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Kate Russell 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
“Down the Rabbit Hole: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery” is my first published novel. I am currently working on it’s follow up “Voicemails From My Sister” which goes into depth about my sister, who suffers from Schizoaffective disorder as the result of having been fed drugs and alcohol in utero.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Down the Rabbit Hole: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery” chronicles of my tumultuous upbringing, my dive into addiction and my decision to recover. I was inspired to share my story to help people raised in dysfunctional families, addicts at the bottom of their barrel, and those struggling with triggered thinking.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in the notes section of my iPad while lying down in bed. I usually write a whole story at once. For “Down the Rabbit Hole” it truly felt like God wrote through me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
“Drinking: A Love Story” by Caroline Knapp
Everything by David Sedaris
“More, Now, Again” by Elizabeth Wurtzel
“A Piece of Cake” by Cupcake Brown

What are you working on now?
“Voicemails From My Sister,” which explores my sister Sibby’s developmental disorders, resulting from her being fed cocaine and alcohol while in the womb.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
KDP and Amazon’s sponsored advertising

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Listen to and follow the advice of Dave Chesson and Kindlepreneur

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your instincts & don’t believe everything you hear or read

What are you reading now?
“Yonder: A Southern Haunting: Book 1” by LeeAnne Hansen

What’s next for you as a writer?
continue to promote “Down the Rabbit Hole: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery” and continue writing “Voicemails From My Sister”

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“A Piece of Cake,” and the Ramona Quimby series

Author Websites and Profiles
Kate Russell Website
Kate Russell Amazon Profile

Kate Russell’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Katherine Lindsay 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hey, my name is Katherine Lindsay, and I’m 24 years old! By day I’m a medical assistant, by night, I’m a writer, and in between, I’m a dog mom! I have been writing since eight years old and written my first book when I was twelve. Fun Fact: I am still writing my very second novel in which it has been through ten revisions since I was fifteen years old. Hoping to put it out for my birth month this year giving it a ten-year special. In total, I have written about five books, twenty in storage half-written and ready to be done, and one actually published. If you couldn’t tell, my brain only thinks about stories. Too bad, I can’t write them, as fast as they come. One by one they will get done…hopefully! LOL

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Way You Kiss Me” the first in its series. This book has been a long time coming as I wrote the full version back in 2018. But I was so invested in the characters and story that I wanted to break it up into different parts. The whole idea came to me from a song I heard at three in the morning. As soon as I heard the song, I saw the book like a movie in my head from start to finish!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to listen to lofi hip-hop when I write. I don’t know why but it gives me inspiration and fuels my brain to keep going. I also love to map out the story before I write, so it kind of guides me through the chapters, flawlessly. I don’t know if they are unusual but it’s my traditions I like to think I do.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nicholas Sparks, John Green, Nora Roberts, Rebecca Lim, James Patterson, and much more!

What are you working on now?
I am working on my next book hoping to publish it by July! It’s called Written in the Stars! That was an exclusive! Lol, haven’t formally said this anywhere else. But I’m excited this book is going to leave the reader guessing until the end, so it’s quite thrilling! Just a different book to write, so I’m taking my time.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
New to self-publishing so haven’t got a clue! But I do have a website in which I write blogs, and I love using Instagram! Twitter I’m getting used too, and Facebook is a whole different ball game!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes!! I wrote this on twitter the other day and thought it’d be perfect to share!
“You live, you learn, you conquer. No one is going to stop you from chasing your dreams. If you are passionate about it, you’re not going to lose faith. Believe in your craft so others can too”

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your dreams, or you’ll spend the rest of your life working for someone who did

What are you reading now?
I just bought the Crazy Rich Asians book trilogy! I love the movie but haven’t got around to reading the books, so I’m excited!

What’s next for you as a writer?
The mind of a writer never stops, so I’m jumping back into writing my next book for July release!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The art of racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.
The bend in the road by Nicholas Sparks
NYPD red series by James Patterson

Author Websites and Profiles
Katherine Lindsay Website

Katherine Lindsay’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Mihir Mishra 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mihir Mishra (11-08-2000) is an Indian author of science fiction, poet, inspiration, fantasy novels and non-fiction, he started writing since childhood and his first book is titled ‘The Hunting Werewolf- series’ when he was 15, he started writing this book and ‘Mr Doctor (The rise of Humanity). He is not only a good author but a good paint artist and a gym guide,

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Mihir Mishra Amazon Profile

Mihir Mishra’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Yasmine Nash 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, I live in the Midwest. I love all things Regency, so my two books I’ve written so far are Regency romance novels.

I’m working on a third book which will be a little twist to the formula, and so far it’s been a lot of fun!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book (which will be released in July 2020) is called Tempting the Duke. I love forbidden romances, so I was inspired by the idea of a man and woman who have an instant attraction and chemistry, but for whatever reason they can’t be together right away. In my book, the Duke of Devonshire finds himself unexpectedly responsible for 18-year-old Louisa Kellynch, so he tries and fails to repress his attraction to her. He really has to work through his conflicting feelings of desire and honor.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I need to get in the zone, I play the same song on repeat for hours. It might drive some people crazy, but it works for me!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m obviously a big Jane Austen fan, which is how I got started on the Regency romance path in the first place.

What are you working on now?
My current work in progress is a Regency novel with a fantasy twist. It’s set in the 1800s, and it has all the trappings of a typical romance, but the heroine is a witch and the hero is cursed. They hate each other, but they need to pool their resources to defeat a common enemy. Writing this has been great fun!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love getting my books into the hands of readers as soon as possible, so I try to use as many ARC sites as I can.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading Maureen Johnson’s YA series Truly Devious – it’s addictive!

Author Websites and Profiles
Yasmine Nash Website
Yasmine Nash Amazon Profile

Donna Partow 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
From the time I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a writer. When the economy collapsed back in 1987, I lost my banking job with one hour notice.

My first reaction was to cry…but by the time I boarded the train home, I was smiling from ear to ear. I had made the decision to finally pursue a writing career.

I wrote my first book, standing at the keyboard with a colicky baby in a snugly pouch. And that was before stand-up desks were all the rage.

People might hate me for this, but it was accepted by the first publisher I proposed it to (Focus on the Family) and became an instant best-seller. Of course, my life hasn’t been all sunshine and lollipops.

Quite the opposite. And I think part of the reason women resonate with my writing is because I’m honest about my journey. From being sexually abused as a child to ending up in an extremely violent marriage to a man from the Middle East.

Plenty of things have come to shake my confidence. But I keep returning to the One who can never be shaken.

Through all the drama in my private life, God has truly blessed my 30 books, which have now sold more than 1.5 million copies around the world.

That’s honestly just mind-boggling to me.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called God-Confidence: The Courage You Need for the Life You Want.

It’s a 21-Day Devotional that’s an easy read…but also, I hope, thought-provoking and encouraging at the same time.

I was the Queen of Insecurity. Coming out of a background of abuse and addiction, I had zero self-confidence. So, really for my own healing, I wanted to see if the Bible had answers for someone like me.

And of course, it did.

I think women will be greatly encouraged by the many insecure people God used in the Bible, even though they didn’t have a great track record or reason to be self-confident.

He takes us as He finds us.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Actually, I do. This will sound crazy, but I write super-fast. Like lightning speed. Half the time, I don’t even think about what I’m writing, that’s how quickly my hands are flying across the keyboard.

I often tell young people the story of how I learned to type 120 words per minute. All of my dreams had come crashing down around me. I was forced to drop out of college, walk away from all of my scholarships, and settle for a job as a part-time temporary typist.

I thought my life was over. But actually, I learned a vital skill that has served me incredibly well for the past three decades.

I wrote an international bestseller, Becoming a Vessel God Can Use, in 4-5 days. Most of my books take me two weeks or less.

So whatever job you have, give it all you’ve got! You never know what skill you might learn that God will use later.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I adore anything by Andrew Murray. His book, Humility, absolutely rocked my world. Interesting side note: I found it on a sale table for $1…so bargain books have the power to change lives.

Right now, I’m reading anything I can get my hands on by Derek Prince.

So basically, I love to read dead British men who were born outside of England…go figure!

What are you working on now?
My next book is called What To Do When You Don’t Know What God Is Doing. It grew out of my experiences living on the mission field.

My books have opened doors for me to live and work in 40 nations, often among refugees or internally-displaced people. Usually, I’m in places were easy answers don’t work.

I think there are lessons I’ve learned that can apply to anyone who’s left wondering, “Where is God and what on earth is He doing?”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think Dave Chesson at Kindlepreneur is super-smart, so I follow him closely. Actually, he’s the one who led me to the Awesome Gang, which is pretty awesome, right?

Do you have any advice for new authors?
For sure. WRITE.

Seriously, just wake your precious little self up an hour earlier than everyone else in your household and write. It doesn’t matter if you publish those morning scribbles. Frankly, I don’t. But writers write, so if you want to be a writer, do a lot of writing.

When it’s time to write a book, I beg you — in the name of all that is good and holy — write from a solid, well-structured outline. That way, each chapter is about one thing and one thing only. Your English teacher was right.

I’m amazed how many authors — especially self-published ones who fail to hire a serious editor — just keep saying the same thing over and over again in every chapter.

The smartest thing you’ll ever do for your career is to attend writers’ conferences. First of all, the air is electric. You’ll walk around mumbling, “My peeps, my peeps, I finally found my peeps.” It’s glorious.

And the networking is amazing. I met an acquisitions editor at a writer’s conference almost twenty years ago and we still work together.

I do offer a free guide, 10 Steps to Write Your Book…in Just a Matter of Days. It’s available at www.donnapartow.com/write-fast

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The opening words to Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life spring to mind: “It’s not about you.”

Find out why you are on this planet and live your life for something larger than yourself. I truly believe we are never fully alive until we are walking out our purpose.

I think each of us was put on the planet, at this exact moment in human history, for a very specific reason. What could be more important than finding out what that is?

What are you reading now?
Time for true confessions?

I’m always reading about a dozen books at any given time. I’m studying Geobasics in the Land of the Bible in preparation for a Masters Degree in Middle Eastern Studies. I’m devouring Russell Brunson’s newest, Traffic Secrets. Don’t Burn This Book by Dave Rubin is a slightly-irreverent hoot. And I just downloaded Derek Prince’s Self-Study Bible Course.

Is that eclectic enough?

If not, I can mention that I’m listening to The Success Principles on Audible!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I haven’t done a lot of writing over the past decade. I’ve been busy teaching online classes and developing my annual Lifestyle Freedom Event (now in its 8th year). And really, most of my time — my heart — is on the mission field. I was overseas for 9 months last year.

COVID suddenly has me grounded. And I’m taking the hint and have made it my goal to write at least two books in 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 Bible is a given, of course. Then the Complete Works of Andrew Murray and E.M. Bounds’ On Prayer. Then maybe a book to help me finally learn Spanish!

Author Websites and Profiles
Donna Partow Website
Donna Partow Amazon Profile

Donna Partow’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Glenn Bauer 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Zimbabwe and moved with my family to South Africa in 1978. After matriculating from school, I was conscripted to serve for two years in the South African Defence Force. There I trained and operated as a Combat Medic on the volatile border between Namibia and Angola and was awarded the Pro Patria Medal in 1990. In my downtime I would find a shady spot to escape into books and dabble at writing science fiction and fantasy. Back in civvy street, married and working, I periodically and unsuccessfully tried to write.
In 2004, I emigrated to England with my family and in 2012 I sat down to plot yet another book idea. This time I focused on my deep interest in ancient history. By the end of that year I had written and edited Warhorn, the first title in the Sons of Iberia series. Since then I have written three more titles in the series. I have also written two novellas set in the ancient past and completed my late father-in-law’s manuscript, which was a contemporary thriller. All told, I have now written seven titles.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Offgrid Boaters, One Couples Alternative Nomad Life on a 25ft Yoghurt Pot. In 2018, my wife and I bought and moved onto a cabin cruiser boat. Offgrid Boaters is a look back at how we managed to do it with zero boating know-how and all the funny, terrifying, and amazing things that we have experienced. The paperback will be available to order from most indie and high street bookstores as well as online as an ebook. The yoghurt pot reference is not the name of our boat, but what steel narrowboaters call any glass-fibre vessels.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sitting on the deck of a boat in England while writing about long-dead Roman legionaries and Iberian warriors. Constantly praying that the sun will shine so that my single solar panel will keep my laptop running. Other than the challenges of off-grid life, I’m a typical plotter rather than pantser, and get very moody when life gets in the way of writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say James A. Michener’s epic tomes opened my mind to the allure of exotic cultures and the history of people rather than nations. Bryce Courtney’s books put me in the skin of ordinary people facing great adversity, and Bernard Cornwell’s fighting heroes have shown me the thrust and parry of battle.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the fifth title in the historical fiction series, Sons of Iberia. It is set during the Second Punic War and gives readers an insight into the ancient Iberians of Spain and how they fared during the war between Carthage and Rome. Instead of the typical Carthaginian of Roman viewpoint, the central characters are a mix of Iberians, Gauls, and Africans, giving a voice to people so often forgotten when talking of this period.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My go-to websites are my own and goodreads.com. After that, I rely on metadata on shopping platforms to put my books in front of people looking for the kind of tales I write.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be stubborn and be determined. Editing can wait until you are done. You need to build momentum to carry you through to the final page and you can’t do that if you’re fiddling with yesterday’s writing. Join groups and associations. I am an author member of the Alliance of Independent Authors (Alli) and an associate member of the Association of Independent Authors. Good luck!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The sandpit analogy. The first draft is the sandpit and all I need to do is put the sand in. I only build the sandcastle once the sandpit is full.

What are you reading now?
Antonin Varenne’s Retribution Road and AC Cobble’s Quill: The Cartographer Book 1

What’s next for you as a writer?
Audiobooks. I want to make my material available to listeners and I am exploring options including narrating the shorter books myself. Once I have done that, I plan to get my books translated into Spanish.

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?
Okay, let’s see. Some history, some DIY, some comedy and some cooking. Yes, that should keep me busy.
• Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
• The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing by David Seidman
• The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson and
• The Complete Coconut Cookbook: 200 Gluten-Free, Grain-Free and Nut-Free Vegan Recipes Using Coconut Flour, Oil, Sugar and More by Camilla Saulsbury

Author Websites and Profiles
Glenn Bauer Website
Glenn Bauer Amazon Profile

Glenn Bauer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Maggie Thom 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I currently have 5 published suspense/thriller/mysteries with my 6th one coming out later this year. Reading and writing has always been a part of my life. Besides that I love being outdoors, hiking is one of my favorite things to do. I love exploring nature and all of her hidden gems, especially finding waterfalls.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tainted Waters is my latest suspense/thriller/mystery. It was inspired by a camping trip from hell. It was one of those weekends that started out amazing but ended up in disaster. We were camping at a lake which we thought was amazing. Turns out there was a reason there weren’t many campers there. Because of all that happened, it gave me the idea to have a lake where only a few people live but someone realizes that the owners are starting to die off. Then it comes to light, what do they really know about each other? And who would benefit from the other’s deaths?

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if they are unusual but I don’t tend to write my book in order. I write the chapters that come to mind and then figure out where they fit in the story. I am also a panster-plotter. I write then I plot and then I write.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many. I would say that Robert Ludlum, Sandra Brown, JRR Tolkien, Stephen R Donaldson, were some of my favorite authors and ones who taught me how to bring a story to life and some of the different things that make a book compelling.

What are you working on now?
I have just finished writing another book, Fractured Lines, which will be out later this summer. And I have started writing a suspense/thriller/mystery series. I am planning on book one being out in early 2021.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Email list and advertising have been the best way I’ve found to promote my books.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Write. Write. Then don’t be scared to cut what you’ve written. Keep your focus on writing a good story, not on whether you are the one to write it or whether it is good or not. Reach out to other authors and writers to get tips that can help you. It is an amazing group of resourceful and helpful people.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t edit as you write and don’t stop to do research, put a xxx in places where you know you need to add or do research but keep writing and come back to that later.

What are you reading now?
I just finished reading A Struggle for Independence by P.M. Terrell.
I just bought 4 more books so will have to choose one to read next.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To keep writing fiction and nonfiction. I also write nonfiction books (Glenna Mageau). I might venture into a new genre. We’ll see.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. How to build a boat.
2. What is edible on a deserted island
3. The White Gold Wielder – it’s a long series and its been years since I read it so it might be a good distraction.
4. How to write books on tree bark

Author Websites and Profiles
Maggie Thom Website
Maggie Thom Amazon Profile
Maggie Thom Author Profile on Smashwords

Maggie Thom’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Natalia Richards 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a curator and historian for over 30 years, I have worked in many museums in Derbyshire and later in London. Over the years I specialised in everything from Victorian toys and memorabilia, to Royal Crown Derby and Militaria. I also worked free-lance for the History Channel USA as researcher, co-ordinator and interviewer on the award winning production ‘Secrets of War.’ However, my personal passion since a very early age has been the study of the Tudors, particularly Anne Boleyn and the court of King Henry VIII.
I did not begin writing seriously until around 2008, and originally wanted to write about Anne Boleyn at the English court. However, a great deal had already been written about this period, and I began to look at her earlier life from around 1500 to 1521. Since research as a curator has always been my passion, I wanted to write as factual a novel as I could and spent years visiting sites such as Blickling in Norfolk, Hever Castle, Rochford Manor and the palace of Margaret of Austria, in Mechelen, just outside Brussels. It was here that Anne was sent as a young maid-of-honour, and I was honoured to gain access to rooms not normally open to the public. The result of my research was ‘The Falcon’s Rise,’ my first book. I have followed it up with part two ‘The Falcon’s Flight’ published 19 May 2020. This second book covers Anne’s time spent at the French court, and ends as she is about to return to England. I had a wonderful time in France researching this book and seeing the places Anne herself knew. I hope you enjoy reading about these place, too.

In my spare time, I love travelling, rambling and visiting historic houses, as well as constantly reading and researching the Tudor period.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Falcon’s Flight and it is part two of my first book, The Falcon’s Rise. I wanted to write something that other authors hadn’t concentrated on, which is Anne Boleyn’s early life, and I felt inspired to tell her little known story of the years before she met King Henry VIII.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, but I tend to start writing at the end of the afternoon, when my other jobs are done and I’m physically tired. My endless energy makes me want to get out and about during the day, as I find it impossible to sit still!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Definitely Jean Plaidy, Rosemary Hawley Jarman, and Alison Weir. They ignited my love of history most certainly.

What are you working on now?
I am researching and mulling over the thought of writing book three, The Falcon’s Fall, just to complete the trilogy. But I need a new angle for the very well known story of Anne Boleyn meeting King Henry and becoming Queen of England. And, of course, her grisly end.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think Twitter is amazing, but also all the fantastic Tudor and Anne Boleyn websites and FaceBook pages out there. It’s really great having an interested audience in all things Anne Boleyn!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, but only what I’ve learnt through making mistakes. So, here goes:
Firstly, get hold of a copy of The Writers and Artists Yearbook for publishing advice etc. It is incredibly useful, with lots of contact addresses and practical tips for new writers.

Next, I would advise that you write because you just have to tell your story, not in the hope of making money. There are no shortcuts and you cannot short change your readers by trying to get a book out there quickly. It might take you years, but just go at your own pace and don’t rush it.

Write about what you know about, or are familiar with. This will give your book authenticity, so read and research at every opportunity.

Think about who is going to read your book and where it will sit in the market. Be very clear who your audience will be.

Write every day. Even if it’s just a description of something, or writing out a favourite piece of prose. It keeps your mind trained on the art of writing and using words, and I found it important. Don’t worry if you have a bad writing day, do something else, but don’t leave it too long before returning to your book. I found it much harder to pick up where I’d left off after a few weeks’ break. It’s really easy to slip out of a routine.

Edit, edit, and edit again. If you are planning on sending your manuscript to a publisher, your work must be as near perfect as possible. Nothing puts people off more than shoddy punctuation, spelling, and grammar. I had the annoying habit of spelling people’s names and places differently, and I hadn’t even noticed. Make sure you keep everything consistent.
You can, of course, pay for professional editing, but there are also good grammar/spelling programmes on the internet to run your work through. Some mistakes will slip through, but just make it as good as you can get.

Network. Social media and the internet are full of lots of writers groups where you can get support and advice. They are always happy to advise and help new writers if possible. If you don’t like online groups, try your local community. Ask if your local book club would mind reading your book. Don’t be afraid, just ask!

Finally, try not to get discouraged. Your writing will not be like anyone else’s, because it is unique to you, so don’t compare yourself to other authors. They all started somewhere. And if you give it your very best shot, the effort will pay off.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To write in your own style. Don’t worry about other authors, just write in a way that is unique to you.

What are you reading now?
The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel. I love her work.

What’s next for you as a writer?
If book two is well received, it will encourage me to write book three. After that, I’m not sure, but again I’d want to write about someone not written about very much.

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 we say that the Bible and the Complete Works of Shakespeare are a given, my must have books would be:
We Speak No Treason, by Rosemary Hawley Jarman, The Oxford Anthology of Great English Poetry, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Author Websites and Profiles
Natalia Richards Website
Natalia Richards Amazon Profile

Natalia Richards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

shawn abrams 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, I have oversight of a small non-profit organization that supports lower income people in Brooklyn, NY. I have a strong desire to help people improve thier quality of life.
I’ve learned that this is more than a job or financial literacy classes. People could stand to benefit from the two topics I cover, which are Leadership and Relationships

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is: The Seven Epaulettes of Leadership. Most people will ell you they are a leader, but few can define what it is. How can you recognize something if you can’t define it? How can you teach it to others? I’ll belabor the point by saying this: before you lead others, you must lead yourself. Again, if we can’t define leadership, how can you do it effectively?!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure this is unusual writing habits, but when I write I listen to a lot more music, and I have to walk. There’s something about movement that helps me to think

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The KJV of the Bible and Sun Tzu the Art of War

What are you working on now?
My latest project is scheduled for release in Jan of 2021
It’s in my niche, which is leadership and relationships. I have a better understanding of what writing is. I’m so much better at it now. And, more importantly, I have fun doing it. The first book was fraught with timelines.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Oh, I learned so much about promoting books. I use Awesome Gang, Amazon, Twitter, and an assortment of book clubs. I use twitter and my blog (abrams index) to test/introduce new ideas constantly. I’ve been know to leak some of my upcoming material into these platforms.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Come up with a title and chapters, if you can.
Keep a journal handy to jot down your thoughts – they will come at any time.
I use talk to text apps on my phone to record thoughts when I’m mobile.
Determine when and how you will move the reader through your narrative. Plan out when you want them to feel something, when you want them to recover/recoil, introduce a sub-topic, etc.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up?

What are you reading now?
My own stuff. I don’t want to be influenced by anyone else’s work. I’m in a bubble right now

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m promoting The Seven Epaulettes of Leadership and planning out my 3rd 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 KJV of the Bible

Author Websites and Profiles
shawn abrams Website
shawn abrams Amazon Profile

shawn abrams’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Zachary Brooks 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is my first book in my “How to Algorithm” series. After the book promotion phase, I will
beginning writing the second book in the series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my first book is “Discovering Your Human Algorithm | How to live with meaning and purpose.”

Much of my life I have been an interloper of other worlds and while passing through various worlds, I began to return to similar themes that brought me the most satisfaction. I’ve lived in 7 states, 5 countries, and growing up I attended 6 schools. In my personal and professional life, I’ve experienced wealth and poverty, marriage and divorce, the thrill of the Silicon Valley, the excitement of Hollywood, and the joys of travel. The themes that emerged had to do with athletics (college soccer player), adventure (traveler, 25 countries), academics (doctorate from colleges of humanities and science), art (Hollywood actor, 10 imdb.com credits), advocacy (Trustee for World Transplant Games Federation, wtgf.org), and a generalist. These ideas eventually coalesced into the 6As.

I’ve been inspired by many self-help authors in my life such as Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People), Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Flow), Scott H. Young (Ultralearning), Deborah Tannen (You Just Don’t Understand), and many many more. My Dad once said “being positive is the only practical way to live” so I wrote a guide, then a book in order to put that principle into practice. That guide became “Discovering Your Human Algorithm.”
During my PhD studies, the ideas began to galvanize into an identity. What

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most unusual habit I have is finding the last page in an article or book and reading it first. I’m fascinated with structure (or lack of it) and design thinking. Much of our life is guided by design so design, algorithm, structure, and incentives are the operations that advance us from A to B and so on. Mastering these paths serves us because we have control over them and they keep us focused in the moment.

Like many people, I have had to become more creative during the quarantine to keep myself happy and sane and for me focusing on the details of structure helps.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People), Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Flow), Scott H. Young (Ultralearning), Deborah Tannen (You Just Don’t Understand)

What are you working on now?
I produce 9 podcasts ranging from decision making (part of my doctoral research), to organ transplant stories, to “how human algorithms” which I define are successful strategies for 21st living.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang is strong. James Mayfield is too. Ask me again in a few months and I’ll tell you more.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Advice is the easiest thing to give, the hardest to take, and the weirdest to measure. But here is one piece of advice.

While beating yourself up, balance you’re thinking with positive self-talk.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is the last line in my book and it came from my father “Being positive is the only practical way to live.”

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading blogs and how to articles on how to self-publish. I also read some academic articles on decision making, language, and spectrometers.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m ready to write a few more book for the “How to Algorithm” series to explore methods to live well now. In the next book, I plan to start by reading it out loud. It makes a Huge difference in readability.

My goals are to also explore structures that work for human cognition and design in the 21st century.

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?
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Gone with the Wind
Man’s Search for Meaning
Some Poetry books

Author Websites and Profiles
Zachary Brooks Website
Zachary Brooks Amazon Profile

Zachary Brooks’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Paolo Ruggirello 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have one collection of poetry published, one fantasy novel finishing the final stages of editing, and its sequel and following novels are in production.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Zubare: Liberation is inspired by a tabletop RPGS game I played with my brother and friend set in my fictional world. The story took many exciting twists and turns, even an ending I didn’t expect either! It was so fun to write and play that I just had to write it all down and share it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think it’s unusual, but I like to let the ideas come to me naturally. Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of a task and stop to write something down.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
A lot of different fantasy books have influenced me, most notably the Hobbit, the Charlie Bone series, Shogun, and Arthur by Kevin Crossley-Holland.

What are you working on now?
Zubare: Liberation, which is in the final stages of editing. After that I’ll work on its direct sequel and then another novel that occurs 5 years after.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media has helped, as well as getting shootouts on blogs and radio shows.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing, even if it’s using the apostrophe in a text. Hone your skill and keep trying. It’ll happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It’s always the time to act, you must simply choose to.

What are you reading now?
Merlin by T.A. Baron

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

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?
Mythology 1 & 2
Kybalion
How to survive

Author Websites and Profiles
Paolo Ruggirello Website

Paolo Ruggirello’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Coach Craig 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Coach Craig -B.Ed.
As a father, educator, athlete and coach, the author has taught and worked extensively with children and has a love for all sports. His unique experience, skills and beliefs have come together to develop this innovative children’s publishing program.

Coach Craig’s goal is to provide families and educators with engaging materials, giving children the opportunity to experience early literacy success. These highly visual, play-by-play, sports action stories are tailor made to engage with children in a fun way with their reading and literacy development. The stories, with descriptive rhyming commentary, are fun for both children and sports fans of all ages. Like having front row seats to real game action. Each story also offers teaching moments to reinforce “values education and positive character development” as the game plots of athletic action feature great determination and effort, with inspiring teamwork, all in the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship!

The series is particularly engaging to boys and their parents, grandparents, care-givers and adult-male role models in their lives.

The special literacy page format, (red letters & Blue words) and the Literacy Guide illustrating the 4 Building Blocks of Reading, are both handy companion resources. Parents, grandparents, care-givers and adult-male role models can use these resources, as they see fit, to help guide and motivate children with their reading development, before, during or after reading and enjoying the stories.

Have fun watching all the great action, all eyes are on the play!
And try to practice your reading skills, surprise someone today!

Coach Craig – B.Ed.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Coach Craig Amazon Profile

Irial O’Farrell 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an executive coach, trainer and management consultant. I’ve been working with companies and developing leaders and managers for over 20 years. I’m always fascinated with what makes people tick, how that shows up in the workplace and impacts business performance.

I wrote my first book in 2012 and have taken a very long break since then, for a variety of reasons. I’ve gotten my writing mojo back and I’m in the middle of writing my second book, called SMART Objective Setting for Managers.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called SMART Objective Setting for Managers and what inspired it is how often I work with managers that struggle with objective setting and usually they’re using SMART. They struggle with framing the objective and what the real objective outcome is.
They don’t really understand the power of a well-designed SMART objective, the quality of the conversation that can happen, the alignment and engagement with the objective. Doing all of this well increases the likelihood of the objective being achieved and the individual’s, the team’s and the manager’s performance increasing, as a result.
This book sets all of this out, told through stories and excerpts of sample conversations I regularly end up having with managers participating in my training workshops.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I do, but I don’t really know. With both books, I’ve found it pretty easy to get the ideas down on the page, which makes me wonder if I’m doing something wrong!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Business books that have influenced me are The Leadership Pipeline, Leadership and Self-Deception.

I love reading Michael Connelly books and anything by Marian Keyes. I love her wit.

What are you working on now?
Finishing the second draft of my SMART Objective Setting for Managers book and creating a launch and marketing plan for it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I self-published my first book, so Amazon has been very good. My original book launch was also very good. A more unusual method has been through a medical doctor and herbalist who works with patients. She often recommends that they buy my book, as a way for them to understand the impact of mismatched personal values and the conflict they generate and the stress that puts on the body.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, learn as much as you can about marketing and promoting your book. It won’t just happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed for life.

What are you reading now?
Just finished a book called Making Sense of the Troubles by David McKittrick and David McVey.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Now that I’ve gotten my mojo back, I have identified several books that I would like to write. So, once I’ve gotten the current book up and running, I’ll start to focus on writing one of them.

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 Harry Potter series and the Lord of the Rings series (I’ll slip the Hobbit in with that one). Am I allowed any more?

Author Websites and Profiles
Irial O’Farrell Website
Irial O’Farrell Amazon Profile
Irial O’Farrell Author Profile on Smashwords

Irial O’Farrell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Sean Crow 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a teacher in a correctional facility and love working with youth trying to better themselves. I love writing gritty stories in both fantasy and science fiction settings. I’ve written several books, but Godless Lands is the first novel that I felt was up to snuff. However, I will have several projects coming out within a year from my first release.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Godless Lands was inspired by the artist Tomas Duchek. Something about his work gets my mind racing. I wrote several short stories for his work and a friendship began. After a while I approached him about writing a novel based off of his work and he was all for it. He even did the cover. It has been a great journey.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing crazy really. I like coffee, background tunes, and a room to myself.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Gemmell has probably had the biggest impact on my work. I never really got into writing until I got grounded for like 3 months when I was fourteen. I couldn’t see friends, watch tv, go out, I was pretty limited. I was sitting on the couch when my dad tosses me the The First Chronicles of Druss the Legend. From that moment I was hooked.

What are you working on now?
Currently I have a few irons in the fire. I have an illustrated novella coming out around July or August titled “Valhalla Steel”. It’s based in a cyberpunk world and follows the conflict between gun running Vikings and chem dealing Fae. I’m also about a quarter of the way through a full novel that takes place after the events of the novella.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook and Instagram have been great ways to reach out to the reading a writing community. I’m pretty good about getting back to people on either of those.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research and be willing to listen to those who have done it all before. I have found that the writing community has been extremely helpful and is generally willing to give advice. Also, seek out straight forward people who will tell you what they really think about your work. If everyone says they love what you write and they can’t find any issues, you’re surrounding yourself with the wrong people. There is always room to improve.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
There has been too much to list, but in regards to writing I would say the best advice I’ve been given is to start small. If you haven’t written a short story, you’re not going to write a novel. Work on your craft, refine the small stuff, and learn how to tell a story. Win a few skirmishes before you start a five year campaign.

What are you reading now?
I have been Beta Reading for a few people lately, but I just picked up the last book in the Powder Mage series by Brian McClellan. Solid stuff.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I mentioned before, I’ve been working on the cyberpunk world, but I also have a second Godless Lands novel that will likely come out next year. It takes place about twenty years after the events of the first 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?
That’s tough! I’d have to go with my two favorite Gemmell books: Winter Warriors and Legend. The third choice would have to be Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sean Crow Website

Sean Crow’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Kathleen DeSaye 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a newly published author of fantasy and action/adventure. While this is my first published work, I’ve been writing novels since I was a kid and have completed 10 books, not to mention about 10 other half-length works that I never got around to finishing. Needless to say, becoming a published author has been a life-long dream. Drawing has always gone hand-in-hand with writing for me, and so my books always come with illustrations. For my new release, I drew the cover art, as well as the several pictures inside the book!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and first) book is called Best Wishes from Hell, and is the first volume in a series titled Goth’s Triangle. When I was a kid and first started writing my own stories, I was an avid reader, and would often go to the bookstore excited to get a new book. But, more often than not, I couldn’t find anything that caught my interest. There wasn’t anything that could scratch that itch for the type of book I craved to read. So, from then on, I dedicated my time to writing the book that I could never find, the one I always wanted to read.
To this day, I keep that in mind. My target audience is myself as a teenager. I’ve written a lot of books, but this one is finally THE book that I’ve always wanted to read.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I definitely have a weird writing habit. I tend to binge write: write for ten hours straight, and then go one or two days without writing at all. When I’m in these binge periods, I get so focused and absorbed that I lose track of time. Eventually, I’ll catch myself writing a scene about my characters eating. I’ll be in the middle of really thoroughly describing the food, only to realize that I am starving and long overdue for a meal. This happens all the time, so if you see the main characters eating, there’s a good 90% chance I was hungry at the time.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Diana Wynne Jones is one of my biggest influences. I have read every single one of her books, and consider her one of the absolute best writers of fantasy. I was also raised with a love for J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I also am a huge fan of manga and anime, particularly the shonen and slice of life genres, and that’s definitely inspired me over the years.

What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m writing on Goth’s Triangle Vol. 2!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you’re self-publishing, do your research. There is so much to know about the entire process, and there is so much to do if you want to do it right. Just take it step by step and take your time.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best writing advice I’ve ever heard came from my dad. It was many, many years ago and I’ll never forget. He told me that most times an author describes a scene visually. But in real life, we don’t just receive visual information; sure we look at things, but we also hear things, smell things, feel, and taste 24/7. He told me if I wanted to be a better writer, to imagine the sounds and smells etc. when describing a scene.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kathleen DeSaye Website

Kathleen DeSaye’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Paul James 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an engineer with a life-long interest in books and writing. Originally from England, I’ve lived with my family near Toronto, Canada, for many years and where I walk, run and take wildlife photos whenever the weather will let me. In my writing, I like to capture the humorous side of life even when sometimes the world doesn’t seem to warrant it — as can be seen in my first book, Diary of a Canadian Nobody.

My present series, The Modest Proposal Institute, is a return to one of my earliest literary loves — science fiction.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is the final volume of The Modest Proposal Institute series. The first three books of the series, An Old Path to a New Future, No More Empires, and Rival Institutes are available on Amazon now (May 2020). The latest, and final, book, War of the Institutes, will be published on June 3, 2020.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. I think procrastination and being lost throughout the writing process is quite common. At least, I hope it isn’t just me who works this way.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Science fiction authors I liked were people like Ray Bradbury and John Wyndham. For writing in general, Jane Austen, Douglas Adams and Bill Bryson.

What are you working on now?
It may sound odd but I’m writing a cozy mystery right now. It’s a form of therapy after The Modest Proposal Institute series, which consumed my writing life for the past two years.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still very new at the marketing side of writing so I haven’t found one I like best. I used Awesome Gang for the first three books and that seemed to go well so yours is one I’ll keep returning to.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Only the advice everyone gives, read a lot, write every day, and keep at it. Perseverance is the key to the writing life, even when sometime you wonder if you’ll ever achieve that breakthrough.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn and practice the marketing side of the business. Sadly, I’m still at the start of that lesson and can’t yet confirm it is good advice.

What are you reading now?
I read more non-fiction these days but, at present, I’m working my way through an omnibus of Dorothy L. Sayers books, hence my cozy mystery novel.

What’s next for you as a writer?
If I find the cozy mystery genre continues to appeal, I’ll turn my present standalone novel into a series. If not, and at some time anyway, I will pick up the Modest Proposal story where I’ve left off.

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?
Northanger Abbey, Vanity Fair, Notes from a Small Island, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul James Website
Paul James Amazon Profile

Paul James’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Rafael Emilio Rodriguez 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Dominican pianist and I have only one book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
TUMBAOS DE MERENGUE PARA PIANO.
For people who want to learn to play meringue on the piano.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dominican music of meringue songs.

What are you working on now?
None.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Everything can be help.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
To promote ebooks.

What are you reading now?
Music.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Meringue music.

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?
Anyones.

 

D.R. Morassutti 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I just finished my very first book, Not all you need is love.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The love story of my sister inspired my first book.

What are you working on now?
I am fully working on the exposure of my first book. I want to first see if my type of writing and story is liked by romance readers. I am also exploring new ideas for my next book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I give readers 2 chapters for free by signing up to my email list.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always think big.

What are you reading now?
This could be our future

What’s next for you as a writer?
Try to reach more people with my love story and give a great message about what love really means and about the timing of love.

 

D.R. Morassutti’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Michael Penning 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an author and screenwriter of both horror and suspense. All Hallows Eve is my first novel but my films have screened in numerous international film festivals across North America and Europe. When I’m not writing, I enjoy adventure travel, photography, and brewing beer. I’m happily married and the new father of a tough and curious baby girl.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
All Hallows Eve is an historical thriller about a single mother racing against time to rescue her daughter from the vengeful spirit of a woman hanged during the Salem witch trials. I’ve always been a big fan of Halloween and I wanted to write a book that explored some of the ancient customs and traditions of the holiday while also providing some entertaining thrills and chills. I’ve also been semi-obsessed with the witch trials ever since reading The Crucible and visiting Salem in high school.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it’s unsual but there always has to be a cup of coffee or tea nearby. It often goes untouched and cold but for some reason it still has to be there. I also tend to stay in my pajamas all day while writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King for my understanding of character development; Shirley Jackson for mood and atmosphere; Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child for structure and pacing. I was also really big fan of “monster-of-the-week” TV shows like The X-Files and Supernatural, especially the development of overarching plots over the course of the series.

What are you working on now?
All Hallows Eve is the first volume in my Book of Shadows series of historical thrillers that follow a family of 19th-century women who use unique talents to hunt ghosts and monsters. I’m currently working on the second volume in the series, The Suicide Lake. While the War of 1812 rages across New England, a young woman with a tragic past must use her knowledge of the occult to save a remote logging camp from an ancient evil that is driving the villagers to take their own lives. Right now I’m in the polishing phase and the book will be released later this year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
After years of working in film, All Hallows Eve is my first experience promoting a book so I’m still learning the moves in this dance. So far, free book offers promotions on sites like Pretty-Hot definitely seems to be an effective way of attracting new readers in the crowded book market. I’m also really trying to build my mailing list on my website, www.michaelpenning.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write everyday and don’t take rejection personally.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Some of the best advice comes from Stephen King. Not personally, of course (how awesome would that be?), but from his book On Writing. It’s a great read for any author, not just horror writers. The best piece of advice I’ve received personally would be to not be afraid to explore and embrace flawed characters.

What are you reading now?
The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates. After that it will be Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full of Ghosts. And then Home Before Dark by Riley Sager. So many books, so little time…

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep promoting All Hallows Eve while I finish polishing the second volume in the Book of Shadows series. Then I’m going to get right into research for the third book. After that, I might step away from the realm of historical fiction for a minute to explore a couple other ideas that I’ve had kicking around my head.

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?
Touch one! Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. It might be an old classic, but it still resonates. I’d also bring one of the original Dragonlance Chronicles (or all three if I could cheat), because they were my favorite books growing up. If I could squeeze in one more, it would probably something by Bear Grills on how to survive on a desert island.

Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Penning Website
Michael Penning Amazon Profile

Michael Penning’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Mustafa Ozalcin 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m actually a business management professional and founder of a blockchain technology start-up. Over the years my roles have allowed me, and I’ve been very privileged to, travel to many different countries and work with people from very different backgrounds.

I’ve only written two books. The first was the first part of a trilogy called “When the World Becomes Braille: One Night in the 90’s. It’s a “paranormal”, urban adventure / romantic comedy. How’s that for diverse? I’ve yet to write part 2.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called, “But I’ve Never Been to Italy: Tales From a Frequent Traveller… Before COVID-19”.

I love Bill Bryson’s books, especially his travel memoirs, like “A Walk in the Woods” and “I’m a Stranger Here Myself”. As someone who’s travelled for business for over twenty years, I thought I’d put some of the interesting and comical experiences I’ve had in these countries over the years, down on paper. But having travelled to all corners of the world, from Bogota to New York to Kuala Lumpur, I’ve never ever been to Italy… Hence the title.

I started writing it a couple of years ago, before launching my start-up. This year, the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns obviously meant things came to a standstill, so I took the opportunity to complete what I’d started.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure what the frame of reference for “unusual” would be. What would be considered unusual? I do prefer writing by hand, and wrote “When the World Becomes Braille” by hand first, before typing it up on my laptop. But obviously that takes twice as long. So with this one it was straight onto Word.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was (am) a huge Stephen King fan, up until his accident, after which his stories kind of lost their way – with me at least. He’s been back to his best since “Under the Dome”, and “22/11/63”.

As I mentioned I also love most books by Bryson. Carl Hiaasen; very funny stories.

Other than that I love reading (auto)biographies; Mike Tyson, Phil Knight, John Gotti, Duff “Rose” McKagan, Slash, Nikki Sixx, Kevin Hart… All have stunningly hard hitting and inspirational stories.

What are you working on now?
I’ve started the first chapter for Part 2 of “When the World Becomes Braille”. But it all depends on what happens on the start-up front. Writing’s a hobby which I try and make time for.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not nearly qualified to talk about this. For what it’s worth, I share content on LinkedIn and Twitter. Amazon’s marketing tools are obviously useful if you have a budget for that.
Ah! “Braille” is still on KDP Select. “But I’ve Never Been to Italy” I’ve not done that and put in a wide range of platforms.

I’m hoping Awesome Gang will provide a boost, so maybe we can talk about this in a few weeks.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Again, I’m not going to pretend I know anywhere near enough. I’m a “noob”. But what I can say is, write. Just write. Even if you don’t believe you have the talent, but you have the passion; write.
Write, and it will come.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
About writing a book? To write a book! I’d write copy and content at work; blogs etc. Friends and colleagues would tell me I should write a book, because apparently I have a way with words.

What are you reading now?
“The Body”, by Bill Bryson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to some day finish the “When the World Becomes Braille” trilogy.
I’m also considering a second travel book. We’ll see…

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 Build a Model Yacht” by Herb Fisher
“How to Survive on Land and Sea” by Jr. Craighead
“But I’ve Never Been to Italy” by M Ozalcin

Author Websites and Profiles
Mustafa Ozalcin Website
Mustafa Ozalcin Amazon Profile

Mustafa Ozalcin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

JUNE WINTON 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 7 books, 6 still in print. I have been a secretary/typist most of my life and that did help when it came to typing my stories and editing my own work (which is always very difficult to do). My first books was a children’s story, The Stolen Christmas, Blue Angel (not in print) then The Silver Cross Trilogy, The Mystery on the Miniature Railway and finally (so far), Escape to the Orchard.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Escape to the Orchard is my latest book, inspired by my attempts to grow truffle trees in deepest Devon, UK. Not everything went to plan, but in the book it kind of does. It’s a light hearted and humorous story for the most part but with a bit of added drama, of course.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
One hour of writing in the morning is worth two in the afternoon, or so I’ve found. Much more lively and entertaining in the morning, whereas more serious and heavier going after lunch. Probably a bit like myself!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Charles Dickens, Stephen King, Margaret Attwood. I like stories where the baddies get their just desserts and the goodies always have to win. I sulk if I read a book where that doesn’t happen.

What are you working on now?
The Corona virus thing – what is that all about? True life really is stranger than fiction.
Sometimes I think it’s the end of the world, what’s the point? I was going to give up on writing and try some art instead, as I enjoy being creative. But I have started to write poetry again, so that’s a good sign.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve been with Amazon right from the start. A self-published author has to go with them first, other places second. I’ve never managed to get a promotion on Bookbub sadly, although I’ve done a couple of adverts. It’s really trial and error and I’m definitely no expert.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just to keep going. Don’t give up halfway through your story, believe in yourself. Somebody will want to read it. Give yourself a six month deadline, I always feel that’s a good timeframe to write 50,000 words. I tend to keep to around 50,000 as that is what qualifies as a “novel”. If I write more than that, it’s book 2. Names though – I often get my minor characters mixed up. Write them down on a list, and refer to that list!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Every dog has its day? I’m joking, but seriously I’m hoping one day it will be my turn.

What are you reading now?
I’m the expert on Corona virus.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Maybe release a book of poetry.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Something by Bear Grylls.
Encyclopeadia of Poisonous and Edible Plants
Bird Watching

JUNE WINTON’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Ian Wright 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spent 40 years in the advertising and market communications sector, happily writing anything that I was given; brochure copy, advertisements, press releases, speeches for other people, scripts for industrial films, videos, and copy for websites. In 1988 I started my own media company until retiring a few years ago.
My only venture into fiction was in my early twenties writing teen romance stories for DC Thomson’s Jackie magazine. It was just a part-time addition to my real work, but it taught me how to build characters in as few words as possible and just how enjoyable writing fiction was. I always promised myself that when I had the time, I would return to fiction again.
Just over two years ago, I started on my first novel, Murders of Consequence, which was followed by Murders of Necessity and Murders of Misfortune. Then I wrote The Croxton Project J293, a cold war thriller set mainly In Cambridge, UK, the university town about 20 minutes drive from where I live. All these are available in eBook and paperback versions on Amazon.
All three books are set in the nineteen-sixties when the UK and the USA were going through a significant transformation of social outlook. Young people were making their views known through fashion, music, attitudes, and public protests about the many different causes that concerned them. The reasons were not frivolous; all they were asking for was nuclear disarmament and world peace. For me, the 40s, 50s, and 60s were decades that changed people’s lives and attitudes just as much as the tech revolution of the 80s and 90s.
I live in Peterborough, UK, with my wife Sheilah, who acts as editor, proof-reader, and critic of my work. We are both avid readers, enjoying mainly thrillers.
I also love music, particularly jazz. When I was young, I played tenor sax in a rock/blues band, and more recently, Sheilah and I formed a Jazz duo to raise money for charity. We both enjoy traveling, watching cricket, and football.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book, The Night Drop, is a story of two British agents working with a French Resistance cell in the marshlands of Northern France. Their heroic work helped the Allied forces to drive the Nazi army out of France and onward to ‘Victory in Europe.’ The inspiration for the book was a visit a few years ago to the La Coupole (The Dome) museum in St Omer, in the Pas de Calais, France. The museum has been created in a vast dome that, during WW2, was used to house and launch V1 and V2 rockets. These were Hitler’s last-ditch secret weapons that he thought would turn the tide of the war against the Allies, leading to the final great Nazi success. The main targets for the rockets were London, because of its importance and proximity to the French coast, and Antwerp, the large Dutch port that had, in the late summer of 1944, become the main supply port for the Allied forces fighting to bring freedom to the rest of Europe. The devastating rocket attacks had resulted in 6,000 people killed and 32,000 houses destroyed. Allied leaders needed to know if their massive bombing campaign had managed to stop the rocket attacks. The La Coupole museum is well worth a visit and brings home to us why a united Europe is so important today. St Omer is surrounded by many beautiful lakes, rivers, and canals. It is a landscape dominated by huge trees and small villages and is extremely quiet and remote. In addition to La Coupole, many other things that feature in the book are real. The tiny war cemetery on the top of a hill, the cottage, and chain ferry where Jack and Sophia lived and the cottage where Steve and Emily stayed are all real; the rest is imagination. I read many civilian recollections of the war, in and around St Omer, and hope that it showed the resilience and bravery required by ordinary people to survive in a country that was occupied by a ruthless army.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, being retired means that I have plenty of time for writing, Also, working so many years in marketing and advertising taught me that deadlines have to be met, no matter what time of day or night.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Graham Green, Eric Ambler, Len Deighton, John le Carrie, Raymond Chandler, Lee Child, and many more.

What are you working on now?
I am just finishing my next book. It is a historical adventure thriller set in the UK, North Dakota, and the Florida Keys. It should be nearing publishing in about six months. For some reason, I feel uncomfortable if I don’t have a book nearing its first draft when I’ve just published my current book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t have a great deal of expertise in Book marketing yet. I have read a lot about it and tried several different things but can’t say that I know the answer to this question at the moment.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to be a good writer, read good books. I read that advice somewhere, and I have generally followed it. The big selling authors who go on getting best-sellers would seem to be the ones to learn from.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I can’t really think of any single thing. I’ve had so much good advice. I just wish I had acted on some of it!

What are you reading now?
I am 80% through the complete works of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It has taken me over three months but has been worth it. It is surprising that the English language has changed so little in one hundred years. You come across words that have dropped out of use, but it’s enjoyable finding out their meanings and sometimes how much these have changed.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Write another historical thriller.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
It’s too late for me now, but the complete works of Sherlock Holmes would have been ideal!

Author Websites and Profiles
Ian Wright Amazon Profile

Ian Wright’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Arthur Crandon 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former lawyer who managed to escape to write. I have two published books now with more on the way.
Born in the UK, I have worked and lived in the UK, The Philippines and Hong Kong, but I currently live in the UK with my wife and young son. I have an M.A. in creative writing which was an amazing course – thoroughly enjoyed it.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My Latest Book is Deadly Election, a crime thriller based on events in the Philippines. It is a lawless country with unbridled corruption. Living in the Philippines for a foreigner is a bit like living in the ‘Wild West’.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the popular novels, and read Dan Brown, John Grisham, and Stephen King. My interest in writing was sparked when I was young and read the Tales of Narnia series, by C.S.Lewis – it was spellbinding – I recommend these books to all children learning to read and appreciate books.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a sequel to Deadly Election, it’s called Final Vengeance and also set in the Philippines – we meet Paul McCain again – a retired US Marine who gets into many tight corners, but again comes out on top.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Bookbub and Amazon Marketing Service seem to work best, but my own website is getting busier also.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s difficult to earn a living at writing – it’s taken me six years. Write for love. If you start to earn money – good for you. Take lot’s of advice from successful peers – you’re going to need it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.”
― Stephen King.

What are you reading now?
In one sitting, by Dan Brown

What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing, more marketing, turning my books into Audio Books

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Lord of the Rings, Tale of two Cities, Les Miserable – all books I want to read but have not yet got around to.

Author Websites and Profiles
Arthur Crandon Website
Arthur Crandon Amazon Profile

Arthur Crandon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Phillip Reed 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written and illustrated 3 children’s picture books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Kookie Koala and the Problem – A hilarious rhyming children’s picture book about taking responsibility and problem solving

It was inspired by the thought, “What if the word PROBLEM, was auto-logical and was really a problem. Problems can be overwhelming at any age, with people choosing to ignore them, hide them, or blame other people.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The most exciting aspect to me is writing the story and making the rhyming fit in with the narrative. I often sit and write them in a single day. I challenged a friend to give me 3 words and I would make them into a story. They gave me bully, lion and hospital water jug (I’m not sure they actually like me ). This story took me 6 hours to write and became Wild Woolly.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Because I like to complete the writing and illustrating aspects quickly, I use a simple style for the images. I am influenced by Dr Seuss style of writing and Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) for the illustrating.

What are you working on now?
The sequel to Kookie Koala and the Problem. entitled Kookie Koala and the Pack of Lies, another auto-logical adventure where this time Kookie tells a lie, which manifests itself as the word “LIE” and how when you tell one it leads to another and then another until you have a whole pack of them.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
At the moment I am building my social media presence which I believe is the most effective method of promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
You can’t fail if you don’t give up!

What are you reading now?
My favourite children’s book on wordplay – The Phantom Tollbooth.by Norton Juster

What’s next for you as a writer?
I have published 3 books since August last year, (while also working full time). I am continuing to be a prolific children’s writer and promote myself as a brand in the hope that one day I will be recognised as a household name. – Even if it’s in my household or maybe even street

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 Phantom Tollbooth
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Author Websites and Profiles
Phillip Reed Amazon Profile

Phillip Reed’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account

Anna Skoyles 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My stories are fun and magical with positive messages, mostly for children but adults also enjoy them too. I like writing stories that will entertain, uplift and inspire.

Most of my stories include animals. I’ve written two novels for children, a picture book and several short stories, some of my short stories have been published in Your Cat magazine in the UK.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I can think of!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Roald Dahl. I enjoyed his books as a child because of their humour and fun.

What are you working on now?
Marketing my books!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write regularly.

What are you reading now?
This interview!

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d love to see my stories made in to films. I’m working on the screenplay adaptations. Any production companies out there interested, please get in touch!

Author Websites and Profiles
Anna Skoyles Website

Anna Skoyles’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Lisa Beth Darling 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
To date, I am the author of 17 novels and short stories that are currently available for purchase. Over the course of my life, I have written more than 30 novels and some 50 short stories.
I am 53 years-old, the mother of two adult daughters, grandmother to one, and wife to my husband, Roy, for the last 34 years. I live and write in my hometown of New London, CT.

I began my writing career in the 4th grade when the class was given its first-ever Creative Writing assignment. I put pencil to paper and was instantly transported to a place I knew that I would never want to leave. I have been publishing my works since 7th grade.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening and photography as well as cooking and baking. I also enjoy helping other authors bring their works to the world stage.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The last published book of mine is “Prodigal Son” the last installment in the Sister Christian series. As to inspiration, it doesn’t come from me, it comes from The Muse. When he taps me on the shoulder, no matter what he’s got in mind for a story, it’s time to get to work.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to have my ritual items around me; coffee, incense, candles, and classic rock on the old iTunes.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, VC Andrews, Mary Higgins Clark, Shana Carroll, Harold Robins, and Jacqueline Susann were my big influences. My writing style is a big mash-up of all of them.

What are you working on now?
My upcoming book is entitled “South of Eden”. It’s a love story between Lucifer and Eve….yes, from the Bible but it’s my take on it. In the book Eden is dying and it’s up to Lucifer to take his ‘old job back’ in an attempt to save it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I took a two year break from promotion as it was taking up all of my time and the act of selling quickly made the act of writing no longer enjoyable. Now that I’m writing again it’s time to get my name and my books out there so people can find them. I wish I could say there was magick site out there for this but there isn’t, not even paid sites. I just keep trying, that’s all.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love. Write what you know. Write for yourself. Write for the love of writing. Most of all, don’t give up on yourself. The goal shouldn’t be sales it should be personal fulfillment.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you love it keep doing it no matter who tries to tell you otherwise.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Just getting all of my ducks in a row again, sprucing up my website, pulling all of my books out of Kindle Unlimited and getting back up on Nook, Kobo, Google, and the like. I’m trying to get active on social media, which I don’t really like. I love Facebook and my personal blog. While I have Twitter and a new Instagram account I’m not very good at them. So I’ll just keep on doing what I do until Lucifer and Eve are ready to be revealed to the world.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“The Stand”-Stephen King. “Flowers in the Attic”-VC Andrews. “Where Are the Children”-Mary Higgins Clark

Author Websites and Profiles
Lisa Beth Darling Website
Lisa Beth Darling Amazon Profile

Lisa Beth Darling’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Michelle Edwards 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Written and published six so far. I currently have three on pre-order with two more coming this year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Whiskey & Orange Slices is my newest upcoming release. As for what inspired me, I was just watching an old television show and thought that it would be cool if the senator was a vampire. And well that just took off.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to have earbuds in my ears. Music or sound doesn’t even have to come out of them, I just need them in my ears.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
J.R. Ward has been a big inspiration for me to actually get my books going. I love her Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on book four the final book in my Hunting the Night series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook so far. It’s where I spend most of my time when I’m not writing.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. So many people say that, but it’s true. I’ve been writing since I was young, and it’s taken a while, but once you publish that first book, you will want more.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t edit while writing. I never understood that until I was on a deadline! Lol.

What are you reading now?
I JUST got Drumroll for Dallas by Erin Lee. So I’m starting that.

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books! I also plan to attend some book signings in the next year or so. And tons of travel! I bring some of my books and they travel the world getting a photo in different Caribbean ports!

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
A Warrior’s Soul – My book.
Lover Eternal – J.R. Ward
The Wednesday Letters – Jason F. Wright
Doppelgangers – Erin Lee & Lorah Jaiyn

Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Edwards Website
Michelle Edwards Amazon Profile

Michelle Edwards’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Dave Pasquantonio 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a freelance writer and editor, and I’m a mentor to pre-published and established authors. “The Matildas” is my first published novel, and I have published several short stories in various journals.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Matildas” is a speculative mystery–just a little suspension of disbelief for the premise. Although I’ve never worked in an office with a portal to a parallel Earth, I’d love to! The idea came to me several years ago, and I ran with it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have no writing desk–I’m training myself to write anywhere at any time!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors like John Sandford, Janet Evanovich, and Elizabeth Sims influenced this book.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a few full-length works–one is about a town where every resident is a stock character, and murder ensues. Another is about a couple that meets and finally gets together 3,000 days later–their love of baseball will come into play.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I’m such a newbie that I don’t have a great way to promote my books besides word of mouth right now!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be a ruthless editor. And if editing is not your thing, then work with an editor who will be ruthless and honest. Writing is rewriting.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As far as writing goes, any author who stresses that story is about character.

What are you reading now?
I immerse myself in genre fiction, because I prefer my reading to be fun and escapist. Right now I’m reading Mark Dawson’s “The Assassin”.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will continue to plug away at these full-length works, along with short stories. My wheelhouse is the weird and wacky premise. Plenty of those to go around!

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?
“Security” by Gina Wohlsdorf; “Le Morte D’Arthur” by Thomas Malory; “History of Rock” by Mark Paytress

Author Websites and Profiles
Dave Pasquantonio Website
Dave Pasquantonio Amazon Profile

 

Aditya kanojia 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Only one but planning to launch 2 more books in 2 months and one of them is really gonna be awesome

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
SPACE TIME UNIVERSE, I LOVE SPACE AND I AM ALSO A PHYSICIST WHOSE DREAM IS TO WIN A NOBEL PRIZE

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I WRITE ACCORDING TO MY EMOTIONS, EVERYDAY I SEE SOMETHING NEW AND WRITE IT INTO MY NOTEBOOK

What authors, or books have influenced you?
MANY AUTHORS INCLUDING PLATO, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ALBERT EINSTIEN, SIR FRANKL

What are you working on now?
SOME SPACE MISSIONS THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING IN SCIENCE

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
THIS IS MY FIRST PROMOTING SITE.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I HAVE ONLY ONE PEN AND A PAPER

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
PEOPLE DON’T READ STORIES THEY READ THE WRITER’S EMOTIONS AND IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE THAT PASSION WILL REFLECT INTO YOUR WRITING.

What are you reading now?
MAN SEARCH FOR MEANING

What’s next for you as a writer?
AFRAID OF SAYING( A BOOK ABOUT SCIENCE AND RELIGION)

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 SEARCH FOR A MEANING. THE ATOMIC HABBIT, THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING.

Author Websites and Profiles
Aditya kanojia Website
Aditya kanojia Amazon Profile

Aditya kanojia’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Serena Day 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Well, I was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1980. I’m a professional non-fiction author with a passion for creating exceptional guides centered around environmental topics, natural recipes and eco-friendly arts and crafts. I also enjoy cooking, hiking, reading and riding my electric moped around town. When it comes to my published titles, my main goal is to help readers live better lives through hands-on-learning and self-discovery. I’ve published four books on Amazon so far including: “Cooking for Kids: A Healthy Vegan Cookbook With 25 Recipes Kids Love,” and “Herbal Medicine for Everyone: The Beginner’s Guide to Healing Common Illnesses with 20 Medicinal Herbs.”

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is titled “50 Natural Lotions for Beginners: Do-It-Yourself Lotions Using All-Natural Herbs, Essential Oils and Spices” and it was inspired by the need for good guides surrounding this topic. Store bought soaps and lotions contain harmful chemicals that everyone needs to be aware of. Making soap and lotion bars at home is fun and they are vastly superior when you compare them to the ones found in stores.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, I like to keep it fun and light.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are too many to count. If I had to pick a single author that really impressed me then I’d probably go with Fyodor Dostoevsky. The book Crime and Punishment will go down in history as one of the greatest novels that was ever written.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a brand new DIY title but it’s completely top secret. If I told you, I’d have to kidnap you and put you on a desert island without a smartphone!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to use Awesome Gang! I also use GoodReads and several other highly credible services to spread the word.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would say that they should write about what they are passionate about. I’d also say that one book alone may not be enough to really break through and garner attention to your work. Focus on making several and then interconnecting them somehow for greater exposure. Once you have built up a name in a niche, it gets a lot easier!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

What are you reading now?
Currently I’m reading Of Mice and Men. I read it before when I was younger an loved it, now I’m giving it another pass to see if I glimmer anything new.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Only time will 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?
That would be difficult to narrow down but I’ll just throw a few out there.

`1.) The Prince
2.) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
3.) How to Survive on a Deserted Island
4.) Robinson Crusoe

Author Websites and Profiles
Serena Day Website
Serena Day Amazon Profile

Jacob Coldwell 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Before You Begin is the initial book that is launching my authorship. I relied heavily on an editor to help figure out the self-publishing process. This ensured the book would be written well and focused on the reader. I’ve already begun another book due out at the end of the year.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Before You Begin: How To Focus On What Matters And Get The Life You Want was inspired by the journey I took to figure out how to engage the world around me well. There is a small part about that journey, the book focuses on helping guide the reader to make significant life changes. It offers a simple framework to clarify the direction a reader wants to go.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits are normal to me…I stay consistent to end my day with a few thousand words. I try not to isolate from my family and have learned how to be in the same room writing while the family bounces around.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
James Clear, Ryder Carroll, Jay Sullivan and GK Chesterton come to mind. I enjoy their focus on the audience and clarity with the message they offer.

What are you working on now?
I am working on building a platform before the next book release. The next book is on listening and listening skills to help keep people that have good relationships from ruining them with miscommunication.

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

I am wicked “green” with finding a consistent method of promotion. I included a free email course in the book and on themountainpassway.com. I recently updated this website to be more of a landing page then traditional website.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay with the process and take a step each day to complete your project. There are many places where writing a book can feel endless, but even fine minutes a day get you closer to finishing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“but all steps are steps, and meant to be left behind”…people tend to get hung up on the value of the present moment. Each step has it’s own place and significance.

What are you reading now?
Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weilan. This is a phenomenal book to help understand the process of character creation. Even with non-fiction, there are some important concepts that will help engage readers.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Supporting other hopeful and new authors which will be part of building a platform this 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?
Simply Said by Jay Sullivan, The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll and All Is Grace by the late Brennan Manning

Author Websites and Profiles
Jacob Coldwell Website
Jacob Coldwell Amazon Profile

Jacob Coldwell’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Ania K 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am originally from Poland, but for the last 15 years have been living in the USA, currently in Santa Barbara, California. “44, Becoming Self “ is my debut novel, although I can already say there are 4 more books waiting inside of me to see the daylight:)

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is “44, Becoming Self “ and what has inspired me is my Inner Voice that was urging me to tell my story of a spiritual evolution and finding my life’s purpose.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do. When I was writing it ( almost 6 years ) I was waking up 4:30 am , every morning, meditating and writing. I believe that it was that discipline and commitment which helped me to finish it.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
To be honest I haven’t read much while I was writing, to not be influenced but rather keep my own unique voice. My favorite authors are Shakespeare, Hemingway and Neil Gaiman.

What are you working on now?
Promoting my book and building a community of readers. Also, I am preparing for the second book which will be illustrated series of books for the children.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Speak about it. Be proud of it. And share your story.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Never EVER give up on your dreams! It’s not easy but when you finish writing that book you will be so glad that you did.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everything is Possible

What are you reading now?
“The WY of Mastery”, teachings of Jesus.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Create a community of my readers who love my book and start writing the next ones, also get more ideas and visions about the bookstore that I would like to open in a few years.

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?
Any teachings of Jesus, also Louise Hay.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ania K Website

Mark Piggott 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mark Piggott, a native of Phillipsburg, N.J., enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1983, beginning a 23-year career.

He served on three aircraft carriers and various duty stations as a Navy Journalist before he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He retired from active duty in 2006.

His first novel, Forever Avalon, was published in 2009, followed by his second novel, The Dark Tides, in 2014. The Outlander War, Book Three of the Forever Avalon series from Austin Macauley Publishing was released in 2020. He is currently working on the fourth book in the Forever Avalon series, The Prometheus Engine and a new fantasy/adventure series, The Last Magus.

He and his wife, Georgiene, live in Alexandria, Virginia. They have three children.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Outlander War, the third book in my fantasy series, Forever Avalon. This book is the culmination of more than 20 years of writing into this series. I think a lot of the inspiration for this book came from my 23 years of service in the U.S. Navy. I always wanted to put modern military against medieval magic and see who comes out on top. I think the answer will surprise you.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
A lot of my writing comes from my dreams, and I translate that into my stories. It’s been a that way for all of my novels.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I think my biggest influence was Michael Moorcock and the Elric series. Those books showed me that fantasy doesn’t have to stick to the norms of the classic fantasy genre, like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. You can go anywhere you want in fantasy.

What are you working on now?
I am editing my fourth book in the Forever Avalon series, The Prometheus Engine, and the first book in a new fantasy series, The Last Magus. The Prometheus Engine continues the series into the next trilogy of the world of Forever Avalon. The Last Magus is the story of a man who is both warrior and mage and his journey into his new life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Hootsuite.com is a lifesaver for me. It allows me to plan out my social media for a week at a time. Also, bookbrush.com makes it easy for me to create ads and promotion images very easily.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to be an author, you have to be in it for the long haul. Success doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time. And lastly, watch your finances. I know the old adage is “you have to spend money to make money” but don’t go overboard.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever got was “spellcheck is not your friend” and it’s not. You can’t rely on a machine to catch every spelling and grammar error.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Prism City by LK Weir, a scifi novel, and Michael Moorcock, The Dragon in the Sword. It’s one of his eternal champion books I found at a book sale.

What’s next for you as a writer?
After I get through editing my latest two novels, I need to finish book 5 of the Forever Avalon series. Its tentatively titled Ragnarok Dawn.

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 Martian by Andy Weir; The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien; and The Bible, for guidance, inspiration, and faith respectively.

Author Websites and Profiles
Mark Piggott Website
Mark Piggott Amazon Profile

Mark Piggott’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Christy Cooper-Burnett 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a California based author with my debut novel, No Way Home, slated for release on July 16 with Black Rose Writing.
No Way Home is the first book I’ve written, so no one was more surprised than me when I received multiple offers to publish. It was a dream come true!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
No Way Home is a character driven time travel adventure. I had a very vivid dream about a woman trapped in the past and her struggle to get home. The dream stayed with me for a few days, and the more I thought about it, the more intrigued I was with the potential storyline.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits are a bit all over the place! I outline the basic plot very loosely, then let the subplots materialize as I write. I also make handwritten notes in a notebook, old school style, as ideas come to me. For my latest book I wrote a dream sequence first, and then started the first chapter.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a voracious reader, and I have been since I can remember. I’ve discovered some great authors recently, John Hazen (Dear Dad, A Novel), Brendan Walsh (The Century’s Scribe), Freida McFadden (The Ex, The Surrogate Mother, and many others). I have read Justin Cronin’s and William R. Forstchen’s books more than once (I went through a long dystopian, survival phase!) I find inspiration from almost everything I read, to be honest.

What are you working on now?
I have just finished my second novel, Finding Home. It is the second book in my series of time travel adventures. I hope to have it polished and out by the end of the year.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I believe that social media is a major player for an emerging author. Facebook, twitter and Instagram are all great ways to get your book and name out there. However, sites like Awesome gang, who allow readers to discover new indie books, are invaluable. Readers want a more personal experience with an author, and reader recommendations are important.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would tell a new author to whatever they must to stay positive and motivated. Believe in yourself. Rejection is part of the process, but do not allow it to drive your attitude. Someone wants to read what you have to say.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A fellow author told me to write the book I want to read. Be true to myself and write what I want, not what I think someone wants to read. An author writes because they must, because it is a part of who they are. Stay true to that.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading two books. One a historical fiction, The McCarron’s daughter Sharon K. Middleton, and the other a thriller, Verity, by Coleen Hoover.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As I mentioned, I have just completed my second novel in my series, so I will be editing and polishing that. After that, I have a third book for the series in mind that I will start research 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?
Oh, this is a great question. They would have to be Justin Cronin’s series, The Passage, The Twelve, and The City of Mirrors. I would also take John Hazen’s Dear Dad, because I loved it so much.

Author Websites and Profiles
Christy Cooper-Burnett Website
Christy Cooper-Burnett Amazon Profile

Christy Cooper-Burnett’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

J.R. Jackson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former US Navy Chief Petty Officer who caught the bug to become an author. So far, I’ve written 10 books, all within the apocalyptic genre.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Fire Storm. It was inspired by the rest of the series and continues the story line and character arcs introduced in previous books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing really comes to mind. However, I do have a tendency to drink lots of Pepsi, eat Jack Link’s beef jerky and listen to eclectic music while writing. Nothing beats Weird Al and Gregorian chants coupled with some Warren Zevon.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors that have influenced me are Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, John Ringo, and Lee Child. All their works are incredible. I can’t think of one specific book that influenced me, I’ve read quite a bit.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a different book and stepping away from the apocalyptic genre to see if I can do something else. I tell the wife I’m writing some trashy, paranormal romance novel, but she knows I’m kidding.

Or am I?

Seriously, I’m not writing a trashy, paranormal romance novel. Honest. I’m not.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve tried some methods that could have worked, but there was no real way to gauge reactions/response. What seems to work is posting on social media. I know, how contrived. It works for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you know. If you get stuck in some scene, put down some basics then go back and fill in the details. If you can’t find the info you’re looking for, network with other authors or try talking to some readers. You’d be amazed what some readers can come up with. I’ve had readers contact me and ask about something and damn, if it wasn’t good idea.

If all that doesn’t work, research your ass off so you at least sound like you know what you’re talking about.

Find a good editor and hang onto them. Don’t ever think you don’t need an editor. Also cultivate some beta readers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A winner never quits, a quitter never wins.

What are you reading now?
The Road to Damascus by John Ringo

What’s next for you as a writer?
The next stage for me is to move into doing commercials for American Express, shaving cream, beer, and fast cars. What more is there in life?

On a more serious note, what’s next is to branch out into a couple other genres and see what happens.

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?
Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan. The original novel of Swiss Family Robinson (its about 1800 pages).

Author Websites and Profiles
J.R. Jackson Website
J.R. Jackson Amazon Profile

J. J. Cunis 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have lived year round on the Cape since 1984. However, according to local customs, only my daughter can be considered a native Cape Codder. I have engaged in numerous occupations and activities from paperboy, to bag boy, to laborer, to metal fabricator, to bank examiner, to CFO, to COO, to ghost youth sports writer, to entrepreneur, to movie extra, while writing along the way. My roots were in Marlboro, MA and I’ve been replanted in Boston, Washington DC, New York, San Juan, Houston and finally Cape Cod where I expect to remain firmly planted barring any climatic catastrophes … knock on wood. ‘ITCHIWAN’ is my first published novel and it’s a dozy!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘ITCHIWAN’! I became the controller and ultimately the COO of New Seabury working for the Chace family in the eighties. They liked my writing style and had me do the copy for their 25th anniversary magazine documenting the history of their development and the surrounding area. Doing this I found a book written in 1934 called “The Narrow Land” by Elizabeth Renyard. Part of it chronicled Wampanoag legends as told to her by a Chief Wixon. She also spoke of the Screecham sisters, Witch Pond and Sam Bellamy to name a few. Through her I found Pukwudgees and asked “What if … ?” The result …
Four wise-ass, foul mouth, but lovable thirteen year old boys … with backgrounds of South Boston Irish, upper class WASP, local townie Wampanoag Indian twins … unending summers on Cape Cod … a mysterious long buried portal through time … a mesmerizing rumored witch … a resurrected deadly Wampanoag legend thought to be only a fairy tale to keep children close to home … Hey, what’s the worst that could happen?

Ehh … mayhem, horror, tragedy, romance, laughter, suspense and non-stop thrills. Buckle up for one of the most enjoyable rides of your life and a cast of characters you’ll never forget.
Miss that queasy feeling interrupted by sporadic humor? It’s time to get it back! Enjoy being embraced in a story that you won’t want to let go.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Maybe. What does everyone else do? I write when the spirit moves me. Mostly after supper, sometimes till after the clock strikes 12. Sometimes in bed before sleep, something hits and I write it down or else it will be gone.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I started on Poe, Tolkien, Vonnegut, Kesey, Heller, Irving and Clavell. Then there was McMurtry, Hiaasen and Lehane. The two most influential though were Douglas Adams and Stephen King. I happened to meet Stephen in 1986. We both had just got off the same plane and were standing next to each other in the car rental line at Orlando. All we talked about the Red Sox and Disneyworld. I did get him to sign a hardcover of Skeleton Crew which I happened to be reading on the plane.

What are you working on now?
I got two novels in the oven. One is the sequel to ‘Itchiwan’ tentatively called ‘Pukwudgees’.
The other, which is farther along, I’m calling “Did You Say Something?” the main characters are ‘Joe’ and his conscience ‘Ricky the Roach’. Envision a wise ass Jiminy Cricket.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hoping it’s going to be Awesome Gang. I’m an amateur at this publishing/marketing gig. Yesterday, I set up a fictitious publishing arm called Nutsak & Johnson. I named myself Principal. Here’s the description I posted for my new venture in LinkedIn –
Esoteric self-publishing and promotional services for discerning clients between the hours of 11AM and 1PM on alternating Wednesdays (Bavarian and Moravian observed holidays excluded). Clients include J.J. Cunis, noted novelist and Chuckles the Juggling Hamster. Request an appointment by picking up and completing an ARVW-z2468 form at any nearby Howard Johnson’s.
Everything is so serious in the business world, I thought I’d lighten things up.
Other than that I’ve been doing posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I’m bound to get myself in trouble on Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
No matter how you feel – your first draft is unreadable to others. Your fingers/hand couldn’t keep up with your brain. Even when you re-read your mind sees the story happening but that’s not necessarily what’s written on the page. Re-write again and again. Then get an editor or meticulous proof reader. Your story is unreadable from an editorial stand point by you. However, you’ve birthed your baby! You just have to clean it up.
Other than that, read ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King no matter what your genre or categorical box is.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t Panic!” courtesy of Douglas Adams. It’s served me well in my life. He also said “Always bring a towel.” I found that one handy but it wouldn’t make the top twenty.

What are you reading now?
‘The Institute’ by Stephen King. ‘Welcome to the Monkey House’ by Kurt Vonnegut is on deck. This one caught my attention while doing a book signing at a library.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Beside the two novels mentioned? As an Indie, writing endless copy trying to draw people into reading my book. Making goofy little promo films and learning about this publishing business.

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 is it always ‘desert’ island? Do I get a supply of paper and pens? I’m no professor from Gilligan’s Island and can’t craft my own.
I think these four would keep me busy after hunting and gathering – The Bible, The Quran, The Buddhist Bible assembled by Dwight Goddard and The Vedas. I haven’t read any of them. I don’t believe in religion but do believe in God (that’s what 12 years of parochial school will do to you). The authors of these collective works essentially empowered men (key word men, definitely a major problem) to dictate and control the vast majority of the human race and empower institutions (not so much the latter two volumes, but those civilizations are much older). They make Hitler’s Mein Kampf and Karl Marx’s Das Capital look like Little Golden Books in comparison.

Author Websites and Profiles
J. J. Cunis Website
J. J. Cunis Amazon Profile

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

Brett Crouse 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Heya, I’m Brett! I’ve recently finished my first written work. An oeuvre is to follow.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My poetry collection is entitled raw AF – poems: sex drugs beauty madness.
It’s a collection of 200 poems, spanning 9 thematic sections, taking readers through dreams, reality, art mediums, relationships, music, psychedelics, and a whole lot more along the way.

It was inspired by my life experiences and those of others. It’s told with a vulnerable intimacy to the beat of a tune, and doesn’t let up for even a moment.

Perhaps this ‘about poem’ puts it best:

raw AF is a poetry collection vividly
depicting intricate moments
of the human experience

elements ranging from
sex relationships heartbreak loss addiction
intense violence drugs alcohol abuse severe
depression mental illness and suicide
are at the forefront of this poetry experience

brilliant spectrums paint naked flesh & canvas
ink spills a black deluge upon pages
a photographer’s lens focuses
upon many characters
bokeh luminescent

unrefined verses deliver emotive stories in
raw, aggressive lines

a poem forms the title, so titles come alive at a poem’s end

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As opposed to normal writing habits!? Uh, yeah. I’d say I’ve got a few odd tendencies when it comes to writing.

I almost exclusively write to music. I write to beats, not lyrics. Sometimes tuning to just the right song or playlist on Spotify is the difference between engaging in a prolific writing session or scrambling between old notes and IG models. I’ve played the same songs upwards of 50 to 70 times in a row to stay in the vibes I needed for a piece. When I write, there’s a constant symphony playing. As long as I can find a good beat, I don’t have to stare at a blank page.

Striking the perfect balance of cannabis & coffee will keep me writing for hours.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
George Carlin’s Napalm & Silly Putty has always been an inspiration for me.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working formatting raw AF for a paperback & newsprint typography edition, as well as the follow-up to raw AF, which will be called raw beauty.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, the original and altered title of my book has made it difficult to promote. You can f*ck, say f*ck, write f*ck, read f*ck, though you can’t advertise or abbreviate f*ck. Go f*cking figure.

We’ll get there, but for the moment I’m out of f*cks to give on traditional paid promotion channels.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stop writing simple shit. There’s this firmly held belief that dumbing down your work appeals to readers. Writers have a responsibility to raise the bar, not dumb down society because an article said it’s trendy.

A successful author platform is the sum of literally several hundreds, if not thousands of intricate parts. In other words, writing a book is the easy part.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Fail fast. Fail often.

What are you reading now?
I bounce between books a lot. Currently reading:

How to Day Trade for a Living: Tools, Tactics, Money Management, Discipline and Trading Psychology – Andrew Aziz

The New Clean – Jon Sands

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom – Don Miguel Ruiz

What’s next for you as a writer?
Being grounded in the present, while writing about the future.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
– Quadrivium: The Four Classical Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music, & Cosmology

– The Entire Oxford English Dictionary

– The 13 1/2 Live of Captain Bluebear – Walter Moers

– Napalm & Silly Putty – George Carlin

Author Websites and Profiles
Brett Crouse Website
Brett Crouse Amazon Profile

Brett Crouse’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

J.R. Jackson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a former US Navy Chief Petty Officer who caught the bug to become an author. So far, I’ve written 10 books, all within the apocalyptic genre.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Fire Storm. It was inspired by the rest of the series and continues the story line and character arcs introduced in previous books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nothing really comes to mind. However, I do have a tendency to drink lots of Pepsi, eat Jack Link’s beef jerky and listen to eclectic music while writing. Nothing beats Weird Al and Gregorian chants coupled with some Warren Zevon.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors that have influenced me are Tom Clancy, Michael Crichton, John Ringo, and Lee Child. All their works are incredible. I can’t think of one specific book that influenced me, I’ve read quite a bit.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a different book and stepping away from the apocalyptic genre to see if I can do something else. I tell the wife I’m writing some trashy, paranormal romance novel, but she knows I’m kidding.

Or am I?

Seriously, I’m not writing a trashy, paranormal romance novel. Honest. I’m not.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve tried some methods that could have worked, but there was no real way to gauge reactions/response. What seems to work is posting on social media. I know, how contrived. It works for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you know. If you get stuck in some scene, put down some basics then go back and fill in the details. If you can’t find the info you’re looking for, network with other authors or try talking to some readers. You’d be amazed what some readers can come up with. I’ve had readers contact me and ask about something and damn, if it wasn’t good idea.

If all that doesn’t work, research your ass off so you at least sound like you know what you’re talking about.

Find a good editor and hang onto them. Don’t ever think you don’t need an editor. Also cultivate some beta readers.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A winner never quits, a quitter never wins.

What are you reading now?
The Road to Damascus by John Ringo

What’s next for you as a writer?
The next stage for me is to move into doing commercials for American Express, shaving cream, beer, and fast cars. What more is there in life?

On a more serious note, what’s next is to branch out into a couple other genres and see what happens.

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?
Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan. The original novel of Swiss Family Robinson (its about 1800 pages).

Author Websites and Profiles
J.R. Jackson Website
J.R. Jackson Amazon Profile

Sean Woodward 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a science fiction and esoteric writer, having published a number of books in these fields including the acclaimed Keys to the Hoodoo Kingdom and Typhonian Rites of Amenta. My latest book, ARCHONIX: The Chronicles of Leng brings together a series of science fiction and steampunk stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
ARCHONIX: The Chronicles of Leng gathers internationally published stories and exciting new works.

The Virr came from another universe and their touch was corruption. Space withered, stars failed, civilisations were forced to migrate across the stars to a distant world known as Atlan.

In the Orion system, the technology of the Architects became infected, causing them to be exiled to the cold world of Leng. On Earth, a secretive group known only as The Cabal have discovered remants of those technologies, such as the fabled time machine of Brompton Cemetery and are in a race to prevent the Virr from discovering that Atlan is Earth.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
William Gibson, Greg Bear, Frank Herbert, Dan Simmons, Neal Stephenson, Aleister Crowley, Kenneth Grant, Michael Bertiaux.

What are you working on now?
NECRONIX, a complimentary volume to ARCHONIX and a revised edition of my 2018 hardback, Keys to the Hoodoo Kingdom.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Some say simply start writing your next book!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write, read and enjoy the adventures of your characters.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Him not busy being born, is a busy dying – Bob Dylan

What are you reading now?
William Burroughs, Naked Lunch.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Gaining traction for my new books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Voudon Gnostic Workbook by Michael Bertiaux, Dune by Frank Herbert, Neuromancer by William Gibson.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sean Woodward Website
Sean Woodward Amazon Profile

Sean Woodward’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Chandrakant Bhonsle 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born in India, I am a family lawyer and a writer. I developed a love for reading and writing at a very early age when my English teacher introduced him to the magical worlds of Shakespeare and Galsworthy. The first English novel that I ever read was Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. My English teacher had given me a assignment to prepare a book report on Robinson Crusoe. However, it was the play called Loyalties written by Nobel laureate Sir John Galsworthy which attracted me to amazing world of literature.

Growing up in a predominantly Hindi country, I was always encouraged by my father to read English books and newspapers. Hence, most of my summer holidays were full of reading English literature which I strongly believe improved by linguistic abilities in English. Every summer was spent with the writings of wonderful writers such as Harold Robbins and Paulo Coelho to name a few.

However, it was the writings of the legendary Sir P.G. Wodehouse that inspired me to take up writing. I was absolutely fascinated by some of his incredible works such as The Golden Bat and Ice in the Bedroom. The more I read Sir Wodehouse’s works, the more I was driven towards writing which led to the publication of my debut book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The World Belongs To Animals is a children’s picture book written in rhyme.

The idea for this book came when, I along with my wife, visited some of the most spectacular forests and wildlife regions across the world such as the Amazon rain forest and the wilderness of Patagonia in Argentina. We were absolutely mesmerized by the beauty of these places and came to learn about the various conservation projects which are running for the protection of the eye-catching species inhabiting these regions.

However, despite the laudable efforts of the conservationists, the animals are still struggling to fight the battle against extinction. Climate change, deforestation, poaching and habitat loss are few of the contributing factors which are proving to be detrimental to the efforts by the animal conservation activists round the globe. Well some of the animals seems to have benefited from the conservation efforts, there continues to be far more animal species whose numbers are dwindling at a rapid pace in the wild. More and more species are living under the increased threat of disappearing from the wild.

Concerned by the plight of the animals, we decided to develop this book to reintroduce some of the animals to young readers and to create an early consciousness among them towards the protection of animals. We wanted to make an attempt to appeal to the kids that animal survival is extremely important for the balance of our nature and environment. We created the book in rhyme so as to attract the kids towards conservation of animals. Animals are mostly well loved but there is a very special way in which a kid loves an animal. For a kid, an animal is not only a source of imagination but also a cherished friend. We hope that this book can engage children towards the protection of animals which the animals desperately need.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
To be honest, I have quite a few. For me, writing can come at any hour of the day. It rarely matters whether it is the middle of night, if an idea pops up in my head, I would often be in a hurry to make a note of it in a peace of paper.

My family often jokes with me that I have a friendship with pen and paper. I am often more comfortable writing in a piece of paper than typing it out in a computer or a laptop. I love to make rhymes and I earlier used to do it on the special occasions such as the birthday of a close friend but I believe writing rhymes have grown on me and whenever I am travelling, I always keep a pen and paper on hand to scribble my thoughts.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
As mentioned earlier, the writings of Sir P.G. Wodehouse have had the biggest influence on me partly because I grew up in the same sort of environment that Sir Wodehouse used to write about. I was fortunate to study in a school where I met some lovely people who continue to be my friends to this day. His books such as the Golden Bat is a tribute to high school friendship, something I have am very fond of.

Apart from Sir Wodehouse, who is the greatest literary comic genius, I was heavily inspired by Sir John Galsworthy’s “Loyalties”. Ever since I read it for the first time at the beginning of this century, I still vividly remember the dialogues and all the scenes in the play. I still have a copy of it from my school days and I have revisited it many times over. Every time I read it, it is like I am reading it for the first time.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working upon two separate projects. The first project is another child re’s picture book, which has already been picked up by a traditional publisher and the other one is my attempt at a full length novel about life in a residential school, which as is obvious by now, is inspired by the books of Sir Wodehouse.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well so far I have been incredibly supported, coached and mentored by the publicity department of my Publisher. I have developed my own website complete with the information and the trailer of the book.

Given the current difficult circumstances where it is next to impossible to speak personally with local bookstores, social media is being highly relied upon. I feel Instagram is currently a better medium than Facebook or Twitter, though if am honest, I am afraid to see I am yet to get the best hang of social media. I don’t want to spam the news feeds. as they are called, of my friends. Maybe I already have!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
One has to have an open mind about criticism. Criticism is a healthy part of any writing process. We all write our books with lots of love and tons of personal emotions. We all tend to become attached to our books and our characters and this kind of personal writing is very essential for putting thoughts to paper.

Hence, criticism enables us to gain perspective of our work as seen in the eyes of others. Most manuscripts need to be drafted again and again before it becomes a polished product. Writing query letters and receiving rejections from publishers is all part of the process which ultimately make us better writers.

We must never lose belief in our product and there are publishers out there who want to hear from a new voice and are ready to help them by providing them an ideal platform. We just need to have perseverance.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My father once advised me that worrying about the end result will go a long way in taking the fun of something we are pursuing. I have always wondered at his advise. How can I write without bearing in mind whether the book is marketable and whether it would sell? But now that my first book is published, I have realized that perhaps my father was write all along. Worrying about the success of the book will often work towards taking the enjoyment out of writing. A manuscript is bet written when the author really has a good time writing about it. The rest can work out on its own.

What are you reading now?
I am currently in the midst of reading Sir Wodehouse’s A Damsel in Distress. There is a aura of allure surrounding early literature. The way the authors used to write at that time made a huge contribution in shaping the society and dare I say civilization.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Next for me is to develop my very first novel. I think I have written a fair bit of it and I certainly aim to finish it sometime this year. Current circumstances have definitely given me more time to write which would be difficult under normal circumstances.

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?
Definitely Sir Galsworthy’s Loyalties, which is like an oxygen for me. If I were to be marooned on an island, apart from Loyalties and Sir Wodehouse’s The Golden Bat and Ice in the Bedroom, I would also prefer Mario Puzo’s The Family.

Author Websites and Profiles
Chandrakant Bhonsle Website

Chandrakant Bhonsle’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jade Marshall 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a 34-year-old South African born author currently living in Kathu, Northern Cape. I live with my husband, a 14-year-old daughter, and 3 dogs. I am an avid reader of basically any non-fiction I can get my hands on but love romance and horror. Country music is at the top of my list although very few local artists produce that in our country. I love to bake but my cooking skills leave a lot to be desired. Although, I haven’t killed anyone yet so I think I am improving.
The Wolf is my first novel of a planned 5 in the Gypsy Bastard MC series. It took me about 4 years to get it done and in the process drove everyone around me a little crazy

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My Latest (and only published book at the moment) is The Wolf. It was inspired by the men I grew up around, whether they were family or friends. All my life I have been surrounded in one form by bikes and bikers my entire life. The first time I went on a bike ride I was 10 years old and clinging to my uncle as his Harley sped through town. It was the most freeing and exhilarating feeling ever. I was also taught the 3 fundamentals from a very young age. LHR – loyalty, honor, and respect and try to get that through in all of my books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I actually worry about this. I have met many like-minded people on my journey and have a lot of support. Most have a structure or format they use to get through their writing. I don’t write alone or in solitude. Mostly I write while my husband plays Xbox or watches tv. I also don’t write every day, but whenever the itch hits me to get my thoughts out.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The first book I ever read was by Stephen King and I was hooked. I didn’t want to write horror but I wanted to be a world builder, an escape artist, and an illusionist. Through the years I have read and been inspired by many depending on the genre. But my top authors are Stephen King, Julie Kagawa, Danielle Steel, Meghan March, Willow Winter and lately AE Murphy and Bella J

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am halfway done with my first draft of The Pope, which is book 2 in the Gypsy Bastards MC Series. Though this will probably take another month and at least 6 rounds of editing between myself and my editor before preorders can start I am looking forward to releasing it

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I actually don’t do as much promotion as I am sure I should be doing. Basically its just my social media (Facebook and Instagram) and dedicated website

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Reviewers (not your family and friends) will be your greatest supporters. Don’t be afraid, get your work out there and get it reviewed. Most are bluntly honest and even if you arent happy with the feedback you can always use it as motivation. Build relationships with your reviewers!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Revise and resubmit. This works for most things in life, not just books. If it doesn’t work out the first time don’t just stop, get up, get dressed, go through your work, fix the problems and try again

What are you reading now?
Oh my. when I’m not writing I read about a book every two days. with that said authors that can always be found in my TBR include Alexa Riley, Sam Crescent, Bella J, Willow Winters, JOhn Grisham, Wilbur Smith, and AM Madden

What’s next for you as a writer?
More of the Gypsy Bastards MC Series. I have 5 books all mapped out in my head including conversations, arguments, and even set changes (LOL).but after that I have no idea. Might be working on an idea for a supernatural romance series after that. that is if there aren’t any more books that pop up along the way

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 -Queen of the damned
Willow Aster – True love story
John Grisham – A painted house
Stephen King – Pet semetary
and if I can squeeze one more in, Wilbur Smith – Elephant song

Author Websites and Profiles
Jade Marshall Website

Jade Marshall’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Maggie Plummer 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a multi-genre novelist based in northwest Montana (USA), with four published novels under my belt. The first two are historical fiction set in the 1650s, dealing with the issue of Irish slavery. The second two are Books One and Two of my semi-autobiographical Jessie Morgan Series, set in the 1970s. When I’m not writing, I’m usually loving up my sweet black lab, growing container tomatoes, hanging out with friends, making blender salsa, or going camping.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is WEBS IN THE MIST: The Jessie Morgan Series, Book 2. This novel was inspired by my own years in San Francisco, 1972 to 1976, and continues the story of young Jessie Morgan – a clove-chewing, fiery Bohemian who wears cedar oil as perfume and will never be mellow enough to be a true hippie. Gee, that’s funny: that sounds like how I was in the early 70s!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so, except for the fact that I write in my recliner, usually with my feet up. I just have never found a desk chair that is truly comfortable.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say women authors have influenced me the most. The early works of Barbara Kingsolver and Toni Morrison impressed me and left some marks. Anne Tyler, Anna Quindlen, Annie Proulx. All these Anns… One of my all-time favorite novels, besides TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, is SINS OF THE SEVENTH SISTER: A Novel Based on a True Story of the Gothic South by Huston Curtiss.

What are you working on now?
I have just released WEBS IN THE MIST, so now I’m working on promoting that, getting the word out about it. Once I’ve thoroughly launched it, I’ll begin working on Book 3 of The Jessie Morgan Series.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really do love Awesome Gang, especially the way Vinnie provides lists of additional book promotion sites where new releases and discounted books can be submitted for free. I’m a Vinnie fan!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes.
Be true to yourself.
Don’t expect to get rich publishing novels, but have fun with it.
Have your manuscripts thoroughly edited and proofread before publishing them.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I love this quote by Henry David Thoreau, which applies now more than ever:

“Our life is twittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.”

What are you reading now?
I’ve been enjoying Keith Richards’ autobiography, LIFE.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I need to get Books 3 and 4 of The Jessie Morgan Series written and published. After that, I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll publish my short stories and my poetry. (Did I just say that??)

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee.
SINS OF THE SEVENTH SISTER by Huston Curtiss.
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT by Norman Maclean.
and
ANIMAL DREAMS by Barbara Kingsolver.

Author Websites and Profiles
Maggie Plummer Website
Maggie Plummer Amazon Profile

Maggie Plummer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Lori Barrett 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a published Amazon Best Selling Author of If Not Now, Then When? Live the Best of Your Life For the Rest of Your Life by Reaching Towards Your Passion and Purpose. Some former publications include a poem, A Kaleidoscope of My Expectations, and an article in the Christian magazine, WHOA. The article is Finding Honor in the Face of Alzheimer’s Disease. I am an expert in my field. A transformational life coach, motivational speaker, and blogger. I am the Founder & President of Lori Barrett Enterprises, LLC. I have over 35 years of experience with families & ministry. I currently live outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
If Not Now, Then When? Live the Best of Your Life For the Rest of Your Life by Reaching Towards Your Passion and Purpose. The inspiration came after years and years of going around the same mountain to only end up frustrated and stuck in my career and lifestyle. I needed and wanted a lifestyle change. That change came from following my passion and purpose.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do most of my writing while the tv is on. I’m not watching it. For some reason it acts as a buffer for my brain by canceling out other noise/distractions and helps me to concentrate better. My writing flows for me. It sounds strange, I know, but it works for me.

I also keep a pen that lights up by my bedside with a blank ledger so that when I wake up with a thought on my mind, I can just jot it down. The lighted pen works well as not to wake up my husband by turning the lamp on.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are many! Here’s the top 5:
1) The Bible
2) Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
3) Gillie, A Retrospective Biography of MacGill Mackill by my father, Robert Leonard Peterman
4) Anything Jane Austen
5) Soar by T.D. Jakes

What are you working on now?
An On-line Virtual Summit for the Fall of 2020.

My coaching program.

Video Challenge

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon.com, (author central page) social media, and my website, www.lifestyleswithpurpose.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it & don’t give up. Write what you’re passionate about. It keeps it interesting. When you get frustrated (and you will at times), or if you are prone to writer’s block, walk away and take a 30 minute break. Either stretch, take a walk, do yoga, really anything that gets your mind off of it for a while. Then when you come back, you’re refreshed!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“When you become who you were meant to be, you will set the world on fire.”
—St. Catherine of Siena—

What are you reading now?
1) The truth about forever – Sarah Dessen
2) Re-reading, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m thinking about writing another self-help book at some point, but I leaning more towards a children’s book & a novel possibly first (in that order).

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
Pride & Prejudice
My current book!
Hinds Feet on High Places

Author Websites and Profiles
Lori Barrett Website
Lori Barrett Amazon Profile

Lori Barrett’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Tabitha Womack 

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

My name is Tabitha Womack

I’m currently working on my 5th book.

I’ve always had a vivid imagination and a desire to pull people from their own minds and submerge them into a world of my making. I’ve been a performer, a painter and an author in some form my entire life.
I have a new series being released on June 1st. Its titled:

Science Meet God

In 2014 I had spinal surgery after four years of horrible Mobility. I have fibromyalgia and a degenerative bone disease. As joint’s fail they need replacing or injections.

It is a very scary very depressing disorder.

I was in my bed for months afterward feeling of a slow and painful. Thankfully,I had a husband that took very good care of me. What does with all the experiences we can let it make us better or bitter. I chose to create.

I’m writing a series for young adults with a new kind of heroine. With so many teen books and movies about vampires, witches and things…why not write about God magic? Sound funny?

Well, it’s an oversimplification. But the star of the series is a soldier in God’s army. She fights by tapping into the “magic” of creation and destruction. God magic.

We label stuff so that we can wrap our minds around things.

God exist outside the dimensionality of time, space and matter. Human beings are only aware of 11 dimensions and we can’t grasp the majority of them.

But this series will hopefully captivate the teen imagination and feed them scripture at the same time. I have four grown kids. Part of me wishes that I would have written the series earlier and gotten them involved. I watched them get into magic based kid stuff that barely had substance. Nothing about these heros taught them anything for their betterment. None of them bolstered morality. I wanted to create something that did.

Description

It’s the year 2063. A new world order has been established. It is a society where technology and humanity are symbiotic. A pretty amnesiac soldier, a street kid, an Indian chief, a tomboy mechanic and a Pastor make up a motley crew of broken souls. Scripture, semi-precious stones, scientific jargon, angels, demons, a pastor, a necklace, a journal and a broken soldier….

It’s a puzzle they had better figure out. Because demons are real and hell is coming.

I’m a strong believer in, “can’t nobody stop you but you.”

We are each responsible for our own happiness. I find happiness in the creating things.

This is my blog

https://www.facebook.com/tenaciousauthors/

In the year 1818, Kerah has inherited an Egyptian merchant business, the estate and the mines. She is plunged into an entirely new world after her charmed life is shattered by a ruthless betrayal.

After a tremendous loss and violent storm at sea, she finds herself at the mercy of a charismatic and handsome foreigner. The Scotsman is determined to keep her by his side. She has other plans.

Circumstances dictate that she must accompany strangers to Scotland.

Kerah finds herself completely out of her element and unexpectedly surrounded by blood and death. She must battle her way through the unknown at every turn. Desire collides with duty in this unique tale of historical intrigue.

This book is a compilation of a three-book series. It is action-packed and fast-paced. It’s a diamond in the rough. Romance is a broad genre, but it’s never been done like this before.
I have someone that was willing to edit it for me. Shes still working on it. Forgive the format weirdness and whatever. My laptop is ancient and glitchy. But I couldn’t let that stop me. Would you help give this traction?

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
See above

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I people watch for character development

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts & Iris Johanson

What are you working on now?
Science Meet God

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Dont let anyone tell you that you cant do it. Dont give up.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everybody wants to wear the crown until they discover how heavy it is. And you cant be a diamond unless you’re willing to get cut.

What are you reading now?
I read the works of other new authors. I feature a couple newbies every so often on my blog. We’re on the same team so we’ve gotta stick together.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I refuse to believe that you can only be successful if you have the capital and social connections. I have to believe that the underdog can claw her way to the top, against the odds.

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 lion the witch and the wardrobe, lord of the rings, the illiad and the odyssey.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tabitha Womack Website
Tabitha Womack Amazon Profile

Tabitha Womack’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Jarred Stanton 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been writing since my sophomore year of high school, I’m 23 now. I’ve written 6 books to date with a 7th in the works right now. I’m a former athlete turned coach. I’m very active in the community and work a full time job in wastewater. I’m married to my beautiful wife Krysten. My aspirations as a writer are to become a bestseller and household name for children and adult works.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book released is “How Zoe Made Friends”. The book came to me out of my own morals to always be yourself no matter what. I believe different can be beautiful if we learn to embrace it. I feel as if we teach children early enough, it’s a love for self they’ll never forget deep down.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes don’t or can’t get in a flow for what I’m working on for long stints of time. Out of nowhere I get urges that can turn into a handful of poems or a finished book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Blake Pierce and Maya Angelou

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book called “See What I See” which is a book that will teach kids about being grateful and how to look past what other people look like, wear or like.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My only method has been social media

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t ever stop writing! Even when nobody is reading, don’t stop writing!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep going even if nobody is watching

What are you reading now?
Nothing as of now

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to try to gain exposure and keep putting out great content. Keep dreaming and one day I hope my message turns worldwide

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?
Lol that’s actually a great question I’d have to think about that

Author Websites and Profiles
Jarred Stanton Website
Jarred Stanton Amazon Profile

Adrienne Crow 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an introvert by nature, happiest when I’m spending time alone, being a hermit in a space of my own. But inside of me lurks the soul of a gypsy. So after a career in television and a stint as the co-owner of a mail-order catalog business, three years ago, I decided to pursue my lifelong ambition to travel the world and write about it, and live as a nomad for as long as I possibly can.

I have just published my first book, ‘Enchanted Summer’, and am currently “building” the story for my next book, ‘On the Way There’, as I attempt to travel the globe in this uncertain pandemic-ravaged world.

In the words of my friend Christopher from Oxford, I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on the list.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is my first book, entitled “Enchanted Summer: A Journey in the Footsteps of ‘Our Hearts Were Young and Gay’.” As the subtitle suggests, ‘Our Hearts’, my all-time favorite book, is what inspired this story.

Published in 1942, ‘Our Hearts’ recalls the true account of Cornelia Otis Skinner’s and Emily Kimbrough’s bold and brazen journey to Europe as unescorted young women in 1922.

Told in Cornelia’s marvelously witty voice, with her droll, self-deprecating humor, this book has been adored by fans ever since its publication in 1942. What makes this story especially addictive is that it is a work of non-fiction, as Cornelia and Emily attest at the beginning of the tale:

“Lest the reader should be in any doubt, we wish to state that the incidents in this book are all true and the characters completely non-fictitious.”

The first time I read Our Hearts Were Young and Gay, I was in high school. Their captivating coming-of-age story of remarkable adventures and laugh-out-loud misadventures fueled my sense of wanderlust and inspired my own travels throughout the years. And always on my sojourns, my second hand copy of ‘Our Hearts’, circa 1942, has traveled with me.

Then as luck would have it, in the summer of 2017, I had the opportunity to live every reader’s dream, and step into the pages of my dearly-loved book, brushing up against Cornelia’s and Emily’s glamorous 1920s world as I “traveled with the girls”.

Ninety-five years (almost to the day) after the girls made their journey, I followed in their footsteps, recreating their travels, seeing those sights they marveled at, discovering what of their world still exists, and I wrote about what I learned from their journey, all while having my own set of bizarre, joyful and downright embarrassing experiences.

In short, it was a fascinating time, a glorious adventure — truly enchanted days.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I would love to claim to have any writing habits at all! I write more “term-paper” style, going for long stretches without touching the keyboard, then holing up for marathon writing sessions (as in weeks), where I stay in the same clothes for days at a time and stop showering. It’s pretty unseemly, but the process seems to be what works for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Erik Larson’s ‘The Devil in the White City’ is one of the most sizzling, beautifully-crafted books I’ve ever read. My galpal Cornelia Otis Skinner’s ‘Madame Sarah’ is the best biography I’ve ever read. And Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ showed me it’s possible to write a personal travel memoir that is compelling, relatable, and even inspiring.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one other author: Tom Fremantle. His books recounting his Indiana Jones-like adventures around the world are what gave me the idea for ‘Enchanted Summer’. And it is to his book, ‘The Road to Timbuktu’ which I owe a debt of gratitude for serving as a guidepost when it came to putting to paper the tale of my summer with the girls.

What are you working on now?
My second book, ‘On The Way There’. It began life last summer as ‘A Twirl Around the World’, with the idea being that I would use dance as a way to immerse myself in a culture, and get to know a place and its people. What I felt would make it an interesting story is that I am a terrible dancer.

But then sometimes life gets in the way. This single, nomadic, “International Woman of Mystery” wannabe, met someone in my travels that made me consider recalibrating my plans. Then the worldwide pandemic hit, and like for everyone else, my world was upended. I’m separated from my new beau by an ocean, with no idea when we shall see each other again. I realize that my life as a nomad, which is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done, is essentially over, taken away abruptly and irrevocably. So now I find my story evolving and writing itself in these moments.

So here I am, you’ve caught me mid-story. It sort of feels like I’ve answered the front door in my dressing gown (okay, who am I kidding? I’ve just answered the front door in boxer shorts and a t-shirt stained with chocolate).

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Oh, dear. I’m really not the best person to ask this question to. I’m a wretched salesperson — the whole concept of promoting my book makes me anxious. And as a self-published author, all I know to do is throw every idea I have at it, explore every avenue I can come up with — from Facebook groups who might be interested, to my alumni newsletter to utilizing every book promo website I qualify for.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Only the advice I’ve been given by other authors who have helped me along the way, and that is to take heart and know that there isn’t one set path to success, and that one’s success has to do with tenacity as much as talent.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
All-time favorite piece of advice is from Morgan Freeman:

“Don’t take criticism from people you would never go to for advice.”

The best part of these sage words is that when I read them, they come into my head in Morgan Freeman’s voice. Talk about a win!

What are you reading now?
“Master Georgie” by Beryl Bainbridge. Just finished “Julie and Julia” by Julie Powell — after my travels with the girls, I can relate a lot better to her story.

What’s next for you as a writer?
The dreaded promotional “book tour” — i.e. loading up the trunk of my car with copies of ‘Enchanted Summer’ and driving around North America, couch-surfing with friends and speaking to any group who is willing to let me come and gas on about my book. Of course, all of this is predicated on the world getting back on its feet a bit 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?
Our Hearts Were Young and Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (going on the assumption that I could be stranded there for a while)

Author Websites and Profiles
Adrienne Crow Website
Adrienne Crow Amazon Profile

Adrienne Crow’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Denise Rago 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a lifetime avid reader and writer I have always wanted to publish novels. My obsession with Paris, the French Revolution, vampires, art museums and all things paranormal spawned my debut novel, Immortal Obsession. I have written a total of three novels, all in The Enchanted Bloodline Series.
I continue to work in the business office of a non-profit school for children with special needs in Northern New Jersey. I love the schools’ mission and the work they do with kids. I am honored to be a part of it all.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel, Eternal Hunger is book three in The Enchanted Bloodline Series and chronicles the plight of my protagonist, vampire Christian Du Maure, an eighteenth century man turned vampire who now lives in present day Manhattan. This series began in 2005 after a paranormal encounter introduced me to the character who would become Christian Du Maure. I have been writing about him and his tortured soul ever since.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write when I am inspired, not out of a sense of obligation. Life is too complicated and I would rather find joy in my writing time than suffer through it because it is something I should be doing; however, when my muse calls, I answer him.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice changed my way of thinking about vampires and writing about them. Her series about vampires and witches has profoundly impacted my writing style. I read voraciously but to name a few authors: John Connolly, Lisa Jewell, Sharon Bolton, Stephen King and C J Tudor are some of my favorites. Oh, and I’ll read anything about my idol Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

What are you working on now?
I have a series of novels titled The Enchanted Bloodline series which consists of my debut novel, Immortal Obsession, Blood Tears and Eternal Hunger. I am presently working on the fourth novel in this series titled All That Remains.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I promote through my website and social media sites. I generate a quarterly newsletter which offers among other things, excerpts from my novels and book promotions. I actually ran a contest to garner reviews and the prize was to be named as a character in my next novel. I love to invite and engage my readers. They truly inspire me.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Most of us wear many hats and sometimes writing takes a back seat to daily life. Do not beat yourself if you are unable to write everyday. Write when you are inspired. I find that when I feel truly inspired I generate more content rather than forcing myself to sit at my desk each day to write. I don’t function in this way.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Tomorrow is another day.” Scarlett O’Hara ~ Gone With The Wind

What are you reading now?
I just finished The Ancestors by Danielle Trussoni, author of Angelogy and Angelopolis, among other books. I am in the midst of reading Luke Jennings series which inspired the BBC series Killing Eve.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on book four in the Enchanted Bloodline Series tentatively titled All That Remains. After I publish this novel next year I am not sure what lies ahead.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is a tough one!
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
A Patriot’s Handbook~ Songs, Poems, Stories, and Speech Celebrating the Land We Love, Selected and Introduced by Caroline Kennedy
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

Author Websites and Profiles
Denise Rago Website
Denise Rago Amazon Profile
Denise Rago Author Profile on Smashwords

Denise Rago’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Christian Lowe 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been writing books since I can remember, I used to write superhero books as young as 9 years old. I’ve published two books now, my first I wrote in 2017 called Thunder. It was a Sci-Fi short story only a couple pages long, and I was 14 at the time. To my surprise, the book gained a lot of traction, although I realized that Sci-Fi books weren’t what I truly wanted to write.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is called Prophecy of Dreams. The main inspiration of this book was my sleeplessness, and I wanted to write a book about all the things I think about before I can finally get to sleep. It is a collection of poetry and prose tied together into three parts, each starting with a poem that contains a dialogue between my consciousness. My indecision, fear, anger, versus my calm, wise, and hopeful side.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I definitely do. I only like to write extremely late at night. I get my best ideas when I’m tired, and it’s dark, which I suppose helps when you’re writing a book about dreams. Sometimes after not being able to sleep for hours I write to clear my thoughts, which is reflected throughout the book.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oddly enough, I would say that most of my inspiration comes from music. Bob Marley was a definite influence on the philosophic side of this book. Another influence was grandson, an Alternative artist whose music has a heavy political side to it. Many of the values shared in his music are synonymous with my book.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a sequel to Prophecy of Dreams. I am also writing two different novels as well. I won’t say anymore because I don’t want to give anything away, but I’m definitely excited to share these new books with the world.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
It doesn’t matter how young you are, or how good you think your writing is; you can self publish it and share it with family and friends. There is no better way to express yourself than putting your writing out there.

Author Websites and Profiles
Christian Lowe Website
Christian Lowe Amazon Profile

Christian Lowe’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Suraiya Matandara-Clarke 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an English Author, I started writing from I was 7, I released my first book when I was 12 and just turning 13. Now I am 13 and I am close to releasing my next book in my book series.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is The Chosen Triphants: Red, I have not yet published it, but I am publishing it soon. It was inspired by the previous book, The Story of Margaret Mellow, and the continuation of the book. I wanted the readers to get more of a taste of the world I’m bringing them into and the events that may occur.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes when I get inspiration in the middle of the night I have to get up and hurry up to write it down before I forget.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say the authors that have inspired me are Jacqueline Wilson and J.K Rowling, I love how in her books she creates her own species in her world and that’s what I like to do with mine.

What are you working on now?
I am working on the sequel to the first book called The Story of Margaret Mellow: The Origins of the chosen. This book dives more into the world I have created and the many twists will take the readers by surprise.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is spreading the word through sharing around my book on my social media pages and creating advertisements.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to get your book published but don’t want to pay, I would suggest Self-Publishing via Amazon KDP. It worked for me and I’m sure it will work for you.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m hoping to go more in-depth with the series I’m currently working on and then develop other novels I’m 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?
I definitely would bring four of the books from the Elemental Magic series by Chandelle LaVaun.

 

Suraiya Matandara-Clarke’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

DAMIAN AMAMOO 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there Dream Physics is my first book, but I am planning a follow up.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dream Physics – I have been keeping a dream journal for nearly 20 years. When I looked back across all my dream journal entries I realised that I had documented a lot of lucid flying dreams and further that I could group them all together and perhaps publish a book about lucid dreaming environments and dream physics to help other dreamers.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Best writing in the morning for me.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The Tao of Physics by fritjof capra
The Unknown reality by jane roberts/seth

What are you working on now?
My follow up book – Creative Science and Visualization

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
never give up

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Dont worry about length. Some good books are small. Your book is done when you say it is.

What are you reading now?
Ancient History

What’s next for you as a writer?
Juggling promotion with writing the next 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?
Wow, I would take a library with me. 3 or 4 books would not be enough.

Author Websites and Profiles
DAMIAN AMAMOO Website
DAMIAN AMAMOO Amazon Profile

DAMIAN AMAMOO’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Ananya Sharma 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a writer ,blogger and a zoologist. May be one fine day I will be writing a book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
currently I am working on love is immortal . I am inspired by the love . Because I think that if a person whom we love is not with us .their love remain with us throughout our life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No such habit.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Khalid hussain book kite runner .
This book inspired me a lot to read his more work and to write.
Preeti shernoy is my favourite author .I read her every book .
Life is what you make it.
Rule breaker these are my favourites.

What are you working on now?
I am currently doing my masters in zoology from central university of jammu. Also active in writing and open mic events.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best method would be social media . It is now part of our lives .
So it can be a great method

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes ,
Just write everyday and do journaling.your feelings are important too. They are the mirror of your writings.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Best advice I have heard , don’t think what others will think about you . Just be the way you are.

What are you reading now?
I am reading wake up life is calling by preeti shernoy

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
1. Old man and the sea
2. Rule breakers
3.Everyone has a story 1
4.The kite runner

 

Jocelyn Prosser 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Caregiver to my husband and daughter and also a visionary artist.I have been a Caregiver for over 36 years and sit on the Carers Wales Advisory board. I have received a national recognition for my caring role.I have been described as highly intuitive.
I have written my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called Soul Divining. It relates my true intuitional experiences throughout my life and hopefully gives an insight into this incredibly unvalued sense.
I felt the need to share my experiences in order to raise awareness.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My life is extremely busy due to my caring role so the only way I could find time to write was to get up at 4am. This quiet time has helped me to be creative.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I don’t believe I have been influenced but I do very much appreciate some great authors like Margaret Atwood and Doris Lessing. I also love William Blake’s poetry.

What are you working on now?
I am hoping to do a follow up to my first book.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I feel it’s it been varied.My book was featured in Soul and Spirit Magazine and Psychic News which was great. Awesome gang is fantastic , an instant audience, with great potential.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Believe in what you are doing and it will work out.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Take time to pause,be guided by your gut feeling.

What are you reading now?
Canyon Lands by Jerome Doolittle,it just takes me to such beautiful quiet places.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would like to write and illustrate a children’s 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?
I would bring Blue Coffee by Adrian Mitchell as he wrote a poem for my daughter Amy which is in this book.
The Snow Geese by William Fiennes,A Sense of Community by my best friend and artist Therese James and You Can Change The World by Margaret Rooke.

 

Shubhi Shrivastava 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My first book- The wordy side
It’s a a beautiful collection of poems . Drifting through different life experience leaving every one nostalgic.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The wordy side is the only book I have achieved but I am looking forward to many projects

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Umm actually I first like to write to scribble on paper about script ,then I write edited one with different colours
Then finally I finalize it digitally

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Well ,I go through many readers but Durjoy Dutta has inspired me a lot

What are you working on now?
Well right now focusing on studies, but afcourse I am working on my next project

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think it’s verbal,ie when people talk about it
Bcz personally I would surely read a book, when anyone comes to me, tells me yarrr you must read it.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Guys never listen to people who drag you down they just can’t accept the fact that you are doing good.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Focus on your plate”

What are you reading now?
Umm I am reading various author and also Anthology

What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to try other genres 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?
Hahahaha ! I would take all of Durjoy Dutta

Author Websites and Profiles
Shubhi Shrivastava Website
Shubhi Shrivastava Amazon Profile

Shubhi Shrivastava’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Omar L. Harris 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi – my name is Omar L. Harris. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and I have written 4 books – 3 non-fiction and 1 fiction title. I spent over twenty years working as part of the global pharmaceutical industry in the US, Middle East, Asia, and South America. I believe my life’s purpose is to help each person I touch to discover their unique strengths that they can use to create their best life.

My books are One Blood (fiction under the pseudonym Qwantu Amaru) – 2011
From Authors to Entrepreneurs – 2015
Leader Board: The DNA of High Performance Teams – 2019
The Servant Leader’s Manifesto – 2020

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Servant Leader’s Manifesto was born out of crisis. The global employee engagement crisis to be exact. Nearly every business book I read points inadvertently to the culprit for this crisis but unfortunately they haven’t moved the needle. And the people who do the good work keep suffering. Well, no more. With this manifesto, we declare that toxic, ego-driven leadership is dead. In its wake shall rise the era of Servant Leadership – where the people who create value for customers have more than a seat at the table, they are actively heard and leaders respond to their needs. All you have to do to join us is to read the manifesto and pass it on. This revolution is hand to hand and word of mouth driven.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As long as I have my music and my coffee I am ready to roll. I still do write freehand though most of the time and then type up the pages as I go,

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Stephen R. Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Jim Collin’s Good to Great and Great by Choice
Simon Sinek’s Start With Why and The Infinite Game

What are you working on now?
The sequel to Leader Board called Halo: The Mission of High Performance Teams

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting on LinkedIn, Instagram, and advertising on Amazon. Also, running giveaways on Amazon and Goodreads.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes – use Reedsy to find qualified professionals to create your book cover, edit your work, and make it as professional as possible.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the first draft with the heart and the subsequent drafts with your head – Stephen King

What are you reading now?
If It Bleeds by Stephen King
Fair Warning by Michael Connelly
I Can’t Make This Up by Kevin Hart

What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing Halo and then getting back into fiction with a book inspired by my recently deceased mother’s life.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Lord of the Rings – combined volume
The Dark Tower – combined volume
The Chronicles of Narnia – combined volume
The Alchemist

Author Websites and Profiles
Omar L. Harris Website
Omar L. Harris Amazon Profile

Omar L. Harris’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Jeffrey Blander 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jeff was raised by his grandparents. They taught him that kindness is the most important virtue to make the world a better place. He has worked in many far-away places and knows that children are our future. He is inspired by his daughter, who is an imaginative story teller, wonderful artist, and fearless explorer. She collaborates daily with her mommy to create wondrous tales of kindness, forgiveness, and of course with many garden fairies.

Proceeds from the sale of Jeff’s fourth book, Maisha and the Rainbow Tree, will be donated to charitable causes supporting sustainable forest restoration and families in need.

While Jeff has published several textbooks with some of the most famous scientists on the planet while at Harvard and MIT, writing his latest book with his daughter is by far the pinnacle of his literary career.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dr. Jeff Blander and his daughter are grateful to share a story of joy, kindness, and hope through their newly released children’s book, “Maisha and the Rainbow Tree.” Jeff explains, “my grandparents who raised me firmly believed that kindness is the most important virtue to make the world a better place. It is this lesson that has shaped me professionally as well as in my most important roles; as husband, father, friend, and neighbor.” This heartfelt book shares a powerful message of hope, friendship, and advocacy-a message that will always ring true, especially during this difficult time.”

“For me personally completing this project with my daughter provides some closure and a full circle with my own mom who went to heaven when I was a young boy. She had started, but never finished, a beloved children’s book project for me. I know this was something that was so very important to her as she would often tell friends and new acquaintances alike about the project. Thus, doing so many years later with my own daughter is truly an extraordinary and healing experience. We hope this project can bring some joy, kindness, and smiles to others during difficult times. All author proceeds will go to charity to heal our planet and support families in need.”

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Jeff often writes and creates his stories with his daughter using crayon, magic marker, and sidewalk chalk.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking, Albert Einstein, Shel Silverstein, Wangari Maathai, Dr. Seuss, The Invisible Strings, The Giving Tree, Charlotte’s Web, The Lorax, Stranger in a Strange Land, The State of Africa, Death be not Proud, Cosmos, and Maisha and the Rainbow Tree.

What are you working on now?
We are currently producing the video and audio books for Maisha and the Rainbow Tree. Also the translation into Swahili. There is also an exciting project called “The Rainbow Slide Connection.” https://friendsofmaisha.com/rainbow-slide-connection.

Most excitedly, stay tuned for the next adventure with Maisha and friends…

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
We have been fortunate to participate in virtual readings through public libraries, stories shared through alumni magazines, a widely publicly available/distributed podcast, as well as a TV Interview on the evening news;

TV Interview: https://wjla.com/news/local/new-hope-sprouts-one-year-after-neighborhood-tree-removed

Virtual readings: https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/4324013

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/Angelbonnet%26Friendsstoryt/episodes/Maisha-and-the-Rainbow-Tree-written-by-Jeffrey-Blander-and-the-Save-Our-Tree-Team-eefbci

PENN Story: https://www.alumni.upenn.edu/s/1587/gid2/16/interior_1col.aspx?sid=1587&gid=2&pgid=25502#Jeff%20Blander

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Your voice and story matter. Don’t ever give up. Follow your dreams and passion, never let the haters bring you down.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your bliss and you will never fail in life.

What are you reading now?
junie b jones (with my daughter), every indie children’s book I can get my hands on (they are all beautiful and tell a personal story of triumph), JAMA, and New England Journal of Medicine.

What’s next for you as a writer?
While my heart is so full right now with of current project, Maisha and friends have many exciting adventures ahead…

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 Invisible Strings, Maisha and the Rainbow Tree, and Cosmos.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jeffrey Blander Website
Jeffrey Blander Amazon Profile

Jeffrey Blander’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Nihāl Raven 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Mediocre Writing Crappy Flow is my first fiction book. It is an introduction to the author’s novel, Shavapch. Author’s non-fiction book on the history of Rajasthan, a state in India, has been published in 2018 by a traditional publisher—second edition which coming out soon.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Mediocre Writing Crappy Flow is inspired by the philosophy behind the everyday observances that a person goes through. It dwells on issues like paedophilia, love, friendship, dreams, friendship, values, condition of women, and mental issues, providing insights, a common man can identify with.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unusual per se, but the author writes fast, on paper, and then type it and polish it while doing so.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
In terms of the way of telling a story, Lord of the Rings. In terms of the essence of a composition—The Quran and The Dice Man.

What are you working on now?
Shvapach is about a perceived utopian future on Mars where humanity is trying to survive after the Earth is rendered unsustainable for human survival. The main character, Shvapach’s journey is about the quest to find out if it really is the Utopia that humanity needs.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If you have cultivated a following, then twitter otherwise book promoting websites, awesomegang.com being at the top of these in terms of honest author interviews and the intention.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get in the character’s skin.

What are you reading now?
Upanishads

What’s next for you as a writer?
The novel Shvapach. One step at a time.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
3 or 4 books won’t do but if I am stranded there for a limited period, say a week, I would take along Bible and Torah, which I haven’t read fully.

Author Websites and Profiles
Nihāl Raven Website

Ryan Bunting 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve just recently written my first book, and have started my second. I was inspired by a dream I had last April, and despite my lack of experience with writing in the truest sense, I’ve always had a knack for worldbuilding and character development, which I attribute to my many years as Dungeon Master in several tabletop RPGs.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Project Manticore is my latest, and first, release. I had a dream in April of 2019 that was so interesting that I woke up at about 4:15am and immediately typed the synopsis into my cell phone so that I wouldn’t forget it. I talked it over with my wife, and she encouraged me to write it into a full-blown novel. I was excited and a little scared, but seeing it come to fruition has been rewarding and encouraging to write another.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if it would qualify as unusual, but I listen to ambient music that fits the mood of the scene I’m writing. Throughout writing “Manticore”, I listened to tons of ambient space and sci-fi music, as well as suspenseful thriller music depending on the scene I was working on. It helped me put myself in the location I was writing about and building, and I think it was a huge help in making my descriptions that much more punchy and effective.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a huge fan of Stephen King, and most recently, Adrzej Sapkowski, author of The Witcher series. The latter especially influenced my own writing style, as I appreciated the fact that he was descriptive without dawdling, and that the books moved at a great pace without leaving the reader behind. I mimicked that flow when writing my own stories while still incorporating my own voice and style.

What are you working on now?
My next book is tentatively titled “The Dark Cycle”, though I love that name and will likely use it for the final product. This story was also influenced by a dream that I had about half way through writing “Project Manticore”, and I’m very easily distracted, so it took all of my energy to put it on the backburner until I was finished! So far I’m a few thousand words into “The Dark Cycle” and can’t wait to write more.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m a firm believer in word of mouth first and foremost. Getting verbal recommendations from a trusted source is always the best initial route to take. I’m currently looking at other marketing opportunities (like AwesomeGang!) that are more grass-roots, which is something I personally identify with.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Absolutely, especially new authors with no experience. Don’t be afraid to use Google. The internet is a bevy of useful information, and there were times where I found myself writing a sentence that made sense to my, but I wasn’t sure if it was syntactically correct. That, and just write. I know it sounds pretentious and obvious, but what stops most people from writing is fear of failure, or fear of judgment. Abandon your fears, open up your word processor, and start putting words on paper (er, digital paper at least).

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever received is succinct, but powerful, and one you’ve probably heard hundreds, if not thousands, of times.

Be yourself.

While writing “Project Manticore”, I was terrified that the vulgarity would drive people away, but I didn’t want to cheapen the dialog and make it sound campy. Humans aren’t polite in deadly situations, they’re often yelling and cursing. I made sure to keep those feelings in my book even when that worry crept in because I was being true to myself, my world, and my characters.

What are you reading now?
I’m currently wrapping up “The Witcher” series, in the latter half of “Lady of the Lake.” It’s spectacular so far, as have been the other books in the series, and it will continue to be an inspiration for me long after I’ve finished reading.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Book two! As I mentioned before, I’m working now on “The Dark Cycle,” and this time I have an even clearer layout than I did with “Manticore,” which even that had a very clearly laid out plot (thanks, subconscious!). I’m excited to switch from hard sci-fi into more body horror, suspense, and mystery writing, as it presents a new challenge to myself and my potential 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?
I hate to be boring, but I’d bring a lot of non-fiction. The Machinery of Freedom by David D. Friedman would be in there, Human Action by Ludwig Von Mises, and then my favorite Witcher books, which would be impossible to determine right now.

Author Websites and Profiles
Ryan Bunting Website
Ryan Bunting Amazon Profile

Ryan Bunting’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Darius Ollie 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am from San Jose CA and this is my first book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Love, Schemes and Murder Scenes”. I was inspired to write this book for myself and others who are tired of reading far-fetched novels.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write with the TV on.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
James Patterson, Jackie Collins, Eric Jerome Dickey and Torri Woods.

What are you working on now?
The sequel to this book. The title is a secret lol

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet, this is my first one.

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

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust God.

What are you reading now?
Bible. 20 Laws of thinking.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Become #1 Best Seller.

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?
Any 3-4 books from the Alex Cross series.

Author Websites and Profiles
Darius Ollie Amazon Profile

Anthony Coundouris 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written and self-published a non-fiction book titled run_frictionless. run_frictionless offers business owners a framework to help scale their growing companies. Self-published six months ago, it has 30+ reviews on Amazon and Good Reads. And a near-perfect score of 5 stars on Amazon.

This is my first title. I have more titles planned.

—

BIO:

Anthony has a decade of experience consulting to technology and software-as-service startups. Brands include salesforce.com, Google, SAP and IBM. He specializes in designing automated sales and marketing systems. He has consulted to SaaS vendors in the United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Australia. Anthony has been a founder of two startups.

His first business, Firestarter, consulted on Facebook and iPad app development in South East Asia. The firm was acquired by Novus Media in 2010. He co-founded Futurebooks, an accounting firm servicing over 500 startups and ranked as Xero’s number one reseller in Asia.

When he’s not working, Anthony enjoys racing sports bikes and sailing boats.

Find him at linkedin.com/in/anthonycoundouris/

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
title: run_frictionless

I design and build sales systems for enterprise and startups across Asia Pacific. I’ve been doing this for a number of years. Each time I start a new gig I’m given three months to show results. So when I’m trying to free a founder or a sales team, I use the framework I designed called the 4Qs.

I first began writing about the 4Qs two years ago as teaching aid I could hand out to clients. I have rolled out the 4Qs to countless organizations. It’s my hope you learn the basics and walk away and implement the 4Qs in your startup. I have not been able to find a better framework.

The power of the 4Qs rests in its ability to create four, distinct quadrants, or windows, into an organization, such that all its people and processes can be grouped into one or more quadrants. The 4Qs educate people about how their role and processes touch a customer.

Watch the making off run_frictionless https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePwAXI-8eP0

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love writing at cafes. Run frictionless was written in 11 cafes spread across 5 cities.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
run_frictionless was inspired by Silicon Valley giants Steve Blank and Marc Andreessen.

Steve Blank, in his book The Four Steps to Epiphany. Marc Andreessen, Silicon Valley investor and co-founder of Netscape, coined the phrase, “product-market fit”

What are you working on now?
I’m launching a new version of a service called a friction test. I’m also writing content for several smaller, follow up books, for power users of the 4Qs.

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do not think selling books will make you money. It won’t. Unless you are a well-known author or have a well-known title (better still, both), you won’t make cash. There are more than 2 million books published each year in the English language.

Instead, consider writing a book for other merits such as influence, personal ambition, social giving, or just plain old fun.

What are you reading now?
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Little Red Book of Selling: 12.5 Principles of Sales Greatness
The Sales Development Playbook: Build Repeatable Pipeline and Accelerate Growth with Inside Sales Kindle Edition
Outbound Sales, No Fluff: Written by two millennials who have actually sold something this decade
Sales Differentiation: 19 Powerful Strategies to Win More Deals at the Prices You Want
Gap Selling: Getting the Customer to Yes: How Problem-Centric Selling Increases Sales by Changing Everything You Know About Relationships, Overcoming Objections, Closing and Price Kindle Edition

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Anthony Coundouris Website
Anthony Coundouris Amazon Profile

Anthony Coundouris’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

Yashvi Italiya 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started writing when I was in 9th grade. It has been 7 years to that and I haven’t taken a break from writing except when writer’s block knocks my door. Words have always been a source of escapism to me. To be honest, I am diagnosed with mental illnesses and I am so thankful to the poet in me.

In 2018, I started writing my debut book. It has quotes and poetry. It didn’t succeed. while I am sad about it, I am also happy to have tasted failure. Recently, I self-published my second poetry book on Kindle.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest and second book is named ‘The Uncanny Whispers.’ it is a poetry book based on the idea of exploring life through the lifeless objects in our surroundings.

I was sitting in one of my university classes and playing with an eraser. I was so bored and out of the blue, I wrote poetry on an eraser. It came out better than I expected. later that year, I was sitting in a plane, alone, and being an introvert I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I saw the window shade and thought about what it would say to me if it was alive. That was the birth of my second book. I kept looking for such things and wrote on it until it turned into a publish worthy book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I won’t say it is unusual because writing is such a thing, I believe, that doesn’t happen if you plan and force your head to produce something creative. It happens out of the blue, all of a sudden, like a shooting star. You can’t keep staring at the stars and expect it to shoot from your gaze. It happens when it is meant to.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I would say Milk and Honey have influenced me. but most of my inspiration comes from my own experiences, imagination, and observation (EIO). I believe that every book is a result of the author’s own EIO and I would want to keep it exclusive to them. In short, I learn a lot from other books but my poetry rarely gets influenced.

What are you working on now?
To be honest, I have a half-written manuscript. But currently, my whole attention is diverted towards selling my latest book

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I mostly promote on social media platforms like Instagram. Though, this time I have tried promoting it here on awesomegang.com itself. I am hoping for the best results.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I, myself, am a new author. One thing I tell myself, which I would tell all the new authors is, to keep writing what you feel. Your book should be a result of what you want to share and not just what others want to read. Let the words come from within.
If you fail to succeed, do not quit. Success is at the top of the mountain. To reach there, we may stumble, fall, get hurt, lose companions, feel like quitting many times. What matters is to keep climbing until we reach the peak.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It is very short and sweet- everything happens for a reason.

What are you reading now?
I haven’t started reading anything as of now.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I wish I could answer this but we never know what’s in for us in the future. I would keep writing more and more and see what happens next.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take-
1. Looking for Alaska
2. Turtles all the way down
3. Milk and Honey
4. Her

Author Websites and Profiles
Yashvi Italiya Website
Yashvi Italiya Amazon Profile

Yashvi Italiya’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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VISHAL TEKADE 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Sometimes we just have to flow with the natural call appears in through the heart. Same happened to me. I was far from writing but, presently my destiny made me an author and I also write spiritual, motivational articles for the newspaper. It all started from the day when my 1st articles on ‘failure’ were published in the newspaper which encouraged me to illustrate more and more articles to bring change in the reader’s mind.
Moreover, Few fluctuations in my life ignited my insights over and over and one day I decided to harmonize my entire wisdom, insights, research on life together which unfolded my very initial book namely ‘REBORN WITHIN-the beginning of inner transformation’

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As I conveyed the name of my very first book is ‘REBORN WITHIN -the beginning of an inner transformation’. Being honest, I was totally unknown to the name and everything about the book. I was covered with only blurred ideas and multiple what, how, when etc. Simultaneously the famous saying of Lao Tzu was dazzling in my mind ‘journey of thousands of mile begins with one step’. The major problem I had was my age. Yes, I’m 20-year-old boy spelling out spiritual and motivational content. Reading the book of a 20-year-old boy is bound to attack one’s ego. But, the problem is an infinite word. No matter what you are, where you are, it chases you like your shadow. Following the same attitude, I just kept writing and I was solely astounded that I wrote 300+ pages of the book. I wasn’t able believe in myself. In the same way, unknowingly the name even pumped in my mind.an As soon as would I touch the topic my mind would blow like the wind.
Especially, the main inspiration to write ‘REBORN WITHIN’ is the hostile atmosphere I grew up. It ignited an inner call to assist people, bring changes in their life, help them in transforming their life and encourage them to spread hands for others well being…

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can’t say habit. But, yes!!! I write when my mind roams in a distinct world, my own created world. Whenever I dissolve myself in nature, many illuminating thoughts emerge in my mind and unknowingly I feel like writing my experience, colouring thoughts with ink and I just do that. Moreover, pin-drop silence in my loneliness is something that stimulates me to write from the bottom of my heart.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
The very first book I had ordered out of my scholarship money ‘The power of your subconscious mind’ left a marvellous impression on me. The book reveals magical powers human is unknown for. Then, I’m grateful to read entire series of ‘insights of new living’ by OSHO. These books are more than words. It is something so natural, original and authentic.

What are you working on now?
I have decided to travel alone by bicycle to discover what life is and how it runs. Especially, to know to get a close glimpse into my being, find out my original being, who I am. I believe we are not part of existence, we are existence. Each sun shines within, each star blinks in you, each flower blossom in your being. Just the thing is, material world, societies-parents-teachers teaching since childhood has separated us from the naturalness of oneself in such a way that it is so challenging to teach up to own original being. But, now I want to kill such obliged teaching and give new birth to who I am according to my own experiences.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Being new in the world of ink, given question perplexed me. I think the best method I can follow is promoting the book on Instagram and Facebook etc social media platform as it seems the easiest and fastest way to reach up to the readers

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes! I have to say only one thing that don’t think ‘when I will be perfect then I will write’. tuning up the book is not about perfection. Instead, writing is a path to be perfect. The word ‘perfect’ is infinite. No matter how much you prepare yourself, you would not be perfect unless last breath. So, believe on yourself and keep writing. One important thing, be original while writing. Don’t try to color the content. Let it be natural. Because natural things comes from heart while artificial things come up from mind. Mind is not yours. It has been manufactured by society. But, heart is only yours. It is authentic. Just mission to it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Don’t play with the content’ yes!! I wanted to do proof reading of the book to make it fresh but if I would have done it, I would have lost my essence to that book. It would not have been mine at anymore. I’m not against language barrier. For it, it is fine if you think to have PR. But, when it comes to your own style of writing, don’t give right to anyone to play with it. Be what you are.

What are you reading now?
Presently I’m reading upon one of the vital topic of human existence as well as it’s relation with human consciousness, existence which is ‘sex’. Being in a tender age I experience multiple changes in my body and mind about the same thing and simultaneously I experience societies restriction about it. I want to find out answers of my many questions about sex and it’s influences to human existence.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Along with writing, I deliver motivational, spiritual talks for the same aim to devote myself for peoples well being.

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’ll certainly bring maturity, creativity, courage by OSHO and my one of the favorite books which is immensely close to my heart ‘the alchemist’.

Author Websites and Profiles
VISHAL TEKADE Amazon Profile

VISHAL TEKADE’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

William Schumpert 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an independent Author/Illustrator of horror. I’ve written 3 novellas, an anthology collection (Vault of the Ghouls), poetry and manga (Japanese comic).

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Vault of the Ghouls Volume 7’- inspired by ‘Tales From The Crypt’.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Must have coffee and jazz.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
R.L. Stine, Alexander Dumas, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Shel Silverstien.

What are you working on now?
Another ‘Vault of the Ghouls’ volume.

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

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

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You don’t give 100%- you give 110%

What are you reading now?
Works of ancient literature

What’s next for you as a writer?
More scares!

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?
C.S. Lewis essays

Author Websites and Profiles
William Schumpert Website
William Schumpert Amazon Profile

William Schumpert’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Jodee Patel 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written, “The Purple Rabbit”, “The Lost Key”, “Mariah and the Enchanted Forest”, “The Lady In White”, and “The Lady In White Who”.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Lady In White Who”. After I wrote “The Lady In White”, I had many readers that told me about their Marceline, Missouri Ghost Stories. I just couldn’t let the story end the way it did, so I wrote “The Lady In White Who” to follow it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I seem to get ideas for my stories just before I fall asleep. So I keep a pen and paper close to my bed.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I like anything mysterious and mystical. I can’t say any of the books I read influence me much, but my favorite book series is Eragon.

What are you working on now?
I don’t have anything currently I am working on, but I am sure I will soon!

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing. If it makes you happy, you will have to write.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what makes you happy.

What are you reading now?
I started reading the Lord of the Rings series again.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am dreaming up a special series of mystical creatures in a land of wonder.

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?
Hands down, as many books from Christopher Paolini that I am allowed.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jodee Patel Website
Jodee Patel Amazon Profile

Jodee Patel’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Donte Carter 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Donte, and I’m not an author, I’m a dreamer. I had a dream that one day………one day…….I’d publish a book on Amazon and frighten the lives of millions and billions and trillions of Amazon subscribers. Maybe I didn’t frighten you but if you’re still reading this, then you’re at the least intrigued. I’ve lived in Atlanta, Georgia for most of my life. I use various avenues to express what I want to say to you millions of people. I write and record my own music, I dip my fingers into the cup of film, and I wrote the book “Georgia”. I have yet to even scratch the surface of my destiny, so stay tuned!!!!!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Georgia. It was just a crazy dream one night. I had to put it on paper

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write what comes to the dome

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King Stephen King Stephen King

What are you working on now?
My first script. A comedy about a cannibal

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I just tell everyone I can

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. Don’t think too much. Somebody gonna like it lol

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The only way you fail, is if you don’t try” – My Grandma

What are you reading now?
My book Georgia

What’s next for you as a writer?
Take over the world Craig

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?
Survived wilderness
Playboy (Don’t judge me)
Cell – Stephen King

Author Websites and Profiles
Donte Carter Amazon Profile

Edith MacKenzie 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am Australian author and Mum. I have one short read out, however have written seven novellas that are about to be rapid released

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Cowgirl’s Dream is my latest book and it was inspired by all the amazing cowgirls I’ve know as I competed with horses growing up and into adulthood. A couple of very cute Brazilian bull riders I’ve met over the years might have provided some inspiration as well

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually have my daughter (20mths old) asleep on my while I write

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Carolyn Brown, Liz Isaacson

What are you working on now?
My Christmas Novel, Boots and Mistletoe

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, cross promotions and newsletters promos

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just start writing and don’t stop

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just start writing and don’t stop

What are you reading now?
Mostly Spot books with my kids lol

What’s next for you as a writer?
A new series called Billionaire Ranch

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?
Some David Edding books. Or if my kids were with my, Spot or Dinosaur books to keep them amused

Author Websites and Profiles
Edith MacKenzie Website
Edith MacKenzie Amazon Profile

Edith MacKenzie’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Shelley Paxton 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Shelley Paxton as seen in PBS, Forbes, CBS, CW, and Thrive Global is an author, international speaker, & transformational coach. She can best be summed up as a burnout fighter and fire re-igniter who is rebelling for rewriting the traditional script of success starting with her new book, SOULBBATICAL: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide To Finding Your Best Life (published by Simon & Schuster 1.20). Shelley spent 26 years as a highly regarded marketing and advertising executive, stewarding some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Harley-Davidson, Visa, McDonald’s, and AOL and walked away from it all to launch her own company, Soulbbatical and become the Chief Soul Officer of her own life. Her mission is to liberate the souls of leaders and organizations by inspiring them to realize their greatest purpose and potential. As a certified professional coach, she works with executives at Fortune 100 companies & with fellow rebel soul individuals and entrepreneurs. She holds a marketing degree from Boston College and graduated from iPEC, one of the country’s premier coaching certification programs. Paxton has trained with some of the top teachers in the world including Brene’ Brown, five-time New York Times bestselling author.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
SOULBBATICAL: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide To Finding Your Best Life

I wrote the book I wish I’d had as a guide when I walked away from Harley-Davidson and a wildly successful 26-year career as an Advertising and Marketing executive. The only (adult) life I’d ever known. I know what it’s like to feel scared and alone and still convinced to your core that there’s got to be more to life; a greater calling and purpose. And, I know how amazing it feels on the other side. This book is me putting an arm around the reader saying, “I got you.” Let’s go on this Soulbbatical journey together.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if these are unusual, but they work for me:
I’ve trained myself to write to a Deep Focus playlist on Spotify. I start the playlist 5-10 minutes before I’m ready to dive into writing. It gets my brain primed.
When I’m in book writing mode, I set aside entire days for writing versus smaller chunks of time. This is the best way for me to get into creative flow (and I recently learned that neuroscience backs this up!).
Before I start writing, I do a guided creativity meditation (usually on the Calm app).
The most inspiring places for me to write are in nature (near water) or by a cozy fire.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a Brené Brown devotee. I love her insight, humanity, struggle, and tell-it-like-it-is straight talk. Her work is leading a movement and I want mine to do the same!

What are you working on now?
In addition to speaking and coaching, I’m launching my own podcast called Rebel Souls in early Fall (2020). The mission is to awaken the rebel within each of us and use it as a force for good. I’ll be having conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, activists, artists, athletes, and anyone else who is rebelling FOR who they are, what they want, and the impact they want to have in the world. We’ll be celebrating inspiring stories of authenticity, courage, and purpose. Stay tuned!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social Media, my newsletter, my publicity team at Noel Elie Productions and encouraging readers to share what resonated with them.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Authenticity is the truest form of rebellion. Show up, be you, own your voice, and the magic will happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
On the other side of fear is everything you want. Well, that’s my interpretation of what I heard, and it’s been a go-to mantra for me ever since. It helps me to convert fear to fuel when I need it the most.

What are you reading now?
I’m a non-fiction junkie and one of those people who always has her nose in multiple books at a time. At the moment, here’s what’s on my nightstand:
The Soul of Money:Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life by Lynne Twist
Food Fix: How to Save Our Health, Our Economy, Our Communities, and Our Planet – One Bite at a Time by Mark Hyman, M.D.
Fierce Free and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo

What’s next for you as a writer?
I can already feel the ideas for book #2 (and possibly #3) percolating. But I’m slowing myself down to savor the moment of my very first book baby being out in the world. It’s a dream come true – I don’t want this moment to pass me by. Follow me on Instagram (@soulbbatical) to learn about future projects as they unfold.

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 one that I go back to again and again, and recommend and gift most often, is The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav. Pure gold.

As I joke in the book, I traveled with a back-breaking load of personal development books (yes, the good old-fashioned paper kind) for inspiration. My biggest influences and other favorites included:

Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong
Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning
Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art
Gay Hendricks’ The Big Leap
Tim Ferriss’ Tools of Titans
Michael Singer’s The Untethered Soul
Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass

Author Websites and Profiles
Shelley Paxton Website
Shelley Paxton Amazon Profile

Shelley Paxton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Ciara St. James 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new erotic romance writer. I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child. I grew up in Ohio and then moved to California when I married my Navy husband. Four and a half years ago we moved to beautiful Tennessee which is where my MC is based. I’ve been married for 25 years and have a daughter and son.

Romance is my favorite genre, especially erotic romance. Last year I left the healthcare setting after 20+ years as a nurse to try my hand at writing. Before I knew it, I had 11 books written! I’ve just released my first two books in a series called the Dublin Falls Archangel’s Warrior MC. I plan to release them over the next several months. And I have many more ideas not only for this series but several spin-offs as well.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I released in April my first book, Terror’s Temptress, and on June 1st book 2, Savage’s Princess. Both were inspired by things I see and hear. I can be certain music, a scene on a TV show, or even ideas that come to mind as I’m reading other authors’ work. I also get ideas form things that I have experienced over the years being around military life.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unless you count having two pugs lay on my feet and give me soulful looks because they’re not on my lap…lol. I tend to like to write late at night as well that is my favorite time to read. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was a vampire:)

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Christine Feehan, JR Ward are the two that come to mind. I have been reading them for years. I have read every one of Christine’s 80+ books and All of the JR’s Black Dagger series.

I’m also enjoying right now, Harley Wylde’s books. I have found we have similar ideas and styles.

What are you working on now?
I am about to start book 1 in the spin-off series for the Dublin Falls Archangel’s Warriors. This is going to follow the guys in their brother chapter in Hunter’s Creek. It will be about Bull, the president of that club. For those who read Terror’s Temptress, this is Harlow’s dad. Harlow is Terror’s Temptress. Though Bull is in his early fifties and has a grown daughter and two grandkids, he meets a younger woman who steals his heart. Something he hadn’t thought possible. His wife, died when his daughter was five and he’s never had a serious relationship since nor did he think he ever would.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still exploring that. It’s tough to find sites that do it for free or for a reasonable price and even if they do, a lot will not promote erotic romance. I have done it on Real Romance Reader twice, Once for each of my books. Still looking for a bigger exposure. I’m not a big social media person, so that doesn’t really help me to promote. I just started a blog to see if that helps. Its Romantica Goddessex at ciarastjaems@wordpress.com

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write and write some more and don’t be afraid to have someone ( or several someones) be your sounding board. My husband is the one I often discuss my ideas with, he reads my books, and makes suggestions.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be your own biggest fan and continue to push even if you don’t succeed at first! Everyone would love to be super successful, but the real pay off is how writing feeds your soul and sense of fulfillment.

What are you reading now?
Harley Wylde’s various MC series

What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue to write this series and other spin-offs. And get readers to leave reviews on what they thought of my books. I always hope readers will get the same enjoyment from my books as I do when I read other authors’ books. I want them to be like I am, and hardly be able to wait for the next one to come out. That is how I am with Christine Feehan’s books.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d have to say books on survival- One on medicinal herbs and plants, emergency medical one, survival 101, and then one romance by Christine Feehan. I’d like to say just her books, but I need to be realistic. I’m stranded! I need to have resources on how to survive so I can get back to all my other books!

Author Websites and Profiles
Ciara St. James Website
Ciara St. James Amazon Profile

Ciara St. James’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile