Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
An avid reader of thrillers, science-fiction, horror and romance, I have been writing for nearly 25 years, fiction and non-fiction alike, in English and in French. Lila Mina is one of my pen names and my upcoming trilogy TEMPER is the first I will publish under that name.

I am a firm believer in cross-genre literature. Life is too complex, too rich and surprising to limit stories to one genre only. I love blending genres to create powerful characters, emotional plots and exciting stories that hopefully will stay a long time with my readers.

I live in Japan. The rich and beautiful traditions, the amazing nature and the long history of this country are a constant source of creative inspiration.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the TEMPER saga, an erotic paranormal romance I’ve worked on for nearly three years now, my very special ‘baby’. TEMPER spans three books (Deference, Dread, Deliverance) that make a single story arc. Deference comes out on March 9, and the two others will follow in April and May.

I live in Japan and for years, my goal was to write a story that would bring together real life experience in this country, its incredibly rich traditions, culture and lore… with a heavy dose of steamy passion. It was important for me to explore several themes that really matter to me, such as the lifelong impact of trauma and resilience, healing and the limits of forgiveness; but above all I wanted to explore the meaning of ‘love’ in its many aspects, shapes and tastes.

With TEMPER, I decided to challenge myself and my readers with a story that my reviewers have called ‘unique’, ‘mind-blowing’, ‘phenomenal’ and that goes beyond traditional genre boundaries. It’s not for the faint of hearts, and there is no ‘fade-to-black’ scenes, quite the opposite. I took the time and space to make my characters go through heartbreaking ordeals to force them to confront themselves, the demons eating them from within, and become aware of the extraordinary bounds they share. And at the end, it is indeed a romance, a powerful love story – with a HEA.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t like writing in a solitary, silent environment. I like being surrounded by other people so I write best in a coffee shop with some inspiring music in my ears.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always enjoyed stories that have a more or less strong dash of paranormal – from downright fantasy to magical realism à la Haruki Murakami. J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert van Gulik, Stephen King, Laurell K. Hamilton, Haruki Murakami have all had a significant impact but so have Bram Stoker or Edgar Alan Poe. In French, classic authors like Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas or Emile Zola have always left me in awe with their love for details, multi-layered storytelling and complex characters.

What are you working on now?
I’m finalizing the editing and formatting of books 2 and 3 of TEMPER, drafting its sequel called VINDICTA, thinking about publishing two unrelated stories called PLATINUM NIGHTS ( contemporary romance) and THE MAN WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (erotic suspense).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still new at book marketing so I have yet to see which method and website will work best for me. I understand that the audience of each genre reacts differently. Please ask me again six months from now!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a great editor and beta-reader who will not be afraid to offer detailed constructive criticism.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust yourself and the reason why you wrote a specific story. Write it for yourself, not for the market!

What are you reading now?
I have a huge backlog of amazing books I want to finish and start… don’t where to begin though!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to reach out to the strong community of indie author, continue improving my writing skills, expand into new directions and try new genres.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lila Mina Website
Lila Mina Amazon Profile
Lila Mina Author Profile on Smashwords

Lila Mina’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Teresa Beeler is married with two grown children, one grandchild, one chicken-of-a-dog, and a herd of cows. She lives on a rural farm in West Central Illinois. She has a degree in business and has worked in public service for thirty years. She is an avid reader accumulating thousands of books on her kindle and bookshelves. Yes, she still prefers paperbacks. She has written five books with two more in edits. She also has five series researched, outlined and waiting to be written.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Crown Upon His Head by new author Elaine Printy. I was at a book signing and heard Ms. Printy talk about the need to write a book without swear words and sex. She wanted to write a book that portrayed the good in the world. I decided to read it and was surprised that she made a book about standing up for what you believe in and breaking bad thinking habits of others.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if you would call them unusual but I like to write out an outline on paper then lay it aside for several days to soak in what I outlined. Then I come back with my red pen and start drawing arrows to rearrange. I like to see the whole process on paper instead of cut and paste on a computer document. That way I still have the original thoughts in case I want to go back to them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
George R.R. Martin, J.K. Rowling, and Rick Riorden. I like to read books about underdogs and their struggles to survive and flourish.

What are you working on now?
I am finishing the edits on Book 3 in the Acabar Series and have started outlining a new series Ark Stone. I have actually written two chapters of the new series already before I have finished the outline. Sometimes mixing up your process helps the creative mind refocus.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would say as a beginning author it would be facebook. However, I am beginning to use AwesomeGang and Goodreads more and hope to see great results.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep pushing forward — The only way to be successful is to never give up. You may have to rewrite and rewrite a scene to get it to come out how you see it in your mind, but the final product will be worth the struggle.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up. My father preached that to my siblings and I on a daily basis. You are only constrained by the goals you set for yourself.

What are you reading now?
Twelve Years a Slave – I have put off seeing the movie because I like to read the books first to get better details and understanding when watching the movie version.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am finishing the Acabar Series and starting a new series. I have an outline sent to me from my brother who wants me to write a screenplay. I may try my luck at that in the near future.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Survival: How to Survive on a Deserted Island: Survival Island Guide Handbook 101;
HOW TO MAKE AN INDIAN CANOE – Adapted by Fichter; Harry Potter Series

Of course you must try to save yourself with the first two and the last is for when you realize you can’t and need an escape from your demise.

Author Websites and Profiles
Teresa Beeler Website
Teresa Beeler Amazon Profile
Teresa Beeler Author Profile on Smashwords

Teresa Beeler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For years, I survived in the “publish or perish” world of academia. I wrote grants to fund my research and wrote publications about my research. I received a peer review comment that this grant application reads more like science-fiction than science, and a new career was born.
I’ve published 4 full-length novels, edited a book of short stories with other authors and published my own short stores. I’ve had more success with my western stories than with my sci-fi.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My rich Uncle sent me a letter and invited me to live with him in Texas. Many of the men my age remember getting a letter from Uncle Sam. I loved Texas and though my job took me around the country, I visit there every year, finding something new I hadn’t seen before. My Latest book is set in Eagle Pass Texas, where the problems with folks wandering back and forth across the border wasn’t any different in 1866 than in 2019. Mexico was lock in a bitter revolution at the same time the US suffered a similar War Between the States. This stories borrows on true events and weaves a fictional story about what might of happened during those historical events.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do my work, business, and shopping before noon every day (including Sunday.) Then I spend 4-6 hours writing after lunch. I try to get 2,500 words on the page every day. I don’t watch much TV, and read 3-4 hours in the evening.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have to give a tip of the hat to Jakc London, Louis L’amour, and Zane Grey in my youth. Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove gets credit for bring back to westerns.

What are you working on now?
I’m in the middle of a early west saga about a young man new to America and, after losing his family to the Comanche, becomes a scout for a mule train. The first book in the series, The “Apprenticeship of Nigel Blackthorn” has been well received. So well, in fact, I’m continuing his coming-of-age adventures as a teen before it moves on to what he does as an adult.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon rules the roost in sales and marketing. I get the best promotions on Amazon Advertising, formerly AMS.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Join a critique group, and learn what works and does’t work in you writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep you head down in your manuscript while your typing, keeping your mind inside the characters. Don’t stop to edit of make changes-stay in the story and type as fast as the words come to mind. Edit 2 or 3 time when your done. Keep Typing!

What are you reading now?
I picked up an old Larry McMurtry , Telegraph Days.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve written several short stories as contemporary thrillers with secret agents or former agents.

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?
Lonesome Dove would be first, a Jack London, A L’Amour, and Tony Hillerman.

Author Websites and Profiles
Frank Kelso Website
Frank Kelso Amazon Profile

Frank Kelso’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a guy in his mid-twenties with a passion for anything science fiction, fantasy with additives of action and adventure, whether movies, books or comics. I also enjoy music and the arts (I tried writing songs into my books. Not quite there yet). I also like hot alien chicks. Besides all of that, I love stories, and have a lot to tell. I believe one of the best way of sharpening young minds in through literature, and want everyone to be apart of my work.

I’ve written two novels and around five short stories. My opus magnum has already reached six hundred pages, but chances are I might need to rewrite it, as its still not quite perfect.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “The Blue Goon,” and tells the story of a teenage boy who gets superpowers and has to battle various villains and monsters. The story is heavily inspired by the cartoons I used to watch growing up; the monster-of-the-week series like power ranger, as well as the escapade of kids growing up like that you would see in Hey Arnold. Because it doesn’t follow one set plot it allows me to make each chapter sound unique, and I really like that flexibility.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes when I get bored with a story I’m currently writing, what I do is take a break by writing a new completely different story. Writing different things keeps my mind refreshed and at the same time my fingers always ready.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m honestly mostly influenced my anime and manga as compared to books, as I’ve read more of the former; such as Dragon Ball Z, Once Piece, Yuyu Hakusho and darker works such as Berserk. In regard to books, there are the obvious works of Tolkien, some Stephen King and Alan Dean Foster.

What are you working on now?
My next project involves a tale about monsters and treasure…that’s it for now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting my book is really difficult, that’s all I’ll say.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing the book is the easy part. Getting it out there is where the difficulty lies. However, keep at it, eventually something has to break.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve heard a lot. I’ll have to see which one works.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading a manga called Black Clover. I was hesitant at first due to similarities to Naruto, but the story arc has changed and become unique and intriguing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to see my works on the big screen and even in anime.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take a porn magazine of course, A Wizard’s Bestiary, An Expedition by Wayne Barlowe and

Joel Williams’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am originally from Florida. Currently, I live in South Carolina, where I have lived for several years. I have written one book so far. I also enjoy singing and songwriting, and I have completed an album of music professionally. The last few years, my interest has shifted to building and customizing Gundam model kits with my partner, Ion Garcia.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is, “Why Wilt a Wallflower? A Survivor Memoir. I was inspired to write it by my little girl, Gabby. I want the world to be a better place for her and the children she grows up with, in the hopes that sexual violence laws and policies will change.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure what this means. I started the skeleton of this book when I was 25, several years ago. I started writing it to publish it last August and completed it in December. I don’t know if that is unusual or not.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
“Sickened,” by Julie Gregory probably influenced me the most out of everything I have ever read.

What are you working on now?
Advertising my book, building Gundam models with my partner, Ion Garcia. Spending time with my daughter.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Remember, that your voice and your story matter. Always believe in yourself, even if no one else does.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up. Progress is progress, no matter how slow you are going.

What are you reading now?
Nothing, I needed a break. The most recent book I read was, “Educated,” by Tara Westover.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my book and enjoying my life.

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 am not a huge reader. I love quotes, especially quotes of encouragement. I would find 3 or 4 books of encouragement quotes and bring those with me.

Author Websites and Profiles
Amy Sue Jackson Amazon Profile

Amy Sue Jackson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Diane Parkinson (Diane Scott Lewis) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, joined the Navy at nineteen, married in Greece and raised two sons all over the world, including Puerto Rico and Guam. A member of the Historical Novel Society, she wrote book reviews for the Historical Novels Review. Diane worked from 2007 to 2010 as an on-line historical editor. She had her debut novel published in 2010.
She’s written and published ten historical novels, two short stories, and two children’s books between 2010 and 2018.
Diane lives with her husband in western Pennsylvania.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is a time-travel called, Beyond the Fall. I’ve always wanted to write a time-travel, since I was a child watching big-budget historical movies. Most of my novels are set in the late eighteenth century, so I decided to buckle down and write about a modern woman who “slips” into that era.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’d say the most unusual habit is that I’m constantly sending myself emails when I’m away from home, with story ideas/changes/reminders. I used to carry around notebooks, but emails are so much quicker. I’ll be in church and have to slide out the phone when an idea strikes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Philippa Gregory’s earlier works, Susanna Kearsley, Diana Gabaldon, and eighteenth century research books.

What are you working on now?
A American Revolution novel set in Pennsylvania, Her Vanquished Land. I tell the story from the viewpoint of the people who sided with the British, “Loyalists”. It was interesting to see how they coped with an unpopular and often deadly alliance.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have a Tweet group for historical fiction. We post and everyone else that day who posts RTs your submission. My current publisher has an active Tweet group. I also post on Facebook groups, including my own fan page.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep perfecting your style, your skills; listen to positive feedback, but if many comment negatively on one issue (such as your dialogue is stiff and wooden) take heed, and fix it. Join critique groups.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t write for the current trend. Attend workshops, join critique groups.

What are you reading now?
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. I’m really enjoying it, and don’t want the story to end. I hear she’s writing a sequel.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my time-travel, writing the sequel, and polishing my American Revolution novel.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is a difficult question. I think “How to Build a Boat” would be number one.
“Tales of the South Pacific” by James Michener. “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville, since it’s huge and I’ve never read it. “Bleak House” by Charles Dickens, another large book I’ve never read.

Author Websites and Profiles
Diane Scott Lewis Website
Diane Scott Lewis Amazon Profile
Diane Scott Lewis Author Profile on Smashwords

Diane Scott Lewis’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the CEO of Priceless Apparel, a Faith based clothing line and the founder of Priceless Gift Initiative, a charity organization. I am a football enthusiast and love reading books. School Needs To Go To School is my first and only book and I look forward to publishing more.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first and recent book is titled School Needs To Go To School and its inspired by the desire to help students, parents, educators and administrators understand that there is a difference between School and education.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to explore issues that are not commonly written about.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been greatly influenced by John Maxwell and Robert Kiyosaki. Leadership and business are my favorite topics and I consider these two authors as the best authorities in those areas.

What are you working on now?
For now, I am focusing on giving all the needed promotion and publicity to my new book, School Needs To Go To School, but you can sure expect more from me. maybr a follow up to this first one.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am trying out a couple at the moment but I will have to say Amazon.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Well I am a new author and need advice too but if I am to advise anyone, I would say believe in your idea and be committed to seeing it through because consistency is key.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have received is to believe in my own uniqueness.

What are you reading now?
Rhapsody of Realities by Chris Oyakhilome

What’s next for you as a writer?
I look forward to have the hard copies of my book out soon and start the next phase of marketing and networking.

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?
21 irrefutable laws of leadership by John Maxwell, The 360 degree leader by John Maxwell. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki as well as Think and grow rich by Napoleon Hill.

Samuel Daniel’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a mom, first, wife, author and editor (the editing part helps pay the bills – lol). I have written a fair number of books but I have 4 sci-fi/fantasy crossovers published in my series the Chronicles of Xannia — think “female Indiana Jones, on another planet, hired to lead a quest she doesn’t believe in, into the forbidden deserts”. I also have several short stories published in anthologies and an essay on writing fantasy believably in a writer’s guide.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is “Final Year: A Flawed Attraction Romance”. It is the first book in a romantic suspense college series focusing on different relationships in each book. The uniting thread is the college/university setting and a flaw inherent in the individuals who are unexpectedly thrust together into a volatile situation. Each school is different as is each couple and the flaws they are working to overcome within their unique situation.

My inspiration for this particular novel stems from my own time attending the university in this book and what I went through/experienced when 9/11 hit the world. I have scaled down the “emergency” the students and professors face and I’ve added a bit of whimsy around how two students in their final year convince themselves that they have to solve the problem before the police do. But Beth, the female lead, is a lot like me at that age and Jeremy, the male lead, deals with a disability a friend and colleague of mine lived with most of her life. These elements just decided to swirl around and spit out the idea for a book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not particularly. I mean, if I need time to think about a scene or where I want to take a certain chapter I will go for a walk (in warm weather) or gorm out on a bag of Doritos (in cold weather) until my brain has explored the avenues it needs to be able to move forward again. I do enjoy keeping a scrapbook/journal of my character notes and research for each book. Having a physical book to flip through is so much more fulfilling to me than cold files listed in a folder on my computer. I do both, but prefer to remain connected to the page throughout the writing process.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
From a very young age I’ve doted on the Wrinkle in Time series, The Chronicles of Narnia, Bunnicula (a vegan vampire rabbit), Nancy Drew, and even Fear Street. Now-a-days, though, I still gravitate toward fantasy but enjoy getting lost in Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study series, Kristen Britain’s Green Rider series, or Cinda Williams Chima’s Heir series, and Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series… I’m kind of addicted to books in a series – lol! But, my biggest influence would have to be from the screen. When I was a pre-teen I longed to read adventure novels but often had to settle for fictional problem novels. Indiana Jones, Goonies, the Neverending Story… this was what I wanted to read; and so this is what I started to write.

What are you working on now?
I have several projects on the go, presently. I’m workshopping book two in the Flawed Attraction series (gambling, a road trip, parental illness, and ex-boyfriends), preparing to release the first episode in a new steampunk vigilante superhero series called Shadow Phoenix (spring 2019), and an urban fantasy series co-written with a good friend of mine, Nanci M. Pattenden, called DEMON Tales (Department of Extraordinary Monsters, Ontario).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a sure-fire method. In fact, it’s usually a “stumble-through” where I’m concerned. I enjoy doing online book tours (I did my first one myself then hired an organizer to help with others) and guest blog posts, but I never quite found the right niche for my sci-fi/fantasy series. I’m hoping to break some new ground with my romance novels and dig deep to find the right market for my new fantasy adventures.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is to keep writing and never stop learning. I love the meme that’s out there saying, “You have to shovel sand into your box before you can start making castles.” It’s true! To be a writer you first have to give yourself permission to get the words on the page, then you need to open your heart and your mind to writer’s craft, feedback, and yes even criticism. Put yourself out there and keep finding ways to grow as a writer. Never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Know why you’re writing and take careful stock of how that might alter your approach to the craft.

You see, at first I just wanted to get my stories out there – to simply exist. Now, I’d like to make a living being an author. In order to achieve the second goal, my writing style, my approach to my writing time, and learning about being an entrepreneur have all drastically changed since I first started on this journey.

What are you reading now?
I just finished The Falconer by Elizabeth May and I’m debating diving into Julie Kagawa’s Talon Saga or getting caught up on the Throne of Glass series or Green Rider series. I’m terribly behind on all of the series’ I dearly love, but between writing and editing (mine and other authors’ books) I find I have little time left to indulge in a hot beverage, warm blanket, and good book. My seven-year-old likes to think that sparetime equals our time I’m just enjoying it while it lasts – lol!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am starting a steady track with 3 different series’ and I’d like to see that each one is given the time it needs to blossom. For so long I kept myself confined to one world and one set of characters who needed their story told that now my spirit is rejuvenated playing around in three different worlds (and maybe a fourth if my new adult paranormal fantasy book gets picked up!).

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?
Ooo! I’m glad you didn’t say only one. That would be impossible to whittle down.
1. Green Rider by Kristen Britain
2. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
3. The Complete Works of Charlotte and Emily Bronte (that counts, right? it is just on book)
4. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John & Caitlin Matthews

Author Websites and Profiles
MJ Moores Website
MJ Moores Amazon Profile

MJ Moores’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a researcher and author. During the day I run a small market-research business, but in the evenings and weekends, I love to write. I’ve written 5 books and edited one.

I have several areas of interest–one of them is how animals and people help one another. One of my books, Heartfelt Connections, explores the human-animal bond and how animals help us–even those we wouldn’t imagine like pigs, horses and even llamas. In my book, Community Cats, I explore the Cats at Work programs throughout the country and how feral cats are a green solution to rodent problems. These cats also become beloved members of communities.

Other books I’ve written are related to my career. Reading the Hidden Communications Around You: A Guide to Reading Body Language in the Workplace is a book about my approach to reading body language. And my book, Strategic Market Research: A Guide to Conducting Research that Drives Businesses, is about my profession and our approach to research.

My most recent book, Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After, is about the hidden messages in fairy tales.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After: The Hidden Messages in Fairy Tales. I was inspired to write this book when I started thinking more deeply about fairy tales and how people are affected by these stories. Women will talk about finding “Prince Charming” and about having a “fairy tale wedding.” The recent successes of movies like Cinderella suggested that these tales are still very popular and an important part of our culture.

I decided to conduct a data analysis of the 200 Grimms’ fairy tales to see if some major patterns would emerge. My suspicion was correct! I found that beloved tales have very specific messages about who has power, who is good and evil, and who causes suffering to others. And these messages vary by the gender of the character in interesting ways.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. When I get an idea, it takes hold of me and I eat, sleep and breathe it until I’m finished. But I have regular periods during the week when I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Because I read so widely, all authors influence me in small and large ways. Most recently, reading Cinderella Ate My Daughter, I enjoyed Peggy Orenstein’s narrative, journalistic style and used some of her techniques. But if I had to be completely honest, it’s the authors I read long ago and still enjoy like Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Virginia Woolf, and Edith Wharton who have had the largest impact on me.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on my first book of fiction which is in the magical realism genre, I’m also working on a revision of Community Cats, and I’ve started writing a book of magical, meditation journeys designed to reduce stress.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method for me so far has been word-of-mouth.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Sit down and do it and don’t worry about whether it’s good or bad. You can go back and fix it later. Don’t let self-doubt get to you. Just write!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My father told me that you should never worry about what you’re writing and just to let it flow even when you know it’s garbage. I’ve lived by that advice and I don’t get writer’s block as a result.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading The Best American Mystery Stories of 2018 edited by Louise Penny. I love it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I think I may turn the Cinderella book into a course that I can give in public seminars.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
That’s a tough one! I’d probably take the largest collection of short stories I could find, Jane Eyre, a collection of Shakespeare, and a book of fairy tales.

Author Websites and Profiles
Anne Beall Website
Anne Beall Amazon Profile

Anne Beall’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As an English major and now an English teacher, writing has been a part of my entire life. I have written a variety of articles, short stories and essays. But I finally decided to sit down, take the time and write an entire novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called Swipe Right For Love and is based on the online dating world. As most people who have used dating apps on their smartphone will know, swiping right on someone’s profile means you are interested.
I had a story in my head of two different personalities looking for love finding each other on one of these apps.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I might call it usual rather than unusual. I can only write if I am not at home. So during my long Christmas, spring and summer breaks I take my laptop to the local coffee shop (other than Starbucks) and spend about three hours each day writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am actually not a very picky reader. I tend to enjoy different authors and different genres. I enjoyed reading classics like Huck Finn, The Great Gatsby, to Shakespeare, Stephen King, Chuck Palahniuk and Kurt Vonnegut. I find that I can get inspiration and satisfaction from even trashy slasher or romance novels.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on my second novel which is a dystopian romance which usually seems doomed from the start. I tend to enjoy writing about relationships of people and placing them in funny or awkward or in this case miserable situations.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I published my book on Amazon and have been promoting it via Instagram and Facebook. I also have a YouTube channel so promote it there too. I stick to my social media but found that I need to find places where actual book readers flock to.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop writing even if you are stuck. I didn’t know how to end my book and left it for six months because of my frustration. But when I decided to start writing, the ending just naturally came to me. Once you get into the zone your mind automatically takes you there. It might take pages of useless content before the tap starts flowing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My friend Brian told me that 90% of people say they are writing a novel. So he told me to be the 10% that say the did write a novel.

What are you reading now?
I am reading Stephen King’s On Writing which is a non-fiction memoir book which he talks about his writing process and back stories of how he wrote some of his famous novels.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on my dystopian romance as I mentioned before but along with that, I am still doing small pieces of writing for blogs or online articles. Mostly travel.

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?
Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
The book thief by Marcus Zusak
Life of Pi Yann Martel

Author Websites and Profiles
S.A. Ozbourne Amazon Profile

S.A. Ozbourne’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since 1996. I’ve written science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, YA and middle grade. I have seven full length novels and numerous short stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is the science fiction thriller, Squaring the Circle, out March 1st, 2019. It was inspired by television shows like Nova and Through the Wormhole. I love the Science Channel, always have. I also love fiction that takes existing technology or theory and puts a speculative spin on it, like nearly everything from James Rollins and Michael Crichton. Jurassic Park blew me away when it first came out. If I had to point to any one book that inspired me to write Squaring the Circle, Jurassic would be it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to write all my books longhand, and then make my wife type them for me. She didn’t enjoy it much and I didn’t enjoy listening to her complain about it. So now I type them myself. I also drink from a coffee cup named Dorothy, which has little to do with my actual writing process…or does it?

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As I’ve said, Michael Crichton, James Rollins. And Stephen King. And George Orwell, Kurt Vonnegut, Christopher Moore, Richard Kadrey, Neil Gaiman, Hunter S. Thompson, and so many more. I try to soak in the best parts of my favorites as I read, taking note of what techniques they use, what works so well for them, and then set those things aside for later use. Learn from others successes. It’s all there, waiting for me on their pages. Hopefully, some of that genius will find its way onto mine.

What are you working on now?
My time is currently divided between promotion for my new release and writing the sequel. I plan to make it a five book series, although that may change. Maybe it will end up merely a trilogy, or perhaps I’ll get really ambitious and it’ll turn out having seven installments (a Potter-O-drillogy?) Who knows? Only time, and fan reaction, will tell.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are lots of places online to promote yourself, especially if you have at least one permafree book. Handbook for the Criminally Insane is mine. A call to action at the end of the free book is a great way to point readers to the books that cost money.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write as much as you can. Experience is the only way I know to get better at anything. If you keep at it, somewhere along the way you’ll stumble upon that ever-elusive and hard to define element that everyone talks about– voice. Voice cannot be taught because it is you. It is the one truly unique thing you bring to the table that no one else can. It is your word choice, your cadence, your flow, the structure that supports both character and plot. Your voice belongs to you alone. It will arrive without being sought, without fanfare or adulation, one day when you least expect it, but only if you keep pushing that pencil. I promise.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In writing there are guidelines, but no rules. The best writers bend, and even occasionally break, the guidelines. If you seek to go against the expected norms of your genre, that’s okay, as long as you have good reason to. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. The readers will let you know either way.

What are you reading now?
The Outsider by Stephen King.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will keep reading, keep growing and keep learning. Above all, I will keep writing. It’s what I do.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
What an awful, torturous question. If I had to pick only a few, it would be a new release from each of my favorites that I haven’t yet read. That way, at least for a little while, I’d have something new to read.

Author Websites and Profiles
B. K. Brain Amazon Profile

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

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Nicholi (N A K Baldron) is an author and an avid reader. Stories that take place in fictional worlds, with memorable characters, make his heart race like nothing else.

He spends his days debating between whether it’s coffee or tea time and pecking away at his keyboard to produce stories for his readers. Otherwise, he can be found strolling through one of the many wooded areas in the small town outside Austin, Texas that he calls home.

Knowing how precious reading time is, he’s always honored when his readers spend their time on his stories when there are so many to choose from.

I’ve written several books, but Orphan’s Price is the first I’m confident enough in, to publish with pride.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Orphan’s Price, and most likely Harry Potter combined with an endless sea of Fantasy I’ve read since I was in the 6th grade. I’m a product of my generation, Harry Potter will always hold a special place in my heart. I love to read the series every year.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I format my manuscript for publication while writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Raymond E. Feist, Brandon Sanderson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Paolini, J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Scott Lynch, and so many more.

What are you working on now?
Sorcerer’s Trial book 3 in the Chronicles of the Seventh Realm series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Newsletter. I love being able to write directly to my fans. I suspect I’ll do well at book signings/live events when I start. I majored in communication in college, so I’m not afraid of public speaking.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Your right, it does suck.
However, if you keep at it you’ll be the best there is. Most authors make it because their peers drop out and quit writing, leaving only them standing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Being an author is no different than being a carpenter. Both are crafts, require humility, and suffer if you’re self deceptive.

What are you reading now?
The books of my weekly writers critique group, and several other fantasies.

What’s next for you as a writer?
A second series inside Chronicles of the Seventh Realm.

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 Name of the Wind,
IT,
Rise of a Merchant Prince,
and an encyclopedia on how to escape a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
NAK Baldron Website
NAK Baldron Amazon Profile

NAK Baldron’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have survived with non-treatable and severe schizophrenia for 21 years. I managed through it all to create a functional and happy life. I have also recovered from drug and alcohol abuse. This is my first book – an autobiography – and a manual explaining schizophrenia, and how I cope with it medication-free.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Awakening of John David: Higher Functioning & Schizophrenic Equals Mystical. The Best Ever First Person Account!” I was tortured to the point of not being able to die, followed by a feeling that perhaps I should write a detailed account of my suffering? Also, I was inspired by Elyn Saks whose “The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness” sold a half million copies.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really – other than one sloppy writing stage, followed by at least two editing stages. I do not type correctly either, though I know how to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Aleister Crowley – most all of his works!

What are you working on now?
Promoting my autobiography.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon and Facebook Marketing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No. I am a new author and I have only been promoting my book for less than one month.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up.

What are you reading now?
Strategic marketing and SEO content – anything to further help me promote my book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
If my books is successful, I could write another on schizophrenia, coping, or some of the other subjects I delve into in my autobiography – like the occult sciences, recovery, etc.

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?
“Magick Without Tears”, “Magick in Theory and Practice: Book Four”, and “The Equinox Volumes” – all by Aleister Crowley.

Author Websites and Profiles
Donald Carroll Amazon Profile
Donald Carroll Author Profile on Smashwords

Donald Carroll’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one book (“hero”) and have two books that are expected to be delivered by mid year 2019. My background is in banking but I’m an adventurer at heart. I’ve completed marathons, triathlons, a half ironman, climbed mountains, ride motorcycles and more. I also am constantly learning new things, some of which appear in my books. Knowledge, little or big is always useful. I love creating worlds that others hopefully enjoy!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book and my first is called ‘hero’. It was inspired by a dream of one of the key scenes in the book. I didn’t have the whole story at first. I had that one scene and then it became a puzzle. What brought the protagonist to that place at that time? Why did he do what he did? Bit by bit, over the years, I was able to fill in the story. It wasn’t a straight line, but hopefully the end product captured the story I saw in my mind all those years ago.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get distracted easily so I write in small bursts It’s not as productive as others who are able to sit and write for hours but it works for me. So that means I write on the train for 15 or 20 minutes or right before I go to bed. All those little writing sprints add up and I do move forward on my writing so I’m good with the way I do it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Michael Lewis (“Liar’s Poker”, “Moneyball”, “The Big Short”)
Malcom Gladwell

What are you working on now?
Three books at various stages in the process:

The Boys of Brighton Beach (Indian Historical Fiction) which is currently in editing and expected to be released within 2 months.

A Mountain of Forgiveness (Indian Fiction) is currently in rough draft status.

Path is contemporary Indian fiction and I have just completed the outline.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook
Awesomegang
my own website (hareeshjayanthi.com)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persistence. It will be hard work. Do it for the opportunity to tell a beautiful story.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Have the courage to live a life true to yourself, not the life others expect of you

What are you reading now?
Barking up the Wrong Tree by Eric Barker

What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing and more writing. I have 22 books on my list and I intend on seeing them all to completion.

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?
Liar’s Poker, Moneyball, The Big Short, Tipping Point

Author Websites and Profiles
Hareesh Jayanthi Website
Hareesh Jayanthi Amazon Profile

Hareesh Jayanthi’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live with my husband, two cats, and dog in a northern Canadian city where the long winters give her the perfect excuse to curl up with a blanket and good book. Writing fantasy romances (with a touch of suspense) merges my love of all types of fiction. A big fan of the genre ~ who doesn’t love a good love story with heroic sword fighting? ~ I love my heroines and heroes to be witty, courageous, and with their faults.

I am currently working on the second book in the Beast King Chronicles.

Want more? Check out my blog, or keep updated by joining the mailing list!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Beast King Chronicles Book I, The Reaper’s Contract. I love romance, fantasy, and suspense. I wrote a book that has all of these things, plus a murder mystery thrown in!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a fan of Julie Garwood’s contemporary and historical romances, which always have a mystery thrown in. As a child I loved Nancy Drew!

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on The Beast King Chronicles Book II: The Diplomat’s Son. It follows charming rogue Deryk Samyth, who was introduced in The Reaper’s Contract. I am sending him on a high seas adventure to an exotic land (with romance of course!)

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing – Ignore the haters/doubters and do you!

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

Author Websites and Profiles
Emma Sheppard Website
Emma Sheppard Amazon Profile

Emma Sheppard’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in New York and raised in Canada, but I left North America a long time ago, determined to have a life of adventure and discovery, not one of security and comfort – although those things can be appealing during life’s more uncomfortable moments.
I’ve since crossed much of Europe on foot, traveled, by bus, train, car, or truck throughout North and Central America, Europe, and the Sahara. I’ve lived in unique places — in a Hungarian mud house, a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave dwelling, on a Dutch canal, and in a lonely, very haunted stone house on the English moors. Presently, my French partner and I live in a 400-year-old former inn in a small French village.
My sort of lifestyle means staying flexible and taking up any sort of work that presents itself: belly dancer, fortune teller, translator, fashion model, storyteller, b-girl, radio broadcaster, actress, social critical artist, photographer, and writer.
I’ve discovered forgotten communities, met strange characters, had some very odd conversations, and I incorporate all the information into my books. So far, I’ve had five romances published and, as Jill Culiner, two mysteries and two narrative non-fiction works. I also narrate audiobooks, and I have a podcast — Life in a Small French village — that can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest release is the second book in Romance in Blake’s Folly: All About Charming Alice.
Once upon a time, I found myself in a clapboard, rusty trailer, semi-ghost town in Nevada. The hotel I stayed in, was a rundown has-been, where ceilings soared high, and the lumpy, almost colorless wallpaper was surely a century old. Outside, an ever-buffeting wind dragged dust across the frozen ground, rattled low-lying grasses, and set the wooden doors of abandoned shacks tapping. In the hotel’s shabby bar, a talentless band whined out bad country music, and eccentric locals dished up tall tales, wry humor, and suspicion. It was a singular community, quite magical, and I’ve recreated it as Blake’s Folly, the setting for this new romance, and for Desert Rose, the first book in this series (although both books are stand-alones.)

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I doubt it. I’m too chaotic to form a habit. I’m all over the place most of the time, jiggling rehearsal time (I play oboe and tuba in several orchestras), writing time, dream time, and walking time. I do promise I’ll get up at five in the morning to write — and sometimes I even manage to do it. For a while… At other times, I try to work in the afternoons (mornings are for music) but I’m not very consistent.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have no idea how to answer this question. I have been a passionate reader all my life, falling in love with so many authors, and so many books, all I can say is, they have all influenced me. At the moment, I’m in love with Linda Grant, W.G. Sebald, Alan Hollinghurst, Robert D. Kaplan, Charles King. I love the way these writers use language and images; I love the worlds they take me to.

What are you working on now?
I’m making notes for another Romance in Blake’s Folly. This will take place in the 1940s, when Rose’s grandmother came to America from Russia and met the love of her life, a Nevada saloon owner. I’ll also be writing about another Blake’s Folly character, the veterinarian Lance Potter. Not only that, I’ll also be narrating some more audiobooks, and continuing my podcast (https://soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner). I’ve already narrated two of my romances — A Swan’s Sweet Song, and Felicity’s Power, as well as my mystery, Sad Summer in Biarritz, and books by other authors.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea what works and what doesn’t. I suppose that guest blogging is the best way to get information out into the big wide world.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just the usual: read outside your comfort zone. Read history, learn about other cultures, read classics, read the best contemporary literary work, read poetry — especially the poetry written between 1900 and 1990. And keep your television turned off.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep writing, no matter what. Ignore failure.

What are you reading now?
Midnight at the Pera Palace: The Birth of Modern Istanbul, by Charles King

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have submitted two creative non-fiction manuscripts to a publisher, and I’m keeping all my fingers crossed. Working on a computer with crossed fingers is really hard.

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?
All the volumes of the encyclopedia would do it for me. Yes, I know that’s more than three or four books, but so what. On the other hand, I have no intention of getting stuck on a desert island. I hate boats and ships, so I’d never get out there in the first place. Besides, even if I were out there, how long would I survive? What is there to eat on a desert island? No trees, no vegetation, no fresh water.

Author Websites and Profiles
J. Arlene Culiner Website
J. Arlene Culiner Amazon Profile

J. Arlene Culiner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a big fan of reading and writing. I didn’t publish my first book until last year. I found much success in writing about goals and motivation and then decided to publish in a different genre, that happens to be my favorite; Romantic Fiction. I want my readers to be able to live in the characters moment. Each reader should have their own perspective and experience of my book.

“What good is a book if you can’t picture yourself in it or feel the emotions? Every read should take you somewhere, whether it’s to feel or learn.”

Apart from being an author, I’m an entrepreneur with many businesses under my belt, starting my own coaching business at the early age of 22. Coaching people way above my age which has given me much insight and through my own personal struggles, I’ve managed to be trusted by many.

I’m also a mother, an actress, a travel fanatic and enjoy anything that is new and exciting. Meeting and talking to my readers have become a part of me too, so make sure to subscribe to my site.

Books written:
Fearless Love
Unjust Love

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Unjust Love is book 2 in the series: A Bennett Affair. When I wrote book 1 named Fearless Love, it was all about Sean falling for his best friend Chelsea. That book allowed me to develop many things that would follow through book 2. One of the characters/brothers Benji was a huge hit from the beginning for my readers. He seemed to steal a lot of attention and the girl that catches his eye Riana became a big supporting character as well. I kept penning things about Sean and Chelsea and then bam, Riana and Benji show up someway and I quickly learned they had big personalities and they were so different than the hero and heroine. I personally fell in love with them which caused me to immediately jump into their story after Fearless Love. Also because of their big personality, I wanted to challenge them both too difficult situations in book 2. The challenges and how they overcome the issues really highlights them as individuals. I’m very happy my readers loved book 2 as much as book 1. I personally feel I gave them more in book 2 as far as background but I find most of my reviews loved that. Also, I didn’t shy away from love and intimacy between the two but they were a young couple, which led them to do a few things differently than someone else that may have been older. Overall I enjoyed writing Unjust Love and was emotional through a lot of the chapters. I didn’t agree with some of the decisions each character made but yet I understood the importance of letting the characters flow fluidly through me. You should read the book for yourself!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think it’s unusual to try to write two stories at once but that’s something I am doing now.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I absolutely enjoy reading Alexandria House, Stephanie Norris, Love Belvin, Christina C. Jones and a lot of others. The authors mentioned above write in my genre, however, I enjoy reading non-fiction stories and anything that can teach me things.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the last two books in the series; A Bennett Affair. There is an additional character(Shooter) in the previous books that I find my readers are crazy about and I am also in the process of outlining his story to write as a standalone.

Besides the previous series, I am working on The Champion Sisters Series with another author named, Twyla Stone. It’s based on four sisters who are serious entrepreneurs making major moves. But of course, we all want love but for these sisters, things don’t always come easy.

I know that seems like a lot to be working on but I have a plan enforced to execute it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am new to the whole promoting with books. I decided to try Awesome Gang because I heard great things about the site. The best marketing I think is making sure your book cover is on point and the book should be professionally edited.

Instagram and Twitter are effective in promoting as well.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Self-discipline and execution is key. Finish what you start and make a goal on how many words you want to put out daily or however. Schedule things ahead of time. Don’t give up when there are no words flowing through your mind. Writer’s block is real and it pisses me off all the time. But I find when you leave and come back then things flow better. Listening to music and going out help bring ideas as well.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Live every day as your last. Make yourself happy because time will pass you by no matter what you have going on. Time is priceless and money can be made whenever.

What are you reading now?
Love Belvin; Connecticut Kings Series book 5.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Since I am also an actress, my focus is to continue in that direction but also work on the books that I have going. As I mentioned before, I have 2 more books to finish in A Bennett Affair Series and Shooter’s standalone.

Then my new series with author Twyla Stone, (The Champion Sister Series) will be out soon as well.

Did I mention, all the books from A Bennett Affair Series will be turned into an audiobook? That’s currently in the works and I am glad to see the process. I look forward to entertaining and giving everyone an escape from life.

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 in the romance fiction genre and three books that involves bettering myself.

Author Websites and Profiles
Donnia Marie Website
Donnia Marie Amazon Profile

Donnia Marie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. Growing up, reading was my favorite thing to do. I thought authors were born with a gift and although I longed to write, I could never understand how to create a story. Because it wasn’t taught in school, I never thought it was a skill that could be learned. It wasn’t until I went to graduate school that I was fortunate enough to have some amazing teachers that broke it down for me and taught it as a craft that could be learned. I am forever grateful to Alexandria LaFaye, a gifted writer and teacher who presented the art of writing in a manner that was clear and learnable and, after several attempts, it finally clicked.

“Awakening” is a re-worked version of my first novel, Flat Earth Theory, which I published under a pen name. I also wrote a collection of short stories about New Yorkers called “Beautiful Minds,” a novella called “El Pombero!” and am currently working on my fourth book with the working title “Hobbit Doors.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Beautiful Minds,” was the last book I wrote. I have lived in New York for almost thirty years and I miss the sense of community that used to exist here. The city has grown exponentially and, like the rest of the western world, everyone walks around with ear buds. I wrote the book as an endeavor that would help encourage people to talk to one another again, in that deep and personal way that strangers used to do, once upon a time in NYC.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh gosh, if anyone took a video tape of me writing, I’d die! I shift my expression to mirror the emotions of my characters, sniff, gesture and talk out loud. All of this happens when my children are asleep or at school so they don’t sneak the phone into another room and call child services.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
It would take me hours to answer that question. I’d have to walk around the house, peering at every bookcase and scribbling down titles. Every good book I’ve ever written has influenced me, but I’ll tell you a secret: reading good picture books to my kids opened my mind to a new style of writing that is so beautiful, poetic and expressive. If you want to learn good writing, pick up Owl Moon, Night Song, Tar Beach, or anything by Patricia Polacco. The writing in these books is so beautiful, it used to make me cry.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a novel with a magical realism component. It’s all about discovering truth, inside and out.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
1800SUICIDEPREVENTION.COM Bad joke, sorry…I’m still working on that. It’s tough.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Everyone is so different, it’s had to give advice. Just read and write and listen and learn. It will click eventually. Keep an open mind.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you love something, you will be successful. You don’t have to be the best in the world at it–there’s plenty of room for everyone–but try and fall in love with what you do for a living.

What are you reading now?
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen

What’s next for you as a writer?
I like doing mixed media books. Awakening incorporated graphic novel scenes. My next book will incorporate photographs.

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 Art of Fishing; Fire from Flint; Smoke Signals Decoded, A Love Story.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jackie Goldman Website
Jackie Goldman Amazon Profile

Jackie Goldman’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a newly published author. I am from North Carolina. I have two books already on Amazon. I am currently working on a poetry book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled: ‘ Nikki I Was; Tameka I Am’.
This book is based on true events. It speaks about some things that I have experienced in my life. ( eg. mistreatment, lies and rumors, and being homeless with no job) but I talk about how God brought me out of it all.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if I do. Because I have always known I have wanted to write, and because there is so much I have to say, I just write whatever I am feeling.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Maya Angelou. I love everything by her. I also love

What are you working on now?
I am working on a short story and several poetry. I am trying to put together a poetry book

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a favorite. I just go with whomever has positive results. I do love Awesome Gang.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time. Don’t Rush your work. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Write what you feel. Don’t spend too much time one topic. Just start writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The Best advice that I have heard is that
‘ If God is for you, who can be against you’
Go for what you believe, and leave it in the hands of the Lord.

What are you reading now?
N/A

What’s next for you as a writer?
I can not say. I am just taking it slowly.

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
That is the only Book I need

Author Websites and Profiles
Tameka Watlington Amazon Profile

Tameka Watlington’s Social Media Links
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I have written seven books and enjoy online gaming, working out and hanging out with friends

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called FOLLOW THE MONEY: A TALE OF TALES which is inspired by my trips to London and New York.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I procrastinate way too much and get easily distracted

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The books I like best are animal farm and ready player one so these have inevitably had an impact on my own writing.

What are you working on now?
I am more than halfway through a novel which combines two concepts; it’s the Inbetweeners meets Groundhog Day.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method so far has been AMS ads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Learn from other authors and use what is available through YouTube, Podcasts etc

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t eat yellow snow

What are you reading now?
The words “What are you reading now?”

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to be successful with my novel and through learning more with all my other 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?
Ready player one, the origin of species and how to survive on a desert island by Bear Grylls

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I teach writing and yoga at the College of Southern Maryland. My poetry and short fiction have been featured in several literary journals and anthologies. The Persistence of Memory trilogy is my first set of novels.

To the editors: My author pages on Amazon, social media, and the author website are still in development at this time. I’ll be happy to send the links when they’re ready.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Persistence of Memory. It was inspired by my love for mythology. Super heroes are our contemporary, larger-than-life, mythological gods. And, like the gods of so many myths, they struggle with the same issues we mortals do, but on a much bigger scale with much more at stake.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always had a wide range of interests. My background is an MA in English, so my influences run the gamut from Shakespeare to contemporary fiction. I especially love literary fiction, romance, and books based on myths and heroes.

What are you working on now?
After receiving many requests for stories about other characters from the series, I’m working on a prequel to the trilogy. It features two characters from the trilogy, and has cameos by a few others.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I WILL have a website, www.karenjanowsky.com, and I will have other social media pages like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, but those sites’ development are still in progress. Meanwhile, I am on Goodreads and my books are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple i-books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persevere. Even on days when your creative well has run dry, and you don’t want to face your computer screen, develop a discipline and do it anyway. And, be prepared to hear things about your work you don’t want to hear. Learn to take it in stride so that you can decide what kinds of feedback and constructive criticism are helpful, and what kinds are not.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
About writing–sit down and do it. About life? My father always advises, “never turn down a compliment or a breath mint.”

What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished reading The Pisces, by Melissa Broder. It was excellent!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve got a few things in the works. I am putting together a collection of short stories and poems, I’m collaborating on a script and a long, epistolary poem, and, of course, I’m working on the prequel and marketing the trilogy.

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 Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Franklin Flyer by Nicholas Christopher, and Burning Your Boats by Angela Carter

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a broadcaster/voice-artist and writer whose previous books are all non-fiction, however I’m working on a novel.
My previous books, in order of popularity, include:
The Naked Truth – the true story of a summer I spent working/living at a nudist camp.
Celebrity Tantrums – the explosions and implosions in celeb culture.
My Sepsis Story – how I nearly died because I was misdiagnosed and didn’t know what sepsis was. (If the word isn’t familiar to you, please look it up! It could save a life.)
Venus Rising – true stories of 20 famous women who started from nothing and built empires.
When I’m not writing for one of my freelance clients, or for myself, I have a daily blog at voiceoflisabrandt.com.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Make the Media Want You – An Insider’s Guide to Creating Persuasive Pitches.
I wrote it after being in broadcasting a long time and witnessing so many failed attempts to get an idea or guest on the air! People insulted us (hosts and producers) without realizing it, treated us poorly, had unrealistic expectations and social media fails. I wanted to help right those wrongs.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ll write whenever, wherever. On my phone, on a road trip when my husband is driving, and whenever inspiration hits. However, my favourite time to write is in the early morning, before the sun comes up, with a hot cup of coffee at my side – while looking out at water.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, there are so many! Even if I don’t write like them, I’ve taken great inspiration from Stephen King (his book, On Writing, is a must-read for any writer), Lauren Weisberger (The Devil Wears Prada), Janet Avanovich, Wayson Choy, John Irving – to name just a few.

What are you working on now?
I’m on a bit of a break from a novel I’m writing. It’s about two sisters who are estranged. They come back together under unusual circumstances. I felt I needed a little distance from it. It’s kind of intense! Sometimes you need to just live and breathe a while before going back to the world you’ve created. At least, I do.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m loving Awesome Gang! I also find that getting readers to post honest reviews is crucial. Often times, they don’t realize how important it is. It could be the difference between getting read and getting passed over. So, if you’ve read a book you love, please review it online! Even if you just click on a star rating. It matters.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read, read. Talk to people. Learn. Develop a great life and everything you know and experience will go into your writing somehow. The more interesting your life is, the better your writing. And support each other. There’s enough room for everyone to succeed. Don’t think someone else’s success will diminish your efforts. Don’t give into the green monster of jealousy.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t become a cynic. Remain open and don’t prejudge or assume.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading the first book in Carolyn Arnold’s wonderful Matthew Connor Adventure series. I started it backwards, with book two! Book one is called City of Gold. I’m loving it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m waiting for inspiration to strike! It always does. And during the “lulls” I write for several magazines and some corporate clients.

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 Cider House Rules by John Irving. The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein. I’d need some Malcolm Gladwell or Seth Godin to keep my brain buzzing. And Mourning Has Broken, a beautiful memoir by my wickedly talented friend Erin Davis, whose daughter Lauren (also my friend) died in her sleep of unknown causes at the age of 24. I would read it again and again although it’s painful. It’s also got a lot of humour in it and it’s a story of coming through the worst thing that could happen to a parent, and finding some joy again.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lisa Brandt Website
Lisa Brandt Amazon Profile
Lisa Brandt Author Profile on Smashwords

Lisa Brandt’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Southern California but my fondest memories of my upbringing in Colorado in the mid twentieth century. I had a vivid imagination and practically lived in the world of comic books, old time radio, and early television. My early years living in a rural mountainous area were free of telephones and television, and times when we neighborhood kids created plots for our own ongoing stories in which we were the prime actors. I’ve written two published collections of children stories and a previous book in the “Masked Kid” trilogy, Who Was That Masked Kid.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It came from a desire to expose the present generation to the past: what it was like without television and, above all, cell phones. To give them a taste of not having access to modern electronics, and the culture that helped to form the world they live in today. I try to do this in a humorous and entertaining way.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think my writing habits are unusual, but lately I’ve been having trouble with writer’s block, which never used to be a problem.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King probably has influenced me the most, though I don’t have the penchant for horror that he has. My favorite movie was Stand By Me, which I think influenced the writing of this book the most. Jean Shepherd of “A Christmas Story” fame probably holds an equal place in inspiring these books.

What are you working on now?
I’m continuing my memoirs and considering publishing a book on progressing through a Christian cult to true Orthodox Spirituality.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use facebook primarily.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, and consider self publishing. I found it almost impossible to get an agent that can get the attention of a New York publishing house, and if you’re as old as I am, you don’t have the time to wait.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep writing.

What are you reading now?
I have been a fan of science fiction, but because my life and philosophy has moved away from the atheism of science fiction, no longer feel at home in that genre. I read a lot of the Tom Clancy derivatives, Clive Cussler, and am presently reading a book, The Gurus, the Young Man, and Father Paisos which is an autobiographical quest of a man in his mid twenties, searching for truth in Hinduism and Orthodox Christianity. Fascinating book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m continuing with my memoirs, but trying to find a way to appeal to people searching for the truth.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, the Lord of the Rings, Mere Christianity, the Boy Scout Handbook.

Author Websites and Profiles
John Young Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written two books. I am in the process of editing the second, and am also writing a third.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Saving Grace: A Troubled School was inspired by the Florida Parkland School Shooting.
A year after the tragedy, we still wonder if it could have been averted. People jump to the conclusion that taking away guns is the answer to prevent further tragedies. I disagree. The evil intent does not reside within a gun, but within a person’s heart.
Someone with evil intent does not need a gun to commit a crime, but will use anything within reach or create anything to inflict harm. And we often wonder how we could have prevented a tragedy of this magnitude or if we unknowingly played a part in instigating it.
The book tackles the evils of bullying, especillay in our schools and focuses on love as the answer. Hopefully, this book will make a difference in how people react to others who appear to be troubled or are unlikeable. While we may not always be able to effect a positive change in others, we may at least succeed in preventing another catastrophe.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sidney Sheldon, Nora Roberts, Mary Higgins Clark, Robin Cook, to name a few authors.

What are you working on now?
My next book deals with exorcism.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now, since this is my first book, I am still finding my way around.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Come up with a plot. Have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and then start writing your story. It will all fall into place.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice I just offered. It worked for me and simplified my story-telling.

What are you reading now?
Birthright by Nora Roberts

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. I love it as much as I do reading.

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 selection of Sidney Sheldon books.

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m one half of a prolific Kiwi father-and-son writing team. A former journalist, I am based in New Zealand; son James is a writer and actor, and is based in Sydney, Australia.

Together we have co-authored 20+ fiction and non-fiction books. Our novels include the bestselling historical adventures WHITE SPIRIT and INTO THE AMERICAS, the modern thrillers SILENT FEAR and THE ORPHAN TRILOGY, and the action-adventure THE DOGON INITIATIVE.

Our non-fiction books include the bestseller GENIUS INTELLIGENCE and the contentious VACCINE SCIENCE REVISITED.

We are also screenwriters and have adapted several of our novels to feature film screenplays. These are in development with our production company Morcan Motion Pictures.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
An action-adventure titled THE DOGON INITIATIVE (The Deniables, Book 1) is our latest book. It was inspired by the rumor (aka likelihood) that the CIA hires foreign mercenaries as deniable assets for some missions. It was also inspired by our knowledge of Mali’s incredible Dogon people who are said to have links with ancient Egypt and with the pyramids.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I guess writing in collaboration with my son is unusual in itself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve been influenced by many authors incl. Frederick Forsyth, John Grisham, Nelson de Mille, Bernard Cornwall, Wilbur Smith, Conn Iggulden, Lee Child, Michener, Connelly, Baldacci and others.

What are you working on now?
Book two in The Deniables Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads is a great promotional site for authors. We also formed a global discussion group on Goodreads called The Underground Knowledge Group. Its membership recently topped 10,600 making it one of the fastest growing, most active groups on Goodreads. We list all our books on the site, and many members like to read our books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yep… Read, read, read and write, write, write… then write some more… then rewrite what you’ve written. And keep doing that. If you do, and you’re still passionate about writing then you are a writer.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Life for today as there may be no tomorrow.

What are you reading now?
Our latest book The Dogon Initiative – for ideas for the next book in the series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As mentioned above, I’m preparing to write book two in our new action-adventure 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?
Stuart Harrison’s The Snow Falcon and anything written by Frederick Forsyth or Nelson de Mille.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lance Morcan Website
Lance Morcan Amazon Profile

Lance Morcan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Im in the middle of writing my second book now.
Juan Ellis born June 13th 1976 has overcome severe depression and suicidal thoughts with out the help of the medical industry. By documenting his journey, he stumbled upon the perfect formula to overcome lack and victim consciousness. With over 24,000 subscribers on his youtube channel he is now motivating many others to take personal responsibility for the outcome of their lives. Rapper, music producer, artist, painter, motivational speaker handyman and now author Juan is much happier than he has been most of his life and he owes it all to his formula and his supporters.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Thee three self formula. The inspiration is a bit unusual. I was working on changing my life aas far as how I feel about myself and the world around me. Basically my process being documented help me to realize that I had created a formula that anyone willing to do the self work, could use to help them feel better about their reality.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really any unusual writing habits.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Napoleon Hill and his foundation has greatly influenced me.

What are you working on now?
What Im working on now is a little secret.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Im very new to being a published author so this is all new to me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Practice dose not make perfect, that is a myth. Practice develops skill and skill is needed to survive.

What are you reading now?
The Science of the mind

What’s next for you as a writer?
We shall see whats in store for me as a writer soon I think

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?
Thats easy. I would take four blank Journals.

Author Websites and Profiles
Juan Ellis Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is the first to actually be published, but I have several more soon to be coming out, most will be super hero related, with my own original characters.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of the book is “The Homeless Teddy Book 1 Origins of Homelessness”. The idea came to my brother & I when we had moved to California to look for work, and ended up homeless there. As we were actually pan handling, I would play my Gameboy a lot, and the doll in Pokémon influenced our thinking to “What if we put a teddy bear in our place?” I then came up with several storylines for this, and even attempted to get a newspaper syndication, doing several drawings for the ideas (which are all in this book), but due to our situation I moved back to Virginia before anything came of it. Being jobless for awhile & living with my parents, I just recently was able to open a bank account to submit this to Amazon. This whole thing is a test, and what a better test subject than a teddy bear!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’ve been wanting to be a writer since I was a young teen, so I excelled in English classes, and even went to a horror writing college class. I get inspiration from time to time about certain stories, and I always try to take notes of the concepts. My personal writing universe has been growing for over thirty years, so I think once I start getting my books out, people will enjoy them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
All comics from Marvel, DC, even Peanuts & Garfield. Horror authors like Stephen King & Dean Koontz, Sci-fi stories like Star Wars & Star Trek, and even fantasy like Dungeons & Dragons have been influencers all my life. I used to have a huge book & comic book collection, but lost most of them when I became homeless. Currently I am only keeping up with television shows of WWE wrestling & The Walking Dead.

What are you working on now?
My next book will probably be a horror type story that I had written along time ago, but need to retype and do some editing on. It will be called “When Black Widows Attack”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first book, so all of this is experimental right now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up, this has been a dream of mine since I was a young teen. Don’t trust what others tell you about this business, do your research, and make a battle plan.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Used to have a sign hung on my wall that said, “Make today the best day ever!”

What are you reading now?
Currently between books, last one I read was a Dean Koontz novel. I am keeping up with WWE & TWD though on television, and currently playing Fallout 4 on the PS4.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To open up an online store where I will provide t-shirts, caps, puzzles, stickers, bookmarks, toys, and even my own board games.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Four blank notebooks (and pens) to write my own stories. Lol. I guess what this question is really asking is what three or four books are my favorites. In that case, maybe a Conan, The Barbarian, a Star Trek, a The Destroyer, & an Executioner.

Author Websites and Profiles
Stacy Meadows Website

Stacy Meadows’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have published two books and am currently working on the third.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Last Heir was inspired by characters that have been rolling around in my head over 20 years.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Noise-cancelling head-phones. Completely tuning out from the outside world and focusing solely on the characters and story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Piers Anthony’s Xanth series. The Dragonlance series. The Horus Heresy series.

What are you working on now?
Book three of my Wrath of Shadows series.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Looking back on life, people do not regret the things they did, but rather the things they did not do.

What are you reading now?
Praetorian of Dorn by John French

What’s next for you as a writer?
Same thing as always: writing the Wrath of Shadows series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Timothy Ryan Amazon Profile

Timothy Ryan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. From an early age I developed the habit of binge reading which led to my love of romance and suspense novels. I began writing in my teens (newspaper articles and short stories). With encouragement from my family and friends I wrote and self-published my first novel. Through my intriguing novels I offer a temporary escape from reality. I’m passionate about providing an unforgettable experience to my readers.

I love being in the water, whether pool, lake or sea (although I can’t swim lol. I think it’s time that I learn, though). I’m also a food blogger and dance choreographer. I enjoy dining out, I live for days at the spa and I love island trotting.

Sweet Unholy Revenge: A cheating wife’s demise- my first novel. It tells the story of a neglected wife’s struggle to remain faithful. Anya’s husband, Bruce is a devoted pastor and his hectic work schedule begins to cause a strain on their marriage. Anya faces dilemma when a handsome stranger begins to seduce her relentlessly, presenting an offer that she finds hard to resist. Eventually, she succumbs, but she quickly learns the grass isn’t greener on the other side.

Sweet Unholy Revenge: The return of karma- this is part two of the series. It outlines the domino effect of Anya’s yield to temptation. With Bruce learning of her infidelity, their marriage immediately hits the rocks. He sets his sights on another woman and she has to fight to keep the marriage intact. An unexpected event further disintegrates their union.

A Mistress and a Murder: The beginning of the end- a novella. A politician’s mistress is being blackmailed. To keep a secret hidden, she will have to end his life. She enters a path that will eventually change her life. Only time will tell if it’s for better or worse.

A Mistress and a Murder: Secrets Uncovered- part two of the series. The story continues with Bridget (an ex-mistress of the politician). She’s a detective who’s assigned to solve the case–which won’t be easy, although the killer is right under her nose.

Dark Obsession: The lover from Hell- a steamy romance novel. Camille’s heart is broken when the man she hopes to marry leaves her for another woman. After putting a ban on relationships, she embarks on a wild lifestyle. Targeting married men, she flits from one man to another. Until she meets Noah, a stud who takes her on a journey of sexual healing. She thinks he’s heaven sent. Only, he’s anything but.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dark Obsession. It was inspired by decision to add a little more spice to my books. I’d hinted at erotic scenes in my previous books, but with Dark Obsession I decided to go in depth.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I can think of, no.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Any novel from:
Sylvia Day
Jackie Collins and
Sidney Sheldon.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on part two of a four-book series. I haven’t decided on the title but the story follows Dark Obsession. They are a part of my Island Drama collection, which outlines the stories of four friends (Camille, Ava, Kim and Sophia)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Amazon Ads mainly, also I promote my website www.andreasmithbooks.com (yea, I had to plug lol) through Facebook. Currently, I’m looking for other avenues.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. They really help to strengthen your work. Also, take advantage of the online resources. There are many available avenues (like Awesome Gang) you can use to get your name and books out for readers to see.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do not let rejection in. People will always have their opinions, but it’s your job to keep the negatives out. Use constructive criticism to build you, but leave destructive criticism at the door.

What are you reading now?
“How To Write a Sizzling Synopsis” by Bryan Cohen. I’m working to improve my blurb-writing skills.

What’s next for you as a writer?
For now, I’ll continue to write. My aim is to publish three more books by 2019 year end. n the medium term, I’d like to provide mentor-ship for new local authors.

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? LOL. That’s hard. There’s so much that I love! OK, here goes:
The other side of midnight- Sidney Sheldon
Hollywood wives- Jackie Collins
Seven years to sin- Sylvia Day
Message from Nam- Danielle Steel

Author Websites and Profiles
Andrea Smith Website
Andrea Smith Amazon Profile

Andrea Smith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am (finally) a full-time writer after many years of starts and stops. I started writing at a very young age, encouraged by a teacher. As life events happen, often we find we put aside our interests or hobbies to ensure others in our lives get what they need. My children now grown, I decided to leave my job in our local police department and pursue my love of writing. To date, I have 5 books released. The epic fantasy trilogy, Soul Forge Saga and two stand-alone prequels to the trilogy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Into the Madness is book 3 in the Soul Forge Saga Trilogy. I was inspired by reading Terry Brooks and Stephen R. Donaldson many years ago! At first, I wrote science fiction, but once I read Terry Brooks, I knew my writing just had to change!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure how unusual it is, but I listen to hard metal when writing. I find it fuels my creativity for the darker scenes. If there is a particularly sad scene, I find myself listening to classical! Music can really help to drive my creativity and unleash some of those blocks that writers often experience.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Anything fantasy! I really enjoy Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. If you are a fantasy fan, I know you can relate!

What are you working on now?
This summer, look for my new fantasy series, “Legends of the Lurker.” Book 1, Reecah’s Flight is scheduled for release in May 2019 followed by books 2 and 3 over the course of the summer.
A young girl dreams of flying. Encouraged by her grandfather to follow her heart, Reecah forms a taboo relationship with a baby dragon.

Secretly opposing the mandate of her people, Reecah tests the boundaries of unquestionable love as she and her enchanting accomplice battle the discriminative edicts governing the land and the people bent on eradicating the magical creatures.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It can be a very daunting process when all you want to do is write! I am fortunate to have the help of my wife who has a little marketing experience. I use my website, have a newsletter, use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. My job is to write, hers is to try to get me in front of an audience that appreciates fantasy!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write it. You have an amazing idea, get it down. Edit later. Be creative and let it flow!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“If you don’t write it, they can’t read it.”

What are you reading now?
Fire and Blood, George R. R. Martin

What’s next for you as a writer?
After Legends of the Lurker, I plan to write the story of the events that took place between, “The Royal Tournament” and “Soul Forge!

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 Sword of Shannara, Terry Brooks
Lord Foul’s Bane, Stephen R. Donaldson
Battlefield Earth, L. Ron Hubbard

Author Websites and Profiles
Richard H. Stephens Website
Richard H. Stephens Amazon Profile

Richard H. Stephens’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account