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Lillian and Dave Brummet 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Dave and I are based in Creston, BC (Canada) and operate BrummetMedia.ca where we offer many different services, products and – of course – our books. As writers, we specialize in non-fiction writing: 2 books of poetry, 2 books on living “green”, 2 books offering writer advice, 1 cookbook (coming up). BrummetMedia.ca

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is Rhythm and Rhyme which is a collaborated conglomeration of our poetry Dave is an accomplished musician and has written many songs, but never considered himself a poet… until his poetry gained attention. Today you can find his poems along with mine in this collection.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a tenacious, ambitious, dedicated writer that once I get my teeth into something I have a hard time letting go, turning the topic off from conversations or from my cycling mind. Typically, I am gathering the information and writing the draft manuscript, doing first edits – then Dave puts his magic touch to it doing the rewrites where necessary, proofing and formatting and editing and graphics and all that jazz. He catches all my glitches and makes the work shine. We both work at marketing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There have been far too many to list here… and I’m a voracious reader. Sometimes I’m intimidated by all the amazing works already out there and wonder how I can fit in, stand out, offer something substantial… and this comes out in our published work… I make a huge effort to be different, highly organized, say something useful and not waste words.

What are you working on now?
I just finished the final edits to our cookbook manuscript. This started out with a collection of over 300 recipes and we have refined it down to around 250. It will be called ‘From One Small Garden – Celebrating BC’s Garden Harvests’… I think. (ha ha) As the title implies, it encourages gardening and local produce markets – it educates via nutritional and historic information, tips for running an efficient kitchen, how to save energy and water and reduce food waste. The last chapter offers natural pest control, organic cleaners, and a few “beauty” recipes via ingredients found in the kitchen and a few essential oils. This book is also a way to celebrate people we’ve known that are no longer with us… as some of their recipes are included.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love doing interviews on blogs like yours, which enables me to reach a new audience and networking contacts. I’m pretty passionate about networking and managing the Brummet’s Conscious Blog gives me plenty of promotion opportunities. We have also had wonderful success with distributing bookmarks to hotels, tourist spots, music and book stores, gift shops, colleges and libraries. We have also utilized public bulletin boards where ever we travel and took out an ad in a popular regional newsletter. All our promotional and marketing efforts point to either our website or our blog – which leads to everything we do and have to offer.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be tenacious and don’t make anyone work for anything. Be prepared, have plenty to offer, have drafts written for various types of communications that you can tweak and target specific contacts, be polite, offer more than what you are asking, promote every event/interview, etc and be sure to followup with any comments or communications… also, be sure to thank people every chance you get.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be patient with the process; be patient with yourself.

What are you reading now?
Garden catalogues lol They are coming in the mail en masse now and I devour the pages with glee.

What’s next for you as a writer?
We are currently working on the cookbook design, formatting, images, cover design and all that fun stuff and then we have all those heavy new-book release activities to face so I’m not taking on much right now. However I do have a garden manuscript in rough draft and piles of notes for it, and I do intend on pursuing it. It began with my mother (master gardener/composter/market gardener/small farmer) who read everything she could get her hands on and tried out all kinds of experiments. I learned from her success and now that I’m 50, and have had my own successes that I’ve been recording over the years, I’m ready to compile all of this into one source if information.

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?
Shibumi (Trevianian), Startide Rising (David Brin), On Stranger Tides (Tim Powers), Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean Auel).

Author Websites and Profiles
Lillian and Dave Brummet Website
Lillian and Dave Brummet Amazon Profile
Lillian and Dave Brummet Author Profile on Smashwords

Lillian and Dave Brummet’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Nicholas Crivac 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey hey! Nicholas here, or Nick if you aren’t my mother or aunt. I was born and raised in the mitten state. That’s Michigan to the uninitiated. After studying English at Central Michigan University, I made my way south and spent a year living in Central Florida. Fun, but hot. It wasn’t for me, so I headed back to the frozen north. I eventually settled in the Motor City, met and married my lovely wife, and have been here ever since. And all that time, I’ve been writing.

I’ve written a total of six books so far, but as of this date, I’ve only published one. A couple of the unpublished books will remain that way forever. Others will see the world one day. Like most writers, I’ve got a million more ideas, so the writing never stops…

But when the writing stops, or I’m procrastinating it, I can usually be found somewhere comfortable reading, listening to Bob Seger’s Live Bullet on repeat, making pasta for my wife, re-watching Lost, or further exploring the true meaning of suffering via my unending loyalty to the Detroit Lions.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, which just so happens to be my debut novel, is titled APOTHEOSIS. It was inspired and influenced by a lot of things over the many years since I wrote the initial draft in 2010. But the main inspiration for the story came from a dream. I get a lot of great ideas from dreams. It’s remembering those ideas once I wake that’s the hard part. I don’t even really remember the dream that inspired this book, but I do recall waking up in the middle of the night, grabbing my notebook, and furiously scribbling down 4-5 pages of notes. I still have those pages, just in case the Smithsonian come calling for them some day.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a very sporadic writer. I know, I know, if I’m serious about the craft I should be planting my tuchus down in a chair and forcing myself to write every day. I do that. Honest. But it’s only when I get going on a project. I spend hours and days and months and years thinking about multiple story ideas, writing down character notes, and just figuring things out in my head. One I’ve reached the point where I think I have enough to start putting words down, then and only then, do I begin writing. And oh boy, do I write. It’s hard to pull myself away from the keyboard at that point.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Like most writers, I’m sure, there are a lot of authors and books who have influenced me. Every book I read is some sort of influence, good or bad. But if I had to pick one, I’d say Michael Crichton. His books were the ones I was reading when I really started to get into reading and writing as a young adult, and they’ve stuck with me ever since.

What are you working on now?
Mainly promoting APOTHEOSIS, since it was only just released. But I’ve also got that niggling in the back of my mind about what I want to work on next. I’m trying to decide whether to go back to a previously written manuscript, or start something completely new. Decisions, decisions…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t quite figured that out yet, but Social Media Land seems to be my best, free option at the moment. If you know your way around Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, you can reach a lot of people. I’m still learning, so it’s slow going right now, but I think I’m making headway. I’m realistic though. I don’t expect my book sales to suddenly skyrocket overnight. I’m just trying to build a base of readers, even if that means one at a time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t overthink your writing, especially the first draft. At least, if you’re writing fiction. Just have fun with what you’re writing. Let it take you to unexpected places. Writer yourself into a corner and figure a way out. Even if it doesn’t all make sense or even seem logical, just keep going. The first draft doesn’t have to be good. That’s what editing is for.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best writing advice: Just get it all out on the page. I’m all about the vomit draft–just keep writing until you have a complete novel. Then at least you have something to work with.

What are you reading now?
A book of poetry written by an old friend and Runner by Patrick Lee.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Balancing the ongoing promotion of my current book with the development and writing of the next. It’s writing. It. Never. Ends.

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?
Sphere by Michael Crichton, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nicholas Crivac Website
Nicholas Crivac Amazon Profile

Nicholas Crivac’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Anand Kumar 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a business school teacher and a management consultant. I am also a certified manager(CM) from ICPM and am a senior business professional with over 25 years experience in High Technology Fortune 100 companies and related Professional Services businesses. My expertise is in the areas of New Ventures, Business Model and Value Innovation, the effective use of technology/IT, Business Transformation and Professional Services Business Management. I have written 2 books so far, the first one is a self help book titled “All It Takes Is A Minute” while the second one is titled “The Top 60 Decision Making Tools For Startups: An Illustrated Guidebook”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “The Top 60 Decision Making Tools For Startups: An Illustrated Guidebook” and the content is largely based on my experience of running not for profit startup and SME networks for the last 5 years where we helped many a SME and a startup fine tune their business model or pitch and helped them overcome challenges which they encountered running their businesses.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write during early morning and typically start by 4 am when the ambience is largely quiet and provides scope for introspection and fast forward thinking.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Peter Drucker has been a huge influence on me while Marshall Goldsmith, Steven Covey, Ken Blanchard have all had huge impact on my ability to think and analyze.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my next book which is in the area of smart phone based medical devices and regulatory frameworks. I foresee that basic healthcare screening maybe addressed more and more by mobile enabled technology.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I believe that a schedule towards reaching out and sharing knowledge with the intended audience is key towards promoting your books as once the audience understands your intent and your competence, then your books will sell themselves.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be watchful on what areas you choose to explore writing in as there is a lot of clutter and clearly differentiate.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pursue your passion is what my headmaster at the catholic school I studied in advised me and I am currently doing that. Writing and sharing is something I love doing.

What are you reading now?
I am reading a book titled “Factfullness”, what we may consider as facts may not be so.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am writing a mix of subject matter stuff (medical devices and such) and also making it easier for small businesses and startups to tap into large company talent by distilling knowledge and making it easier.

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?
Man’s search for Meaning
7 Habits of highly effective people
Sherlock Holmes

Author Websites and Profiles
Anand Kumar Website
Anand Kumar Amazon Profile

Anand Kumar’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Diane Holiday 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written three romantic suspense books and live in South Carolina on Lake Murray. I’m a foster and volunteer for service dogs in training. I get to take home and care for the most adorable, sweet puppies and dogs on earth. I love living on the lake and seeing the turtles sunning on the shores. My husband is a retired Navy Captain and one of my best critiquers. He’s my go-to for slang. We spend our spare time boating and biking. I have two grown children who live as far from us as is physically possible in one country. Maine and San Diego. I’m famous with their friends for the amazing stone-baked chocolate chip bars and healthy protein balls that I mail to them!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Love on the Line. It was actually the first book I wrote, but the way things worked out for me, the second book was picked up by a publisher, so this one needed some reworking and I turned it into book 3. I always liked the villain in this book the best. I can’t say what inspired me to write him because that might be too scary for me to think about. I can’t help it, I like to write in evil villains. I do love the hero in this story, though. He has every right to be a rich, famous jerk, but he’s just the opposite. And my editor said she saw a lot of me in the heroine. That came as a surprise.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have my desk in the kitchen area so that it overlooks the lake. I can’t stand to be holed up in an office. I do get distracted by the turtles, herons, bufflehead diving ducks and osprey, but otherwise I’m 100% focused.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read all the Nancy Drew books, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Little Women over and over and over.

What are you working on now?
I’m starting a new contemporary series, Love on the Lakes. It’s inspired by Lake Murray and will take place on a fictional island that is based on one that exists here.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I take out ads with various promoters like AwesomeGang and I’m on facebook and instagram.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t let the industry get to you. There’s so much of what you “should be doing” to be successful. It’s easy to get caught up in all of it. Keep balance in your life and write from the heart.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Let go of expectations. Everything is exactly as it’s supposed to be.

What are you reading now?
One of Jessie Gussman’s books. She writes sweet romances and has a cowboy series that I love.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My contemporary series about the lakes.

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?
Watchers by Dean Koontz. Little Women. Conversations with God, by Neale Donald Walsch.

Author Websites and Profiles
Diane Holiday Website
Diane Holiday Amazon Profile

Diane Holiday’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Simon Windsor 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
this is my first book! I am first and foremost a sports fan: I play football, hockey and I am a triathlon athlete.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Your metabolism: a user’s guide: Knowing the biochemistry of the human body to be fitter, healthier and thinner”. I have a great passion for nutrition science. I believe that eating properly is the key to being fit and happy. I have always looked for a book on nutrition that had solid scientific foundations, but was at the same time fun to read. Since I never found it … I thought I’d write it!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t write if my dog ​​isn’t in the room. He’s a 132 lb Rottweiler – but sweet as a poodle!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
science and biology textbooks… but I wanted to make them much less boring

 

 

Mitchel White 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m the Managing Director of Manchester based sustainable branding and marketing agency Reward. Having set the agency up at 21 nearly 6 years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing brands from Europe’s largest online fashion destination Zalando to sustainable manufacturing and ecommerce brands.

I write about my own personal struggles with mental health after being diagnosed with HIV in 2016 as well as pushing for organisations to be more sustainable and ethical. I launched my first book, Serve at the end of 2019 and it hit number 1 best seller status on Amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Serve: Stop taking and start giving, your key to sustainable and ethical marketing success.

I wrote Serve for a few reasons. Firstly to empty my head to make room. When you have so many ideas and thoughts floating around it can be hard to think clearly. I wanted to write my first book to help shape my ideas into more rounded concepts, writing the book allowed me to do that.

Secondly, I wrote Serve out of an annoyance at how businesses behave. Even with more scrutiny and consumer pressure brands still don’t market or behave ethically. I wanted to create a manifesto and new way of approaching marketing to help marketers to bring about more positive change with their work.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I created a countdown excel sheet with a bar chart that progressed towards my final word count. Each day I would aim to write a certain number of words and seeing the bar get closer to end point, kept me going when I was struggling to write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Seth Godin is the obvious name in marketing, This Is Marketing is a great book. Daniel Priestley, Scott Belsky, James Clear and Darren Hardy are also great writers who have helped shape my thinking and inspire my own ideas.

What are you working on now?
I am just starting a podcast to support the ideas in the book as well as speaking at more events about ethical marketing and sustainability in business.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own personal blog and LinkedIn profile have been great in driving traffic to Amazon as well as building trust and a relationship with people who might want to order my book.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get started. The hardest part for me was getting over self doubt. I constantly put off writing a book because of fear. A fear of my ideas being laughed at or falling flat. Don’t let fear and worry stop you from writing an amazing book. Plan an outline of your book and start writing, from there you’ll get into a flow and with consistency before you know it you’ll have written a book.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stick with it. Things don’t always work out the way you planned but if you stick with something, it will work out in the end. Life is full of challenges and people give up far too easily. Most rewards come with a challenge or too. Stick with it.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading the Do / Purpose which is part of a series of books by the Do Book Company. I’ve never read this book before but the similarities in message with my book amazed me.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to take a break to promote the book and fill my head back up with new ideas. I plan on writing another non-fiction book in the next year or so.

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?
Make Your Mark – 99U
Blue Ocean Strategy, Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim
Branding: In Five and a Half Steps, Michael A. Johnson

Author Websites and Profiles
Mitchel White Website
Mitchel White Amazon Profile

Mitchel White’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jan Notzon 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in a sleepy backwater town on the Mexican border in Texas. Graduated from UT Austin in 1973 and went to New York to be an actor. After 10 years and modest success, I took a deal to get my MFA from USC. From there I moved to Charlotte, NC where I presently reside. I’ve appeared on Another World, Search For Tomorrow, Matlock, The Young
Indiana Jones Chronicles. I started out writing plays and have seven full-length and a one-act to my credit. I then turned to writing novels and have publish four and am busily working on my fifth. My overarching goal is to tell a good story–no literary tricks. If I inspire the reader to think about this (and his or her) life, that’s so much gravy.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is called Song For The Forsaken. Interesting story about its inspiration: When I started graduate school I was still a fire-breathing atheist. One girl who was a born-again Christian asked me to write a play for her and another gal. I first wrote a one-act, then expanded it to full-length, and then adapted it into a novel

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it’s unusual, but I do a lot of free-associating out on
my deck: notes, a bit of dialogue, an idea for how to pull some of it
together, etc.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite writer is William Shakespeare. As far as the novel is
concerned, East of Eden tops my list: the wisdom in that book is just
jaw-dropping.

What are you working on now?
I’m in the midst of trying to write a fictional account of my father’s family’s immigration from Poland in the 19th century. And it’s like pulling teeth. What do I know about peasant farmers in 19th-century Poland? But, little by little, it’s coming.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
None.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do it as long as you love it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Jack Lemmon was asked if he had any advice for young actors. He turned directly to the camera and said: “It never stops.”

What are you reading now?
I just finished David Hume’s An Enquiry Concerning The Principles of
Morals. I’m now reading George Will’s “The Conservative Sensibility.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, beating out the novel I’m working on now and hawking my work as best I can. I have an interview on The Authors Show. I’m featured in the latest edition of New Reader Magazine and will be so again in South Charlotte Lifestyle Magazine. In addition, I’m doing signings and podcasts and such.

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 Complete Works of William Shakespeare, East of Eden, Aristotle’s
Nichomachean Ethics, George Will’s The Conservative Sensibility.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jan Notzon Website
Jan Notzon Amazon Profile

Aisha Urooj 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written my first novel My Dear Ellie, a coming of age novel which is about love and friendship.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My Dear Ellie and it was inspired by the idea of two best friends being there for each other, even through an eternity.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The same as any writer, I start writing whenever inspiration strikes, even at very early hours of the day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Classics novels, especially Jane Austen and Harry Potter series

What are you working on now?
My second novel tentatively titled Eleanor’s travels.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still new and learning however I am reaching out to FB groups there to help new writers

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Writing gives me a lot of joy and I write regardless of outcome. I hope to keep writing and improving and I hope that people will enjoy reading my works.

Author Websites and Profiles
Aisha Urooj Amazon Profile

Aisha Urooj’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Christopher Davy 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 34. I live in Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom. I currently work at Exeter College supporting the delivery of apprenticeships. I have a degree in Film Studies & Media and Cultural Studies.

I set up a basketball club in the town I grew up in; Exmouth, Devon. This was in 2009. I love sport and entertainment.

So far I have written 2 books.

S is for…Something: Short, sweet, simple, silly, serious, stupid, smart, self-help.

and I am currently putting the finishing touches on my 2nd book

S is for…Short, Sweet, Simple Sports Coaching: For Parents, Players, and Pedagogues.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book ‘S is for…Short, Sweet, Simple Sports Coaching: For Parents, Players, and Pedagogues.’ is about sports coaching and is inspired by my need for money

I feel I have a lot of values knowledge and skill when it comes to sports coaching, so I wanted to try and put it into a book.

But, more seriously, I love sport. I think it is an important part of life and I am looking to provide a resource that anyone of any level can use and benefit from to help them achieve a happier and healthier lifestyle, or support someone else is achieving that.

The book is based on the skills I have learnt and refine over my years of participating in, coaching, and studying sport.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yeah, actually writing. That in itself is a pretty unusual thing, don’t you think?

But more to the point, I know a lot of my work focuses around the letter S. It’s a way for me to focus and summarise what I’m doing as I’m doing it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Typically I don’t read a lot. I was a film student, so I watch a lot. I also like music, so I listen a lot. But those people are still writers. So, one example would be Anthony Keidis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers; he is a big influence on me. He is an outstanding writer. My Dad regularly DJ’d at parties and clubs in his younger years, so music has always been a pretty big part of my life.

But in terms of more conventional authors, I like autobiographies. Anthony Bozza who did Tommy Lee’s and Slash’s is a great writer. But, Lord of the Flies was a book I picked up as a kid and blasted through; so I have to give a nod to William Golding. I think that’s the book I’ve been most engrossed in ever.

What are you working on now?
Well I’m finishing my S is for…Sports Coaching book. After that, I’m working on a short film project that I’ve called ‘Stress’. As well as that, I’m toying with the idea of blasting out some short stories.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know what the ‘best’ method is. I think it’s probably just,

Get the book written and published.
Then plant the seed in whatever ways I fancy and see what happens.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Develop your own advice.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s not what you say it’s how you say it. – An old Headteacher of mine.

You never stick at anything you always are doing something new. – My oldest brother.

Don’t run with that in your mouth, you’ll slip and choke. – My Mum probably at several points in my life.

What are you reading now?
A question in this interview that says, ‘What are you reading now?’. – I can’t help myself

Like, I say, I’m not really a reader. I’m proof reading my book. But most recently I did buy Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee, too see what he had written in his book about his sporting style and coaching philosophy.

But me and my girlfriend has a little boy, so we are reading kids books. They are probably as fun if not more fun than adult books. There should be more adult pop-up books.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Probably should be an adult pop-up book.

But it will likely be some short fiction stories.

I’ve got some scripts that I want to work on 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?
I’d take a guitar.

Lord of the Flies – The PERFECT desert island book.

Probably a Snoopy and Garfield comic.

And then I’d want something like ’15 minute Desert Island meals’. Which isn’t a thing as far as I know, but might be a future book of mine. Highly unlikely, I’m more of an ideas guy. If someone wants to write it just give me a credit.

Author Websites and Profiles
Christopher Davy Website
Christopher Davy Amazon Profile

Christopher Davy’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Elizabeth N. Harris 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written lots of books over the years but never had the courage basically, to publish them. So I took the step in 2019 to publish my first book and now I’m off and running! My first book came out December 2019 and my next comes out the 1st of February. Then I have two more planned for the 1st of April and the 1st of June! After that, it’s a case of watch this space! But I’ve written so many it’s a pleasure to see them being published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Oakwood Manor. It’s a story that kept churning over in my head. Does love really die out of can it continue after death? Oakwood Manor is the first in a series of six books titled Love Beyond Death Series. I’ve visited a lot of stately homes and heard their ghost stories and I’ve always wondered, what if that ghost fell in love with someone alive today? What would happen? How can love beat death? Well, it continued to nag at me and Oakwood Manor was written pretty fast!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to have a bottle of diet cherry/raspberry Pepsi to my right. I also need to snuggle up under a quilt when I write, even in the summer, I use a blanket. It’s good I use an oversized armchair to write from!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many authors to name, Raymond Feist, Terry Brookes, Terry Goodkind, Kristen Ashley, Anne Rice, HY Hanna, Karen Marie Moning, Enid Blyton, Jane Austin, the list could go on for ages. My favourite book, that’s a hard one. I love anything by these authors but there is a book I remember from my childhood called The Ordinary Princess. I loved that. I read it when I was about eight, and have never forgotten it.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently editing Oakwood Manor and The Rage of Reading. Then I’m starting the second book, called Courtenay House.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Goodreads and Amazon. Amazon Kindle Unlimited has really brought in readers for me. My own website is doing well in publicising my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Don’t let criticism get you down and believe in yourself. If all you can do is think of the story that bugs you until you get it down, then write it. Write for yourself not others. The song from the Greatest Showman, This is Me, inspired me to publish. I’m saying to the world, loud and proud, This is me! Seek help and advice if you need it, but dream it and then make that dream come true.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself, because when everyone wants to tear you down, you’ll stand strong and shine your light.

My grandparents.

What are you reading now?
White Lillies by Samantha Christy

What’s next for you as a writer?
Concentrating on writing books and editing them and making sure I’m writing what I wish to be. Finishing off the Rage Mc series and the Love Beyond Death series before moving on to my next. I have itchy fingers and so many stories to tell.

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?
Anything by Karen Marie Moning.

Author Websites and Profiles
Elizabeth N. Harris Website
Elizabeth N. Harris Amazon Profile

Elizabeth N. Harris’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Gordon Greenhill 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Flight of the SkyCricket is my first published novel, but the second in the series is in editing right now, and the third is about 3/4 complete. I have a number of other more literary novels that are seeking representation. I came to the writing came later in life and you’d like to read the story, I’ve blogged about it at https://relicsoferrus.com/2019/10/black_centaur/

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Flight of the SkyCricket was the outworking of frustration over the limitations of fan fiction. So I decided to build my own world and tell my own story. Again, read about that journey at https://relicsoferrus.com/2019/10/black_centaur/

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Don’t know how unusual it is, but I’ve discovered that my most furious composition gets done while I’m sitting at trade shows under my Relics of Errus banner trying to hawk my books. In those 3 min blocks between smiling at passersby, I’ve found I can actually map, plot, and write on a yellow pad with great ease. Then I need the coffee shop to actually transform those chicken scratches into a coherent story.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In the world of fiction: CS Lewis, MadDonald, Rowling, Nesbit, Pullman, etc. The usual.
In terms of my zen: Hitchhiker’s Guide, Catch-22, Watership Down, Midnight’s Children
However, having earned a PHD in systematic theology and taught at a seminary for 15 years before discovering my voice (how ironic is that?), I have a deep love of the treat metaphysicians of history, like Augustine, Anselm, Augustine, Kant, Barth, etc. And this comes through in my writing (hopefully very gently in the case of the YA fantasy stuff).

What are you working on now?
Vol. 3 of Relics of Errus is at the 3/4 point.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Too early on to be sure of this. I like talking to people at tradeshows, but Amazon is kind of the gatekeeper of sales volume at this point.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write something every day. Biggest challenge in writing isn’t writer’s block or new ideas, but distraction. Stay away from FB, youtube, etc. when you’re supposed to be writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The worst decision you’ve ever made does not define you as much at the choices you make after that.

What are you reading now?
John Calvin, Sermons on Job… um, no really.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Getting my completed “Bellowing of Cain” published. It’s the true story of my own journey with self-inflicted wounds. How to survive them. How to rebuild. How to deal with shame, loss, and regret. How to have a life beyond your stupid choices.

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?
Impossible. Can’t. Make. Decision. Head. Exploding.

Author Websites and Profiles
Gordon Greenhill Website
Gordon Greenhill Amazon Profile

Gordon Greenhill’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Glenn Devlin 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a deaf-blind web application developer and I’ve written two science fiction novels.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book I”ve written is called the Alien Diaries. My inspiration comes in many forms. Growing up on a steady diet of science fiction by way of Star Wars, ET, Star Trek coupled with a blend of history, Indiana Jones and Clive Cussler. I searched for ways to blend my love for history and science fiction and Alien Diaries was born.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
None. I’m the worst procrastinator. I just try to write about 500 to 1000 words a day because of my commitments to my day job

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King. Clive Cussler. Enid Blyton. Michael Critchon. David McCullough

What are you working on now?
I’m starting to work on the sequel to the Alien Diaries

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Slow and steady wins the race. Take your time. Don’t rush to a first draft with visions of becoming a best selling writer. If you are in it just for the money, maybe you should not write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take the money and run. William Diehl told me that.

What are you reading now?
Believe it or not, I’m reading CompTIA Security+. I just finished reading a Column of Fire by Ken Follet which was great.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing of course.

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?
Well I need to finish Security+ so I’ll take that. In case I get rescued and I’ll be ready to take that test. But course, I’m going to need a break and read something interesting. Perhaps I’ll take some of David McCullough with me – the Pioneers.

Author Websites and Profiles
Glenn Devlin Amazon Profile

Glenn Devlin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Kai Yaniz 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a native-born Floridian. I love to travel, read, make others laugh, and save money. I am consummate teacher about life and personal relationships. I have varied interests with a career specialization in financial services while I enjoy motivational speaking and having daily adventures. I have written two books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is, “Becoming Version 2.0”. It was inspired by my travels through China and Australia. Due to how much that trip transformed my life and was my (so far) ultimate journey, emotionally and physically, I wanted to write about that experience. It was my husband who encouraged me to share with others. I wrote blogs and took photographs consistently throughout my travels, so I was able to use them in the narrative.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t write often. Mostly when the mood strikes me. I am not a full-time or career author. With my full-time job, I often lack the energy and inspiration to write. Yet I enjoy reading, and whenever I read a good book, I feel tempted to write as well.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
One of my favorite authors is Liane Moriarty, who exhibits such amazing writing ability in detailing family and friend conflicts and relationships. I have read every single one of her books, and I find myself enjoying each one in its own way.
Elizabeth Gilbert is also an influence for me. Whether it is fiction or non-fiction, her writing is on point and poignant. In fact, Gilbert’s book, “Eat, Pray, Love”, I was reading for the third time while traveling through China; the book inspired multiple blog entries that made its way into my book.

What are you working on now?
The book I am working on now is called, “Becoming Version 3.0”. It is a follow-up to “Becoming Version 2.0”. It is about how motherhood has transformed my life and made me an even more enhanced version of myself.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I started working with Ebook Partnership that put my book on various book platforms outside of Amazon. They provide resources on book promotion, and they are international, which has been beneficial for me to promote my book to other avenues.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you know. Feel a connection to what you are writing. If you are writing, and there is minimal engagement with the book, it may not be the right story to share.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I do love quotes and quoting others, so this question is unfair. Through my life, I have received a lot of great advice. I would say the best advice I have received is to don’t prove yourself to anyone and no one else needs to validate your worth.

What are you reading now?
I read frequently, so let’s just say that I am currently reading a contemporary fiction novel and business book.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next is to finish my sequel, “Becoming Version 3.0”, and continue writing books when the inspiration hits me.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring the book I mentioned earlier, “Eat, Pray, Love”, “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin, and a book about how to survive on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kai Yaniz Website
Kai Yaniz Amazon Profile

Kai Yaniz’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Ephraim Michael 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a multi genre author, born in 1995, started writing at 8, became a published author in 2017.
I grew up loving the art of writing. Some of my work includes; Upheavals, Somewhere In Africa, Sexual Seduction, Mask, Dark Secrets, Inner Circle, Hochbene Mayhem, Awaken, Kiddies For Muna, Twisted Love. I first signed a publishing deal in 2016 with AP Muna PubHouse, where I published Upheavals, Somewhere in Africa, Hochbene mayhem, Sexual seduction, Dark secrets, Inner circle, Kiddies for Muna. Later offered a five years publishing contract on 1st January, 2019 for ‘Mask’ by Simply Inspired
Words Publishing US, who also hold the publishing right for ‘Awaken’.
Recently signed a contract with Breaking Rules Publishing Company for ‘Twisted love’.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dark secrets is my latest. The human mind inspired me. We tend to keep secrets to heavy to carry, but we must.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I sometimes woke up in the middle of the night, just to write one sentence and then go back to sleep.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read so many books and had so many who influenced my writing. Foremost of them is Mark Twain. Can remember vividly when I first wrote not less than 2000 word count story in 2003, I did that after reading ‘The Prince and the pauper’ by Mark T.
Second person was Chinua Achebe, have read most of his books; Things fall apart, No longer at ease, Arrow of God, Chike and the river. Chinua inspired so many Negro writers.

What are you working on now?
An erotic romance short stories just like Sexual seduction. With Awaken, a paranormal romance still on the editing phase with SIWP, same with Twisted love which is with BRP. I will say I’m working on three books at once.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote on different social media platforms, but my favorite and most effective for me is the twitter platform.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Don’t consider yourself as a pro in the writing industry, and take in criticism wholeheartedly.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It was from my editor. She said to me; ‘…hey Ephraim, be real, you don’t have to censor yourself… ‘ This was because of my write up on a sex scene. After that, I sometimes delve into erotic writing for fun.

What are you reading now?
Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

What’s next for you as a writer?
To reach the ‘hard’ target I set for myself. That’s surpassing Achebe’s legacy in Africa.

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?
Things fall apart, Petronella, The Prince and the pauper, Dark Secrets.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ephraim Michael Website
Ephraim Michael Amazon Profile
Ephraim Michael Author Profile on Smashwords

Ephraim Michael’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Terry Miller 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new author, so this was my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Sound of Faith: Hearing the Whisper of God.
Honestly, I have never thought of myself as a writer, but after years of being taught one way of thinking, I stepped away to allow God to do the teaching. With this being said, I have learned what it truly means to have faith. My life has changed since then and because of that, I wanted to help others gain a new perspective. I started serving in the ministry back in early 2003. As time progressed, I felt I was missing something in my relationship with God. It was easy to get mad at Him for the simplest things, but I felt getting mad wouldn’t change the situation. I began to question if I should be mad at myself? I won’t say I am perfect and have learned everything, but I felt compelled to start writing to help others break away from traditional thinking and build a relationship with God on a personal level, like I did.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not any I can think of at the moment

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Chicken Soup for the Soul! The faith editions are those I read most.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am taking time off from writing, but do plan to start a follow-up book to the first one.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Right now I am utilizing Facebook

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Most of the time I am told by inspiring authors, “I don’t know where to start.” I reply, “Let your hands do the talking, just start typing and see where it goes, you can put everything in order later.”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Pray God reteaches you everything you have ever learned!

What are you reading now?
Heaven is Beyond your Wildest Expectations by Sid Roth and Lonnie Lane

What’s next for you as a writer?
My second book

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
Chicken Soup for the Soul- Faith Editions

 

Tracilyn George 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing since the seventh grade and love to travel. I’ve currently written 22 books in English, most of which have been translated to several languages. My published works include novels, poetry, self-help, memoirs, short stories, and children’s books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Karma. I had been watching old episodes of Match Game and was inspired to write a character loosely based on Richard Dawson.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I usually write the ending first and work the story to that end.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Robertson Davies andoo Margaret Laurence.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a book similar to Believe Me: The Story of a Narcissist. It tells the story from the perspective of a political reporter watching the presidential campaign of one particular candidate.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I usually try Twitter and Facebook ads, but am willing to take advice of others.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going! If you quit while you’re still learning, you will never know how awesome of an author you can become!

Do not allow others’ doubts in you keep you from achieving your dream.
Do not allow the doubts of others keep you from being free. – Tracilyn George

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I heard this from a young person getting off the bus one day. He said, “It’s not where you are; it’s where you’re at.” I thought this was quite profound.

What are you reading now?
The Maltese Falcon

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing my current novel then moving on the the pile of folders on my desk, ready to be written.

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’s Bred in the Bone; The Stone Angel; Angels and Demons

Author Websites and Profiles
Tracilyn George Website
Tracilyn George Amazon Profile
Tracilyn George Author Profile on Smashwords

Tracilyn George’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Kris Kourtis 

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

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
2. Lose Weight Today and Become Psychic Today

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rhonda Byrne and Stephen Konh9

What are you working on now?
A new TV channel

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
None

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay true to yourself and never give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I have had many troubles in my life but most of then never happened.
-Mark Twain

What are you reading now?
Self help books

What’s next for you as a writer?
More Audiobooks

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 Nicholas Sparks books

Author Websites and Profiles
Kris Kourtis Amazon Profile

 

Maria DeVivo 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a dark fantasy and horror author, and for as long as I can remember, I always have been. I knew it was something I wanted to do at a very early age. Once I got settled in my career, marriage, role as mommy, etc., I was able to finally dedicate myself to “writing as a lifestyle” rather than “writing as a hobby.” I’ve written 9 books since 2010 – four are published (The Coal Elf, The Rise of Sturd, Above the Ash, The Altered), and the rest are “waiting in the wings”!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE ALTERED is my newest release (Solstice Publishing, Jan. 2020). It’s a YA Psychological Horror about a viral outbreak that essentially turns people into zombies, but a cure is found, and the infected go back to being quasi-normal. Altered.

There used to be two things in this life that scared me the most : tornadoes and zombies. Writing this book was therapeutic for me because, in a way, I was able to conquer that fear (of zombies… I’m still petrified of tornadoes.) I’m a horror movie freak, so I’m always looking for that next “adrenaline high” in the scare department.

One of my favorite novels of all time is THE OUTSIDERS by S.E. Hinton. It was the book that really put the desire in me to become an author. When I wrote the main character for THE ALTERED, I drew a lot of inspiration from The Outsiders.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
But, of course! I don’t think I know an author who doesn’t! Mine? Every chapter I write needs to be outlined in bullet points the day before in a leather bound notebook. And I only write in the summer months (June – August).

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Like I said before, S.E. Hinton’s THE OUTSIDERS. And definitely the greats – King, Rice, Clive Barker.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m focused on promoting THE ALTERED in new and creative ways. My first series (THE COAL ELF CHRONICLES) definitely taught me a lot about the business in general.

As far as writing goes, I have some ideas brewing (hint hint, nudge nudge) and a preliminary synopsis ready to go for a new story.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook is always a fan favorite, but these days I’ve been utilizing Instagram more and more. I teach middle school, so my kiddos keep me young and hip. My newest venture is TIKTOK! It’s actually a lot of fun to use!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
THICK. SKIN.

KEEP. WRITING.

DON’T. RELY. ON. YOUR. FAMILY/FRIENDS. IF. YOU. WANT. SERIOUS. FEEDBACK.

KEEP. WRITING.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
see above…

What are you reading now?
Grrrrr…. this is going to sound horrible for a Language Arts teacher and author to say, but currently… nothing. I’m in promoting mode right now. As soon as I get a break in the action, I want to read about the Jon-Benet Ramsey case, so I’ll do some true crime stuff.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. As the Mandalorians say, “This is the way.” I’m excited for the summer, as I’ll be venturing into a topic that is near and dear to my heart – witches! I’ll see where the story takes me and how it develops. I still haven’t figured out if I want it to be a stand-alone, or do another trilogy. Trilogies are 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?
Lord of the Flies
A Christmas Carol
There’s a Wocket in My Pocket

Author Websites and Profiles
Maria DeVivo Website

Maria DeVivo’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

A.N Cross 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
One is done and published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Seaside Haven Series: Vampire’s Nightmares. I write about my friends or people I wish were real. Who will forever live in my imagination the vampires, witches, and fae. Because why would I want to live in a world where these fun characters don’t live?
My love of reading inspires me to write.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get lots of ideas while alone walking my dog. Just me the dog and my thoughts so I dictate them into my phone.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many I am an avid reader. Anne Rice is a favorite of mine. Hailey Edwards is good. Holly Black The cruel price is a great book.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the second book in Seaside Haven series

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write worry about everything else later. Get out your ideas, characters, and the story.

What are you reading now?
The Queen of nothing Holly Black.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully to entertain and share my stories with people. To keep writing.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Anne Rice is a favorite of mine. Hailey Edwards is good. Holly Black The cruel price is a great book.

Author Websites and Profiles
A.N Cross Amazon Profile

A.N Cross’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Dennis Morrow 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
All my life, starting in elementary school, I struggled with reading. Much of the assistance available to children now was not available to me back then. I had no way to understand this issue and there was little to do to correct the situation. Because I couldn’t read very well, I directed my education to learning numbers and equations. Eventually finding my niche with engineering. I excelled, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering. I finished my education with an MBA in Sales and Marketing. My reading skills never got better, I was a stranger to books. Finally, in my adult life I found the patience to read books like The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings by J. R. Tolkein, Centennial by James Michener and other books. It was slow reading but I thoroughly enjoyed the books.
I never dreamed of writing books. Engineering and then sales and marketing became my professional career. My son, Steven, sent me a couple of screen plays he had written. After reading them I got interested in the art of screen writing. I went to the book store and bought some books on how to write a screen play and my writing career took off. I wrote a screen play called The Tree House, eventually I renamed it Alliance of the Quad. I took it to a Screenwriter’s Convention in Hollywood, and was told the ideas in the screen play were unique, interesting, and would make a terrific movie. However, the movie would quite expensive so I would have to create an audience before a movie could be made. I needed the write the book (books).
I went back to the book store and bought some books on how to write books. I began the journey that eventually created the five-book series, Alliance of the Quad. Now I want to inspire young readers. The ones that can read well, but more importantly the ones who struggle with reading. The Alliance of the Quad is a book series that is mesmerizing and captivating. The young reader will get swept up into the story quickly and be transported to faraway places and distant times as they read. They will learn how magical, captivating, and mesmerizing reading can be. They will also learn about life’s lessons.
My ultimate hope is that I can invite, motivate, encourage, inspire, and transport the young and old into a world of magic, time travel and excitement. At the same time imprint the values and importance of reading in their lives. One way I am trying to do this is to give lectures on reading and writing to middle school students. This has been received quite well and my hope is it will inspire the young people I come in contact with. I am forever grateful for this gratifying opportunity

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Alliance of the Quad: Winds of War. It is the fifth and final book in the Alliance of the Quad series. The series was inspired by the idea that great, fun, and engaging stories about life, liberty, and freedom can be written without poor language and questionable moral story lines. I want to write a story kids and adults alike would enjoy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t write outlines or put together story boards. I know the basics, where the story begins, the place and time of the story, how the story ends and I just write. What is on the next page is as much of a surprise to me as it is to the reader. As I write, if I feel I have gone off track, I back up a little and then continue. My stories seem to flow out of me head on their own without a lot of pre-planning on my part. It is quite amazing to me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings by J. R. Tolkein, Centennial by James Michener

What are you working on now?
I am a retire executive from the high tech industry. My writing and travel take up my time now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am looking for one now.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get discouraged and push to the end. Write the story from start to finish, then go back and embellish what you have written. Don’t think that each page needs to be perfect before moving on to the next, you will never get it to the finish line.

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

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am writing volume one, Alliance of the Quad: The New Alliance, as a screen play.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My 5 book series. Every time I read my own words, I’m impressed. I never though I would be a writer, so I am truly surprised with what I have accomplished.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dennis Morrow Website
Dennis Morrow Amazon Profile

Dennis Morrow’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Otha Foster 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just finished the rough draft on my Copper City Chronicles series. I’ve actually written six novels, but Fifth Sun was my first I felt should be published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is Copper City Slag. It is based on an idea my best friend and I came up with in high school. We considered doing a kidnapping prank, but decided against it. The book explores the possibilities of why we decided it would be a bad idea.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I listen to music for meditation while writing. I don’t really meditate, but the music relaxes me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a big fan of Larry McMurtry. I love his series based on his home town, which is about forty miles from where I live now.

What are you working on now?
I just finished a rough draft of a book that partners the characters of Fifth Sun and Copper City Slag.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I prefer Facebook initially, but this site has given my most sales.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you love being around people and socializing you should probably do something else.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Anne Lamott’s advice to embrace “shitty first drafts.”

What are you reading now?
The Andromeda Evolution. It’s based on a Michael Crichton novel. So far it seems to be channeling his spirit.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope I find new readers.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Harry Potter

 

James Thomas 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello freaky readers! I am James Thomas and have slaved over my debut novel for quite some time. I am currently working on book number two. I have been an educator in the science area for over 25 years. I know, I have patience and resilience. I enjoy the finer things in life; A family, raising some kids, hiking, biking, composing music. I also enjoy some extreme sports as I am a hang glider pilot. The sensation of pure freedom is indescribable.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I wrote ‘A Game Of Red.’ I have been thinking about this book for most of my life. I created a world of corruption. Basically, I envisioned the current society continuing on its path. I have seen many things change from when I was a kid. I have seen parts of technology ruin several things in several lives. I created a world where if things keep going this way, it may not be our best society.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Being so new, I am not aware of what I am not aware of. LOL.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My first novel is one of my favorite. I started reading later in life (high school.) The book ‘On A Pale Horse’ by Piers Anthony changed my life. After that, I was a reader. There were several books over the years that I loved. “Pillars of the earth” was a book that I felt like I didn’t just read it…I lived it. Robert Mccammon happens to be my favorite author, but I have read quite a few I really enjoy. Michael Crighton, Piers Anthony, Robert Mccammon, some Stephen King, James Rollins, and others make my top books.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on book two of my ‘blood games’ series. The series is a sci-fi horror dystopian novel. I am fascinated with the mind. How it works, why we do the things we do, etc…

This series is NOT for the faint of heart. I tried to be as true as I could be and had to write some intense scenes.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Currently, I am very GREEN when it comes to promotion. I use Amazon, bookcovers has helped with with ads, I have created my own website where I sell my own book, and facebook. Of course, I have a goodreads account, but haven’t been able to utilize them very well yet.

I have to face it, I’m not very good at marketing or using social media at all.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t overwhelm yourself. Writing a book is a major project. Just take one step at a time, form a habit for writing everyday. The most important thing…see it through. Finish your novel. Start another.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get it done.

What are you reading now?
I just finished book four of James Rollins Sigma series and am reading book 6 of the ‘Jhereg’ series by Stephen Brust.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To get better. That’s 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?
The bible, pillars of the earth, swan song, battlefield earth.

Author Websites and Profiles
James Thomas Website
James Thomas Amazon Profile

James Thomas’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Ann Musico 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a wife, mom of three, grandmother of two with three more on the way this year, a certified holistic health coach and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. My Christian faith colors all I do. I have written three books and five Kindle books as well as several e-books I offer on my website for free. I love working with people, particularly women, who want to achieve health and wholeness in their lives. Women are usually the ones who shop and create meals so I feel I can impact families as I work with women, which is dear to my heart.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Today is Still the Day, is an updated version of my first book. I have been using the plan to work with clients for 8 years and this book is the result of what I’ve learned from working with people – what works, what doesn’t and how best to create a plan that can become a lifestyle rather than a temporary diet.

Ask anyone when they will begin a diet and usually the answer is, tomorrow. Well I believe today is always the right day! The title is inspired by Exodus 8:9-10 when Moses told Pharaoh to decide when he should rid the land of frogs. Unbelievably Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow!” Not much has changed with most of us since then!

I had never had a weight problem but when I reached my early 40’s I found what I’d been doing successfully for many years just wasn’t working any more. That inspired me to research different diets and eating plans. That led to coming up with my Today is Still the Day 7 week plan, which got me back to my healthiest weight and has been sustainable over the past 20 years for me.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have any truly unusual writing habits. I do get many of my best ideas when I am out walking our local trails. Being in nature and fresh air stimulates my creativity so I am always prepared to make some notes so that I can flesh them out when I get back home.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I tend to lean toward nonfiction, health oriented and Christian faith books as I am a certified holistic health coach. I love reading new information and learning things I didn’t know and can use in my own life, to help my family and clients. I have always loved reading. I am never without a book in progress! Some of my favorite authors are T.D. Jakes, Jessica and Nick Ortner, Dr. Caroline Leaf, Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Kenneth Copeland, Joe Dispenza just to name a few. They inspire me to stretch my understanding of spiritual and physical/health knowledge and beliefs.

What are you working on now?
At this time, as we await the arrival of another grandchild, I am compiling some notes on the joys of being a grandmother and some of the lessons I am learning through this amazing experience.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote my books through my blogs, weekly newsletter, on my website, http://www.annmusico.com as well as on social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors would be to spend the money to have your manuscript professionally edited, it makes a difference. Writing the book is a labor of love, especially if you love writing as I do, but know that this is just the beginning. Promoting your book is the larger part of your endeavor.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Best advice I was ever given was write about what you know and are passionate about unless you love doing extensive research on subjects you are not as familiar with. When you can include your own experiences and feelings, you’ll sound more convincing and sincere.

What are you reading now?
At this particular time I am re-reading The Fourth Dimension by Dr. David Yonggi Cho.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I write every day whether it is a blog post or newsletter and as I said I am compiling some notes and creating an outline for a book on the joys of grandparenting. I’m not exactly sure where that will lead, but I am sure that one way or another I will always be writing 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?
The books I would have with me if I were stranded on a desert island would be the Bible – perhaps two different versions, Imagine Heaven, You are the Placebo and Switch on Your Brain.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ann Musico Website
Ann Musico Amazon Profile

Ann Musico’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Roy Johnson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
One novel-type book. The rest of my works are short fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Wayfaring Hearts
Inspired by true life events

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Have to be sitting facing the room

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Cormac McCarthy
Stephen Hunter
TC Boyle
John Grisham

What are you working on now?
Another novel-length work

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter seems to connect me to a lot of people

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write daily even if it’s only a little bit

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Quit seeking approval with my writing

What are you reading now?
Bonfire of the Vanities

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish this book I started

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?
Blood Meridian
The Liars Club
The Stand

Author Websites and Profiles
Roy Johnson Website

Roy Johnson’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Gracin Sawyer 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Good grief… Where to start? So, I’ve been a published author for many years but decided to branch out under a pen name… Gracin Sawyer. This was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done and haven’t looked back since starting.
Gracin’s first book is Branding Lily, the first book in Jacob and Lily’s duet (followed by Saving Lily). The next duet is set to release spring of 2020 with Diesel and Samantha’s duet, titled: I’ll Be What She WANTS and I’ll Be What He NEEDS

I love to travel and my favorite place to be is on the ocean. Not near it, ON it. I have four kiddos, one who is old enough to make me entirely too old. Sarcasm rolls off me so easily I sometimes forget not everyone speaks the same language

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Latest book is Saving Lily (releasing January 24, 2020) and it is the second book in Jacob and Lily’s duet.
Goodness… I can’t mention this book without the first one (Branding Lily) because they go hand in hand. This story is one I’ve wanted to write for YEARS. My love for romance and my need to help women started it. As a warning (especially for those of us with triggers) it has things like abuse, rape, trafficking, ect in the story line.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure it is unusual, but if I get stuck, I turn on brown noise. You see, I LOVE to listen to music while I write. I kinda need it, but if I get stopped, stuck, can’t focus, or whatever else makes it hard to get words out, I blare the brown noise in my earbuds and the words flow.

White noise is too high and pink noise just annoys me, so that’s why the “brown noise”, just in case you were wondering.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
SO MANY!
I’m not sure if influenced is the right word, but I look up to a few of them. Rosanne Bittner is someone I admire and love her work. She writes very swoon worthy male leads (one of whom I still claim as MINE, and I first read him when I was 14!).
Currently, I have favorite authors who I love to read. Like, Meghan March, if she puts something out, I read it without even hesitating or reading her blurbs.

What are you working on now?
Diesel and Samantha’s duet: I’ll Be What She WANTS and I’ll Be What He NEEDS

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think over the years the platforms have changed. I have continuously seen them shift so it is hard to say at this moment. But I still think word of mouth is hands down the best method! If you love a book, tell your friends. Tell your social media friends! Tell everyone who will listen.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Don’t give up. If you have a story inside of you, then write it. DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. This means don’t compare to other authors, their writing speed, their success, nothing! You are enough. You are fast enough. You do you. AND… help when you can. There is room at the top of the mountain for us all.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take the manuscript out of the trash, wipe your tears, and get busy. (I think I was 20? And I wasn’t sure I would ever be good enough. Impostor syndrome is real and STILL gets me.)

What are you reading now?
I just finished Credence by Penelope Douglas. HOT! Wow…
I am getting ready to start the Bargainer series. It looks really good.
I am a very diverse reader so the genre depends on the mood I’m in.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Everything!
I am still climbing this mountain and look forward to every step. So much is ahead and I’m excited!
Trying to break out on social media and connect/interact with my readers is what I’m currently working on. So… come find me and chat!

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 Guide
*Book of matches (heheh… see what I did there?)
*And, for the honest one… My scriptures.

Author Websites and Profiles
Gracin Sawyer Amazon Profile

Gracin Sawyer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Kathryn Meyer Griffith 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
UPDATED JAN 22, 2020:
Since childhood I’ve been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. But I’d already begun writing novels at 21, over forty-eight years ago now, and have had twenty-nine (nine romantic horror, two horror novels, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel, one historical romance, five thrillers, one non-fiction short story collection, and seven murder mysteries) previous novels and twelve short stories published from various traditional publishers since 1984. But, I’ve gone into self-publishing in a big way since 2012; and upon getting all my previous books’ full rights back for the first time in 35 years, have self-published all of them. My five Dinosaur Lake novels and Spookie Town Murder Mysteries (Scraps of Paper, All Things Slip Away, Ghosts Beneath Us, Witches Among Us, What Lies Beneath the Graves and All Those Who Came Before) are my best-sellers.
I’ve been married to Russell for over forty-one years; have a son, two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois. We have a quirky cat, Sasha, and the three of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk/classic rock singer in my youth with my late brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.
2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *Finalist* for her horror novel The Last Vampire ~ 2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS * Finalist * for her thriller novel Dinosaur Lake.

*All Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s books can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/ld4jlow
*All her Audible.com audio books here:
http://tinyurl.com/oz7c4or

Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:
Evil Stalks the Night, The Heart of the Rose, Blood Forged, Vampire Blood, The Last Vampire (2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Horror category), Witches, Witches II: Apocalypse, Witches plus Witches II: Apocalypse, The Nameless One erotic horror short story, The Calling, Scraps of Paper (The First Spookie Town Murder Mystery), All Things Slip Away (The Second Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Ghosts Beneath Us (The Third Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Witches Among Us (The Fourth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), What Lies Beneath the Graves (The Fifth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), All Who Came Before (The Sixth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Egyptian Heart, Winter’s Journey, The Ice Bridge, Don’t Look Back, Agnes, A Time of Demons and Angels, The Woman in Crimson, Human No Longer, Six Spooky Short Stories Collection, Forever and Always Romantic Novella, Night Carnival Short Story, Dinosaur Lake (2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS*Finalist* in their Thriller/Adventure category), Dinosaur Lake II: Dinosaurs Arising, Dinosaur Lake III: Infestation and Dinosaur Lake IV: Dinosaur Wars, Dinosaur Lake V: Survivors, Memories of My Childhood and Christmas Magic 1959.

Her Websites:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathrynG64
My Blog: https://kathrynmeyergriffith.wordpress.com/
My Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynMeyerGriffith67/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Kathryn-Meyer-Griffith-Author-Page-208661823059299/about/?ref=page_internal
https://www.facebook.com/kathrynmeyergriffith68/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryn-Meyer-Griffith/579206748758534
http://www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/889499.Kathryn_Meyer_Griffith
http://en.gravatar.com/kathrynmeyergriffith
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-meyer-griffith-99a83216/
https://www.pinterest.com/kathryn5139/
https://tinyurl.com/ycp5gqb2

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
All Those Who Came Before…is my 29th novel and the sixth of my Spookie Town Murder Mysteries. People seem to love my quirky town cozy murder mysteries so I just keep writing them, even though I am actually a horror/thriller writer.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love to write on my couch, on my laptop, with the TV on and a cup of coffee or chocolate coffee to drink, or snacks. Some writers can write with music playing…I can’t. But TV, yes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Anne Rice
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Peter Straub
Michael Creighton
Jane Austen
Ray Bradbury
Robert Heinlein

What are you working on now?
I just finished book #29…a murder mystery. I am trying to decide what to write now. Another Witches novel, or a book about a real haunted house? Hmmm.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. Keep writing. Write what you love to read. Read. These days…advertise, advertise, advertise!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up. Keep writing. Write what you love to read. Read. But…make time in between your writing to LIVE your life, make friends, have fun. Believe me, life goes so quickly.

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

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am in a very different place than most younger writers. I’m at a different part of my life and my writing career. I’ve been writing now for over 48 years (that’s not my age…that is how long I have been actually writing) and I’m slowing down. The feverish obsession to write has faded some and I am very aware of the preciousness of time in a person’s life. I’m almost 70 now and I want to enjoy my everyday existence as well as play in my make-believe worlds. So…will I write my 30th novel, or 14th short story? I do not know. If God allows me to, I will. I have been writing Dinosaur Lake and Spookie Town Murder Mysteries now for over 10 years and I do miss my horror. Perhaps I’ll write one more really scary vampire/witch/demon/ghost book before my curtain comes down. Perhaps.

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 newest Stephen King book
The newest/best-selling Murder Mystery
Newest best-selling SF book

Author Websites and Profiles
Kathryn Meyer Griffith Website
Kathryn Meyer Griffith Amazon Profile
Kathryn Meyer Griffith Author Profile on Smashwords

Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

SJ Brede 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born in the year of the first moon-landing, I later became a journalist and worked five years for several news-agencies and national newspapers in Germany, before I changed over to the “dark side”, i.e. signing up as copywriter and concept-designer at international ad-agencies. Several consecutive two-year stunts later I started my own copywriter & consulting business for ad-agencies and international companies active in Germany and Western Europe. Today, I divide my time between my main-job and book-writing.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“TRUMPING THE TRUMPISTS – Everything you need to know about the trumpist mind and how to trump it!” was, unsurprisingly, inspired by Trump’s rise to power. The question of why so many Americans not only voted for Don the Con, but also continue to support him despite overwhelming evidence to the man’s criminal conduct kept on badgering me, until I decided to drill down on the matter. Two years and some extensive research and constant close observations of the Trumpministration and Trumpists later, the book now contains a broad array of answers to the pestering “Why?!”-question, from psychological to political and propaganda-related reasons.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write best at night. (Unfortunately, since my average sleeping time has considerably diminished in the last two years …)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In this particular case I wasn’t so much inspired by other authors but by the hosts of the late night shows on TV, among them Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, and Jimmy Kimmel. This small group of people has taken on the job that was once thought to belong to journalists, i.e. to point out that the Emperor is not only naked, but also an obese, lecherous, immoral, criminal and narcissistic septuagenarian who belongs in jail instead of in the White House.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the second book in the “Trumping the Trumpists”-series, which will focus stronger on political satire, e.g. a country-mouse – city-mouse allegory, a look into an American future after a second Civil War, and others.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still gathering experience on this one.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m a new author myself, so again, I’m in no position to give advice yet.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Right now I guess it’s: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”, by Edmund Burke

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the second book in the “Trumping the Trumpists”-series.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
SJ Brede Website

K.J. Padgett 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! Let’s see… A little info about myself. Well, I’m an avid book reader (as most writers tend to be), and I love all things fantasy and romance. I’ve written a number of books, some of them I plan on publishing, and others that will stay in the drawer forever. I have a husband who is insanely supportive, and I surround myself with fur babies that both keep me sane and drive me crazy. Anyone with animals should understand that struggle, I think. Aside from that, I’m a photographer and foodie.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Marked By A Bite is a book I started just for a fun project. It was never supposed to have eyes on it besides mine. However, when the characters started to expand and grow, and the world began to stretch, I knew I had a little series on my hands. A couple of people read and enjoyed it, and I thought “What the heck? I’ll throw it out there and see how it does.” My primary goal is to write books that I want to read. If I’m not having fun, then I can’t expect the reader to have fun either.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always have to have some noise in my house. This goes for when I’m writing as well. A lot of times I’ll put on a nature documentary or an old movie I’ve seen a thousand times. That way I don’t really have to pay attention to what’s on screen, but I don’t have this numbing silence either. Weird, I know.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh man! First and foremost, I am a fan of other people who do this job. Writing a book can be SO hard! That being said, my favorite authors right now are Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and Amanda Bouchet. If you enjoy fantasy, you should give their novels a try. They’re super romantic, and the heroines in their stories are BAD ASS!

What are you working on now?
Right now I am finishing up book two in The Rogue Hybrid series. The book will be titled Marked By A Royal and will answer a lot of questions readers were left asking in book one. It also introduces a new heroine (who may just be one of my favorite pov’s to write from right now.)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hmmm… When it comes to promotions, I use bookbub ads because I find them easier to navigate than amazon or facebooks ad systems. Also, just supporting other authors by leaving a nice review on Amazon if you enjoyed their book is beyond helpful.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is to just keep pushing yourself forward. Writing is a journey. It’s worth reminding yourself why you do it. For me, I have to step back and remember that I am in love with the craft. Otherwise, when I push myself to deadlines, it can become just a job. Also, take it one page at a time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get over being a perfectionist. This doesn’t excuse bad writing or a lack of editing, but at some point, you just have to let your story be what it is. If I didn’t follow this advice, I would never publish anything.

What are you reading now?
A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have two series planned out right now and I hope to continue self-publishing on amazon for as long as I can. I’m a bit addicted.

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?
Why are you torturing me this way? This is so hard!! Hmmm… Probably the ACOTAR series by Sarah J. Maas

Author Websites and Profiles
K.J. Padgett Website
K.J. Padgett Amazon Profile

Ray Jay Perreault 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an active Sci-Fi author. At the current time, I have over 20 books on Amazon and 15 Audiobooks on Audible. Even though my main series is in the Post-Apocalyptic genre, I write positive stories. I have other books and short stories that cover many Sci-Fi subjects, I enjoy Sci-Fi with a twist.
I was an Air Force pilot for 10 years, followed by a successful career in Aerospace. My degrees are in Aeronautical Engineering, and I enjoy the logical use of technology in my stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Earth II – Emergence” This is the sixth book in a planned seven-book series. I enjoy the storyline of a good and evil computer with humanity put in a difficult position.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a binge writer, and when I get going I work full-time until it’s done.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
All of the great Sci-Fi authors, such as Clarke, Asimov, and Heinlein. I like the classic approach to Sci-Fi and try to write in that style.

What are you working on now?
Three new books and audiobooks. Aside from the seventh book in the Virus/Earth II series I’m also writing an expansion of one of my short stories and an interesting story about a group of high-school students.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still looking for one. So far, the best way to sell books is to publish new ones.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write because you enjoy it. Write so that you have fun, don’t worry about creating a story just to sell it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write, write, write – then edit.

What are you reading now?
“The End is Always Near” by Dan Carlin

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Ray Jay Perreault Author Profile on Smashwords

Ray Jay Perreault’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

D. Fischer 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey, booksworms. I’m D. Fischer, a fantasy author since 2017. I live in a tiny little town called Orange City, which is tucked into the northwest corner of Iowa. The joys (and sometimes pains) of my life are my two boys, and my husband.

As huge animal lovers, we are owners of two sock-loving german shorthaired pointers, and slaves to our very large cat. We love the outdoors and I find that no matter how hard I try, I can’t help but let that love for nature shine through my books.

Currently, I have 22 books published. Some have won some awards, which is exciting. As I said, I write fantasy, but in a different sort of way. I like the darker side of fantasy – the betrayals, heartbreaks, and a whole lot of magic and action. I also like to lull the readers into a sense of comfort with where the plot is going, then twist the story entirely so they never see it coming. That’s my favorite part about being an author – when I get messages or reviews from a reader who is blown away.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I like to publish an entire series at a time. I’m a binge reader, and a binge TV watcher. . . I suppose that makes me a binge writer, too.
The latest series is Howl for the Damned, an urban fantasy series that stems from my previous series, Rise of the Realms. All my books connect, so the story continues from series to series with different or morphing plots.
This series was inspired by my love for the Native American culture. I feel such passion for their traditions, and find their history compelling.
Howl for the Damned is about a woman named Jinx Whitethorn who was born to a witch and a shaman. The result of that union made her a skinwalker, and now a wolf shifter pack is hunting her down for her deceased father’s cursed pendant.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure what classifies as “unusual!” If you ask me, most writers, including myself, are “unusual.” We’re nerds with odd habitual habits, an obsession for caffeine, tylenol advocates from too much screen time, and oddballs who talk to themselves far too often to be considered normal.
I suppose there is one thing that I’ve been told is “unusual.” I write at 4:30 am every morning. I discovered that it’s extremely quiet and peaceful when no one else is awake. It works for me, and it’s the one time of the day where my brain fires on all cylinders.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh gosh, there are so many. I’m an audiobook junkie, so I listen to plenty of books throughout the week.
I do have an obsession, however: Sarah J. Maas and her Throne of Glass series. In my opinion, she is a god. A complex world, detailed and relatable characters, an unbelievably intense plot. I could go on and on. I don’t know how I would behave if I ever met her in person. Faint, probably. I blush just thinking about it.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m plotting another series called Heavy Lies the Crown. This series also stems from a previous series, Rise of the Realms. I’m so in love with the characters and I haven’t written a word of it yet.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method I’ve found is marketing straight at the source. Right now, almost all my books are only available on Amazon, so I use their promotional system and advertisements. I’m in the process of testing paid sites, though.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Oh, I have a ton of advice. I talk too much. It’s the hazards of being an extroverted author; lots of alone time and no one to talk to but a computer screen.
My biggest piece of advice is to never, ever give up. If you love writing, home your skills. Nurture it. Study it. It’s important to understand that not everyone will like your books. Some people didn’t like the Throne of Glass series, and for the life of me, I don’t know why.

Another piece of advice is to never get distracted. The author world has a ton of pretty and frilly things to get involved in. Don’t. Stay 100 percent focused on your goal, your books, and your blossoming writing career. Make friends, of course, but remember why you started this journey in the first place. Tape it to your wall, if you must.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Dreams don’t work unless you do.”

This single quote is like a mantra in my head. It helps me stay focused. It humbles me. It helps me remember that a dream – my dream – will never be handed to me. I must earn it.

What are you reading now?
I’m an audiobook junkie, so right now I’m listening to Nocturna by Maya Motayne. Excellent book set in a different reality. I love the Hispanic culture to it as well.
I do read, though. I promise. What’s open on my kindle is The Witcher’s first book. Don’t laugh. I absolutely must know what happens next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next for me? More books. More series. I have so many stories in my head, all stemming and branching together to form a bigger, larger plot.

Right now, after Heavy Lies the Crown (YA epic fantasy), I have an urban fantasy planned with no title chosen yet. Then another YA epic fantasy titled Blood of the Guardians. The list truly goes on and on.

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?
Does Bear Grylls have any books out? If so, I’ll take one of those so I can survive. Then, I’d take Throne of Glass, and The Black Witch.

Author Websites and Profiles
D. Fischer Website
D. Fischer Amazon Profile

D. Fischer’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

C. R. Stewart 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
OI am originally from Newport Beach, California and have twenty years of experience writing fiction, nonfiction, and movie screenplays. My areas of expertise also includes film and media production, global strategy, and international marketing.

I received a Bachelor of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; did post- graduate work at Harvard University; earned an MBA from Boston College; and I am pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a PhD in Strategy.

Now based in San Diego, I am a strong supporter of education and the arts. I enjoys world travel, reading, riding, swimming, sailing, tennis, and am currently on a National School Book Tour with Britfield & The Lost Crown speaking to students on the importance of creativity!

Award-Winning “Britfield & the Lost Crown”, is my debut novel meant to be the first book in a thrilling seven-part series based on family, friendship, loyalty, and courage that is written for pre-teens, Y/A, and readers of all ages.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
This is an interesting 2-part story. About 13 years ago I was traveling through Eastern Europe. I was in a local shop in Bratislava, Slovakia when I saw this wonderful ceramic balloon hanging from the ceiling. It was round balloon with three ropes attached to a basket that had a boy and a girl. I can still see the image. I purchased ceramic for my sister and her children, thinking nothing more about it. Then three years later, I was working at an investment bank in Boston and was at a boring weekend seminar in Providence, RI. I started to drift so I began to doodle. I simply drew an image of a circle (balloon), three lines, and a basket with a boy and a girl. The idea for Britfield suddenly hit me—two orphans living at a horrible orphanage (Weather) in Yorkshire, England escape the awful conditions, commandeer a hot air balloon and head towards London. Four years and 2,500 hours later Britfield & the Lost Crown was completed.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, kinda boring! I write best in the very early morning. Once I start creating or editing a book, I will finish it, whether it takes eight weeks or eight months—I stay with it until it’s complete. For me, the best way to write is uninterrupted, in a quiet place. Just start and keep going until you are finished. Everyone has their own style—what works best for them. I’ll start early in the morning, go for about three or four hours, take a break: working out, running or swimming. Then I’ll have lunch, rest and go back to writing for another four or five hours. By five or six o’clock in the evening, I’m exhausted and finished for the day.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many, but here are a few. I enjoy Charles Dickens and his ability to take a Shakespearean cast of characters and seamlessly weave them through his stories. I have been heavily influenced by C. S. Lewis, his amazing depth and creativity as an author. Jane Austen captured the aristocracy, the intrigue, the forced etiquette and the psychological games and hypocrisies of the upper classes. The Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, wrote mysterious, romantic gothic novels that are powerful, moving and deep. Thomas Hardy took simple characters living in a rural setting and created complex, multilayered stories.

What are you working on now?
I finished Britfield & the Rise of the Lion, Book II (Set in France) and will begin the professional editing process this month. I will be starting on Britfield & the Return of the Prince, Book III (Set in Italy) this spring.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am currently traveling the United Staes on the Britfield National Book Tour where we will be seeing 250+ schools and engaging 30,000+ students, as well as visiting many Bookstores and libraries along the way.

We are also creating an army of Britfield fans through our website, online book promotions, marketing campaigns, and partnerships.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Story is everything. It can be simple or complex, but it must be interesting and well told. Find a unique story and start writing. First create your structure: beginning, middle and end. It’s easier when you think about the story in chapters: where’s the book going, what happens next and how will it end? Develop your characters and know them well—give them depth and obstacles that they must overcome. Do your research and master the subject you’re writing about. Also, read. Enjoy reading and understand what’s out in the market. Find writers you like and learn from them: how they tell a story, the way they structure or pace their narrative, how they describe things. Analyze these books and figure out what makes them interesting or compelling—why they’re successful or why they work as a novel. You never want to copy a style or another writer, but it’s essential to study the literary world you want to enter. If I were a painter, I would study other painters. If I were a composer, I would study other composers. It’s very important to develop your own style and what makes you unique, but this will come with time and experience.

Remember, nothing happens overnight. It takes commitment, discipline and endurance to produce an engaging and inspiring novel. To write and finish a book, you must first begin and spend time with it. Don’t worry about your first draft; just get your ideas and words onto paper (or the computer). Challenge yourself each day to produce a certain amount, perhaps two or three new pages. If you’re stuck on the next chapter, but you know what happens in another section, then jump to that scene. Just keep writing. If you can’t think of anything new, then start editing what you’ve already written, but just keep writing. This is the discipline and commitment needed to finish a book. However, it’s one thing to create your story, structure, characters and a compelling narrative; it’s another to edit. They say that writing is 10% and editing is 90%. I find this relatively accurate. The more you edit, the better your story becomes; the more you edit, the more polished your writing becomes. Nevertheless, there is a time when you must finish and let it go, so you can move onto your next story. Most importantly, have fun. Write because you enjoy it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I piloted Britfield in several schools with groups of target age readers. I met with the students in groups of five and LISTENED to all of their advice and suggestions to make it a better book. They were brilliant! They are who I am writing for, after all!

What are you reading now?
I enjoy biographies and history, which has obviously influenced my writing. I like going deep into a subject, learning the details of people’s lives, how they lived, what they overcame and how they succeeded. I just finished two extraordinary biographies–Mary, Queen of the Scots by Antonia Fraser and The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir—and I highly recommend both books. The history is fascinating and what these two women endured is stunning. The truth is often far more dramatic than fiction, which is why I enjoy weaving history into my novels.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have finished “Britfield & the Rise of the Lion”, Book II, which takes place in France, and will begin the professional editing process this month. I hope to start “Britfield & the Return of the Prince”, Book III (Set in Italy) this spring 2020.

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 Mouse and the Motorcycle”, by Beverly Cleary; “James and the Giant Peach”, by Roald Dahl; and any one of the Hardy Boys series.

Author Websites and Profiles
C. R. Stewart Website
C. R. Stewart Amazon Profile

C. R. Stewart’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Lynne Black 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Lynne Black is a Blogger, Freelance Writer, and Author of The Cortship and Fun Recipes from Lynne’s Kitchen. Lynne is a sucker for good romantic fiction and anything fashion or sports-related.

When Lynne isn’t reading or writing fun and interesting articles, she’s probably following one of Boston’s professional sports teams or planning fun and sexy vacations for her and her husband.

You can connect with Lynne on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LRB-Associates-419659688127497/ or on twitter at https://twitter.com/bombshellwhims

Also, you can visit Lynne’s Website at https://bombshellwhims.com/ Be sure to subscribe to her email list and you will receive and be entered into giveaways and have a chance to win EGift Cards on contests taken place throughout the year. Subscribe to my blog and you will receive fun news and be entered into all contests and giveaways.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Cortship is the name of my latest book and this book was initially started by my beautiful Sister, Edie who was killed in November 2015. After several years, I was able to pick up the pieces and finish this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have anything particularly unusual, however my motto is: “If you don’t read, you can’t write. As an avid reader, I’m always conducting research and putting my own spin on topics.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Before I started writing, I read many different genres of books and I cannot say that one particular book influences me as many Authors have had an impact on my writing style and practice my craft in becoming a better writer.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on creating upcoming holiday blog posts sure to give you some ideas for the season.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Of course, launching my first book was daunting. As a new author, I’m still learning ways to promote my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to read, write your thoughts in a journal and get into a habit of writing often.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up. Be open to new experiences and most importantly, be true to yourself.

What are you reading now?
Presently, I am reading the Ring.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue to write articles, blog posts, and books that resonate with my readers.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I was stranded on a desert island, I would take the book A Little Life, The Perfect Play and definitely something romantic, yet that has a touch of comedy such as Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Author Websites and Profiles
Lynne Black Website
Lynne Black Amazon Profile

Lynne Black’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Debra Coleman Jeter 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A Professor Emerita at Vanderbilt University, I have published in popular magazines, including Working Woman, New Woman, Self, Home Life, Savvy, Christian Woman, and American Baby. My first novel, The Ticket, was a finalist in two categories for a Selah Award. My short story, “Recovery,” won first prize in a competition sponsored by Christian Woman; and my book “Pshaw, It’s Me Grandson” was a finalist in the USA Book News Awards. I am a co-writer of the screenplay for Jess + Moss, a feature film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, screened at nearly forty film festivals around the world, and captured several international awards.

I love to be in the water—whether snorkeling, water skiing, boogie boarding, or just floating around—which may explain the setting for my newest series. (My family suspects me of being a selkie, or so my husband tells me. Look it up—I had to.) The Sugar Sands novels are set in a small beach community in LA (lower Alabama). Each book in the series stands alone, though some characters recur.

I’ve published six books: 3 novels, 1 narrative nonfiction, and 2 textbooks.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Song of Sugar Sands. Although I’ve always been someone who seeks a higher power (and feels such a presence in my life), I’m also a person who struggles with doubts: doubts about churches, denominations, religion, and myself. So I decided to put a character with these kinds of doubts in a relationship with a man of such a deep faith he feels compelled to share his faith with everyone he encounters.

SONG OF SUGAR SANDS is a novel about—in the words of William Faulkner—the human heart in conflict with itself. Who hasn’t, at least occasionally, struggled with doubts about her faith in God or about God’s personal interest in her life?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I used to write in spurts, and I’d be untruthful if I claimed to be completely changed in this regard. But I have discovered a technique that helps keep me on task, even during those draggy days when I don’t feel remotely inspired.

Every day I try to write, at a minimum, either: 3 storyboards or one scene. The storyboard can take a lot of different forms. The one I use consists of:

Brief overview of scene

Time/place

Season/weather

Senses: sound, smell, etc

Images

Relationships of characters appearing in scene

Dialogue (I scribble a few lines here and sometimes the scene takes off at this point)

Subtext

Actions

Point of view

Climax

Final image and/or last line

I print out several copies of my storyboard headings (followed by a couple of blank lines after each), and I may stare at one for some time before I write a thing. Eventually, though, I begin to fill in the blanks. I tell myself it doesn’t matter what I write as it is just a storyboard. Often I get going and turn the page over to scribble more ideas for the scene on the back.

The following day I select one of the storyboards and instruct myself to write at least five pages. Since I’ve already put a fair amount of thought into it the day before—I have my storyboard in front of me—the scene often seems to write itself once I get going.

I don’t always fill in every blank on my storyboard. I often scribble other ideas that don’t really fit the storyboard. For instance, if an idea for the opening line comes to me, I jot that down. If this line leads to a complete paragraph, even better! In some ways writing a storyboard is like writing a story. I let the words take me where they want to go. The main purpose of the framework is simply to get myself thinking and get my pen moving. Some writers may not need this tool, but I’ve found that it helps me immeasurably.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I cannot remember how old I was when I read The Caine Mutiny (maybe 8th grade) and Herman Wouk became my favorite author. The Caine Mutiny fascinated me with Wouk’s portrayal of real, flawed but likable characters, each with his own manner of speaking. There were no beautiful heroines or handsome heroes, no good guys or bad guys. You could recognize a character by his dialogue even if Wouk didn’t identify him. Wow! I also marveled at the variability of Wouk’s work: Marjorie Morningstar, Herbie Bookbinder, and Winds of War, to name a few. I have other favorites whose novels are far more similar to one another, and thus readily identified with their creator, than those of Wouk. Maeve Binchy falls into this category, as does Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, and even F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The Caine Mutiny was my favorite novel of all time until I encountered Crime and Punishment as required reading in 9th grade. I was fascinated that Dostoyevsky created characters seriously flawed (aren’t we all?) and, yet, not despicable—even, at times, sympathetic. Thus began my love affair with Russian authors: Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Pasternak and Chekhov. From the Russian novels, I discovered that “not being able to put it down” was not the highest praise, in my opinion, for a book. It took me the best part of an entire summer to finish Dr. Zhivago, and I treasured it!

What are you working on now?
Mainstream is a family suspense drama about three young couples whose five-year-old daughters disappear one August afternoon from a birthday party. Each of the couples wrestles with its own set of issues leading up to the disappearance. Told from the point of view of the three wives and one of the daughters, Mainstream finds each couple at a pivotal point in relationships and career choices when the disappearance occurs. Barbara has recently found out that her husband, Roy, has embarked upon an extramarital relationship while she’s been grieving a difficult miscarriage. Randa’s husband, Jonathan, has relocated his family to work for Roy, and is disillusioned by Roy’s work tactics and by his apparent affair. Jonathan’s sister, Joella–who quit school years ago and has recently started to college–has just learned that her house is being foreclosed upon.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up, not if you feel better when you write than when you don’t (as I do). Writing can be very discouraging at times, but I believe it’s worth it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write something every day. Some days the words may flow. Other days they may be like pulling teeth. Write anyway. You can always throw it away later.

What are you reading now?
Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

What’s next for you as a writer?
To write: Bell City Bottom, historical fiction, is the story of Effie Schultz. Born in America of German descent in the year 1900, my novel covers Effie’s life from 1912 to 1962. She lives through two World Wars and countless technological advances. Bell City is a small farm community in western Kentucky, slow to enjoy electricity, running water, and most modern conveniences. A free-minded, independent thinking woman, Effie is the youngest daughter in a family of nine children, born in a time and place where education for women is viewed as a frivolity. When her mother dies, Effie is the only unmarried daughter left to tend to her ill-tempered father and demanding brothers.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bible
Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
Crime and Punishment
Anne of Green Gables

Author Websites and Profiles
Debra Coleman Jeter Website
Debra Coleman Jeter Amazon Profile

Debra Coleman Jeter’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

C Phillip 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello there, I am an Entrepreneur from Mumbai, debuting as a New Author this year. For the last ten years, I have been working on 16 different writing projects. Some them will get published very soon. I love writing. I love creating new stories that tugs at the heart strings of every reader, especially women.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘The Last Nautch Girl’ is my debut novel. The book is a historical romance, based largely on forbidden relationships. It covers some elements of intrigue, retribution and providence. It is also a racy, complex, action-packed tale of intertwining souls in a city that is well loved to this day. The initial idea for the book came to me when I was researching on temple dancers in the late 1800s in India, during the pre-Independence period. There are records of affluent prostitutes who, secretly, donated a large amount of their earnings towards financing the Indian Freedom struggle. At first, I began to write an outline around the idea merely for fun. Soon, I found that the story developed naturally into a romance. Several plot outlines later, the story and its characters have found a special place in my heart.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Watch out for the next releases in ‘The Last Nautch Girl’ Series –

The Last Temple Dancer
The Last Urban Bride
The Last Indian Courtesan

Author Websites and Profiles
C Phillip Amazon Profile
C Phillip Author Profile on Smashwords