Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Dallas, TX. I love Texas. The weather is crazy, but the people are friendly. I graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA of Arts in Spanish. Mexico is my second home. My husband is from there, and I have family down there. I love the culture, the people and of course the food. I have three wonderful children and I love hiking and spending time outdoors when I am not writing.
Fantasy is my preferred genre to write in. There are no limits in fantasy beyond my own imagination. Anything can happen. Sunwalker is my debut novel. It is a YA Vampire novel. The first in a trilogy. Nightwalker, book 2, is set to be released in Spring 2018. I also just released a MG Fantasy novel entitled the Portal Keeper, in December 2017.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Portal Keeper is my latest book, it was just released in December. It is about a boy whose family is in charge of guarding a secret portal to protect the kingdom of Rastella. I had previously written a YA vampire novel called Sunwalker. It was too scary for my younger kids, so I wanted to write something they would enjoy. I had been toying around with doing something with a portal and came up with the idea for The Portal Keeper.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I need noise when I write. Whether that’s the tv turned on low or music playing in the background, it doesn’t matter. But I don’t like it completely quiet.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Brandon Mull. He is a middle grade fantasy writer. He does a great job at sucking you into his stories. I typically finish his novels in one sitting. I hope to write stories that do the same to readers.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Nightwalker the second book in the Sunwalker Trilogy. I am also working on a children’s series and I am just starting to outline the sequel to The Portal Keeper.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found having other authors promote my books works well. I try and connect with authors who write in the same genre and we cross promote. Advertising with readers who already enjoy fantasy works much better than advertising fantasy in a group who likes non fiction, for instance.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep working at it. It can be hard with ups and downs, but it is also very rewarding. Get your book out in front of people. The real work starts after a book is published.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Start a blog. I was hesitant to do this, not being super tech savvy. It has helped me bring awareness to other authors as well as help new readers learn about my books.

What are you reading now?
I am just about to start Brandon Mull’s Time Jumpers, it is book 5 in his 5 Kingdom Series, and I believe it is the last in the series. It has been a great ride so far and I know he will wrap it up nicely.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Just to keep writing. I hope to hammer out the final book in the Sunwalker Trilogy this summer.

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?
Count of Monte Cristo, Harry Potter and The Book of Mormon. All great books.

Author Websites and Profiles
S. T. Sanchez Website
S. T. Sanchez Amazon Profile

S. T. Sanchez’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a British male living in the English midland town of Leamington Spa. I have written three novels: Awake King Arthur; Cheating Karma and Zeezee, a Neanderthal Cop. Also two short story collections: Discomfort Zone and A Fistful of Shorts.
My writing straddles Humour and Horror.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Zeezee, a Neanderthal Cop. Inspired by the writing of Jasper Fforde who has a character in one of his books called Stig. He is also a Neanderthal policeman.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on a 1980’s Compaq LTE laptop, saving my work to floppy drive then uploading via my PC. I love the sound of the floppy drive when it starts up.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Harper Lee, Clive Barker, Jasper Fforde, Malcolm Pryce (Aberystwyth franchise), Stephen King. Michael Moorcock.

What are you working on now?
I have too many irons and not enough fire. There’s a sort of biopic based on my life and how the introduction and passing of a dog changed it. I started an autobiography of the late Randy Turpin (boxer) from beyond the grave called Call Me Licker. There is a series of short stories based on the reincarnations of a soul who was first born ten thousand years ago. I think that’s enough to be going on with.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have never really bothered a lot with promotion before apart from giveaways. However, I’ve recently set up a website and intend to run some Amazon ads to promote Zeezee.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be serious, and good. If you think you’re going to make easy money forget it. You are going to get a lot of kicks in the bollocks so be prepared. No matter how good a writer you are some people will hate your writing. Remember to make writing a habit and a way of life, not a way of making money.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The truth. Most professional writers live below the poverty line.

What are you reading now?
Harper Lee’s Watchman.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve cut back on writing and want to promote. People need to know my stuff is out there. I just want readers rather than money.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’m not religious but the Bible has some great stories. Fevre Dream by George RR Martin I’ve always wanted to read again. Michael Moorcock’s Dancers at the End of Time trilogy – that counts as one book? Anything by Philip Jose Farmer.

Author Websites and Profiles
Glen Batchelor Website

Glen Batchelor’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a 19-year-old college student currently residing in Mississippi, majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Psychology. After moving to the States from Hungary, writing has become an essential part of my life, and guided me through the hardships of dealing with changes and adapting to a completely new environment. I have published one book so far, but there are many more other projects I am working on right now, that I would like to launch in the near future.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first) book is called 365 Sleepless Nights. It was inspired by the challenges and feelings I’ve experienced last year and maybe even a couple years before that. Moving to a place where no one knows you makes you question everything that you thought you were. It’s been a long process of healing, and I still don’t know exactly where this road leads, but hopefully, things will change for the better.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have synesthesia because of which letters and words (as well as many other things) have colors in my head. When I’m writing a poem, I always try to select words that are in the same color scheme, so they make a beautiful, harmonic picture together. When there’s a specific feeling that I want to describe, I also match the colors of the words to the colors of the given feeling. It’s a very weird thing, I wish everyone would see my work the way I see it, because then they could understand how many layers and careful construction each of my writings include.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a kind of a photo book and its sequel. It’s a very new and experimental genre, I think. We’ll see how it turns out.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am trying on Instagram (@viktria.4), but it’s not very efficient yet.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No matter how weird and different your idea is, as long as it’s honest, you should go for it without any fear.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Trying to get to as many people as possible. I want my writing to get to the people that need it. I’ve always been seeking for answers in books, but haven’t found many. Hopefully, I can provide some for others.

Author Websites and Profiles
Viktoria Papp Website
Viktoria Papp Amazon Profile

Viktoria Papp’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m glad to meet each of you. Currently, I have six published novels and two anthologies, one of which is being released currently. I have ten other books which I am in different stages of work, some nearly finished while others I only have the story in my mind.

I grew up in small towns for the most part. That really made me appreciate that type of environment. I still remember being in fourth grade, having my horse tied up in the backyard. I would get up early before school to ride my little mare Raven. I’m sure I would show up with horse hair all over my butt and smelling like horses since I rode bareback as I could not afford a saddle.

As I got older, I found I liked to read. My favorite genre was fantasy but I dabbled in westerns and adventure series. I love series. I hate it when my story ends. I think that is why I prefer to write novels in series. I feel for the reader who would not want their story to end.

In the nineties, I bought a bookstore, I was in high heaven. It wasn’t long before I had read over 500 books, mostly fantasy. Later I decided to write my own books. After spending a couple of decades dabbling in physics, genetics and philosophy, concentrating on consciousness, I began to prepare to write my stories.

A lot of my stories bring into light the knowledge of a hidden potential of humans and some of the hidden knowledge of our species and the history of our planet. Presenting these things hidden within the storyline makes for very interesting reading. Recently I published a book concentrating on hidden knowledge about our species called The Steps to Building the 7th Sense. A workshop in Australia has been developed from this book to be presented to the public up in the Blue Mountains area at an ashram.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My recent book which is just now being released is ‘The Hybrid Anunnaki’ which is book two of The Disclosure Files. The first book in the series called ‘Assassinating Custer’ which is based on the manuscript of William D. Nugent, is what inspired me to write this one. William had written a manuscript back in the early part of the twentieth century. He tried a number of times to get it published but each time something or someone would interfere and stop the process. He spent the rest of his life trying to tell the story about how Custer was set up to take the fall for Little Bighorn. What I found was that there was a much larger conspiracy taking place with President Grant with Custer being caught up in the events. An easy scapegoat was what he became as President Grant got his way. A secret war was transpiring with President Grant at the helm. This was proven in our Supreme Court and the government ordered to pay restitution.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I generally line out a story in my mind. I like to let it stew. I want to give my full potential into developing the story. After it settles into an outline of events I like to create the cover of the novel. This motivates me to write the story. Every day I can look at that cover to remind me of the storyline which I had in my mind that day. I love to write in first person perspective. This allows me to step into the shoes of the characters. Become the characters for a time. It is very challenging and very appealing to me. It allows me to stretch my mind so as to be able to imagine being that person.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, David Eddings, Raymond E. Feist, Stephen R. Donaldson, R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman and many others. These were some of my favorite writers in fantasy. Each one has their own place in my heart and their unique effect on me which molded my style of writing.

What are you working on now?
There are ten books which I am working on at the moment. Four of them are collaborations with other authors, while one is a movie screenplay which I am rewriting and releasing as a novel. Two of them are based on real-life individuals and the unusual events which played out in their lives.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That is what I am learning. Promoting books these days is a problem unless you devote a major budget. So what works? That is what I am studying. I have attempted a number of marketing companies, most of which have had no effect or very little. I am continuing to experiment with others, including Facebook marketing, which has not had good results yet. Of course bad results can be had because of bad marketing literature or graphics or other problematic issues, but i’m going to figure it out. It is only a matter of time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you are planning on writing a novel, the first thing I would tell you is, just start writing. If you never begin, you will never finish. A lot of new authors have trouble getting started. I have offered to help a number of new authors myself. I am actually writing four novels in a collaborative effort to help kickstart some of them. That has been an interesting set of events all by itself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Most marketing companies don’t work. That is the best advice I have ever heard. Read what other authors have to say about their experiences. This is one reason I came to Awesome Gang, they had topnotch reviews from other authors.

What are you reading now?
Coven of Wolves by Peter Saenz. Peter is a good writer who I met on the internet. He has become a good friend and given me a lot of advice. He is trying to get funding to turn his Coven of Wolves series into a TV pilot. I wish him well in his endeavor.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a lot of books to finish but one, in particular, is very interesting to me. Up in Mount Airey, called Mayberry from the Andy Griffin Show, lived a man named Neil Shelton. I am preparing to write his story. The real story. This man worked hard to become a millionaire to only have his wife decide to divorce him. It appeared she was having an affair behind his back he claims and she decided to take his kids from him and all his money by getting an attorney who was also a state representative. Her attorney told Neil that if he would hand over the desired money and take limited rights to his kids that everything would be fine. He disagreed and she told him that she would ruin his life if he did not change his mind.

He did not change his mind as he loved his children. That is when the nightmare began. Restraining orders issued, many arrests and all bogus. His business and money stripped illegally from him. A fake letter branding him as a terrorist sent to his wife. Then he found himself in jail for nearly a year all the while his fortunes being stripped while he could do nothing.

Writing the governor and state D.A., they refused to assist him even though he presented proof to them of his innocence along with proof of his wife’s attorney’s illegal activities against him. Not only that but the sheriff, banker, police chief, judge, court clerk and many others assist the state rep to illegally prosecute him.

Then they tried to kill him. He had to flee the state and go into hiding. Now he also began to create lawsuits to fight them. With the court clerk along with others still fighting him, he brought a film crew from Fox TV to witness the illegal activities. They captured footage of just that. Now Neil has many lawsuits against them all. He might even win them. If he can’t get justice in that state he will go to federal court where he will find justice.

As you can see this is a very interesting project and one I look forward to doing. We also have plans to make a movie about this story. Wish us luck.

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 think I would like to take James Mahu’s books. James is the author of the wingmaker’s site and his writing has always been very interesting. His experiences have been extra-ordinary and his identity might be one beyond words.

Author Websites and Profiles
Guy Lozier Website
Guy Lozier Amazon Profile

Guy Lozier’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just published my first book (besides a dissertation- in which I would die if that was the only thing I published in my life.) However, I have 8 books on my hard drive that I’m determined to finish in 2018.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
What to do when you feel stuck in your career: Getting off the hamster wheel and out of the box

This book is inspired by my journey from tenure-track professor to film score composer and finally, entrepreneur. It was a difficult transition for me, but I’m hoping that my book can help others navigate their own big life changes.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Academia really ruined my writing, so I often have to have conversations with others to keep my style casual and free of jargon.

I also have found that blogging to be helpful. That’s how I came up with the content for this book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
James Altucher’s “Choose Yourself” really changed my life… I wish I could “Marty McFly” myself back 20 years and make some major changes. Ha ha!

I consider myself a personal and professional development “junkie,” but this book changed my life in a major way.

What are you working on now?
I have about 8 unfinished books that I have to stop “procrastabranding.” I really just want to create, connect, and help people. I have to stop worrying about cover design, opt-ins, and URLS.
I am also a consultant and business coach for yourworkliferevolution.com, thesolopreneurstrategist.com, and Brainiac Bundles (where I put together joint-venture bundle sales).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll let you know. This is my first book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic.” She really got me to realize that writing a book is simply ‘creating a thing’ and not being so worried about the external rewards that will follow.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Choose yourself (which definitely applies to the self-publishing industry… Instead of waiting around for a publishing deal, simply open up a Word document, and start writing!)

What are you reading now?
At least 5 books:
1. Pop: Create the perfect pitch, title, and tagline for anything by Sam Horne
2. I need your love, is that true? by Byron Katie
3. Entre-balance by Jared Polek
4. Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson
5. Dot com Secrets by Russell Brunson

What’s next for you as a writer?
It’s my mission to finish the 8 half-finished books I have floating around on my desktop computer. I just need to create, connect, and GET THEM OUT THERE.

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?
Choose Yourself by James Altucher
Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb

Author Websites and Profiles
Melissa Slawsky Website
Melissa Slawsky Amazon Profile
Melissa Slawsky Author Profile on Smashwords

Melissa Slawsky’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just graduated college and I’m working as a programmer. I’ve written 5 books, only one of which is published right now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Glitch in the World. I was inspired by Philip K Dick’s masterpiece, Martian Time-Slip

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can only write late at night and in solitude.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Philip K Dick. Isaac Asimov. Orson Scott Card. George Orwell. Harlan Ellison. Robert Heinlein.

What are you working on now?
A sci-fi horror novel called, If the Stars Had Teeth

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads. You can easily find people on there looking for whatever your niche genre is.

What are you reading now?
Quantum Space by Douglas Phillips

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?
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick
Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell
The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov

Author Websites and Profiles
Alex Drozd Website
Alex Drozd Amazon Profile

Alex Drozd’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
While I’ve been writing for years, I only recently published my first full-length epic-fantasy novel. The first in what is turning into quite a large series!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Edelaine’s Folly: Book One of the Idoramin Chronicles. The inspiration itself has a bit of backstory. My son and I have always done this ‘thing’ where we tell each other this ongoing story, made up as we go along. We did that through all of his younger years. Once I started writing for more than just the two of us, it only made sense to grow that world and bring it to everyone.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a bit of a daily ritual before I start writing each day. If you’ve ever read The Morning Miracle by Hal Elrod, then much of it will be familiar. (and if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it!)

After doing all the morning rushing around, getting my son to school, cats fed, coffee made, I spend about 30-60 minutes on my ritual. I spend a few minutes of that in silence or meditation, I make a list every single morning of what I’m grateful for that day, and what my top three items are for that day. (think… what 3 things can I do today to make it a great day?) Then I get busy, whether it’s current writing, editing, art for covers or illustration or maps.

There’s a quote that I love about writing, and I find it is so true:
“I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning.” — Peter DeVries.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wow, all of them! I read daily, that is not only something I love doing, but, in my opinion, is part of my job as an author. I can’t hope to get better at my craft unless I do two things… write a lot, and read a lot.

I can say this, it was E.B. White, and then a few years later, Steve King that inspired me to become a writer. My love of books has been a lifelong love affair!

What are you working on now?
I am knee-deep in Book Two of the Idoramin Chronicles, which I expect to have published probably by February 2018 (if not sooner). I am also working on some smaller novellas that accompany the series and give people a much deeper look into the characters and world… but shhh, that’s not widely known yet!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, I must say, I love the Awesome Gang website! (and no, I’m not being paid to say it! lol)

There are so many ways to promote books as a self-published author these days! I of course keep active on my social media channels and on my website. I email my list of readers consistently and let them know what’s going on.

Marketing is one of those prickly areas for many self-published authors – especially ones just starting out because many of them don’t have a budget set aside for marketing. I understand that completely, but if there’s any advice I could give to aspiring authors — find the budget for it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t worry about the HOW… just worry about the DO.

I see so many people asking questions and saying things like: I have an amazing idea for a story, but I have no idea how to start!

I get it, I was there. But here’s how you start…

1. Open up a new document on your chosen software… Word, Google Docs, Scrivener, whatever it is you choose to use… or even a spiral notebook and a pencil… whatever is most comfortable for you.
2. WRITE!

Do not worry about writing the next great world-changing novel. JUST WRITE.
Do not worry about it sounding perfect, with the best grammar, punctuation, no errors, etc.,… JUST WRITE.

All of those other things, the edits, the fixes, and the polishing… that comes in your second draft. That is WHY there is a second draft!

Don’t think about it… just DO it. Besides, there are a TON of us authors out here that are happy to share our experiences (good and bad) to help out new authors.

It isn’t a pie where if I have one piece, then that’s one less piece for you. The world is our kitchen… we can each make our own pie.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From the one and only Stephen King himself…

“Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.”
— Stephen King

Oh, and the second piece… get an editor.
(and if you can’t afford an editor, at least use Grammarly, HemingwayApp, and beta test readers!)

What are you reading now?
I am re-reading — for the umpteenth time — Stephen King’s, On Writing. I read it several times a year at least. It helps keep me focused and I love how his story started out not so terribly different than mine or many others.

The other – fun – book I’m reading right now is The Burning Bridge, which is the second book in John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series. Those books started out as ones I bought for my son, and we are both huge fans of the series now!

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing… for as long as I can do it. It took me many (way too many) years to finally settle into my purpose, to finally give myself “permission” to chase that crazy, wacky dream of being an author. And now that I can call myself one, I’m certainly not about to stop anytime soon!

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?
Gah! Can’t I just bring my Kindle with its massive extra memory card full of books? I mean really… technically, it is smaller than an actual book… and I could rig up some solar power system to recharge it I’m sure (I’ve read up on that too lol)

Author Websites and Profiles
Morigan Shaw Website
Morigan Shaw Amazon Profile

Morigan Shaw’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My life as a writer began at sixteen when I first entered National Novel Writing Month. In a fit of madness I had that book released into the wild. I’ve since captured it and returned it to the darkness from whence it came. Since that day, though, I’ve written a number of (unpublishable) novels, and a dozen or so short stories.

In November 2017 I released Sentinel Code, the first book in The Dragon Striker Chronicles. A month later, I released the prequel novella to it, The Alchemists’ Bane, which is an exclusive download for mailing list subscribers. Now I’m hard at work on book two!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sentinel Code is my latest novel. It was inspired by Pacific Rim, steampunk, Russia, and dragons.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Brandon Sanderson is probably my #1 influence at the moment. Closely followed by Matthew Reilly.

What are you working on now?
The Dragon Striker Chronicles Book Two!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Inspiration isn’t sitting and staring at the wall until something clicks. Inspiration is sitting and WORKING until something clicks.” – Brandon Sanderson

What’s next for you as a writer?
To get a few books out in The Dragon Striker Chronicles and just 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?
#1 would definitely be the Bible (New International Version, to be precise).
#2 The Final Battle – C.S. Lewis
#3 The Way Of Kings – Brandon Sanderson
#4 Ice Station – Matthew Reilly

Author Websites and Profiles
Dan Van Werkhoven Website
Dan Van Werkhoven Amazon Profile

Dan Van Werkhoven’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I enjoy my solitude, albeit surrounded by my cats, and I’ve been living in the States for several years, where I’ve devoted myself to writing.
Reading, painting, sculpture and Italian opera are a few of my passions. They are not simply a hobby, they are also a true source of inspiration for me.
I served in the army for fifteen years, where I worked with numerous international agencies specializing in intelligence and the fight against terror. I took part in a number of missions to Africa and the Middle East. I’m currently security advisor for a large American firm.
I have already written 3 books in french language and I m currently working on the Red Fortress II.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Red Fortress which was a best seller in France
My stories spring from my real-life experiences and I hope you’ll feel that throughout this book and those to come. I primarily talk about places I know and scenarios, obviously fictional, which I know from experience could easily have been real.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really but I guess every writer is different. I write only in the morning and make no notes and no research since I know very well all the places I m talking about.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always loved reading and writing. This passion has its roots in classical French, Russian and American literature. My favorite authors are Kafka, Nabokov and, a little closer to home, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

What are you working on now?
The Red Fortress II since its a trilogy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I create videos and promote my work on goggle paid ad via You Tube.With the free promotion I get new readers and the word goes around.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Tough one.Just be persistent and believe in yourself. Furthermore makes sure you have
the right team with you.Graphic designer,proofreaders,marketing.

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

What are you reading now?
When I m busy writing a new book I do not read any other book but one of my favorite to relax Amerika by Franz Kafka

What’s next for you as a writer?
My next step is finding an agent and sell the book rights for TV adaptation.

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?
Amerika By Franz Kafka
Of Mice and Men By Steinbeck
One Hundred Years Of Solitude By Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Bible new testament

Author Websites and Profiles
Stephane Daniels Website
Stephane Daniels Amazon Profile

Stephane Daniels’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Noa Will a writer, an art expert .
She writes stories and plays for kids.
She was born in USA, but at the age 12 her parents moved to Italy.
Noa wrote her first tale about a magical owl when she was 7 years old. It determined her future. When she was a little girl Noa used to write books for kids and read them out loud in front of her family. When they moved to Italy, Tuscany, Noa became interested in arts and started to paint. However, writing was always the most important thing for her.
Publishing of story collection for kids became the beginning of her artistic career, but her main characters are always animals. She used to love them ever since she was a child herself… Her stories are based on humbleness, love of nature and spiritual values. Her tales help kids understand what is friendship and unselfishness, loving your family and appreciating the beauty of nature. Noa Will’s books for kids a written simply, the plots are very clear for a kid. Each story teaches something new softly and gently. It is not a lecture, but a fascinating story that takes the children to a wonderful world of adventures. She always writes about her characters together with her sons Mateo, 2 years, and Danny, 7 years. They are also always her first readers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
How a headstrong bunny caught the Sun

It is autumn, and the bunny is freezing in his hole. He decides to catch the sun to keep himself warm. He tries to catch it all day long, but the sun is too high. Then bunny takes a ladder and finally catches the sun with the rope. He ties it to his fence, and now he always feels warm!
But what about the other animals? Can they sleep at night when the sun is so close, and at night there is as much light as during the day?
And then the river dries out, and there are no more carrots, berries and no more food for poor animals in the wood! Because the sun is too close, and it dries everything. Soon the bunny is left all alone… What is he going to do? What is going to choose – being all alone, or letting go the sun?
Read the story and find out how headstrong bunny realized that being selfish doesn’t lead to any good. Kids will enjoy the adventures of the bunny and learn some very important lessons.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
no

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Divine Comedy bt Dante

What are you working on now?
Headstrong Bunny could outwit hunters .

This kid’s book is about an adventure of a headstrong bunny. On a winter day, our favorite headstrong bunny saw hunters who came to the forest. He warned all the animals, and they ran away. But the bear slept during the whole winter and didn’t know the hunters were coming.

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

What are you reading now?
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco

What’s next for you as a writer?
write new interesting books for children

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?
Robinzon Kruzo (Robinson Crusoe), One of the books by Umerto Eco, Reality Transurfing by Vadim Zeland

Noa Will’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an avid reader and writer, and love to cook, garden, travel, and spend time with my sister and her kids. I’ve written over a dozen books, but Regencyland is my first to be published. It’s book one of the Contemporary Reboot Series.

Because I write in several genres, my publisher recommended that I have a pen name for this series, which is Ellie Thornton. (I picked Ellie Thornton because I have two nieces named Ellie and my dad’s surname is Thornton. Also, Mr. Thornton, from North and South, is Dreamy.) My real name is Emily Clark. Aside from cozy mysteries, I also write thrillers, paranormal, fantasy, and dystopian in adult, YA, and middle-grade fiction. (I’m going to have a lot of pen names. Eek!)

I have a dog named Flynn (as in Errol,) and a cat named Weasley (he’s a ginger.)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Regencyland: The Bristle Park Murders. It was inspired by an idea I had to put a happy-go-lucky, troublemaker, who happens to be a genius (like Sherlock Holmes) in the roles of some of literature’s most famous brooders. E.g. Mr. Darcy, Edmond Dantes, Mr. Rochester, Dr. Jekyll, etc. And so was born Patrick Daley.

I became obsessed with the idea of seeing how someone who liked to be happy, even if it means causing trouble, would handle the plots of the previously mentioned brooders. It just struck me as funny and interesting. After that, of course, I wanted to create a twist for the famous women of these stories as well, which is why Elizabeth Shea is a police detective.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes and no.

I write for a living, which means that every day I’m at my computer. Not so out of the normal there. However, about once every other month, I take ten days to two weeks to write a first draft of a new novel. I’m normally a very healthy eater and love to cook, but during that two-week period, I can’t cook. It’s as if my brain can’t handle doing more than the writing. So, I either have to do some serious food prepping the weekend before I start, or buy instant foods. If I don’t have stuff ready, I’ll often forget to eat, which in turn makes me forgetful (ironic, I know,) and then I get yelled at by my family for not taking care of myself. Haha!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite book is The Giver by Lois Lowry, has been since I was twelve-years-old. It was the first book that really made me think, and it’s imprinted itself on my mind and heart. I just love it.

My favorite series is Lord of the Rings, followed closely by The Chronicles of Narnia. I’ve read both series several times. The themes of light and dark, and good and evil are amazing. And, I must say, that I am a sucker for stories with amazing friendships in them. Platonic love stories. Those are my very favorites.

My favorite author is Louis L’Amour and of his books, at least the ones I’ve read so far (he was amazingly prolific with close to a hundred-fifty books to his name,) my favorite so far is Last of the Breed. I also love Jane Austen and Sherlock Holmes and many of the reimaginings of their stories. Holmes’ crime-solving techniques are the inspiration behind one of my main characters in The Contemporary Reboot Series.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the second book in The Contemporary Reboot Series called Account 1314…. (Yes, there’s an ellipses. The account number is too long to use the whole thing.) It’s a modern-day retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Like Regencyland, it’s a cozy mystery/romance with a police procedural twist. Elizabeth Shea takes the spotlight in the first book, and my main male character (who has to remain nameless here so as not to spoil the first book,) takes the spotlight in the Account 1314…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My first book has only been out a little over a month, so I’m still learning about different ways to market. I’ve held a couple of contests that helped me to grow my email list and gave me spikes in sales, and when my book was first released I promoted it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well, but really the contests were the most helpful to date.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Rejection isn’t the end of the world. I swear, it isn’t. Learn to let it roll off you, learn to take it with a grain of salt, learn to bounce back quickly, and whatever other cliches you can think of. If someone doesn’t like your book, they’re not your audience. That’s it. Period. There are 7.6 billion people on this planet–you have an audience out there. Honest.

Don’t give up! If you have a story inside you, get it out. It’s incredibly freeing. Also, it helps with the insomnia. (Bonus!)

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you want to be a writer you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” -Stephen King.

What are you reading now?
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have the rest of The Contemporary Reboot Series to finish in 2018, but I also hope to release a non-fiction about the business side of being an author. Creatives know how to be creative, but being a successful author requires a business brain that often feels so out of reach. I hope to be able to help make that aspect of being an author easier for my fellow left-brainers.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My scriptures, The Giver, a Louis L’Amour book I haven’t read yet, and The Martian because it seems appropriate. I get to bring books (yay!) but only four (boo!).

Author Websites and Profiles
Ellie Thornton Amazon Profile

Ellie Thornton’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I did my Ph.D. in molecular biology from the university of Delhi, India. I was in Philadelphia, USA for a few years doing my postdoctoral research. I returned to Delhi but my heart is in Philly. I have written three books so far. The fourth one is on the way.
‘The Transfer Protocol’ is a science fiction thriller with a twist. ‘My Guru Girls’ is a passionate romance saga. ‘The Bald White Singer’ is an emotional biography of a pop singer who makes it big in the USA. I wish to write and entertain the readers till my last breath.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Bald White Singer’ is an emotional biography of a pop singer. His struggle and passion to make it big is the manna of the story. An Indian student goes to the USA for doing biology research but ends up following his heart, singing. The story will inspire you to achieve more in life especially during crunch situations.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I meditate before writing. That helps me in focusing on the moment. Does that sound crazy?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Books by Michael Crichton, Stephen King, Carl Sagan, Michio Kaku, Rabindra Nath Tagore, EL James, Danielle Steel, Paramhansa Yogananda inspire me to the core.

What are you working on now?
I am writing a children’s adventure book. It is code named ‘Night Bird.’ It will be released on Valentine’s day (14 Feb 2018) on Amazon and Kindle.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Blogger, Youtube and Email. I am trying hard to understand the book marketing mix.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read more write more. The elusive bestseller will come down the hill. Keep walking.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Live in the present time, take complete responsibility of yourself, don’t mix with toxic people.

What are you reading now?
‘Wine of the mystic’ by Paramhansa Yogananda

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am developing the skeleton of another scifi thriller with an unusual setting. It will be out by next Christmas.

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?
Books by Paramhansa Yogananda.

Author Websites and Profiles
saket chattopadhyay Website
saket chattopadhyay Amazon Profile

saket chattopadhyay’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jim Gaven is a husband, father, singer-songwriter, publisher, author, educator, and long-distance athlete who owns his own music publishing company, Key of Awesome Music and has recently broke into the children’s book scene. His love of telling stories through song as well as word-play makes writing books fun and educational for all ages.

His series, ‘All About Alliterations’ is available via Amazon and other digital distributors through America StarBooks and Lulu at: www.allaboutalliterations.wordpress.com.

Married for 5 years, he and his wife, Katie, have a 2 year old, Kieran, as well.

Jim is currently the Director of Music Programming at Allies, Inc., a non-profit organization who serves and supports developmental and physical disabilities.

His passion and love of music by helping others is something he is blessed to be able to do on a daily basis.

Overall, I’ve written at least 15 books (counting children’s books) as well.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Before Life’ was inspired by what happens to every human life before we are born. There are so many books, thoughts/ideas about what happens to humans after we die that I was interested to take a stab at what occurs before we’re born.

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

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tim Ferriss, E.E. Cummings, and Eckhart Tolle.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently not working on another book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Posting a short blurb on various Facebook groups that link back to: www.allaboutalliterations.wordpress.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Dig deep into the topic(s) that interest you. You’ll never know what you might discover about that topic as well as what you might discover about yourself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It doesn’t matter how fast you go as long as you never stop.

What are you reading now?
Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting more in to children’s books about alliterations.

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?
Tools of Titans
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Nothing is Impossible
The Power of Now
A Purpose Driven Life

Author Websites and Profiles
Jim Gaven Website

Jim Gaven’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a PhD dropout, for starters. Was doing Jungian psychology and continental philosophy. Really love it–still do–but I could tell pure academia wasn’t for me. So I left to pursue my true dream, which was to be a writer. I still do independent scholarship, and for practical paying-the-bills purposes I co-own a furniture shop in southern NJ.

‘Icons One’ is my first published novel. It’s the first part in a five-part series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the book is ‘The Icons of Man: Book One’. Suffice to say, it’s a lot of ideas that I’ve been brewing for a long, long time. It’s a pretty philosophical/speculative fiction kind of story, though it may not be very obvious from this first book, which is very action-packed and adventure heavy. But it deals with deep metaphysical themes about reality and life. Combine that with an alternate reality, an economy heavily dependent on a sports league where storm chases hunt soul-sucking thunderstorms, and you got yourself a pretty unusual story. I hope!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I get writer’s block I write longform. Usually tends to break whatever logjam I have. Something about the flow of pen on paper forces your mind to make a decision. Word processors are great, all the options the computer gives you, I wouldn’t trade for anything. But sometimes sitting there and seeing the blinking cursor can paralyze you; it’s too much. Pen and paper you can’t go back, you can’t edit. You just gotta go. What’s great is whatever I write on paper, I then transcribe onto the computer, so you already have one layer of drafting done.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to mention really. Michael Chrichton was the first big name who I read a lot of when I was a kid, obviously due to Jurassic Park. In sixth grade our teacher read Harry Potter to us every afternoon, and I remember her telling us about J.K. Rowling’s success story, and it was around that time I thought, “man that’s what I want, I don’t know how but I’m going to get there.” Her style had a huge influence on me, maybe more than anyone. As I got older I read loads of Iain M. Banks, George R.R. Martin, and guys like Zelazny and Herbert. The big epic writers were always who I was attracted to–if not them, then people who deal with big concepts, like Chrichton.

What are you working on now?
Icons Two and Three. I want them out as soon as possible. While each novel ideally holds on its own, this is one arching story, and I want to do that justice.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still figuring it out! But all I can say is making contact with other authors and readers, showing genuine interest in what other people are doing, seems to make the biggest difference of all. Social media is great cause we can spew our thoughts all over the place, but I don’t know if it’s really all that great for promoting. No one who doesn’t know you doesn’t want to hear about your pet project. It becomes an echo chamber. What seems to work is an older style of internet–the message board community, where people talk shop and show off their craft. I think that’s the way to go for the indie writer.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have an idea or theme you’re really in love with, or else it’s gonna be difficult to stick by your story through all the blood, sweat and tears it will take to write it, get it published, and then promote it. You need to be in love with your work, and know exactly why you set about sharing it with the world, or else you’ll either lose faith too soon or be be false in your own confidence. Your story has to be YOU on a core, fundamental level.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If it requires a uniform, it’s a worthless endeavor. –George Carlin

What are you reading now?
In fiction, Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. In non-fiction, When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Gaining ground on the next book and on promoting the first. Inch by inch, day by day.

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?
Beyond Good and Evil by Nietzsche
Spinoza: Practical Philosophy by Deleuze
Deathly Hallows by Rowling
Lost World by Chrichton

Author Websites and Profiles
Robert Langan Website
Robert Langan Amazon Profile
Robert Langan Author Profile on Smashwords

Robert Langan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I began the spiritual journey at age 16 because two Catholic priests couldn’t answer my questions about the shivers, energy I had running up my spine. Spent several years in Buddhism and authors, Hindu mantra and then over twenty years in Spiritualist healing, clairvoyance and empathy. After this moved on in Carlos Castaneda, American Indian symbolic and animal spirit magic, Gestalt and Zen. I use these today to help people and wish my books to assist in enabling you to be all that you can be.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Meditation. My methods of reintegrating mind and body.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I let spirit guide me as to what I write and a lot of my writings have come after a meditation session. My writing is about actual not book learned practises and events in my life.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Carlos Castaneda”, Hyemholsht Storm’s re American Indians, Evans Wentz and Lu Kuan Yu re Buddhism.

What are you working on now?
Another 4 books as well as getting out and practising and teaching what I have found true.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Too early to say.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t let the bastards grind you down.

What are you reading now?
This website lol.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting out and promoting books as well as turning e books into paperbacks and audio.

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?
None meditation feeds all my needs.

Author Websites and Profiles
matteo bernobich Amazon Profile
matteo bernobich Author Profile on Smashwords

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a retired Navy veteran with three novels published through my indie company The Pantheon Collective. I also have several publishing credits online and in print, from short stories to articles on exercise and writing. In my “day job,” I’m an exercise physiologist who prescribes exercise therapy for cardiac patients.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is entitled Tangled, a psychological suspense. While in the military, I witnessed all kinds of deviant behaviors from people you’d least expect, turning into mini-soap operas that begged to be told somehow. I’m also a sucker for those random headlines and videos that show up in my Facebook feed, describing something wild that was committed against a friend, lover, or family member. I can never resist clicking, and I was curious: Can I craft a story that’s as jaw-dropping as some of the stuff I’d read in a headline or seen on video?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve written entire essays for school and complete chapters on my iPhone. I still use my phone to write notes and chapters. I wrote about 80% of my non-fiction book Exercises for Older Veterans with PTSD on my iPhone.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always loved Stephen King, but Eric Jerome Dickey has been my greatest influence.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a novel about the problems associated with absentee parents and how their kids are impacted by their absence.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Engaging people on social media (specifically Facebook) has probably been the greatest promotional tool for me. I’ve met with book clubs, have had posts tagged about my books, started successful contests that led to sales, and posted videos–all through social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Always get a professional cover and edit!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up on your dreams. Sounds cliche, but still great advice.

What are you reading now?
Silent Lies by Kathryn Croft and Decadence by Eric Jerome Dickey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to release my fourth novel in 2018 while promoting new books from my partners Omar L. Harris and Stephanie Casher.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bible, Think and Grow Rich, and any how-to book about getting off a deserted island.

Author Websites and Profiles
James Lewis Website
James Lewis Amazon Profile
James Lewis Author Profile on Smashwords

James Lewis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
First of all, thank you for the invitation to interview with your blog. My writing background is that I have several different works published and upcoming, many of which fall under different genres. But as of right now, my main flagship work is my Dark Guardian Series. This is a three part darker vigilante/superhero series. It follows Ethan Daniels as he dons the mask of The Guardian, a vigilante who will soon be feared by the criminals and the corrupt. Reborn through fire, Ethan is armed with advanced skills, an arsenal of weaponry, and vast resources. His sights are focused on one thing, and nothing will stop him. Soon, he will rise from vigilante to hero. And from hero to legend.

My other major work is a historical novel, Memories Of My Future. This piece actually won a national award in May 2017 and has been met with a really warm reception!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Dark Guardian: Legends. It is the third part of my Dark Guardian Series, which was started by my first novel, Dark Guardian. This novel was inspired by the idea of “legacy”. What does it mean to be a legend? What does it mean to have a life which is a torch for others to follow? Those questions are what inspired the writing of this newest novel.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing process always begins with a theme. I ask myself, “Why should readers read this? What do I hope they get out of it?” As entertaining as I hope my stories are, I want them to hold some sort of moral lesson or theme for the audience as well. At the same time, I don’t want to slap readers in the face with this ‘theme’. Instead, I want to show it in the characters and story arc. So I take a lot of time in figuring out who my character are. As far as pre-writing goes, I probably spend more time fleshing out the characters than I spend on anything else. Many times, putting in the effort to create three dimensional characters is the separator between good and great work.
However, with that said, my writing process is very fluid. I like to try and create an outline before I go into the actual writing. But many times I find myself starting the first draft before I’ve even finished my outline. The inspiration comes in bursts so I try to capitalize on those bursts as much as I can. I find that being too stringent on my writing process can actually become a hindrance.
As far as inspiration goes, I honestly draw inspiration from everywhere. I’ve had a huge imagination since I was a child, so that is usually my biggest source. I have a hard time switching my imagination off, which can be a problem when somebody is trying to talk to you and you’re imagining a battle scene in your head! The other place I really draw inspiration is from the world around me. I try to stay observant because sometimes the best inspiration passes by right in front of you!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Honestly, I’m more of a fan of the classics and some of my favourites include Og Mandino, J. R. R. Tolkien, George Orwell, Harper Lee, & Mark Twain.

What are you working on now?
I’m not working on anything new at the moment. My agent is working on selling a couple of projects and I have two more in the process of being published during the first half of 2018, so doing the final editing and PR for those is taking up all my time!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for promotion is to take every opportunity you can get. You build a fanbase one fan at a time. Treat every opportunity like you are on Good Morning America, and people will sense your genuine appreciation, and will love you for it!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’ve learned a lot about the industry over the past few years. What I’ve seen is that along with filmmaking, it is probably the most subjective industry out there. A writer may spend months perfecting their story, putting their heart and soul into it, staying up the whole night working on it, only for an editor to reject it with a short sentence of vague reasoning. That’s what can make the industry very frustrating.
What I tell people who ask is that you need to write something that you believe in. Don’t worry about what others think about it. If you think it’s a great story and one that needs to be told, then write it! The other thing is that writers need to have thick skin. Editors and agents reject hundreds of works a day, so never take it personal. Even critics give bad reviews all the time. But if you believe in your work and did your best, then never let the opinions of anyone tear you down. Write stories that you’d want to read, regardless of what others say!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writers should always help other writers! Write what you believe in, even if no one else believes in it at the time.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading some graphic novels that a fan sent me for Christmas!

What’s next for you as a writer?
However, I have a police novel releasing March 2nd, 2018! It’s titled Ana Rocha: Shadows of Justice!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’m bringing 4 books about how to build a raft and get off the island!!

Author Websites and Profiles
Ammar Habib Website
Ammar Habib Amazon Profile
Ammar Habib Author Profile on Smashwords

Ammar Habib’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Albert Simon and I am a cooker with 10 years experience. I am pleased to say that the recipes I advise are very interesting and tasty. I hope everyone who looks through my books will have pleasure in cooking. I wrote 1 book but in the nearest future planning to make more books for you. Thanks for the interest, have a good day!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Here is the name of my book: 5 Ingredients Recipes for Slow Cooker: Be Busy – Not Hungry!
I was inspired by a cooking process as I am a chief cooker and really love my work!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As for me not, but you know in our beautiful world there are many different tastes of writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My father, he is also a chief cooker.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my next book.

Author Websites and Profiles
Albert Simon Amazon Profile

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

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have two latest books: The Witches of Villeneuve (sequel to A Provencal Mysery) and In Love in Ramapo River (sequel to Out of Stone).
The Witches of Villeneuve is a mystery set in a small town southern France. When the protagonist, Dory Ryan, moves to the small town of Villeneuve to concentrate on a research project during her sabbatical, she doesn’t find the peace and quiet she was counting on. Instead, next to the river, she finds signs of an ancient ritual. On the adjoining meadow, the townspeople hold rowdy carnivalesque festivals, which have a long history and not everyone appreciates. From her new American friend who has inherited the witch house, she learns of centuries-old spells. And then, a murder. The novel, as was A Provencal Mystery, was inspired by a year I spent in France doing research.

In Love in Ramapo River is set in a small town in New Jersey, eight years after the end of Out of Stone. Bobby, the foster son of Bruce and Marion Minton, is fifteen and in love, but his life goes terribly awry. Meanwhile Marion, her creative life as a sculptor stalled, goes west. Though she falls in love with New Mexico, she returns home. But New Mexico follows her.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to Paul Lewis playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #2 every time I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Ann Padgett, Jose Saramago, Doris Lessing, John Updike, Iris Murdoch, Barbara Kingsolver.

What are you working on now?
A novel called The Alley.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It changes all the time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day whether you feel like it or not.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read, read, read, but don’t copy.

What are you reading now?
Dance of the Jakaranda

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

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bible, Moby Dick, Wind in the Willows, a very large book of poetry.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ann Elwood Amazon Profile