Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I worked as a kindergarten teacher in Brazil, for a non-profit organization for three years, and by the time, I was doing a degree in Education. After I got my degree, I started a postgraduate in Personnel Management, and I discovered that my professional goal was to work with developing people in Education. Through researches in the Internet, I realized that many philanthropic organizations needed this type of service. I managed to contact these organizations through a site, which offered virtual volunteer opportunities, and since 2012, I contribute as an educational writer for projects worldwide.

In 2013 I was invited by one of the Organizations that I work for, to write a book in partnership about Education and Literacy. Three years later we launched “Unraveling Reading”, my first book and the first literature of a series that will cover each core subject taught in schools.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book that I recently launched is “Unraveling Reading”. What inspired me to write this book was the aim to disseminate quality information about how a student can develop reading and writing skills in a dynamic way, through exercises that take into account students’ capabilities and learning styles. This is important to consider because each of us learns in a unique way, and knowing this, can help educators and instructors to develop better teaching strategies.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have the habit of writing with a bottle of water in my side, so I don´t need to get up to drink water when necessary. Also I really appreciate the silence to write and organize my thoughts and due this fact I often write my articles and materials using a headphone (without listen to music). This keeps me concentrate and foccused in what really matters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really appreciate the book “Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman. It’s A great book about how to perceive, generate and manage our emotions.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on translating Unraveling Reading from English to Portuguese. In addition, Unraveling Reading is the first book in the series “Unraveling”. The goal is to develop a book for each specific subject of learning, such as History, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Arts and Special Education.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Reading-Mrs-Daniela-Silva/dp/0692809376

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To be an educational writer is necessary first, be motivated with the theme education. The reading, research, ability to write and elaborate texts with quality are essential to the development of this work. When I talk about texts with quality, I mean the composition of educational materials that attend the real necessities of the target public and for this, it is essential to know and research a lot, the needs behind each project, person and community.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To not be so critical with myself. There is a fine line between excessive self-criticism and the desire to achieve perfection in everything you do. In fact, perfection is something that is impossible to achieve, and based on this, instead of seeking this “perfection” we must recognize our strengths and our points to improve, and under this bias always seek self-knowledge and self-development in life.

What are you reading now?
Emotional Pedagogy: Michel Chabot and Daniel Chabot. It´s a book about how to considerate and incorporate emotions in the academic curriculum.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I said previously, I’m translating Unraveling Reading (to english from portuguese) and I intend to launched it in the next year.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. The Holy Bible
2. Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence.

Author Websites and Profiles
Daniela Silva Website
Daniela Silva Amazon Profile
Daniela Silva Author Profile on Smashwords

Daniela Silva’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

About Love’s Race to the Future by Charlene Raddon

Sierra West has a murder to investigate. One that comes with a mine, a Native American fetish, and a hole.
A hole to 1878.
The mine’s owner, Gidry Tyrell, helps Sierra and her brother settle into Tyrell Town, Idaho, a ghost town in 2017, but thriving in 1878. Gidry is on a murder investigation of his own. Can Sierra and her brother help him find who murdered his brother, without becoming victims themselves?
Will they all live to help save the orphans who survived a smallpox epidemic only to fall into the clutches of a cruel child abuser?

Buy the book, and follow the author on social media:
Learn more about the writer. Visit the Author’s Website.
Get This Romance Book From Amazon.
Visit the Author’s Facebook Fan Page.
Visit the Author’s Twitter page.

Author Bio:
Charlene Raddon is an award-winning author of American historical romance novels and a graphic designer of book covers.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started out professionally as a freelance writer for newspapers and magazines, and also as a freelancer in live television. That’s vague, I know, but I wore a lot of hats over the course of my twelve-year TV career and that’s not what we’re here to talk about. That life was all about financing my fiction habit.
A friend encouraged me to share Bo and Blade’s story and three books (and several shorts later) The Black Wing Chronicles is wrapping up its story arc.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Barron’s Last Stand. I wrote the books out of order. This was actually supposed to be a stand-alone, but the authors and editors in my writer’s group encouraged me to tell the backstory first and write them as a series. The reasoning was that the characters were so engaging, everyone wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. I liked the idea, so I put Barron’s Last Stand on hold for a few years while I cranked out Sovran’s Pawn and Hero’s End.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a story board wall. I put plot points on index cards and pin them to the board. That way I can order them for pacing. Sometimes, I write them out on the windows in my office in crayon, but the neighbors complained about seeing “Kill Bhruic” on my window and I had to wash them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always been inspired by Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat series. I love the tongue-in-cheek tone and the delightfully amoral characters. Romance author Julie Garwood has always been a favorite of mine, as well. I love the way she catches the reader with a carefully crafted opening line, and then pulls them along with laugh-out-loud humor.
Hmm. I’m starting to see a trend, here.

What are you working on now?
The road to finishing The Black Wing Chronicles has been peppered with personal crises, so I’m happy to have that story arc completed. My readers, however keep asking for more about the characters. I have some first drafts of companion books in the ‘verse, as well as a few shorts that I’m working on. I also have a Southern Humor novel that I’ve been gnawing on for years that is a favorite with my family.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find word-of-mouth is best. My readers recommending my books to their friends has netted me my best sales. That’s why I spend so much time cultivating relationships with my readers. That, plus they’re awesome!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and study your craft. Join a critique group. Keep your day job.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up your day job. Seriously, it’s very hard to make a living as a writer, let alone a novelist. We can’t all be JK Rowling and it’s vital that stories be told. If you aren’t depending on your writing as your sole source of income, you really do have a greater appreciation for it when you steal time for it, and for when you make money from it.

What are you reading now?
Honestly, I’ve been so immersed in science fiction for so long that I’m taking a break to read some lighthearted Regency Romance by Meara Platt. I look at it as a palate cleanser and refresher for my brain.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A nap.

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

Author Websites and Profiles
JC Cassels Website
JC Cassels Amazon Profile
JC Cassels Author Profile on Smashwords

JC Cassels’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a certified nutritional specialist. I wrote three books on nutrition

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Keto Diet for Beginners & Weight Loss Plan: Your Basic Guide to a Ketogenic Diet For Beginners: a 21 Day Ketogenic Diet Plan: 25 Simple Keto Diet Recipes (Keto diet books)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My basic habit is sport and proper nutrition

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robin Sharma, the inspirer of the books. My family is my main inspiration.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing another book about nutrition

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can do more and better

What are you reading now?
The monk who sold his Ferrari

What’s next for you as a writer?
Development

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 monk who sold his Ferrari. It’s easy to live. Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
S.J. Cook Website
S.J. Cook Amazon Profile

S.J. Cook’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Founder and CEO of theClarky.com

I created a website called theclarky.com which is aside from being an image hosting website, a place to upload and view images around the world. I write books from time to time. To see more about me, visit theclarky.com/a.php

I have written a total of three books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Lovers In Capiz. I got inspired by the horror and romantic movies that I have watched.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to google how to write in a specific genre. Also, when writing in the romantic genre, I like to think about the significant people in my life and listen to romantic songs.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Books that influenced me are Shakespeare books and mythological books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Joanna Marie Bautista Clark Website

Joanna Marie Bautista Clark’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
When I was a young girl, I used to spend hours each week writing poetry. I say I get this from my father, he has his own blog just for his poems. But I would also spend many an hour reading books by authors like Agatha Christie and V.C Andrews. Now I’m all grown up and reading is still one of my biggest passions. But it became more than that when I couldn’t sleep one night because I had a story in my head that wouldn’t let me close my eyes. My husband woke up in the morning to see me sat up in bed with my laptop typing away. That book became The Bound, part one in a three part novella trilogy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Deceived – Hers To Save Part Two is my latest book. The dedication is set out to my oldest friend but more than that, he is a character in the book. While I was writing the first two parts of the trilogy he was in the hospital but passed away two days after the release of the second book. I think deep down I wanted to immortalize a part of him, so he would always be with me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I become stuck while sat at my laptop, I go for a drive in the countryside with a pen and paper and this usually solves the problem.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every author I have ever read, the good and the bad. But my main influence is Joel Shepherd.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a book called Ice. It is a dark, fantasy romance, with no HEA.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still working on finding this.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, remember that first draft doesn’t have to be pretty. But unless you write you will not have anything to work with to make that final version.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take all the me time you need and recharge your
batteries. When you feel its time, take off in low gear for
a while, then build up to speed as you are ready for it.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a pre-release copy of a fellow author’s book called Snake Pit.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The continuation of improvement and to reach more people’s hearts.

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?
Sasha by Joel Shepherd, Fire by Kristin Cashore and Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Connor Website
Michelle Connor Amazon Profile

Michelle Connor’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first novel in the Infinity Engines series, but I have worked on a number of scripts for TV before this. One of which actually got picked up by the BBC!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is called Anachronist, it was inspired by the TV shows I used to watch in the 70s. Doctor Who, Blakes 7, The Tomorrow People. Classic SciFi has always been a great love of mine. I wanted to write my own version of a time travel story, and all started with the idea of an old guy (the colonel) who hoards crazy old objects in his house, each one a link to a different part of the past. It all really developed from that one scene.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write on the train (because I still have a day job!). For some reason, the motion of the journey seems to help me concentrate.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite authors are Asimov and Iain M Banks. The foundation series has stuck with me since I was a kid, and I tend to have to re-read it every three or four years. I also liked the Void books by Peter F. Hamilton and there’s always time for a little Tolkein.

What are you working on now?
The follow up to the Anachronist. Book 2 is going to take the story into some very interesting places.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Definitely get on Goodreads and start building your readers. I also have hooked up with the team over at drwho-online.co.uk, as well as using a few promo sites like Awesomegang. It seems to work well when the books are free, but there is no magic bullet unfortunately, marketing my book takes just as much time as writing the next!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Since I really am one myself I’m not sure I qualify as a giver of advice yet. I would definitely suggest you research your marketing plan carefully, check out what others have done and learn from their mistakes. Some people are very kind in their sharing of failures.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up – and never, ever, ever respond to negative reviews…

What are you reading now?
Just finished the Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare – just checking out the competition… but I’m also trying to get through the Terror by Dan Simmons.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to write a short story about one of the main characters for NaNoWriMo in November – 15,000 words in one month should be an interesting challenge.

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?
Asimov’s Foundation, Foundaiton and Empire, Second Foundation and Dune by Frank Herbert

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Hastie Website
Andrew Hastie Amazon Profile

Andrew Hastie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a full-time writer of books and screenplays. I have seven published books, I’m currently working on three additional titles.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is entitled Righteous Defender. It is the second of a series, although I write each book as a stand alone. I was inspired to write a book about the personal lives of defense attorneys. Most legal thrillers focus on the cases and often attorneys are either glorified or vilified. I wanted to show neither is true. Attorneys are people trying to navigate their own personal situations while fighting for the lives of their clients. Sometimes a choice has to be made to prioritize one over the other.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write while listening to rap music which is weird for me because I don’t really care for the genre. I find that music helps me focus, but if I listen to music I enjoy I end up singing along instead of writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influencers are E. Lynn Harris, Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham, and Scott Pratt. Four very different literary voices, but I’ve picked up a little something from each of them.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on two nonfiction titles as well as a spin off of The Michael Ayers series entitled “Sought After” which is a thriller centered around Detective Jennings.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I generally use Facebook to promote since most of my readers follow me there.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you feel, what you are passionate about, and what you can’t stop thinking about. When you write from that place, the reader will become attracted to your emotions. Emotions are the driving force behind great stories.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never be afraid to do what’s never been done.

What are you reading now?
I’m not actively reading because I writing multiple books. Up next on my TBR is The Black Box by Michael Connelly

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to continue releasing books, but I’m also developing my craft as a screenwriter.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring the Bible, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted by E. Lynn Harris, To Love and Restore by Jaye Michelle, and The Anatomy of Story by John Truby.

Author Websites and Profiles
O. R. Johnson Website
O. R. Johnson Amazon Profile

O. R. Johnson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A graduate from Fashion Institution of Technology in New York City, I didn’t think I was actually going to be an author. I moved from the suburbs of Long Island to New York City in the hopes of becoming a model/actress. Surprisingly, unless you’re a part of the one hundredth of the top percent that makes it in the Fashion and entertainment, it is grueling!

Fortunately, getting married and having a child was sweeter than all the rejections. My life changed rapidly in a matter of weeks, months and years. I had so many ideas but never the chance to implement or execute them. Finally, the right time arrived and I produced my debut novel, Disastrously Fabulous. I jumped into the author industry and put together a website by summer 2016. The thing that truly brought me success with Disastrously Fabulous was outlining the entire story with the help of several editors and proofreaders.

My goals are to eventually get my stories into television and watch them come to life.

There are few things as exhilarating as writing a creative and entertaining novel for you wonderful readers out there. I do a lot of other things on the side, but this is the most creative, and it brings me joy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Disastrously Fabulous
A Novel Of Loves, Betrayals, and New Beginnings

The right timing inspired me to finally complete my book. It was the painful time to put all notes compiled altogether to formulate a good, quick read for today’s busy person.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My usual writing habits are notes from years of writing stashed everywhere. Imagination and help from editors get me to an organized story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was influenced to write Disastrously Fabulous from my love of Debbie Macomber and Shonda Rhymes. Also watching dramatic television series. Even right now my favorite shows are Power and Green Leaf. My eldest sister would always say to me “you should write a book.” For years I initially didn’t take her seriously, but after reflecting on my life events, I finally decided to do so! As a result, I started working on Disastrously Fabulous in mid-2012. It took four more years for me to figure out how to write a novel, but once I did, I think I created something to be proud of!

What are you working on now?
I am a Financial Service Professional who is now exploring the Real Estate industry.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.deannprince.com is my personal website and promoting my
Social links:
Tweets by D_A_Prince_
DA Prince @D_A_Prince_

Dap1227 @d_a_Prince_
Http://www.instagram.com/d_a_prince_/

https://www.facebook.com/DisastrouslyFabulous/

Retail links:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Disastrously-Fabulous-Audiobook/B01KIMDPY2

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disastrously-fabulous-da-prince/1123949357?ean=2940153803739

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/disastrously-fabulous-a-novel-of-loves-betrayals-and-new-beginnings

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GHSU8AU/

www.pinterest.com/deann_prince/disastrously-fabulous

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30814636-disastrously-fabulous?ac=1&from_search=true

http://amazon.com/author/daprince

http://disastrously-fabulous.tumblr.com

www.linkedin.com/in/d-a-prince

http://facebook.com/deann.prince.77

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure you have your book edited at least 3 times and proofread 3 more times. Writing is an art of expression and artist get caught up in creating. We enjoy sharing it with the world and hope more that one person will enjoy. Don’t write only for a profit! I’ve learned it’s a tough business and still much more to learn.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard “Just do you” Russell Simmons. Be yourself and focus on what you do and want to share with others. Stay positive and FOCUS, when you lose focus Refocus, Dr. Robbell.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Warren Buffett’s Three Favorite Books
How to Hug a Porcupine
The New Rules of Marriage
Looking for Mr. Goodbar is on my list.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, currently, I am working on a romantic thriller and a Dear letter to comedians.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with me I would bring these books
Dream Big, Stay Positive and Believe in Yourself Blue Mountain Arts
The Bible
Harper’s Bazaar Fabulous at Every Age
Iyanla Vanzant Until Today!

Author Websites and Profiles
D A Prince Website
D A Prince Amazon Profile
D A Prince’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 author, life coach and speaker. I am passionate about encouraging Christian singles to pursue their kingdom purpose. I am also the founder of Ruth and Boaz in the Meantime Ministries. I have published one book so far with many more on the way.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My Beauty for Ashes, The journey from brokenness to purposed. The Lord told me to tell you story and I did

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sarah Jakes Roberts, I love everything her transparency.

What are you working on now?
I am working on 2 books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media is key. Building a following a year before you publish is so important
.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write and enjoy the process. Hire others for editing and creating the cover. Focus on your job which is writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pursue your dreams at all costs, don’t die with all the gifts and talents that you never used.

What are you reading now?
The Purpose Room by Heather Lindsey

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am in the process of writing 2 more books one of which is a children’s book with my 8 year old daughter.

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 Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Purpose Awakening by Toure Roberts

Author Websites and Profiles
Tonia Shalel Website
Tonia Shalel Amazon Profile

Tonia Shalel’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I became a bestselling author in 2010 and have written 4 books so far. I’m an industry recognized consultant and technology expert for the premier global technology firms for over 15 years. I was named #1 IT Super Hero by InfoWorld (Wall St Journal of the technology world) and ComputerWorld, was the winner of the National Federal Office Systems Award (FOSE – Nation’s Largest Information Technology Exposition Serving the Government Marketplace), and the winner of Government Computer News Best New Technology Award. Several case studies have been published on my solutions across the Information Technology industry. Currently I provide technology solutions and advisement for America’s most distinguished clients including a sizeable amount of work for the U.S. Defense Sector, Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security. This personal experience is where I grab some of the technology and story line from in The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox. My projects have been featured in national media outlets including Fox News. After founding my own technology firm, I completed my formal education with a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is Devil’s Dairy: The Coming. It’s about where each reader falls between the battle of good and evil. If the Lord returned tomorrow (which happens in the book), how would you react? What would you as a reader expect? Would you be ready? This novel appeals to the reader to look inside themselves as they identify with the characters. I wrote it because as current times are as they have been prophesized in several holy books, including a general increase in anarchy, the demoralization of our society’s ethical fabric, the wars, and the persecution of those trying to worship, the stage has been set. Sides are being chosen. Angels and their worst enemies prepare for The Coming. Also, from an inspiration standpoint, with my first books, I wrote the book that I had always wanted to read but had never been read. With this book, I wrote the book that I had I always thought someone should write, but had never been written. It’s a journey for the reader. You have to ask yourself a question during the book: Are you ready to face your deeds? For many people the answer will be no, which makes the book an even deeper journey as they realize where they fall in the battle of good and evil. Each reader will face their own internal journey. Some who are not familiar with any religion will hopefully want to know more as they look inside themselves. Even though the book is called Devil’s Diary, the book is not about evil. The second part of the title is the focus. The Coming.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
(Laughs) Some would consider writing about Biblical Prophecy is an unusual writing habit. It’s a touchy subject and certainly complex. There are literally hundreds of interpretations and translations. I put them into 3 main categories during my studies. 1. The Past interpretations: meaning that some interpretations indicate that the 2nd coming of Jesus has already happened. 2nd group is the Present interpretation, meaning that based on what is happening now, the 2nd coming is imminent, the 3rd group is the Future interpretation which pretty much follows the course the 2nd coming is off in the distant future someplace. I focus on the present interpretation. In the book, the Son of Man returns, but its not quite what you’d expect. This is not about the rapture. It’s about the war between good and evil. God vs His enemies.

What are you working on now?
My last two novels were from the spy/action genre, including one bestseller The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox. Now I’m working on enticing the platform I’ve built to follow me into this new religious genre Devil’s Diary: The Coming deeps its feet in. This is actually the book that got me my first book deal. It was decided by the publishing company to come out with the spy series as a business decision because of my background with technology and the Dept of Defense, and the degrees and awards behind my name. I speak at technology conferences on a regular basis but I wasn’t a famous minister. In their minds, I didn’t have a guaranteed platform to generate book sales. Do I hope my audience follows? I’d like to think I’ve built an audience who loves good writing, so I believe they will venture into this genre even if it’s a bit new to them, because they enjoy good writing. The point of writing of to bring people to something new. Something great. One of my goals in writing is to broaden the experiences of my reader community and add to the literary art form. It believe its key to not only present a fascinating story to the reader, but to bring value to the reader aside from entertainment. I believe that’s one of the key differences of my style of writing. Everyone loves to be entertained, so I’m obviously going to do that, and I truly enjoy it. Then a lot of people also value riveting, thought provoking idea’s. Topics where you finish the book and want to know more. Motifs that make you want do a bit of web surfing on the topics presented, or maybe dive even deeper.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website is www.anthonyrhoward.org. I believe outlets like Awesomegang will be critical to authors who want to maintain creative control and grow a genuine following. I also started a small studio to create a different kind of audiobook. Traditional audiobooks are boring to many people. One narrator reads the entire 10 hours story in monotone can lull you to sleep. In the Invisible Enemy: Black Fox Audiobook a new genre is opened to new markets and the social media generation with over 2000 expertly placed sound effects, a cast of actors reading the major characters and movie scores created for every scene/chapter, giving the audiobook a surreal movie theater experience in additional to an exhilarating story. If you want, Download a free sample from my website, or see the trailer below.
Audiobook trailer

Do you have any advice for new authors?
With POD (Print on Demand) the publishing world is changing. The game is different. As both a “traditionally published” and self published author, I’ve had to learn the hard way which way to go. Now I coach others into how to be successful @ POD publishing/self publishing. I’ve become a bestselling author as a self published author with The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox, The Invisible Enemy II: Vendetta, and landed spot on nationally syndicated shows such as the Michael Eric Dyson show. Because of the books I’ve written I was Named Super Hero 2011 by InfoWorld and ComputerWorld for several of the ground breaking projects I designed and architected for the worlds top organizations (Including Google, Dept of Defense and Major banks). They even gave a shout out to my bestseller The Invisible Enemy: Black Fox, which brought millions of additional readers to my website. I’ve been on nationally syndicated shows speaking on the writing process and my career and how to succeed as an author.

Certain tricks such as “what is the right price for my book on amazon?” “When should I sell out to a major publisher”, “is my book deal good?”, “how many books can I expect to sell at a book signing”, or “Where is the money?” or “why is fiction so hard to sell”, “Mr. Howard, Do I have to create a cool movie trailer like you (http://www.anthonyrhoward.com/book.php) with explosions and special effects just to sell my book

Every book is different, so every path is different. One fact remains the same unless you are a celebrity. You mush shatter the literary genre. You book MUST be different, and you must have a platform to sell it. “Anthony, what do you mean?”
I mean you book will not sell because you wrote it or because it’s good. For instance, I’ve shattered the literary genre in a major way with The InvisibleEnemy: Black Fox. Since I work with the Dept of Defense and Homeland Security as a world class IT Architect, designing supercomputers, storage area networks and much more – I’m considered an insider, and people always want to know the real scoop on what’s going on behind the scenes. The once classified secret gov’t organizations in the Invisible Enemy: Black Fox are REAL. The next generation exposed in the book is REAL. People are longing for something hot, new, and different, and the media is looking for things that will keep their audience interested and even expand your audience, generating more revenue and popularity.

Author Websites and Profiles
Anthony R Howard Website
Anthony R Howard Amazon Profile
Anthony R Howard Author Profile on Smashwords

Anthony R Howard’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and reared in Wellman, Iowa, population 977 in the 1970 census. My father owned the local hardware store, and some of my fondest memories are locked in the bed of his old black pick-up truck. Those were the days when kids were allowed to ride in the open-air beds of trucks: no seatbelts, no windows, no elements of danger. As we pulled up to a farm or a house to make a delivery, I would hop out of the truck and run alongside the still-moving vehicle. My job was to warn my father of potholes or deep puddles, and to shoo away the cows, chickens and turkeys on the dirt drive.
When the winters were long, and the air frigid, my parents closed off our upstairs rooms, forcing my sister and I to sleep on the main floor, sharing a bedroom. I looked forward to the re-opening of the second floor each spring. One of my favorite pastimes was to sit in the upstairs window, which was as high as the main fork of the enormous oak tree in our front yard. From that vantage point, I could observe the squirrels running in and around the tree. They have an immense sense of playfulness, but are also hard workers. In the fall, they worked for hours at a time, collecting acorns and hickory nuts, and burying them in what they hoped was a safe place. From those springs and falls I spent watching in the upstairs window, this story was born.
“Hey There, Speedy, don’t be Greedy.” It’s my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Robert Kiyosaki, “Rich dad, Poor dad”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not think so

What authors, or books have influenced you?
All books by Ernest Hemingway

What are you working on now?
New coloring book with short story for kids.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This site, Facebook, special groups for Readers

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in your talent and keep going no matter what

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Think positively and be thankful to universe!

What are you reading now?
“7 Signs you will be rich” by Chris Royal

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue writing inspirational stories for kids learning them important life lessons.

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?
Two any books by Ernest Hemingway and “7 Signs you will be rich” by Chris Royal

Author Websites and Profiles
James Noffsinger Amazon Profile

James Noffsinger’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always loved “Big Picture” historical fiction, be it straight forward, think “War and Peace” or “All Quiet on the Western Front” or more oblique and satirical, think “Catch 22” or “Slaughterhouse-Five”. But having been a fan of such work, the idea of writing a “Big Work” myself was intimidating to the point of catatonia. A few years ago, however, after having read several books on creative writing, I decided to give it a go. Like anyone with an interest in current issues and events, I could not escape the current debate on climate change with all its intendant perils. Furthermore, the emerging debate on technological change further complicates our future, with fears for our material future as many dread a massive dislocation of the middle and working-class due to the possible loss of many jobs to automation. Even before the rise of reactionary political forces that have capitalized on such economic worries, to the point of reversing gains made on the environmental front, I began to read books and watch documentaries discussing the possible direction of society given these pressures.
My novel follows the lives of five young people who, having just completed their formal education, have chosen paths that may benefit them personally, but may or may not make a positive contribution to the world that they live in.
If I can, in some small way, remind readers of “The Thorns Beneath the Rose”, of our collective challenges that are threatening our very existence and the individual contributions we can each make to insure our survival, then I think the whole exercise will have been worth it.
Reading the novel, I hope my readers will additionally become aware of the fact that the five main characters, though they may have different perspectives and life-goals, are all quite accepting of one other as worthwhile human beings deserving respect and affection. This group, comprised of two straight white men, one straight white woman, one gay white woman and one gay black woman accept each other for who they are. My point is that at a time when we are facing massive environmental and technological challenges, we should eliminate the pernicious noise and distraction of hatred of “the other”.
My almost-all-knowing, almost-all-seeing gods are a metaphor for the eyes and ears of various intelligence monitoring/gathering agencies around the world who see all, or rather, presume they see all, given the mistaken assumptions often made based on the viewing of massive amount of raw data.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Thorns Beneath the Rose, Book One.
As a schoolboy, I had some exposure to the mythologies of the Greek and Norse gods which often dealt with the basic human issues of moral choice, in addition to exposure of the teachings of traditional Christian Sunday School classes that many of my generation were required, or almost required, it seemed, to take which also discussed, at some basic level, issues of moral choice.
It never occurred to me to link “Big Picture” issues of our modern times with Mythology and Fantasy, despite my love of “Slaughterhouse-Five’ until I read, in my later years, novels such as Martin’s “Game of Thrones”, Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”, Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles” and last but certainly not least, given its satirical flavor, Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods”.
These works as well as exposure to the current issues of the day provided the spark to write “The Thorns Beneath the Rose, Book One”.
On my author website, www.garywaltersauthor.com , I have a very short, and therefore, by no means a definitive reading list, of non-fiction works that help me and will hopefully, help others who are trying to understand both the environmental and technological challenges that face all of us and the reactionary forces that are attempting to capitalize on our fears.
Interestingly enough, I had to rack my brain to recall what inspired me to have a whole “mission” where the young friends are trained as a team to infiltrate the underwater “Hall of Shadows” in the Caribbean first to rescue their friend “Emma” and then with “Emma” to go back to the same place to destroy the “Decision Liberator” and rescue the souls trapped within the diabolical machine. Finally, it came to me that all this was inspired by the James Bond movie “Thunderball” which was based on the novel of the same name which was yet again based on a previous movie “treatment” by Fleming and two of his film writing associates, Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In my current occupation in the hospitality industry I can come home as late as 3:30 am. Sometimes I read and write until 5:30 am before going to bed or sometimes I read and write before I go to work at 5:30pm. On my days off, I stay up as late as I do on my workdays and consequently I work during those same early morning or late afternoon times.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Shakespeare, Hemingway, Dickens, Atwood and Vonnegut on the fiction side.
Jane Mayer, Peter Frase, David Suzuki and Jeff Rubin on the non-fiction side.
I like a fair variety of genres from standard literary work to mystery/thrill and increasingly, science fiction/fantasy. I must also give credit to non-fiction works on subject matter concerning creative writing, sociology, political science, economics, history and works on predicting the future.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would heartily recommend goods books on creative writing such as Sol Stein’s “Stein on Writing” as well as his “How to Grow a Novel”, especially if good creative writing classes are not available in your locale. Additionally, Keidi Keating has a wonderful and free E-Book “7 Steps to Writing Your Book & Getting It Published” available for download at her www.yourbookangel.com website which combine principles of meditation with practical steps for writing an publication for emerging authors. Of course, one should read a wide variety of fiction, but I personally find that reading as much non-fiction, on a broad variety of subjects is also quite useful and can provide you with a creative “spark”.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn some craft from writing classes, and good books on writing.

What are you reading now?
“The Girl On The Train” by Paula Hawkins. I do like to “mix-it-up!” And the form is fascinating, writing a novel in the first person with the added twist of the narrator/character being unreliable due to instability!

What’s next for you as a writer?
How’s this for an imaginative title? “The Thorns Beneath the Rose, Book Two”! To be followed by, wait for it, “The Thorns Beneath the Rose, Book Three”! In all seriousness, my vision and ambition point to my crafting a three-volume set based on the same theme of individual choice and the effect of that choice when gathered up with the actions of all individuals and the collective consequence of all those decisions of the future of mankind and the planet we inhabit. Again, my inspiration comes from a collection of fiction and non-fiction both in book as well as film, in addition to current events.

Author Websites and Profiles
Gary Walters Website
Gary Walters Amazon Profile

Gary Walters’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I go by the name of Candy Rayne. I live in Biloxi Mississippi and I work at a shipyard where I have been for the last ten years. I have two daughters and a step son. I have written three urban fiction novels by the names of Tangled Web, Concrete Rose, and Incarcerated Minds.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is Incarcerated Minds. It is based on mental illness, and touches on ADHD, Asperger’s, and Bipolar. Mental illness is something I deal with on a daily basis as I have anxiety and depression. Many people do not understand the inner turmoil that occurs with people with mental illness. I wanted to write a novel that shows that mental illness can affect anyone no matter the race, gender, age, etc.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t really experience much writers block. Whenever I have the time, which is rare, I can pounce away at the computer!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by many different authors ranging from Zane, to Ann M. Martin, to Stephen King. I just love a great read!

What are you working on now?
I am actually working on something for young adults regarding teen related issues. Up until now I’ve written for adults, but I’d really like to show my range.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I definitely love Facebook, and the many different groups present on there related to authors and book clubs. I am joining with a book club in my local area, and I also travel and stop at book festivals and other events.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Finish your story, get it published, and do your research on different ways to promote. There are many different outlets. Research is key!!

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

What are you reading now?
I actually just finished She used to be the sweetest girl by Linette King. This is an urban fiction novel which is part of a series and a great read if you are into fast paced, exciting urban fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Definitely delving into a young adult series of books. I’m really looking forward to it.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take Chasing Destiny by Eric Jerome Dickey, A child called it by Dave Pelzer, and Pet Sematary by Stephen King. Oh yeah my fourth would be my first novel Tangled Web!!

Author Websites and Profiles
Candy Rayne Website
Candy Rayne Amazon Profile

Candy Rayne’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a book fanatic with eclectic tastes, and I am focused on the masterworks. Yes, I have an appreciation for the vulgar, and for the unexpected gut-punch, but in fact I have very high ideals. Metarules of the S•M•F, a novel of gang warfare, is my debut, but my next novel is complete and edited, and I expect a release soon. To Fail With Flying Colors is the whopping wadoodoo. It’s a chunkster, it’s deep and complex, and it tackles the stories of incurable psychiatric patients. It’s a sort of Canterbury Tales of Mental Illness.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Metarules of the S•M•F is a tale of heroes of a golden age of gang-banging and the culture they forged. For a long time I simply had the notion that I would write a novel to lionize an outlaw leader. It took time to find where this idea would lead me, but after putting some work into developing characters and situations, I started to really believe in my book and it came alive for me. It is not directly influenced by any precursor, but in retrospect I’d say it has a fair amount in common with the 14th-century Chinese classic Outlaws of the Marsh, by Shi Nai’an–which just goes to show that struggle is a universal that transcends cultural and temporal bounds.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If there is such a thing as “usual” writing habits, I don’t know what they are. My writing is idea driven, and rather free-form in its way, but I put a hell of a lot of time, effort, and critical thought in the appraisal, revision, and editing of material until I’ve reached my goals. Then I’m done. No concessions are given to convention or to what is “proper” from a mainstream perspective.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Besides Shi Nai’an, mentioned above, and the Japanese Samurai-author Yamamoto, there are simply countless authors and works that have influenced me, even though I would never expect a reader to perceive the influence. Among black authors, there are Ishmael Reed, Jean Toomer, Richard Wright, and Amos Tutuola. Then there’s the godfather of urban lit, Iceberg Slim. But really, my literary loves go back through the millennia, from Homer, Apuleius, and Seneca, through Chretien de Troyes, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Rabelais, Fernando de Rojas, and Cervantes, to Melville, Kafka, Beckett, and Calvino. You know, the good stuff!

What are you working on now?
I don’t discuss works in progress, but I have two novels in early development.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have little knowledge or skill when it comes to promoting. However, I am a regular on Goodreads because I’m an avid reader and I love discussing books, and I’ve made use of their giveaways to get copies of my book into readers’ hands.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors would be to be a demon and a fanatic, utterly dedicated to your creative ideal, and don’t cut yourself too much slack when it comes to viewing your own work critically in the revision and editing phases. Don’t be formulaic, and generally it’s better to ignore almost all conventional advice. Write the book you would most want to read, because if you don’t, no one else will.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Most of my understanding of writing does not come from advice. It comes from reading great works and learning from their example. The best books for a writer to read are the ones that destroy your notions of what a book can and should be, and show you yet another way. They point to the infinite potential of literature.

What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished reading The Collected Shorter Plays of Samuel Beckett, and I’ve just taken up Flowers in the Mirror by Li Ruzhen.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, my intention for future works is to continue to challenge myself to go against my own inclinations and to push in new directions. I’ve got a few projects developing. I’ve been inclined lately to write more from the perspective of female protagonists, as my debut Metarules is an extremely masculine 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?
A desert-island reading list would have to include books I could enjoy multiple times and get the most out of. I’d have to take the Canterbury Tales in original Middle English, Don Quixote, and perhaps… let’s say Vollmann’s Dying Grass.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul John Adams Website
Paul John Adams Amazon Profile

Paul John Adams’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 21 years old and have just had my first book published. I am an only child and live in a small town in Georgia. I am currently in college majoring in art education.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled, Broken Souls, and was inspired by a dream I had in middle school as well as my own struggle with depression as a young teen.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write everything in very messy handwriting on notebook paper before I type it on the computer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephanie Meyer, J.K Rowling, and Niel Gaiman are huge influences of mine.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Skeleton Lady, another paranormal romance.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon and Books to go now

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. It doesn’t matter how popular you are or how much money you make as long as you are doing what you love.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to your heart. Don’t worry about following in anyone’s footsteps or trying to make anyone proud, just do what you love.

What are you reading now?
An old Calvin and Hobbes comic book I bought as a child.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will try to continue writing new and interesting 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?
A book on how to get off a desert island, the Graveyard Book by Niel Gaiman, and the Diary of a Madman by Lu Xun

Author Websites and Profiles
Tori Wilson Amazon Profile

Tori Wilson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Detroit born happily divorced mother of three & author of High Suspense Erotic Romance. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I independently published my first novel in 2000 and haven’t looked back. To date, I’ve written over 40 books and I plan to keep going.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Beautiful. I wanted to focus on our intense obsession of concentrating on what’s on the outside and focus on making us beautiful on the inside. Madison is a highly intelligent young woman but all she can see is the woman in the mirror. She meets Jamar and thinks through him that is what makes her beautiful, but through struggle, trials, and tribulations, she learns the hard way that beauty was all along with her on the inside.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I feel comfortable writing in my bed. I don’t know why and I like to snack on chocolate while I write all the while I must have noise from the television and playing music at the same time.

Yeah, slightly different.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My mother started us reading when I was three. She made us read the classics like Tolkien and when I was older, I was prone to pick up a Jane Austen before a Terry McMillian. That’s strange for an urban African American woman, but I’ve read all of them, including horror, and I know they all influence my work to date.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m writing my next book, The Murderer’s Lover. It’s about a woman who tries a one night stand and the next day realizes her lover might have been a serial killer terrorizing Detroit. Unfortunately, she really wants to see him again.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Lately, I’ve been using Twitter and Facebook, but Instagram is starting to become a traffic builder as well. I rely heavily on my mailing list from my blog and personal newsletter and I love group discussions on my website and on Facebook.

These methods have built a great following and nice book sales.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t ever give up; even when things slow down. Just keep pushing and success will come to you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing

What are you reading now?
Currently I’m reading Lust by Victoria Christopher Murray.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on doing another live story exclusively on my website called Black’s Innocence all the while still pushing out short stories every month.

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?
Desperation by Stephen King
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Secret Fire by Johanna Lindsay
Night Song by Beverly Jenkins

Author Websites and Profiles
Sylvia Hubbard Website
Sylvia Hubbard Amazon Profile
Sylvia Hubbard Author Profile on Smashwords

Sylvia Hubbard’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former uranium miner. After that career ended I returned to school and became an economist and researcher. For years I wanted to document my experiences working underground because I had so much fun and found so much humor in the work. I also developed a great deal of respect for the people who spend their working lives underground. It was an incredible place to experience as was the mining boomtown I lived in. Just so many stories to tell. ‘Underground and Radioactive’ is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Underground and Radioactive.’ There is so little written about working underground from a miners perspective that I felt the book needed to be written. I fit in fairly well underground but always knew my perspective was unique in that I didn’t have to been there so could devote more time to observing those who depended on mining to make a living.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I look for the humor in almost everything I see. Sometimes it ain’t easy but it’s there somewhere.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Facts really are stranger than fiction so I read a lot of biographies and true stories. Laura Hillenbrand, William Manchester, Cheryl Strayed come to mind right away.

What are you working on now?
Summer job experiences have always interested me. There are a lot of funny stories there so I’m working on that.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is to do something each day. Use social media and engage and promote other authors.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not give up. If you can’t write today then maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next month, maybe next year but, don’t lose sight of the dream.

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

What are you reading now?
‘The Flight’ by Dan Hampton

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep struggling and keep trying, keep thinking.

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 Helmet For my Pillow, 1776, The Last Lion, The Oxford History of the American People, Wilbur and Orville

Author Websites and Profiles
Roger Saunders Website
Roger Saunders Amazon Profile

Roger Saunders’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve loved reading and writing for as long as I can remember, though it has taken me about a decade of failed efforts to figure out how to actually write a novel. To date, I’ve written two young adult contemporary novels (one that’s finished which I’ve just released, the other is still at the first draft stage), the first volume in a young adult dark fantasy series which will be out later this year, and an adult novel that still needs a bit of revision. I’ve also written lots of short stories, poetry, essays, and unfinished books!!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Space Between, and its the story of a girl who goes missing on a weekend camping trip, and the impact her disappearance has on her best friend and their families. It’s about the tangle of friendship, love and sex, and how people struggle to make sense of loss.

The thing that spurred me on to write this book was a loss in my own life – after a year of trying to become pregnant I miscarried, and the bright light that came out of that awful time was the knowledge that writing was the thing I was meant to be doing. I feel like the narrative of the book was propelled by the urgency I felt at that time to create something out of the darkness. I’m honestly so proud of this book, it has so much of my heart in it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a toddler, and a day job, so I just write in whatever gaps I can find! Nanowrimo has given me a love of writing with other people, so that’s something I still do with my wonderful writing buddies here in Canberra when I get the chance. Otherwise I do a lot of my best work at a café, with coffee in reach and the sound of thunder playing through my headphones (which I’m sure is not at all unusual!).

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a writer, one of the books that has I most love is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. She writes so beautifully and with such honesty about the writing process, and maps out the pitfalls and pleasures of the work of a writer. It’s one of those books you can go back to over and over again for inspiration.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m planning the second book in my young adult dark fantasy series, Darkfall. I’m simultaneously excited and terrified to get started!!! I’m really happy with book one, which will be available in October 2017, and I don’t want to disappoint my readers with book two! Also I’m more of a pantser than a plotter, so writing a series is stretching me somewhat…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning about promotion!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persist, persist, persist.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Persist, persist, persist.

What are you reading now?
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco. I’m still fairly early in the story, but it’s a fascinating fantasy world, and I love her writing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I mentioned, I’m releasing the first book in a young adult dark fantasy series later this year. I’m hoping to have the second book ready for release next year, and to polish up my other young adult contemporary (which is a thriller with just a touch of horror) next year as well. So busy, busy, busy!

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?
NOOOO. You can’t ask me that. I’m not going to answer. Maybe instead of books I could bring three or four other writers and we could fill our days subsisting on coconuts and oysters and telling one another stories, and that way we’d never run out? Actually, that doesn’t sound like such a bad life.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rachel Sanderson Amazon Profile

Rachel Sanderson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Software Engineer, a pretty darn good one, at that, working for a Point of Sale company in Port Melbourne. Fun times, eh? I’ve always loved to read and have had a secret desire to write since forever. You can see a lot of my latent dreams spilling out into the code that I write, the documentation, the design… *sigh*. The thing is that I grew up knowing that I could never have my name on the front of a book, that authors and actors and entertainers came from a magical place of Neverwas, far removed from the real world. Sensible people grow up doing sensible things, working in sensible jobs and having a sensible career. Then you die and roll over to make way for the next sensible person.
The penny dropped somewhere around 2010.
“Authors are people,” I reasoned, “Hey, I’m one of those!”
I double checked and, sure enough, I’m a person, too. I started tapping out Adaptation on a PDA with a stylus, since I didn’t have a laptop back then, and the rest of the story goes on from there. Took a lot of sweating and nail-chewing to finally put a book to electrons, but it was worth it in the end. I’m now one of those fairy-folk who come from the far-off land of Neverwas, spinning yarns and getting my muse on at four in the morning while I’m trying to get some desperately needed shut-eye.
So far, I’ve completed the Adaptation series, six books in all, along with four Paranormology books, The Bullet, and Atlas, Broken. So at the time of writing, I’m looking at thirteen books, including the latest.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is “Tedrick Gritswell of Borobo Reef”, a story about a detective investigating the disappearance of a VIP. Yay, another detective book, right? Missing VIP? Twists and turns, yeah, all of that. Otherwise it wouldn’t be much of a detective novel, now would it? The twist? The protagonist, and all the characters, are cephalopods. That’s right, Tedrick, is an octopus. His best friend is a cuttlefish. The scene is Borobo Reef, an unforgiving underwater world of multi-limbed mobsters, authorities, hookers, merchants and unions.
What inspired it? I was reading a lot of Lon Williams featuring Deputy Marshall Lee Winters, and I got to liking the reluctant hero, the guy who ain’t the roughest, ain’t the smarted, sure as shells ain’t the most moralistic, but deep down cares enough to want to make thigns right. The problem is that writing a book like this is actually against what I’m ‘supposed’ to be doing.
Huh? What? What’s that? Let me take a step back:
In the magical land of Neverwas, there are rules about how a fairy-author should behave. A science-fiction writer must write sci-fi. A Romance writer must write Romance. Writing a detective novel when I’ve written mostly Sci-Fi and Paranormal is not cricket. I understand, but here’s my card: I’ve figured that my writing comes under the genre of ‘Weird’. It’s an actual thing, look it up. Weird Fiction is not horror, it’s not sci-fi, it’s not paranormal, it’s not fantasy… it’s somewhere in the middle of it all. And that’s why I’m allowed to write Tedrick Gritswell, because he’s a real-world detective, doing it tough, living with real world problems. He just happens to have eight legs. Well, seven by the end of the book, but who’s counting?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write where I can. Laptops are good like that. And when I can. That’s not all that unusual. Hmm. Ok. If you want to know my unusual writing habits, I can let drop a few secrets. When coming up with names for characters, I use the names of my friends and colleagues. Ottavio Manieri is my wife’s uncle, as is Pietro. Hanifé was a particularly brilliant student I used to tutor. Thomas Nikolov and Jason Evans are colleagues. Rob Attwood is a fan. For places, it’s the same deal. Grosvenor was where my brother used to live. Jolimont is the train station outside the MCG where I used to work. I used to live in the suburb of Gladstone Park. Want more? OK. In every book, there’s an alcoholic beverage. Either the character is relying on it, or suffers from it or, in the case of Henry Ludlow, just wants to sit down and enjoy one! I do have issues with alcohol, and I think this is just my way of facing up to the fact that it’s an unfortunate part of my life. Sometimes I’m like Marcus, and I savour the flavour and think I’m it’s master, and then other times I’m Ryan, struggling to close the damn bottle.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a youngster, I’d read, re-read and re-re-read Celtic Fairy Tales composed by Joseph Jacobs. And I’d read and re-read anything by James Herriot. Dragons and giants and fairies? I’d read it. Robots, Doctor Who, alens? Read it. Edgar Allen Poe, Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, H. P. Lovecraft. Anything weird and wonderful, anything out-of-this-world, I’d be up for it. Not mucn of a horror buff, personally. Not that I’m against it. Heck, I like a good ghost story, but gore and terror isn’t really my thing. Of late I’ve been reading up on a lot of classic science fiction, from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. OK, so we’re not all flying around in George Jetson jetpacks eating Space-O’s and traveling to the Moon for the weekend, but that’s not the point. The point is that mankind, throughout all the technological advances he develops in the future, will always be human, will always act selfishly and selflessly, depending on what’s inside. I think that’s one of the reasons I like Science fiction and Weird fiction so much: it’s about humans, doing human things, only that they’re doing it in a confronting setting.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on Portsmouth Avenue Ghost, the next book in the Paranormology series. I tell you what, it has been tricky writing ghost stories from a scientific viewpoint. Tricky in the sense that I can’t just let fly with a mansion filled to the brim with ghosts, apparitions and noises and groans and the like. Ghost hunting, as a science, is methodical and slow, yielding very little in the way of tangible evidence, and even less compelling evidence. Like hunting for gold, most days you’d come up from the mines covered in dirt with nothing more than a bad cough and red eyeballs. Yes, there is the occasional shining nugget but, more often than not, you’ve got hoaxes and pranks and false-leads and just sheer bad luck. That’s where Paranormology comes into it. Each book in the series deals with an aspect of the hunt – the monotony, the tedious evidence crawling, the incredulity of the public, the need to create equipment that may or may not work. Portsmouth Avenue follows up on that menace (or friend, perhaps) to the Paranormal hunter’s world, the mystic. That’s all I can say about it for now, since it’s in development.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In terms of promoting, I haven’t found a sure-fire winner. I’ve given Google Advertising a go, along with KDP adverts, GoodReads, Awesome Gang (Hi!), Storyfinds, oBooko, even Microsoft Bing. I’ve made banner ads, paid for top and
bottom slots, designed my own and had others make them for me. I’ve made a few YouTube videos for promoting and incidental marketing. I’ve made a blog to speak about various topics on writing and the publishing process, and cross promoted with other sites. I’ve looked at Facebook and word-of-mouth and Reddit. And that’s what I think it comes down to – there is no one specific way to promote one’s books. If there was, the other options wouldn’t be around. The trick is that everyone is doing the same thing, and some are really good at it, while others give up somewhere between submission #387 and #388. It’s tough. It’s bloody tough. It’s not what I, as an author, want to be doing. I want to be writing, dammit! I want to make books, not fill out lengthy submissions online and copy and paste details from here to there. That, unfortunately, is the nature of the beast. Unless you can get yourself a decent cashroll to throw at a marketing team, you’re on your own, bub.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors is the same as that I gave myself – Start writing. Wow, thanks Jez. Poignant. No, wait, there’s more to that. The first bit is ‘Start writing’. The last bit is ‘then finish it.’
I sat for too long on my stories. I wrote them, shrugged in fear, walked away and left them in the bottom of the electronic drawer because I was too damn chicken to put them up online. I was scared that I wasn’t good enough, that the stories weren’t what people wanted, that I would look like a fool and I’d spend the rest of my days apologising out the side of my mouth for my sins. What, are they letting any old shmuck into Neverwas these days? It took even longer than that since my first serious attempt at a book was thwarted by my own devices. I had written a story using a character from a computer game series and, while the story and most all characters were original, I couldn’t help but think there might be some issue with copyright infringements. I was right. After I wrote to the publisher, I was told very plainly that any involvement of their characters, incidental or otherwise, would be frowned upon. That scuttled my ship. Down, down it went. What’s the point? Why bother? All that time wasted and now I’ve got nothing but an empty page… It took a while to pick myself up again, wipe off the dried tears and get back behind the keyboard. Lesson learnt. So back to the advice – Start writing, then finish it. If you get all the way to the end and drop the words into a drawer, you’ve wasted your time. Breathe in, get everything square and take that last step to put your manuscript into the public’s eye.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard, or read, rather, comes from a book on becoming an author. I’ll paraphrase it to something like this: “You ain’t gonna make money doing this.” That’s right, it’s actually the most sound piece of advice I know. Not because I love cynicism. It’s because it’s true. Mathematically, statistically and empirically it is true. We can’t all be super-authors. The industry cannot and will not support that. In the same way that we cannot all be super-actors or super-musicians because, if we were, the term ‘super’ wouldn’t apply. 90% of people who write don’t make enough to cover their living. There, has that burst your bubble? Still want to write? Are you clinging to the hope that you’re going to be part of the 10%? Well, 90% of that 10% only make enough to get by. How about that? Think you’re going to be part of the 1% who will achieve international super-stardom and romp across the world in a flying limousine? You’re dreaming. So that brings us to a very important question, answerable only by you: “Why do you want to write?” Is it for the money? Then stop now, do yourself a favour and go and study to be a dentist. Or a plumber. Or a pilot. Because there’s no money here. Is it for fame? Again, same rules apply. 99% or writers are obscure, even within their own community. Is it because you’ve got something to say? Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. Yes, if you’re in it because you want to tell the world your story, or because you’ve got a really cool idea for a plot twist, or, dammit, you just love to write, then you belong in this world of writing. Otherwise, you’re just a tourist.

What are you reading now?
Currently I am reading “The Lone Wolf” by Louis Joseph Vance. You’ve got a young thief, a gentleman despite his upbringing, who cover is blown by ‘The Pack’ and he is blackmailed to join with them. Set in turn-of-the-century Paris, Vance paints a very colourful picture, perhaps a little too colourful for my liking, but it’s good reading and not too heavy on the eyelids.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next? More books, of course! The next in Paranormology awaits and after that maybe a Tedrick Gritswell follow up. Maybe finish off Light Rain. Maybe re-work my original Darkness from Below to strip out every trace of that pesky foreign character. I’m not too sure, to be honest. I have a white-board in my study where I arrange my plans, only I’ve finished with Tedrick Gritswell and I haven’t had a chance to sit back and take stock. When I say, “I haven’t had a chance,” I mean that I’ve been doing other activities, like make videos about sausages and the like. No, really. All work and no play makes Jez a dull boy. But I’ll jump back onto the book-wagon, no problem. I mean, if I don’t write my books, who will?

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?
Let’s see, what to take with me… The Bible, that’s an easy one. Then Principles of Physics – always for a refresher on how stuff does stuff. Then Celtic Fairy Tales, defo. Lastly, I think I’d go my Robert Louis Stevenson book with Kidnapped, Doctor Jekyll and The Master of Ballantrae.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jeremy Tyrrell Website
Jeremy Tyrrell Amazon Profile
Jeremy Tyrrell Author Profile on Smashwords

Jeremy Tyrrell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always had an affinity for books. Reading, writing, researching. Just being around books has always made me happy. I graduated with a BA in Psychology and it was then that I realized how much I really enjoyed the process of writing. Doubt: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Attraction Marketing is my first published book

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Doubt: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Attraction Marketing was inspired by the struggle. I have been in network marketing and direct sales and it became apparent how difficult that industry really is. I made all of the mistakes. I knew I had to try a new approach. Someone told me ‘you need to just be you’. That’s what inspired this book. Creating success and wealth from simply using the gifts that you already possess. Just be you.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always drink a glass of wine as I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors like Tony Robbins inspire me. I read a lot of self help books to help me cope after my husband died. Those are the kinds of books that speak to me the most.
My book is more than a manual how to- it’s also a self help, personal development tool as well

What are you working on now?
I’m now working on a book about my story. Tragedy and despair to creating the life I deserve.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like Facebook; that’s always a good tool. Free promo sites like awesomegang are great as well. I spent time doing a press release but didn’t have much success with that. Stick to what is simple: social media platforms. Especially in my case. With my book deal, I am responsible for promoting my own book. Which can seem daunting. But as long as you have a strategy, it’s do able and fun.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write about what you know.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do not live in a place of fear. Danger is real. Fear is not. Do not give fear power.

What are you reading now?
Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to begin the process of writing my next book in the next few weeks. I need a brief break first though!

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?
Mmmm. I would bring one of my fun favorites: ‘Official Book Club Selection’ by Kathy Griffin. I would also bring ‘Fly by Wire’ by William Langewiesche and ‘Imagine All the People’ by The Dalai Lama

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