Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
So I’ve been writing stuff for the past eight years. I kind of just naturally fell into YA Fiction, though I do like to experiment. I like to write mostly realistic stories, like stuff that you could imagine happening in real life, and then throw just a touch of fantastical in there. I like to have it be almost poetic in a way.

I mean, I guess I’ve “written” a lot, but I’m kind of just getting started with the whole “publishing stuff” thing. My debut, Forget Me, was just published this past May.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Forget Me was my latest book. It’s about Sabine, a troubled teen who feels like life and God and all that mumbo-jumbo don’t really have much to offer her. She finally gets so fed up with it all that she ends up killing herself, but she doesn’t find the peace she thought she would.

Writing this story was a rather cathartic experience for me. While a lot of stuff in the story is fictitious, many of the elements were based on my own experiences with depression and feeling like an outcast. The story is centered around a pretty flawed character, and in the end Sabine begins to see herself not as worthless but as a work-in-progress, doesn’t love herself perfectly but starts to see the possibility of that. It was meant to be a realistic depiction and something I hope will resonate with my readers that are going through similar situations.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I talk to myself. I do this often. Sometimes I do it to think through plot points or something, because it’s just easier to think through out loud, but other times it just happens naturally. I don’t know, I might be insane.

Sometimes, when I’m getting writer’s block or I’m trying to think of what to write next, I’ll backspace the last letter of the last word I typed, type it again, backspace it and type it again. I do this quickly and repetitively. Sometimes it’s the whole word; “the,” backspace, “the,” backspace. Not really sure why I do this, but I can tell you I’ve been doing it a few times as I’ve typed this interview.

I also have a whole binder for character information. I call it my “character binder.” How original, right? It has those plastic inserts that a normal person would use for a photo album, and I’ll have four slots (one sheet) for each character. I’ll put a picture I think looks somewhat like my character (I find these on Google or Pinterest, there’s another unusual writing habit for ya), another little square of paper with basic info like height and weight and such, and then the other slots have pieces of paper with the character’s positive and negative traits written on them. It’s kind of like a “character-at-a-glance” sort of reference guide for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I mean, I’ve read plenty over the years, but it’s hard to pinpoint any authors or books that have specifically influenced my work. I can say, however, that William Sleator is one of my favorite authors, and he may have had some impact on my writing style. I will say this: we have a character name in common, a name I think is pretty unusual and unique, not something I’ve seen very often. It’s no Becky or Lisa, it’s Sabine. I mentioned earlier that the main character of my latest novel is named Sabine. Sleator had a character named Sabine in his novel called The Boy Who Couldn’t Die (one of my favorites, by the way). Totally not on purpose. It could be a coincidence, but I’m not so sure. I’m just saying that his writing could have influenced me in ways I don’t realize.

What are you working on now?
I’m actually working on a book for writers about developing characters. It’s supposed to be a sort of quiz/interview/game book that really helps you get to know your characters (and even, you might say, spend some quality time). Developing characters is one of my favorite parts of writing (and I’ve been told my character writing is very deep and realistic), so I thought I could share some tips.

I’m also writing another fiction piece. It would fall under the LGBT category. Less of a “coming out” story and more of a “self-discovery” story. My main character Emily is of the “difficult” breed. Seriously. Sometimes when I’m working on this story, I feel like a parent dealing with their teenage daughter. We’ll see if I can manage to get her to cooperate with me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still kind of testing the waters at this point. Goodreads is pretty cool though. But yeah, jury’s still out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t try to publish the first thing you write that you think is “decent.” This goes double if you’re an indie author like myself. I’ve had a few false alarms where I got an idea, got about half-through writing it, thought it was super-great and thought to myself “y’know? THIS is gonna be the one I publish, I just know it!” And then proceeded to tell my friends and family that I’d be publishing a book in the near future. You wanna know what happened to those books? Most of those books are still unfinished, and they’re all sitting in a folder on my flash drive labeled “practice books.” Luckily I realized they were craparoo before it was too late.

So, bottom line? Don’t be in a rush to publish something, especially if you’re going the NOT traditional route. And edit the book a bunch of times. Give it to test readers. Edit that bad boy some more, and realize that the story might change itself on you and make you realize that you had some things all wrong. Yeah, don’t be afraid to change things! The key to the whole story might be hiding under one little stupid thing that’s gotta go, a thing you don’t wanna let go and are latching on to like a piranha on human flesh. And get your fine self a proofreader. Get a proof copy and read and reread it, marking up the errors you find. Make it the best you can. After all, this is your baby. If you don’t care enough about it to give it the treatment it deserves, how can you expect your readers to care?

All that being said, don’t get wrapped up in being perfect. Don’t try to make this book the best thing you’ll EVER write, because if it is? Well… you’re done. Getting published is a journey, not a destination, because someday (best case scenario) you’ll write a book even better than the first book you wrote. You might reread your first book one day and realize you made some mistakes, or you missed a consistency issue, or you could’ve broadened a plot point. But to realize those things is okay, and you wanna know why? Because 1. You’re not perfect, and writing is all about learning to realize and accept this about yourself, and 2. Seeing these things means you’re a better writer than you were before. So don’t get hung up on being perfect. Sometimes you have to just pull the trigger and say, “I’ve made this the best I could, and now I’m giving it to the world.”

And one more thing, and I’ll keep it short: BACK UP YOUR WORK. Seriously. It’s all fun and games until your computer dies and won’t turn back on. And back it up in more than one place, please would ya? Take it from the person who once spent an hour digging through garbage bags in the rain to find their flash drive because the cat knocked it into the garbage can somehow.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Uh, BACK UP YOUR WORK. I really can’t stress it enough.

But there’s some other great advice I heard once, though I don’t remember where. It’s that the only rule for writing is that there are no rules. I would even extend this to say that the best writing breaks the rules. My opinion is that writing should be daring or at the very least passionate, or frankly it’s dead. Writing is supposed to question the status-quo.

What are you reading now?
My to-read list is miles long! But right now I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The character development book I mentioned earlier? I’m hoping to release that by the end of the year. I’m hoping to have another fiction release ready by early- to mid-2018. I’ll see how things fall together; one thing I’ve learned as a writer is that you can’t rush a story.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Boy Who Couldn’t Die, William Sleator
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Sherman Alexie
The Duplicate, William Sleator
My own, of course! I love it so.

Author Websites and Profiles
Chelsea Vanderbeek Website
Chelsea Vanderbeek Amazon Profile
Chelsea Vanderbeek’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m from Wales in the UK, and unlike many other authors I don’t have any official sounding training or qualifications. Prior to writing my latest book I worked pretty much as a janitor. That should give you an idea of any “official” skill sets I have. I consider this an advantage in many respects, many people who want to make it online or as a self-published author can more easily identify with me, than they can with somebody who has gone through years of law school or runs their own company etc. Even the little guy can achieve with the help of the interwebs, willingness to learn and some staying power!

I have written 5 books to date, all of which have been Kindle best sellers. Three are no longer available because I made the mistake of writing about subjects that were either not evergreen, or they were about a third product which kept changing or simply no longer exist.

My grammar also stinks, you’ll probably notice that throughout this interview, but that’s what editors and proof readers are there for. Don’t let your spelling and grammar put you off creating something if you have a book idea, work with that creative strength and bring on others with strengths in the areas where you are weak.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “Internet Business Insights” and it was really my own way of finding out what successful people were doing. Inside we interviewed 101 online entrepreneurs which in itself was an education, but the biggest take away was that these people kept mentioning the same things over and over again, it was uncanny! We turned these 30 repeating themes into 30 lessons at the end of the book that anybody can start using to find more success.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, most of the books I have published are selfish in many respects. Although they help others to learn various skills, they are also experiments to satisfy my own curiosity. I’m a firm believer that you don’t need to know all the answers when you start writing, you’ll probably never begin if you take that mindset.

I also rite betterer after a good drink.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
With regards to my writing, I couldn’t really point to any influence as a fiction writer might.

Life in general, I started reading and listening to all the usual success and self help type of books at around 15 years old. “Think and Grow Rich,” Earl Nightingales stuff among many others, but the one book that really sticks in my mind is “The Forbidden Book Of Getting What You Want” by Dantalion Jones. There is a lot of the same old stuff in there, but the author points out on the inside that the book is a trap. And for me, the trap worked and made me start chasing dreams and goals. To quote the author and hopefully clarify…

“This warning is provided to make you aware that The Forbidden Book Of Getting What You Want is a written as a TRAP to ensnare you into going after what you want like a shark ending a hunger strike.

Once you read it… you can’t unread it.

Seriously, all the hype aside, the key to making this process work is based on a simple formula of motivation; that we are more easily motivated to move away from what we don’t want than to go after what we do want.”

What are you working on now?
After finishing “Internet Business Insights” I took a break for a short while, but my focus lies on a follow up to this book as it was so well received. If something works, there is little point changing the system.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Use your network! If you don’t have a network then start getting involved with people who have similar interests and goals. This is a slow process at first, but working alone and trying to accomplish big things alone is a recipe for failure.

Help others in your network achieve their goals and they will be more than happy to reciprocate when you also need help. It may sound counterproductive (maybe even woo-woo to some) but giving of yourself and your time to help others achieve will come back to you in spades.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you don’t have a budget to outsource marketing and promotion, get used to wearing a lot of hats until you do. A lot of new authors just want to write their book and then expect it to sell well just because it is a good book. While that might be true, I’m sorry to tell you that just throwing the book up on Kindle etc won’t get you anywhere fast. The cream doesn’t rise to the top in the self-publishing business without some hard marketing and promotional work to help it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When I asked my co-author for “Internet Business Insights” how we were going to split the royalties he replied “Why the f*ck would I be interested in the royalties from a Kindle book? It’s all yours!”

Sounds like a stupid thing for him to say, but you can probably see how much money is to be made from the back end of a book. (And the book itself will make tens of thousands no doubt.) I was shocked at this statement, but it taught me that non-fiction self publishing should only be the first step somebody takes into your wider funnel.

What are you reading now?
Fiction: I have just today finished “Ready Player One” which I found a little slow to start, but overall a good read.

Non-fiction: “Drug of Choice: The Inspiring True Story Of The One-Armed Criminal Who Mastered Love And Made Millions” by Mark van Stratum who I was lucky enough to be able to interview for my latest book. You should definitely check this out.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the same. My books are all about finding out what works for others, or experimenting to find out what works for myself with regards to self-publishing and success in general. It comes more easily than other types of projects as it truly interests me.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’m not sure what they are called but they would be very big books that I could tie together to make a raft… Books float right? :-s

Author Websites and Profiles
Chris Naish Website
Chris Naish Amazon Profile

Chris Naish’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written and recently published one book, a historical novel entitled Compromise With Sin. I live in Austin, Texas, with my husband, Tim. We’re both volunteer narrators for the Texas Talking Book Program. He’s an actor and a much better narrator than I am.

In my free time I like to inline skate and make polymer clay jewelry.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
When you were born, it’s almost certain that a nurse or midwife treated your eyes with prophylactic drops or ointment to prevent possible blindness from gonorrhea. It was state law then and still is.

My historical novel, Compromise With Sin, deals with the controversial campaign for legislation–controversial because it was taboo to speak of venereal disease. In my research I found out that Helen Keller had been instrumental in this movement, and I made her a character in my novel.

The story is also one of betrayal and redemption, and romantic love at its most complicated, tragic, and poignant.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
You probably have a mind’s eye. If I asked you to picture your first car, you probably could. Not me. I flat out can’t see pictures in my head. There’s a name for this condition: aphantasia.

So it helps me, especially with character descriptions, to use pictures. For example, I used a picture of Harrison Ford in developing one of my characters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m very much drawn to books that dramatize and humanize big social issues. I’m thinking especially of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, which exposed the horrific conditions in the meat-packing industry, and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, which brought home the human cost of racial prejudice. Another book that affected me is Ben Rehder’s The Chicken Hanger, which shows the perils of immigration today and the ruthless disregard for immigrant workers’ safety.

What are you working on now?
I’m drafting the second novella in a trilogy I’m spinning off from Compromise With Sin. The theme of the three novellas is what happens to ordinary people whose darkest secrets are revealed in a novel that only thinly disguises their identities.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet, but I can tell you what I’m doing. I’ve hired a marketing consultant who is in the process of buying advertising to promote my eBook. I’m also lining up appearances at local book clubs, and I’m participating in a library’s Indie Author Day.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Don’t try to write and edit at the same time.
2. Your first draft is perfect. (I read that somewhere.)
3. Face the blank page, and give yourself permission to suck.
4. Join a critique group.
5. Persist.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the book you want to read.

What are you reading now?
A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman

What’s next for you as a writer?
For the first book in my trilogy, I need to research the culture of Santa Fe around 1912, which was when New Mexico was granted statehood, and life in a tuberculosis sanitorium. That’s where Irina Taylor, a nurse in Compromise With Sin, goes to work after she leaves Riverbend, Nebraska.

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?
Back to the Top of the World, by Hans Ruesch; Ragtime, by E. L. Doctorow; Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger

Author Websites and Profiles
Leanna Englert Website
Leanna Englert Amazon Profile

Leanna Englert’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Joseph, a Freelance Blogger from England. I write about big topics to get a better grip on the crazy and rapidly-getting-crazier world we live in. Things like spirituality, technology, meditation, meaning, psychology — pretty much everything important.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Your Relationship Is Phubbed: 14 Ways Smartphones Are Ruining Your Relationships, Why It’s Happening & How To Reconnect Without Disconnecting. The book was inspired by the emerging field of Digital Anthropology and the sorry sight of seeing everyone around me lost in their phones.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, the usual — I tend not to be able to write unless I get up early.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Alan Watts for making the complex simple, Mark Manson for his natural tone, Stephen King for his relentless ability to deliver.

What are you working on now?
I’m not sure, I have lots of notes and ideas laying around and I’ll see what happens when I put them together.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Probably Amazon itself as it has just an insane amount of visitors every day.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For whatever I’m writing, my only criteria is that, when I sit back in my chair and take a deep breath, it leaves me with the feeling of being a little less confused and a little more at ease with the world. I suspect it will help new writers to adopt a ‘one criteria’ of their own for which all their writing has to live up to.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘A writer is someone who writes’ — my sister

What are you reading now?
Born To Run by Chris Mcdougall

What’s next for you as a writer?
More 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?
The Way of The Superior Man – David Deida
Man’s Search For Meaning – Viktor Frankl
Ready Player One – Ernest Cline
A survival guide by Bear Grylls or Ray Mears

Author Websites and Profiles
Joseph Pennington Website
Joseph Pennington Amazon Profil

Joseph Pennington’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a 23-year old student, writer and yogi. Since overcoming struggles with my mental health I became an advocate for self-love, mindfulness and fitness. It started out with writing poems and short-stories as a way to cope with strong emotions. Most of them are in German, though. A series of them is available on kindle as both e-book and regular book. Then, I found out about the importance of self-love and started integrating yoga, meditation, more sports and journaling into my daily life. It helped me so much that I wanted other people to benefit from it, too. That’s why I wrote a short book on overcoming fears and anxiety. Shortly after I finished my guide book on living a mindful and happy life, for which I drew little mandalas that can be coloured out in the printed version.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is in German “Gedichte der Vergangenheit” which translates to “Poems of the past”. It is a compilation of my favourite poems that I wrote when I was younger. Many of them reflect quite strongly the overwhelming emotions of depression and anxiety.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to be only able to write when I was depressed, or at least very sad. Then I stopped being sad so much and noticed that I therefore stopped writing, as well. So now my writings don’t happen in the middle of the night in empty places anymore, that is quite unusual for my understanding.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The most inspiring writer I know is Thomas Mann (German). He inspired me to start writing at all, although the styles have nothing in common.

What are you working on now?
Right now I am working on writing my university degree, which is quite time-consuming. After that I am planning on doing a little “play-book” that is filled with mandalas, inspirational stories, challenges, and many other things that will help people integrate more positive habits into their lives.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am not good in promoting my books, therefore I don’t know the answer to this. I do, however, have links to all my books on my website mindfulpeanut.com. There I actually have a few more writings online, that are too short to be a book on their own.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. Get over the first sentence and start writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what you love and fortune will follow.

What are you reading now?
Scientific articles for my bachelor’s thesis on particle fluxes and nutrients in the ocean…

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will simply go with the flow.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
It would be “Buddenbrooks” and “Der Zauberberg” by Thomas Mann, “Die Leiden des jungen Wether” by Goethe and “Der Steppenwolf” by Hermann Hesse. I just really love German literature.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lisa Braun Website
Lisa Braun Amazon Profile

Lisa Braun’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Sadeesha Fernando, female, a Sri Lankan online fictional novelist and a poet who has thousands of online fans who pursue and remark over my masterpieces in the internet. ‘My Heart can’t rest even for a moment’ was my first online novel which won so many hearts of passionate readers. Following, “Let me Awaken” was my second online novel which succeeded and gathered so many readers along the way.
‘Silent Storm of the Birthmark’ is my first published commercial e-novel which contains the blend of mystery romance in a fantasy expressive background when a human and a paranormal being were meant to be together by fate.
I was used to phrased by my readers for brilliant at expressing deep and sensitive sentiments of humans, the surroundings of the lives and temperament of mankind .
I used to offer much more space for readers to get appended with the story while sensing that they would breathe with them.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Silent Storm of The Birthmark” is the latest book which has published for selling these days. It’s the first book of the “Birthmark” series.
It’s a story when a young college girl led by a fated birthmark & fell in love without any idea that it’d become a silent storm of her life…

Silent Storm of The Birthmark is a romance and mystery story under the light of fantasy theme regarding a college student named Jina Michel. Jina meets a guy who was a stranger to her eyes but somewhat familiar to her heart on a day when she fell in sick in a road side and that’s where their story begins. Rean Dezlen is the handsome man who stole Jina’s heart leading her to unusual life experiences and forbidden love with him. The mysteriousness of him has made her felt like that she doesn’t belong to this world anymore being the girl for that paranormal handsome creature.
But…The scars of their lives and the hidden secrets of their birth and the signs of their bodies would lead them for forgetting everything around them. The birthmark would be the core point of their lives thereafter. And that would be the reason which fate bought to them that they would not to fall in love with each other but to meet and struggle…
Will Jina be able to find the secrets behind him and will she be able to solve the puzzle of their mystery romance ever? And, will Rean be able not to fall for her and protect the decision which he has already taken because of the hidden fate of them?

The story will be so deep in romance, mystery and struggles which would lead readers to predict the next possible outcome of every episode….

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing is always unusual when you know what your heart want you to write

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I used to read lots of books from my childhood and there were plenty of books which influenced me for who I am today.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I am working on the second season of the Birthmark series which is expected to release in the year end.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesomegang is one of a best website which I came across to promote my book. Simultaneously, Inkitt.com and goodreads.com also are good websites for promotions.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The advise of mine for new authors is, Be yourself and don’t imitate others. when you are the who you are, then, you are always free to write by your heart.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“There is nothing which a woman can’t do if she has the inspiration and the self-motivation. The difference of capabilities of a man and a woman is only their courage and attitude”

This is the best advice of my father which I inspired me through out my life time.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sadeesha Fernando Website
Sadeesha Fernando Amazon Profile
Sadeesha Fernando Author Profile on Smashwords

Sadeesha Fernando’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Charles Stoll. I was born on Long Island in 1956. I won a national award in writing (N.C.T.E.) in high school and attended Syracuse University. In the Honors Program, my advisor challenged me to write three books in three years to hone my writing skills. Forty years later, I accomplished that goal with “Enigma” in 2014, The Time Thief in 2015 and Sorry and Morticum in 2016.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sorry and Morticum is my latest. I tried to imagine what this world might be like in a thousand years and my imagination roared. After manking had made peace, there still followed the Insect, Robotic and Climate Wars. The earth is covered by a conscious fog and formerly hidden creatures now share the planet with humans. Can Sorry, an aging wizard, and his werewolf husband, Morticum, make America great again?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
There are file cards and pens all over my house. If I do not record an idea within ten seconds from thinking it, it will be lost forever.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I prefer philosophical works like The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer or Dinner with Buddha by Roland Merullo.. I enjoy Joseph Campbell, Jack Kerouac and Herman Hesse.

What are you working on now?
I am currently writing The Drunken Angel, about a woman who lives in the fictional town of Marmalade, Florida. Her lack of proper guidance in life leads her to take a life here and there, and yet no one ever complains. At her eulogy, she is remembered as a great woman by all who knew her.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t ascertained which is the best to date.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Join a writing critique group. Your writing can only evolve when it is edited over and over. Also, write what you know and from the heart, as only you can tell the story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write three books in three years, if you are serious.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Romanov Curse by a fellow writer, Sam Cromartie.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I like to give myself a different challenge with each book I write. I will determine that challenge when I finish my current work in progress.

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?
Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert Heinlien, On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and Sorry and Morticum, my own.

Author Websites and Profiles
Charles Stoll Website
Charles Stoll Amazon Profile
Charles Stoll Author Profile on Smashwords

Charles Stoll’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For the last six years I have been teaching English (ESL) in China. Prior to that I worked at a number of British Universities teaching Sociology. I have written four books, not counting my PhD thesis. The first book was a joint project with a Chinese author aimed at helping Chinese students with their English speaking (IELTS) exams. I have also published a similar book but aimed outside of China. My third book is a memoir of my time in China. It has adult content so I published under a pen name. Meditations on Murder is my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Meditations on Murder is the title and to be truthful I first started writing it before moving to China. My relationship had broken down and I used the writing as a way of diluting the angst I was feeling. Those fleeting feelings where you really feel like you could murder your ex partner. I drew on a lot of my anger and other personal experiences to write the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No unusual habits. I write by the seat of my pants. Sometimes I can write fluently for hours, if not days. Then I will have a dry patch for a while and leave the ideas to simmer in my unconscious. I do not believe in writers block.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think every writer and book I have read has influenced me. I have always been an avid reader. One of my most favourite authors who writes beautifully is James Lee Burke.

What are you working on now?
My second novel – a follow up to the first – its called the Twelfth Rune. Its set in Cornwall and draws on the myths and legends of Cornwall but bought into a modern day setting. Charlie has to save the world again.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
spam as much social media as your can.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and keep writing

What are you reading now?
The Silk Roads – A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing. Some people hope for J.K Rowling success – but I am happy to write and if people like it and buy it thats great. I don’t think I’ll ever become a millionaire out of my 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?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Bhagavad Gita
How to Survive on a Deserted Island (Edge Books) by Tim O’Shei

Author Websites and Profiles
Rob Burton Website

Rob Burton’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Marine of 23yrs, retired in 2009, I’m a father of 7, and I have acquired two children who want me to be their dad in the last two years… what a honor. I suffer from anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I began writing in October 2016 and things have been pouring out ever since. My goal in my writing is to change the course of dysfunction families by sharing things I have learned along the way to help make a difference. I will speak whenever and where ever I can to awaken the family spirit that has taken a beaten in the last 40 years or so. I currently 11 books published on Amazon/Createspace.com,

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest Book is called “Be Undumpable”, it is a relationship book. In looking at the cycle dysfunction how it seems to keep moving generation after generation, I noticed one of the key factors is the single parent. As I shared in my first book, I am My Own Dad…. for most women being dual hatted frustrates them, being mother and father majority of the time can hurt the development of the child and may cause relationship issues later in life when it is their turn to find a loving marriage.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My lack of sleep helps me to write all night, I’ve learned to turn that negative into a positive. My title comes first then my chapters. This keeps in me focused on the topic and makes it flow as to make the whole journey easy.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
None, I recently learned I could write, reading was not my forte…

What are you working on now?
I’m going to tackle my Marine Corps story…..

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m just getting started in the promoting arena

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, leave it, and then come back in two days….. fresh eyes catches mistakes

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What you have to do, So you can do what you want to do…..

What are you reading now?
This Survey

What’s next for you as a writer?
Complete two more books, help others to write their story to release them from their past and grow to who they were suppose to 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?
How to build a boat out of nothing
How to make a compass out of nothing
Survivors Cookbook

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Posey Amazon Profile

Paul Posey’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Amy Martin, and I’ve been writing books since I was a kid. I’m not sure how many books I’ve written by now, but I have four books in print (The In Your Dreams series–In Your Dreams, As You Wake, Before You Sleep, and Beyond Your Dreams) with a fifth coming in September 2017 (Perfectly Normal, the first book in The Perfects series).

When I’m not writing or reading, I’m spending time with my husband and our attack tabby. I also like to drink coffee, check my Twitter feed, and watch sports or movies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Perfectly Normal, the first book of The Perfects series, will be out on September 1, 2017. The book is about how magic touches a group of girls, some of whom used to be friends but have grown apart. I wrote it at a time in my life when I really needed some magic, so I thought I’d create some of my own.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It’s not so much a habit as an adaptation. My cat likes to sit on my lap while I work, and she always rests her paws on my left arm so I can’t reach the keyboard. So, I’ve learned to type pretty quickly with just my right hand.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up reading Judy Blume and the Laura Ingalls Wilder “Little House” books, so they really influenced my decision to write for young adults.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on the second and third books in The Perfects series. Book Two, Perfectly Weird, should be out in November 2017.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve had success with Bookbub ads in the past, but those can be very difficult to get. Really, word of mouth and reviews from loyal readers is the best way to get the word out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Someone out there wants to read what you have to write, so believe in yourself and your message.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day, if possible, but don’t worry if you need to take a day off sometimes–burnout isn’t worth it.

What are you reading now?
I just finished The White Raven by Carrie D. Miller.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to see how far the The Perfects series takes me–there are lots of little subplots in that larger story that could be expanded into books of their own. I also have ideas for other young adult books, so I plan to be writing for a long time!

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?
This changes all the time, but at the moment:

The Hunger Games series

Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Martin Website
Amy Martin Amazon Profile
Amy Martin Author Profile on Smashwords

Amy Martin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Canadian prairie kid. At some point I escaped the cold and went about as far as one can go from here – Australia. I went to university there (woo UQ!) in Queensland, travelling and working until eventually returning to my roots. It’s the sort of place that gets in your bones.

I’ve finished one full length ‘epic’ fantasy – which is my ‘debut’, I guess you’d call it. It’s over 200,000 words, or around 600 pages, and the first of a trilogy. I’ve also written a 20,000 flintlock fantasy ‘novella’. It will be for sale soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut book is called ‘Kings of Paradise’. I’d say a lot of things inspired it. For good or ill I’m one of those ‘always knew I wanted to be a writer’ types. I guess I feel like a bit of a cultural sponge, soaking up the news and history and lives of people all around me until eventually I just have to get it out onto paper to stay sane. So that’s what Kings of Paradise is – my love of the fantasy genre mixed with history and politics, and my fascination with incredible things, people and events.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I suppose that depends on what counts as ‘unusual’. I try to meet a very forgiving quota of 1000 ‘good’ words a day. This generally involves me sitting at my desk for several hours, typically from whenever I wake up (I abandoned an alarm clock some time ago), to around 5pm like a regular person. Once I’ve met that quota though (whatever time that happens to be), all bets are off. I’m a raving lunatic rock star the rest of the day. I’ve achieved world peace. Nothing could ever be wrong with the world, and I’ll drink whiskey at 9am if I want, thank you very much. The depression sets in again tomorrow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh dear. My first love (that I can remember – my dad narrated before I could read), was Samuel Coleridge, and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I still think poems that don’t rhyme are terrible. The novelist that has endured as my favorite though is James Clavell, and I think Shogun is a masterpiece. In terms of fantasy, I have to mention Robert E Howard and George Martin for sure. I’m also a big fan of Mark Lawrence and Brent Weeks.

What are you working on now?
Two things – the second book in the Kings of Paradise series, and also shorter flintlock fantasy stories. The first flintlock story is called ‘Rebellion of the Black Militia’, and involves guns, demons, and knights. It’s much faster pace and action-y, and should appeal to any fantasy fans.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Good question. I wish I knew. At the moment I’m taking the shotgun approach and trying a little of everything. Places like Awesomegang are rare and very valuable to the little indie guys like me. So thanks very much!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write more. Finish what you’re writing. Leave it alone and read it in a month.

Almost anyone can learn how to market and advertise with enough time, money, and patience. Your ‘competitive advantage’ is being a good writer, so master it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Allow yourself to write badly. Get the words down and move on, you’ll improve, you can decide later what’s good enough to keep. Extend to life in general.

What are you reading now?
I read a lot. At any given moment you might find a dozen open books scattered like rotting food around the places I sit or lie down. Having said that, I just finished Juliet Barker’s Agincourt – a history book about that famous battle and king, Henry V, later immortalized by Shakespeare.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more books! I want to finish the Kings of Paradise trilogy, several more flintlock ‘novellas’, and then I’ll likely write another fantasy trilogy based on the flintlock ‘world’ I’ve created. After that, who knows…

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?
Obviously my first choice would be: ‘How to Survive on a Deserted Island’, by Tim O’Shei.

I mentioned it earlier but I think #2 might be James Clavell’s ‘Shogun’. It’s one of the few books I ever re-read. After that – the Kama Sutra.

Author Websites and Profiles
Richard Nell Website
Richard Nell Amazon Profile

Richard Nell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Photographer and author from Uzhhorod, Ukraine. Owner of different photograpic awards. This is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Paris Contrasts.
Life on the streets of modern Paris.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Henri Cartier-Bresson

What are you working on now?
Promote my book and thinking about new one.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am not sure

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Study, work and try

What are you reading now?
Dan Simmons

What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t know

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?
“For whom the bell tolls” Ernest Hemingway and three new books of Dan Simmons

Author Websites and Profiles
Vasyl Prokopyshyn Website
Vasyl Prokopyshyn Amazon Profile

Vasyl Prokopyshyn’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a theater major and graphic designer who enjoys sharing stories, life, and experiences through writing. I have written 1 Memoir, 3 Children’s books, 7 Fictional books, and 1 informative book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“To College or Not To College,” is my latest book and second non-fiction. It was inspired by my many mistakes made while in college and even after college. I simply wanted to give information to teenagers and young adults that I wish someone would have given me before I went to college.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes. If I ever get writer;s block, but know how I want the book to end I will write backwards, from end to beginning. The ideas from the beginning and middle of the book will come to me as I write the end.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was not influenced by any author(s), I was influenced by the Holy Spirit to write every idea, story, and idea I had/have. Although I did not think people would like my style of writing, I pursued and realized there are people out there that appreciate my simplicity in writing.

What are you working on now?
Physically nothing, but mentally I am working on a book about a young man who is on trial for endangerment of a child. I cannot go into details because it would ruin the suspense of the book. I have not officially sat down and begun to write it, but I will soon.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use twitter much and I also like to use fiverr. I soon will be getting the help of a marketing/advertising agency.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The first step is to sit down and write. Turn off the television and/or wake up early and find the time to write. You have the time you just need to prioritize your time. Secondly, find a professional editor to edit your work. No matter how many times you edit it yourself you will overlook something. Thanks to the Internet and entrepreneurs editing is affordable. Thirdly and lastly, writing/publishing a book is like planting a seed; do NOT expect over night harvest. It takes times, patience, consistency, dedication, determination, diligence, discipline, and again time for your books to sell. You will give away more books in the beginning than you will sell, but you must keep going. This is not a quick rich scheme. This is a lifestyle that will take much time, energy, and effort, before you reap the harvest.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always allow your fingerprint to guide you.

What are you reading now?
Business Secrets from the Bible by Daniel Lapin

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have written plays, films, and I am working on a television drama series. My goal at some point is to start directing and producing my works.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bible, How to Survive on a Desert Island (Tough Guides) by Jim Pipe, Art: Over 2,500 Works from Cave to Contemporary by Iain Zaczek and Mary Acton, and Desert Island Dishes: Recipes from the World’s Top Chefs by Infinite Ideas Limited

Author Websites and Profiles
Casey Bell Website
Casey Bell Author Profile on Smashwords

Casey Bell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Cheryl R Cowtan was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1967. She was raised by a carpenter and his wife who shared a curiosity and wonder about the scientific world, space, medicine, nature, agriculture and husbandry. Thus, Cheryl lived in homes built by her parents on acreage that was filled with horses, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, rabbits and anything else she and her brothers could catch. She ate food grown in her family’s organic gardens and spent most of her early years running through the forest, crying out “wolf!” “wolf!” to her brothers.

Cheryl has always been a voracious reader. From a young age, she read anything she could get her hands on. Her mother’s Reader Digest Condensed books in grade 4, her father’s Isaac Asimov magazines and cast off horror and fantasy novels, a box of Harlequin Romance novels from a neighbour, her third cousin’s Tarzan, John Carter of Mars and Princess series, her grandfather’s leather bound History of the West and Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour collections. Yes, it was a mishmash of inbound literature and out of it came her own writing, poetry, thrillers, westerns and fantasy. Scribble, scribble, into a box it all went.

Life went on, jobs, husband, house, children, career change to teaching.

Now she had everything. A loving family, a beautiful home, dogs, cats, chickens, even a fishing boat. Cheryl loved her job, loved being a mother and a wife. She couldn’t be happier.

Or could she? For in the back of her mind was still that little niggle, that little dream, the dream of being a writer.

And so her story begins…

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Girl Desecrated” of “The Fergus She” series is one sexy, quirky, gothic fantasy you won’t be able to stop thinking about.
“Girl Desecrated” explores new adult themes of relationships, independence and identity within a character’s dysfunctional lifestyle. I wanted to write about a girl whose past struggles give her the strength to overcome a supernatural occurrence.
My protagonist, Rachel, has survived personal and family crisis, and struggles with behaviour problems. She is a risk-taker, self-sabotaging and socially crippled, but she is also someone who might overcome her challenges through courage and resilience. Even though her poor decisions sometimes lead her to trouble, her desire for love and acceptance make her endearing and relatable to the reader.
“The Fergus She” was selected as a finalist in the March 2014 Twitter NestPitch competition, by award-winning, fantasy romance author, Jeffe Kennedy. Kennedy called this manuscript “Kinda cool, quirky and breaking the rules in the right way”.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Other than perching on the edge of my computer chair so I don’t disturb my cat?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Shirley Jackson, “We have always lived in the Castle” was creeeepy! I think she really got me interested in the psych-thriller genre (person with crazy thoughts narrating a story).

What are you working on now?
Book #2 of The Fergus She “Master of Madhouse”, and because I’m ADHD, I had to write Book 1.5 “Manboy: Janitor at the Asylum”, because why write one book at a time?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At this point, facebook for networking, book promos and cross promotions.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Take the time to make your book a really excellent experience. Being an author is a 10 year plan so when you are disappointed in the first year, the second, the third – just keep saying, “I’ve got a 10 year goal”. It feels better

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice about the 10 year plan.

What are you reading now?
Just finished “Adam’s Cross” by EMG Wixley. Comparable to “The Witching Hour” by Anne Rice. Good stuff!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write, market, write, market, write, market, write…

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to survive on a deserted island.”
“How to catch fish and birds.”
“How to capture the attention of planes and boats.”
Too practical?
Okay, 3 books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward. … Why wait for the island, I’m going to read one now!

Author Websites and Profiles
Cheryl R Cowtan Website
Cheryl R Cowtan Amazon Profile

Cheryl R Cowtan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in a town named Bokaro (India) way back in the late 80s. I am a fitness enthusiast and have a passion for inspiring people to lead a healthy lifestyle and achieve their goals. I ran his first official half-marathon in 2015 and have never given up on running ever since. A banker by the day, in my spare time, I like to travel and watch superhero movies.

‘Beginner’s Guide to Running’ is my first published book and wish to inspire as my lives as I can through this book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Beginner’s Guide To Running – The Definitive Guide On How To Start Running & Discover The Runner In You.

In 2015, while I was training for my first half-marathon, I had spent a lot of time online searching articles and helpful materials to make my runs better. Through this book, I would like to pass on all those useful information to the runners so that they are able to save valuable time and focus solely on training. This my dear friends is the inspiration behind writing this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Usually, I do not struggle much with words and am able to write with a free mind. Having said that, there are certain times when struggle (only human) and my mind is cluttered with wordly affairs. Plugging in headphones and listening to Above & Beyond tracks is my sure shot escape strategy.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Directly/indirectly my thoughts have been influenced by many popular self-help books. I am a big fan of Rich Dad series and recommend it to all my near and dear ones. In fiction, I have most enjoyed Harry Potter series and even today it reminds me of pleasant childhood memories.

What are you working on now?
Currently, all of my focus is on promoting the current book and wish for it to gain as much visibility as possible. At the same time, I am also deciding the topic for my next book. Looking for some inspiration at every corner

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth has always been the best strategy for any product or service. Currently, I am working on creating a fan base for the book so that it is able to reach the organic growth it deserves. Hence, all social platforms and promotion websites lie under my radar.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Anyone can be a writer, you can always get your book edited by professionals. An author is someone who took the courage to publish his/her book. Have that courage and click on the publish button. Trust me, nothing is more exciting than letting it out for the world to see.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Done is better than perfect.

What are you reading now?
Tools of Titan

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next move as an author is to launch my second book in 2018.

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?
Anything related to survival tips and definitely a book on how to fish

Author Websites and Profiles
Kanisk Nayan Website
Kanisk Nayan Amazon Profile

Kanisk Nayan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Isadore Johnson. I live in Brooklyn, New York. I grew up in East Orange, New Jersey and Harlem, New York. I have written seven drug crime novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My lastest novel is entitled, “DRUG DEALER” Part #4…ANARCHY…It is a continuation to my best-selling Drug Dealer series, which is currently ranked by GOOGLE as the Best Drug Crime Novel Series On The Planet. It was inspired from my artistic view of the drug world and how it ties the Streets, Corporate America and the Government.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One of my unusual writing habits is that I write long chapters that contain mini sub chapters within that many who read my material find hard to believe to be fiction.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Donald Goines, Don Winslow.

What are you working on now?
Drug Dealer Part 5

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My books are promoted also by the CRIME ANTHOLOGY BOOKSTORE @drugdealerthenovel.com. They do an excellent job. Their platform is spectacular.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in your craft. It’s a divine gift from God. That no one can ever take away from you.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stay focused on the lane that you’re driving in. It will ensure that you reach your intended destination with success.

What are you reading now?
The rough draft of my new novel…No distractions.

What’s next for you as a writer?
“Drug Dealer” The Mini-Series

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, Quran, Torah and a good dictionary.

Author Websites and Profiles
Isadore Johnson Website
Isadore Johnson Amazon Profile
Isadore Johnson Author Profile on Smashwords

Isadore Johnson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new author. My first book “Watching the Daisies- Life Lessons on the Importance of Slow” was published in paperback in April 2017.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Watching the Daisies – Life Lessons on the Importance of Slow” was inspired by my journey with fibromyalgia and my desire to help others overcome this disease which has no cure. It was born from my love of teaching and writing mostly non fiction in a creative writing class.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write after I have meditated or when I feel relaxed. The words flow better…

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have read many self help books and love Karen Kingston’s “Creating Sacred Space with Feng Shui.” Julia Cameron’s “The Artists Way” is one of my favourite books and has been hugely helpful.

What are you working on now?
I am writing twice weekly on my blog and enjoying it. Another book may yet be born!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My blog is my biggest platform but I also find Facebook and Twitter helpful. I am building up a presence on a number of book promotion sites.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Start promoting your book well ahead of publication and build a relationship with other writers. Read and review other books and you will be rewarded with great friendships and support.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write about your passions.

What are you reading now?
I recently had a two week break and enjoyed reading seven books in two weeks. I read books by Seumas Gallagher, Tina Frisco, Geoff Le Pard and Jeffery Deaver.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I shall continue to promote my memoir then perhaps another self help book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“The Magic ” Rhonda Byrne
“The Artist’s Way” Julia Cameron
“The Prosperous Heart” Julia Cameron

Author Websites and Profiles
Brigid P. Gallagher Website
Brigid P. Gallagher Amazon Profile

Brigid P. Gallagher’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My background is in radio, so you will notice that it has lent itself well to a lot of my writing. My first novel “Ready for Air” (now in its 3rd re-write), was inspired by my time as a radio personality. My first published book, “To Detroit, With Love” was inspired by my love of music, as well as some events I witnessed during my radio career.
I’m a creative and an educator. I split my time between my work in higher education, writing, and I still do some radio work as well. In my free time, I love to travel and attend concerts. I live in Wolverine Lake, Michigan with my husband and our 8-pound Yorkie-poo Mr. Blake.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“How to Pin a Butterfly” is inspired by the supporting character in “To Detroit, With Love”. It focuses on Madelyn, who has no desire to be pinned down, professionally or romantically. I actually have a fear of butterflies and have read that it is the irregular flight pattern that bothers people with controlling tendencies. Ouch. But, when you get to know Madelyn, you will she has an irregular flight pattern and isn’t afraid to chase her dreams.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t write without a cup of coffee next to me. I prefer to write in coffee houses but with my current professional schedule, I often find myself sitting in the corner chair with my feet up, sipping the coffee out of my New Kids On the Block coffee cup.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
One of the first series I read out of college was Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones series. I was drawn to it because I share a first name with the character. I fell in love with her writing style and read the entire series in a very short time. I went on to graduate school and gave up on reading fiction for a while. When I finished graduate school I began consuming as much “fluff” as I could get. Rachel Schurig’s books really struck a chord with me. She dealt with some of the themes my books do, such as fame, and her books are often set in the same metropolitan region as me, Detroit.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently trying to finish my third rewrite of “Ready for Air” with hopes to begin editing by Christmas. It was trashed by friends and critics alike the first two times out, and rightfully so. So, now, I am trying to shape what used to be a blog into a novel. I’m finding that it’s best to not even look at the previous two versions. Maybe I will once the first draft is complete.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This where I’m struggling right now. I’ve had some luck with the free promotional sites but aspire to become a BookBub Author.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing. When someone tears your work apart, take a break from it. Come back later and look at it. What advice can you take away?

What are you reading now?
I just listened “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson. The book had me laughing on my commute, which is a feat to be sure. I think it makes some really great points about modernity and how we define happiness.

Author Websites and Profiles
Bridget Smith-Botos Website
Bridget Smith-Botos Amazon Profile

Bridget Smith-Botos’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been publishing since 2002, and have 12 books to date in the genres of Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction, Business nonfiction, Middle Reader, Mystery, and YA Mystery. My first Sci-Fi Fantasy novel will be out next year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tie Died is a YA Mystery and takes off where the Susan Cramer Mystery series left off – only, instead of Susan Cramer doing all the sleuthing, it’s her daughter, Brianne, who has decided to venture into the unknown.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, unless you count craving chocolate an unusual habit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
C.S. Lewis, Carolyn Keene, Max Lucado, Beverly Lewis, and Mitch Albom.

What are you working on now?
My most recent book was inspired by my grandson who asked, “What would happen if the world stopped spinning?” The book is called, Light/Shade, and is the story of 10-year-old, Aaden, and his search for safety on a dying planet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
http://www.ariverofstones.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love. Don’t worry about being on the best-seller list, just write because you can’t see yourself doing anything else.

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

What are you reading now?
Harry Potter – the first book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Going forward in my YA Mystery series, and seeing if I have it within me to write another Sci-fi Fantasy after Light/Shade.

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 scriptures; Mere Christianity, by C.S, Lewis; and a book of poetry.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kathryn Jones Jones Website
Kathryn Jones Jones Amazon Profile
Kathryn Jones Jones’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always had a fascination with the paranormal. I also have had several unique, amazing but unexplained experiences and so it comes naturally to me to write in this genre. Currently, I have five books available with a sixth one on it’s way to being published this October 2017. The genres I write in are: Paranormal, Erotic and Contemporary romance.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Nightfall. It was recently re-published after being out of print since October 23, 2016.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am what they call a Pantser. I never have an outline for any of my books. Scenes will come to me at any time of the day and I write them down as I get them. Like a gigantic puzzle, I eventually end up putting all the puzzle pieces together and miraculously, like magic, a book is born. It’s really amazing when the book comes together and all from my sporadic thoughts and ideas.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The biggest one to influence what I write is Felicity Heaton. I admire her work and it got me thinking about writing about Angels in a different light from the traditional thoughts and ideas people have about Angels.

What are you working on now?
I am working on completing the Guardian League Series. Orion is the fifth and last book in the series and I am working on completing this one to send to my Publisher for consideration.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook quite a lot. I have a Fan Page, a review group and an amazing street team there.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to write a book, don’t let anything stand in your way but do know that the majority of your time will be spent on marketing and promotions and not writing. Writing encompasses maybe 10% of your time while marketing and getting yourself out there is the other 90%.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write and they will come,” one author said to me in jest, but it’s true. Don’t worry about your sales. Just write.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a new author to me~ “Little Sister Next Door” by Riley Rollins.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After my Guardian League Series, I plan to go back to my wolf-shifter books. I also plan to write more stories for my 2nd short-story book which will encompass all shifters.

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 have to bring a book about Angels because I would need to have something positive that would give me hope that I will be able to get off the island.

Author Websites and Profiles
TK Lawyer Website
TK Lawyer Amazon Profile
TK Lawyer Author Profile on Smashwords

TK Lawyer’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 dad, husband, retired Air U. S. Force veteran and Senior Pastor. I enjoy mentoring young men, motivational speaking, and watching sports and action movies. I have authored two books, entitled, Blending To Make It: Ingredients For A Success Blended Family and From The Incubator To The Kingdom: The Story of a Young Man’s Journey To Fulfill His God-Given Purpose.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
From The Incubator To The Kingdom: The Story of a Young Man’s Journey To Fulfill His God-Given Purpose. I was inspired by God to this that would encourage, equip and empower all those that have faced the difficulties of life as a child, teenager, young adult and adult that no matter the mistakes, mistreatments or being misunderstood you were created to do something magnificent in the earth. Finally, This book offers its readers the opportunity to see themselves as positive and impactful game changers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Barack Obama: The Audacity of Hope
Rick Warren: The Purpose Driven Life
T.D. Jakes: Reposition Yourself: Living Your Life Without Limits
Dr. Cornel West: Living And Laughing Out Loud
Dr. Dennis Rainey: Stepping Up: A Call To Courageous Manhood
Dr. Willie Jolley: A Setback is a Setup for a Comeback

What are you working on now?
A New Blended Family Book

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social Media Outlets.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always believe in what you write and know that you have be given a unique opportunity to impact someone’s life. So write with excitement and passion!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To much is given much is required, so always be willing to give your best in everything you write and do.

What are you reading now?
Change Your Culture Change Everything: Dr. Sam Chand

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my second blended family 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?
1. The Bible
2. The Air Force Survival Guide
3. The 7 Most Powerful Prayers That Will Change Your Life Forever
4. A Complete Guide to Surviving in the Wilderness: Everything You Need to Know to Stay Alive and Get Rescued

Author Websites and Profiles
Dr Duane E Mangum Website
Dr Duane E Mangum Amazon Profile