Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a spoken word artist from California and I published Snake Season when I 22 years old. Writing has been my passion for over ten years and I have been previously published in magazines such as “The Larcenist Magazine”; “Miracle E-Zine”; and “Aaduna”.

When I was 10 years old I started writing songs, then when I was 12, I started writing poetry and from there everything fell into place.
When I was 15, I won my first poetry competition and was featured in the school newspaper along with attending a writers workshop. This was one of the best experiences of my life because I got the opportunity to meet real authors who signed my poem “Psyche Confession”.
From 2012-2013 I was Poet Laureate for LoneStar College.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Snake Season is the name of my latest book and what inspired it was my thinking over how substance abuse affects not only individuals- but families. I think it`s important to discuss why substance abuse is so prevalent among our society and I hope that this book strikes people to talk about it more instead of ignoring it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
That`s an interesting question. I never thought of me having any unusual writing habits but my question is: isn`t writing in general unusual? I mean, not everyone can pick up a pen and just spill.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Top favorite authors of all time are Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, John Donne, Oscar Wilde, and Emily Dickinson. Sylvia Plath`s writing style has influenced me because of her haunting-like character development in her poetry.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a sequel to Snake Season, a poetry manuscript and a memoir-psychology series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon and Facebook has helped me promote in some ways or another.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors is to not give up. It takes courage to publish your work because it`s YOU. Not everyone will understand your vision but if you have a good product then eventually people will believe in you. I`ve had my work rejected over 100 times and I have been published several times.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There`s a quote by Helen Keller that always stuck with me when I was a child ” I can`t do everything but I can do something. I refuse to not do that something that I can do”.

What are you reading now?
Ii am reading “Her Mother`s Daughter ” a memoir by Linda Carroll. Linda Carroll is the long lost mother of the renowned Courtney Love from my favorite band Hole. It`s an intriguing read.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What`s next? Obtaining my Bachelor`s degree in Psychology, producing more books and becoming a bestseller before I`m thirty. Hopefully before I`m 25 haha.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Holy Bible
The Dummies Guide to Surviving on a desert island
A notebook

Author Websites and Profiles
Imani “Clio” Lang Website
Imani “Clio” Lang Amazon Profile

Imani “Clio” Lang’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first! I am working on the second installment of the series now and will end up being a total of 4.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Meridian Chronicles: Hall of Souls & The Book of the Fairies
My inspiration came from real people in my life in terms of character inspiration. The story itself is relatable in reality however immersed in a fantasy world of folklore, myths and some different beliefs. The idea that we are all imperfect is a subtle message in the story in that not all who may seem bad are bad and not all that seem good are good. We all have a little of it all inside.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do not know what would classify as unusual. However my sons tell me I am unusual, so maybe someone can let me know if I am unusual with my writing habits:)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Cassandra Clare, Meredith Wild, and Hemingway (just interesting style he has)
Alice in Wonderland

What are you working on now?
Meridian Chronicles: Black Widow Curse & The Coven

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Good question, I am still trying to figure that out. Social Media is a must.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, keep writing and keep writing. I am still a new author and I am finding out that you have to wear a lot of hats. Marketing, webhosting, editing, proofing etc. but don’t forget to write!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Can’t place your self worth based on other people’s opinions.

What are you reading now?
Clockwork Angel

What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t know, as random as my mind is, I am sure there will be something. For now just this series.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A survival manual for how to survive in the desert
Something funny to read to keep up the good moral that I would somehow find a way off

Author Websites and Profiles
MD Fryson Website
MD Fryson Author Profile on Smashwords

MD Fryson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a native of Nashville TN. Married to a wonderful man since 2005, we have no kids only the colorful robots he collects and the Funko Pop Dolls of my favorite characters. In September of 2011, I began writing and independently published my first YA novel called Cascades of Moonlight, Book one of the Parker Harris Series the following May. My first book was a means of therapy as it enabled me to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in life. I have 6 self published Young Adult novels. In 2016 I joined the team of authors at Hot Tree Publishing. With Hot Tree I’ve released five books with a sixth book on the way.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Little Spark releases on March 31, 2018 this year. The inspiration to begin it came from an open submission call from Hot Tree Publishing for a series of books about rescue workers. At first I thought about writing about some hot sexy fireman falling in love, but I decided to go a little deeper. I started researching the number of women firefighters and found it was and extremely low percentage, only 4%, so I wanted to show how bad-ass these women are, just as tough and sexy as their male counterparts. And the character of Jillian Hartford, snarky firefighter and heroic woman, was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual habits, not really, at least they don’t seem unusual to me. I listen to music at work often and occasionally a song has inspired a book of mine, actually I have two books completely inspired by a song. I rarely use outlines. After I write a book I go back and jot down notes to make sure the timeline matches, but other than that I just sit and write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In high school I loved to read and I lost that love after graduating, or maybe I should say I lost the time. One day my boss came up to me and said, “You have to read this book” and showed me simple cover with two hands holding an apple on a black cover. I decided to give it a shot and I fell in love with reading all over again. Twilight by Stephanie Meyers is one of the inspirations for my first novel being a YA Paranormal Romance. From that moment on I’ve been reading everything I can get my hands on. Some of the others authors who influence me are J.K. Rowling, Stacey Rourke, Felicia Tatum, Brenda Pandos, Rachel Caine…I could go on and list so many.

What are you working on now?
Southern Devotion is my New Adult Contemporary Romance series. Currently I have three books available and I’m working on the fourth and final one now. I’m hoping to have it released by the end of 2018.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is what I use the most. My author page and different groups for books, as well as having people share my books. Book Blogs help a lot with promoting, as well as Goodreads. The best promotion is when people post their reviews for the books on Facebook to share with their friends. Word of mouth still works better than anything.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. It’s hard and it takes a lot of work, but stay at it. Don’t read reviews, it’s difficult not to, and though there are ones that will boost your confidence, you will occasionally get a crushing one. Not everyone will like your book, some may hate it, and that’s okay. As long as you love writing, keep doing it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“1-2 star reviews suck, but we know they happen. Recognize this, embrace it as fact, and then flip them off (safely of course)” I’m paraphrasing, but basically the advice was to not let bad reviews cause you to quit.

What are you reading now?
Three Empty Words by Genevieve Ryan. I’ve lost count of the number book this is for me by this author, but she’s one I will buy without reading the synopsis.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Closing the door on my New Adult series. Releasing book 4 is a big deal for me. I’ve grown so attached to these characters. Each time I end a series it’s heartbreaking for me, like saying goodbye to best friends. So from this point on I plan on writing more stand alone novels and possibly trying something new, maybe a suspense thriller.

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?
Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling (It’s my favorite of the series)
Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer (Again, my favorite of the series)
The Stand by Stephen King (My hubs favorite and he convinced me to read it after making me fall in love with the mini-series. Plus it’s almost 2000 pages so I’ll stay busy!)
Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Author Websites and Profiles
Amy K McClung Website
Amy K McClung Amazon Profile
Amy K McClung Author Profile on Smashwords

Amy K McClung’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello! I’ve been a lifelong writer, but just released my first nonfiction book, with a second book of prose coming in the next couple of months.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just released my first book, On The Sauce: A Cautionary Tale of Being Burned by the Pizza Industry, which is my debut. Written around ten years ago, the inspiration was a job I held at the time. The story and all of its’ crazy twists and turns (and stress, no doubt) made for a great story, and I decided to create a book out of it!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. Most of the time, I’ll write a passage on my phone’s Notes app, and then transfer it to pen and paper. Most of my writing doesn’t take place on a laptop. Maybe that’s unusual!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite authors are Chuck Palahniuk, Charles Bukowski, and a handful of others. So far as direct influences, I wouldn’t say that’s quite it, but they’re the authors I go to more often than not.

What are you working on now?
I am currently compiling my prose to be released later in 2018. I post short pieces of poetry on Instagram regularly (under the handle @wolvesmouthwords), and would love to be able to compile them into a book and put them out, so, that’s the next project!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still learning! I love the options from Awesome Gang, though. It’s really hard to get reviews if a lot of sites won’t let you submit without them! All of the AG options are fantastic, and I hope to see a great return.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t worry about it – just put it out! Whether you make $1 or create a bestseller, it’s still pretty amazing to be able to say you wrote a book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My mother always used to say “you know what’s true” when I was growing up. I’d say that’s the most important advice I’ve ever received.

What are you reading now?
I am about to start Stay Dead by Anne Frasier, the second book in the Elise Sandburg series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to craft tangible writing work out of everyday life. Whether it be more full-length novels or not, there will definitely be more prose and I’ll never stop. I haven’t ever been the type to have a complete plan in place, but flying by the seat of my pants has done me alright so far!

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 is a tough one! Chuck Palahniuk – Diary, Charles Bukowski – Tales of Ordinary Madness, and Scott O’Dell – Island of the Blue Dolphins.

Author Websites and Profiles
Liz Van Pay Website

Liz Van Pay’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a translator and writer, living with my partner and my two daughters in the South of France.

I’ve written one novel, which I’m slowly translating into French and I’ve started on my second novel, which I’m also writing at the speed of a snail.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Roachville. I used to be a happy reader, never thinking of writing, then during a trip to Australia, I saw a leafy sea dragon and the begining of a story began to take form in my mind.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, I just try to do 100 words a day, hence the slowness.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Haruki Murakami and Boris Vian, amongst others

What are you working on now?
A new novel, which is kind of a follow-up to Roachville.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook so far, but I’m trying promotion websites, such as Awesomegang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try and do a little bit every day.

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

What are you reading now?
Lords of Asylum by Kevin Wright

What’s next for you as a writer?
My priority is to translate my novel into French, then to try and become a better writer

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?
Haruki Murakami’s Wind-Up Bird Chronicles
Gabriel Garcia Marques’ One Hundred Years of Solitude
Boris Vian’s L’Écume des Jours

Author Websites and Profiles
Marianne Germain Amazon Profile

Marianne Germain’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Italian writer most known as the author of RAMBO YEAR ONE, the unofficial and literary prequel of the Rambo-films. My saga was personally permitted to worldwide freeshare by bestselling novelist DAVID MORRELL after a two years long censorship.
Please note that I am Italian, and that when I publish any of my works translated in English I usually get some revise work from a pro, but to write here on Awesome Gang it’s just me, so please don’t mind if I sound any odd. That said…
Despite being nothing more than an E-book released for free due to copyright reasons, RAMBO YEAR ONE ended up being extremely acclaimed by the critics. It was critically acclaimed by various VIPs in different countries including US, UK, Italy and Germany. The appreciation words from the CALVINO award in particular and BBC’s broadcaster LINDSAY JOHNS (yep… The one and only BBC…) stunned me literally. A couple of years and two more Rambo-prequel novels later, sometimes I do still ask myself if it happened for real, of I just dreamt about it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I am currently working on the fourth novel of my Rambo-prequel saga. It’s inspired by the movie FIRST BLOOD of course, but also from the time I spent talking with many Vietnam era veterans, including some former special forces. The real inspiration for my saga was finding inside some history books so many ‘larger than life’ soldiers… that they made the Rambo character look like if he was just ‘one of the many’. Also, after a lifetime long interest in the Vietnam war, I knew more than enough to write a decent historical novel… And that was it. I was inspired, I had the means to do it… I wrote it.
The fact that a work like that was ‘doomed’ to stay in freeshare status for ever… It was a painful part of the process. I won’t be a hypochrite and say I am happy about it. I gave my best anyway but the only reason I did it, was because I had good idea and freesharing it was my only option.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I take writing as a job.
I met many writers in my life but never find a single one of them thinking about writing as a job like any other. I think this due to the fact that I am a ghost writer too, and I often works for other people and never thought about writing as something easy.
I think about writing in terms of ‘work’ or ‘sports’, and I put a lot of importance on the ‘working out’ part.
If I despise a genre, I immediately start trying to write something of the genre I hate the most. I then waste those ‘exercises’ (you will never read any of them for sure!) but the truth is that creativity is a muscle, and you learn more from writing BAD works when you feel lazy and un-motivated rather than when you have a very brilliant idea and you are extremely motivated.
Give it a try at what I am saying, and after a couple of bad works written just ‘to push yourself beyond your limits’, you have will find an ‘upgraded’ ersion of yourself. I consider creativity as a muscle and the more you use it, the better.
That’s something no one ever got right about writers like Stephen King, in my modest opinion.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
S. King (his ON WRITING essay in particular), Edgar Allan Poe, George Martin, Dino Buzzati, David Morrell, Beppe Fenoglio and many writers of Vietnam-war related memoirs and history books, like Neil Sheenan’s pulitzer winning book ‘a bright shining lie’.
There are tons of writers that helped me shaping my ideas about writing and too many to mention them all.

What are you working on now?
I am working on some dialogues for a theme park, I am writing the review of a tv series, I am self-translating one of my novels in English and self-editing another one.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s the facebook. Being my saga for free, I have no ‘real’ budget at disposal to promote myself, and I earnt most of my readers by a mouth to mouth process only.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
They are the usual ones every writer say: read a lot and write a lot.
Experience matters.
A writer that wrote four complete novels is a better one than the one he used to be back when he had never written any.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I would say S. Kings ‘don’t create a plot, find one’.
That’s the reason why I think writers should be explorers, not creative people.
Creativity is for the movie industry, but the literay world is much more demanding.
You can’t just create this and that… Your mind must push yourself into the unknown.
Go there, okay? Go there and try to get back with a complete novel in the process.
And don’t be scared about failure for your best book is alway the next one, not the current one.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a Vietnam war memoir and Ken Follet’s PILLARS OF THE EARTH. It seems it’s one of the many classics ‘everybody should read once in his life at least’, thus I am reading it and ejoying it that far.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am preparing myslef for my ‘post-Rambo’ career.
A professional recently told me that there’s no future for ‘the guy who wrote the Rambo-prequel’. We will see.
My first all original short novel will be released this year.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Pet Semetary, A scanner Barkly and a best of Edgar Allan Poe’s tales.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lee Wallace Website

Lee Wallace’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Pittsburgh base writer. My third novel, JERUSALEM STONE, was released by Black Opal Books on January 27, 2018. My first novel, DEFECTIVE, explored a the experience of a young woman coming to terms with a bipolar 2 disorder diagnosis. THE KIDDUSH LADIES showed how quickly a lifelong friendship can be lost.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest, JERUSALEM STONE, was written to help me accept my own brother’s death.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Acutally, I do. My husband thinks I’m writing when I sit in front of my computer. But, my real writing occurs when I swim laps at the local Jewish Community Center. I write the story in my head, go home, and type it up.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many…

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a YA Fantasy that I pull out after the release of every book. I plug away at it until a new story idea distracts me, then I file it away, again. Someday I’m going to finish it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Of course, I love your website. I’ve used it for my first two books and now for number 3. I don’t think there is one best way. So many factors come into play, especially audience age.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I go to conferences and hear first time authors lament over the difficulty of marketing. Many first time authors think they’re going to write a book and make a lot of money. Some do–but very few. Keep your expectations realistic and enjoy the feeling that you published a book. A dream many have, but few accomplish.

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

What are you reading now?
I’m looking forward to starting a new book. I’m weird, but when I’m writing, I can’t read. It distracts my brain from the story I’m trying to tell. I do all my reading between books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going on vacation. The last vacation my husband and I took was to Thailand. JERUSALEM STONE is the result of that trip. Hopefully, somewhere in the jungle of Costa Rica is my next story.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
James Michener: The Source and The Drifters
Anton Myrer: The Last Convertible
Khalid Husseini: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Author Websites and Profiles
Susan Sofayov Website
Susan Sofayov Amazon Profile
Susan Sofayov Author Profile on Smashwords

Susan Sofayov’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 resident of southwest Michigan, I have plenty of time to write during the long cold winters. I’m currently working on my seventh book, the title of which has not yet been announced but is anticipated to have a mid-Spring release. Prior works include the five-book suspense series: Kelsey’s Burden, beginning with Layered Lies. Slightly Off Balance was my sixth book published and is described as a lighter read.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Slightly Off Balance was written during short, much-needed breaks while writing Kelsey’s Burden series. I found that the intensity of the Kelsey’s Burden, while my preferred writing style, needed it’s own form of release. Writing a quirky mystery helped to relax my tense muscles and refocus. And, it was fun. It starts off with a hilarious never-happening-in-real-life scene that makes me laugh every time.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual? Writing is such an independent process, I’m not sure what habits would be considered usual. I can say that I typically write draft copies from the end seat on my couch with my laptop balanced upon a pillow, stereo jamming, and the clock running well past midnight. But then the serious side appears during editing stages, firmly tucked behind my desk and my hair tucked in a tight bun. Maybe that’s unusual or maybe it’s the norm and other author’s just don’t admit it?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
What authors/books haven’t influenced me? I’m a genre jumper, so I have favorites in most categories. Dialing into the suspense-mystery-thriller genre that I write in, I’d have to say Tami Hoag, Jana DeLeon, Catherine Coulter, Lisa Jackson, Iris Johansen, J.D. Robb,… oh goodness, I could go on forever.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a stalker-thriller with a stack of twists, turns, and character complexity.
Title to be announced soon…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find I’d rather write than maintain numerous sites and my own website. I do announce book promotions and releases on Twitter and Facebook. On both sites, search @BooksByKaylie and you’ll easily track me down. I also recommend readers use “Follow” features on Amazon, Goodreads, or BookBub. Email notices are sent automatically when new releases are available.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Listen, read, write and learn… No matter where your skill level is set at, you have the ability to improve your own work, but to do so you need to be able to look at your books objectively. If you have what it takes, I’ll see you at the finish line.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Keep writing.” This might sound odd, but there’s a story that goes along with it. When I asked a very close friend of mine to read a draft copy of a book years ago (pre-publishing), his follow-up back to me was “Thanks for sharing. Keep writing.” Now keep in mind, he was the only one I’d sent my writing to at this point. I was expecting either something positive or negative to be in his response. Instead I was stuck in neutral and studied these five words for two weeks before I picked back up my draft and sent him an email. I didn’t ask his opinion, but asked if he’d be willing to give me edit notes on 1 page of the draft. Thirty minutes later I had the page back, and saw the problem. I was out of practice and my writing style had serious red-line flaws. So, I studied every article I could find online regarding editing, flow, character development, and dialog. And, I kept writing.

What are you reading now?
I wouldn’t be on this site if I was currently reading. I’m not the type to set a book down once I’ve started it. I will read it from front to back in 4-6 hours. And I never start a book if I don’t have that window of time available to finish it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on dabbling with a psychological thriller that’s been rumbling around in my head. We’ll have to wait and 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?
Oh dear. That’s a horrible thought. How long will I be stranded for?

Author Websites and Profiles
Kaylie Hunter Amazon Profile

Kaylie Hunter’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a wife and a mother of four. full arms and busy fingers. Writing is my passion. I have written many stories/books so to speck on free sites, and i’m now just beginning to publish. I have two on Amazon as of now and working on the third.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Watching You.
It was inspired by an idea I had for a movie in another story I wrote, and a TV series about stalkers. Well, I took away all the bad qualities of the guy and made him just a harmless watcher who never touches any of the girls or talks to them. You find out later he is sweet, shy, virginal, and his past keeps him from thinking he deserves love or friends, until he meets this girl who sees him and opens him up.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
unusual? I don’t think so. When the moment hits, I write. No music, but there are kids asking for stuff, when I’m In the groove.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There’s to many to name. But I find I love indie writers the best, because there writing is from there hearts and before it gets to a publisher who tend to change everything.

What are you working on now?
Two books. A taboo story and another about a teen couple- that deals with bullying and the troubles most teens face these days, while trying to be together against the odds.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As of write now, Facebook and getting to know other authors and talking. I haven’t found that one yet… I think word of mouth is your best bet. But hoping this works too..lol

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing and just keep going. You might never see green, but you won’t know until you try. And always pay for the editor, but one you can trust with your work that won’t change your ideas, just your grammar and sentence structure if needed.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep swimming….
but really.
Never stop, even when there’s days you don’t feel cut out for it. Never give up because it could always be the next story you write that will be the big hit, but you won’t know If you stop.

What are you reading now?
MIdnight Blue

What’s next for you as a writer?
more 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?
oh god, I’ll have to get back to you on that one..lol

Author Websites and Profiles
Erica Marsleas Website
Erica Marsleas Amazon Profile

Erica Marsleas’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a ghostwriter so I’ve taken on a huge variety of projects, everything from epic fantasy to cosy mysteries even Hollywood romance, though personally my preferred genre is science fiction. I haven’t made an official tally but I must be pushing twenty novels by now. What I need to do at this point is get all that experience and focus it on my own writing.
Aside from books I love to write films. I’ve had a few short films made but the big goal is to produce a feature script.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
With ‘blank tapes’ I wanted a place to bring together all the stories that just didn’t fit anywhere else. Misfit stories. Either because they didn’t fit any single genre, or were just to plain weird for traditional publications, or not commercial enough. That’s not to say they’re not any good, in fact I’m proud of the author’s collected in this book. They’ve done some great work. We seem to have hit on a running theme which worked out nicely, but it wasn’t intentional.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to listen to music when I write. Loud music. Very loud music. I tend to prefer stuff without lyrics, or at least singers who you can’t understand. That might be Beethoven, though its more likely to be extreme Scandinavian Metal.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m currently in love with N.K. Jemisin and her ‘Broken Earth’ trilogy, but going back I’d have to say Clive Barker, King (of course), and Asimov. Cormac McCarthy showed me that language is what you make of it. There are passages in Blood Meridian that I’m still gobsmacked by, and go back to read them to re-inspire me.

What are you working on now?
I have too many things on the boil at the moment. Do I focus on more anthologies? Or perhaps the sci-fi serial I started? Then of course there’s my epic fantasy novel I’ve been plotting out for the last ten years.
Though I’ll probably stick with the steampunk/caveman series ‘Albion Roddles, Cave-Gentleman of Renown.’

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
A good cover is always the best way to promote your work. Get that right and everything else falls in behind.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Surprise yourself. Write things that you’re not sure about and see where they go. The chances are that if you don’t know the outcome, then the reader won’t too. And that’s a good thing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Your first draft is not sacred. It may seem like a chore, but the best writing you’re going to do is in the third, fourth, fifth rewrite.

What are you reading now?
Currently burning through Iain M Bank’s Culture series. What a legacy to leave behind. There’s not a bad one I’ve read so far. Endlessly inventive and impeccably written but above all funny. Banks is the secret successor to Douglas Adams.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve written several large books recently so I think I’m going to head back to short stories again. You can pack plenty of story in a few hundred words and I love a good twist–shorts are perfect for 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?
Boat Craft for Beginners
Cooking with Coconuts
The Guide to Semaphore
Naked Lunch

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Huxley Website
Paul Huxley Amazon Profile

Paul Huxley’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Since I was a kid, I refused to sleep without a stack of books beside me. Now that I am older the stack has grown into the multiple bookshelves lining my walls that must frequently be rearranged to make space for just one more. I did not always know that I wanted to be a writer, but now I cannot imagine life any other way. I enjoy writing stories in all shapes and sizes, especially song lyrics, musicals, film scripts, and, above all, novels. So far, I have written about ten novels, three of which are published, but I almost always have an idea for another story simmering in the back of my mind.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a contemporary YA novel called Silhouettes. It is about a girl who is killed in a car accident, but a part of her remains in this world. The idea of it was that I wanted her to see how her family and friends react to her death, and really explore the belief that we can all have an impact on others, no matter how young we are.
I am not entirely sure what the exact inspiration for the book was as it came to me very suddenly, but looking back at what was going on in my life then, I can understand why this story came when it did. It was over a few years when four families part of our wider community of friends buried children too young, all for different reasons. I think this book was my reaction to that terrible time, even though it does not directly represent any of those families. The book, however, is dedicated to those four.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I am a pretty disciplined and straightforward writer.
I do keep sticky notes and pens near my bed for all those great ideas that come just as I am about to fall asleep. Sometimes I write them in the dark, though, which makes them a bit difficult to decipher the next morning.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are books and authors that I like or admire or credit with greater impact than others, but I think every book I read influences me somehow. If I see things I like then I take notes and try to figure how to include those elements in my writing. If there are things that I did not like, then I take that as a note of caution.

What are you working on now?
At present, I am polishing up a work of YA historical fiction. This was something new for me as an author, because, while I have worked with non-fiction before, this was my first try at writing a novel bound by historical events. It is very different than writing fantasy where the rules of the world are mainly my own, and from contemporary, of course.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still figuring that one out…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot, and pay attention to what you read. This is not about escape or entertainment for you, this is about learning your craft.
Which leads into, know thy craft and nothing in excess. There must be a reason for every word, scene, and character. Write with purpose.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I once told a writer that I was trying to be a writer, as well.
He told me that I am not trying to be a writer, I am a writer.
That mindset changes everything.

What are you reading now?
I am in between books, so I get to stare at my TBR shelf and decide what I am in the mood of next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to get back to a sort of light YA thriller that I began some time ago, but had to put aside because it was not really working. The time away was the best thing I could do for the story, as I think I have a much better handle on it now.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Can I create 3 or 4 anthologies of all my favorite books?

Author Websites and Profiles
E. L. Tenenbaum Website
E. L. Tenenbaum Amazon Profile
E. L. Tenenbaum Author Profile on Smashwords

E. L. Tenenbaum’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Aloha, I live on the island of Kauai and my passion is swimming in my creativity and imagination to write children’s books with a valuable message. Literally being in the ocean brings forth expanded joyful creativity as I create characters and their adventures. The Big Bear Series of 3 is my first children’s picture books and am excited to release the next series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Beddy Bye Big Bear was inspired by the cultural iconic stories about finding home and sleeping in your own bed. It’s a modern-day Princess and the Pea meets the Wizard of Oz. Ironically, it’s dedicated to my dear friend, the Wizard

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Like I mentioned, I get my inspiration and do my best writing either in or near the ocean. My creativity is most heightened in nature.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr. Suess, Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree J.K Rowling, Harry Potter.
Julia Cameron’s, The Artist’s Way, Blessings

What are you working on now?
The Crystal Faeries – Six Magical Girls Living in the Real Word

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
www.fairymoonstarcreations.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have Faith. Believe in yourself. You Can do it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In every moment, do what brings you joy and trust.
Through this, we will encounter difficulties with resiliency and adversity with faith.
And, the blessings of breadcrumbs will never cease to amaze.

What are you reading now?
Emergence by Derek Rydall

What’s next for you as a writer?
Another fun series of children’s books for girls ages 6-12.

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?
Heal your Body – Louise L. Hay
The Game of Life and How to Play it – Frances Scovel Shinn
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory -Roald Dahl

Author Websites and Profiles
Jennifer Mattox Website
Jennifer Mattox Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing back in 2002, and it has always been a huge passion of mine. But I really didn’t start pursuing it as a career until 2015 after I became a stay at home mother, and that’s when I was able to rediscover my inspiration. I have only written one book so far, but it feels amazing to finally have my work published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My Brother’s Keeper is the title of my latest book, and it was inspired by a famous quote from The Bible.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to have a pen and notebook in my purse at all times just in case I come up with random ideas.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I feel that Anne Rice’s early works are a huge influence for me, plus I feel James Patterson is a great storyteller because he knows how to paint the perfect picture of intrigue and suspense.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a horror series, and the first book is titled “Don’t Wanna Know”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I run ads on Facebook, Instagram and Amazon. Plus I promote my books on Twitter, as well as connecting with readers on Goodreads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t second guess yourself or allow harsh criticism from others distract you from your goals.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What people think about me is none of my business–RuPaul Charles

What are you reading now?
When Darkness Ends by Alexandra Ivy

What’s next for you as a writer?
Definitely a cookbook and hopefully I will be starting a podcast by the 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?
The Dark Highlander
Lullaby
A Home at the End of the World

Author Websites and Profiles
Daisy Kane Website
Daisy Kane Amazon Profile

Daisy Kane’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I write romantic suspense and romantic fantasy and currently have seven books out in the world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, The Runner’s Daughter, releases February 15th and is the story of an FBI agent focused on bringing down the corruption plaguing his city. I can’t tell you exactly what inspired me to write this story (not even I know!) since it just popped in my head one day. Since then, I have been itching to share it with the world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to snack on Goldfish crackers while I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My absolute favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Karen Marie Moning, and Amanda Bouchet. They have all inspired me because of the amount of dedication they have towards their books and their readers.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on Collateral Damage, which is a spinoff from my Tethered Duet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Yikes, this is a tough one! LOL! I would say the best tool I’ve used so far (my favorite one anyways) is my readers group on Facebook. I love being able to directly interact with readers while I promote.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
KEEP WRITING and never give up. You got this

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?
Only 3 or 4?! Eeek, then I would have to say Woman of God by James Patterson, Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning, and Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jessica McCrory Website
Jessica McCrory Amazon Profile

Jessica McCrory’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is James Miller and my vision of maximizing fulfillment through the application of humanities most timeless wisdom is so important to me that I’ve quit my job and dedicated my life to sharing it with the world.

I don’t know what struggles you face or the pain you’ve felt and I have no idea how harrowing your darkest moments have been. I don’t understand all the bull shit that you’ve had to deal with. But, I do know what it feels like to suffer.

I know what it’s like to question whether or not anything really matters and I know how hard it can be to find fulfillment. I also have a pretty damn good idea of just how bleak your thoughts can be.

At several points in my life, I’ve been on the verge of ending it. Several times I’ve felt as though killing myself was the best way to end my pain. Something always stopped me however, and that something was always an idea. Ideas are the most powerful thing we control and it is ideas that truly change your life and the world. During my darkest hours and deepest despair it was always an idea that turned the tide. I can say without any hesitation that ideas truly saved my life.

I want to share with you the ideas that helped me create a life of meaning, purpose, passion, and fulfillment. I want to share the wisdom I’ve discovered with everyone I possibly can. I want to die knowing that I left the world a little finer place than I found it.

But most of all…..I want you to know how good it can feel to be alive! I want you to know what a miracle your existence truly is…

I want you to feel the joy of being!!!

A Better Ten Commandments: A Guide To Living Life With, And On Purpose is my first book and a integral part of how I found fulfillment in life. I hope that it can help you on journey as well.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Better Ten Commandments: A Guide To Living Life With, And On Purpose.

So … why did I quit my job? Why did I write A Better Ten Commandments? Why would I walk away 150k a year career? What is my big why? The short answer is freedom. A longer one is that I want to be able to live my life on my terms. I want to do what I want, where I want, when I want, with whom I want. I wish to share my ideas with the world. I wish to have a positive impact on people’s lives and in the world. I want to spend more time with my family. I want to proud of my legacy. Last, and certainly not least, I want to lead a life with zero regrets.

For those that don’t know me, writing a book, building a website, and starting a blog may sound a bit trite … as if anyone and everyone does it … but my situation is slightly different. Over the past eleven years I’ve been an Alaskan bush/medevac pilot which has been an incredible experience. I’ve piloted scores of old worn out aircraft in the most treacherous of terrain and flown in weather that most people wouldn’t consider driving in, let alone land an aircraft on a bumpy, narrow and poorly maintained dirt strip 100 miles from the nearest semblance of “civilization”. Along the way I’ve lost a few friends to the dangers inherent with Alaskan Aviation, but over the past decade I built what many would consider an envious life.

For the last five years I only worked six month of the year. During those six months I only “worked” 150hrs. That’s a paltry 12.5 hours per month. With the money I was earning I was able to pay off all my school debts and began to invest in real estate. For the last five years I was making 150K a year. So why in the hell would I leave?

I left because I wasn’t happy. I left because I knew that there was more to life than a good job and a decent wage. I left because I never wanted another boss for the rest of my life. I also wanted to help make the world a better place. Somehow, I knew that I could live a more meaningful and purpose filled life than the one I was.

My journey to this place was a long and intermittently sordid one, and I have fought many a battle on this rough road. I have struggled with depression, I have battled with and hated parts of who I was, I have wondered who I wanted to become. I was argumentative, I was selfish, and at times I was an insensitive ass. But through that process of failure and practice my path became clear. Life had forged and tempered my body and mind and through that process I redeemed myslef and found fulfillment.

Out of all my agonies came the finest of ecstasies, out of all my despair I discovered my bliss. The pain I’ve endured has mostly been my own, as externally my life has been a breeze. Growing up I wanted for nothing but as John Milton said, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” From 13 – 38 I was stuck in a prison of negative thoughts and an over active mind. For 25 years I suffered quietly. For 25 years my caged bird wanted to sing.

I’ve found my path to freedom and I want to share that path with the world. It helped me save myself from myself and I know it can help someone out there do the same. A Better Ten Commandments was my path to freedom and I can only hope that it may be yours as well. A Better Ten Commandments is my song, and I will sing it from the roof tops … I will sing it proud and I will sing it loudly.

The world will hear my song!

That … is my big why.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in my journal 3 different ways … starting from either end and in the middle until the four sections meet.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sam Harris has had the biggest influence on my life, I also love Dawkins and of course Hitch. I love A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. I enjoy Steven Pinker, Malcom Galdwell, David Foster Wallace, Alan Watts is a genius, Sedaris is hilarious. Coyne, Shermer, Grayling, Paul Bloom, Jonathan Haidt Will and Ariel Durant Epictetus and of course … Aurelius.

What are you working on now?
Going from starving Artist to paid author

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Always word of mouth

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing and do it because you love it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Leave it better than you found it

What are you reading now?
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Principles by Ray Dalio
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Plato at the Googleplex by Rebecca Goldstein
APE by Shawn Welch and Guy Kawasaki

What’s next for you as a writer?
A Better Ten Series including a kids version

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 Pali Canon
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bryson
Meditations by Aurelius
The Lessons of History by Will and Ariel Durant

Author Websites and Profiles
James Miller Website
James Miller Amazon Profile

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

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Judith Wilson pen name Flawless . I currently live in Orlando, FL. I was recently released from prison about 2 years ago and decided to publish my first book. I have been writing mostly poetry since the sixth grade but took on writing short stories, and books when I realized my lengthy poems were turning into novels! I was encouraged by cell mates as well as family to do something with my writing. I finally listened and now I am Felon turned publish author within two years of release.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book was inspired by boredom. I was serving a 42 month sentence in the state prison when i ran out of books to read so i started to write my own. It became a hot commodity to all of my cell mates as well as family at home wanted me to send them another “chapter” as they called it. I have been writing since the 6th grade but the time I spent incarcerated brought out a writing beast I barely knew lived in me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes I would speed type my way through writing just so I wouldn’t forget anything, then I would go back and correct ALL of my grammatical errors and misspelled words. Its such a bad habit because I believe in the whole “clean/edit as you go” rule.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely Wahida Clark has been a big inspiration from her writing to her actual background. Just because I love the way James Patterson writing style in most of his books are so original and picture painted for his readers.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the sequel to my current book. As well as getting some illustrations together for my upcoming children’s books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have been mainly promoting through social media, with Instagram and Facebook. Good reads.com is also a great website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, I would like to tell all of the new authors out there to go with your instinct the first time because then you’ll be battling the wrong decision to the point where that wrong move seems right at that moment. Its a matter of vibrations, the universe will always lead your mind correctly. So don’t become nervous of if someone is going to like your book or style of writing just go for it! Also its very important to do the complete review check on your soon to be publishers. Its always a good thing to be able to “pop-up”, so find a local or nearby publisher just in case there are problems getting someone on the phone. Remember your book and writing is like a child you want be handled gently at the doctors office.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I heard so far is “Judi the world is a different place don’t let peoples words stop you from living your dream. Everyone will get that chance to hurt and discourage you and its up to you to show them your equality and strength, be you.”

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Dan Brown- ‘Da Vinci’.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer there are so many complete projects that I have to turn into reality. There is a Sequel to my first book coming out titled “Cashin’ Out’. I also have been working on some movie script writing for actual paying customers. So look for me behind the big screen as well.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My book ‘Love For Money, ‘Lifeguard’- James Patterson, ‘Payback Aint Enough’- Wahida Clark and “Blood Sweat and Payback’- Wahida Clark

Author Websites and Profiles
Judith Wilson Website

Judith Wilson’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an English professor at New York Institute of Technology and have written twelve books…five mysteries and seven childrens books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’ll stick with the mysteries for now, as the childrens books are under a pseudonym. My latest book is The Down Side. I had taken some time off from writing mysteries, and fans of those books would tweak me about writing another. The Down Side marks a return to the style of my first published book, with all I’ve learned about writing added in. It’s what I would have written back then if I could.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to video game soundtracks. They are instrumental, but offer mood changes you don’t get from most music. There’s an incredible environmental element to them I’ve found nowhere else. I also have written an entire book on my phone. It needed editing, but I did it. Not sure I would try that again.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nelson DeMille, for sure. His John Corey character was a major influence. Clive Cussler’s books made me want to be a writer. I have to give a nod to Ernest Hemingway. His were the first ‘good’ books I read. Stuart Woods taught me how to entertain the reader.

What are you working on now?
I have four books in the pipeline right now. The first is a sequel to The Down Side, called The Fallen. I have a sci-fi book that’s almost done, a young adult action book called Necessary Adjustment, and I am putting the finishing touches on the last childrens book in the series, The Heroes Among Us.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Kindle Nation Daily has worked so far. Hopefully Awesome Gang will, too!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. I know, everyone says that, but it’s the best advice. Find an hour a day. Make it the same day and time if possible. If you do that, your mind will get in writing mode at those times. Sounds crazy, but it really works.

And finish your book. That puts you in the 1% category of writers. Too many great books go unfinished.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The above. That’s stuff I’ve learned from other writers. Nelson DeMille told me not to worry about borrowing from others. Everyone does it. Just make your writing your own at the same time. We could all tell the story of the same murder investigation, but we’d all tell it differently. Readers can sense the genuine.

What are you reading now?
2061 by Arthur C. Clarke.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. Maybe do some more book signings. It’s been a while and they were fun.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hmmm…that’s a tough one. The Sun Also Rises, Seize the Night by Dean Koontz, a copy of Hamlet (because you can read it so many different ways) and The Count of Monte Cristo, because it’s long and I’ve never read the whole book. I’d like to check that off my list.

Author Websites and Profiles
John Misak Website
John Misak Amazon Profile

John Misak’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an unapologetic story-telling addict with a penchant for writing experimental, genre-bending books.

To date, I have written nine books, including a children’s chapter book; three sword-and-sorcery novels (Rebels and Fools, Heroes and Liars, and Martyrs and Monsters); a standalone fantasy story that has yet to be published (Magic’s Daughter); an e-book compendium (Capricon and Beyond); and a series that explores life, death, and dreams (The Soul Sleep Cycle). If Souls Can Sleep, the first book in that series, published on Jan. 30, 2018.

The sequels, If Sin Dwells Deep and If Dreams Can Die, will be published in late 2018 and 2019, respectively.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
If Souls Can Sleep was inspired by a quote from one of the characters in the novel. The entire quote is “If souls can sleep, then why not dream?” I loved the alliteration of the first phrase as well as the hypothetical nature of it. After all, every story begins with “what if?”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I schedule my writing time and stick to that agenda rigidly. Generally, I have music playing in the background — an eclectic collection ranging from chiptunes to Bollywood to electric swing to alt country.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The authors of the fantasy novels I read while a teenager motivated me to take a stab at the written word as well as try my hand at world building. They include Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman — not only because of their contributions to the DragonLance saga, but also for the Death Gate Cycle — and R.A. Salvatore, primarily for his DemonWars series. Tad Williams, Neil Gaiman, George R.R. Martin, and J.R.R. Tolkien have also impacted me as a reader and writer.

Beyond fantasy, I try to draw from literature, such as the works of William Faulkner.

What are you working on now?
Getting Books Two and Three of The Soul Sleep Cycle ready to publish will occupy most of time in 2018, though I look forward to jumping into a completely new story (series?) after that.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning. Every book is a new experience — and a new experiment. With If Souls Can Sleep, I used NetGalley to post advance reader copies and attract reviewers, which seems to be working.

The best place to learn about my fiction is http://david-michael-williams.com.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research, and take your time.

I’m glad print-on-demand publishing wasn’t available when I was in my early twenties. Self-publishing almost makes it too easy to put one’s work out there, and I’ve seen plenty of examples of writers publishing before they are ready; I’m afraid I would have been one of them!

Don’t skimp on editing and cover design. Put yourself in your prospective readers’ shoes. Shed as much subjectivity as you can. In short, wait until you’re prepared to treat your fiction like a business before you even think about publishing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
– “If you can quit, then quit. If you can’t, you’re a writer.” —R.A. Salvatore, author

– “Treat your writing like a job. Write on a schedule.” —Margaret Weis, author

– “In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail.” —Gaius Cassius Longinus, Roman senator

What are you reading now?
For the past couple of years, I’ve enjoyed a renewed interest in graphic novels, from Robert Kirkman’s Invincible and Neil Gaiman’s Sandman to older Marvel compilations, such as Squadron Supreme and Fantastic Four. Right now, I’m thoroughly entranced by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staple’s Saga.

What’s next for you as a writer?
First and foremost, I’ll publish the remaining novels of The Soul Sleep Cycle. In addition to books, writing for a video game and producing a graphic novel are both on my bucket list.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
2. The Sound and the Fury (William Faulkner)
3. The Bible (various authors)

Author Websites and Profiles
David Michael Williams Website
David Michael Williams Amazon Profile
David Michael Williams Author Profile on Smashwords

David Michael Williams’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I (Shimika Sidney) am a daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, friend, and more. I have two adult children-one daughter and one son and a grandson name Solomon. I was a single-mother, I got married in 2015, when my daughter was 20 and my son was 17. I published my first book-Volume 1: GOD Is My Light but have 18 titles to complete. I had 2 poems published prior to writing my book. I am working on developing a Christian Collection which includes calendars, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
GOD Is My Light and I was inspired to write poetry when a person I cared about dearly had passed. She informed me about God and His Word. She reminded me about Jesus Christ and the benefits of knowing, believing and following Him. She told me things that I didn’t want to hear but was right according to God’s Word that I wasn’t aware of.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes…my unusual writing habits are, my books have a biblical message, personal struggles which are life-lesson and poetry related to the specific title of the book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My books are influenced by several Christian authors and Christians. My Books are collection of personal life lessons, Christians phrases, quotes, and teachings have heard from everyday people to celebrities throughout the years that have made a great impact on my life.

What are you working on now?
I am working on Volume 2… I have a total of 18 book titles that God has given me; so, I have a lot of work to do.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
unsure… this is very new to me, so I am learning daily.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Please don’t wait until your book is published to start promoting it. Start promoting your book at least a month or two before it is published. Be patience and persistent.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Failure is only accomplished, when you never try.
Failures are part of life. If you don’t fail, you don’t learn. If you don’t learn, you’ll never change.

What are you reading now?
nothing at the moment

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on my second book and looking for a company that print and distribute Christian Calendars and bumper stickers.

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?
Something by Joyce Meyers, T. D. Jakes, and Joseph Prince…their books are inspiring and encouraging.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As of today Jan. 31, 2018 I have published 2. One is set to be released in the spring of 2018.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Fallen is the newest published work. When I sat down to pen my first book I had already decided that it would be part of a series. At the time I didn’t know how I wanted to structure the series. So, it wasn’t until “The New Reign” was published under Wild Dreams Publishing that I saw the path that I needed to take. With sever places with the original story needing to be either clarified or in need of a back story it was obvious that a prequel was needed. Hence, “The Fallen” was born. But I didn’t stop there. The next book in the series will fill the gap between “The Fallen” and “The New Reign”; that one is titled “Secrets, Lies and Betrayals”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I do. Unless you call munching while I type and needed a cup of coffee at all times strange. Right now popcorn is my go to munching snack.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
i am a huge Anne Bishop fan and I inspire to reach her level of detail within my own books.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I have a murder mystery for teens in the works. It is a story that started back in 2002 and am so blessed to have the time to fix the original manuscript. Also, I’m putting together a cookbook that will feature mostly soy free, and dairy free menu items. From sweets to dinners and sauces. Most will also have a diabetic variation enclosed.
That one is 100% inspired by my husband who do to things he was exposed to, he has now developed a sensitivity to both Soy and Dairy.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook as my main source of promoting. As i do belong to over 100 groups for the soul purpose of promoting my work. Aside of that, I’m on twitter, Youtube, and a few other sites as well

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up and always stay true to yourself and your story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s your story. Other’s may make a suggestion but it’s up to you to decide where you want to take it.

What are you reading now?
I have several books that I’m working through at moment. The Awaking by Amanda Harrah is one.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully doing some big book festivals or shows

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 black jewels books. It’s one series that I never tire of reading.

Author Websites and Profiles
melisa ruscsak Amazon Profile

melisa ruscsak’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is K. Francoeur, although I write fiction under the name Anna Belle Rose. I have written almost five books, two of which have been published, one is about to be published, my fourth novel is in process, and I am also writing a memoir.

My first novel published was That One Small Omission, published in October 2017 by Solstice Publishing. My second novel, The Phone Call, was actually the first novel I wrote, but it wasn’t the first published. My third novel, More Than I Can Say, will be published by Solstice later in the spring of 2018. Currently, I am working on a sequel to More Than I Can Say, and writing a memoir about grief and gratitude.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel (about to be published) is More Than I Can Say. It is a love story about a Vermont principal living in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. It was inspired by places and people I have encountered in my life, and by the characters continuously popping up in my mind.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I really like to plan out scenes in my head, replay and replay them like a daydream, then finally write them down. I also like to listen to the Boston Red Sox while I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love anything by Dan Brown or Janet Evanovich for different reasons. I love Brown’s attention to detail and historical information, and I love the humor in Evanovich. I also love Nelson Demille for his combination of detail and humor.

What are you working on now?
Currently I am in final editing pre-publication for More Than I Can Say, finishing the first draft of its sequel, and working on my memoir.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I enjoy the interaction with the followers of my website, and I also enjoy book signings and book talks.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! I started The Phone Call in 1994, it went through at least 20 MAJOR rewrites, and now it has been published.

I also strongly, strongly recommend google docs — I can write anywhere I have internet, and I can have my editor collaborate in real time with me on the document.

Finally, professional editors are your best friend. PAY for a good one — your friend may be amazing at editing, but at some point, it needs to be someone who can be ruthless. Your editor will make you mad at times, but usually there is truth in those comments.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Visualize what you want/what achieving your dreams will actually look like — my middle son used to tell me to visualize how we would go out to dinner when I finally either got an agent or got a publishing contract, and that we would order whatever we wanted. When I would get discouraged, he would remind me of this again, and just thinking about walking into a restaurant that way made me smile, and made me refocus.

What are you reading now?
The Cuban Affair by Nelson Demille.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing book four and my memoir, submitting them for publication.

Then, more events to get to meet my 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?
Jitterbug Perfume, The DaVinci Code, The Book of Joy, and one of Janet Evanovich’s books.

Author Websites and Profiles
K. Francoeur Website
K. Francoeur Amazon Profile

K. Francoeur’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first novel! I have four more of the books in the series already outlined and book two, Forsaken is well under way.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is entitled FOUND and it is one of five in The Conduit Chronicles. The characters had been dancing around in my head for many years, before the story really came together while I was backpacking through Europe. I was inspired by the history, architecture and myths of various European cultures. When I let my love for history fuse with my love for fantastical creatures, the magic happened and the novel came together.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I never write my books in chronological order. Scenes come to me and I write them down. Sometimes they don’t make it into the book, but they always deepen my characters.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Charlaine Harris, Anne Rice, Kevin Hearne, Neil Gaiman, Stephanie Meyer, J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin. All of these authors have had a variety of impact on my writing and my imagination.

What are you working on now?
Why, finishing up The Conduit Chronicles of course!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is all so new. I am taking it one step at a time. I love getting feedback from other indie writers who have already paved the way. I follow their wisdom.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing! Don’t give up. Your story was laid on your heart for a reason, so you can tell it! Do whatever you need to do to get it out there and into the hands of readers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to get there.”- A quote I cherish, although I could not tell you who the author was.

What are you reading now?
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker. This book is an excellent mystery!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing! When something touches your soul the way writing does for me, I have no choice but to write. I will finish The Conduit Chronicles and see what inspiration comes next!

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?
Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris and The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joel Dicker. This isn’t my first time reading this one, I love finding new clues every time I read it.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ashley Hohenstein Website
Ashley Hohenstein Amazon Profile

Ashley Hohenstein’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer for work, so I’ve been writing for over 25 years. I found I tend to be interested in legend and folklore, which led me to investigate the superstitions of 19th century sailors for my first book, The Ghost Ship, and definitely informs my current project, to retell the oldest Arthurian legends to make the emotions and motivations understandable for modern readers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is called Our Man on Earth and it tells the real origin story of Merlin, as laid down in what is called the Vulgate Cycle in 1215. As I was reading the old legends of King Arthur, I was amazed that 1) they’re so exciting, different and accessible, and 2) people don’t know them! For example, in this book, the devil wanted a man on earth to counter the influence of Jesus. So he haunted this woman, and finally impregnated her. She had the baby baptized at birth, and THAT is where Merlin came from. But that’s not all, because then the mother is sentenced to death for having an illegitimate child, and Merlin has to save her! So it’s a great, explosive story, and people don’t know that this is where Merlin came from. People also don’t know, say, that Lancelot was kidnapped as a baby and raised in a matriarchal society, or that Arthur begged the knights NOT to go in quest of the holy grail. So the real stuff still has so much left to discover.

People know the “Camelot” version of King Arthur, with romance and swordfights, and it certainly has that, but it also has a lot of VERY strange magic, interpersonal drama, and very dark mysteries. It’s much more “Twilight Zone” than “Camelot!” And I was inspired to try to bring that world to life… in a telling that could extend across several novels, and create one of the largest, most compelling literary universes ever. Believe me, there is NO chance of running out of story, and the plot is all laid down–it was finished over 500 years ago–so there’s none of that “Making it up as we go along” you find in more contemporary series. This has a decades-spanning, massive scope story that is all going someplace very definite.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find that I FEEL the primary emotion I am writing about, so I often write scenes out of order, according to what I feel most akin to at the time. I also try to just get something down, then finesse it during revision, which helps me continue making progress.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
For this book, my main influences were Henry James (for the interpersonal psychology), pulp writer Jim Thompson (for the shocking casual violence that afflicted the time), Flannery O’Connor (for the strange and harsh spirituality) and the middle english sources of the Arthurian legends themselves, which have a beauty and austerity I would like to borrow from.

What are you working on now?
The second book! And I’m super into it, too. It is much more like the rest of the series, because in it, Merlin is an adult (at seven years old) and steps into his normal role advising kings and controlling the dircetion of Britain. Our Man on Earth has an intimate scale, but in the second book, The Sons of Constance, the scale opens up vastly, and we have a dragon fight, a huge battle, the downfall of two kings, and Merlin creating the round table–and Stonehenge! Which the old sources allege that he built. So I’m having great fun writing that one.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still new and trying out different things, and I am trying them all hard and heavy! I want people to connect with this series, because I KNOW it’s good, and I KNOW they’ll like it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, because writing happens while writing. Don’t obsess over your first draft, just get something down, because the real action happens during revision. Finally, read a lot.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Break your writing down into smaller bits, make notes, write only dialogue… whatever helps you to get something down, because then you have something to work with.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading historical info about Medieval Britain, and I am still very deep in reading one middle english source of the Arthurian legends (called the Vulgate Cycle), which, across 9 volumes, is about 5,000 pages. And as I do that, I am making notes and laying out the entire arc of the series, and planning out what is going to happen in which books, and plotting out the psychology and arcs of characters still to come–notably Arthur himself, Guinevere and Lancelot.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The rest of the books! It’s very exciting, and I adore being in that world as a writer. Book 1 is the birth of Merlin, Book 2 moves us through two kings to Arthur’s father, Arthur is born at the very end of Book 3, Book 4 will be Arthur’s childhood, Book 5 will be his training, Book 6 will be as he vanquishes the kings that oppose being ruled by a teenage boy, and Book 7 will be the childhoods of Lancelot and Guinevere… that’s all that is planned out at this point, but that’s a few years of solid writing for me!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Ambassadors by Henry James
Collected Stories by Flannery O’Connor
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain (READ IT)
Le Morte D’Arthur by Thomas Malory

Author Websites and Profiles
Scott Telek Website
Scott Telek Amazon Profile

Scott Telek’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
1 published book. Numerous unpublished works.. haha.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “Life: Darkness & Light”, which is the first part of a 15 part series titled “Life”.

I was inspired to write this book because I, along with everyone else in this world, struggles with life. I also had no one to talk to about my problems, so I decided to talk to myself which lead me to writing this book. I want to help humanity accept, understand and balance themselves.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have many unusual writing habits (laughs). One of my worst habits wold have to be the use of foul language. Also, I tend to write everything that comes to my head, wether it be bad, good, offensive, helpful, etc. Basically I write how I feel, what I think and what I see.

I also tend to loose myself and I tend to let loose far too much!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J. Rowling, Charles Darwin, Charles Dickins, the author of Treasure Island, and Margret Mahi.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a new poetry book titled “Poetry Of A Mental Health Sufferer”, a pretty heartbreaking story titled “Willow Haul”, and an intense book called “The Closet”. The closet has to be one of my most personal works to tell you the truth!

I’m also working on the second Life series book titled “Life: Dreamland” which explains how the many dreams I have at night correspond to my woken conscious life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like all promotional sites, but my favourite by far would have to be Free-ebooks.net because of the number of people that engage with the site. Otherwise, I’m a fan of every website there is that relates to the promotion of books (smiles and giggles).

My best method would have to be reaching out to as many book promoters, book blogs, personal friends and family etc etc. Also can’t forget about paid promotion!!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never be afraid to write how you feel no matter how many sales you get!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never, ever, ever give up despite your failures. That’s what plan B to Z are for

What are you reading now?
At the moment, I’m currently reading nothing due to the fact that I’m restless and have trouble sitting… Hahaha. Otherwise I’m up for reading anything!

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me as a writer?

WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!!!!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Alchemist, A book on how to swim without getting tired, and any other books that teach you how to get off a desert island, if there is any.. Hahaha.

Author Websites and Profiles
P Harrison Amazon Profile

P Harrison’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the author of The Naked President, The Divine Truth Setting us Free: A Chrsitian Conspiracy to Control the World, Alphology and other books. I am the creator of the theory of Alphology and am an social activist, creator of AlphBoard game and a tree hugger as well as climate police (unofficial). I am a Madibaist and subscribe to the principles of #Madibaism.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Immediately after Nelson Mandela, famously known as Madiba passed away, I had a dream Mandela came to me and asked me to write a book about #Madibaism. It was just a dream and I procrastinated and the dream came to me in full force, daily, until I wrote this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I soothe people. I have an effect on people and they all fear me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dan Brown, Napoleon Hill, Mario Puzo. The Godfather, Davinci Code and How to get Rich.

What are you working on now?
The Pondering President and starting a business.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not procrastinate. Even if you have a mental block, just jot down whatever comes to mind, you might need to use that again.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nobody will love you more than you do yourself.

What are you reading now?
The President’s Keepers by Jacques Pauw.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To complete The Pondering President and get my business running and visit Tibet.

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 Godfather, Angels and Demons and Silent of the Lambs.

Author Websites and Profiles
jabulani nzilane Website

jabulani nzilane’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written six books. Four are satires. The other two are set in concentration camps in 1930’s Germany. As far as I know no one else has done this.
I live in a hole in the ground in Nottingham, UK. I am currently trying to upsize to a cardboard box under a railway bridge. There is an advantage compared to living in a house. I don’t live next door to a serial killer. Okay, there are a few weirdos but they are not armed.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Hitler Affair. Er…Hitler. This will be out shortly. The previous one is The Himmler Contract.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. Unless you count writing while halfway up a chimney.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
None. Though Film Noir has.

What are you working on now?
Trying to sell books. Will begin a serious fiction book about the Ivory Trade shortly.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t found one yet.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure you can write. There are too many who can’t clogging up sales channels.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t pour boiling tar on your baby’s head.

What are you reading now?
Non fiction.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing. I can’t help it.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Can’t say. There are too many I like. But I would not bring anything by Jeffery Archer. Unless it was to start a fire.

Author Websites and Profiles
Alan Ford Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Kellie Knight. I performed in theater arts programs as a child and all throughout college. I would write and star in my own plays in what was then called “Junior High”, so I have always had a passion for writing. I was a public speaker in elementary and always the kid in the group/family photo who had the pose that stood out the most. I was really great at memorizing lines and starred in a play that included a cast of myself and 1 other character. It was a great experience, required a ton of lines to memorize, but it showed me the importance of dedication and perseverance. My Mom has always been inspirational and supportive of everything I attempt to accomplish. She’s amazing.

I love my family and we have some teenagers. The good kind – smart, pretty and they stay out of trouble most of the time. Their awesome Dad, (Len) and I like them on most days. The youngest child is LJ, the main character in my books. He is funny and charming. We like him too. I have a unique family and everyone has some type of talent or skill from playing guitar, making beats, playing keyboard, drawing, technical/electrical stuff, acting and of course, writing. My youngest child is autistic, but we don’t allow autism to control us. It gets tough sometimes, but we are tougher. I started my own publishing company and I wrote a children’s book series about a little autistic knight. I have published 2 books to date, but the others are anxious to be released.

Some other cool people I like are my best friends. I have known them since elementary school. They participated in one of my plays, but we performed together in some elementary dance and choir performances as well. Being friends for so long shows our loyalty. We have remained friends from like elementary, stuck together through Junior High and High School, went to different colleges, but always kept in touch. My Golden Girls are the best. I love them…they are family too.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
LJ the Little Knight vs. Billy the Bully is my latest book. It was inspired by my son, who was the main character in the first book: LJ the Little Knight: The Battle of Autism. I love working with children and since LJ had some extra challenges and does interesting things throughout the day, I thought, “Hmmmm,” this would make a good story and help me spread autism awareness.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, although I type everything, I remember watching movies of writers who would hate what they wrote and just rip the page off the typewriter and ball it up. So sometimes, I just ball up paper as if I disliked something I wrote and have to start over. It is weird, because we can highlight and delete or hit the backspace button now. Funny how times have changed. I am still old school.

I have to wait until the kids are asleep to work quietly. I rush to get things done before Jimmy Fallon comes on and I can’t write again until Jimmy Fallon goes off. As soon as I hear The Roots playing, I just stop what I am doing.

I also must have hot coffee. No matter what time it is and I am up writing, I will keep reheating the coffee. I believe it gives me power.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Maya Angelou, “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now”
Paulo Coelho, “The Alchemist”
Don Miguel Ruiz, “The Four Agreements”

What are you working on now?
I have books 3 and 4 of the series already written. I just have to fine-tune them and of course get the artwork completed. I want to work on commercials. I love funny commercials. My family and I are constantly making silly outtakes. Who knows, maybe one day they will become something.
I am also editing some work for a few other writers, so timing is everything and everything takes time.

Oh yeah, I will be reading my books at a couple of schools for Read Across America on March 2nd. Something new for me, but I am really looking forward to it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social Media – mostly Facebook and Twitter, but I feel that you can promote anywhere. I like to go to different events and hand out flyers as well as stickers featuring my characters to the kids. I also have some YouTube videos I have uploaded that help me promote the books. There is a commercial I made that my kiddos recorded for me and I say the title of my book in Spanish. It is kinda goofy, but I leave it up because it makes me laugh and makes me work harder.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write about what you are passionate about. Edit, edit, edit. Ask questions often if you are not sure about something. It’s okay to laugh at yourself. Sometimes the ideas you think are ridiculous end up working out. It is okay to see what other authors are doing, but if you use like a marketing idea of theirs, give it your own little twist. Being different and unique is a good thing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Whenever I felt down about anything or I thought that a simple issue, like a zit was like the end of the world, my Dad, Raymond would say, “Well, that beats having a war.” So it really wasn’t the end of the world and things could always be a lot worse.

Also, one of my college professors, Dr. Lily Small would say the lyrics to a song and it sticks with me to this day: “Hallelujah Anyhow. Never ever let your troubles get you down. Oh, when life’s troubles come your way, lift your head up high and say, Hallelujah Anyhow.” In other words, keep it pushing.

What are you reading now?
Breathe, by Iris the Dream Whisperer

Autism Every Day: Over 150 Strategies Lived and Learned by a Professional Autism Consultant with 3 Sons on the Spectrum, by Alyson Beytien

Roku TV Instructional Manual

What’s next for you as a writer?
Naturally, I want to finish publishing the rest of the books in my series. I have always had a passion for making smoothies and now have noticed that I love cooking, so writing a cookbook would be cool. I’d like to find out more about writing commercials. The Super Bowl is in a few days, so I will be watching…especially the commercials. Maybe that will spark my inspiration.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. The Bible
2. The Alchemist
3. Obama : The Historic Presidency of Barack Obama – 2,920 Days
4. The Greatest Music Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from Music History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy (The Greatest Stories Never Told)

Author Websites and Profiles
Kellie Knight Website
Kellie Knight Amazon Profile

Kellie Knight’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
When I look back I’ve been so many persons – teacher, psychologist, manager, and now, author. I came to writing almost by accident, and I wish I’d started 40 years ago. I’ve published a novel and a book of short stories (“From the Heart: Stories of Life and Love”).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Choose: Snakes or Ladders – a Psychological Coming-of-Age Novel” – it started from a brief writing exercise, and refused to be put away. The character, a young woman in the 50’s, lived in my mind from the first words. Her naive optimism, her dreams and her strength in the face of fear and setbacks is revealing and inspirational.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know how others do it, but for me its an ‘avoidance/approach’ pattern. So many thoughts and scenes lurk in my mind beforehand – during the night, while doing boring tasks, even sitting on buses. Eventually I’ll push myself to sit down and then, once I’ve begun, I don’t see anything else for 2-3 hours. I’m exhausted.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Marvelous classical authors – Tolstoy, Louisa May Alcott, Henry Handel Richardson –
and good modern writers – Virginia Woolf, Sebastian Faulks, Kamila Shamsie, Helen Garner, Tim Winton, Chimamanoa Ngozi Adiche, Ian McEwan – too many to list. And there’s always the odd writer whose stunning writing leaves me paralyzed, such Marie Jalowicz-Simon, writing of her own experiences.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the sequel to Choose: Snakes or Ladders, and I’m excited about the way it is following the themes of the first novel – the struggle for safety and independence and love, but with even more mystery and drama. It’s about a young woman growing up so it does touch upon the sexual side of life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to publishing, and I was awesomely helped by David Gaughran’s website and his books (Let’s Get Digital). I’ve heard good things about Book Gorilla, BookScream and of course, Awesome Gang. I need to develop a Social Media presence.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up, but remember, it’s about enjoying your writing (or, at least the ones you finish!).

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Try everything. Keep going.

What are you reading now?
Secret River, by Katherine Grenville, set in an early Australian settlement.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I finish the Choose: Snakes or Ladders sequel. I’m chasing a character in my head – a narcissist male and how the others he first enthralled make their escape from him. And then, I know there’s a story in my grandmother’s leaving England for country Australia without support – another strong female character that gets through a lot.

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?
War and Peace; Confessions, by Jaume Cabre; A Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sally Forest Website
Sally Forest Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Heather Grant. I’m from Chicago and We Found Somewhere is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
We Found Somewhere was inspired by my love of film, movies, and Hollywood, and my frustration with working my barista job.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I know some people can’t write to music with lyrics, and I understand that, but I really like having music on while I write that fits the mood. Often big, romantic songs like Dashboard Confessional or blink-182, or sometimes epic songs about freedom like something by Bruce Springsteen or Carly Rae Jepsen. My musical tastes are all over the map and when I write, I’m often trying to capture the essence or feeling that my favorite songs give me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Audrey Niffenegger’s the Time Traveler’s Wife both filled and broke my heart. I’ve read it three or four times. I also really loved Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan, I strive to write characters with as much chemistry as Nick and Norah. Rainbow Rowell and Susane Colasanti are other favorites.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on promoting We Found Somewhere, exhausting every avenue I can to get people to read it. While I’m doing that I’m also writing a sequel, I have a lot in mind for these characters and I’m excited to see where they end up.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I wouldn’t say I’ve had quite enough success to offer a valuable opinion on the best way to promote my book, but I’ve by far had most of my sales come from submitting my book to Smashwords and making it free/pay what you want.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Don’t worry about writer’s block or if some days are better or worse than others, because that’s normal. Just write. Don’t write when you’re inspired, just always write. That way, when you do get inspired, you’ve kept up with your writing and can tap into the inspiration even deeper.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Visualize the moment of skin to skin contact”. When I write, I do a lot of internal monologue with my characters, it’s so much about things they see and witness, then breaking down how they feel about what they see and witness. But what really gets the story moving and your characters minds racing is skin to skin contact. It doesn’t have to be sexual or violent or anything, it’s just a way to get things moving. It’s great for if I’m ever stuck, I visualize the moment of skin to skin contact and that usually leads me in a pretty good direction.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading the Sound of Us by Ashley Poston, a very vibrant and energetic new adult book where music plays an integral role, so I’m very excited to get deeper into it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more. I’m really excited to move further along my sequel to We Found Somewhere, because I’ve become really proud of my characters and I’m really enjoying presenting them with new challenges and seeing how they continue to grow.

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 have to bring a Harry Potter book, probably the Order of the Phoenix. Then the Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Then for some real literary stuff I’d bring Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, it’s such a powerhouse of writing skill that I’m inspired every time I pick it up, and finally I’d bring Moby Dick by Herman Melville because, if I only had four books and was stuck on a desert island, maybe I’d actually finish it then.

Author Websites and Profiles
Heather Grant Website
Heather Grant Amazon Profile
Heather Grant Author Profile on Smashwords

Heather Grant’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a story-lover (books, movies, music, comics, visual novels, what have you). I was locally notorious for being able to read at 18 months, and wrote my first story about a tap-dancing elephant at age three, and haven’t stopped since then. I also love animals. I have enough pets to make vacations difficult. I play the piano and have a serious me obsession. Also, I’m currently in pre-production for my first feature film.

I’ve written about 60 novels, not including “Elf.” I estimate seven of those currently have a shot at one day being fit for publication. I’m working with an editor on each, and writing a couple of new books in the meantime.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is called “Elf.” It’s the first in a fantasy series. Inspiration mainly came from Stephen Donaldson books and various world mythologies, with the obligatory dash of Tolkien in there. I wanted to write a fantasy novel with a genuinely bad person at the center – someone who wants very badly to be worthwhile and fit in, someone who punishes himself badly for his awfulness, but is ultimately unwilling to go quite far enough to change. I love high fantasy and always have, but have rarely come across a hero who isn’t really a hero. In general, even the antiheroes are fundamentally good in some way. I wanted a character who fundamentally isn’t, and struggles constantly with it. “Elf” been through so many iterations that it really isn’t the same book. Ultimately, however, that theme of being ultimately unwilling to create or even accept redemption has remained the same. Not to say there isn’t a good-hearted, earnest, honest hero in “Elf”; it just isn’t the main character.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if this even counts as “unusual” anymore, but I’m well-known for waking up in the middle of the night, grabbing my laptop, and typing out ideas for hours. I also tend to listen to immerse myself in music for the hour leading up to a solid writing session. Finally, I take the scrap paper at my day job, cut the pages in half, staple them together, and covertly write for hours on slow days (I’m a receptionist, so no one notices).

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! This is by no means a comprehensive list, but Clive Barker, J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen King, Madeleine L’Engle, Stephen Donaldson, Peter Straub, Michael Crichton, Natalie Babbitt, Shakespeare, Joe Hill, Ramsey Campbell, Robert Aickman, Ray Bradbury, Andrzej Sapkowski, Robert Jackson Bennett, Margo Lanagan, Daniel P. Mannix, Lane Robins, C.S. Lewis, and many many many more.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a few projects. The ones with the best chance of being readable in the near future include a thriller about a young human trafficking victim who is inexplicably saved by a mysterious and not necessarily good person, and a dark modern fantasy about two sisters with traumatic pasts who develop extraordinary powers. Basically, the book explores what would happen if real people – in this case, victims who never had the chance to come to terms with their trauma – had superpowers.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first novel, and I honestly have no experience with marketing or promotion. I’m utilizing a few suggestions, so I’ll revisit this question when I get results (or a lack thereof).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read and write as often as you can. Get advice, but only from people you trust (this doesn’t necessarily equate with people who will tell you nice things.) Invest in an editor. Rewrite, but don’t obsess; it’s too easy to fall into a trap where you’re constantly trying to perfect a project. It takes a while to finish something properly, but when it’s done, it needs to be done.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do not hide.

What are you reading now?
I’m a fairly prolific reviewer, so I’m reading a lot! Currently I’m splitting my reading hours between “Daughters of the Storm” by Kim Wilkins, “The City Where We Once Lived” by Eric Barnes, and “Master Assassins” by Robert V.S. Redick.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m planning to have a catalog of at least 10 books out this year. I’m also very exciting because I’ve gotten a few script requests this month (I’m an aspiring screenwriter, as well) and even if that fails, I’m getting ready to shoot an indie film 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?
“The Talisman” by Stephen King and Peter Straub; “Imajica” by Clive Barker; “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien; and “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
In a nutshell, I grew up around a mother who never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Hardly a day went by when she wasn’t verbally telling or writing one. Although it annoyed the hell out of me as a child, somewhere along the way, I picked up her love of the craft and I never looked back.
I’ve written and published a couple of short stories in local magazines and an academic text book. PAWN OF THE GODS is my first full-length novel, and I’m currently working on a Young Adult Fantasy piece.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
PAWN OF THE GODS is my first full-length novel.
The inspiration for my story occurred during a tour of the Mayan pyramids in Belize. The culture’s complex mathematical, astronomical, political and scientific achievements, along with the society’s mystical beliefs about creationism, captured my attention.

I wanted to write a fictional story that wasn’t totally historical, but still captured the essence of the ancient Mayan culture. After a lot of mulling, I decided to make my story about a celestial Mayan object that had been protected by the same family for more than four-hundred years. When it fell into the unsuspecting hands of my MC, Soledad Mendoza in this century, she had to use it to stop an unspeakable evil.

The story has a little bit of everything, horror, political intrigue, romance. It was a fun to write. I learned a lot about the craft along the way.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Define unusual, LOL.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There’s so much talent out there it’s tough to nail down one author who influenced me the most. I do love reading after all.

Whoa, that’s a tough one. I’d say Bram Stoker’s Dracula had a huge influence on my writing. The horror that Johnathan Harker experienced when he saw Dracula scaling down the castle wall like a lizard, will be forever etched in my mind.
I also admire [d] Phillipa Gregory’s works. Her vivid storytelling skills, and knowledge of English history, has never disappointed.
Others that have influenced me are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Dianna Gabaldan, Arturo Perez-Reverte, Tolkien, Dickens. Frankly, there are too many to name. Each of the above named authors have taught me something new about writing.

What are you working on now?
I’m half way through a Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy, where the sixteen-year old MC is transported back to an ancient civilization with a mystical twist (not Mayans).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I just completed my first novel, I”m new to the marketing side of things. Certainly, Awesome Gang is up there, LOL. Also, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, and email play a major role in getting the word out. I’m a quick learner. Hopefully, by the time my next novel rolls around, I’ll be an expert at it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be patient, don’t give up, and write, rewrite, and write again.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In regard to writing: “Kill your darlings.” Hemingway.
A writer friend from Italy once said, “Cut the fluff.”

What are you reading now?
I am in the throws of reading three books. I usually hit a couple in the morning, and finish out with the third before bed.
CLASH OF KINGS, by George R. R. Martin
SALAMBO, by Flaubert
THE FIFTH WAVE, by Rick Yancy

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish my current W-I-P, try to publish it, and then move onto the next novel I’ve outlined.

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 question. It would have to be a book that I could read multiple times without becoming bored. I’ll rule out DRACULA. It would scare the crap out of me. The following books would offer a nice mix of romance, suspense, and fantasy elements.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
THE GODFATHER
OUTLANDER

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrea Franco-Cook Website
Andrea Franco-Cook Amazon Profile

Andrea Franco-Cook’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently have five books available in several formats each. All five are stand-alone stories of love, loss, anger and redemption in various forms.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book is The Bachelor of Belmead. I was a real estate professional years ago and this book involves a massive estate which a bachelor inherits and cannot afford. I actually laughed out loud numerous times while writing this book- it’s a fun read.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, procrastination. I imagine other writers are busy tapping away at the keys while I stew and mull over elements of my story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jan Karon, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Francine Fivers, Sandra Brown, Nora Roberts and Nicolas Sparks.

What are you working on now?
A heartwarming tale of an obese woman with a bad attitude. She gets rescued from a terrible situation and hauled off to a ranch where she begins to study the ranch manager’s wife, Elsie. Elsie has captured the hearts of the workers she feeds twice a day and jealous eyes have been watching.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=helen+bea+kirk&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3Ahelen+bea+kirk

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and put the book out there then write and put the book out there.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Work on your project everyday even if it’s ten minutes.

What are you reading now?
The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Possibly a sequel to Done Running as readers have asked me about that. They fell in love with the characters and want more. It’s a wonderful challenge.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were going to be stranded and all alone on a deserted island, I would bring my Kindle and make sure I had it loaded with The Bible, a book of poems, and hundreds of books, including true stories of shipwrecked people who survived and romance books, but that wasn’t your question. 1. The Bible, 2. Book about, How to cook when you’re stranded on an island. 3. Romance books and 4. Crossword book. i tend to be practical.

Author Websites and Profiles
Helen Bea Kirk Website
Helen Bea Kirk Amazon Profile
Helen Bea Kirk Author Profile on Smashwords

Helen Bea Kirk’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account