Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Christopher Galvez and I live in southern Louisiana. I am currently a full-time police commander with experience in body language, statement analysis, SWAT, traffic, training, investigations and forensics. I’m also a part-time instructor for Louisiana State University where I teach instructor development around the US. I’m married to my high school sweetheart since 2000. Together we have one teenage son and six animals. In high school I was an athlete, running track and playing football. Thus far I’ve published two books and am working on my third.
The inspiration for my books is taken from my life. The paranormal stuff is courtesy of my wife and her hereditary “gifts”. I used to joke that she put a love spell on me, but I actually believe it. I’m grateful she did!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Five Seconds Til Dark is a vigilante book that blends the likes of Dexter, The Punisher and Taken. As a law enforcement officer, I’ve seen many evil criminals walk away without any consequences for their actions. Five Seconds Til Dark brings a dark vigilante justice to the evils of man by way of a freak accident that left the main character with a super power. He initially uses his ability to freeze time for five seconds to level the playing field on bullies. As his life spirals, he upgrades his targets to hardened criminals who do heinous things to innocent people.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I get writer’s block, I sit down with a large glass of whiskey and let my creativity explode. Amazingly, while drinking, my writing takes many different directions and my characters change (some good and some bad). Often, on the following day, I’ll have some heavy editing to do, but overall I’m able to break my writer’s block.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King for his crisp prose. Lee Child for his descriptive action scenes. Selwyn Raab for his amazing research.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing the sequel to Thy Psychic Son (my first published novel).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter has been a God-send. The writing community there is extremely supportive! I’ve mainly used online advertising such as Facebook and Instagram. I just tried The Fuzzy Librarian and Bookbub, so the results are pending.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! I read that 80% of great writers never get their first page written. Find the time to write, create a schedule and stick to it! Many new authors (myself included) have full-time jobs so finding time to write can be tough. You get out whatever you put in, so work hard.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” You’ll never succeed if you don’t try.

What are you reading now?
My favorite novel, 11/22/63, by Stephen King.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have five more novels planned, so I’ll be a busy-bee.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. The Bible
2. The Difference Maker
3. How to Survive on a Deserted Island
4. 11/22/63 (just because I love it)

Author Websites and Profiles
Christopher Galvez Website
Christopher Galvez Amazon Profile

Christopher Galvez’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I’m an Indie author with four books published via Kindle Direct Publishing. My genre is fantasy, but recently I’ve written with a twist of paranormal influence within the genre of fantasy. My ultimate writing goal is to write as many ‘hero’ inspired stories as I possibly can all with women being the main protagonist and all of them featuring a person of color. I’m also into the reverse harem ideology; so most of my heroines are complete badasses that break hearts (not on purpose) but because they’re fated.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Does The World Need Another Hero? A contemplation of Short Stories that are inspired by the ‘hero’ in every heart of my protagonist. Some heroes take longer to acknowledge their roles. My inspiration comes from realizing there are not a lot of women of color depicted as heroes in the world. I hope my stories inspire an outbreak soon.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a Pantser through and through. The only thing I need is electricity and a laptop. I can not pen on paper for the life of me, although I swear #IBleedInk. Oh and for fuel; gummy bears are a must. For inspiration – a good epic music mix. Two Steps from Hell, BrandX music or Audiomachine anything Epic truly gets me going. Finally, I almost always have to play the piano first. lol.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Old school fantasy. I started off reading the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe ‘C.S.Lewis’ my first ever fantasy book given to me on my sixteenth birthday. From there; David Eddings, Terry Brooks, Mercedes Lackey, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordon…ole school. And of course JRR Tolkien. I do believe these authors had major influences on #mywrite

What are you working on now?
Something fascinating. It’s a paranormal – fantasy, sci-fi. that’s out of this world ‘no pun.’ The protagonist becomes involved in a reverse harem in the worst way. I feel so sorry for her men – they all can deliver her the moon though. So – I can’t wait to complete the last chapters of book three. Almost complete. Oh but the edit? Sigh.

Hint: I’m also working on a heroic fantasy epic series that targets the demographic of 14-16-year-old readers.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve no real success key as to the ‘Howit’sdone.’ I write but realize that the promotion of my published work is lacking. I heard somewhere that 10 percent is the actual writing, but to become a successful writer, a 90 percent emphasis must be placed on the marketing.
I lack this strategic combo percentage to stake my place amongst the many authors, and the title that vies for attention to be read and praised. I’m taking my first steps to rectify not placing enough emphasis on promotion, and marketing as I write.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t ever think about ‘Am I good enough’ Such negative thoughts will ‘shut you down’ fast. If your desire is to write, you’ll find a way. Your words will reach someone – somehow – just ‘do’ like Dory. ‘Just Keep Swimming – I mean ‘Writing.’

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Only you can prevent ‘Forest Fires’ – What I got from that was quite a few lessons.
1 Depend on yourself, and you won’t let yourself fail.
2. Don’t wait for someone to come along and put out your ‘fire’ Because they will.
3. If you want to keep your ‘passion’ alive it’s all on you. No one can make you do anything because as you write, ‘time, investment, money, the energy that you put into your #write can easily become extinguished if you don’t have the ‘desire.’
4. If you have that ‘fire’ then you can fuel your dreams forever.

‘That’s my advice anyway.’ lol #Desire4fire

What are you reading now?
My works recently. Sorry, I do support quite a few Indie’s on amazon because somehow secretly I want the same love. Lately, I’ve read Mac Flynn – she’s paranormal, but I like her #write a lot.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To become known. Well known even. And ‘More’ readers asking for my next WIP and more fans. I’m reaching out and asking for reviews more too. And hopefully, my fantasy upcoming WIP that will target ages 14-16 will jump-start more ‘girl-fandom power’ hero stuff type authors to write something amazing too!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Easy; my own. I’m certain to fine-tune and work out every single mistake, and out of sequence plot that plagues me.

Author Websites and Profiles
Gloria Sanders-Williams Website
Gloria Sanders-Williams Amazon Profile

Gloria Sanders-Williams’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 twenty-one years old and I live in Syracuse, NY. I’ve written and published my first book, Of Truth and War, on September 28th, and am excited to share it with the public. I grew up reading books, mostly in an escapism sense. Growing up impoverished and between homes, it gave me the life experience I was missing out on and also a way to escape my own head. I began with fantasy works from the greats like Gene Wolfe, Joe Abercrombie, Brandon Sanderson, Tolkien, etc, and eventually found my way reading other genres, and, even further than that, beginning to craft my own stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Of Truth and War. It was inspired at first by nothing more than a vision I had; this woman clad in armor, hair flaring out in the wind, standing atop some sort of rubble. In front of her, where she couldn’t see, stood a dark-haired man staring after her, these doppelgangers of his lesser years stretching behind him.
I had this vision in my head, and I knew it was going to be the premise for my first fantasy novel. So, I fleshed it out. And it became Of Truth and War.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t like to actually create images of my characters in my head. I prefer to think of a basic silhouette, or feature that describes them, and then tell people a bit about the character. I like to take the answers I get and make a mesh of them into one being, which becomes the full form of the character and how I view them.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Gene Wolfe, most certainly. Brandon Sanderson.
And my favorites of the non-fantastic variety: Fernando Pessoa and Mark Danielewski.

What are you working on now?
Besides marketing my most recent book, I’m planning and plotting my next book (which I’d already mostly worked out before finishing Of Truth and War).
It’s going to be an urban fantasy book, with a bit more modern themes and backdrops than I’d ever expect myself to write about. It’ll follow your typical Name of the Wind, Harry Potter, the Magicians sort of Magical Academy Trope, but I like to think it’s got a touch of uniqueness it’s adding to the genre that will surprise people.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still in the experimentation stage, but of course this one. Word of mouth and simple networking has been my go-to action for marketing so far.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you’re reading this, or aspiring to be an author at all, you’re a part of a great passion that has lived on since the most ancient of times. Don’t let any sort of fear – whether it’s rejection, bad reviews, or stumped ideas – overly affect you. It affects everyone, sure, but don’t let it OVERLY affect you. Follow the course of your passion to its end, and it’ll all fit together nicely from there.
Also, make sure you format good. I botched that a thousand times over, and quite well may still have,

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Any advice or quote by Marcus Aurelius. A favorite is: “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”

What are you reading now?
“Rebel Yell Edited and Introduced by Kevin Williamson”

What’s next for you as a writer?
To promote my most recent book, and begin the next! I’ll try and hone my craft along the way, and then who knows, maybe I’ll be really good or something.

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?
House of Leaves
Book of Disquiet
Shadow of the Torturer
Meditations

Author Websites and Profiles
Anthony Norton Amazon Profile

Anthony Norton’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Crystal Estell is the author of A Nota romance author who spends her days caring for the sick and her evenings chasing happy ever afters. Somewhere in between she finds time for her husband, kids, dogs, chickens, and cockatiel, Puck, who flew into her life uninvited. Fueled on coffee and wine, she often does crazy things like paint the walls of her home twice, build her own furniture, repair broken appliances, install her own floors—and then shares how she did it. Her goal is to amass an army of fans who love romance as much as she does so she can rule the world—although she’d happily settle for the rank of full-time author.

To learn more about her and why she does what she does, go to https://estellsplace.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Love and Fast-Pitch is my newest. It’s a sports romance novella inspired by the fact two of my daughters are serious softball players. We’ve spent many hours in the hot, blazing sun watching them play and endured the political, and often hilarious antics, of “softball mom” groups.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write at Barnes and Nobles 90% of the time

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts, Sophie Kinsella

What are you working on now?
A romantic suspense…can’t wait for you guys to see it

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth, joining facebook groups, and sites such as Awesome Gang!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. It may seem like it will never happen, that no one is interested in what stories you have to tell, but it’s not true. If only one person reads your book, it’s a success!

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

What are you reading now?
The Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness and Nora Roberts Year One

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m currently working on a Romantic Suspense full of plot turns and twists

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?
Nora Roberts The Collector, The Discovery of Witches Trilogy, and a Bible–for inspiration!

Author Websites and Profiles
Crystal Estell Website
Crystal Estell Amazon Profile

Crystal Estell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an award-winning writer, artist and photographer who moonlights as an award-winning brand marketing and entertainment PR exec. My creative story telling can be traced back to the day the perfect storm hit in kindergarten: I was teased once again about the birthmark on my neck (which sometimes looks like a pair of lips/a hickey) AND I had nothing to share during “Show and Tell.” Always one to make lemon meringue out of lemons, I stood up and explained the “birthmark” really was a scar I wore proudly — but humbly — after saving a little kitten from a burning building on my way to school one typical Tuesday.

I was sent home that day with a note from Mrs. Dodd, my canary-haired kindergarten teacher. The note said, ‘Ronnie has a very active imagination and (blah, blah, blah)’ …I don’t remember the rest. I just remember beaming with pride and thinking…”Yep, Mrs. Dodd totally gets it!”

As recently as last week, I was asked if I had a hickey on my neck…”Yes,” I said. “It’s a hickey from God…” and then I told the real story…

My love for writing (and evil boarding school-like attention to grammar) is thanks to my Mom, Joyce, and my love for every type of art form and creative expression was passed down from my Grandma “Evy” Mohney.

I’ve written five books and have published the first two this fall: “Why Ball Wouldn’t Bounce” and “Christmas is Cancelled: Santa Spells it Out.” “Ball” is the first book I ever published (illustrated It, too!) and the first in the series “Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other” for children of all ages based on commonly known idioms and adages. I am so thrilled and grateful to be able to share Ball’s story of self-acceptance and loving your uniqueness with the world. The second published book is the modern holiday story for the entire family, “Christmas is Cancelled: Santa Spells it Out.” It’s about how technology disconnects us as human beings and growing up disconnects us from believing in the magic of Christmas.

Every project I work on has a charitable component to it as I believes we all have a duty to help make the world a better place for all people and animals and things. A portion of proceeds from these books support the important work of Discovery Arts (www.discoveryarts.org), Geek Club Books (www.geekclubbooks.com) and other causes such as anti-bullying, music education and the environment.

Join the Bounce Your Bounce community on Facebook @bounceyourbounce.

Raised in the Midwest, I’ve lived in Los Angeles for the past 20 years. I thank my entire family for always allowing me (sometimes encouraging it and sometimes just tolerating it) to bounce my own way proudly!

“Give an Inch a Foot,” book II in the series, coming soon!

To follow Ron and get updates, visit www.facebook.com/myrontourage, online stores www.etsy.com/shop/rontourage and www.zazzle.com/rontourage. IG: rontouragela

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Why Ball Wouldn’t Bounce” was inspired by not feeling like I could be who I truly was growing up. I had a different bounce than everyone else and for a long time I tried to change my bounce to fit in and be accepted. It wasn’t until I started seeing the value of my uniqueness and how those differences actually became assets. I wanted every child to know he/she has a unique bounce for a reason and to bounce it…bounce it proudly!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to stop and walk around for 60 seconds or so every so often when I’m feeling really inspired. If I don’t, I will just go into this stream of consciousness that is great to work out my own issues but can really derail what was originally inspiring me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joan Didion, Oscar Wilde, JK Rowling (I know I’m probably not supposed to mention JK because I should be much more refined than that…but I don’t care…she encouraged me to write creatively and write books that spoke to people of all ages).

What are you working on now?
“Give an Inch a Foot,” which is the 2nd book in the “Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other” Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I get a group of individuals together and make them my “Bounce Ambassadors” or “Christmas Ambassadors” — I use them to bounce ideas off of, get feedback and then I use them to help promote the books when I launch. I give them sample social media copy, give them different graphics that are easy to post, etc. and then incentivize them with free books, framed artwork, etc.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You may have the best book in the history of literature but unless you are committed to promoting your own work 24/7 for a long time, don’t bother publishing. But if you are, it’s an amazing, amazing experience!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Life is too important to be taken seriously.” Oscar Wilde

What are you reading now?
Anything I can get my hands on about promoting and marketing independently published books!

What’s next for you as a writer?
The ultimate would be a major publishing house title.

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?
Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nihm, the final “Harry Potter” book and then two really thick journals of blank pages.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ron Roecker Amazon Profile

Ron Roecker’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a high school art teacher and mother of four grown children… Grammie of two! I’ve been writing forever, but only worked up the courage to publish after the birth of my first granddaughter. I am the Grammie who writes romance novels!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Love Like the Dickens”. It’s a Christmas novel in my Heartswell Harbour series, where Agnes is fulfilling a Bucket List left for her by her deceased sister. One of the items is to perform in “A Christmas Carol”, which is my favorite Christmas story. Almost all of my novels have a dead person somewhere in someone’s past, but I try to have my characters deal with that loss with humor and resilience. The transformation of Scrooge seemed like an interesting theme for Agnes to explore as she copes with the loss of her sister.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a weiner dog. His breath would melt the skin off your face, but I write with him on my lap, snuggled under my sweater. He is my muse. My very stinky, very cranky weenie muse.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I adore Elizabeth Gilbert. Anne Patchett. Barbara Kingsolver. But my true heart belongs to Dickens and Shakespeare and the Bronte sisters. Tolkien and Hemingway and Melville. I love words. Wordy words.

What are you working on now?
I’m just beginning to outline a new romance. So far I have a blind date, a dog and a box of erotic romance novels. That’s where it begins, and I have no idea where it will end other than happily ever after. And yes, there will be a dead person in there somewhere!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am very new at the publishing and promoting game, so I don’t actually have a preferred site yet. I promote my books through Story Origin and Bookfunnel and I am just now branching out into opportunities like Awesome Gang. I really love that name. I feel Awesome just typing it here.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and read, write and read, write and read. Rinse, repeat.
You MUST finish your manuscript. Get to the end, even if its ugly. Abandoning that scruffy little story before it’s finished is the WORST way to learn your craft. Finish. Rinse, repeat.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hemingway said ‘Write drunk, edit sober’. I love that, because I love wine. No, seriously… I really love wine. But I also love metaphor, and I really connect with the idea of writing with abandon. Loose, free, no second guessing. Drunk on words. This is how I write, and then I shake my head at the end and can’t remember what I did but why am I naked? and whose ring is this on my finger?… and there is almost always a good story there, under the haze.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Liz Gilbert’s “City of Girls” for the second time, and I’ve just discovered Melanie Summers who writes hilarious romance. I am also reading 500 writing craft and marketing books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing! I would like to finish my Heartswell Harbour series with Book Six and then move on to a new series. I’m not sure what that will be yet, but I have illusions of fame from writing stories about two sisters opening a Food Truck to sell Poutine. If you don’t know what poutine is, you’ll have to follow me to find out.

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?
Big Magic: Liz Gilbert
Jonathan Livingston Seagull: Richard Bach
The Complete Works of Shakespeare
Fifty Shades of Grey
(One of those is a lie. Can you guess??)

Author Websites and Profiles
Mavis Williams Website
Mavis Williams Amazon Profile

Mavis Williams’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve had two novels published in 2019, both are LGBTQ mysteries written for a primarily YA audience. They are two in a series of mysteries which will follow several main characters. (White Oak Mysteries)

I worked as a writer for more than 20 years at Disney/Touchstone (and other studios) writing film and TV and working as a publicist. I also sold one screenplay in 2019. There are loads of differences between writing for the screen and writing books…but it’s all really just storytelling.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I just published book 2 in the series I’m writing. The title is The Butcher of Oxford. The inspiration for this series of mysteries is to have positive, compelling LGBTQ characters in a story that isn’t about coming out or coming to terms with being gay. (those books have been written)

These are fun reads. Whodunnits which just happen to have a bit of a queer romance thrown in.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have lots of habits, but none of them are unusual to me. All writers have a process, don’t we? Coffee is a big part of it–I also have a carefully curated Spotify playlist of movie themes that always gets me in the mood to write. I set regular quotas and goals for myself…so I probably check word counts more often than I should.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The list is endless isn’t it? Good writers are always great readers. I love George Martin, bless his glacial pace at releasing books, Salinger, Tolkien, Andre Aciman, Mackenzie Lee, Roald Dahl, Stephen King, Fitzgerald, Andrew Sean Greer, Frank Herbert, John Green, Dan Brown, Douglass Preston, Patrick Rothfuss, Lee Child…

What are you working on now?
Ah, book 3 in my mystery series. Rabid fans demand the next installment. The working title is Deadly Games. I also have outlines for three other stand-alone novels.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Indy book promotion is a constantly changing bird, isn’t it? I’m on a mini-book tour…signing books and giving panel discussions in libraries for school kids. My series is nominated for a bunch of awards–so I’m praying to win one and hopefully, that will cause a snowball effect. Awesome Gang seems cool. I like Goodreads too, but as an author, I never wander into the fray when people are discussing my work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You have to show up every day. I worked as a professional writer for a movie studio so I wasn’t allowed to have writer’s block. We have so many distractions in our world…you need to carve out the time to sit your butt down and work.

Also, read a bunch…not just in your genre.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you can’t say something nice, say something clever and devastating.

What are you reading now?
I just finished The Institute. I’m currently reading Red, White and Royal Blue.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Book signings, promotion, reading…oh, yeah, and writing every day.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Lord of the Rings (which is meant to be one book)
The SAS Survival Handbook.
The collected works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Author Websites and Profiles
Marko Realmonte Website
Marko Realmonte Amazon Profile

Marko Realmonte’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I publish the Small-Town Secrets series and am about to release the fourth one. I grew up in a small town and was formerly the editor of a daily paper in another small town, so I know what is really going on in these little towns! The series takes place in Fairview. Each book stand alone, but the series can be read as one long saga. You’ll see the same people in book after book, and you’ll get to know all the local places. We begin with Molly, the director of the public library, and then in the second book we concentrate on Molly’s best friend Lori, an ER nurse. Then, having hit the two most common romance stereotypes, we veer off into new territory and get to know Catarina, a woman of Romany (Gypsy) background who runs an upholstery shop in downtown Fairview. Next we have a young midwifery student we met in an earlier novel when she delivered another character’s baby in quite unusual circumstances. After that we have Ashley, the bartender at everybody’s favorite bar, The Clipper. We’ve seen a bit of Ashley in every book, so she deserves her own book. I have two grown kids and two lovely little grandbabies, and my own marriage would make a great love story: My husband is a European I met when he was in the U.S. visiting, and within 5 minutes I had decided I would marry him. Two years later, I did!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The first book in the series is called Worth the Wait. I wanted to write about a single mom who has no time for romance. (I once was that woman!) Molly is a dedicated mom of three who is initially reluctant to get involved with David Conrad, who comes into town to move into the old family homestead and to solve the mystery of who murdered his grandfather and great-grandparents. I don’t have any murders in my family, but I know what it’s like to marry with teens and have a happily ever after.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nope. I’m a disciplined writer because of years in journalism. You park your butt at your computer and you do the work.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ll read nearly anything. Cormac McCarthy is a favorite. Also Gabriel Garcia Marquez and hundreds of others. I also love Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing the fifth book in the series, featuring Ashley Butler, the bartender at The Clipper. I also write a lot for the website Curvicality.com.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a better writer than promoter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m still looking for advice myself!

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

What are you reading now?
Claire Dederer – Love and Trouble. For the second time.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Fame and fortune, let’s hope. Or at least a decent, middle-class living. I was a poor journalist. I’d like to someday make a bit of cash.

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 longest ones possible! Maybe War and Peace and some of the other big Russian classics.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sophia Sinclair Amazon Profile

Sophia Sinclair’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book. I am a filmmaker who has written several screenplays but wanted to give the novel format a go.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called ‘3 Seconds in Bogotá’ which is a true story written as a thriller. The events happened in 1994. I know them well. I was there!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write outdoors.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think everything I have read has inspired me in some way. I have the greatest respect for authors from Dickens to Douglas Adams.

What are you working on now?
I am converting a screenplay that I wrote into a 4 part serial.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just pick up a pen, or open that laptop, and write… and keep going!

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

What are you reading now?
The Missing Lands by Freddy Silva.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After my next novel, I have another screenplay to finish.

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?
Catch 22. Alchemist. Shantaram. Cider with Rosie.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Playne Website
Mark Playne Amazon Profile

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there, I’m K.S. Stanley. I’m from the West Midlands in the United Kingdom. I have a Brummie accent. I have an Arts and Humanities degree from the Open University. I work in the day for the National Health Service as a Co-ordinator and I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I was a kid. I have an interest in psychology and I lean towards dark themes when it comes to the world of fiction. I have a very vivid imagination, it can keep me up at night!

I have two books available on Amazon: Hard Way Home and Eat Her Alive.

I also have short stories, beta novels and audio scripts available for free on Wattpad.com and Reddit.com

I’d love to become a full time writer one day.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Hard Way Home is my debut book to be published on Amazon. It is a supernatural thriller set about a woman who works in a dead end job and is secretly planning her suicide. During this time, she finds out that her hero Brandon Rivers (lead singer of rock band, Fall Into Place) has gone missing from Holy Cross Hospital. She is on her way home from work when she is jumped by two men but is rescued by a mysterious stranger who happens to look exactly like the infamous musician, but he denies his true identity…

This book hits a personal string with me because it is based on a period of my life when I had chronic depression. I was lost in a deep dark spiral and writing this book helped me get out of that state of mind.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I commute for two hours each day on the way to my day job and I use the travelling time as a way to write. Having a note app on my phone is very helpful. If I want to figure out how a scene might appear to a reader, I create a script of a certain scene and post it to an audio community on Reddit.com and it gets performed by a voice actor. I’ve had two scripts grow into novels from this experience, one of them I’m working on right now!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many authors and books who have influenced me. But the ones who stick out the most are Stephen King, Jodi Picoult, Thomas Harris, Sam Millar, Anne Rice and many more…

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on three different projects at the moment. A horror and a sci-fi drama under my K.S.Stanley name and a crime thriller set in Hong Kong under my other writing name: Romilly Larson.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I was recommended to use Wattpad.com by a friend back in 2014. This was a great way to post my work and get readers viewing my work. I’ve received some wonderful feedback and it has helped me improve my writing. I still use this website to this day.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing to music in a busy place (e.g. a coffee shop or on a train) is a big support for me especially when I’m trying to reach a pinnacle emotional part in a scene. Sometimes, a loud surrounding can help you concentrate.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read and write A LOT!

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult. It is about a gun shooter who takes people hostage in a Women’s Health Center. The police negotiator doesn’t realise at first that one of the hostages is his own daughter. Very suspenseful and dramatic!

What’s next for you as a writer?
Publishing my next novella which is a semi futuristic drama. It circles on important themes like depression and climate change.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
On Writing by Stephen King
Hannibal by Thomas Harris
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
The Dark Place by Sam Millar

I wouldn’t be happy if I had to give these up to light a fire.

Author Websites and Profiles
K.S. Stanley Amazon Profile

K.S. Stanley’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I write science fiction, horror, and contemporary mainstream stories. My books include the novel In Human Form, short story collection The Moaning Rocks and Other Stories, and a Cliffs Notes on Willa Cather’s My Antonia. I’ve written hundreds of articles for the Midlands Business Journal, Nebraska Life, Humanities and other publications. I have a blackbelt in Goju-Ryu Karate and a CTM in Toastmasters International. My story “Ball of Fire” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. I live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE MOANING ROCKS AND OTHER STORIES. ELEVATOR contains four suspense and horror stories from that collection.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No unusual rituals. I just tend to procrastinate a little–but only a little!–when I sit down to write, and I need coffee to get my creative juices flowing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway.

What are you working on now?
A young adult dystopian novel (working title EMPATH) about Kassidy Anne Lange, a young healer and empath who must hide her abilities because she lives in a society where having a mutation is punishable by exile or death, and the government has decreed that empathy is a the worst mutation of all because it can be hidden easily. It is loosely based my novelette A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY, which was originally published in Space and Time magazine.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up–you can only fail at writing if you stop doing it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write as well as you can, and finish what you start–Hemingway.

What are you reading now?
A variety of horror stories to get me in the Halloween spirit.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will keep writing. I have several projects–novels and short stories–going at the same time

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, Rite of Passage by Alexei Panshin, and 11/22/63 by Stephen King.

Author Websites and Profiles
David Kubicek Website
David Kubicek Amazon Profile
David Kubicek Author Profile on Smashwords

David Kubicek’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author and a storyteller, born and raised in New York City, currently living in Livingston, New Jersey with my wife, Jeanne. I have two sons, and two grandsons. I’ve written one book, the beginning of a series, and am in the process of writing the next, its sequel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Journey Home. It is the first book in the Aeternus Pond series. It was written more than 30 years ago, inspired by son and his love of our adventures. I’ve only recently thought about getting it published and with the encouragement of my family, I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to use the read aloud software on my computer to listen to what I have written. I think it’s weird because the voice is emotionless and monotone, however it allows me to hear any typos. Other than that, eating peanut butter by the spoonful while I write also helps me concentrate.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s, “The Little Prince” was given to me as a gift from a friend and it was the first book I read cover to cover. J.R.R. Tolkien’s, “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” were the books that introduced me to the fantasy genre and I have been in love with it since. I’ve read other author’s that I’ve enjoyed, but J.R.R. Tolkien has had the most influence on me.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on book 2 of the Aeternus Pond series. The working title is The Friendship Moon. We follow the three main characters into a different adventure where an mystery is revealed.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I ask Independent Readers to review my book, and I promote them on my webpage. I have been thinking of doing a blog tour but haven’t researched it enough to know the cost and what’s involved.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, Write and Write some more. Get the words on paper (computer screen) and re-write. Read your work to your supportive family and friends, and take all their constructive criticism and use only what will make your story better. Next, Beta Readers! I cannot tell you how many great ideas I’ve received from my Beta Readers. Pay for an editor and finally, never give up. See you book published, even if it’s self-published.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pay for a professional editor! You do not want to put your work out, and have it look unpolished, unprofessional. With all the time and effort you’ve put into it, it’s worth it.

What are you reading now?
Dan Brown’s, “Origin”. Been so busy writing, I haven’t had a chance to get back to it.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing the next books in the series. I want to leave my family these inspirational, adventure stores to remember me by. Especially, my grandchildren.

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?
It may sound corny but, 1. The Bible
As for 2. The Hobbit, 3. The Lord of the Rings, and 4. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”

Author Websites and Profiles
Edgar Ramirez Website
Edgar Ramirez Amazon Profile

Edgar Ramirez’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Kenya several years ago. I work in the television industry in South Africa, working mainly as a screenwriter. Over the years I’ve also produced several titles for the South African television and movies scene. I have written two novels: “Love Back”, which is a romantic comedy set in Johannesburg. Then there’s also “Lwanda Magere And The Shadows Of the Past.” That one is set in a futuristic South Africa, though the sequel will be in an futuristic Kenya.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “Lwanda Magere and the Shadows of the Past.” It was inspired by a Kenyan myth that I heard as a child.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of. Ah, yes. When I’m stuck or need to be disciplined, I go to the community library, leave my phone and laptop at home, and write long-hand with pen and notepad. Then I type the stuff later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to mention. But I’ll mention a few. Jules Verne, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien and Cormac McCarthy.

What are you working on now?
“Inferno” which is an adaptation of Dante Alighieri’s book by the same name.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment, I’m leaning towards Kindle SEO.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m also a new author myself!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fish where the fish are to be found. As a new author, spend less time promoting on social media sites and more promoting on sites where readers go to, like the Amazon store.

What are you reading now?
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Not sure.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible.
The Life of Samuel Johnson.
Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas

Author Websites and Profiles
Fidel Namisi Website
Fidel Namisi Amazon Profile

Fidel Namisi’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an award winning writer, trained artist, former attorney, pizza lover, and hard-core Bollywood fan. My professional background is in art and law; I have a BFA in Sculpture and a J.D. and taught both creative writing and legal research and writing at several fine institutions, including the University of Minnesota. Other than writing, I’m into hiking, traveling, Albert Camus, Dr. Seuss, dark chocolate, coffee, exploring mysterious places, and meeting new people. I adore people—if you’re human (or otherwise), odds are I’ll probably love you!

As far as books go, I’ve written seven whole books and three half books, so I guess if you squish them all together the tally comes to 8 1/2 – which I like to pretend is a shout out to Federico Fellini’s wildly creative movie, “8 1/2.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My newest book ‘Between Wild and Ruin’ officially launched September 28, 2019.

I fell in love with the Glorieta Pass and the Pecos Pueblo here in Northern New Mexico (USA) — which are both magical places. After exploring the area, I desperately wanted to write a story that took place there. I’m a place-centric person, and often fall for scenery, land, and the feel of a location, and end up wanting to write novels about an area long before I figure out the plot or story. In that way, my story’s setting is often as much a character as the people, which is definitely the case in Between Wild and Ruin. Between Wild and Ruin’s actual plot though, the short answer is that it initially evolved over a sleepless night. I’m an insomniac, and like a lot of writers, tell myself stories about things that interest me in order to turn off my mind and fall asleep. I hate to being boring, but plot-wise, this was one of them. The longer answer is a little more mystical and would probably take a couple of blog posts to explain.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I’m pretty boring in that I just write when I want to (and I always want to). Unlike a lot of authors, I don’t outline, or have special rituals, or special writing spaces. I don’t feel married to any one method, space, or time and write anywhere from 10am to 3am depending on my energy levels and mood. Likewise, I can write almost anywhere as long as it’s not too noisy. I guess maybe the only unusual thing is that I get really lost in my writing. I’ve sat down at 9am to write over breakfast and looked up to find that’s it’s dark outside. That’s a little weird; kind of like unintentionally time traveling.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My writing influences vary. I read A LOT, especially in the genre I most often write in, which is Young Adult fiction. But I’ve been in love with Albert Camus since college. His work inspires me; his writing, both his prose and the subjects he writes about, challenge me to examine meaning, to dig deeper when I write and when I interact with people. Vladimir Nabokov, Brett Easton Ellis, Heidi Julavits, Phillip Roth, and Chuck Palahniuk are also big writing influences, for many diverse, weird, and divergent reasons. Deeply flawed characters that still manage to capture and hold a reader’s interest, and stories that challenge notions of identity particularly interest me.

What are you working on now?
Aside from the ‘Between Wild and Ruin’ sequel (tentatively titled ‘Wild Open Faces’), I’m working with a midline publisher on a YA contemporary/sci-fi mashup I pitched as ‘Pump Up the Volume’ meets ‘Close Encounters of a Third Kind.’ We’ve come to a bit of an impassion about how much sci-fi vs. contemporary the story should ultimately be, so I’m not sure yet exactly where it’s going, but I love the book immensely. Whether or not it stays with this publisher or another, you’ll see it out in the shelves soon!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hard pressed to pick just one. Sites like this are great and worth their weight in gold (thank you thank you thank you), but paid sites like Bookbub and Net Galley can also be worth it. I also find that plain old Instagram seem to work well; especially if you can hook yourself up with Influencers. Also, be sure to have your own streamlined author website that you attend to regularly!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up! I went to a publishing conference recently, and was relieved to hear the panel say that on average, most writers write and query publishers for about 14 years before either traditionally or self-publishing, and that the average age for newly published authors in all areas of publishing is just over 50!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what you love but don’t expect it expect it to love you in return. Writing is hard work; get comfortable with the word ‘no’ and expect a whole lot of tooth grinding, stomach turning perseverance.

What are you reading now?
I’ll be honest, I’ve got a pile of books I’m waiting to read, and I’m tuning for V.E. Schwab’s ‘Vicious’ next. But as we just launched Between Wild and Ruin a week ago, I haven’t had time to anything but complain, sleep, and cry for the last few weeks.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Aside from ‘Between Wild and Ruin’s’ sequel and the YA publishing project I already mentioned, I’ve got another two books outlined and lined up to write, and a ton of promotional work to get ahead of. The surprising thing about publishing that a lot of new writers don’t get, is that it’s really hard work. Writing your book is only a 1/3 of the equation. Publishing and promoting are entirely different beasts! I’m trying to stay on it.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Just 3 or 4 (she shrieks!!!!)? If I have to narrow it down, I guess it would be ‘The Plague’ by Albert Camus, ‘Oh The Places You’ll Go’ by Dr. Seuss, something by Christina Lauren (any of their books will do), and maybe ’50 Shades or Grey’ or something similarly dumb but scintillating, since I’m assuming it’s a deserted island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jennifer Edelson Website
Jennifer Edelson Amazon Profile

Jennifer Edelson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Joanna White and I’m a Christian author who writes in fantasy, historical fiction, Biblical fiction, romance, and more. I’ve been writing since I was ten years old, so in total I’ve written over 50 novels and an uncounted number of short stories and novellas. Right now, I have two books that are published on Amazon, Hunter and Shifter, books one and two of my Valiant Series. My upcoming book, Dark Magi, will be out on Amazon on November 19th.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dark Magi was originally written as part of a writing competition structured like the Hunger Games. Writers got together, made characters, wrote tasks given to them by the hosts and each round, writers were eliminated until there was one winner left. I started being a host of these competitions and wanted to branch away from the Hunger Games storyline. So I thought, what if it took place in a world of magic, but instead of televised and stuff, what if an evil king captured mages to force them to fight to the death? That’s where Dark Magi came from.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I have to write in complete silence and other times I have to write while listening to instrumental music. Though, I’m not sure that’s unusual. I have to write every single day or I feel really antsy and usually I try to stick to a certain word count, but I think most writers do that.

I write what I want to read, which is part of why I don’t read too much anymore. As I’m writing the story, I can experience it just as much, if not more than I can when reading a story. I love that feeling and I enjoy experiencing all these stories I’ve created with God’s help.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
God is my first inspiration. Cassandra Clare is another huge inspiration because her descriptions and ideas are beautiful and exciting. I mainly get inspiration for stories from my favorite movies and TV shows, since I don’t read too much anymore.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I actually just finished writing a book called The Crystal Heist, about a group of thieves who want to pull off the biggest heist in the city of Kryston – to steal the Sky Orb – to make everyone of all social classes equal. Until I start whatever book I’m going to work on next, I’m working on a few short stories and novellas to pass the time. As I mentioned, I have to write every day or I start to feel antsy. Even when I finish writing a book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook. It isn’t perfect and it’s getting harder but I usually share about my books on a lot of Facebook groups. I know a lot of authors on there, so they are really supportive and then they also host a lot of author takeover events which gives authors a chance to share about their work.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up and keep writing. Even if the idea or your writing isn’t perfect, the important thing is to get it down on paper or computer because then you can always come back to it later.

Also, being an author is hard but never give up on your dreams.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To rely on God. He has gotten me through and gotten me this far and helped my dreams come true. I’ve only gotten this far because of Him so relying on Him and trusting Him is the best advice ever given to me.

What are you reading now?
I actually don’t read much anymore and I don’t have much time but whenever I do, I really want to read Cassandra Clare’s new book Ghosts of the Shadow Market. That and I’m also reading a book of Fairy Tales for story inspiration and I really want to check out a book of story prompts to help with inspiration as well.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My plan is to keep writing and publishing. I hope to have book three of the Valiant Series, Samurai, out late next year, and hopefully a few more projects out between now and then.

Dark Magi will be released on Amazon on November 19th, so be sure to look for that.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible first and foremost.

Then I’d just bring a computer or pen and paper, to write my own.

Author Websites and Profiles
Joanna White Website
Joanna White Amazon Profile

Joanna White’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
You Deserve It, is my first book.
Raised in Westchester NY, went to NYU for undergraduate and then graduated from Chiropractic School in Atlanta, GA. Returned to NYC to open first practice from scratch and then began teaching doctors the exceptional new patient experience.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I only write in the mornings and usually listen to the same song on repeat for days on end.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neale Donald Walsch

What are you working on now?
Seminars for You Deserve It

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon and kindle promotions

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every single day, but take breaks if feeling burnt out.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be Kind

What are you reading now?
Stillness Is The Key – Ryan Holiday

What’s next for you as a writer?
Book #2

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?
Conversations with God series

Author Websites and Profiles
Dr.Josh Wagner Website

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written and published twelve books. My newest release, “There are no myths.” It is a bestseller right now. I’m a woods lover and love to hike. I love Sasquatch researching and have many images to prove they are real.
I am a Wife, Mother & Grandmother.
I am very spiritual and do believe in and love God.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
There Are No Myths.

Buying our twenty-one acres of mostly woods and living here, inspired me to write it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I create multiple characters and can remember them all while writing, no matter how long it takes to finish.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King & The Stand.

What are you working on now?
Third Eye, Mythless series.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up and always step out of your comfort zone.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get outside of your comfort zone.

What are you reading now?
I’m always reading over my own work.

What’s next for you as a writer?
New York bestsellers list.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Stand, Prophecy, There Are No Myths, Saving Grace.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sandra Rains DeBusk Website
Sandra Rains DeBusk Amazon Profile
Sandra Rains DeBusk Author Profile on Smashwords

Sandra Rains DeBusk’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account