Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Tristan Echolls has been working as an IT-professional for over 7 years. As usual, with the career growth, high workload came. Tristan started to chill out playing Poker. The very first problem Tristan encountered was the absence of specialized literature that would be clear and easy-to-read for beginners. Thus, as a person with math education, he decided to approach the Poker game as a scientist. Tristan quickly became a champion among his friends and colleagues. In the course of time, Poker became his passion, hobby and the only source of income.
And now, Tristan is sharing his knowledge to You, proposing his Poker book for beginners! Learn more by checking out his new book “Poker Winner’s Mindset: No Limit Hold’Em Practical Guide”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Poker Winner’s Mindset: No Limit Hold’Em Practical Guide

What are you working on now?
Advanced poker guide and guide for online poker

Author Websites and Profiles
Tristan Echolls Amazon Profile

Tristan Echolls’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book, although I’ve been writing articles on health and self-care for nearly a decade. I spent years struggling with anorexia. In Hungry for Life, I take readers through my skewed thoughts and behaviors, so that you get a rare inside view of the often misunderstood mind of an anorexia sufferer. Readers learn how I went from a well-loved child, to a 69-pound college graduate on her death bed, and finally to a healthcare practitioner and teacher of wellness and self-care.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Several years ago, I made a quick decision to begin scribbling down my story. I wasn’t sure why at the time, though it was partially an attempt to make sense of my turbulent past, and a quest for catharsis. But in retrospect, I believe what compelled me to write was the frustration over feeling misunderstood with regards to my illness. I was driven by a burning need to cut through all the misconceptions and assumptions surrounding anorexia, and reveal the complexity and seriousness of this mental disorder.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Since this story was difficult to for me to write, I had the habit of crying while typing, which was a problem because my tears blurred my vision and I couldn’t see the screen!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was inspired by the memoirs of Michael J. Fox, Steve Martin, and J. D. Vance. I also learned a lot from Stephen King’s On Writing.

What are you working on now?
I am writing articles for Recovery Warriors, and I am about to begin work on my Hungry for Life audiobook!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Getting reviews and selling books on Amazon.com. It pays to increase your ranking on Amazon so you get more exposure.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do what you’re passionate about. The laundry and the dishes can wait.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That’s a tough one. Probably my husband’s advice – close the laptop and go to bed.

What are you reading now?
The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture. I’m actually listening to the audiobook read by the author, Glen Weldon. He is hilarious and his impersonations are impeccable.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m thinking of making a collection of essays out of my many massage therapy and health-related 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?
How to Survive on a Deserted Island by Tim O’Shei
Boatbuilding for Beginners (and Beyond) by Jim Michalak
And perhaps The Magicians by Lev Grossman, for when I need a break from surviving and boatbuilding.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rachel Richards Website
Rachel Richards Amazon Profile

Rachel Richards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always had a vivid imagination and my love of writing dates back to first grade where creative writing was part of the weekly schedule. I started writing novels when I was thirteen, though I admit that they weren’t worthy of publication at the time.

Although I have a degree in history, I prefer to write epic fantasy novels. To me it allows my imagination to run more freely, while also letting me incorporate historically inspired events and cultures. I thoroughly enjoy world building with geography, history, cultures, politics, economy, religion, etc. Honestly, what I have in my books is not nearly everything I know about my worlds. Currently the ROYAL OUTLAW trilogy (ROYAL OUTLAW, GILDED CAGE, GOLDEN CROWN) are my only published fantasy novels, but I’m hard at work writing more!

A few years ago, I discovered some faded handwritten pages in a cupboard and was astonished as I read to discover the adventures one of my ancestors had experienced. What a fascinating life Philip Becher led! Although it took some time to figure out who the writer was and his relation to me, in addition to typing up and editing Philip’s rough draft, the memoir eventually became ADVENTURES OF AND ENGLISH GENTLEMAN IN THE EARLY AMERICAN WEST.

I love teaching and hope to soon be a full-fledged teacher encouraging students to follow their dreams and filling them with knowledge. I am a true mountain girl, who loves cross-country and downhill skiing, hiking, bike riding, and horseback riding. Somehow I find time to write and hope to have more books published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The ROYAL OUTLAW trilogy is my first series and the only one currently available. The nugget of the idea came to me when I was fifteen. I was watching a documentary series on U.S. western exploration and imagined what it would be like if a teenage girl had accompanied her father on an expedition. Now, if you read the synopsis for ROYAL OUTLAW, you’ll say, “What are you talking about?” That first idea of a girl joining her father on an early expedition westward was where the story started, but over the next three years it developed into something entirely different, set in a fantastical land, by the time I started writing it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I hear voices . . . okay, not literally, but the characters tell their own stories, leaving me irritated and surprised sometimes. I may try to plan a book or series, but once I start writing the characters take over and I am left at their mercy. I am a very organized person in life and like to plan, but my writing process is not necessarily orderly. I move chronologically through the story, but sometimes even I am blindsided by a sudden twist in the story. It’s exciting, but does mean I have to comb the text for inconsistencies during the editing process and means I need to write the entire series before I publish the first book. I know, that is very naughty of me, but that’s the way my writing works.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Where do I even begin? I’ll throw out only a few, since the long list might make your eyes cross in an effort to read it. My favorite fantasy novels are the Tortall Books by Tamora Pierce and ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine. I love Kristen Cashore’s books GRACELING and FIRE and I grew up with HARRY POTTER. Jennifer A. Nielson’s books (The ASCENDANCE Trilogy and MARK OF A THIEF Trilogy), Cinda Williams Chima (The SEVEN REALMS Quartet), and Maria V. Snyder (POISON STUDY series) are more recent favorites and inspirations. History itself is one of my biggest influences, after all it is a story, too.

What are you working on now?
Uh, so I admit to being bad. I’m working on two separate series.

The first I’m working on is a trilogy and I am nearing the climax of the second book. I can provide a few specific details for this series. It starts with the main character being killed. I know, a cheerful beginning. After serving Death for nearly two-hundred-fifty years, escorting recently dead souls to Death’s Kingdom, the main character is returned to life. That’s all I’m giving you.

The second series is a duology (two books) and I’m finished with the first book, but haven’t started writing the second. I can’t really say much about it without giving away key parts. It involves looking at the reality of people in history instead of just the myth, dark magic creeping back into a land free from almost all magic for centuries, and deals with social tension and prejudices.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am horrible at promoting my books. I am pleased to have received several excellent reviews for my ROYAL OUTLAW trilogy and my great-great-grandfather’s memoir that I edited and published under the title ADVENTURES OF AN ENGLISH GENTLEMAN IN THE EARLY AMERICAN WEST, but I deserve an “F” for marketing. My goal to publishing was to share my stories with other people, but I need to do a better job of letting people know they exist.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Practice, patience, and perseverance. The only way to improve your writing is to write and to write a lot. You have to love writing and want to write for yourself. It is okay to take major ideas from your favorite novels or movies and write about them in the practice phase. The patience comes with realizing that not all of the work you create will be published. Think of each new story you write as a stepping block to being published. Once you believe that you have reached a writing level that is good enough to be published (and others agree) start to query agents. This is a time of perseverance. Don’t let one rejection letter discourage you. The publishing business is very subjective and if you are writing fantasy there are few agents willing to even look at proposed books from unknown authors. Don’t discount self-publishing, but be sure your book is really ready for publication before you pursue that option.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write because you love to write, not to make money.

What are you reading now?
MARK OF A THIEF by Jennifer A. Nielsen

What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning how to market my published works better and keep writing.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to Survive on a Desert Island and How to Escape the Island” would be mandatory, though I don’t think such a specific book exists. I would take ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine and FIRE by Kristin Cashore. I would also take a large blank book to write stories in and notes for survival.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kayla Hudson Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
There’s nothing too extravagant about me. I work in management consulting and have a wife and to children. My free time is spent practicing Muay Thai, reading and writing. So far, I have two novels and a one short story, or a novelette, published. My first self-published work is Strip Club Shooting out now on Amazon. This is a new channel for me and I’m very excited to see how this all works out.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Strip Club Shooting. The inspiration came, sadly, from the terrorist attacks we’ve seen happening all over the world. Perhaps most notable the Paris incident. This prompted me think around the reactions of the individuals trapped inside and what if there was something more going on during those few painful minutes than what meets the eye.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Maybe less unusual, but I tend to do my writing while commuting on a train. And when that is not an option, then I have to do the multitasking thing where I pretend to watch TV with my wife, while in reality typing silently away.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Difficult to say. I read every genre and from all over the world. Older pieces as well. Perhaps they’ve all had some kind of influence.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a bit of a different type of story right now. I don’t even know the right genre for it! And I don’t really want to jinx it at this stage. All I’m willing to say is that it goes beyond the realm of the living.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep at it. There’s a reason everyone keeps telling its hard. But if you want to finish your work, you will, if you just keep at it long enough.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writers write.

What are you reading now?
Catch-22

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the book I’m working on right now and start planning the plot and characters of yet another.

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?
Easy. Count of Monte Cristo and Robinson Crusoe. The last one i would write myself as I would finally have plenty of time to do so.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paulus Maasalo Website
Paulus Maasalo Amazon Profile

Paulus Maasalo’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Aldrin Mathew and I am from Palakkad, Kerala, India. I am a Student and I am the Author of TIME TRAVEL EXPERIENCES which deals with 3 Different Topics – Psychological Aspects about Life, Mathematical Approach on Numbers, Scientific Aspects of Time Travel – in 3 Different Sections……. (It is my First and Only Book)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Name of my Latest book is TIME TRAVEL EXPERIENCES. Time can neither be called a Hero, nor a Villain – because it is both. Almost all of us might have had a Negative Experience with Time in your Life. Well, at least mine was a bit too Exciting and Fascinating.
What that started as a Lame Attempt to share a few bits of Information, later became One of the most Exciting Endeavours of my Life…….

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
That’s an Interesting Question! I always write from my Experiences. And I do have an Unusual Habit – my Ideas are best served when I write at the very moment of getting that Idea or just after I am Inspired. Then it will be like a Continuous Flow of Words from my Mind. And I enjoy that…….

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I will mention a few books I really loved reading:
“Wings of Fire” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
“The Story of My Life” by Helen Keller
“The Boy who came back from Heaven” by Alex Malarkey & Kevin Malarkey
“The Count of Monte Cristo” – Alexandre Dumas
“Evans tries an O-Level” by Colin Dexter
“Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo
Almost all Jules Verne titles

What are you working on now?
Well, nothing much. I am looking forward to Advertise and Promote my Book as much as Possible. There haven’t yet been any Sales in Amazon and that just makes me a little nervous.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The Abstract answer to that Question is that, there is no Specific site to Advertise or Promote books. Every Available Option is a Potential Promotion Platform – still I go for only a few. But some sites like Facebook, Goodreads… might serve to be a better Option……. If you have some cash, then try Google Adwords…….

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For Indie Authors I have a lot to say, but for now I am saying only a few things. You will probably feel that your “Content is King” and that your Book will sell a Million copies within a month or two – it’s because most of us are writing out of our Inspiration. You have to Stop Expecting things about the Sales of your Books and soon as you Publish your Book, you have to start Promoting it continuously.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be a Pillar of this Universe – if you are not even trying, then you are proving to others that you are a Waste in this World (This is a Personal Advice from me that I give to myself in some situations).

What are you reading now?
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho (About to Start)

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my Book as much as I can is one of my Plans. I am looking forward to Re-Publish the Book with some acclaimed Publishing House and I am also going to Translate the Book into my Native Language.

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 BIBLE
“The Boy who came back from Heaven” by Alex Malarkey & Kevin Malarkey
“Les Miserables” by Victor Hugo
“My Experiments with Truth” by Mahatma Gandhi
“The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank

Author Websites and Profiles
Aldrin Mathew Website
Aldrin Mathew Amazon Profile
Aldrin Mathew Author Profile on Smashwords

Aldrin Mathew’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wrote three books but retired the first one. It had every mistake you can make and I consider it my writer’s education (along with Writer’s Digest–can I do a plug? I’m not affiliated).

I graduated from the University of Kansas in Advertising and Editorial Art when they still had an art department. At thirty, I was an older student, unusual at the time. A saying going around was “Don’t trust anyone over thirty.” It took a year and a half to get my first professional job, living on temp jobs.

My records are in the school of Architecture, but you ask me to design a house at your own risk. My resume includes Editorial Assistant on a military magazine.

Mother to one son, and grandmother to five grandchildren–four well on their ways to building their own dynasties. One subject (Stewart) came into the world 2/27/17–tiny, red, and beautiful.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Martha’s Sister, Beloved Prodigal is my latest book. It’s the one I’m offering here. I read some biblical fiction that dealt with the times without researching it. If successful, Martha’s Sister, Beloved Prodigal will cause the reader to feel the cobble stoned streets under his/her feet, and smell the donkeys. These were real people. There is no shouting from the mountain tops among these people. They hurt, laugh, grieve. How does it feel to stand there and watch a man, so long in the tomb you expect a strong odor, to walk out in to the arms of his sisters? Do you believe your own senses?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a child I read all the time and that habit continued all my life. How can I choose one? After I read a book I may talk that way for a while, so I suppose that is the writer’s influence.

What are you working on now?
Nothing new at this time. I’m concentrating and getting this one out there. Don’t ask me where “there” is. It’s a learning process.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start early. Many reviewers want the book four months in advance. Once the book is published is too late. While writing, edit, edit, edit. Get other eyes to look at it, preferably tough eyes–no one who is afraid to offend you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is God, you will be saved.”

What are you reading now?
The internet. Everything I can find on how to promote a book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I’ll go take a nap. This is hard 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?
The Bible. The Girl Scout Manuel, and “How to Cook with Leaves and Bugs.” Has anyone written that yet?

Author Websites and Profiles
Patricia Annalee Kirk Website

Patricia Annalee Kirk’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Crazy!: That Time I Cried for Three Years is my debut book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Crazy!: That Time I Cried for Three Years. I think the inspiration for that is pretty in-your-face from the title, but still… I compiled a book of poetry to represent what it was like living with mental illness during the worst period of my life. I started writing poetry when I was 13. I was struggling with an eating disorder at the time and even after all these years, writing is still my outlet. I wanted to publish something very personal as my debut because I wanted my readers to know who I was. I’m a very “what you see is what you get” kind of girl.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My most unusual writing habit is probably the fact that I either can write a full 40 pages in one sitting or I won’t write for months. I have to be inspired to write. It’s an art for me. So if there’s no inspiration, it comes out bland and inauthentic.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influence has probably been Sylvia Plath. Ariel is such a beautiful and heartbreaking collection of poetry. I love her so much.

What are you working on now?
I’m actually working on two things right now – an album for which I wrote and composed all the music and a screenplay! I don’t want to give too much away but I think they’re both electrifying.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use social media mostly. I built somewhat of a platform because of my strong opinions. I’m able to promote because of that.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I want to stress the importance of staying true to your vision. It can be difficult to write sometimes. A lot of people want to play things safe.
Don’t play it safe. Be bold.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It actually came from the producer on my album. He said that people respond to authenticity. So, I try to be extremely authentic in everything I do.
It’s worked so far.

What are you reading now?
I’m rereading Thirteen Reasons Why for the billionth time. I still think it’s brilliant.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My album comes out this summer! I consider that my writing project currently because I did write every single lyric and note on it. Then I plan to finish my screenplay. After that, who knows? I’ll be graduating from Berklee College of Music next May with a degree in songwriting so I’ll probably be doing more of that, but I’m open to doing any and everything that gives me some inspiration.

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 GOD that’s tough, haha. Um, probably A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, and House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

Author Websites and Profiles
Lorelei R. Website

Lorelei R.’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Donna Mae Smith, born Donna Mae Grigelis. As I write, I look over the lovely Southwestern Branch of the Severn River and realize I was lucky growing up a waterman’s daughter here on Virginia’s Mobjack Bay. I enjoyed a barefoot and bamboo fishing pole carrying youth.

After years of living away, I returned home. Here I have been happy with a career selling real estate while continuing to travel and enjoy family, gardening, wildlife, and writing.

Please watch for my new adventures to read and share. I have much to share with you.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kitty Born at Sea: A Kitty Adventure is my first book published. It was inspired by two of my favorite things, the water and my cats, Maxine and Riley.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well, as a child, I suppose the books Heidi and My Father’s Dragon influenced me the most. As an adult, I like the fictional adventures of Clive Cussler.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a second Kitty Adventure. Of course, I am constantly opening files and adding notes to other works that wait in line to be finished.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Being so new, I have yet to establish an answer. That very question led me here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Experience everything twice. The first time might be deceiving.

What are you reading now?
Political opinions

What’s next for you as a writer?
My short term goal is to have three or four Kitty Adventures written in 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?
Plato: The Complete Works, The Complete Work of Shakespeare, the Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
Donna Mae Smith Website
Donna Mae Smith Amazon Profile

Donna Mae Smith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi everyone, I’m Lian and I am the author of the Silver Moon novels. For several years I worked as an archaeologist, specialising in religious archaeology, which was inspired by my deep love for mythology. This is probably why my books feature so many different legends and creatures. At the moment, I have three novels published, with several more due to be released this year.

I am also the founder of Beautiful World Escapes, a travel brand with over 22 travel guides published on Amazon and more on their way!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book published is Temptation of the Dhampir: A Silver Moon Novel (Book Two). Initially, the first book, Temptation of the Wolf, was only meant to be a stand-alone book, but as I was writing it, I realised there was far more to Luna than what I first saw. There is something about her that calls to me – maybe because some of her issues, such as being abandoned and not feeling loved, are issues that I have dealt with (although I wouldn’t mind sexy werewolves and dhampirs after me for a change!). However, I realised she was somewhat like a butterfly – she was transforming before my eyes and I just cannot stop until she has realised her true identity.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to listen to two types of music – traditional Chinese music with haunting melodies or thunderstorms. Both relax me that the words just flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influencers over the years were Christopher Pike (I loved how much mythology he incorporated into his books and, as an archaeologist, that he actually had used the correct information!), Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurrel K Hamilton, and indie author, Jaymin Eve.

What are you working on now?
At the moment, I’m working on Temptation of the Moon: A Silver Moon Novel (Book Three), where Luna is going to face a different type of temptation whilst trying to figure out who she wants to be with permanently.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth by readers who love my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop writing. There will be days when you want to scream at the computer, throw it out the window, and hang up your writing fingers but don’t do it! Don’t listen to those negative voices in your head. people who put you down for working on your book are just jealous because they don’t have what it takes, but you do. It can be hard – incredibly hard – but keep pounding those keys, create magic and mayhem on the screen and you will get there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t listen to other people’s negativity.

What are you reading now?
Jaymin Eve’s books – OMG, I am in love with the characters she creates. I’m not generally a Young Adult reader, but she has me hooked.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several books due this year – book three of the Silver Moon novels, a dark thriller book set in modern-day Beijing, two contemporary interracial romance books set in Hong Kong and Beijing, and a new paranormal romance series set in Southern England.

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?
Jaymin Eve’s Walker series and anything by Laurrel K Hamilton and Christopher Pike.

Author Websites and Profiles
L S Slayford Website
L S Slayford Amazon Profile

L S Slayford’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have published two novels with Twigboat Press. I wrote one contemporary (65K words) to see if I could write novels and then one in the fantasy genre (118K words) to see if I could sell them. I may one day go back and revise my first novel, but the plot needs . . . serious tweaking. The fantasy novel is roaring out the gate.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Broken Wizards, the first novel in The Artifice Mage Saga: a fantasy steampunk brawl of metal vs. magic where sorcery is bloody, science is greasy, and nobody’s hands are clean. I was inspired by my father’s tool collection and wandering through his workshop as a boy, wondering what all the knobs and gears were for (and injuring myself more than once trying to find out). So I wrote a book about an artificer, a genius expert on gears and machinery, who gets exiled to a land of wizards and magic where all his vaunted knowledge is useless.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to compare my writing to folding a sword. I create books like a Japanese blacksmith crafts swords. I pound out a story. Then I fold it over on itself, add some details, and pound it again. Over and over until the lines are crisp, the flow is smooth, and the wit is sharp.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, authors aplenty and their books: McCaffrey, Patterson, Heinlein, Crichton, Doyle, Poe, Schmitz, Eddings, Flint, Weber, Jordan . . .

What are you working on now?
I am starting a companion series to The Artifice Mage Saga, which will feature a series of fantasy police procedurals: Defenders of the Empire. It looks at the lives of the poor knight-cops who have to hunt down rogue mages, placing a minor character from Broken Wizards center stage.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had wonderful luck with targeted Facebook ads so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sit in that chair. Finish the book. Start hunting for alpha readers (those who critique while you’re writing) and beta readers (those who critique when you’ve finished) before or during the writing process.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Persistence trumps skill. Keep working at it.

What are you reading now?
I am working through David Weber’s Safehold series and Eric Flint’s Ring of Fire series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Balance my time between writing the future novels and promoting the past ones.

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?
Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein and The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I’ve read those multiple times over the years, so I wouldn’t mind being stuck with them when it’s desert island time.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jeffrey Bardwell Website

Jeffrey Bardwell’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written three books so far and working on my fourth. I strive to have my books contain the love aspect, whether it’s a friendship, self love, or love for a romantic partner.

It may be the Fantasy writer in me, but I look at the world for more than what it is. I enjoy people watching, and for some reason, whenever I look at a person, the writer in me wonders what type of animal they look like. When I’m listening to my music while out for a walk, people passing by are dancing to the music. I love talking to strangers, despite being told not to as a child. I dance to my own beat, not caring what others think. I’m a romantic and a softie at heart and cry at tender moments in movies. Hallmark commercials get me to tears every time.

Everyone should be kind to strangers, and look for any level of kindness in others. I do my best to do this myself, even to the most mean person I meet. I’ve seen the positive effect it has countless times, and strive to have others do the same.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Of Beasts and Raven is my latest work, which I am in the midst of writing. When I sat down to write the concepts of this book, and what next challenge my protagonist would face, I kept thinking about the Holy Trinity, Heaven and loved ones who passed away. I was brought up Roman Catholic, which means bible study, Sunday School, and church. I believe in Angels, God and the afterlife. I was meditating one day and wondered what it would be like to visit Heaven, talk to Jesus, and have time with a loved one who passed away. What would heaven look like to me? What would I say when I met Jesus? Who would I meet?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t write without a pot of coffee and my dry eraser board. If I have an idea or part of the story I need to focus on, I have to see it on the wall. My dry eraser board is a step up from the various pages taped to my wall.

The coffee may seem cliché’ but honestly, without my coffee on a Saturday and Sunday morning when I sit down to write, I can’t think. When I’m stuck on a section of my work, taking a walk outside while surrounded by nature, clears my head and opens up my creative juices.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors who have influenced me are Shakespeare, Stoker, Tolkein, Austin, and Rowling. Each author has their own unique voice, and how they share their stories capture my imagination. I love their style and ability to capture readers hearts.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on book three of the Wendael Series, OF Beasts and Raven, which ties up the story of the characters Raina, Charles, and Lanai. Raina is the main focus of this book, focusing as she faces her next challenge. She has a mission from the Goddess, which tests her faith, her friendships, and the rules of society, even though it’s for the greater good. She finds herself facing questions of morality in regards to the antagonist: Maven, a man who is against the societal norm which harms the citizens of the realm of Wendael.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Each person finds a method that works for them, depending on their network. Some are successful with virtual blog tours, others at pod-cast interviews, while others market on websites aimed at readers. For me, it’s the face-to-face marketing that works best. I find people like to ask questions, share their thoughts, what they like, and what they know. I love seeing their eyes light up. The face to face human interaction is more personal, and potential readers enjoy getting to know authors.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn all you can. There is so much free information out there, and never stop learning how to write, to hone your craft, and show the world what you have to offer. Learn your own marketing, book cover creating, and don’t be afraid to talk to people about you and your work. Always carry business cards with you, because you never know when you might meet a new reader. Stick to about two social media platforms, along with your own website.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve read and heard is to be myself as an author. When writing my books, my author’s voice is essentially a part of who I am. To walk the unbeaten path in sharing my art, to show the world my visions and stories is a part of the unique person I am. Each person is a unique individual, and somewhere out there, someone will read my blog posts, or one of my books and can see it’s okay to be who you truly are.

What are you reading now?
Dracula by Bram Stoker. I enjoy reading this along with the other classics. There’s something about how grammar and story telling used to be which isn’t done today. Despite the growth and evolution of writing styles, the classics always have me coming back.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to someday gain a publishing contract with a traditional publisher and write as a full time author. This is my greatest goal and ambition. Someday I wish to see my books turn into a movie.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were stranded on a desert island, I would bring one book which outlines survival: building shelter, gardening, and the like. I would make sure I have the bible to read so I can retain my faith that things will work out. Of course my book The Great American Poets is a must, with Whitman, Dickenson, and Frost. Poetry and music go hand in hand, and I can’t live without them. The final book would be Gone With the Wind, so when times are rough, I can ask myself, “What would Scarlet do?”

Author Websites and Profiles
M J Natali Website
M J Natali Amazon Profile

M J Natali’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Illinois in a community known as the Quad Cities, which, confusingly, is actually five cities in Illinois and Iowa. I graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 2014 with a degree in education. I still live in the Quad Cities where I teach English and American literature at a local high school.

I spend way too much time on Pinterest, and I love trying out crafty hobbies like sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and painting. I also love traveling. I have traveled a lot with my family, and I’m looking forward to traveling overseas with a group of students this summer.

Avalon: Princess, which was published in December 2016, is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Avalon: Princess. It is the first in a children’s fantasy adventure series. It took me many years to actually published it. I was first inspired to write it when I read an abridged version of Le Morte d’Arthur for a British Literature class in college. I was fixated on this idea that the mortally wounded King Arthur was taken to the land of fairies (Avalon) and never seen again. I wanted to know what happened to him.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say it’s unusual, but my most productive time as a writer is in November when I participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) every year. I love the organization, and I always encourage my students to participate as well.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have read a lot of books in my life, and I feel that all of them have probably influenced me in some way, but one author and series that affected my life the most would have to be J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was the first book that I actually looked forward to reading on my own as a child, and that love of reading has changed my life for the better.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Avalon: Crown, which is the sequel to Avalon: Princess. Without spoiling too much of the first book, it will continue to follow Jade with a focus on the issues that arise when the citizens of Avalon don’t agree with the actions of the King.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Goodreads. I used it as a reader even before I became a writer.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s probably been said a million times, but keep writing. You write a novel one word at a time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.” – Beverly Cleary

What are you reading now?
Most recently, I finished reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I just started reading Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

What’s next for you as a writer?
For now, I plan to focus on the Avalon series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’m going to have to refer to the words of Neil Gaiman on this one. “Picking five favorite books is like picking the five body parts you’d most like not to lose.”

Author Websites and Profiles
S.R. Ahuja Website
S.R. Ahuja Amazon Profile

S.R. Ahuja’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 an action/adventure thriller novelist. I write the kind of books I love to read. Fast paced and action packed with a touch of romance and a dash of humor. I have eight thrillers currently available in print and eBook formats. My ninth is due to release this month on April 25, 2017.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest thriller will release on April 25. Voice of Vengeance is the third volume of my fantasy thriller series, Kingdom of Destiny. The series is my first dip into the fantasy genre. I was inspired to create my own alternate world featuring epic castles and daring warriors. I saw a picture of a towering castle in Europe and immediately began wondering who would have lived there. And so the Kingdom of Destiny was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I believe each writer has his or her own system. I’m not sure if this is unusual or not, but I do tend to hit a point in each first draft where my story takes a drastic turn. My plot can sometimes change completely, and I have to try again from the beginning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always loved the characters that come from the imagination of Nora Roberts. She writes amazing, believable characters you love immediately. I also love the way Dan Brown can weave a conspiracy. Masterful.

What are you working on now?
I am currently writing a time travelling thriller.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found Amazon to be the best route for me personally to this point.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Rejection is inevitable. The most important thing for you to do is just keep writing. You will improve with each attempt.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writers write. If you want to be a writer, keep writing, and you have accomplished your goal.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a romantic thriller by Melinda Leigh on my Kindle.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to continue to grow as a writer and continue to write. If one day I make it to that coveted New York Times Bestseller list, I would be ecstatic.

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, Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, Three Fates by Nora Roberts, and Temple by Matthew Reilly.

Author Websites and Profiles
Andi Neal Website
Andi Neal Amazon Profile
Andi Neal Author Profile on Smashwords

Andi Neal’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hej!
I am Nina Engstrand. I was born in Finland and live in Stockholm, Sweden since 1995.
I love sitting in cafes, outdoor life, reading, personal development, and travelling.
I started my career as a language teacher in Finland and then I moved to service sales, education, and partner management positions in the global IT industry based in Sweden. 2015 I decided to leave my fulltime job. First thing I did was to go on the Camino de Santiago, the 500 mile long walk in Northern Spain. That experience changed my life and I decided to go for my dream and my purpose. I wanted to work with something that is developing and meaningful to me and to others, to be flexible where and when I work. In 2017 I published the first book, togheter with Terry Belmont, I started my own coaching practice and co-founded an app for personal growth. I hold a master of science degree from Åbo Akademi, Finland, and an executive MBA from the Stockholm School of Economics. I love my life and am so excited about being a published author!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Get Unstuck
10 Tools of Wisdom that Help You Achieve Greater Love, Energy and Growth

We, Nina and Terry, walked the Camino de Santiago, the 500-mile trail in northern Spain where people from all over the world walk, experience, and connect as they follow the yellow arrows. These arrows point out the clear directions on one’s journey. When one loses a clear direction in life, it’s easy to get stuck. The reasons why we get stuck will differ, but the answers we seek to become unstuck are universal. In this book we share our own stories as well as stories from people all over the world about how we all managed to transition from a frozen situation into a new fulfilled life. We have gathered the wisdom into ten powerful and actionable tools that will help you find your own yellow arrows and get moving in the right direction.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing in cafes. Being in nice cafes is like a mini-travel for me and I get very inspired and focused in a cafe and that is why I do a lot of writing in cafes. I do not know if that is unusal maybe its just my usual habits

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Eckhart Tolle, The power of Now
Märta Tikkanen
Lena Andersson

What are you working on now?
We are working on the marketing of our book and establishing us as coaches.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Learn from of others who have done this before.
Like Mimi Emmanuel, “The Holy Grail of Book Publishing”
Ray Brehm, “The Author Startup”
Chandler Bolt, “Published”
Ashley Emma, “Fearless Author”
or from Dave Chesson from Kindlepreneur

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write and write. Just keep writing. Dont go back and edit until you have done all the writing. Its great to be in the flow and get your thoughts and words to paper. You will have the chance to edit a LOT of times so dont “get stuck” finding the perfect word or sentence when you write. That you or your editor can do later. And finish! Its easy to strive for perfection so you never have a finished book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be present (in here and now)!

What are you reading now?
I am reading Ryan Holidays: Growth Hacker Marketing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
We are focusing on building a coaching business based on the 10 Tools of Wisdom in our book and also to find out what´s the next for us as writers.

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 Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
the Universe has your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein
the 4-hour work week by Timothy Ferriss

Author Websites and Profiles
Nina Engstrand Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since 2012, but as a kid, I’d always wanted to write. I got married young and had a houseful of babies, and then one day I decided to take my dream of becoming an author seriously. I started writing a book, which quickly turned into plans for a trilogy. Destiny was released in Nov 2013 and Synchrony followed April 2014. Then I got a divorce and writing was put on hold for about two years. I got remarried June of 2016 and that fall I began writing once more. I have decided to rewrite my trilogy into a nine book series and I’ve been working on that for the past several months.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called It Was You. It should be releasing sometime this summer. The fall of 2014 I lived in Atlanta and I did a lot of background acting work for some of the big time film companies that have taken up residence in the area. I ended up in 17 various film productions and lived off of the money I made from extra work. IT WAS YOU is inspired by that time in my life. It’s about a struggling 19 yr old actress who ends up falling for the lead of the tv show she’s been cast in as an extra. It’s a fun story. I really enjoyed reliving my time in the film world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to get really sucked into my writing. When I’m especially in the zone I begin to feel like I am my character, even in the real world. It makes for authentic writing, but it can be kind of strange when you’re in your 30s and you’re running around squealing like a 15-year-old all the time!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephanie Meyer. I saw her success as a young mom and I said, “If she can do it, then so can I!” I loved her Twilight series and it renewed my love of reading.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the rewrite of my trilogy into the 9 book series. It’s hard, slow work because I have to come up with story and character arcs for a third of each book, and it makes my head hurt sometimes. I’ve finished the first book and now I’m just starting the second. It’s my favorite part of the series and I’m really excited to work on it!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Instafreebie! I wrote a short story called How to Begin again from the perspective of my character Hannah from the Destiny Trilogy. It’s just 6 pages long, but I included the first two chapters of Destiny at the end of the book with links to read the rest on KindleUnlimited. Every time someone downloads the short story for free they sign up for my newsletter and are fed into my automated welcome email sequence where they can get to know my books and me on a more personal level.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and write every day. Don’t give up. Get a webpage set up. Get a facebook page and a Twitter page. Do those things before you even publish a single word. Start building a newsletter list so that when you release your first book you will already have fans lined up, ready to buy.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself and what you’re writing. Don’t allow fear to deter you. Act as if your books are already a huge success. Don’t focus on today. See your book on the shelves at all the stores already. This power will lift your belief from “It hasn’t happened” to “It has happened.”

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading a book called Shatter by Nikki Trionfo. It’s coming out this May, and I’m on her review team. I’m a book reviewer and blogger at cinnamoncindy.blogspot.com and I love promoting other authors!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing on with the rewrite of my series. It’s going to be a long, hard journey. I’d like to join some author boxed sets and put out a few short stories along the way to keep readers engaged with fresh content, but I don’t want to release this rewrite of my series until everything is completed.

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 Mormon/Bible combo. The Complete works of Jane Austen, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, and Destiny.

Author Websites and Profiles
Cindy Ray Hale Website
Cindy Ray Hale Amazon Profile

Cindy Ray Hale’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in the shire county of Northamptonshire, in the heart of England, and even as a child I was accused of having a ‘weird and disturbed’ imagination, but this was a good thing, right?

Unlike a majority of my early peers – who tended towards stories involving superheroes and space roving astronauts – I was drawn towards the darker side of fiction.
Having failed my primary childhood ambition of becoming a werewolf, or vampire (either would have done), I’ve now set to crafting stories of haunted places, shape-shifting monsters, and other monstrosities that make real our nightmares by way of interdimensional rifts, genetic manipulation, and via the curse of ancient, tainted bloodlines.
I am the author of two novels, four novellas, and three short-story collections.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is titled The Strange Case at Misty Ridge, and it is – at least in part – inspired by a house my family lived in when I was a child. Although the story is a work of fiction, many of the bizarre happenings in the book correlate directly to events during our time living at Myrtle House.

There is actually a stand-alone chapter at the back of the book, wherein I talk about growing up at Myrtle House.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I drink plenty of coffee when I’m writing – probably way too much of it if I’m being honest. When I am working, I tend to write in short sprints of twenty-five minutes. This is to say: I write flat out for twenty-five minutes. Then I’ll take a ten minute break, walk about a bit, make (another) cup of coffee, make some phone calls etc. Anything that gets me out the chair for a few minutes. Then rinse-and-repeat: another sprint, another break, then so-on-and-so-forth.
Writing can be a dangerously sedentary career, so you have to manage it correctly. After I’ve completed two-or-three sprints, I’ll then take the dog out for a good hour or so. I find all of these breaks actually help my productivity. Walking through woodland with your best buddy (which in my case is a Staffordshire terrier named Ralph), it helps in processing your work, nailing down plot points and such.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I could probably list all of the usual inspirational names quoted by horror and dark fiction authors, and with good reason. I have always been an avid reader, and there are many who have played a part in inspiring me to write. If I had to pick out one primary source as an inspiration, then I’d have to go for Richard Matheson. The guy was a genius storyteller.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second draft of a novel titled The Lords of Always, and although it doesn’t directly relate to The Strange Case at Misty Ridge, there are certainly aspects that tie the two stories together.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, until recently I’d never really bothered doing a lot of promotion – I know, my bad! Although, I am a Goodreads author, and I do like to participate on that site, both as a reader and writer.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The amount of people that say to me, “I’d love to write a book, but I just don’t seem to have the time.” Seriously, sit your ass in the chair and write. It’s the only way to get things done.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively”
– Bob Marley

What are you reading now?
The Fisherman by John Langan. I’m really enjoying the book, although I’m guessing John is a fan of Moby Dick.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I need to finish the second draft of The Lords of Always, while at the same time devoting some effort towards getting The Strange Case at Misty Ridge the attention I feel it deserves. I’m really pleased with the story, so it’d be a shame to let it flounder then sink beneath the millions of other books on Amazon.

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?
Hell House by Richard Matheson; Children of Chaos by Greg F. Gifune; and Jerusalem by Alan Moore, which I haven’t read yet, but it is set in my home town, and it’s also a pretty thick volume that’d take a while to read – so likely a good choice if I’m going to be shipwrecked for a while.

Author Websites and Profiles
David Brian Website
David Brian Amazon Profile

David Brian’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a struggling terminally inquisitive narcissist who has published ten novels about the impact of technology change on human relationships, a novella about overcoming life’s labels, and two illustrated children’s readers for kids overcoming challenges.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is World Without Work which explores how people will struggle to overcome and triumph in a society that eliminates half of the jobs through automation.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Most of my novels have been written on airplanes and in hotel rooms as I travelled internationally. Every new work is an exploration for me of different techniques, different writing styles, different narration and perspective. That way no two stories should be similar.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I tend to read anything that’s not moving faster than my eyeballs can track. The person who has had the most influence on my writing is Richard Marek, with whom I worked for two years on The End Game. Richard edited Robert Ludlum’s books including the Bourne series. Those two years were like a graduate course in creative writing.

What are you working on now?
I’m now writing a treatment for something very different.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This one.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a writer’s group to join. Preferably with people who will tell you the truth about your writing, but will be terminal optimists, encouraging you even through the terrible early years.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s better to be known for what you do and your ideas than to know people.

What are you reading now?
Since I’m getting ready to start another novel I’m reading mostly technical papers, and books, attempting to understand the technology of interest and watching a wide range of movies on NetFlix to study reactions from a wide variety of characters.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I wrote 42 screen plays before changing over to novels. I’d like to make Rik’s into a movie.

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?
Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, incredible writing; The screenplay to “Casablanca”, when you read Rik’s you’ll understand; Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak for the human tragedy and love story set against a true revolution; and the Singularity is Near, by Ray Kurzweil which explores my favorite topic, the effects of technology transformation on human relationships. I’ve read all of these multiple times, so would probably sneak in a fifth book I’ve not read yet and I’ll let you guess which one that would be.

Author Websites and Profiles
dh treichler Website
dh treichler Amazon Profile

dh treichler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After serving eighteen years in the British Royal Navy, Carl was medically discharged with a broken back and started his first novel. He had almost completed it when he had to put it aside to earn a living wage. He taught himself Visual Basic and became a computer programmer. Although it paid enough to live on he felt unfulfilled and became unhappy with the rat race. He and his wife decided to move to the Dominican Republic for a slower pace of life.

He started to write GERALD, his second novel. The first draft was completed within six months and went through revision after revision until he had it shining like a new penny. James Wymore saw the novel and championed it through a few more revisions and it will finally be published by Immortal Works as his debut novel.

Since finishing GERALD, Carl has completed the first novel he started and is half way through his third. They are all very different and say a lot about his interests in life. Fantastical worlds, animals and medieval England. When Carl is not writing he rescues animals in need and has even taken that so far as to gain a qualification, Veterinary Assistant.

In Carl’s ideal world he would be writing novels and helping magical creatures such as Dragons, Unicorns and Phoenixes.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Gerald and the amulet of Zonrach. I’ve always love fantasy and also humor. I wanted to write a book or a series of books that I would want to read again and again. My favorite authors happen to be Terry Pratchett and Andrew Buckley, both write hilarious books and they were part of the inspiration for Gerald. The main concept, a wizard’s promotion his in height and the taller you are the more powerful, but I wanted it to not be by natural growth. If you made mistakes you could be demoted inches, which is a problem for the main character as he’s a bit of a clutz. Here is a bit more about Gerald which is due out on May 16th.

In the realm of Wyverndawn, a wizard’s height is the mark of his power, so shrinking an entire inch is disastrous for Gerald.

Looking to gain a few inches, Gerald attempts to create a village landmark using his superior wizarding skills. But the spell he bought — from a guy who knows a guy — is a tad more powerful than he anticipates. The resulting earthquake, hurricane and escape of a very dangerous wizard from prison really weren’t part of the plan.

To add insult to injury, a red-faced Gerald finds himself banished from his village along with the one inch demotion; two more and he’ll join his father as a Royal Equine Poop Disposal Coordinator.

Gerald’s hopes of returning home hinge on repairing the devastation he caused and thwarting the evil wizard’s plans of grasping Wyverndawn for his own. Failure could mean Gerald’s next spell might well be his last.

GERALD AND THE AMULET OF ZONRACH is a humorous fantasy. It is complete at 67,500 words. Similar in tone to Terry Pratchett, readers would enjoy this novel of the trials of an inexperienced wizard who manages to turn everything he touches into chaos.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to have ten dogs laid over and around my feet when writing. As I can’t move when they do this I’m stuck there for a while, so they actually ensure that I get some work done.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My main influences are pretty much who you would expect. Tolkien (obviously), Brandon Sanderson, Terry Pratchett and Andrew Buckley.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the next in the Gerald series, Gerald and the three Princesses. Here is the blurb for that book.

Gerald was rather shocked to find his nose pressed against a two-hundred foot tall tree; the fact that he was supposed to arrive at the Wizards’ Court in Silverfell just goes to show that sticking an amulet into a simple slot isn’t as easy as you would have thought.
He is greeted by a very tall and powerful wizard named Derek who is currently on a quest. A local witch has started kidnapping the king’s daughters. Stealing the witch’s rampion seems to have got her into a lather and her threat of taking any daughter once they reach twelve years of age is not an idle one.
Gerald couldn’t resist agreeing to help, but, as usual, his mouth engaged before his brain and he has now trapped himself and his friends in DeFareyTayl. Much to his chagrin he also finds out that this realm is topsy turvy when it comes to the promotional aspects of the wizarding profession and every time he does well he will shrink an inch.
The only way that Gerald, and his friends, can return to Wyverndawn is to aid Derek in his quest to rescue the princesses, but the price of success might be that Gerald and Colin return home as Royal Equine Poop Disposal Coordinators and the majestic Zach could end up as a newt.
GERALD AND THE THREE PRINCESSES is an upper middle grade fantasy and continues the adventures of the Gerald, our less than capable wizard who is in deep water again. This story follows on from GERALD AND THE AMULET OF ZONRACH published on May 16th 2017 by Immortal Works and is complete at 70,000 words.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use the standard social media outlets that most other people do; Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads etc. I have joined a few groups that are fantasy and middle grade based as well to get my name visible. I’ve also had a couple of school visits which went great and it was amazing to meet potential readers. Hopefully I’m generating some future fans there. I find the marketing aspects of being an author quite difficult and feel as if I’m walking through a morass rather than having a structured plan.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My only real advice is to finish the first draft of what you are working on. Do not go back and edit just keep writing until you get to the end of the story, then go back and start editing and revising. They say that the first draft is for the writer and the edits/revisions are for the the editor. Enjoy the journey through that first draft as that is your time as a writer to enjoy yourself. By the time you’ve revised it ten times and your publisher has pushed you through four or more rounds of edits you will be sick of the sight of your book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The same as above really. Finish it!

What are you reading now?
Hair In All The Wrong Places by Andrew Buckley and I’m also reading through the discworld series by Terry Pratchett. I’m also reading the Kahn series by Conn Iggulden as I love historical fiction. One of the books I’m working at the moment is about an Anglo Saxon boy and is set in 8th century England.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing and bring out more books. My real goal is to obtain representation from a literary agent. This will enable me to concentrate more on the writing side of being an author and I can leave the selling side to him/her. It will also give me a chance to reach the larger publishers who only accept submissions via an agent.

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 Rings, The Hobbit, The Color Of Magic, Stiltskin,

Author Websites and Profiles
Carl Hackman Website
Carl Hackman Amazon Profile

Carl Hackman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I practiced as a lawyer for many years, and in that time I had one book and several articles published in the legal press. The book was called “The Cash Collection Action Kit” and was written jointly with Jane Harrison, my then business partner. I had articles published in the New Law Journal, and on one occasion wrote the editorial article for the Law Society Gazette.

I run a review site for coffeemakers and espresso machines and write for that in order to earn commissions from Amazon.

I have a few non-fiction books on Kindle, written under pen names.

I’ve written plenty of fiction for pleasure, and now I’m looking at it again with a view to improving or enlarging it for publication on Amazon’s Kindle platform, before going on to new ideas.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘Satisfying Natalie’. I sat down at the keyboard one morning with this idea in my head. It goes back a long way to when I took a holiday in an English holiday camp while still in my teens. There were other inspirations as well, and the story gradually took shape as I wrote it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No really unusual writing habits. I have to organize my writing schedule around looking after several chickens. I only write during the week, taking weekends off completely, though I do often keep a notepad and pen handy to write down any ideas that come up, knowing from experience that it’s impossible to remember them at a later time without doing that.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Geoffrey Chaucer, Emily Bronte, Joseph Conrad, Neville Shute, Jean Auel, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Dennis Wheatley, Ira Levin, among many others.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on another short story or novella called ‘Last Number Redial’, a horror story about a young man who buys an old mobile phone that is haunted by a previous owner, and the things that happen to him subsequently.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The only site I know of in this connection is the Author Marketing Club and the various sites they embrace.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My mentor (Angela Booth) says to write every day. I can’t better that.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up. If you have a dream then pursue it and don’t let other people discourage you.

What are you reading now?
A collection of short horror stories from Stephen King called “Nightmares and Dreamscapes”.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To get several short stories published on Amazon, including Kindle.

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 DaVinci Code by Dan Brown, Shogun by James Clavell, Wuthering Heights by Emile Bronte, and The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer.

Author Websites and Profiles
Philip Gegan Website

Philip Gegan’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have loved writing since childhood. Over the last few years I’ve written over a dozen books. When I’m not pecking on the keyboard, you might find me pulling dandelions or walking on one of the outdoor trails in our area. Animal rights and environmental issues rank high on my list of personal passions.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
During my writing endeavors I often found myself creating alternatives for overused words. I saved those word lists in a manual on my computer and developed many into blog posts. Several of my blog followers urged me to publish the lists. I expanded them to produce The Writer’s Lexicon: Descriptions, Overused Words, and Taboos, which received several 5-star reviews in its first week.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A television in my writing room is usually tuned to comedy. Set at low volume, the laughter inspires creativity without interrupting my thought process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up on The Black Stallion, Nancy Drew, and sci-fi. I’ve always enjoyed authors like Rod Serling and Roy Bradbury, as well as the television series inspired by their work. Lois Lowry and her The Giver Quartet came to my attention after I watched the movie starring Jeff Bridges.

What are you working on now?
Zarminixia will soon appear on my list of publishing credits: Science fiction spiked with a splash of humor—including extraterrestrials who enjoy pranking humans.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My blog, Twitter, closed groups on Facebook, and Pinterest have worked well for me. I have just started exploring book promotion sites like Awesomegang.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Overnight successes are rare. Profitable writing careers demand dedication and time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Put your work away for as long as possible between edits. When you read with fresh eyes, the plot holes and typos become obvious.

What are you reading now?
A couple of books by indie authors. Both are first efforts, and I want to reserve details until I’ve had a chance to make informed judgments.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be working on the second volume of The Writer’s Lexicon.

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 [insert name of one of my favorite authors]. A modern-translation Bible. As many notebooks as possible, with a pen, of course.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kathy Steinemann Website
Kathy Steinemann Amazon Profile
Kathy Steinemann Author Profile on Smashwords

Kathy Steinemann’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! Well, I’ve written more books than I’ve had published. I wrote three novels that will never see the light of day. Since then, I’ve published two novels, three novellas, now available bundled in a single volume, and two collections of short stories, now also available bundled in one volume. Wonder Guy is a novel in the Fairy Godmothers’ Union cycle that starts with the series of short stories. Another novel in the Fairy Godmothers’ Union cycle will be published in November.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was just getting to that. The latest, due for release in November, is ‘Holiday Enchantment: Thanksgiving.’ It’s part of a series involving five single women who start a holiday club together so that none of them need be alone for ‘family’ holidays. This first of the Holiday Enchantment series tells the story of Helen, who has been widowed for two years and decides it’s time to move on with her life. She writes a letter of farewell and sends it off to her late husbands email account – and gets a reply. This begins a series of events that lead her on a journey across country and across worlds. Based loosely on the fairy tale ‘East of the Sun, West of the Moon,’ this is a story I love and am looking forward to sharing with my readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually do my first drafts in longhand: pen on paper in spiral notebooks – but I don’t think that’s so unusual. There’s something about feeling the flow of the words through the pen that just seems easier.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My history of reading folk and fairy tales has been a huge inspiration. I’ve read all the Andrew Lang collections of various color Fairy Books, the Arabian Nights, the Brothers Grimm and every other source I could find. Then there are the years of reading more current Science Fiction and Fantasy. I’ve devoured books by Tolkein and CS Lewis, JK Rowling, Andre Norton, Robin Hobb, Christopher Stasheff, Mary Janice Davidson, Darynda Jones, Seanan McGuire and a host of others.

What are you working on now?
Under the name of Laramie Sasseville, I also write for a YA/Middle-Grade Fantasy series. The first in this series, ‘The Winter Knife,’ came out in January. I’m now working on the next book, ‘One of Me is Missing,’ planning a release for this summer. This book has been a lot of fun – the young heroine wants to try her hand at every possible skill, and take ever summer school class available. When her wish is granted, she finds herself split into eight different selves, able to be in as many places at once – it’s all fun an games until she encounters a human trafficking ring and one of her needs to be rescued.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still figuring that out. My rights reverted this year from the publishers who originally published my work, and I’ve been re-releasing them all under my own imprint and learning more about the process of marketing and promotion than I previously imagined there was to know.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, keep reading, solicit constructive criticism and embrace the RE-writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From the movie, “Harvey” with Jimmy Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd, … “in this world you must be oh so very smart or . . . oh so very pleasant. I recommend pleasant.”

Wiser words were never writ.

What are you reading now?
I’ve been reading a series of entertaining novelettes that begin with ‘Outlaws of Olympus’ – a tale in which characters from Greek legend show up in the old west. Imagine Mercury as a gun-slinging, ‘Quicksilver Kid’ and Hercules as an itinerant priest.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same, I hope: writing, revising, and publishing. Once I’ve published ‘One of Me is Missing’ this summer, I plan to get back to writing the second in the Holiday Enchantment series, ‘Yuletide’ so that I can publish it in December, once ‘Thanksgiving’ is out. (‘Thanksgiving’ is basically ready to publish now, but I want to do it closer to its eponymous holiday.)

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 MacBook, if I could bring a solar charger too – so that I could keep writing indefinitely. I’m afraid I’d run out of blank notebooks all too soon. Also a survival handbook suitable to the island’s ecology and a manual that would include Morse code and flag signals. I’m afraid being confined to reading the same work of fiction over and over too often would spoil it for me.

Author Websites and Profiles
Naomi Stone Website
Naomi Stone Amazon Profile

Naomi Stone’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Mumbai, India. I used to write when I was in school and college. I participated in many inter-school competitions and submitted poems to Radio programs. I resumed writing poems 3 years ago. I have published 3 books of poetry – Inspire, Reflect and Explore.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am working on my 4th book of poems Savour. “Savour” has been a journey. In November 2016, during my trip to Jodhpur, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer, I came across artists for whom painting was a passion, not just a profession. The seed to collaborate with them took place in my mind. My publisher suggested I do a complete book of paintings and poetry. I started reaching out to artists – within India and internationally for this collaboration. The artists who agreed are featured in this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I need space to think. I need peace and quiet to delve into my thoughts and write my poems. When I write, I tend to blot out my surroundings.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Poems of various poets have influenced me. The solitary reaper by William Wordsworth, If by Rudyard Kipling, poems by Sarojini Naidu, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhadra Kumar Chauhan, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Maya Angelou, to name a few.

What are you working on now?
I am working on finishing Savour.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am yet to learn the art of promoting my work. I promote by word of mouth, using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and my website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Follow your passion.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to your inner voice.

What are you reading now?
I am an avid reader. I am reading a few fiction, a few poetry and a few management/self-growth books at present.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I follow my heart and my instincts. I keep an eye for opportunities. Hopefully, more contributions to anthologies, and more books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take blank notebooks that I would fill with my thoughts and experiences.

Author Websites and Profiles
Vijaya Gowrisankar Website

Vijaya Gowrisankar’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi. I am writer/filmmaker based in India. I have written many short stories, poems and screenplays so far. This is the first time I am publishing the book of poetry which I am writing since 6 years while wandering on streets of city . Besides that I have made few films as well. Some of them hated by people around me and few of them liked as well . Quite like life I suppose.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Name of the book obviously comes from where you are thinking . But the idea mainly here was to write the stories of the contemporary world and how human beings behave differently in so called new world. Or are human beings as an animal, primarily driven by soul, are no different and will behave in the same way as they are feeling since centuries. Have our concern changed or are we still all the same under the peel of artificiality that we have created . That was one of the idea. Other ideas have came from my personal experience of dealing with the world. Some of them mundane, some of them epic fantasy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to have good smell around me when I am writing . So I’ll burn incense stick to feel that smell which will give me a kick. My mother almost became excited that I have finally became a religious person. I might sometime just spray perfume in the room to get into certain feeling.
Sometimes I listen to 1 song in the loop the whole day to not get out of specific mood which I want. I end up listening the same song for more than 50 times a day only to get into certain mood.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think Charles Bukowski is the primary influence. Love the way he incorporates the sadness and humour together.
Albert Camus, John Fante, Dostoevsky,E. E. Cummings, Rajkamal Chaudhry are among one of my favourite authors.

What are you working on now?
On the script of feature film. Also on the book which is about my experience of meditation and spirituality.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first book . So I am unaware of any such methods.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author too . So not sure if I can give a valuable advice. But I would say to finish the book which you have always dreamt of writing . A book which is somewhere with in you and you don’t know how to articulate or tell someone about it . Write it ! Just write it! You’ll be surprised at how much healing process writing can be.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
By my mentor Amit Dutta : “Please do not ignore the fact that even in a dismal situation, human beings tend to find beauty and happiness; this is a very important point and you may consider it for your work”

What are you reading now?
The Pleasures of the Damned by Charles Bukowski.

What’s next for you as a writer?
No idea as of now . Promotion , may be.

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. White nights – Dostoevsky
2. Love is a dog from Hell – Charles Bukowski
3. Ask the dust -John Fante

Author Websites and Profiles
Anurag Verma Amazon Profile

Anurag Verma’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the proud mother of two beautiful daughters aged 13 and 10 years. I am very passionate about the subject matter of money problems contributing to domestic violence. This is because I am a survivor of domestic violence where money problems, as a result of money illiteracy contributed to the violence which I endured for many years. As such, I consider myself to be a subject matter expert in this area of domestic violence.

In addition, I am also a money literacy educator for kids teaching them about to prepare to become financially fit adults so that they do not fall into the same trap which I fell into.

I have written a book called, Play Your Cards Right for kids. It is a complete and basic money literacy system comprising six flashcards and a worksheet booklet. The complete system is a book designed for parents, teachers and guardians to help them teach their kids about money using a method best known as Bring Nice Wellies But Stay Indoors.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Money: The Root “Curse” of Domestic Violence. I was inspired to write the book because I realised that although I suffered domestic violence because of money and money illiteracy by my husband. I realised that although I was always very savvy with money, I felt that there must be women like me out there who may not be in such a fortunate position as I was in who needed help in create their own wealth by starting small. I felt that this could help women do one of two things. First, creating their own wealth could be their get-out-of-jail-card, or, secondly, a means to help them repair their relationship.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am one of those writers who jots down my ideas in several journals and even on scraps of paper. It’s a kind of organised chaos which works well for me. I’m also a procrastinator and will leave my writing to the very last minute. This works well for me as I am at my most creative when I put myself under such pressure – obviously, for no commonsense reason.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors that have influenced me include but are not limited to Susan Jeffers – Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway. Alice Woods – Saving Is Sexy. Bukola Oriola – A Living Label. Troy Dunn – Young Bucks: How to raise a future millionaire and anything by Dave Ramsey.

What are you working on now?
As I’ve just released two pieces of material back-to-back, I’m giving me brains a breather – although I’d love to write something relating to the trials and tribulations of a businesswoman, a money literacy book of jokes and a survival kit for women who experience domestic violence.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I self promote my books using all social media platforms that I am signed up. My social media platform of choice is currently Facebook – but only time will tell what with the changes happening everyday on social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would advice any new authors not to think too hard about what they will write – and to just write. I would also advice a new author that their first book will be a learning process and therefore, it isn’t the book where all has to be revealed – otherwise they will have nothing else to write about unless they are writing fictional books.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice that I’ve ever heard is to write from your soul.

What are you reading now?
I am reading the 4-hour Work Week which took me about one month to get my hands from my local library. That book is in such high demand.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, I would love to see some of my work relating to the kids money literacy turned into some sort of an app or game. I would also love to have my money literacy work showcased or incorporated into childrens’ prograames such as the famous Sesame Street.

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. Money: The Root “Curse” of Domestic Violence
2. Get Sh*t Done
3. The Secret
4. The Magic

Author Websites and Profiles
Deborah Sawyerr Website
Deborah Sawyerr Amazon Profile

Deborah Sawyerr’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I Started as s production scheduler with a leading production house. My career being started with a production house in which I Gained great insight in to the art of story writing and intriguing plot creations. Later having started my own Venture as an Entrepreneur and being immensely successful at it. I then decided to pen down my thoughts in a way that one cannot have enough of reading. This is my second book in the succession after an immensely successful first book which is also an inspiration in my life to arrive at The Stolen House

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Stolen House !!!!
I am very found of suspense thrillers , i wanted to write a suspense which can keep glued the reader till the end

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
yes

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sydney Sheldon

What are you working on now?
The Hidden Den !!!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The Stolen House !!!!
I am very found of suspense thrillers , i wanted to write a suspense which can keep glued the reader till the end

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The Stolen House !!!!
I am very found of suspense thrillers , i wanted to write a suspense which can keep glued the reader till the end

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your heart not critics

What are you reading now?
After the darkness

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next book , The hidden den

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 Doomsday conspiracy
After the dark

Author Websites and Profiles
Kailash Amesur Website

Kailash Amesur’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So far I’ve only written one book. Its Real Talk Muscle. speaks for itself what’s its all about

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Real Talk Muscle – Its simple;
If you’re a lifter who wants a straightforward answer to the question “How do you Gain Muscle?” and if you value the real fundamentals of how to get there in a straight line more than the sugar-coated advice which will have you spinning left, right, and upside down – then let’s have a REAL-TALK.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write at work. You might call that “cheating” but I don’t care. Many times I almost jeopardize my day job being caught doing my own writing, accessing my site etc – But I guess that’s why they call it passion.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Victor Pride and his Blog artist book. Dave Mangan and his book, Stop the Clock. And off course Mike Mentzer’s Heavy Duty

What are you working on now?
I am working on my next book it’s gonna be about chest development

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
For me a kick ass book and a good following on Twitter, and a mail list are great. Awesome Gang is also a must

Do you have any advice for new authors?
JUST DO IT!!
I owned a site since 2012 and I procrastinated writing my own book till now – I could have written one years ago and earn from it now but I didn’t all because I wanted it to become “perfect” – time is more important

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
JUST DO IT was the best advise ever

What are you reading now?
Just finished reading Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere – in original spanish

What’s next for you as a writer?
10 more titles!

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 own Real Talk Muscle nothing else unless they can be turned into water!

Author Websites and Profiles
George “Ironthumb” Romasanta Website
George “Ironthumb” Romasanta Amazon Profile

George “Ironthumb” Romasanta’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Define “written”. I have one book that I think is publishable but I have four or five completed first drafts (I do NaNoWriMo and win every year). They have potential (there’s a lot of stuff in there I love) but still need a lot of work to strengthen/straighten out the plots. Most are sci-fi/space opera. I’m an accountant by day and a wife and mother by night, although my babies are legal adults now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Whispers in the Dark. I usually don’t reveal my inspiration, but this seems like a friendly place… So. Did you ever see the movie Warm Bodies? It’s a zombie romance. I saw it three years ago, then promptly saw it again. It was a really stressful time in my life and that movie was my happy place. I loved the rescue/kidnap trope, the humor kept me laughing every time, the music was done really well, and Nicholas Hoult was amazing as R, Julie thought he was going to kill her and it took a while for her to accept that he wouldn’t, so the power dynamic was pretty charged. I wrote some fanfic for the movie and immersed myself in it, and then started playing the “what if” game. What if the girl was not being held captive by the guy? How could I get anyone to believe she’d even talk to let alone fall in love with this monster? Could I write something that makes me feel the same things? I wanted write a better love story than the movie – I mean, c’mon, she ran away from him three times, and really, objectively, why would she fall in love with this guy? We don’t get to see the process. I wanted my love story to make sense. As much as love stories ever do, anyway…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I create playlists for my novels. Songs that resonate with the various parts of the story, emotionally. I’ve used pop, country, contemporary, eighties, rock… but my favorite band is Skillet so they creep in there a lot. I’ll create CDs to play in the car, and program playlists on my music player for use with earbuds, when there’s distraction I need to drown out.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Isaac Asimov (sci-fi). Anne McCafferey (fantasy). Georgette Heyer (witty romance). So many others; I read voraciously when I was a teenager. My two enduring favorites are Lois McMaster Bujuld (sci-fi/fantasy with occasional romance – so amazingly well written) and Jayne Ann Kretnz (romance with occasional sci-fi/fantasy)

What are you working on now?
Launching Whispers in the Dark. Self-publishing and promoting books is so different than writing them, but I have good friends and resources.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet! I enjoy playing with quotes on pretty backgrounds, and try to intrigue people.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sometimes your writing will suck – and that’s okay. Read lots of “how to write” books but remember not everything in them will be useful for you, so ignore when needed. Get connected with other authors, online or locally. Are you involved in popular culture at all? Consider practicing your craft by writing fanfic – it’s free to get your work in front of people who are inclined to like it, and you can gain valuable feedback.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is the job of a writer to get two interesting people in a room together, and write down what they say.

What are you reading now?
Ashen City, by Sara Baysinger. It’s like the Hunger Games, but with better world-building and less child-murder.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll polish up my sci-fi series to make those readable. These are adventures in a framework (space colony) that I first created as a teenager. Back then I planned a lot but didn’t write much. It’s such a trip to be writing there 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. Does the Lord of the Rings count as one book or three? Penric’s Demon by Bujold and Absolutely, Positively by Krentz. Also a manual on how to hook up to the wi-fi…

Author Websites and Profiles
Pam Jernigan Website
Pam Jernigan Amazon Profile

Pam Jernigan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a recently published author of Living Past Being a Victim. I am working on my second book which will describe more about the mental abuse that I went through growing up with a mother that suffers from Schizophrenia. My first book is about the abuse that my mother and I suffered at the hands of my father and others, through out my life.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Living Past Being a Victim is a book that I have had in my head for many years. Playing over and over in my mind like a movie and it’s taken me many years to finally get it all on paper. I want to be the voice of others that are or have been abused. I want to bring more awareness to the abuse that happens behind closed doors, each and every day all over the world. I want my lie story to be an inspiration to others and let them know that there is a way out and a better life waiting for them.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if you would call it unusual, I do however write while I listen to music. The genre of music depends no what I am working on at that moment. Sometimes it’s an classic country song to help me feel that pain again and allowing me to share that painful memory with others. Other times, it’s a upbeat rock song, as I need to keep writing because my thoughts are coming at me like a movie scene.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always been a fan of Stephen King. As a teenager I couldn’t get enough of his scary and thrilling novels like Carrie, ‘Salem’s Lot and Cujo.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my second memoir/book that will describe more about the life I had to live with my mother that was diagnosed when she was only 22 years of with Schizophrenia. Dealing with her constant attempts of suicide beginning when I was only eleven years old and how life is now still caring for her, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook for just about everything. As I am still new myself to some of the social media that is available, I am also on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, as well as LinkedIn.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. It’s not always easy being the new author on the block, but keep pushing, blog, advertise, get your book out there and share it where ever you can. Don’t forget to ask your readers to for reviews!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My mom always told me that no matter what was going on my life to always remember that someone out there somewhere, has a story that is worse than mine. So remember that your life problems might not be as big as you think they are. So let go of the things that you have no control over and focus on the changes you can make.

What are you reading now?
Moving on (Moving Series Book 1) by Pavar Kaur.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I am done editing and publishing my second book, I will be working on a third book of my life, a cookbook as well as possibly a children’s book 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?
Cujo by Stephen King, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Living Past Being a Victim by me and Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir by Steven Tyler.

Author Websites and Profiles
Danielle Gallant Simms Website
Danielle Gallant Simms Amazon Profile

Danielle Gallant Simms’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
D’Anthony Jackson, author of 20FOUR is a millennial blogger and public relations professional from Alabama, based in New York City. His favorite place to publish his content is on his own blog, DanthonyJ.com, a millennial-focused blog covering lifestyle, menswear, inspiration, food, and more. Jackson is a Cofounder of the National Millennial Community, an organization that is changing the conversation about the millennial generation with millennials from all across the country. Jackson holds a Masters in Public Relations and a Bachelors in Integrated Marketing Communications. Follow him on Twitter @DanthonyJ_

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was a young boy when it all started. I realized what it meant to live a purposeful life and speak things into the universe. I just didn’t know how to communicate it then. Even then, I kept track of those moments in life that made me go “hmm”. It happened so often and it still does.

20FOUR is that and more. It makes you go “hmm” and think. It tells the stories and life lessons from my years living in the small towns in Alabama and Mississippi over the last 23 years to now living in New York City. I got a lot of living to do. Let this be a journal of memory from just a small piece of my life. From me to you.
D’Anthony Jackson

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write on the train in my notes. I then transfer them to my MacBook.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Devon Franklin, Terrence J, and Rich Wilkerson

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on relaunching my lifestyle blog DanthonyJ.com.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a new author. My advice to anyone who will be writing their first book is to consult every book writer you know and ask what is the best advice they can give you in the process. Most will be different but all will be helpful.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take a leap.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a book called Faith by Sharon Salzberg

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to continue blogging for a while then start on my next book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’ll settle with just the bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
D’Anthony Jackson Website
D’Anthony Jackson Amazon Profile
D’Anthony Jackson Author Profile on Smashwords

D’Anthony Jackson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi My Name is C.D. Turner an Author of over 10 years I have written over several books in my span with titles called The Watertown Nightmare, The Seventh Obsession, The Blues, The Fall of a Rising Star and most notably Creatues Who Smile. My favorite are Short Story books I just love writing them. I maybe new to this area but I promise you It will just keep getting better and better. Also mosr of my books have benn written in Several languages as well Stop by on amazon and check them out when you get a chance.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Creatures Who Smile is my latest and what inspired me was to just do something out of the ball park you know be a little different in some areas of the story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No just the basics

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen king ,JK Rowling and many others just love horror and a major harry potter fan.

What are you working on now?
Working on another horror short story can’t explain too much but it’s going to be a thriller.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social networking helps for me other than buffer or hootsuite.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t lose focus and stay true to your craft.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t write something you have no experience in.

What are you reading now?
Nothing

What’s next for you as a writer?
To get better at my craft is my only mission in life.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Stephen king It Every harry potter edition and i’m fine

Author Websites and Profiles
corey turner Amazon Profile

corey turner’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I´m the wearer of several hats. I´m a fiction writer with no particular genre. My novels tend to stem from life experience then expand into thrilling, page-turning dramas keeping you on the edge of your seat. To date, I´ve published two novels, five short stories, and a self-help, motivational book with a write-in journal as a free offer.
I´ve also published four children´s picture books about Sniffer, a little dog whose nose gets him into all sorts of trouble at the beach, the farm, out and about and at Christmas time. These are published under the Pseudonym of Pippa Pennington

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Choose to Change: It´s your life, is my latest book. It really was inspired by other people who kept telling me to write a book to help others. For some reason, my outlook on life is quite different. I´m an optimist and really positive, even when the grey clouds hover overhead trying to dampen my ardour.
So far I´ve had some great feedback from my readers. If I can help one person, in one way, I´ll be happy; it´s progress.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I just write! All the time and literally anywhere. My handbag has two on-going notebooks. I try to write book stuff in the mornings and then let the rest of the day flow by in whatever takes my fancy, but usually it´s book related.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like Ken Follett, and Mauve Binchy, two very different writers. I´d like to think my writing is a bit of a combination of the two which is probably why I find it hard to place my stories in a certain genre. I also like books by people like Richard Branson, who cam from humble beginnings. He is great for inspiration.

What are you working on now?
My 2nd self-help book, another children´s Sniffer book, and about to release book one in a trilogy. Busy, busy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I´m testing out a few methods. Awesome gang always brings good results, but I guess anyone reading this already knows that. I´m about to embark on some Facebook ads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep on writing and be in the 10% who don´t give up. The marketing is a learning curve.

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

What are you reading now?
The River Midnight by Lilian Nattel only just started it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To try and get an emailing list going. Phew! That´s no easy task ahead.

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 have to be honest and say I´d take my kindle. When that ran out of battery I´d rely on Ken Follett to keep me going with a few of his oversized books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jacqui Penn Website
Jacqui Penn Amazon Profile

Jacqui Penn’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account