Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Dani Mrdaque is a self-taught artist who likes to paint using different techniques including aquarelle, oil painting, acryl colors, graphic arts and chalk drawing.
Her work is mostly based on the aquarelle technique. She discovered her talent for painting when she was a child and she has being painted for more than 20 years.
The first person who was taught by Dani how to paint and hold a brush was her younger sister. Regarding aquarelle technique, Dani’s special area of interest is portraits or painting human face. She is also very interested in psychology trying to show the inner character of the persons whose face is on a portrait. Dani also likes to paint various landscapes.I have written 4 books about Watercolor Painting and I also teach watercolor courses online.

She teaches Watercolor Online Courses in her Online Art School.

http://walking-on-watercolor-clouds-watercolor-painting-course.teachable.com

WALKING ON WATERCOLOR CLOUDS-watercolor painting lessons with Dani Mrdaque

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Watercolor Journey for Beginner Artists: Basic Watercolors Steps and Creative Exercises
I was inspired to create a complete beginner guide to Watercolor Painting.I have created an interactive book that includes creative exercises,video instructions,step-by-step lessons.It explains how to use different watercolor techniques,how to mix colors,how to choose watercolor materials and how to paint fruits,trees,flowers,how to create texture in your paintings.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I wake up at nigth,because of an idea…I love to write it down before it disappears.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky is a remarkable psychologist,philosopher and author.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Winter Landscapes Turtorial Book.I have prepared some interesting lessons and I can not wait to finish it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote my books on my website where I sell my Watercolor Courses.
http://walking-on-watercolor-clouds-watercolor-painting-course.teachable.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
,,If You Can Dream It-You can do it!,, Walt Disney

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in your dreams-because they were given to you for a reason.

What are you reading now?
The book,, Jung’s Map of the Soul,,

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have started writing a Children’s book,I will illustrate and create amazing book cover.I love to do everything by myself,all the creative works.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring the,,Bible,, to keep me spiritually.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dani Mrdaque Website
Dani Mrdaque Amazon Profile

Dani Mrdaque’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a mid-thirties father of two, living in the south of England. I’m a big fan of all things sci-fi and comedy. If there’s an option to get the two together I’m hooked. Otherwise, stick a spaceship or two on the cover and you can be fairly sure I’ll give your book a read!
I’ve attempted to write about 12 books so far, but each idea has perished after 10 to 20 thousand words, so in total I’ve finished and published one book so far.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jupiter’s Halo: Unbroken
The book started as a short story, intended to be one of many set in the back drop of the future I have created in the stories. My original aim was to create an anthology of such stories, but I found once I really got into the writing that I had a full blown novel on my hands and so I changed the premise to be a series of novels set in the same back drop instead.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know whether other authors would call this unusual, but I do have a tendency to act out sections of dialogue to myself. It helps me judge how the characters should be speaking and the best way to describe their movements/facial expressions etc. I don’t know how unusual that is, but I do know I look pretty blooming daft doing it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Terry Pratchett, James Swallow, Graham McNeil, James Clavell

What are you working on now?
The next book in the Jupiter’s Halo series. In fact, I’m currently writing out the story lines for the next two books; Planet Fall and Blood Red, as they will overlap each other quite significantly.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As I have only been promoting this one book for a few days I have little experience to draw on. Facebook has been useful, but I suspect there are far better and more efficient ways to reach more people who are likely to enjoy the book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Don’t give up on an idea – put it away somewhere if you go off it and go back to it later. You never know what you might come up with or how a fresh look might take you in a new direction.
2. Don’t get hung up on targeting yourself with a finish date/volume of words etc. If you let your imagination take over you’ll find your best stuff and shackling it with constraints will only cause you stress that dulls your talent.
3. Write when you can. If you’ve had a book idea in your head forever, but can never seem to find the time to get into it, just write whenever you get 10 minutes. You might only do a couple of hundred words at a time, but you’ll soon find all those little snippets of time add up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In general; It won’t get better if you keep picking at it.
From a writing perspective I guess it’s ‘write when you can’ a piece of advice I happily pass on to anyone who asks me how I manage to find the time.

What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished the Game of Thrones books (yes I am aware how behind I am). I’m taking a little break to dedicate some time to my own writing, but I’m pretty excited about reading the last Terry Pratchett discworld book, The Shepherd’s Crown.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully huge success, fame and fortune. If I can’t have all three I’ll drop the fame bit.

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?
Lord of the Flies
Chris Ryan’s Ultimate Survival Guide
James Clavell’s Noble House

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Heath Website

Andrew Heath’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
“Blood of your Blood” is my very first book, I always had the inclination to write but I was preoccupied being part founder of a large business. After many years of success the business fell into financial difficulties and eventually had to be wound up. Needless to say I lost so much financially but gained so much more spiritually. An unexpected consequence of my business failure was the inclination to follow my inner most desires. That is where I discovered my ability to write fiction. I love writing, I feel incredibly passionate about the way I transform the grand idea into a series of words that almost magically breaths it into life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Blood of your Blood”. The inspiration for this book came from my love of the genre and my absolute adulation of George R Martin. I regard him as the greatest creative author I had ever come across and I wanted to create something on a smaller scale but packing all the punches of a typical GRM novel. I love vampire stories and the more recent development of the “romantic” vampire intrigued me immensely. I never felt satisfied by the recent adaptations of the genre and decided to create a vampire love story set in a “Game of Thrones” like backdrop. I really liked how the final story plays out.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to find veritable inspiration and then I am writing like the wind, off course when I do that my work is normally blown away by the blood colored ink of a vicious editor. Seriously though when I am inspired the words flow like water flowing from ice capped mountains. I guess that may not be unusual for the ordinary person but I am rarely inspired on that level, I mean a totally different level where I actually see the whole thing play out like a Christopher Nolan epic.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well obviously George R Martin, my all time hero! Then there is Stephen King, I love his work as well. More contemporary writers like Stephanie Meyer, Lauren Kate, etc. Outside the genre I enjoy reading Michael Crichton and Dan Brown. I love reading so i can go on and on.

What are you working on now?
Well many ideas currently, but I want to get this one off the ground first. I chose to do it by myself which is not an easy task, trust me and all others who have warned of the grave difficulty. I hope it will work which will then make this book the first in of a series. I have a few others as well that are in the idea stages.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tried Online Book Club and now Awesomegang. I hope this will turn out to the the best website ever! I look forward to writing wonderful testimonials about the great people at awesomegang!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from your heart! Feel the passion as you transform the idea in your head into words! Harness the emotion that overflows as the heartbeat of your story reverberates through your very soul! Take the tears as your badge of honor!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you want happiness in life, listen to you heart!

What are you reading now?
Currently Winds of Winter, well whatever scraps we get waiting for the final version to arrive.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope becoming a successful one.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A Song of Fire and Ice, the whole series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Reza Ali Website
Reza Ali Amazon Profile
Reza Ali Author Profile on Smashwords

Reza Ali’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am from Manitoba Canada (right above North Dakota for everyone from the States.) My hsband and I own a large cattle ranch and we breed and raise horses. So far I have self-published four books and I am working on my fifth currently.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Devotionals from the barn. It was inspisred by the way that I felt my relationship with horses mirriored my relationship with God. Everyday that I am out in the barn I feel that I grow closer to God.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Probably, I typically get up at five thirty squeeze in a quick workout, grab my coffee and write for about half an hour.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s a tough question. I devoured books from the moment that I learned how to read. I love the classics, Les Mis, anything written by Jane Austen. I LOVE Sophie Kinesella’s books, but seriously I will read almost anything from cartoons to classics.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my first fictions book and I’m super excited about developing a plot and characters!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still expirmenting with that to be honest. So far I’ve used book blogs, Facebook groups and word of mouth.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing a litle bit everyday. At first you will seriously hate everything that you type but with time it gets better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Personally the best advice that I ever got was “write a little bit everyday.” But I think that you have to find a practise that works for you and your life.

What are you reading now?
Wedding Night by Sophie Kinessella

What’s next for you as a writer?
Fiction, I’m really enjoying the process of dabbling into fiction. It’s actually quite a bit harder to write!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My Bible, Think and Grow Rich, Les Mis and probably something by Jane Austen

Author Websites and Profiles
Kayla Peters Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a romantic suspense and historical fiction author with nine published titles and a new release coming May 2, 2017. I live in a suburb outside of Seattle with my new husband and our blended family of four kids and five cats.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the fourth book in my River Valley Series, titled Riversnow. I grew up in a small town in Oregon. River Valley is loosely based on that town. I’m inspired by people I knew growing up there, as well as the beauty of the southern Oregon rivers and mountains, and the sense of community. These things inspire all my books, but most particularly the River Valley books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if this is unusual, but when I’m writing I drink copious amounts of apple cinnamon tea. My husband started ordering if from Amazon in bulk to save money.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Harper Lee. Pat Conroy. F. Scott Fitzgerald.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the fifth book in the River Valley Series, titled Riverstorm. It’s the story of Liz and Grant, who were introduced in book 4. They were once in love, but Grant cheated on Liz the night she thought he was going to propose. Ten years later, they’re both high-powered attorneys who reconnect in River Valley. Sparks fly and past wounds are revealed and examined. Will Liz forgive him? I sure hope so!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub is great if they accept your book. I’ve found Facebook ads to work well. Also, just good old-fashioned word of mouth.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I always have the same advice. Get your butt in that seat and write. Don’t worry if it’s good or not. Just commit the time to write every day. If you keep writing, eventually you’ll become good. Also, get feedback from people who are better writers than you.

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

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a bunch of non-fiction books about WWII. The sequel to both Duet for Three Hands and Miller’s Secret take place during that time, so I’m gathering research.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After releasing Riverstorm in July 2017, I’m going to work on my two historical novels. My husband and I are taking a late honeymoon this summer. We’re spending three weeks in France! A bit of research, a bit of wine and a lot of soaking in the landscape and people. I’m hoping I’ll take all that back with me for my WWII novels, both of which are set partly in France.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
To Kill a Mockingbird. The Little House books (I’m counting those as 1) and The Great Gatsby.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tess Thompson Website
Tess Thompson Amazon Profile

Tess Thompson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a storyteller since I was introduced to role-playing games at age twelve. My professional career and family kept me busy enough that my stories were told in-person, to friends. Until now. I took up the (digital) pen with the goal of exploring where current social and technological trends might lead us. I have published the first book of a planned four book series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Gods We Make is the title. There’s some mystery to it that will be revealed as the series progresses. There is a hint in Arthur C. Clarke’s third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My time for writing is sporadic. I use Scribophile to compose my works and find the mobile version wonderful for capturing flashes of insight, snippets of conversation, or interesting personality quirks that I notice while on the go.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up loving Tolkien, Arthur C. Clarke, and Michael Crichton. My hands-down favorite current author is Brandon Sanderson.

What are you working on now?
The Gods We Seek, the second book in The Gods series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m unsure about promoting books, as this is my first, but I find that being genuine in all you do is a good policy.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
That may be presumptuous given my new author status, but my advice is to write your characters as real people, never have them do something for the convenience of the plot, and always know what their individual motives are. When following my own advice, a love interest in TGWM morphed into a sinister, secondary villain. The story is stronger for it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be genuine.

What are you reading now?
The Atlantis Gene, while waiting for Mr. Sanderson to release Oathbringer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m taking a breather to reflect on how my first book is received. There are people who aren’t my mom that really like it (thank you, beta readers, for the wonderful feedback) but I’m sure I can learn plenty by stepping back and watching. I got off to a strong start on the first draft of The Gods We Seek. In a few weeks, I’ll jump back into 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?
Brandon Sanderson’s collected works. Yeah, I’m a bit of a fanboy.

Author Websites and Profiles
Eric Johannsen Website

Eric Johannsen’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the first time published author of Millie’s Angel and a busy mother of five children.
Working on the second book in the Millie saga and a free novelette for those that subscribe to my emails at Kim’s Whispers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Millie’s Angel. I guess the inspiration has flowed from life and the use of a stretched imagination!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to write outside – preferably with a view and chocolate and a cup of tea or coffee, depending on the time … lots of chocolate.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
George R.R Martin – Game of Thrones author. Loving his descriptive passages.
Sally Beauman tells a great epic love story and Bryce Courtenay is magic.

What are you working on now?
Part Two in the Millie tales. I’ve titled it Ace of Games – lets see if the title sticks.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am trying different things from hiring a publicist to Twitter blasts. The book is new and I am an unknown author so I guess it will take some time for the book and my name to get around.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author! I would tell someone starting out to follow their instincts and keep the dream alive – never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A change of feeling is a change of destiny – Wayne Dyer

What are you reading now?
Killer Unleashed – Beth Prentice.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing, writing and more writing between school runs, homework and washing

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 grab any two books by Saint Germain, followed by Destiny by Sally Beauman and I would read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown another few times over.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kim Petersen Website
Kim Petersen Amazon Profile
Kim Petersen Author Profile on Smashwords

Kim Petersen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there! I am 23-years-old, and the founder of an online magazine for teens and young women called Crown of Beauty! I have always had a very creative and hyperactive mind, so I enjoy anything that involves creativity; whether that be writing a new song, dreaming up a new story, or designing magazine pages! I’ve written many books, but currently have three published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Regal Hearts is a Kindle series for teen girls and I think it was really inspired by my teenage years! The premise of this story is that a family of girls who were all separated at birth, discover their royal heritage and their entire world gets flipped upside down. It is very much a fish-out-of-water story, that plays around with many extreme circumstances and ways of life! It has a fun sprinkle of pretty much everything…from a Princess, to a Popstar, to an Amish girl, and even an average girl! As a teen and pre-teen I imagined what life would be like in each of those situations, so I can see how this story was influnced by my younger-self. But what girl didn’t wish, at least at one time in her life, that she was a Princess or a Popstar? Haha!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm…not really. I don’t think this is at all unusual, but most of my inspiration and ideas seem to kick in, at night-time. But I think that might be pretty normal for us creative-types. It’s like, when the sun goes down, a light-switch inside of me is turned on!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I might get in trouble for saying this, but I’m an author who doesn’t actually read very much. I know, I know, it sounds crazy! What kind of author doesn’t enjoy reading?! I think I’m at a place in my life where I’m just overflowing with words, ideas and inspiration, I feel like if I were to pick up someone else’s work of fiction at this point, I would probably explode! Haha! The inspiration is flowing very strongly, and I feel like I need to release so many of the stories inside of me, before I spend time looking at anyone else’s. Again, I know this sounds crazy, and maybe I’m not a true writer if I don’t love to read and read and read…but it’s just where I’m at right now in my life. If I do pick up a book or two, it’s usually to read non-fiction. Inspirational books that encourage you to set goals, follow your dreams, and fulfill the purpose for which you’re on this planet.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a trilogy which revolves around a modern day royal family, living in a fictitious nation in Europe. I don’t want to give too much away, because I haven’t officially announced the details to my followers yet, but I’m very thrilled about this project! It touches on a lot of exciting, yet heartwarming subjects, and I believe that readers are really going to fall in love with those characters.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I run an online magazine which is targeted toward the same demographic to which I’m marketing my books, so that works really well! Over the years, I’ve been building connection and relationships with my readers at Crown of Beauty Magazine, and now as I’m starting to release various works of fiction to them, those who have been following the magazine for awhile are really excited about it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Wow, what a loaded question! There is so much I could say. But I think my number once piece of advice would be, turn off your inner critic! You have to shut down that negative voice that says your writing is no good, that you’re never going to make it as an author, that you’re not good enough, nobody will ever want to read what you have to say, bla, bla, bla LIES. Those are all lies! Don’t give them any place in your mind our heart. Focus on the truth. You ARE a writer. Just the fact that you have the desire to write, and the dream stirring in your heart, means that you are meant to do this! So just go for it. Sit down, and write. It’s not going to be perfect, and that is totally okay. You grow over time, as you write, write, and write some more. But no matter what, don’t give up! Believe that this is what you’re meant to do, and that your words will touch other people’s lives.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It sounds so cliche, but the best advice I’ve ever heard is to WRITE. We can read, and research, and talk about it, and brainstorm, and plan, and vocally express our desire to be a writer….but the bottom line, is that you have to sit down at your computer, force your mind to focus on one line at a time, and WRITE. Write as much as you possibly can. Write everyday! The more you write, the better you’ll get. Again, I know that everybody says this, but they say it because it’s true. Write, write, write!

What are you reading now?
My manuscript! I’m currently editing the trilogy that I’m working on and whew, talk about an uphill battle! (Editing truly is the hardest part of the writing process ,in my opinion!)

What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish editing this trilogy and then release it! I’m very excited to see how my readers react to this 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?
Hmm…great question! I would choose my Bible, Dreaming with God by Bill Johnson, Without Rival by Lisa Bevere, and Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

Author Websites and Profiles
Livy Jarmusch Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a life-long Texan from Robstown, the birthplace of Texas Hold ’Em. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Math/Computer Science from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. I currently live in Round Rock (just north of Austin) and I’ve published 2 books: “The Dead Club” and “Lobo Coronado and the Legacy of the Wolf,” both MG books that can be read by almost any age.

I am also a musician and currently play bass in an 80s band, I have a full-time job in IT and I love my PlayStation 4.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Lobo Coronado and the Legacy of the Wolf” is my latest book and started with a simple question. When my son was younger, I asked him what kind of character he would like me to create. The answer involved an incredibly popular young wizard and my favorite superhero, Batman. Although this character didn’t have a name or story yet, that was the day Lobo was born. He started with a different last name, which eventually didn’t work but that name became one of the main characters in my first release, The Dead Club. Like Batman, I liked the idea of Lobo not having any powers and learning detective and quick-thinking skills rather than just having abilities that could get him out of any situation. The elements of magic are still there through Devon, the angel with an attitude, and the fantasy is there through Vampie and the Celestial Realms. This was my first true story that I felt was good enough to publish and was actually written before The Dead Club. I’m happy it’s finally available and hope readers enjoy these characters that have been with me for a long time.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I’m having difficulty finding the time to write, I will take my lunch at a nearby food place (Chick-Fil-A and Subway are my top choices), wolf down my food military style and spend the rest of the time writing. Even if it’s just 200 words, it’s more than I had before I walked in.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, Anne Rice, Nail Gaiman

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the sequel to “The Dead Club” as well as a horror/supernatural book geared towards YA/adults.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still trying to figure that out I’ve tried several for paid and free promos and am still testing them out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Finish your first draft. The biggest issue I see with authors (and a bad habit I used to have as well) is to try and make the first draft perfect. I spent almost 2 months trying to perfect a first chapter only to have my editor kill the entire thing. It’s called a “rough” draft for a reason, so no matter how many typos, spelling errors, grammar problems, etc. it shouldn’t matter the first pass. Finish it. You can’t fix what doesn’t exist, so don’t get bogged down on one sentence, paragraph or chapter or you may not find the will to finish. Get Draft #1 done!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Finish your first draft and don’t worry about the little things, no matter how bad it is. That’s what revisions are for.

What are you reading now?
Just finished Stephen King’s “End of Watch,” the final book in the Bill Hodges trilogy. Just started “Consider” by Kristy Acevedo.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I was recently published in NaNoWriMo’s “Now What?” months and inspired me to try to write more online/blog articles. I also have some book fairs I’ll be attending in Texas. Primarily, I plan to write, write, read, and write some more. I think every author should always be working on their next project…

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“To Kill a Mockingbird” – only book I’ve read more than 3 times and will always help me remember to do what’s right, no matter what the cost.
“It” – still my favorite horror book, even though I’ll be looking past the coconut tree to see if Pennywise is watching…
“The Outsiders” – to always remember what youth and friendship is about, no matter your socio-economic status
“Harry Potter” – preferably the series, to always keep the kid inside me alive.

Author Websites and Profiles
Manuel Ruiz Website
Manuel Ruiz Amazon Profile

Manuel Ruiz’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m originally from Chicago, but now live in Bangkok, Thailand. I’ve been writing professionally for over 8 years, starting out writing for US TV. Since then, I’ve expanded my skill set to write copy, blogs, and books.

I’ve written two books. The first one is about how to travel abroad when you have no money. I wrote the book based on my experience of saving up for a round the world trip while making only $14 an hour. I had to cut my costs and move into a dining room (yes, the place where families gather to eat) to save up the cash. Was a trying experience, but I learned a lot. And I put that knowledge into a book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “An Ordinary Dude’s Guide to Meditation”. After my first book, I knew I wanted to write another and kept asking myself, “What subject do I know a lot about?” One of the first things that came to mind was meditation – as I’ve been meditating for over 13 years. But, I didn’t want to write just another meditation book. I wanted to do something different and, oddly enough, the style of meditation I was doing was something I invented myself. Basically, the style is a blend of a lot of different practices I’ve experimented with over the years.

Perhaps more importantly, I wanted to write a book for a different type of audience. The type that aren’t religious or hippies. I am neither of those and, from what I can tell, there aren’t any meditation books on the market that speak to that audience. So, I wanted to write a meditation book for the ordinary dude. The normal person who has a day job, likes knocking back a few beers with friends and is not a particularly religious or spiritual person. This book is meant to help those people, those ordinary dudes, learn about meditation and teach them how to do it so they can improve their lives.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. But I will say I don’t believe in writer’s block (if you want to call that unusual). When I need to write, I just write. Sometimes what comes out is garbage, but I will always edit later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been a non-fiction junkie for ages, though, I’m not really loyal to any particular author. I’ll read just about anything I hear is good or interests me.

Some books that have had a major influence on me as a person are Brian Tracy’s “Eat that Frog”, Stephen Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, and Thomas J. Stanley’s “The Millionaire Next Door”.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on releasing hard copies of “An Ordinary Dude’s Guide to Meditation” while also building the blog for it at my website www.ordinarydudemeditation.com

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be completely honest, I am learning so it’s hard for me to say. I had a very successful launch of “An Ordinary Dude’s Guide to Meditation” which resulted my with my book ranking #1 in Amazon’s free categories for Meditation and New Age Meditation, and nearly 1,500 downloads in the first 5 days. I used a bunch of marketing tactics to get there, from posting advertisements on book sites like Awesomegang, to posting in Facebook Kindle groups, and hiring people on Fiver to promote the book. With that said, I haven’t yet had the time to analyze what was most effective, so it’s hard for me to say right now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be alright with your first book not being perfect. Get it done, get it out there, and then move on to the next. You will improve as you go along. And even if your first book flops (as mine did), you’ll learn from it and you will be an author – which I can say is a pretty satisfying feeling.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn what successful people are doing, and then copy it.

I learned this very important lesson from Brian Tracy’s “Eat that Frog” and it changed the way I look at the world and go about my career.

What are you reading now?
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Crush it with Kindle by John Tighe

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on the follow up to “An Ordinary Dude’s Guide to Meditation” – “An Ordinary Dude’s Guide to Habit”.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of meditation, you need to do it at least 5 days a week. And really, forming the habit is probably the most difficult thing about meditation; I struggled with it for a long time (though I now meditate every day).

So basically I want to share my insights about how to form habits, meditation and otherwise. I’ve started the book and hope to have it out by the end of this 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?
1. Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
2. The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh (one of the first books that introduced me to meditation over a decade ago)
3. Perhaps “How to survive on a deserted island”. Oddly enough there are a few books out there with that title.

Author Websites and Profiles
John Weiler Website
John Weiler Amazon Profile

John Weiler’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
CHIDI EJIKEUGWU sees himself as a dreamer and a doer. His motto is, “make it happen!” He is an author and motivational teacher who believes we each have the potential to live the lives of our dreams. The Secret Sauce of Happiness is Chidi’s first published book.
After graduating from college, Chidi embarked on a journey with little money in his personal savings. Soon, he gained a reputation for “making it happen” and started a training firm with less than five dollars to his name.

Currently, he is the CEO of Computer Country Training and Solutions, Nigeria’s most innovative training company. Chidi is also the founder of Best of Me, an interactive Facebook community that inspires individuals to reach their best.

Chidi is passionate about retraining Nigeria’s workforce. Currently, he is working with young people in schools across Nigeria, helping them make better career and life decisions.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Secret Sauce of Happiness is the name of my latest book. I got to a miserable point of countless failure and unhappiness in life that I almost took my own life, not finding any meaning of life. And then it struck me. I stumbled on the truth that happiness is within me for me to find and express, not out there to pursue.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I keep a daily personal journal.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Bible is an evergreen book for me. I read a lot of books, but lately the book that has really caused me to change some habits and way of thinking is titled “Nuggets of Truth” by Dr. Peter Ekwo

What are you working on now?
Two more books on time management and business startup success.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
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Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read and read.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The thing is, there are different aspects of life where we give and gain influence. On money, the best advice I have ever received came from my father and he said, son, whatever you do, don’t run out of money.
On being better and doing better i.e. service to mankind, Benjamin Franklin said, “in the morning ask yourself what good you can do today?, then go about the day doing it. Then before you sleep ask yourself, what good did I do today?”

What are you reading now?
I read two three or four books at a time. And currently am reading:
The Winning Way by Brian Tracy
Business Consulting by Gilbert and Fiona Czerniawska
Growth Hacker by Ryan Holiday

What’s next for you as a writer?
Sharing the book message to a wider audience so that more people can benefit from the thoughts and treasures in the 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 Bible
The Bible
The Bible and
Another Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
Chidi Ejikeugwu Website
Chidi Ejikeugwu Amazon Profile

Chidi Ejikeugwu’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Laura Read and I live in the UK. I’ve worked in publishing for over seven years, as a designer for a journal and its award-winning website, and now as an author and freelance designer (I love designing my own covers too!). My poetry has been published in two anthologies, and DEADLY SINS is my debut novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
DEADLY SINS is an organized crime thriller, which explores the sexism that can permeate families and how sin can influence us all. I wanted to write something dark that crosses genres and focuses on a female protagonist who wants more power. My protagonist, Angela, feels powerless because she’s the boss’s daughter, and she uses drink and sex as escapism. She falls for a corrupt detective and faces a choice between staying to help her family and leaving to start a new life. It’s similar to THE SOPRANOS but told mainly from a female perspective.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I imagine quite a few authors sit down and write in their pyjamas at all sorts of odd times in the day!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Chuck Palahniuk’s books. They’re so different and don’t conform to typical genres. He isn’t afraid of writing exactly what he wants.

What are you working on now?
A book set in London about a political affair, sex and power.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m quite new to self-publishing, so maybe there are quite a few websites that I’ll discover later on! I love instaFreebie – in the week before I published DEADLY SINS, I was amazed when 1000 people downloaded my preview in exchange for signing up to my e-newsletter. This was also down to the amazing help of lots of other authors – we promoted our instaFreebie giveaways in the same week. It’s great to connect with other authors, and there are several websites and groups where you can share your work and marketing efforts.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! It’s difficult to carve out time every day to write/edit, but try your hardest to write as often as you can. Keep a word count sheet or use software to do this for you.

Delete as much back story as you can, or preferably don’t include any back story at all. Ensure that there’s lots of action and actual things happening, rather than a whole load of introspection and characters sitting down and ‘realising’ or ‘thinking’ about things.

Don’t get caught up in constantly self-editing your book – it’s easy to do this with your first book because you’re trying to figure out your voice, how to structure your novel, and what to write. I’m a perfectionist, so it was difficult to ‘let go’ and actually publish my book – I had to work out when the book was ‘good enough’ to publish because it can never be ‘perfect’.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Once in school I remember an art teacher having a philosophical moment, and he said that he thought that everyone serves some kind of purpose and you should just do what you love. He wanted to be a postman though, not an art teacher, and I don’t think he followed his own advice! When you know what you want to do, I also think there’s a fine balance between ‘just doing something’ and making sure that you’re ready to do it.

What are you reading now?
The last book I read was Hugh Howey’s WOOL, and I want to read the rest of the series now. His writing brings all of his characters to life, and you can picture everything and everyone, and everyone’s role in the silo, so vividly. It’s scary that I can imagine a future where the disturbing events in the book actually happen!

What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue to promote DEADLY SINS; write, publish and market my second book, and then the next. As a self-published author, I love the freedom that comes with this job, and who knows what I’ll write in the future.

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?
Four blank notebooks to write in!

Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Read Website
Laura Read Amazon Profile

Laura Read’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My first name is pronounced DEE-tree, in case you were wondering. It autocorrects to Dirty, which is fun. I’m a retired music educator and classically trained pianist and composer. I’ve written two books and one screenplay so far, but I’ve only made one of the books available for public consumption. The other projects were part of my learning process.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book at this point in time is also my debut novel, Fillius Glint. It’s the culmination of several ideas including concepts from the Chinese folktale, The Magic Paintbrush, and Ursula K. Le Guin’s, The Left Hand of Darkness. I was also inspired by the short film, Love is All You Need, written by K. Rocco Shields and David Tillman, produced by WingSpan Pictures.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try not to acquire strange habits. However, I absolutely cannot write to music like many people can. I find music distracting because I worked in that field for so many years. When I hear music, my mind gravitates toward chordal analysis and melodic structure instead of plot analysis and sentence structure.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I appreciate books with a sense of humor. Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Jim C. Hines, Jim Butcher, Steven Brust are some of my favorite authors.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on an anthology of short stories that will take place on Aisaphora after the events of Fillius Glint. After that, my next full-length novel will follow Nigel on his journey to another universe.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Self-promotion is a gargantuan obstacle for me. Mostly, I’ve been reaching out to potential readers one on one.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Reviews. Get as many as you can BEFORE you publish. I used to roll my eyes whenever I saw someone asking for reviews or talking about how important reviews are. But holy bubbles, REVIEWS ARE IMPORTANT.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Every writing maxim has nuance to it that gets lost when they’re adhered to religiously. I think you need to read in your chosen genre. Read A LOT. Find what works for you, and trust yourself to hone your craft and head in that direction. Everything else is just noise.

What are you reading now?
The Book of Taltos by Steven Brust

What’s next for you as a writer?
Connecting with more readers and, hopefully, making their lives a little bit better.

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’d pick random books off the shelf that I hadn’t read yet.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ditrie Marie Bowie Website
Ditrie Marie Bowie Amazon Profile

Ditrie Marie Bowie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a western author and amateur historian. My main passions are Old West history and Texas history. I have completed two books and am in the middle of my third.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Hell and Half of Texas and it is the second book in the Heck Carson series. Heck Carson is a Texas Ranger, and as I was researching Texas Rangers I learned about Terry’s Rangers, who served during the Civil War, and used that as a starting point for my second book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think my writing process is really very disorganized. I start with an idea, and then I start hand writing the story in notebooks. When I’ve written as much as I can, I start researching my subject and use history to fill in the blanks. I do try to be very disciplined though, and write at least two hours most days. I work a full time job and have four kids, so I just find time when I can. I write a lot late at night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My main influences are western authors like Louis L’amour and Larry Mcmurtry. As a kid I would read about one Louis L’amour book a week, and would get several for every birthday and Christmas. The first time I read Lonesome Dove I was absolutely captivated, it was all I could think about for weeks. Being from Texas it just really spoke to me. I’ve also read a lot of Stephen King. He’s just a master story teller.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a horror story set in the nineteenth century. It’s based on Spanish and Native American Lore, with a lot of history mixed in. The best stories are the ones that have been handed down for centuries, they just seem to stand the test of time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My books are sold on Amazon, but I promote them on my website and blog, underthelonestar.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My best advice is the same advice I was always given. Read and write as much as you can. You learn through reading and practice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read and Write as much as you can. The best writers would do it even if they never earned a dime from it. They write because they must.

What are you reading now?
I usually have at least three books going at once. I’m currently reading the complete works of Robert Louis Stevenson, a western by William Johnstone, and a book on writing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I finish my horror story I will be working on the third book in the Heck Carson 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?
War and peace (I have read it at least four times) Lonesome Dove (the best western ever written)
The Last of the Mohicans, and any book on Texas History.

Author Websites and Profiles
john spiars Website
john spiars Amazon Profile

john spiars’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Emily Shore, and I am an anti-trafficking author represented by Fuse Literary. With the blessing and permission of my agent, I’ve indie-published an anti-trafficking post-apocalyptic novella designed to educate and engage youth on the issue of sex-trafficking. A portion of the proceeds of my book goes directly back to rescue organizations fighting trafficking.

My novella features a young girl named Ruby who has been surviving on her own for four years in a crumbling futuristic city known as the Ghetto. In Ruby’s world, girls are hunted as currency, and though Ruby’s countless escapes have branded her as the Ghetto Fox, she understands she can only run and hide for so long.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’ve been a prominent member of the anti-trafficking movement for the past ten years and have networked with rescue organizations operating all over the world as well as earned the support of advocates, trafficking survivors, law enforcement, and politicians. When over 300,000 girls are trafficked annually in the United States, and only 1% are rescued, that figure is unacceptable to me. My goal is to educate youth on this issue and call them to action. To appeal to young adults, I sought to write a speculative fiction. My speculative fiction trilogy is currently represented by Fuse, who gave me permission to write Ruby in the Rough, a post-apocalyptic representation of prostitution. Through this book, I hope to give back to the rescue organizations (one local and one international) which have inspired and empowered me on my journey.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When you’re a mom to a 3 year old and an 8 month old, your writing habits get flushed down the drain. If conditions were ideal, I’d pack up my tablet, head to my local coffee shop, sip some hot tea, and hunker down for a six-hour haul!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve written 18 books since graduating college with my B.A. in Creative Writing. Over the years, many authors have inspired me from classics like Jane Austen and Emily Bronte to newer authors like Stephenie Meyer, Laini Taylor, and Lauren Nicolle Taylor (one of my all-time favorites). However, for the purposes of my Ruby book, speaking with the survivors of sex-trafficking and hearing their stories have impacted me the most as well as getting updates from my trafficking rescue organizations.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on the sequel to Ruby in the Rough (due to be released in May) and a quiet contemporary featuring twins who have lived in the same town all their lives but are from very different worlds.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find the best method is honestly word of mouth. I love getting the chance to network in person and speak to teens directly. I love seeing who is passionate about this subject or engaging with those who want to learn more. This month I will be speaking at a high school assembly of over 350 high school students and faculty and teachers on trafficking.
Social media: I enjoy connecting with bloggers or people engaged in the movement via my Facebook author page – facebook.com/AuthorEmilyShore

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take writing classes, get much feedback on your work, and never ever skimp on a good editor – they are worth their weight in gold! Also, get ways to make your audience care about your book. Try to relate it back to something current (if you can). I wrote a magical realism but set it in a city I’d only traveled to once in my life, but I started getting connected with the locals and seeing if they were interested in my book. That’s just one example.
When your book is fully revised and edited, then try Twitter pitch contests. They are a really great way to get agents to notice your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Kill the cliche! Please, no more girls who think they’re plain when they’ve got all the guys after them, no more love triangles that drag on through the entire series with the girl going back and forth, no more undeveloped worlds, no more whiny girls, no more girls who internalize everything and never show emotion, no more starting the book when the MC is waking up from a dream or on their way to school. Kill the cliche!

What are you reading now?
Laini Taylor’s Strange, the Dreamer
Lauren Nicolle Taylor’s Nora and Kettle (I reread this one often)

What’s next for you as a writer?
My anti-trafficking trilogy is currently on submission to publishers. My agent is hopeful we will get a book deal soon. If not, we will move on to another one of my titles. But I still plan on promoting Ruby in the Rough and wish to do more speaking events to high schools in the future.

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
Lord of the Rings Trilogy (can I keep it as one?)
Nora and Kettle
Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy

Author Websites and Profiles
Emily Shore Website
Emily Shore Amazon Profile

Emily Shore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love everything romance and as a result I’ve written books that fall under the categories of contemporary romance, paranormal romance and chick-lit.

I’ve written 13 books and consider each one like a book baby.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “A Much Younger Man” and it was inspired after re-watching the film The Graduate. I consider it a more modern take on the older woman/younger man romance.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If I ever experience a bout of writer’s block I typically get up from my desk and do sit-ups. I figure it’s a win-win…I usually get my creative juices flowing again and one can never do too many sit-ups!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read and have so many favorites. Sophie Kinsella is a great inspiration for chick-lit; P.C. Cast is one of my favorites for paranormal; and you just can’t beat Nicholas Sparks when you want a good romance.

What are you working on now?
I am currently expanding my Guardian Angel series which starts with “Malibu Angel.” I have goals to create stories that follow all of the lifeguards mentioned in the first book and add on many others.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang is in a word, Awesome! I also like to get back to basics with book marketing and rely on Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My best advice for new authors is advice that was recently given to me, which is to build your own mailing list.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
see above

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading A Discover of Witches by Deborah Harkness.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have plans for a book set in Oxford, England, where I get to visit during the summer months.

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 stranded on a desert island I would naturally bring “On The Island” by Tracey Garvis Graves.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mia Fox Website
Mia Fox Amazon Profile
Mia Fox Author Profile on Smashwords

Mia Fox’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in California, but migrated with my family to Oregon during the 90s when everyone seemed to be doing just that. I had written a little while in California, but my true love of writing blossomed in Oregon. It could be due to more time spent indoors and less in a pool, since Oregon only has two to three decent months for outdoor pool enjoyment.
I’ve currently written three books in my Isabella Howerton series, with the final book in the works along with a side story novella.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My third book in the Isabella Howerton series, Bloody Defiance, releases April 10, 2017. The books are Bloody Beginnings, Bloody Consequences, Bloody Defiance, and finishes with Bloody Endings. The titles all came rather easily to me, except Bloody Defiance. I waffled back and forth trying to come up with just the right “D” word. It started as Desires, but that didn’t fit the book quite right. Then it went to Decisions and ultimately Defiance, because the main character, Izzy, finally grows a back bone and becomes just that, defiant.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I frequently write with music or television playing in the background. I like having some sort of white noise. My favorite place is curled up with a blanket and a large mug of coffee or hot chocolate, sitting before a roaring fire. During summer months I’ll find a place where most of my body is in the sun, but my laptop is nicely covered so I can still see my screen without too much glare.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think you write what you read. As a kid I read and wrote a lot of fantasy, getting my inspiration from the Dragonlance chronicles and the like. As I grew older, my tastes broadened, and I fell in love with Paranormal and Urban Fantasy. Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series was the first in a long line of books, particularly those with a strong female lead. Some of my favorites are: Karen Marie Moning (Fever series), Keri Arthur, and Patricia Briggs.

What are you working on now?
I’m finishing out the Isabella Howerton series and working on side stories with a few favorite characters. Then I have another series idea in the works, but that’s probably a year or two down the road.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My newsletter gets the first scoop on new releases, but after that I promote to my site, including my blog, Twitter and Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and read a lot! Don’t stop reading because you get so busy writing. I’ve found myself stuck in a rut, and when that happens I pick up a new book. It helps get ideas flowing again, even when reading a book that is a completely different genre. I believe stories are about the people, the characters, and no matter the genre, that’s what’s important.
My second big piece of advice is to make friends with other authors. Even if it’s just one to start out. Find another author (doesn’t have to be anyone big) and chat with them, follow their Facebook, ask for advice. Don’t be afraid. Most authors are open to helping each other out!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up and follow your dream! I think many people lose sight of their own personal dreams, because life just gets in the way. No matter what your dream is, go for it.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading the Creepy Hollow series by Rachel Morgan, currently on book 2. Also Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs and Delayed Departures by Terri Reid. I tend to read multiple books at a time, especially when they’re in a series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on a novella for a boxed set with 20 other authors. So far it has been an exciting and rewarding journey, and it has only just begun. I also hope to finish up this series so I can get to work on the next one, which I have been making notes about for a couple years now, just waiting for the opportunity to really sit down and write it.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Wow, that might be one of the hardest questions ever! I love to read, and I love variety. If it was only 3 or 4 books, I’d probably want an entire series, like Karen Moning’s Fever series (the first part). I’m also a big fan of the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy, so that’d be pretty high on my list. But if I had to choose just one, it would probably by Raymond E. Feist’s original Rift War series. It has elements of fantasy and sci fi, as well as just a touch of romance.

Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Hysell Website
Laura Hysell Amazon Profile

Laura Hysell’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account