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Courtney Tiffany 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Journey to Soul is my debut nonfiction spiritual self-help book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I was actually a life coach before I wrote my first book. I created Journey to Soul as an online course before I ever put it into a book format. I wanted to help women find their own alignment in their life, to reconnect with their femininity and value their intuition. Our world is built on the masculine action-oriented structures. We constantly find ourselves stressed out and trying to keep up with the world around us. I wanted to remind women their is another way. That by turning out all the outside noise creating stress in our lives, we can actually find all the answers we’ve been searching for within ourselves.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits are all over the place as of right now. I have two toddlers who aren’t in preschool right now so our days are all over the place.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of my favorite nonfiction books are Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, Woman Most Wild by Danielle Dulsky and Goddesses in Every Woman by Jean Shinola Bolen. I am an avid reader though and love anything historical fiction or fantasy. Some of my favorite fiction books are The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman, and anything by Paula Brackston.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my second nonfiction book called Feminine Archetypes of the Greek Goddesses. In my online coaching business Life in Alignment I teach women how to open up to the divine feminine and learn more about themselves by working with goddesses and archetypes. This book breaks down the biggest players of the Greek myths and examines the archetypes within them, which are common ones we see within ourselves too.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Having a street team helping me promote by book during launch time. Also just sprinkling it in my social media presence every now and then.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Don’t stop. Keep writing and then write some more.

What are you reading now?
Currently reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle

What’s next for you as a writer?
Continue to develop my craft, and continue writing. I would love to retell some of the goddess myths in modern day empowering stories.

 

Author Websites and Profiles
Courtney Tiffany Website
Courtney Tiffany Amazon Profile

Courtney Tiffany’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Dhara Shah 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi my name is Dhara. I have written “Quarantined Together” available on Amazon as my first book. I am currently writing another book that will be released early fall. I have always loved romance and happy ending books. I am an avid reader and have a background in academic writing. I also teach mostly highschool and college students for a variety of courses through my tutoring company. I love fiction because it is all about sharing your views and worlds with others. It allows me to write on topics and stories that people can relate to easily. Love life is definately my interest area.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is “Quarantined Together”. The inspiration for my book was the COVID-19 Pandemic that forced a lot of people to stay at home and quarantine. Romance was impacted by that and I wanted to write a story that showed how things changed from before the pandemic and during the pandemic. I wanted to give hopeful ending to the people despite of the tough times influencing it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, I write more during the night that the daytime.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a big fan of Ayn Rand and Khalid Housseni. I like authors that are good story tellers that can make readers believe in problems that are presented in their plots.

What are you working on now?
I am working on a love story about Millennials and how they struggle with situations impacting their generation along with commiting to their newly found love.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still exploring my options but I am big on marketing it organically through social media and other resources.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
When you start your story, keep going with it. Try not to worry about word count even if it is short or long. You would rather have it perfect than worry about stretching it out or shrinking it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn how to market your book. A self-published Author has to market and write.

What are you reading now?
I am reading “The unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren. It is a comic love story.

What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, I would like to become a prolific writer and write more books. The more I write the better I will get at it. I would also like to publish all my work in multiple formats to accomodate every time of reader/listerner (paperbacks, ebooks, and audiobooks).

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would take Atlas Shrugged, A thousand Splendid Suns, 21 lessons for the 21st century and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dhara Shah Amazon Profile

LYNDIA LIPSCOMB 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a first time author, however, I have published books for others but never for myself. I finally took the time to write my story. Hey everybody has a story, except for me I was too busy telling other stories that I buried my own drama. But not anymore, lots more books to come.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
If My Vagina Could Talk! Wow…what inspired it…hmm let me think. I was inspired by the many voiceless women that had stories to tell but was afraid to do it alone. So my book has the heart and soul of 5 women that bare all together, in their own unique stories. It’s Addictive and A Must Read!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Late at night, with a soothing candle, maybe a sip of wine or a cold sparkling water to jump start the mind. I just let the juices flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Up until now, I have celebrity books. Books on the rise t fame. Recently I read Pretty Mess and that was a pretty cool book.

What are you working on now?
Marketing the first book and interviewing a few men for a male version. Plus I am writing a feature film, that is my love!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Just started to promote, so trying it all at the moment, so when the second book arrives, I will know what works for me and what does not.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write…don’t think about the logistics, just get it out.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You are in control.

What are you reading now?
My book…lol

What’s next for you as a writer?
A feature film.

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?
Do You by Russell Simmons, The Purpose Driven Life by Joyce Meyer, Pretty Mess by Erika Jayne.

Author Websites and Profiles
LYNDIA LIPSCOMB Website
LYNDIA LIPSCOMB Amazon Profile

LYNDIA LIPSCOMB’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Tom Kane 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 65 years old, English and I live in sunny Cyprus. I’ve written and published 18 books to date, the latest being The Brittle Sea.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is an historical drama/romance, The Brittle Sea, with a backdrop of the Titanic disaster. It was inspired by a documentary about the Titanic and I wondered what would have happened if one of the survivors lost her memory.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to be an early morning person, so I’m usually up and about at 3am.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Isaac Asimov has been a considerable influence on me and my writing. Bill Bryson has been a companion in book form that I’ve appreciated a lot.

What are you working on now?
I’m currently writing a science fiction adventure called The Ragged Edge of Time. Science fiction is something I have always wanted to write.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Try to get as many reviews as possible. But there’s a catch, you must sell your book first. Catch-22!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. Write as much as you can as often as you can, that way your writing will improve.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You will never make it as an author.” That was from a family member and it spurred me on to be an author, and I think I’ve managed that nicely.

What are you reading now?
On the Beach by Nevil Shute.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Retirement from the day job and writing a lot more books, assuming Covid-19 doesn’t get me first.

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?
War and Peace – I will read it one day.
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Les Misérables – another book I mean to finish.
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
They should keep me going for the next 20 years.

Author Websites and Profiles
Tom Kane Website
Tom Kane Amazon Profile

Tom Kane’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Catherine Ryan Gregory 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a newly published author but have been at the writing game for years. I began my professional writing career in 2006, when I started as an editor at SELF Magazine. Since then, I have contributed to national magazines and online publications including Cosmopolitan, Parents, Glamour, Bloomberg Business Week, ESPN.com, Marie Claire and more. I am also a senior writer and editor with Microsoft Philanthropies, sharing stories about how technology and digital skills empower people and communities. Finally, I write a family travel web site called To And Fro Fam, where I share kid-friendly destinations and family travel hacks.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Virtual Travel Activities for Kids was born out of my frustration from coronavirus-related stay-at-home orders. Typically, I travel a *lot*—both with my family and without them—so to say I struggled is an understatement. I resolved to figure out a way to continue traveling with my kids—in whatever way we safely could.

That’s how I came up with the idea of doing virtual travel as a family. The resources I found online didn’t offer enough creativity, flexibility or opportunities for child-led learning, so I began to craft my own. We had so much fun exploring different cultures and countries from home that I wanted to ensure other families could do so, too!

I also knew that my audience (time-strapped parents) were running out of ideas of things to do with their kids during a protracted quarantine. They were also struggling with the abrupt transition to distance learning or homeschooling. I knew Virtual Travel Activities for Kids could help them on both fronts.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It’s probably not that unusual, but I *must* have a pot of black tea while I write. I drink tea all day long!

Also, I wrote Virtual Travel Activities for Kids in just 25 days. I woke up early every dang morning and wrote from 5-7am, before my kids got up.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m most influenced by magazine writing. I love the conversational tone, succinct advice and the laser focus on making the subject matter relevant to readers.

What are you working on now?
I’m finishing building an online course helping parents take fun family road trips.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I created an email group in gmail with about 70 people who have volunteered to champion my book. I emailed them leading up to the publication date of Virtual Travel Activities for Kids and afterward, sharing a reviewer’s PDF of the book and asking for reviews on Amazon. These champions have also shared my book on their social media channels, creating organic momentum to propel sales, excitement and awareness.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write first, then edit. Don’t start by editing what you wrote the previous day. It’s ok if you write crap—just keep writing.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Progress over perfection. -Marie Forleo

What are you reading now?
A lot! I’m re-reading the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini; So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo; Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo; Instant Credibility Online by John Weiler; and High Profit Secrets by Anita Plak Semprimoznik.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Words, words and more words! I’m continuing my freelance writing for Microsoft, Nike and other clients while building out my online course offerings through To And Fro Fam. I have a follow-up book in mind, too, but need a little breather after getting Virtual Travel Activities for Kids from page 1 of the first draft to live on Amazon in less than 3 months!

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 Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O’Shea is a young reader’s novel set in Ireland. I’ve read it probably 20 times, and it’s like my comfort blanket: It always makes me feel better.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a masterful example of how nonfiction can be just as suspenseful as fiction. It was one of the first books I read that helped me realize you can apply the techniques of fiction to nonfiction. Also, I imagine reading about Everest while on a desert island would be refreshing!

You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero would inspire me to not give up. With her encouraging words, I’d persevere and figure out a way to get off that island!

Author Websites and Profiles
Catherine Ryan Gregory Website
Catherine Ryan Gregory Amazon Profile

Catherine Ryan Gregory’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Sheila Balgobin 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m from New York City and have been living in London for more than 20 years. I am known as The Dream Decipherer and have written two books on poetry and a third book to accompany my dream interpretation course.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Wide Awake in Your Dreams: Listening to the Thoughts of Your Heart and is based on my journey back to myself and claiming my birthright as a fifth generation “Dreamer” -born with the gift of dream interpretation

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, but my laptop conveniently freezes when I need to rewrite something!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Neale Donald Walsch, author of the Conversations with God series – I once teased him that I put him on the NYT bestsellers list, I gave away so many copies of his book. I even gave three copies away in one day….!

What are you working on now?
My book launch is my priority at the moment – 10 days of celebrations beginning on 9 July. I’m also working on a new edition of my book on my flower essence range, Spirit of Makasutu Essences

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth – people who know me and my work are my best supporters!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find people/groups who have been there and done it all to support you — so you don’t make silly mistakes that cost time,money and energy

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You cannot serve two masters — the penny drop when a spiritual entrepreneur told me this…I had been dividing my attention and missing out on what was my true mission in life – and suffering the consequences as a result

What are you reading now?
Books on marketing books(!), self-development books, editing and updating my previous books

What’s next for you as a writer?
My launch in July is my primary concern at the moment; but I have another book I need to write (was supposed to write before this one!) and three translations (French, Portuguese and Spanish) of my book are coming out later this summer, as well as audio versions

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?
Transformation Stories – Inspirational stories of people who found their WHY
Conversations with God – whether you believe or not, very thought provoking
Healing & Wholeness – the role of dreams in healing
My autobiography (once written!) – it will give me the opportunity to enjoy my life all over again — without the pain!

Author Websites and Profiles
Sheila Balgobin Website
Sheila Balgobin Amazon Profile

Sheila Balgobin’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Debbie Baldwin 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
False Front is my first novel. I was a columnist and film critic for over ten years and have previously written for print media and television. In 2016, I created, wrote, and executive produced a ten-episode comedy for ATT’s Audience Network. Hopefully, False Front will be the first of many.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title, False Front, came after a lot of internal debate. I had kicked around titles as simple as a single word and as complicated as a Shakespeare quote. I happened upon the title while I was describing the story to a friend. I explained that both of the main characters were hiding behind false fronts. Then it hit me. It’s kind of like trying on wedding dresses; when you find the right one, you just know.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’d love to say that I write in a tree or obsessively listening to Vivaldi, but no. I’m pretty boring, sitting at a desk or table in a quiet place and letting the words flow.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book I read influences me in some way. The best thing law school taught me was to look at a situation from every angle. Different writers bring different perspectives, and I love reading about how authors create their characters and build the world of their stories. My favorite classic novels are Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, The American, and This Side of Paradise.

What are you working on now?
I’m writing the next book in the Bishop Security series, doing a deep dive researching Ponzi schemes and art theft. It’s fascinating.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
That’s a difficult question to answer as I’m still figuring a lot of this stuff out. I’m a writer, not a promoter or marketing whiz, so I need all the help I can get.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Oh, and unless you have a very thick skin, get feedback from people you respect and from whom you have some distance. Your loved ones and close friends should be your cheerleaders not your critics.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Wear sunscreen.

What are you reading now?
I try to alternate informative books with guilty pleasures and beach reads. I’m currently reading Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. Next up: Cold & Deadly by Toni Anderson.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m trying to stay in the moment, focusing on the book I’m currently writing. If other ideas occur to me, I jot them down to look at later.

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 bring something that makes me laugh like David Sedaris, Naked, something that makes me think: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, and something that makes me happy: Emma by Jane Austen. I’d probably also hide a naughty romance under my hammock

Author Websites and Profiles
Debbie Baldwin Website
Debbie Baldwin Amazon Profile

Debbie Baldwin’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Craig Williamsson 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I practice Zen meditation and I enjoy writing about meditation and helping other folks get started.
I wrote a book on various relates themes to Zen in 2007.
A lot of what I write about are perspectives gained via meditation because that serves as a helpful guide to tell Zen path in general.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Heavy Thinking Cannot Fly” covers several ideas relates to the Zen path. Many of these ideas are easily grasped without any direct experience in meditation per se.
Whether or not a reader pursues a daily practice I believe there are multiple applications in real life, and in thinking, that are beneficial and can be easily gained.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Because these are short, often introductory approaches to a number of ideas, there is not a long unbroken narrative that needs to be maintained. In fact, “Heavy Thinking Cannot Fly” can be opened to nearly any page at random and ideas can be quickly read. My writing therefore is also like this. I build up a list of short pieces and then see how they fit together.
I am working on a new book that has the same writing approach.
Zen, and meditation, at their core are quite simple. I keep my writing and writing habits that way as well.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Shunryu Suzuki, mentioned in my book, was a Zen teacher who brought the practice to the west coast from Japan mid- 20th century. His book, taken from lectures, “Zen Mind, Beginners Mind”, is a classic that contiues to inspire me with simplicity and a sense of true freedom.

What are you working on now?
I am continuing to collect ideas for a new book about the same topic. While all of my work contains actual meditation instruction at the end, this one will also take readers on a diverse course through Zen related perspectives.
Patience is often the result of Zen practice and the new work is no exception. I am in no rush – I am just diligently observing and taking notes.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am new at most of the modern marketing so that’s hard to say. I think you need to be in as many places as you can. The advantages to self-publishing, when it works, are that sense of autonomy from anyone getting between the writer and the reader.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
A piece of uncommon advice – remember to breathe deep as you go. What else would you expect me to say?

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep doing something relentlessly, a little bit at a time.

What are you reading now?
I don’t read much about Zen although I will when something new shows up.
Quite unrelated, my second language is Swedish and I enjoy reading older books in that language – on almost any topic – I always learn new words that way.

What’s next for you as a writer?
My current project, not unlike the last, done in its own 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?
I would, at that point, be too absorbed with sitting on the beach reading and maybe, escaping rescue, to read a lot.

 

Craig Williamsson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile

Faith Marlow 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a USA Today best selling author with Vamptasy Publishing. I primarily write dark fantasy with paranormal romance and horror elements. I currently have four full length novels and numerous anthologies available on Amazon. My ‘Being Mrs. Dracula’ series has been my most successful project. ‘Being Mrs. Dracula’ and ‘Being Dracula’s Widow’ are available now. Book three, ‘Being Dracula’s Heir’, will be available 7-16-2020.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Being Dracula’s Heir. It was inspired as a continuation of my series. After the events of the first two books, Valeria is looking to start over. She does this in New York City and we rejoin her in the height of the Roaring Twenties. I have always been fascinated by this era, the glamour and destruction that followed with the Great Depression. I wanted the events of the story to parallel actual historical events. It has always been my goal with this series to make it as believable as possible that these characters exist(ed) in the real world.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am meticulous when it comes to selecting music to play in the background while I write. Each book has a playlist and each has at least one song by my favorite band, 10 Years. I also have instrumental playlists set to different moods, depending on the feel of the scene.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I remember my earliest influence was Dean Koontz. My mother and I would read his books together when I was a teenager. I feel in love with dark, yet smart, storytelling.

What are you working on now?
I am currently working on book for of the ‘Being Mrs. Dracula’ series, tentatively titled ‘Formerly Mrs. Dracula’.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have found email/ newsletter blasts to be very helpful.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t try to be the next anyone other than yourself. You have to be brave and find your own voice, tell your own stories, and if it scares you, you’re on the right track. Keep going.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“The Daydreamer’s nightmare is to never even try.” That is a line from my favorite song, ’11 am Daydreamer’ by my favorite band, 10 Years. That song has helped me find my courage time and time again. I have that line tattooed on my forearm to remind myself every time I see it.

What are you reading now?
Currently, I am re-reading the Starblood series by my dear friend, Carmilla Voiez. I wanted a refresher before reading the new book in her series.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to continue the ‘Being Mrs. Dracula’ series as long as the story line continues to be strong and not forced. I am also launching a new series in October 2020. it is the ‘Scorned Women’ series and will start with a retelling of the story of Medusa.

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 Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Dracula by Bram Stoker, Winter Moon by Dean Koontz.

Author Websites and Profiles
Faith Marlow Website
Faith Marlow Amazon Profile

Faith Marlow’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Jasmine A Acquaah 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jasmine Acquaah. Pen name, Jasmine A Acquaah, I am an author from South London, UK. I have been writing since I was eight and will have officially published my first Sci-Fi/ Fantasy book Trojan Horse – The Beginning of the End Times, on Tuesday 30th June (the Publication Date). I have written songs, short poems, and novellas before but this is my first real book, that is properly completed and there will be a total of five books in the Trojan Horse Series/ Saga.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest/ first book is called Trojan Horse – The Beginning of the End Times, it was inspired by a horrible, vivid dream I had about five years ago. The characters and main storyline, starting forming in my head juts after I had, had the dream and here we are today. It is soon to be published. I have been working very hard on this story since the age of 22.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I only write when I am inspired, and never when I am tired.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors such as Margaret Atwood (Oryx and Crake), J.K Rowling (Harry Potter) and Stephen King, have really inspired me since I was a young child.

What are you working on now?
I am working on numerous screenplays, songs and books, like the third installment of Trojan Horse called- A Soldiers Story. KI have already written the second book, called Trojan Horse – A Dark Marriage, it just needs some revising.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Instagram and Twitter.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up, write when you are inspired. Take everything in life as a business course, be productive, punctual and do not be lazy, force out negative/ depressive thoughts, believe in yourself and your work even if nobody else does, especially if it is those closest to you, continue to read so you can build up your vocabulary. Use spell checker! Do not be a perfectionist and crave a good review from everybody. Get ready to accept rejection and pray for the right oppurtunity.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I really did not want to hear it at the time. It is not the answer I wanted but it has got me here, to this place today, and partly where I have always wanted to be, this came from a man on a Stage 32 discussion board when I was trying to find a Producer for Trojan Horse (it was a screenplay first before I converted it into a book).

He said, something along the lines of;

“Make it a novel, then build your fan base, then the film finance will come to you.”

What are you reading now?
1: The Millennium Wolves, an immersive fiction story on the App made by Inkitt, Galetea.

2: The After Series, by Anna Todd.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully, branching into Film, TV, and comic books. Also, more 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?
Harry Potter,
The Handmaid’s Tale Series,
Peter Andre Biography, (I found it near a music studio and did not get to finish reading it!)
Trojan Horse!!

 

Jasmine A Acquaah’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile

Kevin Albin 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I feel I have been gifted with an amazing life. I was a police officer with Thames Valley Police for twenty five years, serving eight years with a tactical firearms unit. I served with the CID, was promoted to Inspector, and worked as a hostage negotiator. My final two years were seconded to Oxfordshire County Council Youth Service to run Prince’s Trust Volunteer programs. Those last two years sparked a change of career, and I retrained as an International Mountain Leader, and went on to lead groups across the globe, some youth development programs and expeditions on conservation.
In 2011, I won the Bronze in the Wanderlust Magazine World Guide Awards, and appeared on Radio 4 with John McCathy, which was an extremely proud moment.
My work led to some writing for outdoor magazines, but Stonechild is my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is called Stonechild, and involves the statues of London coming to life with a message on conservation and how to save the planet … or is that really their message? The idea popped into my head — or maybe communicated by a statue — during a corporate training day in London. My clients were struggling with a clue involving the Royal Tank Regiment Memorial statue, and I had an image of the statues coming to life to help my clients solve the clue. At the time, I was also doing a lot of conservation work in Borneo, an enchanting island that is sadly being deforested. As the idea for the story grew, I saw a way of getting my views across on what we should be doing with this wonderful planet, and to encourage people to question other things such as racism and equality.
The book was written in 2011 and picked up by two literary agents, one of whom, Suzy Jenvey, asked me to do some additional work, but then, later rejected it. The book had taken two years to research and write and I needed to get back to earning money, so it sat on my computer doing nothing.
Then along case the corona virus confinement followed by a motorbike accident where I fractured my leg, and that gave me the time to do a complete rewrite. I was also being fuelled by world events that seemed to be mirroring events in my book, it has been uncanny.

I still take enormous pleasure from my story and even now, there are scenes that make me smile. I feel it is a book with a purpose, and I am hoping that I can get its messages out there.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not unusual, I am sure there are many writers who write during the night or the very early hours. I do have moments where something pops into my head, and I have to get onto the computer to write it down, and sometimes, one thing runs into another. I haven’t experienced writer’s block, I write when it is there and otherwise I go and do something else.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Being a meticulous person, I have a need for stories to be accurate, and I start to lose faith when scenes are described in a way that are unlikely or impossible. So, some books that have influenced me are books that I haven’t enjoyed or even haven’t finished. These books have helped me to do it differently, and with the encouragement that if their book is out there, then mine can be too.

What are you working on now?
The sequel to Stonechild.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know yet, and like everyone else, I suspect, it’s a bit hit and miss. I’ve tapped into the usual Facebook, Twitter etc, and sent off letters to book bloggers and countless other sites offering to promote the book. It is very much early days, I am hoping the reviews on Amazon will grow in number.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you are not getting excited by your own writing, and I find that sometimes I just can’t type quick enough, then something may be amiss. Perhaps, take a moment to see where you are going with it and revaluate the plot, characters and dialogue. And, as I said earlier, it has to be accurate or feasible — he says, having written about statues coming to life — but even with that, I gave a feasible explanation as to how it could happen.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I am a big believer in synchronicity, right place – right time, meeting people for a reason etc., Not a destiny, we have many paths, but by being open and receptive, we can make good choices.

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading, A Dangerous Fiction by Barbara Rogan, which is excellent, and written in the first person, something I would like to try. Barbara is a writer, editor and former literary agent, and she helped me some years ago in editing and critiquing Stonechild.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Stonechild ends in a conversation between the Prime Minster and the President of the United States at four in the morning that suggests a sequel that may be played out in America. I am currently researching the history of America and have a plot beginning to come together for the second book.
I have a writer friend here in France that has urged me many times to draw on my life experiences, primarily those of being a policeman and a mountain guide, and an idea is coming together for a character and his adventures across the continents.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I am certain that we all find words fascinating and intriguing, so, a good dictionary. I write fiction but I love reading fact, my second book would be an encyclopaedia. My work as a guide has involved teaching survival skills, and I feel confident there, but if it was known that I was going to be abandoned, then a book on the local flora and fauna, especially what I could eat. Finally, as all of those are practical books, and perhaps a little dour, a long story such as Lord of the Rings for a bit of escapism.

Author Websites and Profiles
Kevin Albin Amazon Profile

Kevin Albin’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account

Sean Little 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a writer and educator from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. I’ve written fifteen books over the course of my career, but most of them are out of print now.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Single Twin.” It’s the flagship novel of what I hope will be a long-running series with two atypical private-eyes at the helm. The book was inspired by the fact that all too often, the guys who get the glory are rarely the guys who do the hard work. I wanted to create a duo of likable losers who have the mystery-solving intellect, but never get the credit they deserve. I consider this book to be Sherlock Holmes meets Laurel and Hardy.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write mainly at my local Culver’s restaurant. I have a booth that I really like, and I do the vast majority of my drafting and editing in that booth.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Craig Johnson’s “Longmire” books have been a major influence. Also, Michael Connelly’s “Bosch” books are very good.

What are you working on now?
A sequel to “The Single Twin” and the fourth book in my YA series about a guy who survives a viral pandemic.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Twitter a lot, but really–I don’t promote my books well. It’s very time consuming, and I’d rather put that time toward writing. I just put my books out into the world and hope for the best.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Grind. Books do not write themselves. Sit down. Put your hands on the keyboard (or pen and notebook). And grind. GET IT WRITTEN. Your ideas are worthless until they’re on paper.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Guillermo del Toro said that if you get “writer’s block,” then perhaps you’re not ready to be a writer. Writer’s Block is just an excuse you use to not spend time grinding.

What are you reading now?
At this moment, I’m reading Max Brooks’s new book about Bigfoot, “Devolution.”

What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to keep doing what I do and keep hoping for the best.

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?
“Lamb” by Christopher Moore.
“On Writing” by Stephen King.
And one of those big, intimidating monster novels from Neal Stephenson. Maybe if I was trapped on an island, I’d have the patience and time to dedicate to wading through them.

Author Websites and Profiles
Sean Little Website
Sean Little Amazon Profile

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

Aanchal Parker 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an engineering cum management graduate and hold a full time job.In addition to that job, I love reading and writing about psychology , transformation and the healing arts, spirituality and philosophy.

I have written a total of 10 books on diverse topics like transformative psychology,healing emotional wounds, overhauling one’s mindset for success and poetry/quote books predominantly on the topic of love and relationships.

I am a practicing buddhist and yogi and adore long walks in nature, painting, watching world cinema and eating dimsums.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is named “Divinity in Consciousness: Spirituality in Relationships”.Modern dating today is at an inflection point.The well-educated , ambitious ,alpha woman is looking for her mythic half but has been unable to find him.Most men she meets are unable to quench her insatiable thirst for both deep emotional intimacy and loving protection that she seeks despite her supposedly impenetrable armour.

Quality men, on the other hand, are at their wits end as to why their partner is perpetually dissatisfied with them even though they give the relationship all they have.
This lack of consonance between what is sought and offered threw open a channel to bridge the gap , out of which emerged my book.
The book inspires women to step into their power and have firm boundaries and high standards which will help weed out men who don’t quite live upto their expectations and exhorts men to develop balanced masculinity as they get in touch with their feminine side as well .

Balanced masculinity entails leading with integrity, speaking one’s truth , creating a safe space for emotional expression and holding space for partner’s feelings.

All of the above can only be achieved when a man or a woman is conscious and self -aware of their inherent needs, past emotional wounds and triggers.Spirituality serves as a powerful and potent tool for the same .

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sometimes write on tissue papers when a brilliant idea hits me and I don’t have my phone or laptop around

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been a voracious reader of both philosophy and spirituality .The authors who have influenced me are Albert Camus, Jean Paul Sartre,Ayn Rand, Ekhart Tolle, Roshi Phillip Kapleau and David Deida.

What are you working on now?
I am currently busy promoting my upcoming book “Divinity in consciousness:Spirituality in relationships”.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
What has worked well for me is having traffic pulled to my amazon landing page and word-of -mouth and social media marketing on popular platforms (facebook/instagram/twitter).

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be uninhibited, write about things you believe in,create a writing schedule and stick to it.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“You are enough as you are .Step into your power, own your gifts and become unstoppable on your journey towards greatness and success.”

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading “The art of happiness” by the Dalai Lama .

What’s next for you as a writer?
I will be focusing on the topic of self-love and transformation in my 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?
My top picks would be “The Monk Who sold his Ferrari” by Robin Sharma , Ayn Rand’s “Fountainhead” and Albert Camus “The Stranger”.

Author Websites and Profiles
Aanchal Parker Amazon Profile
Aanchal Parker Author Profile on Smashwords

Aanchal Parker’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Jay Bahre 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written about ten books under my name and another 13 under a pen name.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is titled Redemption. I’m not really sure what inspired me to write it, I just got an idea and went with it. It is a finished work and should be out soon.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No not really but I do like to be left alone when I’m writing.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Honestly I don’t do very much reading at all. No one has influenced in any way to write. It’s just something I have always liked doing.

What are you working on now?
Redemption is what I am working on now.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Twitter and Facebook I guess.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new writers is this. Don’t listen to some web sites that want money from you saying for a price they will send you the secret formula to write your book. There is no secret formula, there are no rules. It’s just you and your idea for a story. Write your book the way that is was meant to be written. Don’t make it any longer than it needs to be. If it ends at 45,500 words then that’s it don’t try to go back into it and add stuff just to make it 50,000. and don’t write it yourself. Listen to your characters they will tell you what needs to be said.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I haven’t heard any good advive.

What are you reading now?
nothing.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want my book in the hands of readers and book stores.

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 like Steven Spielberg so I would probably bring something of his.

Author Websites and Profiles
Jay Bahre Amazon Profile

Jay Bahre’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Shadelle Amarante 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
First my name is Shadelle. I’m a cool well mannered individual. I’ve written two books.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Green Pastures. My life experience inspired it.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Karren Steffans Confessions of a video vixen

What are you working on now?
A book about a princess or a damsel in distress

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

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just be true to who you are don’t change for no one.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t shit where you eat.

What are you reading now?
Fifty shades of grey and queen of the south.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting the hell out of my books and trying to gain notoriety.

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 catcher in the rye. Queen of the south. And Confessions of a video vixen.

 

Shadelle Amarante’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

J.J. Kitchen 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! My name’s Jessi and I’m a newbie author who has currently only published one book. I adore reading pretty much anything, but my favourite is definitely fantasy – particularly with dragons – and I also have a soft spot for sci-fi. After reading and writing, my favourite activities include drawing, messing about in the garden, and playing multiple musical instruments with… varying levels of skill. My favourite element is fire (if you work in fours) or Carbon (if you prefer the full 118) and my favourite punctuation is probably the excellent exclamation mark. At the moment I live in New South Wales, Australia – complete with kangaroos in the backyard! – but I’ve lived in a lot of places, including England, India, Dubai, and Kuwait. In the future I aspire to write more books and study science!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and only) published book is called Dragonheart – if you’re a fan of dragons or the Middle-Grade Fantasy genre, you should check it out on Amazon! Yes, I’m blatantly self-promoting XD
I’ve loved reading fantasy pretty much from the moment I first worked out how letters string together into words – and for as long as I’ve been reading stories about dragons and magic, I’ve also been telling them. Writing a book, though… that was a step up. I knew that if I was going to turn one of my stories into a novel, it would take a long time and a lot of work, so it would have to be something I was passionate about. Enter Dragonheart – an idea dreamed up with the help of some of my best friends when I was only twelve years old, kept buried in the back of my mind for who knows how long. Something about it stood out from my other ideas – the plot felt more original, the characters more compelling – but more than anything, this was a story which I wished I could have read, back when I was nine or ten years old and searching everywhere for dragon books.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Well, my most productive time to write is probably between 10pm and 2am – does that count? Aside from the timing, my writing habits are fairly normal – I tend to write at my desk or on the sofa with my laptop, water bottle, and some classical music or TV show soundtracks in the background.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite author is probably Robin Hobb, because I love all her books with my entire soul. Other books which fall into this category include Naomi Novik’s brilliant Temeraire series and the only one on this list that isn’t about dragons – Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series. But in terms of books which specifically influenced Dragonheart, the book that comes to mind is Jessica Day George’s Dragonskin Slippers series – which is brilliant, and if you like Dragonheart (or even haven’t read it yet) you should check it out!

What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a sequel to Dragonheart – you heard it here first, folks! I also have a lot of ideas in the works, including a new series about a group of children who have to find seven ancient swords to defend their island from invaders, and a stand-alone romance story about two princesses trying to unite their warring kingdoms. As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of fantasy battles!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m hardly a book-promoting whiz, and I’m probably not as active on social media as I should be, but I do have a Twitter account…. I’ve also submitted my book to a LOT of free promotional sites like AwesomeGang! However, I reckon my most important promotion tool is definitely my blog. You guys should check it out!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
In my opinion, the best story ideas are the ones you’ve kept in your back pocket for at least two or three years. Many of my story ideas are a lot older than that! I would never start writing a story in the same year that I first got the idea for it, mainly because my initial ideas tend to be super brief – a single character (probably not even named) with a snippet of worldbuilding or plot or clever premise needs a long time to develop into a fully-formed cast, world, and plot – but also because initial ideas are often not great, and need time to be refined and combined with other ideas to become something interesting. An idea won’t even be made into a list of notes until I’m sure it’s strong enough to make an actual story, let alone a first draft. Of course, it helps that I come up with ideas much faster than I can write them, so there’s no reason to try and write with a “new” idea when I have such a backlog of “old” ones!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Well, people always say “write the book you want to read”, and that was basically my motivation for writing Dragonheart – as well as for creating many of my story ideas!

What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading the Aru Shah series Roshani Chokshi, which (if you haven’t heard of it) is a super fun middle-grade fantasy story full of Hindu mythology. I’m up to Book 2 – three more to go!

What’s next for you as a writer?
For now, I’m just focusing on keeping up my blog, working on the Dragonheart sequel, and maybe starting the writing process for some of my other story ideas. I’m not a full-time author and I don’t intend to be, and at the moment I’m not particularly fussed about trying to get a traditional publishing deal either, so it’s not like I’m aspiring to lofty goals! I’m happy to just wait and see what happens in 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?
This question is basically impossible, because all the series I love are more than 4 books long! Maybe I’ll go for Robin Hobb’s The Liveship Traders Trilogy – they are probably my favourite books ever, after all. Also, with about a thousand pages each they would certainly keep me from getting bored! Actually, if taking up my time is the goal, I might cheat and bring my own works-in-progress – being stranded on a desert island is certainly one way to avoid getting distracted from writing…

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

J.J. Kitchen’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account

John N Powers 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Vietnam veteran, teacher for 31 years, emergency room coordinator for 10 years, grandfather. I just completed Finnegan Found, which is my second book.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Finnegan Found-Surviving the POW Camps on the Yalu.
I wrote Bean Camp to Briar Patch-Life in the POW Camps of Korea and Vietnam as a result of researchng the history of 203 US Marines captured in China on 7 Dec 1941. One of them was my wife’s father, who like so many Prisoners of War, died at a young age. Very few family members knew the story of their husband/father. I created northchinamarines.com so family members could find and read their stories. When I was asked by the American Ex-POW organization to write some articles for their publication I came to the understanding the same problem existed with Korea and Vietnam. Family members, and certainly the average American, knew almost nothing about the POW experience from those wars. Bean Camp to Briar Patch detailed the facts, but there was still something missing. Finnegan Found uses historical fiction to teach the facts of the Korean War POW experience by telling a story. Just the way tribal lore was handed down over the centuries. The tale is about forgotten men from the Forgotten War. Their war within the war began seventy years ago. It is time for us to acknowledge their story and give them the respect they deserve.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Plan what to do with your book before you write it. Know how you plan to market it before you complete it.

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

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 four best survival books I could find. The best written story in the world won’t do you much good if can’t survive to read it.

Author Websites and Profiles
John N Powers Amazon Profile

 

Dimitria Cook 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written three books, “21 Reflections of the Inner Soul,” “Parents’ Playbook: Tips, Tweets, & Other Common Sense Advice,” and my unpublished manuscript, “Living Comfortably Numb” which I plan on publishing later in 2020. I value my friendships and enjoy nurturing them. Hands down, my family is most important in my life. They have helped mold and shape the incredible woman that I am today. I love traveling. I have been to the Louvre in Paris, seen Whistler’s Mother at the Musee d’ Orsay, seen the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum, walked outside of the building in Oslo, Norway where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, seen the preserved remains of Saint Zeno of Verona, Italy, and stood outside of Torre Garisenda in Bologna, Italy which is the record holder of leaning buildings in the world.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, “21 Reflections of the Inner Soul” was inspired by my desire to help others go on a journey to rediscover their true authentic self. Sometimes we forget who we are from the inside and it is important to get back in touch with our inner soul. Writing “21 Reflections of the Inner Soul” was a way for me to help heal myself as I allowed myself to become vulnerable and share my personal stories along my own path of self-discovery.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Even though I write during all hours of the day, many times, I get an idea or inspiration as I am asleep. A thought comes to me while sleeping, I wake up, then I immediately start writing. I can’t sleep until I get these thoughts out of my head and onto the page. My writing spurts at night can last hours. Often, I think I am simply going to write down key points. Instead of an outline with key points, I have written complete chapters, or programs, or scenarios. It’s like being in a top fuel race going from 0 to 100 in .8 seconds. My mind is racing extremely fast and I keep writing with no end in sight.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many playwrights have influenced my writing. I really enjoy playwrights, Samuel Beckett, David Mamet, and August Wilson. My favorite poems are The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost and Still I Rise by Maya Angelou.

What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a children’s book about an African-American boy’s first day of kindergarten. Also, I am working on a compilation of my Instagram posts and a compilation of my poetry.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice to new authors and writers is continue to write, write, write. Be vulnerable and create stories you want to read.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Never defend the work you write.” Writers are artists and we have to know and accept that our art is subjective just as the paintings and sculptures you see in The Louvre or at your local Museum of Contemporary Art. There will people who do not connect with your writing and style. That is okay. Know your audience and be confident in your writing. Another piece of great advice I have received is “Teach the world to write. Patience, Perseverance, and Persistence. That is all.”

What are you reading now?
I am currently reading the Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am writing a children’s book about a young African-American boy’s first day of kindergarten. I am also deciding how I will publish my first manuscript, “Living Comfortably Numb.” My main character, David Trent, is a young businessman who weaves his way through his life emotionally and socially detached from his family, friends, and colleagues until he decides to redefine and rediscover the absolute person that lies deep within his core. Upon the suicide of his younger sister, he sees an apparition of a man. He is drawn to this figure, but when he approaches it, the figure stops him from entering into that realm. I’m also looking forward to doing book signings and speaking to audiences about the many micro-aggressions I receive on a regular basis, how I continue to deal with systemic racism, and learning to be comfortable in my own skin. It took me until I as 25 years old before I could look at myself in the mirror.

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) 21 Reflections of the Inner Soul. My book will keep me inspired, motivated, and grounded. It will give me the opportunity to keep reflecting on my life and continue on a journey of self-discovery. 2) End Game by Samuel Beckett. I love this play. I love the minimalist writing of Beckett. What isn’t on the page is just as important as what is on the page. 3) The complete works of Mitch Albom. I believe Albom is an amazing writer and his stories are extremely compelling. 4) Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson and bonus book The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper. Both are childhood favorites and the story of imagination and overcoming obstacles never gets old and both are inspirational.

Author Websites and Profiles
Dimitria Cook Website
Dimitria Cook Amazon Profile

Dimitria Cook’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

ANATH LEE WALES 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name that I use as an author is ANATH LEE WALES, I was born in 1997, in Kigali-RWANDA. I am a Rwandan by nationality as well as I was born to Rwandan parents. I like reading books, make some research on the internet to get more skills everyday, I am a learner by natural, I also like to listen to inspirational podcasts and watch motivational videos. Am highly interested in learning more about philosophy and psychology as well. I started my journey as an author back in 2018, my first book is called ” YOUR LIFE CAN BE CHANGED”, it was inspired by the death of my dad in 2018, you know loosing my dad at a young age, it was really a great discouragement and I had to find a way out. through out that process of searching for hope in my life, I decided to write down all those things that has helped me in the dark moment such that it may help someone who is stuck down in life for he or she to get up and be inspired for the future, and currently I have 2 published books; the first is called “YOUR LIFE CAN BE CHANGED” and the second is called, “BEYOND THE FATHERHOOD”. I write self help books on self development as well, I usually call myself ‘author of the new generation’, my wish is to create a new generation of people who are inspired to live their life while becoming the best version of themselves.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called., “BEYOND THE FAHTERHOOD”, it was inspired by my own life experience as a father! it is written in the way that it can teach any man who wants to become a good legendary man in the society, a good responsible husband to his beloved wife and a good caring parent to his children.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
no, I don’t think so

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Author Robert Kiyosaki in his book, “RICH DAD, POOR DAD” changed the way I used to think before.. there, I changed the view I had on life. I have already read many books by now but Robert inspired me the most.

What are you working on now?
am currently working on my third book which is called, “THE LIGHT IN DARK LIFE” and it will be published very soon. its a book written about how to manage mental disorders and how to maintain healthy relationship, it will surely teach readers to eliminate negativity in their life and the build strong happiness, peace and love in their life.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
currently am using AMAZON.COM as way to reach readers

Do you have any advice for new authors?
never give up, be patient to see yourself grow towards success, but if J.K.Rowling stopped on the first page, no would be able to know anything about harry potter. have faith in the goodness, your massage will change minds and minds will change the world.. in fact you are a change maker!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
once my father said, “my son your life is under your responsibility, no one is going to come and live it for you, you have to be in charge of your own life”

What are you reading now?
am currently reading an Indian epic called, “MAHABHARATA”

What’s next for you as a writer?
am never going to give up writing and I already have a title that I will work on as soon as I publish the recent book am working on.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. THINGS FALL APART
2. BIBLE
3. MAHABHARATA
4. FAKE

Author Websites and Profiles
ANATH LEE WALES Website
ANATH LEE WALES Amazon Profile

ANATH LEE WALES’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Matthew Kesselman 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a young man from New York City who enjoys to write when I’m not wasting time on YouTube.

I have one novel published, Buried Vapors, and several more in the pipeline.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Buried Vapors. The seed of the story was planted when I saw an abandoned mattress on someone’s front lawn in the heat of the summer. It glowed white-hot under the sun. I said to my friend, “I wonder what dreams were dreamed on that mattress.” And like that the story had been conceived.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Several. One is “Word Debt” where I punish myself for not reaching daily word goals by accumulating “word debt,” debt I need to make up for later.

Another is my editing process, where, when I’m reaching toward the end of the process, I’ll scramble up every scene and edit them in a random order. The idea is to forget about the structure of the story and instead concentrate on each individual sentence. After that, I’ll have the robot computer read every sentence for around ten hours, and I’ll listen to see if anything sounds broken.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I try to read widely, so I’m unsure. I’d say music and my experiences have influenced me more than other authors. What I get from books is more of micro level insights (‘this is a clever turn of phrase,’ or, ‘I like this sentence’). My macro interests/story ideas come from somewhere else.

What are you working on now?
I am working on my next novel, Finding Bryan. It’s an extremely fun read, kind of a coming of age story for a thirty-three year old and a family adventure, packed into one. I suspect people will enjoy it a lot.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
YouTube is the best platform to follow me. https://www.youtube.com/user/Matt100020

I have a lot of fun there, and I’m always excited to create interesting and useful content for my audience.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing.

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

What are you reading now?
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy

What’s next for you as a writer?
Who knows? It depends on if people like my initial novel, Buried Vapors. I like writing, but somehow I need to find people to read my books. However if I fail, I know I won’t be able to stop. I’ll write some more. It’s too addicting.

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 Catcher in the Rye, then probably 3 empty notebooks so I can keep writing.

Author Websites and Profiles
Matthew Kesselman Website
Matthew Kesselman Amazon Profile

Matthew Kesselman’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Petra Spark 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Flemish author, I’ve published 3 books. I like writing suspense stories.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Gruwelijke Gave. It was inspired by the feeling many parents have when they pick-up their children after sportsclass and they cannot immediately find them. That little moment of complete panic – Will I ever see my kid again? – inspired me to write this book.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write everywhere: in the car (when not drivig myself of course ) , in the living room, in the garder. That’s as strange as it gests, guys!

What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King

What are you working on now?
Astarte, my 4th thriller

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I try it all: Fb, wordpress, youtube. But which has the most impact in promoting my books… honestly… I have no clue…

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Focuss on the thing you love: writing! BUT! Promote your books: give interviews in papers and radiostations, go to bookfairs and bookshops to sign your books. Take initiative!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Start small. Make sure to be succesfoll in your own town, the audience will slowly grow

What are you reading now?
Stephen King: Het instituut

What’s next for you as a writer?
THE MOVIE

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?
Het instituut, De Noodzaak, Cujo, Carrie

Author Websites and Profiles
Petra Spark Website
Petra Spark Amazon Profile

Petra Spark’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account

Kayla Anne Walker 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have just come out with my debut book, The King’s Riddle, A Chocolate Conundrum

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The King’s Riddle, A Chocolate Conundrum is a picture book that I would want to use in my elementary classroom. I taught for 6 years in 5th and 6th grade. Students listened and were more interested when I was reading from a picture books. Especially one that had chocolate in it!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write anytime, but mostly when my kids are in school or napping. Sometimes I will get up in the middle of the night and write. Mostly because it is very quiet and there are no distractions.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a picture book enthusiast! I am always on the hunt for fantastic picture books. Funny, educational, well illustrated books. Books that allow the reader to figure it out for yourself. My mind is seriously drawing a blank because I love so many picture books. It really depends on the age, the subject and what my ultimate purpose in reading the book. I’m sorry I just have too many favorites! With that said, Mo Willems, Chris Van Allsburg, David M. Shwartz, Jerry Pallotta, and C.S. Lewis

What are you working on now?
Another picture book for kids. It is a mystery about someone who stole a humongous diamond!

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I tend to focus on Instagram, facebook, a word of mouth.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Grit and sheer determination will see you through your first book!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Today just get one step closer to your dream, even if it is a small step.

What are you reading now?
Malcolm Gladwell

What’s next for you as a writer?
More books! I have so many in the works, stay tuned! More great books are coming!

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 any books by:
Mitch Albom
Malcolm Gladwell
Hendrik Groan

Author Websites and Profiles
Kayla Anne Walker Website
Kayla Anne Walker Amazon Profile

Kayla Anne Walker’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile

Paul Spencer 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a former attorney with experience in criminal defense, which inspired me to write Sick Man. My short fiction has been published in several print and online magazines, including Mysterical-E and the Sacramento News and Review, and I have published nonfiction articles in several trade magazines. Sick Man is my first novel.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Sick Man. I was inspired by my home town. I live in Portland, Oregon, and it rains a LOT here. I had been reading a lot of crime noir, and while walking home one evening I realized that gloomy, wet Portland was the perfect setting for a noir novel. We also have some pretty strange religious cults around here. It wasn’t hard to adapt some real world stories to make a compelling plot.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know whether I’d call it unusual, but I find I do my best writing by hand. Like most people, I do most of my writing on a computer, but occasionally I’ll grab pen and paper, and I always seem to come up with my best stuff when I do.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
My two biggest influences are Ian Rankin’s Rebus series and Michael Connelly’s Bosch series. The way those guys combine character, story, setting, and mood is incredible. Everything a good crime book should be.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on the next book in the Mick Wray series. I was getting close to being done when recent events around the Black Lives Matter movement compelled me to take the story in a new direction. It’s frustrating to throw good work away, but the end result will be a better and more relevant book.

I’m also working on a thriller set mostly in England and Spain. Not strictly a crime novel, and very different from Sick Man, but I’m excited about it.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Don’t be afraid to be That Guy. Tell people about your book. Ask them to review it. And of course use great promo services like Awesome Gang!

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find ways to make writing fun. For me, it’s interacting with other writers. Many people say to set daily or weekly word count goals. That’s great for most people, but I find it kills my inspiration and turns writing into a grind. Yeah, make it fun!

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be afraid to create something.

What are you reading now?
My good friend Eric DeWeese’s new book Breach! It’s excellent.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep trying to enjoy the journey and see where it takes me.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Dune, by Frank Herbert. Look to Windward, by Iain M. Banks. The Big Sleep, by Raymond Chandler.

 

Paul Spencer’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account

Elizabeth Lee 

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one book, but I am hoping this is the first of many.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The mane of my book is Animal Crossing: New Horizons Survival Guide: How To Get A 5 star Island In 30 Days Or Less. The inspiration actually came from my Facebook group.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I do have unusual writing habits. I write any ideas on scraps of paper, the note section basically anywhere I can.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by the many Authors who have also published helpful gaming guides.

What are you working on now?
I am working on other “How to guides”

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I would say the best methods for promoting anything, especially books is social media.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I was a bit worried about publishing my first book, but I think you have to just take a leak of faith and hope people will enjoy what you have written.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

What are you reading now?
I am not currently reading anything at the moment. I do enjoy reading autobiographies though. I found Carrie Fishers especially interesting.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I am hoping to publish more books regularly. The types of books that you are likely to find by me, are self help books and “How to guides”

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 is a very difficult question, as there are so many books out there. I am a big Harry Potter Fan, so I will start there. I also love horror, and I guess when you think horror you think Stephen King.