Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a native of Atlanta, Georgia. I graduated from the University of Georgia (accounting degree, like all aspiring writers) and received an MBA from the University of Tampa. I spent three years as an artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, and then had a 30+ year career in business. I have written four novels and two eBooks. My wife and I continue to reside in the greater Atlanta area.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
That Deadly Space. It is a Civil War historical novel. I grew up in the Deep South and became interested in the Civil War at an early age. That Deadly Space was the most enjoyable project I have completed to date. It was inspired by my interest in keeping this critically important time in our nation’s history within reach of today’s readers of all ages.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I still write and edit in longhand. While I am generally computer literate, and while I believe the development of word processing is right up there with sliced bread, there is still a need in me to have pen in hand.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Herman Wouk with Winds of War and War and Remembrance gave me an appreciation for, and partiality to, the historical novel. Shelby Foote made the Civil War all the more vital and important to me. Pat Conroy pushed me to think outside the box. And William F. Buckley, Jr gave me many examples of how the skillful use of humor can enrich and sharpen a writer’s words.

What are you working on now?
I have just completed How to Become a Successful, Effective Communicator. It is an eBook collection of twenty-two articles I have written over the past several years about written and verbal communications.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media and posting blogs on my website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. There can be lots of rejection and an impersonal nature to the writing life. Develop a thick skin. Keep improving and don’t stop believing in yourself. Just don’t give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A close friend told me years ago in high school that it seemed the only way I ever learned anything was the hard way. I’ve kept that in mind since, and by doing so, I have no doubt avoided many “hard ways.” I still thank him for that advice.

What are you reading now?
The American Spirit by David McCullough.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Perhaps a sequel to That Deadly Space.

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 Complete Works of Shakespeare
2. Baseball: An Illustrated History
3. The Bible
4. How to Build a Raft

Author Websites and Profiles
Gerald Gillis Website
Gerald Gillis Amazon Profil

Gerald Gillis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written an embarrassing number of books which are sitting on my hard drive. Are they waiting to be edited and submitted? I hope so but I always seem to have new ideas bubbling up that scream to be written down… How many books? Hmmm…about 12 or so – and those are only the ones I’ve finished, with a fair few more started and not complete. Three books are published: BYE BABY BUNTING, HALF TRUTHS AND WHOLE LIES and my latest, THE PUMPKIN EATER’S WIFE.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE PUMPKIN EATER’S WIFE was inspired by several clients I’ve had over my years in a clinical psychology practice who railed against abusive spouses (both men and women, I might add – the role of neither abuser nor victim is restricted by gender). None went as far as Jeannie (my protagonist in the book), but many dreamt of doing so. My fascination (and fuel for my imagination) is how the abused person would react once they did throw their abuser down the stairs like Jeannie did. How would it impact the rest of their lives?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Is it unusual to write with a glorious view out the window? I’ve read it can be distracting but not for me. It rests my eyes; it rests my soul to gaze along the undulating coast in New Zealand or the shoreline on the Big Stretch of the Winnipeg River, to watch sunlight glinting off water, or storms send waves crashing over rocks.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always loved the psychological thrillers of Minette Walters and Barbara Vine/ Ruth Rendell and hope one day to be considered I’m a sister in crime writing.

What are you working on now?
I’m being good and editing one of the books hidden on my hard drive, and actually enjoying it immensely. When will it see the light of day? Maybe within a couple of months. THURSDAY’S CHILD is an internationally-based suspense novel about the discovery and return of stolen children. The book opens as Fliss Whitelaw, ex-gymnast, sets out to rescue a three-year-old little boy from Cyprus, abseiling down a millionaire’s mansion in the dead of night, strapping the sleeping child to her body so she can spirit him back to his distraught mother. Fliss and her colleagues from The Kidnapper’s Trust are on the side of the angels. It’s great fun revisiting this adventure.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promotion is my downfall and I’m always attempting new ways of helping people discover my books. I would love to know which advice is the best – there’s a lot of it out there but no way of knowing whether to devote time and energy away from my writing onto some specific method or other for promotion. Currently I am using a Kindle Countdown deal to offer books at 99 cents. I let people know on Twitter (@TannisLaidlaw). Hopefully Awesomegang will help.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Nothing helps to made a better writer than to write, write and write some more. Then edit, edit and edit some more. The next step is to get the best book you can out there (I’m working on this) rather then letting it sit on your hard drive thinking maybe it could be that little bit better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Show don’t tell’ … then discovering that ‘Tell don’t show’ is equally valid in other circumstances! The first time a situation is mentioned, ‘Show don’t tell’ is usually the way to go. At the next mention and those after that, ‘Tell don’t show’ is the way to go (or you’ll bore the pants off your readers or, worse, send them to sleep).

What are you reading now?
On the go right now are:
1. Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
2. The Hack by Will Patching
3. The Perk by Mark Gimenez

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve written a series of English village murder mysteries which are, as you now will guess, sitting on my hard drive. So far, there’s three of them featuring a novice estate agent, Madeleine Brooks, a former Probation Officer – a burned out Probation Officer. They are set in Oxfordshire where I used to live in a village like Maddie’s Woodley Bottom. Similar to Midsomer Murders, death abounds in Woodley Bottom! So, the plan is to revisit these books and release them as ebooks.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Four books with totally blank pages! And several pencils (with erasers).

Author Websites and Profiles
Tannis Laidlaw Website
Tannis Laidlaw Amazon Profile
Tannis Laidlaw Author Profile on Smashwords

Tannis Laidlaw’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 3 books, “Stock Market Hack”, “It’s a Royal Mess”, and “Keep to the Black”. I am also the founder of Fair Science Books. Fair Science Books are books designed to hopefully interest more girls and young women in science and science careers as well as increasing general science literacy. Ten percent of the profits from my writing go to AAUW, a nonprofit advocating for women in science and beyond. Outside of writing, I like to read, walk, drink tea, and hang out with friends and family. I have a psychology degree from the University of Minnesota and a master’s in human development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. I live in Minneapolis. I am a huge sports fan, especially for the Golden Gophers. My absolute favorite place that I have ever traveled to is Paris.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Keep to the Black”. It was inspired by a finding my love of poetry again. Especially after reading Rilke.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do some of my best writing in the dead of night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rilke, Hesse, Vonnegut, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Claribel Alegria, Langston Hughes, Hugo, Cervantes, Verlaine, Rimbaud, Bob Dylan, and many more have influenced my work.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the eighth book in my Science Mystery Series. It’s a series about two eleven year old girls who solve mysteries with their knowledge of science and the scientific method. That book is scheduled to appear in about two and one half years. The second book in that series will come out in September. I’m also working on a second collection of poems inspired by Sebastian Junger’s book “Tribe”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I actually find that talking to people, in person, is the best way to attract new readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you’ve always wanted to write a book, do it. It’s never been easier to put a book out. Now it’s just hard to get noticed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Show, don’t tell.

What are you reading now?
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot

What’s next for you as a writer?
Releasing book two in my Science Mystery 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?
A collection of Rilke’s poetry, “Don Quixote” by Cervantes, “Journey to the East” by Hesse, and the Tao Te Ching by Lao-tzu.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jeff Isaacson Website
Jeff Isaacson Amazon Profile

Jeff Isaacson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Transformational Life Coach and a first time author.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
You Can Quote Me On This was inspired by my life experiences, current events and humanity.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not have unusual writing habits. I just love complete silence when writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many influences. Authors like Neale Donald Walsch and his book conversations With God has a huge impact as well as Eckhart Tolle’s books: Power of Now and A New Earth. Bob Proctor is a great influencer too.

What are you working on now?
I have few unfinished manuscripts and I am working on each whenever there’s an inspiration. They’re all non-fiction.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have used Pretty Hot, Awesome Gang and I use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) and of course Amazon Ads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep on writing and if assistance and guidance is needed, enroll yourselves in a self publishing school like I did. I became a best seller and is still one in a short period of time because of the support I got from the self publishing school.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
That everything can be learned and everything should be done out of love.

What are you reading now?
Apart from my book You Can Quote Me On This, I am also reading Co-creating At Its Best by Dr. Wayne Dyer and Esther Hicks

What’s next for you as a writer?
Life Coaching

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. You Can Quote Me On This by yours truly
2. Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch
3. A Course in Miracles by the Foundation of Inner Peace
4. Eckhart Tolle’s books and can I add Dr. Wayne Dyer’s too

Author Websites and Profiles
Elsa Mendoza Website
Elsa Mendoza Amazon Profile

Elsa Mendoza’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 a public teacher in California, where I teach students with special needs. I’ve been writing for about six years, and my debut novel has recently been published. I got started with writing short stories, and have had over 70 such publications in various magazines and anthologies, and across various genres.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Book title: THE SINKING OF THE ANGIE PIPER. The inspiration for this story came from a variety of experiences. My years of teaching students with special needs was a big influence, especially for the crafting of the supporting character in the novel — Danny Wilson, a young man with Down syndrome. Other influences came from my own experience of working in Alaska’s fishing industry.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Probably not that unusual, when considering my schedule. I’m a full time teacher, father, and husband, so I write whenever I can. Really, there is no schedule for writing, which is unusual in itself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Steinbeck is my favorite author, but I read just about everything, so I have many diverse influences. For historical fiction, I like to read William Napier. Cormac McCarthy’s THE ROAD, and Hemingway’s THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA are my favorite books. Others writers include Dan Simmons, Louis L’Amour, George Martin, James Rollins, Jack London, and Robert Heinlein.

What are you working on now?
I am almost finished with my second novel, another stand-alone, literary suspense story. I am also researching for my third novel–one that will be a Psychological Thriller!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been using a variety of social media formats–twitter, FB, and blog posts–for promotional purposes. Some reviewers have been helpful also, especially through twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I recommend writing short stories, and don’t forget to read–a lot! Short stories are a great way to get your literary wheels greased, and you’ll learn a lot about writing in the process. Also, consider finding/joining a writing group in your area. Good feedback is always valuable.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always focus on being positive.

What are you reading now?
Brandon Sanderson’s ELANTRIS.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting my second novel published.

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?
Game of Thrones, The Road, The Old Man and the Sea, The Grapes of Wrath, and Of Mice and Men.

Author Websites and Profiles
Chris Riley Website
Chris Riley Amazon Profile

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

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m J. Edwards Holt. I’m an author who writes fiction books, mostly fantasy and sci-fi themed. I have written a total of three books. My first book is called “Little Men, Big Treasures”. It is a fantasy novel about dwarf treasure hunters and all of the adventures they find themselves on.

I also write and illustrate children’s picture books. My first two are called “Blocky the Bully” and “Little Pig Gets Jealous”. They are available at Blurb.com in print and ebook formats.

With all of my book, I include a faith-based message. I am a Christian and a believer and I want to spread God’s Word through my books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book that I just published is a children’s book called “Little Pig Gets Jealous”. It’s a story about a little pig that finds himself jealous when his baby sister is born. In the story, Litt Pig learns to deal with his jealousy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I type most of my ideas into my phone, and later sort them out on my laptop. I do write standing up sometimes, so that may be considered unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy reading books by James Luceno. I’ve read a few of his Star Wars books and I love his style. Jude Watson is also one of my favorites. I’ve always enjoyed books by Dav Pilkey, like Captain Underpants. I also enjoy J.RR. Tolkien’s and J.K. Rowling’s writing styles. Oh, and I can’t forget C.S. Lewis!

What are you working on now?
At the moment I am working on a book that is the first in a series of three. It is a novel that takes place after “Little Men, Big Treasures”, and includes a few of the same characters. I haven’t officially decided the title of the series yet, but it will be a much larger story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram the most.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I always recommend that you do as much research as humanly possible. There are a lot of “publishers” out there that just want to take your money, so it’s important to find the one that’s the right fit for you and your book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think that “Be yourself, no matter what” is some of the greatest advice.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a book called “OCD: The Story of a Life Lost in Thought.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now I’m just trying to promote my books and get a fan base. I’m currently working on a book so I hope to publish that within the next year. I’m really passionate about my stories and I can’t wait for people to read them!

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 love Star Wars books, so I would definitely bring some of them. I suppose I would bring four of the Narnia books. I read them as a child and would love to read them again.

Author Websites and Profiles
J. Edwards Holt Amazon Profile

J. Edwards Holt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the Isle of Man, it’s a great place to live and lots of people have heard about it because of the TT motorbike races, it’s pretty peaceful the rest of the year! I have travelled all over the world with my career, often being away for more than a month at a time so always good to come home.

I have actually written 18 books if I include my Tips Bookelts; I used to write for a specialist training publishers, writing off the shelf training sessions and guidance for people managing the training function and delivering training. My favourite was probably ‘Managing difficult situations involving people at work’. I also have a range of Tips Booklets which I originally developed to give out on courses as handouts e.g. 50 Tips for Managing Change. They are available as downloads on Amazon.

I’ve always written fiction and poetry but really going for it was always on the back burner, a few years ago I had some health problems and had to step down from my job, after a few months of moping about I realised what an opportunity I had. I was determined to step away from the corporate world and bought myself a pink laptop to make my point and began writing fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called, ‘When Love Unlocks Time’ and plunges us into the intrigue and danger of the Tudor Court in Henry VIII’s time. I have always loved that period of history and also always loved the concept of Time Travel, who wouldn’t want the chance to wipe the slate clean and start again? In my own Time Travel scenarios I normally err on the side of caution and plan to be invisible!

I was also fascinated by the bizarrely huge value of spices in Tudor Times, I honestly believe that I first learned about this from Blue Peter (Children’s TV programme) however my husband is convinced that I found out about it at the Eden Project in Cornwall! We’ll just have to agree that influences come from many sources.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Interestingly, I have to have radio 3 on when I write, classical music isn’t my normal preference and I usually like silence when concentrating but there’s something about having it playing in the background that really works.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh heavens, so many. Let’s start with Enid Blyton, then the Heidi books, Little Women,What Katy Did and David Copperfield before we move on to the much missed Terry Pratchett and Miss Read. Then we have the astounding and formidable intellects of Hilary Mantel and Margaret Atwood. I saw ‘Bring up the Bodies’ and ‘Wolf Hall’ performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company – astounding. That thought brings me to Arthur Miller and Death of a Salesman – also performed by the RSC. As my daughter was growing up I found some new authors, the wonderful Jaqueline Wilson and of course, J K Rowling, I have been to Universal Studios in Florida to get the full Harry experience! In Terry Pratchett’s ‘The Unseen Academicals’ there is the most poignant description of the crab bucket I have ever come across – I can’t say more – if you haven’t read it, buy it today. I don’t dare look at my bookshelves while I write this – who could I leave out?

What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel to ‘When Love Unlocks Time’, The Marchant Family are now mixed up in a very controversial topic, I’ll give a hint when I tell you that it’s not currently legal in the UK although it is in Switzerland. The main time line jumps to present day but there are many roads to walk down and patterns to weave yet so I won’t go into too much detail at this point

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still learning about this. I have been amazed at how supportive people have been and how much individuals have done to promote When Love Unlocks Time through sharing with their own friends in different countries via FB. I was surprised to learn that reviews on UK and US Amazon sites are kept separate so very good to be able to quote from both reviews. I absolutely love what Askdavid.com has done with my page therehttp://askdavid.com/reviews/book/historical-romance/14889

This is the first time I have promoted using Awesomegang but it came so highly recommended by people that have had success with it and also just really like their approach that I wanted to try it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. For me, if I have some inspiration to write something other that what I am officially working on, I heed it. This week for example I have captured words about my guardian angels, they sit on the roof of my car with machine guns which they raise in a way that shows they mean business when anyone tries to tailgate me. This poem may never be read by another soul but it’s what I needed to write and play around with right now. This may not be good advice for some authors who need the discipline of working through their assignments as set though!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Two things,
‘A sentence a day writes a book’ – so sorry I don’t know where I read it.

‘If you’re writing, you’re a writer, you don’t need to have published anything’ – again, not sure where I heard it but it’s so true.

What are you reading now?
The Year of The Flood by Margaret Atwood, this is my third read and I love it!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hmm, good question. I’ve written non fiction and poetry and am currently writing fiction and poetry, that may be as far ahead as I can go in terms of what comes next, it’s still new for me to have the luxury of time and I am really appreciating 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?
Oh my goodness, dreadful question, whatever I say now I will definitely have a different opinion tomorrow! OK, I will take Hilary Mantel’s new book which I have on pre-order, The Mirror and The Light; I will take one of Terry Pratchett’s where Granny Weatherwax is the main character and I’ll take The Miss Read omnibus of her last three books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Camilla Cornish Amazon Profile

Camilla Cornish’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Wendy Hinman is an adventurer, speaker and the award-winning author of two books, Tightwads on the Loose and Sea Trials. Tightwads on the Loose a popular travel adventure book about the 7-year, 34,000-mile voyage she took with her husband aboard a small violently rocking sailboat during which she alternated between feats worthy of Wonder Woman and Suzy Homemaker. It’s full of humor and armchair thrills. Tightwads on the Loose was selected for the literature program for Western Washington University, won the Journey Award for best true life adventure story and was selected as a top travel book for women. Sea Trials (April 2017) has earned a Kirkus starred review and recognition as a Kirkus Book of the Month. Called “A modern swashbuckling tale,” and “completely riveting,” it is racking up many other favorable reviews already.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sea Trials is my second book. How I came to write Sea Trials, my husband’s story of sailing around the world with his family as a boy:

Over the years I’d been hearing snippets of the epic voyage my husband had taken with his family around the world and their shipwreck when he was fourteen. Family dinners had been filled with “you remember the time when …
• gun boats forced us to sail across mines in the Red Sea?
• when our pilot Abdul got lost in the Suez Canal?
• the boat starting sinking in Israel?
• mom tried to poison us?
• we ran out of food and got scurvy

These tantalizing anecdotes intrigued me to learn more. I got possession of the famous letters the family had mailed home. Hundreds of them. Inside them was more detail than any writer could hope for. Too much, sometimes. But in combing through them I fleshed out the outline of the story that I’d developed in my mind of the voyage. I asked a lot of questions of the family members and took copious notes. I consulted guide books and sailing directions, maps, and the ship’s log to ferret out the details. I read the newspaper articles, listened to the interviews with the family. And started writing. And double checking details with the ones who had lived through it. With a rough draft completed, I had them read every word to check for inaccuracies or things that didn’t seem true to their experience. It was a family bonding experience.

What I uncovered was such a dramatic story, that I could hardly believe anyone had truly lived through it. Especially people I knew. It featured things like a pirates, gun boats, mines, thieves, starvation and scurvy. And that was AFTER the shipwreck. You could hardly make anything up that would be better.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I read voraciously and analyze books. I take copious notes about every book I read: what worked, what didn’t; lovely language; structure and techniques I notice that helped pacing, drama, character development, and humor. I am always reading and taking notes. I’m in 3 book clubs because I love hearing the reaction of others to books I’ve read. I consider reading the most essential part of being a good writer, immersing myself in story and language as a matter of skill development, and being a good literary citizen supporting authors and booksellers. I enjoy reading book reviews because I learn so much from them and notice how much they reveal about the reviewers themselves and why books strike a chord with them. I often start my day typing up my notes as a way to get started with my writing. It helps my clear the cobwebs and gets me thinking about language and rhythm before I turn to my own work. I often write before I let myself get online and that helps me get more done. Acting, toastmasters, movies, and Ted talks often inspire story ideas.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been inspired by Bill Bryson, J. Maarten Troost, Timothy Egan, Nathaniel Philbrick, Erik Larson, Garth Stein, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and so many others it’s hard to name just a few. I am always discovering new authors I love. I notice what they do well and make note of it so that when I am struggling with pacing, or dialogue or character development or whatever, I revisit that author to spark ideas about how to do it better. I like to attend book talks to meet local authors and consider them mentors from whom I can learn.

What are you working on now?
I am working on historical fiction.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do presentations about our voyage with pictures and anecdotes and humor. By the time I finish talking, people usually one to take one or both books home.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be a good literary citizen. Support other authors and local bookstores, write reviews and tell your friends about books you like. Word of mouth is very powerful for introducing books to new audiences. Through this you will develop a network that will serve you in countless ways: learning and developing your craft, understanding the industry, connecting with mentors and supporters, and keeping things in perspective. And mostly read, read, read, write, write, write. Don’t give up. Tenacity is the secret to success in this business.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read, read, read, write, write, write. Don’t give up. Tenacity is the secret to success in this business.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Love and Trouble by Claire Dederer.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on several historical fiction stories.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Complete Works of Shakespeare
The Complete Works of Mark Twain
Bill Bryson (Mother Tongue: English and How It Got that Way)
The Complete History of the World
Sex Lives of Cannibals by J Maarten Troost
… and maybe a survival manual.

Author Websites and Profiles
Wendy Hinman Website
Wendy Hinman Amazon Profile
Wendy Hinman Author Profile on Smashwords

Wendy Hinman’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a senior engineer by profession and a writer by passion. I live south of Boston, Massachusetts, but I am originally from the Near East, where I lived my teenager years, before going to Brussels, Belgium to study. In 1987, I emigrated to the U.S. where I met my wife and blessed with 4 children. I love poetry, biographies, and technology. I am fluent in 3 languages; Arabic, French, and English.

I wrote and published 2 e-books; one of French Poems called “Mes Pensees” and one biographical collection of essays (in English).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest e-book is “Forgotten Precursors – Scientists, Engineers, Educators and their Insights in the World”. What inspired me is the wonderful imagination and achievement of these distinguished engineers and scientists whose quest was to discover, build and transform the world. For example, the physicist-priest, who proposed the theory of the birth and expansion of the universe, did not find in his faith the philosophical obstacle or thoughtless argument against the magnificent facts of the world. Or, the engineer who combined Art and Technology in designing and constructing the most marvelous, long-span, and lasting bridge structures. He conceived and built structures that bridge nature with a graceful outline and with a personal care.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write while riding the commuter rait train going to work in the morning. I follow my motivation and look for inspiration, from the moving nature gazed at through the train-car window. I follow my feelings and my desire to share my thoughts. Then, I do my research work during the week nights.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
On one side, poets and philosophers (Rimbaud and Gibran) have influenced my love of poetry, and on the other, engineers and scientists (Feynman, Leonardo) have motivated and inspired me to learn and then honor their accomplishment through my writing.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a Memoir/Autobiography; three chapters of my life from the Near East, through Europe, to the United States of America. Recently, I felt the urge to write my memories and my thoughts. First, because I love my large family and I longed to talk about its history, events, and accomplishments. Second, due to the 9/11 events, I wanted to reiterate the account of being proud of a heritage, of being an immigrant, and of the participation in the American Dream, with the opportunity and liberty of building a family, a community and a career.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am learning to use Social media (such as about.me, Facebook, and Linkedin) as well as the writers/publishers association websites (bookbaby, goodreads, Independent Book Publishers Association) .

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. And learn the tools and methods of good planning, writing, publishing, and publicizing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word — excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.”
–Pearl Buck,
Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer

What are you reading now?
I am now reading a spiritual book:
The Orthodox Veneration of Mary The Birthgiver of God Paperback – 1994
by St. John Maximovitch (Author), Fr. Seraphim Rose (Translator)

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to expand my writing experience toward providing presentations and discussions, to help people search for their hidden feelings and talents.

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 New Testament – “The Prophet” by Gibran Khalil Gibran – The french play of “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nabil Hourani Website

Nabil Hourani’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a middle-aged sassy woman who enjoys science, math, playing the piano, singing, and meeting new and exciting people. I do not believe in taking anyone, or even materials things, freedom, or just enjoying life for granted. I enjoy helping others in a plethora of ways which includes but is not limited to: sharing my time, talents, or whatever I have to make someone else’s life a happier one.

I have written 2 books. However, I am trying to get this first one off the ground and going before I publish my second book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is ” My Journey with Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma(Breast Cancer)”. I must be honest if it had not been for my Mother this book would have never been written. Due to the fact, that I did not share my illness with my closet friends, family or church family after being diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, writing was my outlet to cope with my illness and express how I felt about the changes that my body went through and about what was happening in my life while going through chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation treatments.

Moreover, my illness was compounded by the fact that my mom’s health was deteriorating and my stepdad was diagnosed with dementia. Now I am the primary caregiver for myself and my parents. in fact, my Mom was in surgery getting her hip bone placed back into its socket while I was throwing up in the bathroom due to the fact that I could not keep anything on my stomach because of the chemotherapy drugs.

i want people to know that whatever God puts on you, He does equip you to go through it. However, its important that you live a life that is pleasing to Him and He will carry you through. We will all have obstacles in our life and its important that we know how to positively respond to them.

As I always say, “Without a test, there is no testimony and without a mess there is no message.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Truthfully, I never thought in a million years that I would be writing a book. However, after much persuasion from my friends and considering I had 2 large notebooks of pictures and daily journal entries, I said what the heck, lets just put this memoir in book form and that is what I did.

I really do not consider myself as a writer, I just decided to take the time to publish my writing so that I could inspire others to take a negative situation and make it into a positive one.

I do not have any unusual writing habits , I just write how I feel at the time I am writing. I do my best to be as succinct as possible and to make sure that I actually paint a picture that my audience can see while they are reading the book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The biggest book that influenced me in my writing period is the Bible. I do my best to read it daily because I want this book to become a part of me. Moreover, I have found everything in this book including: Love (Brotherly and Amorous), Murder, War,Jealousy, Hatred, Good, Bad,etc. This book is a company keeper, a refuge, and it’s inspirational. Whatever you need can be found in the Bible.

What are you working on now?
I am working with my publicist now to make sure that my book, “My Journey with Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma (Breast Cancer)” gets the publicity that it deserves because I really want to “inspire” others to stay positive, keep a normal routine regardless of what is going on in your life, and to know by serving others we are strengthening and helping ourselves.

I am also working myself to make sure that I get my book, “My Journey with Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma(Breast Cancer)’ on as many free websites as possible. Moreover, I am also sponsoring some giveaways to get my book out there. I am asking the people that I do give away books to to go to amazon and do a book review for me.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have not found a best method or website as of yet. I believe that this process of promoting, especially your first book, is trial and error, and possibly more error. However, I am doing all that I can to make sure that I give my book a fighting chance.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would tell new authors to be “persistent”. Its like getting your first job, you just have to stay at it until you get one. Once you get a job it is appears easier to get another one, but once you do not have a job it seems as if you cannot get a job or it takes longer to get one.

You need to read as well. I am presently reading the book, “5-Minute Book Marketing for Authors” by Penny Sansevieri. This is how I discovered this website. I am hitting all the free websites possible to give my book a chance.

I have been going to bed late or early morning in order to make sure that I get as much done as possible to promote my book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I do not know if it is the best advice that I have ever heard; however, I know that it is definitely something that everyone needs to think about before they react or act on anything and that is:

“Whatever you put out or give to others that is what is coming back to you”.

What are you reading now?
I am presently reading the book, “5-Minute Book Marketing for Authors” by Penny Sansevieri. i also read my Bible daily. I am also reading a book entitled “Friendship”.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have already written my second book, which I plan to publish before the end of the year. However, I want to acquire an audience before I publish my second book.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take my Bible, Kindle(charged up), and Soduku book.

Author Websites and Profiles
W. Andranette “Anne” Anderson Website
W. Andranette “Anne” Anderson Amazon Profile

W. Andranette “Anne” Anderson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Indie author from South Carolina, and I am about to publish my tenth book! I am an eclectic author, straddling both the fiction and nonfiction fences. In my nonfiction world, I write about my passion for yoga and meditation as well as travelogues about my time living in South America. In the fiction realm, I focus mainly on short forms (short stories and flash fiction), but I am currently hard at work on my first novel!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My next book is called After Namaste: Off the Mat Musings of a Modern Yogini. I will be publishing it in the fall of 2017. I have been a teacher and practitioner of yoga for two decades and wanted to write a collection of essays that demonstrate how I have been able to take lessons I’ve learned on the mat and apply them to my life off the mat.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can NOT write sitting down! I do all of my writing at a standing desk or on an exercise bike desk.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have always been a voracious reader so it’s really hard to narrow my influences down to a few. But I love the work of Milan Kundera, Margaret Atwood, Alexandre Dumas, Jean Rhys, and Gabriel García Márquez, to name a few.

What are you working on now?
I am in the outlining stages of a mystery novel that takes place in the smallest town in South Carolina in the 1950s. The town becomes involved in a government experiment that essentially traps them in space and time while the rest of the world continues to push ahead through the Cold War and beyond.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am exclusive with Amazon at the moment, so I put a lot of effort there. I also like the Goodreads platform, and love to connect socially with my readers on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
A writer is expected to wear so many hats these days it is easy to get overwhelmed and bogged down in the non-writing side of the business. Don’t forget to WRITE!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Authors have to have a pretty thick skin, so this quote from Dita Von Teese keeps me on an even keel in the midst of negativity, “You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.” So I shine the best I can and don’t worry so much about what other people think or say about me or my work.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey and Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I finish my current WIP I plan on doing a little traveling and research for an idea I have for a fiction series. And I have some more nonfiction books planned as well.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Count of Monte Cristo, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Screwtape Letters, and Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess.

Author Websites and Profiles
K. Kris Loomis Website
K. Kris Loomis Amazon Profile
K. Kris Loomis’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 an indie author with a three book series out. My debut novel, Unexplained (Higher Elevation Series 1) was published October 2016, and I was pleased with the reception this unusual love story received. Book 2, Untouched, was published a month later in November, and Book 3, Undeniable came out in January 2017. This trilogy follows the main characters, Sarah, Chris, Zac, and Amanda from 1977 to 1986.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Undeniable was the last book of the series (although there may be a fourth) and it was satisfying to wrap up some loose ends from the first two books. Undeniable focused more on the characters relationships, although there was still some paranormal psychic elements of the story. The series was inspired by some real events from my own life, but I added the supernatural dimension.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to write alone in a quiet space. Not sure how some can sit in a noisy café and write, but whatever works!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I read widely in various genres. I just read The Last Victim by Karen Robards and enjoyed it.

What are you working on now?
I am editing two Holiday novellas for a duet I hope to publish in the fall. It wasn’t planned, but the stories just hit me over the head and demanded to be written. I don’t have a title yet but they are emotional romances with plenty of angst on the way to a heartwarming conclusion.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still experimenting with newsletter services, so I don’t have enough experience to say which works best. I hope Awesomegang will be my favorite!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to get feedback early and often in your writing career. Whether you want to go traditionally published or indie, join a critique group or find others online to read your work. Writing alone is like working in a vacuum. You need to know what’s working and what isn’t, in order to improve.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write for the love of it. Nothing else will last.” I don’t know who said it, but the challenges of this business can really get you down, so you have to have that inner core of passion for writing to keep you going. Whether you fail or succeed, make money or go broke, it will be the love of creating which will sustain you. Success may come or go, but you have to just keep writing.

What are you reading now?
I just finished The Last Victim by Karen Robards, so I am not sure what to pick up next. Don’t worry, my To Be Read pile is huge, so I have plenty to choose from!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several projects in progress. The Holiday novellas I mentioned above; a Contemporary Romance series; a Romance Fantasy series, and another Supernatural/paranormal Romance series. And a fourth book for the Higher Elevation Series. I will keep on working on them until one is ready to be released into the world. No shortage of ideas, just a shortage of 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?
I would take along blank journals because that would be the experience of a lifetime. I would want to record everything, so after I’m rescued I can pen a memoir about my experience and be internationally famous!

Author Websites and Profiles
Renee Regent Website
Renee Regent Amazon Profile

Renee Regent’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Growing up I always had a love for movies, video games and writing. I previously worked as a camera assistant in TV before joining a company that manufactures digital cinema cameras.

Writing has always been a big hobby of mine and I started writing my own short stories and screenplays for several years before I self-published my first novel back in 2016.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is called Forgotten Liberty. It is a dystopian adventure tale that follows Frank and Annie, a worldly couple who find themselves laboured with the task of smuggling an escapee child soldier through the raider infested self-sufficient land of Autark.

The story came from my fascination with people around the world leading self-sufficient lifestyles in the modern era, as well as my interest and opinions on history. I always like to question and study the human race from the perspective of our actions and decisions throughout history; why people did a certain thing in time, is history written by the victor, does it repeat itself, those kinds of things.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Its not so much a writing habit but I work closely with cameras in my day job and have a fascination with studying cinematography and writing in movies which puts me into the habit of visualizing everything through camera angles and moves. I’ll sometimes bullet point each imaginary ‘shot’ in short phrases in the hope that I pinpoint the key beats and moments I want to hit in a chapter. It takes up a bit more of my time but I it seems to help me decide whether a particular chapter is really needed for the story or character development to progress.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I found inspiration in the novel and movie adaptations of ‘The Road,’ and ‘No Country For Old Men,’ written by Cormac McCarthy, as well as ‘The Revenant’ by Michael Punke. Strong writing and narratives in video games such as ‘Metal Gear Solid,’ (Hideo Kojima) and ‘The Last of Us,’ (Neil Druckmann) also had a massive impact on me. I like to think that I adapted my writing style from my openness to observing how narrative is structured outside of just books and how movies and video games have the ability to tell stories from their own unique and stylistic standpoint.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently in the early stages of developing a crime novel told through first person narrative.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I personally have found Instagram to be a great way of promoting and communicating with fellow readers and authors.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
This isn’t the same for everyone, but for me, planning ahead is everything. I originally started the first draft of Forgotten Liberty without really having an ending in mind and to be honest it was terrible… I mean it really sucked. I didn’t know where I was going with it, I wasn’t hitting any key moment because I never really got to know who my characters were. I scrapped the whole thing and returned to it a few years later. Before I wrote a single word I made sure I knew who my characters were and knew how things were going to end.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Drama is conflict.

If a chapter doesn’t either progress the story or develop the character in the some way, scrap it.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading ‘I Heard You Paint Houses’ by Charles Brandt. It is a True Crime story about the mafia hitman Frank ‘The Irishman’ Sheeran and his connection to the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.

Netflix recently bought the rights to the movie adaptation ‘The Irishman’ which will be directed by Martin Scorsese who is one of my favourite directors so I thought I’d delve deeper into the history.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to keep working on novel writing as much as I can in my spare time but I’d also like to focus on returning to writing screenplays and seeing if there’s anything to be made of that. For now though I am focusing on a concept for a new crime novel.

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?
World War Z by Max Brooks, sadly I didn’t feel the same way about the movie on this occasion but the book is fantastic.

You get a first person account from all these different characters from all over the world that piece together the history of a ten year zombie crisis. It is incredibly detailed and the descriptions of the political and social collapse of the world are so believable that you almost forget that it all stems from something as fictional as a zombie apocalypse.

Author Websites and Profiles
Alessio Cala Amazon Profile

Alessio Cala’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written about eight or nine books. Traditional published and self-published. High and low. “Too Easy” was published 20 years ago in five countries, got a front-page review on the London Times, and Simon & Schuster brought it out again a year ago. At the same time I have a little book of poetry called Theoryland, quite original, actually unique, but how many people are interested in such a thing? I’m working on, or finishing up, three or four new projects right now. I hope to find a home for everything.

I went to Princeton, was in the Army for two years, and lived in Manhattan for 30 years, where I ran my own little ad agency and worked on novels. Manhattan was very exciting during those years, type and graphic design, digital everything, all these things were breaking through all the time.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Boy Who Saves The World” grew out of my 20-year interest in robotics and AI. Machines will get very smart. The question is whether they will be loyal, become superior, and/or end up destroying us because of tangled motives.

“The Boy Who Saves The World” (and another novel I’m working on now) are based on the idea that AI and unintended consequences are going to be a very dangerous stew. As you give robots more brains and autonomy, they will be more like teenagers. Are you going to give your car to one of them for the weekend? What couldn’t go wrong?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I work eight hours a day, six days a week. On the other hand, I’m in the gym an hour every day. I work on many different kinds of projects so I don’t get bored. Half my day is spent on education, the other half on literary projects.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A great range from James Joyce to Raymond Chandler. I would love to combine a high degree of beauty and of toughness. When I find that in another author, I always respond to it.

What are you working on now?
“The Boy Who Saves The World” just appeared as an e-book (only). This was a lucky collision where a publisher was looking for a certain kind of novel. The whole process was quick, except for finding the perfect photo for the cover. That turned out to be difficult. But the art director found a boy that is very close to what I was always imagining. He has to project a lot of different feelings at the same time.

If you like lively suspense/thriller type books, check out “The Boy Who Saves The World.” It’s technically sci-fi but that phrase is somewhat misleading. This book is interesting because of the interplay of many characters in a tense situation. The sci-fi is secondary.
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Meanwhile, “Saving K-12 – What happened to our public schools? How do we fix them?” will be officially published on November 17. This is an important book, I believe, because it will explain to the public why our public schools are as mediocre as they are. My thesis is that if we don’t save the public schools, we won’t save much else.

This is a serious book but still very lively. I’m probably the most prolific and aggressive writer on education in the country. I have hundreds of articles on the Internet. I’m very good at explaining weird sophistries, which is what our Education Establishment is good at inventing. If you want to understand what’s going on in our schools, not on the surface but down in the engine room so to speak, this is a book you will enjoy.

It’s also the best cheap gift for smart people. They don’t need another scarf or another novel about a serial killer. They need to know why phonics is necessary if we are going to save our schools. And why Constructivism is a fraud. And 25 other items like that.

So, fiction or nonfiction, I’ve got one of each. Each quite different and distinctive.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not real good at promoting so I don’t presume to give advice. I’m trying every gimmick there is, that’s why I’m here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You have to stay busy. Try different things. A lot of the most famous people in the world actually have very boring lives because they are working all the time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think it was Conrad who said, “Make them see it.” That’s great advice.

What are you reading now?
Sad confession. All I do is write fiction and then I write articles about education. I rarely read something by anybody else. But hey I know I’ve only got so many strong years left. I want to make the most of them.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I finished two novels in the last two years. I like them both but I haven’t been able to place them. Meanwhile I’m starting on another complex thriller set in Virginia Beach where I live. I’m drawn toward something very ambitious and complicated. At the same time I wonder if I’ve got the brains to do it. So there’s the challenge. I think I want to feel slightly over my head, which is the way the main character is going to feel.

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’ve never read Ulysses, not really. I mean the one by Joyce. I haven’t read the one by Homer either. I was an English major but I see there are all kinds of famous books I never got to. Embarrassing.

Author Websites and Profiles
Bruce Deitrick Price Website
Bruce Deitrick Price Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an advertising professional for my whole career and still continuing. I stay in Delhi the capital of India
Dreams Implant is my debut novel

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dreams Implant was conceived when I was working on a campaign for my client. At that time conceptualizing the campaign for the client the plot for my novel took life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I need pen and paper to write stories laptops and desktops don’t work for me as I cant think and write on laptops

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Agatha Christie, Sidney Sheldon, Jeffery Archer

What are you working on now?
Working on an untitled thriller at the moment

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media platform and

Do you have any advice for new authors?
. Be passionate and believe in yourself that you are a story teller rest will follow

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be yourself

What are you reading now?
Raven Black by Ann Cleevs

What’s next for you as a writer?
ManBooker Prize would be nice

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?
Hercule Poirot ofcourse

Author Websites and Profiles
Partho Bose Website
Partho Bose Amazon Profile

Partho Bose’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have published two collections of short stories, and two single short stories, all available on Amazon.
English was my favourite lesson during my school days, and I always enjoyed writing stories.
Then I grew up and worked in Casinos for twenty years, and spent fifteen of those years travelling on cruise ships.
Leaving ships in 2011, I now live in the North East of England. When I’m not busy writing, I enjoy music, movies, beach walks and beer.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Breaking Spirits’, a dark short story available on multiple formats. I got the idea for the story from a newspaper. I get lots of ideas from newspaper articles. I expand the original idea, work on it for three or four days, ending up with lots of notes on paper. Then when I’ve got most of the story figured out, I’ll get to my laptop, start typing it up, breaking it down by scene, in random order. I usually find that the first and last scenes are the easiest ones for me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do a lot of writing in the car. Obviously, not while I’m driving. I’ll park at the beach, put my seat back, scribble away on my notepad, developing the idea, drinking coffee and staring out to sea. It’s my home away from home!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m an avid reader, particularly enjoying James Lee Burke (Robicheaux series), Robert B Parker (Spenser series) and Lawrence Block (Scudder series).
I usually bookmark my favourite passages from their books, then revisit them later, hoping to soak up some of their skills!

What are you working on now?
I promote my books on social media, and I’ve set up my own website, joined Goodreads and Twitter, trying to spread the word, get reviews, all that jazz. I’ve sold some books already, but it’s not enough. It’s never enough.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Truthfully, I’m still learning about promotion. Writing stories is something I enjoy; promotion/marketing is a bit more like work. A necessary evil. But it’s nice to do author interviews and guest posts!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just sit down and write. Never mind the laundry, or making a snack, or going for a bike ride – sit your butt down and write. There’ll always be other stuff to do, so get to it after you write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do it or don’t do it.

What are you reading now?
Hope to Die by Lawrence Block. I’ve read it before, now I’m reading it again. The whole Scudder series is superb!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve just finished a story, so now I’ll spend a week or so promoting my website and books. Then, in the not too distant future, I’ll get the urge to start another 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?
1. Winston Churchill – The Second World War.
2. Any Spike Milligan war memoir.
3. Stephen King – It.

Author Websites and Profiles
Glenn McGoldrick Website
Glenn McGoldrick Amazon Profile

Glenn McGoldrick’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a widely published poet, having been published in many magazines and anthologies. My debut collection, ‘Lacuna’ was published by Black Pear Press. I am currently editing a fantasy novel and working on too many projects to mention, whilst performing on the Spoken Word scene and working with the Worcestershire Literary Festival team. I have won a few competitions, including comedy and poetry awards. I juggle my writing with my full-time catering manager job and family.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lacuna. It means ‘something missing, particularly from a manuscript’. I wanted to release a collection that got readers really looking for something. The cover was designed by my elder brother, Damien Davis, and featured an excellent photograph of ‘The Jurors’. The empty chairs just screamed ‘Lacuna’ at me. I was most fortunate to work with Polly Stretton, an amazing poet, and an amazing lady. Polly edited Lacuna, helping me to ‘fill in’ the missing parts.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not so much unusual, as annoying for my wife. Because of my busy life and time spent with our children, I write wherever and whenever I can. I wake up and jot things down in the middle of the night, on journeys, in the pub, at dinner, on any scrap of paper available, even on toilet roll! I write everything by hand, transfer in to notebooks more legibly, then type up and edit. I then edit again, leave it for a while and edit again before sending out to beta readers and my editors.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many, it would be hard to list them all. I read so much! Fantasy writers like the old faves (Tolkien, Eddings, Feist, Prachett, LeGuin) and Dragonlance writers (I am a collector of Dragonlance and have hundreds of books and products related to the brand). Poets like Thomas Hardy and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, as well as more modern poets like Polly Stretton, Paul F. Lenzi, Sue Johnson, Brenda Read-Brown. Story-telling poets like Charley Barnes and Nina Lewis are current favourites.

What are you working on now?
One fantasy Novel and potentially many more (I have an entire fantasy world I have been building since I was little).
A lot of poetry, two complete collections I am pitching and working on a third at present.
Some writing guides.
Comedy poetry (silly stuff).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, this marketing is all new to me, so I am still learning. Sites like this and social media are a good starting block. I’ll be happy to share any marketing success stories if I am fortunate enough to experience them!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and write. Read a lot. Write a lot. Never give up. Join a writers’ circle, go to spoken word events and engage with the writing community in your area (even if you don’t want to perform). Being a part of the literary ‘scene’ is wonderful, my local writing community are exceptionally encouraging. I have made some super friends and we all help each other with writing and promoting.
Don’t take criticism to heart, or rejections. Keep on keeping on. Be, breathe, believe. Make it happen!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Playwright, Julian Armistead (who wrote ‘After the Accident’) told me to join a writing circle. Best thing I ever did, with regards to my writing. My writing has improved, I have made some wonderful friends and made contacts within the community that have led to great opportunities

What are you reading now?
Paul F. Lenzi’s Forest voices
Thomas Hardy’s Collected Poems
George Macdonald’s Lilith
Jean Rabe’s Goblin Nation

What’s next for you as a writer?
I aim to finish the ‘final’ edit of the fantasy novel, and start submitting to agents and or publishers.
I will continue to work on my fantasy world and poetry, I aim to start submitting to competitions and publications again in 2018.
Hopefully, I’ll publish the next two poetry collections. I’ll continue to support other writers and help with the Worcestershire Literary festival.

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 Dragonlance Chronicles
The Complete Works of W H Audin
The Lord of the Rings

Author Websites and Profiles
Kieran Davis Website

Kieran Davis’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a facilitator/speaker and founder of Master Trainer TMR & Associates, a training consulting firm based in Houston, Texas. I am also a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. For nearly 30 years I have coached and advised busy working professionals in the areas of pressures, priorities, and purpose. They all kept repeating the same sentiment. “Work-life balance. I don’t have it. I want it. I need it.” It was the exact same thing I had been saying myself more than 30 years ago when work was overwhelming me and threatening my health and my relationships with those I loved. Back then it took a lot of soul searching and a lot of courageous decisions and actions to reclaim my life. I decided that I needed to shine a spotlight on this very real issue for working professionals, and so the idea for the book was born. This book gives voice to what many experience but feel powerless to do anything about. To a large extent it’s about self-empowerment but it also let’s us know that we are not alone in what we face. This is my first book, and I am so thrilled with the response that it;s been getting that I am busily working on the sequel, You Versus O-Syndrome for Women, debuting summer 2018. This follow-up will specifically address the unique O-Syndrome challenges that women face and the strategies that we can employ to overcome those challenges. Please drop me a line at tmr@mastertrainertmr.com to share your experiences.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
O-Syndrome: When Work is 24/7 and You’re Not was inspired by the countless working professionals plagued with chronic busyness, who, over many years, helped me to shine a huge spotlight on O-Syndrome (overwhelmed and over-stressed by work) and willingly gave of themselves in sharing their greatest challenges, admitting their major regrets, exposing their biggest hurts, and revealing their deepest longings.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on anything and anywhere the muse hits me — a scrap of paper, my smart phone, my journal, and even the back of a receipt! LOL I then cull together all of these into a coherent flow of ideas that eventually end up being chapters and sub-chapters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I went through a period in my life where I only read fiction, and my all-time favorite author is Toni Morrison, her poetic use of words as instruments showed me that words help the spirit to sing even via non-fiction. I now have reached a stage in my life where I read only non-fiction exclusively. My tastes are varied and include works by Laurie Beth Jones, Philip Yancey, Malcolm Gladwell, Brene Brown, and Seth Godin.

What are you working on now?
I am working on You Versus O-Syndrome for Women, which is the sequel to O-Syndrome:When Work is 24/7 and You’re Not. It’s scheduled for a summer 2018b release and focuses on the special O-Syndrome challenges that women face and how to face and tackle those challenges.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
“Knee-mail” and word-of-mouth are my preferred methods for getting the word out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Follow your instincts and be very involved with the process so that you can continue to learn and grow for your next book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do you!

What are you reading now?
Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan is to continue with the O-Syndrome book series. Several more books are planned — You Versus O-Syndrome for Couples, You Versus O-Syndrome for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum, You Versus O-Syndrome for Families, You Versus O-Syndrome for People of Color. I am also developing workshops and seminars for an in-person interactive approach to the 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?
Holy Bible. I have no need to take any other book than that.

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

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live near Exeter in Devon (England) and I love getting out and about on the beaches and moors and attending local food festivals and events with my other half who’s a cake maker.

I’ve written three books and they’re all quite different. I’ve written a travel guide for anyone planning a gap year called Your Big Adventure based on my experiences backpacking. Then in 2017 I published my first full novel The River – an epic fantasy title. My latest book is a freebie dystopia story called Adam 0532.

As well as writing I’m overly fond of watching ’90s/’00s verbose American high school dramas, travel and of course cake.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book Adam 0532 is a little different to what I usually write. It started off as a short story for a writing group exercise and I found the world really interesting and knew there was more to uncover.

It’s a dystopian story about a man losing his identity in a future where wealth has totally divided a city and its people. Adam is caught between these worlds, a daily migrant between the overcrowded poverty of the Zone and the wide tree-lined streets of the Heights where he works.
To the Fairwater’s he is just another labourer, indistinguishable and disposable. But to Adam the memory of Ella Fairwater is the one thing he’s holding on to in the hope that she’ll remember a man who wasn’t always for sale.

I was fascinated by the idea of how we define ourselves – what it takes for us to feel recognisable, valuable and fulfilled and how people would react in a world where this is slowly being eroded. Dystopian fiction always seems to be about the heroes and the revolutionaries – the ones who smash the system. I wanted to think about what life would be like for someone who wasn’t rebelling, but disappearing.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I generally write first thing in the morning or last thing of an evening and am quite a restless writer shifting between my desk, the bed, the armchair, the garden…pretty much wherever is quieter!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I find Philip Pullman’s His Dark Material’s Trilogy so inspiring – it’s such an epic work, so full of heart and I still try and read it every year. I’ll always have a fondness for C.S. Lewis and the Narnia books as I think they really cemented my love of literature.
More recently I’ve really enjoyed reading Margaret Atwood, Jasper Fforde, Kevin Brockmeier and Mark Haddon.

What are you working on now?
My main focus is finishing a romance title due for release this winter – it’s a Christmas themed romantic comedy set in Cardiff.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I mainly use social media – Twitter and Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Edit lots…but don’t let it consume you. Remember to trust yourself and to enjoy what you do.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write about what interests you, as you can’t expect other people to be interested if you’re not!

What are you reading now?
Alan Hollinghurst – The Line of Beauty. I know I’m very late to the party with this one but i’m really enjoying it. I love the beginning; so full of opportunity and hope and the hazy memories of hot summers and the glimpses of the lives of the young and wealthy and the prose is really well crafted.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The follow up book to The River, perhaps some more romance and some short stories.

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?
Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy to keep me inspired. The House at Pooh Corner by A.A. Milne for good memories. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde to keep me smiling and The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien to keep me busy!

Author Websites and Profiles
Nick Frampton Website
Nick Frampton Amazon Profile

Nick Frampton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Arizonian, who has traveled much of the world. Growing up a military brat and joining the Navy myself, at the age of eighteen, has allowed me to see many places and experience the world. I’ve also served on Mission trips to Uganda, Africa, which has greatly changed my perspective on life and living.
I have since settled down and now write YA and Mystery Novels. I am an Avid reader of Christian fiction of any kind, and sometimes dabbles into the unknown world of Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, and John Grisham.
I’m married to the love of my life and have three children who are now grown and facing the world on their own. Years of raising my teenagers has given me plenty of experience in the YA realm. As a matter of fact, if you read my stories, you may glimpse some of their characteristics within.
I have written a total of 12 books, and I am currently in the process of publishing them. Three are published and my next one will be ready soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My last book published is called From Lies to Truth. It’s the third novel in the Karina’s Journey Series. All my books are inspired mostly by a passion for people in need. Those who are hurting and need to hear that there is someone out there who loves them. Though my books are fictional, I hope to encourage, through my stories.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a panster. I love to just sit down and write. I don’t think anything through and I have no idea where my books will take me until I get there. Many times I amaze myself at the way the story has gone.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by so many wonderful authors. Everyone from C.S. Lewis to Stephen King. If I had to pick just one, I would say my all-time favorite author is Terri Blackstock.

What are you working on now?
My latest book is called A Light in the Darkness. It’s coming out in September 2017. This book was inspired by my childhood. The young girl in the story, is a lonely girl who has a poor self-esteem, awkward appearance, weight issue, and gets picked on quite often. I was that girl, but the rest of the story is completely fictional.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far Facebook has been my biggest use for promotions.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Follow your dream. If you have a story that needs to be told – write it. Don’t let fear of failure taint your ability to inspire.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you want to be a good writer, you must do two things above all others: Read a lot and write a lot – Stephen King

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading a book by the author Ann Jones, called Missing. Amazing book!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have 8 more books to finish editing and get out to the public. I hope to have them all ready by the middle of next year. After that, I will begin a new 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?
I would have to say, my Bible, The Chronicles of Narnia, A good Grisham, and one of my own so that I can finish editing it and hopefully be rescued in time for a release date.

Author Websites and Profiles
Patricia Bell Website
Patricia Bell Amazon Profile

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

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve had a pretty full life including spending some time as an elected official, in the NH House and Senate; A nominee for the Democratic Party for the office of Governor, Publisher of a Lifestyle magazine called Heart of New Hampshire, CEO of a publicly traded Environmental cleanup company, founder of a group of social entrepreneurs working on development challenges in West Africa, and a private consultant. I’m also an artist in the photographic space with three published books to my credit in that realm.

While “Sacred Trust” is my first novel, I have been writing commentary and OpEds for more than 20 years. I also have three published books of my photographic work.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Sacred Trust” was written partly in response to a current proposal in my state to build a private powerline called Northern Pass that will have an enormous impact on the people of the state. The frustration and sense of helplessness felt by so many people about the proposal led me to wonder what would happen if a group of citizens decided to fight against the powerline using some unique nonviolent civil disobedience. I also felt that this presented an opportunity to use fiction as a tool for exploring some important current issues. For example, in the age of terrorism how do we maintain a place for the time-honored tradition of civil disobedience? What are the choices and challenges ahead of us as we work to transition from a carbon-fuel based economy to a carbon-free one? How can ordinary citizens fight back against the monied forces of climate deniers and oligarchs?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wish I could tell you that I have some unique secret habit that made me more productive or creative but like many writers I am simply obsessed with trying to speak truth to power and to find ways to reach people that makes them smile, laugh and perhaps to say “ahhh, I never thought of that.”

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wow, that’s a pretty long list. Maybe I should just give you the Sarah Pallin answer: “Ah, you know paperbacks and sometimes hardcover ones, I read magazines and newspapers too.” OK. I’m being too glib. In the non-fiction space I have been very influed by people like Alvin Toffler (“Future Shock”, “The Third Wave”) and Jeremy Rifkin (The Third Industrial Revolution”, The End of Work”, “The Hydrogen Economy” etc.). In the biographic fiction or non-fiction space I think that Pat Conroy writes the most beautiful and moving prose I have ever read. When he describes the south I can feel the trees sway and smell the magnolias blossoming. In the adventure genre I confess to being a fan of Clive Cussler, James Patterson and Dan Brown despite the formulaic nature of their books.

I love the more playful poets: Shel Silverstein, ee cummings, Ogden Nash, even someone like Gerard Manely Hopkins who did not intend to be playful. In fact, I use a Nash poem in my book: “The cow is of the Bovine ilk, one end moo, the other milk.” I’ve tried to write some poetry, it is a real skill. In “Sacred Trust” there is a section where two of the main characters walk around at the Frost homestead in Franconia, New Hampshire and one of them describes Frost’s poetry as being like maple syrup, prose, boiled down to its essence.

I read older literature mostly out of guilt; fearing that I will miss some important revelation. Yet I read Shakespeare, for example, not for its stirring symphony so much as to mine the nuggets that seem essential knowledge or revelation. I couldn’t tell you what the overall message of “As You Like It” is but I can quote you my favorite passage : “And this our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones and good in everything, I would not change it.” That one paragraph makes all the rest of the stilted (to me) language worth the slog.

What are you working on now?
I’m afraid I’m working on trying to learn how this self publishing gig works! But I promise that I won’t be writing a book on 10 ways to market your self-published book and making a YouTube video! I am exploring the idea of writing a fictional account of the life of an early settler Able Crawford, who built a trail to the summit of Mt. Washington; but I am also fascinated by the Republic of Indian Stream a small independent Republic that broke off from the US in the late 1800 because a vague section in the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary war left them with both US and Canadian tax collectors trying to squeeze them for taxes and arguing over whether they were in the US or Canada. I mention Indian Stream in “Sacred Trust” but there is an entire story there if I can only figure out the voice that is called for in telling it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Your’s of course! [Laugh]. Seriously, I refer you to the last answer. I’m trying to figure that out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Run. Run very fast.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take living seriously, don’t take yourself seriously.

What are you reading now?
Stephen King on Writing and “Thank You For Waiting” by Thomas Friedman

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully finding time to write despite the amount of work needed to figure out this self-publishing gig.

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 compendium by Kurt Vonnegut, Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins, Anything by Buckminster Fuller because it would occupy me for months trying to understand it and Beaches by Pat Conroy. . . was I suppose to say The Bible?

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

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hiya, my name is Elle Boon. Turo’s Fated Mate actually makes my 25th book that I’ve released. I’m really excited about this story as it has all my favorite characters showing up, and you get to see Jenna and her men go off, which leads up to their book. Also, you find out how many babies Kellen the alpha and his mate have. Finally! LOL.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Turo’s Fated Mate is book 7 and it organically flowed from book 6. I love series, not only writing, but reading so it was natural for me. Although, Jenna the Fey Queen’s book will actually be book 1 of a new series. Of course, they’ll tie into the Iron Wolves “wink”.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmm, well, I always have to have red hots when I write. I always start on paper, then move to my computer, and I listen to music. Need music to write and if you read me, you’ll probably be able to pick out a line or two that somehow gets put into my books as part of dialogue. For instance in Dark Lovers one of the bad guys says “He’s worse than the beast under your bed” which clearly came from a Metallica song.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, so many, but I’d have to say Sherrilyn Kenyon, Shelly Laurenston, JR Ward and Lora Leigh for starters. They have amazing series that don’t seem to repeat themselves and always have me wanting the next book NOW. That is what I hope to do to my readers.

What are you working on now?
I just started book 6 in my SEAL Team Phantom series, Delta Redemption. It’s gonna be a story of epic proportions as the hero is actually the old leader of the SEAL team who they all thought had turned traitor.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To never give up and to write every day. Remember you are your own best promotional tool. Treat your website, your online presence as a store front. Keep it neat and fun. You wouldn’t go into a restaurant or store in real life if there was garbage all over the entrance, so act as though your online places are the same. And have fun. If you’re having fun, then readers will too. IMO

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sylvia Day told me when I started to write 3 books before I ever submitted. She said that it would do many things for me. A. It would help me learn to write. B. I would figure out how long it takes me to write a story. C. I would know if I really wanted to write after the third one.

I can honestly tell you the first book has never seen a publisher or light of day LOL. Book 2 is published and one of my all time favorites. Selena’s Men and book 3 is Accidentally Wolf, so I think I did pretty good.

What are you reading now?
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s latest Dragonsworn. It is sooo good. Of course I love everything she writes, I even have the Dark Hunters double bow and arrow tattoo on my back <3

What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish this book, and possibly head to La Crosse, WI for a book signing.

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?
Oy, I would take Acheron by SK and Styxx as well. Then I would take Lord Of the Desert by Diana Palmer and Shades of Twilight by Linda Howard. Love all of these books.

Author Websites and Profiles
Elle Boon Website
Elle Boon Amazon Profile

Elle Boon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been reading science fiction and fantasy since I was a kid. I also fly radio controlled jets and it was through the jets that I fell into photographing and writing magazine articles covering the Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) jet events I’ve attended. I was laid off from a great job in the computer industry in July of 2015 and a year later decided to see if I could write a book. There were some detours along the way but in May of 2017 I decided to give being a full time author a try.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is called Luni327: The Journey begins – Book one of the Lunar Age series. There were a couple of things that inspired me to write the book. The first one was that I read a lot and it just seems really hard to find a book where the main character isn’t a current member of some armed forces, ex-special forces, vampire, anything other than a normal person. Don’t get me wrong, I greatly admire the men and woman who step up to serve their country. I love a good space battle. But I think variety is the spice of life and sometimes I really enjoy reading a story about a normal Joe thrown into unusual circumstances. That’s what’s at the heart of Luni327, Bryce Burns, the main character and his fellow classmates are just kids. Their parents are talented but only in the kind of things that are common in most towns in the US.
The other thing that inspired me was that as I started researching the book I found there’s a lot of activity outside of NASA that’s come well beyond the concept stage and is nearing actual industrial level use. Things like near Earth asteroid mining and regolith volatile reclamation. Right now there’s about six people working in low Earth orbit every day. A lot sooner than most people are expecting, that number is going to start growing much larger and that was something I tried to pull into the novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writers can be a weird bunch so I don’t know if this is unusual but I do find it annoying. I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with all this dialog for the book buzzing around in my head. I usually have to get up and go downstairs to my office and get it all into Scrivener before I can go back to sleep.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up reading folks like Clarke and Asimov. I also really liked Zenna Henderson’s “The People” stories. Getting older, I liked Jack Campbell, Jack McDevitt, and David Weber. Now days I really like Niall Teasdale’s Aneka Jansen series, Christopher Nuttall and Allan Black.

What are you working on now?
I’m starting in on book two of the Lunar Age series, Luni327:Strangers at the Door. I’ve got an aggressive writing schedule with the book due to be out in the Fall of 2017. I think I can do that but I don’t know if I can. I’m certainly going to give it a good run for it’s money. Luni327:Strangers at the Door will build off the first book. My intent is to delve more deeply into some of the other characters. We’ll see if Bryce has a shot with Nina and why on Earth someone would want to nuke the facility. It should be an interesting ride.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning so I don’t have a best yet but I’m certainly open to suggestions.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learning how to successfully publish a book is a really broad learning curve. Sometimes it’s like drinking from a fire hose. When you’re listening to some expert tell you that you have to do something and you’re about to go catatonic, turn the crap off. Step back, take a deep breath, and just concentrate on what you need to do to get through the day. There is some good advice out there but even with people I’ve learned to trust I’ve also learned to take advice in small chunks less I be overwhelmed by their good intentions.
Also, when there’s doubt blame the computer. There’s no way I made all those mistakes in my first draft. It had to be that dang auto-correct function.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The worst piece of crap written that is out there being sold is far better than the ‘perfect’ manuscript sitting unpublished somewhere.I found T.S. Paul to be very inspirational in his rule breaking.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Jamie McFarland’s Corsair Menace (Privateer Tales Book 12). Privateer Tales is the story of two nice normal guys (okay, their girlfriend’s are ex-military) wandering around having adventures.
The even better series to read is Nathan Lowell’s Trader’s Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper Book. Normal people, doing normal things, when normal includes commerce between the stars.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After Luni327:Strangers at the Door, there’s two more books in that series that need writing. Then I have a new series probably called Empires in Ruin. When that’s done, I may write a fan book just for me. I love Zenna Henderson’s People. The cannon is they used to be just like us, they can mate with us so maybe some place far in the past there was some contact with Earth and of course, something happened to them that changed them so. I’d like to explore those ideas some day even if it’s a book I have to keep just for myself.

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?
Hmmm, that’s a hard one. Let’s start with Zenna Henderson’s Ingathering since it’s a big book with all of the People stories in one place. Next would Arthur C Clark’s The City and the Stars which has always been my favorite book. The last one or two I need to cheat a little since I can only think of series that I would want with me. If I’m allowed a series then the only logical choice would be David Weber’s Safehold series. At the rate things are progressing on Safehold, by the time he gets the poor people on Safehold back into starships there might be enough books to build me a shelter.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dan Eaton Website
Dan Eaton Amazon Profile

Dan Eaton’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
With a lifetime dream of becoming an author this is Jennifer Pickett’s second book ‘A Distortion of Reality’ with 22,018 words. Her first book ‘A Pocket Full of Stories’ was published in 2010 with Amazon under the name ‘J. A. Heathcock’

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Distortion of Reality. I was a senior in high school in 1984 and it just came to me one day. I worked on it off and on for several years then stopped for about 6 years. I finished it three years ago and had a lot of changes including the title. The original title was Dreams but it wasn’t as fitting as the current title.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. Sometimes it just comes out of no where.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The two that come to mind are George Orwell and J. D. Salinger. There are others but they are the main ones.

What are you working on now?
I have two I have started, ‘Tales of the Bedroom Madame’ and the newest one, ‘Johnny Song, The Assassins Assassin’.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth mostly. I completed my first online interview last week and it’ll be out on November 30th.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
To never give it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To follow your passion and not let anyone try to derail you.

What are you reading now?
I haven’t been reading much just observing the world around me for inspiration.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have no idea. I like gong on the unknown road to see where the story I’m writing will take 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?
The Catcher In The Rye, The Scarlett Pimpernil and 1984.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jennifer Cherry Amazon Profile

Jennifer Cherry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one book and have a published poem.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Tattoo Street Hustle. What inspired me to write this book is the interest that I believe is held in the world of tattooing. I experienced a lot of negativity on how I went about tattooing from other artist. I felt that others would be interested in knowing and learning more about the world of tattooing done in a more non conventional way, the urban way.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would say my writing habits are more spontaneous. I have two children’s books I am working on that are a far cry from The Tattoo Street Hustle. I write when I feel an urge to express myslef or based off a momen of inspiration.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a fan of self help books like The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and The Power and The Secret. Books that empowr and educate are probably my favorite. I have also been a fan of James Patterson and Eric Jerome Dickey for many years. I have not written any books that take after these writers as of yet but when I read thier books it takes me into a world outside of mine. I want to do the same for my readers as well with my upcoming books.

What are you working on now?
I have a children’s book series that will be out in 2017 called The Adventures of Poop and Prat. It’s about two little brothers and the mayhem that they get into that kid and parents alike can relate to.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would have to say Kindle. They have a large audience and the access to the reading material is easy.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Nothing will happen unless you do. Sometimes you may come across writer’s block but it won’t last forever. Keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stay committed and don’t stop pursing your dreams no matter what.

What are you reading now?
Right now I am listenting to an audio book, The Alchemist by Paul Coelho.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To take a wiritng course. In order to become better I must educate myself and taking a writing course will help me do that.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oh wow! Hmmm, I would defintiley take The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George and Milk in my Coffee by Eric Jerome Dickey

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey, Gang! I have three books in a companion series and am currently working on the fourth. Meadowview Acres, Plantation Springs and Forest View are the titles of the Young Adult Suspense books. I started writing after many years of cultivating the stories. After my kids left the nest I finally had time to purge them from my brain! I like writing suspense stories because anything can happen. I like to be surprised even when I’m the one writing! Nothing thrills me more than when I’m reading a book and I have to scream, “What just happened” at the page. Books that keep you guessing are fun to find and I try to remember that when I’m writing. This fourth book in the series, “Return to Meadowview” will close out the Grounds of Vengeance series and then I’ll be on to fairies and trolls in a magical setting.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Forest View” is the name of my last published book. It is the third in a series but can also stand on its own. The story brings back a couple of characters from “Meadowview Acres” and the events that happen in the neighborhood of Forest View have a connection with what happened in Meadowview. Curses are hard to eradicate from the world and sometimes it takes more than one try…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My unusual writing habits involve a lot of talking to myself and my dog, Moose. If I’m stuck in a chapter I’ll wander around the house (Moose on my heels) and come up with a few different ways the story could go from the point where I’m stuck. Usually, by the time I’ve logged a couple miles on my step tracker I’ve come up with a direction. If I don’t, I close up the laptop and walk away for the day. Sometimes, you just can’t force it!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve read books my whole life so it’s easy to say that I’ve been influenced by many amazing authors. The authors who really made me sit up and take notice are Dean Koontz and Justin Cronin. Their way of creeping you out slowly is fantastic. My all time favorite book is “Watership Down” by Richard Adams. I’ve re-read it so many times and it never gets old. I’ve never looked at rabbits the same way.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on a book called, “Return to Meadowview.” It will close out the four part series with a bang! I’m excited to see where all of these characters will end up.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have to admit, I’m not great at promoting myself. I turn to sites like, bookgoodies.com and other sites that are much better at it than I. When I dedicate myself to promotions, I’ll do a Kindle countdown and use twitter and Amazon to help get the word out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! It’s fine to be overwhelmed, frustrated and need to take a break, but make sure you go back and finish. Starting slow is fine, too. You don’t have to have everything figured out on day one. Just show up every day and put something on paper. You’ll have good days and bad days.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Give yourself a break. And be proud of yourself for your dedication and perseverance.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading Historical fiction. “Sisters of Treason” by Elizabeth Fremantle is a reconstruction of Katherine Parr’s marriage to Henry VIII.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I close out the Grounds of Vengeance series I have one book left in my brain. It involves fairies and trolls; your basic good versus evil fantasy story but with a surprising edge!

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 “Watership Down” for sure! The others would have to be “The Watchers” by Dean Koontz, “The Passage” by Justin Cronin and my first book, “Meadowview Acres.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Donna Cain Amazon Profile

Donna Cain’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a twenty-something chick with a love of anything fantasy, something I was first introduced to when Narnia hit theaters back in the early 2000’s. I’ve written six books, four of which are published, and I don’t think I need to tell you that there are several more stewing in the back of my brain, most of which are fantasy based. But I do more than write. I also play guitar and compose music, and I recently discovered I have a knack for baking, and hiking is a favorite pass time. Fun fact about me: I’m dyslexic. Yes, you read that right. A dyslexic writer. My motto is to ‘find inspiration in every situation’, so, I’ve never let my uniqueness stand in the way of penning stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The King’s Quest’ is the title of my latest book, and honestly, I have no idea what inspired it. I remember just sitting down one day and picking up a pen. It’s like I just woke up with this idea to write a story about a girl who could… Around chapter four, I stopped trying to control how the story went and let it write itself, and to be very honest, it’s completely different from what I had first imagined. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I ‘ll just say that Thane was a very unexpected character.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to write everything by hand. The first three books I wrote, I used whatever pen I could get my hands on and a notebook. Of course, this meant it took forever to write anything. I just recently started using my computer for writing, but there are days that I still miss writing by hand, something I gave up only because my wrist can’t take it anymore. I’ve always felt that a blank sheet of paper is inspiring, while a cursor blinking at you is just daunting, but part of being a writer, a good writer, is learning to adapt, learning to keep an open mind and be willing to try anything and everything.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Inkheart Trilogy (Cornelia Funke) made a big impact on me and to this day, those are still my favorite books, and are actually what inspired me to become a writer in the first place. To me, Ms. Funke is a superhero, because when you crack open one of her books, you’re immediately lost in the world she created, and you forget about everything else. I actually cried when I finished the series. She has inspired me to always write, and to always give my very best, and one day, I hope someone out there picks up one of my books and is able to be taken to a different land, experience it like they’re really there. I can’t think of a greater compliment.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on the second book in the Adventures of Petra and Ryder series, as well as a comedic murder mystery, not to mention another fantasy novel that will tie in with Petra and Ryder’s story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m pretty new to promoting my books (this is actually my first site to use) but honestly, Facebook has been a great help, as well as word-of-mouth. Building up a following for a blog is always a great idea, because once you have that audience, you’ll find you have a family on the blogging site, people who really want to help promote and support you.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hustle. Always be looking for new ways to promote your book, and never, EVER let anyone degrade you or your work, and I’m not talking about a negative review, I’m talking about people making you feel like rubbish for striving to be a writer. Ignore them. Let them stew in their negative juices, but you just keep doing you. If you know in your heart that you are a writer, don’t listen to anything else. Look for people who will encourage and support you, and the naysayers? They’re actually a help. Use them as inspiration for a character, use them as an example of what not to be. Oh, and don’t stop reading. Read as much as you can, study other writer’s work, and always strive to do and be better.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Umm, besides ‘don’t eat a jar of pickles if the juice is cloudy,’ I really can’t say. Unless it’s my own. Find Inspiration in EVERY Situation.

What are you reading now?
I am currently working on Lee Child’s 61 Hours, a Jack Reacher Novel. I’m loving every bit of it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d love to say a movie contract and a nice condo on the beach… I don’t know what’s next for me. More books, of course, and hopefully a workshop or two, but for now, I’m just focusing on one thing at a 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?
The Blue Nowhere by Jeffery Deaver for thrills, a Lucky O’Toole book by Deborah Coonts for laughs, Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke for somewhere else to go, annnnddd… Cheaper by the Dozen, for all three in one.

Author Websites and Profiles
Keri L. Author Profile on Smashwords

Keri L.’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Wife, mother and first time Author. I am also CEO of my own online business Spark Your Passion, where I inspire women to pursue their passion and truly live the life that they want. I am a mom of twin girls currently in college and I’m working on 3rd book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Courage 2 Take The SHOT – My book was inspired because of women that I talk to between the age of 45 -55 who were stagnant in life and some believe that it was too late to pursue their dream.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure if is unusual but I am able to arise every night at 1 am and write for 30 mins and go right back to sleep.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Maxwell
Steve Fisher
Eric Worre

What are you working on now?
I’m working on 2 books currently.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Book signing and facebook, Instagram.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to join a author group so you will have all the support and encouragement you need from other authors who may be going thru similar situations.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always be Promoting!!

What are you reading now?
Revealing Christ in the Tabernacle – Keith Moore

What’s next for you as a writer?
To assist other women who are looking to tell their story in the form of a 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?
Bible
The Law of Recognition – Mike Murdock
The Assignment
Joel Olsten = The Purpose Driven

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Love SF, Fantasy, read a lot.
Work in IT.
So far, I wrote two parts of Fantasy trilogy “Autumn of Ablor”
– Osbald’s Journey
– On the Run
One SF novel Body Switching
Currently I’m working on another SF book, Mathilda W

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
On the Run
It is a sequel of my first book

A couple a years ago I took hitchhikers, a mother and a son, and for the next twenty miles, she managed to tell me so much about her unfortunate life. It left a deep impression, and I still recall some of her words.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I’m aware of

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Isaac Asimov
Frank Herbert
George RR Martin
Ian M Banks
Joe Abercrombie
John Updike

What are you working on now?
Mathilda W

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Didn’t find the best one, so far

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make a road map for your book, and stick to it.

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

What are you reading now?
Ian M Banks – Look to Windward

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have an idea for the new book, and it would have to wait for the current one to be finished.

After that, I should finish my trilogy about the Ablor world

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?
LOTR
Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy
A Song of Ice and Fire

Author Websites and Profiles
Pavel Jesenski Website
Pavel Jesenski Amazon Profile

Pavel Jesenski’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
i’m a poet all the time, sometimes to the dismay of people around me, who become the object of the vacant stare of a poem clamoring to be written. i’m in love with words, my cats, really good coffee, and i’m a sucker for a well-crafted line (i’ll stop what i’m doing so i can write it down). i’m also a bit of a grammar nazi, which serves me well in proofreading others’ works. i currently have five books out, three of which are haiku and micropoetry.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
my most recent book is “disappearing me.” it’s a memoir of sorts, written via poetry.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
daydreaming is a big part of my writing, but that’s true for any author, so i don’t suppose i have any unusual habits. i prefer to write on the computer, but i do carry pen and paper wherever i go in case the muse clobbers me with an idea.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
i’m enamored of emily dickinson, robert frost, and e.e. cummings.

What are you working on now?
i have an ongoing poetry series on channillo.com, titled “trees like paintbrushes,” which is full-length poems. i’m also putting together the next book in my haiku/micropoetry series, called “three-quarter moon.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
i’m currently using facebook, twitter, and goodreads, though i try not to spam my friends and readers with a million posts. keyword, try.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
write! and read. keep writing, and keep reading. don’t give up, and don’t worry about people who don’t like your work. you’re writing for you, not them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
you have to read in order to write.

What are you reading now?
i just finished “murder can botch up your birthday” by selma eichler. i am a voracious reader, with a wide taste range.

What’s next for you as a writer?
the next poem. poetry is everywhere, if we can see 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?
oh me.. “shogun,” by james clavell. “good omens: the nice and accurate prophecies of agnes nutter, witch,” by neil gaiman and terry pratchett. “the ronin,” by william dale jennings. collected poetry by emily dickinson.

Author Websites and Profiles
kay gardner Amazon Profile

kay gardner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’d like to think I’m rather normal, I am Aspergers by definition, bit of an entrepreneur, property investor and raised a wonderful son. I’ve had several businesses and did some public speaking regarding Autism and Aspergers. So I’m not the type of woman, you associate with the genre of books I wrote. I just lived through my own psychological thriller, and when I put pen to paper, ended up with two novels. Ce la vie.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
What Happened to Paul Carter? The very true story of love, passion & a Hitman. Vol I
and
What Happened to Paul Carter? Collateral Damage Vol II

Unfortunately as a non fiction, true life, psychological thriller, I was inspired to write because I needed to understand what just happened, and how, and more to the point why.
Then I realised as the story just kept growing and morphing as people came forward, that I needed o share my truth, so others could be warned, some could learn, and in all seriousness, so someone can figure out, exactly what happened to paul carter.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wrote it all on sticky notes. each point, each truth, each lie, each moment, each memory, that turned out to be relevant. Book one appears to be a love story, but book two demands you go back and rethink what you thought you knew. For the record, writing it was not cathartic, it was heart breaking, and hard. Cathartic will be if I see a result.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Here’s the truth, I rarely have had time to read. I only watch bubble gum on tv, I don’t watch or read anything remotely scary, or suspenseful. I’m an easy listening type of reader.

What are you working on now?
Staying alive, keeping lo and maybe getting a tan. In all seriousness, I’m hoping I don’t have to write a third Vol.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have tried iauthor which I found easy. and then theres just good ol amazon, and ingram uploads. I do use FB but its good for click bait not much else. I have submitted queries and patiently wait, meantime I’m literally about to spread the word today. ( I should have done this later today)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Who am I to give advice. The writing is what you want to do to get your message out there, and then comes the hard part……. getting it out there lol
Google. google google.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ask for help and outsource the ultra painful bits when it comes to promoting.
Oh, and use a different usb stick ( carefully labelled for every single draft.) and email it every day back to yourself. How would you feel if you lost your manuscript.

What are you reading now?
I collect antique books. i just found an 1848 book on the virtues of marriage. To be honest, it had me hooked just on the lovely title. Written is earnest Regency candour, in todays society it is more comical. Although there is a lot of irony that in falling away from distinct roles in our everyday expectations, we seem to have lost our way towards knowing our place and being happy with our lot.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Seriously if you read the novels, I think you will want me to be on that beach, curled up sleeping. Sorry, I just cant think of writing a VOL III. I do have other stories inside, but not for right now. For now, its just walks along the beach.

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, not for any religious reason, but because I think the stories will keep me occupied for quite a quiet while, and provide food for thought.
A reliable Deepak Chopra, to remind me to Zen.
Perhaps the Dhali Lama’s The art of Happiness again to Zen.
How to survive on a deserted Island would probably be a prerequisite. I’m not likely to have those skill innately.
And finally A good ol’ Dickens novel. Great Expectations. Those descriptions are detailed and would replace TV.
So thats five, but typically something you want is always out of stock.

Author Websites and Profiles
Katherine De Bois Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a published one-year Author that has written and released a total of five African American Literature books. Those such works can be found on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, and a few other online book websites.

Love In The Deep South: A Memphis Hood Tale (Debuted novel) – 3 book series
All I Ever Wanted Was A Love Like Yours (Standalone Novel)

I Was Everything He Wanted (Book 1 of 2 book series)

My goal as a writer is not only to sell, but to give readers good, quality, refreshing books that will leave an impact for years to come. Even if it takes me years to accomplish a huge fan base, I intend to keep working until my name becomes a household name.

In addition to my published novels, I’ve also began to blog. To date, I have written about twelve. I find it therapeutic to casually write in between working on some of my projects.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I Was Everything He Wanted is the latest novel that I wrote. My inspiration was marriage. I wanted to put a fictional spin on real life issues pertaining to couples that are married, and some of the obstacles that they often face.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not necessarily unusual, but a few techniques that gets the creative juices flowing. I don’t write out an outline. I basically freestyle my work. I’ve found that I’m better at writing this way. Whenever I have a thought, I feel the need to immediately add it to my story. I don’t like to sit on ideas for a long time. Also, I like to listen to music, and occassionally have a glass of wine.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kimberla Lawson Roby, Carl Weber (A variety of books from this author), R.M. Johnson (The Million Dollar Divorce), Mary B. Morrison (Soulmates Dissipate), Mary Monroe (God Don’t Like Ugly) and many others.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m working on two projects. One, is another standalone novel which is a spinoff of my previous standalone novel. What it entails is the lives of two people who are trying their best to maintain a relationship in which was a struggle to build initially. The second one is a part two of a 2 book series that is currently released.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website (https://www.authoressnlhudson.org)
Facebook page, facebook like page, Instagram, blogger website, Tumblr, Wattpad, and I’m also trying to build an audience on Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, my best advice is to research, stay consistent, have your work professionally edited, promote yourself well, and focus on building your brand.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Staying consistent and never give up no matter how hard it may become. Also, believe in yourself even when it feels that no one else does.

What are you reading now?
Honestly, I haven’t read anything recently. I’ve been so busy working on my projects.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My plan is to publish about 2 more books this year, and attend a few local author events. After that, I would like to attend some of the bigger signings, and hopefully one day I would like to become a mentor to other authors who will be where I am now.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Well, I would probably select four of my books. Love In The Deep South: (3 book series) & All I Ever Wanted Was A Love Like Yours.

Author Websites and Profiles
N.L. Hudson Website
N.L. Hudson Amazon Profile

N.L. Hudson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a senior at Indiana University studying anthropology. So far I have one published book, Terminal Regression, and one self-published book, One Wish. Counting my unpublished books, I have written 43 books total and 44 is in the works.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Terminal Regression is a dystopian story from the point of view of a suicidal protagonist. I wrote this book when I was going through a rough time, and I wanted to create a character who was weighted down with some of my own personal issues and was still able to be a functioning person and make a difference in her world. It’s meant to be sort of an uplifting story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write everything by hand. I can’t type as fast as I think, and pen and paper seems to be a quicker way of jotting stuff down. I also write nonstop, meaning I constantly have a book in the works. When I finish one, I move on to the next and almost always have another storyline at the ready.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I honestly haven’t read a book in a long time, but I like a lot of dystopian stories like the Hunger Games and Divergent. I also like period dramas and historical fiction. Everything I read influences me because it gives me new takes on how to create a character’s voice.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I’m just trying to finish school. I do have a couple stories in the works, but I don’t know if I’ll try to publish anything until I get my life in order a bit more.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve used Facebook ads and newspaper articles to get the word out. I think having reviews also gets more people interested because they have a better idea of what the book is like.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sometimes people get too in their heads about writing. They think it’s some big, overwhelming life accomplishment. I like to think of it as telling stories, just having fun and making stuff up. Writing for me isn’t about getting published or getting great reviews, I write because I like it and it makes me feel something. Just have a good time and see where that takes you.

What are you reading now?
I really just re-read my old stories these days.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep writing. It’s part of my life and I don’t see that changing any time soon. Maybe someday I’ll write something really good and try to get published again. We’ll see.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Terminal Regression (of course), the Selection by Kiera Cass, The Luxe by Anna Godbersen, and some sort of desert island survival guide

Author Websites and Profiles
Mallory Hill Website

Mallory Hill’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the author of “Liberating Inner Eve,” an Australian Psychologist with Polish heritage, with a passion to empower others to find their connection with what gives them inspiration and strength.

My hobbies include enjoying Australian wildlife and nature, as well as finding ways to express my Polish heritage. In addition to “Liberating Inner Eve,” I am also the author of “A Christian Gift–Poetic Reflections for All Occasions.”

If I’m not playing with my 3-year-old son, I love connecting with people through my facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BozenaZawisz/) and reading and writing some more…

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Liberating Inner Eve,” it is inspired by the commonly found influences that restrict women’s experience of self-love, self-acceptance, and personal strength, that I come across on a regular basis in my counseling work.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
At the moment I am a 100% night owl, I do all of my writing when my little one is asleep (for a couple of hours at a time). Hey, it’s perfectly quiet, I can hear my own thoughts!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love my Bible! Also, I love John Paul II’s reflections, Scott Peck, Virginia Satir, and the reflections of Saint Faustina.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Liberating Inner Eve – the sequel!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I found e Book Christian very reliable and loved Awesome gang’s immediate response and confirmation!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
“Courage, dear heart.” C.S.Lewis

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stay connected with your experience (values, thoughts, and feelings) when making a decision, find that right path for you…

What are you reading now?
A lot of children’s books with my 3-year-old…

What’s next for you as a writer?
Learning about marketing!

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, John Paul II’s homilies, Saint Faustyna’s reflections…

Author Websites and Profiles
bozena Zawisz Website
bozena Zawisz Amazon Profile

bozena Zawisz’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Laura Brigger is an author/photographer, wife of over 20 years and mother of four children. Her love of writing and story telling has led her to create stories with wonderful characters that children will identify with. Her goal is to provide, fun and entertaining stories for children, with values and life lessons they will remember. She tells these stories with a simplicity that children will love to read and reread. The author of “Rupert the Very Naughty Elephant” and “Tales of the Canterbury Rabbits.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Tales of the Canterbury Rabbits” is a delightful tale about a family of rabbits. inspired by my love of Beatrix Potter books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have creative bursts I call them. I am constantly busy with children, family, school, work, and projects. Creativity is kind of dormant but constantly nagging at me while doing these things. If I ignore it too long it’s voice will get so loud I will sit have to down and write a story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Betrix Potter, Laura Numeroff

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a story about sharing. pssst! it has two very cute characters you will fall in love with.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write!! and then continue writing. Connect with an editor, not only for grammar but help you structure your thoughts. Publish something on Kindle or e-book and then keep improving. Add more books. Think of your writing as a work of art. Use photography, amateur illustrators, Photoshop and other tools to get your creativity out there. who knows some one may fall in love with your ideas.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write every day, even if you don’t have anything to write about.

What are you reading now?
A fantasy novel.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have started a novel. I would like to discipline my self to write on it daily and get it finished.

Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Brigger Amazon Profile

Laura Brigger’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a middle school teacher in Texas. I also taught in California. I have taught all of the subjects. My favorite thing to teach by far is drama. I think it’s because I get to work with young people who love doing it. I have written four books. Three are for teachers and are only available on my online store (stressrelief4teachers.selz.com).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Art of Focus. I hate seeing people waste their potential. I’m talking about their potential to do the things they want to do. Part of this comes from not being able to focus. The Art of Focus is filled with research that shows you exactly how to focus. All of these are simple to implement. This is the thing. It’s not that people can’t do some big hard thing to get focused; it’s that they don’t know about the easy things. I wanted people to know about the easy things that could change their lives.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write with music playing, but that’s not unusual. I like to listen to Tangerine Dream, Enya, or Tommy Emmanuel. That probably is unusual. If I have music on, I can usually block out distractions and get after it. The Art of Influence was written in the evenings after long days of teaching.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jonathan Green of Serve No Master is a huge influence on me. I have read many of his books and taken his online courses. He is generous with his help. I would not have written The Art of Focus without his coaching.

What are you working on now?
I am finished with the first draft of my next book and have done the research for the one after that. I spend a lot of time on the research and outlining part of writing. I hope to have my next book in “soft launch” a week from now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been using askdavid.com a lot. I’m trying out kdroi this time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Work hard on the front end with your research and outlining. The better your outline, the less you’ll get hung up in the middle of writing. I can easily write 4000 words a day when I have a great outline. Many authors write more, but after that many, I’m usually fried. Part of that is that after a book is written, there is a lot of post-production work to be done. I have not found a push-button approach to marketing. It’s a job. It’s fun. But it requires a lot of trial and error.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Do favors for people and never worry if you’ll get paid back. Figure out what people really need and give it to them.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler. It’s about performing in the state of flow. It’s one of the best page-turning non-fiction pieces I’ve ever read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The second book in The Art of Focus series will come out within a month if things go as planned.

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 the bible in Esperanto. I’ve been learning the Esperanto language this summer. It lights up my brain. The Father Brown series by GK Chesterton. Fun and challenging. How to Write a Good Advertisement by Victor O. Schwab. That’s one I would like to absorb and understand way down in my bones. And Convict Conditioning… because I would need to stay in shape on the island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Art Lieberman Website
Art Lieberman Amazon Profile

Art Lieberman’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Growing up, I used to hide romance books and I vowed never to return to my hometown. Now I write romance books and I am back home. I am happy!

I have written four contemporary romances about life and love in a small town.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Fit For You” – When I started my Truhart Series, weight loss and creating a story about a fitness trainer and a town faced with the highest obesity rate in the state was the last thing on my mind. But, somewhere in my writer’s subconscious I must have hungered (bad pun, sorry) for a story about a woman making her own personal comeback and a cast of overweight characters too stressed to think about diets.
A chance encounter with a neighbor who was a nutrition consultant and a visit to an “adult functional training gym” upended my perception of diet and fitness. All the wonderful people who supported my own path to fitness morphed into my heroine and her hunky hero, Lily Shue and Edge Callahan. “Fit For You” became as much about me as it was about Lily, Edge, and the tiny town of Truhart. Writing became joyful and cathartic.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to music before and after I write. (Never during. I need silence.)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Ray Bradbury, Emily Dickinson

What are you working on now?
A small town romance about superstition, luck, and baseball!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know. You tell me. I wish I had the answer, but I can tell you that my favorite way to reach readers is to visit book clubs. It is great to meet readers and hear their stories.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let rejection stop you. And keep honing your craft.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The best way to write is butt in chair” – by the incomparable Norah Roberts

What are you reading now?
“Still House Lake” by Rachel Caine

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have to cook dinner.

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 Raft”, “Edible Desert Island Plants”, Thesaurus, A big book with blank pages so I could write (and an attached pen)

Author Websites and Profiles
Cynthia Tennent Website
Cynthia Tennent Amazon Profile

Cynthia Tennent’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My journey as an author has been atypical. I’m a physician (a Board Certified Hematologist-Oncologist). My first publications were serious articles for medical journals (which would put most people to sleep). Until recently, I was writing patient education articles regularly for local publications in my Florida Town. But the passion of writing fiction has been in me since childhood. Stories jump in my mind and characters beg me to give them life.
I’ve written two novels, but I’m publishing the second one I wrote first (long story). Hope For Harmony: Baby-Makers vs. Peter Pans is the official first book in my series. “The Sunshine State” and was recently released. The next book I’ll be publishing is the first one I wrote “Fort Sunshine, FL,” which is a side-quel for Hope For Harmony.

People often ask me why does a physician write romance. There are many reasons. One is because my patients have taught me that life is too short to hesitate to follow dreams and that, at the end, the only thing that matters in life is having loved. When they ask why do I write Romantic Comedy, I answer “Because the first naked man I saw in my life was a cadaver, and if I can laugh at that now it must mean I have stories to tell.”
You can read more about my other reasons in my website. http://www.pichardo-johansson-md.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first published) book is Hope For Harmony: Baby-Makers vs. Peter Pans. It was inspired by meeting my soulmate/husband and seeing the world through his eyes. I became a mother at a young age. When I met my husband I was a divorced mother of FOUR children (including twins) and he was an eternal bachelor, never married, with no kids. The fact that we made our mixed family work and are so happy six years later was a surprise for most people who knew us. I used to believe, like many, that people without children had a very easy life and spent their days “drinking champagne and having bubble baths.” Meeting my husband David opened my eyes. I’ll never forget the day he told me “No, we, people without children (and people never-married after certain age), are discriminated in this society. People assume there’s something wrong with us. Parents get all the privileges, like getting seated first at restaurants, and getting bosses to cut them slack at work.”
The book is not biographical and is very different from my story (for starters, in the story HE is the father and SHE is the free-single woman). But finding love (and so much happiness) with someone so different from me inspired me to write a book about what happens when you meet the person who feels so right for you, it makes you want to re-visit the deal-breakers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I joke saying that I have a case of Writers-ADHD. I have five books in process right now (and two more in early drafting) and I tend to move back and forth from one story to another one according to inspiration. My other “unusual writing habit” is that I have to start my day with a walk on the beach, ideally at sunrise (one of the advantages of living in a small beach town in Florida). The beauty of the ocean, along with the peak of my morning coffee and the high of exercise usually cause a peak of creativity and productivity.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve read tons of serious fiction in my life — it’s kind of a requirement for being married to a Professor of English. But, interestingly, the books coming to my mind as most influential in my concept of love are creative non-fiction. Richard Bach’s “The Bridge Across Forever” really influenced my concept of a Soulmate right before meeting my husband. Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love” did too. My favorite contemporary romance authors have to be Penny Reid and Julie James. I love a romance novel with substance (more than just eye-candy) with a relatively put-together, self-sufficient, mature heroine.

What are you working on now?
I’m giving the last touches to the novel “Fort Sunshine, FL,” which combines the genres of Contemporary Romance with Medical Mystery. It’s a side-quel for Hope for Harmony and a prequel for the second book in the series (which can be read alone) “Just for Joy.” The “Sunshine State Series” includes a total of five books which can all be read as stand alone. I’m working on all of them.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I will let you know when I test them more. It’s too soon to tell. So far I’m really liking the friendliness of Awesomegang.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always remember why you started writing in the first place. Hopefully, like for me, this is your passion. Yes, book marketing is stressful and even painful. Yes, getting reviews is a roller coaster. But don’t let them make you forget the thrill of creating. See the downs as valuable experience and try to enjoy the process.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Regarding book publishing: “Just keep writing.”
Regarding life: “Happiness is not waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.”

What are you reading now?
I’m reading the classic romance Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be releasing “Fort Sunshine, FL: More Than The Eye Can See”” before the end of the year and “Just for Joy: Overachievers Anonymous” in early 2018. I’ve been entertaining my Newsletter subscribers with chapters of my Creative Non-Fiction book in process “Sexless in The Boondocks.” A comical autobiographical book relating stories of my time as a single woman, before meeting my husband. To get access, you can sign for my Newsletter : http://www.pichardo-johansson-md.com/short_stories/

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?
Marianne Williamson’s “A Return to Love.”
Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love.”
Penny Reid’s “Love, Hacked.”
Julie James “It Happened One Wedding.”

Author Websites and Profiles
D Pichardo-Johansson Website
D Pichardo-Johansson Amazon Profile

D Pichardo-Johansson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Michael Lauck and so far I have published two novels and a short story on Amazon. There are a handful of free short stories on my website as well.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Heist (Black Sky Rangers Book One). What inspired it is complicated…. honestly, in many ways it is based on the “let’s pretend” games I played with my brother when we were kids. We pretended we were in our own science fiction show but unlike Star Trek, Space 1999, Battlestar Galactica and the other sci-fi shows we loved, we were police in space (probably because my grandfather was a St. Louis City Police Officer). But since then I have spent 8 years with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department myself, not as an officer but as a civilian radio technician working with the fire department and EMS as well as the police. That really made me think beyond “space cops.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a binge writer. I think and over-think stories and then finally sit down write as much as I can as quickly as I can.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many… I am a big fan of Walter Gibson who wrote under something like 75 pen names for pulp magazines, radio shows, newspapers and even comic books. Honestly, when it comes to fiction I really prefer the pulp stuff from the mid-20th century.

What are you working on now?
That’s kind of a secret… something different! And planning out the next few stories in the Black Sky Rangers series. Since I see it in my head as a TV show, I figure it should have a “season,” right?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am kind of terrible at that… since my first book, The Grand Tournament, was inspired by Chinese “wuxia literature” (stories of heroes with Confucian values and strong martial arts) I actually advertised on martial arts magazine websites. I rely entirely too much on word of mouth.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get reviews! Don’t be afraid to ask for them because they really can make a difference. In fact, if you enjoy my book and have a second, why not jot a quick review on your favorite literary site or bookstore site?

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Andrew Mayne told me to “Get off my…” well, let’s just say he said to get off my couch and write a book because nobody would write it for me.

What are you reading now?
I just finished a biography of Gary Gygax and am about one chapter into a biography of Walter Gibson. I also have a stack of comic books demanding my attention.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finding more organization in my fiction writing career; I actually do a good deal of technical writing and copy writing. That stuff I have organized with schedules and systems and outlined notes, etc… but my fiction efforts lack discipline because I lack hard deadlines!

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, a good book on desert island survival skills, a well illustrated art history book and something that collects the best pulp stories of the 1930s.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Lauck Website
Michael Lauck Amazon Profile

Michael Lauck’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account