Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, grew up in Phoenix, AZ, and am now back in LA. I’ve been reading and writing since a very young age, but explored several different types of prose before trying my hand at writing a novel. That first book was The Gathering, the first book in my series. I have also written screenplays, poetry and plays. I have currently written one novel, several short stories and a few novellas.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last book I published is The Oak: A Grown Up Fairy Tale. It was inspired by Beauty and the Beast, but it isn’t a re-telling, it’s completely different, but the inspiration is definitely there.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
(Laughing) I think all writers have some unusual habits, but I guess it’s up to the person to determin eif they are unusual. I put my ear buds in and crank up my music, which is usually film soundtracks or new age music. Then I usually start talking to my characters until they start talking to me

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors who have infuenced me are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, J.K. Rowling, Magen McMinimy, Kresley Cole, Robin Jarvis, Jane Austen. The Stand is my favorite King novel, The Bad Place and Phantoms is my favorite Koontz, The Wyrd Museum Trilogy from Jarivs, All Harry Potter, and the Immortal Heart Series from McMinimy.

What are you working on now?
I currently have several irons in the fire. A Sci-Fi Romance adventure called CAptured, the 2nd novel in my Lia Fail Chronicles series, The Bridging, a horror anthology and a super awesome project due out in summer of 2018. Four authors writing one novel, it’s going to be GREAT! http://www.risingindiesunited.com/thesimilayerproject.html

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, I’ve seen whaat Bookbub can do, but I also know that as of late, it’s almost impossible for an unknown author to get in. I’ve had some success with Robin Reads and eBook News Daily. and I’ve also noticed that getting bloggers to review your work can be great, as is getting top 100 Amazon reviewers to review. But of course, that can back fire too… Still trying to find what works best for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you want to read, not what’s “popular”. Passion can be seen in the pages. Always have a cover professionally done and always have a professional editor do your manuscript. Also, treat writing like a business. Designate the time to sit down and whether you get out 20 words or 2000, remember, you’re writing. Oh, and dont’ write for the accolades, write becasue its your passion, it is what you do. You should never determine whether or not to publish based on audience, becasue even touching one other person, is a huge success.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Water off a ducks back – You need Rhino skin to be in this business. The internet has opened many doors for writers, but it also allows for people to troll. And when I say troll, I mean the personal attacks on your work, which most trolls have never read, or on you becaause you dared to review another author’s book, or criticize anotehr person’s review. the internet has made a lot of people “brave” in their anonymity, so make sure you build a thick skin.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Monsterland by Michael Okon, great book!!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, working on the items I mentioned above, and outling other items I have on deck. Just keep plugging away, trying to find that audience, trying to be inspired.

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… Um, The Stand, And The Wyrd Museum Trilogy.

Author Websites and Profiles
S.L. Dearing Website
S.L. Dearing Amazon Profile

S.L. Dearing’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author of Erotic Romance and Suspense Romance. I have been writing for four years and currently have eleven titles published under my name. I enjoy many things, but of everything, I enjoy spending time with family and friends.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book which is Ryan: Jagged Edge Series #8 was inspired by my first written and published books, which was the Shattered Innocence Trilogy. I began the Jagged Edge Series in an effort to give my readers the opportunity to know each of the men of Jagged Edge and their story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits I believe are good. With every book I write, I go though a process known as mind mapping. It allows me to but my thoughts in order that will eventually end up in a written book. I also tend to write ideas down at random when they pop up in my head.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My biggest influence are the authors whom I have become great friends with. They are my inspiration to keep writing. I do also like the works of Meredith Wild, J. Kenner and Opal Carew

What are you working on now?
After just finishing Ryan: Jagged Edge Series #8, I plan on revisiting a shout story I did some time ago. I would like to put it into a full-length novel and have it released as early as February 2018

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting is quite the process. I am fortunate to have a wonderful team of ladies that assist me with that, whether on social media or other promotional outlets.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For those of you just beginning to write, my advise to you is never give up. If you enjoy writing that is a reward in itself. Don’t deprive the million of readers out there from reading your story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up on your dream. Also when writing ‘Done is better that perfect.’

What are you reading now?
I promised a good friend that I would read her first book , so that is what I am reading. By all accounts it is an amazing story.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to become a NY Times best selling author. It is so hard for self-published authors to achieve this and that is my next goal.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Wow… That is a hard one. Most definitely a ‘How to Survive’ book. I would also more than likely take the Bible, because God knows I would need a miracle to get off.

Author Websites and Profiles
A.L. Long Website
A.L. Long Amazon Profile

A.L. Long’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After suffering from mental health issues most of my life, I have decided to give back and start branding myself online as a mental health advocate. I have recovered from the majority of my issues, and I went from being in and out of mental hospitals to living a happy life in less than a year. I learned so much from my experiences and recovery that I decided to write a self-help book to teach others how to recover with long-term, sustainable solutions.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first (and most recent) book is titled: “Starting Point: Your Journey To A Better Life Starts Here…” It was inspired by a lifetime of struggles with mental health issues, my ultimate mental and emotional breakdown/downfall, and the knowledge and experience gained along my personal journey to recovery.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One thing I like to do when I write, or whenever I’m doing work on my computer, is play relaxing meditation music. Often times, I love having nature sounds as well (birds, water, wind, etc.). Overcoming mental illnesses and alcoholism got me into meditation and spirituality.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s hard to say because I have met many authors over the years, but one of the names that stands out the most is Tony Robbins. I admire him very much, and I wish to be like him in many ways.

What are you working on now?
One thing I’ve been saying lately is, “after publishing comes marketing,” so I’ve been trying to find some of the best marketing strategies to get my book out there. Aside from being a full-time college student, and working a regular job on the side!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still new to figuring out book promotion, so I’ve mostly been utilizing my social media followings and trying to network with people. I’ve also written a press release recently, and I wish to get it out there with the help of some friends. I have high hopes for Awesomegang because I heard great things!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It all starts with a decision to do it. Start by making time and organizing your thoughts visually (ideas, concepts, structure, table of contents, etc.) That way, when you get to typing, the book writes itself. Also, if you ever have a chance to attend a seminar called “Publish A Book & Grow Rich” hosted by Gerry Robert, do it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
All the magic happens outside your comfort zone.

What are you reading now?
Haven’t had time to commit to any books lately, but I like to read different books that can teach me how to better myself.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I wish to gain exposure online as a mental health advocate and share my wisdom with the world. Once my first book gets out there, I would like to create a workbook version of it for people to fill out and discover things about themselves.

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?
Not sure of any specific titles, but definitely a book on edible plants, a survival guide, and maybe a book that can teach me how to build a fire or a boat!

Author Websites and Profiles
Jack Travis Website
Jack Travis Amazon Profile

Jack Travis’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My life as a country album is my debut novel. There are two more in the series due out in 2018, my life as a pop album and my life as a rock album. I have written all my life and had several screenplays go to the quarter and semi-finals in several screenwriting competitions. My life as a country album won the Independent Author Network’s 2017 Young Adult Book of the Year and was 2nd Place Fiction Book of the Year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My life as a country album was inspired by all the old Taylor Swift songs. My daughter and I were going to her Red concert, and we had the songs on repeat. The book came to life as the songs played.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I typically start writing as if my character is telling me their “history” or backstory, and then go from there.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors that have the greatest influence on my writing are Amy Harmon, Jessica Park, Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, and Sarah Dessen. But I am fascinated by all kinds of genres and read a wide variety of them.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my life as a pop album which I am hoping to release in Q1 of 2018. This novel will be much more New Adult than Young Adult. Good Girl Mia feels guilty for her brother’s death. It was her kidney that killed him after all… Four years later, Mia is still trying to pretend that she’s got it all together. She’s holds the family business and her parent’s happiness in her hand. She’s the only the child they have left. So, how on earth does this Good Girl end up on a cross country road trip caving and touring with sexy musician, Derek Waters? And what will become of Good Girl Mia when he’s done with her?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook and Instagram have been my go to places. But using advertisement groups like this, Team Romance, ManyBooks, etc. have helped.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I still consider myself a new writer. My biggest advice is WRITE, connect with other authors, and that you can never edit too much.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write for you. If you do that, everything else falls into place.

What are you reading now?
An ARC of Heal Me by another independent author, Alexandra Page which is due out November 21st.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m trying to get my work out there and seen by as many people as possible. I am also trying to get an agent to see if the traditional publishing world is interested in my work.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I was stranded and could only take 4 books with me, I would take Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, 180 Seconds by Jessica Park, and A Different Blue by Amy Harmon.

Author Websites and Profiles
LJ Evans Website
LJ Evans Amazon Profile

LJ Evans’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a Psychotherapist, specializing in working with Post-Traumatic Stress, for 35 years. Although I’ve published non-fiction works in this field, Do You Want to See the Videos is my first novel. I lived in Miami, where the book is set, for twenty years, but for the past fifteen years have lived in Asheville, North Carolina, where I love hiking in the mountains.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was asked the question “Do you want to see the videos?” by someone from the DA’s office many years ago about a client I was seeing at the time. My sense was that these videos had been passed around and viewed by many of the people in the office. I was appalled and, at the same time, was aware that my own imagination was full of images. It was a memory that stuck with me over the years and eventually evolved into the book, which is only very, very loosely based on any particular client.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My commitment to myself was to write a minimum of four sentences every day. Even when I wasn’t sure what might be happening next in the book, that would typically start the juices flowing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Linda Fairstein’s Thrillers, by and about a New York District Attorney specializing in sexual abuse cases, provided a model for writing about something I know about intimately with expertise. I love the way she has interwoven historical detail about New York City with strong characters and absorbing plot lines. “Gone Girl,” with all of its plot twists, was another major influence. And Mac McClelland’s “Irritable Heart” provided inspiration from a non-fiction perspective.

What are you working on now?
I’ve got multiple ideas percolating at the moment. “Do You Want to See the Videos” focused on traditional “talk therapy,” but I also have worked for years with children and adolescents and so, one plot revolves around revelations emerging from play therapy with a child, and another set in a wilderness based therapeutic boarding school, are both in development.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found that promotion is much more difficult than writing. Goodreads has been most helpful, but I am still very new to this aspect.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read. Read in lots of different genres, not just the one in which you write. And write about what you are compelled to write. If your book is not compelling for you, you can hardly expect that it will be for anyone else.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Find what you love to do. And then figure out how to eat while you do it.

What are you reading now?
I just finished “Like a Fading Shadow” by Antonio Muanoz Molina. While not a “page turner,” it is an amazing novel about James Earl Ray and about the process of writing a novel. It highlights the difference between a collection of facts and a story. Since one of the underlying themes of my own book has to do with the relationship between facts and meaning, I found this particularly interesting.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finding readers!

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 want long books that I remember loving, but haven’t read in a long time. Perhaps, Steinbeck’s “East of Eden,” Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury” and Ken Kesey’s “Sometimes a Great Notion.”

Author Websites and Profiles
Phil Sageser Website
Phil Sageser Amazon Profile

Phil Sageser’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Catherine. I am a lawyer turned writer and I am writing full time since December 2016. I have completed six stories so far and have several ongoing stories in the pipeline.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Reincarnated Love. The idea of reincarnation has been revolving in my mind for years and I started writing it when I finally had all pieces together.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing in particular. Sometimes, I write continuously for hours upto 10,000 a day. Sometimes, I don’t write at all.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Cynthia Eden, G.A. Aiken, Gena Showalter, J.K. Rowling, Loren Dohner are the authors, who inspired me. Cynthia Eden’s Night Watch Series, Montlake for me series and Shadow Agents series made me fall for Supernatural genre. Loren Dohner’s New Species series are the best. Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld gave me many sleepless nights with readings and G.A. Aiken’s Dragon Kin series made me fall in love with dragons.

All these authors inspired me in one way or the other. But, I mostly consider Cynthia Eden as my idol.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Shadow Crawlers series which is a supernatural mystery/thriller. The Lycan Series & Randolph Series, which are Werewolf/Vampire cross-genre romance and then a few Romance stories as well. Reincarnated Love is a Vampire Romance. I also have a few romance stories in the pipeline.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I write on Wattpad.com under username @Catherine_Edward. I mostly use Twitter for promoting my books and I recently opened a Facebook page.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I believe finishing the story is more important than worrying about all the mistakes you made. You can always go back and edit the things you don’t like. Write only for the love of it. Writing takes time and patience. Do it with a passion and keep writing. No matter what happens never give up.

There is nothing wrong with taking a break, but never stop. Always have an open mind to accept critics. Appreciate the constructive feedback you receive and keep working on your writing skills.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
No matter what happened in life, you should keep going. Believe in yourself and face your problems with a positive attitude.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading Blue Butterflies and Red Velvet Anemones written by my friend on Wattpad. The current reading list has MNJ. Greenhill’s Buried.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have received an offer from a publisher and have been considering it. I would love to publish my books on paperback, but it will take some time considering that I have uncompleted sequels in the pipeline.

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?
Dragon Kin Series and Montlake for me series. If I can take more then I would take New Species Series too. Enough to keep me occupied for months. Lol…

Author Websites and Profiles
Catherine Edward Website
Catherine Edward Amazon Profile

Catherine Edward’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live just outside of London with my husband four children. I’m originally from a little town called Windsor, where I had some very royal neighbours!
I loved to read as a little girl and I wrote some very vivid stories. As I got older, boys and travelling got in the way and then I met my husband and we started our family.
It wasn’t until I got to my mid-forties, that I decided I wanted to write.
So far, I’ve written two books. Where She is, took me nearly three years to complete because I kept changing it. I was never happy. I’ve now completed my second book, which only took me a year so I’m getting better.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Secrets and it’s inspired by the people who read and loved my first book.
Where She Is, was written from my love of Australia. It’s one of the places I travelled around in my twenties and I’ve never forgotten what an amazing and vast country it is.
I didn’t intend to write a spin-off book at all. Where She Is was written as a standalone, but when readers asked if I would write more about the characters, I obliged.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I perhaps drink too much coffee on writing days, but nothing I would say was unusual.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s cliche, but E.L. James was a big influence, along with Jodi Ellen Malpas and S.C. Stephens. They are all big names in the contemporary romance world and certainly inspired me to write.

What are you working on now?
I’m about to start my third book which is completely different from the first two. It’s set in another era. That’s all I’m going to say about it for now…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That’s difficult to say. I still feel like a newbee and I’ve made lots of mistakes when it comes to promotion. I’m still trying to find my way, but I hope Awesomegang will have a lot to do with any success I have in that area!
Apart from that, I love connecting with readers on Facebook or Twitter. It’s a good way to chat and get to know the people who read my words.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going. No matter how bad you think your manuscript is (because every author thinks that at some point) or how many doors you have to knock on to get your book read and reviewed, just stick with it. You don’t know until you give it your best shot!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve had a lot of advice from many author friends, but the best has to be, ‘pull your finger out and get on with it!”

What are you reading now?
I’m reading A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole. I love this author hugely.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have the release of my second book, Secrets, which is released 16 November 2017 and then I have to complete book three. That has to be a priority. I’d like to get it finished by the end of December but at the moment, I might struggle.

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?
Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James – Yes, it is the second book, but my favourite.
Thoughtless by S.C. Stephens
This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

Author Websites and Profiles
Loriana Cappello Amazon Profile

Loriana Cappello’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in the Los Angeles area, which, as a cowboy and Indians fan, left me frustrated. I yearned to live in a small town, so I moved to Utah but ended up in Salt Lake City which is not small anymore. Unable to complete my education in fine arts, I discovered romance novels. One morning woke to a scene I knew belonged in a book. I dragged out a typewriter and began. Didn’t get that one published but my next book was a Golden Heart Finalist which won me an agent and, a year later, a contract with Kensington Books. Since then, I have had nine historical romance novels published. I have two finished, waiting for revisions, three others started, and a whole file of story ideas.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book is Divine Gamble. Despite it being rejected by my editor, I liked the story and kept at it in free moments. This year I finished and published it. I don’t recall what inspired it, my fertile imagination probably. And the characters who refused to leave me alone until I told their story.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a pantser who keeps trying to be a plotter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A. B. Guthrie, Jr., Larry McMurtry, Lucia St. Clair Robson, Maggie Osborne, Penelope Williamson, Elizabeth Lowell. There are too many.

What are you working on now?
The first book I ever wrote, a time travel called Time Weaver set at the 1834 mountain man rendezvous.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use any and all I feel can benefit me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, be prepared for a life change and total devotion to your work or you’ll never succeed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stop worrying about the mistakes you make and learn from them. When you get to the point where making the book the best it can be is more important than your ego, you’ll know you’re a writer.

What are you reading now?
Seducing Susannah by E. E. Burke

What’s next for you as a writer?
A new 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?
A blank journal, a dictionary and a thesaurus.

Author Websites and Profiles
Charlene Raddon Website
Charlene Raddon Amazon Profile

Charlene Raddon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a novelist, I’ve written seven books. (See my literary site for more on these: Lit4u.com.)

As an education reformer, I’ve written two books. “The Education Enigma” in 2010. And now “Saving K-12” (due Nov. 17). My goal in both books is to explain to the public why the schools are mediocre. I believe we can have better schools at less cost.

The Education Establishment makes everything hard to understand. In this way, they drive the public away from being involved with their local schools. I would like to help people understand the goofy nonsense so common in our classrooms, and thereby encourage them to be more involved.

Our only hope is an informed citizenry. Everyone who reads “Saving K-12” will be informed. It is by the way, a great cheap gift for smart people.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Saving K-12 – What happened to our public schools? How do we fix them?” (Non-fiction)

American public schools are dysfunctional. So-called Progressives think of the school system as their personal lab where they can conduct experiments in social engineering. Meanwhile, they care little about academic engineering, which is the reason the schools were built in the first place. We need to reverse these priorities immediately.

So, first, I want to help the country. It’s urgent. If we don’t save the public schools, we are not going to save very much else.

On a more personal level, I enjoy explaining things that are difficult to explain. K-12 is a house of sophistry, gimmicks, propaganda, lies, disinformation, misdirection, disingenuousness, and trickery. The average citizen has no chance of understanding all this stuff. So my book is, as the cover states, “a citizen’s guide to improving public education.”

Many other people agree that the need is urgent: “Bruce Price’s SAVING K-12 is a MUST read!  It is precise, concise and powerful. Action is required…for the sake of our children, our grandchildren and the future of the American Republic!”
Robert W. Sweet, Jr. President, The National Right to Read Foundation

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I was always a lousy typist so it’s fortunate I now have dictation software. That plus word processing enables me to be very prolific. In nonfiction, the titles usually come first. I dictate a rough, wait a week, edit it, wait a week, edit it some more, and so on. I actually have 10 to 20 articles in the works at any given time. At some point an article will seem to be complete, or at least as good as I can make it. Then I put it on a website.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
With regard to education, I think of myself as a colleague of Rudolf Flesch, Siegfried Engelmann, Samuel Blumenfeld, Martin Kozloff, and a dozen others. These people have led the Resistance against John Dewey’s take-over of our school system. I’ve always liked writers who are decisive and aggressive. That’s how I write.

I recently published articles on American Thinker titled “K-12: Land of Lies” and “K-12: Massive Reading Failure Explained.”

What are you working on now?
At the moment, my main work is promoting “Saving K-12.” When things settle down, I’ll go back to work on several novels.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have not figured it out. I try anything I can afford.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Only the usual stuff. Stay busy. Find what you love.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think Conrad said, pertaining to fiction, “Make them see it.”

What are you reading now?
Just by chance, I’m looking at a Balducci thriller, to see what I like, and what I don’t like.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As an education writer, “next” is the same as the past. I write as many articles as I can. I explain to the public why their kids can’t read, can’t do arithmetic, and don’t know very much. It’s an endless challenge. My forte is that I’m a really good explainer. I always liked lucid, sincere prose. As long as my brain works, I’ll continue doing this sort of writing.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would ask other people for their suggestions on the best books ever written.

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

Bruce Deitrick Price’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Have you ever seen the movie Anger Management? Remember the scene where Jack Nicholson asks Adam Sandler to tell him about himself. Adam Sandler starts listing off a bunch of superficial qualities. He says “No, tell us who you are.” No matter what Adam Sandler says it’s not the right answer. That’s what I think of when I ask myself that question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-GV46SUcWs. Does that say anything about me? Oh… and I just published my first book… so… one.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Thin Line Between Love and Lust: A Poly Romance Novel. People from my past inspired it. I wanted to relive all the wonderful moments I’ve had, and then throw in some of my fantasies and dreams to create a story that speaks from me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do EVERYTHING ELSE but write and wait for that moment until I can do NOTHING ELSE but write. I don’t eat, I don’t sleep, I’m nourished by coffee and cigarettes. I do nothing but write until the wee hours of the morning until the sun comes up. Then I have to consciously force myself to eat a meal and pass out. Then I wake up and do it all again, having far too much in my mind that needs to come out to sleep any longer than 2 or 3 hours. I repeat this daily until all that inspiration is spent, then I wait for it to happen again. Could last days, could last weeks, could last months, and the wait in between is the same. I know… this all sounds very unhealthy and draining, but it’s the greatest feeling I know in this life when it happens.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
This’ll sound weird but Where The Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. It was the first book I was ever in love with. I read through it so many times I had a good chunk of the poems memorized, even the long ones. It made me value reading and books. They weren’t just things I got from school that equaled homework.

What are you working on now?
I want to help others get their work out. I’m currently going back to school to learn the ins and outs of publishing so I can help others share their writing with the world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook. Large facebook groups are a gold mine of information.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Breath. Take it one day at a time. I write for the joy of it, so I can’t really give advice on how to do it any other way. Now publishing, that’s a different story. Google is your friend! Research, research, research. Everything you need to know can be found. Don’t rush the process and put your book out as quickly as you figure out it’s as simple as uploading it to CreateSpace or KDP or whatever platform you choose. Read up on what other authors have to say and what they recommend you do before publishing. There are many advantages to planning your release carefully, so don’t rush it and do the research.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Work it cuz you’re worth it.

What are you reading now?
A boring book on Adobe Illustrator. One step at becoming a publisher.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To find great stories out there to publish.

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?
4 books on how to survive alone on a desert island.

I know, I know, I’m missing the point. Okay… Where The Sidewalk Ends, The Joy Luck Club, Dopefiend, and The Toa Te Ching… or… can the Buddhist sutras count as one book?

Author Websites and Profiles
C E Long Amazon Profile

C E Long’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing poetry for 19 years now; I’m a poetry fantatic
This is my first published book of poetry.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Little Girl Blues: Existence of an Image” As a friend of mine told me, “I already had the book written; I just needed to get it published.” I came up with the title for the book like 10 years ago. I was inspired by many people over the years to publish a book. To them, I had to story to tell, and they wanted to read it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to, but not lately. I’m currently suffering from writer’s block. It’s going on 2 years now, but it will not be too much longer.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It’s hard to answer that question, but I won’t say authors influenced me so much. It’s was more of my professors from colleges, colleagues, family, and friends. They also served as the inspiration behind my poetic career.

What are you working on now?
Still working on promoting and marketing my book right now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t think there is a “best” method for promotion. I’ve tried a little of everything from book teasers, book trailers, a storyboard. I even had a request for someone to read a piece from my book, and it helped with promotion a lot. I just say network with others, join FB writing groups, and connect with other people. That’s the best way to me. I’m still new to the marketing platform, and I’m still working on promotion. But you won’t know until you try.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s a scary experience to not only write but to share and publish your work.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You won’t know until you try.” My entire life I lived in fear. I never really tried anything because I figured nobody cared anyway. But it was one of my best friends, Valerie Brock, the professors from my alma maters Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University who pushed me and unlocked the potential that I never knew I possessed.
“And in order to grow, you have to be pushed outside your comfort zone.” Coach Gigi Gates told me that. You have to grow; in order to grow, you’re going to be uncomfortable. This entire experience has been very fearful and challenging, but I continue to be pushed while embracing being uncomfortable. But you still have to go forward; it will be well worth it.

What are you reading now?
Nothing right now.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Publishing my next book of poems.

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 Alchemist, Edgar Allen Poe poetry collection, Emily Dickinson poetry collection, and The Minister’s Black Veil

Author Websites and Profiles
Jasmine N. McGhee Website
Jasmine N. McGhee Amazon Profile

Jasmine N. McGhee’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 Toronto based graphic novelist and writer; I’ve written and illustrated 5 graphic novels (Nil: A Land Beyond Belief, Rex Libris (two volumes), Warlord of Io and Rebel Angels. I’ve also done a joke collection called Max Zing, which is based on characters from Warlord of Io. Theo Paxstone and the Dragon of Adyron is my first prose novel, although I did some little sketches up for it. I’m working towards just words slowly.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Theo Paxstone and the Dragon of Adyron is my latest book. It was inspired by an image in my head of a suit of armor that was mechanized, facing off against a dragon. And I wanted to try and write something my nephew might read.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I will often sit at a cafe and write and drink tons of coffee; I like the ambient noise. The weird thing is that I get more distracted by conversation and talking in the office. In a cafe, for some reason, it doesn’t bother me as much.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by lots of authors over the years. Ray Bradbury is one I love; his writing has a poetic, wistful aspect to it I really love. William Golding also struck me as being particularly good at crafting evocative scenes. He even made up words when there was nothing existing in the English language that suited his purposes. He took care to have the word sound just the way he wanted. And Stephen King is amazing at character and evoking nostalgia. David Brin is fabulous for big idea science fiction, and not to sound like an English teacher, but Shakespeare is really good for character motivation. Some writers have a great handle on motivation. And of course, I love J.R.R. Tolkien, especially for his fabulous world building. I read Lord of the Rings in Grade Six, and I remember making a big map in pencil crayon based on the book.

What are you working on now?
I am working on getting Theo Paxstone out into the world. Trying to launch a book is a lot of work. But I am also looking at my next project, which is still in flux in my head. I was writing adult characters, but I’m now thinking of making them college students. And I want to do another short film. I did a short with Andrew Foerster and Devin Polaski called Nil: No Blood for Coffee which did very well on the film circuit this year, and we want to do a follow up.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This one, of course! It’s still early in the day for me in this regard. I am trying to find my way.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I think structure is very important, at least for me. Some people can wing it, and I used to, but I’ve found myself plotting things out more and more in advance. Tire’s a delicate balance between planning and discovery, between letting yourself play and be surprised by the characters, and having a definite destination. If you plot too tightly, you can wind up killing spontaneity. I’m not sure where to strike the balance yet. I have read numerous books on writing (Story by Robert McKee, Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker), and I think these can be helpful. But you have to take it all with a grain of salt and not let it kill your creativity. Some writers, and some advice, won’t work for you. It may even kill your spark to work in a way that’s alien to your personal sensibilities. So there’s that. I found Save the Cat by Blake Snyder great fun and very good in terms of setting out story structure. He’s primarily talking about writing screenplays.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was told by a screenwriter in LA to ‘write what resonates with you’. If you are authentic, that will come across, and it will strike others deeply as well. Write what is meaningful. This is, surprisingly, much more difficult than it sounds.

What are you reading now?
I am reading The Creative Spark by Agustin Fuentes, who I met at DragonCon this year. I went down for the film festival (we won Best Animation – Comedy for the Nil film), and met him there; he’s a primatologist and anthropologist who’s written about human evolution and we had a fun discussion about Stephen Pinker’s Angels of Our Better Nature. Both are fascinating books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a novella I’m thinking of working on. And another film. Have to decide which, as the day job sucks up a lot of time. I have to be careful in my decisions. Books are a long term investment of time and energy.

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, that’s difficult question! Does a series count as one? Would Lord of the Rings be one book, or three? If I can get it under one, definitely that. Then… I’d have to say, perhaps, The Blind Watchmaker, and then a few tomes on the history of civilization. Something meaty. Bertrand Russell’s history of Philosophy is so big I’ve never actually finished it. If I was on a desert island, I might finally have the time. Which reminds me of A Brief History of Time. I could tackle that and spend a week contemplating each paragraph. That’s the only way I could comprehend it.

Author Websites and Profiles
James Turner Website
James Turner Amazon Profile

James Turner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I persue a corporate career in a big multinational, woriking in sales and marketing. I do present and sell my ideas, projects and products on a daily basis, and used that experience to write my first book on the topic just this October.

Apart from that, I am building my writing skills, as i want to develop as an accomplished author. I have quite broad interests ranging from data science to fiction and poetry.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is “GREAT STORYTELLING IN BUSINESS: How to present your data as a compelling story?”. I got inspired by my professional experience and the notion we still see so many great ideas and products fail due to poor presenting to the right people in the right way.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think I’m quite structured when writting, following a strict plan with milestones and deadlines. I’m most productive in the morning, so i wake up early and write every day for at least 1 hour.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I has inspired to start writing by Grant Cardone, to the greatest extend. I like his passion and drive and i am trying to breed these in myself as well.

What are you working on now?
I am currently fascinated by blockchain and cryprocurrencies, and am collecting my knowledge and experience in a new book, that I hope to finish till end of the year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I couldn’t cite a “best method”. I believe in providing great content and after i will reach my readers as well as i can.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just start writing! Don’t wait a second, formulate your idea, make a simple plan, and write everyday.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The one I mentioned above.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading “Arch of Triumph” by Erich Maria Remarque

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on my second book, planned to publish in January 2018. Apart from that i am working hard on expanding my writing skills, learning from great authors, writing in different genres.
Of course, in the mean time I am trying to reach as many people as possible with my first book and hopefully help my readers with ideas and concrete solutions to their issues.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If i could only choose three, that would be:
1. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams – as i would like to laugh as much as possible
2. The Master and Margarita, Mikhail Bulgakov – as i will have plenty of time to hink over human nature and purpose
3. Slaughterhouse Five, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. – to remind myself that it is not that bad being stranded on a desert island

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Oregon and Washington, the third oldest of six kids, and began writing professionally when I got out of college. For about a dozen years, I wrote and edited sports articles for daily newspapers. I switched careers in the late 1990s and have worked in libraries off and on ever since. When not writing and marketing novels, I like to go on long walks, make homemade beer, and travel around the U.S. Since publishing The Mine in 2012, I have written eleven full-length novels and converted nine to audio. Two more are in production. I released River Rising, my eleventh novel, in September 2017.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I decided to write River Rising, the first book in the Carson Chronicles series, after reading about the Johnstown (Pennsylvania) flood of 1889. The event, a traumatic chapter in American history, inspired all sorts of storylines.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if this is unusual, but I plot novels down to the tiniest details before writing a word. When I run into obstacles, like writer’s block, I go on long walks and try to think of ways around them. Like a lot of writers, I need a lot of quiet time to write. There is no substitute for that.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am partial to several authors. I like how Stephen King, John Grisham, and Nelson DeMille turn phrases; how Clive Cussler and James Patterson construct their chapters; how Nicholas Sparks tackles romance; and how John Jakes approaches history. I was also a fan of the late Vince Flynn and admired, among other things, his efficiency and pacing.

What are you working on now?
I am plotting and researching the second Carson Chronicles novel, which will be set in Minnesota, Mexico, Pennsylvania, and France in the summer and fall of 1918. I hope to publish it next June.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I utilize several websites when marketing my books, including BookBub, E-Reader News Today, and Book Gorilla. I also post regularly to my blog and social media sites and request reviews from bloggers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Give your book the consideration it deserves. Read it, reread it, and revise it until you want to run away from your laptop. Enlist the help of competent editors, beta readers, and illustrators. Be patient. Set reasonable goals. Take marketing seriously. It’s one thing to write a book. It’s another thing to sell it in a market where several hundred thousand new titles are released each year. Do what you can to stand out in the crowd.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When I started out in 2011, I intended to write pure historical fiction with a time-travel twist. I had no intention of putting romance in my books. Then an author friend convinced me to incorporate love stories into my works. I’m glad I listened to her.

What are you reading now?
I am not reading anything at the moment. I did recently finish “The Cuban Affair,” by Nelson DeMille.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue work on my next novel. I plan to write at least one book a year for the foreseeable future.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take “Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand; “Wild Fire,” by Nelson DeMille; “Memorial Day,” by Vince Flynn; and perhaps “Robinson Crusoe,” by Daniel Defoe.

Author Websites and Profiles
John Heldt Website
John Heldt Amazon Profile

John Heldt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Eugenia Chu and I am a first generation Chinese-American citizen. I was born in New Jersey and moved around a lot as a kid, but grew up mostly outside of Boston, Massachusetts and then St. Petersburg, Florida. I have also lived and attended school in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Taipei and Shanghai (summer study abroad). I met my husband in law school and we currently live in Miami with our son, Brandon, and fish, Sharky. I practiced law for 15 years and then became a full-time stay-at-home mom after Brandon was born. I love being a mom! I also enjoy traveling, reading, wine, skiing and yoga!

I’ve written a few stories but have only recently become serious about it and just published my first book this past summer.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first!) book is entitled, Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi (餃子). When my son, the “real” Brandon, was very little, I would read a bedtime story (or 2, or 3!) every night to him and then at lights out, we would discuss his day and all the events that occurred. We would take turns adding information and make up little stories based on the happenings of the day before going to sleep.

At the same time, I was always searching for children’s storybooks to read to him at bedtime which touched upon Chinese culture and which included some Chinese (Mandarin) words to teach and/or reinforce his Chinese vocabulary, but had trouble finding them. Most of the books I found were either straight translation or ABC/123 type books with no storyline. So, I started writing my own based on events in Brandon’s life and the little stories we told at bedtime.  Brandon Makes Jiǎo Zi (餃子) is the first “Brandon” story I’ve written and published.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I don’t have a set process or system. I just write when I have time and am inspired. I think a lot about storylines while lying in bed trying to fall asleep, waiting in lines, doing menial tasks, etc. Sometimes I just sit in front of the computer and just start typing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m not sure I can answer this! I’ve always been a voracious reader, ever since I learned how to read as a little girl! I remember my mom (who was somewhat of a tiger mom) on numerous occasions complaining that I was reading too much and yelling at me to go outside and play! I’ve read and loved hundreds of authors and books, and most of them have influenced me!

What are you working on now?
A few years ago I started writing a story called, Brandon Goes to Chinese School. I actually put a draft of it up on my website eugeniachu.com. Feel free to check it out! Brandon goes to Chinese school every Saturday and I know there are thousands of kids who attend hundreds of these Saturday Chinese schools all over the country. In fact, I even went to Saturday Chinese school growing up in Massachusetts! I hate to say this, but in general, no one like attending Saturday Chinese school! I thought I would write a cute and somewhat funny book about Brandon complaining about Saturday Chinese school and how it’s really kind of fun! I wanted to make the book realistic so included some true whining and complaining! I figured every Saturday Chinese school parent (and student) would be able to relate. Unfortunately, Brandon does NOT like this story! When I asked him what I should change to make it better, he responded, “the topic”! Such the critic!

I’m also working on a new book entitled, Brandon Goes to Beijing (北京), based on our trip to Beijing last fall! We travel a lot so I’m planning on writing more stories about Brandon’s trips to near and far away lands! All including a little Chinese, of course!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hopefully Awesomegang.com will be my best method! I also use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as Goodreads and SCBWI.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write about what you’re passionate about. Just sit and write from the heart, and if you get stuck, take a break! Watch some tv, have some wine – whatever helps you relax. Then go back with a fresh mind and perspective.

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

What are you reading now?
A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to write more “Brandon” 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?
Wow – that’s a tough one! How do you decide? If a series can be considered a book (is that cheating?), then: (1) Harry Potter series- my son is currently obsessed with Harry Potter and has renewed my love for the series; (2) Twilight series; (3) the Hunger Games series; and (4) the best book out there on how to survive on, or escape from, a desert island!

Author Websites and Profiles
Eugenia Chu Website
Eugenia Chu Amazon Profile

Eugenia Chu’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My first romance was written on hotel stationary when I was 14. It was awful but I loved doing it! Life is too full to write with college, marriage, kids, jobs etc., but when my baby went to kindergarten, I tried writing again. So fun, but I still didn’t know what I was doing. I joined Romance Writers of America and have now had 2 books published, Echoes of the Heart and Echoes In Time, with Boroughs publishing. This will be my first go with indie publishing!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Promise For Tomorrow was inspired by a single scene that kept coming to me while I walked the bayou. I could see a very large man calming a woman who had been sexually assaulted and promising not to get too close unless she was happy about it. They sealed the deal with a pinky promise which is featured in this book! I love characters who have been pushed by life to their limits and must take that final leap of faith to find love and happiness.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmmmm. I have writing accountability partners who I write with 4 days a week and a critique crew who I meet with once a week because I am a TERRIBLE procrastinator! I also write better if I have my one diet coke from Sonic in the morning…it’s a ritual kind of thing!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I started reading romance when I was quite young living in Malaysia. There was very little TV, so books were it! Barbara Cartland was my first, but my favorites were Victoria Holt and Kathleen Woodiwiss! Now, I adore Roxanne St. Claire and am lucky enough to call her a good friend, along with Christie Craig.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the 3rd in my other series. This one will be called Echoes Out of The Dark and will feature a single mom with a child who is in remission from leukemia and a man who drank his way through his wife’s cancer, but has come back from the bottle to be a great coach and artist. Will he have the strength to stick around once the child’s leukemia returns……

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Facebook! I love my website!

https://www.facebook.com/staceyapurcell/
www.staceyapurcell.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it! It’s too easy to make excuses about why you can’t write. And take classes!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You can edit crap on the page, but if there’s nothing there…you are nowhere.

What are you reading now?
Roxanne St. Claire’s The Dogfather Series

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have 2 romantic suspense novels written and I want to clean them up and publish them to start The Wellington Foundation 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?
Kathleen Woodiwiss- Shanna
Roxanne St. Claire- Anyone of The Bullet Catcher series
Rebecca Zanetti- The Scorpius Syndrome

Author Websites and Profiles
Stacey Purcell Website
Stacey Purcell Amazon Profile

Stacey Purcell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Carey Westbrook, the star of many feature films and primetime TV shows, including Worst Bakers in America, Baggage, and I’ve served as a script consultant for the Academy Award nominated producers of Blue Valentine and Men of Honor starring Robert DeNiro. My comics have been featured in newspapers all over the world and I am currently the director of The L.A. Neo Noir Novel, Film, and Script Festival, and The Pugwooly Pet Fable Film Festival in Hollywood, California.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The spirit of the Lord woke me up in the midnight hour. I know it was the spirit of the Lord because up until that time I had secretly been an atheist, but once the voice was heard, there was certainly no mistaking it. I heard it say, “show me the Black cartoon animals.” I replied, “Lord, there are too many to name, but the most famous, I suspect is the donkey from Shrek.” I went back to sleep, but the voice woke me up again. “Show me the Black cartoon animals.” I shouted back to voice, “Google it. I already pointed you in the right direction with the Eddie Murphy’s donkey in Shrek.” The voice replied, “That’s not a Black cartoon animal. That’s a White cartoon animal created by White people, with a Black man’s voice…show me the Black cartoon animal.” There are no Black cartoon animals. Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry…since the beginning comic strips in the 1920’s until today, there is no Black cartoon / comic strip animal of any notoriety created by a Black person or ANY person of color…”There are no Black cartoon animals, Lord.” I heard the voice one last time say, “Show me the Black cartoon animals.” That night, Pugwooly was born…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write until I literally pass out and fall asleep on the keyboard. I write the worst I can write until I’m all written out and go back and fix it sometimes or sometimes just leave it terrible as is. I write and keep writing no matter how bad it may be until I get to a good idea. I write when everyone else is asleep.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The writers I would like to think influenced me the most is an unknown self syndicated Black comic strip creator named Greg Harris. I met him once and he shared insight on how to get started in the business of self syndication and comic strip work. A comic strip creator you may have heard of that influenced me most I suspect is J.T. Chick and one of his tract books entitled WASSUP? comes to mind. Agree or disagree with his religious proselytizing? That’s not the point. The point is this man’s little books are every friggin’ where you turn in the streets. This succinct cool little stories threatening you with hellfire and brimstone in a very graphic visceral way, in a cool little 24 page book! Little mini horror ghost books that were made you feel guilty or scared or angry and touched you in a very personal way. There must be hundreds of these little books floating around. BRILLIANT.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’ve just finished an erotic comic book entitled L.A. Neo Noir Erotica Volume I: Hollywood Boulevard Metro Eros, which is about a bus driver who finds an old haunted radio that makes all the women on Hollywood Boulevard he meets want to have sex with him. It’s a fantasy erotic horror thing in a Twilight Zone meets Deep Throat kind of way. You also get to see a lot of cool Hollywood landmarks and erotic illustrations that I’m sure will drive you wild, like our bus driver hero, who learns with this great power also comes great responsibility and possibly death.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have produced each of my books as short films and they will be screened at my festivals. Every writer who submits writing to my festival will receive a short film based on their writing and the best submissions will be screened at my festivals. NO OTHER FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD DO THAT…except my festivals, and we do it on Hollywood Boulevard and industry big wigs come out and support these short films and these writers and MANY people have gotten work and live action film financing for their scripts because of my festivals, now in their sixth year. So my method is to make like minded writers as successful as I am; thereby, making them have to enjoy what I enjoy to prosper as I have prospered and celebrate what I celebrate.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You should submit something to my festivals!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Either you’re in it or you’re in the way – AZ Word to my homies on the street…and word to these tight ass lyrics and dope beats – Dr. Dre. Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It – Ice Cube If I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself…I would find a way – Johnny Cash.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading the Robert Crumb Anthology and two books by Doug The Pug.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on putting together a Pugwooly TV show.

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?
Confessions of an Economic Hitman, The Little Prince, Lord of the Flies, Of Human Bondage.

Author Websites and Profiles
Carey Westbrook Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Success in life is not always measured in how many things you own or the size of your bank account. It is having the freedom to choose and waking up with a smile on your face because you know the day is going to be an adventure. The world is forever changing, so we need to learn to flow with it, adapt to its beauty, and find our place in it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
In his books, Kamen shares his strategies for personal growth and development as well as offers practical advice on how to achieve the lifestyle we truly desire for ourselves. He focuses deeply on the internal psychological processes that govern our habits and how we interact with each other through our physiology.

When not writing, Kamen’s interests and activities include martial arts, motorcycle racing, managing 2 separate trade companies and learning to fly as a fixed-wing aircraft pilot. For the past 6 years, Kamen has been professionally involved in the international trade of aviation components and equipment. He has closed many high profile deals with private airliners and government operators. This allows him to have a direct view and experience-based opinions on international sales and puts him in a position to provide adequate advice and guidance on corporate interaction and communication.

Find out more about Kamen or contact him directly at http://www.hungrybrainpublishing.com

What are you reading now?
Rober Greene – Mastery

What’s next for you as a writer?
Snowboarding

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?
SAS Survival guide, Robert Greene series of books

Author Websites and Profiles
Kamen Iliev Website
Kamen Iliev Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author of contemporary romance with fourteen books under my belt. I live in bonny Scotland with my family and two dogs and when I’m not writing you can usually fine me reading or stomping around the Scottish countryside! Oh and excuse my UK spellings!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is A Seaside Escape and it was inspired by a visit to the Bridge Over the Atlantic in the Scottish highlands. The scenery in that part of the world had a dramatic effect on me and once I wrote the first book I continued on with visions of the munroes and stunning vistas in my mind. All my romance books are now based around places I’ve visited in Scotland. The book was released originally under the title Bridge Over the Atlantic and was shortlisted in the UK RONA Awards (Romantic Novelists Association). Aria Fiction recently signed me on a three book deal and they re-branded the book with it’s gorgeous new title and cover.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually forget to eat and drink! I have to set reminders on my phone otherwise I get to evening and realise I’m famished!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love so many authors but in particular I love Lisa Jewell, Lulu Taylor, Emily Bronte and JD Salinger.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my second book for Aria Fiction which will hopefully be complete by the end of November. It’s a story about a woman who realises that appearances are not always what they seem. Sometimes what you thought was your Knight in shining armour turns out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Websites like Awesome Gang, eBook Soda and Book Hippo are my go-to sites. I’m new to Awesome Gang but glad I found you!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get writing! If you write what you love the passion for your work will shine through.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t quit! And don’t dwell in negative reviews unless they are valid and useful criticism.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a wonderful book called Heiresses by Lulu Taylor. Her writing style amazes me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have my third book to write for Aria and hopefully I will continue to have success with them and they will sign me on for more!

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?
Catcher in the Rye, Wuthering Heights, the Snow Rose and my own book A Seaside Escape – to remind me of what I can achieve when I put my mind to it!

Author Websites and Profiles
Lisa Hobman Website
Lisa Hobman Amazon Profile

Lisa Hobman’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in an unremarkable town in the north-east of England by a remarkably supportive and well adjusted working-class family. After 14 years of ineffective education I found himself in Art College, which led to twenty years employment as an Archaeological Illustrator in which I produced a wide variety of technical illustrations for publication as well as more general illustration, design and copy work on educational and display materials intended for schools and the general public. Eventually the hunt for a half decent salary within that occupation led me to the Museum of London and a move to the capitol where I still live today in happily married bliss.

I am passionate about genre fiction, film and games, have a fervent interest in history, mythology and folklore and am fascinated by the deeper meanings behind ritual practice, ceremonial magic and occult lore. I am a keen Ripperologist, a devout Lovecraftian and a determined new writer of dark-genre fiction and non-fiction books. A good deal of my spare time is spent online where, under my user-name of choice ‘Harbinger451’, I am creating a website and writing a blog that explore the alternative worlds that encompass my passions. I have one published novel and am currently writing the second.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Rose Blood: The Phantasmagoriad Book One – an Anti-Verse Tale’ is my debut novel and is available
in various ebook formats at most online retailers. I decided to right the sort of book I wanted to read. Rose Blood is indeed that book, inspired by my interest in folklore and the occult, and by my passion for horror and fantasy genre fiction, film and games.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do most of my writing on my laptop, in a comfortable armchair or in bed, while drinking tea, coffee – or sometimes whiskey – while snacking on various unhealthy nibbles.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The works of Bram Stoker, H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Raymond Chandler, J. R. R. Tolkien, Daphne Du Maurier, Richard Matheson, Shirley Jackson, Michael Moorcock, Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick and William Gibson… among many, many others.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on ‘Moon Shade’, the second novel in the Phantasmagoriad trilogy, following on from my debut ‘Rose Blood’. I’m also finishing off a short occult horror story, ‘The Matter of Time’, the third short story that will make up the Dollar Dreadful Volume 2 ebook with two more of my works of short fiction.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m pretty new to the book promotional game but it seems GoodReads is a great place to start and of course this awesome Awesomegang site seems to be extremely useful too. Needless to say a strong social media presence is pretty essential, as is getting your book listed and for sale in as many formats and on as many sites as possible – Smashwords can do a lot of this for you, listing it in many online outlets with one submission to them.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep reading and writing, listen and learn from the world around you… and always take notes. Get your work out there in as many places as possible. Talk about your work on social media, write a blog – get yourself out there online and keep writing, writing and more writing, hone your skills and be sure to learn from your mistakes.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Not a wasted word. This has been a main point to my literary thinking all my life.” — Hunter S. Thompson.

What are you reading now?
I just started reading Joe Abercrombie’s ‘First Law’ series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing my Phantasmagoriad trilogy and expanding my Anti-Verse by continuing my ‘Gaea Parallaxis’ web-fiction and producing other short stories, novellas and novels set within that dark Alternate World that’s intrinsically bound to ours, mirroring the myths, legends and folklore of our own.

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 Lord of the Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien, ‘The Big Sleep’ by Raymond Chandler, ‘The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch’ by Philip K. Dick and ‘Neuromancer’ by William Gibson.

Author Websites and Profiles
Peter Guy Blacklock Website
Peter Guy Blacklock Amazon Profile
Peter Guy Blacklock Author Profile on Smashwords

Peter Guy Blacklock’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Nancy M Bell has publishing credits in poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Nancy has presented at the Surrey International Writers Conference, the Writers Guild of Alberta Conference and When Words Collide. She lives near Balzac, Alberta with her husband and various critters. She loves all animals and fosters and works with rescue animals. Nancy is a member of The Writers Union of Canada and the Writers Guild of Alberta.
I have fifteen traditionally published books with BWL Publishing Inc. My YA series is The Cornwall Adventures Laurel’s Quest, A Step Beyond, Go Gently. My contemporary romance series is A Longview Romance- set in Longview, Alberta Storm’s Refuge, Come Hell or High Water, A Longview Wedding and A Longview Christmas. Arabella’s Secret series has two titles so far, The Selkie’s Song and Arabella Dreams, the books are set in Cornwall, UK and Pincher Creek, AB. The Teddy Dialogues is adapted from a short story by the late Pat Dale, also with Pat Dale are the titles Henrietta’s Heart, The Last Cowboy and She’s Driving Me Crazy. Pat’s literary executor asked me to update the books and keep them in circulation. I also have a contribution to the Canadian Historical Brides Collection. His Brother’s Bride is set in Ontario and is Book 2 in the collection. Landmark Roses is set in Manitoba and tells the story of the Mennonites who emigrated to southern Manitoba to escape persecution in Prussia, Russia and Germany. This one is written under the pen name Marie Rafter.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Landmark Roses is the latest book. It is inspired by the courageous men and women who came to Canada to settle and wrest a home out of the wilderness. They braved heat, blizzards, prairie fire and drought, not to mention the accidents that were part of farming life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the middle of the night when the world is sleeping and the night is quiet, dreaming under the full moon.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Charles de Lint’s books. Urban Fantasy with a Celtic flavour. I also read Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte. Early in my life I loved Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, Zane Grey books, David Grew, and Will James. Basically anything that had horses in it.

What are you working on now?
I am in the process of planning out the next book in the Longview Romance series. Doesn’t have a title yet but maybe Prairie Smoke. Not sure yet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I blog on my publisher’s blog once a month on the 18th, and on the Canadian Historical Brides blog on the first of every month. I also use Facebook a lot. I have done library tours where I visit 20 libraries in a two week period. Hectic but fun. I attend and present at conferences and do a writers workshop 4 times a year at my local library.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to take advice. Don’t take constructive criticism personally. Write and then rewrite. Your editor is your best friend although it may not feel like that at the time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to your heart, stay true to yourself, but don’t be stubborn. Always look after your horse before you look after yourself. When you fall of your horse get up and get back on.

What are you reading now?
The Wind in His Heart by Charles de Lint and A Scandal in Battersea by Merceds Lackey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to be asked to present again at the Surrey International Writers Conference and I’d love to have an agent interested in my work.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, The Little Country by Charles de Lint, Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and the Wind in the Willows. I love the chapter The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nancy M Bell Website
Nancy M Bell Amazon Profile

Nancy M Bell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve just published my first novel and I’m about halfway through two more. I like to write romantic comedy, romance and chick lit. I live in Melbourne, Australia, with two teenage offspring and a gorgeous Australian cattle dog called Missy. She’s the inspiration for a very important doggie character in a romance novel I am writing now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novel is called ‘Planet Single’, and I wrote it because I don’t think there are a lot of novels around for women who have been married and had kids and then find themselves single again. The dating scene is very different when you’re a little . . . *ahem* . . . more mature. It can feel like you’ve landed on a different planet! I wanted to write about – and for – people who have also had to start over. I think that matters of the heart – and the body – are pretty much the same at any age.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have advanced procrastination techniques, but I don’t think that’s unusual, going by the discussions I have with writer friends. I like to drink white wine and guzzle potato chips while I write, but that’s also standard, right?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Aaaah! Too many to list all of them, but some favourite authors are Maeve Binchy, Liane Moriarty, Maggie O’Farrell, Helen Fielding, Marian Keyes, Joanna Trollope and Mary Wesley.

What are you working on now?
A romance set in a small, remote Australian coastal town. The heroine swears she’s finished with cities and the shallow and fickle men who inhabit them, then meets an annoyingly attractive city boy who’s come to stay in her home town for a while.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m on a steep learning curve for this very subject, so watch this space. I’m working my way through a very useful list of book promotion sites that I found on Indies Unlimited website. That’s how I found my way here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Don’t give up! It all seems so hard, and there are so many things you have to learn, but it will all be worth it. Have faith in your story and your characters and try to always do your best for them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just get it on the page (or screen). You can edit bad writing, but you can’t edit nothing!

What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading a Maeve Binchy book for about the fifth time (Tara Road). I was feeling ill with a cold the other day, so I reached for something soothing. Maeve’s novels are like literary comfort food for me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing and publishing the romance, then finishing the next romantic comedy. The first draft is about half written, but it will need a lot of redrafting, I think. It’s a pretty big project, but now that I have finished and published Planet Single, I know I can do this one too!

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?
Three novels from any of my favourite authors listed above, and one guide book on how to survive on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Maggie McGuinness Website
Maggie McGuinness Amazon Profile
Maggie McGuinness Author Profile on Smashwords

Maggie McGuinness’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Adele M. Gill is a retired RN, the author of 3 books including her new book, From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You now available on Amazon, author of the ‘Inspiration Café’ blog, and pioneer of ‘The Mind-Body-Faith Phenomenon.’

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
From Broken to Blest: Embracing the Healing that Awaits You was inspired by the 21 million Americans living with depression and untreated childhood trauma. I have shared my unusual life story to help others who also struggle with the far-reaching effects of childhood trauma to heal.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I often pray before I write for clarity. Also, I have experienced many PTSD flashbacks from my childhood and write them down if they reoccur two or more times.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind, Beth Moore, Max Lucado, and Sarah Young

What are you working on now?
From Broken to Blest: The Healing Workshop

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write what comes and edit later!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“All things work for good for those who love God…” Romans 8:28

What are you reading now?
Jesus Calling

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue book promotion for this book and continue to help others through my writing about the love of God.

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 International Version/NIV Bible, Jesus Calling, God Calling, Bible Promises

Author Websites and Profiles
Adele M Gill Website
Adele M Gill Amazon Profile

Adele M Gill’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am currently publishing my fifth book as an indie author. I write fiction in a variety of genres but all with a similar theme: remarkable women and the obstacles they overcome. One series–the Dr. Whyte Adventures–features a physician heroin married to a CIA agent. While I am a physician, I am nothing like the brassy character, but she had been great fun to create and enjoy adventures.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book Meridian File was inspired by the idea of a clean romantic suspense series where the main character is a tough, former Marine–Maxine Rider–who is trying to grow a successful private security company–Rider SI. In each book, the reader sees her struggles but also gets a riveting and action-filled love story centered around who Rider SI is protecting at the time.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My creative, right brain seems to work better if I hand-write my first draft.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tom Clancy, Nora Roberts, Robert Ludlum, Michael Crichton

What are you working on now?
The third book in my Dr. Whyte adventure series–Grey Horizon. Dr. Whyte has beaten oil thieves in Africa (Black Gold) and terrorists with biomedical warfare (Whyte Knight), but will she survive the threat of nuclear devastation? I’m introducing new villains and bringing back Ivan Kleist from the first book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far, I have gotten the most support from readers on Facebook.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You have to read to write.
I know this seems obvious, but sometimes we get so busy with our day jobs and our writing passion, we forget to take time out to read, both in our genre and outside of it, to expand knowledge and skills.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Same as above

What are you reading now?
At any one point, I have three books going–one on my phone, one in paperback, and one on Audible–so that I can read whether I’m in line somewhere, at home, or in my car. Currently, these books are:
Audible: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Paperback: Big Little Lies
Phone: Jack Reacher, The Hard Way

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have these exciting series to finish out with Dr. Whyte and with Maxine Rider’s Rider SI Files. At the same time, I’m working on an origin novella for my fantasy series The Avant Champion. The second book of the Avant Champion series (Honor) will be coming out this December. The first book–The Avant Champion: Rising–won 2nd place for fantasy in the EVVY Awards. I’m hoping to garner even more interest with an origins story of Malos.

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?
Pride and Prejudice–I can reread this book anytime.
War and Peace–because I haven’t read it and I should, and I would definitely have time on an island.
Man v Wild by Bear Grylls–I’m going to need a survival book if I’m stranded on an island.

Author Websites and Profiles
CB Samet Website
CB Samet Amazon Profile

CB Samet’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer who is passionate about writing romance. I started writing the Chronicles of Fate series in 2008. Life events happened and the books were put away until 2015 when the first release was published. The series was renamed to “Southern Men Don’t Fall In Love” and the first book was titled “Atlanta’s Most Eligible Bachelor”. I have five releases in English and two releases in Spanish, “El Soltero Mas Codiciado de Atlanta.” (European Spanish and Spanish of the America’s)

My son Carlos translated the first book into Spanish and called two of his college friends to edit the books. All three books released November 4, 2015 which is Carlos’s birthday. I don’t speak Spanish but both of my children do. I believe it is important to have a second language and stressed at an early age that they learn Spanish. I would love to promote my translated books in the Spanish romance genre.

I am self-published through Book & Spirit, LLC. I release twice a year. The second release date is April 26th which is my youngest son Marcus’ birthday. I may add additional dates in the future.

During the release of my first book, I met my current editor, Lex Hupertz. She designs my cover and edits my books. I could not stress enough the importance of an excellent editor and specifically one that understands your writing style as well as assists you with the development of your work. It makes a difference in a decent book to great reading.

Along with writing, I have a major interest in the metaphysical arts so I take classes that interest me such as tarot, astrology, mediumship and any other related studies. I’m an Advance Reiki Trainer as well as psychic medium. I’m also a left-handed March 4th Pisces.

All of that balances my scientific side of being a CPA for 20+ years with most of my daytime career in the commercial and defense aerospace industry. I also have a Master’s degree in Government Contracts.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Man Who Needs You” It is part of my series “Southern Men Don’t Fall In Love”

This story is the continuation of Katie Louise Pennington’s short story “Fulfilling Katie’s Needs”. In her first story, she shows strength by overcoming a difficult divorce. This story focuses on her happily ever after. It is an unexpected pairing of two people working class vs. executive. I really encourage everyone to read the first mini book to understand Katie’s background. There will be more of her intermittently later in the series.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I first started writing, spirit would wake me up between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. I would not be able to go back to sleep until the conversation was written down. I work part-time for a psychic network and I use the quiet time between clients as my scheduled time to write and promote the series. I learn from others to inspire me to add traits to my characters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The late Leslie Esdaile’s book “The Sisterhood of Shopaholic’s” kicked off the story line in Atlanta’s Most Eligible Bachelor. Her romance story was about a pilot who met a woman three times in the same day. I expanded the idea of not only meeting the same woman but in different places all over Atlanta. That was a really fun book to write. I continued with writing Atlanta’s Most Eligible Bachelor II and III. Maybe up the road I’ll do an anniversary edition or write the next generation.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next couple of books in the series. My next main characters are Terri and Carter. Terri and Carter both were introduced in the Atlanta’s Most Eligible Bachelor trilogy. My series is about family connections, trials and tribulations, love and loss. It’s also about six degrees of separation. As the series progresses, my readers will see how the characters relate to their families beyond the romance. Immediate families have a major influence on our romantic relationships which is the reason why I give them a very present voice in the romance and don’t solely focus on the couple and their interactions with each other.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am self-published. My books are on Amazon. I also publish through Createspace for paperback copies for book signings, contests and giveaways. I’m experimenting with book promotion sites like Awesome Gang. There are several sites that have inexpensive or free submissions. I’m also doing Amazon KDP select with free book giveaways. I’m scheduling marketing around the free book days and have noticed an increase in readership on Kindle Unlimited after the promotions.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Write it and publish it. Don’t wait for others to dictate your dream. If traditional publishers aren’t looking at you then self-publish. If ISBN numbers are too expensive then Amazon will give you one. The point is to publish it. It doesn’t have to be perfect and there’s an old saying “The graveyard is full of ideas and dreams that people have never shared or tried.” Don’t be one of them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Go to college and get a degree. I made sure that I passed that down to my children.

What are you reading now?
Interesting question. I’m mainly gathering books on promotions, grammar, emotions and anything that will improve my writing. I go to the Half Price Book Store often and look for any titles that catch my eye in the clearance section. I go to Amazon if I’m looking for something specific. I have a passion for tarot, astrology, numerology and mediumship. You will find lots of books in the metaphysical realm in my possession.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll continue to writing the series. There are so many characters that haven’t been introduced yet. I’m continuing to add characters and build them to eventually become main characters in their own books. Favorite characters may appear in other books in the series and there are also those who have one time significance. I try to imitate our daily lives as we each have people who are continuous in our lives as well as those who are there for a passing moment

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 survival guides and “How to” books so I could eat, build shelter and identify the vegetation around me. It would have to contain lots of pictures.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mia Mae Lynne Website
Mia Mae Lynne Amazon Profile

Mia Mae Lynne’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Paranormal Romance Author, writing stories about an undying love of a lifetime—fated to meet in the other dimension of reality—embracing the mystery of reincarnation to fulfill the promise of a happy ending.

I finished my Master’s Degree in Business Administration last 2009 while I applied my skills as a Computer Engineer in an IT organization. I pursued my IT career in Singapore for a couple of years, paving me the chance to embrace some of the wonderful cultures in the globe. And while I was living there independently, the chance to study about literature and writing novels, which was a hidden passion kept for so many years was realized. Time management was the key.

I have written two novels so far. My book ‘A Timeless Heartbeat’ was published last January 18, 2016, while my latest release ‘North Emblem, Book 1 of The Relic Series’ was published last May 3, 2017.
And while I work during the day, leading an IT team, at night is my date with my characters. It’s my joy writing their stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
North Emblem, Book 1 of the Relic Series is my latest release this year. It is a romance story depicting a tribe where spells, crystals, and spirits held a significant role in every chapter of the book. This first installment of the series was centered to my male protagonist, Elijah. He was a man with unique abilities he never imagined he possessed. But how he can think of more than what he perceives in his physical condition? After all, he only knew black and white—limited with vision, yet destined to conquer love and power.

The entire story was inspired by the different tribal ways I envisioned in my head, trying to harmonize with each other to live peacefully—prevailing traditions and cultures throughout all ages. But some conflict persists, challenging Elijah’s fate, leading his people.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I believe most writers do have. In my case, sometimes I need to write chapter 10 before I can write chapter 2. I guess that says that I am Pantser. I write what my characters tell me to write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Back in my high school days, I am a huge fan of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare. And that gave birth to my interest in literature. It was followed by the Nancy Drew series that hooked me up as I was too fascinated by solving mysteries. That explains why I love putting mysteries in my romance stories. But the novel, Merlin, and Excalibur published in the 90’s fuelled my interest more to write my own novel one day. And so two decades later, I did.

What are you working on now?
I am now working on the second installment of The Relic Series with Elijah and his new challenge. And of course, what is power without love?

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At this time I have resorted to social media like Twitter, Facebook, online conferences and book fairs where I could get a chance to talk about my books and also interviews and blog updates. I focused on producing more novels at least for the next few years—committing myself to publish one novel every year. It’s challenging because I have a day job, but with time management, hard work and perseverance, I could do it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I believe there’s no stopping in learning about writing. So never cease to do research, attend writing conferences and learn to connect with other authors. The Writers Community is the best place where we could get new ideas, solutions and answers to our questions that kept us from releasing our true potential in writing. I am so fascinated with how the internet makes it too easy for us nowadays to find resources. So let’s explore. It’s fun.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Just write your ideas. You will end up writing the entire book.”

What are you reading now?
I love writing fiction novels and of course, I love reading other novels too. But recently, during my spare time, I read non-fiction books like biographies, documentaries, news and current events.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll continue writing stories and hopefully more and more novels to publish. I am also thinking of trying another genre in the future.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Most likely, I’ll carry with me some do-it-yourself references like How to survive in the desert, Healing with Medicinal Herbs, DIY Shelter Construction and well, a Romantic Comedy novel to keep the spirit alive.

Author Websites and Profiles
Cherry Seniel Website
Cherry Seniel Amazon Profile
Cherry Seniel Author Profile on Smashwords

Cherry Seniel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have currently written and published two books. My debut novel. ‘Alice’ and my latest novel.’ Love, Secrets and Absolution.’

1) I am one of four children born to my parents and own the second position. The reason I use the words ‘own and position’. Is because of my wonderful late father who seeded us all, much like in tennis. I was number two seed, being born second. It was all fun and banter.
2) As previously mentioned, my father enjoyed giving us titles of one kind or another. Not the regal kind you understand. Thankfully, he never called any of his daughters ‘Princess’ or his son ‘his little prince’. After all, these type of titles may have encouraged us to think above our station. That would not do. We were working class and proud of it. My title was ‘Miss Prim’. You may well ask why? Apparently, because I was always reading, writing and pretending to be a Teacher or a Librarian, he felt that I was destined to be a prim and proper young lady.
3) Born in the early fifties, the education system was far removed from our current system. I am not complaining. It was as it was! This was the years of the eleven plus exam. In retrospect, I now realise, how unfair the system was. I sincerely believe that most children who passed this all important exam, were groomed to do so. Don’t get me wrong. Some children were innately intelligent and deserved their place at the Grammar school. Others were well prepared in a number of ways. The others considered as factory fodder. At my junior school there was a teacher by the name of ‘Mr Richardson’ whose pupils were well prepared for the eleven plus exam. These chosen students were provided with mock papers and taught what to expect in the exam and how to tackle the type of questions and math problems. The rest of us were shocked, when the eleven plus exam paper was placed in front of us. Being the second youngest in the class, I wasn’t quite eleven when presented with the exam. I clearly remember the exam. Sat on a hard wooden double bench that was attached to an individual desk lid that opened both yours and your mate’s desk at the same time. I clearly remember the stained inkwells either side of the desk. It was late spring /early summer when I sat this momentous exam. Perfect for hay fever sufferers like myself as I snivelled my tired self through these questions that for the most part looked as though written in code. As a consequence, or maybe not. I did not pass my eleven plus. I went to the local secondary modern school where I stayed for four years.
4) I left school at the tender age of fifteen and a few weeks old. My work began the following week. My desire to be a teacher or nurse was put on hold, while I earned my keep.
5) Realising that education was the key to success. I set about educating myself. I passed the entrance exam into nursing and later enrolled at the local technical college, to study ‘O levels’. I studied: Biology, Psychology, Sociology, language and literature. All paid for from my own earnings. Imagine my surprise and absolute joy, when I was awarded grade A in all subjects. A good education was finally in my grasp. I went on to study to A levels and eventually enrolled with the finest of universities. The Open University. So you see. Although the formal education system let me down. I rose above the establishment by funding my own education.
6) There was a time after gaining my Biology degree, that I considered leaving my nursing career and becoming a teacher. I studied a Diploma in teaching with this in mind. However, my heart was set, to continue working for our wonderful NHS.
7) I lived and worked in West Germany for a few years as a consequence of my husband being posted to R A F Laarbruch.I enjoyed my time living in an alternate country. It enriched my life. “ sprechen Sie Deutch” anyone?
8) I rather enjoy attempting to learn different languages, much to the delight of my family. Over the years, it has helped tremendously when choosing gifts for me. Including books on how to swear in a variety of languages. I can’t profess to be anywhere close to being fluent. It is all just a bit of fun.
9) As much as I enjoy music and dance, I do not have a musical bone in my body. My sense of rhythm is not good and my singing voice is pitiful. Despite this. I live in hope to learn to play at least one tune on my guitar before I die. It is actually on my bucket list, which I can report with most sincerity, is getting shorter as I tick off each of my wishes.
10) At the magnificent age of sixty, I enjoyed my first and last tandem parachute jump. This is high on my list of memorable experiences. It was the most amazing experience of my life to date. As I soared through the clouds, free-falling at an incredible speed, the clouds decided to give up their contents.For a short time I was surrounded by millions of tiny hailstones, battering my face. The sensation was of tiny pricks of pleasure and was an absolute delight. I appeared to be moving faster than the hailstones were falling. As a consequence, it was a surreal experience, as the hailstones appeared to be floating around me. I could almost reach out and pluck them from the sky. Although my last fact on this list of things you didn’t know about K.L.Loveley, is now common knowledge. In relation to the publication of my debut novel ‘Alice’. Did you know, that it was at the very top of my bucket list?

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is. ‘Love, Secrets and Absolution’.
What inspired me to write my novel?
I felt inspired to write a novel that incorporated an aspect of social history to reflect a particular event that occurred in Nottinghamshire. Hence the time frame of the story. Although the miners’ strike is only briefly touched on, it does in fact set the scene of the unfolding family drama. In order to portray the lives of Alfie and his family, it became necessary to cover nearly two decades, during which time, many social changes took place. I personally remember these time’s, therefore reflecting many of my own observations of life during the eighties and nineties.
Indirectly, perhaps this was part of my inspiration to write the novel, as I clearly remember these times.
Over the past decade an increasing awareness of children’s mental health issues and in particular the autistic spectrum disorders have enabled a greater understanding of these conditions.
With this in mind, I ventured to create a fictitious family who could portray the day to day struggles of a life that was considered to be less than satisfactory.
When developing the main protagonist Alfie, I felt that it was important to identify early on in his life, that he did not see the world as others do. By introducing his character before his birth I hoped it would reinforce the concept of nature as opposed to nurture being the reason that Alfie was not like other boys.
There are many stories and films about children with Asperger’s, however few document from the aspect of birth to the coming of age. I wanted to write a bittersweet story that covers topical references and current issues. Deceit, betrayal, teenage angst, love and addiction are all weaved into the emotional lives of the characters within the story.
In addition to the everyday struggles of life for Alfie, I felt it important to show his capabilities in terms of his academic and sporting achievements, to portray how despite being on the Autistic spectrum, he was able to rise above his traits and succeed in a variety of ways. This includes the development of three very important friendships, one of which becomes a lifelong attachment, leading towards his future.
While I felt that it was important to take the reader on a journey through the eyes of Alfie. Equally there was a need to have a different perspective. In order to achieve this alternate voice. I created a diary for Grace to speak to the reader about her love and devotion for her son and her own emotional torment. Parents of teenagers with Asperger’s face even more difficulties than usual. While it is important to allow independence and financial responsibility this can lead to a multitude of other problems and reinforce the underlying risk-taking behaviour. Although Alfie is the main protagonist, I decided to develop the character of Grace as a means of encouraging the reader’s imagination to think about how it might feel to be the parent of a child who is different from others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, although I do tend to write while on board our Narrowboat.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many wonderful authors, both male and female. However, when asked to name an author who I truly admire, I turn to history and nominate Jane Austin, who died at the early age of forty-one in the year 1817.
By today’s standards, such a short life and yet, her writing suggests a life well lived, in terms of the experience she poured into her books.
As a woman, dependent first on her father and then her brothers in terms of her financial security, there is no doubt, that her writing was, both a means of escapism and a desire to provide her own income. Considering that she was the daughter of a clergyman, I am in awe of the width and sophistication of her observations. I would imagine that Jane was exposed to a limited amount of acquaintances, bearing in mind the limitations of her social circle. Despite this and other variables, she created such interesting characters, who to my mind, are as interesting today as the time they were written.
The prose is beautifully crafted into themes around: class, romance, love and money. My favourite being ‘Pride and prejudice’. The title speaks volumes and would fit well in today’s society with our current problems relating to issues around prejudice.
The character of Elizabeth Bennett, was way ahead of her time, when ladies of breeding were expected to be just that! To be used for the purpose of producing an heir and a few spares, to help in old age. She was determined to marry for love. A luxury not afforded to many women at that time.
There is a strong message in her work related to her own feminine view. She quite deftly, puts this across in a subtle but humorous prose. I guess in many ways, Jane Austin was ahead of her time.

Now for someone completely different, who in fact would probably disagree with my first choice of author?
Maran Keyes the Irish Novelist actually admitted on one of her video blogs that she isn’t a fan of Jane Austin. Something to do with English literature at school.
However, I am a great fan of Marian Keyes and her style of writing. There is a fundamental openness in her work, it is very refreshing and honest. Marian, develops such believable characters and brings them to life through her story telling. Somehow, despite the story being either dark, tragic or simply heart-breaking, her humour shines through.
Stella Sweeney, the protagonist in ‘The woman who stole my life’ is currently one of my favourite Marian Keyes characters. She is optimistic and upbeat and sees the good in everyone. Actually, as I am writing this, I almost feel a kindred spirit with this character and a certain likeness to myself. I digress.
I find this story a fascinating account from a medical perspective, in terms of the disease process and subsequent recovery. Despite the seriousness of the illness, the humour is abundant. For example, the way Stella describes her neurologist as the narky Range Rover man. In addition to the medical side of the story, her journey as an international bestselling author is quite fascinating and enlightening for me personally.
The chemistry, Marian Keyes created between two fictional characters was quite extraordinary and so believable. The romance is not cloying and soppy, it is realistic and feisty.
Although, both of these authors are females born in a different century, they share the same skill of creating best-selling novels which are timeless.

What are you working on now?
My next novel. ‘Union Blues.’

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads. Pinterest, Linkedin. Author profile page on Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always believe in yourself and never give up on your dream.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘To thine own-self, be true’. William Shakespeare.

What are you reading now?
Human Universe. Written by. Professor Brian Cox and Andrew Cohen.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on the publication of my collection of poems. ‘ Chameleon Days’.

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 Oxford concise dictionary of Quotations.
War and Peace, written by Leo Tolstoy.
The complete works of Jane Austen.
The Oxford Dictionary.

Author Websites and Profiles
Katie Loveley Website
Katie Loveley Amazon Profile
Katie Loveley Author Profile on Smashwords

Katie Loveley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is R.T. Driver when I’m writing, but Michael Fort to my friends and family, and bun/turtle/any other cute sounding name to my lovely wife. I was born in Connecticut and have been writing for years, however, I’ve only started write seriously within the past two or three years. While I have a number of works finished, my current project, the Isaac Comett series, is the first one to see the light of day.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first and latest book is Isaac Comett: My Life as a Shard Knight. It is the first Act in what is planned to be a 3-4 novel sci-fi adventure. The book is heavily influenced by Japanese Animation, something I’ve been a fan of for a long time. I loved the expressiveness and larger-than-life stories, and wanted to find a way to translate that type of storytelling into book form. Another motivator was music and several events that happened in my personal life. Isaac’s story is essentially an autobiography with aliens.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Many authors like listening to music when they write, but for me, music is the catalyst for my writing. I will listen to entire albums or DJ Mix Shows and close my eyes, allowing a story to play out in my head. Once I find a story I like, I’ll write about it. As you can imagine, I have a lot of music! *laughs*

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Christopher Wooding was the first author to show me that it’s possible to take the unique characters, freaky powers and bizzaro villians from anime/manga and make a novel out of it. His series, Broken Sky, heavily shaped my storytelling.

What are you working on now?
This interview?

No for real this time. I’m in the process of editing Act 2 of Isaac Comett and am about halfway down with act 3’s rough manuscript.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Friends and word of mouth. You can’t beat someone sharing a post about your work with their friends, and even if ONE of their friends shares it, it opens the way to potentially hundreds more viewers/readers.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If your story happens to follow a current trend, that’s great. But at the same time, write for YOU, no one else. Also, just get the stupid first manuscript done and worry about it looking pretty later.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.” -Matthew 6:34 (Jesus)

What are you reading now?
The Bible. Regardless of background, beliefs or region, its principles are timeless.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Once Isaac Comett is done, I’d like to try my hand at something with less sci-fi and more true-life events. I’m not entirely sure though.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible and Camping for Dummies. I guess I would give Wurthering Heights another shot, too.

Author Websites and Profiles
Rob Driver Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m bi. I’ve written one novel, Pride & Puberty, and I enjoy writing LGBT romances that are slice of life themed.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Pride & Puberty. I wanted to write a happy story where two guys could fall in love without any catches. Life is often cruel and terrible, so I wanted my story to be one of hope. Where two boys can fall in love and be accepted.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing even if you think it’s bad. Any writing is always good practice. I used to write short stories in high school, and while I wouldn’t consider any of them to be my greatest works, I am glad I did it, because it helped me when I wanted to write as I grew older.

Author Websites and Profiles
Anne Bewley Amazon Profile

Anne Bewley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started my “travel career” working for the Travel Channel reporting on food and music in the Pacific Rim. I eventually moved to Spain and started writing books, blogs and freelance articles for various publications. Now back home in Denver, Colorado I am writing full time. I have now finished two books and am currently writing a third.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sunrises to Santiago: Searching for purpose on the Camino de Santiago, my current book, was inspired by the people I personally met while hiking 490 miles from St. Jean Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of Spain. I hiked for 33 days with the intention of finding my purpose in life. I would describe myself as a “jack of all trades, master of none” and I really needed to find some inspiration. The journey was hard. My body broke. But I found the inspiration I was looking for in the fellow hikers I met along the way. Their stories inspired the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write very early in the morning. I wake up without an alarm around 6:00 AM each day, put on a pot of coffee and start writing. I need total silence to really get into the work and this is the only time of day this works for me. I am a morning person too which helps!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love authors who combine humor, adventure and heart in their work. This is what I aspire to do as well. Bill Bryson’s books make me laugh out loud. I also enjoy Paulo Coehlo’s work.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a book called Frozen Olive Oil: What It’s Really Like to Live Abroad. This is a real life comedy (with heart) of my two years of living abroad in Spain with my wife. It speaks to the expectations vs reality and the power of travel to transform a life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
GoodReads Giveaways for me have been fantastic. I have gained so many new readers who would have never heard of my books with this tool.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Don’t be a perfectionist. Be authentic.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is a great story. A friend of friend who wanted to be an author wrote to a famous writer asking him how to become a famous writer. He wrote a 20 page letter to the famous man. A month later the young writer got the reply, “If you want to be a writer then write, just not to me.”

What are you reading now?
In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my next book, Frozen Olive Oil and my new novel called Finding Tiger.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival by Dave Canterbury, and any book I am currently writing to keep me busy!

Author Websites and Profiles
Gabriel Schirm Website
Gabriel Schirm Amazon Profile

Gabriel Schirm’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wrote my first book while still working and was inspired by the backstabbing atmosphere between women and our sacrifices for that pleasure. What clinched it for me when I walked into the ladies room and a young woman was pumping her breasts. At that point in my life, I had just begun have a work career having been lucky enough to stay home to raise my children. My youngest was in elementary school. I was appalled at the almost nonexistent maternity leave in this country, which is far behind the rest of the technologically advanced counties. Walking with Elephants explores the dichotomy of a workplace filled with childless women who will do anything to get ahead and the women with family constraints and our off-kilter reward system. I use a working mother to explore these inadequacies in our county to meet the needs of families while supporting the advancement of women. Elephants are a matriarchal society, hence the title, and the MC posits a move to a matriarchy for our society in an essay written at the close of the book. I just posted the audible book of this work, narrated by me. This book, my debut, was first publishes by a small independent publisher who subsequently went out of business when her husband took ill. She gave me all the files and I took over as publisher. It went on to win the Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence and was a top-five finalist in the New Kindle Book Review’s Best Indie Books of 2012.

My second book Sunspots explores the grief of losing a spouse after just two years of marriage. And also that for some women marriage can swallow their entire identity and so they must rediscover who they are after such a loss. It was given the IndePENdants.org seal of good writing. The book was a catharsis of sorts for me having lost my first husband when just a young woman with small children. The book’s message is that one can, through the grieving process and the will to go on, find a life of happiness, as it did for me in my real life. I self-published after not being able to attract an agent or publisher.
My local newspaper the Florida Times Union reviewed both books:
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/2013-07-13/story/book-review-sunspots-karen-s-bell#
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/literature/2011-03-13/story/book-review-karen-s-bell-fills-walking-elephants-charm

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest self-published work is titled, When a Stranger Comes… It was released September 13, 2017 after numerous rejections. In my work, I try to tackle social issues of which we all can relate. In this work, I explore the pervasive greed in our modern society and the decay of social norms and morals.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I am deep into the creative process, entire sentences come to me out of nowhere and not when I’m in front of my computer. Add ons to sentences, paragraphs and character traits spring from who knows where into my head. Sometimes they tell me their names that way. Sometimes when I’m writing my characters show me the direction the story should go by having a scene I hadn’t contemplated pop into my head. “Oh, Ok, I say, that could work.” And so I give in to the muse. Who am I to turn my back on gifts from the cosmos.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Jodie Picoult because she delves very deeply into social issues to form her narrative. The issues being more important than the story. I like Alice Hoffman because she weaves supernatural elements into her narrative, as do I. I try every now and then to pick up a classic to read to sharpen my use of language as an art form. I enjoy elevating my writing with style and cadence and being humbled by the greats in literature. Melville, Austin, Proust, Dostoyevky, Hardy.

What are you working on now?
I’m ruminating on a book about a bed and breakfast that will dance around a relationship between two step siblings heretofore unknown to each other before they inherit a B&B. The female is Jewish, the male Christian. The Barnstable and Bernstein B&B is the working title. Lots of meat there with stereotypes etc. My husband is Christian and I’m Jewish so lots to mine there.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You know, in the good ole days you could run a 99 cent book promo and sell tons of books. You could have a free book promotion and thousands would be downloaded. I think there is great fatigue out there among the readership. So many promo sites sending emails. Bombarding inboxes so that what worked a few years ago is only producing weak returns. I advertised on BookBub–not a deal but an ad. Nothing. And a deal is so expensive and my book is KDP. I thing BookBub likes lots of venues. But I might try and apply if I think I could get my $500 or so back in sales. Ads on Amazon, I find are also very weak. In the indie-world what sells is erotica, fantasy, zombies. Can’t write that stuff.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I always say, “Don’t quit your day job.” I’m retired and someone else covers my overhead. I thought I was embarking on a second career, but it’s more of a hobby. I hate the pressure of coming up with marketing strategies if you’r self-published. And there’s plenty of sharks out there that offer high-priced classes to teach you how to become a best seller. Word-of mouth that magical phrase is what I keep hoping for. Readers have absolutely loved my books but they don’t tell anyone. Too many books out there. But I love the writing process. And that’s really the whole point. And I keep hoping , maybe my nest book will entice a good agent. hope springs eternal.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be true to yourself. Albert Einstein once said “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” I choose to believe everything is a miracle.

What are you reading now?
The Elena Ferrante saga

What’s next for you as a writer?
Death haha. I’m 70 years old.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
How to Survive on a Desert Island. That’s it.

Author Websites and Profiles
Karen Bell Website
Karen Bell Amazon Profile

Karen Bell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mildred M Stallworth is the owner and manager of StallworthWorldWide LLC, located in Monroeville AL.

Mildred was born in Monroeville, AL on October 2, 1961, to two loving parents. She graduated from Monroe County High School in Monroeville AL. in May 1979 and from Patrick Henry State Junior College with an AA Degree in Secretarial Studies in May 1981. She then attended Alabama A&M University in the fall of 1981 to obtain a degree in Office Administration. In 2016 she made an investment in Elevate Education in Jackson WY, where she started her business venture.

Mildred learned quickly when she started elementary school at the age of 5 years old that no two people were alike. Life to her meant seeing other people happy. Mildred has always been avid about having good relationships; from family, friends, co-worker to strangers. She says, “Communication is the key to having strong, loving relationships”. Growing up in a large family made her appreciate the beauty of uniqueness in an individual. Having many personalities present in her home, she was given the opportunities to understand other people from all facets of life, such as; their likes, dislikes, mindset, attitudes, strengths, and weaknesses.

Accomplishments: Have written 6 books!
The Life of Magadaline Slatewood: Brief Summary
The Universe: The Christian Point of View
Effective Leaders and Leadership
Spiritual Conduct for Leadership: Servanthood
Leading Effectively: Proven Leadership
Business and Politics: Leadership

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Business and Politics: Leadership
Since we are in an era of political scrutiny, I wanted to dive a little deeper into politics.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Late night is my time for writing. It seems like I concentrate more on what I’m writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nelle Harper Lee is one author that influenced me greatly. She wrote only 2 books in her lifetime. She never cared about being in the limelight.
Trevor Noah is another author that I’m intrigued with, his story is worth listening too.

What are you working on now?
Getting all of my books on audio.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Submission sites like Awesomegang and social media sites like; Facebook, Twitter and many others are the best way for me to promote my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and research, always be consistent with your writing. Write a little every day if possible.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You will never find success unless you’re willing to take a risk!

What are you reading now?
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Around the Way by Taraji Henson
This Fight is Our Fight by Elizabeth Warren

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several ideas that have come to mind, but one in particular ~ Relationships

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
The Life of Magdaline Slatewood: Brief Summary
Born a Crime
Effective Leaders and Leadership

Author Websites and Profiles
Mildred Stallworth Website
Mildred Stallworth Amazon Profile
Mildred Stallworth Author Profile on Smashwords

Mildred Stallworth’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love to read, especially on rainy days. It calms me and often makes me feel safe and secure. When I was a teenager, I spent a week in the hospital and almost died. The event shook me and I withdrew from most of my friends after my discharge. For the remainder of the Summer, I read everything I could get my hands on at home. I eventually overcame the shock of my experience. But not before I had read almost two dozen books!
I’ve written three books thus far, but I’ve only released one. The other two will be out soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is called Half-Cut. It’s about a group of detectives from Yonkers, New York, and their supervisor. I was on the Internet one day and read about an old cold case that a detective in Yonkers solved. Then, I found out that the Son of Sam lived in Yonkers just before his arrest. I was hooked on all things Yonkers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Whenever an idea comes to me, I type it in the body of the book I’m working on and later find a place for it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Hardy, Ernest Hemingway, James Michener, Charles Dickens, Jonathan Kellerman, etc.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my third book in the Cut series. I’m torn between two titles: Prime Cut or Final Cut.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s hard to say. I suggest you search the Internet for the top 10-15 ebook promotion sites. Then read each site carefully.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Use beta readers. They provide extremely helpful feedback. Find a great editor. Vet him or her. Check out the books they’ve edited. Last, find a professional cover designer.

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

What are you reading now?
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on several writing projects. I hope to release one of my books in the near future.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Old Man and the Sea
The Great Gatsby
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Shantaram

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an indie author who has published five books in the Prophecy Child series that was nominated for the Summer Indie Book Awards 2016. I’ve also written one book that kicks off a series of stand-alone books with a fairy tale twist. Cinderella’s story is the first where we talk about Rella Rosewood; a renegade hunter with a foul mouth who also owns a pair of glass slippers. And recently I’ve released the first book of the Terra Vane series. This is a fantasy mystery set in a world only a portal away where we meet Terra Vane; an Enforcer Field Agent for the PCA (Portiside City Agency).
My interests lie very much in fantasy, urban fantasy and historical romances. I love strong-minded female protagonists with an edge. And a love interest who loves to feed their flame rather than dampen it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled, Death Be Blue, and it features the main protagonist, Terra Vane who immigrated through a portal into a new world when she was sixteen. Her job is to help keep Portiside safe and to make sure that all the shifters, vampires and fairies who live there stay on the right side of the law. What inspired this story was a lot of the information we have from history that we call mythological. But as they say, there is many a truth in myth, and I wanted a story arc that could explain why we have so many stories from our past that have similar roots from all over the world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I act out a lot of my chapters. I think a lot of people would figure that’s pretty weird. But hey, I’m a writer. Weird is my middle name. By acting out some of the scenes, I get to feel the emotion that could come from such a conversation, and then I can put such emotion into the story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts is a big one for me. How she can write for any genre and just pull you in. Fantasy, mystery, thriller, contemporary. She sure knows how to write a story!

What are you working on now?
The Terra Vane series is a priority for me right now. Death Be Charmed, book two in the series has been completed and is with the editor as we speak. That is due out in January next year and continues on from the last book. Book three in the series, Death Be Raven is currently in progress.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find the best method for promoting my books is to seek out places such as awesome gang where they’re doing so much to support authors in getting their work out there. Having a website is great for traffic to come to and see everything in your portfolio, and posting regularly on Facebook and Twitter can start to build up a great fan base.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read as much as you can in the genre you’re writing, or wish to write for. By doing this you’re subconsciously learning about pacing, grammar, and narrative structures. This will help you when it comes to writing your own. Also, get an editor. This was a big-learn for me because I thought them to be way out of my price range. However, there are so many people out there now who provide affordable editing services for both indie authors and professionals, and the advice they give will be invaluable.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve been given as a writer is to stay true to myself. We think we have to emulate those who have been successful, but they have become successful because of their unique writing voice. Have faith that your voice is unique too, and someone out there is going to love it. Yes, learn as much as you can on the technical writing side, but never lose sight of who you are as a writer.

What are you reading now?
I’ve finished reading Magic Binds by Illona Andrews. The Kate Daniels series is amazing, and I’m always excited, ready and waiting, for the next book. I love the characters!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have plotted out the Terra Vane series to go on for quite a few books as the corruption and intrigue build in the background. But I also plan to continue with the Far Far Away series and to finish Rapunzel’s twisted fairy tale titled A Tower Above. In addition to these, I will be releasing the Portiside Diaries. A collection of short stories that accompany the Terra Vane series, and what I will be making free for anyone who signs up for my newsletter via my website at the present 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?
Oh no! Only 3 or 4? Ouch. Okay. Here goes…
Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
Magic Triumphs by Illona Andrews (can we wait for when it’s released? Pretty please!)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
The Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts (I know this is three books but we can count it as one, right?)

Author Websites and Profiles
Katie Epstein Website
Katie Epstein Amazon Profile

Katie Epstein’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, everyone! I use the pen name Antheya, which means “blossom” in Ancient Greek. I am a lawyer, philosopher and a teacher, but, in my spare time, I love writing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Young Philosophers. On Media.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I write listening to ambient music and also I like travelling a lot. Seeing how other people live inspire me. Sometimes positively, others-not. But it always gives me something to contemplate on.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mainly philosophers and deep thinkers. I do not like shallow stories. They are a pleasant waste of time, which I cannot afford. I believe we are here to answer some vital questions for life, before we move on.

What are you working on now?
On the next book of the same dialogue series. It will be focused on Immigration.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try a bit of everything. And I give a lot for free. That is my secret – good quality for the price of your time to read it. And your meditation on the reading.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Write! It is so much fun! If you have it inside you, just don’t stop it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be yourself! Always and at any price.

What are you reading now?
Some macroeconomic analyses. I need that for my work.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have to finish the series for the Young Philosophers. That will make writing at least 3 more books. Then, we will 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?
I will take a notebook and a pen. That would keep me busy for longer!

Author Websites and Profiles
Antheya Merdjankova Website
Antheya Merdjankova Author Profile on Smashwords

Antheya Merdjankova’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since I was a small child and have a passion for both reading and writing. I am especially fond of paranormal romance, which is my chosen genre in which most of my books are written. Currently, I have one published active novel, two retired novels (getting ready to re-release), and one retired novella (also ready for re-release as part of a series). I also have dozens of others in varied states of completion. In my spare time, I love watching movies, especially horror movies, reading anything I can get my hands on, and playing with my young son. I spend time with my husband exploring New York, where we’ve made our home for just over a year. When I’m not writing, I’m a full time Digital Marketing Manager at a firm in Manhattan, a career I’ve pursued for more than 15 years.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is The Whisperer. I was inspired by Laurel K. Hamilton’s imaginative portrayal of Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, and the way she commands packs of animals. I took that, along with my own creative application, and wove it into something very different and on the edge.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I hate plotting, and I would rather stare at a page with writer’s block than try to outline a piece (since I never truly stick to the outline anyway). Unlike most writers, I put words on the page really fast. That probably comes from being a ghostwriter under deadline. But my ideas form almost too quickly for my fingers, and I can finish a full-length novel in first draft in a couple of weeks. I also tend to do a lot of snacking while I write, and when I’m in the zone, I put on my earbuds and blast 90’s and new hard rock and metal.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The list is extensive, but probably the most influential are Laurel K. Hamilton, Jude Devereaux (Remembrance is my all-time favorite), JR Ward, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and the classic J.R.R. Tolkein.

What are you working on now?
I’ve got my hands in a number of projects, but I’m especially working on re-releasing a paranormal werewolf romance, the first in a set of three novellas about witches and vampires, and a project about angels and demons and reincarnation.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still exploring this, so any go-to favorites suggested are always welcome.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Sometimes, it takes thousands of submissions to even get a bite. And if you decide to go the self-publishing route, don’t even try it until you’ve had a professional editor’s assistance. It’s crucial, if you want return customers. That being said, the sky is the limit, and there’s a market for anything.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t take it personally. If you worry too much about other people’s judgment, you’ll be conquered by anxiety and never get anywhere.

What are you reading now?
I’m checking out some new authors of New Adult Dystopian series in a 10-book collection.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m just going to keep plugging along and build my portfolio, hoping others take as much pleasure in my stories as I do.

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?
Remembrance (Jude Devereaux), The Stand (Stephen King), and Odd Thomas (Dean Koontz) for sure. Wait, can I take a loaded Kindle instead?

Robin Bonzon’s Social Media Links
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi!
I’m a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, Lecturer International Business, and Cross-CulturalTrainer.. I help people understand cultural nuances and enjoy their new surroundings abroad, which also boosts their confidence!
I have been living and working abroad for many years. This has broadened her mind, her understanding in cultures, interactions, and enhanced her flexibility towards people and places. I learned to turn every challenge into a new opportunity.
And…I love to inspire people and help them to become their best selves!

I’ve written 3 books,check out my Author’s Page
-Awaken Your Confidence: 15 People Share Their Journey to Success
-The Better Business Book
-Living Abroad Successfully: What, Where, When, How

https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Rachel-Smets/e/B01KD31N54

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Living Abroad Successfully: What, Where, When, How

Living abroad in many countries myself, I had to overcome a lot of challenges. But it also enriched my life!
I wish to help others making their life abroad a success!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I chew lots of gum

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Steve Scott, I had the pleasure to interview him in my first book.

What are you working on now?
I’m creating my next TEDx talk.
Also, I’m creating more online courses about overcoming fears, Living Abroad successfully and Conscious marketing.
And I’m doing more webinars and training days in cultural differences.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Make quotes from your book into a nice post and post it all over social media

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For non-fiction writers, I would advise to research a lot in order to give as much value as possible to your readers.
And for those who haven’t started yet: JUST start writing!!!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just start!
I overthink too long and too much and whatever you want to do, it comes down to one thing: ACTION!

What are you reading now?
Books about writing and speaking, because I love learning from books

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A Course in Miracles
That will keep me busy enough for at least 365 days!

Author Websites and Profiles
Rachel Smets Website
Rachel Smets Amazon Profile

Rachel Smets’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, everyone! I am Antheya, a lawyer, philosopher, teacher, devoted reader and from the last five years – a book writer. I have produced many legal texts but my major interests are consecrated on broader, philosophical issues. I wrote “Requiem for the death of my mother” and “The young philosophers. On Media” this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is, as I mentioned, “The young philosophers. On Media” and it is inspired by the great tradition of Plato’s dialogues. I wanted to create something similar but not identical to his masterpieces of free thought deliberation since the topics and the characters involved in my conversations are contemporary and strictly modern.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I write mostly when I travel abroad. I love learning about other people and their ways of being. It influences me greatly although not always positively.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
They are too many and I would not mention a few for fear of offending the others. All I can say is that my favourite authors are passionate deep thinkers in all fields of thought and writing. I may name quite a lot of poets, politicians, scientist and simply extraordinary men and women who shaped me as consciousness and personality.

What are you working on now?
I am editing the second part of the same dialogue series. It will be focused on the problem of immigration.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am trying a bit of everything.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Write! Creation is an end on its own!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stay as you are! And I will!

What are you reading now?
Something quite theoretical, related to microeconomics. It is complimentary with my teaching duties.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have to finish the dialogues of the young philosophers. It will be quite challenging, I am sure, but at the same time invigorating and rewarding. It is a goal I have set for myself and I think of it as a mission I must accomplish.

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 a notebook and a pen. They will keep me busier longer!

Author Websites and Profiles
Antheya Merdjankova Website
Antheya Merdjankova Author Profile on Smashwords

Antheya Merdjankova’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Fatima Koise is the author of 16 children’s books and a novella “The Silent Wife. She is also the author of ‘The Nine Princesses, Bella and the Pigmies, Bella-The African Cinderella , Rheena, the Anaconda Slayer, Nanya, the dragon slayer, Rescued by an Eagle etc all available on Kindle and the Amazon Stores.

She loves travelling, discovering new cultures, writing, and story-telling.Her books can be found on Amazon.com, and Kindle Stores

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled: “Princess Laylah.” The book follows the story of a Princess and her foster father in a marital dilemna after the demise of her mother, the Queen.

The inspiration for the story came from some of my own personal experiencesand my passion for story telling.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Re-telling stories with turns and twists to give it an African narrative

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Author: J.K.Rowling; Grimm Brothers
Books:Cinderella; Snowwhite and the Seven Dwarfs

What are you working on now?
My new blog posts and self-help books
https://www.fatimakoise.com.ng/blog

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Unleash, unleash and unleash the books within. Believe in yourself and continue writing

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You need to work on your book cover

What are you reading now?
Quie: The power of introverts By Susan Cain

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting promoted, making sales

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 eight habit by steven covey; The Nine Princesses; Bella and the eleven pigmies and The Golden necklace by me

Author Websites and Profiles
FATIMA koise Website
FATIMA koise Amazon Profile

FATIMA koise’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a hybrid author – that is part professionally published and part indie published – with twenty five books out at the moment and at least two more in the pipeline. My books have won several awards – you can see details on my site, http://alexbeecroft.com

I wish I could say what genre I like to write in, but unfortunately I enjoy many. I’ve written gay romance, space opera, fantasy, historical, murder mystery and even various combinations of them all. The core of my interests seem to be something similar to Ben Aaronovitch’s ‘Rivers of London’ series or KJ Charles’s ‘Green Man’ series – that blend of fantasy, history and adventure, but with a distinctly queer twist.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is “Foxglove Copse,” a contemporary m/m romance set in the fictional town of Porthkennack in Cornwall. In which Sam Atkins, a drifter, is accused of black magic when he is discovered over the corpse of a ritualistically slain sheep, and must find out who is really responsible in order to win the boy and clear his name.

I’m a big fan of Cornwall and also of the combination of magic, mystery and gay romance. So despite not being historical, this one was squarely in my wheel house.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so! Unless you count taking my laptop out to the shed in order to write. My house has a revolving door. There’s always someone coming or going. So the only way to get enough peace to think is to sit in the shed in the garden. But it has a desk and a heater, so although I often do have to wrap myself in blankets too, it’s actually very convenient.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien has to be the primary suspect, then Ursula LeGuin and Patrick O’Brien a bit later.

What are you working on now?
I recently decided to take the advice to ‘write what you know’ to heart for the first time, so I’m writing a murder mystery set in the Cambridgeshire Fens in the UK, where I live. It’s an area with a history that goes back before the Romans, and yet it’s also an area that everyone else in Britain calls ‘bleak’. “What’s the best way to show people how beautiful it is here?” I asked myself. “I know! Let’s have someone murdered and then burn their body on a bonfire during the revival of a pagan ceremony. That’ll convince everyone to visit.”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am very bad at promotion, and so far the only thing I’ve done that made any difference at all was buying advertising space in the program of a fanfiction convention. Sadly that doesn’t seem to be happening again this year so I know nothing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t read negative reviews. In fact don’t read your reviews at all. You remember one negative review better than seven positive reviews, so all you’re doing is undermining your own confidence and will to create. Take on board constructive critism, but if a review is a train wreck just don’t even look.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing until you finish. So many novels get abandoned five or ten chapters in, because once you reach the middle of a book it’s no longer fun writing. It becomes a slog, and then your brain starts telling you it’s not worth it. This book is rubbish anyway. This other one that you’ve just thought of would be much better. So you start writing the new one, and then the process repeats.

There is no way out of this cycle other than to ignore your feelings and to keep writing that one book until you reach the end. That is the very simple secret to finishing a book – keep writing it until you reach the end. Don’t stop.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading ‘Broken Homes’ by Ben Aaronovitch and ‘Cambridgeshire Folk Tales’ by Maureen James. Unlike the advice to only write one book at once, reading two or more side-by-side is perfectly practical.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I wish I knew. I plan to write a third volume in my (18th Century Ghost Detectives) Unquiet Spirits series, release the murder-mystery that I’m writing now, and perhaps begin a series about a magical society centred on Ely Cathedral. I am drifting away from Romance, I think, so we’ll have to see how that turns out when it happens.

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 Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula LeGuin
The Complete Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian

Author Websites and Profiles
Alex Beecroft Website
Alex Beecroft Amazon Profile

Alex Beecroft’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 16 year old photographer and author of my book, “The Teen Photographer”. I am from Long Island, New York. I really never expected to write a book but, I did.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Name of my latest book is “The Teen Photographer” what inspired me was my depression. I’ve been struggling with depression for more than a year now. Main reason for my book is to try help spread awareness on mental health disorders.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None that I can think of.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors that influenced me would be Koi Fresco, Ram Dass, and Jeff Kinney.

What are you working on now?
As of right now I am debating whether I should start a novel series but, I don’t know what genre.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social Media and help from friends.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not write when your tired. It will mess you up Alot.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t stress, just live life”.

What are you reading now?
The Bhagavad-Gita

What’s next for you as a writer?
I wanna continue pursuing this career especially since I published at such a young age.

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 say, Koi Fresco’s book. The Bhagavad-Gita and Diary of a wimpy kid.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a hobbyist book writer. A programmer by promotion I have trying to develop some interesting software too. I am looking forward for becoming an entrepreneur and start my new company in future.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
365 Days Of Survival – A journey to ALaska.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Robert Conan Doyle, Chetan Bhagat as authors and Playing it my way, Sherlock Holmes, half Girlfriend, Dreams from my father are few books that influenced me.

What are you working on now?
The Adventures Of Dev

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write that influence the readers.

What are you reading now?
Nelson Mandela Autobiography.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write some books that will motivate people and some related to science.

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?
Sherlock Holmes
Half Girlfriend
The Dreams From my Father

Author Websites and Profiles
Shouvik K. Sarkar Website

Shouvik K. Sarkar’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve published one novel, Playground Treasures and have launched two anthologies with my LDS Beta Readers Facebook group. I have one story in both anthologies.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am a writing teacher for 4th and 5th grade and one of the things I encourage to do when trying to find an idea to write on is to write what they wish they could read. At the same time, I wrote my story. I’ve always wanted to read a story about a kid who ran away from a bad home and lived on the playground. So I wrote it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like writing at night, with lots of food around me, but I am guessing that’s pretty typical. I usually write three books at a time. One in the editing/publishing stage, one in the beta/revising stage, and one that I am either brainstorming or writing a first draft to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Is it cliche to say J.K. Rowling. Oh well, I said it. I love her. I also love Marissa Myer, Cynthia Voight, and Kierra Cass.

What are you working on now?
I have a YA Beach Romance suspense novel that is in the editing stage, an adaptation of Sleeping Beauty/While you were Sleeping Paranormal NA Romance, and a Baseball Billionaire Romance that is my Nano project. I am also working on two MG stories: Revenge of the Lunchlady and Screen Trapped.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am new to everything, but I have heard good things about BookBub.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing. If you’re not making time to write, then do it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t let other writers influence your writing so much that you start to lose your voice.

What are you reading now?
A Refuge of Highland Hall

What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now I am trying to focus on marketing the books I have. I have plenty of writing projects to edit and publish, but I want to make sure I take time to advertise what I already have out. I’ve also started visiting classes in Utah and sharing how young writers can improve.

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?
Cinder, The One, and my scriptures.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jenny Rabe Website
Jenny Rabe Amazon Profile

Jenny Rabe’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Election 2064 series is largely informed by today’s current political climate, with a speculative twist. The main question it asks is whether we’re prepared as a society and a country to face the monumental challenges of the next century.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Too many to count! I like to read a chapter or two from whatever book I’m reading, to get me into a literary flow, and then I listen to some hype music.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up on Stephen King and fantasy sagas from Raymond E Feist, David Eddings, and Piers Anthony. In the science fiction

What are you working on now?
Election 2064: Book Two will be out sometime in 2018, likely late spring/early summer.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged, ever.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Your first draft is gonna suck, but it’s ok. And, you can’t edit a blank page.

What are you reading now?
Fonda Lee’s Jade City and Stephen & Owen King’s Sleeping Beauties.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After Book Two in the Election 2064 series, will likely work on another sci-fi project that has been kicking around in my head, before going back to finish the saga.

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 Stand, Stephen King
Dune, Frank Herbert
The Last Ship, William Brinkley
All Our Wrong Todays, Elan Mastai
Lucifer’s Hammer, Larry Niven

Author Websites and Profiles
Scott McDermott Amazon Profile

Scott McDermott’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a self-confessed geek from the rural Midlands of England, though I’m Cornish by descent and hope to move there one day. At the moment, however, I content myself with holidaying there as often as possible. I ride motorcycles, enjoy keeping fit and collect, of all things, tobacco pipes. When not writing I enjoy Netflix and Amazon marathons with my partner, and spend a good deal of time retrieving shoes from my Lurcher puppy’s ever-questing mouth.

So far I’ve written fourteen books, including three different series; The Graeme Stone Saga, a sprawling epic fantasy which is now morphing into more of a sci-fantasy set in the near future; The Cornish Guardians, a horror series set in Cornwall with some crossover to the Stone books; and now the Brian Helsing series, a foul-mouthed comedy about a socially awkward young man whose somehow chosen to take up the vampire-hunting mantle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Brian Helsing: The World’s Unlikeliest Vampire Hunter, is the title of my latest work. I wanted to dip my toes into the world of comedy writing, because who doesn’t love a book that makes them laugh? It’s inspired by such shows as Supernatural and Lucifer, all of which combine modern life with things that go bump in the night. It follows the adventures of Brian Trelawney, a bumbling and socially awkward young man who, by some cruel twist of fate, ends up taking on the mantle of Helsing, last in the long line of glorious demon-hunters. I really – and I can’t stress this enough, REALLY – enjoyed writing this book and hope people find it half as funny as I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do enjoy a tipple or five whilst writing, which often makes the editing process the next day interesting to say the least. I also have the habit of listening to Iron Maiden through my headphones at full blast, which I’m sure is going to lead to tinnitus one day. A good chunk of my writing time is also spent trying to retrieve my headphone or mouse cables from my puppy’s mouth as he tries to drag them across the floor.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In all honesty, probably too many to count, but I’ll give it a go. Some of the grim-dark and gribbly demonic threats from my Stone books are certainly inspired by the Black Library books set in the Warhammer 40k universe. My horror books, with their slow creeping tension and dramatic confrontations are for sure inspired by all of the Graham Masterton and James Herbert I’ve read over the years, notably The Pariah, The Manitou and The Fog. The reason I’ve tried my hand at comedy in Brian Helsing is clearly Pratchett, though of course I would never assume to be able to emulate his genius style, therefore I made it a little more foul-mouthed and awkward, as befits the world we live in today.

What are you working on now?
At the moment? I’m resting between books, lest I get burnt out. Though no doubt my next book will be the second in the Brian Helsing series. And I can’t wait to crack on with it, but going to give myself a week to recover first.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found Kindle Unlimited to be the way forwards when it comes to getting work out there in front of the masses. If you’ve a series (and thankfully I have more than one) it’s always a good idea to set the first book to free for a time and get some reputable promo sites (notably Awesomegang, Freebooksy and Bknights) to promote it for you. I always find this shifts many copies of the first book, which if they enjoy it (and thankfully people seem to) then they’ll go on to enjoy the rest of the series too.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, write, write. You will find your writing style naturally improves massively the more you write, Also, try not to take any really long breaks. I started off with quite a bit of success with my first few books, then took a break of a couple of years as real-life commitments got in the way and it took a while to get my visibility back, so try to keep your releases steady and often.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never eat yellow snow. It’s served me well.

What are you reading now?
Bruce Dickinson’s autobiography: What Does This Button Do?

What’s next for you as a writer?
More in the Brian Helsing series, methinks, then possibly another Graeme Stone book. But first, some brunch.

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?
Oooh now that’s a tough one. Probably two Discworld books, one featuring Rincewind, the other Vimes and his men, then my battered copy of The Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were, which I always find a fascinating read. Then probably Kingdom Come, if graphic novels count?

Author Websites and Profiles
Gareth K Pengelly Website
Gareth K Pengelly Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Edward “Ed” Downs grew up in northern New Jersey, where he graduated from Mendham High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, and a Master of Business Administration from Fordham University in New York City. Ed has also earned certifications as a Registered Securities Representative, Accredited Payables Manager, and Certified Treasury Professional. Ed has been married for over twenty years and has two children.

Ed has been fortunate to spend 23 years of his life developing financial solutions for consumers and businesses while working for world-class organizations, including The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Citigroup, and Mastercard. While at Mastercard, he taught personal money management skills to younger generations through his involvement with Junior Achievement.

Ed is passionate about helping younger generations (including his own children) learn how to manage money to become financially independent and achieve life goals. He personally developed the methods presented in his book, FOLLOWING YOUR MONEY, and has been using this playbook to achieve financial success by following his family’s money for over 20 years. Ed founded DIYmoneytrack.com as a central resource for financial know-how and as a way to stay in touch with readers who may need personalized guidance.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest (and only book thus far) is Following Your Money: The definitive money management playbook for millennials and their parents. My inspiration for writing it was my experiences talking and teaching younger generations, including my own children, about managing money. Many don’t learn it (see financial literacy stats), and most don’t apply it the right way even if they know something. I developed my own methodology and believe it will help others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t call it unusual but I can only write in my bare feet. No socks!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Suze Orman, Elizabeth Warren, Tom Stanley/William Danko

What are you working on now?
My blog (DIYmoneytrack.com) and next book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hard to say as brand new author, but hopefully Awesomegang. My wife and I have a pretty big social network so that helps as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be passionate and proud of what you produce. Makes it easier to promote!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t finance a depreciating asset.

What are you reading now?
Online Business from Scratch – Matt Paulson

What’s next for you as a writer?
More blog posts, then 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?
1. How to survive on a desert island (is this available..?)
2. How to build a raft
3. My book

Author Websites and Profiles
Ed Downs Website
Ed Downs Amazon Profile

Ed Downs’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Election 2064 series is largely informed by today’s current political climate, with a speculative twist. The main question it asks is whether we’re prepared as a society and a country to face the monumental challenges of the next century.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Too many to count! I like to read a chapter or two from whatever book I’m reading, to get me into a literary flow, and then I listen to some hype music.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up on Stephen King and fantasy sagas from Raymond E Feist, David Eddings, and Piers Anthony.

What are you working on now?
Election 2064: Book Two will be out sometime in 2018! (likely late spring/early summer)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged, ever.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Your first draft is gonna suck, but it’s ok. And, you can’t edit a blank page.

What are you reading now?
Fonda Lee’s Jade City and Stephen & Owen King’s Sleeping Beauties.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After Book Two in the Election 2064 series, will likely work on another sci-fi project that has been kicking around in my head, before going back to finish the saga.

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 Stand, Stephen King
Dune, Frank Herbert
The Last Ship, William Brinkley
All Our Wrong Todays, Elan Mastai
Lucifer’s Hammer, Larry Niven

Author Websites and Profiles
Scott McDermott Amazon Profile

Scott McDermott’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written five books, with three currently in publication. I’m hoping to have the fourth book published before the end of 2017.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is called Deceptions and Lies, and it is the fourth in a series about a half-alien who was raised on Earth. The entire series is character driven, which is likely unusual for a Science Fiction series, but I prefer the mystique of character driven fiction.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Only that I have difficulty finding time and place to write. Inevitably, I have to stuff plugs in my ears while my significant other watches TV so I can get a little writing time in.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My two most favorite authors are Scottish, and unfortunately, both have passed on. Dorothy Dunnett wrote incredibly dense and layered historical fiction, and I learn something new every time I re-read her novels. There are numerous Facebook pages dedicated to her fiction. Iain (M.) Banks wrote both Science Fiction and regular fiction (although his fiction books are a hardly what one might consider as regular). His characters are quirky without being off-putting, and the plots are remarkably different than most writers.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the fifth novel in the Commonwealth Counter Terrorist Task Force series, but I don’t have a title yet: not even a decent working title, calling it unimaginatively Book Five. As I am working full time at the DDJ (dreaded day job), and trying to get Deceptions and Lies published, it is slow going.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still trying to find one. I’m not good at self-promotion. Being heavily introverted, I’m don’t like to talk about myself. Easier to write it, however.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to write what you want.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write; write; write, then write some more.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading a mystery book by an Indie author, and I’m listen to another mystery on Audible. I can do that at work–hence the DDJ.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping to have the last 3 books of my series written in the next 2 years (five and six, then a pre-quel). Then I may try my hand at a different genre. I have more ideas than I have years left to write 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?
This would be tough as my fav author has written 24 books, which I re-read all the time. I’d just have to bring my Kindle with everything loaded onto it.

Author Websites and Profiles
P. E. Sibley Amazon Profile

P. E. Sibley’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Tori and I’m twenty one years old. I was raised in a small town and still live there. I am majoring in art education. I have written two books, Broken Souls and Christmas on the Beach, and am working on writing a third book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Christmas on the beach, and it is available both on its own and in The Snowman Anthology. It was inspired by Jekyll Island, a small island in Georgia that is like a second home to me,

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often write everything down on notebook paper first before typing anything up.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephanie Meyer and J.K Rowling are very influential, though I tried to keep things on a lighter page for my most recent book.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on The Skeleton Lady, which will likely be a combination of horror, romance, and possibly thriller

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up if one publisher doesn’t like your work, believe in yourself and ,submit it to as many publishers as possible or publish it yourself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what you love and what makes you happy. You don’t need to live your life to please other people as long as you’re happy with yourself and who you are.

What are you reading now?
I was rereading a book called Shiver, but I haven’t had much time for reading lately besides my textbooks.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to write as many books as possible because I have a whole list of ideas, so I will just try to continue with my writing and improving my skill.

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 a book with instructions on how to get off of the island, a book on how to get rich after leaving the island, and probably The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman because I really love that story.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tori Wilson Website
Tori Wilson Amazon Profile

Tori Wilson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written several books, but my latest are The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, a spooky ghost story novella told from the point-of-view of Lizzie Borden’s doctor – and Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter – which shares why Lizzie Borden killed her father and stepmother on August 4, 1892. What if they’d become… zombies?

An FYI: 2017 marks the 125th anniversary of the Borden murders. Lizzie Borden was indicted for the murders of her father and stepmother on Dec. 2, 1892.

(The Lizzie book will be on sale on Kindle Dec. 15-Jan. 7, 2017. I will also be putting the Dr. Bowen book on sale.)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Haunting of Dr. Bowen came out in July. After writing Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, I began thinking how Lizzie’s doctor could have been affected by the murders and the city’s bloody history. It’s a spooky mystery and ghost story plus a love story. No zombies in this one, though.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Other than sitting in front of the laptop – all day?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love reading scary books to mysteries and historical novels. Stephen King, of course. Jonathan Maberry’s zombies. Mystery author Jean Rabe’s characters; the spooky descriptions and monsters of Stephen D. Sullivan. I read a lot and across many genres.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2. Progressing along…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a blog http://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com which gets a lot of visitors and I also like to share other authors’ work. I also like visiting various writing sites like this one.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what your heart tells you and don’t give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your own dreams, not someone else’s.

What are you reading now?
Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson, a charming prequel of the Anne of Green Gables books. (I love the movies!)

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. Keep publishing.

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?
That’s a hard choice. A Bible would be good. Something about Tudor England. A zombie book and?

Author Websites and Profiles
C.A. (Christine) Verstraete Website
C.A. (Christine) Verstraete Amazon Profile

C.A. (Christine) Verstraete’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Lisbon, Portugal and until this moment I have published two books.
The first book is a nonfiction one, “The Volunteer Work”. After that, I have published my first fiction book entitled “Hypnosis, a Return to the Past”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My fiction book is entitled “Hypnosis, a Return to the Past”.
I have been inspired by places and people of my childhood to write it and on my inner questions and curiosity about the potentiality of the human mind.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to have a hot drink near me as I write. I’m more creative in winter!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
During many years I´ve devoured the books of Isabel Allende, and nowadays I appreciate the few Portuguese writers, such as João de Melo, who fall within the literary genre, magical realism. Also “The Grapes of Wrath” (by John Steinbeck) is a book that represents, for example, a true journey to consciousness and the human soul. This book has inspired me.

What are you working on now?
I am currently finishing a book that talks about a righteous man, who wants to bring justice to the world.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I always try to see which are the sites that can best disseminate books, especially by literary genre, and all the others where you realize that there is a structure for such publicity to succeed.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be persistent and believe in your project. There are readers for all kind of books in this world!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I was given was to believe in my work and my talent.

What are you reading now?
I just read a book by a Portuguese, Author very well known, Vitorino Nemésio, “Bad Weather in the Channel”. At the moment, wanted to start reading, Orion, by Mário Cláudio.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to write, trying to decode the human soul.

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 with me, “The Grapes of Wrath” (by John Steinbeck), “My Kingdom is not of this World” (by João de Melo) and “The House of the Spirits” (by Isabel Allende).

Author Websites and Profiles
Maria Inês Rebelo Website
Maria Inês Rebelo Amazon Profile

Maria Inês Rebelo’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I studied creative writing at Middlesex University in London, and since graduating in 2006, I have worked as a writer and editor for various publications. I published my first book, the satirical novella “FAKE NEWS: Strange historical facts reimagined in the world of Donald Trump”, in October 2017, and I am currently completing the final edit of my first full-length novel, a satire about hipsters.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Last summer, my wife and I went travelling in China, and reading about British colonialism while we were there gave me the idea for “Fake News”. I contemplated how decisions that were deemed reasonable in the past are considered appalling and totally unacceptable today. And I thought that writing a satire in which current world leaders take outrageous decisions that are based on “reasonable” actions from the past would be a great way to convey the magnitude of terrible events that happened so long ago it can be difficult to really emotionally connect with them. As I developed that initial idea, I decided that by focusing on offbeat and amusing historical events instead of serious ones, I could turn this into a satire about Donald Trump.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Years ago as a freelancer, I used to sometimes stick to a 9-to-6 routine – but starting at 9 in the evening and finishing at 6 in the morning… But now I just try to fit in an hour of writing before I go to work, maybe a few hours afterwards and then the bulk of it at the weekend.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Chabon’s writing greatly influenced me – I remember reading “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” and “Wonder Boys” and thinking that’s how I wanted to write. The same goes for Edith Wharton, whose style I tried to imitate when I was younger.

What are you working on now?
As well as finishing editing my hipster novel, in which dog walker Archie Fairfield is let off the leash in Dalston, I am writing another politics-related satire.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have only just started promoting “Fake News”, so I’m not sure yet.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
With regard to the writing process, I think it’s important to be ruthless when editing your own work and not hang on to passages just because you’ve written them and are fond of them for one reason or another – if they are not absolutely essential to the narrative, delete them, even if it means losing thousands of words. When it comes to promoting your book, a strong social-media presence is essential.

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

What are you reading now?
“The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” by Tom Wolfe.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will keep writing satires and humorous novels – I’ve got enough material to keep myself busy for a few years.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d take “Wonder Boys” by Michael Chabon, “The Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey and – since I’m very much into music from the 60s – Barney Hoskyns’ “Hotel California” about the music scene in L.A.’s Laurel Canyon.

Author Websites and Profiles
David Hutter Website
David Hutter Amazon Profile

David Hutter’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have co-authored 3 books with my older brother, Lincoln. The books are Rebellion, Vengeance, and Onlsaught-making up the Rebellion Trilogy. I have one more in progress that will hopefully see fruition!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last book published was Onslaught: Book Three. It was the culmination of the trilogy and all of the characters are able to finally marshal together and put aside their differences.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if this is unusual, but sometimes I start planning out a chapter while I’m laying in bed (trying to sleep) and eventually have to sit down and flesh out the ideas before I lose them. One night I woke up at 2am and typed 15 pages!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up watching and reading the Lord of the Rings. I used to reread one book every summer. Tolkien was definitely one of my biggest idols.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a sci-fi/fantasy clash where survivors of a wreckage learn to survive on a new planet, and of course discover treachery along the way.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have an online method yet, but I definitely recommend this one. I would recommend trying a little bit of everything-book signings, online promotions, conventions, etc-just put yourself out there.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t delete what you write! Lincoln and I deleted Rebellion…a few days later we were fishing it from the recycling bin.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just do it. Don’t worry about what anybody else is going to think about you. If you have to do it, you have to do it.

What are you reading now?
Wool by Hugh Howey

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully I’ll keep writing and churning out short stories and full length novels. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop writing.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s a tough one. Probably a book on plant identification (so I can eat), and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ethan Proud Website

Ethan Proud’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a high school art teacher by profession but writing and reading is my passion. I started off writing on Wattpad and was discovered by AfterHours Publishers there. I currently have eleven books on Wattpad and I have four published books available on Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Legally His. I have always liked a good mystery and I’m a sucker for romance that is laced with a little bit of a wild side to it. I wanted to create or tell a story about a female who is strong-willed and believes in what she does despite the disapproval of many.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on a whim so even I don’t know how my books will really end most of the time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Christine Sapphire Grey, Sunny Giovanni, and L. B. Keen

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a supernatural romance, that centers around one of the seven tribes of the Cherokee.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in yourself and keep at it even when you get bad reviews. Dust yourself off learn from it and do even better in your next book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not every bad review is a true reflection of your book or work.

What are you reading now?
What Pharaoh Wants(series)- Marcelle Sixx

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing and keep writing

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Fated to Bleed (series)- Christine Grey
Enid Blyton stories
What Pharaoh Wants(series)- Marcelle Sixx

Author Websites and Profiles
Zinzile Gordon Website
Zinzile Gordon Amazon Profile

Zinzile Gordon’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I had a master’s degree in public relations and was working for a tiny PR firm in 2016 when I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Everything was terrible. Luckily, my wife has a good career and I was able to quit my job and give writing a try. I’d always wanted to write but it was easy to make excuses.

My perfect day consists of a morning run, some PB & J for lunch and NBA basketball in the evening.

Unholy Revelations is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is Unholy Revelations. The story’s premise had been in my head since college, and I’d actually attempted to write it twice before graduating. I’ve always liked horror books and been intrigued with the idea of possession. I wanted to take the idea of possession and give it actual consequence. Not just isolate it within one person or one family.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite book is 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. There is so much detail, but none of it is unnecessary. I try to think what would add to the reader’s experience, whether it’s a character’s food choices, etc. It’s a balance.

What are you working on now?
I just finished my first novel, Little Big Brother. It will be out soon. I’m currently working on a book called The Horologist.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first book, but from my research, I love sites like Awesomegang. They make it easy to promote my work and I’m able to provide some insight into why I think readers will like it. I also use Twitter, Reddit and LinkedIn.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. When I’m stuck, the best thing I can do is write. Even if I don’t use any of it, it can lead to the next scene or I may surprise myself and write something amazing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t let fear dictate your actions. It’s okay to be scared, but it shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want.

What are you reading now?
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More novels. I wanted to get Unholy Revelations out of the way because it had been in my head for so long. It was a good starting point because it’s shorter and I’m getting a good idea for what promoting my own work will consist of.

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?
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons. The Harry Potter series counts as one book.

Author Websites and Profiles
Arsenio Franklin Amazon Profile

Arsenio Franklin’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am currently writing a gonzo journalism series that combines my personal experiences with real journalism. In addition to each novel in the series, I am writing an article to submit to law reviews. “Mouschwitz”, my latest novel, is my third. The previous two are called “Hell’s Angels Revisited” and “Fear and Loathing in the Mormon Church”. I am currently finishing up my fourth novel, entitled “Bartians”, about the queer Southern experience.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is named “Fear and Loathing in Mouschwitz”. I based it on my real life experiences working for Disney and in the entertainment industry. I have been greatly inspired by the people who have come forward to share their stories about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, and so I am now sharing mine. Additionally, while I was at Disney, I worked on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, and I thought writing the novel in a gonzo journalism style would be a nice homage to Hunter Thompson’s gonzo legacy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I pre-write for years and years before I start the actual manuscript. Once I start with the manuscript, I’m at my computer for 15 hours a day, often up late into the night. I’m a real work horse when it comes to writing. Also, it helps to keep a joint around for inspiration. Anything is on the table, really.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hunter Thompson is a huge inspiration. I grew up loving the beat writers – William Burroughs, in particular – and I often try and emulate the maniacal poetry of his work, often using his cut-up method. Probably because my background is in theatre, I am massively inspired by playwrights: Suzan-Lori Parks, Edward Albee, Tony Kushner, to name a few. I used to type out Albee’s plays when I was younger, word for word, just to feel what it was like to write amazing plays like he did.

What are you working on now?
I am just finishing my fourth novel in the gonzo journalism series, “Bartians”: Fear and Loathing in Terrence Malick’s Cortices, about growing up queer and in the South. The title comes from the word people use to describe people from the city where I went to high school, Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The city has been used by many artists, including filmmaker Terrence Malick, as a token of Americana and the good old days. My experiences in Bartlesville were, I’m guessing, quite different and quite darker than Terrence Malick’s, and I want to provide visibility to how difficult life for queer people in the South can be. After that, I’m starting my fifth novel “Fear and Loathing on the 2020 Campaign Trail” and a collection of plays.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Check out my blog for my latest updates. I post “deleted scenes” and book previews all the time. Http://raindropsonrosesmedia.blogspot.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Your writing is often a reflection of the live you choose to live. The best thing you can do for yourself is to live a life worth writing about. Take risks. Have something to say that will mean something to other people. Don’t be afraid to get your nose dirty for a good story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The playwright Steven Dietz, who I had the extreme pleasure of working with, has a philosophy: write what you don’t know. So many writers try to write about what they know, but great authors explore the unknown.

What are you reading now?
“The Master Builder and Other Plays” by Henrik Ibsen.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working hard to raise awareness for my book and promote discussion about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry. As someone who is not a celebrity, it has been an eye-opening experience to see how little people will listen to you when you come forward with your own story about harassment. I will be doing some podcasts when it gets close to awards season, and I have been speaking with a few reporters at THR and Variety about my experiences. We are trying to get enough word of mouth out about “Mouschwitz” to get an article 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?
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Allen Ginsberg’s collected poems
Any play anthology with Brecht’s “The Caucasian Chalk Circle”
And Chelsea Handler’s “Are You There, Vodka?” for shits and giggles.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer based in Nairobi, Kenya. I am a journalist by profession and I worked in print for years as a magazine columnist, editor, and later on as a regional newspaper columnist. However, storytelling in form of fiction was always my first love. The Other Side of Me, Part 1 is first published book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Other Side of Me is the title of my book. It is inspired by the frustrations young people go through trying to find and keep a job in the flooded job market. In Kenya, the youth make up almost 70% of the population and the competition in the job market is cutthroat.

There have been a number of actual stories of young people getting into gangs and carrying out some daring heists. This story is inspired by one such couple who were both killed by police in a shoot out.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Does waking up to write in the middle of the night count? I believe the subconscious mind is always working and sometimes I wake up with such clarity about how the story should go that I just have to get up and get it down.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Danielle Steel has influenced me the most. Other writers I love are Barbara Taylor Bradford, Sidney Sheldon, and Penny Jordan.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the second part of my book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have just published my first book and I am still researching this.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just get started. With the first draft, just let it flow and edit later. And, write something every day.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write freely and from the heart without thinking about what people will think of it or of you.

What are you reading now?
Danielle Steel’s latest.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my book and keeping on writing.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Two Danielle Steel books, one Barbara Taylor book and one Penny Jordan.

Author Websites and Profiles

J.K Imathiu Amazon Profile
J.K Imathiu Author Profile on Smashwords

J.K Imathiu’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have finished two books. I am currently working on my 3rd and 4th books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called – ‘Conspiracy in the Sky: Cosmonauts and Moonbeams. The Inspiration came from an album I was working on, I needed some dialogue for a song, and it turned into a book!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I play the ukulele when I need a break or I go for a walk.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
H.G. Wells

What are you working on now?
The sequel to Conspiracy in the Sky. I have finished it, but I am now leaving it for a couple of weeks, before a read through. It is called – ‘Beyond the Dome.’

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am at a complete loss when it comes to promoting myself through websites, I am part of the last century and suffer from techno-phobia!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. What do you have to lose? It is easy to get you book out there, it is selling it that is the challenge.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I imagine this question is still referring to writing? Know your ending before you start to write, then all you have to do is fill in the gaps, simple!

What are you reading now?
How to design and construct Period Furniture by Franklin H. Gottshall.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am half way through a book on how to play the Ukulele, so I would like to finished 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?
How to survive on a desert island.
How to build a boat
How to grow Food
How to build a shelter

Author Websites and Profiles
Walter Miller Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a newly published author. Recently I published my first book on Amazon, but I have written the first trilogy for the Moonlit Lovers Series and I hope to continue writing the series if people find the over all story interesting.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Vampire Needs a Date is a book about the unlikely issues a being as charming and beautiful as a vampire could face when and if they decide to date. It’s like everyone else, only, instead of nearly 7 billion possible matches, they have to work a bit more to find someone that they could match with. The story of the series is about love and the power it has to make us leave our preconceptions aside, and just see the being (demon, vampire, werewolf or human) in front of us, and allow ourselves to just fall in love.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I like to write after breakfast and before lunch. I get a headache if I write before my morning coffee. I like to write near my three totems: a little bronze statue of Ganesha – the elephant Hindu deity that removes obstacles, a yellow beautifully decorated Mexican sugar scull and a crystal pineapple.
Although, for some reason, for my second series, which is a bit more adventure than romance, I seem to only be able to write at night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like everything. I am not genre specific. I have been influenced strongly by Anne Rice and Robert Jordan as a teenager. Later on, I have been deeply affected by Dickens and Dostoyevsky. But that is just to pick easy author names. I read everything. From Russian children’s fairytales to Meacham’s biography on Thomas Jefferson.

What are you working on now?
I am editing the second and third books in the Moonlit Lovers Series. Outlining the second trilogy within this series which I am very excited about.
I have also started working on a completely different world, an adventure-romance-time-traveling mash up with characters I’m really falling for, so, I’m definitely keeping busy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a newbie author, promotion isn’t exactly easy because you have to start from scratch. Being able to promote my book through places like awesomegang, goodreads, facebook and twitter really helps at this very early stage of my career.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I do. First: make sure you dream big but focus on today. Dreaming is motivation, but doing leads to success. Finish your book. If you’ve never finished the book, finish it. Even if you never publish it. My life changed after finishing my first book. It took 3 years. The year after that I wrote 5.
Second: listen to people who are doing it, and doing it well. There are so many podcasts out there that offer advice to authors both in terms of craft, creativity and the business of publishing that there is no excuse to be “in the dark” about your career as an author.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write your next book.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a crazy potpourri of books. I almost always read a few books at the same time. The biography of Bobby Kennedy by Chris Matthews, The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant by Drew Hayes, Montalbano’s First Case by Andrea Camilleri, Deep Work by Cal Newport and Motivation for Creative people by Mark McGuiness to name a few.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to finish the five novels I envisioned for Moonlit Lovers. I am excited about the series because I want to tackle many issue, but also just keep it fun – because allowing optimism and positivism in your heart is half the battle.
I am also curious to see how people will react to the very different series I am working on now about time-traveller adventurers.

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?
So difficult. Do I bring books I love and have read, or books I haven’t read but feel I really ought to?
The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoyevski. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. These are a must. I can’t imagine not being able to revisit these books because they are so deep and wonderful, one can never read them enough times.
I love biographies, so I’d have to bring my complete biography of Franz Liszt and also the hardcover special edition biography on Napoleon. And my beloved Meacham’s Thomas Jefferson.
But life can’t be that serious can it? I would also pick a good thriller and a book by Bella Andre if I could fit it in the suitcase

Author Websites and Profiles
Briar Devero Website
Briar Devero Amazon Profile

Briar Devero’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in San Francisco, raised in Seattle and currently live in the Netherlands. I came to Amsterdam in 2004 to study art history and never left!

I am an avid traveler and love to infuse my writing with experiences I’ve had and people I’ve met while backpacking around the world. I have three books out, two mysteries and a travelogue. Both mysteries are part of the Adventures of Zelda Richardson series. Down and Out in Kathmandu: A Backpacker Mystery is about an American volunteer in Nepal who gets entangled with Thai diamond smugglers. The Lover’s Portrait: An Art Mystery is an amateur sleuth ‘whodunit’ set in present day and wartime Amsterdam.

In March 2018 the third novel in the series, Rituals of the Dead: An Artifact Mystery, will be released. This time Zelda’s trying to solve the mystery of a missing anthropologist and find his ethnic art collection. It’s set in present day Amsterdam and Papua New Guinea in the 1960s.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have two new releases I’d like to mention. Notes of a Naive Traveler is a travelogue about my experiences as a volunteer and backpacker in Nepal and Thailand. It’s as much a cultural tour and adventure travel guide as a travel memoir. My six month long adventure through Asia inspired my first novel, Down and Out in Kathmandu. Only later, after readers expressed in interest in wanting to know more about volunteering and traveling through those countries, did I decide to publish excerpts from my travel diary.

I am also thrilled to announce the release of The Lover’s Portrait audiobook! My amateur sleuth mystery uses the context of an art exhibition to examine issues surrounding the restitution of looted art and the intrinsic worth of artwork, as well as core values such as integrity, perseverance and sacrifice. The plot line and several characters were inspired by art history lectures I attended while studying at the University of Amsterdam.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I prefer to write new text or do major rewrites while sitting in my favorite café in Amsterdam, one with views of the Prinsengracht and mellow dance music playing in the background. There I can tune out other people and focus on my story the best.

When I sit behind the computer to type in my longhand notes, the room has to be completely silent. I tend to read sentences aloud as I work, and depending on the scene, it can be embarrassing when my husband or child is in the other room and hears me talking to myself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My love of travel fiction starts with The Beach. I picked it up at a second-hand bookstore in Kathmandu, Nepal a few days before flying to Bangkok. Alex Garland’s descriptions of Thailand, combined with his fantastic story, made me realize I could use my experiences traveling as the basis for a novel. Several years later, Down and Out in Kathmandu: A Backpacker Mystery was born. I’m also a big fan of Bernie Gunther (star of Philip Kerr’s novels set in World War Two), Comissario Brunetti (Donna Leon’s novels set in Venice) and Stephanie Plum (Janet Evanovich’s hilarious detective series).

What are you working on now?
I am close to finalizing my third novel, Rituals of the Dead: An Artifact Mystery, and am getting quite excited to share it with the world! Art, religion and anthropology collide in this exciting third installment of the Adventures of Zelda Richardson series. It is an artifact mystery about Asmat bis poles, missionaries and anthropologists. I hope readers will join Zelda on her journey to discover the truth about a missing anthropologist and uncover a smuggling ring dealing in ancient artifacts.

The story line was conceived during my time as a collection researcher for a fascinating exhibition of Asmat bis poles at the Tropenmuseum. While searching through photographs and film fragments of Asmat tribes, missionaries and anthropologists working in Papua New Guinea during the 1930s through 1960s, I discovered a well-known Dutch missionary was one of the last people to see Michael Rockefeller alive. During their meeting, they’d made an appointment to meet again after Rockefeller returned from an acquisition trip upriver. The young American disappeared days later, resulting in one of the most famous unsolved mysteries of our time. That little detail about his un-kept appointment stuck with me and eventually inspired this novel.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is a great question; I wish I knew the answer! I promote my books in a wide-range of Facebook groups, on Twitter, Google+, and Instagram. I’ve also recently starting using book promotion websites and newsletters with success. Great book reviews posted by book bloggers with a large following also result in sales. It’s hard to know which one site or post garnered the most attention or resulted in the most sales. I see it as a cumulative effort. They are all ways to familiarize readers with my work and hopefully interest them enough to buy my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take the plunge and give it a shot, but be realistic about what is expected of you and what to expect from your sales. However you choose to get your book out there, realize that being published is only the beginning.

In today’s world, marketing is essential. Being an indie author means spending an absurd amount of time reaching out to, and connecting with, new readers. You must be prepared to learn about social media and spend time creating connections between your work and potential readers. Most weeks, I spend as much time promoting my books on social media or writing articles for other blogs, as I do working on my current manuscript.

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

What are you reading now?
I am reading a variety of travelogues and memoirs written by Western explorers and anthropologists who worked in Papua New Guinea. Though my manuscript is finished, I want to remain ‘in’ PNG until the editing phase is complete.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on continuing the Adventures of Zelda Richardson series and have no shortage of choices for where to take her next. In my desk I keep a ‘future story ideas’ folder that is rather full! I already have plans for Zelda to travel to Egypt, Costa Rica and Australia in future mysteries. Now it’s a matter of deciding which story line to pursue next. I may have to add more stamps to my passport while on research trips. Writing about an avid traveler does have its benefits!

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?
On The Road by Jack Kerouac. This is a book I have read many times and will continue to re-read because it reminds me to think outside the box and challenge social norms as well as peoples’ expectations. Besides, it’s beautifully written and contains several of my favorite book quotes, such as this line by Sal Paradise: “For life is holy and every moment is precious.”

I recently read the Fourth Edition of How to Survive on Land and Sea, as research for my upcoming novel. It is a survival manual first published by the US Navy during World War Two, yet is now used by hunters, yachtsmen, adventurers and even the Boy Scouts of America, when exploring the world. The extraordinarily explicit information is fascinating and simply reading their advice on such things as how to slash together a raft or carve a fish hook, makes me want to test it out.

The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt is an absorbing, magnificent novel set in Venice – one of my favorite places. The fabled city and many of her more eccentric residents form the soul of this book; art, opera and architecture are the main ingredients. If I was stranded on desert island, this book would allow me to once again walk along the canals of one of the prettiest and most mysterious places on the planet.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jennifer S. Alderson Website
Jennifer S. Alderson Amazon Profile
Jennifer S. Alderson Author Profile on Smashwords

Jennifer S. Alderson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
*Mischevious Grin*. I’m flattered you wish to know more about me.

On a serious note, I’m from Columbus, Ohio, but I also spent time growing up in Morganton, North Carolina. Growing up in both these places, I gained the perspectives of the ‘bustling city life’ and ‘rural country life’; both of these places are very dear to my heart and often influence my writing.

I started writing at a young age. The main reason being, the school I was attending wanted us to write in cursive, which I was horrible at; so to practice getting better, I wrote short stories, mostly westerns or medieval knights.

I have published two books, The Realm and The Realm: Rise of the Demon Prince. I began writing The Realm in 2010; it stemmed off of ideas and stories my dad told me when I was a child. I wrote the first book drafts on and off from 2010 until 2012; then in 2013, I began writing the first drafts for the second book. For 2014 and 2015, I was in college, so it became difficult to focus on The Realm books; during this span though, I wrote a lot of poetry and began flourishing with it. In 2016, I was extended a contract from Palmetto Publishing Group, and The Realm was published later that year, and then this year (2017), I published the second book, The Realm: Rise of the Demon Prince.

I have the two solo books published; it was always planned to be a trilogy, so there will be a third book. I do have two poems published; Let My Love was published in North Greenville University’s 2014 Mountain Laurel, and my poem, Box Full of Wishes, will be featured in Z Publishing’s anthology entitled, South Carolina’s Best Emerging Poets.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book would be, The Realm: Rise of the Demon Prince; it’s the second book in The Realm trilogy. What inspired it? I’m not really sure. Growing up, I always wanted to write and publish a trilogy; so after I released the first book, I knew there was going to be a second book.

With The Realm, there was so much I wanted to tell and show off because I felt I had to prove myself. When I sat down to write the second book, it was completely different. I had written the first and second draft in 2013 and 2014…well, here it is 2017, and after evolving and learning, I found the drafts repulsive. I decided to use parts of the outlines and some ideas, but I wrote two new drafts over a course of six months. I loved writing the second book; it was fun; and that’s what I wanted because if I enjoy it, then I know that readers will enjoy it, too. That’s what matters most to me is my readers; so I don’t want to produce garbage.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
*Snickers*. Who doesn’t? I don’t think writers have unusual habits, they just have their own. Personally, I enjoy sipping hot chocolate and listening to music, while I write, but I don’t think that’s unusual or too strange.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There’s three authors that influenced me, and trust me, it’s not all that surprising.

First would be J.R.R. Tolkien, I read his works in early middle school, and I’ve always loved the details and backstories; he has everything planned out, and it’s always fascinated me.

Second would be Robert E. Howard, and for those that do not recognize his name, he wrote the Conan books. I enjoy Howard’s Conan because of the descriptive nature; it paints the scene in your head, and it’s amazing.

Thirdly would be J.K. Rowling, I read all the Harry Potter my last year of college, and they blew me away; I was hooked on them and could not put them down. I love her work because she took something big, and perhaps complex, and she weaved it into something fun and not complex. Plus, her attention to detail is impeccable as well.

Obviously, I recommend all three authors, and you can see how they would influence any writer.

What are you working on now?
Multiple projects. Currently, I’m juggling a poetry book, a sports scandal book, and a children’s book. On top of that, I’m writing and researching for the final book in The Realm trilogy. There is also a few other ideas on the backburner, too.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
FaceBook, Twitter, and my friends. It’s nice to get on FaceBook and Twitter and be able to attach a link from Amazon or Barnes & Noble; books sometimes sell themselves that way. Friends and family referring my books is priceless though, and it is a strong tool that every author should use.

My publisher also has a hand in some promotion. I’ve finagled several interviews, like this, for myself, but my publishing house was able to lock a t.v. interview for me, and that was one of the coolest life experiences I’ve had.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Three pieces of advice that stick out in my head. Write daily; be your biggest critic; and constantly learn how to hone your craft. Do that and everything else will take care of itself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
*Smirks*. Cut back on the details. I enjoy description, and as I said earlier, when I wrote The Realm I wanted to cram everything I had into it. Several people read it, and they all echoed the ‘cut back on the details’, and it’s true. Not everything you have to say is important; get the important things across and then build from there. If you don’t, you risk boring the readers.

Coolest review I’ve ever had. One friend of mine bought The Realm, and when she sat to read it, she didn’t have high expectations, but it blew her away. Once I heard that, I knew I had to make The Realm: Rise of the Demon Prince bigger and better, and from the reviews I’ve heard, I was able to achieve that. Book III is going to have some lofty shoes to fill, but I’m ready to tackle it.

What are you reading now?
Bulfinch’s Mythology. The past few years, I’ve been on a mythology addiction, so I’ve been reading anything and everything related to mythology, and it doesn’t matter about the culture.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Publishing some work with Z Publishing. Possibly releasing my own poetry book in 2018. I will be releasing Book III of The Realm in 2019.

The Books on the Border event in Georgia was cancelled, but if it is rescheduled, you will more than likely find me there, too.

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 Hobbit, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and, this will sound conceded but, The Realm: Rise of the Demon Prince.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dakota McElhinny Amazon Profile

Dakota McElhinny’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written seven books as of this moment. The first two I consider a learning experience. Tale of the Music-Thief was my freshman publication. Then Last Wave followed, recently. Everything else is in rewrite-edit mode for the moment.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Last Wave which is in the process of being released. It’s about two of the last 50-odd people left on the planet. The idea was, what if humanity came to an end in a more slow way? What if everyone at some point was born sterile and humanity knew it was all at an end? How would those last people live their lives? From there I grew this story about Acharon and Sovelet and with rewrites and edits it became more than just the last people living their last days.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My worst habit is too many projects at once. Even though I’m working hard on one project I’ll get distracted by three or four others. I give them a little attention, but that slows down the primary project.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Andre Norton, Douglas Adams, Piers Anthony, Robert E. Howard, Edgar Allan Poe.
One summer, in high school, I read everything – that I knew of – that Howard had written. I had one album, Blue Oyster Cult’s Spectres, which I listened to over and over while eating bbq corn chips and drinking Dr. Pepper. For years after, whenever I heard the album or heard the album or had a Dr. Pepper, all those stories would come flooding back.
Other stories people might remember from their school days. The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, has always haunted me.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on the book that follows Last Wave. It has become a tetralogy that I call the Last Wave series. Book two is Last Dance and follows the same two characters from Last Wave, Acharon and Sovelet, as they make their way to New York to join the remaining humans in the Western Hemisphere.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on this. The sad truth is that it takes money to make money and so the more books I can sell, the more I can advertise.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Write often. Finish what you start. Don’t worry if your first couple of books suck and should never see the light of day. They are part of the learning process.

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

What are you reading now?
I am reading a non-fiction book called The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis. He wrote the book, Moneyball.
And then on my Kindle I’m reading Feed 2 by Nicole Grotepas. Dystopian future novellas – I’ve already read Feed 1 – where the micro-cameras that watch to keep us “safe” have also become entertainment in the reality TV style.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have several books outlined and one that I’ve written by hand. They are, for the most part, stand-alone, but I want to work on those while still trying to finish my Last Wave 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?
Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
Watership Down, Richard Adams
Master and Commander, Patrick O’Brian
(A History of Reading, Alberto Manguel. This non-fiction, but his writing is so beautiful, even after being translated into English.)

Author Websites and Profiles
Earl T. Roske Website
Earl T. Roske Amazon Profile

Earl T. Roske’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book, though I’m sure it won’t be my last. I’ve been working in cross cultural missions among the unreached for 27 years now and have many stories to tell and insights to share! I am passionate about sharing the good news with those who have never heard it before and very motivated to help others do that too! I am a trainer of trainers and love working with local church planters who then train their own people. I am a bit of an introvert, love gardening, reading, running, biking and hanging out with my husband and/or our amazing adult kids and grandson. I love all kinds of ethnic foods but am partial to Thai and Indian which makes it easy when I visit those countries. Most of all I love making disciples and watching their lives be transformed.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Faith to Move Mountains: Stirring Our Faith for Movements Among the Unreached. I co-authored this book with K. Sutter. I had just taken on a new leadership role and as I normally do each year in January, I was asking the Lord what he wanted me to focus on that coming year. I had a deep sense in my heart that I was to write a 30 day devotional to encourage church planters in the field to rise up in their faith to believe God for multiplying movements of disciples. I have faced the challenges of faith that come when working among the unreached and know first hand the discouragements and battles field workers fight to stay engaged with the vision of seeing a movement. I knew this was a God assignment so after talking with K. Sutter, we wrote the book. It was first printed in Asia and has just been published on Amazon so more can benefit from it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I enjoy writing and usually do most of my writing when I am bored with other work, or want to relax. Most Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons I can be found writing. Maybe that isn’t so unusual!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Maxwell’s books on Leadership
Ruth Haley Barton’s books on Silence and Solitude and Discernment
Peter Scazzero’s books on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
Don Richardson’s book Eternity in Their Hearts
Richard Stearns book A Hole in Our Gospel
Bruce Olson’s book Bruchko

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book about recent Christian movements in South Asia and the lessons we are learning from them. I believe this book will be a great help to those wanting to see disciple making movements in other parts of the world.

What are you reading now?
Cry of the Heart: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions about God by Dan Allender
The Broken Way by Ann Voscamp
Jesus Journey by Trent Sheppherd

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m planning to take a sabbatical from my other work this coming February to April. I’m looking forward to using that time to write and brainstorm some new book ideas.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
Lord of the Rings
Devotional Classics

Author Websites and Profiles
C. Anderson Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written 3 books and now working on two more others…

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Book is titled: “Declutter Your Mind: 9 Simple Methods to Eliminate Stress, Avoid Anxiety, Protect and Cleanse Your Energy”. I always try to search for simple methods to help people keeping calm and protecting themselves. All of them are tested on me and I had great results. So, now, I’m sharing with you, my dear readers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
))))Perhaps yes….Sometimes I wake up at night and write the text of my book. As I’m engaged in esoteric science, I do practices myself for spiritual growth, I use symbols for that, test them and only then include all material in my books. In the light of this I can see this symbol when sleeping and need to transfer it on paper in order not to forget)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read classic literature, especially french one. One of the greatest affect was after reading Zolya.

What are you working on now?
Now, I’m working on the second part of the book ” Declutter your Mind” than will be titled ” Declutter Your Home”. I’m absolutely convinced that not only your body, but also your home must be clean. I mean if we speak about energies, home aura cleansing.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like your site and assistance! Also I use facebook groups and other promotions for reader

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Of course I have – never give up and don’t be lazy. Try to fill every minute of your life with hapiness and joy!!!!!!

What are you reading now?
Now I’m reading Anna Gavalda ” Simply togather”. Anna is amazing! Just read: “…and you’re one of them. You… because you have such a gift for life. You grab hold of it with both hands. You move, you dance, you know how to make the rain and the sunshine in a home. You have this incredible gift for making people around you happy. You’re so at ease, so at ease on this little planet…”
Absolutely agree – the happier we are – the happier is the world around!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep on writing))

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
One would be Gavalda’s book, two other I’d take my books)))))

Author Websites and Profiles
Sophie Allison Website

Sophie Allison’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile