespeare, a multi-volume history of western civilization, a multi-volume history of the world, and as many bound copies of National Geographic that would constitute a “book.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Dale E. Manolakas Website
Dale E. Manolakas Amazon Profile

Dale E. Manolakas’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Paulina Giao

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Croatia, lived for three and a half decades in South Africa, and now live in Portugal. I’m a retired housewife that loves to ponder on the mysteries of life.
One of my bright moments in life was at the age of twenty one, when the South African department of Posts and Telecommunications decided to give woman equal opportunity in the workforce and I become one of the countries first female Telecom Electricians. This gave me a taste of empowerment and how good it feels.
Complementary health is one of my passions and I have a diploma in Nutritional therapy and I’m also a Reiki Master. My other passions are science and spirituality, time and space, people and life. In fact my next book will be off the beaten track and will encompass my insights on time, time travel, space, blackholes, why we dream and other questions that have plagued mankind for ages.
My bigest passion is to empower people and it gives me great joy to see others come into their own and succeed, hence my two inspirational self-help eBooks, Work Misery To Work Joy and The Power Of Positive Deeds.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest eBook The Power Of Positive Deeds was inspired by my passion to empower people.
I came upon an ingenious way to change thoughts to a positive and empowering frame of mind without having to think about how to do this. This is gold for people who are predominantly negative thinkers and self-sabotage and I knew I had to share this with the world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I came upon a quote that stated “The true way to success is to focus on one thing until you finish it.” Before I start writing I stick my own version of the quote on my wall where I can see it. On this is written “I shall focus on writing and editing my book until I finish it. I then sign it and date it. This seems to help with the many distractions in life and reminds me to get on with it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Books are my biggest passion in life and I read profusely but there are those that stick in the mind and are never forgotten. I read many genres but the few I have decided to list here are of the inspirational self-help type.
One such book, my personal favorite is “The Greatest Salesman In The World by Og Mandino. I reread Chapter Nine, The Scroll Marked II, from that book every year.
Another one that is unforgettable is “The One Minute Manager” by Kenneth Blanchard, PhD. and Spencer Johnson, M.D. What a little marvel this book is. For anyone that is in charge of a group of people this is a must read.
Napoleon Hill’s “Think And Grow Rich” is a classic not to be missed and has sold millions of copies.
Any book by Eckhart Tolle leaves an impression on the mind and my favorites are “The Power Of Now” and “A New Earth.
Anthony Robbins, a giant of inspiration and motivation will change your life if you give him a chance. My favorites of his are “Unlimited Power” and “Awaken the Giant Within.”
“Borrowing Brilliance” by David Kord Murry will teach you how to build on the ideas of others. A brilliant book.
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyosaki, what the rich teach their kids about money. They should be teaching this in schools.
If you are married or are thinking of getting married or are in a relationship than “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” by John Gray is a must read and one I keep close to me. It will teach you what the opposite sex needs and how they function so that you can have a happy relationship.
There are many others but for the time being I hall leave it here.

What are you working on now?
My next book “A Mind Full Of Insights” is about time and time travel, space and black holes, why we dream and a few other things humanity have been seeking the answers to. Yes, I know it’s different from my other two eBooks but it will be just as inspirational and give a person food for thought.
I will publish it at the end of this year or in the beginning of next year. I have learned that life happens while we make plans so I refuse to pressurize myself.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook and Twitter and thankfully sites like this one.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Like the Nike advert says “Just do it.” Wishing isn’t going to make it so and the only way to start is to sit down and write regularly. In the beginning, you might have to force yourself to write but persevere and you shall be rewarded when inspiration picks up momentum.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Uses the difficulty, when something difficult occurs unexpectedly use that difficulty to your advantage.

What are you reading now?
The Signature Of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert and Madame Curie, a biography by Eve Curie. Pocket book edition published 1946.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more books and empowering more people.

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 there’s a book about survival on a desert island, like how to feed yourself and protect yourself, and how to escape or be saved, that would be the book I would take and of course the Bible, for just in case. The only other books I would take are my own “The Power Of Positive Deeds” and “Work Misery To Work Joy”.

Paulina Giao’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Knatia Parson

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a science fiction author. I wrote From Alien Invasion to Time Travel: 350 Science Fiction Writing Prompts.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is 100 Alien Invasion Writing Prompts. My love of writing science fiction and my belief that I am meant to help fellow writers, inspired me to write my latest book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing out of the ordinary. Sometimes I listen to music, to help evoke images of the characters and situations that I am writing about.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ray Bradbury, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Jasper Fforde.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a soft science fiction novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter continues to be a great way of promoting my books, and connecting with other authors.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read books about subjects that you are interested in, and write, every day.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, every day.

What are you reading now?
The Gunslinger by Stephen King, Just One Damned Thing After Another: The Chronicles of St. Mary’s by Jodi Taylor, and Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to write books that help science fiction authors produce creative work, and write novels and short story collections.

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?
Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour, Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.

Author Websites and Profiles
Knatia Parson Amazon Profile

Knatia Parson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Daniel Friedmann

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a P.Eng., M.A.Sc., a Readers’ Favorite 2013 International Book Award Winner, focused on studying the origin of the universe and life on earth from both the scientific and biblical perspectives. My work on reconciling the biblical account with scientific observation utilizing his biblical clock formula has been reported in conferences, various newspapers, magazines, television and radio talk shows.

I was the President and CEO of a global communications and information company until May 2016. He holds a master’s degree in engineering physics and has published more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific papers on space industry topics and cosmology. I am is also a longtime student of religion and for the past 15 years has attended the Vancouver Kollel center for learning.

My first book, The Genesis One Code, demonstrates an alignment between key events and times as described in the creation narrative in the book of Genesis with those derived from scientific theory and observation. My second book, The Broken Gift: Harmonizing the Biblical and scientific accounts of human origins demonstrates an alignment between the key events and timeline recounting the appearance of humans in the book of Genesis with those derived from the fossil record and genetic studies. My just published third book, Roadmap To The End Of Days: Demystifying Biblical Eschatology To Explain The Past, The Secret To The Apocalypse And The End Of The World, will be released February 2017. I was born in Chile and raised in Canada.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Roadmap to the End of Days. i was inspired by an old commentary on scripture that says human history parallels the 6 Creation days. Having spent many years studying the 6 Creation days I took a try at trying to find the pattern for history and was surprised- this work ended up being the new book

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to get away and focus for several days at a time

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bible and its many commentaries as well as peer reviewed science papers on the origins of the universe

What are you working on now?
I am researching the what actually started the universe- it will b the basis for my next Book

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
various including your, buckbooks, onlinebooks.org

Do you have any advice for new authors?
persevere

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
write your ideas in a book

What are you reading now?
Lots of research on the beginning of the universe both scientific and Biblical

What’s next for you as a writer?
see what are you working on now

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 and various commentaries

Author Websites and Profiles
Daniel Friedmann Website
Daniel Friedmann Amazon Profile

Daniel Friedmann’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - C.A. Wulff

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author, artist, and animal advocate. I have volunteered in animal rescue for more than 30 years, and am the founder of Lost & Found Ohio Pets. I have written five books about my rescue pets experiences; “Born Without a Tail” (2007), “Circling the Waggins;How 5 Misfit Dogs Saved Me from Bewilderness” (2012), “Parade of Misfits” (2013), “How to Change the World in 30 Seconds: A Web Warrior’s Guide to Animal Advocacy Online” and “Finding Fido: Practical Steps for Finding Your Lost Pet”. I attribute my love of animals to having been raised by Wulffs.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Finding Fido: Practical Steps for Finding Your Lost Pet”. I was inspired to write it after founding Lost & Found Ohio Pets, and seeing how people are so overwhelmed when they lose a pet that they have no idea how to get the word out and start searching.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
An overall love of all books has influenced me more than anything. I’m an avid reader. I have favorite authors, but I don’t know that they have influenced my style, because I don’t feel as though I can hold a candle to them. I love Terry Pratchett’s work…though I can never hope to be that clever and funny. I love Karen Russell’s work, but I will never be that imaginative. A great many “dog books” have influenced me, in that they helped me see the stories that were unfolding around me every day and gave me direction.

What are you working on now?
I am working on three projects. One is a follow-up to Circling the Waggins; another is a children’s picture book, and the third is a work of fiction. They all heavily feature dogs.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have not promoted for a long time. I try to keep my readers engaged on my blog, “Up on the Woof”, and on my facebook fan page.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have a lot of people read what you are working on. And not just good friends…you need people who are objective, or who know you well enough to be really honest.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t believe anything you hear, and only half of what you see. Oh, wait…you mean about writing? Um…write all the time, about everything. Not just stories, but letters (to newspapers, to friends, to representatives), because the more you write, the better you become at it. If you have “writer’s block”, write about *that*.

What are you reading now?
I am reading “Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas” and “Tail of Vengeance” (Chet and Bernie Mystery 0.3) by Spencer Quinn

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully, a series of kid’s 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 Outsiders” by S.E.Hinton
“St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves” by Karen Russell
“The Complete Elfquest” by Wendy & Richard Pini
and a good guide book of tropical birds.

Author Websites and Profiles
C.A. Wulff Website
C.A. Wulff Amazon Profile

C.A. Wulff’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - E. Rachael Hardcastle

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is E. Rachael Hardcastle. I’m an author from the UK.

I’m a dreamer, a deep thinker, a bookworm and grammar nerd. I write poetry between imaginative high fantasy, post-apocalyptic and science fiction novels.

I believe that through writing we face our darkest fears, explore infinite new worlds and realise our true purpose. I write to entertain and share important morals and values with the world, but above all, I write to be a significant part of something incredible.

All my fantasy and post-apocalyptic books face our planet’s struggles because I believe that together we can build a stronger future for the human race.

I support independent publishing so all my stories are written, edited, formatted and published by me, offering a low-cost, epic adventure and a memorable escape from reality for my readers.

Currently I have three high fantasy books, one post-apocalyptic book and a romantic short story available, with lots more on the way!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release was Aeon Infinitum: Run For Your Life. I wanted to write from a strong female perspective and detail futuristic problems with a post-apocalyptic theme. I loved books like the Hunger Games so I wanted to incorporate a sense of urgency and survival, where my protagonist has to overcome her flaws to save her own life and the lives of others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to complete my full outline after I have finished writing the book, not before like most others do. I do this because I think going back through the book paragraphs at a time and noting the important points, facts etc helps me to ensure continuity and plot issues are resolved and also preps me for the next book (if it’s a series). It works really well for me, and my system is colour coded and done in sections so I can keep track of everything.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the themes of Mitch Albom’s work, which makes me want to add meaning to my books and lessons. Also, Brandon Sanderson has taught me a lot, as well as Stephen King.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a high fantasy novel which is currently titled Dragonborn. I will be creating the map myself and posting some ‘behind the scenes’ information to my blog further down the line.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book some interviews on blogs or podcasts, radio and television. Don’t be afraid to talk about your passion and share your work with others.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Banish your inner critic during the first draft. Don’t worry about the quality until you have the story on paper, then go back and perfect it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write drunk, edit sober – Ernest Hemingway. Write whatever you like, however you like, then sober up and think logically about how to edit it and prepare it for your audience.

What are you reading now?
Mistborn Book One by Brandon Sanderson and The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to grow my podcast for indie writers and release several more books this year, completing two series and hopefully finishing the draft of Dragonborn before the end of the year.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Mitch Albom – The Timekeeper
Mitch Albom – The Five People You Meet In Heaven
Mitch Albom – For One More Day
Jack Heffron – The Writer’s Idea Guide

Author Websites and Profiles
E. Rachael Hardcastle Website
E. Rachael Hardcastle Amazon Profile

E. Rachael Hardcastle’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Ben Lovejoy

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Two technothrillers, one rom-com novel and a non-fiction travel guide. I’m currently working on an SF series, Beneath the Steel City.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
2184: Beneath the Steel City. Both the author and protagonist were unashamedly inspired by Harry Harrison’s marvellous and utterly timeless Stainless Steel Rat series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Despite being a full-time freelance writer with a great home-office, most of my fiction is written in coffee shops. I just find I need the change of scenery to focus on fiction. I also use a Mac app called Noisy Typer to create typewriter sounds as I type!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to list! I mentioned Harry Harrison, but Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C Clarke and many more SF writers from that era were childhood reading that spilled over into adulthood and are authors I still read today.

What are you working on now?
The rest of the Beneath the Steel City series. The second book is Replicate, a 25,000-word novella.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Kickstarter provided an excellent start for 11/9, my first technothriller. Ask me in a couple of months what works for SF!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Definitely read Robert McKee’s ‘Story.’ Although ostensibly aimed at screenplay writers, it’s every bit as applicable to novelists. It’s an examination of the question, ‘What makes a story a story?’ by someone who has a very good handle on the answer, having read so many scripts for the studios. That was definitely the best advice I’ve ever been given.

But find your own way too. Every writer has their own pet theories about what works and what matters, and most of them are contradictory. Some fantastic writers are scene-by-scene planners; some brilliant writers don’t even know the ending when they start writing. Some swear writing every day is key, others find they are far more productive writing for solid chunks of time once or twice a week. Some love sprints, others find them counterproductive. Try things out and find what works for you.

I still don’t think you can beat the oldest advice in the book: write what you love to read. That way you’re at least guaranteed one happy reader!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Use Scrivener.’

What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading all of John Grisham’s novels.

What’s next for you as a writer?
We’ll see!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The complete works of Shakespeare is pretty much mandatory, I think. Hemingway’s collected short stories, in part because there are so many of them! They’d keep me going for a while. Otherwise I think I may buy by weight if I’m going to be there a while …

Author Websites and Profiles
Ben Lovejoy Website
Ben Lovejoy Amazon Profile

Ben Lovejoy’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Phyllis H. Moore

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Phyllis H. Moore started writing in her sixties and now has eight novels, an anthology, and a nonfiction book published. She has a masters degree in social work. She worked thirty years in that field. After retiring, she owned and operated a bed and breakfast with her husband, Richard. Seven years of taking in travelers and others led to a second retirement to a small ranch in south Texas where Phyllis lives with Richard and their adopted terrier, Ollie Bubba. Her varied careers and the people she met inspired her to begin writing. She enjoys getting in touch with the characters and the settings of small rural areas.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, And the Day Came, will go to the editor in mid-March. The story is historical fiction based on real people and places in south Texas. It is inspired by the childhood and family secrets of my mother-in-law. Orphaned at an early age, she relied on her maternal uncles to plan for her care. She was the only female in the family with five male siblings. Both sides of her family claimed important figures in early Texas history, and the marriage of the families is documented in this novel. This was one of the most challenging books to write. I knew these characters in my childhood and I could sense everything about them as I was writing. I wanted to do them justice and tell their story in an honest and respectful way.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write outside when the weather cooperates. When I’m editing, I prefer to sit where I can keep my arm at a lower level, so I usually do it on the sofa. All the clicking and rolling the mouse tends to make my neck hurt. So other than dealing with arthritis, I’m fairly boring. I do like to read what I have written aloud and with expression, which can make me sound weird, but I try to imagine how it will sound to the reader.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like southern authors partly because I have lived in the south all my life, but also because they tend to tell honest stories about believable characters with all the weaknesses exposed. There are charming aspects of southern living, but there are also dark and troubling aspects. I don’t mind telling the darkness, but I want there to be a message and perspective from all the characters, good and bad. Some of my favorite authors are: Fannie Flagg, Rebecca Wells and Kathryn Stockett. Most recently I have enjoyed Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman.

What are you working on now?
I’ll be rewriting and proofreading my latest book for a couple of months and hope to have And the Day Came released in May, 2017. In the meantime, I’m working on a novel about a woman I met in the seventies who cared for her daughters and granddaughter. The girls had Huntington’s Chorea. The grandmother, Bessie, put her Christmas tree up in September because it was an “ember month”. She was a character I will never forget and I will definitely want to do her justice. The working title of the novel is The Ember Months. I have the first draft of three chapters done, so it’s still evolving.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promotion is a challenge for me. I use my own web site to blog and send out newsletters for new releases. I have an author page on BookBub and use my author Facebook Page to send out news about my books. I also use Pinterest daily to post inspiration boards and blogs. I have had success with Awesome Book Promotions, Just Kindle Books and BookBub. I do advertising on Amazon.com and Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Read. Write. Read. Do that all again and don’t give up. I think it’s something that gets better the more a person does it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get beta readers you don’t know to read what you write and give you feedback and listen to what they say.

What are you reading now?
The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
It will come to me when I’m not looking for it. Someone will say something, or I will see something that makes me think it would make a good story. I have a list of things that have inspired me and I keep adding to it. However, sometimes something will hit me and I can’t let go of it until I’ve written it into a 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?
Probably classics, like East of Eden, The Thornbirds, Of Mice and Men and maybe something funny, like David Sedaris. I also would probably want something by Joyce Carol Oates. She captures the minutia better than anyone I’ve read. I would say Stephen King because I love him, but if I’m alone I might not want to read him.

Author Websites and Profiles
Phyllis H. Moore Website
Phyllis H. Moore Amazon Profile

Phyllis H. Moore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Victoria Schwimley

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a reader my entire life, always eagerly waiting for a trip to the library or Santa to leave a book in my stocking. It’s only natural then that my love for reading would turn to a passion for writing. I write multi-genre and just released my ninth book. I look forward to writing for many more years.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just released Fight for the Kingdom, which is my third children’s book and first fantasy story. The Fight tells the story of two young boys on a camping adventure with their father. When the youngest brother wakes in the middle of the night to a voice calling to him, his curiosity won’t let him ignore it. Following the voice into a waterfall, the young boys are transported to another world, where someone has stolen a dragon’s egg and unless it is returned, the kingdom will disintegrate into a ball of fire. I wanted to write this story because I have a children’s mystery series which features my granddaughters as lead characters. My grandsons are lovers of fantasy, so I wanted them to have an adventure.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing unusual here. I write an expanded outline as my first draft, then numerous re-writes until I get the story just the right way. Then it’s off to the editors and beta readers in my circle.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well, I’ve been compared to Nora Roberts, so I guess perhaps there was a little influence there, but honestly, I think I have my own writing style, and I can’t credit any one particular author. I have such a varied interest in genres that I get inspiration from several writers.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on book three in my Crime Solver’s series, Carnival Caper. It’s nearing completion of the first draft, so I expect to release it in the spring of 2018.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to promote my website. There’s so much information there with links to buying options, links to read reviews, even a daily crossword. Check it out. http://www.victoriaschwimley.com/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Study all you can and edit until you can’t possibly find another mistake. Errors in your book are distracting to the readers and diminishes the enjoyment of the story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t reject any feedback, even if it’s hurtful. Honest reactions is the best way to grow as an author.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently doing a beta read for a fellow author, P.D Workman. She’s a great storyteller, and I’m engrossed in the story. Look for Endless Change to release soon.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My writing has gotten so busy that I’m retiring from my full-time job on March 21st and focusing strictly on my writing. My goal over the next two years is to see all of my books in audio format (I currently have three and just entered into contract for the fourth (my newest book, Fight for the Kingdom). After I finish Carnival Caper, I’ll turn my attention to the third book in my faith series, where Pastor David Owens encounters a teenager battling bipolar disorder.

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?
Something by Dean Koontz – hopefully something I haven’t read, a novel by an author I’ve never heard of–I’m trying to read as many new authors as I can, and something I’ve written, most likely Twisted Faith because that book is filled with hope and a promise that it’s possible to overcome any problem.

Author Websites and Profiles
Victoria Schwimley Website
Victoria Schwimley Amazon Profile
Victoria Schwimley Author Profile on Smashwords

Victoria Schwimley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Tia St. Terese

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
You might say I know my way around a dictionary. But then again, you might not want to say that. I’ve been writing for more years than I care to admit. I started writing professional with a small, national mail order publishing company ghostwriting their natural health books and writing direct marketing advertising.

Finally, I took the leap to fulltime freelance writer and have been writing ebooks, articles and web content. I only recently started writing fiction for my clients, about a half-dozen romance novellas and novels, several cozy mysteries and a number of short stories.

I am a published author under another name with Simon and Schuster with a paranormal romantic comedy. I’ve also self-published a two-part novel The Billionaire’s Treasure and The Billionaire’s Secret.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Fierce Kind of Love is my latest. It’s a more light-hearted look at the shape-shifter paranormals. I’m a lover of comedy, so that’s where my mind naturally goes

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. But, when I’m stuck for words, I turn to old-fashioned pen and paper. These days that’s probably unusual in itself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was in college, I read several Gore Vidal historical novels (Yup! I’m that old!) and was hooked on his unconventional interpretations of some historical figures. I also love Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series. My goal is to make characters as outrageous and indiviual as those in her books.

My favorite

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on another lion shifter book. It’s a romance and it centers around the fracking controversy. It’s a different combination of events rolled all into one book and it even boggles my mind. It involves the brother of the main character of A Fierce Kind of Love. It’s going to be a bit longer than the first book. And they can be read separately.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I haven’t found a website that serves me well. But I have a friend who has used Bookbub and has had great success. I haven’t tried it yet – but it’s on my list to use.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Whether you sign with a traditional publisher or self-publish, learn everything you can about marketing. The more you can control your own marketing efforts the better you will be.

Authors, even aspiring writers, should join all the writing groups they can — from professional groups to local groups. You’ll find these people will be your most effective publicists.

If you have the time, volunteer to judge contests. Again, this is a marvelous way to connect with other writers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up. Whether you’re pursuing a book contract or publicizing your book, never give up. Don’t let anyone stomp on your dream.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading every Jessica Bird novel I can get my hands on. My favorite is Heart of Gold, followed by An Irresistible Bachelor. You may know her as J.R. Ward who wrote the Black Dagger series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m excited about finishing a second lion shifter book. It’s almost halfway completed. I;m also working on a cozy mystery that is partially completed. And after that I have my eyes set on an alternate history novel, in which we bring the United State to the brink of civil war in the 1960s when JFK didn’t get assassinated — and Oswald continues to follow him to ensure his murder.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
One of them would have to be a survival guide of some sort. Then, a blank journal (can I bring some pens too?), any book by
Gore Vidal and any book by Jessica Bird.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tia St. Terese Amazon Profile

Awesome Author - Jennifer Milius

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jen Milius, and I am so happy to be here! I am the author of the children’s book series Einstein and Moo, which is based on our family’s real-life brother and sister tuxedo kitties.

Growing up, I was the kid who would submit an essay over taking a standardized test, if allowed the option. I would journal to clear my thoughts when I needed a private sounding board (and still do), and I would write papers with a dictionary nearby to find a word I did not know, learn it, and weave it into the paper I was doing at that moment, so when I submitted my two children’s stories about Einstein and Moo for publication back in 2014, I knew it was something I had to do.

There are currently five books in the Einstein and Moo series as well as an activity book based on the first three stories.

Additionally, I am a motivational speaker and believe that each of us have something special to offer, but sometimes it takes a leap of faith to be willing to share that gift. I believe when people are doing what they love, there is a joy that they radiate. They feel empowered and that what they do adds value. These individuals are more productive, and their joy comes through in their personal lives as well as in business. It is my goal that my speaking engagements and workshops leave a positive, lasting influence that encourages people to be the best they can be.

Previously, I co-hosted Encouraging the You in Success through BlogTalkRadio. The radio show/podcast is a blend of personal development, leadership and business and intended to provide tools and ideas to encourage others to be the best they can be. Topics include employee engagement, understanding and leveraging individual strengths, trust, 5 dysfunctions of a team, changing a culture, mentoring, and servant leadership. All episodes can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/wrspradio or as a Podcast through iTunes, searching for WRSP.

I enjoy yoga, cooking, baking, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends, especially my husband, stepdaughter, and fur babies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
First, let me tell you a little about Einstein and Moo. We adopted them in 2009 when they were about three and half months old, and they have brought our family so much joy! They are loving, sweet, and curious, but they have very different personalities. Einstein is quite talkative and will talk even more when it is close to mealtime; sometimes, he will play fetch. Moo squeaks more than meows, and she loves to hide underneath the coffee table and wave one paw at your feet, like the monster under the bed.

My latest book was inspired by my sweet girl Moo and released September 2016; it is called Moo and Her Favorite Spot. Moo is my little love lion, and she loves kneading fluffy blankets, but only second to being in my lap. She will even stand on her back paws, reach up, and squeak as if to say, “Hey, I want to get up”, then once you move to show her there is room, she hops up and situates If she thinks there is room where she doesn’t have to ask, she just pushes herself into my lap without any hesitation. lol

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For the Einstein and Moo series, each story starts out as pictures in my mind. Then once the idea is clear, it tends to go from concept to paper fairly quickly. There have been times that the idea has become clear when I am driving, so in those cases, I’ve pulled over and voiced the story on my phone as far as I have it and email it to myself to finish. Each story is a poem. It was a creative choice to use minimal punctuation except when there is dialogue or a specific inflection is needed, and then the appropriate punctuation is used.

As I work through a draft, I will read it out loud. It helps me to make sure I catch missing words, the flow, and capture the right inflection. For the Einstein and Moo series, it helps me to hear the tempo and rhyme.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have loved reading since I was a child, so there are many books that in some way influenced me. I tend to think that each time we read something we formulate an opinion about the topic or feel as though we were swept away with the main characters on their adventure, we were influenced. So with that, here are just a few that have stayed with me:

The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David J. Schwartz
The Road Less Travelled by Dr. Scott Peck
Rising Strong by Dr. Brene’ Brown
Quiet by Susan Cain
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
The World of Pooh by AA Milne

And simply from an author perspective, I would say JK Rowling, Stephen King, Jeffrey Deaver, and Dan Brown.

What are you working on now?
I’m in the process of getting the sixth Einstein and Moo book through illustrations as well as writing other leadership and motivational books. Additionally, I am preparing for several upcoming events where I’ll be the guest speaker/presenter.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love having book signings and doing speaking engagements! When I go to a book signing, I love hearing stories about the love people have for animals. When I see a child light up with a book, my heart is happy because they are excited. They can feel the love that went into creating that story.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Let me start by sharing that I see writing and speaking as my business, so I work on growing my business in some way every day. I am very motivated to see my business blossom and contribute in a positive way. I wrote a vision statement for my business early on and use it as a reminder to keep me going when I feel like I’m not making progress. It helps me to remember that this is a marathon, and what that really means to me is keep doing something everyday to get closer to where I want to be, even if it seems small.

So for advice, I would say:
• Stay true to your vision. There are many talented people, but you will know you found the right illustrator or publisher when you get that little feeling inside that lets you know this is the right step. Believe that you will find the right publisher, illustrator, and path for you.
• Silence your inner critic during the first rough draft
• Read a lot – different genres, different authors
• Be open to feedback
• Don’t give up
• You can do anything you set your mind to – tell yourself positive things and really believe what you say
• Take each door closing as moving you forward to where you are supposed to be – not as rejection

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Your mind believes what you tell it.

What are you reading now?
I have a habit of having several books going at the same time, and typically that means that one is non-fiction, to grow personally and professionally, and one is fiction. With that being said, I’m finishing Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and am in the middle of The Vegetarian by Han Kang and City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to grow and cultivate my craft. I have several non-picture book stories, both fiction and non-fiction, that are in various stages of a first draft, so perhaps one of those will evolve into a published 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?
Who booked this trip? LOL I would bring The Magic of Thinking Big by Dr. David J. Schwartz because it’s one of my favorites and it would keep my spirits up; The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas for good ideas on how to leave the island; and, The World of Pooh by AA Milne because it would help my imagination not get too carried away while I focused on getting off the island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jennifer Milius Website
Jennifer Milius Amazon Profile

Jennifer Milius’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Dan Rivera

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Dan Rivera, I am a speaker, coach and trainer with the John C. Maxwell Team. I am also a writer and recent author. I just released a book that covers dysfunctional families, the rise of Mass Violence and Mental Illness in America. The causes and the simple prescription that can turn the tide in America and in the process it can help people work together towards a common goal. Teaching on Wisdom and how to achieve it. I also teach about self-esteem, self image, leadership, Goal setting and other mind set and business topics.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my lastest book is called “Wisdom Soldier: Rescuing American From Broken Dreams and Mass Violence”

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The books that have made an impact on my life were numerous amounts, in addition, the ones that inspired me to write my own book was, “The Success Principles”, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, “Psycho-Cybernetics”, “The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem”, and “As A Man Thinketh”. All of these books I have read and discovered something that has been brought to anyone’s attention.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on another book, that goes off of my second book. It is called, “America the Enabler.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method so far in promoting my book is social media. I already have lots of copies printed out but I have taken the action to start promoting it until now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors would to start gaining an audience now, if you wait like I did to start gaining traffic it is going to be very hard in the long run.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?

What are you reading now?
Currently I am ready the 8th Habit by Steven Covey, and it is definitely opening up my eyes!

Author Websites and Profiles
Dan Rivera Website
Dan Rivera Amazon Profile

Dan Rivera’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Awesome Author - Karla Brandenburg

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m a hopeless romantic who is living her happily ever after. I’m working on Book Number 12, the third in my Epitaph series. I like to travel and am inspired by the world around me – the people, the places, snippets of overheard conversation, observations. I work a demanding day job, but am happy to retreat to the world of my imagination – my night job writing books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is Epitaph, and it was inspired by a walk in the cemetery. I was looking for names for characters in the book I was working on and thought headstones might be the way to go. I found so much more! The historical society did a cemetery walk and I learned a lot about cemeteries, from symbolism to epitaphs to types of stone. I kept imagining a woman walking through the park, more at home in the graveyard than anywhere else…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unusual, no. I tend to write in fits and spurts, words exploding onto the page in a fairly messy fashion to be cleaned up later. It might not be the most efficient way to write, but once I get the story down, it’s much easier for me to see what’s wrong with it and clean it up later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up reading Victoria Holt and Stephen King. Loved gothic romances and loved the scary ghosty stories.

What are you working on now?
The second in the Epitaph series is due out April 4, 2017. I wrote it while I was laid up after surgery, and used some of my experiences for my hero (can I just say Jared is one of my favorite heroes?). During my recovery, I walked past a conjoined tree and found a home for the ghosts in that book! I’m working on the third in the series now, another ghost story with a man in a mirror.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Wow. There are a bunch. I find newsletters to be the best place to promote my books, like BookBub (I’ve never been invited to advertise with them), E-reader news today, Bargain/freebooksey.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going. Get that first draft down, even if it sucks. You can always make it better later.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading one of Linda O’Connor’s “Perfectly” books, and plan to read more. Love her wit.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue with the Epitaph series and more ghosts, but I may detour back to the Northwest Suburbs series. I like the small town feel. Northwest Suburbs is a group of friends with dysfunctional family lives who band together.

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
On the Night of the Seventh Moon (or most Victoria Holt books)
Jill Shalvis

Author Websites and Profiles
Karla Brandenburg Website
Karla Brandenburg Amazon Profile
Karla Brandenburg Author Profile on Smashwords

Karla Brandenburg’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - M. Robinson

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi I am USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson. I have written and self-published 12 books, soon to be 13! Titles include The VIP Trilogy, Tempting Bad, Two Sides Gianna, The Good Ol’ Boys Standalone Series, El Diablo, Road to Nowhere, Keeping Her Wet and Ends Here coming April 4th. They can all be found on Amazon.
I love to read. I favor anything that has angst, romance, triangles, cheating, love, and of course sex! I have been reading since the Babysitters Club and R.L. Stein.
I was born in New Jersey but was raised in Tampa FL.
I am happily married to an amazing man who I love to pieces. We have two German Shepherd mixes, a Wheaten Terrier and a Tabby cat.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book released was Keeping Her Wet. A fun novella full of sexy, smutty scenes from all ten of the couples from my previous books. I wanted to write something for fun between my full length novels, for couples around Valentines Day! Just to spice things up a bit. Before that I wrote Road to Nowhere, a MC romance with military elements. The hero is a tattooed alpha male with a fowl mouth. Vice president of Devil’s Rejects MC. He is a broken man from the wrong side of the tracks who meets Mia, the heroine. Many factors keep them apart including her age. She is a spitfire who can hold her own. Comes from a loving family, and a privileged life unlike Creed. No matter how much he tries to fight it, he knows she is the light at the end of his dark tunnel. Like all my books, Road to Nowhere is full of angst, and heartbreak. I’ve been told by several readers that they feel like they stepped into the book and are living right along with the characters. Ends Here is the sequel and conclusion to Road to Nowhere and that will be released April 4th, 2017!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would say unusual, no. I definitely need to have music playing when I write. The sadder the better when I’m writing really intense scenes. Other than that, I just go where my characters want their story to go.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My all time favorite author is Paullina Simons, the author of The Bronze Horseman Trilogy. I can read those books over and over again and every time I fall in love with them more and more. Brilliantly written and I highly recommend them.

What are you working on now?
Right now I am on a deadline to get Ends Here done. It is the sequel and conclusion to Road to Nowhere which released this past December 2016. Ends Here will be released on April 4th, 2017 on all platforms. It is currently available for pre-order at a special sale price It will definitely be my most angsty book I have written to date. I can’t wait for readers to get their hands on it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Facebook is my most popular source, besides the book platforms of course like Amazon and iTunes. On Facebook I have my author page Author M. Robinson and also my VIP Reader Group who are amazing, generous reader who I love to pieces.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay true to yourself. Don’t hold back when it comes to writing, write what you want to write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never take “No” for an answer. Write for yourself.

What are you reading now?
Right now nothing since I am on a deadline to finish Ends Here.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As long as readers are enjoying my books, I will keep writing them. After Ends Here releases in April, I plan on writing a book called El Santo releasing at the end of summer 2017

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hands down, The Bronze Horseman Trilogy by Paullina Simons.

Author Websites and Profiles
M. Robinson Website
M. Robinson Amazon Profile

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

Awesome Author - Anja Baš

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I drink sh*tloads of coffee while writing, I like to use all my honest dirty words to display my true feelings, I like to hear my cat purring while I write, and I wrap myself in a cosy blanket to keep me warm ;))

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My mother works in library, so I’ve been quite a reader from my early years on. I like books on personal development, alternative techniques to free yourself of negative beliefs – I’ve read a lot about EFT technique (and quite successfully cured my subconscious with it too), vegan food, positive affirmations, natural healing remedies, meditation, gardening… I’m all about the alternative and connecting back to mother nature.

What are you working on now?
An ebook that connects healing eating disorders with an alternative method of healing. It’s what helped me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook and reaching out to my readers for support – and I always reward them for helping me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be honest to yourself, do what you love to do, contribute valuable information to society and be ethical when doing it.

What are you reading now?
Debbie Ford – Dark side of the light chasers

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?
Haha, I’d take my kite and my board first, then I’d take 4 empty books and fill them with my life story.

Author Websites and Profiles
Anja Baš Website
Anja Baš Amazon Profile

Anja Baš’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Margaret Singh Punj

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well I am from Punjab,India and consider myself fortunate to have been born in a multi-lingual and multi-cultural country. As for my books, I have written two books. The first book I wrote was a help book “Communication skills and personality development” published in 2015. It also served as a course book for a supplementary subject under Bachelors of Education in Punjabi University ,Patiala.
The second book, is a romance novel “The Love Prisoner “, which was released in December,2016. Although a romance novel it deals with the complexities of relationships and how our young adults go through a mix of emotions like love, ego, hate , dislike etc. You will see a lot of ego clash in this book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Love Prisoner is the latest book , and I would say that my husband inspired me to write the book. This book came into existence just because he pushed me, motivated me to do something.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes! not one but many. Sometimes I think if that counts me as weird!
I am a day dreamer.Like in the middle of a conversation with anyone, I will drift of and plot a story or form a dialogue, and then I have to write it down… Once I ended up writing it all on tissue paper in a restaurant.
I could even get up at the middle of the night, because i had a dream and i think I could use it in my writings.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was greatly influenced by “The secret” by Rhonda Byrne. Apart from it Authors like Tehmina Durrani, Mahasweta devi, taslima Nasrin, Khuswant singh and even Margaret Michelle. And oh yes, Ayn Rand. Many… I could go on and on!

What are you working on now?
I am a multi tasker! I am working on my book promotions, running my own business which a coaching institute “The Winner’s Academy”. And also mentoring an online course with the University of London! And yes, writing whenever I can. Working on the second part of the book!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook and twitter. And I am discovering new ways daily!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Do not expect overnight glory. Don’t even think about it. I personally believe that your motive should be to write, and write good. Money and fame all that comes later.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Keep going, even if you feel like everything is crumbling down. Just keep going.”

What are you reading now?
I am re reading “Gone with the wind” by Margaret Mitchell. Can’t get over Rhett Butler!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promotions. A lot of Promotions!!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh! that’s difficult now! Choosing..it’s like picking among all your kids!
But i would pick The Bible, The Secret and I am Malala.

Margaret Singh Punj’s Social Media Links
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Awesome Author - Iris Sweetwater

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
That is quite a loaded question for me ;). I have technically written thousands of books by now because I have spent the last five years or so as a ghostwriter. As most of you may know, that means that I get a lump sum to write a book for a publishing company that wants to put one of their author’s names on it. It is a job that has served me quite well with a child at home up until recently. I just self-published my first book with my name on it, but I can promise you several more titles before the end of this year!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is called Texas Roze, and it is a contemporary romance. I wanted to give the readers what they wanted with a steamy love triangle and all the drama, but also tell a compelling story of a young woman who is finding herself. I knew I wanted it set in a small town where most everyone was a farmer, rancher, or worked in oil. The reason I chose Texas is because I found this amazing picture for my cover that showed a girl that looked just what I pictured the main character looking like sitting on a car with a Texas plate.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most unusual thing I do is that I don’t spend a lot of time on planning. I get my basic idea, the events that will happen in order, and I just write. I have always found success this way,, even in school. I made straight As on this strategy.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t know how many people will say this as well, but JK Rowling is huge for me. The ways she comes up with ideas, the way she lives her life and speaks her mind, and her style of writing have all inspired me for a very long time. She is just a beautiful and passionate person. I also really love Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, and Addison Moore.

What are you working on now?
I have so many projects coming out this year, and it’s awesome. Right now, I am working on an epic, dystopian trilogy that is like Divergent meets Mad Max. I think it will be really unique and relevant to the modern world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter is my best friend. I can chat with readers and fellow authors and make them my friend as well as my assets for retweets. As a self-published author, I don’t have the money to spend on all these ads, so I need to rely on my social media skills and word of mouth to get the job done.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do things your way. If you want to try some good advice, that’s fine, but don’t go listening to a formula you must use or a working style you must change. You will rise and fall of your own volition.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not to give up or be discouraged. I know being self-published means that it could take a long time to get noticed, so I just need to keep doing what I am doing until it pays off.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a series from Lola St. Vil.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I just want to share my work and my story and keep writing. The ultimate dream would be to do book tours and get movie deals, but even a small success would mean the world to me.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
It would have to be a couple of Harry Potter books, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and the first Twilight novel.

Author Websites and Profiles
Iris Sweetwater Website
Iris Sweetwater Amazon Profile
Iris Sweetwater Author Profile on Smashwords

Iris Sweetwater’s Social Media Links
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Awesome Author - Jane Galloway

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one book that i seem to have been thinking about for long enough for it to be at least five books. I have been writing journals for many years, and developed my style by confessing to myself in journal entries what I didn’t consciously let myself know.
My book is a very big project. reflections on the principles of 12-step spirituality…
the PRINCIPLES…so I guide the reader through the whole process of waking up, returning to who we really are, and then figuring out ways to keep growing through the process of living free from addiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Gateways- The Wisdom of 12-Step Spirituality- Dynamic Practices That Work
I finally decided to write the book because it became clear to me, after 38 years of sobriety and at least 28 or therapy, plus earning graduate degrees in Addictions Counseling, Victimology, Religion and Ministry, that I had developed a method for living the 12-Step life holistically. I seemed to be having a hard time explaining that to people, and one day someone I respect told me that while I am able to teach many things, what people wonder is what works for me. I suddenly popped out with “Oh that’s easy! It’s the 12-steps and all this other psycho-spiritual stuff I have integrated with over the years!” She said “Write that.”
So I did.
The book is very visual too, because I actually began to draw many developmental models along with the 12-Steps, ChakraS, Chinese Meridians etc. long before I ever wrote a word.
I see the path as a technicolor journey into awakening…so it is very beautiful to look at too.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nope

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been inspired by books wither by or about women who have challenged themselves to live bigger lives that the culture has defined for them. Simone DeBeauvoir, Georgia O’Keefe, Louisa May Alcott, Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg, Tama Kieves, Diana Nyad, Diana Vreeland. I want to inspire people to live the biggest life they can, and as a woman it has been a journey trying to find a way to do that in a patriarchal world.

What are you working on now?
I am working on something sort of personal about the many layers of uncovering I have had to do to give myself enough oxygen to stay in the game.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am just learning how continual the process of book promotion is. My publisher- SacredstoriesPublishing.com has a wonderful multi-layered promotional platform. On Sacredstoriesmedia.com, I have a bi-weekly podcast and there is some very good YouTube content on iTunes engaging the topic of 12-Step Spirituality as well.
I use Facebook a lot, including Facebook Live, and my website Janegalloway.com has a lot of good content too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A wonderful author named Brenda Euland wrote a book called “If You Want to Write” – which is now a classic- in which she really advises authors to not talk too much about ideas that are developing and to not let haters kill your spirit. she really warns writers that in her experience, the most talented people are also often the most sensitive to defeating criticism, and she really makes the point that one should protect their work and not lose heart.

What are you reading now?
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Dr. Gabor Mate and The Healing Code, by Alexander Loyd PhD

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Wow…What a great question!
Hmmm, I would want something on French Style, something about the brain and human potential, and Power Through Constructive Thinking, by Emmett Fox

Author Websites and Profiles
Jane Galloway Website

Awesome Author - JM Robison

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I joined the army at 17 (Had to have Daddy’s permission since I was under 18) and I am now a deputy sheriff working in a county jail. I’ve completed 7 books and working on an 8th.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The War Queen. I conceived the idea in 2008. I’d gone for a midnight walk to the pillars above ISU campus in Pocatello, ID. I’m fairly imaginative and always creating stories and scenarios in my head, so while sitting beneath the pillars by myself, I imagined that some god had fallen on the pillars and that’s why they were broken. And thus Fangbor came to be.

One thing to understand about me as a writer; I am a pantster 100% (which means I write by the seat of my pants instead of having a clear outline before I begin the story.) For me, as long as I have a shady beginning, questionable middle, and blurry ending, I dive in and begin writing. For the War Queen, I had a beginning and a middle, but no ending. This usually isn’t a problem for me, since I’ve never had trouble creating the story as I write it. But so far in the story, I had ideas right up to where Altarn and Kaelin revealed themselves for who they really were, but after that I had no idea, and continuing to write wasn’t producing any more ideas for me, so I stopped writing.

I sat on The War Queen for 7 years. I mused about it sometimes, but it stayed in a notebook shoved in my bookcase and I really can’t say how it survived 4 moves. I wasn’t writing it and really didn’t care to finish.

I was on writing.com one day, browsing through their contest listings so I could enter one, and I found a short story contest. “Well,” I thought, “I’ve only written 20 pages in The War Queen and have no idea how to continue, so I could turn it into a short story, I guess.”

I started to work it together in my mind how I wanted this short story to go. In the process of thinking about it, this thought punched me in the throat: “Kaelin kidnaps Altarn.” An explosion went off in my head, and idea after idea tumbled into my hands and within 3 hours I had step-by-step process on how my story would end, to include all my side characters, their names, and word-for-word dialogue. I’ve never had a story come so clear and easy to me before.

I never did enter that short story contest.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. But then, they could be unusual but I think them normal.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Susan D. Kalior
Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Amie Kaufman and Megan Spooner

What are you working on now?
The sequal to a completed, historical fantasy romance novel. The 1st book is called The Last Wizard (https://jmrobison.wixsite.com/jmrobison/the-last-wizard-2)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Be as visible as possible everywhere and communicate with potential readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. I was rejected 47 times before I was offered a publishing contract.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Edit the words “was, had, were, that” that out of your writing. It takes it from passive (bad) to active (good)

What are you reading now?
An Import of Intrigue – Marshall Maresca

What’s next for you as a writer?
Currently pitching The Last Wizard to agents for publication.

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 Book of Morman, Dragon’s of Autumn Twilight, How to Survive on an Island.

Author Websites and Profiles
JM Robison Website
JM Robison Amazon Profile
JM Robison Author Profile on Smashwords

JM Robison’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Cheryl Jerabek

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Cheryl and I LOVE to write! I’ve written over 100 books, fiction and non-fiction. One of my favorite genres is Amish fiction. I also enjoy writing with (and about) my dog, Joe. When I’m not writing, I enjoy splashing around in the lake or taking in the scenic mountains as I live in both Texas and Colorado. I adore spending time with my three young grandchildren.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Puppy Mill Murder: An Amish Dog Tale” is an inspirational mesh of my love for Amish culture and the continuing adventures of Joe.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Just like snuggling up to a good book, I “nestle in” to write. I also talk to myself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sidney Sheldon, Becky Freeman-Johnson and Max Lucado

What are you working on now?
I have three new books going. Two are ghostwritten. One is Joe’s next Amish adventure as the series will be a three-part.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Just let your imagination flow without inhibition. There will be plenty of time to edit later on.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write it!

Author Websites and Profiles
Cheryl Jerabek Website

Awesome Author - shaveta narula

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This my first book, I have been blogging and writing poems before but this is first Ebook and Paper back book I have written. I am bilingual can write in Hindi and English both.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is- The Kaali the sorceress, it is inspired by the fact that ill-deeds of parents make their children life hell. It is also inspired by JOHN MILTON`S PARADISE LOST and T. S ELIOT`S WASTELAND.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I USED TO HAVE NIGHTMARES OR DREAMS, WHICH MAKE ME WAKE AND THEN I M COMPELLED TO WRITE. TILL I DON’T WRITE I DON’T GET SOLACE .

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As i have stated above: John Milton and T. S Eliot but I am also die hard fan of KamlaDas

What are you working on now?
I am thinking to write my another book and thinking to publish it on AMAZON KINDLE only.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have not yet thought of it.. waiting till the results come.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a budding author myself.. so let this question be postponed till i become the established one.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My husband advice to publish my book.

What are you reading now?
Merchant of Venice and Much Ado about Nothing

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing for masses.

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 like to have: 1984- George Orwell, Animal Farm,

Author Websites and Profiles
shaveta narula Website
shaveta narula Amazon Profile

shaveta narula’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Robin Carretti

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings! I have written 8 books I am called the Rambling on Robin unique writer my books leave a taste and different flavor that when yo read something out of my books you will be left with a thought. That one single thought will take you to another destination. I love the Goth type of Victorian styles but I put a modern twist to my writing.
9-22-1954

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Have Lips We Travel what inspired me about this name was Have gun will Travel but I put it to lip use about how our lips tell a story and made it out of a mystery how not everything is for sale.But people in this world Bid on everything! How this world is not safe and we need to protect ourselves.I put a funny premise to the story and made it lip edgy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, mostly I write to express what’s inside of my mind and what other people need to experience.It’s a new world but awesome when you reach for something at your reach. I really think of the people more than me. What a person wants to eye out of a story with their cleverly spoken lips.I love to write poems I very much incorporate a lot of my work in my stories. A poem should be a poem and a story should be more. But that’s my unusual way of getting across.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Laura Caldwell The Rome Affair is a great story. She is very expressive with her words. Another Author is Liz Carlyle Never Deceive a Duke kinda Victorian style which I love I admire so much the historical years and how they lived with character and the dressing they had such charisma, Another Author Adriana Trigiani Very Valentine these are the books I enjoy. I also love SCI-Fi

What are you working on now?
Well, my new book is Have Lips We Travel I am really excited about this one.I love the premise and style.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon I love so much I think that is the best one a lot of the other ones get costly.Marketing a book is difficult if you are well known that’s fine but when you are not you must work harder to get well known.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! I do make your book roar don’t be an alley cat let your book move up the Trump Tower.Work your plan give yourself the power to be known don’t sweat it. There are so many books get in the card game. They need to be put in the right hand’s more exposure it’s your gamble make it book worthy. Make this your red book carpet they say it’s who you know it’s your bet. Have a book showing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
God does not play dice with the universe Einstein he was brilliant I live near Princeton NJ his teaching and lab still there.

What are you reading now?
Stephanie Laurens Impetuous Innocent Victorian style I love her writing. I am impressed with her She brings the story so to life.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well I also write Kid books and I was thinking something Sci-Fi it seems popular and a lot of readers enjoy something edgy.

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?
Heather Graham love her The Killing edge I love suspenseful novels but to be stranded maybe the story would make me feel better because her writing gets deep.The Rome Affair very suspenseful but the other book would be much lighter and fun because that would be my last reading and it would make me feel better more comical Robin Lee Hatcher Bundle of Joy how she rents a Husband it would be perfect on a stranded Island don’t you think! Lol

Author Websites and Profiles
Robin Carretti Website
Robin Carretti Amazon Profile

Robin Carretti’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Dario Gattolin

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
In what we can consider books perhaps just 5 that were originally one book that i kept working on for years until it was divided in 5 editions, i written many short stories in the past but were never published nor i still keep them, from there we can also say just one, that is actually a series. I live in Argentina, spanish is our main language here but i pubbed the books on english so far because i started writing them on english, though i still want to write them on spanish if i find the time to do it. I currently work in sales independently, i sell different types of products and has been since always my line of work, writing has been like a personal hobby or at least in terms of popularity or making a living out of it i can only consider it as such, doing it for the passion of it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book series is called ”Game Season” and i uploaded 5 editions of it that consists of 15 different chapters some connected and some not, back in 2014 i started writing what today is only the first chapter of the book as a homage to a manga i read that i really liked and wanted to write an alternative story of it with U.S based characters, of course back in that time i didn’t intend to actually publish it and didn’t even knew what self-published books were or even what kindle was about. Said series went through so many modifications that i could actually write a 1000 pages book just to explain its variations, even on terms of the genre itself i experimented with the storyline and the characters until i kept the one draft i liked the best.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Something that i would call ”Script Writer” with this i mean i tend to put a lot of dialogues within the prose, i don’t know if that is what most writers do or not, nor if it’s considered professional or amateurish but i always wrote that way, in fact the first draft of the series was a sort of script and then i turned it into a ”book type” of story by rewriting it from scratch. I don’t even think i could write an entire piece without placing dialogues, i am kind of addicted to it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t think i ever wrote something inspired on another book or author, what i am saying is that the stories written were inspired by other media somehow as it almost always is, you retain an idea and capture it on paper, but at least the series that i worked on from time to time in the last years wasn’t inspired in any specific books nor novels, neither was my hobby of writing said drafts. I do like many authors of different genres though, from horror novels to self-help and inspirational authors.

What are you working on now?
Until recently i been working on the Game Season saga, i coped with variations of drafts that i intended to turn into a separated book but ended up writing the series only or at least continuing that one. Maybe we can say i am somewhat still working on the series since it isn’t technically over, before publishing the last volume (Book 5) i intended to make it the last material of it, but i haven’t really decided yet so i guess i will either take a time from writing since i love it but it demands me a lot of time into it, or perhaps i will continue the series for a few more chapters here and there, it is still an idea that i haven’t really thought in-depth.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment i am trying out a few, scrolling through alternative sites i pop into, but i am far from expertise on the subject like to recommend specific ones or detailed methods whatsoever, given that the whole marketing thing hasn’t been strong for me in what comes to promoting, if anything it has been a few forums or social media links here and there that didn’t really had an effect to the books, so i am still kind of experimenting with said methods.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The only one i once wrote in a public forum, that if they love what they are doing and are passionate about their book then don’t let marketing, anxiety for fame or rushed results stop them, i said once, whatever you’re writing about, if it is important to you and makes you feel good and helps you then it matters, even if no one else reads it. Which in a way has been my experience in the world of self-publishing, the sole reason i kept writing the series is because i enjoyed doing it and i was fond with the characters, the situations and what was in it in a sort of nostalgic way sometimes and just figured i had to return to those pages from time to time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice that always helped me the best was the one from my family, they are actually my reason for happiness and i cannot remember one in particular because it has been many over the years, perhaps one of the most simple ones, ”Do what you like and follow your heart” it seems simple and yet many people struggle with it because it’s a complex context and sometimes is hard to make up your mind with things, making decisions etc, but when you are doing something you like and you feel it within you that it’s right for you, then that feeling is something special.

What are you reading now?
Nothing at the moment, although the most recent books i read and sometimes re-read were a few very different from what i write about, for example, someone could ask: ”you read other crime, horror or thriller fictional books like the one you write about?” and they’ll be surprised that i actually haven’t in a long time. Most recent reads may include books from Jorge Adoum (Mago Jefa), Marc Allen’s Tantra for the west, a few revisits to similar books from other authors like Connie Méndez, Isha and other popular authors in the self-improvement category.

What’s next for you as a writer?
That might be the hardest question to answer for me, at least nowadays, as a writer i think i’ll probably say that i will keep writing what i feel that really motivates me, for example when i start typing and i don’t have a clear idea of what i want to do it can take forever to write an entire sentence, instead when i’m really focused like i have all the story right there in my head and i feel that all i have to do is write it down then i do it almost automatically, that’s the way it was for me writing the entire chapters in Game Season.

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?
Probably some of the books above mentioned, ”The perfect master and his mysteries” by Jorge Adoum, ”Tantra for the West” by Marc Allen, perhaps a few more from Osho or similar authors, i think that if i was stranded in a desert feeling absolutely hopeless, those would be helpful.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dario Gattolin Website
Dario Gattolin Amazon Profile

Dario Gattolin’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Awesome Author - Christine (C.A.) Verstraete

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Author of Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie and my latest, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter
I also write short stories and nonfiction books on dollhouse miniatures.

NOTE: If you run this, it might be good to hold it until March 20 – the Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter ebook will be on sale March 20-26 for 99 cents.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Borden murders.
Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter – Looking at the autopsy records and photos I wondered… what if Lizzie did kill her father and stepmother… because she had no other choice?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No more unusual than anyone else, I suppose. Though you can look up strange topics as a mystery and horror fiction writer…

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve long enjoyed reading Stephen King, of course. I read in a variety of genres and topics. I admire the historical works of Philippa Gregory.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a supernatural-flavored mystery novella set in Lizzie Borden’s hometown, and also working on Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Newsletter swaps with other authors work well, as do getting involved in online book events.
Visitors can also stop by my blog, GirlZombieAuthors, http://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. And it’s worth getting involved in a critique group with other published authors.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Philippa Gregory’s The Virgin’s Lover. I often read several books at once, so in progress includes: Hunger, Witch’s Trinity by Erika Mailman and Haunted by Lynn Carthage (also Mailman.)

What’s next for you as a writer?
So many ideas! I’d like to finish the novella and next book, and finish up some short mysteries, as well.

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 would be hard! I like to reread Bram Stoker’s Dracula, maybe Gone with the Wind, and I’d have to have a couple historicals in there too.

Author Websites and Profiles
Christine (C.A.) Verstraete Website
Christine (C.A.) Verstraete Amazon Profile

Christine (C.A.) Verstraete’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Elena Bryce

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
The first two books in my Immortal Blood Series are out on Amazon, plus a companion book that will go to everyone who signs up to my mailing list: http://eepurl.com/b_275z
Book Three in the series will be out in the spring and book four at some point this summer (2017).

I’m a history nerd, so that comes out in my writing. I love local myths and legends and things lost in mists of time. My house backs onto a huge Victorian cemetery that was closed for fifty years and has now become an overgrown woodland. It’s wonderful for inspiration because you will be pushing through some blackberry bushes and suddenly find a mock Roman Temple or a Cleopatra Needle grave marker, and stone angels emerge from the ivy at random points.

I’m British and live near to a lot of ancient landmarks, our local pub was built in the 1600’s and we regularly walk on Glastonbury Tor which is said to have been a place of worship for at least 3000 years, and is closely entwined with the Grail stories and those of King Arthur.

I’m a work hard, play hard kind of person, except I’m trapped at home by two demanding hellions (my adorable children), but I have cat minions who provide me with plenty of healthy fresh air as they dig up every flower I plant. We are a happy messy household with books toppling off every surface and chocolate hidden in surprising places.

My greatest ambition is to one day live in a house with a secret passage (or maybe a door into another world).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The most recent book in the series is called Guardian of the Spear, and it is, of course, about the Spear of Destiny.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Mostly I have to write late at night when everyone else is in bed. But if I do have my husband home during the day then I can sometimes grab an hour. My family are pretty loud so during those times I take my laptop up to the attic to write. There’s no wifi up there, and I’m pretty sure spiders lurk over my head just waiting to make me scream, but I dig the dust and “filled with hidden treasures” vibe of the place.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well, let’s see. I completed my school years at Hogwarts, vacationed in Narnia every summer, and trekked across Middle Earth many times. But I’m also a sucker for Christmassy romance and anything involving time travel.

What are you working on now?
Book Three, Guardian of the Thorn, which is about an immortal Scottish Highlander and Morgan Le Fay (King Arthur’s sister).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t really do much promotion, it makes me feel uncomfortable. I wish I could connect more with readers, but I’m kind of scared to in case they think I’m promoting. I’d just love more feedback. I have a facebook page and belong to a couple of groups, but that’s it really.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Set yourself a goal of 1000 words every day. It won’t take long before you can complete that in an hour a day. Within one month you will have the bones of your novel, and by the end of the second month you will have fleshed it out. Then, for goodness sake, get an editor to go over it. Just a basic inexpensive edit will make all the difference. That really is it. I meet people all the time who have spent up to six years on their first novel and I can’t believe it. You genuinely can have a great book done in three months if you apply yourself. Almost anyone can find an hour a day. When I worked in an office I did it in my lunch hour. Now I do it at midnight.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Quit your day job – you got this!

I spent years searching for agents and publishing contracts. Then the Indie revolution happened and I couldn’t believe it was that simple. Suddenly the readers were the gate-keepers. Whether a book sinks or swims is now totally in their hands. How awesome is that?

What are you reading now?
I’m binge reading all the Dresden Files, I’m currently on book eleven.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish this series and then a Steam Punk trilogy. It’s a bit of a genre hop, which I know is bad, but I’ve always wanted to write it. After that it will be back to Urban Fantasy for a new series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Lord of the Rings
The Da Vinci Code
Interview with a Vampire

Author Websites and Profiles
Elena Bryce Website
Elena Bryce Amazon Profile

Awesome Author - Tracy Tappan

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
The third book in my Wings of Gold Series (military romantic suspense), just launched! So that brings my book total to six—3 in my military romantic suspense series and 3 in my paranormal romance series (The Community). I have a master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling (MFCC), and love to create three-dimensional characters with all kinds of angsty vulnerabilities.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MAN DOWN is the book I just launched. It is the third full-length novel in my Wings of Gold Series about naval aviators. I am a military wife, married to a former naval aviator who served his country for 30 years, and so I am able to draw on real-life experiences for my books about these swaggering pilots.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I like to write in the quiet, but while I’m plotting, I listen to music (usually while jogging).

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m not sure if I can pinpoint one. I’m always reading and learning from everything I read, as much what to do as what not to do.

What are you working on now?
My paranormal romance fans have been clamoring for Book 4 in my Community Series, so I am currently working on that book, entitled MOON-RIDERS.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Facebook. It allows me to interact with fans.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The publishing world is a tough business right now, with a vast amount of competition. I recommend polishing marketing skills as much as writing craft in order to put your best foot forward.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In life or about writing? In life I try to follow this quote: “Strive for progress, not perfection.” As for writing, I love this quote from Nora Roberts: “You can fix anything but a blank page.” It makes me keep writing, even on those days when the words aren’t flowing. Just get anything down on the page, I tell myself, even if it’s crap, it doesn’t matter—it’s not the final draft.

What are you reading now?
I can’t say, hehe. I am judging a book contest right now, and so I have to keep those books a secret.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m looking into writing romance-themed articles.

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 will offer a cheater answer and say I would bring my Kindle so that I could download books to my heart’s content. I can’t imagine being stuck with just 3 or 4 that I would have to read over and over again. I shudder to think!
But if I’m really pressed to name a favorite book, it would probably be GONE WITH THE WIND.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tracy Tappan Website
Tracy Tappan Amazon Profile

Tracy Tappan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Cecelia J. Bonwick

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Cecelia grew up in outback Australia. Living the life of a Gypsy as her foster parents travelled from station to station putting down bores.
Having been a teacher’s aide she has home-schooled her youngest two children throughout their entire school-life and has now taken the time to devote herself to her writing which she has dabbled in for many years.
While “Her Father’s Shadow” is her debut novel, she has several drafts already up her sleeve including the sequel to “Her Father’s Shadow”
She currently lives in Queensland, Australia with her two youngest children
You can get her Father’s Shadow Here: https://www.amazon.com/Her-Fathers-Shadow-Book-ebook/dp/B06XB9PJPX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488228926&sr=8-1&keywords=Her+Father%27s+Shadow

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Her Father’s Shadow is my latest book which was inspired by a cryptic story my father wrote when I asked him to write his life story. He passed away in 1986 and sadly is no longer here to answer my many questions, so in his memory I have written this story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to write everything otherwise I will forget it – names, backgrounds, places, plots etcetera.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Madeleine Brent is one of my favorites, because she/he intricately weaves the story line to keep you guessing. Alistair MacLan, Robert Ludlum, Dick Francis, Arthur Upfield the number is to large to count…

What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel to Her Father’s Shadow and editing “The Jewel of Dulahrane” which is also the first book in another series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still learning…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write! Work out your goals from the beginning start your marketing early.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day! At least 800 words…

What are you reading now?
“Hidden” by Linda Berry

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing and keep publishing…

Author Websites and Profiles
Cecelia J. Bonwick Website
Cecelia J. Bonwick Amazon Profile

Cecelia J. Bonwick’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Laura Domino

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Heroine: Rising to the Challenge is my first book. I wrote it to encourage women who want to be a force for kindness in their community. Moms want to raise their kids in a positive environment, so why not choose a daily goal that raises the standard of how people are treated.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
To use Heroine: Rising to the Challenge properly, I put some journals on Amazon for writing down the experiences that come with attempting new things. If you click on my name, Amazon shows Scriptures and Scribbles, the paperback journal.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve written fiction for years, but haven’t published it yet. That will happen this summer. My nonfiction was released first because I feel committed to helping women first before entertaining them with fiction.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve read Christian fiction authors like DiAnn Mills, Rachel Hauck, Brandilyn Collins, and Kristen Heitzmann.

What are you working on now?
My fiction is being prepared for release. The first one should be ready this summer.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love it when people tell others about books they’ve enjoyed. I have a free mini-guide that goes with my nonfiction. You can get it when you sign up on my website. When you see how easy it is to use, you can form a group with your friends and go through the book together.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
There are a lot of ways to write a book. The main ingredient for success is determination. Write with your heart and unlock that special quality that is in you alone.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” This is a Babe Ruth quote that keeps me going.

What are you reading now?
The Bible. I try to read it daily and post a few verses on my Twitter account several times each month. It helps me readjust my attitudes so I don’t get too far off my path.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m always learning. Between learning new ways to connect with readers, I’m trying to spend a little time putting together the workbook version of Heroine: Rising to the Challenge. It will have Q&A, quotes, daily goals, and coloring pages too!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, Pride and Prejudice, and my coloring book with the gigantic pages so I’ll have some shade from the sun.

Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Domino Website
Laura Domino Amazon Profile

Laura Domino’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Awesome Author - Sankaranarayanan Sankarapandian

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written two books. This one self learning about Apple SIRI (Voice digital Assitant.

SIRI is now more powerful than ever. SIRI understands you — and if you understand how she works, you can set your hands free and open a universe of information using only your voice.

This book is your personal coach on how to best use SIRI. It explains SIRI’s inner workings so that you can fully master her power. It tells how to customize SIRI (for instance, to use Google instead of Bing), to use an app (like Wolfram Alpha) instead of doing a web search, and how to have her answer your questions directly.

You will learn the words to use for SIRI to go to the right domain for the right answer, what to say so that she gives you the answer you want and how to structure your contacts to optimize her.

The book has step-by-step instructions on how to use SIRI, more than 400 examples of requests that she will understand, and more than 100 illustrations of what you see when she responds.

This book covers SIRI on iPhone, Mac, Apple watch and Apple TV. It throws lights on the latest SIRI enhancements like HomeKit.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Voice of SIRI.
While I was visiting my daughter in the U.S.A., she showed me an iPhone 7 Plus. I was astonished by its capabilities, particularly those for video recording. The iPhone 7 can shoot 4K video, using either a zoom or wide-angle lens. In addition, many apps are available for video work. For example, Osmo Mobile operates like a gimbal, Olloclip works like lenses, iXpand Flash Drive gives you external storage, iPhone AirPlay allows wireless mirroring to Apple TV, and Apple Watch give you Bluetooth Remote. Thus, I soon wanted to shoot a movie in India using an iPhone 7 Plus.
I found SIRI to be most useful while I was video recording with my iPhone away from me. Using a headset, I had SIRI open the Camera App for video, and then to remotely start and stop the recording.
I searched the web, collecting all the information about SIRI I could find, and saw that she can be a time saver. If you know how to correctly use SIRI, she is quick and accurate. There is, or course, a learning curve — but it’s worth the time, as SIRI quickly becomes indispensable.
One incident in particular inspired me to start writing this book. While in the U.S.A., my wife wanted to phone her relatives in India. However, she is not comfortable with typing in English – making name searches on a phone difficult. So I added the Favorites Widget to her iPhone, allowing her to call her relatives without typing a name, but simply by pressing a specific contact icon.
After that I introduced my wife to SIRI, which allowed her to phone relatives without even having to press a contact icon – all she has to do is tell SIRI, “Call my son,” and SIRI does so. Now she is grateful not only to me, but also to SIRI.
I soon realized that SIRI can do not only relatively simple tasks (like phoning relatives), but also assist in professional work. In my case, SIRI can do wonders in mathematics with the help of Wolfram Alpha. Thus, after experimenting with SIRI for a while, I decided to publish this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr. Wayne dyer,

What are you working on now?
How to achieve one’s goal

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Knowing is not knowing, Doing is knowing. So Just write, you have to cross all the hurdles as every author crossed. If you stop not, what are you doing to achieve you goal, you will definitely achieve your goal.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stop not till the goal is reached.

What are you reading now?
The Shack
by Wm. Paul Young

What’s next for you as a writer?

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible; Change Your Life in 7 Days by Paul McKenna; Dying To Be Me – Anita Moorjani; The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle.

Awesome Author - Jordan K. Rose

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there! I’ve written sixteen books and ten short stories. Everything I’ve written has fallen in the paranormal romance genre, mostly vampires. I love the edginess and power of vampires, but I also love to laugh so…a lot of my heroines and many of my heroes end up in wonky situations that result in a good chuckle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, the one that has most of my attention comes out in a few short weeks! Her Vampire Protector, Book Seven in the Romance In Central City Series is available for pre-order now. Hmmm, what inspired this book…I’m not entirely sure! It’s the story of Selene, a woman who was rescued from the crash that left her orphaned as a young teenager by Oswald, Oz, a vampire in The Vampire Guard. I am a HUGE fan of the idea of soul mates finding each other and either fighting the urge or being forced to wait before love blossoms. This is one of those stories.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Maybe not unusual, but I prefer to write with my dogs around. They don’t offer much in the way of plotting or story development, but I love them. Also, I like to keep almonds and dark chocolate on my desk, and when I take quick breaks, I blast Tom Jones while I stretch. Okay, that last part might have been weird.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are several. Just before I started writing I binge read 18 vampire books from Twilight to Dracula and lots in between. Reading all those books help me to realize that I could write a book, too. Now the writers who influence me are people I admire for their tenacity and spirit to “make it” in a business that’s ever-changing.

What are you working on now?
I’m so excited to be working on Book Eight of the Romance In Central City Series. I haven’t quite settled on the title, but I do know it releases in October 2017. This book will wrap up the series and be the launching point for my next series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use my newsletter to help promote my books. In terms of other websites I’m ashamed to say I’m only now really delving into promoting my work so I don’t have a best site just yet.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and develop a plan to help you achieve the goals that are important to you. If selling lots of books is important, decide what your launch and promotion plan will be and apply it unwaveringly to every launch.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep your writing time sacred. Write when you are supposed to be writing and don’t fool around with that time.

What are you reading now?
Jane Eyre. I finished Jane Slayre and had to go back to Jane Eyre. I love both these books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m doing some very exciting things. I’m participating in Robyn Peterman’s Magic and Mayhem Kindle World. My first book, The Witch, The Weeds, and The Were came out on February 22 and my next one comes out in July. This is a funny, romantic world, and I love writing in it.

I’m launching two new series over the course of the next year. The first is a 4 book spin-off of my Romance In Central City Series. The second is a 3 book spin-off of my Short Seductions Series, which is a spicy short story series that can be read on a lunch break. Though, don’t get caught reading that at work!

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?
Dark Prince by Christine Feehan, Jane Eyre, Lord of The Rings (the whole set, which should only count as one book since they are all stored together in a neat little box), and The Trumpet of The Swan, which happens to be one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jordan K. Rose Website
Jordan K. Rose Amazon Profile

Jordan K. Rose’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Awesome Author - Alexander Blum

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing novels since I was thirteen. I’ve finished six of them, published one, and more on the way.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called 21st Century Slave, and it was inspired by an ex-con I met in Buffalo New York with a story about how he had been wrongfully arrested and sentenced in the state of Florida, to six years of abuse by attorneys, judges and correctional officers. I fused his story with my own as a disaffected college student, and the result was my finest work yet – combining the twin anxieties (prison or education) of our age into one.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write my best stuff between the hours of 4 am and 6 am, no earlier and no later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Haruki Murakami, mostly.

What are you working on now?
The New Symphony, a novel about a city of masked spirits in the afterlife who are terrified to face their pasts.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find ideas that have emerged naturally inside you throughout your life, ideas that give you purpose, that make you feel that being human is more than an accident of biology. Embed those ideas into your writing as naturally as you can.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Eternity is in love with the productions of time” – William Blake

What are you reading now?
Carl Jung’s “Modern Man in Search of a Soul”, and re-reading The Book of the New Sun series

What’s next for you as a writer?
To absorb as much meaningful reality as possible, so its most vital moments can become inspired storytelling.

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?
1Q84, The Claw of the Conciliator, The Bible, The Quran, Norwegian Wood

Author Websites and Profiles
Alexander Blum Website

Alexander Blum’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

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