Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After retiring from teaching at age fifty-five, it was time to move forward with my dream of writing. I took two online courses from The Institute of Children’s Literature and a Children’s Writing Course through Indiana University Northwest. Now I thought I was ready and would soon see my stories in print. Not immediately, but after many rejection letters, A DOG AND HIS BOY, was published through a small Christian publisher, Lighthouse Christian Publishers. I self-published my five other children’s books using Create Space; HOW TO BE A LADY, HOW TO BE A “SUPER MAN”, NIGHTTIME PROWLER, EVAN’S PRAYERS, THE BOSSY BEAST, and one middle grade novel, THE SECRETS OF CUB CREEK, A STEP ACROSS TIME. They are all available on Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I had joined an online critique group and through that group, my young adult novel, THE HIDDEN TRUTH, became a reality. My husband and I had been discussing the benefits and detriments of using GMO products and whether or not God is in control of the changes humans have made. I began to research the topic and incorporated the information I found into my novel where the protagonist’s dreams help her to see the truth. She and her friends dive into the study with some unwelcome results. I submitted it to Soul Mate Publishers and was ecstatic when I received my contract to publish it as an e-book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unfortunate to say, I am a very hit and miss writer. If it’s summer, I would rather be outside in my flower garden or out at the pool. During the winter, I try to get back to writing, but I have many other interests as well. Our family comes first, so if there are events to attend, my writing goes by the wayside.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love to read historical fiction. My favorite book is JANE EYRE and I loved WUTHERING HEIGHTS and GONE WITH THE WIND when I was a teen.

What are you working on now?
I have a middle grade novel about a girl who finds out her iPad is capable of changing the date and time to her advantage. It needs editing and polishing and then I will begin submitting it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far Twitter and Facebook

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay true to yourself and don’t get discourage.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write about what you know is what everyone says, but I think we wouldn’t have the variety of books we have if everyone followed that advice. So I would say, research, research, research, if you want to write about something beyond your situation.

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading the OUTLANDER series and just finished, THE AVIATOR’S WIFE. I also read all of Anita Shreve’s books. Her writing was amazing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Right now it is taking quite a bit of my time to promote THE HIDDEN TRUTH. I Have an idea for another young adult book set in the future. My teen granddaughters have been encouraging me to try this genre.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, Jane Eyre, and a Journal and pencil, so I could write.

Author Websites and Profiles
Janeen Swart Website
Janeen Swart Amazon Profile

Janeen Swart’s Social Media Links
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a first-time author. I live in California and love going to Disneyland and Universal. I play a lot of video games, watch a ton of movies and tv shows and of course read a lot. When I have free time, I make videos on my Youtube channel. I have only written one book, as of right now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cataclysmic Ascension Book One The Vanderlaan Legacy is my one and only book so far. My love for the Medieval times played a huge part in creating this world. I love that time in history. Knights, Castles, Kings and Queens. The other thing that inspired my book was Fantasy and my love of Dragons.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I listen to music while I write and imagine how the story would play out like a movie with the song in the background.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.K. Rowling has been a huge influence to me. Because of her I started reading and once Harry Potter was over I started writing. I owe her a great deal.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on book two in The Vanderlaan Legacy

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure that out.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t get it published. Never give up and make sure you have fun with it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Love what you do and never give up.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Windwitch by Susan Dennard.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan on making my book into a series and hopefully one day see it in bookstores around the world.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That is a very hard question but if I had to choose. One of the books from Harry Potter, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sarah Molder Amazon Profile

Sarah Molder’s Social Media Links
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Central Florida with my husband and my Jack Russell, Cena, who is both my biggest muse and my greatest distraction. I have a daughter and a grandson who is 2. Her husband is Air Force, and they’re currently stationed in Japan. I work a regular nine-to-five desk job and write to escape reality. I currently have one full length novel published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Whisper of an Angel is my debut full length novel. Our local animal shelter has a monthly Pack Walk, where they take a load of dogs to the state park for volunteers to walk. It gets the dogs some out-of-cage time and spotlights adoption opportunities. My very first Pack Walk, I met Phoebe – and promptly fell in love. Unfortunately, my dog is 13 years old and very set in his ways, which includes hating anything else with four legs. This makes us a one dog household. Each month I fell in love with a different dog (my husband was not a fan of my volunteering at this event). It broke my heart to see the dogs’ reactions when it was time to get back on the bus to go back to their cages. Whisper started as my way of giving them happy endings.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am what we call a ‘pantser’. No matter what my planning intentions are, I work best when I’m chasing a deadline and put myself up against the wire. Regardless of whether I have two years, six months, or two weeks, you’ll find me getting it done in the last couple days. I also tend to include a lot of my own angst, whatever it happens to be on the days that I’m writing. You know the old saying – don’t anger the author because you may become a character in their book? Yeah, it’s true.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nicholas Sparks, Mitch Albom, and Cecelia Ahern are three of my favorites because of their abilities to elicit emotion. I want my writing to make people feel. I worked in a used bookstore for years, so it really broadened my horizons and I read just about anyone, which has also led to me writing very different stories for different genres. I adore reading local authors that I can interact with and get to know on a personal level, two of my long time favorites being Connie Mann and Dylan Newton. Local authors all tend to be extremely supportive, which goes a long ways.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on Poetic Justice, which, like Whisper, includes dogs and romance. However, my main character in this story goes vigilante after the judicial system fails time and time again, and dog fighting is getting out of control in her area. She takes things into her own hands and doles out the justice that she feels fits the crime. It’s one of the rarities where a serial killer is the hero, and the victims are the bad guys. The local news provided a lot of content and scenarios, and writing fiction offers an avenue to carry out acts that law enforcement would definitely frown upon.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning the ropes for self promotion and ‘pimping’ myself in the promotions groups. My best method thus far was paying a marketer to do it for me, which is what I did when Whisper was released. I personally have not found that one, all encompassing method or site that is best. I do wish I knew that magical secret though!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it! It’s hard writing a full length book – like really hard. Editing is even harder, but oh so important. Find an editor that is willing to get to know you so they know your style, your habits (good and bad), and what rules you’re going to break no matter what. Grammar is the correct way to do things – you’ll learn how to tweak it to your own style, but it takes time. Be patient and keep an open mind. Anthologies are a great way to network, develop your writing, and get your name out there. Make friends and be nice – no one starts at the top. Be prepared to earn your stripes.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be true to you. It sounds cliche, and most have to learn it the hard way – I did, and still am. I tend to fall into the category of trying to make everyone happy, which does nothing except make me miserable. Everyone will give advice on how to do things, but find your own way. I’m not saying don’t listen, but take it under advisement instead of as the gospel truth. Don’t be afraid to speak up with your own ideas or opinions. There’s no right or wrong answer.

What are you reading now?
I have to laugh because I don’t even know right now. I have a New Zealand series by Rosalind James that I’ve been trying to get to. I have several stories for fellow writers that I’m trying to give feedback on. Honestly, I have enough books I ‘want to be reading but haven’t’ to last me about the next three lifetimes.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m spending 2018 with a calendar full of anthology submissions, as well as two more full length novel deadlines. I’m trying to focus on hitting deadlines, getting a more organized writing process, and get my stories out there.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom immediately pops into my head. Faerie Tale by Raymond Feist – the only book to ever give me the heebie jeebies. The Punch Buggy Daytona 500 by my daughter when she was in elementary school because that will always be my absolute favorite book. And let’s be real – a book about the island so I know what’s safe to eat. This girl gets hangry.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lorah Jaiyn Website
Lorah Jaiyn Amazon Profile

Lorah Jaiyn’s Social Media Links
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I first published The Beast in May of 2017. Since then I have published six books through Amazon and there are many more to come. I always have a story in my head.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book as of now is Welcome to Ludicrous. My mom, who is also a fellow writer, told me about an idea she had where there is a town that is backwards and nothing makes sense. She encouraged me to write it and I did. After that the story took over and changed itself several times, leaving me along for the ride.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to write at night when everyone is asleep. I can focus and the story takes on a life of its own.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
To name a few: The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, Fablehaven, The Unfortunate Fairytale series, Peter Pan, Black Beauty, Treasure Island, A Little Princess, and so much more. Margaret Peterson Haddix is one of my favorite authors as well. Aside from published authors, there a several talented aspiring authors on Wattpad who both encourage and inspire me.

What are you working on now?
So many!! Currently working on my next book that will hopefully be out in June. Aside from that, there are at least ten stories on my flash drive I occasionally work on. Like I said, I’m always writing a story in my head.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook a lot for sharing links and connecting with readers. MailChimp is a good site for creating newsletters and sharing information with readers through an email.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t delete or throw away anything. From childhood stories to drafts you don’t think you’ll ever use, save it. You never know when you may need inspiration. Definitely check out Wattpad. It’s a great way to begin getting your work in public and receiving feedback

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have heard yet is this:

Ask yourself these three questions. Who are my characters? What are their goals? What can I do to keep them from achieving their goals?

What are you reading now?
Do you have time for this question? I’m rereading the Rangers Apprentice. Kidnapped, Uncle Toms Cabin, Blessings in Disguise, A Light in the Darkness, Lost Girl, The Ranchers Runaway Bride, and The Railway Children.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My hope is to continue writing and encouraging others to write. I would like to attend more book signings, host workshops, speak at schools, and even travel for a book tour! Who said the sky is the limit?

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?
First and foremost I would bring my Bible. I’m a Christian and my Bible is my roadmap, my guide, and my sword. Secondly, I would bring some sort of survival guide that included stuff like how to build a fire, first aid, and things like that. Lastly, I would bring a box set of The Shadow Children series by a Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Author Websites and Profiles
Virginia Henderson Website
Virginia Henderson Amazon Profile

Virginia Henderson’s Social Media Links
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a book-loving daydreamer. The person you see on the street watching some imaginary spot and smiling because she was just hit by “what if…” idea. You know, the one that needs “weirdo” pressed on her t-shirt. Besides that awkward detail, I occasionally sing in shopping malls, especially on the dairy product aisles, talk to the kitchen appliances if they refuse to collaborate, take long walks on the beach and often get lost, because of which I avoid doing the same thing in a forest, I can’t function before I have my coffee (seriously, I have to think really hard just to remember my name and sometimes manage to get it wrong), and I am a living proof that you CAN survive without eating broccoli.

Behind the Stars is my second book. The first one, This is me, this is not you, is currently impatiently tapping around, waiting for the editing process the finish and I really try to ignore it. The third book that I’m writing is helping me with that.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote Behind the Stars because I got fascinated by how much energy people are willing to spend persuading others that their opinion is the right one. Especially because I have several geeky friends of my own but also few New Age aficionados by my side. When they meet the whole world becomes hilarious.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I often see photos of writers sitting in front of the desk with a serious face and I must admit they are looking professional. I write comfortably sitting, sometimes lying, on my couch. I find it easier because how will my characters be relaxed if I’m not? And for some reason, it looks that nibbling a piece of fruit helps in the writing process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, that’s a challenge. I really love Jane Austin, like everyone, but my list goes on and on. One of my favorite writers is T.Gulbranssen and I don’t know how many times have I re-read his stories. Oddly, I was deeply impressed with C.J.Cela in my teenage years. Of course, I love A.Christie and the pace in her books. I believe I read everything that Kishon has written. My deep admiration and fascination go to Clarke, Sagan, and Asimov. Must say that Ishiguro is the genius when it comes to writing. Honestly, I could go forever like this.

What are you working on now?
Right now I am writing another comedy, also with romantic elements. I must say that I am really having fun with it. How come I am almost finished with it, I have a frame for another one, which is currently developing in my head.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, haven’t found one but when I do – I will let you know.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Sit down and write. Don’t think about the quality, just start writing. The story will start flowing by itself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My best half has a simple but the very effective one: “Turn off the damn Facebook and write!”.

What are you reading now?
I usually read two books at the time – one for the afternoon and one when I go to bed. The actual afternoon one is the Cat’s Cradle and the nighty night one is Nights of Rain and Stars.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Reading to be writing. I found great joy in reading and writing so I plan to stick to 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?
Pride and Prejudice (I could be happily stuck in a loop with it forever)
Beyond Sing the Woods (still dreaming about Norweggian forests because of it)
Foundation (please, let me take the whole series)
These Lovers Fled Away (if you haven’t – read it, really relaxing)

Author Websites and Profiles
Amanda Lake Website
Amanda Lake Amazon Profile

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