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JD Lightner 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A over protective parent! First child.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
MarDale is a combination of two middle names. The first is an abbreviated version of my wife’s Marie hence “Mar”. Naturally the “Dale” is rather obvious being mine. I wanted to honor all the woman who have inspired, guided, lifted, and put me in my place over the last fifty-nine years. None has done more in molding me into an upright man than my beloved best friend and wife of thirty-five years. Geneva

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. I have a an aversion to reveling my unusual writing habits.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Namely, Ray Bradbury, Truman Capote, Mark Twain, H. G. Wells, Jack London, and Charles Dickens. All of which had no formal education. None had so much as a high school diploma. It is in my opinion passion and discipline equals liberty.

What are you working on now?
Try to get this sucker off the ground and flying! If I can receive at least twenty positive reviews, then a sequel to “MarDale” will be worth working on. Bringing to the reader’s attention, “MarDale” was a combination of three years of blood, sweat, tears and lunatic fringe laughter. I have a difficult time justifying returning to the “thunder-dome” without some positive feedback

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It always pays to research book promotion methods. If an author any author believes writing your cherished masterpiece and placing it on the web, expecting instant acclaim and notoriety. Then one is either severely naive or deluded. Plan to work and study at least twice as much promoting your book as it did writing

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, take notes of “eureka” thoughts the instant they happen. Most times if lost in the short-term memory file, they’re gone forever. Remember your life experiences will be the sub-conscious influences. Do your best to destroy any filters and express on paper first then consider later. Always lay out a structured direction for your first draft. I know sounds contrary to what I just previously stated. Nevertheless, without a formulated wide range plan. Your art dies. It’s a marriage of innermost expression married with discipline.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Duck!

What are you reading now?
The oldest surviving and most intriguing manuscripts known to mankind. These ancient scripts have influence every major philosophy, religion, political landscape(s), and human endeavors for the last ten thousand years. Currently, eight of the ten most intelligent people on the face of the earth believe these incredibly old writings. They are so contentious those who profess or deny their validity, can never walk away after reading them, and not be changed!
I’m now studying a section written about the first Roman soldier this ancient Jewish founder of script has persuaded:
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m leaning towards some non-fiction work. “Truth indeed is stranger than fiction.”

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?
“How to Survive on a Deserted Island.” “Make a G.P.S distress signal out of coconuts!” “Isolation, the upside to loneliness.” and the Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
JD Lightner Author Profile on Smashwords

 

Ryshia Kennie 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently have ten books published. Officially I have written sixteen books. Some are in that holding queue waiting for a publication yes or no. And some, well the early ones were part of the learning curve and really weren’t ready to be published.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Tears We Never Cried was inspired by my father’s battle with Alzheimer’s. While the inspiration was real life, the book is completely fiction. I never had to act as a full-time caregiver but I wondered what it might be like if it was only you and your parent. What if you had to move home and take care of them as they slid into the darkness of dementia? What if you were fighting a mid-life crisis and the possibility of romance appears at the bleakest point of your life? What if your parent wasn’t exactly who you’d thought them to be all these years – what if they had secrets – secrets that affect who you think you are as a person?

It was that list of questions that got things going and the story was one of the easiest to write. And, of course, I couldn’t resist – the boy you went to high school with – he’s all grown up and not such a geek anymore.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have a pair of bunny slippers – courtesy of a friend. She would always tease me about wearing bunny slippers to write and presented me with a pair a few years ago. Other than that, I have a writing sweater and my classical music that often plays in the background. If not classical, Etta James. Otherwise – I don’t think I have any quirks.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lavryle Spencer, Stephen King, Taylor Caldwell. That’s only three and there are so, so many more. I read across the board – fiction, non-fiction, romance to literary to horror to whatever book is sitting on that shelf. I’m just a bookworm, always have been.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a series of suspense with six former members of the female engagement team that last served in Afghanistan. They are all working privately now and each of them will have their own story. The first begins in Afghanistan where two of them are trying to bring down a human trafficking ring.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There are so many ways. a) Talk about them, hit up the local media. Get them out there on your own blog and website. Connect with other authors – they’re readers too. Connect with book bloggers. And then, of course, are the online promotion sites – there’s too many to list. But, one of the methods I like best lately is newsletter swaps.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a writers group and join. Learn everything you can. Pick a genre and schedule time. Write every day. If you have trouble with what to write about – grab one of those great interactive writing books that ask daily questions and give prompts on what to write about.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As Nora Roberts famously said – butt in chair. I’m not sure if that was the exact quote but truly you do have to put in the work.

What are you reading now?
Stephen King – If It Bleeds

What’s next for you as a writer?
A series – suspense with a hint of romance or romantic suspense, my characters haven’t decided.

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?
Gone With the Wind, The Stand, a survival guide

Author Websites and Profiles
Ryshia Kennie Website
Ryshia Kennie Amazon Profile

Ryshia Kennie’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Mark Rixon 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a science teacher from Dover. I have currently written four books. I am working on a murder mystery fantasy novel. Agatha Christie meets Tolkien.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
50 things to do during lockdown.
I was inspired to write it to help others during lockdown and to raise money for charity.
50% of profits of paid for books will be donated to help charities during the coronavirus crisis.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I once become so engrossed in writing that I wrote all night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien. David Eddings. CS Lewis. Agatha Christie. James Patterson. Jeffrey Deaver.

What are you working on now?
Several projects.
Unwrap the seaweed. How to cope in a crisis (Coronavirus special)
Under an elven sky. (A fantasy murder mystery)
Wheres the professor. An escape room in a book to play at home).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Tell as many people as you can about them.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep on trying. It is not an easy task to get your books sold.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best way to write is ………… write.

What are you reading now?
Closed Casket by Hannah

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write, write and write some more.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The bible.
The Lord of the Rings (Is that three books)?
Illusions by Richard Bach.
Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Rixon Amazon Profile

Craig Rainey 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Craig Rainey I am an American film actor, author, screenwriter, and musician. I was born in San Angelo, Texas and I now live in Austin. My Texas roots hail back to the original Impresario settlers of Coahuila y Tejas under Stephen F. Austin. I cowboyed professionally in south Texas. My published novels include Massacre at Agua Caliente, Stolen Valor, a Carson Brand Novel, and Dark Motive is set for release Summer 2020. As a screenwriter, my scripts have won numerous awards at film festivals including: Best Narrative Period Piece, Most Likely to be Produced as a Movie, and was Official Selection for many more. I won Best Breakout Writer for the script Massacre at Agua Caliente.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Stolen Valor, A Carson Brand Novel. I have always been a fan of spy novels but I always find that the hero tends to be kind of a social dork. He is always a baddass, I’ll admit, but he seems to be written by someone who has never been on a date. We are authors, right? How cool can we be? Carson Brand is an everyman who winds up in a very tough position when his best friend is murdered. The book is the pilot novel in a series. The second book, Dark Motive, A Carson Brand Novel is nearly complete and should hit book stores mid Summer 2020. Stolen Valor was inspired by many of the experiences I had in my own life. Many of the characters are based upon personalities I have encountered in my life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I travel a lot so I tend to write at my desk in my office at home when I am in town (Austin, TX) but I use my IPad with a full-sized keyboard when I am elsewhere. Every book begins in handwriting on my MoleSkin notepad which is always with me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a youth, I started reading the usual children’s books for the time. But as I matured, I developed a love for westerns. It likely had to do with my west Texas roots. I loved Max Brand. He was the master of western dialogue. His prose were exquisite turns of phrase, seasoned with a genuine delivery as only denizens of the old west could achieve. Zane Gray soon entered my worn paperback collection. My first Zane Gray novel was “Man of the Wilderness.” His descriptions were palpable and compelling. If he described cold and wet misery, I reached for a blanket. Hot desert scenes had me on my feet desperate for a glass of water. As I have gotten older I am a huge fan of Mark Helprin’s Soldier of the Great War.

What are you working on now?
I am 250 pages and 52,000 words into the sequel to Stolen Valor. It is titled Dark Motive, A Carson Brand Novel. It ties up some loose ends from the first book and begins a new harrowing obstacle for which Brand will risk his life to overcome.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am regularly reviewed favorably by OnLineBookClub.org. I create biblets through Bowker. I create landing pages for each book. I optimize the Meta Keywords and headers to climb the search engines as much as possible. I, of course, am on Amazon. My two novels are in Barnes and Noble’s throughout Texas. I try to visit as many as I can in person. I also gift author’s copies to reviewers when I can.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
The key to the author business is the business. Pay the money for professional cover art. Invest in an interior template for your books. Study the available self-help books available. Edit your work before anyone sees it. Create characters that are believable and flawed. Above all, make sure your work is interesting, compelling, and creative.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
James J Kirkpatrick who wrote “The Writers Art” said if you write one book you are an author. If you write several you are a writer. Be prolific. The more you work the writing muscle, the better you will be at it.

What are you reading now?
I am re-reading Story Engineering by Larry Brooks. HIs process is reasonable in its concept and practice. However, it is very detailed. Story structure is everything. I am a student, even at my age.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After Dark Motive is published, I plan to write a SciFi novel. I have a great concept and it needs a good hook, which I am working 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?
Anything by Larry McMurtry or Zane Gray.

Author Websites and Profiles
Craig Rainey Website
Craig Rainey Amazon Profile

Craig Rainey’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Boo Rhodes 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Boo, and yes that is my real name which is probably why I love scary stories and horror movies so much. I haven’t written any books yet, I’ve only written short horrors stories for my podcast. I am putting those stories into anthologies for Kindle and will create a print copy with all of the anthologies included per year. It is something my podcast listeners have been asking for so I can go to book signings and conventions.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest anthology is called Scary Story Time Volume One: Creepy Crawlies. Each of stories are inspired by noticing something and creating a “what if” scenario. For example, one day I got a spider bite. Fortunately, it wasn’t poisonous but I was wondering what would happen if there was something inside that bite that created more spiders that ate their way into a blister and had babies! Another story in the book, I was working on my sink that is always clogging and thought “what it is was alive?” The third story? My cat had its cute little paw spread while cleaning. The rest is history.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I eat a lot of sunflower seeds when writing. I know, it’s a messy habit but it keeps me thinking.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Stand by Stephen King is one of my all-time favorites. The battle between good and evil is the basis of my Scary Story Time topography and I’m assuming that The Stand had a lot to do with it as well as the crazy movies about Revalations in the Bible I had to watch as a young teen. The parents saw those as movies that would scare the kids, I found them to be pretty decent horror movies for free.

What are you working on now?
I have so many stories that I’m working on. Scary Story Time is a running anthology and podcast so I’m always working on short stories for that piece. I am also considering writing a novel that is more of a crime/psychological thriller with a bit of horror involved. I have yet to get started on it because of issues with time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have my own website that automatically updates Facebook and Twitter. I also produce several podcasts involved with the paranormal and horror fiction where I promote all of the work I do.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never quit. Never think you’re not good enough. Find time to do your craft. If you don’t think you’re any good, you will get better as you write daily. Never think anything is too stupid. I do believe I heard that Stephen King tossed his first copy of Carrie into the trash and it was fished out by his wife. Imagine if she hadn’t done that!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just put the pen on the paper (or hands on the keyboard) and start. Don’t stop until you get to 2 hours or 1,000 to 2,000 words. Do it every day.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading the Nameless series by Dean Koontz. Right now I’m almost finished with Red Flame which is the first in the series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
In September I will be putting our my first self-published print anthology. I will have a lot of time to do so since all of the Comic-Con conventions have been canceled due to Covid-19. I was going to go on a tour for the podcast but now I’ll have books as well for next year. I am also submitting my short stories to creepy podcasts as well as new stories to magazines and horror anthologies.

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 think I’d bring The Stand, the Bible, Survival Tactics on a Remote Desert Island (or something along those lines) and Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Author Websites and Profiles
Boo Rhodes Website
Boo Rhodes Amazon Profile

Boo Rhodes’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tarek Alduaij 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
5 Books

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Black Book

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Franz Kafka, Herman Hesse

What are you working on now?
Marketing

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Bleed until you can bleed no more

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

What are you reading now?
AWESOME GANG

What’s next for you as a writer?
Fame, fortune, or bliss

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?
Notebooks

 

Emmanuel Kulu 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an African-American author/writer of Cameroonian descent. As a career Social worker, I had a deep passion for history and creative arts. I tapped into film writing and acting with films like “The Rize & Fall of Tephlon Ent.”, “Bug Love”, and “The First Purge”. In more recent years, I turned my focus to embracing my African lineage. Upon deep study and research of great African kingdoms, I set his heart on Ancient Egypt as his first project as an author. As of 2017, I began my campaign tours in which I gave educational seminars, conferences, and lectures in the USA, spreading the awareness of Ancient African Mysteries.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power” is my first and latest novel. I questioned the validity of prior novel and film depictions of the imagery of the ancient Egyptians, who were in fact, African people. I wanted to tell the story from a African perspective.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I tend to wake up in the middle of the night and start writing. My thoughts flow after I dream a bit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Alex Haley, Stephen King, and JK Rowlings.

What are you working on now?
I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power the Golden Age Edition and Children’s Book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://www.iblackpharaoh.com/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what is dear to you heart. By this, you will not loose the passion to finish the project.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Do what you love, and love what you do”

What are you reading now?
“The African Presence in America: They Came before Columbus” By Ivan Van Sertima

What’s next for you as a writer?
I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power the Golden Age Edition and Children’s Book. I believe this is important for youth and society to see great history along with diversity. The world is becoming more and more diverse, and we must eliminate the Eurocentric/western idea that Africans were primitive and insignificant in the historical record. In fact, we all originate from Africa, because Africa is where all civilization began.

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?
NWT Bible, Roots, Shaka Zulu, I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power

Author Websites and Profiles
Emmanuel Kulu Website
Emmanuel Kulu Amazon Profile

Emmanuel Kulu’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Carl Raybould 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Litigation Lawyer with over ten years litigation experience. I live in the centre of England and found writing to be enjoyable. In my spare time, I enjoy reading thriller novels and playing the piano. I have written two books and have found the experience to be wonderful, challenging and rewarding.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Walsbury Justice: Sanctuary is the latest and is the first in a crime series that I plan on writing. I love reading thriller books and a lot of effort in many books goes into all the events of the crime and how they catch the criminal; however, not many, if any, books go through all of the events and then show if they actually manage to lock the criminal up. This inspired me to write a book that covers both.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think many writers have at least something unusual in their writing habits and mine would be creating multiple lists of how the characters are connected to each other and writing a back story for each.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors have influenced me in my life. Most recently would be John Grisham and Harlan Coben.

What are you working on now?
I’m plotting the second book in the Walsbury Justice series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a specific method. I tend to use different options that are available at the time.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t stop and keep going. Also, edit, edit and once more edit. It is best to re-read your book many times to ensure that you are happy with it and that you have ironed out any errors.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep learning and you’ll learn something new every day.

What are you reading now?
John Grisham Runaway Jury

What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue writing the series Walsbury Justice

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?
How to stay alive, the ultimate survival guide from Bear Grylls. That’s because if I’m stuck on an island, his advice could save me.
Runaway Jury by John Grisham because that is the book I’m currently reading and I’d want to know how it ended.
The Stranger by Harlan Coben and the Bible.

Author Websites and Profiles
Carl Raybould Amazon Profile

Carl Raybould’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

N.E. Nugent 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Originating in Brooklyn New York, I’m the author of three novels, Leaky Faucet, Children of Lebanon, and What Up, Blood?, all currently available on amazon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled, What Up, Blood? My inspiration for the novel was my past life, and the lives of my friends. I felt like telling a piece of my story in the book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would say, I write when I’m in the mood. When I get started, though, I find it difficult to stop.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
James Patterson is one of my major influences. His consistent work ethic has drawn me into web.

What are you working on now?
I just completed another novel, and am working on the final entry to the Leaky Faucet and Children of Lebanon saga.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon ads, Facebook and Instagram ads, and by word of mouth. I also sell physical copies of my book on the street.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be consistent. If James Patterson, maybe the most success author of our time, can put out, at least, 10 books a year, who are you to only put out one? Keep writing and releasing material.

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

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading over my novel Leaky Faucet.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To release, at least, five more books before the end of the year.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Leaky Faucet, Children of Lebanon, and What Up, Blood?

Author Websites and Profiles
N.E. Nugent Amazon Profile

N.E. Nugent’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Ishita Jain 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a high school student, currently studying in Rajasthan, India. Till now, I had written 1 book and I am planning to commence writing my second book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest or the first book’s name is “Pickosa and the Secret Animation”.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Harry Potter series by the British author J K Rowling inspired me a lot. Novels of Charles Dickens are also excellent.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am not writing any book, but will be starting to write a book, my second book, soon.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I had not searched for so much promotional websites till now. I think that promotion on social media platforms can be the best method.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would like to advice the newbie authors to write their book truly. Truly here, doesn’t mean truth. It means to write from your inner soul. Write whatever you think is truth.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nothing.

What are you reading now?
Presently, I am reading the novel, “Invisible Man”.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will commence to write my second book soon.

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 surely bring any one book of “Harry Potter” series, “Daddy Long legs” and “The story of my life”.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ishita Jain Amazon Profile

 

Richa Kumar 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been involved in the field of writing from past ten years. I used to develop content for website mainly in the field of lifestyle, relationship, health and self-help. I started writing eBooks about a year ago and since then I have written 3 eBooks.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called, ‘And There I Lived’, which is a collection of seven short stories. I like reading slice of life kind of short stories, and that gave me an idea to try my hand at it. My friends and family believed I had a flair for writing fiction. That inspired me the most to start writing a book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t call it a particularly unusual habit, but while writing I like to sit in a room whose door and windows are closed and there is absolute pin drop silence with no one else in that room.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite authors are Dan Brown, Agatha Christie and Jeffrey Archer. I would say that I was particularly inspire by Jeffrey Archer’s short stories.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my next book, which will also be a compilation of short stories. Most of the stories in the book will cater to the genre of mystery, yet it will be a contemporary fiction.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method to promote books is by spreading word through social media. Collaboration with bloggers that cater to your niche also helps. Promotional websites too can be of great help.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to the new authors would be to not follow a fad or try to imitate another author. If you wish to create original and unique content, you’ve got to be true to your own writing style. Believe in yourself.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I received was from a friend, who said this quote to me which helped me pursue my goals relentlessly. The quote was: “Quitters never win and winners never quit.”

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Ruskin Bond’s My favourite Nature Stories.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to write a full-length novel, instead of a collection of short stories. That requires great patience and commitment, and I would like to explore my abilities in that area.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were to be stranded on an island, I would carry Jeffrey Archer’s The Fourth Estate, and Paths of Glory, along with Dan Brown’s Point of Deception and Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Author Websites and Profiles
Richa Kumar Amazon Profile

Lauren Robinson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author from Derry, a small town in Northern Ireland. Currently, I only wrote one book, ‘The Boy Who Saw In Colours, ‘ and it’s set to be released on May 8th for pre-order. I’m a journalism student, so facts are pivotal. I spent over five years researching and writing my novel, even going as far as learning German.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Boy Who Saw In Colours follows the story of a young boy, Josef, growing up amid Nazi uprising. When his family is torn apart, and he and his brother are sent to an elite public school, Josef learns to express himself in the only way he knows how- painting.

The inspiration stemmed from a photo I saw of a young boy crying. When I looked into it further, I realised that he was German and in the SS at sixteen. I wondered what had he seen? What did he go through?
A lot of these children can be villainised, but I don’t think they deserved to be taken in by hatred. They were victims.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not particularly. I enjoy writing in the library, as it’s the only place I can let my thoughts wander.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The two authors that come to mind are Louisa May Alcott and Harper Lee. When I think of these women, I think about power. Both wrote about topics that a lot of people say women shouldn’t write about. They challenged societal norms and went against the grain. They had a story to tell and weren’t going to let anyone stop them.

What are you working on now?
My heart is still very much with The Boy Who Saw In Characters, but I am working on a novel set in my own hometown.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Twitter to be the most useful site for promoting. You can connect with people who are interested in the topics you write.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Don’t write for your friends, the critics or even a particular audience. Write for yourself. The right novel will find people when they need it the most.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write simple stories about complex characters.

I think about that often.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading All The Light We Cannot See, which is a historical fiction novel I somehow missed!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on a new novel set amid ‘the troubles’ in Northern Ireland. It will be very interesting to write about the history of my hometown.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Lauren Robinson Website

Lauren Robinson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

John Cartwright 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am just an everyday guy who has had a lot of challenges in life, mainly due to illness and the lack of physical ability my body offers me. I have a disease called sarcoidosis that causes me to suffer a lot. Sarcoidosis is a very rare disease that essentially makes my body destroy itself. My immune system overreacts to even the slightest foreign body it comes across, instead of killing the foreign body and stopping it attacks my healthy tissue and effectively tries to kill me. After battling this for over the last ten years I have had to give up almost all of my physical activity. I have gone from a bike-riding rock climbing outdoors type person to a guy stuck at home behind a computer. But I remain positive! I will never give up, This is what made me start writing, I want to learn how to express myself in a new way, I also grew up dyslexic and as you can probably imagine this is not the best thing for a budding writer. So at the moment, I am focusing on short quirky stories that are a bit of fun in hopes of overcoming the challenges I face and in an endeavor to support my family the way I used to when I was physically able. my grammar might be terrible and my spelling might be rubbish but I will try my best to make this work! you might be wondering why I want to do this and I bet my answer will surprise you. I was once told that saying yes more often leads to more fun and enjoyment in life. One day my head said ” what if I wrote a book” I said yes! So I am doing this just for the sheer hell of it. or in other words, I am doing this for fun. so yeah! A combination of needing a new way to express myself and the never-ending search for fun and enjoyment is the reason why you are reading this now, even though I hate my illness I am also quite thankful for it. It challenges me and forces me to do things I would never have done without it. trying these new things makes me happy even if they fail, the journey along the way is an experience I am glad I am still here to have.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called It’s not a turtle, I was inspired to write this book after seeing my children shouting random rhyming words back and forth at each other at the top of their voices, I had just decided that I was going to write a book to try a new way of expressing myself and being creative in a way I had never tried before. The minute I heard my kids shouting rhyming words at each other something just clicked and I said to myself ”I’m going to write a quirky rhyming picture book”. At first, it was just going to be a book for kids but then I thought nahh let’s make this a book for all ages to enjoy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have any unusual writing habits, but I do like to think out of the box now and then and a lot of my family and friends think I am strange, so maybe I do but I just don’t see it in myself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Kevin Smith. I have always liked how Kevin smith writes, his quirky style and outlandish ideas. I am more of a film buff that a book buff. I like to listen to what people have written and admired the writing styles of many film scriptwriters such as David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams who wrote Naked Gun. who doesn’t like a bit of Frank Drebin police squad!

What are you working on now?
Now that would be telling. let me surprise you

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far it’s Amazon and of course the Awesome gang! The Awesome Gang are winning so far in my book. They are the first to ever interview me!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it! Don’t worry, have fun! saying yes to more and more things in life really does make you happier. of course, you have to use common sense, but writing a book is all good.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard was… don’t run behind a car, you will get exhausted! haha Nah…
It was actually to not worry so much about the consequences when you want to say yes, then say it, when you want to do something, just do it, ignore people saying things like that’s a bad idea and I wouldn’t try that because of (add excuse here), No matter what you try in life their will always be people telling you not to try it, but if you don’t try it you will never know what you might have achieved!

What are you reading now?
I am about to read. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*Ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, It sounds like something we should all be doing and if it’s written well, I can see it being a best seller!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am not sure yet, the future is uncertain.. just the way I like it. One thing is for sure though, if I am still here tomorrow you can bet I will be trying something new, even if it is just a new painkiller.

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’m not sure, there are millions to choose from, I suppose with what is happening in our world right now, any book that is made of good quality paper. that way if I don’t like them.. at least I’ve got toilet paper.

Author Websites and Profiles
John Cartwright Amazon Profile

 

Louise Armstrong 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Louise is a #1 international best-selling author, Psychotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, BWRT Specialist, councilor and NLP Master Coach. She helps women globally heal their past wounds so that they stop living in the past and become the very best versions of themselves.

She specilaises in helping women heal the relationship with themselves so they see themselves with a new perspective, showing up in the world in a new light, seeing others for who they truly are whilst creating a future they once felt was impossible. This transformation allows them to create incredible deep connections with those people who are important to them.

Louise runs an extremely busy psychotherapy practice online, offering private sessions, group coaching and online courses as well as managing a very interactive Face book Group.

She has been happily married to Ian for over 31 years, enjoys the company of her three gorgeous grown up children and adores walking her dog Bella, cycling, skiing, sailing and yoga.

Louise has suffered very destructive relationships throughout her life but has learnt how to heal the past and now enjoys a life where she can at last be herself. It’s this transformation that drives her to help others; she aims to spread her message across the world to anyone who is ready and open for change.

Louise has written 2 books.

For more information, visit
www.louise-armstrong.com

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Change How You See Yourself Today – A Journey of Healing to Stop Feeling Angry, Accept Your Past and Live Your Best Life.
I was inspired by my phenomenal transformation in my personal life and those I have helped over many years.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Brene Browne and Joe Dispenza

What are you working on now?
A book on financial abundance

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

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Louise Armstrong Website
Louise Armstrong Amazon Profile

Louise Armstrong’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Nancy Legere 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My memoir called Life in the Shadows chronicles my journey overcoming PTSD, addiction and childhood sexual abuse. IT’S A STORY OF LOVE, RESILIENCE, RECOVERY, STRENGTH AND ABOVE ALL A TESTAMENT THAT THERE IS LIFE AFTER TRAUMA. My book offers a rare and courageous glimpse into the devastating and complex nature of traumatic injury from childhood sexual abuse and all of its associated symptoms. You will witness first-hand how our survival instincts can help us live through the unlivable and then cope with the aftermath and are reminded of the power of meaningful connection in bringing healing, purpose and possibility into our lives. And perhaps, most importantly, we are shown by vivid example that it is possible to heal from trauma.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Life in the Shadows, A Journey Overcoming PTSD, Addiction and Childhood Sexual Abuse

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
no unusual writing habits

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m not a reader

What are you working on now?
thinking of a sequel

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://lifeintheshadows18073102.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/50nancylegere/

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Marketing takes a lot of work and dedication for self published authors

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Bring your best self everyday no matter where you are in life

What are you reading now?
not currently reading

What’s next for you as a writer?
a possible sequel to my memoir

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 be more inclined to sit and ponder while looking at the skies or water than read

Author Websites and Profiles
Nancy Legere Website

Nancy Legere’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Jack Fisher 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Manchester, UK, with my partner Christiane. My first published book was in 2013, an account of a strange journey through Mongolia. I started writing short stories after that, and have recently published my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called The Liberty Arms. It started life as a couple of paragraphs describing a character, Benson. It graduated into a short story. That should have been that, but I found I couldn’t let it go, and it became a novel. My aim was to imagine a world in which the type of conflict situations most of us only see on the news, happen here, now, and to us.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It depends on what you call unusual, I guess. I always write on paper first. I edit a lot. I find my most creative time to be first thing in the morning, although I am very bad at sticking to that.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
That’s a difficult one. Every book I’ve ever read, good or bad, has probably influenced me to some extent. I’m very bad at remembering the books I’ve loved, unfortunately. I was obsessed with Crime and Punishment when I was younger – I couldn’t believe how urgent it felt to read. I also loved Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, which was completely different.

What are you working on now?
I’ve started on a sequel to The Liberty Arms, exploring what happens to the characters in the future, and delving a little deeper into their pasts.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is my first time promoting a book so I can’t answer, sorry!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Hmmm. There is A LOT of advice out there, and I’m not sure if I should add to it. Just try to write for the enjoyment of writing, and not for any other reasons – fame, fortune, etc.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing is rewriting.

What are you reading now?
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

What’s next for you as a writer?
Just keeping on writing, hopefully.

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?
Too difficult to answer, sorry!

Author Websites and Profiles
Jack Fisher Website
Jack Fisher Amazon Profile

Jack Fisher’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Nadine Hall 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello, I live in the UK (East Sussex) I have been married for eight years to my wonderful husband Luke (even though he annoys me daily) we have a three year old Son together, he will be four in August then starting school (which is so scary.) as of right now I have one Book out but hoping to have another out soon and so on (fingers crossed.)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called Guarding My Heart, which is a romance/erotica Novel.
I started writing it around five years ago and it all started with a dream I kept having that wouldn’t go away, so I started to write it down. I never done well in school so I didn’t think I could write a book but it kept playing on me so I gave it ago. Now believe me, no one wants to read my first ever draft of it, it was bad but yet I manage to find the story out of it. So I gave it another go then put it to the side not thinking anyone would ever want to read it. But on a family bbq my husband told my nanny Sue what I had been up too and she wanted to read it. I was scared to hand it over as I was the only one who had read it and knew all the naughty bits that were in there and I was letting my Nan read it (shocked face) but I really own it to her as she read it and gave me so much feedback that really helped me out then she paid for it to get edited. After that I felt more confident to keep writing so I have been. My book is out now all thanks to my supporting family.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Eating chocolate (which I don’t think is unusual, just bad!) sometimes when I’m stuck on a scene I pop my earphones in and play lots of music as I try to figure it out.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well the first book I ever read from start to finish and fell in love with, was the twilight sage by Stephenie Meyer. That will always be my favourite then on from there of course fifty shades of grey that’s when I decided to add sex into my books. I also love Anna Todd (after) Jodi Ellen Malpas (this man) I love Giovanna Fletchers books (Billy and Me) and everything else that catches my eye. I’m a sucker for love and sex (wink face)

What are you working on now?
Right now I have just sent my second book off to be edited which is the next one on from my first book and I am just going over the third (possibly finial) of these books.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well I’m still figuring that out for myself. Facebook, Twitter, goodreads. I think you have to just keep it going but always talk to your readers, be friends with them because when it comes down to it they are the ones that keep your story’s alive.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Enjoy what you do, don’t write for anyone else. You need to fall in love with your own story otherwise no on else will!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write for yourself! I know you need people to buy your book but they want your heart and soul into it otherwise it’s a lost cause.

What are you reading now?
Right now I have just finished , ‘then you happened’ by K Bromberg which is great I have also read all her other books and her film on Passionflix! (Which is a great place to watch books become films) also Jodi new releases are fantastic.
Also I have just finished the second book to Eve of Man by Giovanna and Tom Fletcher (fantastic)

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing! If I could do it full time I would!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
First of all my own book! (if you don’t like your own story’s you shouldn’t be writing)
twilight!
Billy and Me (Giovanna Fletcher)
Fifty shades darker!

Author Websites and Profiles
Nadine Hall Website
Nadine Hall Amazon Profile

Nadine Hall’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Hope Conner 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
It took some time to write this book because I had a full-time job, daily routine, and worries like anyone else. Quitting my job wasn’t a serious option for me until one day when I was exhausted, tired and I had a fall.

After that moment, I asked myself if I do what I like, if I have the life I wanted, I live a healthy life and many such questions. I did a brief analysis of my life and that’s how the changes started.

I quit smoking after 13 years of 2 packs of cigarettes a day, I eliminated sugar from my life and my family meals, I started light exercising at home and walking outside with my family as often as possible.
And that was only the beginning for a life-changing!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Mind in a Strong Body”. I always wondered what is clean eating and healthy life, so I researched and started the journey.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so!
I listen to Celtic music when I start writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dr. John Demartini – The Breakthrough Experience
I recommend this book to everyone with all my heart.

What are you working on now?
I started a new book about self-love, about self-esteem, about how wonderful we are even if others forget to tell us that.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just start

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Believe in yourself you and will be unstoppable!

What are you reading now?
Tony Robbins’ books

What’s next for you as a writer?
To help as many people as possible. The whole world needs to understand the basis of a beautiful life, how much we can do if we trust ourselves, that we can protect the planet very easily and pass this 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?
Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy – Sadhguru
Awaken The Giant Within – Tony Robbins
Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
The Breakthrough Experience -Dr. John Demartini